Spurs and rhinestones in OKC

Journal Record, The (Oklahoma City), Aug 22, 1997 by Joan Gilmore

Two western-type parties are coming up the same weekend in September and both suggest western attire. The Persimmon Hill Associates, support group for the National Cowboy Hall of Fame, will have their 10th annual Bolo Ball at the Hall on Sept. 12, and the St. Anthony Hospital Foundation board of directors will have their annual Scoot'n-A-Boot for Saints party on Sept. 13.

Party guests at Bolo Ball are asked to wear "creative western" as they dance to Asleep at the Wheel and dine on cowboy food prepared by nationally known chuck wagon chef Tom Perini and his Perini Ranch Steakhouse crew from Buffalo Gap, Texas.

The Bolo Ball guests may view the Prix de West art collection (in its final week at the Hall) at 7:30 p.m. and chow down at 8:30 p.m. Reserved preferential seating for 10 is $750 and regular reserved tables are $500. General admission is $45 per person. Advanced reservations are required and may be made by contacting Tami Gaston at 748-2250, Ext. 224. Proceeds from the Bolo Balls are used for museum-related projects. The handsome face of chairman Chris Keesee adorns the invitation to the Scoot'n-A-Boot hoe down. Guests are asked to wear "classic western attire accompanied by hat and spurs for men, rhinestones and fringe for women." Also scheduled at the Cowboy Hall, this Sept. 13 party offers cocktails at 6:30 p.m., dinner at 7:30 p.m. and silent and live auctions. Among the auction items are a Ford F350 4x2 Super Cab Power Stroke Diesel Hunter Green Pickup, some fabulous trips and other goodies. Auctioneer will be Michael Abadalla of Atlanta. The Panhandlers will play for dancing. The categories for contributions are Platinum, $5,000, table of eight and perks; Gold, $2,500, table of eight; Silver, $1,000, seating for four; Bronze, $500, seating for two, with individual reservations priced at $125. Proceeds will be used for foundation- sponsored projects at Saints. Reservations in the Platinum category have been made by Aramark, Bone & Joint Hospital, Don Chesler and Janice Chesler; Community Care Oklahoma's HMO, Frankfurt Short Bruza, Honeywell, Kerr-McGee, Kirkpatrick Family Fund, Liberty Bank and Trust of Oklahoma, McBride Clinic, Oklahoma Neurological Institute, The Pathology Group, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Associates, and SSM Health Care. For those of us who don't "dress western" or even "Santa Fe style," appropriate garb can be a challenge. I have boots -- but not western; no spurs, no hat, no fringe but a lot of rhinestones! Folks here and gone Barby Crabtree, broker and financial planner for Smith Barney, skipped town last week and her friends are missing her already. She was offered a management position in SB's Dallas office that was too good to turn down, she said. As of Sept. 1, you'll find her at Smith Barney Dallas. Among the many missing her vivaciousness and smarts are those on the Allied Arts board. Barby was to be president this year but had to resign -- with great regret. Joe Fleckinger, Allied Arts vice president, will move up to the presidency. Joe, like Barby, has been a long-time worker for the organization, which provides a financial umbrella for seven of the city's arts agencies. Gerry Bonds is one happy lady since she was notified that her weekly show on OETA has been nominated for an Emmy Award in the Heartland Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, which includes Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, North Dakota, South Dakota, Dallas/Fort Worth and Cheyenne, Wyo. Called Oklahoma City Metro, the half-hour show premiered last year and each show typically includes several guests for interview and discussion, concluding with a showcase of local musical talent. Nominated with Gerry are Executive Producer Bill Thrash, Producer Bill Perry and Director Sheryl Beesley. Oklahoma City Metro, which is aired at 5:30 p.m. Saturdays, on OETA and repeated at 8 p.m. Sundays on The Literacy Channel (43), is the only Oklahoma nominee in its program category, competing with three nominees from Colorado TV stations. Also nominated for an Emmy from OETA is Ebony Chronicles by Langston University Historian-in-Residence Currie Ballard. Travis Schutten is the photojournalist. The winners will be announced Sept. 13 in Denver. Incidentally, OETA is working up an impressive show about Oklahoma -- our state as it was in the 1930s, 40s, 50s and, maybe even, 60s. Topics will range from drive-ins to restaurants, movie houses to train stations, highways to rail lines. A project this size will take time but watch for it. You may even see a bit on the old Burma Shave signs! Joan Gilmore welcomes your comments and contributions. You may reach her by phone at 278-2842, by fax at 278-2890, or by e-mail, dpage