Liz Houser and Chris Mach were honored at an engagement party
David and Kyla Mach, Liz Houser, Chris Mach were at the party given by Joan and Rod Frates. (Photos by David Faytinger).
Joan and Rod Frates were hosts for an engagement party for their nephew, Chris Mach, and his fiancé, Liz Houser, both of Oklahoma City. They will be married in November.
Flowers and candles decorated the inside and outside of the Frates home. Janie Morgan provided the catering for the party.
At the party were: Kyla and Dave Mach, Denise and Keith Houser, Kaci and Nick Byford, Megan and Brian Stacy, Megan Clinkenbeard, Whitney Whitlow, Kellen Graham, Shelby Combs, Travis Anderson, Kirk Costner, Alycia Johnson, Tarah and Brent Bates, Sarah Hodges, Lucy Ratliff, Dustin Cox, Matthew Nuckolls, Audie Gill, Hunter London, Melissa Loveland, Holly McNatt.
Matt Nuckolls, Nick and Kaci Byford enjoy the party.
Engaged couple Chris Mach and Liz Houser are greeted by hosts Joan and Rod Frates.
Chapel re-dedication held at Casady School in Oklahoma City
Amy Cottrell, Chris Bright, Jill Utz, Lee Ann Nordin were at the reception following the chapel re-dedication ceremony at Casady School. (Photos by David Faytinger).
Following the re-dedication ceremony of the Chapel of St. Edward the Confessor at Casady School was a reception on the lawn of Woolsey House.
The renovation and expansion includes a bell tower with 23 cast bronze bells crafted in Holland.
At the event were Rt. Rev. Dr. Edward J. Konieczny, Canon Jose McLoughlin, Casady Vicar Charles Blizzard, Assistant Vicar Sonny Varela and Casady School emeritus Rev. John H. Marlin. Konieczny conducted the services and the others assisted him.
Cram and Ferguson, Concord, Mass., designed the original building as well as the expansion.
Eric Fisher, Max Weitzenhoffer, Guy Patton, Taylor Currie were at the event.
Cody, Dannie Bea, Johnson, Lindsay, and Millie Hightower attended the event.
“Battle of the Bonds” premiere and reception held at IOA Art Gallery in Oklahoma City
Denver Duncan, Kyle Roberts, Matt Price, Clint Stone enjoy the reception. (Photos provided).
Kyle Roberts, owner of film company Reckless Abandonment Pictures, was spotlighted at the World Premiere of Battle of the Bonds, a stop motion short film and James Bond parody, which he directed and produced.
Hosts at the event and a reception were Roberts and Matt Price. Denver Duncan played during the evening. Sponsors for the Premiere were Speeding Bullet Comics of Norman and The Toy and Action Figure Museum in Pauls Valley.
A huge Bond cake baked by Annette Price and punch served in little martini glasses. The movie screen and chairs were set up theater style at the IAO Art Gallery. Theme was “Can’t Stop This Motion.” Action figures from the film were displayed as well as items from Roberts’ previous films.
Among the guests were Independent filmgoers, family members and friends including Dave Morris, Bunee Tomlinson, Jamie McGuckin and Tanya Curl McGuckin.
The Bond characters: Sean Connery, Pussy Galore, Pierce Brosnan, Daniel Craig and Roger Moore.( Photo by Doug Hoke.)
Parties Extra!—Guests talk about Girl Scouts of Western Oklahoma
Cathy Stackpole, Ann-Clore Duncan and Annie Bohanon talk about the Girl Scouts of Western Oklahoma on Parties Extra !
20-40-60 Etiquette—May I have my gift back, please?
YOU ASK! WE ANSWER! YOU DECIDE!
QUESTION: I am attending an 80th birthday party for my late father’s best friend whom I also consider to be my “Daddy fill-in.” The party will be held at Remington Park (Oklahoma City) where the two of them spent every Friday up until Daddy’s death 1 ½ years ago.
Here’s the question: I have a bronze horse that Daddy gave me years ago which has been stored for a while. I would like to give at as a gift, however, I would like it to be willed back to me in the future. Is that rude of me to ask for it back? I am very close to this family, but want to do what is appropriate.
CALLIE’S ANSWER: I am sure this is very normal. If you give the bronze, add a nice note about how much you think of him as your “daddy fill-in,” and how much he meant to your dad, etc. Then say “I would like to loan something of his to you, something that will make you smile and think of him.”
Wait a while to say anything about getting it back. It could get tricky. For example, when to ask for it back. If you think there will be too many complications, get a different gift. Sweet thought though.
LILLIE-BETH’S ANSWER: What a special occasion! While dads can’t ever be replaced, how nice it is to have a pseudo-dad that you’re close to and for whom you want to do something thoughtful.
As much as you want to give him something so meaningful, keep in mind that a gift is a gift, and I don’t think there is a polite way to ask for it back once it’s given. While the two of you share the close bond and care for your father, and the bronze horse that once belonged to him represents that bond, it may not have as much sentimental value to him as it does to you. I don’t think the occasion will be any less celebrated if you keep the horse from your dad that means a lot to you and find another way and gift to celebrate with your substitute father. He’s probably happy that you’re there for him to wish him well on his birthday.
HELEN’S ANSWER: Your friend would totally understand that while you want to share your bronze horse, you really want it back, but, probably it is better for you to keep it. That way no one else has to make sure it gets back to you. When you put stipulations on a gift, it is sometimes hard for others to meet those stipulations or even remember them years later. A picture of the bronze horse in a frame might be a good substitute and it keeps your good manners in tact by not having to ask for its’ return.
GUEST’S ANSWER: Bebe MacKellar, local community leader: How nice that you have a “daddy fill-in” and that you want to honor him with something so special to you and your father. While I do not find it the least bit rude for you to give the bronze horse as a gift with the stipulation that it is returned to you upon the death of your father’s best friend, I think it is important for you to realize that it might not be.
You need to be realistic that after the passing of the recipient you may never see the horse again. The only way to insure you received it back would be to have the man put a note in his will that it be returned to you upon his death. Then legally, the family would have to return it. If this is a conversation you would rather not have with the man or his family maybe it would be more appropriate to ask the family if you could bring it as a decoration for the party so a bit of your own father would be present and it could return home with you. Good luck!!!!!
Callie Gordon, a college junior, was an Oklahoma City 2009 debutante. 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 is Bebe MacKellar, local community leader.
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!
E-mail us! helen.wallace@cox.net …lbrinkman@opubco.com…calliezok3@aol.com
Kylie Beal and David Gutzman honored at engagement party in Oklahoma City
Elby, Tina, and Kylie Beal; David, Linda, and Dennis Gutzman celebrate at an engagement party. (Photo by David Faytinger).
Tina and Elby Beal entertained at an engagement party at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art Cafe to honor their daughter, Kylie Beal, and David Gutzman, both of Dallas, Tx. The engaged couple will be married in June, 2012.
Cocktails served had unusual names including “Peruna Punch.” The drink was named for the Southern Methodist University Mustang mascot. The bride-to-be attended undergraduate and law school at SMU. “Tiger Tea” was named in honor of the Princeton University Tigers where Gutzman attended school.
Bouquets of flowers included lilies, hot pink and pastel pink roses, coral peonies, dark pink hydrangeas, lime green Viburnum, yellow orchids and purple tulips. The flowers surrounded lanterns on the tables. Large umbrellas on the patio were draped with greenery and flower swags. A band played light rock music.
Among the guests were Marylee and Tim Strange, Linda and Steve Garrett, Mary Fleske, Linda and Dr. Dennis Gutzman, Lisa Gutzman, Kristine Gutzman, Max Axelsen, Charles Houssiere, Marion Parke, Becky Tanenbaum, Lizanne and Joe Reger, Jennifer and Sam Kalil, Roni and Brandon Watson, Lora and Bryan Grabowsky, Barbie and Jon Moon, Lauren Karim, Diana and Steve Fleske, Chris Beal, Kathy and Hal Brown, Barbara Watson, Cindy and Jim Hazelwood, Rev. Patrick Bright, Mary and Bill Price, Eileen and Joshua Everett, Karen and Pete Delaney, Vicki and Jim English, Betsy Hyde, Nick Berry, Penny and John McCaleb, Bette Jo and Frank Hill, Wendy Simpson, Millie and Johnson Hightower, Susan and Mike McPherson, Leslie and Scott Samara, Elizabeth Samara, Christopher Haggard, Lindsay Hightower, Jeff Graham, Julie and Brian Tibbs, Leslie and Larry Regens, Bob Cooke, Nancy and Jim Berry, Betty Kay Karim.
20-30-40-50-60 Etiquette—The men answer
YOU ASK! WE ANSWER! YOU DECIDE!
In 20-30-40-50-60 Etiquette Extra, the men of various ages answer whether a woman should get her own drink at a cocktail party.
QUESTION: Recently I attended a formal party at the Country Club by myself. During the cocktail hour, when I went to the bar to get myself a drink, I was the only woman in line at the bar and I was surrounded by men who looked at me like I was intruding. My question: Should I ask a man to stand in line to get me a drink at an event like this or is it perfectly fine to get my own cocktail?
20’s….NICK TANKERSLEY’S ANSWER…Web Editor, NewsOk….Since my family’s social position with the city blue bloods had slipped considerably by the time I was old enough to be aware of social situations, I have never been in a country club. I’ve played a few rounds of golf at some public courses but I hardly think my experience is beneficial in this regard (or in any regard, really).
The only scenario I can conjure that would make the derisive looks of the men in line make sense is the following: The men you were in line with were not humans, they were aliens. They had been selected to infiltrate human society and learn our ways. This particular cadre of pod people were commissioned to disguise themselves as the Oklahoma City elite and ingratiate themselves to the country club crowd.
The real problem, however, is that the vast distance of the alien spies’ planet from ours means that they only get broadcasts and information from television and radio from the 1930′s, 40′s and 50′s. Because of this they have only have that gender segregated time period on which to base their illusions. So what you were seeing was a group of aliens disguised as human men trained to behave as though they extras in a rat pack movie.
The idea of having a man go to the bar to get you a drink to avoid snotty looks from other men is so misogynistic that human beings raised in the modern era could not be the ones responsible.
30’s…FORD SANGER’S ANSWER…local businessman… I do think it is perfectly fine for you to get your own cocktail. However, I do think the men should be practicing proper etiquette and offering to get you one instead.
40’s…SCOTT KINNARD’S ANSWER…CEO of a la mode, inc….Not so long ago, especially at a venue as steeped in tradition as the Country Club, a lady would be expected to ask a man to get her a drink, whether that included waiting in a line or not. There was a time she wouldn’t even be permitted in most Country Club bars without a male escort. Thankfully or sadly, depending on your point of view, all of that has changed. Not only is it perfectly fine for today’s lady to retrieve her own cocktail. It’s smart. That’s where all the men are!
50’s…CLAY HEALEY’S ANSWER…owner AIC Title Service, LLC…. I don’t know the Country Club where you were, but any man who would not help a lady get her drink is a jerk. You need to simply walk up and get your drink with your head held high and never allow trash along the way to bother you. Indeed, in all aspects of life, hold your head high and step over the trash!
60’s…RON JAMES’ ANSWER…Independent Oil Producer… The ground beneath chauvinism erodes away, albeit too slowly for most. I would think that a gentleman standing in line would have greeted you and asked if he could get the drink for you. Or maybe not….with equality being considered. Regardless, what is missing in this situation is a kind gesture or a warm greeting to make another person feel comfortable.
Personally, ladies are a wonderful addition to any line. They seem to bring the art of conversation with them….making the line so much shorter.
Parties Extra!—This is the last weekend for the Symphony Show House in Oklahoma City
Symphony Show House publicity chairman Michelle Winters and Design Committee Co-Chairman Simon Shingleton talk on Parties Extra! about the last weekend for the Show House.
20-40-60 Etiquette—Speed it up in the checkout line?
YOU ASK! WE ANSWER! YOU DECIDE!
QUESTION: Could we have a little more efficiency in the market place? Every time I am waiting in line at the grocery store, women take up my time. They wait until they are at the checkout counter to unzip their purse, pull out their check, write it, and pay. This takes forever. Why can’t they show a little consideration for the people behind them and be polite enough to already have that done before they are ready to pay. How can we speed up the process?
CALLIE’S ANSWER: Are you really in that big of a hurry? I would be annoyed if you were tapping your foot at me. Waiting for someone to take their purse out takes two minutes out of your life. Be patient! You can always use the self –checkout.
LILLIE-BETH’S ANSWER: QUESTION: Is it always women who take up your time? Do you ever have problems with cashiers who are slow to ring up your items, too many people in the store and not enough checkout lanes open, items that weren’t coded properly so they have to be keyed in by hand or any number of issue that can delay checking out? Have you ever forgotten your wallet and had to run back to the car?
All of us have had situations that delay time in line at the grocery store, and the wait can be frustrating, especially when we have a long to-do list that doesn’t include standing in line. Yes, it’s considerate for someone to anticipate when it’s time to pay, but I’m not sure that takes as long as you think it does. I think the only thing you can do here is be patient with others who aren’t as prompt as you are and make sure you have your own wallet out, ready to pay, so the people behind you will quietly thank you for making them wait one minute less in line.
HELEN’S ANSWER: Thanks for bringing that to the attention of the reading public. Maybe if we realize we should have the check ready, we can do it. Unfortunately lines are just that… lines….each and every customer is important to stores and the clerks make sure all people are treated with the same courtesy. One friend of mine had to wait while the lady in front of her went out to the car to get thirteen cents ( she did not want to break a dollar bill.)
The only way to speed up the process is to have someone monitoring the lines and telling customers where to go to get through the fastest. Since that will probably not happen, then it is up to you to be vigilant and look to see who is ready to get on out of there. Sometimes even the most well -meaning person gets held up with a credit card or spoiled food that needs to be replaced. Anyway, good manners dictate that we not scream at them and just politely wait our turn, or leave the line for another one.
GUEST’S ANSWER: Matt Price, Features Editor: I suppose I’m more frustrated by this in the “express” line than the regular line, but I have to admit — I’ve never chosen the correct checkout line in my life. Whichever one I get into will immediately have a customer who forgot his wallet, or the register will break, or someone from “Extreme Couponing” will be in the line. It can be a long, and potentially frustrating, process. But we can’t control what others do; we can only control our own reaction to it. Maybe you can use that extra time in the line for quiet contemplation, or to send a text message to a friend, or maybe do some isometric exercise.
As Benjamin Franklin reportedly said, “He that can have patience can have what he will.” Or to put it in the words of another, Guns N’ Roses frontman W. Axl Rose: “Sometimes, I get so tense/but I can’t speed up the time./You know, love, there’s one more thing to consider./Said woman, take it slow./Things will be just fine./You and I’ll just use a little patience.”
And if you were one of the fans marking a 15-year wait for a new Guns N Roses album between 1994 and 2008, it was a good thing to have a little patience. Compared to that, what’s 15 minutes in a check out line?
Callie Gordon, a college junior, was an Oklahoma City 2009 debutante. 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 is Matt Price, The Oklahoman’s Feature Editor.
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!
E-mail us! helen.wallace@cox.net …lbrinkman@opubco.com…calliezok3@aol.com
Nichols Hills Garden Tour set in Oklahoma City for June 4th
The 28th annual Nichols Hills Garden Tour is June 4th from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Theme for the event is “A Tribute To English Gardens.” Suzanne Reynolds and Amy Bankhead are co-chairmen.
Gardens on the tour are Lisa and Tony Vaughn, 1600 Drury Lane; Tracey and Tim Hughes, 1210 Larchmont Lane; Courtney and Carl Holliday, 1905 Bedford Dr.; Candi and Donald Bullard, 1102 Huntington Ave. and Sue and Don Timberlake, 1600 Elmhurst Ave.
Proceeds benefit Nichols Hills Parks. Susan Marshall is president of NHP Inc.
Master gardeners, Kelly Moody and Nazette Zuhdi Cleaver, will answer horticultural questions and will describe garden designs at the homes. Tickets are $15. in advance and $20. the day of the tour. Buy tickets at Covington Antique Market, Crescent Market, Horn Seed Co., New Leaf Florist, No Regrets, On A Whim, 42nd Street Candy Co., The Paper Lion, Precure Garden Center, Tony Foss Florist, TLC, Wilshire Garden Market.
Committee members are Susan Marshall, Melissa Smith, Nancy Herzel, Wiley Hugos, Dina Hammam, Christina Nihira, Diane Brown, Joni Flesher, Whitney Hooten, Deena Sylvester,
