OKC FRIDAY Vol. 58 No. 17 • One Section • 12 pages •August 30, 2024 $1 per copy
www.okcfriday.com facebook.com/okcfriday OKC’s only locally-owned legal newspaper with all local news Serving affluent far north Oklahoma City, Nichols Hills and The Village for 50 years
Nichols Hills sets the stage for big celebrations By Eric Oesch Staff Writer It’s never too early to begin planning and Nichols Hills is starting early as it prepares for big celebrations to commemorate America’s Semiquincentennial (250th Anniversary) in 2026 and the
city’s Centennial in 2029. The city council approved a resolution creating a Nichols Hills Centennial Committee to plan events to commemorate the milestones. Three individuals from each of the city’s three wards were appointed to serve on
the committee. They include Nick Berry, Rich Johnson, Hal McKnight, Bond Payne, Tyson Carroll, Robert Herritt, Victoria Tran and Nolan Coyle. Nichols Hills Mayor Peter Hoffman, Jr. said the city created this committee to have resident input in celebrating
the two milestones. The city formed a similar committee to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Nichols Hills in 2004 that included a Party on the Plaza and the purchase of a centennial clock from the state of Oklahoma. “Our 75th celebration fell close to Oklahoma’s own
centennial in 2007 so, the city benefitted from the paralleled energy in the state at the time,” said Hoffman. “It is fitting our 100th-year celebration occurs near the 250th anniversary of our nation in 2026. The council is excited to See NHILLS, Page 3
- Photo by Jamie Bramble
Heritage Hall students and Lower School Head Betsy Horn (pictured on right) join Mrs. Maxey Reynolds (center), co-founder of Heritage Hall, at the groundbreaking ceremony.
New gym part of school’s Safer School, Stronger Community campaign Heritage Hall broke ground on construction of a state-of-the-art gymnasium as part of its Safer School, Stronger Community campaign, which focuses on the safety of Heritage Hall’s students, employees, and campus visitors. “As our enrollment has grown over the years, so has our campus,” observed Heritage Hall president Aaron L. Fetrow. “In particular, the
consistent growth in our lower school enrollment points to the importance of keeping pace with construction of the facilities needed to serve our thriving campus. “The safety of our students and employees inspired us to launch a capital campaign driven by that goal of improved campus safety,” Fetrow added. The new gymnasium is to also
serve as an all-school, FEMAapproved storm shelter, rated to withstand an EF-5 tornado and spacious enough to accommodate the school’s campus population quickly in the event of an imminent weather threat. The Safer School, Stronger Community campaign was launched in August, 2023, with a generous lead gift from Lauren and Leo Mingee, who issued a $2 million matching gift
challenge for the Heritage Hall community. To date, Heritage Hall families have helped raise $4.3 million toward the campaign’s $7.5 million goal. “Knowing that all Charger families share our commitment to maintaining a safe campus, we’re excited to cochair the Safer School, Stronger See HALL, Page 2
Festival of the Arts receives national accolades
Esther season revealed
One of Oklahoma’s longestrunning annual events is receiving national recognition while being named a Top 25 Fine Arts Festival in the United States. Sunshine Artist Magazine, a national publication that provides rankings for over 1,000
tion of our city, volunteers, and the incredible hard work of the Arts Council OKC staff,” said Festival of the Arts Director Seth Lewis. “Locally, we've always known how special Festival of the Arts is, and now
Founder Jane Jayroe Gamble has announced an expansion of Esther Women and a stellar rundown of speakers, including a No. 11 best-selling author and Harvard Professor, a well-known singer/speaker, and an international Christian leader from Uganda. The 21st season of Esther Women is also
See ARTS, Page 3
See ESTHER, Page 11
arts festivals from around the country, named Arts Council Oklahoma City’s Festival of the Arts as the No. 23 Fine Arts Festival in America. “Being recognized as the No. 23 Fine Arts Festival in the nation is a testament to the vibrant creativity and dedica-
OKC FRIDAY: Fabulous at 50
Paper is a builder of the community By Jane Jayroe Gamble Former Miss America Author and founder of Esther Women Chairman of the OCU Board of Trustees Thanks, OKC FRIDAY newspaper, for 50 years of providing information and building community among your readers. I grew up in a small rural town in Oklahoma; we knew each other well because we shared so many of the same activities, whether a trip to the drug store, a hometown football game, or a Sunday morning church service. It’s community. In Oklahoma City, we participate
in various activities, usually with different pods of people. It’s a stimulating way to live, but it can also lead to a lack of belonging. Having a strong sense of community is foundational for a thriving city. We all need our place. FRIDAY is a pillar in that process. Having a common source of information establishes a connection among people. It’s essential to stay informed so we can care for each other in bad times and celebrate together in good times. Thanks, FRIDAY, for all you contribute to this unique, beautiful and vital place we call home.
FRIDAY’s Dog of the Week This is Sassafrass Farabee, a cosmopolitan Havanese/Maltese mix. Her favorite things to do are barking, being spoiled and looking sad. She is incredibly faithful to her people, Elizabeth,, Jared and Henry Farabee, but she's never met a hand that doesn't need to be rubbing her belly. Always on guard against the feline menace in the house, she loves to team up with the toddler to chase and terrorize the cat. Sassy is a rescue, and has been a tremendous and loving comfort during tumultuous times. Email Dog of the Week, Baby of the Week and Cat of the Week submissions to rose@okcfriday.com.