The real and imaginative adventures of Dennis Spielman

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Summer Treats


Looking for a cool Summer Treat in Oklahoma? In this episode I traveled to Edmond, Oklahoma City, Norman, and Tulsa for delicious treats.

The episode starts with an interview with Raena Mutz on Roxy’s Ice Cream Social in Oklahoma City’s Plaza District. Named after their dog, Roxy’s specialize in making small batches of fresh ice cream in unique flavors and fresh baked cookie sandwiches.

Then it’s to Norman for a classic snow cone treat from Eskimo Sno. Husband and wife team, Adrian and Jennii Buendia have been making snow cones since 1999 with their signature sour straws. A family of five can be treated for less than $10.

In Downtown Edmond is the shaved ice and hot chocolate trailer, Katiebug’s Shaved Ice and Hot Chocolate. The Mom part of the Mother/Daughter team, Melissa Morgan, shares their fun summer treats, like the Frozen Hot Chocolate. Katiebug’s specialize in all natural shaved ice, hot chocolate, and organic artisan marshmallows.

Finally, in Tulsa Mike Bausch talks about Gelateria – STG. Mike fights the stigma of gelato not being the same as it is in Italy by sourcing the same machines and ingredients as them. Taste to believe!

This episode put a drain on me a bit by featuring four places from all over the state, but I needed to make a push to get out there more. I hope to travel to greater distances like this in the future when more funding for the series happens.

I Opened It…

Stroud Spaceport - photo by Dennis Spielman

On my way home after doing an interview in Tulsa, I took Route 66 part way home and found the Stroud Spaceport. Created by Vernon (Craig) M. McGuire, the Flying Saucer of Stroud began back in 1994 when a friend gave him an eight foot satellite dish. He had planned on making an umbrella top for a table until another friend gave him another dish, thus having two identical dishes. At that point the creation of The Flying Saucer was born.

The top hat to the saucer consists of commercial dryer door, pool filter, small satellite dish, UHF antenna, and over 100 platinum coated aluminum hard drive disks.

Stroud Spaceport - photo by Dennis Spielman

Naturally, I had to open it. Naturally, I filmed it, of course.

If you’re traveling Route 66 through Stroud, check it out for yourself. You can see it on Main Street (Route 66) just west of N. 8th Ave. It’s a little west of Rock Cafe.

Full Moon Run and Ride, Graphite, and Dig It

Run and ride your bike at Oklahoma City’s Myriad Botanical Gardens during their Full Moon Run and Ride event. Held on the evenings of full moons, this free event will take you through downtown. Join other runners in a 5K run, led by Ultramax Sports Oklahoma, through the scenic downtown area as the sun sets. Bring your bike and meet up a for a leisurely one hour ride. Downtown-area routes are specially planned by Schlegel Bicycles.

Then we go to the Plaza District to visit the art gallery, Graphite, who focuses on highlighting local artists.

While in the Plaza District, the counter-culture store, Dig It, shares their unique offerings you won’t find elsewhere.


Fun Facts: I filmed four segments in the same day while I was at the Plaza District: An Artist Statement Minute with AK Westerman, Graphite, Dig It, and finally Roxy’s Ice Cream Social.

Beats and Bites, The Patriarch, and the Wheeler District

Get something to eat while listening to great music at Riverwind Casino’s Beats and Bites. Megan Williams from Riverwind and Will Martin from Nacho Biznez talk about the experience at Beats and Bites.

Then we go to Edmond to visit the craft beer house and lawn, The Patriarch, which is literarily a house. General Manager, Stephen Viljoen, explains what sets them apart from other bars.

Finally, we end in Oklahoma City along the river to the new Wheeler District Ferris Wheel where District Developer, Blair Humphreys, shares the interesting story of how the Ferris Wheel ended up in OKC.

This week’s end credits features music from the local band, Wicked Shimmies, with their song, “On My Way Out.”

As usual, be sure to watch it all the way to end for the bloopers.

Independence Day Fireworks in Norman

For the Fourth of July, I went with some friends to watch the fireworks in Norman. I took my camera and tripod with me and this year I did some long exposure photographs. I had seen a photo of this technique online and thought it was a cool idea to try out myself. Normally, I don’t care to take pictures of fireworks because I prefer to enjoy the moment and they never look that great anyway, however, these turned out amazing!

Fireworks at OU - photo by Dennis Spielman

Fireworks at OU - photo by Dennis Spielman

Fireworks at OU - photo by Dennis Spielman

Fireworks at OU - photo by Dennis Spielman

For this session, my f-stop was at 20 with an exposure time of one minute for most of the pictures. Because of the time it took to capture the image and then process it, I only took several photos, which also allowed me to enjoy the show not from a viewfinder.

We had a special viewing spot on top of a parking garage we enjoyed. We didn’t have to deal the mud, bugs, crowds, and the traffic from Reaves Park. 😎

I hope you had a great weekend!

Page 120 of 156

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