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7/16/2008
Only two months until the "Golden Days of
Kenwood Festival starts. It's so exciting to look
at all we have accomplished: 1. a Web site 2. a
neighborhood park 3. a page in American Bungalow
Magazine and 4. an ordinance that all homes in
Kenwood remain homes and not businesses.
I was in Tulsa last week and got to hear Mark Harris in concert. He
is as good as I thought and I can't wait for
him to be in Enid and you all to meet him and
enjoy his incredible music.
It's time reservations can be made for
Food and Festivities. Space is limited, but a great
dinner is planned and fun period dances by Enid
Public school children. Best of all Edgar Cruz
as our dinner entertainment. He has performed with
the Enid Symphony and anyone who enjoys classical
guitar at its best is in for a treat. Sign up to
have dinner at his table for only $100 (only 9
places). Other tickets are $40 and $75. We will
start off with some "Enid" Celebrity
grillers, laughs should be abundant!
If you have tallent as an artist or preformer we still have a place
for you. Let us know. If your group needs a fund
reaser we have ideas for you. Let us know. It
will be a great weekend with all this and the
Cherokee Strip Celebration too.
6/7/2008
This week the State Historical Conference
met in Ponca City. It was great. I
found out that Enid did not have the smallest Historic
neighborhood in the state, Ponca does, only
2 blocks, but they are great if you are there check
them out. They even have new sidewalks and
brick streets. The ladies
of the neighborhood have period dresses for tours
and events. It was great.
Ok, the biggest thrill was when I had a
copy of American Bungalow magazine in my hand and
the State Architect said it was a really great
Publication. I told him I agreed and showed
him the article in it on Kenwood and the Festival. Yes,
I did brag on Kenwood just a little , but we really
do have an article about 3/4 of a page long and
it is great.
We received a call about a year ago asking
questions about the Festival from and article that
Robert Baron had written in the Enid paper. I
guess I did not believe it would happen when I
sent a packet of info they requested. Just
check it out. I understand there are copies
at Hastings, I'll share our copy anytime.
The National Historic Preservation
meeting is in Tulsa in Oct. It is a huge
honor to have it in Okla. There are
some great speakers and workshops and possibly
a group coming to Enid to Tour. If anyone
is interested in going just let me know a the festival
and I'll give you info. Lots of good things
will be happening at the festival and also because
of the Festival, come be a part of history
in the making.
5/25/2008
Have you ever wanted to learn how to do
your family tree and more about geniology? How
about an idea you have that needs a patton and
Marketing? A little more about wine or canning? What
about an hour to listen to a really great musician
or enjoy some great art in a century old house?
During the festival all will be available. But
better yet, if you have a great idea you'd like
to see or hear, let us know and we'll try our best
to find just what you have in mind.
Have you ever thought of doing a memory
tree? To honor someone, or as a memorial.. We
have many places in Kenwood to place these. 1 Kennwood
Neighborhood Park 2 Emerson and
Lincoln Schools 3 Along our East and West
street to give that wonderful canopy effect we
love to see in older neighborhoods for example
Elms of Elm street, Pines on Pine street, Oaks
on Oak street. Arrangements can be made for
anything you like by letting us know on the web
or by phone 237-3551 or check with Plants a Plenty
for ideas. Maybe you remember your favorite
teacher, or your grandchildren remember you.
Costumes are going to be a big part of the
festival. Do you sew, have a vintage pattern
or any costume ideas? Put your ideas on the
message portion of the web site. Start looking
for long skirts and pretty blouces or fancy hats. The
more who come in costume the more Kenwood will
look like we've gone back to 1908 and a glimse
of the past. The more who join in on the
fun, the more fun we'll all have. Bring out
the kid in you, dress in costume September
11, 12, 13, and 14 at the Golden Days of Kenwood
festival.
2/29/2008
Festivals are wonderful fun! Dressing
in costumes, eating fun food, experiencing history
in first person. But also boutiques from
Tulsa to Texas, entertainment from Barbershoppers
to John Phillip Sousa, as well as teas and
recitals are planned. Ways our forefathers
celebrated, lived, and worked. Also lets
put in some new - a growing community never stands
still. Has Enid ever had an all "Kids Parade" or
a street Praise and Worship Service?
Come celebrate our Past and Present, but
most of all, our future. We are celebrating
a revival! Yes of Kenwood, Enid's first neighborhood,
but also of the first Spirit brought to this community
with the Run.
How would you like to help? Artists, interesting
stores and boutiques, performers, fun food, we
need it all. Are you involved with a group
that needs a fundraiser? Do you have a group
that needs a community project? Can you dance,
sing or play an instrument, English, Spanish, or
Native American? Come be a part in any way
or amount of time you have! Let us know (via
web or phone).
Like a bargain? Through
March booth space will be only $50 - after that
$100. Visiting other areas, see something
you like - get a card and we'll invite them. Hear
of something fun, let us know, we'll check it out. Sell
something fun that you love, make something everyone
raves about, have talent to share, just let us know!
We will begin to tell the story
of Enid's first residents, businesses, events and
entertainment. Any age is welcome to help. Any
suggestions will be taken to heart! Any
story or pictures you have to share will be loved! Come
join us with ideas, help or just encouragement.
2/6/2008
About a year ago, Marty Tydings
talked about a festival in Galveston, Texas that
helped fund Historic Preservation. The Dickens
on the Strand Festival has been going on several
years, everyone comes in costume, there is great
food, entertainment, fun activities...dressing
in costume brings out the child in everyone.
We had so many ideas for Enid's Historic Neighborhood,
but no money. Marty and I met one snowy Sunday
and brainstormed ideas until dark, we had pages
of ideas and we were so excited to get started.
By early spring a commitee of 25 started
meeting once a month. We were told to streamline
ideas--so we added more people and ideas. Golden
Days of Kenwood Festival will be September 11,12,13,
and 14th. Events like a Munch and Graze, a Children's
Parade, a Choir Fest are just a few events planned.
Wouldn't you like to be part of it? Have a booth,
be a volunteer, entertain the crowd, dress up like
an early Enid Citizen.
Join the fun and we will keep you up on
new information each month. Just by talking about
the festival we have a new neighborhood park, have
investors buying and remodling older homes and
have won an award from the Chamber of Commerce.
4/11/2008
I just returned from visiting Savannaha,
Ga. It is a great place to see historic preservations. But
the best thing about going is coming home to Enid
and seeing how well our city has done with historic
preservation.
In Savanaha, Tall buildings hover over
historic neighborhoods. They block the sun
for trees and they are so modern they look funny. An
older home turned into a lovely resturant with
a 7 story parking garage next to it is just not
right.
Enid has done preservation corectly. Ruth
Freeman and Joan Allen ae just two wonderful women
with real insight into preservation. We
may have lost the old libarary building on Independence,
but we have kept our beautiful square downtown
and two of the first neighborhoods intact.
I was not sure at first about all the rules
Bob Davis presented to Enid city councel, but it
was done right and in time to save our best homes
and buildings so we dan tell the story of Enid's
beginning.
Kenwood is getting very excited about showing
off our neighborhood and beginning to tell the
stories. Have a story from the early days? We
have a great Festival for you to tell it.
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