From The Pages Of The Ponca City News, Wednesday,
January 21, 1998
LOCAL
New Details Surface About Old Artwork
Moran Exhibition Planned in Tulsa
Girl Scout Cookie Menu Now Includes Sugar-Free
Money Tree Helps 'Shop With a Cop'
Museum Exhibit Will Salute Spanish-American War Vets
Po-Hi Grad Now Coordinator
Kaw Fest Seeks New Design
Area Calendar
Moderate Economic Growth Predicted for '98
Kaw City Chamber of Commerce Banquet Rewards, 'Rawhide' and Royalty
Marland Estate Activity Indicates Good Year Lies Ahead
Parent/Teacher Conferences Set To Accommodate Working Class
Vandalism Spares No One; Police, Citizens Alike Upset
Native American Panel Goes Over Issues of PTC Students
Health Department Offers Free Screening
Candidates for School Boards Address Issues at GOP Event
Resume Writing Workshop at NOC
DEATHS
Arlene Mary Rademacher
Donald Lee Miller
Services Pending
Essie Marie Myers
Goldie I. Glasgow
Funerals
Lyle F. Chambers
Margie M. McMahon
NEWS BRIEFS
LIFESTYLES
Ponca City Soroptimists Planning County-wide Antique Show, Sale
Ponca City Area Baby Pageants Set in February
Lillie Reagin Honored On 96th Birthday
Preservation Group Seeks Property Listing
Little News
SPORTS
Wildcats' Rally Falls Short, 60-55
Lady Wildcats Give Broken Arrow Scare
Junior High Basketball
Late Rally By Po-Hi JVs Fails
Sophomore Boys Win In Transition
Sophomore Girls Outgun Frontier JVs
Editor's Note: As often happens, newspaper stories flush out more information and that is what has happened with the story on Thomas Moran's "Ponce de Leon in Florida" painting, which once hung in Ponca City's Cultural Center. The last story was published in Midweek on April 2, 1997.
It is timely that this historic information be used now because a showing of Moran's work is slated for February through May at Gilcrease Museum in Tulsa, where the Ponce de Leon painting will be on display.
By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE
News Staff Writer
Ponca Citians will get another opportunity to view the Thomas Moran painting, "Ponce de Leon in Florida," when it is exhibited at the Gilcrease Museum in Tulsa Feb. 8 through May 10.
Now there is more information available about the painting that was housed in Ponca City's Cultural Center, when it was owned by the Paris family.
And there is more information about "The Hunt Scene," which hangs presently at the Cultural Center in the same spot where the Moran painting was displayed from the 1940s to the 1970s.
Lucille Powell, who was chairman of the Indian Museum committee at the time, tells that Dean Krakel, who was the man who handled the sale of the Moran painting when it hung here at the Jay Paris home, saw the painting first when he was working at Gilcrease in Tulsa.
But it wasn't until he was curator at the Cowboy Hall of Fame that the purchase was made.
Krakel came here for a visit when the Pioneer Woman Museum and the Indian Museum hosted the Oklahoma Museum Association's annual meeting.
Arrangements for the meeting were made by Mrs. Powell. At the request of Mrs. Powell, Mrs. Paris had allowed the guests to come and view her Moran paintings. Mrs. Powell had suggested to Mrs. Paris that hosting the event might be helpful to her for selling the home to the City of Ponca City, if the Oklahoma Museum Association could recommend the purchase to the City Commission.
Mrs. Paris agreed and offered to prepare a coffee service for the group. At that time Mrs. Powell also persuaded the Felician Sisters at the Villa (now known as the Marland Mansion) to allow the museum group to see the artistic features of the lower floor, first floor and ballroom at the mansion.
The business minutes of the Museum Association's meeting reflect that the Museum Association endorsed the concept that both properties be saved. This came to fruition, as the City now owns both facilities. But as Powell laments, "We lost the Moran."
Mrs. Powell was an admirer of Moran's work and related that she first learned about Moran paintings when she was 12 years old and was visiting her aunt in Enid. Her aunt told her that Mr. Moran, an artist, had been in Eason Oil Company's office on that day trying to sell some of his paintings
And the aunt said his painting of the Grand Canyon looked exactly like the Grand Canyon and had been her favorite of the paintings he had for sale. Several of Moran's Grand Canyon paintings will also be on display at the Tulsa exhibit.
When the City of Ponca City purchased the historic 22-room home of Mrs. Paris in 1967, she left the Ponce de Leon on loan until it sold about five years later to the Cowboy Hall of Fame.
The Ponce de Leon painting of Moran's hung at the Cowboy Hall of Fame from 1972 to 1997, after being displayed in Ponca City for nearly three decades. The 1878 masterpiece depicted the signing of the peace treaty between Ponce de Leon and the Seminoles in Florida in 1512.
First Sold in 1886
The painting was first purchased in 1886 by Gustav Buek, who owned it for a number of years. The art work later sold at a New York City auction.
Prior to making its way to Oklahoma about 1925 or later, the painting is said to have been purchased by Henry Flagler and hung in the Flagler Ponce De Leon Hotel in Augustine. Another story says it hung in Flagler's Mansion in Palm Beach.
Still later the painting is believed to have been owned by Frank Buttram of Oklahoma City. It was reported that at one time Moran had hoped the work would be sold to Congress to be exhibited in the National U.S. Gallery of Art, but other artists, who were apparently resentful that two of Moran's works had already been purchased, lobbied against the purchase.
It is unclear as to whether the Paris family acquired the painting from Buttram or someone else, but it hung at the Paris home for about 30 years.
Sold to Cowboy Hall of Fame
The Ponce de Leon was sold to the Cowboy Hall of Fame by Mrs. Paris in 1972 for a reported $200,000, but this figure was never confirmed. The painting was on display at the Cowboy Hall of Fame for 25 years until coming home to Florida at the Cummer Museum and Arts Gardens in Jacksonville, Fla. a year ago at a price tag of $2 million.
The $2 million was provided in gifts from the Frederick H. Schultz Family and the Barnett Banks of Florida.
The painting is on loan to the National Museum of Art in Washington D.C. from the Cummer Museum. After the tour in Tulsa and Seattle it will return to the Florida museum presumably for permanent display.
Cummer Museum was not the first Florida institution to be interested in Ponce de Leon, as a news story with the headline "Famous Florida Painting To be Placed in Capitol" indicates. The news story said that it would be placed in the capitol at Tallahassee.
The story said further, "Gov. Spessard Holland has accepted the tender of the well-known historic landscape Ponce de Leon Treating with the Indians." However the deal with the state was never completed according to a note written by Mrs. Jessie Paris.
"The Hunt Scene"
As to the Hunt Scene painting, George Marland, adopted son of E.W. Marland, had loaned the Randel Dovey Hunt Scene to Nan Sheets, director of the Oklahoma City Art Museum. (The April 2, 1997, story inaccurately reported it was rescued from the Oklahoma Historical Society.)
It was Mrs. Ivan Williams who was in charge of the volunteers at the Indian Museum who talked with George Marland and learned where the painting was. When he wrote Nan Sheets to tell her that Ponca City could have it, Sheets was reluctant to give it up.
However, Leon Nelson, former city manager, was persistant, and got the historic painting back for Ponca City.
The Hunt Scene, which had been on display at the museum for a time, had been removed and was in storage in the basement of the Oklahoma Museum of Art. The canvas had been rolled up and the frame taken apart.
After its return to Ponca City the Hunt Scene - or "The Fox Hunt" as it is sometimes known - hung in the west room of Hutchins Memorial, where the City Commission later met until the Safety Center was built.
Later the painting would be moved to the library of the Cultural Center, where the Thomas Moran "Ponce de Leon" painting had hung for many years. That room reportedly had been remodeled to accommodate the Moran painting.
It is appropriate that the hunt scene hangs there as the Cultural Center was the first home built in Ponca City for E.W. Marland. The home was built in 1916.
Marland often hosted fox hunts at his second home, the Marland Mansion on the Marland Estate on Monument Road. In its heydey (the 1920s) the Marland Estate boasted stables, a hound master and all the trimmings needed for the sport. Breakfast for the hunters was often held in lower level of the mansion.
The Cultural Center was built for Marland and his first wife Mary Virginia. In the late 1920s, the Marland Mansion was constructed for Marland and his second wife, Lydie.
According to a story in the Feb. 1, 1993, Ponca City News, a caller, who reportedly knew Nancy Sheets of the Oklahoma Museum of Art, reported the Hunt Scene is not a great work of art, by art standards.
Sheets reportedly said something to the effect that the bodies of the people were those of stick people.
But what is important to the people in Ponca City are the heads.
And the heads were the cream of the crop of Ponca City society in those days. Pictured in the painting are Walter Miller Sr., Major Don Henderson, Miss Helen Woodard, George Marland, Mrs. Ida Anthony, Chester Westfall, George Shallenberger, Mrs. George Shallenberger and Mrs. Gwen Moore Nelson.
Also, E.W. Marland, Seward Sheldon, Miss Lydie Marland, Mrs. Harold Osborn, Mrs. John Alcorn, Mrs. Seward Sheldon, IG. Harmon, John K. Cleary, John Hale, Mrs. I.G. Harmon, Miss LaVerne Donahue, Mrs. Dee Donahoe, John Alcorn, Harold Osborn and E. W. Marland's favorite hunting hound.
Ponca Citians will once again have an opportunity to see the famous Ponce de Leon painting that was home here for years.
The Thomas Moran Exhibition, consisting of 120 watercolors and oil paintings from all periods of his career, will be showing Feb. 8 through May 10 at the Gilcrease Museum, 1400 Gilcrease Road, in Tulsa.
According to the Gilcrease brochure, this collection is the first major retrospective of works by the artist, who is considered to be the most influential landscape painter of the American West.
For the first time, three of his best known paintings, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone (1872), Chasm of the Colorado (1873-74) and Mountain of the Holy Cross (1875), will be exhibited together.
Another first will be the showing of Gilcrease Museum's collection of Moran's Yellowstone water colors, known as the Blackmore watercolors, with his compelling field sketches.
Besides the main exhibition, an ancillary show that can be seen only in Tulsa highlights three aspects of Moran's career, selections from his field sketches; a group of etchings and lithographs made between 1879 and 1890, and autobiographical material from the Moran archives at Gilcrease.
The Thomas Moran exhibition has been organized by the National Gallery of Art, in association with Gilcrease Museum. Gilcrease is the exclusive venue for the exhibition in Mid-America, traveling from the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., to Tulsa and finally to the Seattle Art Museum.
The Gilcrease Museum is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Cost of admission to the museum is by donation and the charge for the exhibit is $7.
It's that time of year. Time for communities within Bluestem Girl Scout Council to score their favorite flavors of cookies during the 1998 Annual Girl Scout Cookie Sale. Girls are set to make their way through their neighborhoods and communities from Jan. 30 through March 1.
The theme for this year's sale is "Team Up and Win." Girls aged five to 17, who are involved in the Girl Scout program, are provided the opportunity to be on a winning team by learning about career opportunities, new interests and making friends from all walks of life.
Through the Girl Scout Cookie Sale, girls see teamwork in action as they set both troop and individual goals. The sale also shows girls how to learn and sharpen important business techniques by making decisions, money management skills, communicating with the public and following through on commitment.
Little Brownie Bakers will be supplying the cookies for the sale this year. There will be a total of eight bookies offered, with two new flavors to tempt tastebuds: Striped Chocolate Chip, which is a real chocolate chip and pecan cookie with rich chocolate stripes and bottom coat, as well as the Sugar Free Chalet Creme, which is a lemon flavored creation.
"The new sugar free cookie is a response to a growing demand from health conscious customers and the more than 16 million diabetics who have special dietary requirements," said Sharon Mocabee, Program Specialist for Bluestem Girl Scout Council. "Plus, they taste good," she said.
The six other cookies include: Thin Mints, Samoas, Tagalongs, Do-Si-Dos, Snaps and Trefoil shortbread. The cookies will sell for $2.50 per box and some girls will be selling them direct, having the cookies on hand. Others will take orders and deliver the cookies later.
Girl Scouts who sell cookies receive credit for their efforts and earn "cookie dough," which is a certificate they may use for registration fees, program events and uniform components throughout the year.
They also earn other incentives and each girl receives troop profit per box sold. The troop profit is used for special events and activities planned within the troop setting.
Newkirk Main Street's design committee is making plans for the Main Street Quilt Show to be held on National Quilt Day, March 21.
Two sites - the Newkirk Community Museum and Smith Country banquet room - have been confirmed for the one-day quilt show, and two other sites will be added.
The group said quilting demonstrations may be included.
Citizen's Police Academy (CPA) Alumni and Ponca City Police Department representatives look on as Pixie Rowland presented a "money tree" to Ponca City Police Officer David Hill. The funds for the tree were collected from CPA Alumni during their annual Christmas party. The money was then donated to the Fraternal Order of Police and used as part of the "Shop with a Cop" program.
The 45th Infantry Division Museum in Oklahoma City is preparing an exhibit on Oklahoma's participating in the Spanish American War. Twelve men from Ponca City and Newkirk militia companies became members of the First Regiment of Volunteer Cavalry better known as the Rough Riders that fought in that war.
The 100th anniversary of the beginning of the war will be marked on Feb. 15. On that date a century ago the USS Maine exploded in the Havana Harbor. Americans who had been following the Cuban struggle for independence from Spanish rule had identified it closely with their own war for Independence.
They quickly blamed Spain for the incident. By April 25, President William McKinley had declared war with Spain and Congress authorized the call up of 125,000 volunteers.
The Oklahoma Territory, separate from the Indian Territory, received its quota for an infantry battalion and one cavalry company. The Secretary of War requested that Gov. Cassius Barnes recruit the men out of his existing First Regiment, Oklahoma Natural Guard, so they would need little training to quickly mobilize for war.
The men from this territory formed Company D, the Oklahoma Company of the Rough Riders. They deployed to Cuba and made history at the Battles of Las Guasimus and Santiago. By July 17, Spain surrendered and shortly thereafter the Rough Riders returned victorious to the States.
They received their discharges just five months after they had enlisted and trickled back home to Kay County. The Oklahoma Battalion of the First Territorial Volunteer Infantry did not see any action overseas.
This little-known period of history represents the beginning of Oklahoma's National Guard. Oklahoma has since provided a unit in every war with the exception of the Vietnam War.
The 45th Infantry Division Museum in Oklahoma City is preparing an exhibit on Oklahoma's participation in this war. Coincidentally, Newkirk historian Karen Dye discovered a faded photograph in the Newkirk Museum of 11 men with names on the back which identify them as at least nine of the Rough Riders from Kay County.
Apparently the photograph was taken in Guthrie right after the men enlisted. The names do not correspond to any of the numbers.
They are attorneys Schuyler A. McGinnis and Ira Hill, Starr Wetmore, John T. Brown, Jacob Milt Hayes Jr., William Dick Amrine, Eugene Weitzel, Lawrence Hands and Scott Reay of Newkirk and William L. Tauer of Ponca City. Not mentioned were Professor Orlando G. Palmer, school superintendent, and Elisha Freeman of Ponca City.
Richard Killblane is compiling research on these men for an article and the exhibit in Oklahoma City.
If anyone has any information related to this photograph or the Oklahoma National Guard of this period, please contact Richard Killblane, (580) 762-3731 or Karen Dye, (580) 362-3330.
By KATHY ZEHR
News Staff Writer
Dr. Denise Coldwater, former Ponca City resident and graduate of Ponca City High School, recently joined the staff at Enterprise Square USA, in Oklahoma City. She will be filling the position of program coordinator. Denise is the daughter of G.E. and Joyce Huddleston of Ponca City and granddaughter of Mrs. Ruby Robinson of Pawnee.
According to Will K. Jones, president of the American Citizenship Center, Coldwater, who most recently served as associate director of Education for Oklahoma for the national Rural Entrepreneurship through the Action Learning (REAL) program is an educator with a statewide reputation in excellence.
Jones said, "We are planning a number of bold new American Citizenship Center education programs at Enterprise Square. Dr. Coldwater brings to our team a wide range of experience in the field of entrepreneurial education and in developing interactive programs. We are very pleased with Dr. Coldwater's decision to join our staff," he said.
Dr. Coldwater has developed National Science Foundation programs on science and entrepreneurship for the University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University, Tulsa University and the OU Medical Center, directed an interactive television education program for high schools and has conducted teacher institutes at the Black Hills University in South Dakota, according to Barbara Standridge, spokesperson for Enterprise Square.
Dr. Coldwater received her doctorate at La Salle University. She will be moving to Edmond where her sons will be attending Oklahoma Christian University and the Oklahoma Christian Academy.
Enterprise Square, USA is located on the campus of Oklahoma Christian University, 2501 East Memorial Road. Enterprise Square is an educational facility dedicated to increasing understanding and appreciation of the free enterprise system through entertaining interactive exhibits.
For more information about Enterprise Square interested persons may call 405-425-5030.
Kaw Fest officials for the annual Kaw Lake area celebration are seeking a new design for the 1998 Festival T-shirts.
The contest for the new design is open to anyone regardless of age and artistic ability. Submissions should be design ready on white paper - No larger than 10 x 12 inches and no smaller than 5 x 7 inches.
A black and white line drawing should be submitted along with a second sample sheet depicting suggested colors.
A prize of $100 will be awarded to the winner, whose design will appear on the 1998 Kaw Fest T-shirts. Bill Murphy, owner of I-Deal Auto Sales provides the cash award. Entries will be judged by the Kaw Lake Association board members.
All entries are due by Feb. 20, and may be turned in at I-Deal Auto Sales, Fourth and South Avenue, Ponca City or the Chamber of Commerce office at Fifth and Grand in Ponca City; at the Blackwell Chamber of Commerce or at Kay Electric offices in Blackwell; or at the Kaw City Chamber of Commerce office.
The annual Kaw Fest will be held in June at Kaw Lake and includes family-oriented activities designed to attract visitors and area residents to the lake area.
Some activities include the Battle of the Deejays, a fish fry, a beach party, dance contests, competitive dance contests, food booths, prizes, drawings for numerous prizes, and kids games and contests.
For more information about the T-shirt contest call 580-762-3363.
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STILLWATER - The outlook for the Oklahoma economy in 1998 is for continued but more moderate growth, according to predictions made Wednesday by Oklahoma State University economists.
This forecast, part of the OSU's 1998 Oklahoma Economic Outlook report, was presented by Dr. Dan Rickman at conferences in Oklahoma City and Tulsa on Jan. 21. Rickman is professor and OG&E Chair in Regional Economic Analysis at OSU.
The forecast for Oklahoma follows the pattern of the national economy, in which the recent surprisingly strong growth is expected to moderate. "However," Rickman added, "1998 will continue the trend established in the 1990s of Oklahoma employment growing above the national average."
Currently in its 19th year, the Oklahoma Economic Outlook is published by the OSU College of Business Administration. Aimed at Oklahoma decision makers, the annual series presents information on the probable performance of the state's economy in the coming year. The forecasts are based on assumptions regarding national and international economic conditions and an econometric model of the state maintained at OSU with financial support provided by the Oklahoma Tax Commission, the Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce and the Metropolitan Tulsa Chamber of Commerce.
According to the report, Oklahoma employment is expected to grow 2.2 percent in 1998, slightly above the expected growth of 1.9 percent for the nation. This translates into a net increase of 30,000 jobs in Oklahoma, pushing the number of Oklahoma nonagricultural wage and salary jobs over 1.4 million.
Oklahoma City's growth is forecast to slightly exceed that of the state at 2.3 percent, while Tulsa is forecast to have employment growth of 2.9 percent. The continued employment growth will keep unemployment at very low levels.
"With the diminished dependence of the Oklahoma economy on the energy sector, the Oklahoma economy now moves in tandem with the U.S. economy, rather that in the opposite direction. Thus, the slowing of U.S. economic growth trickles down into the Oklahoma economy," Rickman said.
The slowing down of growth can be attributed to two factors, Rickman added. "First, unemployment rates are at their lowest levels in recent history. Combined with only modest labor force growth, low unemployment rates limit hiring by businesses. Second, the current economic difficulties in Asia will contribute to reduced demand for U.S. exports. Also, the decline of Asian currencies will put downward pressure on U.S. producer prices, reducing corporate profits."
"Consumers will benefit from lower prices, and the domestic retail sector may benefit. Yet overall, given continued low inflation and strong domestic demand, the current economic expansion that began in 1991 is expected to continue and become the longest postwar expansion," Rickman added.
The strongest growth will continue to occur in services, particularly business services - a sector which has been registering double-digit growth, Rickman said.
"Though employment declines have been registered in the textiles and apparel industry, overall manufacturing employment will post robust growth. The energy sector is predicted to decline, experiencing slight employment losses."
Given continued employment growth, personal income is forecast to grow 4.8 percent, pushing it above $71 billion. Adjusted for population and inflation, real per capita income is forecast to increase 2.4 percent. This continues to place Oklahoma's real per capita income at 80 percent of that for the nation.
Other components of the Oklahoma Economic Outlook include:
- State tax revenue collections are projected to grow, but again at rates significantly below those of the past two years.
- Growth in Gross State Product, the measure of Oklahoma production in monetary terms, is forecast to grow 4.3 percent.
- Construction employment is forecast to grow 2.1 percent. Future road construction projects will further stimulate construction employment.
- Strong growth in commercial bank loans will continue at 5.9 percent. Growth in commercial bank deposits will lag at 1.6 percent.
- Population growth of 0.6 percent is projected, being influenced by migration of individuals from other states seeking employment in Oklahoma. Low unemployment rates in other states will limit the numbers seeking jobs in the state in the future.
KAW CITY'S CITIZEN OF THE YEAR Bob Collyar (far left) smiles as he is introduced by Kaw City Mayor Artie Hurst during a ceremony at the community's annual Chamber of Commerce banquet Monday. Collyar was also master of ceremonies at the banquet, which spotlighted two western entertainers. Ponca City's Les Gilliam (above left), the "Oklahoma Balladeer," provided a few songs at the invitation of the night's scheduled entertainer, Johnny Western (above right). Western is a singer-songwriter who composed some of the best theme songs for '50s and '60s television cowboy shows - and he's the guy who taught Frankie Laine how to sing the theme song to "Rawhide." Also on hand for the evening were two of 1997's Kaw Lake Queens - Miss Kaw Lake Gabrielle Gardner of Kaw City and Miss Junior Kaw Lake Katie Andrews of Ponca City. (News Photos by Mark Galvin)
By PATTI PFEIFFER
News Staff Writer
Based on what happened last year and what has already happened this year, 1998 is predicted to be a good year for the Marland Mansion, the Marland Estate Commission, the Marland Estate Foundation and the City as a whole.
At the Marland Estate Commission meeting Tuesday evening Director Kathy Adams reported that 1998 is promising to be a year full of events at the Marland Mansion. Adams reported that 81 events were held at either the Mansion or on the grounds in 1997 and as of Jan. 20, 55 events have already been booked at the Mansion and/or grounds.
Four Saturdays Left
"There are only four Saturdays left in the entire year that have not yet been booked," Adams proudly said. "We are expecting a great year."
According to Adams, last year was also a good year for tourism in city. In her director's report, she reported that a total of 30 motor coaches came to the city in November and December for the Festival of Angels and made a $47,000 financial impact on the City.
Also a reported 3,306 volunteer hours were donated at the Mansion in 1997. "And that does not count the volunteer hours involved in Christmas decorating at the Mansion or hours donated for the Gala," Adams said.
Gala Numbers Impressive
The numbers and figures were just as impressive for the 1997 Christmas Gala. The 1996 and 1997 Gala Chairman Sherry Muchmore reported during the fund raising report that the total profit from the Gala had been calculated. The net profit, from the Gala alone, totaled $12,664.57, three times higher this year over last year. An estimated $3,400 from the silent auction has yet to be included.
There was also a significant increase in ticket sales, at 844, there were 100 more tickets sold this year than last year. Muchmore contributes the increased profits to both ticket sales and the proceeds from drink tickets.
Reports were also given by the collections committee, facilities committee, Oil Boom Days committee, Marland Estate Foundation and Monumental Enterprises Inc.
Other Activity Builds
Under new business, the Commission approved requesting $6,500 from the Marland Estate Foundation for "seed money" needed for the preparation and expenses involved with the up-coming Oil Boom Days. A request for another $3,850 was approved for treating termites at Lydies' Cottage.
The Commission also approved the expenditure of $4,500 for an additional 15 stones needed for steps on the north porch. A change order, in the original contract, City Commissioners must first approve the additional expenditure.
And the financial report was also given by Adams. Revenues for the first six months of the 1997-98 fiscal year are at 43.6 percent of the budgeted amount. At 60 percent, expenditures are over budget by 10 percent but with another six months in the fiscal year, Adams does not foresee any problems. "They (the City) make sure I won't go over budget," she told the Estate Commission.
Rose Lane House
Next month the Estate Commission will be voting on what to do with the Rose Lane House. The house, vacant for some time, is posing a problem for the Mansion, the Commission and the City.
Complete opposites, two options have been proposed, long term leasing of the building or demolition. If demolished, it was proposed that the additional space created be used for added parking space as well as an additional entrance for larger vehicles, including buses, recreational vehicles and delivery trucks.
Currently, the larger vehicles have difficulty entering the Mansion through the smaller entrance. It was reported that this posses a problem, especially for delivery trucks trying to maneuver the curves in the drive.
The Rose Lane House was not part of the original mansion and was added by the Felician Sisters when they owned the Marland Mansion Estate.
Suggested future projects for the Marland Estate Foundation included the remodeling of the Artist's Studio and the restoration of Lydies Cottage.
Ponca City Public Schools would like to announce the following parent/teacher conference dates. Please note that most of the schools have scheduled evening times to accommodate working parents. Parents who are unable to attend one of these scheduled dates may contact their school office to make other arrangements.
- Garfield Elementary on Jan. 27 from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. and Jan. 30 from 8 to 11:30 a.m.
- Liberty Elementary on Jan. 29 from 3:30 to 7 p.m. and on Jan. 30 from 8 to 11 a.m.
Additional conferences for kindergarten students are scheduled for Monday through Wednesday, Jan. 26-28 from 3:30 to 5 p.m.
- Lincoln Elementary on Jan. 29 from 3:30 to 7 p.m. and Jan. 30 from 8 to 11 a.m.
- Roosevelt Elementary on Jan. 29 from 4 to 7 p.m. and Jan. 30 from 8 a.m. to noon.
- Trout Elementary from 4 to 7 p.m. on Jan. 29 and 8 to 11 a.m. on Jan. 30.
- Union Elementary on Jan. 29 from 4 to 7 p.m. and Jan. 30 from 8 to 11 a.m.
- Washington Elementary on Jan. 29 from 4 to 7 p.m. and Jan. 30 from 8 to 11:30 a.m.
- Woodlands Elementary from 4 to 7 p.m. on Jan. 29 and from 7:30 to 11 a.m. on Jan. 30.
- Ponca City Middle School on Jan. 29 from 5 to 8 p.m. and Jan. 30 from 7:30 to 11 a.m.
- Ponca City Mid-High on Jan. 29 from 4 to 7:30 p.m. and Jan. 30 from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m.
- Po-Hi on Jan. 29 from 5 to 8 p.m. and Jan. 30 from 8 to 11 a.m.
By PATTI PFEIFFER
News Staff Writer
Businesses, residences, schools, vehicles, - privately owned and publicly owned - it seems as if nothing is being spared from the current wave of vandalism sweeping the city. The latest vandalism spree, involving the costly crime of window breaking, has police and citizens alike upset.
In the first three weeks of January vandalism is up by an unprecedented amount. In comparison to the same time period last year, police records show twice as many vandalism calls. Over 65 calls have been received between Jan. 1 and Jan. 18 while in 1997 there were only 30.
Police Chief Raymond Ham admits that the current "rash of vandalism" has both him and his department concerned. With no suspects, no clues and no leads, the vandalism spree has the police turning to the public for help.
"I am frustrated over it and the officers are frustrated we haven't made more progress on it," Ham says. "We need help from the citizens as much as possible. Someone out there knows something. We are seeking their help."
And police are not only the ones frustrated. According to one who knows better than most - the owner of Ponca City Glass Inc., Billye Stein - the victims of the crimes are angry and frustrated as well.
"Although it is vandalism, the people themselves feel personally attacked," Stein says. "This has been going on for quite some time but it seems to be worse lately and it is becoming frightening!"
This crime spree, Stein is fearful, will lead to more serious types of crime. "It is not that this isn't serious but this, after all, is only property," she states. "We need to get a handle on this before it leads to more serious things."
Although the crime wave has increased her business by a "significant amount" Stein, like so many others, is anxious for an end to the vandalism. "This is getting out of control," Stein says. "People need to help our law enforcement get a handle on it and put a stop to this."
Schools have also been targets of the crime spree. Recently Liberty Elementary School has been hit and hit hard. Over the past weekend the school experienced one of its worst incidents with 9 windows being broken.
The recent vandalism has not only frustrated the school principal but has left him, once again, disappointed and puzzled. "I am disappointed but not surprised," Principal Jerry Newsom said. "Every time it happens I am very disappointed and I just do not understand it."
It is not the first time the school has been vandalized. However, Newsom says this is the first time in a while. And to make matters worse the school was also burglarized over the weekend, losing telephones and a refrigerator to a thief/theives.
The windows have been replaced and the other items will be also, all at the cost of taxpayers.
Not paid for by the taxpayers, the costs of replacing automobile windows and windshields falls on the individual victims and/or their insurance company. And many victims are without adequate insurance coverage. Stein estimates that over 50 percent of her customers do not have the type of insurance that covers costs associated with acts of vandalism.
There is a wide range of costs involved with replacing vehicle windows and the costs differ and depends on several things - the location of the broken glass, the type, make and model of the vehicle itself.
Door glass in a vehicle can run anywhere from $150-$400. However, Stein says that the back window glass is more expensive than front glass and ranges from $150-$2,000.
Estimated at between $300-$2,500 windshields are costly too. Stein adds that replacing windows of sports utility vehicles is generally more expensive than other vehicles.
Windows of businesses can be just as costly, and depending on the size and type of glass, can be as high as $500 for one window alone.
Although damage estimates are unavailable, Ham says he feels the amount of damage is high and is increasing with every incident.
The crimes are still under investigation and although not certain, Ham has his suspicions about the acts being committed throughout the city. He suspects two different groups are involved in the vandalism rash. And he believes juveniles or younger adults are the culprits of the continual crimes.
And as if to verify his hunch, police records show that the highest number of vandalism calls are received on the weekends. Ten such calls were received on Saturday, Jan. 10 and a just a week later, 13 cases of vandalism were reported in just one day.
Cases of vandalism, just by the nature of the crime, are very difficult to solve. "These are 'quick crimes' and people committing them are mobile meaning they are not on foot but using vehicular transportation when committing these acts," he says. "They come and go quickly making it more difficult to catch them."
However, Ham does offer some advice. He recommends lights in the neighborhoods and as well as at individual homes. To aid in catching the criminals, Ham also asks citizens to call immediately upon hearing noises, not to wait until later.
Also, he says that neighbors need to help neighbors. "We try to patrol neighborhoods as much as possible, especially at night," he states. "But we don't patrol them much after 11 p.m. because we patrol businesses more then."
If the month of January is any indicator, it may not just be the month but the entire year that becomes a record year for crime. "The whole month of January has been bad so far," Ham admits. "I don't know what is going on, people just seem to be angry."
The phone number for Crime Stoppers is 762-5100. The Chief reminds people that their identity will remain anonymous and they could receive up to $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.
By KRISTI HAYES
News Education Editor
Breaking down the barriers and keeping Native American students in school at Pioneer Technology Center were among some of the issues addressed Tuesday when Native American panel members answered questions from administrators at PTC.
The Native American panel members were Don Patterson, Tonkawa Tribal Chairman; Chris LittleCook, Ponca Tribe JOM; Jeana Rush, coordinator for Title IX at Roosevelt and Garfield Elementary; Joanna O'Bregon, Education Director of Kaw Nation; Lucy McClellan, student at PTC; Lucy Kent, Title IX Coordinator for Lincoln; Tony Arkeketa and Ted Freeman, Indian Baptist Church.
Questions answered by the panel were:
Q - What barriers are in the way for Native American students to attend PTC?
The panel members agreed that transportation and financial aid were very high barriers. LittleCook said, "Some of the information given to the students doesn't get home to the parents. It might be helpful to have a parent day for Native American students.
McClellan said, "Students need more encouragement from their parents. I know some parents that don't care if their children go to school or not."
Freeman said, "We have a policy in our church that if we can get the parents to come, they will bring their kids. We need to get the parents involved so they can instill the importance of education to their kids. I believe that the barriers start with the childrens parents."
Patterson said, "Board members should remember that students need to relate with someone they can identify with on a personal level. Maybe PTC needs more Native American faculty members to serve as counselors to help Native American students."
Q - What are some strategies we can use to recruit Native Americans, and once they are enrolled, what can we do to keep them enrolled and not drop?
Arkeketa answered, "A representative from PTC should be more visible in the Indian community. If you're willing to go to them then sometimes they're interested in coming."
O'Bregon answered, "You should work with the education directors and try to make the enrollment process as easy as possible."
Q - What are some good things this school is doing and need to continue?
Patterson quickly answered, "PTC is doing a good thing by having this hearing. It starts to break down communication barriers. Today is a great start."
LittleCook replied, "Every month I speak to Native American students at Ponca City Middle School and sometimes we have guest speakers. Chuck Bayha, PTC, will be speaking to the students next month. This will help put a face with PTC. The kids will be able to get information and communicate with someone from here."
Q - How can we help parents/caregivers be aware of the importance of our attendance policy?
Arkeketa said that communication is the best way. "When my children were in school I read the policies and manuals from their schools, but unfortunately some parents aren't interested."
Freeman pointed out that parents have to get their children interested. "In the Indian community, we must encourage parents to be behind their children 100 percent."
Q What are some of the customs that we need to be aware of that affect attendance?
Arkeketa said, "The loss of a loved one is dear to many families. When a death occurs, everything else is laid aside. It's important to many children that they participate in the funeral services. This could last from four to five days. Some of the other things that may affect attendance are ceremonial issues. Issues and events that are not on calendars or wrist watches."
A child's development during early years is critical to their later success in school and in life. To help parents ensure that their child's development is on track, the Kay County Health Department is offering free developmental screenings for children ages birth to five years during the months of February and March.
These screenings are designed to assess language, cognition, fine motor, gross motor, social skills and hearing. The screenings will be offered by appointment only and take approximately 45 minutes to complete. Any questions that the parent might have regarding their child's development will also be addressed. To schedule an appointment call 763-0100.
By KRISTI HAYES
News Education Editor
School board candidates Mike Kruck and Ann Kinsinger, vying for Office No. 2 of the Ponca City School Board, and Mary Rigdon and Zane Barham, for Office No. 1 of Pioneer Technology Center, were flooded with questions concerning education and School-to-Work (STW) at Monday night's Kay County Republican Party meeting. The meeting was held so that citizens could address important issues concerning the welfare of children.
Incumbent Kruck of the Ponca City Board of Education said that the schools need to go back to the basic fundamentals of reading, writing and arithmetic. "I also feel that respect and responsibility should be added to those fundamentals. Kids need to learn to respect others as well as themselves," said Kruck.
He asked the question, "Who is responsible for a students success?" "I've seen many people point fingers at others saying they are responsible for their child not succeeding. Success must start in the homes with the parents, and the school system should only be a tool provided for students and parents," Kruck added.
He also stated that Ponca City doesn't have a corporal policy, but one may need to be rethought due to the lack of respect for adults.
"We need to focus on literacy. Three schools in Ponca City have started the Great Expectations program, which means going back to the basics. When I visited a school in Muskogee with this program, I saw respect and responsibility. I believe that we need to have Great Expectations for kindergarten through the 12th grade. I then believe we could establish the heritage Ponca City Schools once had," he added.
Kruck also added the several alternative education programs have been established to help with the drop-out rate. "The number of drop-outs has declined over the last few years in Ponca City. I think we will continue to see the number decrease. We also need community support in dealing with truancy. We just don't have the resources dedicated in assisting the school with truancy."
"When I voted no at October's board meeting about receiving federal money for STW, I voted no against a partnership with Project Partners, not against STW. I wasn't impressed with us having to 'dance' with federal control. We need to continue with the progress we've already gained," Kruck added.
Kinsinger said she is running against Kruck for Office No. 2 because she is genuinely concerned about education, the high drop-out rate and being the highest in the state on teenage pregnancy.
"Have you ever heard the saying, 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it?' I think the school system is broken and needs a new approach. We need to instill school discipline and address behavior problems. We need to get the parents involved," said Kinsinger.
"I also believe it is very important we get the community involved with education. I am very concerned about the number of students that exit schools that can't read, write or do math. I think proficiency tests should be given early on. If there is a problem we must address the problems early in their lives. I also feel that reading in the early grades is very important. We need to put a special effort into making sure all children can read."
When asked about her feelings on STW, Kinsinger said, "My first concern is the high drop-out rates. When I decided to run, STW wasn't my major concern. I have many documents on the subject, and I plan to spend a lot of time on the issue."
PTC Board Members
Incumbent Rigdon said she is very unique to the PTC board. "I am a certified teacher, a student at Northwestern Oklahoma State University, and a Registered Nurse. I believe this gives me a lot of insight as to what the students needs are. I try to hold a hard line on spending. I am very aware of the taxpayers role at PTC and I want to know where every dollar is being spent."
"I agree with many of the people here when they say that STW is complicated. I am very determined to sort through the program, and I think Linda Thompson, School-to-Work Coordinator at PTC, has done a great job trying to get the word out about STW. I am glad that children have an opportunity to explore various careers, like work study and cluster groups, and I believe it is valuable and has good components."
Barham, vying for Office No. 1 against Rigdon, says he is running because of three things: a desire to serve, a desire to lend his skills to the board and a desire to see all communities prosper.
"I have served on the Board of Regents at Northern Oklahoma College, and feel that this experience would benefit the board at PTC. Pioneer Technology Center's middle name is Technology. I work at Conoco and because of that I see how technology is constantly changing."
When asked about STW, Barham answered, "I believe it has good parts to it. I think it's a good thing to get kids aware of the different kinds of careers. I don't think; however, that it does the things that people fear, like having a kindergartner take a test that reveals they are going to be in a specific career at that age."
The campaigning will continue until Feb. 10, when registered voters go to the polls to elect their candidates.
TONKAWA - "Selling Yourself on Paper: Writing a Letter of Application and Resume" is the topic of a free community service workshop offered at Northern Oklahoma College Jan. 24.
Language Arts instructors Dr. Pam Stinson and Rhonda Bainum will meet from 10 a.m. to noon in Central Hall, room 202, to assist anyone interested in learning how to write letters of application and resume.
No enrollment or registration is necessary. For more information, call
Stinson at (580) 628-6442 or Bainum at (580) 628-6449.
DEATHS
NEWKIRK - Arlene Mary Rademacher, longtime Newkirk resident, died Monday evening, Jan. 19, 1998, in Medicalodge North at Arkansas City, Kan. She was 62.
The funeral is set for 1 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 22, at the Newkirk St. John's Lutheran Church with the Rev. Ernest Quillen officiating. Burial will follow in Newkirk Cemetery under the direction of Miller-Stahl Funeral Service.
Arlene Mary Rademacher was born Sept. 21, 1935, in Newkirk, the daughter of Albert Henry "Bert" and Anna Sophia (Kroeger) Rademacher. She attended Magnolia and OK rural schools and graduated from Newkirk High School in 1955. Due to her disabilities she continued to lived with her parents. After the death of her parents, she moved to Elmwood Homes in Newkirk, where she became involved in numerous activities there.
Miss Rademacher was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, Lutheran Ladies Aid Society, Lutheran Missionary League and the Over "60" Club. She enjoyed sewing, playing cards, collecting stamps and listening to the radio. Socially active throughout her life, she enjoyed remembering birthdays and sending cards.
She is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Bill (Delores) Pudden of Dexter, Kan. and Mrs. Joe (Loretta) Bersche of Blackwell; one niece, and nine nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a great-nephew.
Casket bearers will be Russell Pudden, Todd Pudden, Brady Pudden, Bob Bersche, Mark Bersche and Keneth Bershe. Honorary bearers will be Darla Swanson, Bill Pudden, Bret Pudden, Bobby Pudden, Butch Wolf, Don Wolfe, Hazel Wolf, Irene Kersey, Dorothy Gilbreath, Gerry Wolfe, Wauneta Enninga, Marie Engleking and Marcella Eitzmann.
Memorial contributions may be made in Miss Rademacher's name to St. John's Lutheran Church, c/o Eastman National Bank, P.O. Box 468, Newkirk, OK 74647.
NEWKIRK - Donald Lee Miller, Newkirk resident, died Tuesday, Jan. 20, 1998, at his home. He was 63.
The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at the Roberts Funeral Home Chapel in Blackwell. The Rev. Wallace Suter, Calvary Temple Pentecostal Church of God, Newkirk, will officiate. Burial will be in the Blackwell Cemetery. Members of the Blackwell American Legion and VFW will make the flag presentation graveside.
Donald Lee Miller was born April 14, 1934, in Blackwell, the son of Fred A. and Bertha O. (Silks) Miller. He grew up in Blackwell. After graduation from Blackwell High School in 1954, he began employment with Acme Foundry.
He married Valta Farmer in the summer of 1954, in Edmond, and the couple established their home in Blackwell. In 1959, he entered the U.S. Army and served in Germany during peacetime.
He was married to Wanda Lee Clapp on June 6, 1960, and the couple made their first home in Germany. Following his discharge in 1965, the family established their home in Fresno, Calif., where Miller began employment with a milling company. Due to an industrial accident he was forced to retire in 1967, and the family moved to Blackwell. They moved to Newkirk in 1986. Miller was a member of the Calvary Temple Pentecostal Church of God, Newkirk.
Survivors include his wife, Wanda Lee Miller of Blackwell; two daughters, Jana Shaw of LaCrosse, Kan., and Donelda Lindsey of Marland; one sister, Emma Grodin of Blackwell; four brothers, LeRoy of Tulsa, Joe of Redding, Calif., Allen "H.A." of Perry, and Kenneth of El Dorado, Kan.; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one son Cecil Miller; his parents; and four brothers, L.O., Ray, Cecil, and Wesley Miller.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Heart Research, c/o Roberts and Son Funeral Home, 120 West Padon, Blackwell, OK 74631.
Essie Marie Myers, former longtime Ponca City resident, died Thursday, Jan. 15, 1998, at Sterling Park Assisted Living Center in Redmond, Wash. She was 95. The funeral is set for 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, at the Trout Funeral Home Chapel, Ponca City. Friends may visit at the funeral home until 1 p.m. Saturday, then the casket will be closed.
FAIRFAX - Goldie I. Glasgow, mother of the Rev. Bob Glasgow of Fairfax, died early this morning, Jan. 21, 1998, at Fairfax Memorial Hospital. She was 91. Mrs. Glasgow will lie in state at Hunsaker-Wooten Funeral Home, Fairfax, until 9 p.m. Thursday. The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at the First Baptist Church, Coffeyville, Kan. Other arrangements will be announced later by Hunsaker-Wooten Funeral home.
Thursday
Lyle F. Chambers - Funeral to be held graveside at 2 p.m. at the Springside Cemetery, southeast of Arkansas City, Kan. Friends may visit at the Miles Funeral Service chapel in Winfield, Kan. through 9 p.m. Wednesday.
Margie M. McMahon - Mass of Christian burial to be at 11 a.m.
at the Church of St. Mary, Tulsa. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery under
the direction of Fitzgerald Funeral Service, Tulsa.
NEWS BRIEFS
Korean Vets To Meet - The next meeting of the Korean War Veterans Association will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at the 45th Infantry Division Museum, 2145 Northeast 36th in Oklahoma City. This meeting is open to all Korean War era veterans of all branches of service and their spouses. For information contact Harold Mulhausen, president, Oklahoma Chapter KWVA, 405-632-7351.
Ponca Citian Joins Army - Damian R. Salazar has joined the U.S. Army under the Delayed Entry Program at the U.S. Army Recruiting Station in Stillwater. The enlistment gives Salazar the option to learn a new skill, travel and become eligible to receive as much as $40,000 toward a college education. After completion of basic training, he will receive advanced individual training in his career specialty. A 1995 graduate of Ponca City High School, Salazar reported to Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga., for basic training Jan. 10. He is the son of Paula Sneed of Route 3, Ponca City.
Legion Meeting - There will be a regular meeting of the American Legion Thursday, 7:30 p.m., Huff-Minor American Legion Post 14, 407 West South Avenue.
Twisted Sign - At 8:04 a.m. Tuesday a "keep right" sign at Fourteenth Street and East Grand Avenue was reported "twisted around" so that it appeared drivers were supposed to drive on the sidewalks.
Vehicle Marked - At 8:07 a.m. Tuesday a woman in the 600 block of South Thirteenth Street reported a vehicle parked near her home for a long time. The police marked the vehicle for 48 hours.
Arrest - Police arrested a 32-year-old man at 9:07 a.m. Tuesday from the 400 block of South Fourteenth Street on a Kay County warrant for failure to pay.
Burglary - A woman in the 500 block of West Central Avenue reported a burglary of her residence to police at 9:48 a.m. Tuesday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Vehicle Marked - At 12:07 p.m. Tuesday police marked a vehicle in the 1400 block of Clarke Street for 48 hours.
Bike Found - Police were notified of an abandoned bike found behind the Northern Oklahoma Youth Shelter, 415 West Grand Avenue.
Accident - At 2:40 p.m. Tuesday police were advised of an accident at West Highland Avenue and North Osage Street. An officer was assigned and a report was made.
Abandoned Bike - At 4:08 p.m. Tuesday a man in the 1000 block of North Pine Street requested police pick up an abandoned bike.
Break-In - A man in the 700 block of North Union Street reported to police at 4:42 p.m. Tuesday that someone had broken into his residence. An officer was assigned and a report was made.
Accident - An accident was reported at 4:49 p.m. Tuesday at North Fifth Street and East Hartford Avenue.
Window Broken - A man in the 400 block of East Hazel Avenue reported to police at 5:50 p.m. Tuesday that a window had been broken out of his vehicle more than a month ago.
Trash Can Hit - A man at Taco Bell, 2400 North Fourteenth Street, reported to police at 7:49 p.m. Tuesday that someone had hit a trash can and left. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Arrest - A 37-year-old man was arrested at 8:36 p.m. Tuesday from the 1300 block of South Eighth Street for domestic assault and battery.
Possible Gunshots - At 8:36 p.m. Tuesday a woman in the 300 block of East Ponca Avenue reported hearing possible gunshots or fireworks.
Gas Drive-Off - At 1:08 a.m. Wednesday there was a reported gas drive-off at the Mid-West Easy Stop, 3280 East US 60.
Walk-Off - At 1:45 a.m. Wednesday police were notified that customers
of the Cornerstone Restaurant, 421 South Fourteenth Street, left without
paying the entire food bill.
LIFESTYLES
Soroptimist International of Ponca City will host the Kay County Antique Show and Sale April 25-56, 1998 at Hutchins Memorial Auditorium in historic Ponca City.
The event has been organized as part of the ongoing fund raising efforts of Ponca City's Soroptimist chapter in their dedication to improve the lives of women and families in their immediate area, as well as on a national and international level. Soroptimists are professional women interested in giving a helping hand to others struggling to make a difference in their own lives.
Visitors to the Kay County Antique Show and Sale will be encouraged to take in the local points of interest such as the historic E.W. Marland Mansion, Cultural Center and Indian Museum, Pioneer Woman Statue and Museum, recently renovated Poncan Theatre built in 1927, and the newly completed Standing Bear Native American Park. Information will be available at the show for any of the attractions in Ponca City.
The Kay County Antique Show and Sale will showcase quality antiques in a booth setting. Stringent selection criteria is being utilized to ensure the variety and quality of antiques. Exhibitors have been invited from a 150-mile radius of Ponca City, which includes many from the Ponca City area. Registration information can still be obtained by contacting Soroptimist International of Ponca City, P.O. Box 2831, Ponca City, OK 74602.
Soroptimist International invites one and all to Ponca City during the Kay County Antique Show and Sale, April 25-26,1998 as proceeds will benefit community organizations, such as The Child Development Center, Domestic Violence Program of Northern Oklahoma, YMCA of Ponca City, and the Literacy Council of Kay County.
The Ponca City area Baby America and Little Miss of America pageants will be held Sunday afternoon, Feb. 1, at the Marland Estates Conference Center.
Baby boys and girls, one month to 35 months, are invited to enter the Baby America. Girls, 3 years to 17 years, are invited to enter the Little Miss and Miss Teen of America pageants.
Winners will receive the official crown, sash, trophy and miscellaneous prizes. The winners will represent Ponca City in the 1998 state finals to be held in March in Oklahoma City.
Baby America and Little Miss of America are the leading children's pageants in America.
For contestant information please call: (405) 359-1857 or pick up entry forms at The Honey Tree in Ponca City.
"Old friends came to wish me 'a happy birthday' and they stayed and we visited and it was a wonderful time," Lillie Reagin told The News Tuesday. She and her friends celebrated her 96th birthday on Jan. 15.
Dropping by and spending the afternoon visiting with Lillie were Verna Peterson, Jo Ann Fehon, Clara Melbourn, Elmeta Kodesh, Ruth E. Bocox, Mary Anne Potter, Kathy Hayes, Juanita Allen, Arline Carriger, Vera Dodds, Fauna Olmstead, Ila Hoelting McKee, Ruth Ritter and Ruth Blackwell.
Preservation Oklahoma Inc. is currently accepting nominations for this year's list of Oklahoma's Most Endangered Historic Properties.
The program is a joint project with the Oklahoma Historical Society's State Historic Preservation Office.
Nominations will be accepted through Feb. 15, and the selection committee will consider them during the first part of March. The new list will be announced on May 8 at Preservation Oklahoma's annual meeting and luncheon during the Statewide Preservation Conference.
If any citizen in the Ponca City area knows of property listed in or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places that is endangered due to impending demolition, vandalism, or continued neglect, they make nominate it for the endangered list. Only significant properties will be considered.
A nomination form is available through Preservation Oklahoma, P. O. Box 25043, Oklahoma City, OK 73125-0043, or by phone to Melvena Heisch, Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer at (405) 522 4484. Photocopies will be accepted. All entries must be accompanied by a good quality, non-Polaroid color picture or slide.
Shawn and Christi Lawson of Ponca City announce the birth of a daughter at 11:40 a.m. on Nov. 25, 1997 in St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. The baby girl weighed 9 pounds, 8 ounces and measured 20 3/4 inches long. She has been named Laiken Denae Lawson and has two siblings, J.D. who is 9 and Montana, 7.
Grandparents are Jimmy and Donnis Lawson of Ponca City and Jeanette Gunther
of Springfield, Mo. Lucille McVey of Springfield, Mo. is the great-grandmother.
SPORTS
By MATTHEW KOENIG
News Sports Writer
BROKEN ARROW - Another aggressive showing by the Ponca City Wildcats went for naught Tuesday night, as the Broken Arrow Tigers got the calls in the closing seconds to overcome a late-late rally by the Poncans, 60-55.
Down by nine with three minutes left, the Tigers (7-4) drew a technical foul and Micha Alexander hit the two free throws. After three of their own from the charity stripe, the Tigers went back on top by eight, but with a 6-0 run the Poncans (2-9) came charging back.
First, Kris Shores connected on a driving lay-up. Alfred Delancy added another, and on the Tigers' ensuing inbounds pass, Alexander came up with the steal, made a swift pass to Tom Engle under the basket, and with 30 seconds left, the Cats were within two.
Trying to come up with another turnover, however, the Poncans sent Broken Arrow's Kyle Goodner and Brett Armstrong to the line, and the two went good on 3-of-4 shots to ice the win for the No. 3 conference ranked Tigers.
Though the Tigers shot just 39 percent from the field, the Cats were good on just 34 percent. Also, the Poncans were on the receiving end of a majority of the whistles, sending Broken Arrow to the line 32 times, where they hit a game breaking 78 percent of their shots, including 15 of their first 16.
And those statistics are telling to head coach Ron Arthur.
"I'd like to have our percentage up about ten points, in the 40's," he said. "And they spent way too much time at the free throw line."
Overall, it was a game punctuated by a number of scoring runs by both teams.
Down by two after the first quarter, the Poncans put together a 8-2 run to take the lead, briefly, 16-12. But the Tigers came clawing back with a 12-0 run of their own, going up 24-16 with three minutes left in the half.
Another run by the Poncans - this time 11-5 - and the halftime lead for the Tigers was slim, 29-27.
The Wildcats also got the first run of the second half. Fueled by two consecutive buckets by Alexander, the Poncans rattled off seven unanswered points to take their biggest lead of the game, 36-29.
But a time-out by the Tigers seemed to halt the Poncans momentum. A 3-pointer by the Tigers' Bryan Burton got them back on track, and in the final and most decisive run of the game, 11-2 this time, they reassumed the lead for good.
"I thought there in the third quarter that it was really clicking," Arthur continued, "that this was what we've worked for. We wanted to win, and it's hard to look at their hands and faces after the game, because they played hard. The enthusiasm's there. They're doing the things we ask them to."
Alexander, after a couple of off nights, came back strong Tuesday to lead the Cats with 15 points. Alfred Delancy, Shores, and Ryan Meyer each had nine, Engle had five, Ryan Treadway had four, while Scott Larrison and Blake Guebelle each had two. Delancy also dragged down 12 rebounds for the Cats, pushing his season rebounding total to an incredible 125. No other Wildcat player has more than 60.
The Tigers were led by Jon Belt and Nehemiah Fisher who had 15 and 10 points, respectively.
The Wildcats now head for Wichita to compete in the Valley Center Tournament, Thursday through Saturday. The Cats will face off against Goddard, Thursday at 6:45 p.m. They'll play again Friday at 6:45 p.m. (with a win), or at 3:15 (with a loss).
Other teams in the tournament are Derby, Wichita North, Junction City, Valley Center, Blue Valley Stilwell, and Enid.
"There's nothing we can do about our first 11 games, so we're looking at this tournament as a preseason tournament," Arthur concludes. "This is our second season now, we get to start the Frontier Conference all over again."
By MATTHEW KOENIG
News Sports Writer
BROKEN ARROW - Just hours after their head coach gave birth to one McKinna Lynn Pulley, the Lady Cats of Ponca City also showed signs of life, nearly pulling out an upset of No. 2 conference-ranked Broken Arrow.
Though their defense once again stepped up, mother/coach Dana Pulley's Lady Cats (4-7) had another poor night from the field, landing just 26 percent of their shots to fall to the Lady Tigers (10-2), 48-35.
But the score doesn't quite tell the story.
Big 3-pointers by Desiree Cries For Ribs and Natasha Anderson, combined with a spirited defense kept the scoring close through the first half, and the Lady Cats found themselves down by just six, 20-14, at the intermission.
Into the second half, Anderson and Cries For Ribs again teamed up. First, Anderson converted a steal into two points for the Lady Cats, and Cries For Ribs followed with another bucket to draw the Lady Cats within two. But with a 6-1 run, the Lady Tigers bolted back into the lead to close the third.
Down by nine, 32-23, early in the fourth quarter, the Lady Cats again made a run. Two quick 3-pointers by Anderson cut the lead to three. The Lady Tigers responded with a free throw.
But after a 12 foot jump shot by Romi Foreman drew the Lady Cats to within two, 35-33, and with four minutes left to play, the Lady Tigers went on a 13-2 run in the closing moments to secure the win.
In that run, the Lady Tigers went 5-for-8 from the charity stripe, and had two put-backs on missed second free throws.
Overall, the Lady Tigers took a conspiracy-fueling 32 trips to the line, versus the Lady Cats' seven. And once there, the Lady Tigers capitalized, going good on exactly half their tries.
Once again it was shooting - by both his team and the opposition - that spelled the difference.
"The whole key is shooting," said assistant coach Brad Larimer, "that's the big story again tonight. I'd like to have had more trips to the line, for one thing. And if we shoot well we can beat anybody."
Indeed. A hot-shooting Ponca City team would be seemingly invincible. Defensively, they turned in another impressive performance. Though conference-leader Kristin Brady, who was averaging over 23 points, still managed 20 (eight on free throws), the Lady Cats stuck to their box-and-one game plan, forced 14 turnovers, and seemed to generally out-hustle the bigger Lady Tigers.
Speedsters Alana Smith and Tia Williams did a phenomenal job of covering the prolific Brady, but the Lady Tigers had an back-up in 6-1 Christie Baugess. The Lady Tigers got the ball inside, and once there, Baugess punished the Poncans with 17 points and 11 rebounds of her own.
"They were hurting us in the high post with her," Larimer continued, "so we pulled our guards back and blocked her off and that worked a little better."
Once again it was Anderson leading the Lady Cats with 16 points, followed by Desiree Cries For Ribs with nine, Keesha West with four, while Lendsi Boyd, Smith, and Romi Foreman each had two. The 5-6 Smith also led the Lady Cats in rebounds, with four.
The Lady Cats have today off before heading for the Perry Tournament, which runs Thursday through Saturday. The Poncans will face Broken Arrow's junior varsity at 2 p.m., Thursday. With a win, they'll play Friday at 5 p.m., or at 11 a.m. with a loss.
Other teams in the tournament include Guthrie, Newcastle, Kingfisher, Pawnee, and Chechotah.
Ninth Grade Girls
Ponca City Varsity 36, Enid Emerson 27
Trailing 19-16 at halftime and in danger of suffering their first conference loss, the Ponca City ninth grade girls' varsity clamped down on Enid Emerson to take a 36-27 win at Enid Tuesday.
The Poncans, now 8-3 overall and 6-0 in the conference, grabbed a 23-21 lead at the end of the third period and pulled away for the win.
Candace Benson, "who had her best game of the season," according to coach John Maddox, scored 10 points and Jessica Plagmann, "who continues to play real solid for us," added 7.
Aubry Kelly had 6 points, Gena Birdsong 5, Jaycee Sheppard 3, Tara Cries-For-Ribs 3 and Kendra Love 2.
"We played a little sloppy in the first half," Maddox said. "We had a little face-to-face at halftime and the girls put it together in the second half to pull it out."
The Lady Cougars will play at Enid Waller next Tuesday.
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Blackwell 21, Ponca City Blue 19
The Mid-High ninth grade girls' blue team squandered a 14-11 fourth-quarter lead Monday night, falling to Blackwell in a heartbreaker, 21-19.
Capitalizing on a two-point second quarter output by Blackwell, the Lady Cougars outscored their rivals 10-5 in the middle quarters to take the lead. But Blackwell came back, dumping in 10 points in the final stanza to ride away with the win.
The ninth grade blues are now 4-5 on the season.
Leading the way for the Lady Cougars were Jenni Nimmo and Jennifer Long with five each, followed by Abbie Gehlert with four, Angel Penny with three, and Erica Wiles with two.
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Eighth Grade Girls
Ponca City Red 28, Enid Emerson 23
Ponca City's eighth grade Red girls got in front early and held off Enid Emerson 28-23 Tuesday in Enid.
The Reds led 13-10 at halftime and gradually added to the margin in the second half.
Gena Wedd popped through 14 points while Courtney Birdsong had 7, Jamie Leach 5 and Nichole Chance 2.
The eighth grade Red team, now 3-1 in conference play will face Stillwater Monday.
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Ponca City Blue 37, Blackwell 9
The Mid-High eighth grade girls' blue team crushed Blackwell Monday, 37-9, to up their season record to a stellar 9-3.
Blanking their cross-county foes in the first quarter, the Poncans leapt to a 19-3 half time lead, and never looked back. The blues continued to outscore Blackwell 10-2 in the third quarter, and 8-4 in the fourth to put their stamp on the decisive victory.
"We played great defense, that's been the key for us," said Lady Cougar's head coach Calvin English.
Mallory Hodge led the way for the Lady Cougars with 10 points, followed by Amanda Summers with eight, Jamie Duckett with six, Vicki Hadley with five, Monica Sawyers with four, while Christina Rutledge and Kathleen Larrison both had two.
The blues play again Thursday, at home, taking on Enid Emerson.
BROKEN ARROW - After scoring just 13 points through the first three quarters, the Po-Hi Lady Cat junior varsity (4-4) fell to the Broken Arrow junior varsity, 38-36, Tuesday night.
Do the math, and that's 23 points for the Lady Cats in the fourth quarter. And though coach Brad Larimer says it was one of the best quarters they've had all year, the lack of production in the previous three spelled disaster.
"It wasn't like we weren't getting the shots, they just weren't falling. And both sides were playing a patient game - there weren't a lot of turnovers."
Though the Lady Tigers were up by just one at halftime, 9-8, they used a 14-point third quarter and outstanding shooting from the free throw line (13-of-17, including 9-of-11 in the fourth quarter) to get the win.
"The free throws were probably the difference in the game," Larimer says.
Leading the way for the Lady Cats was Aleena Ames with 10 points, including a 3-point bucket to draw the Poncans to within two, mid way through the fourth quarter.
Also scoring were Lendsi Boyd with six, Kristl Richardson with four, while Romi Foreman, Shari Winters, Alana Smith, and Brooke Hines all had three. Jennifer Caughman and Kami Schieber both had two.
A better transition game and improved defense led to the Wildcat sophomores' 55-44 win over the Frontier JVs Monday.
The Ponca jumped in front 14-8 in the first period but had to withstand a Frontier rally which cut the lead to 29-28 at halftime.
Ponca City took control in the third period, outscoring Frontier 18-11, and pulled away to their fifth win in six outings.
Barry Chance poured through 20 points for the sophomores while Bret Skaggs and Jeff Furnas each had 7.
Albert Plumley and Jacob Burk each had 13 points for Frontier and Martin Sanders added 11 for the Mustangs.
"We executed our transition game very well," Po-Hi coach Jerry Orr said. "We probably scored one third of our points off that part of the game. The kids also did a great job of forcing several turnovers out of our full court trap defense.
"Something that we continue to do not very well is free throwing shooting. We were just 13-of-27."
The sophomores play at Braman next Monday.
Ponca City (sophs) 55,
Frontier (JVs) 44
Frontier 8 20 11 5 - 44
Ponca City 14 15 18 8 - 55
Ponca City - Chance 20, Skaggs 7, Furnas 7, Guebelle 4, Rupp 4, Sattre 4, Morris 3, Crosson 2, Urioste 2, Beguin 2.
Frontier - Plumley 13, Burk 13, Sanders 11, Butler 7
The Po-Hi Lady Cat sophomores upped their season record to 4-2 Monday, taking on and beating a speedy Frontier junior varsity squad, 48-34.
After bolting to a 15-10 lead in the first quarter, the Lady Cats proceeded on to outscore the Lady Mustangs in each of the remaining periods to seal the win.
And though the Lady Mustangs' game strategy - like most Frontier teams - is built around speed, Ponca City coach Mark Huster said it was one of his team's best performances all year.
"They had some quick girls who we had some trouble guarding," he said. "Frontier is a well-coached team. And they shot 15 out of 20 free throws. But we played one of our best games so far this season, maybe our best."
Leading the way for the Lady Cats was Laura Sudbury with 17 points. Sudbury has been a force for the junior varsity as of late, and saw some playing time in the varsity game, Tuesday. Gina Hines also had a good game, dumping in 11 points, all in the first half.
Also scoring for the Lady Cats were Allison Stotts with nine, Kami Schieber with six, Mea Alexander with three, and Ebony Johnson with two.
The Lady Cat sophomores play again Monday, going on the road to take
on Braman.