From The Pages Of The Ponca City News, Thursday,
January 9, 1996
LOCAL
Snow, Sleet Hit Areas of State
Ground Broken for Museum Expansion
Nearly News
Chamber News
December Moisture Keeps '96 on Dry Side
EDF Approves USA Bottling Company for Location Here
Wordsmiths Plan Meeting For Library on Saturday
Saving Energy Cuts Electric Bill
SJRMC Trustees Approve Establishing Foundation
SJRMC Official Felix Passes Diplomate Exam
Some Juveniles Refuse Court Ordered Hours
City Officials Seek Favorite Weather Media Personality
Conservation District Wins Statewide Information Award
OBI Accreditation Renewed
DEATHS
James Dallas Starr
Irma Lucille Collyar
Viola L. Lund
Nita Idell Palmer Logan
Funerals
Roy D. Coate
Eugene D. Kirkendall
Lucile E. Murray
John W. Cofer
Services Pending
Mary Ann Schmidt
E. Jewell Altstatt
NEWS BRIEFS
LIFESTYLES
Former Ponca Citian Weds in Oklahoma City Service
Chapter Elects Sammie Coats Valentine Queen
Little News
SPORTS
Wildcat JVs Collect Split With Owasso
8th Grade Red Boys Go Cold In Loss to Enid
CROSS COUNTRY Skier Jim Ross greeted the first official snow of the year with a tour through Pioneer Park. After residing in Norway for four years, Ross grabbed his skis at the first sight of snow and headed for the park at Fifth and Highland. Ponca City had 2 inches of snow. (News Photo by Michael Kennedy)
From Staff and AP Reports
Slick and slushy roads caused tricky driving for morning commuters across Oklahoma, as state residents dug out from as much as 8 inches of snow that contributed to at least three traffic deaths.
Classes were canceled today at dozens of school districts including Sapulpa, Vinita, Tahlequah, Pryor, Grove, Claremore and Bartlesville.
Ponca City had 2 inches of snow Wednesday night followed by fog early today. Sunny skies and warmer temperatures helped to clear local streets as the morning progressed.
A snow advisory remained in effect for the northeastern corner of the state as the system that dumped the snow on the state moved into northwestern Arkansas.
Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper Donnie Robins said bridges and overpasses were hazardous, especially in the southwest. He was encouraged that skies were sunny in Oklahoma City and Tulsa.
''We do expect the roads to clear and hopefully dry before the refreeze this evening,'' Robins said.
The Weather Service received reports of snowfall from 6 to 8 inches in Vinita and Talala. Miami and Elk City picked up 6 inches of snow, the weather service said, while 5 inches was measured at Tinker Air Force Base near Oklahoma City and at Grove. In Tulsa, Tahlequah, Pawhuska and Wilburton, snowfall depths measured from 4 to 5 inches.
The Highway Patrol briefly closed Interstate 40 through central Oklahoma City late Wednesday as accumulated snow and ice made travel treacherous. Accidents occurred as driving conditions deteriorated in much of Oklahoma.
The patrol said Russell Wade Adkins, 17, of Eufaula died this morning when the pickup truck he was driving went out of control on an ice-covered bridge on U.S. Highway 69 and overturned. The accident occurred 12 miles north of McAlester.
The patrol said Megan Lee Kelly, 25, of Duncan died when her car slid off a Stephens County road. The patrol said Kelly's car slid about 174 feet in the snow before it hit the fence and rolled.
Jason Bradley Colburn, 18, of Owasso died when his car collided with another car on an icy Tulsa County road.
Ground Broken for Museum Expansion
By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE
News Staff Writer
Ponca City reached another plateau Wednesday when ground was broken here for the expansion of the Oklahoma Historical Society Pioneer Woman Museum, which is expected to bring national recognition to the state.
The plan for more than doubling the 3,000-square-foot museum is now under way with preconstruction already started by Guy Lemonnier Construction of Ponca City.
Prior to the official outside ground breaking, nearly 100 persons braved the cold and snow to attend a ceremony inside the gutted museum that was built in 1957.
The outside dirt-turning was conducted looking westward toward sculptor Bryant Baker's Pioneer Woman Statue. The statue and land for the museum were donated to the state by former Gov. E.W. Marland, Ponca City philanthropist.
Wade Master of Ceremonies
Blake Wade, OHS director and master of ceremonies, introduced Mayor Marilyn Andrews, who gave the official welcome. Andrews said it meant a lot for Wade to be here for the occasion as it added a great deal of importance to the event. Members of the Ambassadors group of the Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce were on hand for the ceremony.
"As director of the OHS, there is nothing I like better than to go around the state and see all of the pioneers," Wade said. Wade lauded Advisory Board Chairman Warren Jensen as he introduced him.
Jensen said, "All I can say it has been a real pleasure for me to have a part in this project and work with all the fine people in Ponca City who helped so much to bring this to the stage it is now." He particularly paid tribute to David Mills, who spearheaded the local fund-raising effort.
At that point Jensen read the names of the board members, most of whom were there. These included Cheryl Fletcher, vice chairman, Sandy James, Georgia Ball, Clement Collogan, Jane Detten, Don Ganer, Karen Dye, Mary Beth Glass, David Keathly, Gary Miles, John Maker, Linda Rodgers and Phyllis Worley.
Ponca City and OHS Partnership
David Mills, who led the fund drive along with Madalynne Peel and Vivian Mertz, came to the podium and was recognized with applause. Mills said, "We are going to turn this chicken coop into a museum. " However we refer to it, this building is going to be far different than it is today 12 months from now."
The contract calls for 300 working days, not counting weather days.
Mills said, "This project represents an amazing partnership between the generous citizens of Ponca City, many whom are here this morning, and the Oklahoma Historical Society, which in my judgment is fulfilling its mission in the grandest fashion.
"This project currently exceeds anybody's expectations 12 to 18 months ago. It is going to involve the expenditure of over $1 million, half of which has come out of this community and half of which is raised, produced, generated or influenced by the efforts of Oklahoma Historical Society."
He added, "It is a magnificent partnership and Wade, I want you and all your staff to know how much the entire community appreciates the partnership."
Mills recognized Madalynne Peel and Vivian Mertz, as his co-chairmen. Mrs. Mertz was unable to attend. He introduced Susan Frantz, of the Sarkey's Foundation of Norman, and expressed his appreciation for the Pioneer Woman Museum and Marland Mansion grants and how much they mean to the community.
Laura Streich Memorialized
Mills told fond memories of the late Laura Streich, an employee of the museum who had a vision on what the museum could be, as did manager Jan Prough. Present in the crowd were Laura's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Lester McDonagh, and her husband, John Streich.
The 1996 Festival of Angels Historic House Tour recently contributed over $2,700 in memory of Streich to the Pioneer Woman Museum Fund. Streich had helped organize the tour in the beginning.
"Laura's enthusiasm and effort were unmatched in the early goings of this fund raising reconstruction project," Mills said. He told her parents and husband that "Laura lives vividly today in our memories and she will live vividly in the future in our memories," he added.
Mills presented architect Rand Elliott of Oklahoma City as the outstanding architect in Oklahoma today. He noted Elliott has been working on the project for more than a year. Elliott then introduced Casey Tarp, the local architect manager.
Guy LeMonnier of LeMonnier Construction was presented as the general contractor. Mills said, "We are pleased that the contract stayed in Ponca City and that we have a prominent contractor to do the project."
Wade said, "Every community in Oklahoma should have a David (Mills) and a Mr. Jensen." Wade alerted the local legislators, Sen. Paul Muegge and Rep. Jim Newport, that he would be knocking on the door of the legislature asking for enough funds to finish the project.
Sen. Muegge in his remarks talked about the economic development of tourism and announced that a new welcome center is going to be built on I-35, which is the key to visitors coming off the Interstate to visit the Marland Mansion and the Pioneer Woman Statue and other attractions in the area.
Rep. Newport said he was here both as a citizen of Ponca City and a state representative. He said there is no other place in the state of Oklahoma where the soil is more fitting to memorialize the spirit of pioneer women. Newport thanked everyone that worked on the project.
Next came former State Rep. Jim Holt, who worked on appropriations for the project since the inception. Holt recognized Johnny Maker, who "bugged him and Sen. Muegge on a regular basis to get the project going."
Holt praised Laura Streich and said that when the building was dedicated that the board members give serious consideration to dedicating it to the memory of Laura "Because I do think she was good and wonderful and typified all that which we hold dear."
Former Olin Branstetter was also recognized.
Wade introduced Kathy Dickson, who runs all the museums and Jan Prough, manager, and Amy Goss. Mrs. Prough also paid tribute to Bertie Newman, who for many years was the manager of the museum.
Plans and Expectations
Currently the plans developed by architect Rand Elliott of Elliott and Associates of Oklahoma City call for enlarging the museum to 7,000 square feet. Executive Director Blake Wade of the OHS said, "If we can reach our fund-raising goal before construction enters a new phase, we can expand to about 8,500 square feet. The total project is expected to cost $1.2 million, including about $1 million for construction and $200,000 for exhibits.
Current funding has reached $800,000, members of the Museum Advisory Board learned at a meeting prior to the ground breaking. That level was achieved thanks to a campaign chaired by First National Bank and Trust President and Chief Executive Officer David Mills and co-chairmen Madalynne Peel and Vivian Mertz.
In addition, according to OHS Museums Director Kathy Dickson, a $120,000 request is being considered by a corporation.
The current funding includes $220,000 in state bond money, which was committed through the efforts of former State Rep. Jim Holt and Sen. Paul Muegge of Tonkawa.
"Sandy Stratton, who heads the Oklahoma Historical Society's new development office is seeking donors to help us reach our goal of $1.2 million," said Wade. "For a donation of $100,000 or more a donor will receive a sponsorship of a gallery in the museum and will have the option of naming the gallery."
The shovel that was used by Madalynne Peel to turn dirt at Wednesday's ground-breaking of the expansion of the Pioneer Woman Museum was a shovel that was used 40 years ago when ground was broken for the first Pioneer Woman Museum.
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Oooops! Nearly News needs to clarify a story written on Page 2-A of the Wednesday edition of The News. The Ponca Area Chamber Orchestra and Chorus is seeking adult vocalists for their upcoming concert - and not child vocalists as the headline suggested. Adult vocalists who are interested in singing in the annual concert set for March 4 at the Poncan Theatre, are encouraged to attend the first rehearsal at 7:30 tonight at the Fine Arts Building on the Po-Hi Campus. Vocalists who want to participate should be prepared to rehearse at the FAB from 7:30 to 9 p.m. each Thursday through Feb. 27, with a final rehearsal at the Poncan on March 3 and the performance on March 4. Featured piece for the concert will be Schubert's "Mass in G." Other pieces will be announced at tonight's rehearsal.
By Lisa Coy
Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce
Leadership Ponca City
"Brrrrr. It's freezing outside." That is what the Leadership Ponca City Class thought yesterday when they began their day at 7 a m. Session 6 for the Class was based on Industry and Commerce in Ponca City.
The class started their day at Conoco with Richard Severance, Conoco Inc.; Wally Doppenberg, Thorn Apple Valley; Forrest Mertz, Mertz Inc., and Kim Mitchell and Leonard Epperson, both of Pelton Company, discussing the virtues of industry and the effect that it has on Ponca City. This interesting session was followed by a luncheon provided by Conoco Inc.
After leaving Conoco the group toured Head Country Food Products, Inc. with Danny and Carey Head. The class then went to the library where Jay Vaughn, First National Bank and Trust discussed the changing trends in agriculture, followed by Bill Carmichael, a local farmer who spoke to the group about his needs from the community. Mark Detten ended this segment with a discussion on the lending aspects of business and industry.
The group then hit the streets of downtown, stopping first at Joanne's Hallmark to visit with Joanne Giddens and moving on to Smith Home Furnishings to visit with Larry Smith about their visions for Ponca City. The class ended the day's agenda by going to Boettcher and Brune to visit with Fred Boettcher regarding his local business interest. There were plenty of tired and cold students when the day was over.
The next session will be Feb. 12 and will focus on County Government and Politics.
Chamber Bucks Update
We have currently sold in excess of $231,000 worth of Chamber Bucks. Wow! What a tremendous success the program has been. If you are a retail Chamber member and would like to be on the back of the Chamber Bucks, call 765-4400. We will be reprinting soon If you are not a Chamber member, call now to participate in this great opportunity to keep $$ in Ponca City.
Second Friday Forum
Our next Second Friday Forum is scheduled for Friday at 8 a.m. in the Pioneer Technology Center's Education/Business Center. Sen. Paul Muegge, Rep. Jim Newport and Rep. Jim Reese will provide an informative hour. Please plan to attend. Free coffee and doughnuts are provided.
By MAX STOKESBERRY
News Staff Writer
It was a dry ending to a dry year as 1996 ran out of time in Ponca City.
The one hundredth of an inch of precipitation for the final month would be expected to be a new December low mark. But no. It was even drier 19 years ago when the 12th month of 1977 was credited with only a "trace" of moisture.
The difference between a trace and .01-inch can't be much. A Mee-Too-Media spokesperson at Municipal Airport indicated that a trace is the lesser of the two amounts, it being a hint of moisture in the air, but so little it is not measurable on the ground.
The .01-inch measurement was made on Dec. 17 and came from one-tenth of an inch of snow, according to the MTM observers. Traces of moisture, also from snow, were noted on three other days last month.
The past year's "precip" total was 30.10 inches - 5.52 below the normal expectation of 35.62, inches, MTM figures show. The normal figures are arrived at by averaging precipitation records for the past 15 years.
December's normal was 1.67 inches, leaving the month shy by a top-heavy 1.66.
It is not unusual for January and February to be on the light side, and they lived up to their reputation in 1996, combining for less than a half-inch of moisture. Each of the following three months measured well below two inches on the rain gauge.
June then got the spigot turned on, although it was .88-inch below normal. But the next five months were all above normal, until the December fiasco.
September was the wettest month of 1996, when 6.66 inches of rainfall were recorded. Here are the precip totals for each month: January .17, February .09, March 1.58, April 1.13, May 1.52, June 3.57, July 3.06, August 5.06, September 6.66, October 3.33, November 3.92, December .01.
Records at the local weather station show precip totals were higher than last year's 30.10 inches in 21 of the preceding 28 years. Only seven of those years in that period received less moisture than did 1996.
The driest year was 1976 with 22.05 inches. The wettest was 1986 when 47 inches were recorded. Seven of the 29 years produced 40 inches or more.
The past year came very close to setting a new heat mark when the temperature reached 116 degrees on July 6. This tied a record established in 1936. The coldest reading of '96 came on Feb. 4 when the mercury plunged to five degrees below zero.
The daily average temperature last month was 40.8 degrees, which was 2.4 above normal. There were maximum readings of 72 and 76 on the 9th and 10th, the 76 being the highest temperature registered in December since at least 1967.
By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE
News Business Editor
Ponca City Economic Development Foundation Board Thursday morning in a special called meeting voted to recommend to the City Commission an agreement between the Ponca City Development Authority and USA Bottling Company for a two-acre tract in the New Airport Industrial Park.
Don Wood, executive director, presented a map worked up by city staff, showing five small tracts east of Thorn Apple Valley in the industrial park to be reserved for small industry.
The gist of the development incentive is that the City of Ponca City grants USA Bottling a credit of four percent of its payroll as reported to the Oklahoma Security Commission generated by its employees and which is directly related to improvements construction upon the property.
This credit, according to the draft of the agreement for sale of real estate is that "such credit shall be applied against the note payment on the monthly basis. It shall be the responsibility of the lessee to furnish documentation to substantiate credit."
Also added to the suggested agreement, which will go to the City Commission for the final decision, was that the owners of USA Bottling make personal guarantees.
The agreements are basically the same as with Center Line and Leach Paper, with the exception of the personal guarantees. It was explained that this is not anything against the owners of the new firm, but a change in philosophy by the City Commission.
The owners are Doyle Keirn, Jerry Keirn and Richard Barker, all were formerly with Farm Fresh. The firm proposes to bottle and market refrigerated non-carbonated beverages such as fruit drinks, sports drinks and ready to drink iced tea and citrus drinks.
The motion to approve the agreement was made by Bill Rodgers and seconded by Clement Collogan passed with board members Barry Bickle, Collogan, Gary Martin, Pat Mulligan, Pat Paczkowski, and Rodgers voting "Yes." Tom Quillin, President of Pioneer Bank and Trust, which has a loan with USA Bottling Company, was out of the room when the vote was taken.
Wood had presented a proposed plan for the small industry portion of the industrial park. USA Bottling is interested in a two-acre tract at the southwest corner not far from the water storage site.
Documentation on engineering estimates for street, water and sewer improvements for the industrial park were estimated to be in the neighborhood of $130,000. Wood said that application could be made for about $100,000. These improvements would apparently be for all six small industrial sites.
Chairman Mulligan reported that the goodwill calls on local industries are 40 percent finished.
Wood, who has resigned as executive director effective Thursday, to take a position with Encompass Mold, announced that he had never had any investment in that firm, nor any other firm in town that EDF had a connection. He said he had a seven-tenths of a percent investment with ADSPEC Chemical, eventually located in Blackwell.
Wood will continue to be a consultant with EDF and Blackwell Industrial Authority.
Northern Oklahoma Wordsmiths will meet Saturday at 9:30 a.m. in the basement Programming Room of the Ponca City Library.
The session is an important planning meeting for the coming year, and entry forms due in February for 1997 O.W.F.I. contests will be available.
Wordsmiths meets once each month, usually on the first Saturday, unless other activities involving members makes a change necessary, and is decided on at the previous meeting. Anyone interest in writing is invited to attend.
Educational programs consist of presentations by published authors, workshops, sharing information within the group, and information regarding attending writing seminars within a reasonable distance. Members attending these seminars share the information and experience with the local group.
Membership in the local Wordsmith group is available for $10, which covers cost of a monthly newsletter, contest awards, etc. Membership in the Oklahoma writers' group, Oklahoma Writers' Foundation Inc., which includes a quarterly newsletter and information on writers' activities, conferences, contests, etc., is available with the local group.
Grace Klinger, spokesman for the group, also called for members of the group to volunteer for various duties for the upcoming year, including, publicity, refreshments, and other positions of service to keep the club running soothly.
She reminded interested poets in the group that a Poetry Workshop ENGL 2450-VOL, would be presented by Northern Oklahoma College Feb. 28 and March 1 at Kaw Lake and March 7-8 on campus in Tonkawa. Call the NOC enrollment office for details.
Start new habits that conserve energy this year. The Ponca City Electric Department encourages citizens to save electricity and help preserve precious natural resources.
The department offers the following tips:
- Wash a full load when doing laundry and using the dishwasher. Use cold or warm water instead of hot.
- Lower the water heater temperature to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Also, do not forget the thermostat. Every degree lowered on the thermostat saves approximately three percent on the heating bill, according to the department.
- Make sure the attic, basement and fireplace are well insulated.
- Weatherstrip space around doors and caulk the windows.
- Turn off lights and appliances when not in use. Install energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs or use sunlight wherever possible.
The St. Joseph Regional Medical Center Board of Trustees officially authorized the establishment of a foundation at its Dec. 5 board meeting.
The SJRMC foundation, as proposed, will operate under the trusteeship of St. Joseph constituents, distributing financial resources attained through various activities to programs that restore health, alleviate suffering, and promote wellness to all in need. Irene Ackerson, SJRMC development coordinator, will direct efforts to create the newly authorized foundation.
Ms. Ackerson received both bachelor's and master's degrees in teacher education from Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, and a doctorate in business education from Oklahoma State University.
She began her teaching career in Altus, where she taught language arts in grades 7-12 from 1964-1980. After moving to Tonkawa with her husband Rex and sons in 1980, she taught in Tonkawa Public Schools and in the language arts and business division at Northern Oklahoma College before accepting administrative duties at the college in 1989. At the time of her resignation from Northern in 1995, she was Vice President for Development.
Her husband Rex teaches science at Northern, and her two sons - Jeff and Phil Jones - reside in Texas. Jeff lives in Mansfield with his wife Cherre and 8-month-old son Reed; Phil lives in McKinney with his wife Becky.
Ms. Ackerson said her first major step will be to organize a development committee composed of hospital staff and community leaders who will be instrumental in creating SJRMC bylaws and in nominating directors of the new organization.
"I've been on staff at St. Joseph only a short time but long enough to understand and appreciate SJRMC's mission of service and to recognize the dedication to that mission that employees here have. I look forward to being a part of the medical center's humanitarian goal to serve the health care needs of our surrounding communities."
For more information about the SJRMC Foundation, contact Ms. Ackerson at (405) 765-0283.
Larry Felix, St. Joseph Regional Medical Center Chief Operating Officer, recently passed the Board of Governors' Examination in Healthcare Management. He will now advance to become a Diplomate in the American College of Healthcare Executives.
Formerly an Associate, Felix will receive formal recognition of his new status in a Convocation Ceremony to be held on March 2 in Chicago.
The American College of Healthcare Executives is an organization that is dedicated to meeting its members' professional, education, and leadership needs; to promoting high ethical standards and conduct; and to advancing healthcare management excellence.
After meeting several educational and professional requirements, Felix will now retain his Diplomate status a six year term.
By LAURA TREADWAY
News Staff Writer
Thirteen juveniles have refused to complete court awarded community service hours.
According to Ponca City Court Clerk Nancy Hunt, there will be no second chances. Byron Tribble, community service specialist, returned the 13 cases back to the court clerk for refusing to perform their community service awarded by Juvenile Judge John Northcutt. The juveniles will be required to face Tribble and Hunt individually.
On Tuesday's juvenile court docket, 12 teens ranging in age from 14 to 17 came before Judge Northcutt on charges of failure to obey the court, petit larceny, assault and battery, minor in possession of beer, minor in possession of tobacco, curfew and public intoxication.
As a result of their actions, two youths will be reported to the Department of Public Safety for denial of driving privileges. In addition, eight juveniles received 75 hours of community service.
One youth pled not guilty. The matter is set for trial on the next juvenile docket scheduled Jan. 21.
Additionally, Tribble and Hunt are developing a standard procedure of consequences for juveniles who fail to follow court orders.
Ponca Citians are being asked to name their favorite weather media personality.
According to Tom Montgomery, Emergency Management Director, the city is sponsoring the event in preparation for the city's Severe Weather and Tornado Safety Seminar to be held at the Hutchins Memorial Auditorium this spring.
The city wants to ensure citizens are better informed on dangerous situations that could result from severe weather or a tornado.
"We want citizens to know how to protect themselves and their family during threatening weather," Montgomery said.
If citizens have a favorite meteorologist they would like to speak at the upcoming seminar, contact Montgomery at 767-0380 or Mayor Marilyn Andrews' office at 767-0339 by 5 p.m. Monday.
NEWKIRK - Thanks to good newspaper coverage and a nice way of displaying it, the Kay County Conservation District has earned a statewide information award bestowed by its own state association and the Oklahoma Press Association.
The Kay County district won the 1996 Group-IV scrapbook-division award for environmental conservation information, competing against the largest metropolitan areas in the state.
Lonnie Stone at the Newkirk office said Group IV is the largest group in the division, which means the county office must get news coverage from at least four area newspapers.
The Grant County office won the Group III award. Pawnee County won Group II, and the Group I award went to Haskell County. The awards are based on a year's worth of news coverage from November to November.
"Thanks to you, it worked - we finally reached our goal in winning OPA first place," Stone said.
"It takes a good relationship (with the media) to make it work."
She said the state award "is kind of a first for us. We won it in the late '70s or early '80s and we've been striving to improve not just the quantity but the quality" of the information they distribute.
When the office recently consolidated from two separate offices in Blackwell and Newkirk to the single one, the competition got even tougher, throwing them into Group IV. They were suddenly vying against other conservation district offices that enjoy metropolitan-size coverage, she said.
The consolidated office now gets "equally cooperative" support from The Ponca City News, The Newkirk Herald, The Tonkawa News, and the Blackwell Journal-Tribune, she said.
"If it wasn't for the cooperation of the newspapers here, we wouldn't have beat out The Chickasha Star," Stone said. The Chickasha newspaper was last year's group IV winner, and this year it won two of the three awards in the state media-division portion of the contest.
The outstanding newspaper ad-series award went to The Star and outstanding editorial-writer award went to The Star's Pat King. Outstanding feature reporter was Michael McNutt of The Daily Oklahoman.
The Oklahoma Blood Institute's accreditation has been renewed by the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB), a professional society whose member facilities are responsible for collecting the majority of the nation's blood supply.
Accreditation follows an intensive on-site inspection by specially trained representatives of the AABB and establishes that the level of medical, technical and administrative performance within the facility meets or exceeds the standards set by the AABB.
Since 1958, the AABB has been engaged in the inspection and accreditation of blood banks and transfusion services to determine whether methods, procedures, personnel knowledge, equipment and the physical plant meet established criteria. By successfully meeting those requirements, the Oklahoma Blood Institute continues to be one of more than 2,000 similar facilities across the United States and abroad that have earned AABB accreditation.
"The AABB's inspection and accreditation procedures are voluntary," OBI President and CEO Ronald O. Gilcher, MD, FACP explained. "The Oklahoma Blood Institute has sought AABB accreditation because this program assists facilities around the country in achieving excellence by promoting a level of professional and medical expertise that contributes to quality performance."
The Oklahoma Blood Institute was created in 1976 by the Oklahoma County
Medical Society to provide blood products and services to support medical
advancement in Oklahoma. Now entering its 20th year, OBI is a totally self-sufficient,
not-for-profit system supplying blood products and services to patients
in 57 hospitals throughout Oklahoma, including St. Joseph Regional Medical
Center in Ponca City.
DEATHS
BLACKWELL - James Dallas Starr, rural Blackwell-Ponca City area resident, died Tuesday afternoon, Jan. 7, 1997, at Blackwell Regional Hospital. He was 39.
The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at his home northeast of Blackwell, with the Rev. Thomas Roughface, Ponca City, officiating. Burial will follow in the Tonkawa Tribal Cemetery at Tonkawa under the direction of Roberts and Son Funeral Home, Blackwell.
James Dallas Starr was born Oct. 1, 1957, in Ponca City, the son of Dallas and Dorothea (Going) Starr. He grew up in the Tonkawa area, living with his sister and brother-in-law Garry and Dorothy Davis. He graduated from Tonkawa High School in 1975.
On Sept. 2, 1977, he was married to Mary Denise Tah, in Tonkawa and the couple made their home on a farm northeast of Blackwell. Starr began working as a rig operator for the Shebester-Bechtel Inc. Company, working there for 10 years. In 1985, he began employment with the Davis Sanitation Service in Tonkawa.
Survivors include his wife, Mary D. Starr of the home; a daughter, Racheal Scott of Tonkawa; one son, Dallas Starr of Ponca City; his mother, Dorothea Starr of Tonkawa; one sister, Dorothy Davis of Tonkawa; five brothers, Wayne Starr of Orlando, Okla., Butch McAlister of Glencoe, Deral McAlister of Jet, Bill McAlister of Meramec and Roy McAlister of Kaw City; and two grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father, and one brother, Jerry McAlister.
Casket bearers will be Robert Tah, Francis Tah, Darrell Tah, John Fleming, Fred Hockert, and Jim Davis.
BLACKWELL - Irma Lucille Collyar, 805 South Eighth Street, Blackwell, died early Wednesday morning, Jan. 8, 1997, at her home. She was 66.
The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at Roberts Funeral Home Chapel in Blackwell with the Rev. Bill Maxey, Blackwell Regional Hospital Chaplain officiating. Burial will be in the Blackwell IOOF Cemetery. Friends may visit at the funeral home until service time, then the casket will be closed.
Irma Lucille (Gourley) Collyar was born Oct. 4, 1930, in Avard, the daughter of Leo and Thersia (Brickman) Gourley. She grew up and attended schools in Avard, graduating from Avard High School in 1948.
She was married to Bob Holden in Alva and the couple established their home in the Byron-Amorita area until 1953. In 1958, they moved to Yates Center, Kan., then to Russell, Kan., for four years, before moving to Cherokee.
On Oct. 23, 1976, she was married to Clarence A. Collyar in Blackwell, where they established their home. She was employed as a seamstress at Southwest Cupid until her retirement. Mrs. Collyar was a member of the Cherokee First Christian Church.
Survivors include her husband, Clarence A. Collyar of Blackwell; three daughters, Trina Myers of Ponca City, Deborah Sills of Osage and Paula Sue Wayman of Blackwell; one son, Ricky Holden of Russell, Kan.; one brother, Roy Gourley of Alva; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and one granddaughter.
Viola L. Lund, longtime Ponca City resident, died Tuesday, Jan. 7, 1997, at Westminster Village. She was 94.
A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. Friday at the Ponca City IOOF Cemetery with the Rev. Charles Heyer, associate pastor, First Christian Church, officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home. Friends may visit at the funeral home until noon Friday.
Viola L. (Hadden) Lund was born Jan. 6, 1903, at Llano, Texas, the daughter of Charles Monroe and Cecelia Elizabeth (Owens) Hadden.
She was married to Lars Christian Lund on Aug. 19, 1955, in New Orleans, La., and the couple moved to Ponca City in the early 1960s. Mrs. Lund was a member of the First Christian Church, a life member of the Fanchon Chapter 53, Order of Easter Star, Order of Amaranth, and the Narcissus Garden Club. She was an avid card player.
Survivors include several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband on Aug. 6, 1987, and her parents.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Lund's name to the First Christian Church, 210 North Fifth Street, Ponca City, OK 74601.
Nita Idell Palmer Logan died Tuesday, Jan. 7, 1997, at her daughter's home, Route 7, Box 333-G. She was 93.
A vigil will be held Thursday, 5:30 p.m. in the chapel of the Trout Funeral Home with the Rev. Scott Adams, associate pastor, St. Mary's Catholic Church presiding. Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, 9:30 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church with the Rev. John Michalicka, pastor, as celebrant. Burial will follow in Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of the Trout Funeral Home.
Born Jan. 1, 1904, at Houston, Texas, she was the daughter of Rupert Cecil and Retta Joe Garrett Palmer. She attended school in Texas and completed two years at Centenary College in Shreveport, La.
Mrs. Logan was a former member of St. Phillip Neri Catholic Church in Midwest City and at the time of her death was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church where she also was a member of St. Theresa's Guild. Additionally she had been instrumental in starting the "Powerhouse of Prayer" circle and was contact person for the prayer line. She had been active in the Marian Movement of Priest for the Laity, belonging to the "Queen of All Heart's Cenacle," and the Living Rosary Association.
During World War II she had served as an Air Raid Warden in Shreveport, La., and was Civil Defense weather caller in the Ponca City area. She was a member of American Legion Post 14 Auxiliary, Genealogical Society, Kopy Kat Club, 55 and Older Club, a charter member of Chat Line, and recently became a member of the Sooner Dreamer Campers and the Rollin' Rockers Camping Club. She enjoyed crafts, particularly ceramics, writing poetry, collecting Teddy Bears, taking pictures, playing cards and being with her family and friends, especially her sitter and great-granddaughter.
She is survived by her daughter, Bennie Jo Westerman, of the home; grandchildren, Chris and Debbie Westerman, Theresa Clark, Elise and Bob Jimison, Gregory and Terrie Westerman, Cecilia and Tim Payne, Emilie and Pat Chandler, Marty and Diana Westerman, David and Connie Westerman, Marilyn and Marc Gravel, Michael and Gena Westerman, Stephen and Melony Westerman, and Melissa and Steve Lucas.
Also great grandchildren, Brooke Newburn, Scott Westerman, Chris, Nick and Crystal Redelman, Jeff, Brad and Ryan Clark, Jon Jimison, Kendall and Wendy Westerman, Michelle and Renee Fansler, Stephanie Payne, Chad and Cari Chandler, Jill, Jennifer, Justin, and Jeremy Westerman, Brandy, David II and Amber Westerman, Logan and Preston Westerman, Joshua and Zachery Westerman, and Lance Lucas; great-great-grandchildren, Sabra and Kyler Clark, Tyler Newburn, and Lyric Chandler.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, John A. Logan, May 22, 1994, husband Bennett E. Waits, Jan. 9, 1967, and granddaughter, Constance M. Westerman on April 26, 1948.
Casket bearers will be Christopher Westerman, Gregory Westerman, David Westerman, Michael Westerman, Stephen Westerman and Bob Jimison. Honorary casket bearers will be Marty Westerman, Tim Payne, Patrick Chandler, Marc Gravel and Steve Lucas.
Memorials may be made to Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation for research in Multiple Sclerosis or Cancer, 825 N.E. 13th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73104.
The family will be at the home.
paid obituary
Friday
Roy D. Coate - Funeral to be held at 2 p.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church in Newkirk. Burial will follow in the Newkirk Cemetery under the direction of Miller-Stahl Funeral Service, Newkirk.
Eugene D. Kirkendall - Funeral to be held at 10 a.m. at Miller-Stahl Funeral Service Chapel in Newkirk. Burial will be in the Longwood Cemetery, east of Ponca City.
Lucile E. Murray - Funeral to be held at 1 p.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Ponca City. Burial will be in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery under the direction of Trout Funeral Home.
Saturday
John W. Cofer - Funeral at 10 a.m. at Grace Episcopal Church. Memorials may be made to Grace Episcopal Church, 109 North Thirteenth Street, Ponca City, OK 74601 or to Ponca City Humane Society P.O. Box 2311, Ponca City, OK 74602. Other arrangements are pending and will be announced later by Trout Funeral Home, Ponca City.
Services Pending
Mary Ann Schmidt
Mary Ann Schmidt, former Ponca City teacher, died early this morning, Jan. 9, 1997, at Mercy Hospital, Oklahoma City, after a lengthy illness. She was 46. Memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Schmidt's name to the Ponca City Senior High Howell Auditorium Renovation Fund, 915 North Fifth Street, Ponca City, OK 74601. Funeral arrangements are pending with Trout Funeral Home.
E. Jewell Altstatt
E. Jewell Altstatt, Ponca City-Marland area resident, died Wednesday
evening, Jan. 8, 1997, in the Newkirk Nursing Home, Newkirk. She was 90.
Arrangements are pending with Trout Funeral Home.
NEWS BRIEFS
Serving at Vance - Air Force Capt. Wendi L. Betz has arrived for duty at Vance Air Force Base at Enid. The captain is the chief of mental health assigned to the 71st Medical Operations Squadron. Betz is the daughter of Ron and Diane Walker and granddaughter of Nema Carter of Blackwell. Her husband, Roger, is the son of Earl and Kay Betz of Blackwell. In 1988 Capt. Betz graduated from Blackwell High School and in 1993 received her master's degree from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville.
Receives Medal - Air Force Senior Airman Jeanne R. Schoonover has been decorated with the Good Conduct Medal. The medal is awarded to those individuals who depict and demonstrate exemplary conduct, bearing and behavior while serving in the military services. The senior airman is a satellite system technician with the 301 Intelligence Squadron at Misawa Air Base, Japan. She is the daughter of Melvin G. and Jamie Schoonover of 1 Checkstand Road, Ponca City. She graduated in 1989 from Ponca City High School.
Delayed Enlistment - Timothy C. Stone has joined the United States Army under the Delayed Entry Program. Stone will report to Fort Knox, Radcliff, Ky., for basic military training Jan. 22. He is the son of Patty E. Stone and stepson of Chuck Edens of Ponca City.
Family Splash- Kids and parents are invited to swim at the YMCA Friday evenings at 6 p.m. Cost is $3 per family or free to YMCA members. For additional information contact the YMCA at 765-5417.
Special Meeting - Round Grove Farmers Union No. 708 will have a dinner meeting at Western Sizzlin', 6:30 p.m., Jan. 16, for the purpose of election of local officers and delegates for the State Farmers Union convention of Feb. 21-23 at the Clarion Hotel in Oklahoma City.
Steppers Mini Clinic - The Po-Hi Steppers are sponsoring their annual Stepper Clinic for pre-school through sixth grade. The clinic will be taught by members of the Po-Hi Steppers and will include instruction in basic dance, stretching, poise and projection. Registration is Jan. 13 at Allen Robson Fieldhouse from 5-7 p.m. Cost is $20.00. For more information please call 765-3182 after 5 p.m.
Warrant Served - A Ponca City police officer arrested a 22-year-old man in the 1400 block of West Highland Avenue at 9:50 a.m. Wednesday on a city warrant for failure to pay.
Embezzlement - A 21-year-old man was arrested by a Ponca City police officer at North First Street and Detroit Avenue at 11:39 a.m. Wednesday on a Kay County warrant for embezzlement.
Fire - Ponca City firefighters responded to the report of a power pole on fire at Joe Street and Bradley Avenue at 11:52 a.m. Wednesday. The Electric Department also received notice. According to Phil Johnston, system engineer, a fuse burnt in two destroying the fuse holder. A crew immediately replaced the fuse and fuse holder; no damage was reported.
Warrants Served - A Ponca City police officer arrested a 19-year-old man in the 3500 block of North Fourteenth Street at 2:17 p.m. Wednesday on a city warrant for failure to pay. A 36-year-old woman was also taken into custody at North Fifth Street and East Overbrook Avenue on a city warrant for no insurance.
Attempted Rape - A 16-year-old boy was arrested at the Ponca City Police Department at 2:32 p.m. Wednesday on three counts of attempted rape and one count of attempted sodomy.
Assault and Battery - An 18-year-old man turned himself in to the Ponca City Police Department at 3:38 p.m. Wednesday on a city warrant for assault and battery.
In Custody - Five Ponca City police officers responded to pursue
a subject who reportedly hit a vehicle parked in the 2000 block of North
Fifth Street at 4:17 a.m. Thursday. An officer took a 37-year-old man into
custody at North Third Street and East Emporia Avenue for leaving the scene
of a property damage accident, driving under the influence, driving under
suspension, transporting an open container and driving left of center.
LIFESTYLES
Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Husted are residing in Choctoaw following their recent marriage.
The gardens at Will Rogers Park in Oklahoma City was the setting for the October wedding vows uniting Paula Randolph and Christopher Husted, former Ponca Citian.
Husted is the son of Mrs. Margaret Husted, 1700 Acoma Place, and the late Robert Husted. The bride is the daughter of Bernard Randolph of Norman and the late Mrs. Randolph.
The bridegroom is a graduate of Oklahoma State University and is currently teaching special education in Oklahoma City. The bride received a degree in Journalism from the University of Oklahoma and is presently employed at Walmart.
The December meeting of Xi Beta Tau chapter of Beta Sigma Phi sorority was held at the home of Sara King with eight members in attendance. Preceding the meeting the group ate at Enrique's Restaurant to celebrate Christmas.
Items for the Christmas service project were collected for donation to the Salvation Army. June Miller, president, presided at the meeting and the treasurer's report was given by Sara King.
Sammie Coats was elected Xi Beta Tau Chapter's Valentine Queen. She will be honored with the other chapter queens at a dance February 15 at the Moose Lodge. Members were reminded that Xi Beta Tau chapter will be in charge of the guest book table.
A pledge ritual for Kathy Kuchta will be held Jan. 13 at 7 p.m. at the home of Patsy Bray. Pledges are to meet for training at 6:30 p.m. The traveling basket was given to Jan Ellison by Cindy Wardlow and the mystery gift was won by Ms. Bray. A Christmas program and exchange of secret sister gifts and game-playing concluded the meeting.
John and Pamela (Brandt) Romano, 1604 Weatherwood, Flower Mound, Tex. 75028, announce the birth of a son at 1:22 p.m. Dec. 12 at the Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas, Tex.
The 5-pound, 14-ounce baby was 19 3/4 inches long and has been named Joseph Gabriel Romano.
Maternal grandparents are Linda and Larry Brandt of Ponca City and paternal
grandparents are Helen and Paul Romano of Oklahoma City. Great-grandmother
is Nadola Ciskowski of Medford.
SPORTS
Ponca City's JV boys basketballers got off to a hot start Tuesday night, outscoring Owasso 19-8 in the first quarter, and went on to record a 43-31 win.
The JV Lady Cats were not so fortunate, losing 43-30.
In the boys' game, the Cats led 28-16 at the half and 35-21 after three quarters of play.
Brad Brewer topped the JV Cats in scoring with 12 points. Mat Stewart had 8, Tom Engle 6, Jeremiah Payne 5, Kris Shores and Nathan Zimmerman 4 each and Paul Broome and Scott Larrison scored 2 points apiece.
For the girls, Julie Schiltz led the way with 13 points. Gina Hile and Shari Winters scored 4 apiece, Romi Foreman 3, Abby Frick and Amy Fremin 2 each and Erin Slater and Alena Ames both had 1 point.
The JV Lady Cats led 10-9 after one but trailed 20-17 at halftime. Owasso then outscored the Poncans 23-13 in the second half to win going away.
The holiday layoff appeared to have an effect on the shooting for Ponca City's Red eighth grade boys as they dropped a 42-30 decision to Enid Waller here Tuesday.
"I thought we played well considering we had not played a game in a month," Red coach Jerry Orr said. "We played very aggressive basketball but the difference was we did not hit the good open shots we created."
Most of the shooting woes came in the second period as Waller broke from a 9-9 tie to go in front 22-12 at halftime. The Red Cougars stayed even in the second half couldn't climb out of that hole.
John Able finished with 11 points for the Poncans while Casey Badley had 7, Tim Frick 6, Josh Kirkpatrick 4 and Kris Upchurch 2.
"The thing that pleased me most," Orr said, "was that we were very active and aggressive. If we continue that and shoot the ball a little better we are going to win some ball games."
The Reds are scheduled to play in the Edmond Tournament Thursday through Saturday.