Green Tie Gala
Inside today:
Dr. Justin Beasley and his wife Kerri at the Catholic Charities’ annual gala. Page B1.
• Nichols Hills Magazine featuring the American Heart Association’s Sweethearts. • Specials from Wendy’s and Bass Pro.
OKC FRIDAY Vol. 53 No. 43 • Two Sections • 20 pages February 28, 2020
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 46 years
Community embraces 25th anniversary of Murrah bombing
Shapard swims to gold medals
By Rose Lane Editor
- Photo by Kimberly Richelle, CRPics.com
Heritage Hall’s Gracie Shapard, above, was one of three Charger swimmers to win gold medals last weekend at the Class 5A state championships in Jenks. Shapard, a sophomore, won the 100-yard backstroke and 100-yard freestyle events. Teammate Owen Flynn captured both the 100 breaststroke and 200 individual medley titles and Dylan Beeson also won the 200 IM. See the story and more photos in Sports Weekly, Page 5.
OKCPHIL announces 2020-21 season The OKCPHIL and Maestro Alexander Mickelthwate announce its 2020-2021 Classics and Pops seasons. “Whether music was composed 250 years ago or today, when it’s experienced collectively during a live performance it has the inexplicable ability to connect us,” Mickelthwate said. “The concert hall provides a welcoming space where conductor, musician and audience
can transcend daily life and be transported by a variety of orchestral pieces, crafted together to evoke a range of emotion.” In the Classics season, Philharmonic patrons can anticipate a harmonious blend of time honored classics and exciting new works, featuring some worldrenowned artists. The Pops series will arouse memories and inspire new ones to be made, as the orchestra pres-
ents a season crafted with audience requests and season satisfaction as our top priority. CLASSICS 2020-2021 Season The Classics Gala Opening Concert on Sept. 19 will dazzle, as the orchestra kicks off the season with a sparkling blend of musical choices. Opening See OKCPHIL, Page 3
American Fidelity on Fortune Best list American Fidelity Assurance Company has been named No. 53 on Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work for. American Fidelity is the only Okla-
homa-based company to make the list. Fortune compiles the list by conducting America’s largest ongoing annual workforce study, representing more than
4.1 million employees this year alone. “Because I am treated as a responsible and trusted employee I have a unique sense of gratitude and choose to
Fire at apartment complex damages, destroys 16 units Sixteen different units were damaged and some were destroyed in a Friday, Feb. 21 fire at the Summerfield Place Apartments near NW 122 and Meridian. Firefighters with the Oklahoma City Fire Department responded to what was described as a “massive” blaze at about 5 p.m. Reportedly, crews had been at the same complex several hours earlier to put out a
small electrical fire. No one was injured in the fire, officials said. Residents stood in the freezing cold temperatures watching the blaze, which firefighters battled for several hours. The Red Cross sent assistance and the EMBARK bus was on hand to help with those who were displaced. Fire officials have yet to determine the cause of the second fire.
give 110 percent every day,” an American Fidelity respondent said. “I want to work hard for the company that works hard for employees like me.”
From arts organizations to sports teams, the people of Oklahoma City are coming together to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the bombing of the Murrah Building in very special ways. “We are honored by the collaboration of so many in the community in recognizing this important anniversary date in our state’s history,” Kari Watkins, executive director of the OKC National Memorial and Museum, said. “It is critical that we look back and think forward as we continue to remember and to teach this story about how our community came together in the darkest days and has rebuilt.” “That resilience still exists today and we are pleased that so many different arts organizations, sports teams, schools, houses of worship and businesses want to reconnect as we continue to teach the Oklahoma Standard even 25 years later. We continue to be the city of hope to people around the world.” The National Memorial and Museum is hosting a series of Friday Eyewitness Tours. The private tours take place an hour before the museum opens to public, 8-9:30 a.m. First Responder Barry Black will lead the tour. He is a retired FBI special agent bomb technician who conducted an initial assessment of the scene and coordinated efforts for the FBI’s Evidence Response Team. On March 13, the tour will be led by Richard Kelley, the fire chief of the Oklahoma City Fire Department. As a corporal on April 19, 1995, he was called in off duty the day of the bombing and worked a total of 11 days on the rescue and recovery efforts. Journalist Robin Marsh will tell her story on March 20. A news anchor/reporter for KWTV News 9, Marsh was a vital part of the station’s coverage and was reporting live at the scene moments after the bombing occurred. On March 27, survivor Ed Eckenstein will be at the helm of the tour. He worked for the Oklahoma Water Resources Board, housed in the OWRB Building across the street from the Alfred P. See MEMORIAL, Page 9
FRIDAY’s
Rescue Dog of the Week The Village Rescue Dog of the Week is Luna. She's between 1- and 2-years-old and good with other dogs. Luna is approximately 45 pounds with a sweet personality. We think she is a Lab/Dalmatian and she walks good with a halter. Her adoption fee is $95. She will be vaccinated with Bordatella, Rabies, DHPP, wormed and heartworm tested and spayed. For an appointment to meet her, call Trey or Becky at 7510493.
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