“The Nutcracker” production by the Oklahoma City Ballet is coming soon!
Robert Mills, Oklahoma City Ballet artistic director, and Leslie Thomas, Oklahoma City Ballet development director, talk about “The Nutcracker” on Parties Extra!
Bachelors Club Members choose 2011 Debutantes for the Christmas Ball
On Thanksgiving Day, twenty six young women were invited to make their debut at the Bachelor’s Club Christmas Ball on Dec. 22nd.
The black- tie event will be at the Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club and each debutante will be escorted by a member of the Bachelors Club of Oklahoma City. After the debs are presented, guests will dance to the music of Souled Out and the evening will conclude with a late breakfast.
Debs and their parents are : Chandler Camille Bair, daughter of Debra and Jack Bair; Brooke Ann Bogert, daughter of Vicki and Andy Bogert; Dru Ann Boyd, daughter of Sherri and David Boyd; Murphy Brooks Burns, daughter of Melanie and John Burns; Zoe Elizabeth Butts, daughter of Jeanie and Benjamin Butts; Elaine Kathryn Cole, daughter of Janna and Steven Cole; Elyse Rachelle Collier, daughter of Kimberly and Chet Collier.
And Sarah Rebecca Cox, daughter of Kathryn and Rusty Cox; Elizabeth Marie Franklin, daughter of Lisa and Doug Franklin; Alyssa Marie Fuller, daughter of Susan and Doug Fuller; Taylor Nicole Helms, daughter of Jane and Conner Helms; Lindsey Brooks Henderson, daughter of Anne and Brian Henderson; Hannah Lee Henning, daughter of Mary Henning; Emily Christina Hood, daughter of Elaine and Andy Hood; Catherine Grace Laster, daughter of Susan and Tom Laster; Laura Louisa Liedtke, daughter of Adelaide and Bill Liedtke; Helen Elizabeth Lockard, daughter of Beth and Mike Lockard.
Also Elizabeth Streck Luetkemeyer, daughter of Teresa and Tom Luetkemeyer; Emily Elaine Orthwein, daughter of Ellen and Richard Orthwein; Emily Walker Portman, daughter of Beth and Leo Portman; Lara Leigh Switzer, daughter of LaRue Switzer and Larry Switzer; Bonnie Joanna Tibbs, daughter of Julie and Brian Tibbs; Coralee Taylor Toal, daughter of Susan Chambers and Kyle Toal; Sarah Allyce Turpen, daughter of Susan and Mike Turpen; Mary Louise Valuck, daughter of Louise and Jonathan Valuck; and Kathlin Wilds Winters, daughter of Cindy Winter and Brian Winter.
The Wes Welker Foundation will be the recipient of the proceeds of this years Ball. Robert Herritt is the Club president.
The Bachelor’s Club of Oklahoma City was founded in 1938 by a group of young men for leadership, social and philanthropic undertakings in Oklahoma City. The debutante presentation began in 1945 as a way to raise funds for various charities.
20-40-60 Etiquette—Should I honk?
QUESTION: Is it impolite to honk the horn at the car in front of you if it is going too slowly? Recently I followed a car for several blocks and as I wanted to stay in the right lane, I did not pass. The car in front was driving under the speed limit. My road rage really kicked in. Should I have started honking?
CALLIE’S ANSWER: This IS frustrating, and there are SO many bad drivers on the road! Some people think honking is rude, but, sometimes it really is necessary. Although, it makes me mad when someone ZOOMS in and out of traffic! I always think to myself “I hope you get a ticket!” The left lane is the fast lane, if you are not going fast then move over.
LILLIE-BETH’S ANSWER: I hate it when that happens, and we all get frustrated with those “other” drivers (certainly not ever referring to ourselves) from time to time. Honking at a slow driver, however, would probably do little to speed things up. It might even be dangerous, if your honking startles the driver into swerving.
The original intention of using your horn is not to express to other drivers that you hate their driving. Instead, save the honking for a dangerous situation that requires you to alert them quickly, such as if they’re pulling out in front of you, for example. Don’t pile on any more road rage than is already out there; you never know when yours could cause the other driver’s rage to escalate into something worse.
If you have to express your frustration, do so to yourself, perhaps with a curse word muttered under your breath. Or, just take time to breathe deeply, enjoy some quiet time in the car and know that driving a few blocks a little slower than you’d like will pass more quickly than your rage will.
HELEN”S ANSWER: Did you start honking? What happened? I think I would just get around as fast as I could and get in front of the slow car, but avoid road rage. Calm down. Slow drivers are sometimes just part of the environment, and, honking could send a stressed- out driver over the edge and you sure don’t want him to stop fast or act crazier with you behind him. You still need to maintain a safe distance.
GUEST’S ANSWER: Joe Hight, Director of Information and Development: This is a difficult situation that we’ve all encountered. Some people approach the world at a much slower pace than the rest of us.
You were correct to be patient even though you were outraged inside. As long as the driver remained in the right lane, he or she had every right to go at a certain speed as long as it’s not below the minimum speed limit. It might be best to slowly pull around the driver when you can instead of pounding on the horn.
Now if the driver were in the left lane, you might have tapped your horn, so the other driver knows to pull over to the right.
We all need to continue practicing common courtesy as much as possible on the roads.
Elizabeth Samara and Christopher Haggard have beautiful wedding reception at the Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club
Elizabeth and Christopher Haggard arrive at their reception at the Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club following their wedding. (Photos by Helen Ford Wallace).
The couple cuts the chocolate groom’s cake. It featured chocolate truffle flowers.
Elizabeth Samara and Christopher Haggard were married Nov. 19th at Saint Elijah Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church. Their wedding reception was at the Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club.
Their parents are Leslie and Scott Samara and Stacey and Chris Haggard and Amelia Haggard.
Elizabeth’s dress featured a silk and beaded bodice with a V neckline and a tulle ballgown skirt with beading and silk organza petals. It was designed by Monique Lhuillier for Neiman Marcus. Her veil was Alencon lace decorated with tiny clusters of pearls scattered throughout and sown in the center of the flowers. It was first worn by the mother of the bride’s sister 40 years ago. Many family members have worn it since then and all of the bride’s names and wedding dates have been sown on small ribbons and attached.
She carried a bouquet of ivory and cream-colored roses, stephanotis and peonies.
Maid of honor was Juliana Samara and matron of honor was Rachel Bolen. Bridesmaids were Madeleine Cody, Lindsay Hightower, Anna Homsey, Jennifer Kalil, Nichole Naifeh, Katherine Nichols, Alix Samara. They wore short mocha-colored strapless dresses and carried bouquets of roses, peonies and orchids.
Best man was Stuart Haggard and groomsmen were Nelson Bolen, Matthew Browne, Buck Cody, Nicholas, Haggard, Robert Haggard jr., Tyler Morey, Daniel Reineke and Shea Samara. Ushers were Nathan Huffman, Blake Keeton, Jacob Robertson and Russell Walker jr. Claire Samara was flower girl and George Bolen, Ralph Bolen and Scott Samara were ring bearers.
The Club was decorated with garlands of roses on the fireplace and two huge peacocks created out of orchids, roses, peonies in carnation vases were on the buffet table and on a table by the bride’s and groom’s cakes. Table centerpieces were mercury glass vases filled with orchids and roses. The mirrored dance floor had olive branches and orchids above it.
A Bahama-themed bar was set up with and a mixologist created special flaming coffee drinks for the guests.
Bahama-themed bar.
Leslie and Scott Samara celebrate at their daughter’s wedding.
The exquisite wedding cake.
Peacock created from flowers.
Sue Homsey and daughter Anna Homsey, one of the bridesmaids.
Linda James and Libby Steakley have fun at the reception.
Table centerpieces of beautiful flowers.
Terry and Carolyn Smith arrive from the wedding.
Dick and Cindy Homsey celebrate at the event.
The peacocks created out of flowers were on the buffet tables.
84th Oklahoma Hall of Fame features seven special honorees
Tommy and Cathy Franks enjoy the Oklahoma Hall of Fame evening. (Photos by Helen Ford Wallace).
The 84th annual Oklahoma Hall of Fame banquet and induction ceremony, the state’s highest honor, featured seven honorees at the Cox Convention Center.
Oklahoma Heritage Association members and Gaylord-Pickens Museum were hosts for the event.
Honorees Tommy Franks, Harold Hamm, Marques Haynes, Cathy Keating, Steve Malcolm, Elizabeth Warren and Roger Miller (posthumously) were special in every way. They were articulate in their speeches, gracious in their praise for Oklahoma and kind to all the guests, some of whom were asking for autographs.
Introducing the honorees were Clay Bennett, David L. Boren, Bill Russell, Sam Donaldson, Alison Anthony, T. Boone Pickens. Country singer Dean Miller, represented the Roger Miller family, singing a version of his father’s 1964 hit, “King of the Road.” He accepted the award on behalf of the family.
Masters of ceremonies were Burns Hargis and Mike Turpen.
On the technical arrangement committee were Shannon Rich, chairman, and Gini Moore Campbell, co-chairman, Paul Christensen, Clint Daily, Leon Smith, Hargis, Kent Kidwell, Mickie Smith, Steve Taylor, Bill Thrash and Turpen. On the program committee were Bill Anoatubby, chairman, Kathy Taylor, co-chairman, Michael Cawley, Millie Craddick, Becky Dixon, Ford Drummond, Patricia Evans, Gib Gibson, Fred Harlan, Stan Stamper and Ty Tyler. Calvin J. Anthony is Oklahoma Heritage Association Chairman of the Board.
Guests included a number of men and women in military attire. Also attending and posting the colors at the beginning of the evening were soldiers from the 434th Field Artillery Brigade and Marines from the Ft. Sill Marine Artillery.
Among those in the crowd were DeAnn and Lee Allan Smith, Christy and Jim Everest, Louise and Clay Bennett, Barry Switzer, Nadine and Frank McPherson, Barbara and Bill Durrett, Tom McDaniel, Madeleine and T. Boone Pickens, Katie and Aubrey McClendon, Kelly Dyer Fry and Chris Fry, Frank Keating, Molly Shi Boren, Judy and Tom Love, Gayle and Barney Semtner, Joan Gilmore, Al McLaughlin, Steve McLaughlin, Lou Phillips, Libby and G.T. Blankenship.
Click here to read Ken Raymond’s article in The Oklahoman.
Barbara and Bill Durrett and Tom McDaniel were at the party.
Jennifer and Alan Herzberger enjoyed the Oklahoma Hall of Fame dinner.
Ryan and Carrie Leonard applauded loudly for her mother, honoree Cathy Keating.
Tripp Hall and Paul Massad were at the event.
Clay Bennett introduced Tommy Franks.
Tara and Kent Treadwell were at the Cox Convention Center for the Oklahoma Hall of Fame.
Kathy C. and Daria Butler were at the induction ceremony.
Jose Freede, Barry Switzer and Joan Gilmore share a laugh at the dinner.
Casady School students, faculty, staff, alumni celebrate the 65th anniversary
Click here to see Parties Extra! photo gallery!
Kathy Brown, Jill Greene, Laura Lang and Ashley Gibson talk about Casady School on Parties Extra!
20-40-60 Etiquette: Giving (and receiving)!
(Editor’s Note: Any etiquette questions out there? We will do our best to answer them! HFW)
QUESTION: Last year I received an unexpected gift at Christmas. An acquaintance brought me a rum cake. I thanked her profusely, but did not reciprocate. Did I show terrible manners by not getting her something?
CALLIE’S ANSWER: People do not give gifts to get a gift in return. It is all about giving, not receiving. As they say, ‘tis the season. Of course there is always next year, or this year.
LILLIE-BETH’S ANSWER: If it’s been a year and you’re still feeling like you dropped the ball with your acquaintance, then get her a small Christmas gift this year. Since you’re still worrying about it, maybe that’s your answer to yourself about whether you should have reciprocated. If you thanked her profusely, and wrote her a note, then that should be enough.
I do know people who keep extra small gifts in reserve — like a small candle or nice soaps — in case something like this happens. If you want to do this, you don’t have to hand anything to the gift-giver right away, but say something like “I have something for you but it’s not wrapped, and I’ll drop it by later.” You can be thoughtful and reciprocate without being expensive, or you can just be thankful that someone thought of you for Christmas and let them know.
HELEN’S ANSWER: It is always fun to give and to get an unexpected gift. I don’t think you should feel really bad about not returning the favor. If you had not planned to get her something, then don’t just run out there and get something to be getting it. Your thank you was enough and you could send a holiday card or a note thanking her.
I plan to take friends a gift this year because they did something nice for me during the summer, but I would be horrified if they thought they owed me a gift in return. I really just want to say thanks and give my wishes for a Merry Christmas.
GUEST’S ANSWER, Ree Drummond, author of The Pioneer Woman Blog and book author: I think food gifts generally come from the heart, without strings attached. When I deliver cinnamon rolls to friends around town, I never expect that they would give me a gift in return; I just love baking and delivering rolls to people at Christmastime.
If you wanted to do something nice this year, you could give her a pretty cake plate (you can find inexpensive ones anywhere) with a note about how much you enjoyed the rum cake last year.
Wall Street Journal article tells about a wonderful holiday party!
Cheryl Lu-Lien Tan of the Wall Street Journal wrote about this creative man and his Thanksgiving party today: Click here to read it….I want to go!
Heart Rhythm Institute features fall luncheon
Kara Ross via video. (Photos by Helen Ford Wallace).
The Heart Rhythm Institute luncheon at the Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club featured jewelry by Kara Ross and a heart healthy menu.
Kara Ross was not able to attend the party but sent a video and Genevieve Overholser of the jewelry line gave remarks. The menu consisted of a pear salad with a heart-shaped toast, roast chicken breast topped with spinach, tomato and multi-grain rolls.
Gene Barth and Annie Bohanon were the event co-chairmen and gave introductions. Max Chotto gave the patient testimonial. Honorary chairmen was Pam Fleischaker. Event underwriters were Helen and Wil Webster.
There were seven great vignette packages opportunities for guests to bid on including “Grandma’s Goodies” with train ride tickets, Christmas Show tickets, birthday parpty, gifts cards and “Stepping Out” with a black leather jacket, dinner for two, shoe gift certificate.
The Heart Rhythm Institute at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center always gives tells everyone to “hold the date” for next next year’s party: It will be November 14, 2012.
Jewelry shopping.
Cathy Freede, Jose Freede, Joan Gilmore enjoy lunch.
Lillie-Beth Brinkman, Marcy Kenney, and Betty Jane Garrett were at the luncheon.
Karlie Harmon and Oklahoma City University host academic seminar in Singapore
Dr. C. Chong, Jane Jayroe Gamble, Jan Henry, Robert Henry, Eric Kuan, Karlie Harmon, Gerald Gamble, Dr. R.Theyvendran were at the seminar in Singapore. (Photo provided).
Karlie Harmon, Director of International Mass Communication programs for Oklahoma City University, is home from Singapore where she hosted an academic seminar “Mass Communications In A New Media World”. She also attended the OCU’s graduation ceremony at the Ritz Carlton and celebrated with a Sunday brunch at Raffles Hotel.
Featured speakers at the seminar were OCU President Robert Henry and OCU Trustee Jane Jayroe Gamble. Gerald Gamble also attended and is also a trustee.
This is the 20th year for the program from which 2500 students have received bachelors and masters degrees in mass communications programs. OCU partners with the Management Development Institute of Singapore. Harmon taught the first mass communications class that was offered in Singapore and has been going four times yearly since then. This was the first mass communications program in Singapore and is the only American mass communications program there and in the region.
