OKC FRIDAY Vol. 56 No. 46 • One Section • 14 pages • April 28, 2023
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Seven inducted into Women’s Hall of Fame By Rose Lane Editor
- Photos by Eric Oeach
NIchols Hills officials are planning a grand opening celebration on May 6 to commemorate the completion of Love Family Park, an 18-month, $1.5 million project that transformed five-acres of property into a beautifully-landscaped park along the north and east sides of Grand Boulevard between Huntington Avenue and Bedford Drive.
NHills residents invited to Grand Celebration for the opening of Love Family Park By Eric Oesch Staff Writer A Grand Celebration for the opening of the $1.5 million Love Family Park is scheduled for Saturday, May 6. The event follows a massive 18-month project that transformed five-acres of property into a beautifully-landscaped park situated along the north and east sides of Grand Boulevard between Huntington Avenue and Bedford Drive. The gift from the late Tom Love and his wife Judy is the largest ever given to Nichols Hills since it was incorporated 94 years ago. “Work on the project is essentially complete,” Nichols Hills City Manager Shane
Pate told the City Council during its April meeting. “We still have a small ‘punch’ list to work through before our Grand Opening Celebration, but we are essentially ready.” The new Love Family Park was designed by Landscape Architect Scott Howard, principal partner with HFSD Landscape Architecture, and features extensive landscaping including a shallow negative edge water pool, winding walking paths, park benches, low retaining walls of stone and gateway signage. Rudy Construction was hired as contractor for the project. More than 50 trees were planted during
Mo Anderson, Patricia Fennell, Kim Garrett Funk, Ann Felton Gilliland, Donna Grabow, Cathy Keating and Representative Freddy Harper Williams (posthumously) have been selected by the Oklahoma Commission on the Status of Women (OCSW) to be inducted into the Oklahoma Women’s Hall of Fame (OWHOF). “Whether positively elevating the status of women and girls, opening new frontiers for women, or achievements in her professional work the 2023 class of OWHOF is special. We are honored to recognize these women with such a high honor for women of our great state,” said Commissioner and 2023 OWHOF Chair Emmalee Barresi. To be eligible for the Oklahoma Women’s Hall of Fame, nominees must live in Oklahoma or be a former resident of Oklahoma. Inductees were nominated because they have made enduring contributions to women in the state of Oklahoma and beyond, Barresi said. Her integrity and unending drive are touchstones that have made Mo Anderson, president, and CEO of Keller Williams, one of the most sought-after business leaders in the world. Her local community, charitable organizations, and ministries have been richly See HOF, Page 2
A shallow negative edge water pool is part of the new Love Family Park.
this park transformation project, many of them donated by Pete Everest, owner of Whitetail Trees tree farm and chairman of the Nichols Hills Parks Commission. Landscape architects worked to incorporate the new plantings alongside mature trees when designing the new park. The Nichols Hills
Parks Commission consists of 31 volunteer members who oversee the maintenance of the city’s 31 parks. Each board member is assigned a park and manages its budget. The city has plans to install public art in the park and has earmarked $25,000 for an art piece in this year’s
Cyndi Munson, Lou Kerr to be honored The Oklahoma Commission on the Status of Women (OCSW) is to present the 2023 Guardian Awards to The Honorable Representative Cyndi Munson (Oklahoma City); the 2023 Kate Barnard Award to Seminole State College President Lana Reynolds (Seminole); and the Commission’s Lifetime Achievement Award to Lou Kerr (Oklahoma City), a nationally-renowned community philathropist and advocate for women. See WOMEN, Page 7
See PARK, Page 3
Show House celebrates 50th anniversary Now celebrating its 50th Anniversary, the Oklahoma City Philharmonic presents this year’s Show House May 6-21 at 6713 Grand Boulevard in Nichols Hills.
FRIDAY’s
Dog of the Week This is Annie, the 1-year-old Sheltie whose humans are long-time residents of Nichols Hills, Tommy and Kathryn Vaught. Annie loves walks and is especially good a catching her frisbee mid-air. If Annie isn’t playing, she is waiting to play! She goes everywhere with us. Such a blessing. Email Dog, Cat, Pet and Baby of the Week nominations with complete descriptions to rose@okcfriday.com.
Since 1973, the Symphony Show House has been one of Oklahoma City’s most-anticipated spring events. Now celebrating its 50th Anniversary, the Oklahoma City Philharmonic presents this year’s Show House May 6-21 at 6713 Grand Boulevard in Nichols Hills. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. “We are excited about the highly visible, fabulous location of this year’s house,” said Blossom Crews, OKCPHIL development director. “It was built in 1949, in Colonial Revival style, and is situated on a beautiful 1.25-acre estate. It
has more than 2,000-square-feet of outdoor entertaining space, and the house itself retains many significant historical and original features.” The designers selected for this year’s Show House have taken inspiration from the traditional style of the home, Crews said. Visitors can expect to see luxurious textures and sumptuous furnishings throughout the main house, and a bit of the unexpected in the 1,500-square-foot pool house. See HOUSE, Page 3
Tricia is Upward Transitions honoree On Friday, May 5, Upward Transitions is to honor Tricia Everest, Oklahoma secretary of public safety, at its annual American Tourist fundraising event hosted at Oklahoma City’s Historic Farmers Public Market. The annual TRICIA EVEREST fundraiser event supports Upward Transitions’ mission of preventing generational poverty in Oklahoma County through its Community
Outreach program and services. “American Tourist is our premier, annual fundraiser to support our mission,” said Periann Pulliam, Upward Transitions CEO. “We are thrilled to honor Tricia Everest who has had a direct impact on streamlining our process of providing homeless services to our clients. She is the recipient of the 2023 Upward Transitions Inspiring Hope Award, which we will present to her at the event.” Tricia currently is the Cabinet secretary of public See TRICIA, Page 3