Bobbie Burbridge Lane and Lolly Anderson talk about the Oklahoma Senior Follies on Parties Extra!

CALLIE’S ANSWER: I actually am going through the SAME thing but a little more. My friend who does not live near me will not return my calls, texts, snail mail or email. This has been going on since FEBURARY; I feel like a total STALKER. If one is not contributing then is it worth it? My thought is no. Harsh but who wants to feel like this with a friend. Thanks for helping me decide! Hope it works out for you!

LILLIE-BETH’S ANSWER: I hate that feeling, and you’re not alone. I don’t think telling anyone about your insecurities is going to help mend a friendship that may or may not be broken. Your friend might sincerely be busy or dealing with something else that has nothing to do with you. As hard as it is not to DO any more to fix it, I think you’re going to have wait this one out, which is easier said than done. Perhaps you could try again six months or from now, after anything he’s going through has settled down, or maybe you’ll run into him again and then will be able to catch up. If you’ve made all the effort you can, at some point, you have to let it rest. Unfortunately, at this busy stage of my life, it’s hard enough to find time to meet with the friends who actually care, and those are the ones who are worth more effort.

HELEN’S ANSWER: I realize that things do come up and cause people to cancel luncheon engagements, but if he has not returned your email either, then it is time to put this friendship on hold. You might try one more time via telephone to connect with him, but the ball remains in his court to try to get the two of you together. He might be going through some trauma and might want to be alone. There are all kinds of reasons for this inattention, but let him make the next move.

GUEST’S ANSWER: Kathy Walker, local civic leader and community volunteer: How unfortunate that someone whom you call a friend has not had time to invest in your relationship together as friends. Rather than take on a mantle of hurt feelings, perhaps you could leave a voice mail for him stating that you would love to try for lunch once again and leave it at that — no need for telling him your feelings of need or reference to his busy life.

If you don’t hear from him, invest your time in developing other friendships and a busy meaningful life with new and interesting people, activities, and volunteer service to others. I’m sure you will make a great friend for someone else.

Callie Gordon is 20-something, Lillie-Beth Brinkman is in her 40s, and social columnist Helen Ford Wallace is 60-plus.

He and his girlfriend of 11 months, Amy Mueller, were in the middle of an afternoon 3 ½ mile run around Lady Bird Lake in Austin, Texas, on the Lake Lady Bird Trail.

They crossed the MoPac Pedestrian Bridge as they usually do, but this time when they reached the middle of the bridge, he got down on one knee and asked her to marry him. It was a big surprise to Amy, but her instant answer to the age-old question was yes! Photographer Heidi Rae Huseman captured the moment for the couple as Parker had planned perfect timing, only three minutes off what he had anticipated.

Not to worry about incoming traffic on the busy bridge: the groom’s father, Robert Douglass, and Parker’s friend Johnny Gray, held a huge banner at the entrance which said “A man is proposing to his future wife. This will only take a minute. Thanks for understanding.”

And as they walked off the bridge, the people who had been waiting to go across the bridge started clapping.

The engagement ring involved came from Valerie Naifeh’s Jewelry in Oklahoma City and the groom-to-be’s mother Susan Parker brought it with her when she and Drew Neville drove down for dinner. She handed it to Parker when he drove by a street corner on his way to run a fake errand. He told Amy he had to pick up some things.

Parents Susan Parker, Oklahoma City; Wanda and Mark Krolczyk, Kerrville, Texas., LaDonna and Robert Douglass, and Drew Neville, came to Austin to celebrate and were waiting at Eddie V’s for dinner. Amy is also the daughter of the late Edward Mueller.

The wedding is set for November in Austin. All events during the wedding weekend are within walking distance, so the guests can enjoy walking (or jogging) together.

Amy models for the Kim Dawson Agency and has an engineering degree from Texas A&M. Parker is currently the president of a workout apparel brand called HOP located in Dallas, and went to Westminster College in Fulton, Mo.

Johnny Gray and Robert Douglass stop traffic!

Judy Hatfield and Terri Cooper talk about the Annie Oakley Society Luncheon on Parties Extra! The event is scheduled for June 6th at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. Check www.nationalcowboymuseum.org/annieoakley for information

Myrla and Gary Pierson enjoyed the dinner. (Photos by Helen Ford Wallace).

Guests at this year’s Literary Voices Dinner enjoyed the theme “Reading is your passport to Adventure” with globes, roses, passports and books as centerpieces and David McCullough as speaker. The Pulitzer Prize winner’s  latest book “The Greater Journey: Americans in Paris” added special emphasis to the theme. “I try to make you see, hear, feel and smell,” the author noted.

Carol Troy was Literary Voices event chairman and Elaine Levy was co-chairman.  Robert Clement is Library Endowment Trust president. The Library Endowment Trust officers and trustees were hosts for the event.

Friends of the Metropolitan Library were given the Lee B. Brawner Lifetime Achievement Award.

The event, at the Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club, featured a filet mignon dinner with salad and creme brulee for dessert.

Committee members included Troy and Levy, Brian T. Alford, Catherine Armitage, Sherry Beasley, Dede Benham, Marilyn Bethea, Annie Bohanon, Karen Browne, Ann Cameron, Robert Clements, Sody Clements, Terri Cooper, Rita Gunter Dearmon, Karen Delaney, Debby Dudman, Michelle Ellis, Ellen Fleming, Joan Frates, Linda Garrett, Julie Hall, Dr. Nancy Hall, Kirk Hammons, Jane Harlow, Tamara Hermen, Lori Hill, Sarah Hogan, Gail Huneryager, Karleen Krywucki, Lana Lopez, Penny McCaleb, Caroline Patton, Mary Price, Tina Ridley, Meg Salyer, Cindi Shelby, Sylvia Slater, Audrey Streetman, Suzie Symcox, Jane Thompson, Lauren Voth and Kathy Walker.

Lana and Dave Lopez talk with featured speaker David McCullough.

 Committee member Kathy Walker greets guests.

Linda Haneborg enjoys the dinner.

Table decorations  followed the “Reading is Your Passport to Adventure” theme.

By Callie Gordon, Lillie-Beth Brinkman, Helen Ford Wallace

QUESTION: We are sending out college graduation announcements for our son. At this time, so many people are hurting financially. We want people to rejoice and be a part, but they cannot even attend as the school gives four tickets only per graduate. I want to include a note in the announcement like: “Please celebrate with us during this important event. No gift, but good wishes, are required.”

Help me. I don’t know if this seems tacky. I need to get them out quickly.

CALLIE’S ANSWER: I understand that you want to celebrate your son! Putting a note on the announcement is fine! Just expect that some people will give gifts.

LILLIE-BETH’S ANSWER: You’re on the right track, and I think people will understand that graduation seating is limited and that you simply wanted to share your good news. Then they can decide whether they’re close enough to your family to send a gift or a card or just good wishes. Just because you sent a graduation announcement does not indicate to your friends that you’re expecting gifts. Whatever you say, I would keep it as simple on the announcement as you can.

HELEN’S ANSWER: It is always appropriate to send graduation announcements even though they might not be invited to attend the ceremonies. People like to know when their friends and family members are graduating. It is up to the individual person whether they send a gift or not and they will make that decision. If the invitation comes from a family member, they will probably send a gift. If the announcement is from an acquaintance, maybe not.

Probably it is best just to send the announcement and not include your note as they might think you are having a celebration. If you are having a party and they are coming to your home, great! Then you could add “no gifts please.”

GUEST’S ANSWER: Devonne Carter, licensed clinical social worker who has taught etiquette classes at Oklahoma Christian University: It is never rude to tell folks not to send gifts. I would encourage you to leave out the word REQUIRED. For some people, due to their time, it is challenging to get a card sent out! It is always fine to simply say, “No gifts please”.

Callie Gordon is 20-something, Lillie-Beth Brinkman is in her 40s, and social columnist Helen Ford Wallace is 60-plus. To ask an etiquette question, email helen.wallace@cox.net.

Cristi Reiger, Junior League President (Photo by Helen Ford Wallace).

Cristi Reiger, Junior League President, joins Helen to talk about a new focus area, the 2013 Mistletoe Market and celebrations plans for the 85th anniversary.

Nathan Wages, Lawre Everest, Meagan Samis, Drew Hoffman, Rachelle Beshears were at the party. (Photo by David Faytinger).

 Engaged couple Rachelle Beshears and Drew Hoffman were honored at a dinner and miscellaneous shower in the home of Christy and Jim Everest. Co-hosts were Barbara and Bud Beeler, Meridith and Tad Cassidy, Patty and Kent Cohenour, Shirley and Pete Everest, Carole and Boots Hall, Liz and Kent Hoffman, Sue and Gary Homsey, Linda and Ron James, Susan Parker, Drew Neville, Anita and Phil Patterson, Leslie and Scott Samara, Karen and Mike Samis, Lynn and Jimmy Samis, Mary Kay and Bobby Samis, Marsha and Carson See.

A bouquet of colorful pink and white peonies, ranuculus, and hydrangeas was the centerpiece and guests had lamb chops, chicken, new potato salad, bread with dollops of cream butter, and a variety of home baked cookies, madeleines and tarts. Tables were set up in the beautiful Everest garden which had all sorts of flowers already in bloom.

Guests included: Carter and Fred Fellers, Sara and Corbin See, Becky and Aaron Horton, Katie and Paul Ingram, Wren and Benji Homsey, Lawre Everest, Meagan Samis, Laura and Austin Kirkpatrick, Katharine and Kent Regens.

The engaged couple will be married in May.

Susan and Peter Hoffman arrive at the event. (Photo by Helen Ford Wallace).

Susan Hoffman, Linda James, Christy Everest, Libby Steakley and Sue Homsey enjoy the party. (Photo by Helen Ford Wallace).

Bud Beeler and Kent Cohenour talk at the event. (Photo by Helen Ford Wallace).

James Samis and Sue Homsey talk at the party. (Photo by Helen Ford Wallace).

Christy and Jim Everest and Libby Steakley have fun at the party. (Photo by Helen Ford Wallace).

By Callie Gordon, Lillie-Beth Brinkman, Helen Ford Wallace

QUESTION: I am invited to a cheese-and-wine party for a bride-to-be. Do I take a gift? If so what are some ideas for a gift?

CALLIE’S ANSWER: Yes, you bring a gift. Usually on the invitation it states where the future bride and groom are registered. If not, call one of the hostesses and ask.

LILLIE-BETH’S ANSWER: If it’s for a shower, then yes, bring a gift for the bride. You can also bring a hostess gift like a bottle of wine. The invitation should state the theme; perhaps here, the theme is related to items for the new couple to use for entertaining. If it’s simply a party in their honor, then a gift isn’t necessarily required. Call the hostess and ask to get the best guidance.

HELEN’S ANSWER: Usually the invitation states if the party is a wedding shower and if there is gift required for the future bride. Maybe this is just a celebration to be with friends before the wedding. However, the simple solution is to call the hostess and inquire.

A bottle of wine would be something that goes along with the theme of the party or a gift certificate to a cheese shop.

GUEST’S ANSWER: Mollie Bennett, Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon Coordinator: I love wine and cheese parties. Who doesn’t love a good bottle of wine along with some great cheeses? It is always nice to take a hostess gift to any party, so in this case I would bring a bottle of wine to contribute or some grapes and berries for the host to put with the cheese and wine. As for the bride, if the invitation lists where she is registered, I would look for something that could be used with wine or cheese on her registry. If the invitation does not list her registry, I would bring stemless wineglasses. They are my favorite!

Jennifer McCharen, Michael Bolin, Maria Hernandez and Hillary Hellwege, of Rutz Salon, show different hair styles for spring on Parties Extra!