ARTini
Inside today:
Kiara and Addam Francisco attend Allied Arts’ ARTini, a James Bond themed event. Shaken Not Stirred attracted more than 1,000 people, more than in ARTini’s history. Page 13
A Salute to the Class of 2026, featuring All Star Scholars and All Star Leaders from our Fridayland schools.
OKC Friday okcfriday.com • facebook.com/okcfriday Vol. 60, No. 3
People You Should Know
GARY BROOKS President & CEO Cornerstone Development Where did you grow up, and do you have a favorite childhood memory? I grew up in Ponca City and graduated Ponca City High School in 1980. Sneaking into the Marland Mansion and looking for rumored hidden passages was a regular past time in Ponca. What did you want to be when you grew up? A professional bass fisherman. What are you most passionate about professionally? Helping others find their purpose so they’ll want to live healthier lives. Has your definition of success changed as you’ve developed your career? Fortunately, yes. For 30 years, I measured success by the size of my lake — property portfolio, financial statement, how much I'd accumulated. A lake only serves the people who live on it. Now success looks like being a river — a conduit resources can flow through to others. It's a very different model, and one I'm enjoying much more. What is a perfect day for you? See PYSK, Page 3
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May 29, 2026
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Ann and Ann are going into Hall of Fame! By Rose Lane Editor Fridaylanders Ann Felton Gilliland and Ann W. Hargis are among the Oklahoma Hall of Fame Class of 2026. During a luncheon at the Gaylord-Pickens Museum, the honorees were announced. They are receiving the state's highest honor this November. Oklahoma Hall of Fame member J.C. Watts,
Jr. and board member D. Scott Petty served as masters of ceremony. Oklahoma Hall of Fame Member Martha Burger provided the invocation. Ann Felton Gilliland, Oklahoma City, is a transformational advocate for affordable housing in Oklahoma. She is chair and CEO of Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity. Ann W. Hargis, Oklahoma City, is one of the first female
Systems Engineers for IBM and a remarkable leader in higher education at Oklahoma State University. The ladies are joined by • Bruce T. Benbrook, Woodward, banker and community leader whose support of organizations across the state has touched the lives of countless Oklahomans. See HOF, Page 2
Garden Tour coming to NHILLS Mark your calendars for the 2026 Nichols Hills Garden & Outdoor Living Tour which is set for Saturday, June 13 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. This year’s tour features five diverse Nichols Hills private gardens and outdoor living areas, as well as a full day of familyoriented fun at Redbud Park on Grand Boulevard. The homes of the Nichols Hills neighbors generously opening their gardens for this year’s tour are: 6436 N.W. Grand Blvd., 1706 Windsor Pl., 6803 N.W. Grand Blvd., 1500 HunNichols Hills Garden & Outdoor Living Tour Co-chairwomen Laura Hood and tington Ave. and 1701 Casey Williams urge our readers to mark their calendars for the event, set West Wilshire Blvd. for Saturday, June 13. For details on the gardens, see a Nichols Hills Garden & Outdoor Living class, yard games, a bounce house, face painting, Tour special insert in the June 5 edition of OKC food trucks and a fun family-friendly musical perFRIDAY. formance by Spaghetti Eddie at 11 a.m. Activities at Redbud Park do not require a tour ticket and will include a free morning yoga mat See TOUR, Page 2
FRIDAY’s Dogs of the Week Lakehurst four-legged residents Junie and Roo Parham play a big role in their parents, Emily and Carpenter Parham’s big day. Email Pet of the Week submissions to rose@okcfriday.com.
Kirkpatrick Arts Center $25 mil facelift Oklahoma City University has launched a $25 million renovation of the historic Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Center, spearheaded by a $13 million lead gift commitment from the Kirkpatrick philanthropic partners, university officials announced. The gift and project were revealed during an announcement on the steps of the center, which was constructed in 1928 and has hosted thousands of performances since. See OCU, Page 13
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