From The Pages Of The Ponca City News, Wednesday,
January 14, 1998
LOCAL
Carnegie Fund Helped Build Library
Weevil Eradication Director Named
'Womanless' Comedy Set
Artist's Oil Painting Gets Purchase Award
Christian Artists Plan Enid Concert
Area Calendar
Bluestem Girl Scouts Have Busy Month
Slippery Going
Freezing Drizzle Ices State Roads
Nearly News
PTC Board Renews Downey's Contract
Editorial
Letters
Getting Child Social Security Card Beginning of Valuable Protection
County GOP Will Hear Candidates
Emergency Sirens To Sound Thursday
DEATHS
Thomasine Elizabeth Moore
Obituaries
Thomas Andrew Martin
Margaret Louise Felsenthal
Services Pending
Ruth Lawson
Funerals
Cecil O. Woods Sr.
NEWS BRIEFS
LIFESTYLES
Marquetta Brown Addresses Unit II About CC Group
Couple To Marry Thursday
Eta Delta Tours Sykes Facility
Little News
Trish Dilbeck Rho Chapter Queen
SPORTS
Sandites Feast On Wildcats
Matmen Win District
Lady Cats Just Not Hot Enough
Lady Cats Get First Dual Win
Billings Girls Trip Frontier, But Boys Win
Lady Cat JVs Win, 52-42
PC Kids Wrestling
Fishing Rules For 1998 Set
Eagle Tours Set
By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE
News Staff Writer
Ponca City's construction of "a real library" was in 1908 and was built with assistance of the Carnegie Library Fund. The Andrew Carnegie legacy provided construction funds for 1,679 public libraries across the country.
Many of these towns had no public library before the Carnegie Foundation came to the rescue. However Ponca City did have a start on a library service before the Carnegie grant.
Twentieth Century Club
The actual beginning of the Ponca City Library happened in 1904, when a group of Ponca City ladies, members of the Twentieth Century Club, formed a book exchange.
The idea was for each of the members to buy a book and then the books were to be exchanged with every other member of the club.
Some time later each member purchased several books, and the insurance office of H.C. R. Brodboll in the downtown area was the repository, where these books could be checked out by other members.
As others of the townspeople began to show an interest the members extended the lending of books to others. The book supply was funded by Library teas, with the funds going in to buy new books.
Later the club began a drive for funds to build a public library. The club raised $700, which was used to buy the lots on Grand Avenue, where the library still stands.
Andrew Carnegie provided a $6,500 grant in 1908 for the construction of a library for the community after being contacted by Mrs. W.T. Oates as requested by club president Mrs. W.E. Scott. When the building was constructed eight decades ago, it followed basic construction of other Andrew Carnegie libraries in towns of about the same population as Ponca City.
Twentieth Century Club donated 500 books to the new Carnegie Library named after Margaret Lutterlock, first city librarian. Circulation grew with the growth of the city and by 1910 over 2,000 books had been amassed.
By 1920 there were some 500 volumes being loaned and the library was bulging. The town and reading public had begun to outgrow the Carnegie building.
Fourteen years later Ponca City got a $100,000 matching grant from the Federal Public Works Administration's building program. The matching grant was provided with a voter approved bond issue.
March on City Hall
A similar bond issue for the new library failed by 36 votes. But in 1933, another woman's group representing every active civic group in Ponca City paraded down Grand Avenue to meet with the City Commission.
At that meeting they presented petitions signed by hundreds of people to ask the Commission to apply for a Public Works Administration government loan of $100,000 for a new library.
After the government loan came through, a Chamber of Commerce Library Committee began planning for the new library. In early 1934 the citizens approved the bond issue match by a two to one vote.
Dan Donahoe headed up the Library Committee and a deal was struck with the E.W. Marland Estate and the City for the site of the new library. The City traded to the Estate the Carnegie Library site at the southwest corner of Fifth and East Grand Avenue for the Estate's land for the new library at the northwest corner of Sixth Street and East Grand Avenue.
Member of the Library Committee in addition to Donahoe were Mrs. O.E. Burris, Mrs. J.K. Cleary, Mrs. Felix Duvall, Mrs. Tom Irby, Walter W. Isle, E.C. Muchmore, Mrs. W.T. Oates and Tom Prentice.
Designed by G.J. Cannon
The Mediterranean buff building was designed by Ponca City architect George J. Cannon. The builder was the Ellis, Nicholson and Cramer Construction firm of Oklahoma City.
The unusual and elaborate terra cotta trim around the windows and portals and two spiral columns with Corinthian capitals supporting the three main entrance arches made the building a book repository of elegant sophistication. The style was also selected to complement the Civic Center, which is faced, across Grand Avenue.
It is interesting to note that Cannon is credited with designing a number of Ponca City buildings, including First Lutheran Church, the Anthony Godance Soldani home that became the Ponca City Art Center, McKinley School, the Community building, St. Mary's School, Roosevelt School and the Methodist Church in old Kaw City and the public schools at Burbank.
Dedication of the 1935 library was a silver jubilee celebration marking a quarter of a century since the public library had its beginnings.
The Last Addition
Fifty years later another interested citizens group got together and compiled a plan to meet the needs of serving the community by expanding the library once more.
The citizens committee developed the plan titled "Strategy for Excellence" - a five-year program was dedicated to complete renovation of the Library and construction of a new 10,000 square foot addition, at an ultimate cost of $1.65 million.
Mayor John Raley appointed a six-member steering committee to develop the plan. The citizen's group was chaired by Dr. Robert Matthews and members were Charles Hollar, Kay Martin, Allan Muchmore, Kent Phipps and Hope Sober.
It was recommended by the citizen's group that the Conoco property west of the library be considered to develop a plan for expanding the public library.
Approved by the City Commission was the authorization of $1.2 million towards the project, $800,000 to be dedicated to the new section and $400,000 to be used for renovation of the older section.
Another $450,000 raised in grants, private gifts and donations was to be used for shelving and other furnishings. This was chaired by Charles Hollar.
A second phase was organized by Tom Robb in 1988. Led by a $100,000 donation from Conoco, the $450,000 goal was exceeded. Other donations came from individuals, families, businesses and foundations. These funds were used to buy interior furnishings for the building project.
Howard and Porch Architects and Engineers of Oklahoma City preserved the architectural style of the original structure with the spiral columns and Corinthian capitals.
To Match Terra Cotta
A unique technique was used to match the original terra cotta work. Craftsmen came to Ponca City from the Kansas City Terra Cotta and Cast Stone Manufacturing company to make molds of the original designs.
Included were the spiral columns at the Fifth Street entrance, window spirals and window sills. There were a total of 955 castings made from the molds and assembled by hand for the unique architectural style.
To match the decorative iron work over the Sixth Street door more duplication was needed. Gregg Ivers, Ivers Welding of Ponca City, made and assisted in installing the transom over the Fifth Street Window.
The wood carvings of the wooden panels over the trio of windows was matched by wood carver and Ponca City dentist John Foster.
LeMonnier Construction Company of Ponca City did the actual building. Renovation of the 1935 section and the building of the new wing took about 18 months. This was completed by April 1989.
By July the new library, office furnishings and book shelves were in place.
Gov. Bellmon Speaker
Speaker for the dedication of the library on Sept. 10, 1989, was Gov. Henry Bellmon. Bellmon, of Billings, twice served as governor of Oklahoma and also as a U.S. Senator.
Jerry Corbin was president of the Ponca City Library Charitable Trust, and welcomed the crowd. Steve Skidmore, was the librarian during the expansion.
An original piece of music composed by Halide Smith, as commissioned by the Friends of the Ponca City Library. The piece was played by the Ponca City High School Brass Choir, directed by Steve Workman.
Art Gallery
The Ponca City Library is more than a library - it is a art gallery as well. The museum houses a collection given by the late Richard Gordon Matzene including an extensive oriental and western art collection, which is worthy of the artistic structure itself.
Matzene was a professional photographer and collected art and upon his death in 1950 the paintings were left to the library. The paintings have basically been left where they were placed by Mrs. Thomas Irby, who was the executor of Matzene's will and also vice president of the Library Board.
According to the library art guide about the collection, "The collection is outstanding. It includes fine Orient art as well as other rare pieces given to the library by such benefactors as oilman Lew Wentz and Mr. and Mrs. Charles Calkins, merchants.
"Beautiful landscapes of the American West by Birger Sandzen and portrait paintings by Nicolai Fechin are deplayed; other well-known Taos School artists are represented as well.
Saylors' Bronze
The main entrance on the west side features a bronze by noted Ponca City sculptor Jo Saylors. The bronze features young children reading together and is named "Through the Eyes of a Child." The bronze was named in a contest won by Amanda Codding of St. Mary's Catholic School.
Services
In addition to reading material for children and adults, including novels, history biographies, paperback books, magazines, newspapers, picture books and easy readers, there are special collections, audio-visual materials and a number of special services.
Special collections include genealogy and family history; Oklahoma Collection; large print books; young adult collection, Oklahoma and out-of-state telephone directories; business reference sources, and the Richard Gordon Matzene Art Collection.
Audio-visual materials include audio and video cassettes, books on cassettes, children's filmstrips and projectors, children's puzzles, toys and games; microfilm of census and area newspaper, typewriters for public use; VCR Player and Monitor; cassette players and headphones and AppIe microcomputer.
Special Services include interlibrary loan service; televised instruction system; book delivery to homebound; state and federal tax forms; adult literacy tutoring; memorial book plan; college catalogs on microfiche; story houses for preschoolers; adult discussion groups and book talks.
Much of the information used here was supplied by booklets published by the Friends of the Library.
The Oklahoma Boll Weevil Eradication Organization has appointed Jerry Coakley its executive director. He assumed that position Jan. 1 and will direct the boll weevil eradication effort from an office in Hobart, said organization president Jerry McKinley of Frederick.
Coakley has operated a pest control consulting business in recent years and previously served as an area entomology specialist for Oklahoma State University Extension Service at Stillwater and Altus. He is native of Hobart and lives in the Navajo School community in Jackson County.
Coakley is a graduate of Southwestern State University and holds a doctorate degree in entomology in boll weevil control from Mississippi State University.
Oklahoma cotton producers approved a statewide referendum for a boll weevil eradication program in October. The boll weevil has been responsible for destroying about 20 percent of Oklahoma's cotton crop each of the past five years, causing a radical decrease in acres planted to cotton. Lost production attributed to boll weevil damage was estimated at more than $10 million in 1996.
Startup funding of $750,000 was appropriated by the 1997 Legislature. Supporters of the program included Oklahoma Speaker of the House Sen. Loyd Benson, Frederick, Sen. Gilmer Capps, Snyder, and Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee Rep. M.C. Leist, Morris. Another $550,000 for the program will be provided by the United States Department of Agriculture.
When fully implemented, the program will pay for boll weevil spraying and eliminate up to 60 percent of all spraying costs borne by cotton producers. Producers have had to invest from $30 to $60 an acre for boll weevil control.
"By such significant cost reduction, raising cotton could be more profitable and again become a major crop for Oklahoma," Coakley said.
When the program begins in the fall of 1998, producers will be assessed a fixed fee based on acreage and production to sustain the program, Coakley said.
Farmers must report their 1998 planted acres to their Farm Service Agency county office so spraying can be scheduled, he said.
"Another decision is how to coordinate with Texas. Producers in counties adjacent to Oklahoma will vote on their referendum in late winter and early spring, and I anticipate they will join us in the eradication program," Coakley said.
The Oklahoma plan includes a spray program to interrupt the reproduction process of the boll weevil in its host cotton boll and a trapping program to monitor weevil populations.
A staff of employees and seasonal workers will carry out the eradication work. Directors of the Oklahoma Boll Weevil Eradication Organization are Jerry McKinley; Leon King, Hydro; Ronald Whittenburg, Canute; Sam Pfenning, Hobart; and Mark Nichols, Altus.
Oklahoma's 3,900 cotton producers harvested 134,000 bales valued at $41,293,440 from about 220,000 acres in 1996.
Proliferation of the boll weevil since statehood has limited Oklahoma's major cotton production from most of the state to about the 10 most arid counties in far southwest Oklahoma. Some cotton also is grown in about 15 other Oklahoma counties, including Kay County.
New production has been started in Oklahoma counties bordering Kansas following the formation last year of a cotton cooperative and installation of a gin at Strother Field, an industrial park between Arkansas City and Winfield, Kan.
KAW CITY - Back by popular demand, the one-act comedy of an all-male cast, will present "A Womanless Wedding," two times at the Kaw City Community Center Jan. 24.
The comedy will be on the stage at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., with tickets available at all Kaw City businesses. Advanced tickets are $5 for adults and $2 for child, while tickets at the door at the time of the performances will be $6 adult and $2.50 for child (6 and under free).
There will also be a bake sale at the play, with all proceeds going to Gus Ehler for medical expenses. There are special features added to the return performance.
L. (Linda) Kent Rous, new Ponca City resident and award winning artist, recently received a purchase award at the Southern Illinois Wildlife and Nature Show in Illinois. The painting, "Mute Reflections," was awarded to the John A. Logan Art Museum for its permanent collection.
Ms. Rous' works are also a part of the permanent collection of the Gus Shafer Art Gallery in Great Bend, Kan. Other commissions and collections where her painting talent is exhibited or has been used in various publications include "Bear" Bryant, Marriott Resort, "Southern Living" magazine, Wurlitzer Organ Co., Pathway International, Penbrooke Publishing and numerous others.
Her works have been published in the "Southwest Art" "Sunshine Artist," "Country Woman," and "Preview" magazines.
Kent-Rous has also presented her works at the Birmingham Museum of art, Fields Galleries, Inc., Wichita Center for the Arts, Ducks Unlimited, Fort Hayes Gallery, Oxford's Old Mill, the Tulsa Zoo and at Art on Broadway, Davey Crockett State Park, North Alabama State Fair, and many others.
Kent-Rous' 25 year free-lance painting career is centered on the awareness of the magnificent working of the circle of life. While pursuing a dream to create and increase an awareness of our natural surroundings, she has stood next to a roaring lion; smelled morning mist that covers the mountains; seen a hawk soar, when released into the air for the first time; tasted pure water from a natural mountain brook, and been awakened by the cry of a cougar on the still night air.
Kent-Rous freely admits that her work is a consuming obsession. She says her palette is limited to the deep rich colors of the Old Masters, painting in the realist tradition both ala prima and grisaille techniques.
Linda says, of her passion to paint the declining natural world, "I do not create; I merely copy the Creator."
Christian recording artists Aaron*Jeoffrey will be in concert Saturday, Feb. 21, with Phillips, Craig & Dean at the Mark Price Arena in Enid. Tickets go on sale Jan. 15 at the Master's Touch and reserved seating will be available at 767-1400. The concert is sponsored by Christian radio KLVV 88.7 FM.
The father-son duo have recently released their third Star Song Records release "The Climb." To 24-year-old Aaron Benward, the image of an upward trek sums up perfectly the message of Aaron*Jeffrey's third album. "As you move up the mountain, you look around the next corner, and you see a place you know you'd like to be," Aaron says. "Or you look around another corner and realize you've been that way before and you don't want to go there again. It's a constant process of growth, of reaching for God."
The inspiration for the title track was gained by Aaron while reading a book by Max Lucado. "He was reminding me that life is a climb, and that so many of us get worn out," he recalls.
Aaron*Jeoffrey's first album was self-titled while their second album was titled "After the Rain." These first two albums contained five No. 1 hits and a "Song of the Year" Dove Award nomination for "He Is." The titles of their number one hits are "Promise Me," "After the Rain," "How Could He Love Me More," "Beyond," and "Heavy on My heart." "Stranger" was Aaron*Jeoffrey's first release from their third album "The Climb," and it just recently became their sixth No. 1 song.
General admission tickets for their concert will be available Jan. 15 at Christian bookstores in Ponca City, Enid, and Stillwater. Tickets for all ages are $10 in advance, $9 for groups of 15 or more, and $12 at the door. Reserved seats are available for $15 at KLVV. Tickets (including reserved seating) can be purchased by mail to KLVV, P.O. Box 14, Ponca City, OK 74602, or by using Visa/MasterCard/Discover from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays at (580) 767-1400.
January 14
January 15
January 16
January 17
January 19
January 22
January 23
January 24
January 25
January 26
January 30
January 31
February 5
February 7
February 9
February 10
February 12
February 19
March 9
March 10
March 17
March 19
March 24
March 31
April 13
April 14
April 16
April 17
June 8
December was a busy month for Bluestem Girl Scouts. The AmeriCorps workers worked with girls at Lincoln, Burbank, White Eagle and Kildare Schools. The Girl Scouts had a Christmas tree on display at the Art Center with decorations from each troop, and participated in the Lighted Christmas Parade and won third place in the Children's Category.
The Council Girl Scouts held a Santa's Workshop during the Christmas break for girls to make gifts for families and friends.
Sherri Kremier's Daisy Troop 27 from First Lutheran School worked on the Girl Scout Promise and had their investiture ceremony. The girls also worked on their Daisy Debut patch.
Diane Bull's Brownie Troop 145 caroled at Broadway Plaza Apartments, and Jeanie Wilson's Brownie Troop 160 and Junior Troop 367 from Roosevelt School worked on rope weaving. They also made decorations for the Girl Scout Christmas tree at the Art Center.
Vina Gowdy's Brownie Troop 164, which meets at First Presbyterian Church, worked on their Secret Pals and Pride in America Patches. These Brownies also worked in their Girl Scout Ways Try-It and had an investiture ceremony. During Christmas break, the girls had a movie and Christmas party, and participated in a food drive.
Sherry Delaney's Union School Brownie Troop 165 worked on their Sounds of Music, Animals, Girl Scout Ways and Numbers and Shapes Try Its. They also worked on their Mystery Pals patch. These girls helped in a food drive, and had an investiture ceremony.
Sheila Foxworthy and Marjie Newman's Brownie Troop 227 of Woodlands and Trout invested a new Brownie. The girls earned their Manners Try It and worked on their Mystery Pals patch. They also celebrated Christmas with a pizza party and attended the Christmas play at the Poncan Theater.
Heather Swinehart's First Lutheran Brownie Troop 272 worked on their Fun Foods Try It and their Secret Pals patch. They went bowling and exchanged gifts for their Christmas party.
Glenda Hisey's Union Junior Troop 359 worked on Science Badges, Mystery Pal patches, and made gifts for Hospice. They made Christmas ornaments from Italy and also made fresh pasta as Christmas gifts for their parents and family.
Angi Jones' Junior Troop of Garfield School worked on their Girl Scouts of USA, Theater, and Horse Lover Badges and Mystery Pal's patch. The girls held their investiture early in December.
Donna Hingtgen's Cadette-Senior Troop 458 worked on High Adventure, Camping and Cadette and Senior Leadership Awards. These girls also worked on their Mystery Pal patch. The Cadette-Seniors were aides at Happy Birthday Daisy at Camp Wah-Shah-She and made table centerpieces for their sponsor, Woodlands Christian Church. These girls also camped and attended the Dutch Oven cooking training.
Beth Ford's Cadette Troop 463 worked on their Child Care Interest Project and attended Program Aid Training at Camp Wah-Shah-She in Bartlesville. The girls camped out and completed the ropes course. They also visited Highland Nursing Home and had a pizza Christmas party.
The Girl Scout cookie sale will start Jan. 31.
PONCA CITIANS and others throughout north central Oklahoma were slipping and sliding this morning as freezing rain and a crust of snow left streets and roadways slick and hazardous. These drivers, led by a Ponca City police car, carefully edge under the West Highland overpass. (News Photo by Michael Kennedy)
From Staff and AP Reports
Below freezing temperatures and freezing drizzle made driving hazardous in northeast Oklahoma early today, prompting a number of multi-car pileups on icy and slick roadways and some school closings.
Ponca City had .3-inch of snow plus ice to make streets slick and hazardous, but school remained open and business continued as usual, if a little more carefully.
''We've been swamped. I'm still swamped,'' said Steve Sullivan, with Simon's Wrecker and Recovery in Stillwater.
Sullivan said he had responded to at least 10 calls between Monday night and Tuesday morning. That compares with an average of two calls on a normal night.
''This is the worst we've seen this winter,'' said Sullivan.
Sullivan said he and the company's other driver took turns responding to numerous calls throughout the night so both could get some sleep.
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol said travel problems seemed to be the worst around the Stillwater area. Troopers were called to several non-injury, multi-car pileups, mostly on icy and slick bridges, overpasses and secondary roads.
The National Weather Service said counties north and west of Tulsa - including Osage, Pawnee, Creek and Okfuskee - were most problematic.
The patrol said that while temperatures are expected to climb above freezing throughout the day, drivers should continue to be cautious.
A handful of schools canceled classes today in northern Oklahoma because the freezing drizzle made driving hazardous.
The News needs to clarify Tuesday's Ponca City Board Meeting story. The story indicated that the old Lincoln Elementary Building, now known as the Lincoln Center which houses the Alternative Education Program, would not be sold. Dr. Bill White, superintendent of Ponca City Schools, was trying to assure students in the Alternative Program that the programs currently offered at the school would continue to be offered through this year, possible even next year. Board members are still entertaining the idea of selling the building. The News apologizes for any confusion.
By KRISTI HAYES
News Education Editor
The contract of Dr. Sally Downey, superintendent of Pioneer Technology Center, was unanimously renewed for three years at Tuesday night's regular board meeting. This motion was made after PTC board members returned from executive session.
Dr. Downey told The News, "I really appreciate having the opportunity to work with this group of professionals, and that's what PTC board members are. To extend my contract for another three years is a tremendous vote of confidence."
Contracts
Several School-to-Work (STW) and other short-term and temporary employment contracts were also approved. The STW contracts are for the building coordinators at each STW site. The money paid to them is a stipend received from federal funding.
Contracts approved were for Diane Crossland, Clint Culver, Sherri Eakins, Sheila Foxworthy, Vicki Gose, Julie Hendren, Debbie Hodges, Kelly Martin, Kay McCarty, Kim Ring, Sue Ann Rodges, Connie Spoon, J. Kim Stephens and Tommy Webb. These contracts will expire on June 30, 1998. The contract amounts range from $500 to $1,250.
Other employment contracts approved were Donna Coates, MAT Training; Kent Enevoldsen, Safety Training and Development; Mary George, GED Preparation Class; Judy Golden, GED Daytime Class at Northern Oklahoma College; Cynthia Greenhagen, Pre-Employment Training at Sykes; Joseph Humble, Pre-Employment Training at Sykes; Darin Johns, Hazwoper Safety Refresher; Susan Powell, Windows 95 Workshop; Kevin Roe, CPR/First Aid; H.L. VanArsdale, CPR/First Aid; and Brenda Wilson, Pre-Employment Training at Sykes.
Other Agenda Items
Board members approved the contract of Barbara Spielbush. She will be the executive secretary for Dr. Downey. Spielbush was also appointed school treasurer for the remainder of the 1997-98 school year.
A nepotism policy was approved. The policy stated that the employment of relatives at PTC may cause serious conflicts and problems with favoritism and employee moral. In addition to claims of partiality in treatment at work, personal conflicts from outside the work environment can be carried into day-to-day working relationships.
For the purpose of the policy, a relative is any person who is related by blood or marriage, and is defined as a father, mother, brother, sister, husband, wife, child, grandparents, grandchildren, mother-in-law, father-in-law, or the spouses of members of the immediate family.
Relatives of persons currently employed by PTC are not eligible for employment. Likewise, PTC will not hire a husband and wife.
Financial Report
In the General Fund, $310,428.19 was collected bring the total amount collected to $2,624,364.36.
PTC had an ending monthly balance of $836,389.83 with a $979,441.91 cash balance.
The next board meeting was scheduled for Feb. 10 at 7 p.m.
Mayor Will Be Missed
Marilyn Andrews' announcement that she will not seek a third term as mayor of Ponca City wasn't exactly a surprise, but it is still received with a measure of disappointment.
Andrews has been a community leader since first becoming a member of the Planning Commission. She steadily marched up the ladder of government leadership as chairman of the Planning Commission, member of the City Commission and, ultimately, in 1991, as mayor.
She has never shirked a challenge, losing an earlier race for mayor in a runoff with Carl Balcer before succeeding him in 1991. She also campaigned for Jim Holt's state House of Representatives seat when he retired.
Along the way Andrews has been a wonderful ambassador for Ponca City and Oklahoma. She was named Oklahoma's Mayor of the Year in 1996.
Her list of boards and accomplishments, both locally and state-wide, is long and impressive.
Her untiring work with church, community and state-wide projects has set a standard that would be difficult for anyone to exceed.
No doubt this is not the end of Andrews' career in public life. There is more than likely a position on a state board that is awaiting her expertise and leadership.
Ponca City has benefited from her leadership and now it is time for this community to share her with the rest of Oklahoma.
Thank you Mayor Andrews, for a job well done.
Reduce Auto Taxes
For many, many years the State of Oklahoma has imposed a very significant excise tax on the purchase of new automobiles in Oklahoma, or a so called "use tax" in lieu of an excise tax on any vehicles purchased in other states and then brought into Oklahoma. This tax has been always been applied to the vehicle's so called "value" as defined by the Oklahoma automobile excise tax statute
Oklahoma defines a vehicle's "value" as the manufacturer's factory delivered price, now called the "sticker price." This is the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) and it has little to do with what the buyer pays or the condition of used vehicles or what the buyer pays for them It is simply the wishful asking price the dealer would like to get and is always subject to negotiation
With rebates up to $2,000 and more being returned to car buyers, their out-of-pocket costs are considerably less than the MSRP yet Oklahoma collects an excise tax based on the higher MSRP, and the vehicle's first owner and all subsequent owners always have to pay a higher annual license tag fee because of Oklahoma's use of an inflated vehicle valuation for the purpose of calculating a higher excise tax, i e. - ripping off the buyer. Our income tax isn't enough.
After many hundreds, perhaps even thousands of Oklahoma legislators have come and gone, one has finally come along who looked at the vehicle excise tax computation scam and said "This is not right." Only one honest legislator with integrity and a sense of ethics Is that not amazing? Legislator Roach is going to submit a bill in 1998 requiring that the new vehicle excise tax (and subsequent annual license fees) be based on the actual sales price and not on the inflated MSRP. It will undoubtedly be voted down because our legislative majority sees no wrong in overtaxing automobile buyers and tag purchasers, because taxwise, it is very expedient. It does not matter that it is completely unethical, immoral and dishonest. Legislative ends always justify the means.
Whomever said "No man's property is safe while the legislature is in session" knew what he was talking about Let us hope that Legislator Roach's honesty and integrity will prevail in 1998
Henry A. Bourne Jr.
Support Defibrillators
A front page article in The News (Sunday, Dec. 14, 1997) praised a group of employees and customers at a local department store for their heroic and spontaneous efforts to help save a 74-year-old heart-attack victim. Their efforts were successful and are to be applauded, and I am sure W. Edmond Wilson is truly thankful.
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a critical skill in aiding to assist in life-threatening situations such as cardiac-arrest and/or heart attack. A skill we should all learn.
Equally as important is the use of the defibrillator, the device which administers the shock to return the heart to a normal rhythm On Feb. 1, 1998, our state legislators will be presented with a bill authored by Rep. Fred Stanley of Madill. This legislation if passed will allow lay persons the opportunity to train and use, when needed, the automatic external defibrillator (AED) Currently such devices are only available to trained medical personnel. The four to eight minute window is a crucial time-frame and a short one. Having this training in the hands of lay persons will help to close the gap on that time-frame which betters the chances of the cardiac victim. What a wonderful opportunity to again help a "neighbor" in a life-threatening situation..
Interested in seeing this legislation pass? Contact your State representatives and senators.
Vicki Graves
Board Member
American Heart Association
Kay County Division
Costly Child Care
I have thought for some time that the decreasing availability and increasing cost of child care was due to increased government regulation. Now the president proposes a big government program to make child care available and affordable. It shouldn't be a surprise that big government would regulate a service until it is costly and then use taxpayer's money to make it available again.
Dave White
By Ron Janzen SSA Field Office Manager
Babies bring with them a lot of responsibilities - that is, new responsibilities for their parents. And getting your child a Social Security number should be near the top of the list. Getting a Social Security number is just the beginning of the valuable protection and benefits your child may be eligible for in the future.
The first occasion the child will have to use the Social Security number is when you must use it on your federal income tax return to identify your baby as a dependent. You'll also need a number for your child if you plan to open a bank account, buy savings bonds, obtain medical coverage, or apply for some kinds of government services for the child. If you don't want to apply for a number at birth, you can wait and get one from Social Security later. The choice is yours.
To get your child a Social Security card and number while the baby is still in the hospital, ask your state's vital statistics office to share the information with the Social Security Administration by checking a block on the birth certificate application form. If you do, your child's Social Security card will be mailed to you. It's that easy.
If you chose to wait, you'll need to visit a Social Security office. When you do, you'll need to bring evidence showing you are the child's parent or legal guardian and your Social Security number. You'll also need evidence of your child's age, identity and citizenship. There is no charge for getting a Social Security card and number.
When you receive your child's Social Security card, keep it in a safe place. If you should lose the child's card, Social Security will replace it free of charge.
The Kay County Republicans will meet on Jan. 19 at 7 p.m. at the Ponca City Public Library Conference Room. Area school board candidates will discuss their perspective races and take questions from the floor.
Incumbent Mike Kruck and Ann Kinsinger are running for Ward 2 position of the Ponca City public school board. Kruck is a 25-year resident of Ponca City. He worked 24 years for Conoco/DuPont before transferring to the Computer Science Corporation, CSC, this past June. Kinsinger is a 29 year resident of Ponca City, and is currently employed at Pioneer Technology Center as the Project Coordinator for Supported Employment, a program which began in July of 1997.
Zane Barham opposes Incumbent Mary Rigdon for the Zone 1 position on the Pioneer Technology Center board. Barham is a graduate of Ponca City schools, and is employed at Conoco where he worked in Downstream Information Systems. Rigdon is a 22-year resident of Kay County, and works at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Ponca City as a registered nurse.
Each candidate will speak briefly about their backgrounds and reasons for running. Following their comments, questions will be taken from the audience. Area voters are encouraged to attend this meeting in order to cast an informed vote on election day, Feb. 10, 1998.
Following the speakers, county business will be discussed.
The testing of the Ponca City emergency siren warning system will be held at noon, every Thursday, according to Tom Montgomery, emergency management operations officer.
The test is scheduled throughout the year.
Montgomery said that in case of inclement weather, the test will be postponed,
and in this case or if additional tests are planned, the public will be
notified by the Ponca City News and the radio stations.
DEATHS
Thomasine Elizabeth Moore died Tuesday, Jan. 13, 1998 at her residence in Fairfax. She was 65.
A Native American Prayer Service will be held at 7 p.m. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church on Thursday, Jan. 15, 1998 and a Rosary will be said at 7 p.m. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church on Friday, Jan. 16, 1998. A Native American Prayer Service will follow. Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 17, 1998 in the Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Fr. Ken Lewis officiating. The body will lie in state at Sacred Heart Church, Fairfax. Burial will be in the Grayhorse Cemetery under the direction of Hunsaker-Wooten Funeral Home, Fairfax.
Thomasine Elizabeth Moore was born Aug. 13, 1932 in Colorado City, Colo., the daughter of Thomas Green Jr. and Mary Elizabeth Osage Green. She was a graduate of Haskell Institute in Lawrence, Kan. and attended Bacone College in Muskogee, Okla. She had been an Indian Education Consultant and ANA Director of Osage Federal Program.
She moved to Fairfax in 1974. She was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church and honorary member of the Native American Church A-WAH-HUN-DA-HA Chapter. She was Osage Tribal Director for the American Indian Exposition.
She enjoyed dancing and traveling, and was well respected within the Indian world and a proud traditional person.
Surviving are two sons, Ted Moore Jr. of St. Paul, Minn. and Randy Charles Moore of Geronimo, Okla.; two daughters, Sydna Vernette Yellowfish of Oklahoma City and Tracey Ann Moore of Fairfax; three sisters, Eunice "Dolly" Lane and Dolores M. Goodeagle, both of Fairfax, and Beverly Rose Brownfield of Burbank; 12 grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, and two sisters.
Thomas "Toby" Andrew Martin, longtime Ponca City resident, died Monday, Jan. 12, 1998 at his home. He was 66.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 15, 1998 at the Trout Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. William Bonee, pastor, St. Luke's Church of the Nazarene officiating. There will not be any visitation at the funeral home.
Thomas Andrew Martin was born March 21, 1931 in Ponca City, a son of Carl Andrew and Lois (Goodman) Martin. He was known as "Tom" by his co-workers and around Ponca City, but had been called "Toby" by his family and friends since he was a small child.
The family moved to Kansas when he was small and he attended school at Winfield and Arkansas City. In 1948 they moved to Newkirk where he attended school. After graduating in 1951 he was drafted into the Marine Corps and was stationed in various places across the country and in Japan. He and Kathleen Keen were married on June 4, 1952 in Ponca City while he was on temporary leave and she then accompanied him on his tour of duty.
After his discharge from the Marines in 1954 the couple moved to Winfield, Kan., where he was a truck driver for Seymores' Trucking and Carl Martin Produce. In 1955 he began to work construction work on the Kansas Turnpike and they moved to Topeka, Kan., that same year. He was employed in construction around Topeka and became a member of the Steamfitters' Local Union No. 767 of Ponca City in 1962. In 1964 the family followed his work to Decatur, Ill., and the following year to Taylorville, Ill.
In June of 1968 they returned to Ponca City and established the present home on McCord Road. Mr. Martin had been employed by many of the area contractors over the years; especially in the Conoco refinery. He retired in 1993. He had also helped manage Martins' Shady Acres Mobile Home Park, east of the city, until it closed in 1996.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and one sister, Carlene Martin. He is survived by his wife, Kathleen, of the home; two sons, Carl Duane Martin and Charles Thomas Martin, both of Ponca City; one sister, Mrs. Keith (Bonnie) Houseman of Ponca City, also four grandchildren, Jennifer, Jeff, Andy and Jake Martin.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Ponca City, 1904 North Union, Suite 103, Ponca City, OK 74601.
paid obituary
Margaret Louise Felsenthal, former Ponca City resident, died Saturday, Jan. 10, 1998 at the Majestic Manor in Fort Collins, Colo. She was 77.
The funeral service will be Thursday, 10 a.m. in the Chapel of the Trout Funeral Home with the Rev. David Clipson, associate pastor, First Presbyterian Church, officiating. Burial will follow in Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery.
Born Aug. 1, 1920 at Geuda Springs, Kan., she was the daughter of William P. and Mamie Miller Sandstrum. At an early age she moved with her family to Ponca City where she attended schools, graduating in 1938.
For a number of years Margaret was employed in the Land Division at Conoco. On Feb. 14, 1954, she married Martin Felsenthal.
Mrs. Felsenthal was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and the International Club. She enjoyed music, dancing, reading and hiking. She had moved to Fort Collins several years ago to be near her family.
She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Howell and Debbie Felsenthal, Fort. Collins and a son, Richard Felsenthal, Houston, Texas; one grandson, Nicholas Felsenthal; two step-grandchildren, Jenni and Zach Newman, Fort Collins; one great-grandson, Calvin Newman, and a sister, Joyce Mitchell, Salida, Colo.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband in 1983, and a sister, Phoebe Sandstrum Hamilton.
paid obituary
Ruth Lawson, longtime Ponca City resident, died Monday evening, Jan. 12, 1998, at Bartlett Memorial Hospital in Sapulpa, Okla. She was 87. The graveside service will be held Friday, Jan. 16, 1998 at 11 a.m. in Odd Fellows Cemetery. Other arrangements are pending with the Trout Funeral Home and will be announced later. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Thursday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Thursday
Cecil O. Woods Sr. - 2 p.m. in Roberts Funeral Home Chapel, Blackwell
with the Rev. Kenneth Romines of Henryetta officiating. Burial in Blackwell
Cemetery.
NEWS BRIEFS
Bingo Night - The Ponca City Site Employees Association (PCSEA, former CEA) will hots the January bingo night Saturday, with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. and play starting at 7 p.m. Theme for the month is "Elvis' Birthday."
Deadwood Dames - The Deadwood Dames will not meet Jan. 15 as planned but will meet Jan. 22 at 11 a.m. at the Golden Corral.
Winter Trail Ride - A Winter Trail Ride is planned by the Newkirk Range Riders for Saturday. Interested riders may meet at noon, four miles east of the Newkirk stop light on River Road, then two miles south. Ride canceled if temperature drops below 40 degrees. For more information call Joe Huffman at 580-362-2568, Quid Coclasure at 580-362-2118 or Deb Jones at 580-767 4579.
False Alarm - At 8:54 a.m. Tuesday a police officer responded to a call reporting smoke coming from a residence in the 100 block of North Fifth Street. The officer reported no fire, only a semi running at that location.
Vandalism - At 9:57 a.m. Tuesday a man in the 2200 block of Joe Street reported that someone had driven through his yard. An officer was assigned.
Theft - At 11:12 a.m. Tuesday a woman in the 500 block of North Ninth Street reported items stolen from her back yard. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Vandalism - At 12:06 p.m. Tuesday a man in the 1000 block of North First Street reported vandalism to his vehicle. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Arrest - Police arrested a 22-year-old woman at 2:15 p.m. Tuesday from the 300 block of Flormable on a Kay County warrant for abuse by a care giver.
Arrest - At 2:19 p.m. Tuesday a woman was arrested on a city warrant for failure to appear.
Window Shot - A woman in the 100 block of South Oak Street advised police at 3:06 p.m. Tuesday that the window of her vehicle had been shot out. A report was taken.
Money Stolen - A woman reported to police at 3:45 p.m. Tuesday that $200 had been stolen from her wallet while she was at lunch at Enrique's, Ponca City Municipal Airport. A report was taken.
Fraud - At 4:31 p.m. Tuesday a man reported to police that some money had been stolen from him. An officer was assigned and a fraud report was taken.
False Alarm - Police responded to an alarm at 6:28 p.m. Tuesday at Ultimate Vibrations, 717 East Hartford Avenue. The burglar was found to be a dog inside the building.
Injury Accident - At 6:44 p.m. Tuesday a two-vehicle accident was reported in the 2600 block of North Union Street. One person was taken by ambulance to St. Joseph Regional Medical Center.
Injury Accident - One person was taken by ambulance to St. Joseph Regional Medical Center after sustaining injuries in an accident at 8:55 p.m. Tuesday four miles west of Waverly Street on Hubbard Road.
Arrest - Police arrested a 36-year-old man at 11:38 p.m. Tuesday for assault and battery.
Road Blocked - Police and the street department were called to Fourteenth Street and Edwards Avenue at 12:46 a.m. Wednesday after police received several calls reporting a semi-truck, unable to get traction, blocking the road. The vehicle was moved.
Attempted Burglary - An attempted burglary report was taken by police at 1:28 a.m. Wednesday after a burglar tried to gain entry into Ronnie's Westbury Market, 2911 North Union Street.
Window Peepers - At 4:01 a.m. Wednesday police received a call
from a man in the 700 block of North Palm Street reporting two juveniles
on bikes peeking into windows. An officer was assigned.
LIFESTYLES
Unit II of the Ponca City Mother's Club met recently in the home of Patti Lundeen with Lela Stewart and Jerri Barnes as co-hostesses. There were 17 members present.
Marquetta Brown was guest speaker and presented a program on the Friends of the Cultural Center and the organization's efforts to preserve it. She said the group was formed to promote an appreciation of local and Oklahoma history and to encourage use of the center by citizens.
Sandy Bishop conducted the business meeting and Ruthellen Summers presented the treasurer's report. The door prize was won by Pat Morahan. Announcement was made that Theresa Bohon will take the paper goods to the Child Development Center. The next meeting of Unit II is scheduled Feb. 6.
Shannon Wood and Denton George will be united in marriage Jan. 15 in the Dallas Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The couple will be honored at a reception Friday, 7-9 p.m., in the Ponca City Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2408 East Hartford. All family and friends are invited to attend the event.
Miss Wood is the daughter of former longtime residents of Ponca City, Audrey and Lawton Wood, now of Houston. She is a 1995 graduate of Ponca City High School and a 1997 graduate of Northern Oklahoma College.
George is the son of Douglas and Linda George of Fort Smith, Ark. A 1994 graduate from high school in Columbus, Ga., he served a two-year mission for the church in Copenhagen, Denmark. The couple will reside in Chickasha where he will continue his education at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma.
Eight members of Eta Delta Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi met Jan. 12 at Sykes Enterprises, Inc. Martin Smith presented an informative program and showed a company video which was followed by a question/answer session. He said Sykes employs 525-550 people and a tour of the facility was conducted.
Sylvia Smith chaired the business meeting. As the January service project the chapter will donate $50 to the Domestic Violence Center. Members were reminded of upcoming City Council events: Valentine's Dance and Founder's Day banquet.
Sylvia Smith won the door prize and the group discussed the Jan. 10 pizza party held at Ponca Bowl. The Jan. 26 meeting will be in the home of Janet Hughes.
Shari and Kevin Adkins, 1813 El Camino, announce the birth of a son at 12:46 a.m. Dec. 31, 1997. He weighed 8-pounds, 3-ounces and was 21-inches long. He has been named Taber James Adkins. His brother, Brannon Adkins, is 6-years-old.
Maternal grandparents are Tom and Sheila Montgomery, Ray and Linda Luis. Paternal grandparents are Jim and Sandy Adkins. Great-grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. Jim Shaw and Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Payne.
----
Shalom Joy McClung is the name Vince and Lesa McClung of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii have selected for their daughter born at 4:33 p.m. Jan. 7, 1998 in Kealakekua, Hawaii. The baby weighed 7-pounds, 3-ounces and was 20-inches long. Her sisters and brother are Aimee, Nissi and Isaac.
Grandparents are Leonard and Judith McClung of Ponca City, Susan Snead of St. Louis, Mo. and Bob Bishop of Plano, Texas. Great-grandparents are Juanita McClung, Hill and Earlene Mowdy, all of Ponca City.
Rho Chapter members of Beta Sigma Phi sorority met Dec. 17 at the home of Diana McKinnis. Carol Nielson, president, presided at the business session and Jan Leach, Recording secretary, called roll and read the minutes. Debbie McClaskey gave the treasurer's report and collected ticket money for the Valentine's Ball at the Elks Lodge.
Chapter members signed up to serve at the Friendship Feast on Dec. 22.
Announcement was made that the Founder's Day banquet would be at 6:30 p.m.
April 21 at the Marland Mansion. Trish Dilbeck was named Rho Chapter Valentine
Queen. Ms. Leach won the Mystery gift and Ms. Dilbeck received the traveling
basket. The group held a secret sister gift exchange and reviewed gifts
brought for a needy family. The next meeting is scheduled Jan. 14, 7 p.m.,
at the Neilson home.
SPORTS
By MATTHEW KOENIG
News Sports Writer
SAND SPRINGS - The Ponca City Wildcats (2-7) ran into a win-starved Charles Page basketball team Tuesday night and became a meal to the ravenous Sandites, 68-59.
Before the game, Ponca City head coach Ron Arthur down- played the Sandites' winless record, and focused instead on their bevy of talented athletes.
And sure enough, the Sandites' run-and-gun offense propelled four of their players into double figures. They also committed just 13 turnovers and went 7-of-10 from 3-point range. Ponca City, meanwhile, was in the rare position of being shut out from 3-point land.
Sand Springs (1-6), after nudging the Poncans out in the first quarter, 19-15, went on a 11-4 run to open the second stanza and opened their lead to 10. The Wildcats, however, came back with their own 10-0 run to tie it up before halftime.
After a big offensive rebound and put-back by Ryan Treadway - followed by 2-for-2 free throws by Blake Geubelle - Tom Engle came up with two acrobatic, driving baskets to tie the score. From there, the Cats and Sandites went neck and neck to the buzzer to close out the first half, 35-35.
Things turned on the Poncans in the third quarter, however. Marc Brown rattled off six straight points for the Sandites, leading his team in a 14-5 run to close the third quarter on top, 49-43.
Into the final stanza, the Cats failed to make any headway. Though they pulled to within four with less than a minute to go on a Alfred Delancy rebound and bucket, it wasn't enough. The Sandites knocked down five of their final six free throws to seal the victory.
Other than 0-for-9 shooting from 3-point land, the Cats also hit on only 11-of-20 from the line. Though they shot well from 2-point range - 24-of-50 - and outrebounded the Sandites 34-16, it wasn't enough to overcome the Sandites' hot shooters.
Micha Alexander, who leads the Cats in scoring, had an off-night, scoring just six points. And other than Treadway, who had a career night with 18 points and nine rebounds, no other Wildcat was in double figures.
Engle, Delancy and Kris Shores all finished with eight points, Ryan Meyer had four, while Scott Larrison, Geubelle, and Jeff Furnas all had two, and Jason Shelton finished with one.
For the Sandites, Brown had 16, Keith Hooks had 12, Lajuan Barber had 11, and Zac Trimble had 14.
The Wildcats will have two days off before taking on Bartlesville in their first home game until Jan. 31.
By FRED HILTON
News Sports Editor
Ponca City's Wildcat wrestlers put an exclamation mark on their qualifying for the Dual State Championships, pinning Edmond Santa Fe, 69-6, before a few brave fans who dared Oklahoma's winter weather Tuesday night at Robson Fieldhouse.
The Wildcats were heavily favored in the dual with the fledgling Timberwolves, but the Cats weren't taking the visitors lightly as they won 10 matches by falls and got a forfeit in another.
Only three matches went the full three periods.
Ponca City will be one of eight Class 5A teams to vie in the Dual State competition Feb. 13-14. It will be their eighth appearance in 10 state tournaments.
"It's been a long time since we had 10 falls in a dual," coach Pat Young said. "The kids wrestled pretty well. To win the district is a pretty big deal."
The Wildcats won their three district matches by an average score of 61-9.
The dual with Santa Fe started well as Ponca City's 103-pounder Phillip Brotherton collected his first varsity win in a 2-0 decision over Greg Jeffries.
That was as close as the matches got.
Following that win, the Cats rolled off five straight falls - four in the first periods - and got a forfeit at 140 to take a commanding 39-0 lead halfway through the dual.
Phillip Gelino started the pins falling at 112 pounds with a 1:25 fall. Josh Bailey got four near falls at 119 before pinning his opponent in 3:06. Willie Ivie took just 51 seconds to get a pin at 125. Mark Dodgen got his in 1:02 at 130, brother Matt took just 58 seconds at 135 and Lorenzo Jones took a forfeit at 140.
Santa Fe finally broke into the win column at 145 as the Wolves Brad Abretski held off Michael Osborn, 11-5.
But the pin parade took over again as Kyle Duren took 1:19 at 152, Toby Redleaf 1:18 at 160, Marciano Villarruel got the quickest fall of the night in 38 seconds at 171 and Jay Bentley took 1:31 at 189.
Santa Fe got its second win at 215 pounds as Greg Bryant edged Nick Steichen 5-2.
But heavyweight Jason Nuerenberg put an appropriate end to the dual with a 3:04 fall.
Santa Fe scored just 18 points in the entire dual as the Cats outmaneuvered the Wolves 14-2 in takedowns, had a 4-0 edge in two-point near falls and an 8-3 margin in three-point near falls.
The Cats go for win No. 7 in their quest for a 10-win dual season Thursday when they host Bartlesville. That will be a sort of double dual with the Ponca City junior high teams joining in. On separate mats, the high school JVs and the junior high JVs will wrestle at 6 with the two varsity teams wrestling at 7.
The Cats will enter the Sapulpa Tournament Friday and Saturday.
Ponca City 69, Edmond Santa Fe 6
103 - Brotherton (PC) d. Jeffries, 2-0
112 - Gelino (PC) p. Presley, 1:25
119 - Bailey (PC) p. Dick, 3:06
125 - Ivie (PC) p. J. Terski, :51
130 - Dodgen (PC) p. Upton, 1:02
135 - Dodgen (PC) p. M. Terski, :58
140 - Jones (PC) fft.
145 - Abretski (SF) d. Osborn, 11-5
152 - Duran (PC) p. Moad, 1:19
160 - Redleaf (PC) p. Harroz, 1:18
171 - Villarruel (PC) p. Marodano, :38
189 - Bentley (PC) p. Cutburth, 1:31
215 - Bryant (SF) d. Steichen, 5-2
275 - Nurenberg (PC) p. Brych, 3:04
How They Scored
Takedowns - Ponca City 14, Santa Fe 2. Escapes - Ponca City 3, Santa Fe 3. Reverses - Ponca City 2, Santa Fe 1. 2-Near Falls - Ponca City 4, Santa Fe 0. 3-Near Falls - Ponca City 8, Santa Fe 3.
Forfeits - Ponca City 1, Santa Fe 0. Falls - Ponca City 10, Santa Fe 0, Decisions - Ponca City 1, Santa Fe 2.
By MATTHEW KOENIG
News Sports Writer
SAND SPRINGS - Though they had their second hottest shooting effort of the season, the Ponca City Lady Wildcats fell to the white-hot shooting Lady Sandites of Charles Page, 60-44, Tuesday night.
With the imminent arrival of her fourth child keeping coach Dana Pulley at home, the Lady Cats went good on 16-of-46 shots for 35 percent, including 11-of-28 shooting from 2-point range.
Though still not up to what they would like, that extra effort was hampered by miserable shooting from the free throw line (7-of-20), and a less-than stellar defense. In fact, the Lady Sandites seemed to walk right through the Poncans' typically iron-clad press.
And once through it, the Lady Sandites connected on an enviable 55 percent of their shots.
Leading by just 24-20 at halftime, the Lady Sandites (3-4) proceeded to outscore the Poncans 19-10 in the third quarter. The Lady Cats (3-6), trailing by 15 leading into the final stanza, then made a 10-0 run that nearly gave them the miracle comeback.
Natasha Anderson got things going with a 3-pointer. Aleena Ames then came through with a number of aggressive plays, nailing a 3-pointer, followed by a steal and a lay-up to bring the Lady Cats back to within seven. After the Lady Sandites failed to convert again, sophomore Alana Smith then got wide open under the basket and cut the lead to just five.
But from there, it was the Lady Sandites turn to run. Capitalizing on four missed free throws by the Lady Cats, the Sandites launched back to a 10 point lead. Though Desiree Cries For Ribs shaved the lead back to seven, briefly, the Lady Sandites proceeded to hit 9-of-10 of their shots from the charity stripe to win the game.
To assistant coach Brad Larimer, it was too little too late. Had the Lady Cats allowed the Lady Sandites less, he says, especially in the third quarter, their own fourth quarter rally would have won the game.
"Our defense just wasn't as good tonight," he said. "There were times we could have done our half-court trap. We weren't anticipating the passing lanes. And when they get a shot off, we have to learn to sprint to the bucket."
Anderson led the way for the Lady Cats with 13 points, followed by Cries For Ribs with 11, Keesha West with six, Ames with five, while Julie Schiltz, Jennifer Caughman, Gina Hile and Smith each had two. Lendsi Boyd finished with one.
Maggie Hall paced the Lady Sandites with 24 points, including eight of their final 11 points. She was followed by Amanda Kelin with 13, and Korie Williams with 12.
After five straight road games, the Lady Cats return home Friday, taking on the Bartlesville Lady Bruins.
Taking on Broken Arrow, the Ponca City Lady Wildcat swim team won their first dual meet of the season, Tuesday, 103-60, while the boys lost a close match to the No. 5 ranked Tigers, 89-85.
The Lady Cats swept all 11 events in the meet. Andra Nuzum and Megan Tomak were both double winners, Tomak taking both the 200 IM (2:47.65) and the 100 free (1:09.99), while Nuzum won in the 200 free (2:27.74) and the 500 free (6:43.81).
Shannon Mersman won the 100 back (1:19.08), Sunita Chahar won the 100 breast (1:27.16), Natashia Copple won the 100 fly (1:34.04), and the Lady Cats came up with a 1-2-3 finish in the 50 free, with Jessica Leung, Mersman and Stauffer coming in at 30.80, 31.59, and 32.28, respectively.
Different permutations of the Lady Cats also placed first in the 400 free, 200 free, and 200 medley relays, coming in at 4:47.28, 2:07.92, and 2:03.62, respectively.
Nuzum was named swimmer of the meet.
"Andra really puts in the work on a daily basis which shows in her swims," said head coach Dave Strah. "And it's nice to get a dual win for these girls. After coming in every day for two hours, it makes all those workouts worth the effort."
For the boys, who are ranked 9th or 10th in the state, the battle could have gone either way, according to Strah.
Standout swimmer Rory Peterson had another dominating performance, winning both the 200 free and the 500 free at 2:10.50 and 5:28.76, respectively.
The Wildcat 200 medley relay team of Chris Kana, Greg Dunham, DJ Nuzum and Peterson also inched by the Tigers' squad by .3 seconds to get the win.
Dunham and Nuzum then got a 1-2 finish in the 200 IM, at 2:33.89 and 2:35.97, respectively, and Kana won the 100 fly at 1:08.08.
Though they were defeated, Strah says it was the best his team has swam all year.
"They came in knowing Broken Arrow was a better team, and almost came out with a win. They're pretty good, and it will be interesting to see how we match up at conference."
The swimmers get wet again in Moore, Jan. 22.
RED ROCK - Frontier's boys hit a hundred again Tuesday but the big news on the night was that the Lady Mustangs lost.
The Frontier's girls' 12-game win streak came to an end as the Lady Bulldogs of Billings bit the previous unbeaten cagers, 58-54.
Frontier held a 35-26 lead at halftime and were still in front 45-43 starting the final stanza when Billings took control, outscoring the home-towners 15-9 down the stretch.
Billings got good balance in its scoring with Brooke Hayton scoring 12 points, Keith Reim, 11 and Nicole Pryor 10.
Frontier countered with 14 points each from Denise Jake and Carolee Bible.
In the boys' game, the Mustangs made sure they would have no trouble advancing to 12-1, blowing to a 64-28 halftime lead en route to a 111-61 win.
Dee Buxton and Jeremiah Regnier paced Frontier with 27 and 23 points, respectively, while Ronnie Bible had 13 points and six rebounds.
Billings' Rupp had 20 points.
Frontier returns to action Friday, still at home, against Mulhall-Orlando.
After a slow start, the Ponca City Lady Cat JV picked up their defense in the second and third quarters to take the lead, and went on to topple the Charles Page Lady Sandite JV, 52-42.
Up just 24-22 at halftime, the Lady Cats' pressure began to take its toll as the Lady Cats (3-3) went on a 20-8 scoring run, and held on through the final stanza to notch the win.
To head coach Brad Larimer, the Lady Cats' defense in the two middle quarters was the key.
"We went to a straight man to man defense after the first quarter and it seemed to work better. They (Sand Springs) were getting too many layups because we weren't getting back quick enough to set up."
Pacing the Lady Cats was Gina Hile with 14 points, Romi Foreman with seven, while Aleena Ames, Lendsi Boyd, Lesley Schieber and Kristl Richardson each had four.
The Lady Cat JV next goes into action in a home game this Friday against Bartlesville
Valley Center Tournament
Div III
58 - Trey Branscum, 1st
Kingfisher Tournament
Div I
49 - Brett Reedy, 1st
49 - Drew Angle, 4th
60 - Andrew Schmauch, 3rd
Div. II
67 - Chas Wilson, 1st
75 - Torran Compala, 2nd
83 - Reno Redleaf, 1st
90 - Justin Kremeier, 2nd
Div. III
90 - Chase Littlecook, 3rd
100 - Bradley Plunk, 1st
100 - Mandell Wehr, 2nd
Div. IV
105 - Dean Utsler, 3rd
110 - Trent Goldsmith, 1st
110 - Ashton Herbert, 3rd
The 1998 Oklahoma Fishing Regulations are now available statewide at sporting goods stores and hunting and fishing license dealers. The 26-page booklets not only list regulations governing fishing in the state, but they also contain fishing tips other helpful information.
The booklet, which for the first time contains advertising, outlines new regulations for 1998 and provides regional listings of lake-specific regulations. A sport fish of Oklahoma chart also is printed in the booklets. The chart covers preferred spawning temperatures and locations, best bait choices and prime feeding times and key fishing areas for common fish species.
All of Oklahoma's state designated trout areas also are outlined in the new regulations. Maps, individual area regulations and trout fishing tips are provided to help anglers enjoy greater success. Lake descriptions and contact information and a list of enclosed fishing docks also are listed in this year's booklets.
Anyone with questions about fishing in Oklahoma or about state fishing regulations should call their local game warden, or call the Department's Fisheries Division at (405) 521-3721.
Winter is officially here, and the new year offers plenty of opportunities for Oklahomans to get outdoors and view bald eagles in their natural habitat, said Jeremy Garrett, natural resources specialist for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.
Two tours are set for Kaw Lake, Jan. 17 and Jan. 24, but there are numerous tours across the state in the next two months. Almost all sites offer guided opportunities, and several offer self-guided chances to see eagles up close. Garrett recommends calling ahead for more information about the site, local weather and current eagle viewing conditions.
The dates, tour sites and contact phone numbers include:
January 17 - Birding over Byron, Wildlife Diversity Program, 405/521-4616
January 17 - Grand Lake O' the Cherokees, Chuck Nickolls, 918/786-2401
January 17 - Kaw Lake Reservoir, Rick Batteiger, 405/624-2992
January 17-18 - Fort Gibson Lake, Jim Harman, 918/478-3920
January 24 - Chickasaw Natl. Rec. Area, Jennifer Lilla, 580/622-3165
January 24 - Kaw Lake Reservoir, Wildlife Diversity Program, 405/521-4616
January 24-25 - Quartz Mountain State Park, Sue Hokanson, 580/563-2238
January 31 - Little River State Park, Julie Tarver, 405/364-7634
February 7 - Chickasaw Natl. Rec. Area, Jennifer Lilla, 580/622-3165
February 7 - Fountainhead State Park, Sue Hughart, 918/689-4607
February 7 - Little River State Park, Julie Tarver, 405/364-7634
February 7 - Tishomingo Wildlife Refuge, Refuge Office, 580/371-2402
February 7-8 - Quartz Mountain State Park, Sue Hokanson, 580/563-2238