OKC FRIDAY Vol. 56 No. 1 • One Section • 14 pages • May 13, 2022
$1 per copy
www.okcfriday.com facebook.com/okcfriday OKC’s only locally-owned legal newspaper with all local news Serving Oklahoma City, Nichols Hills, The Village, Quail Creek, The Greens and Gaillardia for 48 years
Love on the seventh tee box Residents voice
strong opposition to development on May Avenue By Eric Oesch Staff Writer
At left: Shauna and Tanner Morrissey are married on Sept. 6, 2008 on the seventh tee box at The Greens Golf and Country Club. Above: The couple there today. They were — and still are — members of The Greens and golf-lovers so they decided to say “I do” on the course. For more about the club, see our special Greens 50th Anniversary Commemorative Magazine in today’s issue.
Lyric is named Official Theatre of the state Gov. Kevin Stitt signed Senate Bill 1385, authored by Senate Democratic Leader Kay Floyd and House Majority Leader Jon Echols, bestowing the honor for the flagship theatre founded in 1963. The law takes effect Nov. 1. “Everyone at Lyric Theatre would like to thank Senator Floyd, Representative Echols, Governor Stitt and all our state leaders for this honor and recognition,” said Michael Baron, Lyric’s producing artistic director. “Throughout Lyric’s history, we have strived to create live, professional theatre that brings people together to tell stories of hope, empathy and foster conversation. We proudly state that we are an important part of the artistic and educational fabric of this great state and will continue to
reach out to create new partnerships with other community organizations and celebrate the diversity of its people.” Lyric annually serves more than 100,000 people statewide and is the state’s largest live theatre company, producing classic and contemporary plays and musicals on two stages, including the historic Plaza Theatre and the majestic Civic Center Music Hall. “Lyric Theatre is an essential part of this state’s cultural identity, and as a premier theatre company, enhances economic development efforts as well,” said Sen. Floyd, DOklahoma City. “Although based in Oklahoma City, Lyric productions attract audiences from 305 Oklahoma cities and towns, all 50 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico
and Canada. I want to thank my House author, Majority Leader Echols, members of both chambers, and Governor Kevin Stitt for their support of Lyric’s well-deserved designation as our state’s official theatre.” Lyric’s leadership has been awarded three Oklahoma Governor’s Arts Awards and the national Helen Hayes Award. Lyric Theatre’s production of Oklahoma! was proclaimed the official state production in 2015, and the organization’s Musical Interactive touring program travels to schools across the entire state performing live for more than 45,000 students each year. The program, which began in 2007, is fully funded by donors and See LYRIC, Page 12
A packed council chamber at The Village City Hall greeted councilmen at a one-hour weather-delayed meeting last week. Residents filled the chamber to voice their concerns during a public hearing to discuss an application to rezone portions of the east side of May Avenue from single family homes to commercial. Marathon Property Partners, LLC, filed an application with the city to rezone 10400 N. May Ave and 2832 Orlando Road from A-1 Single Family Residential to C-2 Commercial. An informal town hall meeting at The Village Library held last month drew dozens of concerned residents who voiced their opposition to the application. Village resident Wendy Phillips told the council of the informal poll of 28 residents she conducted who lived near the proposed rezoning. Phillips’ poll indicated 60 percent voicing opposition to the rezoning application. As residents addressed the council they talked of anticipated parking problems, additional traffic on their streets and concerns for the safety of children who live in the neighborhood. “We don’t need more
ADAM GRAHAM
Graham is named mayor By Eric Oesch Staff Writer Adam Graham, 29, has been elected by his peers to serve as mayor of The Village. Graham will be one of the youngest to serve as a mayor in See MAYOR, Page 11 commercial development on May Ave,” said one concerned resident who lives on Northampton Place. “We don’t want this part of May Avenue to be another NW 63 and May.” Councilmen Bubba Symes, Sonny Wilkinson and Wynter Griffis voiced their concerns that no representative from Marathon Property Partners was in See VILLAGE, Page 11
Legendary journalist Joan Gilmore passes away at age 94
JOAN GILMORE
Journalist, community volunteer and just all-around wonderful person Joan Gilmore died Monday at 94. She was just shy of her May 14 birthday. Joan, who came to Oklahoma City from Waukegan, Ill., in 1952 as a young reporter, enjoyed a more than 50-year career. For 28 years, she was a columnist for The Daily
Oklahoman and followed that with 30 more years writing “Around Town” for The Journal Record. She was a founding board member of Leadership Oklahoma City and Children’s Medical Research (now Children’s Hospital Foundation). Joan earned many honors including the Oklahoma Journalism Hall of
QC Home Tour is this Saturday Join Quail Creek home owners on Saturday for what has become a highly anticipated event. Featuring six unique homes spanning both north and south Quail Creek, the Home Tour offers a fresh look at a wide variety of residences recently renovated in this established neighborhood in northwest Oklahoma City. Hours are noon to 5 p.m. The weekend kicks off with the annual Cocktails in the Creek party, this Friday, with food, beverages, live music and raffle tickets for great locally-donated prizes. Since its start in 2016, the Quail Creek Home Tour has raised over
$200,000.00 for the Quail Creek beautification projects and maintenance of the large neighborhood. Tickets are $20 when purchased in advance or $25 when purchased on the day of the tour. Full event details can be found at quailcreekhometour.com. Tickets may be purchased in person at Norwalk Furniture & Design in Northpark Mall or online at quailcreek.org. Ticket sales support the Quail Community Foundation and neighborhood beautification and maintenance efforts. For questions regarding the Quail Creek Home Tour contact qchometour@gmail.com.
Fame, the Oklahoma City University Woman of Excellence Award and Oklahoma Women’s Hall of Fame. Recognized by her peers, she is the only Oklahoman to twice win the Byliner Award by the Association for Women in Communications. For obituary, see Page 12.
FRIDAY’s Dog
of the Week This is Weslee, a mix breed rescue. His human is -7-year-old Harlen Reed. He loves to go to the lake and play catch. He's a gentle giant and the best boy. Send Pet and Baby of the Week nominations with complete descriptions to rose@okcfriday.com. Submissions are used in the order they are received.
This sponsorship is available! Call (405)755-3311 for details.