RURAL FOUNDATION GRANT TO FIGHT CHILDHOOD HUNGER
word to say throughout the show, but he’s an intriguing presence as the Mute, a character who helps direct our focus as he changes scenes and creates some theatrical magic by sprinkling confetti to suggest rain and snow.
Nate Stukey and Arden Walker bring youthful ardor to their roles as Matt and Luisa, the romantic couple who discover they can only find happiness after experiencing a loss of innocence. They explain their mutual infatuation in the charming “Metaphor” and charm us with the wistful “Soon It’s Gonna Rain” and “They Were You.”
Brian Hamilton (piano) and Chelsea Bushong (harp) lend their musical expertise to this production, the latter responsible for many lovely coloristic effects and musical flourishes.
If the elusive charms of “The Fantasticks” were not fully evident on opening night, I imagine they’ll slowly emerge as the cast relaxes and gets to explore the characters in greater depth. To quote one of the show’s song lyrics, “I Can See It” happening.
The Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma received a $10,000 grant from the Carolyn Watson Rural Oklahoma Community Foundation and its community grant program. The grant will be used to help fund a new schoolbased pantry in collaboration with the Western Technology Career Center in Burns Flat.
The Food for Kids School Pantry Program provides chronically hungry middle school and high school students with food to sustain them after school and on weekends.
To donate or for more information, go to regionalfood bank.org or call 600-3136.
FREE CAMPS AVAILABLE FOR BLIND OR VISION-IMPAIRED KIDS
Oklahomans Without Limits is providing free summer camps for children who are blind or vision-impaired.
Tulsa-area OWL Camp, for ages 15 to 18, will be June 12-16. Campers will lodge at Rogers State University and enjoy adaptive water sports.
Oklahoma City-area OWL Camp, for ages 8 to 14, will be July 18-22, with lodging at University of Central Oklahoma. Campers will participate in golf, gymnastics, basketball and other sports.
To apply, go to newviewoklahoma.org or call 232-4644. Applications are accepted through April 29. Space is limited, and spots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
NewView also seeks camp volunteers, including sighted buddies and counselors, and financial sponsors to provide camp scholarships.
The Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma still needs 50 volunteers to help sort canned food donations at area post offices and help letter carriers collect donations as part of the Feeding Hope and Letter Carriers’ Food and Fund Drive May 14.
Residents are encouraged to fill a plastic bag with canned food and leave it next to their mailbox on May 14. Carriers will pick up the donations and bring them back to the post office.
To participate, sign up at regionalfoodbank.org/feeding hope or contact Meredith Diers at mdiers@regionalfood bank.org or 600-3174.
NEW DIRECTOR, MATCH GRANT IN STORE FOR MARKET
SHAWNEE —
The Community Market of Pottawatomie County Food and Resource Center announced Daniel Mathews as executive director and a $5,000 match grant sponsored by AARP.
The Community Market will have expanded hours to better serve clients in a grocer-like setting. The food pantry will allow clients to choose the foods they want so they take only what they need.
To donate, volunteer or for more information, email Matthews at ourcommunitymarketpottco@gmail.com or go to ourcommunitymarket.org.
ROTARY’S SPELLING BEE(R) RAISES $10,000
The Oklahoma City Midtown Rotary Club announced that its sixth annual Spelling Bee(r) in February raised about $10,000.
The money will go to community projects either directly or matched with a Rotary district grant.
In addition to a competitive spelling bee, the event featured a silent auction, dinner and a local beer tasting. This year’s winning speller was David Larson, of Norman.
For more information, go to okcmidtownrotary.com.
RIVERSPORT NAMES TWO TO POSITIONS
The Oklahoma City Boathouse Foundation has named Mike Eggert as director of guest relations and Lucas Williams as team-building coordinator for its Riversport Adventure Parks.
Eggert has more than 25 years of experience in guest relations and operations management. He will oversee guest services, private events, merchandise and food and beverage operations.
Williams has more than a decade of experience in team building and adventure tourism. He will lead group adventure and whitewater rafting team-building sessions in the new whitewater rafting and kayaking center, set to open in May.
POSITIVE TOMORROWS TO HOST CORK & CANVAS
Tickets are on sale for Cork & Canvas, set for 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Science Museum Oklahoma, 2100 NE 52. The event will feature wine pairings, a signature cocktail, appetizers, live music and silent and live auctions of original artwork created by the students at Positive Tomorrows, Oklahoma’s only elementary school for homeless children.
Tickets are $45 and can be purchased online at www. positivetomorrows.org or by calling 556-5082. Attendees must be 21 or older, and tickets must be purchased in advance.