OKC Events: April 19, 2005

Journal Record, The (Oklahoma City), Apr 19, 2005 by Joan Gilmore

If you didn't know when you walked into the Arthritis Foundation's award dinner that the honoree was Larry Nichols, the centerpieces on the tables might have tipped you off. Larry is CEO of Devon Energy and the centerpieces were ice sculptures of oil derricks surrounded by circles of miniature hard-hats imprinted with Devon.

Two guys known for their humor, Burns Hargis and Ronald J. Norick, were co-chairs of the dinner. They had a script about 10 things you'd never hear Larry Nichols say, which was pretty funny (even though the two men obviously hadn't rehearsed their roles).

John Osborne, chairman of the board of the Arthritis Foundation, was master of ceremonies and David L. Boren, president of the University of Oklahoma, was guest speaker.

Boren, noted for his tendency to talk a bit too long, was reminded that the centerpieces were only ice and might melt if his talk was too extended. Boren chuckled - and did not let the ice melt.

The Tribute to Excellence Award presentation was preceded by a video. Larry's parents, John and Mary Nichols, just glowed with pride, as did Larry's wife, Polly.

Major sponsors of the evening were Bone & Joint Hospital, Chesapeake Energy, Deloitte & Touche, Devon Energy, Dorchester Capital, Everest Brothers, Great Plains Coca-Cola Bottling Co., McBride Clinic, Noble Corp., The Oklahoman, RBC Capital Markets & Royal Bank of Canada, UBS Investment Bank, University of Oklahoma and Kerr-McGee.

Luke Corbett, CEO of Kerr-McGee, and his wife, Becky, were hosts for a patron party before the dinner.

Among those attending were Ray and Lou Ackerman, Ed and Kathy Martin, Lee Allan and Dee Ann Smith; Bill and Betty Bell, Bill and Anne Johnston, Mark and Beverly Funke, Beverly Binkowski, Lisa Putt, Clay Bennett, Tom and Lisa Price, Ed and Gene Barth, Bob and Karen Browne, John and Charlotte Richels, Kris and Bill Frankfurt, Zach and Alison Taylor, Rocky and Carol Duckworth (up from Houston for the occasion), Dick and Sally Burpee, Herschal and Betty Crow, LaDonna and Herman Meinders, Bill and Pam Shdeed, Steve and Nancy Moore, Blake Wade, Christy and Jim Everest, Joe and Marti Ferretti and, of course, Dennis Clowers. (Dennis is married to Arthritis Foundation's executive director Suzi Clowers. She deserves a pat on the back, too, for staging an impressive award dinner.)

Travelers' togs

Guests are asked to wear their favorite vacation togs - and be creative about it - to the American Tourist Mayan Riviera party from 7:30 p.m. to midnight April 30 at the historic Farmers' Market.

Sponsored by Travelers Aid of Oklahoma City, the evening will benefit a program to move homeless families in Oklahoma City out of shelters and into housing.

The party will feature beverages, hors d'oeuvres and dancing to the music of Pearl. Reservations are $50 per person and $400 for a table of eight guests. Checks payable to Travelers Aid may be mailed to 1033 N. Walker Ave., Oklahoma City 73102. Mike Dollins is chairman of the benefit.

Major sponsors are Barbour Energy and Chesapeake Energy. Others are NewsOK.com, The Oklahoman, McAfee & Taft, UPS, Coppermark Bank, Cole & Reed, Dollins & Co., Collins, Zorn & Wagner, Buttram Energies and Ray and Lisa Lees.

Bits and pieces

F. Daniel Duffy, executive vice president of the American Board of Internal Medicine, will be the speaker at the Stanton L. Young Master Teacher Award dinner April 27 at Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club. The award recognizes teaching excellence within the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine.