Commodore Kilpatrick
Ann Kilpatrick, commodore for the OKC Boat Club, poses for a photo by a line of yacht club burgees at Lake Hefner in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, August 26, 2009. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
Ann Kilpatrick has been at the steering helm of Lake Hefner’s Oklahoma City Boat Club all year as the commodore, and she’s been on the board of directors for five years. But when she first petitioned to join the boat club about 30 years ago, it wasn’t open to women.
Her term of office as commodore, which ends in October, caps a long history with the OKC Boat Club and a lifelong love affair with boats. She has been sailing since she was a child. As an infant her parents took her with them when they sailed. Boat lore has it that she was carried on board the boat in a picnic basket.
Kilpatrick is the second female commodore ever, and she is one of two who broke the barrier for women in the club. When she was first asked to join, the application and interview process took 14 months. When it was over, she became a dues-paying member in 1982; today, there are 20 women out of the 200 members.
The boat enthusiast owns a 22-foot F2 keelboat and a sunfish once sailed by Paul McCartney. Her dad, the late Bill Kilpatrick, also a commodore in the 1950s, introduced her to sailing and gave her access to his boats while she was learning.
Her mother, the late Joann Kilpatrick, was a crew member on the boats for her husband, and her brother, Mac Kilpatrick, is a championship sailor.
The sailor can be found at the boat docks at least five days a week. She organizes races, is chairman of the monthly board and membership meetings, and uses her lawyer skills to remind club members about her pet projects — one of which is the annual charity regatta in June that began in 2001. That Lighthouse Charity Regatta raises funds that are distributed to two Oklahoma City-based charity events a year.
“About 30 years ago, they added the Wednesday night races that are really the most popular races today. They start in May and end in September. It is a great way to break up the week, like a mini-vacation and de-stressor in the middle of the week,” she said.
Another project that she loves is the youth sailing program for club members’ children and their friends. The boat club has 19 beginner boats for use by kids and also female sailors who are beginners.
When she is not on the water, she is at the Club House, a one-story brick building near the docks. The floating dock has 155 wet slips for members’ boats with two launch ramps and two hoists. There are five docks. Dry storage is available for 250 boats.
“We were included in plans to host the U.S. Sailing Team if Oklahoma sailing became an option for Olympic training,” she said. “We’ve had the North American J22 Championship races in 2005; the Adams Cup Women’s Championship in 2008, plus numerous races through the years. We have many championship sailors, “ she said.
Kilpatrick has been the racing and entertainment committees for the Club. She developed the donor base for the charities.
She has sailed in many waters including the Virgin Islands, Penobscot Bay in Maine, San Francisco Bay and Newport R.I. “Sailing is really a ‘green’ sport, she added. “I think that is another reason that sailing has had an increase in popularity. We use the wind for our fuel.”
When she is not making waves at the Club House, she’s focused at her church, at the Junior League of Oklahoma City or as a Casady School alumnae. She was an economics major in college and then went to law school.
After the commodore’s banquet in October where past commodores, current board members and general members of the club meet for one last “Aye Aye” to their outgoing captain, she probably won’t just sail away. This dedicated sailor certainly wouldn’t want to miss the Wednesday night sailboat races at Lake Hefner.
Click here for other photos of Ann Kilpatrick in The Oklahoman
Chrysanthemums growing at Trochta’s Flowers and Greenhouses in Oklahoma City
Helen interviews Jim Vallion of Trochta’s, Oklahoma City, about chrysanthemums.
Kappa Alpha Thetas, University of Oklahoma, celebrate 100th anniversary
Click Here to see Parties Extra! photos from last week
October 2 -3, members of the University of Oklahoma Kappa Alpha Theta fraternity will celebrate the centennial year in Norman. The chapter’s 100th pledge class will be introduced at an October 3rd luncheon and dinner. The luncheon is at the Embassy Suites Hotel and Dr. Nancy Mergler, OU Provost, will be a special guest.
The dinner and dance is set that night also at the Embassy Suites. Tours will be held at the chapter house, 845 Chautauqua, which has been re-decorated by Charles Faudree from Tulsa.
Co-chairing the event are Helen Edwards Woodward, Norman, and a former Grand President of Kappa Alpha Theta, and Carol Franklin Joullian, Oklahoma City, A Theta district president. Secretary is Amy Davis Frederick.
Members of the Alpha Omicron Chapter have initiated 3,500 members and 2,500 are still living and have been invited to the event.
Other committee members include Anne Ford McCurdy, Trudy Hackler Sickles, Julie Branch, Mary Angus Sherman, Carol Donnell Trompeter, Suzanne Mayes McAuley, Michelle Parrish Ellis, Lee Ann Nordin, Beth Portman, Mary Stevenson Geren, Rita Herlihy Ratcliffe, Jennifer Shadid, Mary Kay Samis, Ann Foerster Ryan, Elizabeth Prosser, Alissa Myers, Alex Lewis, Rachel Ratcliffe, Carolyn Watson Tharp, Lil Morgan Cox, Janie Gilbert Axton, Joy Donovan Brandon, Kerri Dilks Tiedeman, Jill Quitana Hughes and Stephanie Schmidt.
2009 “Wish Ball” planned for October 9th at Skirvin Hilton Hotel
Whitney Ingram, event co-chairman, and Whitney Moss, – Make-A-Wish Special Events manager. (Photos provided).
Make -A -Wish of Oklahoma’s 2nd annual “Wish Ball” is coming up. It is October 9 at the Skirvin Hilton Ballroom with cocktails beginning at 6:30 p.m., dinner and program at 7:3o and entertainment and dancing at 9 p.m. Theme is “Magic Carpet Ride.”
The band is the All Funk Radio Show from Dallas, Tx. Andy Paden is master of ceremonies and there are amazing live auction items that are billed as “wish experiences.”
Here are two of the items: “I wish to go to Disney World”: A family of four will go to Disney World in Orlando, Fla. This package includes 8 one day tickets valued at $125. each, a condominium and shuttle service to the theme parks.
“I wish to be President Hargis for a day”: The winning bidder will spend the day with President Burns Hargis, Oklahoma State University.
Gene Rainbolt is honorary chairman and Whitney Ingram and James Schelnick are event co-chairman. On the committee are Mary Ellen Alexander, Kendra Bridges, Tyson Bullard, Jason Busby, Charlie Course, Casey Delaney, Michelle Ellis, Rachel Hughes, Gail Huneryager, Paula Love and Katie Serfoss.
For information, contact Whitney Moss, 405-286-4000, or e-mail her at wmoss@oklahoma.wish.org.
Rachel Hughes, Jason Busby, Whitney Ingram, Whitney Moss, front, and Casey Delaney, Charlie Course, Paula Love, back, were at a planning meeting.
OU Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication Alums meet in Oklahoma City
Click Here to see other Parties Extra! photos
Kristen Lazalier and Pattye Moore greeted guests at the reception for OU Journalism and Mass Communication alumni. Pattye Moore and her husband, Mark Moore, were hosts in the home of Sissy and Dan Tubb. (Photos by Helen Ford Wallace).
Pattye and Mark Moore were hosts for a reception in the home of Sissy and Dan Tubb. Alumni of the University of Oklahoma Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication School listened to an update on plans about phase II of Gaylord Hall and were told about the dedication ceremonies which are set for Oct. 13th at 1:30 p.m.
Students from the Gaylord Ambassadors student leadership program and alumni members were guests.
College Dean Joe Foote was speaker and he talked about the new faculty members who were there: John Schmeltzer and Robert “Pritch” Pritchard.
Schmeltzer is the Engleman-Livermore Professor of Community Journalism and Pritchard is faculty advisor to the new student-run Ad and PR firm, L+A Group.
Sissy Tubb is the daughter of Oklahoma fan, the late Cecil Samara, and guests enjoyed seeing her dad’s collection of Sooner memorabilia dating back to the 1950’s including numerous OU buttons, glasses, programs, ticket stubs, footballs, watches, belt buckles and other jewelry.
An update on The Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication was given by Dean Joe Foote of the college.
OU footballs in Samara/Tubb collection.
Great vintage Oklahoma pennant was on the wall in the home of Sissy and Dan Tubb.
Willie Nelson sings in Oklahoma City in honor of Gene Rainbolt’s birthday
Hank Bradley and Gene Rainbolt arrive at the birthday party honoring Rainbolt where country singer Willie Nelson was the entertainment. ( Photos by Helen Ford Wallace).
The Oklahoma City Golf and Country was the setting for Gene Rainbolt’s birthday. Guests wore pins with Willie and Gene’s picture and the saying “My Heroes Have Always Been Bankers.”
The event on Friday, September 18th, featured barbecue and beer and guests’ donations benefited cancer research at Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation and the University of Oklahoma Cancer Institute.
Dinner included brisket, ribs, chicken served with Texas toast, barbecue baked beans, potato salad and hot apple and peach cobbler with ice cream.This was served under a tent on the back terrace of the Country Club.
Willie Nelson entertained everyone for over an hour singing such songs as “Whiskey River,” ” Georgia,” ” Always On My Mind.” He flung his cowboy hat to the crowd and opted out for a red bandana.
The OCG&CC was set up theater style in the ballroom with some tall cocktail tables in the back. Everyone was in a party mood as the dress code was “casual.” Wearing glittery cowboy hats were Brenda McDaniel, Judy Love and Ann Hargis (hers was orange). Susan Edwards had on cowboy boots and the honoree had on a suede vest and a silver bolo tie.
Among the other 700 guests were Christy and Jim Everest, Molly and David Boren, Holly and Clay Healey, Lil and Bill Ross, Charlotte Lankard, David Thompson, Heather and Bob Ross, Ann and Burns Hargis, Myrla Pierson, Malinda Berry Fischer,Terry and Hank Bradley, Nancy and Bob Ellis, Peggy Gandy, Barbara and Jay Quillian, Carolyn Harl, Ann and Bob Gilliland, Marilyn Balyeat, Bill Hawley, Jim Daniel, Laura Lang, Kirk and Royce Hammons, Brenda and Tom McDaniel, Mary Fallin, Jari Askins, Susan Loosen, Lisa Mullen, Joan Gilmore, Johnece and Richard Ryerson, Vicki and Leland Gourley, Candy Dulaney, Cindy and Johnny McCharen, Jeaneen and Bob Naifeh, Ann and Bill Johnstone, Jeanette and Dick Sias, Penny and Dee Replogle and Adam Cohen.
Clay Healey wore his cowboy hat.
Lisa Mullen and Susan Loosen came in from Okarche.
Johnny and Cindy McCharen had fun at the party.
OU Breast Institute board members plan Best of Fall Accessories” party at Balliet’s
Lil Ross, President of the OU Breast Institute advisory committee, and fund-raiser chairman; Lori Hill and Linda Haneborg, OUBI board members and members of the “Best of Fall Accessories” committee, talk about upcoming party.
Megan Mullally, Martha Mullally, Bob McKown and Lyric Theater’s Broadway Ball
Click here for Parties Extra! Photo Gallery
Amy Bankhead, Paula Love and Erika Huffman talk about Megan Mullally, Martha Mullally and Bob McKown and the Lyric Theater Broadway Ball.
Ten questions: Associated Press sends out interactive quiz on etiquette
Denise Duong, Matt Seikel honored at reception at JRB Art at The Elms Gallery
Denise Duong, Matt Seikel were at the party at JRB Art at the Elms Gallery. Hostess was Joy Reed Belt. (Photo by David Faytinger).
A reception for Denise Duong and Matt Seikel was held at the JRB Art at The Elms Gallery. The exhibition featured Duong’s narrative artwork and Seikel’s ceramics.
Tacos and quesadillas, Chicken Satay, shrimp and assorted desserts were on the buffet table which was decorated with a tall vase of sunflowers, blue hydrangeas and red cockscomb.
Among those at the party were Martha and Ron Bradshaw, Phil Clayton, Lucky Jabara, Mary and Mike Mahaffey, Peter Dolese, Julia Kirt, David Phelps, Nhan and Rang Duong, Tina Duong, Linda Trippe, Julie and Brian Tibbs and Nancy and Bob Anthony.
