6-30-23 Celebrate Oklahoma

50 Most Powerful Oklahomans Mayor wins in annual poll

By Vicki Clark Gourley Publisher

Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt received the most votes from the ballots mailed this year. He defeated Thunder owner Clay Bennett by two votes.

Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anatubby dominated the poll for the past several years, but there was a big shakeup this year as younger leaders command more power in the state.

1. Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt is the Dean of the Oklahoma City University School of Law. He is to be the president of the United States Conference of Mayors in 2025-2026. His wife Rachel is the executive director of the Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs.

2. Clay Bennett owns the OKC Thunder NBA team. He is the CEO of Dorchester Capital, a diversified private investment company.

3. Tricia Everest is Oklahoma Secretary of Public Safety and one of the founders of Palomar, which provides services for women.

4. Tom Cole is the U.S. Representative of the 4th District. He served on the House Appropriations committee and serveral other powerful committees.

4. David Rainbolt tied in the voting with Cole. He is the Executive Chairman of BancFirst Corp.

5 Gentner Drummond is the state’s new attorney general. A combat fighter pilot in the Gulf War, Drummond is one of Oklahoma’s most highly decorated veterans.

6. Bill Anoatubby, Governor of the Chickasaw Nation, administers the Nation’s programs and businesses of more than 13,500 employees.

6. James Lankford is a U.S. Senator representing the state of Oklahoma.

7. Gov. Kevin Stitt is serving his second term as the governor of Oklahoma.

8. Greg Treat is the speaker pro tem of the Oklahoma Senate.

See POWERFUL, Page 2

Fridayland set to celebrate the Fourth

By Annabella Potts Student Intern

With the Fourth of July coming up, Fridayland can expect plentiful celebrations to commemorate the creation of the United States of America. From parades, decoration and costume contests to firework displays, there is something for everyone in the community to enjoy.

On Monday, July 3 in Scissortail

Park, the Oklahoma City Philharmonic presents its “Red, White and Boom” summer concert in a display of patriotism throughout the community. Maestro Alexander Mickelthwate said last year’s crowd consisted of more than 20,000 people with even more to be expected this year. Music highlighting the birth of America is performed for an electrifying

See FOURTH, Page B9

FRIDAY’s Dog of the Week

This is Roxy Hodges. She is a Maltese mutt, mix. She is really good at cuddling and barking at and chasing squirrels in her humans’, Chuck and ElizaBeth Hodges’ backyard!

Email Dog, Cat, Pet and Baby of the Week nominations with complete descriptions to rose@okcfriday.com. Submissions are used in the order they are received.

6. BILL ANOATUBBY Governor, Chickasaw Nation

1. DAVID HOLT Mayor, Oklahoma City

2. CLAY BENNETT OKC Thunder Chairman, CEO, Dorchester Capital

4. DAVID RAINBOLT Executive Chairman, BancFirst Corp.

7. KEVIN STITT Governor, State of Oklahoma

6. JAMES LANKFORD U.S. Senator, State Of Oklahoma

3. TRICIA EVEREST Attorney, Secretary of Public Safety

4. TOM COLE U.S. Representative, 4th District

5. GENTNER DRUMMOND Attorney General, State of Oklahoma

8. GREG TREAT Senate Pro Tem, State of Oklahoma

Most Powerful Top 20

From Page 1

9. Sue Ann Arnall’s foundation partners and invests to make transformative improvements in criminal justice reform and youth and welfare justice in Oklahoma.

9. Gene Rainbolt is the founder and now chairman emeritus of BancFirst.

10. Larry Nichols is the co-founder of Devon Energy. He now devotes his time to civic and charity work.

11. Judy Love is the co-founder of Love’s Stores, and now devotes her time to civic and charity work.

12. Stephanie Bice is a U.S. Congress

woman representing the 5th District which includes Oklahoma City.

13. Harold Hamm is CEO of Continental Resources. It is an oil and gas exploration and production company, operating exclusively in the United States now.

18. Joseph Harroz Jr. is the president of the University of Oklahoma. He formerly served as dean of the OU School of Law.

24. Christian Keesee continues his grandparents’ legacy. He is the grandson of Eleanor and John Kirkpatrick. He not only heads the Kirkpatrick Foundation, but is spending much more time in Oklahoma since he founded and heads the Oklahoma

Contemporary Museum. His grandparents were among the founders of the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, now OKCMOA.

Women continue to be ranked in the Top 50, although not as many as last year. Polly Nichols and Judy Hatfield missed by three votes. Although many faces will be familiar, there are several new ones.

No. 16 Wade Gourley, the OKC police chief, and I have the same last names and people frequently ask me if we are related. We talked about it once and his Gourley family roots are from a whole different area than my late husband, J. Leland Gourley’s. Congratulations to all in the rankings.

18. JOSEPH HARROZ JR. President, University of Oklahoma

9. SUE ANN ARNALL CEO, Arnall Family Foundation

13. HAROLD HAMM CEO, Continental Resources

9. GENE RAINBOLT Chairman Emeritus, BancFirst Corp.

15. BILL G. LANCE JR. Sec. of Commerce, Chickasaw Nation

12. STEPHANIE BICE U.S. Representative, 5th District

14. CHRISTY GAYLORD EVEREST Philanthropist

17. DEBBY HAMPTON CEO & President, United Way Central OK

10. LARRY NICHOLS Co-Founder Devon, Civic Leader

11. JUDY LOVE Co-Founder, Love’s Travel Stops

16. WADE GOURLEY Chief of Police, Oklahoma City

14 GEORGE KAISER Chairman, BOK Financial Corp.

50 Most Powerful Oklahomans

19. DAVID GRIFFIN Chairman, Griffin Communications

20. SEAN TRAUSCHKE CEO, Chairman, OG&E Energy

22. SAM PRESTI General Manager, OKC Thunder

23. DAVID HARLOW CEO, BancFirst Corp.

28. MARK BEFFORT CEO, Newmark Robinson Park

25. BARRY SWITZER Former football coach, OU and Dallas Cowboys

25. MIKE TURPEN Attorney, Partner, Riggs, Abney

18. WILLIAM ‘BOB’ ROSS President & CEO, Inasmuch Foundation

19. CRAIG FREEMAN City Manager, Oklahoma City

21.MATT PINNEL Lt. Governor, State of Oklahoma

24.CHRISTIAN KEESEE Chairman Kirkpatrick Bank, Founder, OK Contemporary

24. LEE ALLAN SMITH CEO, Oklahoma Events

28. FRED JONES HALL Chairman, CEO, Hall Capital

24. CHARLES McCALL Speaker, Oklahoma House

26. CHUCK HOSKIN JR. Chief, Cherokee Nation

28. G.T. BYNUM Mayor, Tulsa

19. CYNDI MUNSON Minority Leader, Oklahoma House

18. RICK WARREN Court Clerk, Oklahoma County

For more, see Page 11

41. PHIL G. BUSEY SR Founder & CEO, DRG

35. TOM MCDANIEL President, American Fidelity Found.

31. DAVID GREEN CEO, Hobby Lobby

30. TERESA ROSE CROOK Exec. Director, Communities Foundation

42. JANE JAYROE GAMBLE Author, Speaker, Former Miss America

37. ROBERT A. FUNK, JR. Owner, Prodigal LLC

29. SEAN MCDANIEL Superintendent, OKC Public Schools

43. RAND ELLIOTT Founder, Principal, Rand Elliott Architects

44. ALEXANDER MICKELTHWATE Artistic Dir., OKCPHIL

45. ROBERT A. FUNK President, Express Employment

38. MARK STONECIPHER Ward 8 Councilman, Oklahoma City

39. DR. JUDITH JAMES Exec. VP, Chief Medical Officer, OMRF

40. MARNIE TAYLOR CEO, Center For Noprofits

33. RICHARD MUNCRIEF President, CEO, Devon Energy

32. FRANK KEATING Former Governor, State of Oklahoma

36. KARI WATKINS Executive Director, OKC National Memorial

35. KAYSE SHRUM President, Oklahoma State Univ.

34. NICOLE MILLER State Representative, District 82

THEATRE

July 1­2 • Tinker Air Show

The Power of Love

July 11­16

• The Prom

Following a hit Broadway run and feature film, this hysterical and joyous new musical — which celebrates LGBTQIA+ diversity — makes its Oklahoma debut in an all­new Lyric Theatre production. Winner of the Drama Desk Award for Best Musical, THE PROM captures all the humor and heart of a classic musical comedy while delivering a universal message of love and acceptance. For tickets visit lyrictheatreokc.com.

FUNDRAISERS

July 13 • Reds, Whites & Brews Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City will host the 14th annual Reds, Whites & Brews on Thursday, July 13 at the Joinery at 121 E. Sheridan. This annual event directly supports the Sanctuary Women’s Development Centers in OKC and Norman. Tickets are $100 and include dinner, a variety of craft beer and wine, music, games and indoor golf bays. A raffle will take place during the evening with prizes including trips and gift cards. For more information visit redswhitesbrews.com.

CELEBRATIONS

After four long years, the award­winning Tinker Air Show returns to OKC. Headlining this year's show are the U.S. Navy's Blue Angels, in addition to dozens of military and civilian aerial performers, a wide variety of ground display aircraft, exhibitors and more. The theme for this year's show is "STEM Takes Flight," highlighting the science, technology, engineering and mathematics that make human flight possible! For more info, visit tinker.af.mil/TinkerAirShow.

July 15 • Frosé All Day

The Jones Assembly is celebrating six years of food, spirits and music – 80s stylewith its Frosé All Day B­Day Partay beginning at 6:30 pm.

HOLIDAY FUN

July 3 • Red White & BOOM!

Join the OKCPHIL and Maestro Alexander Mickelthwate Monday, July 3, for a FREE 8:30 pm concert at Scissortail Park in downtown OKC. This year’s program features two fabulous vocalists, J. Warren Mitchell – tenor, and Julianne Reynolds, soprano. Bring your blankets, lawn chairs and the whole family to enjoy a lovely evening outside with beautiful and inspiring music.

THIS WEEKEND

June 30 ­ July 2•

Chris Kattan

Chris Kattan stand­up comedy show at the Bricktown Comedy Club at 7 pm.

June 30 •

Young the Giant

See Young the Giant and Milky Chance at the OKC Zoo Amphitheatre beginning at 7 pm.

July 1 • River Festival

Riversport’s Stars & Stripes River Festival and Block Party celebrates a full day of adventures, Navy Week Celebrations, 4th of July activities, Top Gun Maverick showing, Thunder Dock Diving Dogs, Navy Band Southeast and firework. Admission is free and parking is $10. See details at riversportokc.org.

June 30 – July 1 •

Meet­And­Greet

Get a chance to meet OKCMOA featured artist Trevor Wayne. Visiting all the way from Palm Springs, Trevor will be in­store signing and discussing his art. Stop by the Museum Store for a meet­and­greet from 10 am to 5 pm with the pop artist from Thursday to Saturday, July 1. Post your picture with Trevor Wayne and share with #okcmoa.

Send calendar events to jennifer@okcfriday.com

Paycom Center Events/Shows:

Bert Kreischer Comedy ­ July 9

Thomas Rhett ­ Aug. 17

PBR Freedom Fest ­ Sept. 8­10

Jelly Roll ­ Sept. 19

Koe Wetzel ­ Sept. 30

ODESZA ­ Oct. 12

Jason Aldean ­ Oct. 13

Nate Bargatze ­ Oct. 22 Hot Wheels Monster Trucks ­ Nov. 18­19

Ringling Bros Show ­ Dec. 15­17

Zoo Amphitheatre: Young the Giant ­ June 30

Sam Hunt ­ Aug. 5 Incubus ­ Aug. 20 Rick Springfield ­ Aug. 23

OnValentine’s Day, my mother Brenda McDaniel had a heart attack. My brother Mark dropped by early in the morning to surprise mom and dad with flowers on his way to work. Dad answered the door a little panicked. Mom was acting strange and not making sense. Mark went in to the kitchen. Mom did not recognize him. They spoke briefly. Mark looked at dad and said they needed to go to the hospital immediately.

Mark and dad drove mom to the Oklahoma Heart Hospital. Mark called my brother Randy and me on the way to meet them there. The hospital put mom on blood thinners, hooked her up to all of the monitors, and started a series of tests that would last throughout the day and into the night.

We spent all of Valentine’s Day inside that hospital room. We kept it super positive when mom was in the room, then discussed her behavior and incoming test results any time the nurses wheeled her out for another test. Mostly, we wondered if

mom’s memory would ever return and what would happen if it did not.

As the results came in, they were generally positive. Mom had a heart attack and a series of mini-strokes. But she arrived at the hospital in time for them to curtail the major damage. The prompt action of my brother Mark, my dad, and the Oklahoma Heart Hospital gave my mom, and our family, a new lease on life.

Mom has been in the Oklahoma Heart Hospital rehabilitation program three days a week ever since. She works out, takes cooking lessons, eats healthy meals, and watches videos on maintaining positive mental health. Her memory is back. And she is developing healthy new habits, which is pretty amazing at 83 years old.

I am so grateful to my brother Mark McDaniel. He has the most empathetic heart of anyone I know. It’s why he

All American Rejects ­ Oct. 14

Civic Center Music Hall: The Sound of Music ­ June 27­July 2

The Prom ­ July 11­16

Ain’t Misbehavin’ ­ July 25­30

Spider­Man ­ Sept. 21

and his wife Stacy McDaniel created Oklahoma Cleats for Kids. And, it’s why he stopped by Curbside Flowers the day before Valentine’s Day to surprise mom and dad with a bouquet.

Fortunately for our family, this story has a happy ending. Mom and dad celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary in June. We had a family golf tournament for Father’s Day. And, we are currently planning a golf trip to celebrate my dad Tom McDaniel’s 85th birthday in August. For the most part, life is back on track. But eventually, we will experience loss. All of us will. Our time here on Earth is so short and precious. We need to share as much love as possible with the limited time we have.

This summer, I hope you will take time to share love and kindness. Every one of us is dealing with something. Every one of us is carrying a burden that is not visible on the surface. Let this be the summer we decide to be the joy we want to see in the world. Have a beautiful summer.

Other Events/Shows/Awards: Prix de West ­ June 2 ­ Aug. 6 Red, White and Tuna ­ June 29­July 16 Tinker Air Show ­ July 1­2 Reds Whites & Brews ­ July 13 Disney On Ice ­ Sept. 14­19

The Cowboy announces winners of 51st Prix de West

The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum hosted the 51st Prix de West Invitational Art Exhibition & Sale Weekend with two days of in-person events and virtual livestreaming options, June 9 – 10.

Prix de West art sale weekend hosted artist demonstrations and seminars that were open to the public with Museum admission. It is the Museum’s largest annual fundraiser, hosting a live auction and a fixedprice art sale that helps to fund Museum exhibitions and family programming. The Museum sold $3,067,100 in art the night of the sale. Each year, the Prix de West Committee selects works of art that the committee deems to be of exceptional

merit, with the top-honored Prix de West Purchase Award winner given to the artist whose work of art is selected by the Committee and purchased for the Museum’s permanent collection. This year Walter T. Matia’s 38” H x 25” W x 16 ½” D bronze sculpture titled Molly is a Working Girl was selected. Matia received the $25,000 purchase price, a $5,000 award, and the Prix de West medallion sponsored by Roberta M. Eldridge Miller.

The Purchase Award Winner was announced during lunch on Saturday, June 10. When Matia spoke that evening during the Saturday Celebration Dinner, he described his personal relationship with the West and

what this award meant in terms of his own experience.

“The West is a lot of things to a lot of people. To me, the West has always been behind a bird dog or in a stream with a fly rod or in some marsh looking at birds with binoculars,” said Matia. “This is a part of what the modern West is. When the committee chose this piece, I was really happy because it spoke to a part of the West that I don’t think is always acknowledged: the role of hunters and fishermen, who opened up the West and are now conserving it.”

All unsold art remains on display to the public and available for purchase through August 6, 2023. See

available works on the online catalog: pdw.nationalcowboymuseum.org.

Molly is a Working Girl by Walter T. Matia

State of the Economy

Oklahoma is doing fine with low unemployment

By Mike W. Ray Staff Writer

Despite repeated efforts of the Federal Reserve to throttle stubborn inflation by raising interest rates, Oklahoma’s economy is powering onward.

The Fed raised interest rates 10 times in 14 months, most recently by a quarter of a point on May 3. The benchmark rate now stands at 5% to 5.25%.

Undeterred, employers throughout the nation created 1.67 million jobs in the first five months of this year.

The Federal Reserve, this nation’s central bank, is “trying to bring price stability” by raising interest rates to “bring down price inflation,” said Travis Roach, Ph.D., an associate professor and chairperson of the Department of Economics at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond.

“Inflation has cooled” to some extent and “we can say the econo-

my is getting better,” he said. “Now that the COVID-19 pandemic has passed, prices are falling.”

For a time the Fed was raising interest rates in increments of three-quarters of a percent, Roach recalled, but the most recent rate hikes were smaller. “The Fed is letting off the brakes, trying not to do harm to our employment market.”

The national unemployment rate in May dropped to 3.4%, its lowest level in 54 years, since May 1969.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Oklahoma’s unemployment rate in April (the latest statistics available) was 2.9%.

Claims filed for unemployment benefits in this state during the first five months of 2023 averaged 1,328 per week – the fewest number in six years, Oklahoma Employment Security Commission ledgers reflect.

Oklahomans “seem to have a willingness

and expectation to work,” said Nichols Hills City Councilman Peter Hoffman.

“One of our greatest resources is our people. There’s an innate sense that part of our duty as humans is to work,” said Hoffman, a Casady School graduate who earned an MBA degree from Arizona State University. “Work is part of a life well-lived. It’s how we were raised.”

Like most people, Oklahomans “want some time to play and to take vacations and holidays,” he said. “But work is ingrained in almost everyone I know.”

“For years we read headlines claiming that nobody wanted to work anymore,” Roach noted. “What we’re seeing now is headlines reporting that people are working and we have a strong economy.”

“Because of the nature of our population and our relatively low cost of living,” he said, “we are a good

place for people to work, to center or expand their operations or to establish one,” said Hoffman, a private investor who has helped build several companies.

Despite a slump in the oil and gas industry, Oklahoma has relatively low unemployment, “which indicates we’re doing better at diversifying our economy,” Roach said. “And that’s a good thing. We don’t want all of our economic eggs in one basket.” State business leaders are optimistic about Oklahoma’s business and economic future but remain concerned about workforce availability.

The continued concern for workforce was a key finding of the 2023 Oklahoma Business Leaders Poll, a resource that provides timely and comprehensive insight into the thoughts and opinions of the state’s business community.

• 70% of the business leaders surveyed said

Oklahoma City Philharmonic celebrates Oklahoma!

By Mark Beutler Director, Marketing and Public Relations OKCPHIL

As the Oklahoma City Philharmonic prepares for its 35th season, the mission remains clear--providing joy and inspiration to the community through orchestral music.

The OKCPHIL has undergone some leadership changes recently, with each change making the organization stronger.

Brent Hart accepted the role of Executive Director earlier this year, after having led the organization through the pandemic and serving two terms as President of the Board of Directors. Following Hart as Board President was Jane Jayroe-Gamble, who completes her term June 30.

“Jane has been deeply involved during her tenure on the board,” Hart said. “The OKCPHIL has benefitted tremendously from her ability to ask the right questions, plan meticulously, push the organization artistically, and encourage support for our programs and performances.”

A major role of the board members is to be an advocate for the OKCPHIL in the community.

“Jane has been an exemplary volunteer,” Hart added. “Her powerful advocacy and vocal support have connected the OKCPHIL to groups and individuals across Oklahoma City.”

Jayroe-Gamble was nominated, along with OKCPHIL Music Director Alexander Mickelthwate, as one of OKC Friday’s “Most Powerful.”

They have helped create a buzz-worthy organization, building on the successes laid by Founder and Music Director Emeritus Joel Levine.

Going forward, the OKCPHIL opens its 35th season Sept. 9 with a concert of allTchaikovsky. Other programs in the Inasmuch Foundation Classics Series include the music of Rachmaninoff, Bach & Brahms, as well as Respighi’s beautiful “Pines of Rome.”

The Chickasaw Nation Pops Series begins Nov. 3 with music from the movies in “From Chinatown to La La Land.” The group Take 6 headlines “A Very Merry Pops,” with special guest Sandi Patty. Other programs include “An Evening with Bernadette Peters,” as the legendary entertainer performs with the OKCPHIL.

“Like Jane, Alexander

is an incredible ambassador for the OKCPHIL in the community,” Hart said. “His creative drive and passion for musical storytelling is contagious and audiences rally behind his ideas.”

Last season saw an increase of crowd sizes, with enthusiastic audiences coming back and embracing the magic of live music from the OKCPHIL. This season, the organization hopes to see the Civic Center Music Hall at capacity as more Oklahomans discover—or perhaps rediscover—the electricity that comes from a live performance.

“Alexander connects our orchestra with our community and state, and this is apparent in the telling of Oklahoma’s stories in his programming,” Hart said.

“The musical reflections on our unique past provide opportunities for celebration, reflection

and unity around our shared history.”

More information on the Oklahoma City Philharmonic, it’s concerts and programs can be found at OKCPHIL.org.

Oklahoma’s economy is heading in the right direction.

• 44% said education and a qualified workforce remain their top concerns.

Roundtable and the State Chamber Research Foundation collaborated on the third annual poll, gathering business leaders’ sentiments and concerns on a range of business-related issues.

“And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.”

John 8:32 (quoting Jesus). The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” – Edmund Burke paraphrase, 1767. If you want it in the paper, it’s advertising. If you don’t want it in the paper, it’s news.”

Ancient Chinese Proverb

“Without, or with, offense to friends or foes, We sketch your world exactly as it goes.”

– Byron, 1818.

“Every violation of truth is a stab at the health of human society.”

– Ralph Waldo Emerson, 1878.

“We must always stand – alone if necessary – as the conscience of this community.”

– J. Leland Gourley, 1959.

What

it takes to make the Most Powerful List

Wealth alone will not get you there. There are many rich Oklahomans, who are never even nominated for the top 100 on the ballot. Some inherited it. Some made it with their business acumen.

No, the secret to receiving votes from the civic, government and business leaders who receive the ballots is GIVING.

Using your time and/or your treasure to improve life in the state and for its citizens earns you respect and admiration.

Some seek political office or nonprofit work. Not exactly a get-rich-quick scheme. They have a passion for people or animals. They see inequity in the lives

of our citizens and want to do what they can to alleviate it.

Others on the list are rich, but instead of gathering up their fortune and moving away, as many of our wealthiest oil families did, these people stay involved in Oklahoma, when they obviously have

Dear Wise Elder: Your readers should know how my neighbor and I look out for each other. She lives across the street and we have a long-standing agreement to watch for nefarious strangers and to help each other personally. She is older and doesn’t have family nearby so long ago she gave me a key to her home. Each morning she has agreed to open her blinds which tells me she is up and doing well. If the blinds don’t open by 8:00 am, I know to take the key and open her door to check on her. I have a list of her medications, a copy of her Advance

other options.

Mayor David Holt is the son of a school teacher and a social worker. Clay Bennett, you have united us with “Thunder.”

Both of them devote their lives to creating a great place to live.

Governor Kevin Stitt is wealthy. Governor Anoatubby, your brains and compassion are unmatched.

Tricia Everest and Sue Ann Arnall, your concern for others is unparalleled.

Larry Nichols and David Rainbolt, thanks for investing in so many social service agencies.

Cheers to the Top 50!

Directive and a list of her grown children’s contact information. Conversely, my neighbor has a key and the same information on my husband and me. We are neighbors helping neighbors protecting each other against costly isolation.

Dear Good Neighbor: It is heartening to hear of friendly neighbors who trust each other for a better life. It is encouraging for others of every age to see and follow your example.

- Courtesy VillagesOKC, www.VillagesOKC.org

(405) 990 6637

You can have your ad here! $20 a week. Call (405) 755-3311 for details.

if they don’t take our advice, it’s not our fault. EMAIL

Jones PR proves again that Oklahoma has amazing talent!

The Public Relations Society of America honored Oklahoma’s creativity and innovative talent in New York City at the National Silver Anvil Awards with three big wins for the 988 Mental Health Lifeline campaign.

Launched by the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, the 988 Mental Health Lifeline campaign was developed and implemented by Jones PR and Insight Creative Group. The Silver Anvil Awards are the most prestigious honors for outstanding public relations, creativity and resultdriven campaign.

The 988 campaign won in three categories, receiving the Silver Anvil highest honor in the Integrated Communications category, and two Awards of Excellence in Public Service and Community Relations categories.

The campaign was designed to raise awareness and shift the stigma from seeking professional mental health support with a bright, vibrant brand and bold messaging that quickly captures a person’s attention.

“When Oklahomans are recog-

nized on the same stage as large global agencies, such as Edelman, it proves my belief that Oklahoma talent is as great as can be found anywhere. Geography does not matter,” said Brenda Jones Barwick, APR, president and CEO of Jones PR.

The successful execution of the campaign is attributed to the exceptional team at Jones PR, its partner agency ICG and the client, the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. Leading Jones PR’s account team are Taylor Ketchum, APR, Vice President; Ashley Glass, Senior Account Executive; and Addie Maze, Account Coordinator.

“We are very proud of the hard work done by everyone to redefine mental health care, empower individuals and build a brighter future for mental wellness in our great state," said Heath Hayes, Chief of Communications and Strategic Engagement at the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.

For more information on the 988 Oklahoma Mental Health Lifeline, visit www.988oklahoma.com.

Brenda Barwick and Ashley Glass with PRSA Silver Anvil Awards June 2023.

Law to help limit warrants Accelerate business growth with managed cloud services

There are roughly 46,000 active warrants in Oklahoma County, according to the Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office. Once a warrant is issued police are required to arrest that person and take them to jail, but many warrants for low-level offenses remain in the system waiting on a chance encounter with law enforcement. Having a warrant does not necessarily mean that someone is a threat to public safety. They are often issued because there’s unfinished business with the court. Forgetting to pay a traffic ticket in a timely manner and missing the court date would result in a warrant being issued for failure to appear. This also adds a second misdemeanor charge on top of the ticket.

It is unlikely that police would track anyone down for a low-level offense like a traffic ticket and the court has no system or process to

inform people when a warrant has been issued. Many people may not even know they have a warrant.

In some states, like Indiana, warrants for certain misdemeanor offenses expire after three years. Warrants in Oklahoma never expire, creating a substantial backlog. In Oklahoma County 27,890 warrants in the system were issued before the OKC Thunder played their first game in the Ford Center in 2008 and they’re still active. Some warrants are so old that the case information isn’t even available digitally.

HB 2259, which will go into effect in November, helps by creating a new process that will limit the number of cost-related warrants, but that only accounts for a small fraction of the total warrants issued. To learn more about this issue and what to do if you have a warrant, visit www.arnallfamilyfoundation.org/ warrants.

The adoption of cloud computing by small businesses is continuing to soar in popularity.

With its low upfront cost -- and benefits that can include increased efficiency, anywhere access, improved cash flow, improved redundancy and back-up, and enhanced data security -- it’s easy to understand why.

Cox Business offers a complete portfolio of services designed to make the management of IT simple and easy, so you can maximize ROI and stay focused on growing your business. Best of all, the local Cox Business account team that Oklahoma companies have relied on to support their traditional technology needs is the same team that’s qualified to create custom managed cloud solutions for your business.

There are many productive reasons why businesses are choosing the cloud over traditional ways of computing and data storage.

The Cloud is flexible and scalable

A key benefit of using the cloud is its scalability. With an on-

site data solution, you need to invest in physical servers, networking equipment, and software licenses to scale up your business. And once that investment is made, it’s hard to scale back. Many businesses leverage the cloud to manage their bandwidth requirements, because services can easily scale up or down based on user requirements.

Cloud services are also exceptionally flexible. They don’t tie your people to one location.

Any internet-enabled device, including laptops, smartphones, or notebooks can be used to access and share critical information and documents for strategic business decision-making.

The Cloud enhances data security

A major concern of every business, regardless of size and industry, is the security of its data. Data breaches and other cybercrimes can devastate a company’s revenue, customer loyalty and brand reputation. The cloud offers many advanced security features that ensure your data is securely stored and managed.

Features like permission-only access and specified log-on protocols can restrict sensitive data to specific employees, which reduces the chance of a breach by malicious actors.

Managed cloud providers implement baseline protections for platforms and data, such as authentication, access control, and encryption. Most businesses supplement these protections with added security protocols of their own to bolster cloud data protection and tighten access to sensitive information in the cloud.

The Cloud enables efficient team collaboration

Cloud computing can also enable significant efficiencies in work processes. The cloud allows collaboration on a much larger scale among employees within an organization, and it lets multiple users from different departments access required information.

With the cloud, businesses can overcome physical boundaries by enabling an infrastructure that can be accessed anywhere, anytime. This fosters better collaboration among remote work teams and contributes to business growth. When businesses combine cloud technology with managed services, they can share information efficiency, prevent human error, and speed up the decision-making. This helps you boost productivity by focusing on the core tasks that matter most.

The Cloud is cost-effective

Scaling up an onpremises infrastructure can be expensive. It requires additional investment in hardware, network equipment, software licenses and in-house technicians. When you factor in maintenance and installation costs, it can get extremely pricey. Also, on-site servers are generally more prone to physical damages

See CLOUD, Page 11

CLOUD

From Page 10

from disasters like tornados, floods, and fire.

By moving to the cloud, you virtually eliminate the investment that’s required for on-site redundant infrastructure.

The Cloud offers proven-reliable technology

Cloud computing technology has been around nearly 20 years. By 2025, half of all business IT spending will be for cloud computing.

With a managed cloud solution, your digital resources remain safe and secure, and are accessible anytime and anywhere. Your IT infrastructure performs

reliably and as expected, and the system can seamlessly scale up or down to accommodate business needs without suffering a loss in performance.

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46. TOMMIE JOHNSON, III Sheriff, Oklahoma County

49. MARY B. POINTER Senior V.P., Frontier State Bank

50. LEE SYMCOX President, CEO, First Fidelity Bank

46. KIM GARRETT FUNK Founder, CVO, Palomar

48. ED MARTIN Chairman, Ackerman-McQueen

47. VALERIE NAIFEH Owner, Naifeh Fine Jewelry

Celebrating Nonprofits

Nonprofits see support from the community

By Rose Lane Editor

As nonprofits are pursuing their mission to help others in the community, people and organizations are stepping up to serve them with their time and treasure.

Many nonprofits are reporting that demand for their services is growing.

Upward Transitions has served the Oklahoma City community since 1925.

Its Community Outreach Program provides emergency relief, case management and direct services to address the issues of homelessness and families facing eviction. These services and financial bridges are effective at removing barriers to obtaining or preserving housing and moving people beyond their immediate crisis.

Upward Transitions uses a strengths-based case management model in which case managers focus on empowering clients and

Debby Hampton to retire from United Way

their families and encourage the clients to take the lead in identifying their own needs.

“The demand for our services has continued to grow over the past few years,” explained

Periann Pulliam, Upward Transitions

CEO. “We are so grateful to our local foundations who recognize the importance of our work and provide funding to help us answer to demand for our services.”

In fiscal year 2022, July 1, 2021-June 30, 2022, Upward Transitions served more than 3,300 individuals in 2,200 households and anticipates serving more than 4,000 individuals in 2,600 households by the end of this fiscal year.

A grant from the Inasmuch Foundation helped fund an additional case manager to provide homeless services in 2023. In 2024, a grant from the Arnall Community Fund at Oklahoma City Community Foundation allows Upward Transi-

Debby Hampton announced that she will retire as resident and CEO of the United Way of Central Oklahoma after 13 years. The announcement was made at the quarterly board meeting held at the United Way Headquarters.

“We are incredibly grateful for her outstanding service and leadership as the 12th President and CEO of the United Way of Central Oklahoma,” Shane Wharton, chairman of the board, said.

Wharton also said that he would appoint a search committee which would begin the process for selecting a new president and CEO. Additionally, he mentioned that Hampton has graciously offered to remain in her position during

tions to add an additional homeless prevention case manager to provide rent assistance to 200 additional families in 2024.

Erin Engelke, executive director of Calm Waters, said also more and more people are seeking out its services.

“Calm Waters is Oklahoma City’s only grief center and for over 31 years, we have been honored to serve this community, providing desperately needed

See NONPROFITS, Page 10

the search process and hiring transition, an offer that was gratefully accepted.

Wharton congratulated Hampton on her remarkable leadership over the past 13 years.

“Debby has set a high standard and while it will be a challenge to find her successor, we appreciate all she has done to ensure United Way’s continued work in meeting the needs of the most vulnerable in our community,” he said.

Hampton joined the United Way of Central Oklahoma as president and chief executive officer in 2010. During her tenure at United Way, over $278 million has been raised to support disaster relief and programs of non-profit partner agencies providing health and human services in Central Oklahoma.

Prior to her appointment at the United Way of Central Oklahoma, Debby served as See HAMPTON, Page B2

Under the Big Top was a carnival fundraiser for Calm Waters, which is dedicated to helping children and families in their grief journey after a death, divorce or other significant loss. Jayma Haney, Calm Waters Founder Charlotte Lankard and Sondra Woodruff. The organization came to be in 1992 when Woodruff called Lankard and said she needed grief support for her son Jason.

DEBBY HAMPTON

HAMPTON

From Page B1

president and chief executive officer of the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits for four years. Debby spent 16 years with the American Red Cross of Central Oklahoma, serving the latter four years as Chief Executive Officer.

A graduate of the University of Oklahoma, Hampton has also completed course work at Harvard Busi-

In the Groove

Possibilities, Inc. hosts a dance party fundraiser, In the Groove. Above: Julie Nieman, Committee Chairman Gena Timberman and Julie Blatt. At left: Possibilities Executive Director Byron Jackson presents Rufus Howard the Champion 4 Change Award from the organization.

ness School, as well as a year-long curriculum of the United Way Worldwide’s Executive Leadership program. Hampton currently serves on the United Way Worldwide US Membership Accountability Committee and the United Way Worldwide National Presidents’ Roundtable.

The United Way of Central Oklahoma supports more than 100 health and human service programs at 70plus Partner Agencies in central Oklahoma, Canadian and Logan counties.

- Photos by Rose Lane

United Way: Sharing compassion for 100 years

By Debby Hampton President and CEO United Way of Central Oklahoma

A century of lifting our neighbors up when they needed it the most. A century of compassion.

United Way of Central Oklahoma has been there through it all. And so have you — sharing compassion with our community, just like the ones before you and who will continue after you.

In the 1900s, America began seeing the rise of Community Chests, umbrella organizations that allowed people to give to charitable efforts through a singular campaign. Oklahoma City jumped on board, adopting its Community Chest in 1923 with 12 Partner Agencies — five of those initial agencies have remained with us today: Boy Scouts of America - The Last Frontier, The Salvation Army - Central Oklahoma Area Command, Sunbeam Family Services, YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City, and YWCA Oklahoma City.

Our story leaped off the page from there. From disasters to a pandemic, UWCO has remained a strong pillar in the community, and we are able to do so on a foundation of loyal supporters.

In the wake of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building bombing, UWCO and its Partner Agencies committed more than $1.8 million to disaster relief. The Oklahoma Standard continued to shine when the May 2013 tornadoes hit. UWCO raised $20.2 million in relief efforts alone. Combined with the UWCO Annual Campaign, the total raised for 2013 was a record-breaking $42.2 million.

Throughout the span of 100 years, UWCO has raised more than $700 million for our community. No matter what the circumstance, UWCO will continue to rise to the challenge for generations to come.

On behalf of UWCO’s Board of Directors and Trustees, Partner Agencies, volunteers and staff, thank you for sharing compassion for 100 years.

Then United Way of Central Oklahoma Board Chairman Sherri Nance raises a toast to the organization’s successful 2022 Campaign.

CASADY SCHOOL

Potrait

of a Graduate represents student’s journey

Over its more than 75 year-history Casady School has instilled in its graduates the educational and social skills that allow them to use their potential to make a difference in their community and beyond. Casady School’s Portrait of a Graduate represents the Casady student’s journey.

A journey that helps students thrive with a life of balance, purpose and joy. They find their balance learning the value of working together inside and outside the classroom. They find their own personal purpose that gives them joy they share with the world.

In 1947, Casady School’s founders envisioned a school focused on children’s intellectual growth, physical health and spiritual formation. Small classes and personal attention from faculty cultivate the students’ intellectual life, a healthy sense of competition improves their physical prowess and religious instruction deepens their understanding of spiritual reality.

Today, in the same educational tradition as its founders, the School follows the Strategic Academic Plan that drives its pedagogy, which focuses on:

● Student Wellness

● Student Engagement

● Durable Learning

● Skills and Knowledge

● Community Engagement

All programming is based on these pillars and through the lens of the School’s Portrait of a Graduate:

● I Honor

● I Learn

● I Engage

● I Innovate

● I Service

● I Thrive

Casady School strives to present an affordable education for highly motivated students throughout the Oklahoma City area, while recognizing that the financial investment may be a significant expense for many families. Thanks to robust scholarships, payment plans, and need-based financial aid, qualified students should not be deterred from applying to Casady for financial reasons.

Annually, the school awards more than $1.5 million in financial aid to approximately 26 percent of the student population.

For 76 years, the Mission of Casady School has held firm. We prepare the citizens of tomorrow to succeed, think for themselves, act with compassion, and live lives of balance, purpose, and joy.

At Casady School small classes and personal attention from faculty cultivate the students’ intellectual life, a healthy sense of competition improves their physical prowess and religious instruction deepens their understanding of spiritual reality.

Through Knights in Service, kids help to make the community a better place

Christ the King Catholic Church is in its 13th year of Knights in Service, a weeklong summer program for junior high students that focuses on group community service projects.

Nearly 50 students in sixth through eighth grade participated during the first week of June. Students will have another opportunity to serve their community in late July.

Students assisted with various activities at non-profit organizations including the Regional Food Bank, GOLD (Gospel of Life Disciples), Feed the Children, HOPE Center, Catholic Charities, and Pepper's Ranch. They assembled food packs, played games with the elderly, cleaned up garden beds and landscaping, sorted clothing donations and organized community pantries. The week ended with a fun day at Frontier City for a job well done.

“I’m so proud of our young people for taking time out of their sum-

mer to spend it serving others,” said Fr. Rex Arnold, pastor of Christ the King. “Loving others by doing acts of service honors God. Knights in Service is an outstanding way for young people to experience great love through serving those who cannot repay them.”

Knights in Service is a function of the parish's Youth Ministry division. Youth Ministry is a great tool for students to build community with each other and grow closer to Christ. Focusing on empowerment, participation and growth, Christ the King's Youth Ministry program strives to respond to the present and real needs of Catholic youth as they learn to grow in faith, fellowship and the serving of community.

Experiences through activities like Knights in Service help foster a lifelong call to service, allowing students to discover how their time, talent and treasure can build up the church and make our world a better place.

Knights in Service is a function of Christ the King’s Youth Ministry division.

(Published in OKC Friday, Friday, June 23, 2023; Friday, June 30, 2023)

IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF OKLAHOMA COUNTY STATE OF OKLAHOMA Case Mo. PB-2023-618

IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE) OF KATHRYN SUE BROAD,) Deceased)

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

To the Creditors of Kathryn Sue Broad, Deceased:

All creditors having claims against Kathryn Sue Broad, Deceased, are required to present the same with a description of all security interests and other collateral, (if any), held by each creditor with respect to such claim, Jennifer A. Broad, Personal Representative, 1000 NW 21st St. Apt. 3, Oklahoma City, OK 73106 on or before the following presentment date: August 14, 2023, or the same will be forever barred.

DATED this 12 day of June, 2023.

/s/Jennifer A. Broad Personal Representative (Published in OKC Friday, Friday, June 23, 2023; Friday, June 30, 2023)

IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF OKLAHOMA COUNTY STATE OF OKLAHOMA Case No. PB-1993-56

IN THE MATTER OF THE) ESTATE) OF JIMMIE B. JEFFERSON,) a/k/a JIMMY B. JEFFERSON,) FB CHOCTAW, deceased.)

ORDER FOR AND NOTICE OF HEARING

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED AND NOTICE IS HEREBY given that the duly appointed and qualified personal representative of the above captioned estate has filed in this Court a final account and report of the administration, of said estate and a petition for final settlement, approval of attorney’s fees, distribution, and discharge. Hearing of the same has been fixed by the Judge of the Court on the 11 day of July, 2023, at 9:00 o’clock A.M. in Courtroom No. 223 before the Honorable Thomas Riesen, Judge of the District Court, at the Oklahoma County Courthouse in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, when and where all persons interested may appear and contest the same.

Dated this 7 day of June, 2023.

THOMAS C. RIESEN

JUDGE OF THE DISTRICT COURT RICK WARREN, Court Clerk

By /s/Teresa Becker Deputy (SEAL)

Peary L. Robertson, OBA #22895 ROBERTSON LAW OFFICE, PLLC

P.O. Box 74818

Tel: 405-382-7300

Fax: 405-382-2887

Attorney Personal Representative

(Published in OKC Friday, Friday, June 30, 2023; Friday, July 7, 2023)

IN THE

NEED HELP WITH YOUR RETIREMENT PLAN?

If you have questions about your pension, 401(k) or profit sharing plan, call the South Central Pension Rights Project at (800) 443-2528 to get free legal advice. Funded by the U.S. Administration on Aging, SCPRP staff provides free legal assistance to anyone with a question about their retirement plan. CALL

RICK WARREN, Court Clerk /s/Diane Watson By: DEPUTY (SEAL)

(Published in OKC Friday, Friday, June 30, 2023) DISTRICT COURT OF OKLAHOMA COUNTY STATE OF OKLAHOMA

CV-2023-1424

In Re: The Name of:)

Joshua Lynn)

NOTICE OF HEARING ON CHANGE ON PETITION TO CHANGE NAME

TO: All interested parties. Take notice that Joshua Gage Lynn has petitioned to change his/her name to Joshua Gage Feltz. A Hearing on said petition is set for 2:30 o’clock P.M. on the 20 day of July, 2023, before Judge Don Andrews at 2:30 o’clock in courtroom 359 at the Oklahoma County Courthouse. Should you know of some reason why this change of name should not be allowed you must file a written protest in the above styled and numbered cause prior to the above date with the Clerk of this Court. Should you fail to do so, the petition for change of name will be granted as prayed.

RICK WARREN, Court Clerk /s/Ashleigh Ball By: DEPUTY (SEAL)

(Published in OKC Friday, Friday, June 30, 2023)

DISTRICT COURT OF OKLAHOMA COUNTY STATE OF OKLAHOMA

CV-2023-1416

IN RE: The name of:) Bruce Fisher)

NOTICE OF HEARING ON CHANGE ON PETITION TO CHANGE NAME

TO: All interested parties. Take notice that Bruce Fisher has petitioned to change his/her name to Bruce Michael Barnes. A Hearing on said petition is set for 11:00 o’clock A.M. on the 20 day of July, 2023, before Judge Timmons in his/her courtroom in the Oklahoma County Courthouse. Should you know of some reason why this change of name should not be allowed you must file a written protest in the above styled and numbered cause prior to the above date with the Clerk of this Court. Should you fail to do so, the petition for change of name will be granted as prayed.

RICK WARREN, Court Clerk /s/Teresa Becker By: DEPUTY (SEAL)

(Published in OKC Friday, Friday, June 30, 2023) DISTRICT COURT OF OKLAHOMA COUNTY STATE OF OKLAHOMA CV-2023-1384

IN RE: The name of:) Payton Phillip Miner)

NOTICE OF HEARING ON CHANGE ON PETITION TO CHANGE NAME

TO: All interested parties. Take notice that Payton Phillip Miner has petitioned to change his/her name to Payton Phillip Hatcher. A Hearing on said petition is set for 1:30 o’clock P.M. on the 20 day of July, 2023, before Judge Stinson in his/her courtroom in the Oklahoma County Courthouse. Should you know of some reason why this change of name should not be allowed you must file a written protest in the above styled and numbered cause prior to the above date with the Clerk of this Court. Should you fail to do so, the petition for change of name will be granted as prayed.

RICK WARREN, Court Clerk /s/Teresa Becker By: DEPUTY (SEAL)

(Published

(Published

(Published in OKC Friday, Friday, June 23, 2023; Friday, June 30, 2023)

OKLAHOMA ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LAWS

County} Danny Du, Plaintiff vs. Trinh Thi Mong (aka Trinh Thi Mong Hoang), Defendant The State of Oklahoma to the said Defendant, Greeting: You, the said defendant, will take notice that you have been sued in the above named Court in the above named and numbered cause for a divorce on the grounds of incompatibility and you must answer Plaintiff’s petition filed herein on or before the 3 day of August 2023, or said petition will be taken as true and judgment for said Plaintiff will be rendered against you according to prayer of Plaintiff’s petition.

RICK WARREN, Court Clerk

/s/J.Peek, Deputy Clerk (SEAL)

(Published in OKC Friday, Friday, June 23, 2023; Friday, June 30, 2023; Friday, July 7, 2023)

IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF OKLAHOMA COUNTY STATE OF OKLAHOMA Case No. FD-2023-897

IN RE THE MARRIAGE OF:

Kishore Kukkamudi,) Petitioner,) and) Sena Ruth Kukkamudi,) Respondent.)

NOTICE BY PUBLICATION

THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA TO THE ABOVE NAMED

Respondent: Sena Ruth Kukkamudi

GREETINGS: You will take notice that you have been sued in the above names Court by the above petitioner, for a Dissolution of Marriage on the grounds of incompatibility and that unless you answer the petition filed by the petitioner in said Court on or before the 2 day of August, 2023, said Petition will be taken as true and judgement granting to the petitioner a Dissolution of Marriage, annulling, canceling, setting aside and holding for naught the marriage contract with you and for other relief and orders rendered according to the prayer thereof.

WITNESS my hand and the seal of said Court this 15 day of June, 2023.

/s/ Kishore Kukkamudi Notary:

/s/Jovanna

ENFORCEMENT COMMISSION

NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR AN ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSE

In accordance with Title 37, Section 522 and Title 37A, Section 2-141

Kickingbird Cinema LLC, 1400 Pile St. Clovis, NM 88101, DBA Icon Cinemas Edmond an LLC hereby publishes notice of its intention to apply within sixty days from this date to the Oklahoma Alcoholic Beverage Laws Enforcement Commission for a Beer and Wine License under authority of and in compliance with the said Act: That it intend(s), if granted such license to operate as an Beer and Wine establishment with business premises located at 1225 E. Danforth Rd. in Edmond, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma, under the business name of Icon Cinemas VIP Seating.

Dated this 13 day of June, 2023.

/s/Edwin Snell County of Oklahoma, State of Oklahoma.

Before me, the undersigned notary public, personally appeared: Edwin Matthew Snell to me known to be the person(s) described in and who executed the foregoing application and acknowledged that he executed the same as his free act and deed.

/s/Jennifer Clark, Notary Public (SEAL) State of Oklahoma #13007871

My commission expires 08/27/2025

Recent OU Graduate Earns National Honor

A recent University of Oklahoma graduate has been named as the 2022 Dow Jones News Fund Edward Trayes Scholar.

Francisco Gutierrez, a former professional writing and political science double major, was chosen as the 19th Edward Trayes Scholar. He was chosen out of 12 interns who completed Dr. Ed Trayes’ editor bootcamp at Temple University.

Gutierrez is the first graduate from OU to receive the award.

Gutierrez was a 2022 Dow Jones News Fund editing intern for the New York Times and worked for the OU Daily copy desk

throughout his time at OU.

It is great to see Francisco receive such an incredible national accolade,” said Dr. David Surratt, Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students. “I had the privilege of getting to know Francisco while he was a student here and I am looking forward to seeing what he achieves in the future. This award also shows the great work done within Student Media here at the university.”

Gutierrez’s work ethic was one of the main determining factors for this award.

“Francisco did an outstanding job during

the 2022 multiplatform editing residency at Temple,” said Trayes in the Dow Jones News Fund release. “Repeatedly he demonstrated the qualities one looks for in one who aspires to focus on the editing side of journalism. He respects the editing process and its importance. He sees the many ways effective desk operations contribute to stronger print and online publications. Francisco is very much about quality journalism at all levels.”

Since 1968, Trayes has directed more than 65 editing residency programs at Temple University for the News Fund, teaching

Award-winning conductor, Julie Yu, to lead innovative choral partnership with Canterbury Voices, Oklahoma City University

Dr. Julie Yu is returning to Oklahoma to accept the joint leadership position of director of choral activities at the Wanda L. Bass School of Music at Oklahoma City University and artistic director of Canterbury Voices, Oklahoma’s premiere symphony chorus. “Canterbury Voices cannot wait to welcome Dr. Julie Yu to Oklahoma City,” says Pam Mowry, Canterbury Voices Executive Director. “She is a powerhouse conductor, nationally celebrated in choral music and music education. With Julie's hiring, we are poised to continue our commitment to excellence in choral music well into the future!”

Yu succeeds Dr. Randi Von Ellefson, who is retiring after 19 seasons as leader of the unique part-

nership. This innovative collaboration between Canterbury and OCU is committed to the shared vision to create a national center for choral excellence in Oklahoma City, headquarters for the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA). “I am elated that Julie Yu will be leading the choral program at Oklahoma City University” says Dr. Mark Parker, Dean of the Wanda L. Bass School of Music.

“Together with our good partners Canterbury Voices, we have brought one of the nation's finest choral directors to Oklahoma City. I know that she will create performances that will inspire, enrich, and impact us all.”

Her appointment is effective July 1, 2023.

the art of editing, news judgement, geography, Associated Press style and more.

“He makes every story he touches better,” said Seth Prince, director of OU Student Media and OU Daily faculty adviser, in the release. “In both Oklahoma and New York, he’s built lasting relationships because of his skills as a journalist as well as for his intentionality as a person.”

The honor comes with a $1,000 award and has been given out annually since 2004. Gutierrez has recently accepted a copy editor position at the Star Tribune in Minneapolis.

Which U.S. cities are most likely to give you the meat sweats?

To separate the top sirloins from the chuck roasts of BBQ scenes, LawnStarter ranked 2023’s Best BBQ Cities in America.

They compared the 200 biggest U.S. cities based on five categories and looked at access to tasty barbecue vendors, consumer ratings, competition awards and the number of barbecue festivals, among 20 total metrics.

2023’s

Locally-owned Business Directory

Debbie South RE/MAX Preferred 9520 N. May, Suite 110 Oklahoma City, OK 73120 Office: (405) 751-4848 debbiesouth.com

Full Circle Bookstore 1900 NW Expressway Oklahoma City, OK 73118 (405) 842-2900 (800) 683-READ

Swiss Cleaners @ Laundry 3737 NW 50th St. Oklahoma City, OK 73112 (405) 946-0629

Junior’s Supper Club 2601 NW Expressway Oil Center Building (405) 848-5597 juniorsokc.com

Boutique One 6478 Avondale Dr. Nichols Hill Plaza (405) 888-9822

boutiqueone.store

The Learning Tree 7638 N. Western Wilshire Village (405) 848-1415 learningtreeokc.com

Carwin’s Shave Shop 6411 Avondale Dr. Nichols Hills Plaza (405) 607-1197

carwinsshaveshop.com

Winter House 6411 Avondale Dr. Nichols Hills Plaza (405) 607-1199

winterhouseinteriors.com

International Wigs 4429 NW 10th St, . Oklahoma City, OK 73107 (405) 943-1233

Nancy Farha’s 9205 N. Pennsylvania Casady Square The Village, OK 73120 (405) 775-0404 nancyfarha.com

Journey Quilt Company T-shirt Quilts 16516 N. Penn Ave. Edmond OK 73012 (405) 340-0444 journeyquilts.com 23rd Street Antiques 3023 NW 23rd. (405) 947-3800 Oklahoma City, OK 73107 Antiques23.com

Concordia Life Plan Community 7707 W. Britton Rd. Oklahoma City, OK 73132 (405) 720-7200 concordiaseniorliving.com

Coyle Law Firm 125 Park Ave. No.100 Oklahoma City, OK 73102 (405) 583-3909 coylelaw.com

Gulfport Seafood Market 8016 N. May Ave. Oklahoma City, OK 73120 (405) 848-3468 Gulfportseafoods.com

Home Care Assistance of Oklahoma 323 S. Blackwelder Ave. Edmond, OK 73034 (405) 277-0035 homecareassistance.com

Moorman's Distinctive Carpets and Area Rugs 3835 NW 63rd St. Oklahoma City, OK 73116 (405) 848-4888 moormanscarpetsoklahoma city.com

Naifeh Fine Jewelry 6471 Avondale Dr,. Nichols Hills, OK 73116 (405) 607-4323 Naifehfinejewelry.com

Retirement Investment Advisors

2925 United Founders Blvd. Oklahoma City, OK 73112 (405) 842-3443 theretirementpath.com

Thrifty Pharmacy

10904 N. May Ave. L Oklahoma City, OK 73120 (405) 751-2852 230 S. Santa Fe Ave. Edmond OK 73003 thriftypharmacyedmond. com

State Farm Insurance Gary Baccus 16145 N. May Ave. Edmond, Ok 73013 (405) 844-6300 Garybaccus.com

Balliets 6443 Avondale Dr. Nichols Hills, OK 73116 (405) 848-7811 Balliets.com

BancFirst 6200 Waterford Blvd Oklahoma City, OK 73118 (405) 270-1622 Bancfirst.bank

Britton Feed & Seed 708 W. Britton Rd. Oklahoma City, OK 73114 (405) 842-5590 britton-feed-seed.hub.biz

First National Bank of Oklahoma 10900 Hefner Pointe Dr., No. 300 Oklahoma City, OK 73120 (405) 848-2001 fnbok.com

La Baguette Bistro 7408 N. May Ave. Oklahoma City, OK 73116 (405) 840-3047 labaguettebistro.com

McBride Orthopedic Clinic 9600 Broadway Ext. Oklahoma City, OK 73116 (405) 486-2530 mcboh.com

CK & Co. 6429 Avondale Dr. Oklahoma City, OK 73116 (405) 843-7636 ckandcompany.com

Quail Creek Bank 12201 N. May Ave. Oklahoma City, OK 73120 (405) 755-1000 quailcreek.bank

Covenant Brothers 5900 Mosteller Dr. No. 7 Oklahoma City, OK 73112 (405) 842-4671 covbros.com

Justin Beasley, DDS 4600 W Memorial Rd. Oklahoma City, OK 73142 (405) 755-5400 drbeasley.com

We Pay Fast 2239 NW 39th St. Oklahoma City, OK 73112 (800) 937-2932 wepayfast.com

Cindi Shelby, Stylist Lela Rose & Pearl by Lela Rose 333 W. Wilshire Blvd., Ste. F Oklahoma City, OK 73116 (405) 830-1138 Quail Plaza Barber Shop 10940 N. May Ave. Oklahoma City, OK 73120 (495) 751-2126

All About Travel, Ltd. 6104 Northwest 63 Oklahoma City, OK 73132 (405) 384-3880 www.allabout-travel.com

Papa Dios 10712 N May, Suite D Oklahoma City, OK 73120 (405) 755-2255 papadiosokc.com

Deer Clan Books 3905 N. College Ave. Bethany, OK 73008 (405) 495-9005 deerclanbooks@gmail.com

J. Holland Photography 1130 W. 15th St. Edmond, OK 73013 (405) 341-5088 jhollandphotography.com

First Liberty Bank 9601 N. May Ave. Oklahoma City, OK 73120 (405) 608-4500 myfirstliberty.com

First Fidelity Bank 6404 Avondale, Oklahoma City, OK 73116 (405) 416-2222 Website: ffb.com

Denner Roofing Co. LLC 6608 N. Western Ave. Oklahoma City, OK 73116 (405) 848-4411 dennerroofing.com

Beef Jerky Emporium 810 W Danforth (next to Hobby Lobby) Edmond, OK (405) 359-8200

First Source Real Estate Residential Sales 12020 N. Penn Ave. Oklahoma City, OK 73120 (405) 236-4747

405-755-3311

Michael Biddinger Real Estate Commercial Sales, Management 12020 N. Penn Ave. OKC, OK 73120 (405) 236-4747

The Adult Clinic at Hearts for Hearing 11500 N. Portland Ave. OKC, OK 73120 (405) 548-4335

Christian Science Reading Room 6490 Avondale Drive (Nichols Hills Plaza North) Nichols Hills, OK 73116 405 843-5334 christianscienceokc.org

Steam It Klean It LLC Carpet Cleaning PO Box 20232 Oklahoma City, OK 73156 (405) 602-4960

Steamitkleanit@gmail.com

Amy Wade & Co. Real Estate Team Amy Wade - Listing Specialist 3000 E. Britton Rd. (405)605-9195 AmyWadeandCo.com

Locally-owned business listings are only $25 a month. Email rose@okcfriday. com for more information.

Limbs for Life raises $20,000 for patient care

The Limbs for Life Foundation held its second annual “No Limitations” pickleball tournament last month at Chicken ‘N Pickle in OKC.

Thanks to the participation of 36 teams, Limbs for Life raised a net profit of $20,000 for the organization, which goes to fund prosthetic patients immediately.

Limbs for Life is a global nonprofit organization dedicated to providing fully-functional prosthetic care for individuals who cannot otherwise afford it and raising awareness of the challenges facing amputees.

For information, visit limbsforlife.org.

How to help student-athletes balance academics, athletics

Student-athletes typically have a lot on their plates. Managing multiple priorities at once can overwhelm anyone, especially young student-athletes without much experience handling such a juggling act.

As they prepare for a new school year, student-athletes can consider these strategies as they try to do their best in the classroom and on the playing fields.

• Practice time management over the summer. Over the course of summer break, create a schedule of activities and allot a certain

amount of time to devote to each.

• Take steps to avoid burnout. Work with parents, coaches and school staff, including a nutritionist if one works for the school’s athletic department, to devise a meal plan that will help to energize the body and reduce injury risk. In addition, follow a consistent sleep schedule that helps to overcome mental and physical fatigue.

• Avoid distractions. Smartphones ensure distractions are never too far away, but student-athletes can

take a proactive approach and turn off app notifications once a new school year and season begins.

• Set academic and athletic goals. Goals can help athletes maintain their motivation, and a similar strategy can be employed in the classroom. Parents and student-athletes can meet with teachers to establish study goals to keep them striving toward academic achievement. Clearly defined goals can improve studentathletes’ focus, and that can make it easier to balance their responsibilities.

Sponsore Heather Mitchell, left, presents Geren Steiner with an award for his first-place finish in the novice division.

Limbs for Life pickleball tournament players included, from left, Jason Workman, Lisa Kloberdanz, News 9 anchor Karl Torp and Mike Nevard.

- Photos provided by Limbs for Life Foundation

Limbs for Life volunteer and participant Tyler Ryan.

Participants and sponsors Elizabeth and John Mathena along with Greg and Shelley Cantrell.

Rick McMullen and Chase Holderman claimed first place in the advanced division.

FOURTH

From Page 1

celebration of the nation’s independence.

Admission is free and guests are encouraged to come prepared with a blanket, lawn chair and other items of comfort to fully immerse in the performance. Oklahoma City Philharmonic tshirts, tote bags and copies of their latest CD are available for purchase.

In Nichols Hills, the 65th annual Fourth of July parade is set to start at 9 a.m. sharp on Tuesday, no matter the weather. A horn blast from the fire engine at Kite Park will start the morning, as participants can line up at the intersection of Huntington and Camden Way.

Participants take their cue from Uncle Sam, who plans to throw candy for children and families on decorated bikes, tricycles and baby strollers throughout the parade. Antique cars led by local police are next to join the party, as the parade goes through Nichols Hills and back to the park bandstand where celebrations resume.

“The public can expect to enjoy an event that is safe, familiar, patriotic, simple, relaxed and full of little surprises and delights,”

Parade Chairman Wiley Hugos said. “With such a setting I hope to once again engage in a beautiful public event that commemorates all of us as citizens of the United States of America.”

Awards are then given to the three best decorated and costumed participants after the Pledge of Allegiance.

Following this, the Nichols Hills Band, coming up on its 17th year in the parade, showcases some patriotic tunes by John Phillip Souza. Bob Clark plans to bring his pet python, making the Nichols Hills celebration the only one to include a huge snake. City

councilor Sody Clements is set to inform the community about upcoming events, public works projects and more.

Games, prizes and live music are all a part of the Nichols Hills Fourth of July festivities so people of all ages can celebrate America.

“My favorite part of the parade is the magic of an event that, from what I can tell, hasn't changed much since it started in 1947,” Wiley said. “I recall a few times that my dad led the parade in his car, pausing occasionally in order to rewind his mother's borrowed phonograph, stationed in the trunk, that played patriotic music.

“Some attending families are multigenerational, as in children, parents and grandparents. Friends see new and old friends, neighbors see neighbors, car buffs see car buffs and all see the big snake.”

Quail Creek has a plethora of celebratory activities for the fourth, including a fireworks show for members of the Quail Creek Golf and Country Club the night before, July 3. Doors open at 4 p.m. to reserve outdoor seats and entertainment starts at 5 p.m.

A kid's concert is set to last from 5-6 p.m. with the main concert starting at 8 p.m. Fireworks are planned to go off at dusk.

The next morning, a patriotic parade begins at 9:30 a.m. starting in the Quail Creek Golf and Country Club parking lot and ending in Quail Creek Park. Local Fire Station 15 plans on leading the parade, which brings the community together to celebrate for over 30 years now.

Children can take part in the kids parade at the park or join the rest of the neighborhood in the main parade. The streets are to be lined with flags along the park, where participants can snag a fresh treat with free watermelon.

Live music will follow with a performance of lively American tunes to keep everyone singing and dancing.

Rus Walker portrays Uncle Sam in patriotic fashion

By Annabella Potts Student Intern

When Russ Walker was asked by Parade Chairman Wylie Hugos to take on the honorable role of Uncle Sam for the Nichols Hills Fourth of July parade, he simply couldn’t say no.

In previous years, many suitors have worn the beard and striking red and blue get up to show pride in the creation of the United States of America. While celebrating our nation, the Nichols Hills parade is set to consist of antique and classic cars, decorated bikes, scooters, wagons and both children and adults decked out in costume.

“The best part of the Fourth of July Parade is all of the youngsters riding their bikes and receiving the candy which I throw to them from the fire truck on which I am riding,” Russ said.

While free candy is enough to bring any community together, Russ believes the Fourth of July festivities are another reason for the neighborhood to unite and celebrate love for our nation.

“I hope that the public will demonstrate their pride to be living in America and, in almost all cases, to be citizens of the United

States,” he said. “I hope that they expect the parade to inspire them to demonstrate that pride.”

Russ said patriotic events like these encourage people to look around and see how the rest of the parade participants

have pride in their American roots and that they should follow suit.

“I hope to continue as Uncle Sam for as long as I am able, and that the dry cleaner treats my Uncle Sam attire with respect,” he said.

Nichols Hills Parade Chairman Wiley Hugos with Uncle Sam, Russ Walker.

NONPROFITS

From Page C1

mental health services to children, teens and adults who have experienced traumatic loss due to death, divorce or other losses,” she said. “Over this past year, we have expanded our services to keep up with the overwhelming calls we continue to receive, adding a new Grief Counseling Clinic as well as free grief support groups to serve families affected by suicide and child loss.”

The organization also expanded to now provide the only programming in the Oklahoma County Detention Center, offering grief support groups to the men and women detained at the jail.

“We are serving more precious people today than ever and are grateful for the financial support of the community which allows us to provide hope and healing after tragic loss,” Engelke said.

Rachel Johnson, executive director of the Jewish Federation of OKC, called the state of her nonprofit “exciting.”

“We have a very diverse board of directors, varying in age and background and we are excited to see what will come from combining the historical knowledge of yesterday with the ideas and possibilities for tomorrow.

“Words cannot express our gratitude to our community for their support throughout the struggles of the pandemic,” Johnson said. “And with an aging community, our supporters have helped us keep our amazing programs going. Our programs add to the plethora of nonprofit organizations opportunities for the greater community to choose from.

“Working for nonprofit organizations we have the opportunity to really get to know the members of the communities we serve and it is truly an honor,” she said.

The Oklahoma Isreal Exchange’s

reach is outside the state’s boundaries. It has captured the pioneering spirit, shared values and parallel histories of Oklahoma and Israel, Executive Director Edie Roodman said.

“Both states reflect remarkable strength and resilience at their core and embrace a generosity that is unparalleled,” she said. “When tragedy strikes anywhere, the immediate response is to open hands and hearts to help those in distress.

“Israel may send teams of doctors in the dark of night to provide life-saving measures while Oklahoma may dispatch personnel on the ground to restore basic services.”

In their own unique yet parallel acts of compassion, Israel and Oklahoma perform tikkun olam, repair of the world, by returning light and spreading righteousness, Roodman said.

OKIE's experiential missions to Israel have been led by four Oklahoma governors, a lieutenant governor, the governor of the Chickasaw Nation, Oklahoma university presidents, and a host of lay and business leaders where “fruitful partnerships continue to be forged – particularly in areas of such importance as water conservation- and come to understand what we mean when we say ‘Oklahoma in my heart, Israel in my soul,’” Roodman said.

The reality that we are each one tragedy away from needing the services nonprofits provide, shows the “miraculous nature of our nation,” Byron Jackson, executive director of Possibilities, Inc. said. Possibilities works to develop authentic relationships and build bridges in the Oklahoma City community.

“To live in a country where so many reach out to help those suffering shows the heart of who we are,” Jackson said.

“Providing hope to the hopeless is the role of helpers in our nation.”

Inasmuch Foundation grantmaking surpasses founder Edith Kinney Gaylord’s original contribution

By Robert J. Ross Chairman and CEO, Inasmuch Foundation

Founded in 1982, Inasmuch Foundation is guided by a deep commitment to Edith Kinney Gaylord’s vision to benefit our community by inspiring change and advocating for Oklahoma’s most vulnerable children and families.

Encouraged by the foundation’s impact on the community over the past 40 years, we are inspired to continue her legacy of working together to create a better Oklahoma.

As of spring 2023, Inasmuch Foundation has distributed over $350 million in grant funding, marking a major milestone as we surpass Edith’s contribution to the foundation at her death in 2001. We are grateful for the careful investing and dedication of the board, committees and staff, who have grown the endowment to a current value of $550

million.

This inflection point is a cause for reflection and celebration as we think about some of the foundation’s most impactful grants in Central Oklahoma, including:

• In the early 2000s, Inasmuch Foundation partnered to bring Educare, a national learning network, to Oklahoma City and led the capital campaign for a state-of-theart facility in South OKC. Now operated by Sunbeam Family Services, this early care and education center served over 400 children in 2021-2022. The best practices of OKC Educare are exported to over 20 local childcare facilities, serving over 700 children and their families annually.

Utilizing a public/private partnership comprising Early Head Start, Head Start and Pre-K dollars, Inasmuch Foundation leveraged philanthropic and corporate donations to create the highest quality early ed center in

our community.

• Inasmuch Foundation led Lyric Theatre’s capital campaign with a $1.5 million grant for the Plaza Theatre renovation in 2005. Empty since 1979, the building and surrounding neighborhood were in disrepair at the time. Inasmuch Foundation’s grant was a catalyst in the transformation of the nowbustling Plaza District.

• In 2010, Inasmuch Foundation and the United Way of Central Oklahoma con-

vened a group of over 30 community leaders to address the rate at which Oklahoma incarcerates women and the trauma that occurs within a family when a mother goes to prison. From this conversation, ReMerge was born – this comprehensive diversion program has served nearly 200 mothers and their children and saved the State of Oklahoma more than $42 million in incarceration costs since its founding in 2011.

Edith Kinney Gaylord (left) and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt (right) on the evening of Edith’s appointment as president of the Women’s National Press Club in Washington, D.C., 1943

• Inasmuch Foundation’s close partnership with the Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communications at the University of Oklahoma has been instrumental to the college’s rise to the No. 2 overall college journalism program in the United States as ranked by the Broadcast Education Association in 2022.

To learn more about Inasmuch Foundation’s past, present, and future, visit inasmuchfoundation.org.

How Bill Hawley earned OMRF board’s highest honor

When the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation’s Board of Directors recently pondered presenting its first Distinguished Service Award in five years, the discussion was short.

award,” said OMRF Board Chair Len Cason, who nominated him.

BILL HAWLEY

“The executive committee strongly agreed that Dr. Bill Hawley is deserving of this

Hawley, a retired cardiovascular surgeon member of OMRF’s board since 2005, met all the requirements for the highest honor an OMRF director can receive, Cason said.

“It’s presented for years of service, loyalty, active participation and a passion for OMRF, and it’s only given in compelling circumstances.”

What set Hawley

apart, Cason said, were the countless hours he has spent as a patient advocate for members of the OMRF community in times of medical need. He has counseled OMRF scientists with serious health issues and often accompanied the late OMRF President Dr. Stephen Prescott to medical appointments when Prescott underwent his own cancer journey.

“Bill hears things that I don’t,” Prescott said then. “And he asks

questions that I might not.”

Even Cason himself has benefited from Hawley’s expertise, he said.

“I had a staph infection six years ago. Bill made sure I got the right care and was there when I had surgery,” Cason said.

Similarly, years before he became an OMRF director, Hawley was visiting another friend at St. Anthony Hospital when he was thrust into emergency

duty. His first of numerous surgical patients on April 19, 1995? Polly Nichols, the wife of his future fellow OMRF board member, Larry Nichols.

Polly suffered severe cuts to her throat and esophagus from glass shards following the Murrah Federal Building bombing. Today, she offers a concise description of the man who saved her life.

“Bill Hawley is an angel wrapped up as a person.”

OKC should be proud of rapid growth, low unemployment

By Mark Stonecipher OKC Councilman Ward 8

Oklahoma City is now the 20th largest city, and sixth fastest growing, in the United States. Additionally, Oklahoma City was recently voted one of the 20 best places to travel in the U.S. and the OKC Convention Center just reported that it will welcome approximately 230,000 visitors this year which is up 53,000 from the prior year.

This is clearly attributable to our growing mix of conventions, marquee sporting events and equine contests. While we should be very proud of our rapid growth and low unemployment, such growth demands that our city leaders remain

vigilant about expanding resources to keep our city safer.

Unfortunately, this task has become more difficult due to our current number of police officers. We have added less officers than we have lost over the past 10 years, and recent events including a pandemic and a “defund the police” narrative has made recruitment chal-

lenging. Despite those numbers, I am proud to say our OKC Police department has recently created one of the first Real Time Information Centers (“RTIC”).

Our new crime center uses a broad selection of current and evolving technologies to deal in real time with active crimes and to monitor high crime areas. With the owner’s consent, the OKC center also uses technology located at local businesses.

This fall we will be expanding the RTIC program by growing our partnerships with private businesses. Several of our council members, including myself, are advocating 24-hour RTIC operations. We will also continue to promote local business involvement to further reduce criminal

activity.

Finally, other cities have reported that the use of this evolving technology reduces personnel and maintenance costs, including fuel usage.

If you have questions or would like to be involved, please call my office at (405) 297-2569. Thanks!

Mark K. Stonecipher is the Oklahoma City Councilman for Ward 8, which is in northwest Oklahoma City. He was first elected to the council in 2015, has served as vice-mayor twice, and currently serves as vice-chair of the Water and Utilities Trust, chair of the Judiciary Committee and serves a member of the Economic Development Trust, Riverfront Authority, Redevelopment Authority, the Civic Center Foundation, and Sister Cities.

DR.

MARK STONECIPHER

PERRIN DUNCAN Special Projects Manager Arnall Family Foundation Page

ALLY GLAVAS OLSON President Candor Page C5

KYLE IMPSON Director of Community Development Chickasaw Nation Page C5

RACHEL JOHNSON Executive Director Jewish Federation of Greater OKC Page C5

SETH LEWIS Festival Director Arts Council OKC Page C6

ABIGAIL OGLE Anchor KOCO Television Page C7 ALSO INSIDE: Oklahoma City Zoo, Pages C2 & C3 • OCCC, Page C4 • LCDA, Page C4 • Variety Care, Page C9 • SNU, Page C9 • VillagesOKC, Page C11

KIMBERLY WORRELL Director of Development Oklahoma City Museum of Art Page C7

Gala supports Expedition Africa

Mike and Lisa Francis at the Zoo Gala. Expedition Africa, the Zoo’s latest and largest habitat expansion in its history, will connect Oklahomans and guests from across the country, with African wildlife like never before.

- Photos by Gina Nichols African drummers entertain party-goers during the OKC Zoo Gala. The event benefited the Zoo’s Expedition Africa project.

Delee Smith and Joy and Jerry Richardson got into the safari theme for the OKC Zoo Gala. The sold-out event honored the Inasmuch Foundation, Lee Allan Smith and the late Josephine Freede.

Gala supports Expedition Africa

It was a night on the savanna for the nearly 300 guests that attended the second annual, sold out, OKC Zoo Gala – Journey to Africa presented by Dr. Margaret Freede and Judge Dan Owens.

Held at the Oklahoma City Zoo, revelers were immersed with African drums, wildlife, African inspired cuisine and enjoyed an exclusive preview of the awe-inspiring Expedition Africa, the Zoo’s largest habitat expansion in its history, before it officially opens to the public this summer.

The OKC Zoo Gala also celebrated those individuals who have amplified the Zoo’s mission through their wild generosity. 2023 honorees include:

• Inasmuch Foundation: Celebrating a dedication to providing immersive and transformational experiences at the OKC Zoo.

• Lee Allan Smith: Honoring a lifetime of service and visionary leadership for the OKC Zoo.

In addition to celebrating the legacy honorees, the late Josephine Freede and her commitment to Expedition Africa were recognized.

Fundraising efforts from the OKC Zoo Gala benefit the Zoo’s Expedition Africa project. The savannah is in sight with the anticipated opening of the Zoo’s new Expedition Africa. Expedition Africa, the Zoo’s latest and largest habitat expansion in its history, will connect Oklahomans and guests from across the country, with African wildlife like never before.

This 12-acre habitat located in the heart of the Zoo features enhanced habitats, diverse environments, memorable wildlife experiences for guests to enjoy and over 60 species native to the African continent such as giraffe, zebra, lemurs, wildebeest, honey badger, hyena, meerkat and more.

This premier habitat highlights a new state-of-the-art giraffe barn, offering indoor viewing areas of the giraffe herd, and a complete reimagining of the Zoo’s historic pachyderm building, whose iconic midcentury exterior is preserved while the inside is transformed into a multi-use space for animal habitats, a children’s interactive play area and private events.

Dr. Dwight Lawson, executive director/CEO of the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Gardens; OKC Zoo Gala honoree Lee Allan Smith; and Mandy Heaps, executive director of Oklahoma Zoological Society.

OKC Zoo Gala

Co-Chairmen

Cindy Batt and Donita Thomas.

Pictured left to right, Chickasaw Nation Representatives: Tom John, Joe Thomas, Hursh Juneja, Lisa John, Oklahoma artist Zonly Looman, Ashley Fish and Bruce Fish. Zonly created the bison painting pictured that was part of the event’s live auction and purchased by the Chickasaw Nation at the event.

Strength of community behind OCCC equates to student success

Established in 1972, Oklahoma City Community College (OCCC) continues to be the heartbeat of OKC, echoing the pulsating rhythm of progress and innovation that characterizes our vibrant city. Our mission, ‘’Student Success, Community Enrichment,’’ offers an accessible and affordable academic pathway to nearly 18,000 students annually.

OCCC provides more than 60 dynamic degree and certificate programs that serve as a launchpad for students to further their academic journey or immediately enter the workforce. Our diverse range of programs, from arts to sciences, are tailored to meet the emerging needs of our local economy and industry need. We are committed to providing quality programs that will

meet the needs and aspirations of our students.

In tandem with providing quality education, we are committed to community enrichment through outreach efforts. OCCC serves as the hub of cultural and intellectual exchange, with our public programs, events, and partnerships enriching the fabric of our local communities. We pride ourselves on our ability to connect people, create opportunities, and inspire change that contributes to the collective progress of Oklahoma City. We know that great potential resides within every student, and we strive to create a nurturing environment that drives student success. Our supportive and inclusive campus culture fosters respect, resilience, and resourcefulness, fostering a

sense of belonging, and inspiring self-confidence. With the strength of the community around you, we believe in a promising future for each student. At OCCC, we are dedicated to empowering students to navigate

the path toward their dreams, providing them with the skills, knowledge, and networks they need to make their aspirations a reality.

Explore OCCC - where your future is our purpose, your potential is our passion,

Oklahoma City Community College President Mautra Staley Jones, right, congratulates a graduate and his family. The college offers an accessible and affordable academic pathway to nearly 18,000 students annually.

and your success is our driving goal. We invite you to unlock the potential within you, surrounded by a community that cares and with success beckoning on the horizon. Find out more at occc.edu.

In recognition of the donors who help LCDA organization thrive

By Dr. Raúl Font President Latino Community Development Association

In 1991, LCDA’s founders recognized that Latinos represented the fastest growing population sector in both central Oklahoma and the state, and for these transplants to become part of the fabric of Oklahoma required a bilingual approach to communication and social services programs, complemented by an understanding and appreciation for their rich cultural traditions.

Thirty-two years later, Latinos still represent the fastest growing demographic in Oklahoma, and LCDA continues to grow in size and

stature. Our success is attributable to many factors, including collaborations with 100 other organizations for the purpose of implementing twenty-four different bilingual programs, dedicated and experienced staff, a committed governing board and, last but not least, generous funding.

While government grants represent the largest portion of LCDA’s $3.6 million annual operating budget, charitable donations made up more than $1 million in revenues in just the last twelve months. It is with heartfelt appreciation that LCDA recognizes and thanks those donors who contributed $5,000 or more during the past year.

They include: Aetna, Inc., AIDS

Walk OKC, American Association of Diabetes Educators, Arvest Bank, Bank of Oklahoma, Robert N. Barnes, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Oklahoma, The Chickasaw Nation, CVS/Aetna, Devon Energy, E.L. and Thelma Gaylord Foundation, Inasmuch Foundation, Kia America, Inc., Kirkpatrick Family Fund, Legal Aid Services, Lopez Foods, Marinco LLC, Mercy Health, Midland Group, Potts Family Foundation, Ronald McDonald House OKC, Sarkeys Foundation, UNIDOS US, United Healthcare, and United Way of Central Oklahoma.

Challenging outdated systems motivates Perrin Duncan

By Annabella Potts Student Intern

By leading with an open mind and valuing both equity and education, Perrin Duncan serves as the special projects manager at the Arnall Family Foundation, an organization dedicated to empowering community partnership and transformative change.

As a graduate of DePauw University, a liberal arts college in Indiana, Perrin double-majored in economics and studio art with a minor in Spanish. She believes her college taught students how to think innovatively about career and community involvement. Through both economics and studio art, Perrin found a better understanding of developing cultural competency for the interworking systems of human behavior within our world.

With a passion for traveling, Perrin studied abroad four times before moving to County Clare, Ireland to pursue her master of fine arts at the Burren College of Art. Following her master’s program graduation, she moved to Bangkok, Thailand, to work for the global nonprofit JUMP! Foundation as a manager of marketing and communications. However, the pandemic’s impact sent Perrin back to Oklahoma in 2020. She was originally not expecting to stay, but her career began to take root in Oklahoma City.

“When I made the decision to stay, I was grateful to be offered a position in the marketing and communications department at the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber,” Perrin said. “The chamber has a rich history and influence in the structure of our community, and my friends and colleagues there were so helpful in getting me re-engaged with the opportunities our city has to offer.

“My desire to invest in Oklahoma continued to grow, and when I met Sue Ann Arnall, we quickly connected on our interest in seeing continued progress for our city, county, and state. She offered me my current position at the Arnall Family Foundation and it’s been one of the most meaningful career moves I’ve made. I get to learn every day and am grateful to be a small part of many great initiatives.”

At the Arnall Family Foundation, Perrin is primarily focused on the criminal legal system in Oklahoma County. She meets with agency-wide leaders in Oklahoma while maintaining community partnerships, identifying meaningful investments for projects, expanding resources and molding the various strategies of the foundation. Perrin dedicates her awareness of equity, justice and economics to her parents, who encouraged her to think critically about the state of the world. Within her role at the Arnall Family Foundation, she aims to challenge systems built on antiquated beliefs to bring impactful change.

“We have been socialized to think certain ways, based on the systems we were born into,” Perrin said. “To create transformative change, we have to use our imaginations. What does a more equitable system look like? Are we okay with the way people are treated by our existing systems? What future do we want to see? How can we each be a part of creating it?

“Instead of complaining about something, consider what can be done to address the frustration. At some point, you just have to start trying things out. Some won’t work, but the opportunity cost of not trying is far greater than the potential failure.”

Throughout the community, Perrin Duncan is heavily involved as an ambassador for Newton Running, The Feed and is a member of the Red Coyote Racing team. She has a passion for the outdoors as a certified Wilderness First Responder and is a board member of the OKC Public Schools Foundation YP4Kids!.

BRINGING IMPACTFUL CHANGE

“As much as I can, I try to encourage and uplift the good work that others are doing because I believe people deserve to be celebrated for the contributions they make,” Perrin said. “No accomplishment is ever achieved alone and I hope I never forget to recognize the efforts of many that lead to good outcomes.”

Ally protects client livelihoods as president of Candor

By Annabella Potts Student Intern

When Ally Glavas Olson started working at Candor, she had never written a press release before. As the current president of the marketing, public relations and advertising agency, it wasn’t long before Ally was able to step into her groove.

As a graduate from the University of Oklahoma, she holds a bachelor of arts degree in political science, summa cum laude. Soon after college, Ally worked in Washington D.C. where she focused on political fundraising.

Her parents met on Capitol Hill as they both worked in politics and Ally grew up near D.C., which led her to take an interest in the impact of policy. She landed internships with the governor and a state representative, as well as a fellowship in a D.C. congressman’s office. However, she quickly ran into obstacles brought on by her grueling work hours.

“Working 80 hours a week in D.C. led to a mental health crisis,” Ally said. “My ambition makes me vulnerable to workaholic tendencies, which I must intentionally, mindfully combat. I’ve grown and advanced in my career, but I maintain space for personal relationships, volunteerism, exercise and even rest.

“I work for a company that encourages everyone to set and maintain healthy boundaries and we watch out for each other. But I’ve also had to learn to self-regulate. Every week isn’t balanced perfectly and this will be a lifelong journey for me, but I’m incredibly proud of how far I’ve come. I plan to continue to share my story so others can learn from my mistakes and to help combat the stigma surrounding mental health.”

To her own surprise, Ally missed living in Oklahoma and headed back to the city to work for Pearson Public

Affairs. There, she pursued her political interests and activated grassroots coalitions.

Ally babysat on the side for the founder of Candor, which is how she first became introduced to the company. Now, with over eight years at Candor, Ally’s role as president holds her responsible for growing the business, coaching staff and providing senior expertise on client accounts. She is a skilled crisis communicator with protecting public images at the central focus of her mission, while defeating harmful legislation and enacting positive change.

“I love mentoring our team and helping people achieve their professional goals,” Ally said. “Nothing fills my cup more than when one of my teammates overcomes a challenge they’ve been facing or when they advance in their career. I work hard to create an atmosphere where everyone wins together. It’s also fun when I get to pull out my public affairs toolbox to help influence policies to improve our great state.”

When it comes to her ultimate take away from her career path, Ally Glavas Olson remains open to challenges and ready to take on new adventures. Candor was recently acquired by Salient Global, which

gave Ally the opportunity to manage the integration of both companies while gathering resources to promote client success. Her empathetic nature and experience in diverse account management sets her apart from others in public relations, marketing and advertising.

“I learned to be open to new ideas and opportunities because they are the way to learn and grow,” Ally

MAINTAINING BALANCE

said. “I never dreamed of a career in public relations and marketing. In fact, when I started at Candor, I had never written a press release and couldn’t name the local TV news stations. But I knew I could trust our leadership to teach me, and I believed in my ability to listen, adapt and grow. It turned out to be the perfect path for me, and I can’t wait to learn more.”

Perrin Duncan ina Red Coyote Racing event. She is also an ambassador for Newton Running.

Ally Glavas Olson and her husband Stephen.

Kyle uplifts, strengthens the Chickasaw community

By Annabella Potts Student Intern

As director of community Development for the Chickasaw Nation, Kyle Impson works to enhance the quality of life for visitors, neighbors and Chickasaw citizens while boosting the community’s economic growth.

Growing up in Chickasha, Kyle attended junior high and high school there before going to Oklahoma State University where he secured his bachelor's degree in agribusiness. He furthered his education at Southeastern Oklahoma State University for a master’s degree in business administration as he worked full time for the Chickasaw Nation.

Kyle believes growing up in his rural community surrounded him with diverse socioeconomic backgrounds that helped serve him in the future. His passion for civic involvement helped him establish his professional career.

“I benefited greatly from exposure to many great mentors who have created a pathway for our generation of First Americans,” Kyle said. “The perspective and insights I gained from their incredible work has profoundly influenced the direction of my life and career.

“I have been provided a host of opportunities that cumulatively prepared me for my current role working to build relationships in the communities of the Chickasaw Nation.”

Within the Chickasaw Nation, many communities are located in rural areas that experience a lack of

resources. Kyle and his team provide their business expertise and capital to Chickasaw communities for collaborative developments to bolster the economy.

“We work every day to uplift Chickasaw citizens by providing sustainable programs and services that ultimately work in concert to positively impact their lives and their families over the course of their lifetime,”

Kyle said. “Through opportunities in education, health care, housing, workforce development and much more, the tribe, Chickasaw citizens and tribal employees provide vital economic benefits to the communities where we live and work. I have the privilege of bringing the Chickasaw Nation to our communities and bringing our community partners into the Chickasaw Nation.”

Kyle said his mission for the Chickasaw Nation is to cultivate strategic relationships with vital stakeholders to develop effective partnerships throughout the community. Stewardship ranges across economic development organizations, social and civic nonprofits and municipalities to heighten the spread of beneficial information for these communities.

“We are seeing the rewards of prior intentional efforts of developing relationships and partnerships,”

Kyle said. “Tribes have not always had a welcome seat at the table, but through extraordinary vision, grit and determination under Governor Anoatubby’s leadership, we now have the capacity and ability to build upon those efforts.

“Teamwork is key, and

the more we are able to coordinate with partners throughout the state to work in our communities, the more we rise together.”

Under Kyle’s leadership, the Chickasaw Nation is developing new opportunities for community enhancements. Kyle utilizes his experience as he has served on the boards of multiple chambers of commerce, including Infant Crisis Serv-

ices, Oklahoma Contemporary, the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits, the Positive Tomorrows Endowment and the United Way of South Central Oklahoma.

On top of this, Kyle is involved in a number of community committees such as the Tishomingo Action Committee, Downtown Club of OKC, Murray County Tourism Development and the Davis Devel-

A PASSION FOR SERVICE

opment Group. “I take great pride in surrounding myself with my family and close friends who push, promote and uplift me every day,” Kyle said. “Their support inspires me to work harder and reach further, and our son is a constant reminder that everything we do is about building a brighter future for future generations.”

Powerful story leads Rachel to the Jewish Federation

By Rose Lane Editor

Rachel Johnson’s career path changed dramatically when she heard her former rabbi share her family’s Holocaust story during a Jewish Federation of Oklahoma City luncheon.

“It was so powerful, I wanted to be a part of it,” she said.

The 37-year-old is now the executive director of the organization.

Adopted as a baby from South Korea, Rachel was raised in Oklahoma City. She is a graduate of Classen School of Arts and Sciences.

Rachel went on to begin advertising classes at the University of Central Oklahoma while working part time at Ackerman McQueen.

The company offered her a full-time job and Rachel spent nine years there.

As the HD era was beginning, she was the broadcast production manager. Then it was on to accounting and eventually she became an assistant to creative directors Ashley Ball and Peter Farrell, a position she said she “loved.”

“I learned so much from them.”

It was in 2017 when things changed and Rachel sought out a nonprofit position.

After coffee with a

nonprofit leader, she was directed to the Jewish Federation and its Executive Director Roberta Clark. The organization was seeking a development director. The two women met and came to the conclusion that wouldn’t be a good fit.

A week later, Clark called back and said the Federation was creating a new position of program associate.

Clark later left to lead another group and Rachel was approached about taking the executive director role.

“I was hesitant,” she said. “I was a little intimated by it.”

Rachel said she didn’t think she was ready.

“I said yes and I am glad I did,” she said. “This is a good challenge for me.”

And, she’s learned a lot about management particularly. There are only three other employees, while the Federation is in the process of hiring a new program associate.

Rachel herself answers to a board of 12 voting and 13 nonvoting members, as well as the Jewish Foundation Board of 22 people. Thus far this year, the Federation has orchestrated 15 different programs and events.

Camp Chauvin is now in session.

“We do programs and events for the Jewish community and the

community at large,” Rachel said.

The Federation also provides volunteer events for the community such as working with the Regional Food Bank.

Tashlich, which literally translates to “casting off,” is a Jewish ceremony performed on

the afternoon of the first day of Rosh Hashanah. Rachel said the Jewish Federation of OKC actually takes litter out of the water rather than throwing their sins in.

The organization won an award for the greatest participation.

Scholarships for students to go on Israel

ACCEPTING THE CHALLENGE

trips, as well as for college and sleep-away camps are other services offered by the Jewish Federation.

The annual Holocaust Remembrance Day is an event planned by the Federation.

With the passage of legislation requiring the Holocaust be taught in

public school to children in grades 6-12, the Federation organized a Holocaust Educators Conference and is working on curriculum.

“We do so much with the very little staff we have,” Rachel said. Her experiences have See RACHEL, Page 10

Rachel Johnson skydiving and, inset, with fiancé Danny Conner.

Kyle (38), husband Steven Kochenower (34) and inset, their son Kash (2).

Next Generation of Most Powerful Oklahomans

Seth is a driving force behind annual festival

By Rose Lane Editor

In his role as festival director, Seth Lewis is in charge of organizing some 100 artists, more than 20 food tents, 300 performances, 3,500 volunteers and much more during the six-day OKC Festival of the Arts.

And with the 2023 festival in late April in the rear view window, Seth is already gearing up for 2024 by visiting festivals in Des Moines, Iowa and Denver, Colo. to see how they are operated in terms of overall production, design and layout.

“We are also already working with the city to get everything lined up for next year,” he said.

Seth and his family moved to Oklahoma City from Wichita, Kans. in 1989. He attended James L. Dennis Elementary School, Hefner Middle School and Putnam City North High School.

He earned a bachelors degree in organizational leadership from the University of Oklahoma.

After working for the OKC Dodgers in game entertainment and as a marketing consultant, Seth joined the Arts Council OKC as a projects director. He coordinated Opening Night, the organization’s New Years Eve celebration and the Sunday night Twilight Concerts on the grounds of the Myriad Gardens.

In 2021, Seth was promoted to festival director.

The Festival of the Arts is

considered “the rite of spring” in Oklahoma City. It brings people from all over to show their visual, performing and culinary arts at Bicentennial Park.

Seth said it also helps fund the work of the Arts Council. The council goes into senior centers with its Creative Aging program.

The council offers Art Moves, with performances

by artists in various places in downtown OKC.

The council is the driving force behind All Access Arts as it brings the arts to underserved schools.

The council works with the Metropolitan Library System to offer arts in 17 libraries.

And, the council provides Arts in the Park.

The Arts Festival’s visual

artists are determined by a blind jury. Members of it are shown five images by the particular artists and their statements are presented. Seth said the jurors know nothing else about the artists, who might be painters, sculptors, photographers and more. Seth said the festival takes 11 days to set up. Paid production workers, such as

FOSTERING LOVE OF ARTS

welders and construction professionals, join hoards of volunteers for 12-hour days.

Then when it’s go time, Seth said people — volunteers, artists, he and his staff — put in 12-14-hour days non-stop. He said it is not unusual that he walks 12-15 miles a day during the festivities.

See SETH, Page C10

Kindt believes that exchanges of kindness are necessary for everyone

By Rose Lane Editor

Although he is a partner and vice president of a group of six restaurants, Kindt Steven Myers isn’t passionate about the food.

It’s the hospitality.

“I am passionate about the people,” he said. “You get something good by making people feel good.”

Kindt, 36, grew up in the Paseo District where Humankind Hospitality Services’ six restaurants are located. He attended a small private Christian School.

He started busing tables at a young age at the old Haunted House Restaurant.

“I wanted money and a job to get my own stuff at a young age,” Kindt said.

At the Haunted House, Kindt eventually did everything from serving to valet.

“I was willing to work,” he said.

Many family members worked at the Marriott and Kindt said he visited them regularly, seeing the “spirit of service.”

His grandmother was an executive assistant and his mother worked in the restaurant. He saw great bosses in that the organization and that laid the groundwork for him.

His grandmother would talk to every dishwasher, housekeeper, thanking them for their service and asking about their families.

“People are the most important, no matter what,” Kindt said.

At part of a re-invention at the Oak Tree Golf and Country Club, Kindt became the sales manager there. He also operated his own private event company.

While orchestrating a wedding in Sulphur, Kindt was approached by Sean Fiaccone, founder and president of Humankind. Kindt became a consultant and the manager of Frida Southwest and would later become a partner and vice president.

Each day, Kindt makes rounds of the six restaurants, hosting pre-shift meetings where the core values are discussed. The most important one is kindness which is talked about 810 times a day.

“Humans need kindness, we need exchanges of kindness,” he said.

Exchanges of kindness very much so take place among Humankind’s employees — from everyone involved in the company.

“If I am a good enough employer,” he said, “I don’t want you to care what the product is.

“I want to guarantee you have a good job every day.”

Customers will get a bi-product of the staff exchanging kindness.

“We serve others first to serve all

humankind,” Kindt said.

Humankind never closed during COVID and no one lost their job. That’s because, he said, the company was quick to pivot.

The partners met twice a day to look at CDC updates and how things were quickly changing in the community.

Writing new policy concerning to-go only and patio-only service. They prepared family-style meals.

They brought in a clinical phycologist and an epidemiologist to trained all employees. The company paid for vaccinations for the staff and their families.

Volunteers helped out at vaccination events across the state. They continue to help others by serving at

FEEDING HUMANKIND

the Regional Food Bank and with the Homeless Alliance, among other places.

And, those regulars who stuck by Humankind’s side during COVID continue to fuel the company’s success, as well as jobs.

Investing in the community will result in people showing up and supporting an enterprise, Kindt said.

Humankind strives to provide a great experience for everyone who dines in its restaurants.

“We want to make positive memories,” Kindt said.

Kindt is also a volunteer with the deadCenter Film Festival, the OKC Philharmonic and the Children’s Hospital.

Kindt Steven Myers with Cacky Poarch and Joy Hans during a charity event. He volunteers with such organizations as the deadCenter Film Festival, the OKC Philharmonic and the Children’s Hospital.

From left: Seth Lewis, Dru Ann Neihaus, Trey Watts, Brenda McDaniel, Lance McDaniel, Meghan McDaniel, Hui Cha Poos, Scott Bartel, and Kindt Steven Myers during C4K’s 10th anniversary party.

Abigail’s knowledge of Oklahoma helps her on the scene

By Annabella Potts Student Intern

With family history rooted in Oklahoma, Abigail Ogle is no stranger to the community. As a KOCO News 5 anchor, she can be seen reporting on breaking news, sports coverage, small businesses and more. Abigail’s severe weather coverage and reports on the historic Oklahoma teacher walkout sets her apart from other typical news anchors.

As a graduate from the Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Oklahoma, Abigail stayed close to her family, as past generations led important roles across various towns in the state. Her great grandfather was a councilman in Midwest City, while he and her great, great-grandfather served as the mayor of Cache.

Growing up, she was accustomed to the ways of broadcast journalism, as she said many conversations at the dinner table surrounded current events, politics and sports. Abigail spent many Friday nights at the news station with her father, where he showed her the process of writing scripts, how stories come from the AP Wire and how news breaks. Now, as a two-time winner of Anchor of the Year, Abigail Ogle’s leadership sets precedent for the standard of truth in the newsroom.

“My expectation for myself as a journalist is simple: Serve, connect, and inform Oklahomans,” Abigail said. “Search for truth and report it–and, when necessary, explore how that truth affects my fellow Oklahomans. I truly view my job as more than a job. It's a calling. A way I can serve my home state.”

Abigail’s first job out of college was at the Moore Monitor, a small publication serving the city of Moore. This is where she credits her experience with true community journalism, as she dedicated her time to providing a platform for the voices of local citizens. Abigail said she sees value in rural areas, as she has a love for small-town Oklahoma. She plans to continue to show support for all nooks and crannies of Oklahoma throughout her reporting career.

“Recent events have solidified my stance on journalism and local journalism at that,” Abigail said. “What we do matters. Reporting throughout a global pandemic, a social justice movement and a polarizing political climate has shown me the true importance of local news. Truth matters. Our communities need to be able to trust us to find and deliver facts, then explain how that information affects their lives.”

Abigail felt the adrenaline and responsibility of her experience in breaking news coverage was vital in spreading urgent information across the community. She works to provide the most transparent stories while revisiting with sources to clarify the latest details.

On the other hand, Abigail is well-versed in feature reporting, where she is dedicated to understanding someone’s story and relaying it to the public. In 2019, she and her husband lost their home in a fire, marking the first time Abigail felt she was inside a breaking news report.

“Every journalist is also a human and we each bring unique backgrounds to reporting and storytelling,” Abigail said. “For me, being a native Oklahoman, provides a solid base.

“I know this state. I know our history. I know our people. This shapes how I approach a story and what I think we should cover. Having gone through a devastating loss gave me a humility and understanding I didn’t have before. We cover house fires regularly. We often say ‘No one was hurt.’ And that may be true and we hope it is. But I will tell you, even if no injuries were reported, those Oklahomans’ lives will never be the same. Living through a news story has given me a deeper understanding of how breaking news is usually life-

SERVE, CONNECT, INFORM

changing for someone.”

Throughout the community, Abigail Ogle has been rewarded for her contributions to reporting for KOCO News 5. In 2019, she was awarded the title of Most Trusted Source for news, along with an Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters Award.

“I'm grateful for the opportunity to serve my home state in this way,” she said. “I’m thankful for my community's trust and I don't take it lightly. I hope people know they can rely on me when facts matter most.”

Helping people appreciate art warms Kimberly’s heart

By Rose Lane

Editor

Bringing exhibits to the OKC Museum of Art for families who might not otherwise be able to experience it is very powerful for Director of Development Kimberly Worrell.

“It is very cool to see the work I’ve done have an impact on people,” she said.

Kimberly, 37, grew up in DeSoto, Texas, a part of southwest Dallas. She studies grades K-12 there and She dance management at Oklahoma City University.

As she was considered a “high kicker” on her high school dance squad, Kimberly said she wanted to become a Rockette and perform at Radio City Music Hall. She said she discovered she would rather be behind the scenes.

“My training has offered me so many opportunities,” Kimberly said.

Upon graduation, she worked in development events at OCU. She helped with President Robert Henry’s inauguration.

With Factor 110, Kimberly ran the event team for the Devon Tower grand opening. Then she become the event coordinator and later associate development director at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art.

A promotion in October 2018 led to her director of development position she now holds.

“I grew up in the performing arts so I had to learn about the visual arts,” she said.

A “great team” helps her raise the gifts needed to keep bringing first class exhibits to Oklahoma City.

“It helps that I have done all of the jobs in our department,” she said. “I enjoy mentoring and being a sounding board.”

The museum launched free kids admission in the summer of 2020, at a time when families needed it the most. Since that time, 20 percent of all museum guests are 17 and under, she said.

The Museum of Arts launched a new fundraiser, “Art in Bloom,” where floral designers make exhibits.

A cocktail party, “Bubbles and Blooms,” kicked off the weekend on the rooftop of the museum.

Kimberly and her husband, Erik, love to travel. They try to check out as many museums as they can along the way. New York City is one favorite destination. They are also hoping to

MAKING A POLWERFUL IMPACT

get back to traveling internationally soon.

“I think you learn a lot about parts of the country through its art,” Kimberly said.

And, it is satisfying to explore your own space. She said President and CEO

Abigail, her soon-to-be second son, her husband Jeff, and their son Jack.

Michael J. Anderson PhD encourages the staff to take a break and get up and walk the museum. Kimberly said she usually heads to Seascapes Gallery to enjoy its calm and serenity. An avid reader, she said she also likes to work out on the Peloton.

Kimberly Worrell and her husband Erik.

Variety Care celebrates 92 years helping the metro community

This year marks 92 years that Variety Care has cared for and served the greater Oklahoma City metro community.

The organization creates the ideal health care model, bringing the patient to the care providers rather than requiring the patient and family to navigate the complicated and oftentimes unaffordable web of health care services elsewhere.

“The populations we serve have struggled with access to prevention,” said Lou Carmichael, CEO of Variety Care. “They have had to wait until something goes wrong and that is then a very expensive treatment (for the patient, for the health care system and for the community) that could have been avoided,” Carmichael added.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force reports that every time a primary care clinician sees a patient, it is an opportunity to prevent disease and promote good health.

Variety Care fosters easier access and integration of services wrapped around the patient as the best way to deliver care.

“Our history, patient’s stories, provider’s commitment and collective impact in the past 92 years is leading us toward a bright future where we aim to serve over 300,000 people annually by 2026,” said Carmichael. “We have big plans in our future, with the mission to make quality health care affordable and accessible for all.”

For more information on Variety Care, please visit varietycare.org. To schedule an appointment, please call (405) 632-6688.

About Variety Care, Inc.

Variety Care, Inc. is Oklahoma’s largest community health center with 18 sites in central and western Oklahoma. Variety Care served 79,000 patients in 2022 and provided comprehensive and coordinated social services to over 200,000 people through face-to-face and group visits. A United Way partner agency, Variety Care serves all patients, regardless of insurance status, and strives to make health

An open letter to Oklahoma’s 50 Most Powerful Oklahomans:

— From Southern Nazarene University Chairman of School of Education Dr. Ron Titus

Today, I issue a challenge that holds the key to unlocking our state's potential: let us make childhood literacy the top priority for Oklahoma over the next decade. A passion for educational excellence drives Southern Nazarene University (SNU), and we have a vision to emerge as our state's preeminent teacher training program. Our future success hinges on the power of literacy—the foundation of all learning.

Join us in an unprecedented partnership that will shape Oklahoma's education future and establish our state as a national leader in educator preparation. Together, we can make Oklahoma the best place in the world to raise a child.

Our endeavor involves establishing a world-class teacher training facility and a $40 million P-20 center, providing comprehensive and

transformative learning experiences for aspiring educators at all levels.

At the core of this partnership lies an unwavering commitment to prioritizing literacy education. We recognize literacy's profound impact on individuals, communities, and our state's future. Our goal is to equip educators with the tools and expertise to foster strong literacy skills in every student.

The recent launch of the SNU Lab School's Teaching Institute, focusing on literacy, marks a significant step towards achieving this goal. Last February, renowned SNU faculty emeritus Dr. Beverly DeVries headlined this launch as keynote speaker, setting the stage for a transformative journey.

Your involvement is critical as

See SNU, Page 10

care affordable and accessible for everyone. The Variety Care Foundation

Care and its efforts. For more information, please visit varietycare.org.

DR. RON TITUS

Variety Care, Inc. is Oklahoma’s largest community health center with 18 sites in central and western Oklahoma.

SETH

From Page C7

Then, it’s seven-eight days to tear down.

But, the Festival of the Arts is always very well-attended.

“It’s exciting to see how the community comes out and supports the festival,” Seth said.

The last day of the festival, Sunday, is also the day of the OKC National Memorial Marathon. He said the music is always blaring from the performing arts stage to cheer on the runners as they pass by.

“It shows the magic of what OKC is,” Seth said.

One of the best parts of his job, he said, is seeing the look on peoples’ faces as they take part in the Festival of the Arts. It’s the families who complete pottery in the children’s area.

It’s the pride in parents as they watch their children perform.

“It fills your heart to help put arts in the community,” Seth said.

In his “spare” time, he said he operates an events company. He is also on the board of the OKC Ballet and volunteers with Big Brothers, Big Sisters and St. Jude.

Living in the heart of downtown OKC, he said it is very easy to get to events at the Civic Center and support other arts organizations.

RACHEL

From Page C6

helped her discover more about Oklahoma City.

Lander graduates from Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences

Catherine Lander of Oklahoma City recently graduated from the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Arkansas with a bachelor of arts in economics and bachelor of arts in history.

Lander joined more than 900 additional undergraduate Fulbright College students who graduated in spring 2023 and whose academic achievement was celebrated during the commencement ceremonies on Friday, May 12, in Bud Walton Arena.

“On behalf of our faculty, staff, and the entire

SNU

From Page C9

U of A community, we offer Catherine a big congratulations,” said Kathryn Sloan, interim dean of Fulbright College. “We’re so incredibly proud of Catherine for reaching this incredible academic achievement.”

“To Catherine and the entire Class of 2023, I'll add this: You've grown in the face of these obstacles, you've adapted, and your resiliency has brought you to this moment. You've worked so hard for so long, and now you've reached the graduation milestone you've been striving for,” Sloan said. “Congratula-

one of Oklahoma's 50 most influential leaders. Your support will play a pivotal role in advancing education, empowering educators, and leaving a lasting impact on our community and future generations.

“It’s wonderful being able to get to know the city I grew up in,” she said. “Giving back means a lot to me.

“I love OKC. It’s my home and I want to make others feel comfortable.”

tions!”

Collectively, Fulbright College awarded nearly 1,200 bachelor's degrees to students this spring in areas of study that span across four academic disciplines in the college: fine arts, humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences.

“I hope that Catherine, all of our new alumni, and all who supported them on this journey to commencement will take a moment to reflect on just how momentous this is, on all it took to get to this point, and all the incredible potential the future now holds,” Sloan

So I extend a warm invitation to visit our campuses, engage in meaningful discussions, and explore the boundless possibilities that lie ahead. Together, we can build a world-class teacher training facility, placing literacy at the forefront of our mission.

To learn more about this transformative opportunity or schedule a visit, please contact me at rtitus@snu.edu. Let’s join forces to

Next on her agenda is a wedding — her and fiance Danny Conner’s on the Fourth of July, next Tuesday. The exchange of vows is set to be a small ceremony at the temple with family and friends.

said.

About the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences: The Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences is the largest and most academically diverse unit on campus with three schools, 16 departments and numerous academic programs and research centers. The college provides the majority of the core curriculum for all University of Arkansas students.

About the University of Arkansas: As Arkansas' flagship institution, the U of A provides an internationally competitive education in more than 200 academic programs.

shape Oklahoma's future, making literacy the top priority for the next ten years.

Thank you for your visionary leadership and unwavering support of educational excellence.

Sincerely, Dr. Ron Titus Chair, School of Education Director, SNU Lab School Southern Nazarene University

The pair has been together for a year, but Rachel said “it feels like a lifetime.”

“I found a new best friend.”

Rachel has also discovered a way of looking at things

from a different perspective.

During a trip to Los Angeles, they went sky diving.

“It was the coolest thing I’ve ever done,” Rachel said. “I got to see the world from the sky.”

VillagesOKC says, ‘Love your age’

VillagesOKC is a rapidly growing group of like-minded people in the Oklahoma City metro who are embracing aging. Loving your age simply means you choose to be happy with the person you are today. Loving your age opens the door to joy, makes you more attractive to friends and enhances the life you have now.

Each of us only has today; it is up to us to make the most of it. VillagesOKC helps that happen.

VillagesOKC is a community of individuals, organizations and professionals dedicated to connecting people with information and resources to age successfully with vitality and purpose. Our core values are learn, plan and serve.

Senior LifeSkills Learning is an educational series centered on brain health developed by mem-

bers of VillagesOKC through support from the iFund Elderly Grant of the Oklahoma City Community Foundation. Everyone in OKC should be a part of aging successfully.

Members, come by the office for a FREE VillagesOKC “Love Your Age” T-shirt. Bring a new friend to join; they receive a T-shirt too. Friends don’t let friends age alone; we are all in this together. All this is a great way to stay connected.

VillageOKC’s declaration: “This is my BEST decade yet! I am a joyful, mature adult. I enjoy life-long learning, planning, and serving!

Today I will find someone younger to encourage. I love my age! This is my BEST decade yet!”

Love Your Age. Join VillagesOKC today. Make Every Day Count. Call (405) 990-6637.

Each of us only has today; it is up to us to make the most of it. And VillagesOKC helps that happen.

Habits that can help promote better cognitive health

Various changes to appearance and health are associated with aging. Issues such as diminished vision, waning muscle strength and gray hairs are among the more common and noticeable side effects of aging. Cognitive decline is another symptom often associated with aging, even if that needn't be the case.

Certain lifestyle choices can protect against cogni-

tive decline and dementias. While there is no surefire way to prevent dementias, here are some good habits for maintaining cognitive function well into your golden years.

Exercise frequently Harvard Health reports that exercise, in addition to the many other benefits it provides, may help improve cognitive function in people who have already experi-

enced memory issues. Exercise may be particularly advantageous to people who carry the APOE4 gene variant, which makes people more susceptible to Alzheimer's. Speak with a doctor about how much exercise is needed and what is safe for your age. Enjoy video games Playing a favorite video game may improve longterm cognitive function.

Researchers at Cambridge Brain Sciences found study participants who played non-cognitive-training video games were associated with better performance in several cognitive domains, but only for younger (age 18 to 64) participants. Cognitive training games, on the other hand, were not associated with any cognitive improvement.

Stay socially engaged

According to a study published in the journal Experimental Aging Research, seniors who have high levels of social engagement also have better cognitive function. Getting together with friends, participating in a club, attending religious studies, and any other activity that gets you out with other people can help with cognitive function.

Celebrating Tourism

Oklahoma City museums appeal to a variety of interests

By Mike W. Ray Staff Writer

Oklahoma City has a variety of museums that cater to a broad palette of eclectic interests among visitors young and old.

Two of the most prominent are the new First Americans Museum, which opened less than two years ago, and the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum on Persimmon Hill in northeast Oklahoma City.

The First Americans Museum – “FAM” –honors “the indigenous people who inhabited these lands” before Oklahoma became a state and even before the United States was established.

FAM shares the “cultural diversity, history, and contributions” of the Apache, Caddo, Tonkawa, and Wichita, and honors tribes who have a historical relationship to this region, including the Comanche, Kiowa, Osage and Quapaw. It also acknowledges the Muscogee (Creek) and Seminole, “who were once assigned the land upon which FAM resides” along the Oklahoma River downtown.

“We are as diverse culturally and linguistically as the nations on the European continent,” FAM noted.

“The Cowboy” was founded in 1955 and houses more than 28,000 Western and American Indian art works and artifacts. The facility also has the world's most extensive collection of American rodeo photographs, barbed wire, saddlery, and early rodeo trophies.

It features a collection of classic and contemporary Western art, including works by Frederic Remington and Charles M. Russell, as well as sculptor James Earle Fraser’s impressive statue, “The End of the Trail.”

The exhibition wing houses a turn-of-the-century town and interactive history galleries that focus on the American cowboy, rodeos, Native American culture, Victorian firearms, frontier military and Western performers.

The Cowboy “preserves and interprets the evolving history and cultures of the American West for the education and enrichment of its diverse audiences of adults and children.”

The Oklahoma City Museum of Art, in the heart of downtown OKC, is home to one of the largest collections in the world of blown glass created by Dale Chihuly. In the atrium of the museum, visitors encounter a 55foot-tall Chihuly glass

tower that has become an iconic landmark.

The MOA is hosting, through Oct. 23, an exhibition of 100 artworks –including sculptures, paintings, prints, and photographs – that celebrate artist Auguste Rodin.

The museum’s collection of American art includes paintings and sculptures by artists from the colonial era through 1960. Highlights include works by Hans Hofmann, Thomas Moran, Georgia O’Keeffe, and Charles Willson Peale. The collection includes 28 works donated by the Works Progress Administration in 1942.

European art displayed in the museum consists of examples from the Baroque era through the early 20th Century. Key artists in the European art collection are Giuseppe Maria Crespi, Gustave Courbet, André Derain, Francis Hayman, Sir Thomas Lawrence, and Pierre-Auguste Renoir. For sports aficionados, the Jim Thorpe Museum, located in the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame in Bricktown, honors a Native American who was born near Prague and is widely recognized as the greatest athlete of the first half of the 20th century.

See MUSEUMS, Page D2

The Oklahoma City Museum of Art, in the heart of downtown OKC, is home to one of the largest collections in the world of blown glass created by Dale Chihuly.

OKCMOA is hosting a major exhibition of 100 artworks including sculptures, paintings, prints, and photographs to celebrate artist Auguste Rodin. “True Nature: Rodin and the Age of Impressionism” continues through Oct. 22.

MUSEUMS

From Page D1

Thorpe won gold medals in both the pentathlon and the decathlon at the 1912 Olympic Games in Stockholm, Sweden. He later played professional baseball and professional football, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Science Museum Oklahoma is home to the Kirkpatrick Planetarium and a number of specialized galleries. The hands-on facility, at 2020 Remington Place in OKC, covers more than 390,000 square feet, making it one of the largest science museums in the nation.

The Science Floor is the heart of the museum, with hundreds of activities to teach and entertain –such as learning to drive on two wheels in the Segway Park, or effortlessly moving a 400-pound weight with the Resonant Pendulum.

In the Tinkering Garage, one can explore how engineering, art and technology collide. In the 20,000 square-foot CurioCity’s eight whimsical neighborhoods, children are exposed to science through a number of interactive activities that encourage learning through play.

The newly upgraded Kirkpatrick Planetarium presents multiple live shows and full-dome movies daily,

enabling visitors to spend the day exploring the cosmos.

A new exhibit is to be a sensory room designed for autistic individuals.

“We hope to have that open by the end of July,” said Kim Terry, the museum’s communications director.

The Science Museum attracted 446,658 visitors in Fiscal Year 2022, but attendance had increased to 555,365 through May of this year, Terry said.

“We’re almost back to preCOVID numbers.”

Military buffs should be glad to know that a contract to build a new Oklahoma National Guard Museum (formerly called the 45th Infantry Division Museum) is expected to be awarded in November.

The 46,000-square-foot museum is to be located in the vicinity of 36th and Grand Boulevard in Oklahoma City. Construction is projected to take approximately 28 months, said Dr. Denise Neil, executive director.

“We have a lot of stories to tell,” she said, starting with the territorial militia established in 1890 through the ongoing global War on Terror.

The existing museum – located just east of Martin Luther King Avenue on N.E. 36th Street, south of Remington Park, Omniplex, and the Oklahoma City Zoo – was built by the WPA during the Franklin Delano Roosevelt administration.

HAYDEN COFFMAN DURAN GOODWIN

Quail Creek Bank announces promotions

Quail Creek Bank introduces Jeff Hayden as treasury management officer and vice president.

Hayden’s role with the bank is to focus on providing concierge level service to our business depository customers through our treasury offering which includes remote deposit capture, lockbox, ACH and credit card processing to name a few.

Hayden has been in the banking industry for nine years and graduated with a master of business administration from Oklahoma Christian University in 2012.

Prior to his banking career, Hayden was a home-based case manager for nine years, working with families and DHS Child Welfare workers.

He and his wife of 16 years, Katie, reside in Edmond with their daughter.

Jerika Coffman was recently promoted to senior vice president andchief credit officer by the board of directors.

After completing an Oklahoma Bankers Association (OBA) internship in 2009, she made Quail Creek Bank her career home in 2011 as a credit analyst. Coffman holds a major in finance with a minor in accounting from the University of Oklahoma, and is currently attending the Graduate School of Banking at Colorado.

In addition to her role at the bank, Coffman sits on the Oklahoma Banker’s Association (OBA) Intern

Committee each year and interviews candidates interested in a summer internship, the same program she began her banking career through.

She also serves on the Basic and Intermediate School of banking boards at the OBA.

Coffman has been married to her husband, Brett, for 11 years and they have two daughters, Evyn and Aidyn. They spend much of their evening and weekend time at the ball field for either the girls’ games or Brett’s games as softball and tennis coach for a local area school.

• • •

Pammella Duran was promoted to assistant vice president recently by the bank’s board of directors.

Duran had five years of banking experience prior to joining the bank in 2019 as an operations specialist.

Duran is a crucial part of our New Accounts Department, and has received several promotions as a result of her hard work. Duran also manages our Financial Literacy program and spends many days in the classroom, teaching in several area schools.

Duran is a leader in the bank, respected by all her peers and customers. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Southern Nazarene University, and previously worked abroad in the accounting industry from her home country of Brazil.

She is a member of the Oklahoma

See QCB, Page D5

Retirement Investment Advisors leaders along the path to retirement

Embarking on the path to retirement can be a daunting task if tackled solo. Without a knowledgeable guide, it's all too easy to overlook crucial factors and make costly mistakes.

With a multitude of critical decisions surrounding investments, Social Security, Medicare, taxes, risk management, and estate planning, having the right advisor by your side ensures unwavering focus on your financial goals, shielding you from the distractions of daily market fluctuations.

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“Our goal is to help people have comfortable income for life.”

Randy L. Thurman, CEO, Retirement Investment Advisors

Education is key to workforce development

By Phil G. Busey Sr. Chairman and Founder DRG and The Busey Group of Companies

Working with higher education to help draw from current pipelines helps Oklahoma businesses succeed. However, Oklahoma can’t thrive unless the state makes a conscious effort to invest in higher education, specifically at the regional level. Oklahoma’s economy depends on strong public education and higher ed business partnerships to succeed.

Most students who graduate from a regional university stay in Oklahoma after graduation. A 2022 report by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education showed 78.44% of graduates from the Regional University System of Oklahoma remained employed in Oklahoma five years after graduation. That is compared with 53.91% of graduates from the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University.

Delaware Resource Group of Oklahoma LLC is a strong believer in investing in workforce development and supporting those regional universities. In late April, DRG was among honorees recognized for their collaborations to improve workforce development in the state. The State Regents honored DRG for its partnerships with Rose State College and Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU).

In 2022, DRG approached Rose

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Banker’s Association (OBA) Emerging Leaders class of 2023 and is trilingual.

Outside of work, Duran, along with her husband Noe, are cheering for their sons (Noah and Santiago) on the competitive soccer pitch.

Their family also takes yearly international trips to warmer climates with sand and waves at their feet.

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Tim Goodwin was promoted to compliance and BSA/OFAC Officer by the board of directors recently.

Goodwin joined the bank in 2019, after graduating from East Central University with a major in applied mathematics. Initially hired as a teller, he moved to compliance within his first month at the bank.

After spending a year learning compliance, Goodwin then moved to audit to enrich his banking knowledge. Two years later, the bank needed a manager for the compliance department and sought Goodwin for the position. His work ethic, knowledge, and previous experience in the department made him perfect for this new role.

Goodwin resides in Edmond, with his wife, Loren. He enjoys spending time with friends and family, loves the outdoors and his two dogs, Ada and Alma.

State with time-sensitive U.S. Department of Defense cybersecurity requirement needs. DRG employed technicians and IT spe-

cialists who were required to obtain a baseline IT certification. Rose State tailored curriculum for DRG’s IT specialists to secure their base-

line certification. As a result, DRG program managers maintained an operational schedule and secure certification of personnel. The success of this initiative has opened the door for additional opportunities, including continuing education, credentialing, and other industry-related certifications.

In addition, DRG received an award for its partnership with Southwestern Oklahoma State University to launch its aerospace and defense workforce initiative. The initiative promotes current students and degrees as well as the university’s rich aerospace and defense programs. DRG supports SWOSU in several different ways, including serving as a founding sponsor and contributor to its Aerospace and Defense Workforce Development Program.

DRG leadership assisted SWOSU in the creation of the program that launched in early 2022 alongside the dedication of the Lt. General Thomas P. Stafford Archives. Since launching, the university has successfully expanded its partnerships with aerospace and defense companies and federal agencies. This helped SWOSU continue to showcase the university’s offerings and support to industry within Oklahoma.

We believe the Oklahoma aerospace and defense industry thrives when universities are supplying local talent to the industry. It’s time for the state to step up and concentrate more on supporting higher education at the regional level.

Back row, from left: Brian Busey, DRG chief executive officer; Cathy Busey, executive vice president; and Philip Busey Jr., president. Seated is DRG founder and Chairman Phil G. Busey Sr.

FRED HALL President and CEO Hall Capital

Hall Capital’s value-driven culture anchors its success

By Fred J. Hall President & CEO Hall Capital

On the heels of Hall Capital’s centennial celebration, our family has had the chance to reflect on and celebrate the strong values-driven culture that has allowed us to sustain and grow our fourth-generation company. In the early days of the Fred Jones organization, my grandparents built the company around the values of faith, family, integrity, generosity and ambition.

Now, more than 100 years later, those guiding principles still serve as our anchors as we strive to create value for our partners, grow and develop the communities around us and support our neighbors through the Fred Jones Family Foundation.

Our roots are undoubtedly planted in the automotive industry and we continue to operate Fred Jones Enterprises, the company our grandfather founded, here in Oklahoma City. We are also grateful that the success of Fred Jones Enterprises has allowed us

to expand our focus into other industries, including real estate and oil and gas. Our real estate development work began more than two decades ago with the East Wharf development on Lake Hefner, which hosts our corporate headquarters. In recent years, we have focused much of our attention on the western end of downtown, which once housed the Ford Model T plant where our grandfather worked. Today, the West Village is one of the most dynamic parts of our city and the apartments, restaurants and hotel we developed led to the establishment of the West Village District in 2022.

Most recently, Hall Capital closed its first oil and gas fund, focusing on the acquisition of non-op assets in Oklahoma’s stack and scoop plays. My brothers and I are grateful to be the shepherds of our family’s legacy. As the fourth generation of our family begins to take active leadership roles in our company, we look forward to the role Hall Capital can play in helping Oklahoma City continue to thrive during the next 100 years.

The SSM Health network in Oklahoma also includes five SSM Health St. Anthony Healthplex campuses, six managed hospitals, 12 rural affiliated hospitals and SSM Health Medical Group with more than 300 physicians and providers.

SSM Health details partnership for discounted virtual birth classes

SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital announced a partnership with Birthly to offer discounted access to virtual childbirth education classes, allowing patients to access valuable educational resources in the comfort of their own homes.

Through the Birthly partnership, SSM Health St. Anthony patients are now able to access a variety of perinatal classes online at 40 percent of retail cost. All classes are live, which means patients will have the opportunity to connect through a live video feed with certified and experienced childbirth educators. Birthly educators will provide interactive teaching on a variety of top-of-mind topics and patients have dedicated time to ask questions.

Classes currently include Early Pregnancy Preparations, Prenatal Education Bootcamp (English and Spanish), Coping and Comfort, Breastfeeding 101 (English and Spanish) as well as Newborn Care (English and Spanish). Since each class type is offered multiple times a month, patients now have more flex-

ibility in choosing a time that fits their schedule and can attend classes anywhere virtually via their laptop, tablet or other mobile devices.

To learn more about SSM Health Joyful Beginnings labor and delivery care, please visit www.ssmhealth.com/joyfulbeginnings. Current SSM Health patients can also sign up for Birthly classes through the website.

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About SSM Health in Oklahoma: SSM Health in Oklahoma includes St. Anthony Hospital (Oklahoma City); Bone & Joint Hospital at St. Anthony (Oklahoma City); SSM Health Outpatient Center (Oklahoma City), St. Anthony Hospital - Shawnee (Shawnee, Okla.), St. Anthony Hospital - Shawnee, Seminole Campus (Seminole, Okla.) and St. Anthony Hospital - Midwest (Midwest City, Okla.). The SSM Health network in Oklahoma also includes five SSM Health St. Anthony Healthplex campuses, six managed hospitals, 12 rural affiliated hospitals and SSM Health Medical Group with more than 300 physicians and providers.