Fourth annual Walk for Kids is set

The fourth annual Walk for Kids, benefiting Ronald McDonald House Charities of Oklahoma City, set for Saturday at the Dell Oklahoma City campus, 3501 SW 15.

The event is an opportunity for the community to come together to make a difference in the lives of hospitalized children and their families, according to a news release.

"Last year's Walk for Kids raised more than $87,000 to help keep families of sick children close to the resources they need," said Susan Adams, president and chief executive officer of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Oklahoma City.

"Walk for Kids proceeds will help provide families with emotional and physical comfort and support, which enhances the child's and family's hospital experience."

Walk for Kids registration and activities begin at 8 a.m., and opening ceremonies start at 9:15 a.m.

The event will feature activities such as an appearance by Rumble, inflatable games, music by Nexus Productions, photos with the Thunder Girls, family activities provided by The Home Depot, a strolling magician and more. Walk for Kids T-shirts and redand-white striped socks will be available to purchase.

"We are honored to host Walk for Kids for the fourth year," said Scott Haworth, co-site leader, Dell OKC.

"This wonderful event is a testament to the love and support this community has for the children and families of Ronald McDonald House Charities and the incredible work Susan and team do every day. The event celebrates togetherness and the human spirit, and Dell is thrilled to open up our courtyard again to raise awareness and funds for such a worthy cause."

Registration is free and team fundraising is encouraged. To register as an individual or a team, go to WalkforKidsOKC. org, or call 424-6873. Participants also can register the morning of the event.

For more information about Ronald McDonald House Charities of Oklahoma City, go to rmhc-okc. org.

The musical duo Miss Brown to You, featuring Mary Reynolds and Louise Goldberg, will present a benefit concert at 8 p.m. June 16 to support the recovery fund for Norman businesswoman Nancy Russell, owner of Cookies ‘n’ Cards, who suffered a stroke in April.

The concert will be at West Wind Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 1309 W Boyd St. A suggested donation of $10 will benefit the Nancy Russell Recovery Fund, established by family and friends to help cover medical expenses and help keep Russell’s business running in her absence.

Russell had a massive stroke on April 24 and spent several weeks in intensive care. Recently she was moved to a specialized rehabilitation facility, where she is working on speech, physical and occupational therapies.

“She is still in her typical good spirits, smiling a lot, and has not lost her sense of humor,” said family friend Ashley Brand, who launched a GoFundMe campaign in

The Edmond Iris and Garden Society will hold its annual rhizome sale on Saturday.

The rhizomes are grown in members’ gardens, and are not in bloom, but pictures or descriptions will May. Russell opened her original Cookies ‘n’ Cards store 33 years ago above the Town Tavern on Campus Corner, and for many years was the only one running the shop.

In recent years, she found some trusted companions to assist at her new store at 1000 Alameda, Suite 109.

“While she is recovering — and for however long is needed — these assistants and a few of her closest friends are maintaining the operations of the store,” Brand said.

“While it feels weird to do things without Nancy, they are doing everything in her honor to make sure be available.

Members will be present to answer questions about irises.

The flowers are easy to grow, drought-tolerant and not fussy, according to a news release from the society. There are early, middle and late bloomers, her life’s work does not go by the wayside. Even though Nancy cannot say it, we know that having the store up and running would be one of her biggest concerns, and we don’t want her to worry about a thing.”

Reynolds, who has been friends with Russell since their days at the Town Tavern on Campus Corner, said she and Goldberg are happy to host a concert to help a friend.

“Nancy is a kind soul who does so much for others, and we are delighted to do a show in Norman to help support Nancy’s recovery fund,” Reynolds said. so having a variety of bloom times in the garden usually will provide two months of blooms, sometimes more. There are also varieties that rebloom in the fall.

Proceeds from the sale provide scholarships to horticulture students at Oklahoma State University.

Based in Oklahoma City, Miss Brown to You plays a mix of jazz, folk and original songs. Both sing and perform on a range of instruments.

Reynolds’ compositions and interpretations have been featured in Fast Folk Musical Magazine and are archived in the Library of Congress. She was active in the New York City music scene in the 1980s and in Austin in the 1990s. She was spotlighted in a solo live set on Austin’s KUT Radio. She is a frequent performer at the Woody Guthrie Folk Festival in Okemah.

Goldberg, who earned music degrees from Boston University and Oklahoma City University, has performed with a variety of musical groups in styles ranging from reggae and jazz to folk and rock. She has many years of experience as a music director, most notably for the Pollard Theater in Guthrie, where she directed such productions as “Ain’t Misbehavin’,” “RENT” and “Passing Strange.”

If people are unable to attend the concert but would like to contribute to the recovery fund, they can go to gofundme.com/ nancy-russell-recoveryfund. The school chooses the recipients, preferably from the Edmond or Oklahoma City metro.

Saturday’s sale will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in front of Ace Hardware, 32 E 15th St., but supplies are limited, so arrive early for best selection.