Travel Blog
Winter is Coming
Sept. 28, 2006
In the Red River, New Mexico, ski area this week, temperatures are dropping and the aspen tree leaves are still beautiful. Temperatures are in the 20′s in the morning and 50′s and 60′s in the daytime.
Parties Extra: Sept. 22-29
STARS ON HAND
Oklahoma Centennial Sponsors and guests were invited to a private reception following the performance in the Civic Center Music Hall of the preview of the new Oklahoma anthem, the special song by Vince Gill and Jimmy Webb.
The party was in the Meinders Hall of Mirrors where tables were set up throughout the room and a Centennial ice sculpture greeted guests as they arrived. Gill and Webb were on hand to take accolades for their special song contribution which was written for the Centennial Celebration.
Guests talked about the inspiring words of the music. The final chorus was:” We’re Oklahoma Risin’, brighter than a star. Stand up and sing about her, let the world know who we are. We’re the sons and the daughters, children of the West. We’re Oklahoma Risin’ , risin’ up to be the best.”
Also at the party were Amy Grant, Tom Webb, Jan Linnens, Bill Miller, Rev. Joe Bias, Laura Webb, Becky and Barry Switzer, Gina and Richard LeBoeuf, Andy Leboeuf, Jerene Gill, Marilyn Balyeat, Don Karchmer, Jose Freede, Cathy Freede, Clay Bennett, Graham Bennett, Christy and Jim Everest, Betty Price, Lt. Gov. Mary Fallin, Lou Kerr, Jane and David Thompson, Wendy Smith, DeAnn and Lee Allan Smith, Lisa and Mick Cornett, Donna and George Nigh, Brenda and Tom McDaniel, Nancy and Claude Arnold.
And Nancy and Tim Leonard, Lana and Dave Lopez, Donna and Blake Wade, Jennifer and Fritz Kiersch, Erica Reid, DeLee Smith, Juli Lyles, Analee Miller, Joan Hess, Mary Cole, Jeanette and Rand Elliott, Jeff Horning, Lil and Bill Ross, Suzie and Stan Hupfeld, Marilyn and Gene Torbett, Charlotte and Bill Mosteller, Darla and Brett Willison, Jeaneen and Bob Naifeh, Brenda and Benny Garcia and Shannon Nance.
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BEST OF THE BEST
Connell and Cliff Branan have been in Salt Lake City for the National Conference on the Family sponsored by American Mothers Inc. There were 10,000 people there, and Connell Branan, as 2006 National Young Mother of the Year, spoke about the founding mothers and how they were able to raise generations of great Americans.
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CLASS OF 1956
The 50th class reunion for Bishop McGuinness High School, known as Catholic High School in the 1950s, was held last weekend. The event was a year in planning, and the 60-plus class members attended dinners and luncheons. and toured the school.
Lil and Bill Ross were hosts for a Mexican dinner in their home. Other hosts for events included Marge and Buster Thomas and Rita and Dale Dallas. A 2006 yearbook was filled with photos from past reunions and high school days. Karen Gleason was chairman.
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A FRESH TWIST
Susan and Peter Hoffman took down the paintings in their home and put up 30 paintings from Santa Fe’s Pushkin galleries. Russian master painter Boris Chetkov, 80 and still living in Russia, is the artist, and Kenneth Pushkin brought his artwork in for the cocktail art showing. Marion DeVore was co-hostess for the event, to which friends and art collectors were invited.
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BIG FANS
Chris and Jidge Verity were hosts for a television watch party and hamburger fry for the University of Oklahoma-Oregon University football game. The Veritys’ upstairs media room was filled with football game enthusiasts. Guests brought home-cooked dishes to add to the festivities.
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BIRTHDAY FUN
Dede Benham celebrated her 60th birthday with a luncheon at The Coach House. Dessert was a special lemon tart.
At her table sat five friends she met when she and husband Bob Benham moved here 15 years ago. These friends celebrated her birthday the first year she arrived. They were Annie Bohanon, Kirk Hammons, Gene Barth, Janie Comstock and Sally Burpee.
Others at the party included Polly Nichols, Lisa Shinn, Ruth Lampton, Nancy Ellis, Judy Lehmbeck, Lyn Elam, Phyllis Stough, Patti Leeman, Joan Frates, Ann Trost, SoRelle Fitzgerald, Marilyn Balyeat, Barbara Beeler and Barbara Kerrick.
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ETHICAL EVENING
Barbara and Stanton Young and trustees of the A. Kurt Weiss Fund were hosts at a banquet at Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club, where Dr. Edmund Pellegrino was honored. He is chairman of the President’s Council on Bioethics and received the A. Kurt Weiss Lifetime Achievement Award.
Dr. Michael D. Anderson gave an after-dinner lecture to 200 guests. Dr. Joseph Ferretti was master of ceremonies.
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A FIELD OF SUPPORTERS
Oklahoma City University President Tom McDaniel was honored at a dinner in the home of Judy and Tom Love. Co-hosts were Ruth and Dick Lampton, Kirk and Royce Hammons, and Gennie and Bob Johnson. Guests celebrated McDaniel’s inclusion in the 79th annual Oklahoma Hall of Fame induction ceremony set for Nov. 16.
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FOND FAREWELL
My friend Ruth Ann (Campbell) Tucker from Englewood, Colo., had this to say in The Oklahoman obituary guestbook about the beloved Mex Frates, who died recently: “Mex was such a treasure, and memories of her will live on and on. Several years ago I co-hosted a wedding shower, and Mex was an invited guest. She was the first to RSVP, the first to arrive (on time) and the first to send a thank you note.
“Everyone who entertains appreciates a prompt RSVP. I was so impressed, I sent her a gift. Several weeks later, I gave a party at my home in Denver and several prizes were given but my favorite was the Mex Award — given to the first person to RSVP. Other friends have picked up on this reward.
“One person I know takes her cell phone to the mailbox in case there is an invitation that needs a response — she has won. I was at a party last week — there was a winner there. This could be the answer to solving the RSVP problem. “Remember Mex — reward your friends.
“Mex — I salute you for giving all who knew you such precious memories.
“You were one of a kind and a role model for all of us.”
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Archives: Parties Extra! with Helen Ford Wallace
Prior to Sept. 21 2006, Parties Extra! was in another location.
To see the archived entries, click here.
