Dennis Spielman

The real and imaginative adventures of Dennis Spielman

Medicine Park - photo by Dennis Spielman

Medicine Park and Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge Adventure

Hey, guys. This week I’m going to talk about Medicine Park, Oklahoma, which my wife and I explored on Labor Day.

Medicine Park is about an hour and a half drive from Oklahoma City, and the resort town is unique for its cobblestone decor, which are these round red rocks. It’s a fun day trip. Besides shopping and eating, there are sculptures to find all over the town, a scenic river trail, and what’s referred to as a bath late for swimming.

Medicine Park Aquarium - Photo by Dennis Spielman

The newest addition to Medicine Park is their aquarium. The Medicine Park Aquarium and Natural Sciences Center just opened back in May. It’s been a long journey for them, and it’s great to see that they’re open. Most of the marine life is from Oklahoma, so it’s great way to learn about creatures in the state, and they have a wildflower and butterfly garden too. Also, keep in mind when visiting, they are new, they started small, and they have plans to expand and keep getting bigger and better.

Wichita Mountain Wildlife Refuge - photo by Dennis Spielman

While visiting Medicine Park, you have to check out the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. There are free range buffalo and cattle, which you need to be careful about, along with prairie dogs and other animals. The scenery is incredible, and one of the best views can be found on top of Mt. Scott. There’s lots to do in the area, including scuba diving and learning about the refuge in the nature center.

Tower at Wichita Mountain Wildlife Refuge - photo by Dennis Spielman

In past visits, we’ve seen this tower that we had no idea how to get to or even if we could get to it. Well this time, we found it. Near the Holy City, there is a sign that says Tower Trail, which leads to a parking lot where you can hike to it. It’s a half mile journey one way, and I would say it’s intermediate in difficulty. Sadly, while you can get to the tower, you cannot get on the tower. Still, it’s a cool hike and another spot to take pictures.

That’s it for this adventure. If you’re interested in buying some of my photos, click here. Be sure to subscribe to my channel, share this video, and tag your friends that you want to take this road trip.

Scottie’s Deli - photo by Dennis Spielman

Scottie’s Deli

Last week I was invited to try some of Scottie’s Deli signature sandwiches, sides, soups, and refreshments and learn more about the place during a media preview event. After an oil downturn, Eric Fossett turned his attention from oil to sandwiches with the opening of the Scottie’s Deli in the Uptown 23rd District. At Scottie’s Deli, they make as much of their product in-house as possible, this includes curing and/or smoking their corned beef, pastrami and bacon, roasting their beef, turkey, and chicken, even making their own mayonnaise and mustard.

If you want early access to upcoming videos, bonus content, your name in the credits, and help support this series, become one of my supporters on Patreon.

Vultures in Guthrie

Guthrie Ghosts

Author Jeff Provine shares a collection of ghost stories and urban legends about Guthrie, Oklahoma. Jeff talks about the Lintz Department Store, the Blue Belle Saloon, Miss Lizzie’s, the underground tunnels, the train station, and where to go for ghost tours.

I’ve been sitting on this video for awhile. We filmed this back on July 25th, during a time period where I was filming a segment every day to have a pile of weekly content while I worked on Inviting Art and Yes Science. My backlog for Uncovering Oklahoma is now empty.

While I’m here, Inviting Art has been submitted to OETA’s Greenlight Committee for consideration of air time. It’s also in the process of being uploaded to Amazon for people to watch there. The standard edition on YouTube has professional subtitles now.

If you want early access to my upcoming videos, bonus content, your name in the credits, and more, become one of my supporters on Patreon.

Inside the WOMB Gallery - photo by Dennis Spielman

Adventures at AMP Fest and the WOMB Gallery

I visited AMP (Art, Music, Power) Fest in Oklahoma City’s Automobile Alley where I spoke with Sarah Zubair and Odessa I Reign about the festival. Plus, I got a rare inside look of the WOMB Gallery. The last time I was inside there was at the previous AMP Fest.

Happy Adventures!

Inviting Art - Title

Inviting Art – Extended Cut Release

Presented by Downtown OKC Inc, Inviting Art is my feature-length documentary that discusses Oklahoma City’s art scene. The film explores the impact of the arts, showcases examples of art in the city, and shares insight from artists in a story to inspire and invite more art.

I am proud to release Inviting Art today! At this time, it’s available to watch for free on YouTube and will be released on other platforms over time. What I am releasing today is the extended cut of the film, which runs at 73 minutes. Last night after showing it at Oklahoma Contemporary, I decided I will make a standard cut of the film to run at 57 minutes for classrooms and submission to OETA.

The Inviting Art Screening
It was great to see the movie premiere on a big screen in a theatre of Oklahoma Contemporary, one of the places featured in the film. It was super cool that Jeremiah Matthew Davis, the Executive Director of Oklahoma Contemporary, introduced the film. Huge props to them for sponsoring the venue space last night!

I tried to pick a date with nothing much going on, but I found out there were several committee meetings, a preview show for 12×12 at OVAC, stuff at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, a concert at the Tower Theatre, and some other events. I had over a dozen people that were able to make it to the free screening last night. Just goes to show that one can’t find any schedule conflicts. Plus, I know most of my friends would rather see it at home, which I totally respect.

Cookies and Drinks

However, homebodies don’t get delicious cookies. 😎

Inviting Art contains over 30 interviews and so I want to thank everyone here involved in the documentary: Addison Ball, Lori Brooks, Evan Crowley, Bryon Chambers, Mayor Mick Cornett, Riley Cole, Jeremiah Matthew Davis, Jill DeLozier, Marc Dunham, Jack Fowler, Jonathan Fowler, Dusty Gilpin, Steven Grounds, J. Nicole Hatfield, Alexa Healey, Maurice Johnson, Kelsey Karper, Robbie Kienzle, Julia Kirt, Erin Oldfield, Leigh Martin, romy owens, Jason Pawley, Lindsey Pendleton, Laurence Reese, Staci Sanger, Jennifer Scanlan, Lissa Barr Shaw, Rick Sinnett, Laura Warriner, Amanda Zoey Weathers, and Becky Weintz.

There will also be a Midnight Toast tonight (Friday, August 25th) at Ludivine (805 N Hudson Ave, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73102). If you want to stay up late with me, here’s the Facebook event page for more details. There, you can ask me what I’m working on next. 😉

Let’s keep growing the art scene!

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