April 2018
After arriving on Thursday, Friday morning we all met for an orientation at at the city library. Pictured here are all the OKC hosts and their ambassadors.
Friday afternoon we visited the American Banjo Museum – home to hundreds of banjos.
The director of the museum gave us a great demonstration.
Near the Banjo Museum, some of us visited the Centennial Land Run Monument which commemorates the opening of unassigned land in Oklahoma Territory in 1889. This is one of the world’s largest bronze sculptures and it features 45 heroic figures.
Barbara G. posed by one of the statues.
Saturday was an “As You Like It” day. Many of us visited the Oklahoma City National Memorial. The pond represents the footprint of the Murrah Federal Building.
Each chair represents a person who lost their life that day. Large chairs represent adults; small chairs represent children. The row represents which floor and approximate location on the floor, the person was located at the time of the blast.
Before the bombing, the Survivor Tree stood in a parking lot next to the Federal Building. Despite the power of the blast, the tree survived. It was almost cut down to recover evidence, but the community fought for its survival. It stands today as a symbol of OKC’s spirit. Since the bombing seeds from it have been planted all over the world.
Across the street from the Memorial is St. Joseph’s Catholic Church which was also heavily damaged by the blast. They have also erected a memorial on their property. The statue of Jesus faces away from the devastation, covering his face with his hand. In front of Jesus is a wall with 168 gaps in it, representing the voids left by each life lost.
Saturday evening we attended a concert at the Boat House where Kyle Dillingham & his group, Horseshoe Road, performed.
Kyle was joined by his friend, Caribique, who was also visiting OKC.
Jim N. (on the right) and another member of the audience joined Caribique in one of his African dances.
Sunday was another “As You Like It” day when many of the ambassadors marveled at the amazing permanent exhibit of Chihuly glass art at the OKC Museum of Art.
On Monday we drove to Sulpher, OK to visit the Chickasaw Cultural Center.
Our first activity was to participate in a Stomp Dance.
This lady is wearing a turtle shell rattle which was used in the dance.
Our guide in the museum elaborated on the history and culture of the Chickasaw.
Oklahoma City
The center includes a recreation of a Chickasaw village.
Monday evening everyone was invited to small group dinners. The Norths and Woody played “Life Stories” at the home they visited.
Tuesday morning was spent at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum.
Buffalo Bill greats travelers along Interstate 44 as they pass the museum.
The much smaller original “Coming Through the Rye” sculpture was made by Frederick Remington.
Tuesday’s activities, prior to our departure the next day, ended with a Farewell Dinner which included entertainment by this group of ladies.