From The Pages Of The Ponca City News, Monday, January
5, 1998
LOCAL
Fire Destroys House Today; Clock Cause
Nearly News
Ponca City Jet Fuel Gets Cushing Flight Service Quick Start
Oil and Gas Report
Writing Criterion Reference Test Workshop Set
DEATHS
Francis David Hand
Zeda Elise Fehrenbach
Don Richard Deason
Janice Lenora Smith
Obituaries
Arthur Tolle
Doris Marie Kitchen
Funerals
Alice M. Kindred
Virgia Mae Reust
Services Pending
Linda Jeffries
NEWS BRIEFS
LIFESTYLES
Southside Neighbors Will Present Awards
Eta Zeta Chapter Meets
SPORTS
Monday Evening Quarterback
The interior of a house in the 300 block of South Pine Street was completely destroyed by an early morning fire. All Ponca City Fire units were called to battle the blaze however the wooden structure was quickly engulfed in flames, destroying the inside of the dwelling.
"The inside is completely gutted and the roof is about to cave in," Fireman Billy Bridges said from the scene of the fire.
No one was injured in the blaze but damage was estimated at $15,000. The fire reportedly began in the bedroom at approximately 4:07 a.m. According to Fire Marshal Bill Hargraves the fire was an electrical fire caused by an alarm clock.
Beginning today Young Street between John Street and Jane Street will be closed for several weeks as construction crews make repairs to the street.
By STEVE CLARK
Stillwater NewsPress
STILLWATER (AP) - The gas is cheap, the runway smooth and the coffee is always free, says Cushing Flight Service owner Jim Clements.
Clements, who also recently signed on as Cushing's airport manager, says the FBO (fixed-base operation) he took over in November is ''online and ready to compete.''
He says it offers a quick turnaround time and some of the lowest prices in the state for his British Petroleum aviation gas and jet fuel, which comes from Ponca City.
Business got off to a promising start, he says. It sold around 2,500 gallons of gas during the first week, though he expects things to slow down some with the winter weather. ''If we can make it through winter to the spring, we'll be all right,'' Clements said.
His operation offers a pilot's lounge and conference areas, a courtesy car, day and night operation (he lives on-site and is on call 24 hours a day), hanger space for up to 14 airplanes, and an NDB navigational beacon.
Cushing Airport boasts a paved 5,200 feet long by 100 feet wide north-south runway (37-17) with pilot-controlled lighting. There are also three grass strips, says Clements, adding that some pilots prefer them to pavement.
Although Cushing Flight Service doesn't yet have maintenance facilities, he says help is available if a breakdown does occur.
''I've got access to a loose network of people with different capabilities at the airport and in the area... if you do have a problem, additional services are available,'' he said.
Clements explained that his goal is to expand into a full-service FBO with maintenance and repair capabilities, adding that he has plenty of room for airplane-related business, such as propeller rebuilding or avionics repair.
''There's a lot of existing space for aviation-related companies looking for a good airport between Oklahoma City and Tulsa.''
The cargo carrier Central Air already has a commercial operation at the airport, and fuels its planes at his FBO, he says. Also, Specialty Aviation of Stroud takes its helicopters to the Cushing facility for service.
In addition, Clements said, he gets a lot of business from ''pipeliners'' (pilots hired by a company to fly over and inspect its pipeline), crop dusters, insurance company jets and sometimes even military aircraft.
The Oklahoma Skydiving Center, based at the airport, is a good customer when the weather is nice, he says, and a lot of business comes from weekend sport pilots: those out flying around for the sheer joy of it.
Clements enjoys being among the latter category, he says, at least when he's not working, and likes to punch holes in the sky in a single-engine Cessna 177 he co-owns with two other pilots.
His ability to make a living, and do so while being around airplanes all day, he says is ''a dream come true.''
Clements, a water distribution purchasing agent in Stillwater for 10 years before getting into the aviation business, says he wants to serve the community of Cushing as well as the aviation community.
''We want (the airport) to be more of a front door to the city and community. We're here to serve the people.''
Clements says the City of Cushing is very supportive of the facility, and concerned about where it's going in the future.
He says plans are in the works for a cosmetic overhaul of the airport, including painting, asphalt overlay, and the removal of some old T-hangers.
Cushing Flight Service's regular hours in the winter are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the summer. It is open seven days a week.
''We are here and we are doing business,'' he says, and adds, ''The coffee's always on. If you don't buy our fuel, I don't care. Come on in and tell some war stories.''
Two developmental wells are planned by Hegco-Canada Inc. in Kay County's Tonkawa Field, about one-half mile east of Three Sands.
The wells will be known as the Nos. 1 and 4 Nemaha. They will seek production in the Arbuckle and Layton Formations, respectively, with total depths projected to 4,500 and 3,250 feet.
Section 35-township 25n-range 1w-se-sw and sw-sw, respectively.
The No. 1 State has been recompleted for extended production in the Tonkawa Field, Kay County, two miles west of Three Sands. It showed ability to flow 9,500,000 CF gas per day plus four barrels of oil.
Production is from new perforations at 4,231 to 4,255 feet into the hole.
Gary E. Roth is the operator.
Section 33-township 25n-range 1w-sw-sw.
A new wildcat has been brought on line in Noble County, with Baron Exploration Co. as the operator.
Located 9.7 miles southeast of Perry, the well is designated as the No. 1-34 Duster.
It pumped 12 barrels of oil per day.
The well bottomed at 4,690 feet and will produce from a perforated interval at 4,400 to 4,406 feet into the hole.
Section 34-township 20n-range 1e-nw-se.
At a location 3.1 miles south-southeast of Perry, BEZ Resources Partnership has finaled a new oil producer in Noble County's South Perry Field.
The well is designated as the No. 7 Bezdicek, flowing 1,000,000 CF gas per day plus 12 barrels of oil.
Bottomed at 1,250 feet, the well will produce from perforations at 1,177 to 1,181 feet into the wellbore.
Section 10-township 20n-range 1w-ne-sw.
Geo Engineering Inc. has posted first production data for the No. 2 Kasper, a newly completed gas well in Noble County's South Tonkawa Field, 4.3 miles east of Billings.
The well flowed 50,000 CF gas per day.
Bottomed at 540 feet, the well will produce from perforations at 445 to 477 feet into the hole.
Section 24-township 24n-range 2w-sw-se.
Marbet Partnership has revealed plans to drill a 5,050-ft. developmental well in the Polo Field, Noble County. The operator has designated the venture as the No. 1 Marbet Partnership. Drillsite is 3.2 miles northwest of Perry.
Section 2-township 21n-range 2w-sw-se.
Two developmental wells are planned by Water Oil and Gas Inc. in Noble County's Tonkawa Field, 3.8 miles east of Billings.
The wells will be known as the Nos. 1 and 2 Mary. Both will seek production in the Permian Formation, with total depths projected to 550 and 600 feet, respectively.
Section 25-township 24n-range 2w-sw-nw and nw-nw, respectively.
Drillsite has been staked for the No. 1-6 Frailey, a 570-ft. developmental well in the North Happy Star Field, Noble County. The operation will be located 3.5 miles west-southwest of Three Sands. Barbour Energy Corp. is the operator.
Section 6-township 24n-range 1w-ne-sw.
Halliburton Oil Producing is preparing to conduct a recompletion for extended production in the South Tonkawa Field, Noble County.
The No. 1-25 Morgan is about 3.8 miles east of Billings.
Halliburton will be seeking new pay at a depth of 4,565 feet in the Tonkawa Sand Formation.
Section 25-township 24n-range 2w-nw-nw.
West Bay Exploration Co. has plugged and abandoned an unsuccessful wildcat well in Osage County, 3.8 miles south-southeast of Pearsonis. The well was drilled to total depth of 2,865 feet. It was known as the No. 86-9 West Bay.
Section 9-township 26-range 8-ne-se.
Deeper pay was the target at a re-entry operation in Osage County's Prue Field, 2.2 miles east-northeast of New Prue.
The well is designated as the No. 1-36 Carter with Carter Oil Co. as the operator.
It pumped oil at the rate of three barrels per day and bottomed at 1,925 feet.
Section 33-township 21-range 10-nw.
A new producer has been brought on line in Osage County's Pershing Field, with Marmac Resources Co. as the operator.
Located 2.7 miles northeast of Waynoka, the well is designated as the No. 3 Marmac.
It pumped oil at the rate of 17 barrels per day from the Bartlesville Formation.
The well bottomed at 2,074 feet.
Section 7-township 24-range 10-nw-nw.
Ponca City Public Schools will be offering a Writing Criterion Reference Test (CRT) Workshop on Tuesday from 3:45 to 5 p.m. at the Administration Building, 111 West Grand.
This workshop will address scoring papers with the evaluation guidelines used for the Oklahoma Writing CRT. Samples of ranked papers will be provided. This workshop is for all teachers who are interested in learning about writing assessment in general and assessment of the Oklahoma Writing CRT specifically.
Presenters will be Pat Morris, Title I Coordinator, and Linda Powers,
Curriculum Facilitator. The public is invited to attend this workshop. Registration
must take place by calling Monique Birch at 767-8000, ext. 247.
DEATHS
Francis David "Dave" Hand, Ponca City resident, died Friday, Jan. 2, 1998 at the St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. He was 64.
The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the First Assembly of God Church. The Rev. Dr. Bracy V. Hill will officiate, assisted by the Rev. James Babe Standerfer, pastor of Trinity Baptist Church, Arkansas City, Kan. Burial will be in the Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of the Trout Funeral Home.
Francis David "Dave" Hand was born March 8, 1933 in Marland, the son of Stanley T. and Cordia (Skinner) Hand. He attended Marland Elementary and Ponca City Junior High Schools. At the age of 15, he started his career with Lloyd Bird of Bird Sheet Metal.
In 1962, Hand purchased the business from Mr. Bird and established Francis Hand Roofing. He was a member of the Foursquare Gospel Church. He enjoyed playing the guitar and singing with a gospel band in Kaw City. Francis was known as a very generous man and had helped many friends and family members.
Survivors include, his wife, Cozetta, of the home; three daughters, Frances Y. Dow, of Arkansas City, Kan., Loretta Swain of Kaw City, and Kathy Burries of Ponca City; one son, David Lee Hand of Ponca City; one brother, Charley Hand of Oklahoma City; one sister, Nellie (Hand) Lewis, of Ponca City; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents, three brothers and one sister precede him in death.
Casket bearers will be Scott Burries, Darren Swain, Darrell Hand, Jerry Hand, Kelly Hand, and Jimmy Hand. Honorary casket bearers will be C.L. Casey, Gene DeGraffried, Charlie Hand, Leon Hand, Randy Hand, Bud Jones, J.R. Bales, Jim Owens, James Ray Bales, Ted Mitch, Frank Lewis and Larry Lewis.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Hand's name to the First Assembly of God Church, 1308 Bradley, Ponca City, OK 74601.
The family will be at the home, 2025 North Fourth Street.
BLACKWELL - Zeda Elise Fehrenbach, former Tonkawa/-Blackwell resident died Saturday, Jan. 3, 1998, at the home of her daughter in Oklahoma City. She was 83.
The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, in the McCafferty-Bolick Funeral Home, Blackwell. Dr. John Bartlett, pastor of the Tonkawa First Christian Church, will officiate. Burial will be in the Tonkawa IOOF Cemetery.
Zeda Elise (Looney) Fehrenbach was born June 27, 1914, in Pierce City, Mo., the daughter of Grover Francis and Muriel Jane (Towe) Looney. At the age of five, she moved to Oklahoma and resided in several Oklahoma communities.
She was married to Leo Fehrenbach on April 18, 1935, in Winfield, Kan., and the couple established their home in Blackwell. She moved to Oklahoma City in 1950.
Survivors include one daughter, Toni Owens of Oklahoma City; two sisters, Helen Smith of El Dorado, Kan., and Marie Finning of Branson, Mo.; one brother Edward Looney of Tracey, Calif.; and three grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Leo, on Nov. 13, 1992; her parents; and an infant sister.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Fehrenbach's name to the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Cancer Research, c/o McCafferty-Bolick Funeral Home, 400 East Grand, Tonkawa, OK 74653.
SHIDLER - Don Richard "Dick" Deason, longtime Shidler area resident, died Saturday, Jan. 3, 1998, at a hospital in Marshfield, Wis. He was 66.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 7, 1998, at the Shidler First Christian Church with the Rev. Manny Loveall officiating. Arrangements and cremation are under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home, Pawhuska.
Don Richard "Dick" Deason was born May 8, 1931, in Wewoka, the son of Don Daniel and Gertrude E. (Davis) Deason. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1950-54.
Deason had recently moved to Plover, Wis., where he was employed as a Right-of-Way Agent for Wilbros, Inc. He was an avid fisherman, pilot, golfer, woodworker and storyteller. He attended the Shidler First Christian Church.
Survivors include four daughters, Mrs. Dan (Lesa Belle) Williams of Tulsa, Mrs. Kyle (Tracy Lynn) Shepard of Rose Hill, Kan., and Mrs. Bryan (Tina Marie) Mantz and Mrs. Brady (Patricia Kelly) Goad, both of Newkirk; his mother, Gertrude Smith of Pawhuska; one sister, Peggy Jacques of Shidler; eight grandchildren; and numerous other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his father; one grandson; and his step-father, Tom Smith.
Janice Lenora Smith, longtime Ponca City resident, died Sunday, Jan. 4, 1998, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. She was 76.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, at Trout Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Denny Hook, pastor, Ponca City First United Methodist Church, officiating.
Janice Lenora (Spears) Smith was born Dec. 21, 1921, in Chattaroy, W.Va., the daughter of Andrew J. and Elizabeth (Taylor) Spears. She received a teachers certificate from the Pikeville College, Pikeville, Ky.
In October 1972 she married John H. Smith in Indiana.
Survivors include her husband, John, of the home; one daughter, Salley Hill of California; two sisters, Betty Hall, of Lexington, Ky., and Madge Mullins of Elkhorn City, Ky.; one brother Charles E. Spears of Lexington, Ky.; one niece and three nephews. In addition to her parents, one sister Angeline George preceded her in death.
Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of choice.
NARDIN - Arthur "Bud" Tolle, lifelong Nardin area resident died Saturday, Jan. 3, 1998, at the Hillcrest Manor Nursing Home in Blackwell. He was 84.
The funeral will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Nardin United Methodist Church. The Rev. Charles Hanna, pastor of the church and D.W. Boyd will officiate. Burial will be in Mt. Olive Cemetery in Nardin under the direction of Hackler Funeral Home, Blackwell. Friends may visit at the funeral home on Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and on Wednesday from 8 to 9:30 a.m., then the casket will be closed.
Arthur "Bud" Tolle was born Nov. 10, 1913, on the family farm near Nardin to John and Meta (Reese) Tolle. He attended Nardin School and graduated from Blackwell High School in 1932.
He was married to Wilma Landis on Aug. 18, 1940, and the couple farmed near Blackwell and Nardin until 1989. Tolle served on the Nardin School Board and the Clyde Farmers Coop Board. He was a member of the Nardin United Methodist Church. Bud enjoyed playing golf.
Survivors include his wife, Wilma; three daughters and their husbands Kayleen and Fred Miller of Menlo Park, Calif., Jeanie and Harmon Smith of Wynne, Ark., and Jackie and D.W. Boyd of Blackwell; six grandchildren, Gina Chapman and Mark Simmons of California, J. Harmon and Marilin Smith of Arkansas, and Bex and Blain Boyd of Blackwell; two sisters Hazel Clark and Ica Tolle of Nardin; and one brother Earl Tolle of Nardin. He was preceded in death by his parents and five brothers, Lester, Charlie, Mert, Vernon and an infant.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Tolle's name to the Nardin United Methodist Church Building Fund, c/o Hackler Funeral Home, 301 West Blackwell, Blackwell, OK 74631.
paid obituary
PHOENIX, Ariz. - Doris Marie (Appleman) Kitchen, former resident of Ponca City, died Monday, Dec. 29, 1997, at St. Lukes Hospital in Phoenix, Ariz.
She was born Nov. 6, 1924, in Ralston to Donovan and Effie Appleman, who later moved to Ponca City, where Doris attended school, graduating with the class of 1942.
On March 10, 1946, she was married to Rodney Arthur Kitchen in the former Evangelical Church, now Albright United Methodist Church in Ponca City. They established their home in Cleveland, Ohio, where three sons were born, David, Ronald, and Martin. Another son, Duane was born in Phoenix, Ariz., where Rod worked as a painter and Doris was employed by the Arizona Department of Corporate Commission until retirement.
A memorial service was conducted on Dec. 31, 1997, at the Westcroft Baptist Church in Phoenix, Ariz. Arrangements were under the direction of Brown Colonial Mortuary, Phoenix.
Her happy smile will be missed by her 11 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; her sons and daughters-in-law; her husband Rod; a brother and sister-in law, Don and Joyce Appleman; sisters and husbands, Loraine Appleman Crockett and Bill of Ponca City and Thelma Appleman Michaelson and Leo of Blackwell; and numerous other friends and relatives.
paid obituary
Tuesday
Alice M. Kindred - Funeral will be held at 2 p.m. at Rindt-Erdman Funeral Home in Arkansas City, Kan.. A private graveside service will be held later in the Mt. Hope Cemetery.
Virgia Mae Reust - Funeral to be held graveside at the Lamont (Okla.) Cemetery at 11 a.m. Arrangements are under the direction of Roberts Funeral Home, Blackwell.
Wednesday
Frances Mourine Stover - Funeral to be held at 2 p.m. at the Morrison (Okla.) United Methodist Church. Burial will be in the Masham (Okla.) Cemetery under the direction of Poteet Funeral Home, Pawnee.
Linda Jeffries
Linda Jeffries, Ponca City resident, died Saturday, Jan. 3, 1998 in Wichita, Kan. She was 48. Local survivors include her husband, Bryce, a daughter, Elise, and a son, James, all of the home. The funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Northeast Baptist Church.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Northeast Baptist Church, 2200
North Pecan, Ponca City, OK 74604. The family will be at the home, 2128
Joe Street. Other arrangements will be announced later by Trout Funeral
Home.
NEWS BRIEFS
1963 Class - A planning meeting for the reunion of 1963 Ponca City High School class members has been scheduled. Interested persons are invited to attend the meeting at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Crown and Rose. For more information contact Paula Denson, 765-7169.
Stolen Vehicle - At 7:27 a.m. Saturday a man in the 2100 block of Mary Street reported his vehicle stolen. A report was taken.
Fallen Tree - At 8:27 a.m. Saturday a woman in the 500 block of North Third Street reported a tree that had fallen onto a power line.
Bike Found - At 8:33 a.m. Saturday police found a bicycle in the 400 block of South Second Street.
Disturbance - At 11:12 a.m. Saturday police responded to call from a woman in the 400 block of South Elm Street whom reported juveniles, in the alley, throwing rocks at her dogs.
Break-In - A break-in in the 1000 block of West Highland Avenue was reported to police at noon Saturday. A report was taken.
Vandalism - Extra police patrol was requested at 12:58 p.m. Saturday in the 800 block of North Sunset Street after vandalism to mailboxes was reported.
Grass Fire - Fire units responded to a grass fire at 1:55 p.m. Saturday in the 2000 block of North Fifth Street.
Tires Slashed - Police received a report at 2:17 p.m. Saturday of tires being slashed in the 500 block of North First Street. A report was taken.
False Alarm - At 2:20 p.m. Saturday police received a report of a gas leak in the 1700 block of Sykes Blvd. All units responded to the call however no leak was discovered.
Theft - A man in the 300 block of West Hartford Avenue reported to police at 3:50 p.m. Saturday that his vehicle had been broken into and several items stolen. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Arrest - Police arrested a 37-year-old man at 4:07 p.m. Saturday from the 900 block of North Osage Street for domestic assault and battery.
Theft and Arrest - At 4:50 p.m. Saturday a person at a liquor store in the 700 block of South First Street reported the theft of liquor. Police responded and arrested a 20-year-old woman for petit larceny and two counts of escape and false information.
Bike Found - A woman in the 500 block of South Perry Street reported an abandoned bike to police at 5:23 p.m. Sunday.
Egging - Police were contacted at 7:24 p.m. Saturday by a woman in the 1500 block of East Bradley Avenue reporting that her car was hit by someone throwing eggs from the balcony of a motel.
Grass Fire - At 8:03 p.m. Saturday fire units responded to a grass fire in the alley behind the 400 block of North Pine Street. The fire was extinguished.
Theft - A woman in the 300 block of South Elm Street reported to police at 9:16 p.m. Saturday that a stereo had been stolen last week. A report was taken.
Disturbance - At 9:38 p.m. Saturday police responded to a fight in the 1400 block of West Highland Avenue. A report was taken.
Egging - At 9:19 p.m. Saturday a vehicle in the 2600 block of Ames Avenue was reportedly egged. A report was taken.
Possible Gunshots - At 10:41 p.m. Saturday police received a report of gunshots fired in the 700 block of East Cleveland Avenue. However police were unable to find anything.
Arrest - Police arrested a 38-year-old man at 11:10 p.m. Saturday from the 300 block of South Birch Street for domestic assault and battery.
Beer Theft - Triple T, 425 South Fourteenth Street, reported a 24-pack of beer stolen at 11:44 p.m. Saturday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Vehicle Eggings - At 11:52 p.m. Saturday police were advised that a vehicle at Ames Street and Princeton Avenue had been egged and at 11:54 p.m. Saturday another vehicle at Kingston Road and Princeton Avenue was also reported egged.
Residence Egged - Police received a report at 8:53 a.m. Sunday from a woman in the 1800 block of Yale Avenue reporting that her house had been egged. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Break-In - At 4 p.m. Sunday police received a report that two men had broken into a vacant house in the 1200 block of South Ninth Street. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Window Broken - At 4:57 p.m. Sunday a woman in the 1400 block of West Highland Avenue reported her window broken out of her residence. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Window Broken - A woman in the 3500 block of North Union Street advised police at 5 p.m. Sunday that the window of her vehicle had been broken out. An officer was assigned and located boys nearby who were released to their parents.
Gas Drive-Off - At 8:43 p.m. Sunday police were notified of a gas-drive off amounting to $11 from Conoco, 3305 North Fourteenth Street.
Window Broken - At 10:22 p.m. Sunday a window at Anthony's, 1201 East Prospect Avenue, was reported broken out. An officer was assigned and a destruction of private property report was taken.
Possible Gunshots - A resident in the 100 block of West Hartford Avenue reported gunshots being fired at 10:28 p.m. Sunday. Police responded but did not find anything.
Gas Drive-Off - Sav-A-Trip, 207 East Highland Avenue reported a $7.75 gas drive-off at 10:43 p.m. Sunday.
Accident - An two-vehicle, non-injury accident in the parking lot in the 2100 block of North Fourteenth Street was reported at 10:43 p.m. Sunday. A report was taken.
Attempted Break-In - Police received a call from a resident in
the 1000 block of Kygar Road that reported someone trying to gain entry
into the house through the back yard. An officer was assigned.
LIFESTYLES
Southside Neighbors Christmas Lighting Contest winners will be presented at the Jan. 6 meeting at 7 p.m. at the Conoco Fourth Street Clubhouse. Ben and June Meade were coordinators for the contest which provided awards for three categories: Most Original, Best Theme and Best of Show.
Winning those awards were James and Pearle Roland, 1124 South Ninth, Most Original; Marvin and Alene Corbin, 1018 South Fifth, Best Theme; Dan and Lisa Hermes, 1102 South Eighth, Best of Show.
Named as "Best Lights by Street" were Naomi Crook, South Fourth; Darin Smith, South Fifth; Norman Taylor, South Sixth; Curtis Thornbrugh, South Seventh; Steve Stalcup, South Eighth; James Roland, South Ninth; Clarence Palmer, South Eleventh; Cleo Davis, South Twelfth.
Eta Zeta Chapter members of Beta Sigma Phi sorority met in December at the home of Lori Hambleton. There were 13 members present for the Mystery Dinner and Christmas gift exchange. Debra Bellmard, president, announced the Valentine Dance on Feb. 14 would be held at the Elks Lodge and chapter members would be responsible for setting up tables and decorations.
Kelly Trotter, Social chairperson, announced the January social would
be a shopping trip. Robyn Young, Service chairperson, announced the December
project was the purchase of four Angel tree gifts. The next meeting will
be Jan. 14 in the home of Sherri Bartlett.
SPORTS
By FRED HILTON
News Sports Editor
At the midpoint of the 1997-98 high school season, now might be a good time to take a look back 10 years at what is arguably one of the better athletic classes at Po-Hi - with thanks to reader Bill Hadley.
The 1987-88 season got off on the right foot with the Lady Wildcat softball team, which Hadley points out went on to see, "the coach and nine team members distinguish themselves on college teams."
Coach Phil McSpadden came here from Dewey where he fielded a state championship team and promptly guided the Lady Wildcats to a 27-6 record and a berth in the state tournament.
McSpadden later led Oklahoma City University to a national NAIA title.
The Lady Wildcats lost in the first round of the state tournament but had two All-State selectees and a covey of players who went on to gain college scholarship.
Pauletta Murphy, who became the Lady Wildcats' first and only three-sport All-Stater, pitcher Angie Hadley and shortstop Rene Cline started the Ponca Citians on a roll that saw 14 athletes named to various All-State teams.
In addition to those three, pitcher Debbie Rutherford was named a Region II All-Star.
Hadley, 13-0 in her senior year, signed with NEO and then went to Missouri Southern where she was all-conference and all-region. She led the nation with one walk over 9.5 innings.
Rutherford, 13-7 that year, signed with Cowley County Community College. Cline signed with OCU, later played at NEO where she was a Juco All-Amercian and finished her career at Oklahoma State. Third baseman Amy Adams later became an All-Stater and played at Cowley County while outfielder Jennifer Hughes went on to play for the Air Force Academy.
Three others - Murphy, Keri Burgess and Debbie Carson - went on to gain basketball scholarships.
The Wildcat football team had one of those weird seasons for coach Rusty Benson. The Cats finished 4-6 and missed the playoffs on the tie-breaker, despite having beaten the district's first and second place teams.
However, that team produced All-Staters Tink Collins and Meach Shaw, who played major college football - Collins at OU and Shaw at UCLA.
The boys' cross country team, under coach Hap Young, broke new ground by finishing second in the Frontier Conference, third in the region and for only the second time in 10 years sent an entire team to the state meet.
Keith Castillo finished sixth in the state run, garnering All-State honors.
In basketball, the Lady Cats led the way again. Larry Rehl's 1988-89 team, led by All-Staters Murphy and Regina Rehl along with All-State alternate Mary Beth Robinson, won the regional and area titles before falling to Mustang, 58-52, in the state tournament finals. The cagers were 19-8 on the year.
Murphy signed to play at NOC and then went on to Florida International University. Burgess also played at NOC and Debbie Carson played at NEO and Colorado State. Carson reported played professional basketball in Europe.
The Wildcat basketballers, with Collins and Shaw playing a big role behind All-Stater Derek Wright, finished 17-8 under coach Steve Johnson. Wright played basketball at NOC.
The Wildcat wrestlers had an outstanding season under coach Charlie Gomez. Ranked No. 2 in the state for most of the season, the Cat grapplers won the regional title and then were thwarted in their state title bid by upstart Edmond Memorial.
The Cats crowned two state champions, Jodie Wilson and George Parker, and had three runners-up, Shane Blake, MarkFrame and Justin Thompson. Wilson and Parker both wrestled for Oklahoma State while Blake, Frame and Thompson also got college scholarships.
The Po-Hi swim teams, under coach Steve Ludlow, finished sixth and seventh in the state and produced two All-Staters. Melonie Woods set a slew of school records and went on to win both the 50- and 100-meter freestyle events in the state meet. Steven Strah, brother of current swim coach Dave Strah, won the 200 freestyle title.
Joanne Gustafson was fifth in the state in the 100 butterfly and the 100 back stroke.
The Cats did not fare as well, team-wise, in the spring sports, but had a number of outstanding individual performances.
Murphy collected her third All-State honor, finishing second in the state meet long jump, anchoring the 400-meter relay team to a second place finish and placing sixth in the 100-meter dash.
Brandon Brown, who set a school record twice in the 300-meter hurdles (38.93), was second in the state in that event.
The Lady Wildcat soccer team was ranked No. 3 in the state for most of the season but both the girls' and boys' teams lost early in the playoffs.
The Lady Cats' volleyball team finished third in the Frontier Conference.
In tennis, the girls were second in both the conference and regional meets. Robin Monn went on to win the No. 2 singles crown in the state while Lori Leming was third in the No. 1 singles.
Mike Kreger and Ken Ratliff were eighth in the state No. 1 doubles.
In baseball, the Wildcats struggled most of the season with third baseman Kelly Steward gaining all-conference acknowledgement.
The Po-Hi golf teams finished third and fourth in the conference. The Lady Cats sent Lauri Wilcoxen, Mandy Rameriez and Kelly Green to the state tournament.
Two juniors qualified for the Wildcats, but that was just the beginning
for Craig Poet and Jason Flegler. Both went on to win All-State honors and
play college golf. Poet played on the Canadian Professional Tour last season.