Britanny Byrd, Mary Kay Bullard and Raegan Rogers greet guests at the Pi Beta Phi “Gathering of Angels” luncheon at the Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club. (Photos by Helen Ford Wallace).

When members of the Pi Beta Phi Oklahoma City Alumnae Club plan a party, they pay lots of attention to detail and March 2 was no exception!

The luncheon was at the Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club.

Theme for the event centered around the group’s guest speaker, Ree Drummond, author of “The Pioneer Woman Cooks,” “Black Heels to Tractor Wheels” and “Confessions of a Pioneer Woman” blog. Centerpieces were cowboy boots filled with big yellow sunflowers. And the menu (the food was really, really good) featured selections from her cookbook including fried chicken, buttermilk biscuits, wedge lettuce with homemade Ranch dressing and mocha brownies and angel sugar cookies.

And the speaker, Drummond, a Pi Phi herself, was delightful.  After being introduced by longtime friend, Connell Branan, she told stories about herself, her ranch, her college years, how she got started blogging and some about being on national television shows. This famous person is unique as she stays true to herself and is very unpretentious.

There were 19 baskets that were raffled to members including one with cowboy boots and a Prada blue denim tote. There were several trips included in the raffle baskets.

Drummond’s books were available at the luncheon with a percentage of sales going to Pi Phi’s philanthropies, Payne Education Center, Santa Fe South Schools, Youth Services for Oklahoma County and National Pi Phi Literacy Initiatives.

Committee members were Mary Kay Bullard, chairman; Britanny Byrd and Raegan Rogers, co-chairmen; Christi Bullard, sponsorships; Hilarie Blaney, public relations; Britton Green, Invitations; Amy Neal, graphic designer, Katie Puckett, invitations, and Regan Roff, treasurer.

Among those at the luncheon were Gerre Schwert, Lela and Mark Sullivan, Linda James, Margo Ward, Susan Hoffman, Barbara Beeler, Kathy Griffin, Margaret Wells, Patty Cohenour, Nancy Ellis, Sue Ann Hyde, Katie Davis, Chris Verity, Janell Flanery, Jane Harlow, Linda Rodgers, Betty Crow, Ann Cameron, Amy Bankhead, Martha Bradshaw, Jeary Seikel, Pam Smith, Christina Nihira, Meg Salyer, Annie Bohanon, Joan Gilmore, Kirk Hammons,  Candy Dulaney, Lil Ross, Linda Haller,  Judy Love, M.J. Van Deventer,  Ann and Bill Johnstone, Grenda Moss, Whitney Moss, Tessa Moss and a whole lot more Pioneer Woman fans!

Connell Branan and Ree Drummond enjoy time together at the luncheon.

Hilarie Blaney, seated, sells basket raffle tickets to Patty Cohenour, Martha Bradshaw and Nancy Ellis.

Susan Hoffman, Pam Smith, Jeary Seikel and Linda James enjoy the luncheon.

Lela Sullivan, Linda Haller and Gerre Schwert talk over college days. Sullivan and Schwert were college roommates.

Boots and sunflowers.

Margo Ward has a good time!

Katie Puckett, Britanny Byrd and Raegan Rogers were committee members.

Ann Cameron and Meg Salyer have fun at the party.

Christina Nihira and Lillie-Beth Brinkman talk at the event.

Mary Kay Bullard, Brittany Byrd and Connell Branan talk about the Pi Beta Phi Alumni’s “Gathering of the Angels” luncheon set for March 2.  Ree Drummond is the guest speaker.

Committee members Linda Rodgers, Betty Huckabay, Laura Hood, Claire Peterson, Mary Ann Osko and Raegan Rogers were in Oklahoma City for a planning meeting at the home of chairman Linda Rodgers. They are members of the OK Alpha Centennial Celebration Committee.

University of Oklahoma members of Pi Beta Phi sorority are plannning the Centennial Celebration November 5-6 in Norman. There will be  individual pledge class functions on Friday evening, so each pledge class can get together on their own to celebrate, reunite and reminisce.

OU President David Boren, Pi Phi Grand President Mary Loy Tatum, and chapter alumnae will meet for a luncheon and program on Saturday afternoon. The Centennial Ball  is on Saturday evening, during which Pi Phis and their dates will gather for dinner and dancing to a live band.

Theme is “The Girls Are Back In Town” and alums can register for the events online at www.okalpha100.com. For more information, join the Oklahoma Alpha Pi Phi Centennial 2010 Facebook page.

“Coming to the centennial will give alumnae an opportunity to step back in time, remembering Pi Phi songs, friends, experiences, and college days,” Linda Rodgers said. “It will also give the collegians an opportunity to showcase the current sisterhood and their accomplishments.”

“Our goals are to recognize Oklahoma Alpha’s incredible history and place on the OU campus, to reunite and celebrate, to give the alumnae and actives a chance to celebrate together and to build excitement and interest in what lies ahead for Oklahoma Alpha,” Laura Hood said.

The committee’s goals include awareness of Pi Phi’s philanthropic efforts to promote literacy.

Karen Luke is pinned with her Golden Arrow by Pi Phi daughter-in-law, Becky Luke. (Photos provided).

Members of Pi Beta Phi Alumnae Club met in the home of Debbie McCord. On the agenda for the meeting was to honor the new class of “Golden Arrows,” women who had been members of the sorority for 50 years. The 11 members at the event received a badge of membership and a wine-colored carnation, the official flower.

In the group were Marilyn Black Balyeat, Jessie Ann McDowell Wallentine, Karen Cullen Luke, Jerry McKnight Love, Virginia Scott Dick, Kris Reeves Frankfurt, Cynthia Curtis Ledbetter, Janice Johnson Smith, Dawn Dobbins Rutledge, Phyllis Cornell and Judy Gigstead,  Linda Maxey, Jerry Ann Montgomery Metcalfe, Susie Lucas Nelson, Lynda Cunningham Rushing and Paula Lefan Stover

Silver Arrow members were also recognized since the meeting to honor them was canceled due to winter weather.  Silver Arrow recipients signify 25 years of good standing membership in Pi Beta Phi.

Nan Buxton congratulates her sister, Virginia Dick, after the ceremony.

Rosemary Wilson, Katie Davis and Deanna McSwain were at the event.

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.

The table had key and arrow cookies and flower decorations. (Photo provided).

Members of the Kappa Kappa Gamma and Pi Beta Phi sorority alumni groups met in the home of Susan Drake to celebrate their joint founding at Monmouth College in Manmouth, Ill. Co-hostesses were Amy Edwards, Kathy Brown and Casey Williams.

Flower-covered keys for the Kappas and arrows for the Pi Phis (keys and arrows are sorority symbols) were hanging from the dining room chandelier. They were covered in lime green and hot pink mums, pink stock and light blue hydrangeas. The centerpiece was a flower-bedecked cake on a white stand. The cake featured flowers used for the keys and arrows and pink and white roses, white orchids and pink tulips. Sugar cookies were in the shape of keys and arrows.

Among the people at the party were  Marilyn Meade, Mary Ann Haskins, Anne Gray, Judy Worsham, Jan Smith, Kay Smith, Beth Hammack, Margo Ward, Whitney Moss, Erin Nation, Dena Keel, Carole McClendon, Kay Goebel, Ramona Paul, Kay Salyer, Elizabeth Miller, Donna Lawrence, Kay Bass, Kitty Champlin, Betsy Hyde, Joanna Champlin, Betty Huckabay, Patti Leeman, Chris Verity, Lu Garrison, Mary Kay Bullard, Ann Cameron, Betty Crow, Betsy Daugherty, Janie Law and Betty Jo Law.

Keli Segell, Kelley Meacham, Traci Blanks, Tana Sanger and Diane Sanger were at the meeting of the Kappa Kappa Gammas and Pi Beta Phis. (Photo by David Faytinger).

Katie Hubbard, Jennifer Dilley and Johnell Harrison were at the Pi Beta Phi Alum meeting. (Photos by Margo Ward).

60  members of  the Oklahoma City Pi Beta Phi and Edmond Pi Beta Phi alumnae clubs met in the home of Johnell Harrison to hear Jennifer Dilley talk about Alzheimer awareness in schools and the community.

Dilley talked about the treasures of the handwritten notes she received from her mother before her mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. She brought the stationery packages that she sells to raise money for Alzheimer’s research.

Dinner was catered by Whitney Cross.

A picture  of the the cute stationery packs that Jennifer Dilley sells through Forgetmenot Ink to raise money for Alzheimer’s research.

Mary Kay Bullard, Bibby Wilson, Millon Lilly, Cherie Martin, Jerry Jennings and Susie Blinn were at the Pi Beta Phi Alumnae luncheon at Nancy Arnold’s home. (Photos by Margo Ward).

The Skirvin Hotel’s Executive chef Andrew Black demonstrated cooking skills at the Pi Beta Phi Alumnae Club luncheon at Nancy Arnold’s house.

He showed the group how to make strawberry and walnut salad with poached salmon, risotto and warm pear cobbler.

Members brought children’s books to donate for their literacy project.

Chef Andrew Black talks about his recipes.

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GATHERING OF ANGELS

     Margo Ward and Erika Braver sell raffle tickets at the Pi Beta Phi luncheon. (Photos by Helen Ford Wallace).

Pi Beta Phi Sorority Alumnae members had the 13th annual “Gathering of Angels”  luncheon March 4 at the Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club to benefit Celebrations Preschool and City Care’s Whiz Kids.

Betty Dukert, Bethesda, Md., former (retired) executive producer of Meet The Press, was guest speaker. She is a Pi Phi member from Missouri University. She talked about her years that she spent producing the  television program and about the people she met.

Red roses and white daisies tied with silver blue ribbon decorated the tables. Twenty five baskets were raffled prior to the luncheon. Guests took home decorated cookies in the shape of arrows (sorority symbol) and decorated with the sorority Greek letters.

Mary Reneau is Club President.  Jennifer Eve Fish introduced the speaker. Amy Pearsons was chairman. Joan Hess and Margo Ward were chairmen of the basket raffle.

Committee members were Chris Verity, Hess, Ward, Anna Simpson, Cristi Bullard, Britton Thomason, Leslie Buford, Regan Raff, Betty Huckabay, Erika Braver, Millonn Lilly, Amber Shelton.

At lunch were Betty Crow, Sandy Meyers, Jane Harlow, Nancy Ellis, Kay Oliver, Karen Luke, Kirk Hammons,Barbara Beeler, SoRelle Fitzgerald, Barbara Kerrick, Bette MacKellar, Linda Reece, Sue Goodman, Marilyn Balyeat, Midge Lindsey, Lil Ross,  Joy Richardson, Janie Axton, Joan Gilmore, Dianne Meacham and Gale Bollinger.

Underwriters were Doris Barrett, Nancy Cheek, Patti Patton Leeman, Linda Ligon, Nancy Records, Lela B. Sullivan, Anne Workman, Nancy Ellis and Betty Huckabay.

          Karen Luke, Charlotte Richels and Carol Troy talk over their next community project.

         Alumnae President Mary Reneau welcomes guests.

Barbara Beeler, Nancy Ellis and Linda Reece check out the raffle items.

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MEETING

Amy Pearsons, Joan Hess, Mary Reneau, Margo Ward and Vicki Kembel (Photos provided)

Oklahoma City area alumni members of Pi Beta Phi and Kappa Kappa Gamma sororities met for a joint meeting in the home of Nancy Ellis.

Both sororities were founded at Monmouth College in Monmouth, Ill. They celebrated that fact.

Leslie Lynn, Ramona Paul, Sarah Lee Parrish