Norman Magazine, Sept/Oct 2014 by Norman Magazine

september-october 2014 features

OUr SOONER SPIRIT Norman Public School graduates are making a grand showing on the University of Oklahomaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s spirit squad

departments

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NORMAN ARTS Local artists talk about what makes them passionate about their crafts OUR TOWN & TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD Library working to bring two well-known pieces into the public eye this autumn

from the Publisher

from the Editor

Norman Events

Norman FYI

Norman Style

Norman Business La Baguette Bakery Waving Wheat Bakery

Wine Time Chianti

Taste of Norman Sweet Basil

Norman History McCasland Field House

SNAPSHOTS 78 Transcript Open House 79 CCFI Celebration 80 July 4th Party 82 After Hours at Reynolds Ford 83 Norman City Council 84 RIP James Garner

On the Cover: Norman High and Norman North grads: Danielle Meyer, Tana Stevens, Heather Hamilton and Reiley Menzie are part of the OU spirit squads this year.

NORMAN magazine | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014

magazine

from the Publisher

tâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a all about you SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014 VOLUME 4 | ISSUE 2

PUBLISHER Mark Millsap EXECUTIVE EDITOR & GENERAL MANAGER Andy Rieger ADVERTISING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Rebekah Collins Ryan Dillard Robin Escarcega Kimberly Lehenbauer Nathan Ward Matt Moran Alex Atashi CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Theresa Bragg Jill Hazeldine Jerri Culpepper Amy David Doug Hill Mick Hinton Chris Jones Katherine Parker CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Theresa Bragg Jay Chilton Lindsey Davies Doug Hill Kyle Phillips NORMAN STYLE COORDINATOR Rebekah Collins DESIGNER Daren Courtney DIGITAL COORDINATOR Jason Clarke Norman magazine is a bi-monthly publication of The Norman Transcript. 215 E. Comanche, Norman, OK 73070. (Phone: 405.321.1800). Letters or editorial contributions should be sent to: Norman magazine P.O. Drawer 1058, Norman, OK, 73070 or emailed to editor@normantranscript.com. Norman magazine e is not responsible for

My favorite time of year!

ome people love the holidays. Some people love Christmas. Some people love Spring or Fall. I, for one, love Football time. And it is here. Pick your favorite: NFL, College, High School or Little League. Friday night lights, Saturday afternoons, Sunday by mark Night NFL. It does not matter to me. It is all Football. And it millsap is all good. We lived in Wisconsin which is really Packer country more than Big Ten country. It was funny how an entire state shuts down on Sundays when the Packers were playing. No one working in the yard, no one on the street, no one shopping anywhere when the Packers play. The funniest thing was the grocery stores that were ghost towns on game days. My wife loved to go shopping because there were literally no shoppers. I got to see my all-time favorite player Brett Favre play a few times in the shrine that is Lambeau Field. It is a lifetime experience that every football fan should enjoy once. We lived in Montgomery, Alabama which is right in the middle between Tuscaloosa and Auburn. The town was split between the Tide and the Tigers. I stood strong, wearing my Sooner apparel every chance I got because I had to hear about the big, bad SEC. I was fortunate enough to score tickets to the OU versus Alabama game in Tuscaloosa in 2001. We got to see firsthand tailgating in the South. Catered events, complete with china and crystal, big screen TVs on the RVs and tons of hounds tooth hats paying homage to the Bear. Luckily, Sooner magic prevailed that day with a fake punt to secure the win. We lived in Shreveport, Louisiana and being a Sooner fan was tough because of the 2004 Championship game where the Sooners lost to LSU 21-14. We had an advertiser, a boat dealer, who had that game playing on repeat every time I went to his store on a big screen. Every time I went in, the first thing I would do was unplug that darn TV. We went to our first and only LSU game in 2009 versus Auburn. It is true what they say about LSU games. Tailgating was awesome. The food is the best ever. The fans, the worst in the country. Now living in Norman, my level of excitement for football season is at an alltime high. We are covering some of the best high school football in the state with the Norman and Moore schools. I am excited to be personally covering the Community Christian Royals as they enter Class A for the first time this year. My Saturdays are all booked up with the Sooners and I am privileged to attend my first OU-Texas game this year. This is my favorite time of year. Boomer Sooner!

unsolicited submissions. Reproduction or use of editorial or graphic content in any manner, without permission is prohibited. Norman magazine can be found online at www.normanmagazine.com

NORMAN magazine | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014

from the Editor

Three chords and a movie part

n the upcoming movie, “Rudderless,” there’s a scene where actor Billy Crudup happens to come across William H. Macy’s tavern on open-mic night. He’s a suitwearing businessman by day but at night plays his music for anybody willing to listen in any place that will let him play. As Crudup walks into the tavern and is met by Macy, there’s a middle-age, suit-wearing businessman in the background finishing up on stage. In real-life, that businessman is Matt Stratton, senior vice president of marketing at Tinker Federal Credit Union and an aspiring singer-songwriter. “I just happened to be in the right place at the right time,” says Stratton, 56. “It’s the most blatant case of typecasting in the history of Hollywood.” The movie, shot in Guthrie, should open Oct. 17. Fellow Norman musician Travis Linville also has a part in the movie which got good reviews at the Sundance Film Festival in January. Stratton saw it in Oklahoma City. The storyline is powerful. A high-profile advertising executive’s son dies in a school shooting. A grieving Sam is living off the grid on his docked sailboat when his ex-wife brings a box of the son’s demo tapes and lyrics. “It’s a powerful movie and a good movie with a good message,” says Stratton, a longtime Norman resident and University of Oklahoma journalism graduate. “I think it will play well.” Although his scene is about 30 seconds or less, Stratton cherishes the experience and his songwriter credit as much as his performance. His song, “I don’t give a damn,” got him a credit at the movie’s end. It all happened quickly this past spring. His ex-wife emailed him about the opportunity. He took a chance and auditioned for the part with local actor Chris Freihofer in the spring of 2013. He got a call-back, a chance to sing for Macy who directed the movie as well as plays the part of the bar owner. The set was a makeshift tavern built into a Guthrie storefront.

by andy rieger

“It was nerve-wracking. I sat there and started singing my whole song and I noticed he (Macy) was looking at me and then looking at the monitor. I just sang it to one of the assistants next to him.” Stratton landed the part and was scheduled for a Sunday afternoon shoot in Guthrie. At the Matt Stratton film’s “base camp,” he was directed to one of the trailers. He brought his own wardrobe. A makeup artist touched him up. The official shuttle carried him to the set. “I had a room in a trailer with a star over the door that said ‘businessman.’ It was barely big enough for me to move around in.” Stratton’s musical mini-stardom was a long time in the making. He moved from Fort Supply to Norman when he was a teenager. He started writing songs that wouldn’t be performed for years. They were based on the tunes of other artists. “I tried to play the guitar when I was 12 and they told me to give it up and try something else,” he recalls. “When I was 39- or 40-years-old I said I have to do this. Greg Standridge taught me some chords which is hard to learn at age 40.” His first open mic night was at Borders where half the audience had their heads in books or laptops. His music is a blend of folk, country and Americana. Stratton became a founding member of the Song Writers Of Norman. The group of about 50 meets monthly and encourages each others’ musical pursuits. “If it hadn’t been for them, this would have never happened,” he said. Shooting the “Rudderless” scene took several hours to get a good take. He had actually recorded the song earlier in a studio. It played in his ear while he pretended to sing and strum the guitar. He’ll keep the day job for now because the paychecks don’t compare. “Really, it was fun. I lip synched and fake played. I’m in the back of the room and I’m out of focus but to a songwriter the best thing in the world is to get a song credit in a movie and I got it.”

NORMAN magazine | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014

Norman events

Information supplied by Norman Convention and Visitors Bureau Photos by Kyle Phillips, Doug Hill and Jay Chilton

SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2014

ONGOING EVENTS Tuesdays Saturdays

Comedy Night

It’s Feeding Time! (at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History)

Othello’s 434 Buchanan Street 9 p.m. Sign up begins at 9 p.m. and the show begins at 10 p.m. othellos.us/

Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History 2401 S. Chautauqua 11:30 a.m-Noon Observe local reptiles, amphibians and fish, during their feeding time and learn more about these Oklahoma animals. www.samnoblemuseum.org

Saturdays and Sundays Discovery Days Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History 2401 S. Chautauqua 2-4 p.m. Discovery Days includes interactive, hands-on activities with stories, crafts and touchable specimens. Free with paid museum admission. www.samnoblemuseum.org

Tuesdays and Saturdays Toddler Time Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History 2401 S. Chautauqua 4 p.m. In the Discovery Room, the time include fun and educational activities for ages 18-months to 3 years. Free with paid museum admission. www.snomnh.com

Norman Farmers Market Cleveland County Fairgrounds 601 E. Robinson Tuesdays, 4-8 p.m.; Saturdays, 8 a.m.-Noon The Norman Farm Market – now in its 35th season – is a great source of healthy fresh fruits, vegetables, proteins, herbs, plants, and value added products! Each Saturday morning and

NORMAN magazine | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014

Tuesday evening, more than 50 vendors offer fruits, vegetables, eggs, herbs, spices, honey, jellies, various Made-inOklahoma products, plants and flowers. www.visitnorman.com/events

Wednesdays Local Trivia Night Local 2662 W. Main St. 8 p.m. Join LOCAL Restaurant for FREE team trivia every Wednesday at 8 p.m., presented by TheLostOgle.com. It is free to play, but the winning teams will win cash prizes! Meanwhile, everyone can enjoy food and drink specials. www.thelostogle.com

First Tuesdays NSAA Art Critique Mainsite Art Gallery 120 E. Main St. 6:45 p.m. Held the First Tuesday of each month at MAINSITE Gallery, the NSAA Critique Sessions enable artists of all levels to present their in-process work and receive constructive feedback for the betterment of the piece and the artist. www.normanarts.org

Second Fridays Second Friday Circuit of Art Mainsite Art Gallery 120 E. Main St. 6-9 p.m. 2nd Friday Circuit of Art – a monthly, citywide celebration of art – is a collaboration between artists, art organizations, and businesses, brought to you by the Norman Arts Council. 2ndfridaynorman.com

First Mondays Free Admission the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History 2401 S. Chautauqua Monday - Saturday, 10 a.m.- 5 p.m.; Sunday, 1-5 p.m. The first Monday of each month, the museum features free admission. www.samnoblemuseum.org

Tuesdays beginning Sept. 9 Art Adventures Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art 500 Elm Avenue 10:30 a.m. Young artists are invited to experience art through books and related art projects for children ages 3 to 5 accompanied by an adult. Art Adventures are made possible by generous support from the Kimball Foundation. www.ou.edu/content

Tuesdays beginning Sept. 9 Noon concerts Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art 500 Elm Avenue Noon The Tuesday Noon Concerts series is a cooperative effort between the OU School of Music and the FJJMA. Set aside part of your lunch hour for these 30-minute concerts performed by OU music students and faculty. Selected Tuesday Noon Concerts are followed by gallery talks or Art After Noon programs at 12:30 p.m. www.ou.edu/content

Ongoing through Sept. 14 Art Exhibit – Oil and Wood: George Bogart and Jim Henkle Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art 500 Elm Avenue Tuesday – Thursday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Oil and Wood: George Bogart and Jim Henkle pairs the work of two distinguished professors emeriti of the OU School of Art & Art History: George Bogart and James Henkle. Bogart, who joined the faculty in 1970, experimented restlessly with oil paint, and the exhibition offers a retrospective of his career. The furniture designs of James Henkle offer a sculptural counterpoint to the paintings of Bogart.

Henkle taught design at OU for nearly 40 years and, although he worked in a variety of media, he excelled in the artful design of modernist furniture. www.ou.edu/fjjma

Ongoing through Oct. 12 Art Exhibit – Helen Frankenthaler’s “Head of the Meadow” Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art 500 Elm Avenue Tuesday – Thursday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Museum visitors have the chance to view Helen Frankenthaler’s Head of the Meadow for a limited time, on loan from a private collector. www.ou.edu/fjjma

Sept. 4-7 Cleveland County Free Fair Cleveland County Fairgrounds 601 E. Robinson Thursday 5 p.m.-10 p.m. Friday 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday noon-6 p.m. The annual Cleveland County Free Fair in Norman offers three days of non-stop family fun. Come to this traditional county fair for everything from goat roping to carnival rides. Enjoy a variety of tasty fair food, kick back and listen to endless live entertainment or browse through livestock displays. The Cleveland County Free Fair will also feature its Celebrity Cow Milking Contest, 4H, FFA and OHCE exhibits and a carnival midway full of fun games for kids and adults. www.clevelandcountyfair.org

NORMAN magazine | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014

Sept. 7

Sept. 10

Sept. 13

Sept. 21

Lake Thunderbird Splash-n-Dash

Volleyball: OU Sooners vs. Cal State Northriddge

Football: OU Sooners vs. Tennessee Volunteers

Family Days at the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art

Lake Thunderbird State Park 10301 Alameda 7:30 a.m. – Packet Pickup 8 a.m.- Race Briefing Session (to go over course rules and any changes) 8:30 a.m. – Race time Norman Splash-n-Dash at Lake Thunderbird is a part of the Tri-OKC Splash n Dash Series. Splash-n Dash (or ‘Aquathlon’) is a swim followed by a run in one exciting event. Although perfect for beginners, the 2014 series culminates with the USAT Aquathon National Championship in October at which athletes can qualify to compete for the USA in the 2015 World Championship. Closer to home, race three events from the Tri-OKC series, (one in Norman at Lake Thunderbird, one in Edmond at Lake Arcadia, and one in El Reno, at Lake El Reno), and you will be in the running for the Tri-OKC Splashn-Dash championship. Tri-OKC series shirts will be awarded to each athlete who completes a race at each venue. www.visitnorman.com/events

McCasland Field House 180 W. Brooks 7 p.m. www.soonersports.com

Oklahoma Memorial Stadium 180 W. Brooks 7 p.m. The game will kick off an evening interconference matchup of prominent college football programs. www.soonersports.com

Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art 500 Elm Avenue 1-4 p.m. Explore art in the museum’s permanent collection and temporary exhibitions, and enjoy a variety of hands-on art activities for the entire family. Family Days are made possible by generous support from MidFirst Bank. www.ou.edu/fjjma

Sept. 11 Volleyball: OU Sooners vs. Arkansas-Little Rock McCasland Field House, 180 W. Brooks 7 p.m. www.soonersports.com

Volleyball: OU Sooners vs. Lamar McCasland Field House 180 W. Brooks 7 p.m. www.soonersports.com

Sept. 7 Soccer: OU Sooners vs. Central Arkansas John Crain Field, Chautauqua and Imhoff 1 p.m. www.soonersports.com

Summer Breeze Concert Series – Kim Lenz and the Jaguars Lions Park 450 S. Flood 7:30 p.m. Los Angeles-based musician Kim Lenz has been cultivating her take on rockabilly since 1998, releasing three albums, including a pair for Hightone Records – one of the most influential labels in the genre – and playing hundreds of dates around the world. www.pasnorman.org

Sept. 8-Oct. 31 Art exhibit: Almira Hill Grammer Norman Depot 200 S. Jones Monday - Friday 8 a.m.-2 p.m. “I create art because there is nothing else I would rather do” says Grammer. ”I try to reveal the essence of my subject through rich color and the elimination of details. Primarily my subjects are barns and other vintage structures, but I do paint a landscape now and then.” www.pasnorman.org

Sept. 12

Sept. 14

Sept. 26

Volleyball: OU Sooners vs. Portland State

Second Sunday Poetry

Soccer: Oklahoma Sooners vs. Oral Roberts

McCasland Field House 180 W. Brooks 7 p.m. www.soonersports.com

Art exhibition opening reception: Almira Hill Grammer Norman Depot 200 S. Jones 6-9 p.m. The opening reception will be held in conjunction with the 2nd Friday Circuit of Art. The reception and gallery are open to the public. www.pasnorman.org

NORMAN magazine | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014

Norman Depot 200 S. Jones 2-4 p.m. The Second Sunday Poetry Readings program provides a monthly venue for selected regional poets to share their work. Former Oklahoma Poet Laureate and Oklahoma Book Award winner Carl Sennhenn hosts. www.pasnorman.org

John Crain Field Chautauqua and Imhoff 7 p.m. www.soonersports.com

Sept. 27 Volleyball: OU Sooners vs. Kansas McCasland Field House 180 W. Brooks 7 p.m. www.soonersports.com

Sept. 28 Winter Wind Concert Series – Gretchen Peters Norman Depot 200 S. Jones 7-9 p.m. Winter Wind opens with the warmhoney voice of Grammy nominated singer-songwriter Gretchen Peters. A singer-songwriter in the folk/country genre, Peters has released nine albums of her own. Performing Songwriter writes “Gretchen Peters is one of the finest songwriters of any genre, and that fact is on full display on Hello Cruel World.” “Her songwriting chops are formidable, but she also brings the goods as a singer with livedin performances that are layered, expressive, and authoritative.” echoes Country Universe. Admission is free. www.pasnorman.org

SEPT

Oct. 1 GrooveFest Andrews Park 528 N. Park Noon-10 p.m. www.groovefest.org

Groovefest was created by the OU artists, musicians, and activists in 1986 to raise human rights awareness all over the world. Over the years the leadership has changed many times but the spirit of human rights awareness continues. Norman Groovefest hopes to highlight the great work of many local organizations, artists, and businesses that promote human rights. The event will feature live music performed by over 9 bands, art activities, and inspirational speakers. Admission is free.

NORMAN magazine | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014

Volleyball: OU Sooners vs. Texas Christian McCasland Field House, 180 W. Brooks 7 p.m. www.soonersports.com

Oct. 4

Oct. 18

Cleveland County Craft Show

Football: OU Sooners vs. Kansas State

Cleveland County Fairgrounds 601 E. Robinson 9 a.m.-4 p.m. The Cleveland County Craft Show features nearly 100 booths with jewelry, home decor, candles, quilts, bath & body, sewn items, holiday items and much more! Admission is free. www.clevelandcountyfair.org

Oklahoma Memorial Stadium 180 W. Brooks Time TBA The Oklahoma Sooners will kick off its Big Conference home opener versus the Kansas State Wildcats. www.soonersports.com

Oct. 10 Soccer: OU Sooners vs. Baylor John Crain Field Chautauqua and Imhoff 7 p.m. www.soonersports.com

Oct. 12 Soccer: OU Sooners vs. Texas Christian John Crain Field Chautauqua and Imhoff 1 p.m. www.soonersports.com

Oct. 15 Volleyball: OU Sooners vs. Texas Tech McCasland Field House 180 W. Brooks 7 p.m. www.soonersports.com

Volleyball: OU Sooners vs. Baylor McCasland Field House 180 W. Brooks 7 p.m. www.soonersports.com

Oct. 22-24 The 2014 Neustadt Festival University of Oklahoma campus Wednesday, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-Noon The 2014 Neustadt Festival of International Literature & Culture, sponsored by the University of Oklahomaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s celebrated World Literature Today magazine, will take place on the Norman campus this fall. The festival, which is free and open to the public, features awardwinning writer Mia Couto from Mozambique, who will be

NORMAN magazine | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014

awarded the 2014 Neustadt Prize that week, plus an exciting lineup of other visiting writers, translators, and scholars. neustadtprize.org/

Oct. 24 Soccer: OU Sooners vs. Texas John Crain Field Chautauqua and Imhoff 7 p.m. www.soonersports.com

Oct. 31 Soccer: OU Sooners vs. Kansas John Crain Field Chautauqua and Imhoff 7 p.m. www.soonersports.com

Oct. 23-25 Norman All Transportation Swap Meet Cleveland County Fairgrounds 601 E. Robinson 8 a.m.-5 p.m. The biannual all transportation swap meet features street rods, sports cars, model As, model Ts, race cars, hot rods, aircraft, imports, boats, tools, parts, buggies, kit cars, motorcycles, memorabilia and more.

OCT

2nd Annual Downtown Norman Fall Festival Downtown Norman 6-9 p.m.

NORMAN magazine | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014

Come visit historic downtown Norman and have a blast celebrating fall. Main Street will be closed to create a safe environment for trick-or-treating, moon bounces, and other activities. Costume contests featuring prizes for adults, kids and pets will also be featured. www.visitnorman.com/events

Hallbrooke â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Full Page Ad

Norman Spirit

Photos by Yasmin Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Brien, Essence and Flaunt Photography, in Paddington NSW Australia

OUR SOONER SPIRIT

by jill hazeldine

orman Public School graduates are making a grand showing on the University of Oklahoma’s spirit squad; and why not? Who else can better appreciate supporting and proudly representing a school and hometown they love. Heather Hamilton, a Norman High graduate, is Captain of the OU Pom Squad. Reiley Menzie, Norman North class of 2014 graduate, is a first year member. They represent both sides of the spectrum from a veteran captain to a squad newcomer. Hamilton expressed her desire and dream of trying out for OU Pom and what it’s like representing her hometown and university. “Growing up in Norman I always dreamed of being a Pom Girl at OU and had all types of dreams and fantasies of what that would look like. I can honestly say that something I will never forget is my very first football game. I remember walking down the tunnel and seeing thousands of people piling in. As pre-game began and I began dancing in front of 86,000 people,

I realized that everything I had ever dreamed of as an OU Pom Girl was nothing compared to my first football game. As the iconic ‘There’s only one Oklahoma’ video began, I had tears streaming down my face because I realized what it meant to be an OU Pom. It was something that was bigger than myself and I truly felt humbled to be chosen to stand in front of the 86,000 and be an ambassador for my school.” Hamilton credits being able to have the teachers and coaches growing up here in Norman who have supported her. “I have always looked up to and admired the OU Pom squad. As a dancer, many of my teachers and coaches were OU Pom alums or current members of the team. While taking classes from them, I was able to see how much the University of Oklahoma Pom Squad impacted the community. “ Hamilton not only serves as squad captain but has helped mentor and coach young Norman girls wanting to be a Pom at their school. She loves helping her community and repre-

Norman North High School graduates on OU’s Spirit Squads are, front row, from left, Caroline Lawson, Michelle Penrod, and Reiley Menzie, Back row, from left, Reid Roberts, Shelby Miller, Garrett Wardlow, Anna Bishop and Madeline Camp. NORMAN magazine | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014

Norman High and North graduates on OU Pom Squad are, from left, Caroline Lawson, Shelby Miller, Heather Hamilton, Madeline Camp, Reiley Menzie

NORMAN’S OU POM & CHEER SQUAD MEMBERS

MICAH PARKER (class of 2012) – 3rd year member of OU All-Girl Cheer Squad Norman High

HEATHER HAMILTON (class of 2012) – 3rd year member and Captain of OU Pom Squad Norman High

TANA STEVENS (class of 2013) – 2nd year member of OU All-Girl Cheer Squad Norman High

NORMAN magazine | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014

DANIELLE MEYER (class of 2011) – 3rd year member of OU All-Girl Cheer Squad Norman North

GARRETT WARDLOW (class of 2011) – 2nd year member of OU Coed Cheer Squad - Norman North

MADELINE CAMP (class of 2013) – 2nd year member of OU Pom Squad - Norman North

Norman students are, from left, Michelle Penrod, Heather Hamilton, Tana Stevens, Reiley Menzie, Danielle Meyer, Caroline Lawson, Reid Roberts, Madeline Camp, Anna Bishop, Shelby Miller and Garrett Wardlow.

senting OU in the community around ton values are the friendships she has nament, NCAA men’s tournament, Oklahoma. made with her teammates. the Notre Dame game in South Bend, “As a member of this team and now and the last two years of the OU/TX being captain, I’ve had the privilege As part of her experiences, HamRed River Rivalry games. to be an ambassador for my commuilton’s most memorable away games Reiley Menzie, 2014 graduate of nity by serving at many events in the she’s traveled to are last year’s Sugar Norman North, is one of the squad’s Oklahoma City area and attending Bowl, NCAA Sweet 16 women’s tournewest members. She comes from a many appearances put on long line of Sooners in by different organizations her family. Her paternal in the state. It has given grandfather is a retired me a chance to repreprofessor of engineering To follow the sooner spirit squads: sent the University in and her maternal grandTwitter @OUcheer & @OUpom ways I would have never father is vice president Instagram @OU_spirit dreamed were possible.” of development and has Facebook The University of Oklahoma Spirit Program Something else Hamilbeen at OU for more

ANNA BISHOP (class of 2014) – 1st year member of OU All-Girl Cheer Squad Norman North

REID ROBERTS (class of 2014) – 1st year member of OU All-Girl Cheer Squad Norman North

MICHELLE PENROD (class of 2014) – 1st year member of OU Coed Cheer Squad - Norman North

REILEY MENZIE (class of 2014) – 1st year member of OU Pom Squad - Norman North

CAROLINE LAWSON (class of 2014) – 1st year member of OU Pom Squad Norman North

SHELBY MILLER (class of 2014) – 1st year member of OU Pom Squad - Norman North

NORMAN magazine | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014

BOOMER! SOONER! The origins of Oklahoma’s nickname stretch back to the Civil War era. The Homestead Act of 1862 provided ƚŚĂƚ Ă ůĞŐĂů ƐĞƩůĞƌ ĐŽƵůĚ ĐůĂŝŵ ϭϲϬ ĂĐƌĞƐ ŽĨ ƉƵďůŝĐ ůĂŶĚ͘ ƵƌŝŶŐ ƚŚĞ ͞>ĂŶĚ ZƵŶ ŽĨ ϭϴϴϵ͕͟ ƐĞƩůĞƌƐ ĨƌŽŵ ĂĐƌŽƐƐ ƚŚĞ ŐůŽďĞ͕ ƐĞĞŬŝŶŐ ĨƌĞĞ ůĂŶĚ͕ ŵĂĚĞ ƚŚĞŝƌ ǁĂǇ ƚŽ KŬůĂŚŽŵĂ dĞƌƌŝƚŽƌǇ ƚŽ ƐƚĂŬĞ ƚŚĞŝƌ ĐůĂŝŵ ƚŽ Ă ŶĞǁ ůŝĨĞ͘ KŶĞ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ĨĞǁ ƌƵůĞƐ ƚŽ ĐůĂŝŵŝŶŐ Ă ůŽƚ ŽĨ ůĂŶĚ ǁĂƐ ƚŚĂƚ Ăůů ƉĂƌƟĐŝƉĂŶƚƐ ǁĞƌĞ ƚŽ ƐƚĂƌƚ Ăƚ ƚŚĞ ƐĂŵĞ ƟŵĞ͘ dŚŽƐĞ ǁŚŽ ǁĞŶƚ ƚŽŽ ƐŽŽŶ ǁĞƌĞ ĐĂůůĞĚ ͞^ŽŽŶĞƌƐ͘͟

than 50 years. Both parents graduated from OU. She professes that she is truly what the chant describes as, “Sooner born and Sooner bred.” “My family has been crazy in love with OU since I can remember.” Menzie has many memories going way back and swears she probably learned to walk by going down the halls of a Dallas hotel for OU/TX weekend. One of her earliest memories is the 2000 national championship game in Miami, Florida. It seems like yesterday for most of us, but Menzie was only 5 years old at the time. They didn’t go to the game but watched it with locals at an area restaurant Although she was young, she vividly remembers FSU fans being so mad about losing. She went to last year’s Sugar Bowl in New Orleans when OU beat top ranked Alabama. Now, she gets to be on the other side of it.

^ŽŽŶĞƌƐ ǁĞƌĞ ŽĨƚĞŶ ĚĞƉƵƚǇ ŵĂƌƐŚĂůƐ͕ ůĂŶĚ ƐƵƌǀĞǇŽƌƐ͕ ƌĂŝůƌŽĂĚ ĞŵƉůŽǇĞĞƐ͕ ĂŶĚ ŽƚŚĞƌƐ ǁŚŽ ǁĞƌĞ ĂďůĞ ƚŽ ůĞŐĂůůǇ ĞŶƚĞƌ ƚŚĞ ƚĞƌƌŝƚŽƌǇ ĞĂƌůǇ ƚŽ ŵĂƌŬ ŽƵƚ ĐŚŽŝĐĞ ƉŝĞĐĞƐ ŽĨ ůĂŶĚ ĨŽƌ ƚŚĞŵƐĞůǀĞƐ Žƌ ŽƚŚĞƌƐ͘ Ɛ ƟŵĞ ǁĞŶƚ ŽŶ͕ ͞^ŽŽŶĞƌ͟ ĐĂŵĞ ƚŽ ďĞ ƐǇŶŽŶǇŵŽƵƐ ǁŝƚŚ WƌŽŐƌĞƐƐŝǀŝƐŵ͘ dŚĞ ^ŽŽŶĞƌ ǁĂƐ ĂŶ ͞ĞŶĞƌŐĞƟĐ ŝŶĚŝǀŝĚƵĂů ǁŚŽ ƚƌĂǀĞůƐ ĂŚĞĂĚ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ŚƵŵĂŶ ƉƌŽĐĞƐƐŝŽŶ͘͟ ŶĚ KŬůĂŚŽŵĂ ǁĂƐ ƚŚĞ ^ŽŽŶĞƌ ^ƚĂƚĞ͕ ƚŚĞ ůĂŶĚ ŽĨ ŽƉƉŽƌƚƵŶŝƚǇ͕ ĞŶƚĞƌƉƌŝƐĞ ĂŶĚ ĞĐŽŶŽŵŝĐ ĞǆƉĂŶƐŝŽŶ͕ ǀĞƌǇ ŵƵĐŚ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ WƌŽŐƌĞƐƐŝǀĞ ƐƉŝƌŝƚ ƚŚĂƚ ĞŶŐƵůĨĞĚ ƚŚĞ KůĚ ^ŽƵƚŚ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ϭϵϮϬƐ͘ dŚĞ ƚŚƵŶĚĞƌŽƵƐ ĐŚĂŶƚƐ ŽĨ ͞ ŽŽŵĞƌ͊ ^ŽŽŶĞƌ͊͟ ƌŽůů ĂĐƌŽƐƐ ƚŚĞ KŬůĂŚŽŵĂ ůĂŶĚƐĐĂƉĞ͘ dŚĞ ƐƵĐĐĞƐƐ ŽĨ hŶŝǀĞƌƐŝƚǇ ŽĨ KŬůĂŚŽŵĂ ĂƚŚůĞƟĐ ƚĞĂŵƐ ŽǀĞƌ ƚŚĞ ǇĞĂƌƐ ŚĂƐ ŵĂĚĞ ƚŚĞ ŶŝĐŬŶĂŵĞ ƐǇŶŽŶǇŵŽƵƐ ǁŝƚŚ ƐŽŵĞƚŚŝŶŐ ĞůƐĞ͗ ǁŝŶŶŝŶŐ͘ BOOMER SOONER Boomer Sooner, Boomer Sooner Boomer Sooner, Boomer Sooner Boomer Sooner, Boomer Sooner Boomer Sooner, OK U! Oklahoma, Oklahoma Oklahoma, Oklahoma Oklahoma, Oklahoma Oklahoma, OK U!

Norman High grads are, from left, Heather Hamilton and Tana Stevens. Not pictured is Micah Parker.

“I am a homebody and I’ve always loved it here. I am going to be out in the field crying. It’s going to be weird to be on the other side out there with 80,000 people.” Menzie will be doing what she loves for a college and town she loves. She said that while some girls aspire to do professional dance, be on Broadway, become a Rockette, or a Dallas cowboy cheerleader; for her, this is her ultimate dream. Besides carrying on the tradition of attending her family’s beloved alma mater

I’m a Sooner born and Sooner bred and when I die, I’ll be Sooner dead Rah Oklahoma, Rah Oklahoma Rah Oklahoma, OK U!

NORMAN magazine | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014

and being a Pom, her first priority is school. She is looking at majoring in Business Economics and already has 12 hours due to AP classes and concurrent enrollment. She knows it’s going to be a crazy first year, but reminds us that it won’t be anything new, “people who are busy in college were busy in high school,” she said. OU’s Spirit Program includes OU Cheer (coed and all-girl), OU Pom, costumed mascots (Boomer and Sooner), the Ruf/Neks and Lil Sis, and the historic Sooner Schooner. They generate crowd enthusiasm, serving as ambassadors to The University of Oklahoma and the Norman community, and having fun while maintaining the traditions of those who have come before us. Many spirit squad members are also involved in other activities around campus such as President’s Leadership Class, sororities, and volunteer for various organizations. Keeping up their grades and getting a degree is first and foremost. Such a hectic and demanding schedule requires taking a page from the playbook of time management and self discipline. It helps

that they have a lot of fun supporting a successful athletics program and having a very supportive administration. Besides, being young, ambitious and spry does have its advantages. Being close to home has its advantages – home cooked meals, laundry, a hug, moral support, or a break from hectic college life. As Menzie shared, she can appreciate that her mom is here and willing to run and get that pair of tights you need last minute! While a lot of kids like to go away for college, Menzie points out how nice it was to have friends here and not have to start all over, but also get to meet new friends. This reminds us how lucky we are have a world-class university, two nationally-recognized high schools, and a great community. To all of Norman’s OU Spirit Squad members - Cheers! Here’s to a great year and many more awesome opportunities to come as a Sooner. Thanks for proudly representing and supporting our town and university.

North grads are, front row, from left, Caroline Lawson, Michelle Penrod and Reiley Menzie. Back row, from left, Reid Roberts, Shelby Miller, Garrett Wardlow, Anna Bishop, Madeline Camp and Danielle Meyer.

NORMAN magazine | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014

Moore-Norman Tech â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Full Page

Norman Arts

Filling a Role hris Freihofer has a great smile and a hearty laugh. But it takes more than charisma to succeed in his business. He is a casting director, actor, with a role in three episodes of “Breaking Bad,” and teacher at the Actor Factory in Norman. The graduate of the University of Oklahoma School of Drama, heads Freihofer Casting, a full-service casting office helping producers, directors and ad agencies find the actors they need for their projects. He thrives on challenges, is energetic, resourceful and organized. Freihofer promotes Oklahoma and the state’s talent pool. When an agency needed specific talent on short notice requiring roles for a West African, Haitian and Filipino, Freihofer found the people he needed in Oklahoma. The Norman resident said he is the only casting director in the state. He often hears people express surprise that he is located in Oklahoma, believing he has to live elsewhere to succeed. Freihofer’s firm has agency contacts, professional relationships and casting experience throughout the country, and he said his office is totally mobile and can cast a project virtually anywhere. “I never sought out casting work until two years ago,” Freihofer said. “Before that it was all word of mouth. 32

Photo by Chris Jones

by chris jones

Chris Freihofer is Oklahoma’s only casting director. He is also an actor and teacher.

In 2000, I was listed as a casting director, but at that time I wasn’t, I was an actor.” Calls began coming in, and it was a lucky break for a guy who seized the opportunity and began to see results in 2004. The need for actors was the incentive for the opening of The Actor Factory in 2009, to teach film acting, improvisation, and skills in auditioning. Students begin as young as 8 years old. “There is a feeling you either act or cast,” Freihofer said.

NORMAN magazine | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014

He is proving it is possible to fill both roles. He said he travels frequently as his casting work is done near and far. Freihofer, a SAG (Screen Actors Guild) member, said the acting industry has changed dramatically. The process is much easier. As an example, he said he auditioned in Norman, put it on tape, and four days later was on a plane to act in “Breaking Bad.” On a recent rainy morning in Norman, actors came into his studio to audition for a part in “Te Ata,” produced

by the Chickasaw Nation, based on the life of International performer Mary Frances Thompson. It’s the beginning of Freihofer’s casting for a fourth movie, and he said other projects are lining up. He knows how it feels on both sides of the lens. In 1995, when it was rare to get film work in Oklahoma, Freihofer learned of an audition opportunity from his friend, Darryl Cox. He got a role as a sheriff ’s deputy in “Eye of God,” and worked for 9 days. “I got paid for doing what I had been doing for next to nothing,” he said. After years of acting on stage, he said he found it very magical to have a permanent archive of his work. The movie, directed by Tim Blake Nelson, was filmed in Oklahoma.

“The industry has really changed in Oklahoma,” Freihofer said. “Oklahoma was the first state to implement incentives to bring film making to Oklahoma.” The 1996 movie “Twister,” needed to be filmed in Oklahoma, but incentives do draw filmmakers to the state with projects that could be set in other states. “Once Oklahoma’s film incentive got off the ground questions centered on crew and talent, and that was the initial goal of The Actor Factory.” The Audition The industry may sound mysterious and glamorous, but it’s a process. Freihofer said the work of a casting director begins when a producer hires him to find actors for their project. He is told when it will shoot, given a budget for actors and a script.

The script is read and the roles he needs to cast are identified. He finds the actors who fit the role and are available. No one comes in off the street. Actors have experience, a portfolio and an agent. People are then brought in for auditions with multiple audition for each role. The producer and director always make the decisions. Freihofer said he is much better at auditioning after becoming a casting director. Despite that experience, he said he does not have an advantage in being selected for a role. “In fact, it works against me,” he said. “I am careful to wear one hat at a time.” And those hats lead him into an ever changing and always interesting world of acting, casting and teaching.

NORMAN magazine | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014

Norman Arts

Eye Tiger of the

he amber eyes of Beverly Herndon’s powerful tiger draw viewers into her painting. “I like tigers,” Herndon said, as she waited for her art students to arrive at the Firehouse Arts Center in Norman. Chinese brushwork is the longtime artist’s area of expertise, a pursuit she began 35 years ago with no formal training. “Tigers represent courage and strength and they are a subject matter of interest in this art form,” she said as she gathered her supplies and talked about the paper and ink she uses. She works in ink and watercolor on rice paper, and grinds her own ink unless she is working with children. 34

by chris jones

Everything is applied with a brush. Mulberry grass, bamboo pulp papers and Shuan are papers with different absorbency. Chinese brushwork is spontaneous she said, with free brush strokes as opposed to detail. “I was drawn to Asian culture,” Herndon said, although I have never been to Asia. “I enjoy symbolism, pleasing aesthetics and a world depicting nature and a person’s relationship with it.” She began her first introduction to Chinese brushwork years ago in Norman. The class taught by Ming fai Yu, who later moved to Hong Kong, changed Herndon’s life.

NORMAN magazine | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014

As time went by her work was recognized and she was encouraged to exhibit her paintings in art shows and participate in the Visiting Artists program with Norman Public Schools. “I remember the first time someone asked me what I did for a living,” Herndon recalled. “I said, I am an artist. It felt good. Everyone said, you are an artist Beverly!” The soft-spoken artist attributes her success as an artist and teacher to talent honed by 98 percent work. There is inspiration, of course, but she said the experience of doing something over and over is essential to the confidence she has achieved and the demand for her work as a teacher.

Photo by Chris Jones

Students say “I’m not a perfectionist,” Herndon artist Beverly said. “My students tell me I make Herndon is the art look so easy. I tell people who patient and have a paper in front of them not to supportive of try and create a masterpiece. What their work. they have envisioned in their mind seldom comes out on the paper.” There is joy in seeing her students’ light up when they began to see their work evolve. Patty Cummings, one of Herndon’s students at the Firehouse Arts Center, said she saw the class listed in the bulletin of activities offered at the Firehouse and she decided to sign up for the six-week class. “I have always been interested in art and I thought it would be fun to try a class. “Chinese Brushwork has it’s own set of skills and techniques,” Cummings, a retired speech pathologist said. “As a novice, I am just learning these. It’s not necessary to have a skill before coming to these classes.” She said she considers the class an adventure, and said she has not yet shown her artwork to anyone. Cummings said Herndon is a patient, supportive teacher who doesn’t push her students to accomplish something they aren’t ready to do. Herndon remembers a former student who decided to paint a rock. Not too much can go wrong with a rock. A lot could go wrong with a tiger. But not for an experienced artist like Herndon, who said she has to be in the mood to paint a tiger.

NORMAN magazine | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014

Norman Arts

A passion for Art

rt is for everyone and it can change your life. Emily Neff is passionate about that. She developed her love of art while growing up spending time with her mother at The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Although Neff is celebrating 26 years of marriage, she still enjoys traveling to museums with mom. In the quiet of galleries everywhere visitors can contemplate life, study history and world cultures, become inspired, and much more. “In a plugged-in world, the art museum offers one of the few places in which you can decelerate and interact with art by close looking, contemplation, (AND) thinking. Art, in a tangible sense, embodies a whole world of ideas. An art museum connects you to that world through its artworks,” Neff said. In January, Neff became the director and chief curator of the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art at the University of Oklahoma. Being in Norman has been a great adventure, she said. “I love it here. When you walk on campus you can tell amazing things are happening.” Neff worked at her home museum, The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston 36

in various positions for more than 20 years before coming to Norman. She also has had fellowships at several other museums. Hiking in Oklahoma’s mountains with her family, which includes two young teenage boys, is something she can’t wait to take advantage of. She said she is one of those people who is fanatical about her dog, a rescue Corgi, and describes herself as a straight shooter who is down to earth. Neff said while working on her bachelor’s degree at Yale, she was a “gallery rat” who studied in the museum all the time and that experience changed her life. My job is to make sure that opportunity is there for others, she said. Oklahoma has a wonderful sense of energy and unity among donors, patrons, students and people in general to have fine museums and she is excited to be part of that movement. Neff said she has already begun work to develop partnerships with other museums in the state, which will provide many benefits. At the museum she and her staff are striving to make the entire community feel at home. “Anybody can come here anytime we are open, we welcome everybody.” Art expands your mind and people

NORMAN magazine | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014

by chris jones

are only limited by their own imagination how they use the museum, Neff said. Just as all people enjoy different aspects of a football game, Neff said visitors can approach the museum at any level and in any way they want. However, they should come with an open mind. She said spending just 15 minutes before an appointment may change your day. The museum is also a wonderful idea for an inexpensive date or family time, she added. The museum is open free to the public through the generosity of the OU Athletic Department and the Office of the President. Each year the athletic department gives a major donation to offset the cost of general admission to the public. The idea that athletics is making the arts available to everyone is incredibly powerful, Neff said. Neff said the interdisciplinary efforts at OU are great. With 36 different departments across campus using the museum it is exciting to see how art is bringing these disciplines together. Neff and her staff have been working to make the museum more engaging and accessible to people coming in. Some of the galleries have been rearranged, URL labels are available,

Photo by Kyle Phillips

and electronic tours are being established for visitors to easily access information about what they see. Efforts to provide more opportunities for students to be involved with visiting artists are also ongoing, she said. About 50,000 people a year visit the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, on the southeast corner of Boyd and Elm. The museum originated in 1936. In the 1920s, OUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first professor of art, Oscar Brousse Jacobson, started some of the core collections.

The museum was renamed â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art in 1992, in recognition of the Jones family who was and is a long-time supporter of the museum. OU senior Fred Jones Jr. died in a plane crash in 1950 while flying to the Sugar Bowl. Many volunteer opportunities and ongoing events are available through the museum. For more information visit the website, www. ou.edu/fjjma or find the museum on social media.

Emily Neff came to OU from in January from the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston.

NORMAN magazine | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014

Norman FYI

Tim

Lashar Owner, Lashar Home Comfort Systems

When were you at OU? 1982-1987 What did you study and what did you play? Graduated w/degree in broadcast journalism – placekicker What was your most memorable experience being a student athlete at OU? Accepting Christ as my Lord & Savior How did being a member of a Sooner team help you while in school and later in life? All of the work habits I formed as an athlete have carried over into other aspects of my life. Learning how to overcome setbacks & realizing successful people aren’t perfect, but are willing to sacrifice and fight for what they believe. Are you still an athlete? Not sure if I deserve that moniker anymore, more of a weekend warrior I guess. I enjoy Norman because… I have always appreciated Norman’s feeling of community. It is a wonderful place to bring up a family and the people of Norman are some of the best anywhere.

What makes you laugh? Virtually every political commentator on MSNBC

Do you make your bed each morning? I wish I could say yes, but no, I do not.

What makes your mouth water? Victoria’s lasagna rolls

If you could trade places with someone for a day who would it be and why? My wife. Then I could better understand what it means to have a true servants heart.

What is something you like about Fall? The brisk fall air – always reminds me it’s football season

What are the top three items on your bucket list? To play a round of golf at Augusta National; to see OU take the lead in football series with Texas; to be in great shape again

Where is your favorite place to hang out and why? Anywhere with my wife and kids. What is your pet peeve? Intelligence that lacks wisdom What is the weirdest item on your desk right now? A cracked heat exchanger

NORMAN magazine | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014

Teresa Ray

Turner

Assistant Director for Athletic Academic Affairs/ Academic Advisor at University of Oklahoma

When were you at OU? Undergrad-77-81 Grad- 82-84 What did you study and what did you play? Undergrad- Psychology; Graduate-Master of EducationGuidance and Counseling-Basketball What was your most memorable experience being a student athlete at OU? Running out of the tunnel onto the court at Lloyd Noble when we had a double header with the men’s team because there would be far more fans there. How did being a member of a Sooner team help you while in school and later in life? While in school it allowed me to understand the concept of working toward a common goal, the meaning of sacrifice and to appreciate being a part of an elite group. It also served as an extra motivation to do well academically and to manage my time well. Later in life I understood that everyone has a role to play and something unique and valuable to contribute and it has also allowed me to have firsthand experience and understanding of what the demands are for the student athletes that I work with. Are you still an athlete? Mentally but not physically. LOL! I do workout 5 days a week although it does not involve shooting, guarding or blocking shots.

I enjoy Norman because… it is a great community and one that is concerned with continuous improvement.

What makes your mouth water? Chocolate chip cookies and nice shoes

Do you make your bed each morning? Most mornings

What is something you like about Fall? The beautiful colors of the leaves, pumpkin spice donuts and the sound of players’ shoes on a basketball court.

If you could trade places with someone for a day who would it be and why? An academy award winning actor because that would be my dream occupation. What are the top three items on your bucket list? To organize my family’s (the Rays) first family reunion; get a part in a major motion picture or a national commercial; have Shaq literally pick me up What makes you laugh? Several things because I just enjoy laughing; specifically the movie, “Bridesmaids”

Where is your favorite place to hang out and why? University of Tulsa basketball gym because I have a daughter that plays there and one that works there. What is your pet peeve? People who do not say please and thank you What is the weirdest item on your desk right now? 4 Green Bay Packer erasers because I don’t know who put them there.

NORMAN magazine | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014

Norman FYI

Jackie

Farley

Owner: Wise Women Concierge, Motivational Speaker and Adjunct Professor in Women’s Studies at OU

When were you at OU? 1971-1975 What did you study and what did you play? Bachelor Degree in History, Master’s Degree in Health, Physical Education and Recreation; played basketball and softball in 1974-75 What was your most memorable experience being a student athlete at OU? I was a senior when Title IX was first implemented at OU in 1974. The opportunity to be part of a team and play the sports I loved at the University of Oklahoma was an amazing experience. How did being a member of a Sooner team help you while in school and later in life? Being part of a sports team is something you can’t replicate anywhere else. You carry the lessons you learn and the experience you gain into everything you do. Being a female athlete in 1974 didn’t exactly make you more visible - hardly anyone knew we existed. Are you still an athlete? I enjoy swimming and golf now. I enjoy Norman because… It’s my community. The university and the community at large are two dynamic entities. It is an educated community with lots of fascinating characters. Do you make your bed each morning? Of course. If you could trade places with someone for a day who would it be and why? I don’t think I would want to trade places with anyone but I would like to shadow Gloria Steinem and ask her questions about what it was like for her to lead the women’s movement in the 70’s.

NORMAN magazine | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014

What are the top three items on your bucket list? I travel a lot so I mark things off all the time. Right now my top 3 places to visit are: Australia, New Zealand and Poland. What makes you laugh? Lots of things make me laugh - it is part of who I am. I can laugh at something funny on YouTube or at something stupid I do. What makes your mouth water? Mexican food. What is something you like about Fall? I love Norman in the fall - the start of classes at OU still make feel like a freshman again. There is something magical about students coming back to classes or coming for the first time. Then of course, there is football and women’s basketball. What is your pet peeve? People who are negative. Seriously, why be negative when you can be positive! What is the weirdest item on your desk right now? As a Lifestyle Manager, lots of odd things end up in my office (a client’s fur coat, two sets of china and the ashes of one of my clients) but I have an old tin box with my Mom and Dad’s World War II ration stamps sitting on my desk right now. My Mom died recently and it keeps part of her life with me each day.

Laura Purser

Collins Professional Softball Instructor

When were you at OU? 1994-97 What did you study and what did you play? Health science, soccer and softball What was your most memorable experience being a student athlete at OU? Hitting a home run at the Hall of Fame with my dad in the stands and winning the first ever Big 12 Championship. How did being a member of a Sooner team help you while in school and later in life? Being a member of the Sooner team taught me that when you surround yourself with people who have the same goals as you your goals become much easier to achieve.

through Jerusalem, one week with my husband in a glass bottom tiki hut off the shores of Dubai!

Are you still an athlete? I still consider myself an athlete. :)

What makes you laugh? Listening to the crazy things that come out of my kids’ mouths makes me laugh.

I enjoy Norman because… I love Norman because the community feels like family with everyone living life together.

What makes your mouth water? My mouth waters over homemade apple pie a la mode.

Do you make your bed each morning? I make my bed most mornings and occasionally leave it unmade for the hope that I will crawl back in at some point later in the day if I’m lucky.

What is something you like about Fall? I like Fall for all the right reasons...cooler weather, cookouts, tailgating, and OU Football.

If you could trade places with someone for a day who would it be and why? I would trade places with my 4-year-old daughter. Nothing like singing, dancing and running around in your undies for a day.

Where is your favorite place to hang out and why? My favorite place to hangout is Hollywood Beach, Florida. I love the ocean the sound of the waves and playing in the sand. Here in Norman we hang by the pool with our family and friends.

What are the top three items on your bucket list? Bucket list- serve on a mission trip with my kids, take the walk Jesus took

What is your pet peeve? Keep Your Word! Do what you say you will do and don’t make promises you can’t keep. NORMAN magazine | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014

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Scene & Style

Photography by Regina Zhidov of Gina Z Photography Hair/Makeup and special appearance by Amy Meek OU apparel provided by Balfour of Norman OU jewelry provided by Brockhaus Jewelry Table, chairs, tableware, Go Big Red cups, and all OU outdoor accessories provided by Thompson Pool & Patio Trucks provided by Reynolds Ford Modeled by Brynn Daves, LaNae Price, Courtney McLaughlin, Keri Dennis and Brad Shipman

NORMAN magazine | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014

TAILGATE

TRENDS

NORMAN magazine | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014

Norman Business

Business partners Johnny Jazzar (l) and Rudy Khouri are happily celebrating thirty years of operating La Baguette. Photos by Doug Hill

LA BAGUETTE BAKERY

a sweet deal

by doug hill

Wholesale bakery products are at the center of a Norman family-owned enterprise celebrating thirty years of operation in 2014.

hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s something sweet going on virtually around the clock and every day of the year at 620 N. Berry Road. The large single story building there is home to La Baguetteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wholesale bakery operation. Many folks are aware of their La Baguette bistros at 2100 W. Main and 1130 Rambling Oaks Drive where

NORMAN magazine | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014

the finished pastries along with other delectable food is served. But few know anything at all about where those tasty treats originate. Brothers-in-law and business partners Rudy Khouri and Johnny Jazzar opened their first bistro at 924 W. Main Street directly opposite Norman High School in 1984. From that

tiny eatery sprang today’s multi-million dollar bakery that presently serves 300 wholesale customers across the entire state. “It started out almost as a hobby,” Khouri said. “I’m the company’s pastry chef and that’s my passion.” Initially the partners brought a few fully trained pastry chefs from Europe. Convincing them to come to Oklahoma was a challenge. Khouri became friends with an English chef employed by the Waterford Hotel in Oklahoma City who helped him develop pastry making skills. La Baguette bistro’s reputation for serving hearty breads, fine cakes and tortes grew. “Then other little restaurants approached us about making products for them,” Khouri said. “And of course we said yes because like any business we wanted to grow.” La Baguette weathered the early 1980s oil bust and continued to delight customers with European style baked goods that were unfamiliar to many. “One lady asked if she should peal the crust off our bread before eating it,” Khouri said with a twinkle in his eye. “It’s just like what you’d get in Paris so she wasn’t used to it.” In 1985 the partners began transforming the large N. Berry Road building into a full scale bakery. Business grew. Discriminating customers such as the chef at the Skirvin Hotel helped spread the word that La Baguette’s bakery was the real deal. Today trucks are carrying La

[Above] Cakes, fruit tortes and pastries have been produced by La Baguette since their opening in 1984. [Top] The bakery at 620 N. Berry Road serves LaBaguette and restaurants throughout the metro area.

NORMAN magazine | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014

Baguette products such as hamburger buns to all six Oklahoma locations of the popular Five Guys Burger stores. It’s an enormous national chain with demanding product standards. A sample of buns are shipped to the company’s Virginia headquarters regularly to ensure they meet exacting specifications. Have a meal in one of the state’s finer hotels and you’re likely to be served something baked here in Norman. “We’re consistent and we do quality work,” Khouri said. “That’s how we’ve been able to build the business and make it successful.” There’s more to it than that. It’s the people in the bakery who make the dough. Khouri and Jazzar understand that good employee relations are key. Some floor staff have been with the company for over 25 years. “Without them we’re nothing,” Khouri said. “We pride ourselves on taking care of our employees and treat them as we like to be treated. We’re one big family.” Retail and wholesale operations together total over 100 Norman jobs. Head Baker Mario Montania is a native of Sicily. He came here five years ago and helps 54

Retail and wholesale operations employ about 100 persons in Norman.

NORMAN magazine | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014

Although maintain a focus on the highly refined much of the European bread making tradition. bakery is Touring the bakery on an early Monautomated, day morning found men and women some tasks focused safely and comfortably on their are still done tasks. Khouri greeted them by name as by hand. we strolled past enormous computercontrolled stainless steel ovens and rooms where some pastries are hand-assembled. The pleasant aroma of baked goodies and the sense of pride that comes from making a fine product was everywhere. Much of the state-of-the-art equipment is automated. One machine can turn out 1,500 French bread loaves an hour. Another part of the bakery’s successful equation is responding quickly to changing and unexpected customer requests. “When a large banquet or party for 800 people comes up last minute we can’t say no,” Khouri observed. “They are our customers and we have to take care of them. If everything fit into a set schedule it would be easy.” Devising unique cakes and pastries for special occasions such as weddings and other celebrations is routine. “We bought a water jet cutting machine that allows us to do many different designs,” he said. “If someone needs a certain logo on a cake we can do it.” Investing in new equipment is a constant and necessary for catering to more sophisticated tastes of consumers. “People appreciate what we do and it’s a satisfying part of the business,” Khouri said.

NORMAN magazine | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014

Norman Business

BOUTIQUE

BAKERY by doris wedge

John and Skyler Collins operate Waving Wheat Bakery on Porter Avenue.

he aromas waft from the modest storefront on Porter. Breads… cookies… cinnamon rolls… dinner rolls… scones. Waving Wheat Bakery is the fulfillment of a dream for baker John Collins. Born and raised in Norman, his father had Collins Auto Machine, but it was the aroma of the cookies or wedding cakes his mother was baking that appealed to him more than his father’s machine oil. “I always wanted to stay with her and watch her make cookies. I developed a passion for baking, cooking in general,” the 32-year-old entrepreneurial baker says. He had long thought of going to culinary school, but when high school was behind him, he decided he wouldn’t fit well in culinary school. “I didn’t think I could handle the pressure of others judging my food,” he says. “So that went on the back burner.”

NORMAN magazine | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014

Photos by Kyle Phillips

Instead he went to Oklahoma City Community College for business courses, but his heart wasn’t in dealing with numbers. He began to ask himself the age-old question. “What could I do to make a living and be happy for a long time?” He turned back to cooking. At Platt College he studied pastry arts and graduated with honors in 2007. But he found that there aren’t a lot of pastry chef jobs in Oklahoma. He worked at several different restaurants, always keeping eyes and ears open to the baking world in central Oklahoma. In 2012, he took the plunge and rented a kitchen to begin his career in business for himself, establishing himself as wholesale supplies of baked goods to several restaurants. He and his wife, Skyler, worked hard to get their name and their baked goods before the public. Setting up a booth at events like Norman’s Art Walk was just one of the ventures. “We

were in any venue we could get our foot in the door”, he recalls, while still doing the baking in the rented facility in Oklahoma City. “After a year, we decided to open our retail front here in Norman.” His hometown was the only place he seriously considered opening the storefront to sell his baked goods. They remodeled a space in the 100 block of North Porter and installed stainless steel equipment. They are open to the public for over-thecounter sales Wednesdays through Saturdays. Mondays and Tuesdays are for producing the wholesale lines now being served at Norman eateries Syrup, Coolgreens, Tarahumara and Scratch and at Native Roots in Oklahoma City, among other places. He makes as many as 150 loaves of bread each week in addition to about 50 dozen scones. Skyler is the cookie baker and she turns out 50 dozen or so each week.

Quality is their standard. Of their bestselling item, sourdough bread, he says “I want people to know that you don’t have to go to San Francisco for good sourdough bread.” Collins has the vision of adding new products to their display case. They get requests for croissants, “but croissants are labor intensive,” he says, and adding that to their menu will have to wait as there is just so much the two can do on their own. On his “someday” list is for the bakery storefront to be open evenings. “We would dim the lights ... serve dessert and wine. A place to come after the movies, or just to hang out with friends,” he says. Waving Wheat bakery is a place to view work by local artisans. “It is a good way to decorate our walls and is way of giving back, helping others find a foothold,” he says.

The small bakery turns out about 150 loaves of bread, 50 dozen scones and 50 dozen cookies each week.

NORMAN magazine | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014

Norman Vintage

Wine Through All Time by kathy hallren

isiting Italy this past summer was a wonderful opportunity to revisit many of the wines of Italy. In Sicily beneath the fuming Mt. Etna, known for fabulous Nero D’Avola and Marsala, I was reminded of Italy’s history of thousands of years of wine viticulture. At Herculaneum I visited an ancient wine shop with the amphora still in the racks, as they were the day pyroclastic flows from Vesuvius destroyed the town. A visit to a museum in Rome further fortified the history of wine in this region with art works incorporating grape vines and Bacchus the God of the grape harvest and winemaking. Contemplating this history while enjoying wine at a lovely Roman Trattoria is the perfect way to enjoy a vacation afternoon. Fra- scati is the most well known wine from the Lazio region, a bright refreshing white, especially on a hot Roman summer day. But come evening chianti, the Tuscan red reigns supreme.

A QUICK PRIMER ON CHIANTI: Label Chianti* at least 75% Sangiovese, plus other red or white wines 11.5% ABV Label Chianti Classico* DOCG 80% Sangiovese plus other red wines all from designated area within Chianti region 12 months in oak barrels 12% ABV Label Chianti/Classico Riserva 24 months in oak, 3 months bottle aging. 12.5% ABV *There are several other rules much too detailed to attempt here. So, what was I drinking on this trip, a little of each. I am not naming names, because most are not available here. Also, the delight in the wine at the table on vacation just cannot be replicated back home. There are lots of great Italian wines available here perfect for the Oklahoma fall weather, and what goes better on game day than some red and some white wine. I can recommend Condoni Chianti, Casuman Nero D’Avola, Davinci Reserve Chianti, Melini Reserva Chianti, or San Felice Chianti Classico. Enjoy that favorite Italian cocktail, the Bellini: 3 parts peach juice 7 parts prosecco, in a champagne glass. Remember as a sign in a café reminded me, In Vino Veritas. Have fun, be safe.

NORMAN magazine | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014

» COME JUDGE

for Yourself.

GOLFERS FROM AROUND THE WORLD COME TO CHALLENGE THE JUDGE and the two other golf courses in Prattville at RTJ Capitol Hill. Bring your clubs and come take on Judge hole number 1, voted the favorite hole on the Trail. Complete your day in luxury at the Marriott and enjoy dining, firepits and guest rooms overlooking the Senator golf course. With the Marriott’s 20,000 square feet of meeting space, 96 guest rooms and luxurious Presidential Cottage combined with three world-class golf courses, business and pleasure can definitely interact in Prattville.

THE ROBERT TRENT JONES GOLF TRAIL AT CAPITOL HILL is home of the Yokohama Tire LPGA Classic on the Senator Course September 18 to 24, 2014. The Marriott Prattville is part of the Resort Collection on Alabama’s Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. Visit www.rtjgolf.com or call 800.949.4444 to learn more.

Taste of Norman

Thai Sweetness

on Main Street

by katherine parker

ultural authenticity. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll find in the low-lit, intimate restaurant Sweet Basil. Not to mention the delicious menu highlighting a variety of Thai foodie favorites. Located at 211 W. Main Street, the tallbacked booths and quiet cork floors create the perfect ambiance for an evening date. Masks and statues from Thailand decorate the restaurant. Even the wooden chopsticks in an embroidered sleeve are authentic; brought to the restaurant whenever the head chef makes a trip SWEET BASIL to Thailand. 211 W. Main Street

11-3 and 5-10 everyday Delivery 5-9 Sunday thru Thursday (405) 217-8424

NORMAN magazine | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014

Photos by Jay Chilton

“The culture is what’s really important to us,” Victor Pistilli, owner Sandra Gambone’s son and restaurant manager, said. Approaching its ninth anniversary, Gambone opened Sweet Basil December 2005 after immersing herself in the Thai culture and taking a trip to Thailand in 2004. Originally from Pennsylvania and of ItalianAmerican descent, Gambone was always interested in her Italian culture as well as other cultures, Pistilli said. “When we moved down here, there wasn’t as much Italian culture as she was used to, not much at all. She started going to Pad Thai on Jenkins and fell in love with the culture and cuisine,” Pistilli said. Gambone now lives in Corpus Chrisit, but Pistilli said his mother makes sure to visit and check on things every two months. “This was her first restaurant. It was definitely a new adventure,” Pistilli said. “This is her

Open since 2005, Sweet Basil offers electable dishes like Pad Thai. Unique masks from Thailand decorate the Sweet Basil walls, creating an exotic dining atmosphere.

NORMAN magazine | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014

Kao-Soi, north style egg noddles in a yellow curry sauce, is a restaurant favorite.

red and green bell peppers, as well as the Pad Thai and Pineapple Fried Rice, which Pistilli recommends to those who aren’t a fan of spice. Pistilli explained each dish ranges in heat from one to five; a system the restaurant came up with to help customers gage what is too hot for them to handle. My dinner date, who dined on Kao-Soi, could not put his fork HOW’D SWEET BASIL EARN ITS NAME? down even after he declared he was EŽƚ ŽŶůǇ ĚŽ ƐĞǀĞƌĂů ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ƌĞƐƚĂƵƌĂŶƚ͛Ɛ ĚŝƐŚĞƐ ŚĂǀĞ Ă ƐǁĞĞƚ ĂŌĞƌ far too full, and there weren’t any ƚĂƐƚĞ͕ ďƵƚ ŵĂŶǇ ŽĨ ƚŚĞŵ ĂůƐŽ ŝŶĐůƵĚĞ dŚĂŝ ďĂƐŝů͘ EĞǆƚ ƟŵĞ ǇŽƵ͛ƌĞ noodles remaining on my plate of dining, why not try the Kao-Pad Ga-Prow (Basil Fried Rice), Pad KeePad Thai when the check arrived. DĂŽ ; ĂƐŝů EŽŽĚůĞͿ Žƌ ƚŚĞ WĂĚ 'ĂͲWƌŽǁ ; ĂƐŝů ^Ɵƌ &ƌǇͿ͘ The unique flavor of each dish is subtle and intriguing, and Pistilli

baby. It was really hard for her to leave.” Sweet Basil’s head chef, Saravut Yamaskul, is from Thailand providing further authenticity to the restaurant. Customer favorites include the curry dish Kao-Soi, a scrumptious, rich creamy dish with yellow curry sauce, egg noodles and

NORMAN magazine | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014

Indulge in an

said he encourages customers to appetizer at Sweet Basil with six large branch out of their favorite dishes shrimp coated in and delight their palates with a tempura batter, something new. fried and served “Our head chef does have a with crisp egg very creative side, so he comes up noodles and Thai with specials every few months,” chili sauce. Pistilli said. “The chefs have the ability to put so many ingredients into one dish. And the spices in small variants make them stand out.” Pistilli said luckily the restaurant has been consistent over the years with support from the Thai community and Norman. “We rely heavily on our customers for word of mouth,” Pistilli said. “Our customers are the best, honestly. They’ve told enough people to keep us going for nine years. We owe it all to them. “Our family has survived on this restaurant,” he said. “The passion people have for our food still surprises me.” Sweet Basil is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 10 p.m everyday. Delivery is available from 5-9 p.m. Sunday through Thursdays. For more information, call 217-8424.

NORMAN magazine | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014

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SCHOOL SPIRIT! Show your NHS or NNHS Spirit and make a fashion forward statement. Tacori exclusively available at: Mitchell’s Jewelry 2201 W Main, 360.2515 mitchells-jewelry.com

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SOONER FABULOUS LIGHT IT UP! New lanterns are now in stock! Theo’s Market Place 3720 W Robinson St, 364.0728, theosmarketplace.com

NORMAN magazine | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014

Outfit you and your spaces at Thompson Pool, where we’re more than just a pool store. Thompson Pool & Patio 1400 SW 24th, 364.1912 thompsonpool.com

NORMAN magazine | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014

Norman History

McCasland Field House makeover by mick hinton Photos by Kyle Phillips

tudent Elizabeth Romero remembers how exciting it was to go to University of Oklahoma basketball games at the McCasland Field House when she lived in a dormitory on the OU campus. “They wouldn’t let us stay out of the dorm after 9 p.m., so we would watch the first half of the game, then had to leave,” said Romero who lives in Norman. Like hundreds of others, she has a nostalgic attachment to that field house, built in 1928, which has undergone a $12 million renovation over the past decade. Larry Naifeh, executive associate athletic director, said fixing up the field house, one of the oldest buildings on the OU campus, was the right thing to do. “It is a great building; it just is,” Naifeh said. About a decade ago, OU officials concluded that either the McCasland center had to be torn down, or fixed up. They decided on the latter. The field house is located just north of the Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. “This field house is in the heart of the campus itself,” said Naifeh, as he looked out of his office window inside the nearby football stadium just of the field house.

NORMAN magazine | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014

The Howard McCasland field house is used by the Sooner wrestling team, also women’s volleyball along with men’s gymnastics and cheerleader training. OU wrestling coach Mark Cody said the field house is probably the best university wrestling facility in the nation,

providing space for four areas where young men can train and practice at the same time. With a seating capacity nearing 5,000, those attending can sit all around the wooden floor and see everything happening.

Historically, McCasland Field House was the home of the OU basketball team for decades until 1975, when basketball was moved to the Lloyd Noble arena. Much of the support to refurbish the field house has come from the Howard McCasland Foundation and his family of Duncan.

NORMAN magazine | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014

McCasland was a star basketball and football player from 1914-1916. He was captain of and center of the basketball team. As a senior, McCasland scored a total 407 points, which accounted for half of the points for the entire season, according to OU sports information data. Over the years, McCasland and his family foundation have been one of the most generous donors, initially pledg-

ing $1 million for the field house. OU President David Boren said, “The McCasland Foundation is one of a very special group of donors that has provided OU with a real foundation of support and leadership.” Both David and Molly Boren have had a keen interest in restoring the field house both inside and out, including the addition of expansive flower beds at the entrance.

NORMAN magazine | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014

Howard McCasland and the foundation have provided many college scholarships for students particularly in the Duncan area. After graduating from OU, McCasland joined the military undergoing World War I. When he was discharged, McCasland returned to Duncan and became a big success in the oil business. McCasland’s full name was Thomas

McCasland best in nation for wrestling The University of Oklahoma’s wrestling program is domiciled in McCasland Field House, perhaps the greatest college facilŝƚǇ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ŶĂƟŽŶ͕ ĐŽĂĐŚ DĂƌŬ ŽĚǇ ƐĂŝĚ͘ “It’s just great because of the fact where the McCasland Field House is located,” said Cody, referring to the wrestling ƉƌŽŐƌĂŵ͘ /ŵƉƌŽǀĞŵĞŶƚƐ ƚŽ ƚŚĞ ĨĂĐŝůŝƚǇ ĚĞĮŶŝƚĞůǇ ĂƌĞ Ă ŐŽŽĚ ŝŶĚŝĐĂƚŽƌ that there is support for wrestling at OU, said Cody, who has ďĞĞŶ ŚĞĂĚ ǁƌĞƐƚůŝŶŐ ĐŽĂĐŚ Ăƚ Kh ƐŝŶĐĞ ϮϬϭϭ͘ “We have the biggest wrestling room in the country,” with ĨŽƵƌ ŵĂƚ ĂƌĞĂƐ ƉƌŽǀŝĚĞĚ ĨŽƌ ƚƌĂŝŶŝŶŐ ĂŶĚ ƉƌĂĐƟĐŝŶŐ͕ ŚĞ ƐĂŝĚ͘ Most programs have only two or three simultaneous pracƟĐĞ ĂƌĞĂƐ͘ dŚĞ ĐĞŶƚĞƌ ĂůƐŽ ƉƌŽǀŝĚĞƐ ĨĂĐŝůŝƟĞƐ ĨŽƌ Kh ǁŽŵĞŶ͛Ɛ ǀŽůůĞǇďĂůů ĂŶĚ ŵĞŶ͛Ɛ ŐǇŵŶĂƐƟĐƐ͘ ŚĞĞƌůĞĂĚĞƌ ƚƌĂŝŶŝŶŐ ŝƐ ƉƌŽǀŝĚĞĚ Ăƚ ƚŚĞ ĮĞůĚ ŚŽƵƐĞ ǁŝƚŚ ǁŽƌŬƐŚŽƉƐ ĞƐƉĞĐŝĂůůǇ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ƐƵŵŵĞƌ͘ /Ŷ ƚŚĞ ƐƵŵŵĞƌ ŽĨ ϮϬϭϮ͕ ƚŚĞ Kh ƚŚůĞƟĐƐ ĞƉĂƌƚŵĞŶƚ ĐŽŵƉůĞƚĞĚ ŵĂũŽƌ ŝŵƉƌŽǀĞŵĞŶƚƐ Ăƚ ƚŚĞ ĮĞůĚ ŚŽƵƐĞ͘ dŚŽƐĞ ŝŵprovements cost about $12 million overall to refurbish Mc ĂƐůĂŶĚ &ŝĞůĚ ,ŽƵƐĞ ďŽƚŚ ŝŶƚĞƌŶĂůůǇ ĂŶĚ ŽƵƚƐŝĚĞ͘ /ŶƚĞƌŝŽƌ ƌĞŶŽǀĂƟŽŶ ƉƌŽǀŝĚĞĚ ƌĞƐĂŶĚŝŶŐ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ŚŝƐƚŽƌŝĐ ŇŽŽƌ͘ ǆƚĞƌŝŽƌ improvements included brick refurbishing that consisted of replacing most of the mortar between bricks through a proĐĞƐƐ ĐĂůůĞĚ ͞ƚƵĐŬͲ ƉŽŝŶƟŶŐ͘͟

Howard McCasland, but he was usually known as Howard. McCasland and his wife Vivian had two children, Thomas McCasland and Mary Frances Michaelis. Both of the children graduated from OU, as did their five children. Son Thomas McCasland took over the company after Howard died in 1979. The son, now retired, is being inducted intothe Oklahoma Hall of

NORMAN magazine | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014

Other improvements included replacing all of the windows ĂŶĚ ĂůƐŽ ďƵŝůĚŝŶŐ ĂŶ ĞŶƟƌĞ ŶĞǁ ƌŽŽĨ͘ Improvements also have been made at the Port Robertson ĞŶƚĞƌ ĞŶƚƌǇ ǁĂǇ ƚŽ ƚŚĞ ĮĞůĚ ŚŽƵƐĞ͘ ZŽďĞƌƚƐŽŶ ƐƉĞŶƚ ŶĞĂƌůǇ 40 years in service of OU student-athletes, including coach of ƚŚĞ ^ŽŽŶĞƌ ǁƌĞƐƚůŝŶŐ ƚĞĂŵ ĨƌŽŵ ϭϵϰϳ ƚŽ ϭϵϱϵ͘ ŽĚǇ ƐĂŝĚ ƵƉŐƌĂĚĞƐ ƚŽ ǁƌĞƐƚůŝŶŐ ĨĂĐŝůŝƟĞƐ ƐŚŽǁ ƚŚĞƌĞ ŝƐ Ă ƐƚƌŽŶŐ ĐŽŵŵŝƚŵĞŶƚ ƚŽ ƚŚĞ ƐƉŽƌƚ ĨŽƌ ǇĞĂƌƐ ƚŽ ĐŽŵĞ͘

Sooner wrestling coach Mark Cody says McCasland is among the nation’s best wrestling facilities.

NORMAN magazine | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014

Fame later this year. Currently grandson Tom McCasland III is president of the family endeavor. McCasland Foundation has continued to provide funding for not only athletics but also for other projects at universities and in communities. “The field house was a large commitment for us,” said Barbara Braught, a granddaughter who is executive director of the foundation. Meanwhile, OU officials had decided by 2001 to renovate the field house which was the first major building on campus for athletics. By this time, “the field house appeared to be doomed,” said Jace Paddleford, a partner/architect with Bockus Payne Associates Architects of Oklahoma City. “Windows were leaking; bricks were coming loose,” said Paddleford, projects coordinator for the field house renovation since it started.

“There was no air conditioning and the heating system needed to be fixed up,” Paddleford said. New heating and air conditioning systems were installed. There had been no restrooms on the first floor. They were added along with changes to accommodate the handicapped. By 2005, work was completed on the field house interior. The facility underwent a $6 million facelift. The historic floor was resanded. Naifeh said that today, it would be impossible to install a new floor as good as the first one. The huge windows had been painted white so that the sun would not shine in, but that really didn’t work. New windows were installed, with the numerous panels looking like the first ones. Interior spaces were redone, while locker rooms for women’s volleyball were installed. Wrestling facilities were expanded so the field house could provide training for the sport, said Mark Cody, OU’s wrestling coach. Since 2005, another $6 million has been spent on the field house exterior to restore the structure’s Cherokee gothic design. The entire brick structure underwent what is called “tuck pointing.” Three-fourths of the old mortar between each brick was dug out and replaced by new mortar of the same color. “They actually tuck-pointed each brick,” Naifeh said. A new roof was installed, which was no easy task. “We re-established and reconfirmed the structural soundness of the original building,” Naifeh said. Like many others, Naifeh recalls attending a special event in the field house when he was an OU student in the early ‘70s. He saw “Canned Heat,” an American blues/boogie rock band that formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1965. Many other musicians and also politicians have performed over the years with former students still recalling these events. Performers have included Jimi Hendrix in 1970, Bill Cosby in 1968, Henry Mancini in 1963, also Sonny and Cher, Nat King Cole and Duke Ellington. Both Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton appeared at the field house when they were running for U.S. president. These kind of events are no longer held at the field house which seats about 5,000 people. Several convocations for OU graduates have been held at the field house over the years. There also have been some exhibition basketball games, Naifeh recalled. The restored McCasland Field House “is kind of right in the middle of everything,” Naifeh said.

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Norman Life

NORMAN magazine | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014

Library celebrating classics with the community this fall by christian potts

he Pioneer Library System has brought The Big Read to Norman and the library system’s communities for nearly a decade as an annual springtime celebration of literature. But this fall, the library is working with several partners on a pair of projects that will bring two well-known pieces into the public eye during the autumn months. That work begins in October, as the library partners with Sooner Theatre on the celebration of Thornton Wilder’s classic play Our Town. “This will be kind of like a ‘mini-Big Read’ for the Norman community,” said PLS Public Information Officer Gary Kramer.

The library is once again focusing on the works of Harper Lee, left, in “To Kill A Mockingbird.” Mary Badham, right, who played “Scout” in the movie will discuss the character before a free showing in Moore Nov. 10.

THE ACTIVITIES Sooner Theatre will host community performances of “Our Town” from Oct. 17-19 and Oct. 24-26. That will include a special matinee for school students the morning of Oct. 23. During August, auditions first at the University of Oklahoma and then for any members of the community will take place to form the

cast for the presentations. And there will be several activities in addition to the actual performances. Director Thomas Huston Orr will lend his expertise to local libraries for a pair of presentations titled “Grover’s Corner in a Box,” a read-and-discuss program about the play in local libraries. The programs will be at the Norman Central Public Library down the street from the theatre Oct. 7, and Oct. 14 at Norman Public Library West, 300 Norman Center Court. “With this play, name recognition will really do a lot, because people are really going to gravtiate to a classic,” Orr said. Also during October, the 2014 Oklahoma Arts Conference will play

NORMAN magazine | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014

off the “Our Town” theme as it comes to Norman Oct. 22-23 for its annual presentation with the theme “Our Town, Repurposed. Our State, Reimagined.”. THE PLAY Our Town has a popularity known to almost everyone, as many will remember either watching it or even being part of a production of it during their school days. “What I think I’d want to communicate is that this is about our town, Norman, coming together for a play,” said Orr, who when he’s not directing this program serves as James Garner Chair and Director of the University of Oklahoma Peggy Dow Helmerich School of Drama. Penned by Wilder in 1938, the play has stood The Warren the test of time. It’s based Theatre in in the early 1900s and Moore will be is presented in a unique the site for a free showing way through the eyes and of “To Kill A voice of the Stage ManMockingbird” ager, the lead character on Nov. 10.

NORMAN magazine | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014

in the presentation, who delivers most of his lines in interaction with the audience. It’s a trip back in time to a world long past but not forgotten. “You’re talking about fantastic costumes, and the music we’re pulling existed from 1900 to 1915 and represents the demographics that were actually in Norman at that time,” Orr said. The play is known as “the Great American Drama” and received much critical acclaim. It earned Wilder a Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1938 and enjoyed a long, succesful run on Broadway. It’s also part of the National Endowment for the Arts’ small rotation of works for The Big Read. Generally it is presented in conjunction with Wilder’s 1927 novel “The Bridge of San Luis Rey” for communites putting on an entire Big Read commemoration. MOCKINGBIRD RETURNS In spring of 2009, the library’s springtime Big Read focused on the Harper Lee classic To Kill a Mockingbird. And in November, that book again is back as the focus of several activities. Those efforts actually begin outside of Norman with a familiar face in the Norman music scene in Dr. John Clinton, former Fine Arts Director for the Norman Public Schools and longtime conductor of the Oklahoma Youth Orchestra. He will conduct the Edmond Chamber Orchestra in a performance of the Elmer Bernstein music score for the movie version of “To Kill a Mockingbird” Nov. 9 in Edmond. The following evening, on Monday, Nov. 10, PLS will present the movie version for free at Moore’s Warren Theatre and welcome Mary Badham, who played the character Scout in the film, to give a short talk before the movie begins. Also, the library is promoting the recent release of the book “The Mockingbird Next Door: Life with Harper Lee.” It’s written by Marja Mills, who interviewed and for 18 months lived next door to the Lee sisters, gaining insight into an author who has given few interviews and had little to say about her private life.

Find out more about these and any of the programs and services offered this fall at the library by calling or visiting any PLS hometown library or online at www.pioneerlibrarysystem.org.

NORMAN magazine | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014

Snap

78 Transcript Open House | 79 CCFI Celebration 80 July 4th | 82 After Hours at Reynolds Ford 83 Norman City Council | 84 RIP James Garner

Publisher Mark Millsap and Mayor Cindy Rosenthal.

Transcript entertainment editor Mack Burke visits with an open house guest.

Transcript Open House The Norman Transcript celebrated its 125th birthday in April with a community open house. Photos by Kyle Phillips

[Top] Children enjoy the bounce house in the newspaper’s parking lot. [Middle row, left] Jerri Culpepper, Lindsey Davies and Betty Culpepper look over Norman magazines at the open house. [Middle row, right] Christian Esparza checks out the Cleveland County Sheriff ’s Humvee. [Bottom] Quincy and J.J. Bradford look over old copies of The Transcript.

NORMAN magazine | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014

CCFI Campaign Completion Celebration Betty Robbins, Scott and Kathleen Shuler

Beverly DeWitt, Nancy Yoch

Photos by C.E. Jones

Center for Children and Families ; &/Ϳ ƐƚĂī ŵĞŵďĞƌƐ ĂŶĚ ĐĂŵƉĂŝŐŶ ĚŽŶŽƌƐ ŐĂƚŚĞƌĞĚ Ăƚ ƚŚĞ EŽƌŵĂŶ home of Joe and Samia Harroz to ĐĞůĞďƌĂƚĞ ƌĂŝƐŝŶŐ Ψϯ͘ϵ ŵŝůůŝŽŶ ĨŽƌ ƚŚĞ ƉƵƌĐŚĂƐĞ ĂŶĚ ƌĞŶŽǀĂƟŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ĂŐĞŶĐǇ͛Ɛ ŶĞǁ ďƵŝůĚŝŶŐ͘ dŚĞ ĨĂĐŝůŝƚǇ ǁŝůů ĂůůŽǁ &/ ƚŽ ĞǆƉĂŶĚ ŝƚƐ ƐĞƌǀŝĐĞƐ ƐŝŐŶŝĮĐĂŶƚůǇ͕ ƐĞƌǀĞ ŵŽƌĞ ĐůŝĞŶƚƐ͕ ĂŶĚ ĐƌĞĂƚĞ ŵŽƌĞ ƉĂƌƚŶĞƌƐŚŝƉ ŽƉƉŽƌƚƵŶŝƟĞƐ ǁŝƚŚŝŶ ƚŚĞ ĐŽŵŵƵŶŝƚǇ͘

CCFI staff members and board CCFI Board and staff Kate Stanton, Sara Wilson, Erin Barnhart, Katie Fitzgerald, Chilton Marshall, Samia Harroz and Darlene Bowline

Eric and Amy Fleske

Cindy Merrick, Gene McKown

Gerry Mayes, Mary and Steve Bonner

Cindy Merrick, Lisa Long Samia and Joe Harroz NORMAN magazine | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014

Snap Shots

4th of July Norman residents celebrated the Fourth of July 2014 in style this ƐƵŵŵĞƌ ǁŝƚŚ ƉĂƌƟĞƐ Ăƚ ZĞĂǀĞƐ WĂƌŬ͕ ƚŚĞ ŽŶ ŝĞƐ ZĞĂů ƐƚĂƚĞ ƌŽŽŬŚĂǀĞŶ ƉĂƌĂĚĞ ĂŶĚ Ăƚ dŚĞ dƌĂŝůƐ ŶĞŝŐŚďŽƌŚŽŽĚ͘

Everything with wheels was decorated for the parade

Photos by Jay Chilton

Christian Flemming holds a sparkler in Reaves Park. K-9 Kilo rides along with Rennie Cook and Norman Detective Darin Morgan.

A decorated golf cart made for a festive Fourth.

Kids of all ages walk, pedal bicycles and ride in wagons during the Don Cies parade.

Emma Smith crosses the monkey bars at KidsSpace. Reaves fireworks were the nightcap.

NORMAN magazine | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014

Fireworks at Reaves Park capped the day. Jason Andes rests Alps and Emmy in the shade.

Ainsley Cook and Aidan Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Hara, right, enjoy popsicles on the steps of The Trails.

NORMAN magazine | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014

Snap Shots Reynolds Ford Reynolds Ford of Norman sponsored a Norman Chamber of ComŵĞƌĐĞ ďƵƐŝŶĞƐƐ ĂŌĞƌ ŚŽƵƌƐ Ăƚ ƚŚĞ Norman dealership. Chamber mixĞƌƐ ĂƌĞ ŚĞůĚ ŵŽŶƚŚůǇ ĂŶĚ ŝŶĐůƵĚĞ ƵƐŝŶĞƐƐ ĞĨŽƌĞ ,ŽƵƌƐ ďƌĞĂŬĨĂƐƚ ŐĂƚŚĞƌŝŶŐƐ ĂŶĚ ĞǀĞŶŝŶŐ ŶĞƚǁŽƌŬŝŶŐ ĞǀĞŶƚƐ͘ &Žƌ ŝŶĨŽƌŵĂƟŽŶ ŽŶ ƚŚĞ ŶĞǆƚ ĞǀĞŶƚ͕ call 321-7260. Brandy Menzie, Deidra Peters with Mark and Linda McClintock

Rocio, Shawn, Stan and Mary Ann Gralla with Lachlan Oldaker Michele Ezell, James Thatcher and John Lorrey

Mary and Don Hobbs with Sean Popp

Matt and Brittany Frost with Jarrett Browning

Joe Acosta, Ryan Burns, Matt Branstetter

Tricia Carleton, Cathy Hanselmen, Katherine Maloy and Cindy Dimit

NORMAN magazine | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014

Norman City Council Andrew Seamans and Councilman Robert Castleberry

Erica Millar, Clint Williams, Robin Allen

The Norman Chamber of ŽŵŵĞƌĐĞ ŚĞůĚ Ă ƌĞĐĞƉƟŽŶ for new City Council members. New members included Clint Williams, Ward 2 and Jerry Lang, Ward 6. Ward 8’s Robert Castleberry and Ward 4’s Nick Jungman were re-elected.

Jerry Lang and Andy Rieger Mark Millsap, Sean Popp, Donna Popp

Angie Wright, Lisa Allen

Jim Adair, Susan Connors

Emma Jack, Erica Millar, Robin Allen, Tessa Breder

Tessa Breder, Stephen Tyler Holman NORMAN magazine | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014

(

FOLLOW the Dotted Line.

Holiday Issue October 3 84

NORMAN magazine | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014

Parting Shot

Flowers and memorials were left at the Main Street statue of actor James Garner, born James Scott Bumgarner, in Norman, April 7, 1928. He died July 19, 2014 in Los Angeles.

Photo by Doug Hill

NORMAN magazine | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014