OKC FRIDAY Vol. 56 No. 44• One Section • 16 pages • April 14, 2023
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Here comes Peter Cottontail .... .. Hopping down the bunny trail. The Easter Bunny was aboard a helicopter which dropped Easter Eggs for The Greens Golf and Country Club’s annual hunt. The festivities included an extensive brunch, as well as face-painting and balloon art. At left: The bunny does a photo op with Ella Bayouth. For more photos, see Page 13.
MELODIE MOORE
Due to ongoing health concerns following the recent canine flu outbreak in the Oklahoma City metro, the Redbud Classic’s 1-Mile Woof Walk has been cancelled. The Redbud Classic is set for Saturday and Sunday in Nichols Hills and surrounding areas. “We are committed to keeping our community safe and healthy, and that community includes our furry, four-legged friends,” Race Director Kristin Hersom said. Redbud organizers still plan to give out the bandannas, collapsible dog bowls and treat bags. “We are also happy to offer those registered an opportunity to participate in any other Redbud Classic event at no extra charge,” Hersom said. This includes the 10- or 30-Mile Cycling Tours, the 50-Mile Fondo or the 1-Mile Kids’ Fun Run on Saturday and the 10K, the 5K or the 2-Mile Walk and 2-Mile Stroller Derby on Sunday.
FRIDAY’s
Cat of the Week Ms. Nina is always on hand in order to make sure all is cozy and warm for her house humans, Wiley, Natalie and Bill Hugos. Email Dog, Cat, Pet and Baby of the Week nominations with complete descriptions to rose@okcfriday.com. Submissions are used in the order they are received.
BUBBA SYMES
Village voters make history:
First Black woman is elected to City Council By Eric Oesch Staff Writer Voters in The Village made history last week when they elected the first Black woman to serve on the City Council in the 73-year history of the city. Melodie Moore, 54, is to represent residents of Ward 3 when she takes her seat on the council next month. Six candidates were brought before residents in races to elect councilmembers in Wards 1, 2 and 3. Less than 10 percent of eligible voters went to the polls in the northwest Oklahoma City suburb of 9,721 residents. The night also saw longtime Council Member and former Mayor David Bennett regain the Ward 1 seat he lost in 2021 to then-newcomer Wynter Griffis by six votes, while
- Photo by Rose Lane
Redbud 1-Mile Woof Walk is cancelled
DAVID BENNETT
veteran councilman of more than 20 years, Bubba Symes, easily retained his seat by a 63 percent margin of victory. The race for the Ward 3 seat was the closest of the night with Moore, an Air Force veteran, narrowly beating retired schoolteacher and lifelong Village resident Jane Lowther, 69, by 13 votes 525 to 512. Moore, who has never run for public office, drew 50.63 percent of the electorate while Lowther garnered 49.37 percent. This was Lowther’s second attempt to win the Ward 3 seat that includes Casady School and Casady Square and the area east of Pennsylvania and north of Britton Road. The race for Ward 1 replaced David Glover, 59, who was appointed to fulfill the unexpired term of See VILLAGE, Page 5
Gilliland is Good Citizen honoree
ANN FELTON GILLILAND
Ann Felton Gilliland, president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity, and a Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs board member, is the recipient of the organization’s 2023 Citizenship Award. “This year, OCPA is celebrating its 30th anniversary,” Jonathan Small, OCPA president, said. “We are able to serve Oklahoma thanks to the Oklahomans who believed in us and supported us at the very beginning – one of those being Ann.
“Ann has been involved with OCPA since our founding, and has served on the board for over a decade. We are indebted to her unwavering support and belief in us.” Small said that not only has Ann supported OCPA, her personal life in Oklahoma embodies its motto of “creating an Oklahoma where all can thrive.” See OCPA, Page 5
Festival of the Arts co-chairmen dedicated to event By Rose Lane Editor The 2023 Festival of the Arts Co-Chairmen Susie White and Farooq Karim have dedicated countless hours of their time to produce this year’s event.
Festival of the Arts has been an OKC tradition since 1967, considered a rite of spring and an Arts Council OKC signature event. A community celebration of the visual and performing arts, it brings a variety of talented artists together in downtown
OKC’s Bicentennial Park. The festival is set for April 2530, at Bicentennial Park, celebrating six days of the arts and community. It stretches from Lee Ave east to City Hall, and from See FESTIVAL, Page 2
Six homes to be featured on QC tour The Seventh Annual Quail Creek Home Tour is to feature two homes in South Quail Creek and four homes in North Quail Creek. The Home Tour, set for Saturday, April 22, offers a look at various homes ranging from a new build, to recently renovated, to iconic mid-century modern. “You won’t want to miss seeing these unique and beautiful homes in this vast, established neighborhood in North Oklahoma City,” organizer Somer Heim said. At each home featured on the Quail Creek Home Tour, a
sponsored food and beverage item from local businesses are to be available to enjoy, as well as a floral arrangement from a local floriest. The event also kicks-off with the annual Quail Creek Cocktails in the Creek cocktail party 6-10 p.m., Friday, April 21 at an additional Quail Creek home. The Quail Creek Home Tour is made possible by the presenting sponsor Quail Creek Bank and the generous support of several other local businesses. Last year the Quail Creek See TOUR, Page 5