Page 8 — Sunday, March 30, 2014
Muskogee Phoenix
2014 Spring Visitors Guide
Honor Heights city’s premiere park
2014 Spring Visitors Guide
Muskogee Phoenix
Chili, barbecue event brings ‘new, fun ideas’ By Anita Reding
By Cathy Spaulding Phoenix Staff Writer
What began as a weedy, “unkempt” hill has become Muskogee’s showplace of azaleas, butterflies, Christmas lights and recreation. Honor Heights Park — 102 hilly acres of splendor — might very well be the very reason Muskogee has an annual azalea festival. But it is so much more than azaleas, city parks officials say. The park began in 1909 when the city bought 40 acres from the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, said Assistant Muskogee Parks Director Rick Ewing.
The Muskogee Daily Phoenix apparently was not impressed. Ewing quoted from a 1909 issue of the paper: “Honor Heights was covered with an indiscriminate growth of tall weeds. The road leading to the hill was unkempt and there was a total lack of decorative foliage anywhere on the hill.” George Palmer changed all that when he became Honor Heights head gardener in 1910 and the city’s parks director in 1912. “He was park superintendent from 1912 to 1944 and he never missed a day of work,” Ewing said. “He
laid the roadways and the flower beds.” Palmer also designed the waterfall and rock walkways that go down the hill, Ewing said. The Works Progress Administration, a Depression era relief agency, built chimneys and picnic tables during the 1930s, he said. Even then, Honor Heights had a grand reputation. “In 1935, the park won an America the Beautiful contest from ‘Better Homes and Gardens,” he said. When Art Johnson became park director in 1948, public demands of
parks began to change, Ewing said. That was the start of the post-World War II Baby Boom. “He wanted it to be more of a recreation facility, not just a place to look at flowers,” Ewing said, adding that Johnson wanted more color, not the intricate English gardens Palmer favored. Honor Heights’ first azaleas came in 1951. “Someone brought azaleas from her husband’s funeral and she didn’t know what to do with them, so she gave them to Art,” Ewing said. The park began attracting tour buses. Such popularity resulted in the city’s
first Azalea Festival in April 1968. Johnson remained with the city until 1977. Since then, the park went through many changes. The park added paved trails and primitive trails. “Recreational needs of people have changed considerably. People don’t spend much time driving and looking at flowers anymore,” said Ewing. “They will look at Christmas lights, though.” Ewing said the park began its annual Garden of Lights in December 1992, about a year after he became parks superintendent. Honor Heights Park
continues to evolve, attracting a new generation of visitors with a splash pad and arboretum. The Papilion, which opened in 2013, features a butterfly house and a variety of raised flower beds. It now is the park’s main venue for festivals and concerts. In December, a temporary ice skating rink was added to complement the Garden of Lights. The city now plans to install a new “naturethemed” playground at the park. Reach Cathy Spaulding at (918) 684-2928 or cspaulding@muskogee phoenix.com.
Bare Bones Film Festival turns 15 this year By Anita Reding Phoenix Staff Writer
Special photo by John Hasler
Kim Chapuis, left, and another competitor take off at the start of the 2013 Muskogee Run 5K.
Run name recent, history long By Travis Sloat Phoenix Staff Writer
Martin Updike said the newly christened Muskogee Run has had many names in the past. “It was born out of the Azalea 5K,” Updike said. “That went on for 15 years or so, and if you go back
before that it was a Rotary Run. But it’s only been the Muskogee Run for the last four years.” The Muskogee Run will take place at 8 a.m. April 12 at Honor Heights Park, and will consist of a Onemile Fun Run, a 5K and (See RUN, Page 10)
Filmmakers from several states and countries are in Muskogee and are participating in the Bare Bones International Film & Music Festival. This year’s festival — the 15th annual – began April 3 and will continue through April 13. Approximately 300 films were chosen to be included in this year’ s festival, and filmmakers from approximately 40 states and several foreign countries are participating, said Oscar Ray. He and his wife, ShIronbutterfly Ray, began the festival 15 years ago as a gathering of independent filmmakers. “Usually we show about 200 movies in the down-
town area,” Oscar Ray said. “Some of the movies will be shown online.” In addition to screenings of a variety of independent films, the festival features seminars, symposiums, workshop and roundtable discussions, Ray said. The experience level among the films makers at the local festival ranges from “the newbie, the person who has never done anything, to the person who has been working for Disney for 40 years and decided to make their own movie,” Ray explained. “We try to design our festival so that instead of just folks that want to show movies, we also have this tremendous amount of seminars and symposiums and conversation about how to make a movie, how to consider making a movie
If you go WHAT: Bare Bones International Film and Music Festival WHERE: Various times and locations around Muskogee. See website for schedule. WHEN: Began April 3, continues through Sunday. INFORMATION: www.barebonesfilmfestival.org or (918) 616-1263. SCHEDULE: TBA TICKETS: TBA
for an audience that they may not have thought about beyond just their story,” he said. On the final night of the festival, April 13, awards in 27 categories will be presented during an awards dinner at the Music Hall of Fame. Although awards will be
presented, camaraderie among the filmmakers makes the Bare Bones International Film & Music Festival unique, Ray said. Participants are told upfront that they are participating in the festival as comrades, not competitors, he said, adding that they are told that during the 10days of the festival, they are not competing, they are to learn from each other. The local festival has become known as the “world’s friendliest film festival,” he said. During the festival in Muskogee, filmmakers are provided with training about what’s required to make an independent film with the smaller budgets, and how the process works on a major studio set, (See BONES, Page 10)
Sunday, March 30, 2014 — Page 9
Phoenix Staff Writer
Organizers of the annual Muskogee Exchange Club’s Chili and Barbecue Cook-Off continue to add events and see more individuals compete and participate. This year is the 30th annual event, and more than 100 teams are expected to compete this year, said Robert Smith, chairman. “Every year, we’re bringing new, fun ideas to the cook-off,” Smith said. Approximately 20,000 participants attend the annual event. “The event provides “fun for the entire family,” Smith said. The cook-off will be held at the Civic Center Market Square Festival Area, Fifth and Boston streets, beginning at 11:30 a.m., at the conclusion of the annual
Azalea Festival Parade, Smith said. Cooking teams will be competing for several awards, and spectators are invited to sample chili, brisket, ribs, chicken and other foods. Each taster kit can be purchased for $10, or two can be purchased for $15. Dennis Brown of Muskogee is a member of “The Rattlers” cook team, which includes employees of Diamond Back Steel Inc. The employees’ family members also help during the day. “I just love barbecuing and associating with all the people you see once a year,” he said. Brown has been a member of the team for 10 years. The team has won several awards in individual food categories — including first place and second place on chicken and third place on brisket. “This year, we’re trying to win
it all,” he said. The Rattlers team competes in the barbecue contests annually, and team members also cook between two and five gallons of chili just to give to the spectators as they pass by with their taster kits, he said. The Exchange Club also is bringing The Express Personnel world famous Express Clydesdales, ambassadors for Express Employment Professionals, to Muskogee this year. They will be part of the grand marshal entry for the parade and also will be available for pictures in the Kids Zone area after the parade, Smith said. The Exchange Club’s annual event is for the entire family, and there will be a variety of other activities in the Kids’ Zone, including inflatables, pony and camel rides.
There will also be a youth cooking competition. The Youth Chillin-n-Grillin Youth Cook-off will be for junior cooks in grades 3-12. The young cooks in the cook-off will be challenged to create a grilled hamburger patty. Festivities will begin on April 11 with a kick-off party scheduled from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. outside the Muskogee Civic Center. The concert by Rock Show of Tulsa and party is open to the public (21 and over), free of charge, Smith said. Individuals also can contact The Exchange Club for VIP tickets. Food and beverages will be available for sale, he added. Proceeds from the annual Chili & Barbecue Chili Cook-off will benefit Kids’ Space, Court Appointed Special Advocates (See CHILI, Page 10)
If you go WHAT: Muskogee Exchange Club’s Chili and Barbecue CookOff kick-off party. WHEN: 7 to 11 p.m. WHERE: Civic Center Market Square Festival Area, Fifth and Boston streets. WHO: Open to the public, 21 and over. COST: Free admission or call. Muskogee VIP tickets are available for purchase. (918) 8690733, or muskogee_exchange@yahoo.co m.
• • • WHAT: Muskogee Exchange Club’s Chili and Barbecue CookOff WHEN: 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. WHERE: Civic Center Market Square Festival Area, Fifth and Boston streets. COST: Taster kits, $10 for one, $15 for 2.
Art Under the Oaks offers focus on Native culture, fine art By E.I. Hillin Phoenix Staff Writer
Two more opportunities to celebrate the spring season in Muskogee will take place at the annual Art Under the Oaks Festival and Art Show. “The focus is culture and fine art,” said Five Civilized Tribes Museum Director Mary Robinson. The two events include the competitive art show and the market festival. “Our focus is protecting and preserving the culture and traditions of the Five Tribes from the Southeast through art and artifacts, Robinson said. The art show showcases work from Southeast woodland artists and features paintings, drawings,
If you go WHAT: Art Under the Oaks Competitive Art Show. WHEN: Opening reception is 2 p.m. April 6. The show runs April 6 to 30. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. WHERE: Five Civilized Tribes Museum, 1101 Honor Heights Drive. ADMISSION: Adults, $3; Seniors (62+), $2; Students, $1.50; and chil-
sculpture, pottery, basketry, textiles and jewelry, in addition to other cultural art forms. Awards will be given in each division. The Best of Show award will be given to the entry which best reflects the culture and
dren under 5 are free. Group rates for 10 or more are available.
• • • WHAT: Art Under the Oaks Festival. WHEN: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 19 and 20. WHERE: Five Civilized Tribes Museum, 1101 Honor Heights Drive. ADMISSION: Free and open to the public.
tradition of the Five Tribes — Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Muscogee (Creek) and Seminole. “Award winning artists from across the United States will be entering their artwork,” Robinson
said. Museum visitors will have a chance to cast their vote for their favorite piece in the People’s Choice Award category. The show is judged by Master Artists of the Five Civilized Tribes Museum. The awards reception is scheduled for 2 p.m. April 6 in the museum art gallery. The art will be on display until April 30. “Art Under the Oaks Festival has been a weekend tourist destination for over 30 years,” Robinson said. The annual festival will be during the third weekend in April in conjunction with the Azalea Festival. This year’s event will be April 19 and 20. The fes-
tival is held on the museum’s lawn and will feature storytelling, demonstrators and dancers. The kid-friendly festival includes a “make and take” children’s booth with various crafts. Artists will exhibit and sell their latest creations. Traditional food will be available during the event. The weekend is geared for the family, and events are free to the public. A new edition to the festival will be The Cherokee Booger Dancers. “Their dance is a departure from the traditional ceremonial dances,” Robinson said. Children will be able to create their own version of the masks worn by the
dancers. Keetoowah storytellers, Choogie Kingfisher and Sequoyah Guess will be on hand to entertain the audience with traditional stories as told to them by their ancestors. Experienced craftsmen Noel Grayson and Mike Dart will demonstrate cultural crafts that have survived for centuries. Traditional choirs will perform on the Saturday of the festival. The annual festival is one of the many tourist attractions during the spring in Muskogee. “Each year, it continues to gain in popularity,” Robinson said. Reach E.I. Hillin at (918) 684-2926 or ehillin @muskogeephoenix.com.