PARTIES EXTRA: March 30, 2007
SPRING PARTIES
MARRY-MAKING Ron and Lisa Shinn, Julie, Mike, DeDe and Bob Benham were at the party in honor of Julie and Maj. Mike Benham. They were married last summer before he went to Afghanistan. Hosts for the party were Kirk and Royce Hammons. Co-hosts were Gene and Ed Barth, Annie and Dick Bohanon, Sally and Dick Burpee, Janie and Bill Comstock, Pat and Jay Edwards, Nancy and Bob Ellis, Nancy and Larry Herzel and Ann and Bob Hoover.
TOP BILLING Rick Brown and Dr. David Kallenberger cooked at the third special dinner at The Metro featuring guest chefs not in the cooking business. A gourmet dinner included salmon and yellow fin tuna tartare, venison medallions and a berry crisp martini.
FAVORITE THINGS Tina Hall, Dr. Trent Smith, Shay Henry, Dr. Henry Asin, Sallye Hadley, Leiann Olson and Megan Byrd were at the barbecue luncheon honoring Dr. Henry M. Asin who celebrated his 70th birthday. The party, hosted by his employees from the podiatry clinic, was at one of his favorite places, Ace Hardware.
SHOWERING ERIN AND JOHN John Jarvis, Erin Swadley, Jerry and Sherry Cash and Ryan Culpepper were at the wedding shower for Swadley and Jarvis in the home of Sherrie and Jim Kite. Co-hosts were Karen and Mike Samis, Debbie and Jeff Bolding, Cindy Colton, Becky and Steve Wetwiska and Rhonda and Dick Hefton.
TAKING THE STAGE Julie Reed, Debbie Clark, Ferrelyn Oakes, Abby Lawrence with baby Carston Forrest Lawrence, 8 weeks, and Lezlie Hudiburg were at the Sip and See party honoring the Lawrences in the Hudiburg home. The baby is the son of Abby and Andy Lawrence, and grandson of Rhonda and retired Brig. Gen. Dick Hefton. Co-hostesses were Reed, Clark and Oakes. At the party were Candy Ainsworth, Barbara Beeler, Leslie Samara, Karen Samis, Susan Drake, Kathy Brown, Mary Kay Samis, Barbara Dahnke, Lucinda Huffman, Lexy Huffman and Millie Hightower.
PARTIES EXTRA: March 28, 2007
A REGENT IS FOREVER
Paul Austin receives his special University of Oklahoma ceremonial robe as one of his gifts as outgoing chairman of the OU Board of Regents. He was honored at dinner Wednesday night at the Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club. ( Photo by Helen Ford Wallace)
Members of the University of Oklahoma Board of Regents and OU President David L. Boren and his wife, Molly Shi Boren, were hosts for a reception and dinner honoring Paul D. Austin and his wife, Jane. He is the outgoing chairman of the Board of Regents and has served in that capacity for seven years. Friends, family members and university representatives honored him with gifts and speeches during the evening.
David L. Boren tells about Regent Paul Austin and his accomplishments during his term as board chairman. (Photo by Helen Ford Wallace)
PARTIES EXTRA: March 23, 2007
Shannon Nance, Eileen Price and Mary Price were at the bridal luncheon honoring Eileen Price. ( Photo by David Faytinger)
WALK ON OVER…A luncheon honored bride-to-be Eileen Price on March 14. Hostesses Pat Gambulos and Debby Dudman invited guests (most of them work around the corner from the Dudman home at Oklahoma Heritage Association) to come to celebrate Price’s upcoming marriage to Josh Everett.
Price is on the staff at OHA. Her co-workers gave her a glass pitcher and cake stand. The hostesses served hot broth in Gambulos’ antique demitasse cups. They also had chicken crepes and lemon and strawberry tarts prepared by Chef Larry Brannon.
Irish shamrocks decorated with pink bows were on the tables and guests took them home as party favors. In the crowd were Linda Garrett, Jeary Seikel, Jane Elliott, Jose Freede, Mary Price and Dian Everett.
Gennie Johnson, Mary Streich, Leslie Lynn and Debby McQueen watch as Chef Travis Ayers shows the Junior League sustainers his specialty cooking. ( Photo by David Faytinger)
SOUTHERN COOKING…Sustaining members of the Junior League had a cooking demonstration and tasting dinner at The Magnolia Room on March 12. Theme was “A Taste of New Orleans” and the chef was Travis Ayers and Eli’s Custom Catering.
The group played a game concerning cooking terminology. The chef answered questions about his recipes. On the menu was sea salt encrusted baked tilapia, blackened halibut with mango salsa and sweet potato hash and Bananas Foster.
Guests included Beth Wells, Dee Harris, Carleen Burger, Melody Bereman, Virginia Edwards, Susan Shepherd, Ashley Parrish, Montine Sprehe, Elizabeth Blount, Charlotte Cooper and Mary Geren.
Ayers gave the group his recipes. Here is the one for baked tilapia for four people:
Sea Salt Encrusted Baked Tilapia
Whole tilapia 2 (1-2 pounder)
Course sea salt (2 pounds)
Kosher salt ( 2 pounds)
Diced garlic (2 T.)
3 eggs
Fennel seed
Peppercorns (1 T.)
Oliver oil (1 cup)
Whisk the eggs in a large mixing bowl. Add salt, garlic, fennel seeds, peppercorns and olive oil in mixing bowl. Mix well. Place a small amount of salt mixture on the bottom of a small sheet pan.
Put whole Tilapia over small mixture on pan. Cover all of the Tilapia with salt mixture. Make sure the fish is completely covered in salt. No openings.
Bake in oven uncovered at 400 degrees for 60 minutes. Pull from oven and let cool for 10 minutes. Outer salt shell should crack and break off easily. Filet fish on either side skin on and discard bones.
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PARTIES EXTRA: March 18, 2007
GRAND MARSHAL BALL.
A big screen featured Ed Kelley and his family. ( Photo by Helen Ford Wallace).
Everyone felt really lucky to be at the St. Patrick’s Day Grand Marshal Ball on March 16 at the Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club.
They were privileged to be with Ed Kelley, Grand Marshal of the Ball and the next day’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade, and his beautiful wife, Carole. They had the “luck of the Irish” to be able to listen to the Notre Dame University Glee Club sing during the cocktail hour. Some of them were even lucky when they had a green shamrock under the chair and took home table bouquets of Belles of Ireland and roses.
Lots of the partygoers were lucky bidders on the live auction which included such Irish treasures as a trip to a Notre Dame football game and visit to South Bend, Ind., or a dinner hosted by Father Joseph Jacobi at St. Eugene Parish Rectory.
On the program were Robert Dolan, Archbishop Eusebius Beltran and Tim O’Connor.
Committee members for the Ball were Jane McDonnell and Toby Boothe, chairmen; Connie Blaney, Karole Cornelison, Barbara Main, Jane Moon, Eileen O’Donoghue, Jeanne Ann Van Horn and Debi Wagner.
Ed and Carole Kelley talk with friends and guests at the 2007 St. Patrick’s Day Grand Marshall Ball at the Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club. The Oklahoman Editor Ed Kelley led the St. Patrick’s Day Parade the next day. ( Photo by Helen Ford Wallace).
The Oklahoman Publisher David Thompson shows off his green tie at the St.Patrick’s Day party. ( Photo by Helen Ford Wallace).
Bob and Sue Hale wore green ( he had a green pin and she wore a green top) to the annual St. Patrick’s Day Ball. Sue Hale is The Oklahoman Executive Editor.( Photo by Helen Ford Wallace).
PARTIES EXTRA: March 17, 2007
WRITERS ATTEND WORKSHOPS
Robert L. Haught and Mary Haught were Will Rogers Writer’s Workshop planners. Robert Haught was the director of the three day conference. ( Photo by Helen Ford Wallace).
The three day Will Rogers Writers’ Workshop at the Cox Convention Center featured sessions from “Building A Smart Writer’s Web Site” with Tim Bete to “Working With Your Editor Pays Off” with Joe Hight, Wayne Greene and Andy Rieger.
There was also a session on “Regional Magazines:An Overlooked Market” with Louisa McCune-Elmore: “Take My Advice:Write Features” with Jeffrey Zaslow; “Secrets of Successful Column Writing” with Suzette Martinez Standring and “New Directions in Fiction Writing” with Terry Burns.”
Among the featured breakfast and luncheon speakers were Paula LaRocque, writing coach and author; Jim Boren, humorist and author; W. Bruce Cameron, humor writer; Craig Wilson, USA Today columnist and Susan Driscoll, President and CEO of iUniverse.
Lillie-Beth Brinkman and Sally Allen were at the Workshop in the Cox Convention Center. Allen led a workshop on “The Wild, Wild World of the Internet.” ( Photo by Helen Ford Wallace).
Jackie Papandrew, Jim Miller and Sherrel Jones were at the Will Rogers Writer’s Workshop in Oklahoma City. Miller, Editor and Founder of syndicated column “Savvy Senior,” was one of the workshop speakers and his topic was “Syndication: An Elusive Dream.” ( Photo By Helen Ford Wallace).
PARTIES EXTRA: March 17, 2007
Lexy and Huston Huffman, Paul Kelly, Emily Huffman, and Sally and Steve Bentley attend the dinner and shower honoring Emily Huffman and Paul Kelly in the Bentley home. BY DAVID FAYTINGER, FOR THE OKLAHOMAN
SHOWERING EMILY AND PAUL…Eight couples entertained for engaged couple Emily Huffman and Paul Kelly in the home of Sally and Steve Bentley.
Hosts for the dinner and miscellaneous shower were Laurie and Jim Hyde, Donna and Bill Bozalis, Millie and Johnson Hightower, Susan and Peter Hoffman, Linda and Tom Klos, Chris and Jay Spradling and Sue and Scott Spradling.
Russell Moses, Alyson Howard, Anthony Moses, Toni Moses and Ann Howard ( Photo provided).
FIRST CLASS TICKET…Alyson Howard and Anthony Moses were honored at a dinner and shower at Ozzie’s Diner at the University of Oklahoma Westheimer Airport, Norman. Hosts were Samia and Joe Harroz, Nayla and Albert Daly, Mary Ann and Dr. Joe Harroz, Sharon and Father Constantine Nasr and Nena and Dr. Paul Massad.
The invitation was an airline ticket since the groom-to-be is a pilot in training at the Delta Connection Academy in Sanford, Fla. On it was the “flight time” and it was also noted “due to space limitation the 100 passengers were limited to one carry -on unwrapped shower item or gift card.
A stewardess served drinks. The “A&;A” airline theme was also carried out with white balloons resembling clouds and mini airplanes hung from the clouds. Party favors were bags of peanuts.
The engaged couple will be married in May.
BOOK IT…The 18th annual Oklahoma Book Awards dinner sponsored by the Oklahoma Center for the Book, a state affiliate of the Library of Congress, and the Friends of the OCB, was held at the Petroleum Club.
Finalists and winners were announced in six literary categories.
Sue Stees,Tulsa, was banquet chairman and the Honorable M. Susan Savage, Oklahoma’s Secretary of State, was the master of ceremonies. Among other presenters were M.J. Van Deventer, state president of the Friends; Susan McVey, director of the Oklahoma Department of Libraries; Maurvene Williams, representing the Library of Congress; Ginnie Campbell, Oklahoma Heritage Association; and Thomas Bennett Jr., chairman and CEO, ONB Bank and Trust, who introduced Clifton H. Taulbert as the Arrell Gibson Lifetime Achievement Award recipient. The late Muriel Wright received the Ralph Ellison Award.
A special citation was given to William Young, ODL’s public information officer. Music was by Edgar Cruz.
LET ME CALL YOU SWEETHEART…The annual All Alumni Classen High School Boulevard Boy’s Sweetheart Party was at the Boulevard Cafeteria and couples who have been married for 50 years were special honorees.
Maryland and Archer Stotts who have been married for 57 years cut and served the special “Comet Cake.”
PARTIES EXTRA
PARTIES EXTRA: March 15, 2007
WILL ROGERS WRITERS’ WORKSHOP
Writers in town on March 15, 2007, for the Will Rogers Writers’ Workshop were entertained at a reception at the Oklahoma Publishing Company where editor Ed Kelley welcomed the 150 guests. Workshop director Robert L. Haught gave remarks to the people who arrived by bus from the Renaissance Convention Center Hotel where most of the workshops were held on Friday and Saturday.
Participants attended workshops and listened to writing coaches throughout the conference.
Ed Kelley welcomes conference participants. (Photo by Helen Ford Wallace)
Columnist Jackie Papandrew and Oklahoman Features Editor Sonya Colberg chat at the reception. (Photo by Helen Ford Wallace.)
Tour Coordinator Mary Haught and Oklahoman Managing Editor Joe Hight talk about the conference.( Photo by Helen Ford Wallace)
Workshop director Robert L. Haught checks final details with tour commentator Sally B. Ferrell. ( Photo by Helen Ford Wallace.)
Robert L. Haught welcomes conference participants. ( Photo by Helen Ford Wallace).
PARTIES EXTRA: March 11, 2007
Trip and Diana Rodgers, left, and Brian and Elizabeth Inbody, right, celebrate with William W. and Linda Rodgers, center, as they were honored at Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club’s President’s Ball. William Rodgers is the club’s new president. BY DAVID FAYTINGER, FOR THE OKLAHOMAN
CENTENNIAL YEAR…William W. Rodgers is the incoming Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club president and he and his wife, Linda, were honorees at the 2007 President’s Ball on March 2.
Guests danced to the music of the Brent Van Sickle Orchestra. Because the club’s history goes back 100 years, theme for the party was “Honoring the Past, Celebrating the Future.”
Using a play on words, the Rodgers’ special guest was a Will Rogers impersonator (Bill Pennington). He gave some wonderful one-liner quotes from Will Rogers during the evening and talked after dinner about Oklahoma history. Party favors were chocolates tied with blue ribbons which were printed with “ I Never Met A Man I Didn’t Like”, along with a note of thanks from “Will” (Bill) Rodgers and Linda.
The birthday honorees, Linda Reece and Janie Axton, get together with friends for lunch. ( Photo by Helen Ford Wallace).
CELEBRATING TOGETHER…Janie Axton and Linda Reece celebrated their birthdays together for lunch at Café Nova. Easter bunnies holding pink roses and hydrangeas were centerpieces.
Barbara Beeler and Kirk Hammons were organizers for the no-host birthday party.
ROMANCE…Engaged couple Sarah Wilkins and Jeff Ringwald was honored at an Italian Dinner on March 3 in the home of Harriet and Tom Weirich. The invitation noted: “Isn’t it Romantic?”
Co-hosts were Marilyn and Charlie Bethea, Ranell and Steve Brown, Christa and John Chain, Paula and Neil Glass, Barbara and Alan Hollingsworth, Becky and Brad Johnston, Nancy and Kim Kimberling, Tom Knott, Debbie and Bubba Symes.
YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE…Shalla Jones was honoree at a baby shower on March 3 given by Ann Garrett, Claire Puckett and Billie Thrash in the Garrett home. Shalla and Christopher Jones’ baby is due this month.
The party invitation read: “ A brand new ray of sunshine is about to come her way. To fill her life with happiness, each and every day!”
A basket of coral-colored roses was on the tea table with a grapevine clothesline holding baby clothes. Grandmother Jackie Jones brought the baby a rocking baby lamb as a gift.
THE PLACES YOU’LL GO…Lela Sullivan and Wanda Swisher honored Rita Moore at a luncheon at the Coach House Restaurant. The “Hats Off to Rita” event was to celebrate her Oklahoma City University Award of Excellence. 20 friends, all wearing yellow hard hats, gathered and Sullivan read a poem telling about her volunteer work. Here it is in part:
“Oh, the places you’ll go,
The places you’ll see.
If you don your hard hat
And join Rita’s Army.
General Rita has foresight
As if this isn’t enough..
She plans and she plans
To advance when it’s rough.
So, hats off to you Rita
You make it so much fun
Just keep going… keep on
There’s still work to be done!”
FAVORITE HANDBAG…Junior League Sustaining members met for lunch at The Coach House. The invitation stated that they should carry their favorite new or vintage handbags.
Linda Garrett talked on the history of purses, including Roberta Bags. Everyone placed their purses in the center of the tables to serve as centerpieces. After lunch, they walked around viewing the tables. One of the members, Peg Malloy, brought her grandmother’s beaded and silk bag from the 1920’s.
SWEETHEARTS…A party in Tulsa at Billy Sims Barbecue was given prior to the February 24 marriage of Lorene O’Hara, 90, and Dency Henley, 91. They were high school sweethearts graduating from Foyil, Oklahoma, High School in 1933.
PARTIES EXTRA: March 8, 2007
OU PRESIDENT’S ASSOCIATES CONVENE
Clark Musser and John Frank are attentive listeners at the President’s Associates’ dinner at OU.
University of Oklahoma President David L. Boren has a major talent for inviting intelligent, entertaining, knowledgeable and informative speakers to the OU campus. On March 7, he did it again.
500 people were at the dinner, plus this attentive crowd managed to keep up with the OU Women’s basketball game score during the Big 12 tournament. The Women were playing at the Oklahoma City Cox Center at the same time.
At the President’s Associates dinner and discussion, Boren moderated an informal panel about the “Study of the Presidency.” Jack Valenti, Advisor to President Lyndon B. Johnson, Ken Duberstein, Chief of Staff to President Ronald Reagan and David McCullough, historian and author, talked in depth about United States presidents.
The group had just come from another discussion about the presidency with George H.W. Bush, the U.S.’s 41st president. Students and guests were in that audience.
Stephen and Eileen Young and Josh Yager enjoyed the dinner and discussion.
