Louise and John Birdsell take The Oklahoma Photobooth to parties
Click here to see Parties Extra! photo gallery from last week
Louise and John Birdsell of The Oklahoma Photobooth have seven Photo Booths available for parties.
Shall we dance? 20-40-60 answers
Question: At a dance, when seated at a table with four or more couples…are the men supposed to ask the other women, besides their date or wife, to dance?
Callie’s answer: Supposed to? Maybe after the first dance with the date/wife in which they came with, but it is totally up to them. You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to! Just don’t dance with the other women more than your wife! THAT would be bad.
Lillie-Beth’s answer: I don’t know of any etiquette requirement where people are expected to dance with anyone other than their dates or wives.
I’ve seen it happen when the group members know each other well and certain spouses don’t want do dance when their partners do. In that case, it happens naturally: The two who don’t dance can stay behind and visit at the table while their spouses enjoy a few songs on the dance floor.
But that kind of situation only happens when everyone involved is congenial to the idea — the ones who are dancing as well as the ones left behind.
Helen’s answer: If you are at a dinner/dance and are seated with several couples, I think it is polite if the men exchange dances with the other women at the table. The women can always say no, thank you, and continue sitting at the table for conversation, but how nice if everyone dances.
Usually, if you are attending a dance, you like to be on the dance floor, and the bands today are always great! Get out there and enjoy the music!
Guest Hilarie Blaney’s answer: I attend several of these events a year and I have noticed that this question happens in two instances – when some couples include a dancer and a non- dancer or when one couple may be engaged in a conversation, or just tired. I think it is fine to ask another guest to dance.
Usually, there will be some conversation at the table about whether to dance or not, and the non- dancers will quickly speak up. This allows for the other dates or couples to have the opportunity to dance.
If so, personally, I would feel more comfortable with that dance being a ” fast” dance rather than a “slow” dance.
Lastly, dancing with a person, other than your partner, should be limited to one or two dances, certainly not for the entire evening. If you are a non- dancer and attend these events, try taking a dance class and enjoy the evening with your spouse or try to be comfortable with an occasional dance partner, that is, other than yourself. It is all in how you behave on and off the dance floor.
Callie Gordon, a college junior, 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. Hilarie Blaney is an Etiquette and International Protocol Consultant.
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
Oklahoma City 2011 Festival of the Arts will be April 26-May 1
Festival-goers check out the art during one of the rainy days at the Festival of the Arts which was held in April. (Photo by Doug Hoke).
The 2011 Festival of the Arts sponsored by the Arts Council of Oklahoma City has been set for April 26th-May 1st. Event co-chairmen are Ray Bitsche and Kym Mason. It will be the 45th annual Festival.
For more information, visit www.ArtsCouncilOKC.com or call 405-270-4848.
Pat Snyder celebrates her birthday with a party at Czech Hall, Yukon, Ok.
Dancing the Chicken Dance are Grandmother Pat Snyder and granddaughter Harper Noon. They were celebrating Pat’s birthday. (Photo provided).
Pat Snyder was honored at an 80th birthday party at the Czech Hall. Hosts were family members Susan Snyder and Tom Snyder, Jim Snyder, Kim Carter and Kathy Whitson.
Dinner was beef brisket, baked beans, coleslaw and two birthday cakes, white and chocolate, along with cupcakes in every flavor.
Among the people at the party were Olive and Jerry Austin, Karen and Dr. Herb Klontz, Joanie and AL McLaughlin.
Guests danced the Polka and the Chicken Dance.
Dr. Tom Snyder, his mother, Pat Snyder, and party guest Al McLaughlin have fun at the Czech Hall. (Photo provided).
Putnam City West class of 1980 meets for high school reunion
Karla McCasland Wallace and Eric Conrady were at the 30th class reunion for Putnam City West. They were committee members. (Photo by David Faytinger).
The Putnam City West Class of 1980 met for its’ 30th class reunion. There were two days of events, ending with the banquet Saturday night at Quail Creek Golf and Country Club.
The Saturday night party theme for 170 people was “Patriot Pride” and school memorabilia was placed throughout the room with a banner of the class displayed on the wall. The tables were decorated with flickering luminaries, flashing balloons and blue and yellow school colors. Janice Belt Brown presented a special DVD show.
Planning chairman Karla McCasland Wallace said that the group also sponsored an art auction with an acrylic collage by Mark Rogers with proceeds going to the school’s art education program. Lee Daniells coordinated a golf tournament to benefit the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation. Proceeds from the two events raised $5,000. for charity. The group also had a “Tropics In Paradise” class mixer Friday night and Eric Conrady organized a class school tour and family picnic at Overholser Lake on Saturday.
To tattoo or Not to tattoo? 20-40-60 answers
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YOU ASK! WE ANSWER! YOU DECIDE!
Question: When I was at a major theme park recently, everyone I saw had a tattoo. They were the large-sized ones too. Are tattoos the rage now? Does everyone have them? And what happens when people don’t want them anymore?
Callie’s answer: A lot of people do have tattoos, but I wouldn’t say it is the rage. Some tattoos have a meaning behind them, and others, the individuals just love the feeling of getting a tattoo. When you do not want your tattoo anymore you have to get it removed by a laser, which does not guarantee that it will go away.
The best way to go is henna tattoos. They stay for about 2 weeks, but go away! JUST IN TIME!
Lillie-Beth’s answer: You’re not going to run into tattooed people just at theme parks. They’re working with you, serving on parent committees at your child’s school, running Girl Scout meetings and selling you things in all types of stores. “Other” people don’t get tattoos anymore; they’re your friends, co-workers and acquaintances, if not yourself, although a certain stigma lingers that tattoos belong in an underground culture, particularly for those who have a lot of them.
Body ink is here to stay; for starters, all those people who have gotten them in recent years to express their individuality are stuck with them: I’ve heard they’re extremely difficult and painful to remove.
According to a Pew Research Center report earlier this year, nearly 40 percent of “Millennials” — today’s teens and 20-somethings — have at least one tattoo, although 32 percent of Generation Xers — those born between 1965 and 1980 have one, too (I am not one of them and have no plans for one at this time). These numbers compare to 15 percent of Baby Boomers who have tattoos and even less for older Americans.
Also, according to Pew Research, most people — 70 percent in both age groups — keep their inked body art hidden beneath clothing.
Tattoos no longer have as much power to shock, and some of them are beautifully and tastefully done like artwork. In my own family, however, when my children get old enough to find their own ways to be unique, I’d rather experiment with their hairstyle, which will grow out, before I’d let them get a permanent tattoo.
Helen’s answer: There are lots of tattoos around. I don’t think it is a new rage or fad, but it seems like there are more this year than ever before. Some are hidden, but many people are choosing to display really big tattoos prominently.
Some women are applying permanent tattoo makeup on lips and eyes.
My question? Are they safe? Is it ok to pierce the skin so many times with a needle? The U.S. Food and Drug Administration newsletter lists some of the risks of tattooing as: infection caused by dirty needles; allergies to ink; scarring and swelling and burning when having MRI’s.
The other downside to tattoos in my mind is what happens when you get tired of your favorite tattoo? Taking them off is expensive and sometimes does not work. I would think long and hard before having a picture painted on my skin.
However, I would love to have lip and eye makeup tattooed on professionally. That would be an excellent addition to my skin.
Devonne Carter’s answer: ( Devonne teaches Etiquette Classes at Oklahoma Christian University): Tattoos are the rage now. It seems everyone around us has one. We used to categorize people who had tattoos as “the rougher crowd”. Now tattoos are showing us they can be pretty and dainty, as well as, large and colorful covering large areas of someone’s skin.
Tattoos are an art form. They are walking art. We are probably seeing a surge in tattoos in Oklahoma due to that fact that just a few short years ago laws were passed making tattooing legal in our state. We were one of the last states in the nation to pass these laws, according to 23rd Street Piercing and Tattoo owners Jason and Trisha King.
Not everyone has tattoos. But many, many people, more people than you would think, don tattoos, either that show, or are hidden.
If someone would like to rid himself or herself of a tattoo, there are several tattoo removal systems. Amateur tattoos fade with time and are easier to remove. Professional tattoos may still be removed, but might be a bit more complicated. The more intricate and colorful the tattoos are, the more difficult to remove. There could be scarring with tattoo removal.
It is important to seek professional help with this and do your research to learn which method is best for you.
Callie Gordon, a college junior, 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. Guest Devonne Carter teaches etiquette classes at Oklahoma Christian University.
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
Wine, Women & Shoes party planners go to Napa Valley
Robyn Thompson, David Eigenberg (Steve Brady from Sex and The City -Celebrity Host) and Jennifer Blackburn enjoy the parties in Napa Valley. (Photo by Jane Thompson).
Local organizers of Wine, Women & Shoes, 2010, joined 500 women from throughout the country and were at the recent WW&S event at the Hall Winery, St. Helena, Ca.
Attending were Co-chairmen Jane Thompson, Jennifer Blackburn, Lana Lopez and Hilarie Blaney; Auction chairman Susan Carr; Sole Men chairman Robyn Thompson, and committee member Amy Dunn.
The group also toured various Napa Valley wineries including Saintsbury, Maisonry, Blackbird, Rombauer, Providence and Honig. The main event in California benefited Planned Parenthood and was at the Hall Winery. There was wine (from 50 wineries) and food tastings, live and silent auctions, a fashion show (featuring designer shoes) and a marketplace. At the party was Elaine Honig, former Oklahoma City resident and founder of the original WW&S event, which began in Napa Valley six years ago.
On Sept. 16 is the Oklahoma Signature WW&S event at Balliet’s at Classen Curve and it will include wine, hors d’oeuvres and a fashion show with designer shoes and live and silent auctions. Sept. 17th is the Vintner dinner at Red Prime Restaurant and there will be dancing by C+ and an auction to benefit Impact Oklahoma.
Elaine Honig, Amy Dunn, Susan Carr, Hilarie Blaney were at the events surrounding Wine, Women & Shoes. (Photo by Jane Thompson.)
Robyn Thompson, Jane Thompson and Jennifer Blackburn enjoy the winery tour. (Photo provided).
Elaine Honig, Lana Lopez, Susan Carr and Hilarie Blaney have fun at the party. (Photo by Jane Thompson).
Sports-themed party is set for September….X’s and O’s Ball
Guests on Parties Extra! talk about the X’s and O’s Ball sponsored by the American Diabetes Association.
Rachael Rudeen and Jeff Klos celebrate their wedding in St. Paul, Minn.
To see more photos from last week, click here!
Rachael and Jeff Klos arrive at the wedding reception. (Photos provided).
Rachael Ann Rudeen and Jeff Klos were married June 12 at The Cathedral of Saint Paul in St. Paul, Minn. A reception followed at the James J. Hill Reference Library.
Parents of the couple are Linda and Gary Rudeen, Cottage Grove, Minn. and Linda and Tom Klos, Oklahoma City.
The bride wore a satin strapless dress with a bow in the back and a sash at the waist and she carried a bouquet of white orchids.
Matron of honor was Katie Dake and bridesmaids were Caitlin Browning, Jean Chalifoux, Allison Eagan, Keri Fee and Jennifer Klos. They wore black silk shantung dresses and carried blue, green and yellow flowers.
Patrick Garrett was best man and the groomsmen included Chris Barkley, Matthew Eagan, Blair Naifeh, Corey Mood and Jason Rudeen. Ushers were Drew Cook and Michael Tarwater. They wore yellow silk bowties.
The reception was in the three story library where place cards for the guests were in the shape of library return cards. The cards also had the name of a classic love story book which was placed on each table so guest could find their seats.
Cupcakes set on tiers were the wedding cakes. Music was by Metro Jam.
The bride’s family serenaded the couple with a performance of “Oklahoma” and they wore cowboy hats for the song.
The groom’ parents hosted a dinner on the night before the wedding on the Paradise Charter River Cruise Boat. Nautical-themed decorations were on the boat and party favors were Swedish Fish candles personalized with the phrase “You’re a Reel Catch.”
The couple at the rehearsal dinner.
Rachael and Jeff enjoy the reception.
Oklahoma City guests have fun at the wedding reception.
Parents of the bridegroom….Linda and Tom Klos.
Parents of the bride….Gary and Linda Rudeen.
Jeff and Tom Klos at the reception.
The library…scene of the wedding reception.
Wedding cupcakes.
Library place cards for the guests.
Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Robert Klos.
At a party? Can’t remember name? 20-40-60 answers
YOU ASK…WE ANSWER…YOU DECIDE!
Question: When standing with a group of friends at a cocktail party, and someone you know, but cannot remember his name, walks up and acts as if he wants to be introduced, what do you do?
Callie’s answer: I am so bad at names! I always say, “you have to meet my friend!” (to the person you don’t know the name).
Then introduce your friend, so they have to say their name! It isn’t awkward, and I know for a fact IT WORKS!
Lillie-Beth’s answer: What a potentially embarrassing situation that many of us have been in before. But with subtle hints, some luck and perhaps an humble “I’m-sorry-I-don’t remember-your-name” apology as a last resort, you can get through it gracefully.
First of all, I would hope that my friends would pick up on my hesitation in making the introduction right away and introduce themselves; in return, the person whose name you don’t know would have no choice but to say, “Oh, hi, I’m so-and-so. It’s nice to meet you.” Then all of you will have that person’s name for the next time. Mission accomplished!
If that doesn’t happen, then try introducing your friends whose name you know and stop there. Again, in an ideal situation, the person walking up to the group would fill in the silence with his or her name.
Finally, you could always ask, especially if the new person is an acquaintance that you’ve only met briefly before: “I’m so sorry; I know we met at XYZ event last month, but I can’t remember your first name and I’d love to introduce you to my friends.” Mention the connection if you can; it takes away the awkwardness if the person at least knows you remember a previous meeting.
Helen’s answer: This happens more and more as you get older. Seeing people in different environments presents a problem. If the person who comes up to be introduced, you might try “Oh hello, introduce yourself to all these people so we get EVERYONE’S names right” or “Hello, do you know all these people?” And pause….Usually, everyone starts introducing themselves.
It is really, really hard to acknowledge that you have forgotten a person’s name, so, maybe, if we all give each other some grace about it, then it might not be so embarrassing. I notice that more and more people tend to say their name when they catch me by surprise in joining a group where there are lots of people, because, I am sure they know that I don’t always remember.
Kate Stanton’s answer: We’ve all been there. You suddenly become “name struck.” Basically, you have three options which I’ll rank in most favorable to not ideal.
Consider introducing the person you do know by stating, “Have you met my cousin, Megan Brady?” Then allow Megan and what’s his name to introduce one another.
Secondly, you can fess up and simply share you’ve failed to remember their name. I do this at times by saying (with a smile), “I’m Kate – remind me of your name?.”
Lastly, you can become engrossed in another conversation or suddenly need more to drink.
Callie Gordon, a college junior, 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. Kate Stanton is Executive Director, HSC Student Affairs, The University of Oklahoma, and presents etiquette and gracious living seminars throughout the state.
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
