Dorothy Thadani - Crown Heights – Edgemere Heights

s e p t e m b e r / o c t o b e r 2 0 0 6 • V o l u m e 2 7 I s s u e 1 • w w w. c h - e h . o r g
2006 Neighbor of the Year
A wise bumper sticker once said
“If you can read this, thank a teacher.”
In the spirit of this season of new
pencils and backpacks, The Chronicle
is featuring more than a dozen teachers
who live in our neighborhood and five
of our local schools. CH-EH is full of
interesting people with interesting
occupations. We hope you enjoy learning
more about your neighbors.
Dorothy Thadani
Dorothy has just
returned from a
vacation visiting her
family and extended
family in England and
the Czech Republic.
Her eyes twinkle
when she talks about
her 87 year old Uncle
swimming every
morning in the lake
near his home, and her face breaks in to a smile
when she relates the story of an impromptu dinner
of fresh rye bread, cheeses and tomatoes in the
dining room of a Bohemian hotel. This twinkle, smile
and pleasant easy going way of getting things done
are what Dorothy brings to all of the projects that
she leads or participates in for our neighborhood.
When Dorothy and her husband Udho began
looking for a new home after living in Putnam
Heights, Uhdo told her he wanted a two-story home.
They found just the right one on N.W. 38th street in
1985 in which to raise their daughter, Emma.
Dorothy is committed to preserving the character of our neighborhood and therefore wanted to
get involved. She is currently serving her second
term on the Board of Directors. She is involved on
the Social Committee by coordinating or assisting
with Oktoberfest, the Easter Egg Hunt and 4th of
July festivities. “Our neighborhood has so many
continued page 8
The Newsletter of
the Crown HeightsEdgemere Heights
Neighborhood
back to school issue
75th Anniversary
Birthday Party
Saturday, September 23rd
Will Roger’s Event Center
Music, Food, Drink & Trivia Games
Invitation to be mailed soon.
See page 4 for more info
above, left to right: First Presbyterian Pre-School Teachers
Cathy Russell, Kris Barnett, Karri Hoss, Julie Law, Denise Hole
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Blake Hoss: Back to School Essay . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Paseo Grill Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Neighborhood Landmark: VZD’s . . . . . . . . . . 9
City Issues: Meeting Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Teachers in the Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Memory Lane: Eunice Ellis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
School Updates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Recent Events: 4th of July . . . . . . . . . . . . 25-26
Chocolate Molten Cake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Historical Preservation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
september/october 2006
Mention this ad and receive
10% off
American
Made
ConstruCtion
until oct. 31!
•
•
•
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•
Irrigation Systems
Decks
Kitchens
Bathroom
Room Additions
623-7041
OFFICERS
Bob Alfson, President
Lea Morgan, Vice-President
Staci Coleman, Secretary
Judy Krueger, Treasurer
DIRECTORS
Patricia Ayling
Pat Ball
Suzanne Bockus
Danielle Coats
Bob Eskew
Sandi Evans
Lanny Grade
John Joyce
Alan Kirkpatrick
Bob Kinniburgh
Jini Morris
Sharon Reeves
Bob Reising
Linda Resnick
Nancy Robertson
Dorothy Thadani
ALTERNATES
Lola Baker
Kris Barnett
Andy Ontko
For questions or assistance, please contact
the appropriate committee chairperson:
BLOCK CAPTAIN COORDINATOR
Patricia Ayling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
HP/CODE COMPLIANCE
John Joyce . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
CHRONICLE LIAISON
Danielle Coats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lea Morgan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SOCIAL ACTIVITIES
Jini Morris . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
HOSPITALITY / NEW NEIGHBORS
Suzanne Bockus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
LANDSCAPING & PARK
Sharon Reeves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MEMBERSHIP
Bob Alfson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
STREET LIGHTS & MARKERS
Sandi Evans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
75TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS
Marylyn Rowell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
CH-EH
Homeowners
Association
P.O. Box 18283, Shartel Station
Oklahoma City, OK 73154
september/october 2006
A Smashing Success!
Thanks to many volunteers coordinated by Jini
Morris, our Fourth of July (held on July 4th!)
Parade and Picnic were, again, a smashing
success. Soooo many people attended that we
decided we needed two more tables for the pot
luck dishes next year!
Be sure to read the article in this issue about
our 2006-2007 Neighbor of the Year with the
charming English accent, Dorothy Thadani.
There’s more info here on the upcoming
75th Anniversary Gala at Will’s Event Center
on the 23rd. Speaking of birthdays, by the
time that you read this, the time capsule will
have been buried in Crown Heights Park to
be reopened on July 4th, 2031 for the 100th
birthday celebration.
I attended an exciting meeting about
a potential OKC bond issue next year that
could result in more improvements to our
neighborhood. Please read the article here and
consider lending your talents.
Another short article about City Issues
touches on the great responsiveness of the City
Manager’s office to some of our concerns. We
$250,000 Improvement
Do you have an idea for a $250,000 improvement
to our neighborhood?
After spending hundreds of millions on projects
in the outlying areas of Oklahoma City, the City
seems ready to turn its attention to “inner city”
projects with the next bond issue.
In July, I attended a meeting of the NearNorthwest Regional Alliance (NNWRA) at
Westminster School. The primary reason for the
meeting was for our City Councilman, Sam Bowman, to explain the opportunity we might have to
get neighborhood projects included in the bond
issue that will be voted on in November 2007.
If you’re interested in the details of the meeting,
here’s a link to the official report submitted
by the Secretary, David LeVan of Westminster
School: http://www.geocities.com/cheh_hoa/
NNWRA/2006-07-20Minutes.htm
The projects will probably be chosen by the
City in the Spring, so now is the time to start
thinking about ideas that we can develop into
proposals this Fall and Winter.
One of the interesting ideas discussed is the
new alternative to a swimming pool: “Spray
President’s Page
were impressed with their professionalism and
responsiveness.
Lea and Danielle have put together another
dynamite issue here – interesting, informative
and vital. This is news you need!
If you have an issue to raise, a question or a
comment, you can email [email protected], or
use the anonymous web form on our website.
Bob Alfson
bond issue
Grounds.” The City is in the process of installing
them in nine parks this year. I saw a great one
at Andrews Park in Norman. Here’s a link to a
picture of one in Rochester, NY: http://rochester.kidsoutandabout.com/playgrounds/jpsprayground6.jpg
Redoing the curbs around the Shartel
median? Re-surfacing a particularly bad section
of street? Addressing the erosion issue in the
creek? Sidewalks in lots of places? Changing
Shartel and Walker to “quiet” the traffic?
Many things are possible!
The point of this note is to solicit volunteers
for a committee to work on creating a proposal
for CH-EH projects. Please contact Bob Alfson
if you’re interested or have an idea:
Email: [email protected],
www.ch-eh.org
by Bob Alfson
september/october 2006
upcomin events
75th Birthday Party
Thanks for all your votes in the Oklahoma Gazette!
Daycare • Grooming • Boarding
5420 N. Classen Blvd. • Okla. City (north of NW Expressway) • Mon-Sat 7am-7pm
(405) 858-BARK (2275)
What do tootsie pops,
bisquick and Dick and
Jane books have in
common with Crown
Heights? They all share
the same BIRTHDAY 1931! We are planning
a super Birthday Party,
Saturday, September 23rd
at Will Rogers Event
Center. Invitations are
being mailed to all
residents of Crown
Heights-Edgemere
Heights and a RSVP will
ensure your attendance at the most FUN party
in CH-EH History.
1930’s Costumes are encouraged, so you
will need to soon decide if you should come
as Mae West or Snow White. Yes, both were
1930’s stars! There will be a Best Costume
Prize, so don’t be too slow to foxtrot to the
closets and attics.
There will be party food, cash bar and lots
of entertainment! The Birthday Party Committee
is working hard to make this a grand evening.
You can help in three ways.
Crow H g
Tr v a
We need information about events, or
happenings in and around Crown Heights….
maybe about movies shown at Will Rogers,
neighborhood events, etc. Please send your
information to Staci Coleman.
H
or al P o o or Do
m
We want to set up display boards of our history.
Please share any early photos, plans, posters
of Will Rogers movies, etc with us for the
evening. Also, borrowing easels or display
boards would be so helpful. Make arrangements
with Suzanne Lister.
!!
We will be making new history! Don’t be left
out of the story!
Don’t forget to Swing Dance to Will’s where
we will Rumba on…. until Kate Smith sings!
If you have any questions or want to help
(not too late!) contact any of the committee
members: Kris Barnett, Staci Coleman, Sue
Cook, Elaine DeGiusti, Lisa Hammond,
Suzanne Lister, Julie Tubb, or Linda Resnick
september/october 2006
feature
Nobody Walks To School Anymore
By H. Blake Hoss
It took me only a
second to gather
up my essentials
– wallet, cell phone,
keys – and then
another to clear the
length of the front
yard to my house.
Bounding up the
stairs in one step
I hit the door mid
stride, expecting it to swing inward only to find
that it held, and with a shocked grunt I struck
my forehead against it. Confused, I tried the
door handle again, but with the same result;
my front door was locked.
Still confused, I glanced around to make sure
I was at the right house, much less the right
neighborhood. Who in this neighborhood locks
their doors, and of those people, why? In fact,
I wasn’t entirely sure the lock wasn’t a new
thing; a wave of nostalgia hit me with memories
of me and three or four of my friends scurrying
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through the streets to the park to cause mischief.
I was still standing at the front door when my
sister finally let me in.
“Since when are we locking the door?” I was
still indignant over what I considered an outrage.
Regarding me with all the coolness of her
twelve years she replied, “since forever.”
I nodded at the wisdom in this, and brushed
past her into the living room where I immediately
found myself in a war zone. Summer was drawing
to an end, and tensions were running high.
“I was trying to lock Harrison out actually,”
my sister confessed, explaining to me that a
fight had sparked over who deserved to get
dropped off first for the premier day of school.
Harrison, my brother, was arguing that as the
older of the two, and because he was going to a
new school, it should be him. My sister, never
one to take the higher road, had played the ‘but
I’m a girl’ card. A card only played when she
thought she was entitled to something.
Entering through the now unlocked front door
I heard Harrison complaining long before I ever
saw him. A tirade that ended with him asking me
if I wasn’t angry about school starting back up.
“Well,” I tried to explain to him, “I’m not
really going back to school per se, I’m going
back to college.”
“Isn’t college harder than normal school?” My
brother asked.
Yawning, I did my best to explain to my
brother that my first class everyday started at
noon, my weekends started on Thursday and
ended on Tuesday, and that I lived in a house
with thirty of my best friends.
“So yeah,” I shrugged, “I’m not that angry
about school starting back up.”
Feeling suddenly that my life was going
incredibly well, something seized me and, like
all people who feel they have more than enough
of something, I generously offered to walk my
sister to school on her first day.
“It will mean waking up before noon, but I
think I can do it at least once,” I told her, “and
continued
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september/october 2006
Nobody Walks To School Anymore, continued
it’s been a long time since I walked to school.”
“Why?” was her first question, “I mean,
why would we walk to school? Is your car
broken or something?”
Shaking my head I explained that no, my
car was not broken. It was running perfectly
fine. Parked right out front behind my
brother’s car, a broken down piece of junk on
wheels that he affectionately referred to as ‘the
disabled sable.’
“Then why don’t you just give me a ride to
school?” she asked.
With this question I was reminded why
it is I rarely offer to do anything for anyone,
and with a deep breath I launched into an
explanation as to why someone would walk
to school. When I was younger I walked to
school everyday. In fact, it was cool to walk to
school because it was different.
“So basically, you want me to walk to
school in weather that can fry an egg on the
sidewalk,” my sister spoke slowly, “instead of
riding in mom’s cool air conditioned car.”
I opened my mouth to reply, but no words
came out. This was exactly what I was saying.
By the time I could think of a response my
brother and sister were moving on, moving
to their respective computers to get ‘back to
school’ playlists ready for their iPods.
In my mind when I had imagined walking
my sister to school, I had imagined walking
her along the same path I used to take. In fact,
I even imagined that the same parents who
always offered to give me a ride would stop
and offer us rides again, and together we
would politely decline them.
But then, I thought, we couldn’t really
take the same route now could we? For the
one month I spent at home between studying
abroad and heading back down to college, I
had tried to keep my mom’s home cooking off
september/october 2006
me by running. Some things were still there,
and I’d made it home in time to catch the
annual Fourth of July parade (during which
my street, inexplicably, performed a montage
of previous years, resulting in an inexplicable
mish mash of political commentary and public
outrage, Saddam Hussein jumping on Michael
Jacksons’ bed in short), but other things were
changed. Where was the old wooden park bench
where my friends and I had gotten splinters?
Not only that, but I was shocked to find that
both my old high school AND my old middle
school had been torn down and replaced with
academies of education that looked like they
would fit better on a college campus.
“That’s right,” returning to the room
my sister laughed, “I get to go to the new
Westminster, and you never do.” Then, as an
afterthought, “I can’t believe you never got to
climb the rock wall.”
For a minute I thought about this. I was
jealous, at least kind of, that I would never get
to go to P.E. with the expectation that I might
climb a rock wall, but then again I was in
college. Grinning I shrugged, “at least I don’t
have to wake up till noon.”
Author’s Note:
A graduate of Westminster and Bishop McGuinness
Catholic High School, Harold Blake Hoss has tried
almost everything and failed at half of it. Luckily most
of his failures make great stories. A child of Crown
Heights and the oldest of four, Blake was practically
born and certainly raised between the streets of
Shartel and Western. He is currently studying at
the University of Oklahoma in Norman where he is
majoring in Letters.
feature
Paseo Grill
The recently opened Paseo Grill, 2909 Paseo, Suite
A, has generated quite the buzz among neighbors.
Whether you visit for a drink on the patio
overlooking the heart of the Paseo Arts District, a
working lunch on Wednesday, or dinner on a 1st
Friday Paseo Art Walk, you’ll find something on
their menu that is likely to become a new favorite.
The restaurant has been remodeled from its
days as Café Bargoos. Private booths and tables
are well spaced and equipped with reading
glasses and pen lights for easy menu reading.
Oyster shell curtains separate the bar area from
the diners and create a wonderful atmosphere.
The lunch menu includes a Cast Iron Skillet
Chicken Pot Pie with homemade pie crust.
Limited quantities are made each day, so call
ahead to reserve one or go early. Three sandwiches
are offered, and all are served with Fried Green
Beans (very good!). Soups, salads, and potatoes
to mix and match are available. Entrees for
lunch include a Cherry Wood Smoked Salmon
and Spicy Shrimp Pasta with Pine Nut Pesto. A
Vegetarian Patter, including a wonderful pine nut
orzo pilaf and a signature cucumber salad with
mild jalapeños is also featured.
Executive Chef, Melody Walker, has created
excellent dinner entrees for all tastes. In addition
to daily fresh fish specials there are a number of beef
selections, including Ribeye and a limited availability
Kobe Manhattan Steak. Another wonderful choice
is the Maple Leaf Farms Duck Breast.
The wine and drink list is extensive. Some
highlights on the wine list are Caymus Conundrum
and David Bruce Russian River Pinot Noir. Deserts
currently are brought in from La Baguette until
the kitchen is well conditioned (by the looks of
the pie crust on the chicken pot pie, it won’t be
long!). Specialty drink martinis include “Italian
Tiramisu” and “Raspberry Éclair”.
Joe Jungmann, Proprietor, is very attentive to
his customers and the wait staff is eager to please.
To learn more about the restaurant, check out
their well designed and informative website,
www.paseogrill.com. We welcome the Paseo Grill
and hope that you discover a new favorite.
september/october 2006
Dorothy Thadani continued
social events to involve all ages,” Dorothy
states. “The events are a great way to meet
people.” She also assists Sharon Reeves on the
Landscaping Committee by helping to maintain flower beds on the west end of Crown
Heights Park and many other needed tasks.
Serving on the Capital Improvements
Committee, Dorothy began and continued the
tedious communication with the city, county
and state regarding the 40th Street termination.
As Chairperson for the 2006 Heights Party,
Dorothy spearheaded the successful evening
in her calm, unassuming manner. She amazed
her committee members by hand-making all of
the Centennial Clock flower vases!
In addition to her interest in CH-EH,
Dorothy enjoys yoga and eating food “that other
people have cooked”. She would like to see more
people involved in our neighborhood association
because she has a firm belief in getting involved
in anything that is personally important. It’s clear
that CH-EH is important to Dorothy.
If you see Dorothy walking her Dalmatian
dog, Wishbone, please thank her for her hard
work over the years!
september/october 2006
VZD’s
neighborhood landmark
When it comes to VZD’s, I consider myself more
of a torch bearer than the owner and know that
VZD’s wouldn’t be here without the support of
my Crown Heights patrons. For this, I thank
you and pledge that with Debbi’s great cooking,
VZD’s will continue catering to the needs of it’s
loyal neighbors by providing sustenance to mind
and body in the form of wholesome food, great
live music, and a comfortable place to hang out
and unwind. Whether you enjoy friends over our
legendary Artichocke-Spinach dip or cocktails,
chicken strips or a Caesar salad, playing on the
stage or watching cutting edge bands, VZD’s takes
care of its Crown Heights neighbors of all ages
through the ages. Those new to the area know
this about VZD’s, but there is more to the story.
In 1991, at 23 years of age, Amanda Bleakley
and myself purchased VZD’s with a Grandmother’s
love and support, a bank loan and two of the
owners willing to be repaid in food and drink.
We were joined later that year by Debbi Johnson,
and together helped carry on the VZD’s tradition
while adding new favorites to the old classic’s.
Today, we are still known for great music and
good times with friends, but have worked hard
to bring you a wider variety of food. Known for
our fresh ground hand-patted burgers, hearty
salads, hand dipped onion rings with a hint of
cayenne, great deli sandwiches and daily specials
like catfish and chicken enchiladas, we strive
to keep making our food from scratch with the
freshest ingredients.
VZD’s means a lot of things to a lot people,
many of whom have no idea of how a name that
sounds more like a underwear brand than the
name of a neighborhood institution was derived.
Located at 4200 North Western Avenue in a
1930’s era building that precedes Crown Heights,
m a r k h anc o c k
By Chad Bleakley
VZD’s Restaurant & Club pays homage to the
original occupant of the building, “A Home
Institution” which was known as Veazey Drug.
The Veazey Drug Store Chain thrived from the
1920’s through the mid 1960’s with a total of 24
stores. The location at 42nd and North Western
was the 20th store listed as Veazey #21 in print
and matchbooks as there was no Veazey Drug
#13 due to the superstitions of the era.
When my family moved into Crown Heights
in 1972, the location was home to Hambrick’s
Grocery, just a short walk from our home on
40th West. As an 8-year-old, you couldn’t beat
filling up the wagon with empty coke bottles
from our parent’s pantry and exchanging the
deposit money for candy cigarettes, chicken legs
and other delicacies enjoyed by the first high
fructose corn syrup generation. Ronnie Ketch
and I were well known to the proprietor, Mr.
Hambrick who sold the store after a near fatal
shooting during a robbery that left him paralyzed
continued
september/october 2006
VZD’s continued
from the waist down. After the sale, a mysterious
fire occurred within the year and the building
was bought and repaired by the building’s current
owner Robert Sullivan.
April 2nd, 1976 brought about a new era for the
building with the opening of VZD’s. The building
was home to several other businesses over the
years including Full Circle Bookstore, My Sister’s
Scissors (now Eden Salon), Ooh La La aka It’s
My Party and 42nd Street Candy Store. Always a
trend setter, VZD’s introduced Oklahoma City to
the Grilled Chicken Sandwich and a Chef Salad
on a bed of Spinach. The original owners were
also pioneers in the days of “liquor by the wink”
and I still get shown an original “Club Card” on
occasion. Many employees and patrons were
also trail blazers in other ways, setting the stage
for that infamous night life that dragged on into
the mid 80’s at such places as Michael’s Plum,
The Painted Desert and Cappuccino’s.
A second fire in August of 1978, when a
good day of burger sales led to a vent hood fire
that spread across the roof, brought in the Vic
Cleveland era. Vic, a resident of Crown Heights
picked up the torch (pun intended) by replacing
10
september/october 2006
the founding group of owners which included
himself along with Mark & Tom McGee, Tom
Garrison, Robert Sullivan and Chris Delaporte.
As a side note, Chris worked as a manager at the
Stoneleigh P in Dallas and brought the concept
to OKC with VZD’s and Liberty D’s in Norman
on Campus Corner. During the decade that Vic
operated VZD’s, it earned a reputation for a great
happy hour and two promoters, John Mossburg
(aka Manson) and his mentor Shelby who first
brought national bands to VZD’s. Buddy Guy,
Koko Taylor and the Red Hot Chili Peppers were
just of a few of the many that continue today.
After 10 years, Jack Wright purchased VZD’s
and carried on for a year or so before the tax man
came knocking. The doors were locked briefly
in August 1990 and re-opened in December by
Chris Lower, Kurt Fleischfresser, Linda Meoli
and Bill Bleakley with myself as General Manager.
It wouldn’t be long, not unlike 1978, before those
responsible for getting VZD’s open let others
pick up the torch, which brings us full circle. If
you’ve never visited VZD’s, I cordially invite you
to partake in an OKC legend and enjoy some
wholesome, homemade food in the process.
above: The 1st anniversary party, April 2nd, 1977
cit issues
Report of Meeting with the City of OKC
b for
r g
ow g
of D
ork
by Bob Alfson
On 27 June 2006, Lanny Grade and I met with
Assistant City Manager Jim Thompson and
Director of Public Works and City Engineer
Dennis Clowers. We were well-received and the
meeting began promptly at 8AM in Jim’s office.
We discussed the upcoming water mains project,
the unsightly barricade and signage at 40th Street
dead end and the mowing that wasn’t being done
on the City’s side of the Deep Fork channel.
af r
o C y’
a
l:
We pointed to one of the overhead pictures provided
by the City, indicating an area that had been
denuded during the Deep Fork Channel project. I
explained that this area was no longer a small,
natural woodland, but was now an area with weeds
that needed care. Jim and Dennis noted the proximity
of the so-called “Pocket Park” at the intersection of
41st and Harvey Parkway that is maintained by the
City. The City is now having the area mowed.
new salon
open
Sept. 1!
new owner new stylist new salon
cuts
color
highlights
manicures
pedicures
waxing
permanent
eyelash
extensions
special occasion
hair
Pureology, Sebastian, Trucco, Nioxin
525-9384
1107
N.W. 41st
Street
directly
behind previous
location
a r ma
roj
:
I commented that several people had expressed
concern about the increased frequency of muddy
water. Jim explained that this was most likely
just a discoloration from rust. Lanny clarified
that this was primarily affecting residents in the
200-block of NW 40th Street.
Jim showed us a map of the upcoming water
mains work which is scheduled for 2008. He
pointed out some work to be done first along
36th street under I-235 which will need to be
completed first. After that, they will begin work
on our neighborhood.
When asked if there was anything special
CH–EH needed to do to register the importance
of not postponing the water mains project again,
Jim smiled and said, “You just did it!”
U
a
g
0
ly barr a
S r
a
a
g ag
:
Jim had printed out the “before” and “after”
pictures that I had sent, so Lanny and I spoke
from those. We understood that the City had
not planned to create an unsightly construction
zone out of what had been an almost-pastoral
setting. We acknowledged, too, that the City
had thought at the time that there would soon
be a sound barrier constructed by ODOT, and
that we knew of no short-term solution for the
roadway noise.
As a follow-up to the meeting, Jim Thompson
committed to the replacement of the ugly orange
and white barrier with two diamond-shaped
warning signs. This will be a big improvement,
but CH-EH is still looking for creative ways to
replace the concrete barriers with something
more attractive.
4201 N. WesterN
september/october 2006
12
september/october 2006
teachers in the hood
ReJeania Steiner
Director, Westminster Primary School
“Twenty-two years ago I was an unsuspecting
kindergarten teacher at Westminster when I
was asked to be the director of the primary
program.” Now ReJeania Steiner oversees 16
faculty members and 142 students age three
to six in Pre-School and Kindergarten.The
curriculum reflects the Montessori content areas
of language, mathematics, sensorial, and practical
life. Daily, personalized lessons promote a formal
sequence of activities appropriate to each child.
“The teachers know the sequences like the back
of their hands. It’s organic to them.” ReJeania says
the best part of her job is simply, the children.
When asked about her favorite thing about
Crown Heights, ReJeania says it’s being “dangerously
close to wonderful restaurants and shopping along
Western. I feel like I’m on top of the world in this
neighborhood.” She says she and her husband are
old-timers who enjoy seeing young people move in.
“I love to see strollers and bicycles along the streets.”
ReJeania and her husband, Tom, a Realtor of
Tom Steiner and Associates, have lived in Crown
Heights for 27 years. They have three grown
children and one grandchild.
Mary Godfrey
Westminster School
Mrs. Godfrey came to Westminster Middle School
with the first eighth grade class in 1979. She
taught English and cooking for 23 years before
becoming the information director (librarian) in
2002. Mary grew up in a small town in Minnesota
and earned her undergraduate degree from St.
Benedict College. Her first teaching assignment in
Oklahoma City was at St. Joseph’s Catholic grade
school. The school was adjacent to St. Joseph’s Old
Cathedral downtown and was torn down in 1968
to make way for the Murrah Federal Building.
One of her favorite memories of the early days
of Westminster is transporting her students to
her house in Crown Heights for cooking class.
“I’d load everyone into the Buick Station Wagon
and we’d cook in my kitchen. There would be
16 kids around the house and the boys would
go outside and shoot baskets in the driveway
when they were done.” Mrs. Godfrey says the
students have not changed that much over the
years. “If anything, they are calmer now. I know
we (the teachers) sure are.” As far as the changes
at Westminster School, she says “The building has
above, clockwise from top: Mary Godfrey, Linna Robinson, Julie Richardson, Rejeania Steiner
changed but the spirit is the same. It is nice to see
graduates come back and visit the school.”
Mary and Rick Godfrey married in 1968 and
moved to Crown Heights in 1975. “When we
first moved to the neighborhood we were the
young people with little kids. Now we’re the old
people and young ones are moving in around
us.” The Godfreys have two grown children
and five grandchildren, two of whom attend
Westminster. Their son Billy and his wife Mandy
also live in the neighborhood (see related article).
Mrs. Godfrey says her favorite thing about
Crown Heights is that it is a true neighborhood,
in every sense of the word. “Rick and I have
looked at other houses in other areas but there is
no place we’d rather live.”
Linna Robinson
Westminster School
You may have seen Mrs. Robinson walking to
school—four short blocks from her home on
41st Street to Westminster School. Her favorite
thing about her job is working with three-yearolds. “They are amazing. I may be walking to
school with my head down or full of thoughts
but when I enter the classroom I immediately feel
great. They teach me more that I teach them.”
Linna has taught at Westminster School in the
primary division since 1988. Before that, she was
a librarian at Casady. She has also taught at St.
Mary’s Episcopal School in Edmond.
Have students changed much over the years?
Linna says she gets the sense that families are not as
centered as they used to be. “Families are going in
different directions. There are too many scheduled
activities. My fondest memories are of playing
with my sons in our sandbox in the backyard.
We’d spend hours out there doing nothing—but
we were together and it was wonderful.”
Linna and her husband Richard have lived
in Crown Heights for 21 years. “I like that it
feels like a small community. It is aesthetically
charming and I feel encapsulated in something
special. And I love my house. I feel safe.”
Julie Richardson
Westminster School
Julie Richardson didn’t like retirement. She was
home for a year after teaching special education
for 27 years in the Mid-Del, Guthrie and OKC
Public Schools. She taught students with a range
of disabilities—from mentally retarded to learning
disabled. “I did it for so many years because I
was crazy about the kids. You have to be.” This
fall, she is a part-time second grade enrichment
teacher at Westminster School. “All of my boys
went to Westminster and it is a very special place.
I am really dedicated to the school. This is perfect
timing for me. I am honored to be there.”
Like many CH-EH residents, Julie and her
family have moved around within the neighborhood. Since 1979 she has lived mostly on 39th
Street and she can’t imagine living anywhere else.
Julie’s oldest son, Greg Johnson, 30 is venturing
out to form his own oil company in Ft. Worth
after working for Chesapeake. Her middle son,
Russ Johnson, 27 is a Marine helicopter pilot
who has recently returned from the Middle East.
Her youngest son, Will Richardson, still lives at
home and is a senior at Bishop McGuinness.
continued
september/october 2006
13
Teachers continued
above, left: Daniel Smythe helping in the cafeteria. above, right: Jeannie Fisher
14
september/october 2006
Daniel Smythe
Jeannie Fisher
Special Ed, Horace Mann
Horace Mann
Mr. Smythe teaches reading to special students.
His students range from Autistic or emotionally
disturbed to mentally retarded. He has taught
at Horace Mann for sixteen years and says “It’s
a wonderfully progressive school. There are
students from every socio-economic and racial
background and highly motivated and talented
teachers. When you walk down the halls you
see well-behaved students.” He also has high
praise for the principal at Horace Mann, Maxine
McNeil. He says test scores at Horace Mann
have been rising each year.
Mr. Smythe taught at South East School at S.E.
52nd and High Street before coming to Horace
Mann. He was already living in Crown Heights
at the time, and jumped at the chance to teach
at the neighborhood school. A big fan of yearround school, Daniel Smythe says “The students
and teachers don’t get sick of each other because
we have three-week breaks throughout the year.
There’s no clock-watching at the end of the year.”
Daniel Smythe has lived in Crown Heights for
twenty years. “I don’t want to live anywhere else.”
When not teaching, he enjoys visiting with his
grown daughter who currently lives in Dallas.
Ms. Fisher is starting her second year at Horace
Mann as a fifth-grade teacher. She loves being at
this neighborhood school. “It is everything you
wish an inner city school to be. I feel fortunate
to be there. It’s like a family.” Plus, Jeannie says
she likes the leadership of principal Maxine
McNeil and the generosity of the Chesapeake
Corporation, who has adopted the school.
“I love my neighbors. When
I down-sized, I literally just
moved across the street.”
- Jeannie Fisher
Jeannie Fisher grew up in Oklahoma City
and attended public schools: Nichols Hills
Elementary and Harding High School. After
living in California for many years, she and her
family moved back to Oklahoma City. “Crown
Heights was the only place I looked when I
moved back. I love my neighbors.” Like many of
us, Jeannie has lived in more than one CH-EH
home. “When I down-sized, I literally just moved
across the street.” Jeannie has lived in Crown
Heights for six years. Her son Will is studying
in Chile through OU and her daughter Lila
begins classes at St. Lawrence in New York this
fall. Jeannie says “My nest is now empty and I have
replaced it with a whole room of fifth graders.”
above, left: Mandy Godfrey above, right: Stephanie Rigazzi making a King Cake students.
Mandy Godfrey
Stephanie Rigazzi
Library & Media Specialist,
Deer Creek Elementary
Bishop McGuinness High School
Mandy Godfrey began her teaching career at
Putnam City North where she taught High
School Honors English for five years. She moved
to Harding Charter Prep in 2004 as part-time
Librarian and English teacher so that she could
work on her Masters in Library Information
Systems at OU. While at OU, Mandy received
the 2005 Mildred Laughlin Award for her
dedication to the field of children’s librarianship.
Mandy will be starting a new job this school
year as library and media specialist at Deer Creek
Elementary. “As much as I loved working with
high school students these past seven years, I am
excited to work with a younger group of students
this year. I enjoy learning about technology from
my students and their knowledge and experience
with it. Kids are not afraid of technology like
many adults are—they embrace it.”
The Godfrey family is not new to the
neighborhood. Although Mandy and her
husband Bill, a firefighter, moved to Edgemere
Heights in 2004, Bill grew up on 38th street,
where his parents still live. The Godfreys love
the family-oriented nature of CH-EH. “I like to
see people walking around with their children
or their dogs. It’s a wonderful old-fashioned
atmosphere.” The Godfreys have three children:
Will, 6, Molly, 3 and Tucker, 9 months.
2006-2007 marks the sixteenth year at
McGuinness for Mrs. Rigazzi. Over the years she
has taught Home Economics, Sewing, Home
Planning and Design, Cooking, and Christian
Living. Her favorite students are the seniors.
For the past twelve years Mrs. Rigazzi has been
the senior class sponsor, which means she
helps coordinate the senior activities including
the senior dinner, ring & robe ceremony and
senior assemblies.
Have students changed much over the years?
Mrs. Rigazzi says they question things more
and they are more concerned about grades and
college applications. “I remember just signing
up for the ACT and taking it. Now there are
prep courses and students take those tests
several times. I think students feel a lot more
pressure and have more challenges these days.”
Stephanie and George Rigazzi have lived
in Crown Heights for 17 years. Their children
will both graduate this year: Laura from Rhodes
College in Memphis and Joe from McGuinness.
When she was fourteen, Stephanie (nee’ Speligene)
and her family moved to 39th street in Edgemere
Heights where they lived until 1994. “I love the
pleasant memories of this neighborhood and I
love old homes. I also like living two minutes
from work.” continued
september/october 2006
15
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16
september/october 2006
Teachers continued
above, left: Susie Dennis and a former student. above, center: Linda Willis. above, right: Stephanie and Kevin Crossno with their sons, Trainor and Brannan.
Stephanie & Kevin Crossno
Casady School
It takes a special married couple to live and
work together. Stephanie and Kevin have done
just that for the past two years as middle school
teachers at Casady School where they also share
many responsibilities for the school’s theatre
department. Stephanie has 27 years of teaching
experience, while Kevin made the transition from
the corporate world to the classroom 3 years ago.
Stephanie began her teaching career at Mount
St. Mary’s in Oklahoma City. “I am absolutely
sure that the reason I am a still a teacher today
is because of the five-year experience I had at
the Mount working with the Sisters of Mercy.
They were an amazing support and inspiration
and encouraged me to see my profession as a
vocation, which I do.”
Stephanie says one of the highlights of her
teaching career was becoming an Oklahoma
A+ Fellow four years ago. “It is a network of
teachers devoted to brain-researched practices.
Studying the brain keeps me motivated to
continually question and evaluate what I do
with my students. I feel very blessed to get
to go into a classroom everyday. I love what I
do.” Stephanie currently teaches writing and
is the head of the school’s theatre department.
“Casady School respects the critical role the arts
play in developing a child’s character. The school
encourages and challenges us to participate in a
child’s total education—in and out of the formal
school day.”
Kevin teaches social studies and history. “I
like working with students and finding ways
to make history come alive to them so that
they can relate it to their worlds.” Kevin and
Stephanie both have high praise for Crown
Heights. They like the whole feeling of being
in a true neighborhood and the closeness of the
neighbors. Stephanie favorite part of Crown
Heights is that “Every house is unique and the
people are, too. It is a very comfortable fit—all
ages, all kinds of people, cars and houses. It’s
very peaceful.” The Crossnos have lived in
Crown Heights for nine years and have two sons,
Trainor age 10 and Brannan age 13.
Susie Dennis
Special Ed, Taft Middle School
Susie is now teaching her second generation of
students. For the past 34 years she has taught
special education at Taft Middle school to
mentally retarded students. She is starting to
recognize some of the parents who were her
former students. What keeps her coming back
year after year? “The look on a student’s face when
he/she finally grasps a concept says it all. They
are so proud to have learned something.”
Susie and her now grown children have
lived in Crown Heights since 1982. She loves
the neighborhood and especially the neighbors
on her block, 40th West. “I’m from a big family
and this neighborhood feels like that. I’m now
one of the old-timers. I have loved watching the
neighborhood kids grow up.”
Susie has seen quite a few changes in
education over the years. “There are more
categories of children with special needs these
days, and often a student may have multiple
disabilities that need to be addressed. Teachers
find themselves playing different roles with
students: friend, counselor, role model, and
confidant.” She says she spends most of her time
teaching basic job and social skills which include
how to get along with each other. The quote she
has in her room says,“Meet the challenges of
life head-on, not head down.” Susie has many
concerns about the No Child Left Behind Act
and how it is impacting her classes. Nonetheless,
Susie loves her job. “It is wonderful to see former
students who have graduated are now functioning
in society. I could have retired a couple of years
ago, but I like teaching and I like the kids.”
Linda Willis
Western Heights Middle School, Retired
Mrs. Willis taught English and journalism at
Western Heights Middle School for twenty-nine
years. Prior to that, she taught at the newlyformed Heritage Hall Middle School when it
was still housed at All-Souls Episcopal Church.
Although she has been retired since 2004, Mrs.
Willis still feels the excitement of back-to-school at
this time each year. To stay in touch with students
and education, Mrs. Willis often substitutes at
Heritage Hall and McGuinness.
Linda has lived in Crown Heights since
1975. Her son, Chris is now grown and lives in
Maryland. She remembers the neighborhood
being full of children when her son was young.
“The neighborhood kids were all close-- like
brothers and sisters.” There are several neighbors
on her block on 40th street that have been there as
long as she has. Linda says Crown Heights has not
changed much except that “kids used to play in
their front yard more.”
september/october 2006
17
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18
september/october 2006
memory lane
Eunice Ellis
Eunice Jenkins Ellis moved to 41st street
in 1938, when she was only four years old.
Eunice remembers her new home and the new
neighborhood with great fondness. “The 1940s
and ‘50s were a good time to grow up. There
were friends everywhere.” She went to neighborhood schools: Edgemere Elementary School,
Harding Jr. High and Classen High. She and her
friends rode their bicycles and roller-skated in
the new neighborhood streets and hung out at
the Jones-Bellew Drug Store at 36th and Shartel.
Veazey’s Drug Store was just a few blocks away at
41st and Western, where they often ate ice cream
cones. To the north of Crown Heights, Eunice
recalls there was a dirt road where Westminster
Presbyterian Church is today.
There were about 500 graduates in the Classen
High School class of 1952, including Eunice and
our neighbor, The Honorable Ralph Thompson.
Eunice says “It was a wonderful high school with
the best teachers.” She remembers wearing special
pep-club uniforms on athletic game days and carpooling with neighborhood classmates to school.
“Going to Dolores Restaurant was a big deal when
we were able to go out for lunch and drive.”
Eunice’s lifelong friend, Veta Gardner Landry,
lived diagonally across the street from the time
she was three and Eunice was four. Veta was
Eunice’s little sister in Kappa Alpha Theta at OU.
Eunice remembers many of the original families
on her block including the Rosenfield Family
(Rosenfield Jewelers), Dr. Oscar White, Mrs. Bob
Rainey (her son now lives in her house), and Dr.
Buck Sanger, an eye doctor. Governor and Senator
Robert S. Kerr’s granddaughter Laura Clark
Denson is a current resident, having redone the
Howard Bozarth home on 41st.
After graduating from Classen, Eunice attended
Mills College in Oakland, California. She spent one
summer at the University of Hawaii and proudly
says that “those six credits transferred to OU,
including one credit of hula!” After graduating
from OU, she was engrossed in many volunteer
endeavors including the opera and the Oklahoma
City Museum of Art. After attending a Kappa
Alpha Theta conference in Dallas, she presented
the idea for the Flaming Festival in 1957, which
was first held at First Christian Church at 36th and
Walker. The Festival is still a very successful fundraiser for the sorority and will be held November
14th this year at the OKC Golf & Country Club.
Eunice met her husband, Joe Ellis (Classen
class of ’46), at the Beacon Club in downtown
Oklahoma City when she was 23. Eunice and
Joe were married in 1958 at the Crown Heights
top left: Eunice Ellis (far right) at a CH Birthday Party in the 1940’s. top right: The Jenkins Family, 1940’s.
bottom: Eunice Ellis standing by her portrait (a prize from the Oklahoma City Museum of Art).
Methodist Church and she moved from Crown
Heights to Belle Isle. Five years and three children
later, she and Joe moved to Nichols Hills, where
they lived for 26 years on Hillcrest Avenue before
moving back to her childhood home in 1992.
Their family now includes 6 grandchildren—one
of whom is living with her this summer.
Although the house on 41st street has been
remodeled over the years, it is filled with precious
antiques and memories. Several family portraits
hang in the formal living room, including one of
Eunice that she won by selling the most memberships to the Oklahoma City Museum of Art.
(see photo) Interior decorator A.J. Bullard, who
once owned a furniture and decorators’ shop on
Western Avenue, created some of the changes in
her family’s home. (His son, John Bullard is still
in the decorating business and currently owns
a shop on Western Avenue.) He enclosed the
round corner porch to make way for a beautiful,
light-filled breakfast area and foyer. The upstairs
was added in 1961. Eunice and Joe Ellis are true
patrons of the Crown Heights neighborhood
and are often seen at progressive parties and
fundraisers.
september/october 2006
19
School Updates
Bishop McGuinness
Catholic High School
This fall will see the results of its $9.5 million
dollar Building Faith Phase I fund raising
campaign. The new academic facility includes
twenty-two classrooms, library media center,
cafeteria, administrative offices, and a 5000
square foot student commons area.
The 650+ students will enjoy a three story
structure featuring a second level that includes
eleven classrooms, a balcony that overlooks the
commons area and one administration office.
The ground level houses reception, administrative
and business offices, and the student commons
area. Also in the lobby will be a floor to ceiling
trophy case and a special area dedicated to donor
recognition. The lower level houses nine classrooms as well as counseling, development, and
special events office space.
Principal David Morton announced that
planning and fund raising on Phase II of Building
Faith, which will completely renovate and
expand the existing gymnasium into the new
Bishop McGuinness Field House is well under
way. The gym was built in 1950 and has served
as the home of the “Fighting Irish” for the last 56
years. The new Field House will feature a fresh
look, along with new practice areas for volleyball
and wrestling. The gym renovation will include
lighting, sound, heat and air, seating and general
aesthetics upgrades. Locker room and training
room facilities will be expanded, as will concessions,
restrooms and the main lobby entrance.
This $3.7 million dollar renovation project
will provide facilities for the nearly 300 students
who participate in varsity sports programs every
year. “At present, well over 65% of the project
cost has already been pledged and steady progress
is being made on the balance,” noted Greg
20
september/october 2006
Love, Phase II Campaign Chairman. Archbishop
Beltran will grant permission to proceed, once an
additional $1 million has been committed. “Our
goal is to raise the remaining balance, through
cash and pledges, before September 15, 2006 –
so construction can begin this fall”, noted Love.
Additionally, through the generosity of two
donors, the construction of a new Football Field
House is guaranteed if the $1 million goal is met
by the September 15th deadline. This building
would include public restrooms, concessions,
locker room space, weight and training rooms
and coaches’ offices.
“Facilities do not make a great school, rather
the people who occupy and use these facilities
make a school great”, commented Morton.
“Facilities, however, give students and educators
alike the greatest opportunity to maximize their
potential. Excellence in education of the whole
person has long been the tradition of a McGuinness
education. The rebuilding and renovation of
our academic and athletic facilities will help our
students fully embrace that tradition.”
Westminster School
Classes will begin on August 23, 2006 with 535
boys and girls enrolled in pre-school through
above: Bishop McGuiness
eighth grade. The Building on the intangible
campaign concluded this past spring by reaching
its goal of $12 million. Westminster students for
the 2006-07 school year will continue to enjoy
the new middle school completed in 2004, the
new Lower School Activity Center completed in
2005, and the remodel of the primary building
also completed in 2005.
Westminster’s primary program consisting
of 3-Day, 5-Day, and Kindergarten has as its
priorities to engage children in child-centered
activities, respect their abilities, and connect with
each individual. The classroom environments are
spacious, bright, and designed with the developmental needs of the children in mind. Students
in the lower division, first through fifth grades,
are taught basic skills through active involvement
in a variety of learning experiences. All children
are encouraged to reach their potential and to
solve problems as cooperative, confident, and
responsible learners. Teachers in the middle
division, sixth through eighth grades, focus on
three main goals: to think critically and creatively
to solve problems, to develop the ability to work
with others, and to develop the self-discipline
needed to complete tasks in a timely and
responsible manner. Interdisciplinary classes and
feature
flexible daily schedules create opportunities for
student growth in the middle division.
Westminster School offers students the use of
three gymnasiums, two auditoriums, and three
libraries. The School property is gated, allowing
controlled access at specific points around campus. It’s logo, a “W” surrounded by a box with an
arm of the “W” extending outside the box reflects
the Schools’ beliefs and goals. The “W” inside the
box reflects Westminster’s commitment to solid,
rigorous education grounded in critical thinking.
The arm outside the box signifies the School’s
efforts to help children think creatively.
Horace Mann Hornets
Our neighborhood school on Western Avenue has
240 students who started the 2006-2007 year on
July 19th. Horace Mann is a “year-round school”,
meaning the students attend class for 9 weeks at
a time with three-week breaks in between and a
6-week long summer break. Principal Maxine
McNeil is looking forward to the MAPS renovations
which include adding 7,400 ft² for a new library
and computer lab and a creating a new drop-off
and pick-up entrance in the back of the school.
The exterior of the school facing Western will not
change, although traffic flow should improve. Ms.
McNeil says “The plans have been approved and
construction should go quickly once they begin
due to our three-week breaks throughout the year.”
Chesapeake Energy has adopted Horace Mann,
providing tutors, mentors and extra funding for
activities. However, “Money is always tight and we
can always use extra resources,” says McNeil. Neighbors are welcome and encouraged to visit the school
anytime. Two CH-EH residents teach here: Daniel
Smythe and Jeannie Fisher. (see related articles)
Harding Charter Prep
Founded in 2003, Harding CP is entering its third
school year under the leadership of Principal
Richard Caram. The vision of the school is
that “Our students deserve a first-rate, college
preparatory education, free of charge and open to
all. We achieve this through a rigorous academic
environment in which all of our students are
challenged to grow as scholars and as citizens.”
Harding CP “feels very strongly that the hard
work that students do now is critical to their
success in college and later in life. Because of this
conviction, we have structured our school around
a strong Advanced Placement (AP) program.”
Students must apply for admission. Freshmen
and sophomore classes are geared toward preparing
students for AP classes. Writing, a heavy component
of the AP exam, is strongly emphasized. As
students enter their junior and senior years, they
will take approximately three AP courses per year.
Students who need extra help with study skills
and writing may elect to take AVID (Advancement
Via Individual Development) courses.
Built in 1924 as a junior high, the historic
Harding School was designed by the same architects who designed the Oklahoma state capitol.
Harding was a high school from 1955 to 1968,
then a middle school until 2003. The building
now houses two separate charter schools, Harding
Charter Prep, and Harding Fine Arts Center.
continued
september/october 2006
21
feature
School Updates
Harding Fine Arts Center
A charter school, Harding FAC is the first school
in Oklahoma to offer high school students a
complete liberal arts education as well as being
the first A+ Integrated Arts high school in the
state. The vision for Harding FAC was created
by long-time community leaders and fine arts
advocates, founded with the belief that a comprehensive education requires more than just book
knowledge. Harding FAC nurtures and develops
talents through dance, music, theatre and visual
arts programs. Harding FAC has an open enrollment policy, although students must apply for
admission. Students do not have to audition or
have a developed talent.
Harding Fine Arts Center, founded in 2005,
is beginning its second school year with a new
principal, Sherry Rowan PhD (an Edgemere
Park resident). Sherry took a short break from
painting classrooms and hanging bulletin boards
to talk with us about this special school. “It is
fun to be a part of this adventure. We have an
incredible staff of A+ teachers who follow a
model based on collaboration. They have taken
22
september/october 2006
above: Harding Charter Prep and Harding Fine Arts Center
the time and received extra training to truly
integrate our curriculum. It takes a lot of planning to create a context that will carry over into
other disciplines.” There are 130 students in the
9th and 10th grades with 10 faculty members.
Each year a grade will be added. The students
are on a modified block schedule which includes
performance and exhibition time after lunch.
Located in the historic Harding High School
building on Shartel Avenue, HFAC shares the
space with another charter school, Harding
Charter Prep. (see related article)
recent events
CH/EH Time Capsule: R.I.P.
above, left: Nick Gerten of Doug’s Backhoe & Richard Cooper of Central Burial Vaults
above, right: Alan Kirkpatrick, Richard Cooper, Marylyn Rowell, Dan Batchelor, Clinton Hole, Nick Gertern
by Alan Kirkpatrick
In case you wanted to put something in the
CH/EH Time Capsule but were putting it off, it’s
officially too late.
The idea – a simple box filled with trinkets and
put in a hole – seemed so easy at first. Not so.
The much-anticipated, long-awaited burial finally
became reality on August 16, 2006, after much
hard work and a little luck.
It was by the pure determination of neighbors
such as Marylyn Rowell, Dan Blanchard, and Linda
Resnick that all the minute details were thought
of and worked out. How do we keep the trinkets
from shriveling or, worse, exploding? How do we
get a box suitable to put in the ground? What will
the city engineers think if we cut through some
silly utilities to make a hole? How many shovels
will it take to dig a hole big enough? If there
were a class on how to make a time capsule, this
neighborhood could provide the teachers.
Luck played an important role too. It was almost
by accident that another neighbor, Mark Hole,
learned about the need for a backhoe. Mark’s
brother, Clinton, happens to be an ace backhoe
operator and was gracious enough to drive from
El Reno to do the job. This was a total back-saver.
Central Burial Vaults also showed great generosity
by providing the “capsule” which was really a tomb.
Now, as you might imagine this ensemble – a
backhoe, a deep hole and a burial vault – had the
appearance of foul play in broad daylight. So
bizarre, it must have seemed, that the Oklahoma
City Police Department paid a quick visit to make
sure everything was on the up and up. After hearing
all about the time capsule and how to preserve
black and white photos (AND being solicited for
a photo-op), the kind officer was invited to come
back in 25 years and see for himself.
The officer may not make it, but you should.
So make plans now! Mark your calendars and
join us in 2031 as we search for and unearth the
time capsule on the 100th birthday of CH/EH.
Who knows, maybe another member of the
Oklahoma City Police Department will join us.
Heritage
Heritage Hall
An Education Tailored
to Individual Strengths and Personal Success...
Hall
Preschool through Grade 12
1800 Northwest 122nd Street • Oklahoma City • 405.749.3002
www.heritagehall.com
september/october 2006
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september/october 2006
4th of July
recent events
The parade started with a new Uncle Sam. Rob
Abernathy in red, white and blue tails and goatee
introduced the appropriate theme. Uncle Sam
was followed by the float 39th West and a Happy
Birthday cake celebrating the neighborhood’s
75th Anniversary. (Our party is September 23)
Next was 40th Street East, running ahead of
everyone and already celebrating Oklahoma’s
100th statehood birthday (2007) with a teepee
on a hill overlooking Fort Gibson. Then from
the mammoth to the sublime there followed an
individual entry, Edith Sitwell, the Amazing Barking Weenie, a Dauschand with poise.
We know that 40th West can muster a crowd
and produce a Vegas spectacular, including the
Pontiff and show girls in the same setting. This
year 40th West gave us a reprise of its victories,
including Baghdad Bob and Martha Stewart Living (in prison).
Our centerpiece, the fire truck from station
11, blew a radiator and couldn’t make it, but
officer Jess Sutherland represented the City in his
black and white police cruiser.
The heart of 39th followed with everything
that is right with Oklahoma City including the
buzz of Hornets basketball.
Urban legend says that many years ago a guy
named Pickrell challenged a guy named Ketch
to dress in a skirt and parade around the block
as the first Queen of the 4th. Well, Ketch was
inclined for cross-dressing/neighborhood cruising
and this was the ignominious start of our fourth
of July tradition.
37th street west, upholding its wild west attitude of the first parade has regaled us each year
with its slightly twisted humor, and this year was
no exception with Eddie Sutton Airport Express,
an accident ready to happen.
After sorting through the entries, including
birthdays, civic pride and the last minute singing
effort of 40th Street West (a tune borrowed from
George M. Cohan with new book by former
neighbor Mina Bleakley), the judges awarded the
trophy to the Oklahoma Centennial float of 40th
East, a block which has too long been missing
from the parade. We hope this means we’ll see
more entrants next year!
september/october 2006
25
recipe
4th of july thanks
Molten Chocolate Cakes
It was a beautiful day in the neighborhood
to show patriotism—before the thirty-plus
days of 100º heat set in. We ran around
the neighborhood for fun, lined the parade
route, dressed our pets in costume, spread
our blankets under the trees, ate hot dogs
and played games. The Pet Contest had over
twenty entries with each pet winning a prize.
The wonderful celebration was coordinated
by our faithful neighbor, Jini Morris. Thank
you, Jini! She wishes to thank the following:
12 teaspoons plus 5 Tablespoons sugar
8 ounces bittersweet (not unsweetened) or
semisweet chocolate, chopped (For best results,
use a good quality dark baking chocolate.)
¾ cup (1 ½ sticks) unsalted butter
3 large eggs
3 large egg yolks
1 tablespoon all purpose flour
Generously butter eight ¾ cup soufflé dishes
or custard cups. Sprinkle inside of each dish
with 1 ½ teaspoons sugar.
Stir chocolate and butter in heavy medium
saucepan over low heat until smooth. Remove
from heat. Using an electric mixer, beat eggs,
egg yolks, and remaining 5 Tablespoons
sugar in large bowl until thick and pale
yellow, about 8 minutes. Fold 1/3 of warm
chocolate mixture into egg mixture, and then
fold in remaining chocolate. Fold in flour.
Divide batter amount soufflé dishes. Can be
made 1 day ahead. Cover with plastic; chill.
Bring to room temperature before continuing.
Preheat oven to 425degrees F. Place
soufflé dishes on baking sheet. Bake cakes
uncovered until edges are puffed and slightly
cracked but center 1 inch of each moves
slightly when dishes are shaken gently, about
13 minutes.
Top each cake with a scoop of your favorite
ice cream and serve. (Coffee ice cream is a
good choice!)
Fun Run
John Mackechnie
Parade
Emcees: John Swinford & Mike Turpin
Stan Evans
Rob Abernathy as Uncle Sam
Picnic
Fred & Judy Krueger, John Mackechnie,
Dorothy Thadani, Ginny Harrison,
Bob Alfson, Bob Kinniburgh,
Maceira Pinto, Linda Resnick,
Larry & Marylyn Rowell, Todd Ranger,
Sandy Coats, Peter Bradford,
Rick Godfrey, Richard Cudjo,
Lanny Grade, Don & Susan Hager
Pet Contest
Cynthia Armstrong, Michelle Starr
Games
John Reeves, Gary Opper
Time Capsule
Alan Kirkpatrick, Marylyn Rowell
Face Painting
Robin Starke, Ellen Burton
CH-EH history book
This neighborhood is blessed with talent. When we started thinking about up-dating the History
Book and adding Edgemere Heights, the first person we turned to for advice was Peggy Howard,
Executive V.P., of Ackerman McQueen. As you know, Peggy, who put together the first edition in
the 1990’s, is extremely creative, and full of fresh ideas. Peggy introduced us to Jessica Acock, a
new resident of Crown Heights and also employed with Ackerman McQueen. Jessica is going to
be very involved with the compiling of the book.
Judy Krueger is heading this project and is still collecting information from residents. No, it is
not too late to send in your information! Edgemere Heights residents will be receiving additional
forms to assist with compiling needed information. We urge you to act.
Thanks to everyone for doing their part, every little bit helps.
Marylyn Rowell, Chairman 75th Celebration
26
september/october 2006
historical preservation
By John Joyce
Shutters on Historic Homes
Fences
In the past month or so I have been asked by
several neighbors about whether a Certificate
of Appropriateness is required of homeowners
wishing to install shutters. The answer to that
question is “yes” and although shutters seem
currently to be accepted more as a cosmetic
feature, the Historic Guidelines present a
differing view. The Guidelines state “Shutters
at historic buildings were functional and were
closed in inclement weather to protect the
glass in the windows from damage. They were
often closed during summer days to reduce
the light (and heat) infiltration into building
interior and opened during the evening and
night hours to allow welcome breezes and
ventilation in the house.” The Guidelines go
on to state that “Shutters are only permitted
where they existed historically and where they
are appropriate to the style and character of
the house. Shutters must be half the width of
the window and mounted to be operational
or appear to be operational.” In other words,
unless you can present evidence that shutters
were previously installed on your home, you
will not be allowed to install them.
Questions about fences are also fairly common.
The guidelines for fences are straightforward.
A fence at the back of your lot can be up to 8
feet in height, while a fence at the side of your
lot can only be 6 feet in height. The fence at
the side of your lot should not extend toward
the street more than half way from the rear
corner of your home to the front corner. The
use of chain link fence is discouraged and
chain link fence can not be more than 4 feet
in height.
Remember the Historic Preservation
Guidelines are easily accessible from the
Crown Heights – Edgemere Heights website.
Just go to www.ch-eh.org and the Guidelines
are available using the “Other Links” tab at the
bottom of the home page. Required forms for
applying for a Certificate of Appropriateness
are found at the end of the Guidelines. Feel
free to contact John Joyce, Betsy Brunsteter,
Mike Morgan or Cassidy Murphy with any
questions.
forget the
spatula
Look at those fLoors!
feighny hardwood floors
install : repair : refinish
patrick J. feighny
pgr 770-5308 : phn 558-1069
Exterior Light Fixtures
Historic Preservation Guidelines state that
homeowners should avoid use and installation
of reproduction pole-mounted gas lights in
front yards.
Safety & Security
By Peter Bradford, President CH-EH Security
By Lt. Guy Stultz, BPS Security
Our neighborhood is fortunate to be safe for all
its residents, thanks to dues paying members.
Other neighborhoods which don’t have supportive
neighbors and Security like us are not always as
secure. Recently, a home invasion happened in
Nichols Hills, involving gun toting invaders who
threatened the parents and their small kids, The
intruders gained entry using the garage door
opener which was left in the unlocked car in
the driveway. So, lock your car whenever it is
outside and pay your Security dues promptly.
Our volunteer Board appreciates your support
as do your friends and neighbors.
I have a tip for readers about something they
probably haven’t thought of. If your PDA
(Personal Digital Assistant) -- like a Palm Pilot
-- is stolen or even lost, the thief can gain
access to a lot of your personal information.
So, it’s important to password-protect your
PDA. Use at least eight characters, and include
numbers. Don’t use anything obvious, like a
birth date or address.
Then, if your PDA is stolen, the thief will
have to type in the password before they can
use your PDA, which will help protect your
privacy.
september/october 2006
27
Pl a
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lg
Published by Gazette Media Inc.
This is your neighborhood newsletter!
lease send stories, photos, essa s,
announcements or an thin ou
think would be o interest.
o o
g o
ol .
Do you have a
Frankoma Fireplace
in your home?
lease contact us or a eature.
babes in the hood
ditorial
Lea Morgan
at July 4th Picnic
Westminster School Blanket.
Royal blue, rolls up with a velcro
closure, has a handle and has
“Westminster” in white lettering.
Please email [email protected]
if you found the blanket.
hank ou!
block captains
needed or:
36th Terrace, 37th East,
42nd West, North Olie
uties include distributin l ers
or events and promotin the
spirit o the nei hborhood.
Danielle Coats
Robert Don Evans II
Rurie Dobson
lost blanket
July 19, 2006 • 8 pounds, 7 oz
Susan & Don & big brother Connor
to volunteer, contact
patricia a lin
@
823-8690
Special Thanks to Jerry & Ruby Cooper of Central Burial Vaults
for donating and delivering the vault for our time capsule!
or al a l
ar
o w k r or o
a v r
g a l
.
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Candy Beck
[email protected]
528-6000 ext 133
I
Da
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unda , ctober 1st at 4pm
rown ei hts ark
Brats & Beer will be provided.
Bring a side dish to share.
september/october 2006
Welcome New Neighbors
Daniel and Meghan Bruner 3714 N. Shartel
Taylor Aldridge 533 N.W. 37th
Frank and Elizabeth Smith 608 N.W. 37th
Tanya and Scott Towery 805 N.W. 37th
David and Connie Rothwell 701 N.W. 38th
Daniel and Amanda Broadfoot 537 N.W. 40th
David Dundan and Lisa Peterchuck 521 N.W. 41st
Adam Brown and Hannah Brenner 837 N.W. 41st
John Tarkington 509 N.W. 42nd
Dennis Swinehart 817 N.W. 42nd
RC Cunningham & Melissa Fletcher 4211 Harvey Parkway