Medicine Park

Located at the edge of the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, Medicine Park is the oldest cobblestone village in Oklahoma. Established in 1908 on July 4th by Oklahoma Senator Elmer Thomas, Medicine Park was the first planned tourist resort in Oklahoma. The resort started off with a slow start, but after a few years of improvements, more and more people started stopping by the resort.

Eventually, Medicine Park hit a wall of decline and slowly fell into hard times. In 1969 Medicine Park was incorporated into a town, but due to the resort changing ownership several times over three decades and a decline in interest, the cobblestone town was struggling to survive. With the arrival of the 1990's, and the successful reopening of the Riverside Cafe , other local business started to open up their doors once again to welcome the new found interest in the small town.

"It's just a really cute place," said tourist Whitney Clark. Whitney is an Elementary Education major at OU who stopped by Medicine Park for the weekend.

"I didn't even know this place was here. Driving by, it just looks like some houses by the creek. I would've never guess that this used to be a resort." Whitney said.

Whitney Clark in front of the famous cobble stone buildings.

Medicine Park is named after Medicine Creek, which according to Native American beliefs, the water has healing powers. The healing power of the waters made Medicine Park a popular locale to visit for people looking to cleanse themselves both physically and spiritually.

Whether you are looking for a quiet get away, or just a place to stay while you visit the near by Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, Medicine Park is full of old time charm and plenty of activities to keep an entire family busy for a fun filled weekend.

The healing waters of Medicine Park.

Feeling Blue This Season?

SAD makes things seem blue.

Even though Fall has only just begun, winter is on the approach, daylight hours get shorter and the nights grow longer. The drop in temperature leads many people indoors to warm cozy fireplaces and soft thick blankets. However, there tends to be an increase in cases of depression. What causes the increase in depression and what can be done to counter the effects?

This seasonal increase in depression is often referred to as SAD or Seasonal Affective Disorder. It is caused by a lack of melatonin, a chemical secreted by the pineal gland in the middle of the brain, which helps set one's internal clock and the sleep/wake cycle.

According to the editorial staff at http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home.html there are treatments for SAD that can help relieve depression, one of which is light therapy. Since melatonin is secreted most when the body is exposed to sunlight, the easiest remedy for SAD is to go outside. If that doesn't fit into ones schedule, a prescription of melatonin might be preferable.

"I usually feel tired and let down around this time," Chance Clark said.

A Jr. at OU, Chance Clark is a Finance major who enjoys spending time with friends and spending time outside. When the temperature drops though, he spends more time inside and his melatonin levels slowly start to vary.

"I've never taken melatonin. Usually I just try to sit outside bundled up in warm clothes. It helps a little, but after graduation I'm heading south away from the cold."

When the light goes away and depression start to sink in, remember to go outside and soak up some rays to keep them blues away.

Chance Clark enjoying a hike in Poteau Oklahoma.