LOCAL

Kay County Received $3.9M in Conoco Taxes
Ponca City Flag Petitions Headed to the Capitol
Nearly News
Police Department Awards
Rain, Snow May Return To Oklahoma
Chairs of Honor Almost Ready for Bombing Victims
NOYS to Present Valentine Special Event
Writer Makes a Break in Online Publishing

Kay County Received $3.9M in Conoco Taxes

Conoco and its subsidiary, Conoco Pipeline Company, paid more than $5.7 million in 1999 ad valorem taxes to 33 county treasurers in Oklahoma.

“Ad valorem taxes provide critical funding for maintaining the operation of our local county governments and school districts,” said Mike Fretwell, general manager of Conoco’s Ponca City-based Mid-Continent business unit.

“At Conoco we view ad valorem taxes as an investment in the Oklahoma communities in which we operate and where our employees live,” he added.

Kay County received the largest share for a single county — $3.9 million, which is approximately 20 percent of the ad valorem tax revenues collected by all taxing jurisdictions in the north central Oklahoma county.

The Ponca City School District No. 71 received $3.8 million, which is about 27 percent of all revenue received from property taxes by the local school district.

The news release comes on the heels of the Jan. 6 announcement that Conoco will be locating a $125 million carbon fiber plant in Ponca City.

Construction of the facility, to be located adjacent to the existing refinery, is to begin this fall. The completion date is tentatively set for the fall of 2001.

According to Conoco officials, approximately 80 full-time jobs will be created by the new plant. Close to 200 workers will be employed in the construction phase.

Conoco is a major, integrated energy company with headquarters in Houston and active in 40 countries.

Ponca City Flag Petitions Headed to the Capitol

By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE

News Staff Writer

The “Don’t Mess With the Flag” petitions that circulated in Ponca City over the weekend are bound for the state capitol on Tuesday.

At that time, Rep. Jim Newport (R-Ponca City) expects to “have a little fun” by presenting the petitions to Rep. Bill Nations (D-Norman) in person. Nations originated House Bill 2409 requesting removal of the term “Oklahoma” from the state flag.

Over 200 people had signed the petitions at the Grand Cafe by this morning and several blank petitions are being distributed by customers. The petitions are expected to be filled with names by 4 p.m., when the cafe, owned by Dennis Kinkaid, closes.

David May, the KLOR radio announcer who originated the petition, will be broadcasting live Tuesday from Newport’s third floor House of Representatives office. The petition demands that Rep. Nations remove his name from his office door because he feels insecure.

Nations had remarked that the name “Oklahoma” on the flag made the state look insecure, so the petition asks his name be removed from his office and also states, “Don’t mess with the flag.”

Nations has apparently caught the drift that removing “Oklahoma” from the flag was a bad idea. Nations, according to Newport, has been quoted as saying that it was not a controversial issue because 99 percent of the Oklahomans disagree with him.

Looking for a little humor before the Legislative session begins, Newport has invited Gov. Frank Keating, Lt. Gov. Mary Fallin, Majority Leader Tommy Thomas and Minority Leader Fred Morgan to discuss crazy legislative ideas on May’s three-hour radio show.

Lt. Gov. Fallin, who heads the Oklahoma Tourist Commission, was particularly vocal about Nations’ House Bill. Nations had said if there was enough valid reasons, he might reconsider. Fallin had said she could state plenty of reasons.

The radio show will be broadcast from 7-to-10 a.m. Some Ponca City teachers will allow their students to listen. One of the classes expected to tune in is the fourth grade Social Studies class of Judy Freiss at Lincoln Elementary. This class has been studying flags and other emblems.

Newport has a photo copy of the Thursday flag story from The Ponca City News that he plans to present to freshman House Representative Nations. The story noted that the Oklahoma flag was designed by the late Louise Fluke, a former Ponca Citian. The term “Oklahoma” was added to the state’s banner in 1941.

Nearly News

The voting location for Precinct 412 has changed, Kay County Election Board secretary Carol Stafford announced today.

The new location, effective for the Feb. 8, 2000, school election, will be the Kaw City Community Building, 300 Morgan Square.

The old location was the Kaw City Municipal Office.

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Absentee in-person voting for the Feb. 8 school election will take place Feb. 3-4 in the Kay County Courthouse basemen in Newkirk.

Voting hours will be from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Police Department Awards

Officer of the Year for the Ponca City Police Department was Mike Helms. Mayor Tom Leonard was present while Police Chief Raymond Ham made the presentation.

Special recognition award was presented to Heather Parton by Ponca City Police Chief Raymond Ham at a recent City Commissioner meeting. Heather works with the Communications Center and was recognized by the Ponca City Police Department for her work as a communication officer.

Rain, Snow May Return To Oklahoma

Chances of precipitation return to the state with the western part of the state having a good chance of rain or rain and snow mixed tonight, and a chance of snow in the north and east.

The National Weather Service forecasted highs near 40 in the northern part of Oklahoma to near 50 south today. Lows are predicted in the lower 20s in the Panhandle to upper 30s in the south.

Tuesday will see a chance of snow which could be possibly heavy at times in the Panhandle, with a chance of rain in the east. Highs will be in the upper 30s to near 50 in the far southeast. Lows are predicted in the upper teens to mid 30s in the far southeast.

A chance of rain continues into Wednesday possibly changing to snow in the southeast. Otherwise, the state is forecast to be partly cloudy. Highs are predicted in the lower 40s in the east to lower 50s in the west.

Highs are forecast in the upper 40s in the northeast to lower 60s for Thursday under partly cloudy skies.

Friday is forecast to be cloudy in the Panhandle with a slight chance of snow. The rest of the state should see partly cloudy skies with a slight chance of rain in the east and central part of the state. Highs will be in the mid 30s in the Panhandle to upper 50s in the southeast. Lows will be in the mid 20s in the Panhandle to lower 40s in the southwest.

Chairs of Honor Almost Ready for Bombing Victims

Chairs are cherished symbols to bombing victims’ families

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Jeannine Gist keeps an empty chair at the family dinner table to represent her daughter Karen Gist-Carr, who was killed in the Oklahoma City bombing.

Ms. Gist-Carr’s chair will also sit empty at the Oklahoma City National Memorial, the destination for 168 bronze chairs to represent the people killed in the April 19, 1995, bombing.

The chairs are almost ready to be moved to the memorial where they will sit in nine rows — one for each floor of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building.

Families of the victims say the chairs are perhaps the most cherished part of the memorial. Ms. Gist said the chairs are the reason she supported the design chosen for the memorial. She said they are bound to bring the impact of the bombing to a very visual level.

‘‘You can see the impact of just what was lost that day ... Each organization’s victims will be gathered together,’’ said Ms. Gist. ‘‘I just think it is going to be very special.’’

The memorial’s bronze, granite and glass chairs are handcrafted and individual — like the 168 victims they represent. Nineteen of the chairs are miniatures, representing the children who died in the building’s day care center. Each chair’s glass base will be etched with the name of a bombing victim. At night it will be illuminated.

The chairs were designed by architects Hans and Torry Butzer and will sit on a grassy area where the building once stood.

Casting the chairs is personal to employees of the A.R.K. Ramos Foundry, which was rocked by the bombing’s concussion just a dozen blocks away.

‘‘We only hope these chairs, once they are out there on this beautiful memorial, will give their viewers some comfort,’’ said Jack Ramos, president of A.R.K. Ramos.

The memorial is scheduled to be completed on April 19, on the fifth anniversary of the bombing.

Ms. Gist said she expects this anniversary to be different than the past four, which she said brought only pain.

‘‘Maybe we can think about our future a little bit more,’’ she said.

NOYS to Present Valentine Special Event

Northern Oklahoma Youth Services and Shelter has the perfect gift for that special valentine. The NOYS board of directors selected the Marland Mansion Ballroom as the setting for a romantic evening for a presentation of “Love Letters.” Performances will be Feb. 11 and 12; tickets are $40 per couple.

The romantic evening will begin at 7:30 p.m. with coffees and desserts prepared by Jeff Denton. On the grand piano, Sue Lippert will entertain couples with background music.

At 8 p.m., Jo Ann Muchmore and Dr. Paxton Howard will perform “Love Letters” by A.R. Gurney, this year’s honoree at the William Inge Festival in Independence, Kan. According to Muchmore, Gurney is the most exemplary American playwright of the past several years.

The play, “Love Letters,” was originally written to be a reading production on Broadway.

“it is very unusual for a play to be written, not memorized,” she said. “However, the action is in the words.”

The play focuses on a friendship that spans 50 years. The cast of two has a 22-year friendship from which to base their performance. Additionally, Muchmore and Howard have been performing “Love Letters” for the past 15 years.

NOYS board member, Dave May, recommends purchasing tickets early.

“In keeping with a cozy atmosphere, very limited seating is available,” he said.

Beginning Monday, tickets will be available at Commercial Federal Bank, Pioneer Bank and Trust, and Northern Oklahoma Youth Services. Call 762-8341 for more information.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the upcoming campaign drive to build a new family service center and shelter.

Writer Makes a Break in Online Publishing

WOODWARD, Okla. (AP) — According to anthropologists, the earliest organized forms of writing appeared about 5,500 years ago, congruent with the appearance of that other literary constant — the starving, unpublished writer.

From charcoal scribbles on papyrus leaves and quill pens coated with India ink, to the clacking of the typewriter and the cool hum of the computer, as long as there have been hopeful writers with something to say, there have been editors and publishers telling them it isn’t worth saying.

The traditional world of publishing, however, is changing rapidly as pioneering new authors explore the brave new world of ‘‘e-publishing’’ on the Internet.

One such trailblazer is Woodward suspense writer Melody Meishelle Stewart, who recently signed publishing contracts for three suspense novels which will be marketed, distributed and sold online.

Ms. Stewart signed with Denlinger’s Publishers, Ltd., a small publishing press that has established its own market via the Internet, specializing in three radically new publishing formats: e-books, Rocket e-books and Instabooks.

According to Ms. Stewart, Denlinger’s e-books are published and distributed electronically by e-mail or disk, while Rocket e-books are small handheld computers that hold the equivalent of 10 novels.

The Instabook machine produces traditional paperback books, but is basically a computer-controlled printing press that accesses a catalog of titles via the Internet, then custom prints and binds however many copies are ordered, rather than printing in runs.

Ms. Stewart, who writes under the pen name Shelle Stewart, said her foray into e-publishing wasn’t something she planned.

‘‘When Denlinger’s began communicating with me about publishing my books, I wasn’t even hooked up to the Internet,’’ said Ms. Stewart. ‘‘At first I was a little skeptical, because it’s so hard to get publishers to pay attention to you.’’

But once she became acclimated to the new technology, Ms. Stewart found it easy to master.

‘‘Their e-books are published in a convenient, stand-alone executable file with pushbutton chapter-by-chapter navigation,’’ said Ms. Stewart. ‘‘I’ve purchased both the traditional and Instabook paperback books they market, and was pleased with the quality, but I haven’t reviewed the Rocket e-books format yet.’’

Although the technology may be new to Ms. Stewart, computers aren’t. In fact, it was her job as a computer database programmer that led to the completion of her first book.

‘‘I’ve always been a lifelong writer, but eventually went into database programming as a career,’’ Ms. Stewart said. ‘‘Which is pretty stressful. Writing was a stress reducer.’’

Ms. Stewart eventually got burned out on programming, but her stress-induced writing had produced her first book, ‘‘Amber Roses.’’

Ms. Stewart now had a completed novel, but no publisher. So with a copy of the ubiquitous ‘‘Writer’s Market’’ in hand, Ms. Stewart began the arduous task of contacting various publishing houses — and discovered the painful reality of the publishing business.

‘‘The big publishing houses will only push certain authors. I went through the same normal channels with all the other publishers with no luck,’’ she said.

But one publishing company, Denlinger’s, saw something in Ms. Stewart’s story that interested it, so Ms. Stewart was contacted with a proposal.

‘‘I had no idea Denlinger’s was an electronic publisher until after they contacted me,’’ said Ms. Stewart.

Initially skeptical, Ms. Stewart soon found out that Denlinger’s was a legitimate publishing company that simply utilized an exciting new technology.

‘‘I signed standard publishing contracts for three novels. I paid no subsidy monies, and will receive standard royalties and percentages for all sales,’’ Ms. Stewart said. ‘‘Denlinger’s has marketing agreements with Barnes & Noble and Powell’s bookstores.’’

For Ms. Stewart, however, a craving for commercial success isn’t the catalyst that fuels her writing.

‘‘I don’t have any delusions that I’ll become a wildly successful author,’’ she said. ‘‘There are a lot of good authors out there that the traditional publishing industry ignores, and without e-publishing, readers would never get the chance to notice them. I’m just glad I got the opportunity to put my work out there.’’

Ms. Stewart’s first novel, ‘‘Amber Roses’’ is currently available in e-book form, and will eventually be marketed in both Rocket eBook and Instabook formats. Her second and third novels, ‘‘While Angels Watch’’ and ‘‘The Genesis Contingency’’ are still in the process of being published, with a fourth novel on the way.

‘‘I’ve always like mystery and suspense novels, and that’s what these are,’’ said Ms. Stewart. ‘‘I hope my readers find my stories fast-paced, downright scary and intensely thought-provoking.’’

DEATHS

Charles William Tyson
Doris J. Doughty
Mary Ann Douglas
Opal Eden
Ursula Bischkopf
Carrie Dawn Atkinson Allison

Charles William Tyson

BLACKWELL — Charles William Tyson, former resident of Blackwell, died early Saturday morning, Jan. 29, 2000, in the Villa Hermoso Living Center in Fort Worth, Texas. He was 91.

The funeral will be 1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2000, in the chapel of Roberts and Son Funeral Home with the Rev. Gale Izard officiating. Burial will follow in the Blackwell Cemetery.

Charles William Tyson was born June 24, 1908, in Garnett, Kan., the son of John Sherman and Francis Pearl (Moore) Tyson. As a young boy, he moved with his family to Blackwell, where he grew up and attended Blackwell public schools.

He married E. Virginia Williams on March 12, 1933, in Tulsa, and they settled in Blackwell. He worked for Zook Wholesale Company delivering groceries throughout the area. During World War II, they moved to Wichita, Kan., where he worked in aircraft manufacturing.

After the war, they returned to Oklahoma and settled in Dilworth, where he began working in the oil fields. After two years, they moved to Blackwell. He was transferred to Fairview in 1963 where he worked for Union Texas Petroleum, retiring in 1970 after 25 years of service. Following retirement, he continued to work for four more years with the company as a contract pumper. They then moved to Enid. His wife died on Oct. 25, 1995, and he moved to Fort Worth, Texas, in February of 1999 to be near his daughter. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church.

Survivors include one daughter, Carolyn Flood of Fort Worth, Texas; a son C. Jarrell Tyson of Moscow, Russia; two sisters, Dorothy Pendleton of Blackwell and Ruth Flood of Bethany; one brother, Donald Tyson of Albuquerque, N.M.; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

He was also preceded in death by his parents and three sisters, Martha Anderson, Mary Geiger and Ila Walker.

Memorial contributions may be made in his name to the Roberts and Son Funeral Home, 120 East Padon, Blackwell, Okla. 74631.

Doris J. Doughty

Jefferson City, Mo. — Doris J. Doughty, resident of Jefferson City, Mo., died Saturday, Jan. 29, 2000, at the St. Mary’s Health Center in Jefferson City, Mo. She was 63.

A private graveside service is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 3, 2000, at the Longwood Cemetery in Ponca City under the direction of Freeman Mortuary of Jefferson City, Mo.

Doris J. Doughty was born Oct. 8, 1936, in Norfolk, Va., the daughter of Chester F. and Virginia Bunch Wilcox. She attended high school in Norfolk, Va.. She married Orville R. Doughty on Sept. 6, 1954, in Norfolk, Va.; he preceded her in death on May 11, 1998.

She had lived in Jefferson City since 1993 where she was employed at Sydney’s Cafeteria for several years before being employed in the corporation’s department of the Missouri Secretary of State.

Survivors include four sons, Chester R. Doughty of Jefferson City, Mo., Jim L. Doughty of Carpinteria, Calif., Ron K. Doughty of Steamboat Springs, Colo., and Jerry A. Doughty of Fulton, Mo.; one sister, Bonnie J. Butler of Portsmouth, Va.; and seven grandchildren.

She was also preceded in death by her parents.

Mary Ann Douglas

LITTLETON, Colo. — Mary Ann Douglas, former resident of Ponca City, died Jan. 11, 2000, at her home in Littleton, Colo. She was 51.

A funeral was held Jan. 19, 2000, in Rochester, Minn., with burial in the Oakwood Cemetery of Rochester, Minn., under the direction of Horan and McConaty Funeral Service of Denver.

Mary Ann Douglas was born Sept. 25, 1948, in Rochester, Minn., the daughter of Delbert Sandte and Dorothy Russell Sandte. She married Von Douglas on Jan. 15, 1977, in Woodstock, Ill. She was employed as a computer programmer in the journalism/media industry and was a member of the Christ United Methodist Church of Rochester, Minn., and Saint Paul’s Methodist Church of Ponca City.

Survivors include her husband; three sons, Alan Engle of Gardner, Kan., Dean Engle of Rochester, Minn., and Coe Douglas of Littleton, Colo.; and one grandchild.

Opal Eden

BLACKWELL — Opal Eden, resident of Blackwell, died Sunday morning, Jan. 30, 2000, in the St. Francis Hospital in Wichita, Kan. She was 82.

The funeral will be 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2000, in the chapel of Roberts and Son Funeral Home in Blackwell with the Rev. Richard Hood of the First Free Will Baptist Church of Blackwell officiating. Burial will follow in the Blackwell Cemetery.

Opal Eden was born on Aug. 18, 1917, in Proctor, the daughter of Jack and Emma (Crittenden) Whitmire. She grew up in Proctor and attended Proctor schools. Following her schooling, she married Sid Crittenden in Tahlequah, and they settled in Fort Gibson. Following his death, she returned to Tahlequah. She later married Dan Eden in Tahlequah, where they settled.

While living there, they owned and operated the Hitching Post Grocery Store east of Tahlequah. He preceded her in death, and she remained in Tahlequah until 1992 when she moved to Blackwell to be near her sister. She was a member of the Tahlequah Bible Church. She enjoyed many activities including gardening and flowers, sewing, and especially the Chicago Cubs baseball team. She also enjoyed the many family gatherings.

She is survived by two stepdaughters, Emma Presley and Eunice Duron, both of Tahlequah; three stepsons, Johnnie Eden and Danny Jackson, both of Tahlequah, and Henry Eden of Oklahoma City; one sister, Edna Crittenden of Blackwell; a brother, Charlie Whitmire of Proctor; seven step-grandchildren; 12 step-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

She was also preceded in death by a son at birth; her parents; a sister at birth; and a brother, Ellis Whitmire.

Casket bearers will be Newman Hicks, Millard Kelley, Arvel Hammock, Jean Mathis, Floyd Hildebrand and Jim Jenkins.

Memorial contributions may be made in her name to the Blackwell Nutrition Center, Meals on Wheels, 320 West Blackwell, Blackwell, Okla. 74631.

The family will gather Wednesday in the club room at the Electric Park Pavilion from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Ursula Bischkopf

NEWKIRK — Ursula Bischkopf, longtime resident of Newkirk, died Thursday, Jan. 27, 2000, at her home. She was 76.

The funeral is scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2000, in the Miller-Stahl Funeral Chapel with burial to follow in the Newkirk Cemetery.

Ursula Bischkopf was born Feb. 27, 1923, at Memel, East Germany, the daughter of George and Marie (Bertmann) Liemant. She grew up and received her education in Germany. Her mother and grandfather were displaced to West Germany in 1942 after her family lost their farm to the Russian invasion and the death of her father.

She married Walter Bischkopf during World War II in Germany and they came to the United States in 1952, establishing their first home in Wells County, N.D. They moved to Newkirk in 1971, residing here since.

She was a member of the Trinity Bethany Lutheran Church in Harvey, N.D., for over 15 years and was an active member of the church and the Ladies Aid. She enjoyed gardening, sewing for her children and grandchildren, crafts of various kinds, crocheting, knitting and playing with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She is survived by two daughters, Margaret “Marge” Anderson of Fessendent, N.D., and Hildegard “Hildy” Akin of Blanchard; two brothers, Johann Liemant of Neumunster, Germany, and Hans Liemant of Triberg, Germany; seven grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and her husband on Sept. 1, 1988.

Services Pending

Carrie Dawn Atkinson Allison

CONROE, Texas — Carrie Dawn Atkinson Allison, former resident of Ponca City, died Jan. 24, 2000, in the Herman Hospital in Houston. She was 29. Local services will be announced at a later date.

NEWS BRIEFS

Ponca Gourd Dancers Meeting — An organizational meeting of the Ponca Gourd Dance Society will meet tonight at 6:30 at the Ponca Tribal Cultural Center. This will be the first of a series of Monday evening meetings. All interested are invited to attend. For additional information, call (580) 762-7490 or 762-8909.

Minor Accident — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department took a report on a minor accident in the 2100 block of North Fourteenth at 9:59 a.m. Saturday.

Special Fundraiser — East Middle School Champions Team will hold a special fundraiser at El Chico on Feb. 1 from 5 to 10 p.m. Ten percent of the dinner purchases will be donated to the Champions Team to help with a field trip to the Ropes Course.

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.

Report Taken — A report was taken on a minor accident at Fifth and Broadway Street at 10:29 a.m. Saturday. No injuries were reported.

Barbecue Dinner — The Po-Hi Robotics Team is sponsoring a barbecue dinner Tuesday, Feb. 1, 4:30-7 p.m., at the PCHS Commons area. Tickets for the pre-Owasso basketball game meal are $6 per adult and $4 per child. adv.

Arrest Made — A 21-year-old male was arrested in the 700 block of McFadden at 10:59 a.m. Saturday for domestic assault.

Fridge Fun work magnets now at Carla’s Hallmark, 405 E.. Grand, Downtown. adv.

Injury Accident — An injury accident was reported at 12:35 p.m. Saturday in the 1400 block of East Hartford.

Stormescape Shelters, perfect for garage, under vehicle, installation. $1,695. 765-2633. adv.

Burglary — A report on a burglary was taken by an officer of the Ponca City Police Department at 12:52 p.m. Saturday in the 900 block of North Oak.

Soccer Sign-up starts Sat., Feb., 5th 9-1. Feb 7th, 8th, & 9th, 4-8pm. 4 1/2 years and up. Quantum Computers Systems. 312 East Grand. Call 762-9056. adv.

Budget Bride. Taking consignment wedding dresses and formals. We need larger size dresses. 200 West grand. 718-9934. adv.

Extra Patrol — Extra patrol was ordered after it was reported to police at 4:26 p.m. Saturday that a door has been kicked in and items were missing in the 600 block of North Third.

Throwing Snowballs — A resident in the 700 block of North Fourteenth reported juveniles throwing snowballs at vehicles. An officer of the Ponca City Police Department said the group was gone on arrival.

Shoplifting — A resident in the 100 block of Westbury reported a satellite dish has been taken at 6:38 p.m. Saturday.

Disturbance — Loud music complaints were taken at 10:03 p.m. Saturday in the 400 block of South Fourteenth. Juvenile citations were issued.

Fraud — A manager at a business in the 900 block of East Prospect reported subjects left without paying an $80 bill. A report was taken.

Accident — A two vehicle non-injury accident was reported at Fourteenth and South Avenue at 11:31 p.m. Saturday. A report was taken.

Intoxicated Drivers — Several people were arrested at 2:19 a.m. Sunday at Second and Highland Avenue. Those arrested were a 53-year-old male for driving under the influence and no insurance, and a 22-year-old male, 25-year-old female and 22-year-old female for public intoxication.

Burglarized — It was reported to police at 10:58 a.m. Sunday of a garage burglary in the 800 block of North Peachtree. A report was taken.

Report Taken — A report was taken by an officer of the Ponca City Police Department at 9:19 p.m. Sunday in the 2200 block of North Fourteenth after a minor tried to take beer.

In Custody — Three people were arrested at 2:09 a.m. Monday at Second and Hazel Street for driving violations. They were a 25-year-old female for driving with an open container, no insurance and driving under the influence, and a 40-year-old female and a 49-year-old male for public intoxication.

LIFESTYLES

Composers Workshop Will Present Variety Of Entertainment for Ponca City Music Club
Xi Gamma Sigma Chapter Members Announce Plans
Affair of the Heart Show Scheduled

Composers Workshop Will Present Variety Of Entertainment for Ponca City Music Club

The Ponca City Music Club will meet Feb. 4 at the First Presbyterian Church. Dessert will be served at 1 p.m. hosted by Kathleen Chambers, Bernice Baxter, and Joel Trout. The program will be presented by the Composers Workshop.

Leading the presentation will be Suzi Lenhart, Donna Butler, Renee Simpson, Elaine Armstrong and Carolyn Hook.

Susie Lenhart

Susie Lenhart will open the afternoon entertainment, presenting students Amy Lewis, Aprille Logan, Kalynn Brown, Matthew Hendrickson, Lydia Midgley, Michael Reuter, and Holly Scheirman. Ashton Bright, Cari Cashon, Skyler Kolb, Andrew Mai, Lindsay Pauls, Markus Reuter, Jeremy Betterton, Caleb Black, Jennifer Hendrickson, Steven Zachary, Jesse Betterton, Hannah Bowen, Josh Pauls, Amber Zachary and Jacob Kolb. Jacob Hoak, Brenden and Jacob Keffer, Jordyn Martin, Bethany Midgley, Dustin Scott, Bradley Blackburn, Katie Caughlin, Marisa Ellis, Kellie Johnston, Allison Rutledge and Kassidy Worley.

Ms. Lenhart has a bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Music Education from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She has had post graduate courses in the Orff Schulwek philosophy of music education from various universities. She teaches music classes to children from age 3 to junior high school in her own studio., Miss Suzi’s Singing School.

She also teaches piano and recorder to elementary age and junior high students. Suzi has written music for Orff classes, sacred music for women’s quartet as well as mixed choir, Girl Scouts and recorder quartet and Scripture Songs. Most of her music is directed at children aged 3 to third grade.

For her recital May 1999, she wrote a fractured fairy tale called “The Wizard and the Beanstalk” which combined the stories of “The Wizard of Oz,”“Jack and the Beanstalk,” and “Little Bo Peep,” the nursery rhyme. The two songs, “Little Bo Peep Blues” to be soloed by Heather Mai, and “Fee Fi Fo Fumkin,” soloed by Joel Bolay, are both from that production.

Donna Butler

Donna Butler will play and sing her own original composition: “Take My Life, Lord.” She is director of music ministries at First United Methodist Church in Ponca City. She holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree with emphasis in piano from Oklahoma Baptist University and a Master of Music degree with theory and composition concentration from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. She has over 50 original compositions currently in print with 10 publishers, and has been awarded 11 consecutive awards from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP).

Renee Simpson

Renee Simpson’s part of the program will include “Music in the Winter Night: Sunset Puddles in the Snow,” featuring Maria Simpson with Renee at the piano; “O Little Town of Bethlehem” with Maria Simpson on the viola and Renee Simpson at the piano; “Winter Magic” with words by Dawn E. McCormic and music by Simpson. Also, voice by Maria Simpson with Renee at the piano; “Moonlight Shadow Lullaby” with Maria Simpson on the French Horn and Renee at the piano, concluding with “Cat Bird Love Song” with Maria Simpson, voice and Renee at the piano.

Renee has composed solos, ensembles, and choir anthems for family, children, church and Camp Fire, including a full program of varied dance, vocal and instrumental music. She has also written vignettes entitled

Celebrate Constitution!” which was performed by Camp Fire Inc., a Christmas cantata which was performed by her local church choir, and theme and program music for a church dramatic production. Much of her music is written for children, putting Scripture verses, her own lyrics, and poetry to music. In addition to voice, she writes for piano, recorder, viola, and French horn. Her program at Music Club will include a flag performance choreographed by her daughter, Maria.

Elaine Armstrong

Elaine Armstrong’s portion of the program will include “Shirley’s Song” with Megan Baugh at the violin, Jacque Salmons at the viola and Chad Longmore on the cello. Baugh is a freshman and student of David Kazmierzak of Bartlesville; Jacque is a junior, participating in orchestra and chorale, and Chad is a sophomore and student of Mary Lindsay. All are honor students.

Elaine has a bachelor’s degree in English, with an art minor, from Carson-Newman College in Jefferson City, Tenn., with post graduate courses in art from the University of South Carolina, the University of Florida, and NOC. She has written music and lyrics for voice, piano, viola, cello and recorder. This year’s piece is about a Sycamore that’s in War Memorial Park at Fifth Street and is dedicated to her friend and fellow painter, Shirley Petersen.

Carolyn Hook

Carolyn Hook will present her arrangement of “Behold the Savior of Mankind” with Samuel Wesley doing the words and Kenny Houghton, melody.

Mrs. Hook holds bachelor and master’s degrees in piano performance from Oklahoma City University. She has written music for piano, cello, voice, handbells, choir chimes, choir and organ. In June of 1999 she moved to Stillwater where she has joined the local federated music club, St. Cecelia. She currently plays piano in a trio with violin and cello, and in a duo with violin.

She is also accompanying student musicians at OSU in Stillwater. Last fall Carolyn gave concerts in Stillwater and Stroud, in the latter as part of a guest artist series. She will perform Beethoven’s “Choral Fantasy” with choirs from OCU and Nichols Hills United Methodist Church on March 26.

Concluding the program variations on “On Top of Old Smokey” will be presented by Lenhart, Simpson and Hook, assisted by Joel Bolay, Luke Boyette, Ashlee Logan, Michaela Logan, Heather Mai and LeAnna Mai, recorder players; and Maria Simpson, voice.

Xi Gamma Sigma Chapter Members Announce Plans

Thirteen members of Xi Gamma Sigma chapter of Beta Sigma Phi sorority met Jan. 25 at the home of Glenda Brown.

Peggy Cookson, president, conducted the business meeting, leading them in the opening ritual.

Members were advised of the millennium cookbook and recipe contributions. Information was given regarding the state Beta Sigma Phi convention in Enid June 9-11.

LaRannah Bartlett read from “The Book of Beta Sigma Phi.” Juni Parks reported that Cindy Russell was eligible for the Exemplar Ritual, which will be held at the time of installation of new officers in May.

The next meeting will be Feb. 8 in the home of Barbara Ashlock. Members are asked to bring a white elephant gift, wrapped “festively.” A pre-party social will be held at 7 p.m. Feb. 5 at the American Legion prior to the Valentine Dance.

Members helped prepare baskets to be raffled at the Valentine’s Dance, and refreshments were served.

Affair of the Heart Show Scheduled

An Affair of the Heart, an exhibition of antique and homespun accessories, is scheduled for Feb. 11-13 at the State Fairgrounds in Oklahoma City. The $5 admission is good for all three days and all buildings.

The show opens at 9 a.m., Friday, Feb. 11 and Saturday, Feb. 12. Opening time on Sunday, Feb. 13 is 11 a.m. Closing time is 6 p.m. all three days.

Ponca City exhibitors include Suzanne Devinney, Sterling House International, jewelry; Cindy and Norma Grubb, Grubbies, calligraphy; Verona Mair, The Emporium, collectibles; David and Becky Muret, A Gift of Oak, woodcraft. Also participating are Max Fry, Fry Woodworks, Blackwell, display boxes; and Elizabeth Sims, Sims Crafts, Perry, painting on collectibles.

SPORTS

Monday Evening Quarterback
OSU’s 16-Point Win Not Very Satisfying
OU Seeks Revenge

Monday Evening Quarterback

When it comes to handing out regional tournaments in basketball and wrestling, the powers that be try to forget that Ponca City and most of the northern part of the state is in Oklahoma.

Thus if the Wildcats are going to have a tournament, they are going to have to do it themselves.

Even then it’s tough getting teams to come here. Heaven forbid that Tulsa or Oklahoma City schools have to travel more than across town.

That’s why the success of the Big Four wrestling tournament is important.

First and foremost, it brings together at least three ranked teams as it did this past weekend.

It gives area fans a chance to see some of the best wrestling in the state.

As tournament announcer Terry Henderson said before the start of the final round Saturday at Robson Field House, “You (the fans) are going to see a lot of these same wrestlers in the state tournament in two weeks.”

“It was a tough tournament, a great tournament,” said Ponca City coach Todd Steidley, who instigated its rebirth.

Ponca City, Blackwell, Perry and Stillwater are the core teams in the Big Four-Plus Four format.

Those teams alone produce some of the top high school wrestlers in the state. When you throw in teams like Bristow and Tonkawa, it makes for a very powerful tournament.

In perhaps no other sport does the size, or class, of the teams mean so little. A 151 pounder from Ponca City is the same size as a 151 pounder from Tonkawa. The only thing that separates them is experience and desire.

This first-year tournament literally had to weather some difficulties. Thursday’s snow storm kept Stillwater and Tulsa Union at home.

It also cut drastically the number of fans in the stands.

The attendance improved somewhat Saturday, but would have probably been better if not for the weather and the constant rearranging of the tournament times and format.

Still, most of the coaches feel the tournament came off well — if a bit tougher than some had realized.

Any success a tournament of this kind has is attributed mainly to the volunteers who work it.

That’s where the Ponca City tournament shined and gave rise to Steidley’s plans for a second tournament in Ponca City next year.

“Our superintendent ran the clock for most of the tournament,” the coach noted. “The high school principal was also here most of both days.”

Former Wildcat wrestling coach Pat Young was the Tournament Director. Track coach and assistant football coach Henderson was the announcer, keeping fans apprised of what was going on on what mat.

Parents Don an Brenda Duren kept scores at one table as did John Stafford and Bob Gibson at another.

New football assistant Scotty Harman was also at a table.

Athletic Director Rust Benson oversaw it all.

Meanwhile the coaches and officials were well fed for two days thanks to the coach’s wife, Kelli, who was in charge of the hospitality room.

There were many, many more teachers and parents who gave of their time and all of whom of whole got a big “Thank You” from Steidley.

“The first tournament, or the restart of a tournament, is always the toughest,” Steidley admits.

But he and the other coaches who attended the tournament are determined to make the Big Four a permanent fixture in this area.

The Big Four coaches will all get together in the Spring to determine where and when the next tournament will be held. It is schedule to rotate between the Big Four sites.

There has been some talk of moving the tournament back to December, but whatever the date, Steidley liked the way his wrestlers performed He is determined that Ponca City host a tournament next season, either in December or again this time of the season.

“I like to give my wrestlers the weekend off before Dual State. This date (late January) is perfect.”

When another tournament comes into being, Steidley can be assure of one thing: the volunteers will be among the very best.

OSU’s 16-Point Win Not Very Satisfying

STILLWATER (AP) — Oklahoma State took control early, was never threatened and wound up with a 16-point victory over Baylor. Yet it was hardly satisfying.

Coach Eddie Sutton couldn’t help but be bothered by the second half of the 67-51 victory Sunday, when the Cowboys committed 12 of their 18 turnovers and were outplayed by Baylor. The second half also irked Desmond Mason, one of Oklahoma State’s six senior regulars.

‘‘It’s a big problem, because when you get up against a team like Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, you get some guys down like that and you really need to put a good team like that away,’’ he said. ‘‘We don’t have that killer instinct.’’

That didn’t matter against Baylor (10-8, 1-6 Big 12), which started the season 9-2. The Bears tried to survive by scoring from the perimeter, and it resulted in a season-low 26 percent from the field (17-of-65).

But Baylor, after getting throttled in the first half, played with more patience in the second half and left coach Dave Bliss somewhat encouraged.

‘‘At halftime, we had to set our sights differently,’’ he said. ‘‘We tried to slow some things down. We changed our offense a little bit. For all intents and purposes, we improved some of the things we’ve been working on.’’

In other games involving ranked teams Sunday, No. 6 Connecticut beat Seton Hall 66-56 and No. 9 Michigan State defeated Illinois 91-66.

Brian Montonati scored all 13 of his points in the first half, when the Cowboys (16-2, 5-1) took control.

The Cowboys didn’t score a basket until nearly three minutes had elapsed, but that started a 20-5 run that ended any doubt about the outcome. Montonati scored seven points in the run and Baylor went 11 straight trips without a basket during a portion of that spurt.

Oklahoma State closed the half with an 8-0 run that made it 41-19 at halftime. The Cowboys shot 53 percent in the first half.

‘‘I thought we played really good basketball the first 20 minutes,’’ Sutton said. ‘‘Second half, different story.’’

He called a timeout in the first minute of the second half to scold his team, and later came out of his seat and yelled ‘‘What in the world’s going on?’’ as he called another timeout.

He and his players took a little longer than usual to make it to the post-game interviews.

‘‘We lost our intensity and it shows up in rebounding, it shows up in careless passing ... but we won the game,’’ Sutton said. ‘‘I think it bothers any coach who’s been in the game very long. It shouldn’t happen to a senior ball club.’’

Freshman Andre Williams was one of the bright spots of the second half, scoring all of his 11 points.

Glendon Alexander also scored 11 points for Oklahoma State and Mason had just 10, nine below his average, but he did grab 10 rebounds and had four steals.

Tevis Stukes had 15 points and DeMarcus Minor added 13 for the Bears, who were 8-of-34 from 3-point range.

‘‘We shot more 3s than we wanted to shoot, but sometimes that’s the shot you can get,’’ Bliss said. ‘‘We missed more 3s than we really should have missed. We had some great looks. But that’s all part of playing against the Cowboys.’’

Oklahoma St. (16-2, 5-1) 

Montanati 5-9 3-4 13, Mason 4-11 0-0 10, Jonzen 2-4 3-4 7, Alexander 4-12 0-0 11, Gottlieb 1-2 0-0 2, Adkins 1-2 0-0 3, Williams 4-4 3-3 11, Cazzelle 0-0 0-0 0, Keep 2-2 0-0 4, Webber 2-4 2-2 6. Totals 25-50 11-13 67.

OU Seeks Revenge

NORMAN (AP) — Through 19 games this season, the Oklahoma basketball team has lost only to Cincinnati, Colorado and Texas. The Sooners get a chance to avenge one of those losses tonight.

The 17th-ranked Texas Longhorns, who beat Oklahoma 79-66 in Austin on Jan. 15, bring a team that is tied with Iowa State for first place in the Big 12 at 6-1. They are led by 7-footer Chris Mihm, who is coming off a 28-point, 17-rebound performance against Colorado on Saturday, and by Gabe Muoneke, who tied his career high with 30 points in the first meeting with Oklahoma.

‘‘It’s kind of like, how do yo want your medicine?’’ Oklahoma coach Kelvin Sampson said. ‘‘Do you try to stop Mihm and run the risk of Muoneke having a great game, or do you try to concentrate on Gabe and let Mihm have a big game?’’

No. 18 Oklahoma is 4-2 in the Big 12 after its 78-61 victory at Texas Tech on Saturday. As usual, the Sooners were led by forward Eduardo Najera, who had 20 points and 13 rebounds. He excelled despite suffering a broken bone in his left hand during practice Friday.

‘‘I’d probably rather have him have a badly sprained ankle,’’ Sampson said. ‘‘You can tape an ankle and can ice it. He has to have his hands to shoot.

‘‘Part of Eduardo’s strength is his rebounding and passing and tipping balls. It affects those areas, but Eduardo’s a tough kid.’’

Oklahoma has been winning by getting what Sampson calls an ‘‘accordion approach’’ to each game. Tim Heskett scored 18 points off the bench in a victory last week over Iowa State, then went 0-for-5 from the field against Texas Tech. But Kelley Newton came through against the Red Raiders, scoring 18. Renzi Stone added 11 points.

Sampson said his team will need to put the accordion away to have a chance tonight.

‘‘In a game like this, we’ve got to have three or four guys play well on the same night,’’ he said.

The conference season is nearing the midway point, which makes every game more important. After tonight, the Sooners travel to Baylor on Saturday, then have home games against Kansas State and Oklahoma State next week.

‘‘This is a pivotal game,’’ Sampson said. ‘‘We’re playing one of better teams in country and one of best teams in league. It does wonders for us if we can win, but if we lose, there’s a lot of season left.’’