OKC FRIDAY Vol. 57 No. 41 • One Section • 14 pages • March 1, 2024 $1 per copy
Jane Lowther, left, and Suzy Bennett. during a celebration of life at The village’s new Civic Center for former Mayor Cathy Cummings. For more, see Page 13.
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St. Eugene Catholic Church to construct $6 million childcare center By Eric Oesch Staff Writer
They are No. 1! The Bishop McGuinness cheer teams had much success this year at the national championship located in Dallas, Texas. The Performance Team came home with a first place finish at the national championship. The Performance Team members are, from left: First row, Jozie Weaver, Pyeatt Rivera, Kyla Reid, Addie Pitman, Lily Cunningham, Jaida Gatimu, Bellah Foster, Avery McIntire and Grace McDaniel; and second row, Berlin Tietsort, Grace Abel, Mia Scholze, Brooklyn Sarkey, Kennedy Brown, Haven O'neil, Emma Meisman, Kinsley Brown and Kendall Brown. Clancy, the Bishop McGuinness mascot,Gavin Gowens, received the Major Mascot Award, which is the best mascot of the entire division.
Harding Fine Arts to present awards Nancy Anthony, the Oklahoma Arts Institute, Joyce A. Henderson, Sally Frye Bentley and Carlie Preskitt are to be honored during next Tuesday, March 5’s Leadership in Arts and Education Awards Banquet, beginning with a 6 p.m. cocktail reception and followed by the awards ceremony at 7 p.m. The evening begins at the Tower Theatre, 425 NW 23. Then, Harding After Dark is set for 10 p.m. at Ponyboy, 423 NW 23. John & Joy Reed Belt Award Nancy Anthony joined the Oklahoma City Community Foundation as executive director in 1985 when it had assets of $20 million and one other full-time employee. She directed the growth of the Community Foundation to assets of more than $1.6 billion during 2021. Today, the Community Foundation has 47 full-time employees and makes average annual distributions to the Oklahoma City community of $46 million. In 2015 she was named the President of See HFAA, Page 7
Oklahoma City Ballet presents Ballet Ball: Coastal Cruise, 6 p.m. to midnight, April 6 at the Omni Hotel in downtown Oklahoma City. All proceeds from the Ballet Ball benefit Oklahoma City Ballet’s programs and performances. Co-chaired by Bailey Gordon and Natalie Fitzpatrick, this gala features cocktails, dinner, a live auction, dancing, plus a special performance by
Oklahoma City Ballet dancers. Guests are encouraged to dress in nautical-chic evening wear. Annie Bohanon is the honorary chairman. “This year’s Ballet Ball will be a boatload of fun,” said cochairman Bailey Gordon. “We are excited to welcome our guests for beachside cocktails, an incredible dinner, and a captain’s party complete with a yacht rock band.
“My favorite part of the night is always the special performance by Oklahoma City Ballet dancers. It’s the perfect way to remind guests that funds raised at the event fuel Oklahoma City Ballet’s programs year-round, including free community programs and performances that are enjoyed by thousands.” The nautical theme is See BALL, Page 2
Lakehurst receives grant to replace trees along May By Rose Lane Editor The Lakehurst Homeowners Association announced the
Newspaper helped elevate the city’s philanthropic activities
When OKC FRIDAY was born I was very active on the Associate Board of the Symphony. FRIDAY covered all our events, helping us publicize an event, and publishing lots of pictures afterward. I credit them with creating additional
See CENTER, Page 12
Oklahoma City Ballet Ball to be a ‘boatload of fun’
OKC FRIDAY: Fabulous at 50
By Sody Clements Vice Mayor Nichols Hills
Saint Eugene Catholic Church is to break ground this spring on a new $6 million early childcare center near at the intersection of Hefner Road and Greystone Avenue in The Village. The Village City Council approved a zoning review for the project presented by the planning and zoning commission at the recent City Council meeting. The parish of 2,400 families plans to construct the 12,694-square-foot early childcare center and gymnasium on its property running south from Hefner Road along the east side Greystone Avenue. The proposal requires the demolition of three existing homes along Greystone to construct the new educational building. The school is to incorporate existing parking from the church. Church officials say the early childhood center opens new spots in pre-k and kindergarten and is designed with the “newest school safety features and a nurturing environment in mind.”
interest in the city’s philanthropic activities, giving them a high profile. Some fun was made of the original slogan, being for the city’s “Beautiful People,” but FRIDAY was certainly for the FUN AND INTERESTING people! Have any fun memories of OKC FRIDAY? Send 150200 words to rose@okcfriday.com.
receipt of a grant from the Oklahoma City Community Foundation for the replacement of trees damaged by severe weather.
Spokeswoman Susan Edwards said the money comes from the Margaret Annis Boys Fund, an endowment left by a teacher for
OKC beautification projects. Part of the fund’s focus is on urban trees. See LAKEHURST, Page 13
FRIDAY’s Dog of the Week Molly’s family is Scott and Carolyn Thompson. Molly is a 12-year-old Mini Schnauzer. Molly loves going to the lake and captaining the boat. She loves to go on walks and is NOT a big fan of live squirrels (only stuffed ones). Molly is undergoing chemotherapy right now and has her bad days. Email Dog of the Week, Baby of the Week and Cat of the Week submissions to rose@okcfriday.com.