OKC FRIDAY Vol. 57 No. 37 • One Section • 14 pages • February 2, 2024 $1 per copy
www.okcfriday.com facebook.com/okcfriday OKC’s only locally-owned legal newspaper with all local news Serving affluent far north Oklahoma City, Nichols Hills and The Village for 50 years
United Way Campaign tops $17 mil
Broadway producer with Fridayland roots reimagines ‘The Outsiders’ By Eric Oesch Staff Writer
From left: United Way Centennial Campaign CoChairmen Robert Clements and Natalie Shirley, President and CEO Rachel Holt and Board Chairman Shane Wharton celebrate the campaign total.
- Photo by Rose Lane
By Rose Lane Editor With its Centennial Campaign, the United Way of Central Oklahoma raised $17,060,864 for its 52 partner agencies. The announcement was made during last Friday’s 23rd Annual Snowflake Gala. The United Way also honored three community leaders with the organization’s volunteer awards — Roberta Fields, Edie Roodman and David Rainbolt — who exemplify compassion for others. Natalie Shirley and Robert Clements were the 100-year
anniversary campaign co-chairmen. “We are simply amazed by our community’s support,” Shirley said. “We are incredibly grateful to wrap up our United Way’s 100th anniversary with this outstanding success. “Thank you to our generous donors, volunteers and partner agencies for sharing compassion with our neighbors who need it most.” Roberta B. Fields, a trial lawyer with McAfee & Taft, is the recipient of the Ray Ackerman Leadership Award. This honor recognizes those who share Ackerman’s tireless efforts
Focus on Home is Redbud beneficiary The Redbud Classic, Oklahoma City’s esteemed running and cycling tradition, celebrates its 41st year of bringing fun, fitness and philanthropy to the community in 2024. Registration is now open for all Redbud events set for the weekend of Saturday, April 6, and Sunday, April 7. Each year, the Redbud Foundation Board of Directors selects an Oklahoma City nonprofit organization with whom to partner and serve See REDBUD, Page 7
and devotion to United Way’s mission and set the standard for volunteering, leadership and caring. Fields has been involved with United Way for many years and currently serves on the Board of Directors, as well as the Human Resources Committee’s chairman. She has been a loyal contributor for the past decade and is a member of United Way’s Women’s Leadership Society (WLS). Another honoree is Oklahoma Israel Exchange Executive
Hans and Torrey Butzer, Melody Johnson, Solarize OKC, Plaza Walls, Fertile Ground, BancFirst, Sharon Reeves and JB Schuelein are to be honored during OKC Beautiful’s annual Distinguished Service Awards, set for 11:30 a.m., March 28, at the Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club. Tom and Brenda McDaniel, active volunteers in the Oklahoma City area, are serving as the honorary chairs of the Distinguished Service
‘If you ain’t givin’, you ain’t livin’’ Editor’s note: Turpen is known for coining the phrase, “If you ain’t givin’, you ain’t livin’.” In high school journalism the first thing that I learned is that NAMES MAKE NEWS! And the FRIDAY newspaper has kept me in the know on all of the names in the news for See 50, Page 12
A caricature drawing depicts Mike Turpen and his love for OKC.
See UNITED WAY, Page 2
See GALT, Page 3
OKC Beautiful announces award winners
OKC FRIDAY: Fabulous at 50 By Mike Turpen Nonprofit Community Advocate Extraordinaire
Tony-nominated and Drama Desk-winning Broadway producer Laura Galt is making waves in the entertainment industry with the highlyanticipated theatrical production of “The Outsiders,” a new musical. LAURA GALT This reimagination of the timeless classic is destined for a March 16 opening on Broadway at the Bernard Jacobs Theatre in New York City. Galt is a Fridayland native with deep roots in Oklahoma. Her passion for youth-oriented stories, Oklahoma narratives and for her home state led her to join the producing team of the beloved S.E. Hinton novel and Francis Ford Coppola film. The production promises to captivate audiences and pay homage to the bestselling novel and Academy Award-winning film for Best Picture. Galt’s latest producing project is set to breathe new life into the iconic coming-of-age novel and she hopes the musical version will transport audiences back to the turbulent 1960s, capturing the raw emotions and challenges faced by the novel’s beloved characters. “Being on the producing team of the musical adaptation of this iconic Oklahoma narrative is a dream come true,” Galt said in a recent interview. “As a teen, this story shaped me. It allowed me an opportunity to empathize, taught me to persevere and ‘stay gold’ through difficult times. As S.E. Hinton says in the book, ‘Maybe the two worlds we
Awards this year. The event is is an opportunity to recognize individuals and organizations working to improve the beauty and environmental sustainability of Oklahoma City. “We look forward to recognizing this outstanding group of honorees for their exemplary efforts, setting a commendable standard in beautification and environmental stewardship and inspiring positive change,” said Lisa Synar, executive director of
OKC Beautiful. Receiving the Mayor’s Award are Hans and Torrey Butzer for their visionary architectural designs that have shaped many of Oklahoma City’s landmarks and buildings. Designs of note include the Oklahoma City National Memorial, Skydance Bridge, SLIVR Coworking Space, Scissortail Park Pavilions, as well as several works internationally. See AWARDS, Page 12
FRIDAY’s Dog of the Week Katie James and her husband Casey found Shadow on New Year’s day. She is an 8-week-old Aussie and a ball of furry fun. She loves her new big sister Daisy. She has a stuffy llama she takes everywhere. Shadow loves to show how smart she is with sits and stay and, of course, she loves her treats too. She loves to chew on her chewy toys. “I am still getting to know this little girl, but she has already stolen mine and my husband’s hearts,” Katie said. Email Dog of the Week, Baby of the Week and Cat of the Week submissions to rose@okcfriday.com.