Irish pom is Class 5A Jazz Division winners The Bishop McGuinness pom team was crowned the 2020 Class 5A Jazz Division Title winners during the Oklahoma State Dance Team Directors' Association (OSDTDA) annual Oklahoma State Dance Team competition. Additionally, they received the High Point Jazz Award and the Outstanding Choreography Award. Seniors Sophia Davies, Molly Godfrey, Jane Nelson and Elizabeth Wright, were named All-Region at the competition. Sophia Davies and Elizabeth Wright were also named All-State. The 2020-21 Irish pom state team is comprised of seniors Sophia Davies (captain), Talon Floyd, Molly Godfrey, Casey Gormley, Jillian Hibbard, Kate Lipps (captain), Jane Nelson (captain) and Elizabeth Wright; juniors Colette Conaway, Emery Hammond, Molly Mullins, Emma Rowland (captain) and Kate Skarky (captain); sophomores Reese Parks, Avery Payne and Alyssa Schmit; and freshmen Alex Ille, Sarah Newby and Laura Wright.
OKC FRIDAY Vol. 54 No. 38 • One Section • 12 pages January 29, 2021
www.okcfriday.com facebook.com/okcfriday OKC’s only locally-owned legal newspaper with all local news Serving Oklahoma City, Nichols Hills, The Village, Quail Creek, The Greens and Gaillardia for 47 years
Working together
Presidential DAR visit
OKCMOA, Metro Library collaborate to show connection between art and literature
The President General of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution visited Oklahoma City. President General Denise Doring VanBuren, left, with the Honorable Frank Keating at the Oklahoma History Center. In addition she was greeted by Oklahoma State DAR Regent Teresa Ellis Cales and Deputy Director of the Oklahoma History Center Jeff Briley. VanBuren was presented with a Governor’s Commendation signed by Governor Kevin Stitt for her devotion to DAR.
By Rose Lane Editor The Oklahoma City Museum of Art and the Metropolitan Library Service work together to get the word out about the correlation between art and literature. The two entities have collaborated on a number of programs over the last 15 years, Becky Weintz, the museum’s director of marketing and communications said. She said the library has served
as a community partner for OKCMOA’s SONIC Free Family Day events for over 15 years. When these events were able to be held in person at the museum, library staff were stationed in the lobby or galleries to share storytimes, crafts, as well as library resources and marketing. The library provided teacher resource lists and staff attended the museum’s regular Educator Night for several years until See CONNECT, Page 2
Citizens of The Village praise city’s Fire Department By Eric Oesch Staff Writer Praise for the Fire Department opened The Village City Council meeting as two residents recounted stories of helpful support they recently received from the department. The praise was followed later in the council meeting when council members approved a resolution to
increase the salaries of all full-time employees of the city. Carol Jenson taught kindergarten in the Dallas area for 31 years before she retired to The Village in 2001. Jenson is somewhat of a rarity as she tries to attend every City Council meeting. She is also a staunch supporter of city employees. “Moving home to live in The Village is one of the best
decisions I’ve ever made,” said Jenson. “We have always supported our city employees and especially the Fire Department.” The Village City Council reserves time for citizens to be heard at each meeting. Jenson used this time to share with the council a story about her elderly neighbor who had become concerned about living alone. “My neighbor has health
issues and is afraid of falling,” she said. “She’s concerned about falling and being unable to get up. “I told my neighbor about a lock box that holds a house key you can purchase online that can be permanently placed outside her front door,” she said. “The Fire Department has a universal key to the box so during an emergency they can retrieve the key to open the front
door without causing major damage. It could cost up to $1,000 to repair a door that had to be broken down to help someone who had fallen and was unable to get up.” Jenson had praise for Fire Chief T.J. Hammel and The Village Fire Department for installing the lock box for her elderly neighbor free of charge. See VILLAGE, Page 3
Nichols Hills loses long-time employee to COVID
STEVEN FRANCIS
The City of Nichols Hills lost one of its first employees to COVID-19. Steven Francis had been a sanitation truck driver for the city since 1991 and a beloved member of the City of Nichols Hills family. This past Jan. 17 would have been his 30th year of service with the city. Dec. 18, 2020 was the last day Francis drove the sanitation truck, at which time he showed no symptoms of illness. By Sunday, Dec. 20, Francis became
Graham named to national committee
very ill and had to be hospitalized. After 27 days in a hard-fought battle with COVID-19, Francis passed away on Jan. 15. Through Francis’ many years of loyal service to Nichols Hills he developed close bonds of friendship with his coworkers. Nichols Hills Public Works Director Randy Lawrence called him a “quiet and humble guy” who would enjoy laughter with his co-workers from time to time.
FRIDAY’s
“He would often be seen lending a hand to those in need, most often sharing a meal with his team or just helping them navigate through the day,” Lawrence said. “I will surely miss him stopping by my office for a quick chat about mechanical issues he would have or just a friendly conversation before starting work.” Lawrence said that Francis was a See NHILLS, Page 3
Dog of the Week This is Jenny the Pocket Beagle. Her humans are Melissa and Lawrence Ross. She’s around 5-years-old. Jenny was a breeder at a puppy mill in Texas who was abandoned and rescued. Jenny is basically a stomach on legs and incredibly playful and lazy. When she wants you to play with her she’ll steal an article of your clothing, while you’re looking at her! Then, she wants you to chase her for it. Her other speed seems to be asleep and snoring.
The Village City Councilman Adam Graham has been appointed to the National League of Cities (NLC) 2021 Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Federal Advocacy Committee. Councilmember Graham was reelected to a one-year term and will provide strategic direction and guidance for NLC’s federal advocacy agenda and policy priorities. The appointment was announced by NLC President Kathy Maness, councilmember from Lexington, S.C. “I do not take this opportunity for granted. I look forward to serving and representing not only my constituents in The Village, but everyone who
Sponsored by Paulette and Leo Kingston of WePayFast.com See GRAHAM, Page 3
ADAM GRAHAM