Halloween Coloring Contest winners, Page 2
OKC FRIDAY Vol. 56 No. 22 • One Section • 14 pages • October 28, 2022
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Rockets net 5A title
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The Mount St. Mary volleyball team, right, captured its second straight Class 5A state championship. Sports, Page 5
Email photos of your favorite Veteran to rose@ okcfriday.com by Friday, Nov. 4. They will be published in our special Veterans Day edition on Nov. 11.
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NHills fire station undergoing $3.4 million renovation By Eric Oesch Staff Writer
leading us into a new era of success for the Ballet. We also deeply appreciate the support of the Kirkpatrick Family Fund (which) allowed an extensive international search for our new artistic director. We are confident we have found the best possible person.” Christian Keesee, president of the Kirkpatrick Family Fund, said the Oklahoma City Ballet is an organization the Kirkpatrick
When Nichols Hills City Hall received significant renovations in 2016 budgetary restraints left the Fire Department out of that project. Today, $3.4 million and six years later a newly renovated and remodeled Nichols Hills Fire Station is set to open by Thanksgiving. The city’s fire department was first established in 1937 and the former fire station was constructed in the mid-1960s. It received new carpet and a fresh coat of paint in 2016, but had not seen significant improvements since original construction. “The City Council wanted to do something for the fire department at a later date when future funds could become available,” said City Manager Shane Pate. “Such funds were made available after the voters of the city authorized a bond issue for such purpose in 2019.” Design concepts for the renovation project to completely overhaul the station began in earnest in 2019 with demolition and construction starting this time last year. “The existing fire station was 5,218 square feet,” said Pate. “It had a living room, kitchen, offices for the chief and deputy chief, an office for all other firemen to share, and an open bunk room.” When the renovated fire station officially opens it will have an additional 3,065 square feet of space. “The entire structure has been remodeled to some extent,” he said. “All but the fire bay has been completely remodeled. “The bunk rooms now are compartmentalized to
See BALLET, Page 13
See NHILLS, Page 11
More than a bunch of ‘Hocus Pocus’ From left: Natalie Movagar, Frankie Barksdale, Jordan von Netzer, Briget Barksdale, Sophie Barksdale and Bonnie von Netzer pose with one of the props used in “Hocus Pocus 2.” von Netzer had a small role in the film and hosted a screening at he and Paul Steinke’s Nichols Hills home. See Page 3 for more
Ballet names Jolicoeur-Nye artistic director The Board of Trustees of Oklahoma City Ballet announced that Ryan Jolicoeur-Nye has been selected as the new artistic director for Oklahoma City Ballet. Jolicoeur-Nye has served as acting artistic director since January 2022 after longtime artistic director Robert Mills resigned. “We are thrilled to welcome Ryan Jolicoeur-Nye as our new artistic director,” said Dr. Susan E. Brackett, president of the Board of Trustees. “We look forward to him
Quail Creek pavilion to be named in honor of Mike McAuliffe The community is invited to a pavilion-naming ceremony honoring late city leader and Quail Creek resident Mike McAuliffe. The event is set for 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30 in Quail Creek’s Berta Faye Rex Park, 11130 Quail Creek Rd. “There are many people who can lay claim for doing great things for Oklahoma
City, Jim Norick, Stanley Draper, Ray Ackerman, Patience Latting, Andy Coats, Ron Norick, Kirk Humphreys, Mick Cornett, and Jim Couch but no one beats Mike McAuliffe as OKC’s official promoter and cheerleader,” said Ward 8 Councilman Mark Stonecipher. “Mike was a long-time resident and promoter of Quail Creek neigh-
borhood. “Founded in 1960, Quail Creek is going through a Renaissance with new families moving to the neighborhood continuing to make it one of the premier neighborhoods in Oklahoma City. I can think of no better way to remember Mike than to name the gazebo at Rex Park after him.”
DC educator finalist for top teacher By Rose Lane Editor A Deer Creek educator is among 12 finalists for Oklahoma Teacher of the Year. Marcy Boudreaux-Johnson is a kindergarten through third grade reading intervention teacher at Prairie Vale Elementary School. State Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister today revealed the 12 finalists for Oklahoma’s next Teacher of the Year. “These finalists represent some of the top teaching talent in Oklahoma,” Hofmeister said. “They are exceptional individuals who have a tremendous heart for their students and an unwavering dedication to the teaching profession. MARCY BOUDREAUX-JOHNSON
See TEACHER, Page 11
McAuliffe passed away from COVID-19 on Nov. 29, 2020.McAuliffe began his professional career at Oklahoma City’s Public Inebriate Alternative and was named the program’s director in 1977. He was promoted to chief of staff for Mayor Andy Coats and then served under See McAULIFFE, Page 11
FRIDAY’s Dog
MIKE McAULIFFE
of the Week Maxo is ready for Halloween in his shark costume. He is a 5-year-old mixture of a mutt who was rescued off the streets by Melanie Bradford and her kids, Lauren and Gage Dockrey. Send Pet and Baby of the Week nominations with complete descriptions to rose@okcfriday.com. Submissions are used in the order they are received.