Happy birthday Count!
Camps Your kids will be happy campers when they attend one of our Fridayland camps! Page 14
John Ferguson, “Count Gregore,” celebrated his 94th birthday and is set to be the 2022 Senior Follies king. Page 14
OKC FRIDAY Vol. 55 No. 39 • One Section • 16 pages • March 4, 2022
www.okcfriday.com facebook.com/okcfriday OKC’s only locally-owned legal newspaper with all local news Serving Oklahoma City, Nichols Hills, The Village, Quail Creek, The Greens and Gaillardia for 48 years
75 years of Beaux Arts tradition comes to an end By Rose Lane Editor Past Beaux Arts kings and current committee members have received letters that after 75 years, the Beaux Arts Ball is no more. The last debutante presentation took place on the Saturday after Thanksgiving of last year.
But Chris Keesee, chairman of the Kirkpatrick Bank and Kirkpatrick foundation — and the grandson of Eleanor Kirkpatrick, the organizer and first chairman of the Beaux Arts Ball — is willing to work with those who would like to see the institution go on. Rich in tradition, the first ball was held in 1945 for the
benefit of the Oklahoma City Museum of Art. In addition to a king, the society at that time named a queen. Over the years, thousands of young women and men have been introduced to society through the debutante ball. The young ladies were presented by their fathers before an audience of family and friends.
The court also consisted of a class of men, the escorts; two young pages and the king, who was announced at the ball. The ability to change is why some of the oldest traditions in the United States have survived, Keesee said. “It seems unusual for Beaux Arts to suddenly — and without notice or cause
— end,” he said. “While so much has been accomplished over the last 75 years, there is still plenty to do.” Beaux Arts provided funding for OKCMOA to add to its permanent collection. “Having this important factor suddenly stopped seems like a hardship for the See BALL, Page 5
Plywood parking lots are a no-no in Village
BBBS honors Symcox
By Eric Oesch Staff Writer A makeshift plywood parking lot at the Quality Foods convenience store has led to changes in city ordinances to update standards for commercial parking lots. The plywood parking situation caught the attention of The Village city council more than a month ago. The council learned of the plywood parking addition to concrete parking at the convenience store during its regular Feb. 7 meeting. The parking addition was large enough to accommodate at least three full size vehicles The store had placed sheets of plywood on a grassy area adjacent to its regular concrete parking lot. After some discussion, the council tabled consideration due to the lack of council members in attendance to declare an emergency clause. An emergency clause allows an ordinance to become effective immediately after council approval. Ward Four Councilwoman Wynter Griffins was unable to attend the Feb. 7 meeting. A full council was in attendance for the Feb. 21
Melissa Ramirez, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oklahoma, presents the Judge William R. Saied Founders Award to Suzie Symcox, executive vice president, First Fidelity Bank. Suzie has served on the Governing Board since 2015 and as chairman 2019-21, sharing her expertise and influence with the agency. Judge William R. Saied brought Big Brothers Big Sisters to Oklahoma City more than 50 years ago. This award named in his honor is bestowed upon someone who has helped move the agency forward in an important way.
See VILLAGE, Page 5
Randy McDaniel to chair national treasurers committee
RANDY McDANIEL
Oklahoma State Treasurer Randy McDaniel has been appointed chairman of the National Association of State Treasurers Financial Education and Empowerment Committee. The appointment was made by Connecticut State Treasurer Shawn Wooden, association president.
The panel, composed of nine state treasurers from across the nation, promotes public policy and initiatives to help increase personal financial education and responsibility. “Many studies have shown the need to improve financial literacy,” McDaniel said. “I appreciate the
Juliette Low Leadership Society
Mother-daughter duo to speak Valari and Jess Wedel, a motherdaughter team, are set to share their inspiring story of climbing Mt. Everest after Jess was diagnosed with and overcame ovarian cancer at age 27 during Girl Scouts Western Oklahoma’s Juliette Low Leadership Society Luncheon. The 18th annual event is set for 11:30 a.m., March 25, at the Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club. Proceeds from the event provide science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) enrichment opportunities and programs for girls. The luncheon was originally
scheduled for Feb. 17, but the postponement reflects the organization’s commitment to safety throughout the pandemic. Individual tickets are $250 and available until March 8 at bit.ly/rsvpJLLS or by calling (405) 528-GIRL (4475). The ticket includes annual membership in the Juliette Low Leadership Society. “The theme for this year’s Girl Scout Cookie season is ‘Climb with Courage,’ so it’s fitting that the JLLS luncheon will feature a mother-daughter climbing team,” said See JLLS, Page 5
appointment and look forward to the opportunity to help people of all ages, especially the youth, have access to the resources needed to succeed.” According to PwC’s 2021 annual Employee Financial Wellness Survey, financial or money challenges account for 63 percent of the
FRIDAY’s Cat
stress workers face every day. That is up nine percent over the annual survey in 2020. Among its activities, the committee helps promote Financial Literacy Month each April as it seeks to bring awareness to the need for more financial education in schools and for adults.
of the Week
Garry is a loving, "fluffy" outdoor cat that loves his human Kylie Britt. His favorite thing to have done is for Kylie to rub his belly and to feed him treats. He is a 3-year-old male tabby cat and is loved so much by Kylie. Send Pet and Baby of the Week nominations with complete descriptions to rose@okcfriday.com. Submissions are used in the order they are received.
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