Happy St. Patrick’s Day
“Today, I wish you a day of ordinary miracles: a fresh pot of coffee you didn’t make yourself … an unexpected phone call from an old friend … green stoplights on your way to work …the fastest line at the grocery store … a good sing-along song on the radio …your keys found right where you left them.” (Not original, but heartfelt….passed along from an e-mail).
HAPPY ST. PATRICK’S DAY
Delta Gammas celebrate 137 years!
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Party decorations included vintage silver from the Delta Gamma collection holding pink and white flowers and early day sorority pictures. (Photos by Kate Stanton).
Delta Gammas were in Norman to celebrate the 137th year of Delta Gamma.
Members of the Norman Alumnae chapter were hostesses at the Oklahoma Memorial Union on the University of Oklahoma campus. Guests enjoyed a musical selection from the DG choir, a video and an awards presentation ranging from the “Most Congenial New Member” to the 50-year members.
Centerpieces were vintage silver vases and bowls from the Delta Gamma house which held pink and white tulips and roses and there were framed photos of past events. Each guest received a set of Delta Gamma postcards.
Kim Rieger and Kate Stanton were in charge of decorations.
Committee members included Julianne Hill, Karlie McLaughlin, Aleesha Ogden, Stanton, Rieger, Shannon Winters, Michelle Carbone, Amanda Holloway, Heather Puckett and Shawn Singer.
Flowers in a silver cup.
Also on the table were programs and roses.
Donita Phillips, Julianne Hill and Jane Ratliff were at the brunch.
Aija Burris honored at bridal shower and luncheon
Cyndy and Aija Burris, Denise Eggert, Sandy Springer, Kari Brown, Joan Burris were at the party honoring Aija Burris. (Photos by David Faytinger.)
Barby James, Deanne Brooks, Kim Doty, Rhonda Grose were hostesses for a bridal shower and martini luncheon for Aija Burris who will marry Mike Springer in May.
The event was at the Deep Fork Grill.
Black, white and floral Mackenzie Childs charger plates and pink, purple and green flowers decorated the tables. Lunch and martinis were served along with a chocolate fudge and French vanilla cake decorated to match the chargers. Cookies in the same colors were given as party favors.
A photo collage of the bride and groom, their parents and grandparents was on display and guests were asked to write good luck wishes which were placed in the back of the collage.
Among the guests were Cyndy Burris, Joan Burris, Shauna Rouse, Kacie Springer, Kelly Hacker.
Deanne Brooks, Barby James, Kim Doty, Rhonda Grose enjoy the party.
Weather theme set for Arts! Arts! Arts!
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Kirk Hammons and Linda Tiller talk about upcoming event and the theme “Blown Away by Arts! Arts! Arts!
What does “black tie optional” really mean? 20-40-60 answers
YOU ASK…WE ANSWER…YOU DECIDE
Question: The party invitation said “black tie optional.” What does that mean? Wear a business suit? A tux, if you want to? What if I wear a suit and everyone else has on a tuxedo? Does that mean women wear dressy cocktail dresses no matter what I wear? Do I call the host and ask what he/she is wearing?
Callie’s Answer: If it says “black tie optional” most people will be wearing black tie, although when in doubt, call the host or hostess and ask what he or she is wearing.
Women will, yes, be wearing a cocktail dress regardless. We finally have something that we do not have to think about. The cocktail dress is a staple.
Lillie-Beth’s Answer: I’ve been to “black tie optional” events recently and have seen a mixture of dress. It seems as if the men who own tuxedos wear them and the men who don’t wear their dressiest suits. The same goes with the women, although it can depend on what their dates are wearing and on what types of dresses they have. “Black tie optional” does not usually mean all the women are decked out in long, formal ball gowns. It means you can wear one if you have one, or a dressy cocktail dress is fine.
Still, the dress for a “black tie optional” party is still pretty formal, but stating those words on the invitation leaves it up to the individual as to how much to dress up.
Helen’s Answer: To me, “black tie optional” means “wear a cocktail dress” for women and either a “formal tux or dark suit for men.”
If you don’t have a tux or don’t have time to rent one, a dark suit is acceptable for the evening. At most parties/events that I have attended, men still wear tuxes when it says “black tie optional,” but the choice is theirs.
The Oklahoman’s Fashion Editor Linda Miller’s Answer: “Black tie optional” trips up many party-goers. First, you need to know that black tie means formal. That translates to a tuxedo for men and a gown for women.
“Black tie optional” gives men and women the option of taking that formal dress down a tad. Men can opt for a dark suit and tie instead of a tux. Women can choose between cocktail dresses, dressy evening separates or a formal gown.
If you’re going to an event as a couple, make sure you’re in sync. Both of you should dress in either black tie or black tie optional. Don’t mix it up. If you’re planning a grand entrance in a red carpet-worthy gown, he needs to forget the suit and slip into a tux.
(Callie Gordon, a college sophomore, was a 2009 debutante and has been in many new social situations recently. Lillie-Beth Brinkman is a former debutante and currently the assistant features editor for The Oklahoman. Helen Wallace has written a social column for The Oklahoman for many years and has been on various local Ball committees.
This group does not always agree (via age differences), but they ALL see the need for proper behavior.
Ask a specific etiquette question and you will get three answers…Then you decide for yourself how you would handle the situation. The answers have information for every age range….Callie is 20-ish; Lillie-Beth is 40-something, and Helen is 60-plus.
Please email us with your questions and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and daily blogs. We will try to answer your etiquette questions weekly on the Parties Extra! blog. Sometimes we will ask other people for their opinions.
Look for us!
helen.wallace@cox.net…lbrinkman@opubco.com… calliezok3@aol.com
Children’s decorating party held for the annual Fairy Tale Ball
Michael FitzSimons displays one of the castles. It will be part of the decorations for the annual Fairy Tale Ball. (Photos provided).
Children have been assisting adults in getting ready for the 15th annual Fairy Tale Ball presented by the Oklahoma Children’s Theatre and were at a recent decorating party to help to create the decorations and table centerpieces for the Ball.
The Fairy Tale Ball is set for April 10th at The Petroleum Club. Lauren and Andy Sullivan are chairmen and Tyfanna and Brent Johnson are co-chairmen. Theme is the “Enchanted Kingdom.”
At the Ball, Fairy Tale characters will be on hand and children will have their own dining event and a performance by the OCT. Games will be set up. Adults will bid on live and silent auction packages and there will be dinner games.
Dancing will be to the “Souled Out” Band and the party begins at 5:30 p.m. and ends at 10 p.m.
Tickets are $125. for adults and $50. for children. Call the Oklahoma Children’s Theatre office for information, 606-7003.
Hayes Sullivan and Mackenzie Cohn work on their project.
Burke and Kirby Johnson show the castles.
Jackson Murphy works on his project for the event.
Linda Faulkner is guest speaker at Pi Beta Phi’s Gathering of Angels
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Flower bouquets on the tables at the Pi Beta Phi luncheon were of varying heights . (Photos by Helen Ford Wallace).
Members of the Pi Beta Phi Oklahoma City Alumnae Club met at the Skirvin Hilton Hotel for a luncheon. Called the “Gathering of Angel’s, the event featured a silent auction and a raffle with 27 large baskets filled with prizes.
Prizes ranged from a basket given by Nancy Ellis and Aulena Gibson of four nights in Branson, Mo. to a basket from Sarah Ooley with a gift certificate from Mr. Ooley’s Ladies Department.
The luncheon benefitted Celebrations Pre-School and City Care’s Whiz Kids.
Committee members were Cristi Bullard and Leslie Lynn, co-chairmen; Joan Hess Anderson, Erika Braver, Mary Kay Bullard, Britanny Byrd, Beth Hammack, Betty Huckabay, Andrea Hampton, Vikki Kembel, Susie Moock, Katie Puckett, Mary Reneau, Raegan Rogers, Jamie Taylor, Britton Thomason, Margo Ward, Rosemary Wilson and Chris Verity.
Underwriters were Huckabary, Kay Wint, Ann Brown, Katie Davis, Kris Frankfurt and Carolyn Zachritz.
Committee member Margo Ward sells raffle tickets.
Lynn White was at the luncheon and won one of the door prizes.
Nancy Ellis and Janie Comstock wore matching scarves.
Linda Rodgers and Kirk Hammons were at the luncheon. They are chairmen of the upcoming March 24th “Arts Arts Arts” event in Norman.
Joan Gilmore and Hilarie Blaney attended the event.
Speaker Linda Faulkner was Nancy Reagan’s social secretary.
Helen Sullivan and Janie Axton are seated and ready for lunch.
Penny McCaleb and Charlotte Richels were at the Pi Beta Phi luncheon.
Anne Gray and Ann Johnstone enjoy the day.
Patty Cohenour and Susan Sigmon study the prizes before the luncheon begins.
Ten hostesses honor Angie Sanger at a baby shower in Oklahoma City
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Antique toys hung from the chandelier in the home of Jeary and Mike Seikel. (Photos by Helen Ford Wallace).
Jeary Seikel and Susan Sigmon were among the hostesses for the baby shower. The party was in the Seikel home.
A baby shower and party honored Angie Sanger in the home of Jeary Seikel. Angie and Ford Sanger are expecting a baby boy.
Co-hostesses were Bette MacKellar, Marty McCharen, Linda James, Janie Axton, Barbara Beeler, Pam Smith, Susan Sigmon, Nancy Ellis and Kirk Hammons.
Antique bears, trains, fire trucks and cars were hung with ribbons from the chandelier. A huge bouquet of Gerber daisies and blue hydrangeas was the centerpiece.
Dad-to-be Ford Sanger arrived in time to help unwrap some of the gifts.
Janie Axton and Barbara Beeler were hostesses.
Marilyn Torbett, Pam Smith and Jackie Jones talk at the baby shower.
Chris Verity, Angie Sanger, Patty Cohenour, Linda James and Ann Jacobson enjoy the event.
Holly Healey, Jeary Seikel and Jenny Kallenberger have fun at the party.
Debby Dudman, Marilyn Law and Barbara Thompson were at the party.
Chris Purcell and Dana Gordon watch as the gifts are opened.
Cindy Johnson, Judi Freyer, Lynn White and Joy Tucker talk at the party.
Sherry Sullivan Clark, Ann Jacobson, Jessie Ann Wallentine and Helen Woodward enjoy the event.
We got mail! 20-40-60
Callie, Lillie-Beth and I received several comments, an e-mail letter and a postal letter about 20-40-60, including several about the barking dog question, and another about twitter. Here they are, unsigned, with links to the particular posts.
On the twitter question…20-40-60 column posted on Parties Extra! on February 10, 2010
“Your twitter problem made me decide to respond to you. When my son removed himself from Facebook a couple of years ago because he felt it was too public, I decided to stop debating whether to join and made a firm decision not to do so. I really don’t see the point of public communication. Emails are scary enough, and take a huge amount of time.
As for twitter, nothing about that seems even remotely attractive. I have 24 hour answering on my home and work phone. Anyone who knows me can leave me a message on one or both, and I will get back to them. If I am not at home or the office, I’m either driving to or walking somewhere where using a cell phone is bad manners at the very least so mine stays off or in my car.
I will say that, as a family lawyer, I do love being able to view the information that my clients’ former friends and relatives choose to make public and have found it VERY useful on many occasions. It’s kind all of the instant information I receive when I see a tattoo… Or, the information I receive when I’m with someone who believes that texting or answering a cell phone is more important than whatever we were doing. (I don’t mean people who are on call for work or need to be able take a call because of an emergency situation, but I believe that is what vibrate is for).”
On the 60’s category….20-40-60 comment posted on “We Got Mail” on February 9, 2010
“I read all your comments and was amused by (and agree with) your answer to your former journalism student who suggested you might be challenging the 60′s category. Since we have children the same age, I say we are 60 forever. Isn’t that the name of a song, “Forever 60″? Hah! Or, as they say these days… LOL.”
Two responses on the barking dog issues: 20-40-60 column posted on February 17,2010
1. “That was a good question and great responses! It is sad, but I think most people have been put in the situation of trying to address a barking dog. Good work! :) You would like to think the neighbor/owner would be respectful enough to address it themselves but people never stop amazing me! LOL! “
2. “After reading your article in The Oklahoman Feb. 18th paper, I have the answer:
My next-door neighbor has three dogs who used to be annoying and barked all day, especially when we were in the yard.
Ask your neighbor the dogs’ names.
Ask if it’s all right for you to give them a dog gone.
At Homeland, I buy a box of “Always” large dog bones (cheapest and the dogs like them). I buy dog treats — a 5-ounze bag in Dollar General for $1.
In the morning, Roxie, Caddie and Zeke bark when they come out to let me know they are looking for me. I take three bones — three treats for each. They get their treats first, then one bone. You talk to the dogs and say their name. Tell them how good they are, and no more barking.
Whenever I see my neighbor, I ask him if they like their bone. He said, “don’t quit!”
The cost of bones and dog treats is infinitesimal. It’s very important to get along with our neighbors.
Hope you like my solution. “
Oklahoma City Panhellenic members schedule a tea and a luncheon
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Marca Floyd and Kevyn Colburn talk about the Greater Oklahoma City Panhellenic events.
