Dinner Club
Flight for Futures
Jim Wendelken and Lee Symcox during a meeting of the 117year-old Men’s Dinner club.
Flight for Futures CoChairmen Jade Hayes and Garrett Putnam. The event benefited the Boys and Girls Clubs of Oklahoma County. Pages 2 & 11.
Page 12.
OKC FRIDAY Vol. 59 No. 22• One Section • 12 pages • October 3, 2025
$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 & The Village for 51 years
Painting with Wings By Joy Richardson Special to OKC FRIDAY
ers students in building comprehensive portfolios, capturing performance artistry and exploring new creative avenues. It boasts an impressive array of features, including: • Advanced lighting system: Over 70 professional lighting
Attired in splotchy paint clothes covered by an apron, armed with a wad of bubble wrap and a repurposed 409 AllPurpose Cleaner spray bottle filled with water, I stepped into the bright JOY and glorious new Wings RICHARDSON facility. Having been invited to paint with the members of Wings, I was full of excitement, but knew I’d learn a lot. If you’ve not been fortunate enough to cross paths with Wings, you need to get acquainted. Wings exists to enhance the lives of adults with developmental disabilities through social, vocational and residential programs. My new friends would range in age from 18-68. A handsome, innovative and incredibly well-thought-out new program center anchors expansive land off Wilshire and Eastern. On weekdays, members arrive to participate in a variety of stimulating activities. My friend and Executive Director of Wings Cheri Weaver asked if I’d come and paint alongside art teacher Angel Peck and her students. Would I? What fun! As the first class filed in, a tall, cute guy with a mischievous grin asked me, “Do you know why the frog took the bus to work?”
See OCU, Page 3
See WINGS, Page 3
From left: OCU President Dr. Kenneth Evans, Trustee Jenee Lister, Trustee Jane Gamble, Dance Chair Emeritus Jo Rowan, Dean Emeritus John Bedford, Dean Melanie Shelley and benefactor John B. Williford.
OCU opens Dean John Bedford Dance Studio A new dance studio levels up the student experience, seamlessly integrating lighting, sound, videography and photography to enhance student learning and professional development. Oklahoma City University’s Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Entertainment
recently opened its Dean John Bedford Video Dance Studio, named in recognition of the founding dean’s profound impact on arts education and management. The studio is equipped with cutting-edge technology found at only a handful of dance schools in the nation. It empow-
Linda & Patrick Alexander to be inducted into Maestro’s Circle By Rose Lane Editor
LINDA and PATRICK ALEXANDER
Hicks earns top award Sen. Carri Hicks, DOklahoma City, has been named the 2025 Health Innovator of the Year. The award, presented by the Oklahoma Turning Point Council, recognizes the work of elected officials as leaders in health and public health. The Oklahoma Turning Point Council is an independent consortium See HICKS, Page 3
Linda and Patrick Alexander are to be inducted into the 2025 Maestro’s Circle during the Oklahoma City Philharmonic’s Maestro’s Ball, the OKC Philharmonic’s largest annual fundraiser. The event takes place on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. at the
Oklahoma City Golf & Country Club. The OKCPHIL invites patrons to step into a whimsical world where classical elegance meets pop baroque fantasy at Vive la Phil! With the theme Vive la Phil!, guests are encouraged to infuse their formal attire with bold creativity, color and imaginative flair. Masks are encouraged. Expect an evening of performances, immersive artistry, and playful
Sen. Carri Hicks, DOklahoma City, was named the Oklahoma Turning Point Council 2025 Health Innovator of the year. Hicks was presented the award by Adrienne Elder, 2025 Policy cochairman of the Oklahoma Turning Point Council Executive Committee.
grandeur, all in support of orchestral music and its impact on the next generation of music lovers. The Alexanders’ dedication has helped shape and sustain the OKCPHIL. Patrick has had many roles throughout the years in support of the organization. He joined the Oklahoma Symphony Orchestra staff See BALL, Page 3
FRIDAY’s
Dog of the Week Lola Christenson is a rambunctious 2-and-a-half-year-old Sable Phantom Mini Poodle who lives with her “mama” Susan Christenson in far northwest Fridayland. Lola plays hard all day and especially likes playing fetch and keep-away until she finally crashes for the night. She’s a perfect companion who loves being by her Mama’s side. Lola’s a bird watcher and watches the sky for birds and airplanes. She spends much of her day perusing her backyard protecting it from squirrels and rabbits. Email Pet of the Week submissions with complete descriptions to: rose@ okcfriday.com.