EDMOND —
It was a night of peace signs, celebration and Elmo. Rainbow Fleet’s 40th anniversary Ruby Jubilee was Oct. 21, at Castle Falls Event Center in Oklahoma City.
It was an energetic combination of art, music, raffle and door prize giveaways, along with a much anticipated hour-long conversation with Kevin Clash. Clash is the voice and heart of Elmo.
The event and guests’ attire reflected the decade of the 1970s when the first van filled with educational materials for preschool children set out to the streets of Oklahoma City.
Today Rainbow Fleet’s extensive services for child care providers covers two counties and includes support for education, nutrition, health and training.
Chairman of the event was Matilda Clements, current president of the Rainbow Fleet board of directors. Royce Junghanns is the organization’s executive director.
Master of Ceremonies was Alex Cameron of News 9.
Clash and Cameron took a seat on the stage in comfortable chairs. A life-sized, panoramic “Fleet Street” backdrop, mirroring “Sesame Street,” was complete with storefronts and a movie theater marquee announcing Clash’s appearance.
An informal exchange focused on Clash’s journey of making puppets from scraps to entertaining the children in his mother’s in-home day care to becoming the world-wide phenomenon of Elmo. Clash said he believes children respond to Elmo because he represents love.
The audience cheered half-way into the talk when Clash launched into the voice of Elmo and during the audience Question and Answer session by request, sang “Elmo’s World.”
Clash’s special surprise for the evening was the auction donation of a birthday call from Elmo to three lucky children.
After his time on stage, Clash was presented with a small watercolor painting by Oklahoma City Memorial co-designer, Torrey Butzer.
As the 168 golden chairs of the outdoor Memorial reflect each life lost, Clash emotionally accepted the painting featuring Elmo hugging one of the golden chairs.
A specially produced video highlighting the history of Rainbow Fleet and three honorees set the stage for special recognitions.
Presentations were made to Benefactor Honoree, Inasmuch Foundation represented by President and CEO Bob Ross, and Legacy Honoree Margaret “Peggy” Loeffler, the founder of Rainbow Fleet and director emeritus of Casady School’s Primary Division who traveled from Texas for the event. Valarie Clemmons and Terry Walker were honored as Outstanding Family Child Care Providers for their cumulative service of 63 years in the child care profession.
The UCO Youth Honor Choir sang several numbers and The David Hooten Trio entertained throughout the evening.
“We are so grateful to the community and patrons for their support of Rainbow Fleet’s 40th Anniversary,” Clements said.
“It was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the organization’s community impact and those vital to its success. We look forward to a bright future and another 40 years of helping children.”
TO LEARN MORE about Rainbow Fleet and its services visit the website at www.rainbowfleet.org or by contacting Rainbow Fleet at 521-1426.
Local News
Related Photos
-
Donna Richardson, Kevin Clash and Don Richardson take a moment to visit at the Rainbow Fleet 40th Anniversary Celebration. The Richardsons have provided leadership and guidance for Rainbow Fleet for more than 25 years. Photo Provided | Tracy Reece
-
Ann and Alex Cameron enjoy the outdoor reception at the Castle Falls Event Center during the Ruby Jubilee. Alex acted as Master of Ceremonies for the evening and Ann was a member of the event committee. Photo Provided | Tracy Reece
Discussion
Rainbow Fleet celebrates 40 years of success
- Local News
-
-
Covell/I-35 work on track
The hotel and conference center project on Interstate 35 is very much on track, said John Weeman of Partners In Development told The Edmond Sun on Tuesday. Weeman is in the process of selecting one of three people for a construction partner, he said.
-
2 officers suffer injuries in drug-related pursuit
Two police officers suffered injuries during a call in which suspects fled in a vehicle and possessed meth, police said.
-
City Council approves church remodel
A request by Redeemed Christian Church of God Kingdom Chapel to remodel a facility at 307 E. Danforth for a church was approved recently by the City Council.
“The church wants to rent a 2,302-square-foot space in the office building on the north side of Danforth, east of the convenience store, south of the Timber Ridge Addition,” said Bob Schiermeyer, city planner. “There will be no new construction other than interior remodeling to accommodate the church.
The church does not request changes to the one driveway or sidewalk of the property, Schiermeyer said. No changes will be made to the outside of the two-story brick veneer building. A sprinkler system will not be required. -
Arcadia Lake nears reopening for summer season
Work on reclaiming Arcadia Lake has been ongoing since high water forced its closure earlier this month.
-
Professor: Constitutional heritage can bring sense of belonging to U.S. citizens
Education is fundamental in preparing a citizenry to live under a free constitutional republic, said Kyle Harper, founding director of the Institute for the American Constitutional Heritage at the University of Oklahoma. Harper is also the senior vice provost at OU as well as an associate professor of Classics and Letters.
A sense of identity by belonging to a tradition is an ingredient in being part of a free republic, he said while speaking to the Edmond Republican Women’s Club on Monday. An educated citizen must be aware, alert and intelligent to care about public affairs, he said. -
Red Cross seeks volunteers to aid in Moore storm recovery
Before arriving in Oklahoma last year, Edmond resident Sofia Griffith already had a growing Red Cross volunteer résumé.
-
DA files formal charge in Craigslist sex case
Prosecutors have filed a formal felony charge against an Edmond man arrested on a complaint related to the alleged solicitation of a minor via Craigslist, according to court records.
Friday afternoon, Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation spokeswoman Jessica Brown said a member of the OSBI Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force arrested the man that morning after a two-month-long investigation into solicitation for sex with minors via Craigslist. -
Oreo stacking contest slated for Crest Foods in Edmond
Crest Foods is calling all stackers, ages 6-11, to visit the Edmond store from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday to try their hand at an Oreo stacking event. The store, 2200 W. 15th St., is one of several Crest sites where youth can attempt to stack Oreos. The team that builds the highest stack in 30 seconds qualifies for the finals round the following weekend, said Donna Kamas, public relations manager.
-
State photo-ID databases become troves for police
The faces of more than 120 million people are in searchable photo databases that state officials assembled to prevent driver's-license fraud but that increasingly are used by police to identify suspects, accomplices and even innocent bystanders in a wide range of criminal investigations.
-
Lucas: Farm Bill approval vital for state farmers
The U.S. House will approve a farm bill this year, Rep. Frank Lucas said Saturday.
The bill will be debated on the House floor Wednesday and Thursday and will pass after 30 to 60 amendments are considered. - More Local News Headlines
-
Exclusive: Locklear & Seymour Lock Lips
Rihanna Hits Fan With Microphone During UK Concert
Obama Renews Call for Nuclear Reductions
Miami Heat Wins in Overtime
Raw: Arizona Wildfire Scorches 8 Square Miles
Fists, chairs fly in restaurant brawl
Journalist Michael Hastings Dies in Fiery Hollywood Crash
Hairy Leg Stockings Aim to Deflect Male Attention
Inside Kim Kardashian's Premature Labor
Three Charged for Enslaving Mother and Daughter
Raw: Huge Fire Near Yosemite National Park
Spurs' Popovich has no problem with Spurs' intensity
RAW: NSA Director Says 50 Plots Foiled
Paige Butcher Scorches on Hawaii Beach
Video: worst way to load cargo onto a plane
Never-before-seen footage of '08 Times Square bomber
Obama: NSA Secret Data Gathering 'Transparent'
WATCH IT: Lil Wayne tramples American flag
Mariah Carey Looks Beautiful in a Tiny Cut-Out Swimsuit
Out of Control Boat Throws Passengers Overboard
