WNBA’s Shock Team will be in Tulsa

Cameron, Orender, Henry

Bill Cameron, owner; Donna Orender, president of the WNBA, and Governor Brad Henry were at the Tulsa news conference. (Photos provided by Kari Culp, Account Executive, Schnake Turnbo Frank).

Parties Extra! got some “extra” photos yesterday. And we welcome SHOCK to the state!
At the  Women’s National Basketball Association’s Tulsa news conference on Oct. 20 at the Mayo Hotel, it was officially announced that Tulsa will be the new home to the former Detroit Shock WNBA team.

Owners
Linda and Stuart Price, Donna Orender, president of the WNBA; Bill Cameron; Pat Chernicky; David Box; Rita and Sam Combs; Coach Nolan Richardson were at the WNBA news conference. Not pictured are owners Don and Pat Hardin, Paula Marshall and Katie and Scott Schofield.

Kari Culp


Larry T. Byrd Gordon’s Band plays as First Ladies Gather for Gala

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A BEAUTIFUL PARTY
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Gov. Brad Henry and his wife, Kim Henry, were at the formal dinner dance at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. (Photos by Helen Ford Wallace).

The 450 guests at the 2009 First Ladies Gala loved seeing all the hostesses enter the party at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum.

The women, Kim Henry, Cathy Keating, Rhonda Walters, Donna Nigh and Molly Boren, looked beautiful in their formal dresses. They were introduced prior to dinner and took their seats at tables which had  veritable flower gardens decorating them.

The gourmet dinner, catered by 61 Hundred Catering, featured a grilled beef tenderloin and a candy striped marlin with appropriate sauces.  There was a three course dessert of strawberry stuffed with a cream cheese mousse, lemon tart and berries and chocolate cake.

Judge Robert Henry introduced board members.

After dinner the Oklahoma City University Spirit Dances, dressed in lab coats and safety glasses, passed out 3-D glasses to everyone. Then the guests took a five minute virtual tour of Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation’s past, present and future.

The video, which included a trip through blood vessels in 3-D, culminated in a fly-around of OMRF’s soon to be built new research tower.

Then the First Ladies and their husbands hit the dance floor for the first dance. Larry T. Byrd Gordon’s Band played.

Proceeds from the party will benefit OMRF.

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One of the table centerpieces at the First Ladies Gala.

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Adam Cohen, Lisa Day and Mike Fina were at the party.

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Malinda Berry Fischer and George Lang.

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Norris and Betty Price arrive at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum.

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Pictures of the First Ladies, including this one of Molly Boren,  decorated the hallway.

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Before dinner, Barry Switzer’s pocket television had a few viewers gathered around as OU Men’s basketball was playing.

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Peggy Gandy and David Tarpenning were at the event.
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Lee Allan Smith and James Pickel were at the party.


Stan Hupfeld named St. Patrick’s Parade Grand Marshal

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BALL TO HONOR INTEGRIS CEO

integris-health-center.jpg Stan Hupfeld, Gov. Brad Henry and Paula Jones, front, and Sandy and Peter Pembroke and Tim O’Connor, back, were at the State Capitol on February 3 to honor Hupfeld as he was named the 2009 St. Patrick’s Parade Grand Marshal. (Photo provided).

 Stan Hupfeld will be honored at the 2009 St. Patrick’s Grand Marshal Ball. The party is set for the Skirvin Hilton Hotel on March 7th at 6:30 p.m. The Ball benefits a new resource center sponsored by Catholic Charities for homeless women and children.

At the event there will be a live and silent auction, as well as dinner and dancing to the music of the Buddy Bilen Band.

Hupfeld was named Grand Marshal for the Parade which is March 14. He was honored February 3 at the State Capitol by Gov. Brad Henry and Parade Chairman Paula Jones.

Jones noted that the role of Grand Marshal is given yearly to someone of Irish descent who has demonstrated positive civic and charitable contributions in Oklahoma. The honoree has served on numerous boards and commissions in Oklahoma including the Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce board of directors and United Way Chairman.

Tickets for the Ball are $125. per person and corporate sponsorhships are available. Contact Catholic Chairites Development Director Jane Moon at 405-523-3000 for information.


Lee Allan Smith Day in Oklahoma

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EVENING HONORS LEE ALLAN

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Lee Allan Smith. (Photos by Helen Ford Wallace).

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Lee Allan Smith was the honoree Jan. 30 at a dinner in the Centennial Building at the Oklahoma State Fair. Local and state leaders, family members and friends attended the unveiling of two statues which will be at the State Fair Park, near the Centennial Waterfall, and at the Gaylord-Pickens Oklahoma Heritage Museum.

Smith’s friend Ed deCordova thought up the honor and worked with the Oklahoma Centennial Commission to launch the project and collect donations. The project started with just one statue, but due to the response from those close to Smith, the two statues are set for installing in two of his favorite locations.

Giving tributes to Lee Allan Smith for lifetime service to the state were Barry Switzer, master of ceremonies; Ed deCordova, Tom McDaniel, Clay Bennett, Dr. Mike Anderson.

Tom McDaniel announced the creation of the Oklahoma Heritage Association’s “Lee Allan Smith Oklahoma Legacy Award” which will honor an individual who exemplifies the spirit of Oklahoma’s people and promotes the community.”

Larry “T-Byrd” Gordon and The Music People Luv Band played and the first song of the evening was the Centennial song, “Oklahoma Rising.”

The Centennial Building was transformed into a dance floor, dining and social area and a stage. Off white carpeting was put on the floor and the social area featured leather sofas and chairs. Chandeliers were hung throughout the room.

Among those attending were DeAnn Smith, DeLee and Wendy Smith, Jennifer and Fritz Kiersch, Candy and Tom Dulaney, Nancy and Ed deCordova, Louise and Clay Bennett, Danna and Kirk Humphreys, Jose Freede, Susan and David Amis, Marilyn and Bud Meade, Shirley and Pete Everest, Susan and Carl Edwards, Sharon and John Bozalis, Lyn and Ted Elam, Judy Jordan, Ruth and Dick Lampton, Lou Kerr, Nancy and Bob Ellis, Cathy and Jim Kirk, Lana and Dave Lopez, Jane Thompson, Nadine and Frank McPherson, Marilyn and Jim Law, Wanda and Bill Swisher, Karen and Earl Ingram, Betty and Herschal Crow, Eb Hines, Eunice and Joe Ellis,  Janet and John Edwards, Pam and Bill Shdeed and Carole Drake.
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John Bozalis, Lee Allan Smith and Frank McPherson.

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Ed deCordova and Jennifer Kiersch.

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The Centennial Building at State Fair Park.

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DeAnn Smith, Jennifer Kiersch, Shawn Smith.

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Jane Thompson, Nadine McPherson, Lolly Anderson and Jayne Jayroe Gamble.

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Lamps like this one with floating orchids were set around the room.