The nearest little town to me is Stratford Oklahoma. On the United Country website it says this about Stratford:

"THE PEACH CAPITAL OF OKLAHOMA"

Stratford's chief claim to fame is its peach orchards. Each year, the major events here are The Peach Festival and a three-day rodeo.

At the time of the first Peach Festival there were some 300 acres of peach orchards in the Stratford area. Today there are some 900 acres producing these most remarkable accomplishments of nature. Specialists from the Oklahoma State University have declared the peaches of this area to be of the highest quality. It is on the twin virtues of quality and quantity that Stratford claims itself to be the PEACH CAPITAL OF OKLAHOMA! You are invited to test this for yourself.

http://www.unitedcountry.com/stratfordok/areafax.htm

Stratford is just but one of many little towns across the US that still have a lot to give to homesteaders. Small town such as Stratford are ideal for homesteading, because they need new blood for rebuilding their community. There are still towns out there with wholesome values and community pride. Stratford is one those towns. This thread will be about the goins on in this area. I'm not planning on focussing on real estate, but just small town life and the country neighbors nearby.

Little Bit Farm

-- Little bit Farm (littlebit@farm.com), February 25, 2002

Answers

heck yes !!!!!!!! drool slobber yummy........ i can testify as to stratford peaches. i look forward every year to the stratford peach festival.

and you should check out the rush springs watermelon festival too!!!

gene

-- gene ward (gward34847@aol.com), February 26, 2002.

Hey, Little Bit, didn't know you were here in OK! I used to drive through Stratford every year on my way to church camp at Falls Creek. LOVE those peaches! Ditto on the Rush Springs melons - my mom graduated from there in 1948!

One thing I'd pass on though, if Sulphur ever decides to have a "water festival"....

-- Christine in OK (cljford@mmcable.com), February 26, 2002.

Another Okie. Yeah if you go to Sulphur and bathe in the wild springs there, take a little Foo-Foo juice, enjowed it many times myself. Now if you visit Lake Eufaula, look out for the ghosts of BELLE STARR the Outlaw Queen. Gee, didn't realize there were so many Okies on this forum, guess I better quit squattin with my spurs on. Sure would like to have some of those peaches, I'm slobberin all over myself.

-- Dick Tracy (kbrdrl@lakewebs.net), February 26, 2002.

I live in OK. where are these peaches in relation to McAlester area. I always buy the Porter Peaches are they in that area. Actually I live 20 miles from McAlester and have only been in OK. for 4 years. So..would love to find these peaches. By the way I have planted 3 years ago a Blueberry U-Pick, plan on being open for business this year. Debbie

-- debbie (bwolcott@cwis.net), February 27, 2002.

found it on the map, when are the peaches out, do you know of any other fruits like apple orchards? Thanks, Debbie

-- debbie (bwolcott@cwis.net), February 27, 2002.

Hay! Debbie, I want to come pick your blueberries!!!

-- Thumper/inOKC (slrldr@yahoo.com), February 27, 2002.

Hey Debbie, I'd like to pick some blueberrys too. Will you let us know when?

-- Dick Tracy (kbrdrl@lakewebs.net), February 27, 2002.

How about kiwi us okies have one of the biggest and best kiwi farms around too. And chuckwagons man we cook also. Coaltrain

-- coaltrain (prairierose91@hotmail.com), February 28, 2002.

When I know about the peaches, I'll let ya'll know! As for the blueberries, Debbie, How cool!!! I've been wondering how they would do here. Are yours the southern rabbiteye type or the standard? I would love to pick blueberries and would be happy to refer my friends. Let us know when they are ready.

Little Bit Farm

-- Little bit Farm (littlebit@farm.com), February 28, 2002.

hey little bit how close to stratford are you.We go thru there at least once a month on our way to shawnee. we live in comanche. stratford does have the best peaches and rushsprings does have the best watermelon but sulfur has the coldest water around. I have been to all three. another okie

-- gail akins (gakins@simplynet.net), February 28, 2002.

Hey, Gail, ever been to the White River in Arkansas? It'll cramp up your feet if you put them in it!

We have pecans down by Shawnee. I haven't been down since the pickers were there, but by the amount of the check I got, I don't think they were able to get nearly all of them. Maybe I should have a u-pick-it pecan place instead of messing with the pickers. My uncle has a shaker I bet we could borrow. There's blackberries too, but they're the old definitely NOT thornless type. You earn your jelly when you use these boogers!

-- Christine in OK (cljford@mmcable.com), February 28, 2002.

I am almost exactly 2 miles from Stratford. This is a great place to live, but don't try to go to the grocery store on Sunday. I kinda like it that way.

Little Bit Farm

-- Little bit Farm (littlebit@farm.com), February 28, 2002.

Little Bit, I raise or grow, Ozark Blues, Blue Jays. We have two different ones coming next winter. My daughter goes to school in Shawnee, OBU, and my other daughter goes to OSU. Understand your kidding right now, were lambing, or just finished yesterday. I am tired and beat from it. Lost two lambs because of abnormal deliveries and I couldn't get the head straightened out, by the time we got the lambs out it was too late. The ewe is very swollen in the rear I hope she is not prolapsing. She is on heavy Penn.G. I will let all the OK. know when Blueberries are ready. We will do appointments this year. Debbie

-- debbie (bwolcott@cwis.net), March 04, 2002.