LOCAL

Bond Set for Thacker
Commissioners Board To Meet on Thursday
Wow What a Show
Stabbing Suspect in Newkirk Jail
Ponca High School Student Held on Forcible Sexual Complaint

Bond Set for Thacker

UNION CITY, Tenn. (AP) — An Oklahoma man suspected of killing three people in a tri-state crime spree is being held on $5 million bond after being charged in Tennessee with one of the deaths.

Steven Ray Thacker, 29, of Chouteau was charged Monday with first-degree murder and aggravated robbery in the stabbing death of Ray Patterson, 52, of Dyersburg.

Thacker also faces a murder charge in Oklahoma in the late December death of Ponca City native Laci Dawn Hill, 25, of Bixby. And, he is a prime suspect in the stabbing death of Forrest Boyd, 24, of Polk County, Mo.

Patterson, a tow truck driver, was killed early Sunday, authorities said.

Thacker’s wife, Trina, met Thacker in June at a Tulsa nightclub. They were married two months later. She told The Daily Oklahoman that her husband could be thoughtful, but he had a darker side, one of mood swings and violent behavior.

She said he seemed to love her and her two children. He also helped her parents, Kenneth and Laura Roberson, who live next door, with chores. And, he even went hunting with her brother.

But her family said there was just something about her husband that bothered them.

‘‘I really think he loves me,’’ Trina Thacker said Monday. ‘‘But there’s something wrong with his mind.’’

She had been under protective custody since Hill’s body was discovered and until her husband was arrested.

‘‘I was really afraid he would come back here and do something to me or my family,’’ she said. ‘‘I haven’t been able to sleep. I finally got eight hours of sleep last night after he was captured in Tennessee.’’

Oklahoma prosecutors conceded that Thacker probably will remain in Tennessee for a while.

‘‘Since they have custody, if they want to prosecute, they would be able to do that, and then we have to wait until they are finished,’’ Mayes County District Attorney Gene Haynes told the Tulsa World.

Mayes filed a first-degree murder count against Thacker last week in connection with Ms. Hill’s death.

An affidavit filed by Dyersburg investigator Jim Joyner said, ‘‘Thacker was interviewed and confessed to the robbery and murder of Ray Patterson.’’

Thacker, who said nothing during the arraignment, has a preliminary hearing scheduled for Jan. 12.

Prosecutors believe the crime spree started when Ms. Hill had advertised a pool table for sale at her Tulsa County home and Thacker answered the ad. Her partially clad body was discovered in a wooded area east of Chouteau on Wednesday, six days after she was reported missing.

Officers targeted Thacker after a surveillance video showed him using Ms. Hill’s credit cards following her disappearance, said FBI spokesman Dan Vogel in Oklahoma City.

On Wednesday, police found Thacker’s car abandoned in a Springfield, Mo., pharmacy parking lot. The same day, a man matching his description carjacked a vehicle from the same lot, police said.

On Saturday, Thacker allegedly stole a car from Boyd’s home in rural Polk County about 20 miles north of Springfield and stabbed Boyd to death. A credit card belonging to Boyd was used the following morning near the Tennessee border, and Boyd’s car was found with Thacker at the Union City motel.

The car had a broken fuel gauge, and officials said Thacker may have run out of gas and called for a tow truck. Authorities said they believe he stabbed Patterson, then towed the car before abandoning the truck.

Thacker was registered under another name and had dyed his hair when he was arrested while taking bags of trash out of his room, police said.

Commissioners Board To Meet on Thursday

A special meeting has been set Thursday by the Ponca City Board of Commissioners to consider a resolution calling for the annual city general election.

The session will be held at 1 p.m. in the City Manager’s office, 516 East Grand Avenue. The agenda will include two other items.

The resolution calling for the election would be to fill city commissioner positions two and four, currently held by Chris Hand and Kenneth Ray.

The other items include an addendum agreement between the Ponca City Development Authority and Unitherm Food Systems Inc. and a lease agreement between the City of Ponca City and Apple Cart Catering Inc.

Wow What a Show

100 Years of Broadway

EDITOR’S NOTE: This story is not intended to be a critical evaluation but just the observance of a member of the audience and the reaction of the patrons.

By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE

News Staff Writer

“Wow, what a show!” said the folks leaving The Poncan Theatre after the “100 Years of Broadway” production New Year’s Eve. The event was a fitting lead-in to the lighted ball dropping finale at midnight on Grand Avenue and the spectacular fireworks that followed.

The orchestra assembled with Ponca Citians and former residents was especially appreciated as conducted by William McConnell Jr. Produced and directed by Leslie Rardin the show was a “raving” success with the audience giving a standing ovation for several minutes at the end. Everyone seemed to leave the theatre in a pleasant mood with smiles and remarking to each other about the quality of entertainment.

Tim Muntiz brought the house down with his outstanding vocal talent and when teamed with Janet Gary, another trained voice, the crowd loved it.

John Logan Rardin Jr. and Annette Hunt also proved popular as they sang, “Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better Than You.” Other vocalists giving memorable performances were Robert Maril, Eva Marie Beyer, Yona Wade, Julie Adams-Tapken, Kevin Goldman, Alfred McDaniel, Heidi Stoeckley, Gary Stephens, Mary Jane Barraclough, Iris Ballou, Keni Ray, Melissa Bacher.

Joanne Muchmore and Keni Ray as narrators kept the audience informed on the era of the Broadway shows, and also gave the audience some laughs with ad libs.

The sell-out crowd was pleased with the performance and chatted during intermission and after the show about the professionalism present in the production. Gary Martin, city manager, remarked “We could never have afforded this talent if we had to pay for it.”

The performers seemed glad to return home to Ponca City and enjoyed “Putting on The Ritz,” in The Poncan Theatre.

The show was presented by The Ponca City Millennium Commission.

Stabbing Suspect in Newkirk Jail

NEWKIRK — A 20-year-old Kansas man remained in jail today in lieu of $10,000 bond in connection with a stabbing incident Saturday night outside a Newkirk nightclub.

The sheriff’s department said Ricardo Deleon, 20, Emporia, Kan., was facing charges of assault with a deadly weapon and burglary from an automobile after he allegedly attacked an employee of The Hideout, located south of Newkirk.

Deleon appeared highly intoxicated when he allegedly burglarized the vehicle of nightclub employee Rogelio Barrera, 32, Arkansas City, outside the establishment, sheriff’s deputy Brian Dye said.

When confronted by Barrera in the lobby of the nightclub, Deleon allegedly broke a beer bottle and used the broken bottle to stab Barrera five times — twice in the neck, and once each in the side, stomach and right arm, the deputy said.

Barrera was treated for stab wounds and released from St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center in Ponca City.

Deleon left the club parking lot with friends in an automobile and was arrested 20 minutes later by Arkansas City police on the southern edge of Arkansas City, Dye said. He was transported by Kay County deputies to the detention facility in Newkirk.

The suspect was scheduled to appear in District Court for arraignment on Wednesday.

Ponca High School Student Held on Forcible Sexual Complaint

A 16-year-old Ponca City Senior High student will be formally charged today by the Kay County District Attorney on grounds of forcible oral sodomy after an alleged incident on Dec. 15.

It was reported to the Ponca City Police Department that the juvenile and a 15-year-old female victim, also a Po-Hi student, left the high school campus together to talk. He then forced himself on her. Police arrested the boy Monday at the high school.

The juvenile will make his first court appearance Tuesday afternoon and a decision will be made on whether he will be charged as a juvenile or a youthful offender. If the latter is chosen, a bond amount will be made public by the District Court Clerk.

The juvenile was transported from the high school and is currently held at the Kay County Sheriff’s Office.

DEATHS

Eugene Earl Overlease
Thada Baker

Eugene Earl Overlease

SKIATOOK — Eugene Earl Overlease, resident of Skiatook, died Friday, Dec. 24, 1999, at home. He was 76.

The funeral was held 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 29, 1999, at the First United Methodist Church with the Revs. Henry Bell and Richard Eckel officiating. Burial followed in the Osage Gardens Cemetery under the direction of the Sien-Shelton Funeral Home.

Eugene Earl “Gene” Overlease was born Oct. 21, 1923, in Weleetka, the son of Earl and Mollie (Young) Overlease. He grew up and received his education in the Weleetka school system, graduating from high school there in 1942. He also attended college two years at Wilburton.

He entered the U.S. Coast Guard on July 24, 1942, and received his honorable discharge on Oct. 12, 1945. He married Audrey Ihrig on Sept. 25, 1943, in Tulsa; she preceded him in death in 1970. He later married Mary Belle Rowe on April 6, 1973, in Shidler, where they made their home for a year before moving to Skiatook.

He was employed with the post office in Fairfax where he was the first city letter carrier and was postmaster at Shidler and Skiatook, retiring in 1985 after 28 years of service. He was minister at the Full Gospel Assembly Church for 18 years in Fairfax and mayor of Skiatook from 1987 to 1990. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Skiatook, Masonic Lodge 32 degree Mason, past president of the Chamber of Commerce and Rotary, and currently was on the planning commission of Skiatook. He taught Sunday school, was a school bus driver, and enjoyed playing golf and playing with his grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife of the home; five children, Jean Ann Sharp of Chandler, Robin Edens of Skiatook, Tracy Radcliffe of Skiatook, Rocky Overlease of Pawnee and Ricky Overlease of Chandler; one brother, Randall Overlease of San Diego, Calif.; two sisters, Flossie Overlease of Weleetka and Carol Ann Dickson of Rhinelander, Wis.; eight grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews and other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, and two brothers.

Casket bearers were Dale Edens, Tommy Crenshaw, Todd Crenshaw, B.B. Crenshaw, Ricky Overlease and Rocky Overlease.

Services Pending

Thada Baker

Thada Baker, resident of Ponca City, died Monday, Jan. 3, 1999, in St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. She was 79. Local survivors include Don Pappan and Judy Dugan. Arrangements are pending with Grace Memorial Chapel.

NEWS BRIEFS

Deer Hit — A man reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 7:17 a.m. Monday that he had hit a deer at the intersection of North Fourteenth Street and Hubbard Road. An officer was assigned and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and Game Ranger were notified.

Mel’s Clothing and Shoe has 40% off Mels price on entire stock. adv.

Vehicle Damaged — A man from the 1000 block of North Ash Street reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 9:03 a.m. Monday that his vehicle had been hit during the night. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Abandoned Bicycle — A man from the 500 block of East Cherry Avenue reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 10:08 a.m. Monday that a bicycle had been abandoned. Information was left for Animal Control to pick up the bicycle.

Requests Assistance — An employee at Masters Touch, 115 North Fourth Street, requested assistance from the Ponca City Police Department at 10:56 a.m. Monday with a subject that had been in the store causing a disturbance and was outside. Two officers responded and the subject was moved away and advised that upon returning to the area would be cited for trespassing.

Subject Held — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported at 1:27 p.m. Monday that a 34-year-old man was being held on a city warrant for failure to pay, and two Osage County warrants.

Every Wednesday ð price clothes and shoes, except priced items. Check our daily specials.

Caboose Thrift Shoppe, First and Central. adv.

Accident — A non-injury accident on the U.S. 60 Arkansas River bridge was reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 2:06 a.m. Tuesday. Two officers responded to the scene and located a driver who was taken to the police department. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol responded from Pawhuska.

Free Pregnancy test. Birth Choice cares. Confidential. Hours: Tuesday, 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, 1-3 p.m. and Thursday, 6-8 p.m. 700 West Broadway. 765-9689. adv.

Suspicious Activity — A person from the 400 block of South Franklin Street was at the Ponca City Police Department at 2:33 p.m. Monday to report a possible child molestation. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Metabolife-Start right! The Natural Weight loss supplement. 765-8523. adv.

Items Missing — A woman from the 1600 block of Pioneer Road reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 1:46 p.m. Monday that some yard furniture had been stolen. An officer was assigned and a grand larceny report was taken. An extra patrol of the area was requested.

Will the wonderful people who placed a Christmas ham behind a screen door in the block of Monument Road, Tuesday afternoon, please call the recipient so that he may thank them personally? Thank You, LDW. adv.

Vehicle Stolen — The Communications Center received a report from the Kay County Sheriff’s Office at 4:30 p.m. Monday that a green 1995 Mazda two-door, KDP-979, with tinted windows had been stolen from White Eagle.

Accident — The Communications Center received a 911 call at 5:27 p.m. Monday that a two-vehicle accident had occurred at the intersection of East South Avenue and South Eleventh Street. Two officers of the Ponca City Police Department responded and a report was taken. Two units from the Ponca City Fire Department also responded and an ambulance took one victim with minor injuries to the emergency room of St. Joseph Regional Medical Center for treatment. A vehicle was towed from the scene.

Subject Held — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported from Wal-Mart at 5:40 p.m. Monday that a 22-year-old man was being held for petit larceny.

State Certified DUI School Bridgeway, Inc. is Kay Co.'s only local non-profit organization that offers both mid week and week-end DUI Schools and Assessments. Next school scheduled

Friday, January 7th and Saturday, January 8th starting at 5:00 p.m. We now offer the 24 hr. DUI School. Call 762-1462 for reservations and information. adv.

Subject Held — An employee at Hastings reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 8:52 p.m. Monday that two juveniles had stolen items from Beautyco and were now at Hobby Lobby. Two officers responded and took into custody, a 17-year-old boy for grand larceny and another juvenile boy to the police department. A report was taken.

Charged — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported at 10:43 p.m. Monday that a 15-year-old boy was being charged with grand larceny and released with a promise to appear.

Space Available — The News Briefs column is the perfect spot for an announcement. Just call 765-3311.

LIFESTYLES

The Neighborhood Chef
Barbershop Quartet Not Only for Men
January Is National Bread Machine Baking Month

The Neighborhood Chef

By SHERRY MUCHMORE

The holidays have come and gone all too quickly. Of course, I say that every year. Feelings are mixed with a sense of relief, a touch of sadness for those no longer with us and gratitude for those we love who find the time to come together, though maybe the only time during the year. It’s now the time for taking down and putting away; planning a reduction in our calorie intake and promises to exercise. Resolutions abound. And, by now, most of us are filled to excess anyway and crave the lighter side, in all things. The following recipe is a nice, simple dish omitting the saturated commodities of the holidays such as pumpkin, turkey, dressing, ham or pecans.

We’ve reached a point where we’re craving something different from all the holiday fare, such as seafood or fish. Try grilling your favorite fish with the following seafood marinade. I’ve tried this marinade on tuna, halibut and salmon and found salmon the perfect choice.

Grilled Salmon Marinade

Rinse and pat dry; slice into about 2 inch sections:

1 1/2 pounds Salmon filet, bone

less and skinned

Combine the next 7 ingredients:

3 tablespoons lemon juice

2 clove garlics, crushed

2 tablespoons fresh basil,

chopped (or, 1 teaspoon dried &

crushed)

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive

oil

1 tablespoon soy sauce

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

1/4 teaspoon pepper

Place salmon pieces in a single layer into a baking dish, pouring marinade over coating completely. Cover with Saran Wrap and marinade for 2 hours in the refrigerator, turning pieces now and then.

Grill over medium coals for 4 to 6 minutes per 1/2 inch thickness. Brush occasionally with marinade. Turn filets if thicker than 1 inch and grill about 4 minutes longer. Test for doneness with fork to see if meat is flaky. Serves 4.

Note: Fresh zucchini is great with this salmon dish, grilled at the same time. Take small, slender zucchini and slice lengthwise or maybe again into fourths. Since we like the fresh flavor of the vegetable, I only use a little salt and pepper and sometimes either a little seasoned salt or garlic salt. Serve also with fresh hot bread and one of the following spinach salads. And, of course, a wild rice or pilaf is always nice with fresh fish. There are some really good boxed rice mixes these days.

Spinach salads are great alone as a meal or served as a flavorful accent to fish or seafood entrees. Here is your basic old-fashioned take on a hot bacon dressing spinach salad.

Spinach Salad with Hot Bacon Dressing

Combine in a large bowl or for separate servings, place torn spinach on salad plate; sprinkle onion and egg over spinach: 6 cups fresh spinach, washed and torn in pieces (bag) remove tough stems 1/4 cup sliced green onions (the whole onion, including the green tops) 3 hard boiled eggs, chopped

In a skillet, fry 5 slices of bacon until crisp, drain and crumble, set aside.

Reserve 3 tablespoons bacon drippings (cooled slightly) and add the following ingredients to the bacon drippings:

1/4 cup cider vinegar

2 tablespoons granulated sugar

2 tablespoons water

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

Bring the bacon dressing to a boil in skillet just to blend. Pour over the spinach mixture and garnish with crumbled bacon. Serves approximately 6 to 8.

Several years ago, Mom gave me a variation of the above using a fresh tasting cold dressing. The basic ingredient may cause you to hesitate but I promise, you’ll like this one. The flavor is excellent. All these ingredients meld together for a delightful taste.

Fresh Spinach Salad Supreme

Gayle Fausett, OKC

Prepare spinach and place in vegetable bag wrapped in damp paper towels. Fry bacon, drain, cool and crumble and place in baggie. Store chopped eggs in covered container. Mushrooms can be sliced when ready to serve.

1 bunch or 2 lbs. of fresh

spinach, washed, torn and tough

stems removed

1/2 pound bacon, fried crisp and

crumbled (about 12 slices)

3 eggs, hard boiled and chopped

fresh mushrooms, washed and

sliced thin

Mix the following dressing ingredients in a jar, shake to blend and refrigerate overnight:

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon dry mustard

1 teaspoon poppy seed

1 tablespoon onion juice (or, use

grated onion)

1/3 cup vinegar

1 cup salad oil

3/4 cup cottage cheese (small

curd)

When ready to serve, shake dressing well and toss with spinach. Put tossed spinach on individual plates, sprinkle with bacon and chopped eggs. Garnish with mushroom slices and serve. Approximately 8 individual servings.

Forget to thaw out meat for dinner tonight? I always keep a can of salmon in the pantry for a quick meal when time is scarce.

Salmon Croquettes

1 14.75-ounce can pink salmon,

drained

1 teaspoon lemon juice

1 egg, slightly beaten

pepper to taste

1/4 cup saltine cracker crumbs

(5 square crackers)

Combine salmon, lemon juice, egg, pepper and saltine crackers. Form into 4 small patties and coat with saltine cracker crumbs (about 1/2 cup will do). Fry until golden on both sides in hot vegetable oil in a skillet. Drain and serve. These can be frozen and reheated in a 325 degree oven for about 10 minutes.

Send your recipes to: The Neighborhood Chef, c/o The Ponca City News, P.O. Box 191, Ponca City, OK 74602, or e-mail me at: chef@poncacitynews.com (All recipes become property of The Ponca City News.)

Barbershop Quartet Not Only for Men

The 4-in-Achord Quartet, members of the Wheatheart Sweet Adelines chorus, are promoting the American Art form of barbershop singing. Members include Jan Schickram, tenor; Donna Strang, lead; Vicki McCabe, bass; and LaVerne Welch, baritone.

Barbershop singing began more than 50 years ago with a men’s group that now has an international scope. The ladies also enjoyed this four-part harmony sound, and a group in Tulsa invited women from all parts of the nation to come and participate in a quartet contest and set up an international organization for women.

Today, Sweet Adelines International has more than 30,000 members with chapters worldwide, including coast to coast in America, Alaska, Panama, England, Switzerland, Sweden, Japan and the Netherlands.

The local group meets each Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at Northern Oklahoma College in the Performing Arts Building under the direction of Wilma Harman. Its mission is to educate, teach and train the members in musical harmony and appreciation of barbershop-style singing.

Area women are invited to attend any regular rehearsals.

January Is National Bread Machine Baking Month

There is nothing like the aroma of baking bread. To some people, the idea of baking bread means hours of preparation. However, a bread machine combines convenience and flexibility, reducing the work down to a simple touch of a button. The machine takes the guesswork out of baking. All you need to do is add the liquid, dry ingredients, and yeast — the mixing and baking is done automatically.

With bread machines becoming more affordable, more households own them. According to the Bread Machine Industry Association, 20 percent of U.S. households own a bread machine, with more and more people buying them each day.

The Oklahoma Wheat Commission offers the following tips for getting the most out of your bread machine.

• Before using the bread machine, read its accompanying instruction manual.

• Check the yeast’s expiration date for freshness. Tightly seal containers of yeast and refrigerate or freeze. Bring the amount needed to room temperature before using. One package equals 2 1/4 teaspoons or 1/4 ounce.

• Refer to the instruction manual concerning type of yeast to use. If no bread machine yeast is available, active dry yeast may be substituted.

• Because you are using a machine, accurate liquid and dry measurements are essential.

• Never use perishable ingredients with the time delay setting because they may spoil, unless making sour dough. Milk should not sit for more than 1 to 2 hours. To improve loaf height, texture and structure, add 1 to 2 tablespoons of wheat gluten to recipes using whole wheat, rye or other whole-grain flours, or when making specialty-type breads. Adding wheat gluten is not necessary when using all bread flour. Gluten can be purchased at supermarkets or health food stores.

• Check the consistency of the dough about 2 to 3 minutes into the kneading cycle. It should form a soft, smooth ball around the kneading blade. If the dough is too sticky, add 1 teaspoon of flour at a time, or if it is too dry, add 1 teaspoon of water at a time.

The Oklahoma Wheat Commission promotes greater utilization of wheat in both domestic and international markets through research, market development and public education.

For more information or bread machine recipes, contact the Oklahoma Wheat Commission at (405) 521-2796 or by e-mail at okwheat@oklaosf.state.ok.us.

Chocolate-Cinnamon Bread

Recipe for 1 1/2 pound loaf

3/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons milk

1 large egg

1 tablespoon butter or margarine

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon salt

3 cups bread flour

1/2 cup miniature semisweet chocolate pieces

3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

2 teaspoons bread machine yeast

• Add chocolate pieces with flour.

• Add all ingredients except glaze to bread machine pan in the order suggested by manufacturer.

• Recommended cycle is “basic/white bread” cycle; light color setting, if available.

• Drizzle cooled bread with chocolate glaze.

Chocolate glaze:

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 to 3 teaspoons milk (for drizzling consistency)

BUSINESS

Baby Boomers in Spotlight Of Area Chamber Banquet
Offensive Coordinator At Evans Retires Friday
Reverse Mortgage Plan Allows Older Homeowners Security
Tailgate Sweepstakes Winner
Kaw Reservoir Panel Set to Meet on Jan. 12
Astonishing Bodyworks Opens Here

Baby Boomers in Spotlight Of Area Chamber Banquet

By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE

News Business Editor

Baby boomers will be in the spotlight Thursday evening at the Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce banquet, when Larry Murphy, Sen. Don Nickles and Barry Bickle take stage center.

Passing the chairman torch to incoming chairman Barry Bickle will be outgoing chairman, Craig Myers, also of that time frame.

But the story goes further than that. Murphy, who will be master of ceremonies, and Nickles graduated together at Po-Hi in 1967. Just a year earlier, Bickle graduated from Newkirk High and served with Nickles in the Kansas National Guard. Murphy noted, “For me It is going to be like a reunion of two good friends of mine, incoming president and the guest speaker,” Murphy said.

Murphy, owner of Larry Murphy Insurance Agency, said, “I’m real excited to be master of ceremonies with Nickles as the featured speaker and Bickle as the incoming chairman.

“Nickles and I have been friends since we were classmates and continue over the years. My real friendship with Don was at Nickles Machine,” said Murphy. “We’re golfing buddies and I admire Don’s competitive spirit.”

Murphy is a 1969 graduate of Tonkawa with an associate degree from the University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, 1971 BBA, Marketing; Exceptional Producer School, Firemans Fund, 1981, and Certified Insurance Counselor, 1981.

Civic activities include board member, St. Joseph Medical Foundation; past chairman and board member Westminster Village; Youth Crisis Prevention Task Force; past co-chairman; First Christian Church, deacon and youth Sunday School teacher; Hospice of Ponca City, fund raising volunteer.

Also, Ponca City Public Schools foundation, charter member; Ponca City Public Schools, “Friend of Education,” Trout Elementary PTA, past president; Ponca City Rotary Club, Paul Harris Fellow; American Red Cross, past vice chairman, Ponca City Chapter.

Murphy and his wife Nancy, have three children, Kelly, 25, Leslie, 22 and Bradley, 15.

Offensive Coordinator At Evans Retires Friday

By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE

News Business Editor

A 28-year employee of Evans and Associates, Roylene Mayse is retiring. She will be feted with a come and go reception from 2 to 4 p.m., Friday at Evans and Associates, 3320 North Fourteenth.

“For 28 years, Ro has been the ‘offensive coordinator’ for our construction company team. In addition to her normal duties, she has served as mother, mechanic, counselor and problem solver. She will always be a member of our corporate family, and we wish her well for years to come,” said Jerry Evans, owner of Evans and Associates.

Known to her friends and co-workers as “Ro,” she was introduced to construction and heavy equipment by her father Roy Gadberry. Gadberry hauled and operated equipment for Kenneth Cookson. She went with her father just for the ride and that was the beginning of her construction experience.

She and her husband James began trucking crushed rock from quarries in the late 1960s and 1970s they also began hauling asphalt for Evans and Throop (E&A). Prior to joining Evans and Associates, she and her husband had their own trucking company.

“In 1972, Kathy Zehr and Don Simmons decided Ro should be taught and trained to dispatch trucks. It became evident to all drivers and foreman that it was not a wise idea to try and con the girl at the scale office. She had a knack for reading the real motive of their actions,” according to Jackie Bohon, executive vice president.

Bohon added, “They soon became aware that Ro had a way of enhancing their performance without wanting or taking their glory.

“As the years have passed the field of construction personnel began having Ro tell so and so this or that. So Ro became the information hub or station. It worked well because her recall ability is outstanding and also scary.

“I doubt if a working day goes by, when Ro does not prevent something from falling through the crack. Over the years Ro’s contract by phone or in person with our customers has been a great asset to the company reputation.”

Mrs. Mayse has worked in the United Way is a member of Professionals Today Society, known for short as PTs. A charter member, Ro was responsible for naming the club Professionals Today. The club had formerly been Pilot Club. She served as president and was named Outstanding Member twice.

She has played an important role in forming the women’s service club, which annually puts on the Cherokee Strip Cook-off benefiting Hospice.

She and her husband have a son Jim Mayse and a daughter Marla Mayse Irons.

Reverse Mortgage Plan Allows Older Homeowners Security

All across the country, homeowners over the age of 61 are enjoying financial security through participation in the FHA-Insured reverse mortgage program.

This innovative program allows homeowners to draw tax-free income from their home equity without requiring monthly repayment. No longer do older homeowners need to compromise their standard of living in order to keep up with rising expenses.

For many Americans, the “golden years” are not always golden. Health care costs, home maintenance expenses and property taxes keep going up. For someone on a fixed income, it’s often a challenge to keep pace.

Now, thanks to the advocacy of the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) and with the backing of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the reverse mortgage program provides a way to supplement their income.

A reverse mortgage is a safe financial alternative enabling older homeowners to remain in their homes for years and enjoy a secure retirement.

Reverse mortgages enable older homeowners to access the built up home equity in their home with repayment of the loan deferred until they no longer live in the home. Proceeds from the program are tax-free and can be received monthly, in cash or a credit line can be established.

Historically, income qualifications have prevented many older adults from qualifying for traditional loans. Until recently, many of these homeowners were forced to sell their homes and move in order to cover their expenses. The reverse mortgage program does not have any income, asset, credit or employment standards.

While there is no restriction on the use of the money, quite often the cash is used to pay off a current mortgage, to pay off some credit cards, to pay the property taxes and insurance and of course, to travel.

Seniors often worry that the expenses of home ownership will force them to lower their standard of living. This is a choice that older homeowners should not have to make. With the reverse mortgage program, participants now have access to additional cash resources without having to use their fixed monthly income.

For more information call 1-800-950-3297.

Notes/Quotes

Tailgate Sweepstakes Winner

Jim Martin of Newkirk was chosen from more than 300,000 entries nationwide as the “Field Goal” winner in Ace’s Ultimate Tailgate Sweepstakes.

Martin won a DeWalt Drill, valued at $60. He entered the contest at Brandts Ponca City store, 3203 North Fourteenth, one of the more than 2,200 Ace Hardware stores that participated in the contest.

Brandts Ace is part of Ace Hardware Corporation, a dealer-owned cooperative comprised of more than 5,100 retailers in all 50 states and 62 countries. Ace’s 1998 retail sales topped $13 billion. Larry Brandt is the owner of the Ponca City hardware store.

Kaw Reservoir Panel Set to Meet on Jan. 12

Kaw Reservoir Authority is slated to meet at 11:30 a.m., Jan. 12, at Perkins Restaurant, Ponca City. Agenda items include readdressing the feasibility of water treatment plant at Kaw Lake at the request of Kaw City Mayor Jack Rosson.

Other items include approving the audit report for 1998-99, and a proposal for the 1999-2000 audit.

Ken Parr, chairman, has requested that all member towns have a trustee or an alternate in attendance. New officers will be elected.

Astonishing Bodyworks Opens Here

A new business in Ponca City is Astonishing Bodyworks, 106 North Second, owned by Zackery T. Larson CMT. Bodyworks is currently offering three different services, shiatsu, reflexology, and ear candling.

Shiatsu is the application of manual and digital pressure to the skin with the aim of preventing and curing illness by stimulating the body’s natural powers of healing, eliminating fatigue elements and enriching customer’s life with better health, Larson said.

Another form of bodyworks practiced here is reflexology. Which is implemented to the hands and feet which nerve endings correlate to the rest of the body.

Ear candling is also offered. Ear coning is a safe remedy for relieving pressure, fighting infection and gently removing toxins and excess wax from inside the ears.

Larson has an associates of arts degree from Cowley County Community College, Arkansas City, Kan., with an emphasis in business and has acquired certification through 500 hours of schooling.

SPORTS

New Coach Will Hit the Ground Running
Lamar Makes Sooners Sweat
Cat Mat Freshmen In Lineup

New Coach Will Hit the Ground Running

By FRED HILTON

News Sports Editor

Watonga’s Frank Piccirillo officially became the new Wildcat football coach Monday night in a 6-0 vote by the Ponca City School Board and, according to Po-Hi Athletic Director Rusty Benson, “will hit the ground running.”

“I hope to be in Ponca City by the 17th,” Piccirillo said and indicated one of the first things he will do is meet with the players, coaches, parents and fans.

“I will also be looking at a lot of film,” the 49-year-old coach said as he tries to get a feel for the Wildcat players and get involved in the off-season training program.

“I always fit my system (of offense and defense) to fit the personnel,” he says. “I like to run the one-back on offense if I can find a quarterback who can throw and run.

“If we can’t throw that well, we’ll run the “I” and option

“Either way, well use a lot of formations, probably 15 or 20. I want to stretch the defense.”

Piccirillo says he prefers the 4-4, “aggressive” defense.

“I want to put pressure on the offense. We’ll us a lot of stunts and blitzes. We are going to come after people.”

The fact that the Wildcats are usually smaller than most of the teams they play, doesn’t deter Piccirillo’s thinking.

“When I first came to Watonga I had a couple of guards who weighed 130 pounds,” he recalls.

Nor is Piccirillo intimidated by moving up from Class 2A to Class 6A football.

“The biggest difference I see is you have more players and more assistants,” he says. “I feel that coaching is coaching at whatever class.

“I do like the idea of having seven assistant coaches (three of whom he will bring in). “I’m use to having three assistants.

“At small schools, the head coach does everything — mowing the field, doing the laundry. It will be great to be able to just concentrate on football.”

In addition to coaching football and assisting in track, Piccirillo will teach in driver education.

Piccirillo admits that getting the Po-Hi football program back on the winning track will be a challenge.

“I am use to winning,” Piccirillo, who is 159-36 in 16 years of being a head coach at Texhoma and Watonga.

“The key is convincing the kids they can win. There is no secrete to winning. It takes hard work. Hard work by the players and hard work by the coaches.

“I don’t like mediocrity. The first thing I will tell the players is we are here to win.”

Piccirillo is 105-23 in 10 years at Watonga. The Eagle were Class 2A state champions in 1993 (13-1) and 1994 (15-0). Watonga was the state runner-up in 1992 and again in 1997.

His teams at Watonga won district title, were bi-district champions six times and area champions four times.

Piccirillo’s streak of 16 consecutive winning seasons was broken this past season when the Eagles went 5-5.

“Injuries are part of the game,” the coach said. “But you can’t afford to lose three quarterbacks (to injuries) like we did last year.”

Lamar Makes Sooners Sweat

NORMAN (AP) — Oklahoma had been outrebounding opponents by nearly six per game and had holding them to 41 percent shooting from the field.

Lamar bucked both those trends Monday night and made the 20th-ranked Sooners sweat through their 12th victory in 13 games.

Lamar, which came in with a four-game winning streak, shot 47 percent from the floor and became only the third opponent to outrebound the Sooners, who held on for a 67-63 victory.

‘‘Three months into the season and we forgot where we came from,’’ Oklahoma coach Kelvin Sampson said. ‘‘We need to get better. We have eight home games left and eight road games left and we need to get focused.

‘‘We need to get back to where our identity is.’’

Outscoring teams by nearly 17 points per game, the Sooners had been largely untested heading into the game. That changed as the Cardinals (6-5) came back from a 13-point first-half deficit to take the lead and force the Sooners to come from behind.

Eduardo Najera scored 25 points for Oklahoma and sealed the victory with two late free throws.

‘‘We were able to hang around until the end and we had a chance to win,’’ said Lamar coach Mike Deane, whose team scored 11 points in the final minute to pull within two. ‘‘We can take a lot of positives from this game, but it’s still a loss in the end.’’

Tim Heskett and J.R. Raymond scored 12 points each and Nolan Johnson added 10 to help the Sooners hang on.

The Cardinals pulled within two points in the final 10 seconds. With 7.7 seconds remaining, Ron Austin hit a 3-pointer with a Sooner defender in his face to make the score 65-63.

Austin quickly fouled Najera, who hit both of his free throws in the final seconds to seal the victory.

‘‘I knew this team would be prepared,’’ Sampson said of the Cardinals, who came in having won four straight games. ‘‘This game was good for us in a lot of ways. We haven’t been in this position much. We needed that experience.’’

Oklahoma’s only loss this season was to No. 4 Cincinnati on Dec. 22 in Norman. The Sooners begin Big 12 play on Saturday when they play host to Texas A&M.

OKLAHOMA 67, LAMAR 63

Lamar (6-5) 

Spears 4-9 2-3 14, Rowe 9-13 1-2 23, Jackson 1-3 0-0 3, McCreight 0-2 1-2 1, Holden 1-4 0-0 2, Arline 3-7 0-2 6, Robinson 1-4 0-0 2, Austin 4-7 3-5 12, White 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 23-49 7-14 63.

Oklahoma (12-1) 

Johnson 5-11 0-0 10, Najera 11-15 2-3 25, Stone 2-4 0-0 4, Raymond 4-15 4-7 12, Heskett 3-4 3-4 12, Price 1-5 0-0 2, Newton 1-3 0-0 2, Avila 0-1 0-0 0, Heywood 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 27-59 9-14 67.

Halftime—Oklahoma 33, Lamar 30. 3-point goals—Lamar 10-19 (Spears 4-7, Rowe 4-5, Austin 1-1, Jackson 1-3, Holden 0-2, Robinson 0-1). Oklahoma 4-13 (Heskett 3-4, Najera 1-2, Raymond 0-5, Price 0-1, Newton 0-1). Fouled out—None. Rebounds—Lamar 34 (Arline 9), Oklahoma 32 (Stone 9). Assists—Lamar 17 (Robinson 5), Oklahoma 14 (Raymond 4). Total fouls—Lamar 10, Oklahoma 13. Technicals—Lamar bench. A—10,478.

Cat Mat Freshmen In Lineup

By FRED HILTON

News Sports Editor

Ponca City’s wrestlers will have as many as four freshmen in the lineup tonight as the Wildcats host the Enid Plainsmen in Robson Field House.

The Cats are in a state of flux as the grapplers attempt to get down to the weight they will wrestle for most of the remainder of the season.

Coach Todd Steidley will give a few of them one last chance at a higher weight before the schedule turns rugged. The Poncans will have to make weight three straight days in the unusual three-day Jenks Invitational Thursday through Saturday.

A couple of Poncans have already shed considerable poundage.

Matt Littleton (5-3 at 152 pounds) will go at 140 tonight while Blaine Empting (5-3) at 171 is slated to go at 152,

The rest of the line-up, which includes several “either-or”: weights, will include Josh Short (2-2) at 103 pounds, Phillip Brotherton (3-4) at 112, Daniel Cottman (0-1) at 119, Mimi Miller (3-1) or Clint Stafford (6-1) at 125, Shawn Lee (4-3) or Roman RedLeaf (4-3) at 135, Michael Osborn (8-2) at 145, Empting or Jasper Lockett (0-1) at 152.

Kyle Duren (8-0) at 160, newcomer Jason Leavitt at 171, Jeremy Leavitt (1-5) at 189, Jason Neurenberg (2-4) at 215 and freshman Tyler Frezer at heavyweight.

Enid is also likely to have several freshmen in its lineup in lieu of forfeits.

The Plainsmen are 2-4 in duals — having beaten Tulsa Rogers and Kingfisher. They have lost to Sapulpa, Edmond Memorial, Sand Springs and Newkirk.