From The Pages Of The Ponca City News, Friday, January
10, 1996
LOCAL
Federal Jury Deliberates Fate Of Ponca Citian
Report Says PTC Clean
Marriage Licenses
Former Officer Cleared of Sex Abuse Charges
Letters Say:
Partnerships For Schools Discussed
Sanitation Truck Accident Kills Blackwell Man
Wood Will Work Directly for BIA
PTC Board Member Injured in Accident
DEATHS
John W. Cofer
E. Jewell Altstatt
Obituaries
Lois C. Waugh
Services Pending
Raymond H. McLean
NEWS BRIEFS
EDUCATION
Varner Makes Honor Roll
Peacock Graduates from KSU
OU Honor Roll
Po-Hi Sets Rules
Advisory Council Meeting
RELIGION
St. Paul's to Host Work Day Jan. 30
1st UMW to Hear Wright Jan. 16
Rededication 'Happens' At Renfrow Methodist Church
Tulsa Evangelist Coming to P.C.
Woodlands Will Install Officers Sunday Morning
Piano Dedication Set
Pastor's Notes
LIFESTYLES
Eta Zeta Chapter Plans Meeting
SPORTS
PC Cagers Net Split In Tourney
Mavericks Get Win In Restart
Junior High Sports Update
TULSA (AP) - Jury deliberations resumed this morning in the case of a Ponca City tax protestor charged with obstruction of justice.
Dan Meador also is charged with improperly communicating with a grand juror. His trial began Wednesday.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Neal Kirkpatrick accused Meador of ''concocting dangerous nonsense.''
Federal authorities say Meador wrote twice in November 1995 to the foreman of a grand jury that was investigating the so-called ''common law'' movement in the Northern District of Oklahoma. Common law advocates doubt the authority of the federal government, particularly its authority to collect income tax.
The defense tried to describe Meador as a patriot who wanted to appear before the grand jury to provide any assistance it needed.
The obstruction of justice charge stems from a document received at the federal court clerk's office in Tulsa last year in relation to the legal difficulties of common law advocates Wayne Gunwall and Kenney and Colleen Moore.
Gunwall and the Moores on Monday pleaded guilty to conspiracy.
By KRISTI GRABEAL
News Education Editor
In a report written on Oct. 16, 1996, to Drew Edmondson, Attorney General for the State of Oklahoma, revealed that Velta Reed-Johnston was clear of all charges brought against her from a special audit of records.
State Auditor and Inspector Clifton Scott reported in the audit that nothing was found which would negatively reflect on the service of Superintendent Velta Reed-Johnston. There was also no evidence of improper conduct on Velta Reed-Johnston, Dr. Sally Downey or Dr. Janet Cox. Scott, however, told The News that the report has not been released yet and will not be released until Edmondson signs the audit.
The audit was performed from August through October of 1996 in conjunction with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, which interviewed individuals claiming to have information and support for allegations. The audit was conducted on records from 1991 through 1996. After interviews and OSBI reports, the audit reveals that the findings do not appear to warrant further review by his office, Scott said.
According to information in the report, review of travel claims for assistant superintendents, Cox and Downey, there were no questioned costs. Concerning the alleged misuse of school telephone, the superintendent reimbursed the school in the amount of $260 for personal calls made. A list of dates were also given to the auditors concerning time reporting for Reed-Johnston. The dates were compared with the superintendent's payroll time sheets and there were no discrepancies. Some instances however were noted wherein miscellaneous charges were made on a gasoline credit card that appeared to be personal. For the period reviewed, the questioned charges totaled $50.55.
"I am very relieved to have this behind us," said Reed-Johnston. "The results of the audit reflect excellent stewardship displayed by the administration of Pioneer Technology Center and demonstrate the accountability that Pioneer Technology Center has to the taxpayers of Kay County. I knew the final results of the audit had to be positive. I only regret the shadow that this might have placed on our institution. However, because of the enormous public support generated when our credibility was questioned, I truly want to thank the residents of Kay County for showing such strong support and having confidence in our institution."
Stan Brown, president of the Board at PTC, said,"We're glad this is finally over. I feel like this has held us hostage for the past few months and I am just glad the way it turned out. There were some insignificant things that were found but now we can move on. As far as the controversy surrounding the audit, a group in Ponca City went off the deep end with allegations to the schools and now I hope this will ease their minds."
Scott was also asked to make a comment and he told The News, "I have no comment to make at this time because the audit has not been released."
Newkirk
Marriage Licenses
Raymond Henry Schalk, 75, Wellington, and Anita Wanda Curl, 75, Braman.
Larry Joe Faulconer, 40, and Susane Layne Poling, 38, both of Ponca City.
Samuel Wayne Bufford, 22, and Heidi Suzanne Sherrill, 19, both of Ponca
City.
Murl Steven Countryman, 43, and Lavina Kay Hinman, 30, both of Kaw City.
Jeremy Rory Gottman, 24, and Krystal Dawn Johnson, 19, both of Ponca City.
Mitchell Willard Garrett, 32, and Dana Marie Keller, 28, both of Newkirk.
NEWKIRK - A former Blackwell police officer was cleared of sex abuse charges in a jury decision Thursday evening in District Court.
Peter Don Scott, also known as Pete Scott, was visibly emotional after the seven-man, five-woman jury delivered not guilty verdicts to end his trial on charges of rape and lewd molestation of a young boy. The jury had deliberated for almost two hours to reach the verdicts.
After the verdicts were read, Associate District Judge Leslie Page polled the jurors to confirm their individual verdicts, at the request of First Assistant District Attorney Lisa Goodspeed Tate, who prosecuted the case. Scott was congratulated afterwards by spectators and his defense attorney, Ron Wallace of Oklahoma City.
Editor, The News,
How can anyone be so cruel and insensitive to harm other people's animals? Well, it happened in our neighborhood.
Friday evening around 7 we heard gun shots down on our neighborhood pond. My husband as well as some of the other neighbors rushed outside only to find one of our geese shot. It was dark and all they could see was a small, light colored, hatchback car pulling away. We have been annexed into the city so the local police were notified of the incident.
These six geese have been hand-raised by a couple in our neighborhood. They lovingly feed and take care of them everyday. So everyone will be able to enjoy them. A day does not go by that someone does not stop by the side of the road to watch them or bring their children to feed them. And a week does not go by that someone is not photographing the beauty and serenity of them (as well as the wild geese and ducks) on the pond. It truly will lift your spirits to view that scene.
Now we will be constantly worried about our pets or a stray bullet endangering human life. I hope these people will realize the sadness and hurt they have brought to all of us.
Jackie Chitwood
By LAURA TREADWAY
News Staff Writer
Local businesses support education in Ponca City. In continuing their efforts to make things better for the children, the Chamber of Commerce and Ponca City Tomorrow Education Committee gathered at the Public Administration Office Thursday to discuss the education partnerships which began in the fall.
The members exchanged information, expressed concerns and tried to bridge any gaps to facilitate communication between the schools and business partners.
Partnerships volunteer time and other resources to support teachers, students and schools. Activities have involved lunching with the students, students working along-side employees, tutoring, career exploration, working together in the community and reading as well as making donations.
Kenneth Ray, co-chair for the committee, said Mid-High and Po-Hi are still looking for partners to match with classrooms. Employees who have expertise and would like to develop a relationship or offer their time should contact the Chamber at 765-4400.
The education sector agreed that local businesses continue to be helpful and supportive whether or not they are partners.
BLACKWELL - A funeral was to be today for a rural Blackwell man killed Tuesday in a sanitation truck accident here.
Blackwell Police Sgt. Jim Snyder said James Starr, 39, died of injuries while on the job with his wife, Mary Denise, where they both operated a sanitation truck for a Tonkawa company contracted to do collections for the City of Blackwell.
Snyder said the two had been loading the truck in an alley in the 1100 block of South Main when Mrs. Starr started backing the truck out of the alley. After she felt something, she checked and discovered the truck had run over her husband, the sergeant said.
She told police she didn't know if Starr had been riding on the truck or walking behind it, according to the report.
Burial was to be today in the Tonkawa Tribal Cemetery at Tonkawa.
The agreement between Ponca City and Blackwell for economic development has been discontinued. The agreement between the Ponca City Economic Development Foundation (EDF) and the Blackwell Industrial Authority (BIA) was for the part time services of Don Wood. Wood has resigned as executive director of EDF to take a position with Encompass Mold.
The BIA at Wednesday's meeting decided to hire Wood directly for one day a week on a consultant basis for six months. The BIA had been paying the EDF $2,000 a month for Wood to consult with them on a part time basis.
The BIA contract calls for Wood to spend one eight-hour day (Wednesday) a week in Blackwell as professional economic developer. Wood's fee from the BIA is $2,000 a month.
The EDF is retaining Wood on a consulting basis for six months.
Larry Cannon, Blackwell resident and Pioneer Technology Center board member, was injured in a serious car accident outside of Wichita, Kan., Thursday night.
Apparently Cannon was heading to Pratt for a cattle auction when he hit a slick spot on the road and lost control of his pickup. He was pinned in the pickup for quite awhile.
Cannon reportedly has a broken pelvis and three broken ribs. He is scheduled
to undergo surgery Saturday morning at St. Francis Hospital at 10 a.m. and
will then be transported to an Enid hospital, where his son is a doctor.
DEATHS
John W. Cofer, 1800 N.E. Woodland, died Wednesday morning, Jan. 8, 1997, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. He was 75.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at Grace Episcopal Church with the Rev. Kenneth Armstrong, rector, as celebrant. Burial will follow in the Ponca City IOOF Cemetery under direction of Trout Funeral Home.
John W. Cofer was born May 10, 1921, at Caney, Kan., the son of Raymond T. and Juanita Dry Cofer. He attended schools at Caney and graduated from Washburn University in 1948. During World War II, he served with the U.S. Coast Guard in the South Pacific Theater.
On April 6, 1947, he was married to Beverley Jean Allison at the First Christian Church in Chanute, Kan. For several years, Cofer coached at Madison, Kan., then began working as a sales representative for Lever Brothers and later with Folgers Coffee Company. The couple moved to Ponca City in 1958 and Cofer began employment with Williams Shoe Company. Following his retirement from Williams, Cofer was employed for several years at Smith International Co.
He was a member of Grace Episcopal Church, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Hospital Auxiliary, Elks Club, Noon Lions Club, and an alumnus of Phi Delta Theta social fraternity at Washburn University.
Survivors include his wife, Beverley, of the home; two sons, Ray Cofer of Oklahoma City and Mike Cofer of Edmond; one daughter, Nancy Lloyd of Tulsa; six grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Casket bearers will be Paul Bunch, Calvin Case, Bill Valenta, E. Monte Evens, Bill Schula and Brice Chism. Honorary bearers will be Warren Dick, Marvin Billington, and members of the Vestry of Grace Episcopal Church.
Memorials may be made in Mr. Cofer's name to Grace Episcopal Church, 109 North Thirteenth Street, Ponca City, OK 74601, or to the Ponca City Humane Society, 900 West Prospect, Ponca City, OK 74601.
The family will be at 1800 N.E. Woodland.
E. Jewell Altstatt, former Marland-Ponca City resident, died late Wednesday evening, Jan. 8, 1997, at the Newkirk (Okla.) Nursing Home. She was 90.
The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Trout Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Chris Cooper, pastor of Newkirk Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will follow in the Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery.
E. Jewell ( Gammon) Altstatt was born Aug. 27, 1906, in Ada, the daughter of Ed and Laura (Lane) Gammon.
She was married to John H. Altstatt at Ada on April 25, 1925, and the couple made their home in Maud until they moved to the Marland area in 1939. Mrs. Altstatt moved to Ponca City in 1988, and to the Newkirk Nursing Home in 1989. She was a member of the Marland Baptist Church. She enjoyed fishing, crocheting and gardening.
Survivors include a nephew, Roy W. Self, Ponca City, who was raised in the Altstatt home; and a niece, Shirley A. Ross of Ganado, Texas; five grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband on Aug. 26, 1972; her parents; five brothers; and one sister.
Casket bearers will be Greg Self, Steve Self, Wes Mason, Marvin McCune, Eric McCune, and Ryan McCune. Honorary bearers will be Jared Mason, Derek Mason, Blake Self, Jacob Self, Collin Self, and Christopher Wolff.
The family will be at the Self home, 3012 Kingston Rd.
Lois C. Waugh, former longtime Ponca City resident, died Tuesday, Jan. 7, 1997, in Brooksville, Fla. She was 85.
The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, at the Ponca City First Baptist Church Chapel with the Rev. Larry Heslip, Minister of Education, officiating. Burial will follow in the Ponca City IOOF Cemetery under the direction of Trout Funeral Home. Arrangements in Brooksville where under the direction of Brewer Memorial Funeral Home.
Lois C. (Catlin) Smith Waugh was born in Vinita, the daughter of Bert and Meda (Story) Catlin and moved to Ponca City in 1932. She had lived in Ponca City for more than 60 years, working at Sanders Drug Store for more than 30 years.
She was married to J.L. Waugh May 13, 1961, in Ponca City and he preceded her in death in April 1962. Mrs. Waugh was a longtime member of Ponca City First Baptist Church. She had recently moved to Brooksville, Fla. She enjoyed traveling and spending time with her family.
Survivors include one son, Richard "Dick" Smith and his wife, Elaine of Poway, Calif.; two daughters, Kay S. Elmer of Winter Park, Fla., and Barbara L. Smith of Brooksville, Fla.; one step-daughter, Virginia Mair of Ponca City; three sisters, Mabel Zumwalt of Tecumseh, Laura Jane Rampey and her husband, Leroy, of Lawton, Ann Trail and her husband, Stan, of DeKalb, Ill.; and one sister-in-law, Elsie Catlin of Tulsa.
Also six grandchildren, Julie K. Maciljewski, Lisa Marrs, Todd Elmer, David Smith, Mark Smith and Sheri Smith; two step-grandchildren David Mair and Gordon Mair; six great-grandchildren; and four step-great-grandchildren.
In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Hugh Catlin; a sister and brother-in-law, Christine and Gordon Norman; two brothers-in-law, Wade Zumwalt and Walter D. Davis.
The family will receive friends and relatives from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Williamsburg Parlor at First Baptist Church.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Waugh's name to the First Baptist Church Assembly Center Building Fund or to the Falls Creek Scholarship Fund, c/o First Baptist Church, 218 South Sixth Street, Ponca City, OK 74601.
paid obituary
Raymond H. McLean, longtime Ponca City resident, died Friday morning,
Jan. 10, 1997, at the Ponca City Nursing Home. He was 78. Arrangements are
pending at Trout Funeral Home.
NEWS BRIEFS
In-Person Absentee Voting - Registered voters who still want to vote by absentee ballot in Tuesday's bond election in Blackwell must go to the county courthouse in Newkirk from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday. A two-member bipartisan voting board will be on duty in the election board office to assist voters, said election board secretary Carol Stafford.
Water Exercise- The YMCA is conducting an Arthritis Foundation Aquatic Program. Participants are led by trained personnel through a series of specially designed exercises which, with the aid of the water's buoyancy and resistance, can help improve joint flexibility. Class meets M-W-F at 11 a.m. and T-TH at 10 a.m. For more details contact the YMCA at 765-5417.
Nutrition, Herb Meeting Set - The public is invited to attend a meeting to introduce the exciting benefits of herbs and nutrition, and its advantages. The meeting is set for Saturday at 3 p.m. at the Holiday Inn. Have the fun of feeling great. Join the group for an hour Saturday. Bring a friend or family. Several people are coming from Lawton, Duncan and Oklahoma City to conduct the meeting.
Volunteers Needed - Helpline Volunteer Training Class begins Monday at 7 p.m. Call 765-5551 for information or to enroll.
Juveniles Arrested - Two Ponca City police officers responded at 7:27 a.m. Thursday to the 700 block of West Grand Avenue after a report that two kids abandoned a vehicle in the alley and left northbound. The Dodge Neon was reportedly stolen out of Moore. Officers took two 15-year-old girls and one 17-year-old boy into custody for concealing stolen property.
Accident - The Ponca City Police Department received notice of a non-injury accident at North Fourteenth Street and Patton Drive at 7:57 a.m. Thursday. The subjects exchanged information.
Drugs Found - A 14-year-old boy was arrested by a Ponca City police officer at 11:16 a.m. Thursday at the Mid-High for drug confiscation.
Failure To Pay - A Ponca City police officer arrested a 43-year-old man at the police department at 4:02 p.m. Thursday on a city warrant for failure to pay.
Theft - A resident in the 200 block of North Palm Street notified the Ponca City Police Department at 5:57 p.m. Thursday of a stolen bike. An officer took a report.
Forgery - A Ponca City police officer took a report of forgery at Albertson's, 2005 North Fourteenth Street, at 6:46 p.m. Thursday.
Vandalism - The Ponca City Police Department received a report of a vehicle vandalized in the 1100 block of East Prospect Avenue at 10:02 p.m. Thursday. An officer took a report that the left front turn signal had been removed.
In Custody - A 36-year-old man was arrested by a Ponca City police
officer at West Hazel Avenue and North Palm Street at 11:25 p.m. Thursday
for driving under the influence, transporting an open bottle and no insurance.
A 51-year-old man was also arrested at 1:14 a.m. Friday for driving under
the influence and driving left of center.
EDUCATION
Valerie J. Varner of Ponca City, was recently announced for the 1996 fall semester honor roll at Northeastern State University. She was on the dean's honor roll list.
Matthew Stephen Peacock graduated with a bachelor of science degree from Kansas State University in Manhattan. Ceremonies were held on Dec. 14. Peacock is a graduate from Ponca City High School.
Former Ponca City students that attend the University of Oklahoma have been listed on the campus honor roll for the fall 1996 semester. The following students were listed: Amy Delyn McCombs, Newkirk; Kari J. Bell, Teresa Kay Boles, Darci Leigh Bruce, Rhett Alan Butler, Mark William Cagley, Jean Ann Connelly, Paul K. Davis, Kristen Elizabeth Day, Bryan Cullom Dunn, Moira Beth Forbes, Stephanie Lynn Galbraith, Marcus Allan Glenn, James Matthew Herrin, Jaime Kristina Holt, Leah Rae Hooker, Walt Hwang, Britton Michael Lamb, Phuong Thanh Ly, Jennifer Marie Martin, Jennifer Lynn Meyer, Patrick Thomas Muchmore, Daniel Sean Mulligan, Jeff Edward Northcutt, Julie E. Northcutt, Kevin Paul Priba, Valorie Lynn Rogers, Yasmine M. Salama, Jenifer Dawn Sharp, Karen E. Stokke, Eric Andrew Wolf, Ponca City; and Amy Wilhite, Tonkawa.
Any vehicle driven for the purpose of attending Ponca City Senior High must be parked on the school parking lot. Citizens living in the vicinity of the school have often found the streets lined with student's vehicles which made trash pick-up, service and maintenance very difficult if not impossible. Continued violation of the policy will result in suspension from classes. Some students park off the lot to drive somewhere for lunch. This is one of the causes of truancy, and being tardy to fourth hour. Cars are not permitted to leave the lot at any time without the proper sticker or pass. Parents should help out by looking for the sticker on cars.
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 5-7:00 p.m. Cost is $20.00. For more information please call 765-3182 after 5 p.m.
There will be a parent Advisory Council (PAC) meeting Jan. 14 at 10:45
a.m. in the Conference Room (#210) of the Howell Building. The PAC members
meet the second Tuesday of every month. All interested parties are invited
to attend.
RELIGION
St. Paul's United Methodist women will be hosting a work day on January 30 to make ABC Quilts. All persons who can thread a needle (even large eyed ones), tie a knot, use a paid of scissors, use an iron or operate a sewing machine, are urged to come and join the fun.
Susan Lucky, wife of the District Superintendent and former Ponca Citian, will be in Ponca City that day to work with the group and help keep things moving. The event is being organized by Mary Irons and Faith Kalback, from First United Methodist.
St. Paul's will furnish the Fellowship Hall, tables and chairs, coffee and cookies during the day and a soup dinner (for the workers who stay through their dinner hour), and just good fellowship.
The group will work from 1 p.m. until 9 p.m. - a "come and go" affair. The quilts are used as comfort quilts for children who are premature, born with HIV virus, addicted to drugs, alcohol syndrome, and all children born with at-risk conditions. Some of the quilts are kept here for local use, and Mrs. Lucky will take the others to distribute according to the needs that come to her attention
Susan will be giving the UMW program at St. Paul's on Jan. 14. Lunch reservations should be made with the church office, and the meeting will begin at 9:30 a.m.
Supplies needed are fabric (cotton or cotton/poly blend, pre-washed in one yard or one and an eighth yard pieces); thread, all colors, tapestry needles, scissors, pins, tape measures, Rotary mats and Roller Cutters, sewing machine and sergers.
A reminder will be published closer to the 30th, it was noted.
Mrs. Beth Wright will be the featured speaker at the First United Methodist Women's Unit meeting on Thursday, Jan. 16. Grace Collins and Judy Fields will be coordinators of this meeting, that will, for the first time, be held in the newly renovated Fellowship Hall at 1 p.m., First United Methodist Church.
Mrs. Wright is a member of the Albright United Methodist Women and is the wife of the church minister at Albright, Dr. Kip Wright.
Mrs. Wright has chosen "The Beginnings" as the title of her program, in which, from the scripture in Jeremiah 29:11, "I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord ... to give you a future and a hope," she will illustrate how she is pursuing opportunities to serve as a result of her health problems.
Sometimes it takes a rededication service to make a point, and that's exactly what happened at the "new" United Methodist Church in Renfrow last Sunday.
It was another high moment in the 103-year history of the church which has served as a beacon for the Grant County countryside these many years. The Rev. Jim Taylor, who has served as pastor to the congregation for the past eight years, said the church is the only public building for use between Medford and Caldwell in one direction and Wakita and Braman in another across the Grant County countryside.
The Renfrow church was given a thorough face-lift and refurbishing recently.
It came about during the summer of 1995, when Oklahoma City's KWTV (Channel 9) decided to do a special series of reports on the effects of the drought on north central Oklahoma ... especially the effect of the persistent dust storms. They brought their camera to Renfrow UMC and captured several dramatic shots of the congregation at worship in a church which couldn't be kept clean and where a lot of fixing-up was needed.
Among the people who viewed the KWTV series were several members of the Harmony Class, an adult Sunday School Class at Blackwell's United Methodist Church. They felt the call to take up this hands-on project and over the course of several weeks during the summer of 1996, more than 60 members of the Blackwell church made the trip to Renfrow, and reworked the facility from top to bottom.
It wasn't only the church members who benefited from the work - the building, being the only usable public building in north central Grant County, also serves as a voting place and the site of other community and family gatherings.
The celebration last Sunday recognized especially the hard work of the Harmony Class of the Blackwell church, pointing up the inspiration and leadership of Gene Holcomb and Kelly Woods, who led the effort.
The rededication itself was incorporated into the 11 a.m. worship last Sunday, under the leadership of the pastor and Dr. Stan Warfield, superintendent of the denomination's Enid District.
Dave Martin, an evangelist from Tulsa, is returning to the Word of Life Christian Center to minister to the people of Ponca City and its surrounding area. For the past six months, Dave has been preaching at Word of Life during its revival.
God has used Dave around the world to bring revival with an outpouring of God's love. Do you find yourself in need of healing - whether it be physical, spiritual, or even emotional? Please come and trust God to meet you where you're at, Pastor Bob Innis urges. Come expecting to leave a changed person.
You can trust God to be a friend who will never leave you, Innis points out. Pray about the good things God has planned for your life and consider fellowshipping with Word of Life and with Christ.
A nursery will be provided.
Word of Life Christian Center is located at 3401 North Union.
This Sunday morning, Jan. 12, Woodlands Christian Church will include a Service of Installation for the 1997 Officers and Members of the Official Board of Woodlands Christian Church. This service includes trustees, elders, diaconate, associate diaconate, according to the senior minister, the Rev. Paul M. Krueger. The nine functional committee chairmen and their vice-chairmen will also be recognized.
Officers of the 1997 official board are: John Garrison, chairman; Lynda Fox, vice chairman; John Merle, treasurer; Sheila Petersen, financial accountant and Linda Watson, secretary.
Serving on the 1997 Functional Committee as chairmen and vice-chairmen are Hank Kruckeberg and Terry Watson, Christian Education; Joquita Wallen and Jill Dale, Worship; Mary Ann Lincoln and Barbara O'Kelley, World Outreach; Verna Bateman and Chris Rupert, Stewardship; Patty Ladd and Richard Himbury, Evangelism; Tommy Smith, Calvin Case and Jeff O'Kelley, Property; Carolyn Kempenich and Leslie Hoover, Membership and Margaret Hosman, Personnel.
First Christian Church will formally dedicate their new sanctuary piano to the worship of God, given by Paul Bunch in memory of Betty Bunch, at the 10:40 a.m. worship this Sunday.
Mark the calendar now for a piano recital on May 16 at 3 p.m. when Carolyn Hook will offer a full program to celebrate the gift of piano music.
These past few months saw the passing of two of the world's spiritual leaders. One was Henri Nouwen, beloved author and teacher in spiritual formation. His writings have meant much to me, especially his reflections while in Latin America. While in Bolivia, he wrote, "Instead of saying, 'Nothing matters any more, since I know that God exists,' the converted person says, 'All is now clothed in divine light and therefore nothing can be unimportant,'" Nouwen saw God in the unnoticed.
The other loss was Joseph Bernardin, Archbishop of Chicago. For years I have read of his simple, inclusive ministry to persons of all faiths. "I am Joseph, your brother, he would say. Upon the death of Bernardin, Rabbi Herman Schaalman said to him, "He was inside with his outside, outside with his inside, which is rare." Between the time of his diagnosis as terminal and his death, Bernardin developed a personal parish of 600 other persons who were terminal. He visited, wrote, and called them as long as he was able. He gave life in his dying.
During the season of Epiphany, we celebrate the revealing of Jesus Christ in his baptism and in the coming of the Wise Men. I am thankful for those lives of devotion that continue to reveal Jesus Christ today.
Dr. Kip Wright, pastor
Albright United Methodist
LIFESTYLES
Members of Eta Zeta chapter of Beta Sigma Phi sorority will meet Jan. 14 at the home of Kelli Boone.
Twelve members of the chapter met Dec. 11 at the home of Mary Stolhand with Krista Harbeson, president, conducting the business meeting. Cynthia Wilson read the minutes and Peggy Peters gave the treasurer's report.
The City Council report was presented by Ms. Harbeson and Kelly Trotter. They announced plans for the Valentine Dance scheduled for Feb. 15. Beth Downs reported on the service project. Announcement was also made that Julie Keller was doing the sewing for the ways-n-means shirts.
Highlighting the meeting was a Christmas dinner and secret sister gift
exchange.
SPORTS
BY DAVID BROWN
News Associate Sports Editor
ADA - The first round of the East Central University Invitational Tournament featured an excellent win by the Ponca City Wildcats and a disappointing loss by the Lady Wildcats.
Both teams opened against Broken Bow Thursday in the Kerr Activities Center on the campus of East Central University. The girls played first and lost 53-46. The Wildcats took the floor next and downed the Savages 50-41 for their second straight win after an 0-4 start.
In the boys' game, the Cats pulled away from a tight 18-17 halftime lead by outscoring Broken Bow 14-6 in the third period. Junior post Ryan Treadway scored 7 of his 15 points in the quarter.
During Ponca's commanding eight-minute stretch, the Cats were 5-for-11 from the field and 7-for-9 from the free throw line. Meanwhile, Po-Hi's defense held Broken Bow to 2 of 9 shooting from the floor. The Savages hurt themselves further by making just 2 of 6 free throws in the quarter.
Ponca City took a 32-23 lead into the fourth but Broken Bow went on a 6-2 mini run to pull within 34-29 with 6:30 remaining. Junior guard Micha Alexander then hit a clutch three-pointer but Broken Bow came back and answered with a two-pointer.
The Poncans then made a decisive 5-0 run as Treadway scored on a follow-shot, junior forward Wesley Swygert scored an inside bucket off the glass and senior guard Andy Parsons made a free throw for a 42-31 advantage with 4:07 left.
Broken Bow never got the Ponca City lead under six points the rest of the way as the Cats took care of business from the free throw line, connecting on 7 of 9 in the fourth quarter and 17-for-22 in the game.
Parsons had another fine game with a team-high 16 points and his handling of the relentless Broken Bow defensive pressure was also a key to Po-Hi's success.
"We talked at halftime about their halfcourt pressure and what to do with the ball. We needed more patience, more movement away from the ball and we needed the ball in Andy's hands. They couldn't guard him," head coach Ken Chronister said afterwards.
Swygert also played a big role in the team's win with his strong rebounding under the boards and he had good scoring, too, with 10 points. Swygert scored 4 points in the first quarter when he grabbed all four of his offensive rebounds.
Alexander finished with 5 points, Sawyer Blackburn 2 and Ryan Meyer 2.
Senior guard Rickey Young led the Savages with 17 points but was the only Broken Bow player in double figures.
The game got off to a slow start as neither team shot well early. The lead switched hands five times before Swygert and Treadway teamed up for a pair of baskets that put Po-Hi up 9-6. The Poncans never trailed again.
Po-Hi led 11-8 after one and maintained a slim lead throughout the second quarter, taking an 18-17 lead into the half.
The final statistics showed the Cats making 16 of 40 field goal attempts (40 percent) and 17 of 22 free throws (77.3) with 17 turnovers.
Broken Bow was 15 of 47 from the field (31.9 percent) and 9 of 17 from the line (52.9) with 14 turnovers.
The Wildcats now advance to tonight's semifinal game at 8:20 against the Ada-Atoka winner and are assured of playing a third tournament game Saturday at either 4:15 for third or 7:15 for the championship.
The Lady Cats must win today's 1:40 game against either 5A No. 2 Ada or 4A No. 8 Atoka to stay alive in the tourney. A win would put the Lady Cats into the fifth-place game Saturday at noon. A second loss would end the Po-Hi girls' tournament run.
"I thought we came out sluggish," said Lady Wildcat head coach Larry Rehl of his squad, which trailed 13-8 after one quarter of play and 26-18 at the half to Broken Bow. "We didn't really have the intensity we needed and we made a lot of errors."
Broken Bow went on to outscore the Lady Cats 14-11 in the third period for a 40-29 advantage and then weathered Ponca City's fourth quarter charge.
The Lady Cats closed the gap to 44-37 with 3:11 left and then scored five points in 18 seconds to get within four at 46-42 with 2:03 still left on the clock.
Ponca City's deficit was still four, 48-44, with 1:10 to go after a Desiree Cries For Ribs bucket but Po-Hi turned the ball over three times in the last 56 seconds and the Lady Savages made three free throws and a late layup to account for the final seven-point margin.
"We just had too many poor decisions, too many turnovers and too poor of free throw shooting. The same things that cost us our other losses," said Rehl. "We fought back but we've got to do that sooner."
Senior 6-3 post Lyndsey Warrior, who had a huge height advantage over Broken Bow which had just one player 5-10 and two 5-9 girls, led the Poncans with 21 points. Cries For Ribs had 9, Tee West and Keesha West added 5 points each, Tiffani Essary had 4 and Natasha Anderson 2 points.
Broken Bow was led by freshman guard Tonia Wesley with 22 points. Wesley had 18 of Broken Bow's 26 first-half points.
The Lady Cats, are now 1-4 on the season.
TONKAWA - It had been over a month since the Northern Oklahoma College Mavericks had taken to the court in anger.
NOC coach Mick Wieberg was anxious to see how his team would respond to getting back into the grind as they aim toward the vital Bi-State Conference play.
He found out quickly as the Mavs took it to the Oklahoma Christian University JVs early and never let up, pounding the visitors 79-39 in the Foster-Piper Fieldhouse Thursday.
"We led for start to finish and played well," Weiberg said, "Especially on the defensive end as the score shows. This is a great way to get back into the season. We got a chance to play a lot of people."
A total of 12 NOC players reached the scorebook in the game as the Mavericks vaulted to a 39-33 halftime lead.
DeShawn Denson paced the Mavs scoring with 18 points while Blake Sonne had 10. They were the only NOC players in double figures.
Rick Whitfield added 8 points, Mark Passley 6 and Cory Campbell each had 7, Kyle Dean had 6, Brian Stevens and Steve Lookout had 5 apiece while Joe Padmon and Cauncey Webb each had 4. Jared Weiberg 3 and Eric Hurst 2.
"This is a good way to get the second part of the season started." Weiberg said. "We have four more non-conferece game before we start conference play.
"The conference is tough there are going to be some exciting games."
The Mavericks play at Westark on Saturday and travel to Connors Monday in two of their longer road trips. The Mavs play Bacone and NEO at home in the final non-conference games.
Ninth Grade Boys 50, Stillwater 32
The Ponca City ninth-grade boys upped their conference record to 4-0 with a 50-32 romp over Stillwater here Thursday. It was the second win by the frosh over Stillwater.
Barry Chance and Jeff Furnas led the way for the Cougars with 11 points each while Evan Rupp and Brett Skaggs each chipped in with 8. Wes Crosson had 6 points.
Rounding out the scoring were Blake Geubelle, Greg Dewberry and Ricky Lee with 2 each.
Coach Keith Chronister said, "This was probably our best overall effort of the year. They were just tenacious on defense. I'm very proud of the way they played."
The Cougars had a narrow 9-8 lead at the end of the first quarter but poured in 19 points in the second period to go up 28-15 at halftime. Ponca City extended the lead to 39-23 going into the final frame and outscored Stillwater 11-8 the rest of the way.
Next outing for the Cougars will be Jan. 20 when they host Arkansas City.
(Note: A line in Wednesday's News incorrectly said that Stillwater had beaten the Cougars earlier this year. This was the second win of the season for the Ponca City ninth graders over Stillwater.)
Stillwater 33, Ninth Grade Girls 31
STILLWATER - Stillwater got off the last shot and as a result collected a 33-31 win over Ponca City's ninth grade girls in a see-saw battle here Thursday.
"It's hard to win in Stillwater," Ponca City coach Lila McCracken said. "The girls got off to a slow start. It took about half of the first period for us to get in our basketball mode.
"But we caught up in the second half and actually went in front a couple of times. The lead went back and forth several times in the final minutes.
Laura Sudbury paced the Ponca City scoring with 14 points. "She had a great game, both on offense and defense," her coach said.
Mea Alexander added 7 points while Alana Smith had 4 and Claire Winterrowd and Brooke Hines each had 3.
"The score was tied at 31 with about 7 seconds left," McCracken recalled. "Laura got off a good shot, it just didn't go in. Then Stillwater came down, got off a weird shots, but it went in."
The ninth grade girls are scheduled to play Ark City here on Jan. 20.
Ninth Grade JV Boys 55, Stillwater 29
Ponca City's ninth grade boys' JV team exploded for 21 points in the first quarter en route to a 55-239 win over Stillwater here Thursday.
The JV Cougars led 28-18 a halftime and sprinted in for the win.
Ricky Lee paced the Ponca City scoring with 18 points as 12 players got on the scoreboard. Matt Morris and Todd Stewart each had 7 points, Greg Dewberry had 6, Arthur Vrioste 3 and Kyle Lindsey. Fred Scholey, Jacob Daniel, Derek Schneider , Lance Linthcum, Paul Wilcoxin and Bilah Agha all had 2 each.
The win took some of the sting out of a 49-25 loss to Enid Waller in Enid Tuesday.
Ninth Grade Girls JV 27, Stillwater 12
STILLWATER - Ponca City's ninth grade JV girls used a strong pressure defense to beat Stillwater 27-12 here Thursday,
Gena Osborn had 13 points, Heather Herard 10 and Amanda Cobb 4.
The girls are slated to play Blackwell here on Jan. 20.
Eighth Grade Red Girls 28, OC Hoover 26.
Ponca City's eighth grade Red girls held off a late charge by Oklahoma City Hoover for a 28-26 win in the Edmond Central Tournament Thursday.
The Ponca Citians return to the tournament action tonight, playing either Edmond Central or Norman Irving.
The Red girls led 14-7 at halftime and held a 21-13 edge entering the fourth period.
Jena Birdsong led the Ponca City scoring with 12 points while Jacee Shepard had 7, Cara Cusick 4, Abby Roth 2, Kendra Love 2 and Lindsi Frederick 1.