Night of Wishes Make-A-Wish Oklahoma’s Night of Wishes raised $700,000 to make wishes come true for children. At left: Event Co-Chairmen Carly and Shawn McDavid and Autum and Aaron Poston. At right: Julie Pratin and Jordan Morton. For more, see Pages 11 & 12
OKC Friday okcfriday.com • facebook.com/okcfriday Vol. 59, No. 36
People you should know
January 16, 2026
1 Section • 12 Pages
Families move into Village Habitat homes By Eric Oesch Staff Writer Two families now call The Village home after special dedication ceremonies for new homes were held on New Year’s Eve by Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity (COHFH). A third Habitat home is also ready and awaiting occupancy by a Habitat homeowner family. Property for the three Habitat Homes was donated to COHFH
in the fall of 2022 by Our Lord’s Lutheran Church, 2900 W. Hefner Rd. The site was a former softball field. An August 2023 Village City Council meeting drew a full house where residents voiced their concerns and support for COHFH project before the council accepted a resolution on the final plat. “We began framing on the three homes last September,” said Ann Felton Gilliand, chairman/CEO of Central Oklahoma
Habitat for Humanity. “Volunteers on this project included people from Our Lord’s Lutheran Church, Johnson & Associates, as well as future homeowners who fulfilled their 100 hours of sweat equity by building their own and others’ homes. It takes 24 to 30 weeks to build a Habitat home.” The civil engineering firm Johnson & Associates donated its services toward the Village
Irish boys swim to 2nd at CasadyMcGuinness Invitational
JOE DORMAN President & CEO Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy Where did you grow up, and do you have a favorite childhood memory? I grew up in Rush Springs, and for all kids from there, the annual Watermelon Festival was the highlight of the year as summer was ending and school was about to start back up. What did you want to be when you grew up? In high school, I had the opportunity to page for my state senator and fell in love with the state capitol and the process of government. The rest is history! What are you most passionate about professionally? Working with the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy (OICA), I love getting See PYSK, Page 3
(405) 606-2727
See HABITAT, Page 3
McGuinness’ Brady Mitchell, at left, won a gold medal in the 500 freestyle and bronze in the 200 individual medley last weekend at the annual Casady-McGuinness Invitational. The Irish boys finished second and Casady took third in the team standings. See Sports, Page 5 - Photo by Lance Payne, thephotograb.com
Project Women is 2026 Redbud beneficiary The Redbud Classic Board of Directors selected Oklahoma Project Woman as the 2026 Redbud Classic beneficiary. The annual spring event, celebrating its 43rd year of philanthropy, fitness and fun, will take place April 11-12 in Oklahoma City, Nichols Hills and Jones. Each year, proceeds from the Redbud Classic directly support a local nonprofit, See REDBUD, Page 3
FRIDAY’s Cat of the Week
Royal Monaco’s cat, Coconut, was formerly known as Priscilla prior to being adopted from the Oklahoma Humane Society. We thought we would adopt an adorable kitten with a bubbly or energetic personality, but Royal bonded with this lethargic, older female cat immediately. Her adoption information listed her interest as "loafing." Coconut's sole source of exercise is following Royal for treats, and she has even recognized her owner's pets to the extent that she scowls and her coat twitches when anyone other than Royal attempts to touch her. Royal loves to dote on Coconut, and we are so grateful to the Oklahoma Humane Society for their special bond. Email Pet of the Week submissions to rose@okcfriday.com.
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