From The Pages Of The Ponca City News, Sunday, January
25, 1998
LOCAL
Assessor Plans Local Assistance For 1998 Filing
104th Chamber Banquet Friday
Tom Leonard States Candidacy for Mayor
Letters
Noncompliance May Cause Removal of No Left Turn
City Calendar
Principal, Faculty Mid-High Fall Semester Honor Rolls
School Menu
Oil and Gas Report
CDC Chili Supper Set for Friday
Free Fair Board Meeting Feb. 2
Helpline Sets New Volunteer Training Class
Heart Informational Forum For Community Set Feb. 3
Pioneer Woman Museum Gets State Group Funding
'Toddler Talk' Language Course Offered to Parents
Absentee Ballots Available to Voters
Coffee Planned With Auditors
Infant/Child CPR, Safety Class Feb. 7
United Way Campaign Brochure 2nd in Communications Contest
New Translator Station for KLVV
Annual Meeting Set
DEATHS
Pearl Gunn Barksdale
Viola Cristine Deakins
Paul W. Jensen
Fay Ormand
Claudine Engstrom
Kenneth Marion Johnson
Obituaries
Services Pending
Eldred Post
Beaulah Quimby
Funerals
Stephen W. Young
NEWS BRIEFS
LIFESTYLES
International Club Hears Carrie Johnson Talk About 'Gems' at December Meeting
Hospice Honors Volunteers for Service Awards Presented to Volunteers for
Service During '97
Kids Get Chance to Talk Back to Favorite Authors; Letters about Literature
Competition Now Acceptable
March Wedding Planned
Engagement is Announced
Hughes-Nelson Vows Said In December 28 Ceremony
Walls Celebrate 50 Years
P.C. VFW, Auxiliary Will Attend District in Glencoe
Little News
AARP Meets
Mothers Club Meets in Hoover Home
United Airlines Captain Speaks To Daughters of American Revolution
PC Mothers Club Has Lunch at Vo-Tech
Golden Anniversary Celebrated by Lees
Democrat Women To Meet Thursday
Singles Network
Lilac Gardeners Meet for Lunch
Piano Workshop Meets in Motz Home Jan. 20
Ponca City Happenings
Ark City Opening Volunteer Center
SPORTS
Lady Cats Rebound To Third
Cats Net Two Wins
Prep Scores
County Assessor Tresa Engle and her staff will set up a local meeting spot this week for taxpayers in Ponca City and the surrounding area to help with this year's Homestead exemptions and other tax breaks.
The assessor's team this year will be at the Ponca City Library from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. this Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Persons who already have a Homestead exemption in place on their property need not file again unless they have changed their deed.
Engle said those who still must meet with the assessors are:
- Those filing for a new Homestead Exemption. These filers should bring a property description.
- Those filing for a new Additional Homestead Exemption, which is for persons whose household gross income is less than $20,000 a year. Applicants over 65 do not have to refile each year.
- Farm machinery owners, and agricultural sales tax permit users.
- Persons who have moved a mobile home onto leased land or who have built a structure on leased land.
- Those filing for a new Senior Valuation Freeze on their homestead property. These filers must be 65 and have a verified gross income of less than $25,000. In the last legislative session, this exemption was modified to not require refiling each year.
Homeowners are required by state law to notify the Assessors office if they have moved or are no longer eligible for Homestead Exemption.
The filing period is from Jan. 2 to March 15, and applications and assessments will also be taken in the assessor's office at the county courthouse in Newkirk from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The phone number is 580-362-2565.
Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce's 104th Annual Banquet tickets sold out early this week. The event featuring Ponca City's own native son Mike Boettcher, NBS news correspondent, is slated for 6:30 p.m., Friday at Hutchins Memorial.
A 1972 Ponca City High School graduate, Boettcher received a bachelor of arts in journalism in 1976. He joined NBC in 1984 and for about 10 years was posted overseas. Boettcher is currently a Los Angeles based national correspondent for NBC.
City Commissioner Tom Leonard has announced he too will seek the office of mayor of Ponca City. He is the second city commissioner in a week to make such an announcement. Last week Commissioner Dick Stone announced his intention to run for mayor.
It is his training as an attorney, Leonard believes, that has given him the experience needed to lead the city into the 21st century.
"As an attorney I have been trained to not only ask the tough questions, but not to be satisfied with evasive or incomplete answers," Leonard stated. "I also have the ability to listen to people and make them believe their opinions are worthy of dignity and respect, even when I disagree."
From being more involved in the day to day operations of the city, to creating and implementing city employee evaluations, as mayor Leonard promises change.
"If elected I foresee a major change in the style of the mayor's job," Leonard says. "I see it as a 'roll-up your sleeves,' get involved, type of position and working everyday on problems and issues. As a result there will not be as much time for ribbon cuttings and public appearances."
Setting goals, Leonard says, is important for the city. "I would do long-term planning including the creation of strategic goals for the city and operational goals for the city government."
And if elected, there are several things the commissioner would hope to accomplish during his tenure. Budget-wise there are several areas Leonard would address. As mayor, he says he would make certain that the 3-year budget is adhered to.
He would also like to see funding for the maintenance of city buildings and facilities. "We have funds for the maintenance of ity buildings and facilities. "We have funds for the maintenance of equipment but not for the maintenance of our city buildings," Leonard explains.
In his quest to "restore oneness, creditability and accountability" of the city government, Leonard says he would begin a monthly city "report card," from the mayor to the citizens.
"I think it is important for people to know what we are doing," he states. "On a monthly basis I would report on where we are and how we are doing."
Finally, Leonard would like to a develop an "informal organizational structure" for the city commission wherein each commissioner would be designated an area of city responsibility.
During his lifetime, Leonard has served on various boards including the YMCA, Kay County chapter of the American Cancer Society and is a member of AMBUCS. Additionally, he has served as both the city attorney and an assistant district attorney.
In higher education, the commissioner covered all "Oklahoma bases" receiving a BS in mathematics from OSU and his law school degree from OU. He is the father of a 23-year-old daughter who is currently a student at Tulsa Jr. College.
The commissioner was born and raised in Ponca City and it is his deep roots in Ponca City that has prompted him to run for mayor.
"I grew up in Ponca City and this city is my heritage," Leonard said. "I would be grateful for the opportunity to give something more back to and for the community."
The election is April 7 and all candidates must file with the Kay County Election Board between Feb. 2-4.
Skatepark Needed
I'm writing to place into public view the problems that many rollerblading participants, such as myself, have to endure. We enjoy our sport and have fun doing it. I am just one of many that wish we had a place to skate where we are out of the street and where we don't cause so many problems.
Having a skatepark would give us a place to skate away from shops, shoppers and out of the street. I do understand it's either insurance or in the interest of customers that we are yelled at to leave, and that it's not just to be mean. As for hurting ourselves and suing, come on, think about it. We're not stupid. We just want to skate. We are not troublemakers and we would just like a place to practice our sport and do what we love.
My dad, who is a police officer, supports skating, but I'm often confined to my driveway because it is everything but a crime to sake in my own city. We are considered vandals and do not like being treated this way.
We have basketball courts in every school for basketball. We have several football teams so we assembled a stadium. We have some ballparks for baseball. We reap taxes so when one morning a bridge goes out, or there is a mudslide, the city has enough funds for reconstruction. Doesn't it make a whole lot of sense for the city to help us in getting a skatepark? I think so.
Maybe the city could be of benefit in building some parks to encourage this rapidly growing sport. They could even charge a small fee to pay for insurance., mending, etc.
This letter is just one of many from the likes of hundreds.
Chris Coppock
OU Facility Too Small?
Like many wrestling fans, I am concerned about the Big 12 Tournament being held in the OU Fieldhouse. According to OU representative Jerry Pettibone, the Fieldhouse capacity is 3,100. Mr. Pettibone stated that he had been assured that the facility would accommodate all those who wish to attend. On March 7, the athletes, coaches, trainers, families and fans from five universities will travel to the state of Oklahoma to take part in the one-day tournament.
Someone has surely overlooked the fact that the 1994 tournament at Iowa State University attracted 3,007 fans and the 1996 event at Gallagher-Iba in Stillwater was attended by 4,767 fans. Also, the 1996 OSU vs. OU dual forced the Fieldhouse to stretch its capacity to 3,123 and the 1997 dual attracted in excess of 2,500 fans.
Our family has already ordered reserved seats for the Big 12 Tournament and I urge all wrestling fans to get your tickets immediately so you will not be deprived of the opportunity to see some of the finest wrestling in the United States. Four of the five times competing are ranked in the top 10 in the nation.
If fans from OSU and OU can "pack the house" for a dual, just imagine what the addition of three universities will do.
Pat Branch
Newkirk
By PATTI PFEIFFER
News Staff Writer
A sign of the times, lack of compliance has the city manager now recommending that newly installed signs be removed. Since being erected, the signs which restrict left turns from Patton Drive onto North Fourteenth Street, have caused complications for citizens and the city alike.
Once only noncompliance as the cause for concern, alleys and parking lots problems are now plaguing city officials and police as drivers are using creative "alternative routes."
In response to left turns being banned at the intersection, drivers desiring to turn are now utilizing nearby parking lots and alleys as alternatives. City Manager Gary Martin says that some vehicles are traveling at speeds up to 30 mph in nearby north bound alleys creating a "dangerous situation."
The restriction was recommending by the traffic commission and previously approved by city commission on Oct. 13 in an effort to decrease both the accident rate and reduce delays for those turning right. The restriction went into effect when the signs were erected Oct. 17
Since then the compliance rate of the restriction has been less than satisfactory, to say the least. According to Traffic Engine Director Mike Lane, a recent compliance study, conducted at the intersection during peak hours, showed and an estimated 145 illegal turns in a 12 hour period. It is estimated that as many as 30 percent of all drivers are not observing the restriction.
To make matters worse, the new restriction has a nearby business parking lot full not only of customers but also those wanting to avoid the restricted turn lane.
In order to increase compliance and reduce violations the police department initiated a recent "sting" operation wherein a patrol officer was assigned to the intersection last week. However, Martin and Police Chief Raymond Ham agree that even additional signs will not correct the problems the signs have caused.
During the regular scheduled meeting Monday night City Commissioners will be voting on the recommendation to remove the signs and send the issue back to the traffic commission for further study.
In addition to receiving the annual audit report, City Commissioners will also be voting on the purchase of six new police patrol vehicles. According to the agenda summary, Ford is the only manufacturer of standardized sized police cars for 1998 and only two Ford dealers submitted bids for the vehicles.
The bid committee is recommending the commissioners accept the bid from Crossland Ford of Newkirk in the amount of $120,240. Bowker Ford, the local dealer, also bid the cars but was over $3,000 higher than the low bid.
The commissioners will also be considering an amendment to the city ordinance which would change the length of time for a retail low-point beer sellers license. If approved the license would change the duration of the license from 1 year to 3 years. If approved the fee would likewise increase from $20 to $60. The change would allow the city license to conform with the state license reducing the amount of required paperwork.
Also on the agenda is a request to approve a change order in the contract for repairs at the Marland Mansion. The $4,500 request is needed for an additional 15 stones for the completion for the north terrace.
The request is the second change order in the original $80,500. If approved this change would increase the total contract amount to $92,350. According to the architect and the city engineer the replacement of the 15 stones could not be anticipated.
The Ponca City Utility Authority and Development Authority will also be receiving financial reports and statements from the fiscal year during Monday night's meeting.
Items for the City Calendar should be brought in or telephoned (765-3311) to Bob Patterson, at the Ponca City News, by Thursday noon.
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Ponca City Mid-High has released the names of the eighth and ninth grade students placed on the Principal and Faculty Honor Rolls for the fall semester.
To be placed on the Principal's Honor Roll, students must maintain a 4.0 grade point average, and a 3.0 grade point average for the Faculty's Honor Roll.
Principal's Honor Roll
Eighth Grade
Eighth graders were Sharnice Alexander, Robert Bushaw, Meena Chahar, Audry Conley, Stephanie Council, James Cullin, Emily Day, Matt Dexrey, Bethany Dester, Matthew Ellis, Ashley Ford, Amber Foy, Desiree Franseen, Susan Galvin, Cameron Gifford, Kara Hardy, Ryan Hensley, Jaime Hereford, Mallory Hodge, Daniel Hunget, Amy Hutchinson, Aaron Jones, Jessica Jorgensen, Shawna Kelley, Tyler Kimrey, Elizabeth Ladd, Kathleen Larrison, Jamie Leach, Aaron Lewis, Benjamin Lewis, Tiffany Long, Chad Longmore, Robin Maril, Jeffrey McCall, Larry Merz, Morgan Mongold, Matthew Moore and Jaimee Neal.
Others were Elizabeth Newman, Becka Orr, Jaime Pettigrew, Andrew Romine, Trevor Seales, Amanda Sells, Stacy Sherman, Brianne Smith, Kevin Stauffer, Robert Trant, Lauren Vaughn, Trevor Viljoen, Creighton Weber, Jenna Wedd, Gilles A. Weingart, Phillip Wingender and Emily Wiswell.
Ninth Grade
Ninth graders were James Anderson, Candace Benson, Joeann Biby, Jena Birdsong, Clara Bowen, Sunita Chahar, Aaron Cohenour, Brandi Combes, Lisa Drouhard, Karalyn Eyster, Tim Frick, Amanda-Mindy Gray, Alecia Hagerdon, Angela Kana, Michael Keen, Erin Keeler, Cassie Klick, Tasha Leatherman, Jennifer Long, Kendra Love, Emily Luebcke, Michael Martin, Andra Nuzum, Joshua Pitts, Megan Potter, Abby Roth, Jacquelyn Salmons, Kyle Smith, Brian Taylor, Susan Taylor, Seth Thorp, Kristopher Upchurch and Eric Whitebay.
Faculty's Honor Roll
Eighth Grade
Eighth graders were Douglas Allison, Tiffany Almack, Christina Anderson, Nicole Austin, Alexandria Barnett, Kyle Batson, Matt Biddinger, Courtney Birdsong, Belinda Birge, Chelsea Bland, Byron Blazek, Kyle Bogner, Kristi Bradley, Kristen Brett, Aaron Brooke, Joshua Brotherton, Bryan Buie, Sidney Carnes, April Casey, Teri Chambray, Nichole Chance, Amanda Chaplin, Holly Cough, Lacy Cobble, Crystina Cochran, Sean Cochran, Troy Cochran, Aliceann Combest, Traci Conley, Loren Copeland, Christy Cowan, Jennifer Cowan, Andrew Cranford, Charley Daniel, Joseph Davis, Nichole Dennis, Lerisha Dershem, Stephanie Dyer, Heather Elston, Elizabeth England, Jacob Engle, David Fisher, Beth Fleharty, Sonia Fry, Paul Gammill, Shayla Gildhouse, Jeremiah Glover, Lucas Goodman, Diana Grant, Jennifer Gray, Luke Gray, Kelsey Griffith and Trista Hannon.
Others were Randi Hannum, Nicholas Hartman, Tory Hazen, Novie Heilman, Peter Hightower, Amanda Hinch, Jennifer Hogan, Dru Hudnall, Lucas Hudson, Derek Hunt, Amanda Ingram, Emily Jack, Kelby Johnson, Micah Johnson, Shanna Johnson, Daniel Johnston, Jason Jump, Josh Kelle, Austin Keller, Philis Kellert, Rachel Kellert, Chase Kelly, Melissa Kelly, Katherine Kennedy, Candice Kent, Emily Kent, Lindsay Knox, Katherine Lawrence, Ryan Lawson, Aaron Leadingfox, Lindsey Lessert, Sara Lewis, Jeffery Lindley, Benjamin Loney, Zachary Loney, Kara Long, Eric Martinez, Casey Maultsby, Bryan McDonald, Joseph McElhaney, Kelly McNeese, Crystal Miles, Mikel Montgomery, Jeremy Moore, Laura Murray, Brandon Nash, Nikki Owens, Tara Owens, Beth Peterson, Fabron Porter, Allison Powell, Michael Proctor, Michelle Quick, Keli Ramsey, Ashley Russell, Christina Rutledge, April Sage, Monica Sawyers, Daniel Schnack, Nickolas Schones, Tera Schoolex and Brian Scott.
Stevie Scott, Virginia Shewmake, Rusti Simpson, Nicole Sledge, Latoya Smith, Molly Smith, Misti Spears, Jason Staires, Elizabeth Stanton, Amanda Summers, Whitney Talbot, James Tapp, Brandon Tarr, Ashley Tharp, Leah Thorp, Douglas Tosh, Amy Trice, Dezri Truyen, Michael VanHoesen, Leesa Varhol, Meredith Veal, Brian Warren, Allison Watson, Branda Watson, Amber Westerman, Brad Whitsitt, Raeanna Wiles, Myha Wilson, Steven Windler, Matthew Wittmer, Stephen Wolff, Sherina Wood, Brandon Woodland and Bruce Yates.
Ninth Grade
Ninth graders were Matthew Addington-Johnso, Alicia Allen, Caleb Allison, Brandon Altman, Jennifer Arner, Ashley Atteberry, Casey Badley, Jacob Bailey, Dustin Barden, Kristen Birdwell, Jackie Bohon, Matt Bond, Crystal Bounds, Jared Brashears, Kassandra Bridges, Heather Brown, Meagan Browning, Jessica Burgert, Matthew Caine, Talia Ceniti, Sheena Chance, Amory Clark, Aubry Clark, Megan Clark, Luke Cobb, Candala Coffman, Anna Colbath, Katherine Connelly, Natashia Copple, Bryan Coppock, Karie Corbin, Jerimy Cox, Tienna Cox, Tara Cries For Ribs, Cara Cusick, Jennifer Daine, Elizabeth Danforth, Amber DeWeese, Benton Dickey, Clair Didlake, Brandon Dilbeck, Jennifer Doughty, Alyssa Drumm, Jamie Durham, David Edwardson, Seth Erkenbeck, April Fair, Heather Fair/Daniel, Kyle Filson, Tommy Fisher, Colin Fleishacker, Jeffrey Fore, Nesley Fortenberry and Holly Fristoe.
Others were John Fultz, John Gaytan, Tasha Gerstenkorn, Rachel Gilliland, Louis/Louie Girardi, Hallie Godbehere, Oscar Gramillo, Jeff Hand, Colleen Hanson, Richard Hardiman, Nichole Hardy, Carrie Haworth, James Hays, Kyle Henderson, John Hermes, Angela Hile, Ryan Hill, Jessica Hubbard, Jessica Hurd, Sara James, Staci Jeffries, Justin Jones, Lindsay Kaiser, Andrew Kana, Mark Keller, Aubrey Kelly, Meagan King, Christin Kirchenbauer, Kari Koster, Lindsey Lamm, Nathan Lane, Squire Lawrence, John Lee, Camber Lewis, Nicholas Ley, Rex Lundeen, Rachel Maxon, Michele McChristian, Buddy McCoy, Meghan McCoy, Laura McDaniel, Sara McEnany, Jandy McGuire, Erin Megenity, Chelsea Merrifield, Karly Merrifield, Stephen Michael, Becky Miller, Kim Miller, Rebecca Miller, Elizabeth Milligan, Kyle Morrison, Tara Nelson, Kenton Nesbit, Ronnie Newman, Jennifer Niemann, Jennifer Nimmo, Randy Novotny, Kayla O'Kelley, Megan O'Neill, Sheralyn Otto, James Ozment, Mark Parsons, Katherine Paschal, Jennifer Peck, Angel Penny, Jessica Plagmann, Stefanie Reece, Jacquelyn Revels, Keith Riordan, Hillary Robinson, Josh Schatte, Philip Seeley, Ashley Seirer, J. Michael Sharon, Jonathan Shea, Amanda Shelton, Jacee Shepard and Joshua Short.
Amanda Smith, Gina Smith, Timothy Spielbusch, Benjamin Steichen, Kyle Stewart, Amber Stolhand, Rustin Storie, Billy Struble, Russell Struble, Elard Thomas, Jennifer Tippin, Dustin Topper, Tara Trenary, Heather VanBuren, Cory Vincent, Ali Walston, Sarah Whitlock, Erika Wiles, Marcie Wilkinson, Matthew Wilks, Lee Williams, Lindsey Williams, Emily Wolf, Trevor Woods, Ryan Yeakley, Kevin Yerkes and Melissa Yohn.
Elementary Breakfast
Elementary Lunch
Middle School and Mid-High
Breakfast
Middle School
Lunch
Mid-High
Lunch
High School Lunch
All American
Training Table
McCord Elementary
Breakfast
Lunch
Pioneer Technology Center
Mid-High
Jan. 26
Jan. 27
Jan. 29
Po-Hi
Jan. 26
Jan. 27
Jan. 28
Jan. 29
Jan. 30
Jan. 31
Feb. 1
Blackwell
Civil Proceedings
Newkirk
Marriage Licenses
The No. 6-9 Otstot Unit, a 3,650-ft. well, has been amended in Kay County's Blackwell Field.
Ballard Petroleum is the operator.
Drillsite has been modified. Location is two miles northwest of Blackwell.
Section 4-township 27n-range 1w-sw-sw.
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Two developmental wells are planned by Hegco Canada Inc. in Kay County's Ponca City Field, about 4.5 miles northwest of White Eagle.
The wells will be known as the No. 3 and No. 4 Hegco Alberta.
The No. 3 well will seek production in the Stray Formation at a depth of 1,000 feet, while the No. 4 well will potential the Tonkawa Sand Formation at a depth of 2,200 feet.
Section 4-township 25n-range 2e-sw-sw (both wells).
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Marbet Partners has revealed plans to drill a 2,200-ft. developmental well in Noble County's Polo Field. The operator has designated the venture as the No. 2 Marbet Partners. Drill site is 3.2 miles northwest of Perry.
Section 2-township 21n-range 2w-sw-se.
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Drillsite has been staked for the No. 1 Tony, a 1,300-ft. developmental well in the Orlando Field, Noble County. The operation will be located five miles south of Perry. Blackcat Oil Co. is the operator.
Section 20-township 20n-range 1w-sw-ne.
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The No. 2-97 Guame, a 4,750-ft. developmental well, is scheduled to be drilled in Noble County's Tonkawa Field. Hegco Canada Inc. is the operator. The well will be spudded one mile southeast of Three Sands.
Section 2-township 24n-range 1w-se-ne.
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Vector Exploration Inc. has posted first production data for the No. 2-18 Sledge, the No. 3-19 Black and the No. 2-19 Black, newly completed gas wells in Noble County's South Tonkawa Field, about five miles northeast of Billings.
The wells flowed 35,000, 55,000 and 45,000 CF gas per day, respectively.
Bottomed at 575, 532 and 532 feet, the wells will produce from perforations ranging from 463 to 507 feet into the wellbores.
Section 18-township 24n-range 1w-sw-sw.
Section 19-township 24n-range 1w-ne-sw.
Section 19-township 24n-range 1w-sw-sw.
Kids will really enjoy eating at the annual Child Development Center chili/hot dog supper menu to be served from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, at the First Christian Church. The menu includes the favorite food of kids (ages 2 to 100) - hot dogs and chili dogs.
Other items also on the menu will be homemade chili, homemade desserts, homemade bread and drinks. Tickets for adults will be $4 and children's tickets are $2. Tickets may be purchased from CDC board members or at the door the night of the supper. Carry-outs will also be available.
The homemade chili and homemade bread are specialities of Kaye Motz, board member. The homemade bread will be available for purchase by the loaf at $2.
Funds will be used for supplies and other needs at the Child Development Center, which was organized in January 1966 by Church Women United. In addition to support by the churches, funding is also provided by the United Way, area businesses and private contributions.
The center was created for children of low-income families in the preschool formative years, when foundations of love, trust, and feelings of adequacy and belonging are being formed. Tuition is based on the parent's ability to pay.
The first center was opened in the activity building of the First Christian Church, and changed several times before finding a permanent home in 1988 at 344 South Elm Street, where the large building provides quality, affordable day care for Ponca City children.
"CDC can provide quality care and a safe and healthy environment because of the community support it receives from Ponca City citizens through United Way, local churches and businesses, and individuals," says Motz.
Children from ages 10 month to 6 years are accepted at the Center, which is open Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Children are divided into classes according to age, with each age group occupying their own room in the spacious center.
The building can accommodate up to 105 children if funding is adequate for staff.
By Muriel R. Gillick, MD
Harvard University Press
Cambridge, Mass., 1994
(Editor's Note: This review was written by an employee of St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, who found the book extremely appropriate for our times.)
Americans, in their boundless optimism, are said to consider death optional and to believe that medical miracles are available, if not on demand, at least on a lottery basis. Yet there is much fear and mistrust regarding our medical system, especially as it deals with end of life care. The popular support Dr. Kevorkian commands stands in sharp contrast to the often invoked assertion that Americans have the best medical care in the world.
This book is a modest and readable attempt to confront one of the many paradoxes of health care today. Although almost everyone expresses horror at the prospect of ending life dependent upon machines, Americans continue to demand, for themselves and their relatives, high tech interventions which make the feared outcome likely. The attention given to living wills and other forms of advance directives has had little impact on the choices made by and for elderly people once they are hospitalized.
Dr. Gillick's intent is to educate the public about appropriate use of medical interventions as well as their inherent limitations. An internist and an ethicist who specialized in geriatrics, she uses composite case histories to focus on the experience of illness and disability in the elderly. Her examples point out the web of relationships and circumstances which need to be considered in choosing what is life enhancing and respectful for a given patient. Her case histories raise many issues and are valuable in their insistence on looking at benefit, or lack thereof, to the whole person. Rather than arbitrary age criteria such as are used in some European countries, she advocates making functional status, i.e., robust, frail, demented, or dying, the guide for goal setting and decision making. Her humane, careful approach recognizes the complexity of the needs of patients and their families, as well as the tradeoffs and side effects of various treatments. She deals with average expectable problems, ones we will all face at some point.
This is an excellent book for the lay person who wants to increase his or her understanding of what medical interventions can and cannot do for elderly individuals. Such knowledge can provide a framework for choosing among the often bewildering options involved in the treatment of chronic illness.
A meeting of the Kay County Free Fair Board will be held on Monday, Feb. 2, in the Programming Room of the Ponca City Library beginning at 6:30 p.m.
The Library is located at 515 East Grand, and the Programming Room is in the basement.
The purpose of the meeting is to discuss changes for the 1998 fair, according to Kay County Free Fair Board secretary Larry Fleck.
The meeting is open to the public and all residents of Kay County are invited to attend.
Helpline will begin a volunteer training class starting Feb. 2, announced Mrs. Pat Hand, executive director. The class includes 11 sessions on each diverse subjects as how to listen when people are hurting, depression, crisis intervention, grief, and chronic mental illness.
Taught by professionals from the mental health community and Helpline staff, this class will be helpful to anyone who needs to develop better listening skills or learn about community resources that are available for those needing mental, emotional or material assistance.
The classes will be held every Monday from 7 to 9 p.m., beginning Feb. 2, through April 13, at Grace Episcopal Church, 109 North Thirteenth Street. Cost of the 11-week course if $20. There is no obligation to become a Helpline telephone volunteer by attending the classes, stated Mrs. Hand, and many people have enrolled to sharpen their listening skills or learn more about the community's helping agencies. For additional information, call Helpline, 765-5551 anytime.
Helpline began in 1973 as a telephone crisis intervention and referral service, and handles 10,000 calls annually. Their services are available 24 hours every day to assist callers who just need to talk through their problems or be referred to local agencies and organizations who can accommodate their needs. Helpline is a United Way agency, serving all of Kay County.
The Kay County Board of Directors of the American Heart Association is presenting an informational forum for the community. The event will be Feb. 3 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Elks Lodge, 1301 Bradley in Ponca City. The program will include personal testimonies and a panel of speakers as follows:
Debbie Bartlett, Emergency Cardiovascular Care Consultant in Oklahoma for the Heartland Affiliate of the AHA; Larry Schafnitt, EMT-P Enid Fire Department and Basic Life-Saving Regional Faculty Member for the Heartland Affiliate; Pavel Riha, MD, PhD, Healthy Heartbeat, P.C., Cardiovascular Medicine and Diane Anderson, Kay County Board President of the AHA.
Other guests of honor are Ralston Creswell, Senior Vice President for the Oklahoma/Arkansas Heartland Affiliate, and Garry England, President and CEO, St. Joseph Regional Medical Center.
The American Heart Association is dedicated to the reduction of disability and death from cardiovascular disease and stroke. In 1997, the AHA received over $3 million in public support and revenue. Of this amount, more than 80 percent was given to fund research, professional and public education/training and community service. Seventy-five percent of the funds raised in Oklahoma remain in Oklahoma. Of the 25 percent that goes to national headquarters, 64 percent is used to fund research projects throughout the country.
The meeting on Feb. 3 will provide an evening of education and information sharing. A light reception will follow the presentation. Please note that this event is being held in recognition of American Heart Month for educational purposes only; it is not a fund-raising activity. Sponsors of this meeting are St. Joseph Regional Medical Center and the Elks Lodge. For more information, contact Janet White, SJRMC Wellness Coordinator at (580) 765-0594.
With the focus on the Pioneer Woman Museum in Ponca City, the Oklahoma Historical Society invested $268,532 in Kay County during the past year, according to a report by Historical Society Deputy Executive Director Dr. Bob Blackburn.
The expenditures included $250,532 in funds appropriated by the State Legislature, said Blackburn, including personnel, supplies and remodeling the museum addition. The Historical Society spent $18,000 generated by private contributions.
"These expenditures are direct investments in preserving the heritage of Kay County," said Oklahoma Historical Society Executive Director Blake Wade. "They also have a direct impact on the local economy through jobs, services and heritage tourism.
"This ability to provide services through Historical Society facilities will be greatly improved in the near future if the Society receives funding for a new State History Center dedicated to all Oklahomans. The center will proudly present our state heritage while serving each county and community of the state through a variety of programs and services."
The Oklahoma Historical Society manages 35 museums and historic sites located in every part of the state, preserves millions of documents, more than 600,000 photos, operates a research library for the public, and sponsors more than 500 events a year to educate the public on state history.
Events range from living history presentations to seminars, lectures, workshops, special exhibits, open houses all over the state in cooperation with local friends groups. For more information on expenditures, call (405) 522-5240.
The emergence of language in a child is a tremendously exciting time for parents. It is the first verbal indication of the interests of a child and typically takes place around a child's first birthday. From this time to about the child's third birthday, most critical language learning and development takes place.
During this critical time, parents and caregivers can learn techniques to stimulate their child's language skills and enhance their overall development. A toddler's language development forms the basis for many later developing academic skills and can have a significant effect on their responsiveness to discipline and their behavior.
The Kay County Health Department Child Guidance Center will be offering a four part intensive language course entitled "Toddler Talk" to teach parents and caregivers ways to enhance a child's language development. The classes will be offered on Tuesday nights, Feb. 3rd, 10th, 17th, and 24th from 6 to 7 p.m. These classes will be held at the Guidance Center which is located at 1215 E. Hartford. Two class periods will cover language techniques and two class periods will be spent practicing the techniques that have been learned.
Also critical to a child's future success in school are what is called pre-literacy skills. These skills lay the foundation for later reading. The guidance center will be holding an informative class on "Teaching Pre-literacy Skills to Preschoolers." The class is designed for parents and children 3 to 5 years in age. Dates and times have not yet been selected but will be set pending response.
For more information or to enroll (enrollment is limited) please call the Center at 763-0100.
NEWKIRK - Voters in Kay County who want to have absentee ballots mailed to them for the annual school election and the statewide election should apply now. The last time to request absentee ballots is Feb. 4.
Application forms are available at the County Election Board office located at the Kay County Courthouse, Newkirk, between the hours of 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Any registered voter may vote by absentee ballot in any election in which he or she is eligible to vote.
It is not necessary to give a reason or excuse for voting absentee. While anyone can vote absentee without giving a reason, the law still provides several excuses and it is to the advantage of some voters to use one of them.
A first for Ponca City, the city manager will be hosting a "Coffee with the Auditors" on Jan. 26 from 4-5 p.m., at the Public Safety Center.
According to City Manager, Gary Martin, the purpose of the meeting is to provide an opportunity for the public to ask questions of the city's auditing firm, Baird, Kurtz and Dobson.
"This is the first time that the city has hosted a coffee prior to the annual audit presentation, Martin said. "We are always trying to find new methods for communicating the budget information to the citizens."
The annual audit for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1997 will be presented during the city commission meeting Monday night at 5:30 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 7 is the date for this year's first Infant/Child CPR and Safety class sponsored by St. Joseph Regional Medical Center.
The education session is scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon, and is open to parents, grandparents and other family members who provide care to children in their families.
All materials are written by the American Heart Association, and teach safety and prevention tips as well as infant and child cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) procedures. Other topics such as foreign body airway obstruction are scheduled for review.
The cost is $15 for one family member and $20 for two family members. If you cancel, a $5 fee will be retained for processing. Registration is required through outpatient scheduling at (580) 765-0499. Registration fees must be in no later than Jan. 31. You may mail them to SJRMC, attention Joanne Holman, P.O. Box 1270, Ponca City, Okla. 74602 or you may drop them by the information desk in SJRMC's lobby. The session is on a first come, first served basis and is limited to 15 participants.
SJRMC will coordinate three more sessions throughout the upcoming year.
United Way of Ponca City received a second place award for excellence in the campaign brochure category of the 1998 Communications Contest at the Marketing and Communications Roundtable held in Birmingham, Ala.
This year more than 1,000 entries were received from 224 individual United Ways.
"This award really goes to the graphics department at Conoco," says Helene Schwartz, United Way director. "As a small United Way, we do not have the budget for high tech artwork or professional artists. What we do have is a great friend in Conoco. This year's brochure was designed by the graphics department at Conoco. They not only designed the brochure but printed it at no cost to United Way."
Schwartz said that what makes this brochure innovative and unique for Ponca City is that it has been combined with the pledge card and payroll deduction card. She said, "The brochure is fun, exciting, and easy to use. It says, open me up I have fun things to tell you about your community."
She said the response was overwhelmingly positive. "I feel confident that it was a factor in helping us reach our goal this year," says Schwartz.
The winning entries will be included in the 1998 Communications Contest Book that will be distributed to United Ways throughout the country.
Oklahoma's first state capital is now home to a translator station for Christian radio KLVV.
Heard on 97.3 FM, the translator broadcasts from Guthrie and is the city's only broadcast station at present. KLVV station manager Doyle Brewer is pleased with the outcome of many months of work. "We're glad to provide the Guthrie area with our format of Today's Christian Music and the opportunity to hear some of the nation's top Christian teachers, ministers and programs. One of the most popular programs, Focus on the Family, is aired at 6 a.m., 10 a.m. and 6 p.m."
KLVV's signal in Guthrie reaches the town and can also be heard from about the Stillwater/Highway 51 exit on I-35 down to about the Frontier City amusement park and can be heard in parts of Edmond. Brewer added, "For years people traveling on I-35 have said, "I lose your signal around Guthrie, so now we're excited to extend our listening area a little farther south for travelers."
The Guthrie rebroadcast station is the third for KLVV. They also have translators at 98.3 FM in Enid and 106.7 FM in Stillwater. Their main frequency is broadcast from Ponca City on 88.7 FM. Brewer said, "Being a non-profit station supported by our listeners, we feel that our contributors across the area are excited with us for the continuing expansion of the station."
The Rural Water, Sewer, and Solid Waste Management District No. 3 (Braden) will hold its annual meeting Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at the Braden Community Center.
Voter registration will begin at 7 p.m., and each participating member is entitled to one vote. Two board members will be elected.
In case of inclement weather, the meeting will be on Feb. 4.
DEATHS
Pearl Gunn Barksdale, longtime Ponca City resident, died Friday, Jan. 23, 1998, at the Ponca City Nursing Home. She was 93.
The funeral service will be held Tuesday, Jan. 27, 1998, at 10:30 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church Chapel with the Rev. David Clipson, associate pastor, officiating. Burial will be in the Odd Fellows Cemetery under the direction of the Trout Funeral Home. The casket will not be opened at the church, however, friends may call at the funeral home until 9 a.m. Tuesday.
Pearl Gunn Barksdale was born Dec. 3, 1904, in Oklahoma Territory near Beaver, the daughter of William Sweeney and Ella Vesta (Small) Gunn. She attended schools in Lynhaven, Fla., and Lawton, Ardmore, and Idabel, Okla. On May 10, 1926, she married Sidney O. Barksdale at the First Presbyterian Church in Ponca City. He preceded her in death March 15, 1951. Mrs. Barksdale was employed as a sales clerk at various Ponca City businesses for 62 years. She had been a member of the First Presbyterian Church since 1924. She was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star since 1924 and had served as Worthy Grand Matron in 1986, and had received her 50-year pin. She had memberships in the Literature Group, the Ponca City Women's Club and the Poinsettia Club. She enjoyed sewing and tatting.
Surviving Mrs. Barksdale are a daughter, Reitagae Wilkerson and a son, William Sidney Barksdale, both of Ponca City; one stepson, John Harvey Barksdale of Okmulgee; nine grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren, two nieces and one nephew. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, and two sisters.
Casket bearers will be Sidney Ingmire, Scott Ingmire, Chris Short, David Wilkerson, James C. Harman, and Cody Harman.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Bill German Fund, in care of Hospice of Ponca City, 1904 North Union, Suite 103, Ponca City, OK 74601.
NEWKIRK - Viola Cristine Deakins, longtime Newkirk resident, died Saturday morning, Jan. 24, 1998, in Newkirk. She was 72.
The funeral has been scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27, 1998, in the Newkirk Assembly of God Church with the Rev. Luther Pepper officiating. Burial is to follow in Grandview Cemetery, Kaw City, under the direction of Miller-Stahl Funeral Service.
Viola Cristine Deakins was born May 6, 1925, at Washunga, Okla., the daughter of Victor and Lucy May (Moody) Dunger. She grew up and attended school in Washunga and Kaw City. After she finished her schooling, she stayed on the family farm helping her parents with the operation. On Feb. 11, 1944, she and Clarence Waren Deakins were married at Kaw City. They established their first home at Washunga. Her husband's work transferred him to Pampa, Texas, where they lived for two years before moving to Kaw City. His work then took them to Flippin, Ark., where they lived for a time before returning to Kaw City. In 1970, they moved to Newkirk where she has since resided. In 1987 she began working as a custodian for the Newkirk School System and retired in 1992. She was a member of the Assembly of God Church, and she enjoyed fishing and crocheting.
Surviving her are two sons, James Deakins of Newkirk, Okla. and Kenneth Deakins of Del Rio, Texas; one daughter, Mrs. Sam (Vicky) Larimore of Newkirk; three sisters, Rachael Thompson and Dolly Meeks, both of Newkirk and Marie Dunger of Wichita, Kan.; eight grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by one daughter, her parents, five brothers and two sisters.
A memorial fund has been established with Hospice of Ponca City. Contributions may be made through Eastman National Bank, Box 468, Newkirk, Okla. 74647.
Paul W. Jensen, resident of Ponca City, died Thursday afternoon, Jan. 22, 1998, at the Cushing (Okla.) Hospital. He was 93.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 26, 1998, at Grace Memorial Chapel with Rev. Rick Ketchum, Ozark, Ark., presiding. Interment will be at the Odd Fellows Cemetery under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.
Paul W. Jensen was born March 12, 1904, at Kildare, Okla., the son of Wilhelm Jensen and Augusta (Paulson) Jensen. He graduated from Newkirk High School in the early 1920s and later completed one year of college work at Southwestern College, Winfield, Kan. He was married to Marie Hutcherson, who preceded him in death in 1949, and to Ruby Bacher who preceded him in death in 1984. Mr. Jensen was a retired Santa Fe Railroad section foreman, serving as past president of the Santa Fe Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employee Union. He also had served as mayor of Uncas, Okla. In earlier years he attended the Uncas Baptist Church. His enjoyments were reading, gardening and playing dominoes at the Senior Citizens Center.
He is survived by one son, Ned Jensen, Ponca City; one stepson, Eugene Morrow, Choctaw, Okla.; two stepdaughters, Wanda Ketchum, Bixby, Okla. and Margaret Houghton, Westminster, Colo.; one sister, Laura Bradbury, Winfield, Kan.; seven grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, two wives, and one sister, Ruth Cook.
Casket bearers will be Don Donley, Bryan Ketchum, Dick Jacobson, Clyde Booth, Gary Ketchum and Clark Houghton.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer Association, Tulsa Chapter, 6465 South Yale, Suite 318, Tulsa, Okla. 74136.
The family will be at 1309 McGraw.
Fay Ormand, longtime Ponca City resident, died at the St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Friday morning, Jan. 23, 1998. She was 92.
The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m., Monday afternoon, at the First Christian Church, with the Rev. Charles M. Heyer, Associate Minister, officiating. Burial will follow in the Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery under direction of the Trout Funeral Home.
Fay Ormand was born June 5, 1905 in Alva, Okla., the daughter of Sherman and Mary (Menefee) Brown. She attended Alva and Ponca City schools. She was married to Homer Ormand, Feb. 7, 1925 in Ponca City. Ms. Ormand was a child care attendant at the First Christian Church for many years and enjoyed crocheting and raising flowers. She was a member of the First Christian Church.
Survivors include two sons, H.E. "Bud" Ormand of Ponca City, and Steve Ormand; two daughters, Mrs. Bob (Virginia) McWhorter of Ponca City and Mary Jo Lotton of Wichita, Kan.; also 15 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Homer Ormand on May 28, 1989; a daughter, Doris Epperson, one granddaughter and a grandson.
Casket bearers will be grandsons, Shelby Epperson, Homer Epperson, Kevin Ormand, Tom Ormand, Bobby McWhorter, David Lotton and Ranond Bowers.
Memorials may be made in Mrs. Ormand's name to the First Christian Church (Nursery Department), 210 North Fifth, Ponca City, OK 74601.
The family will be at the H.E. "Bud" Ormand home, 1805 Northeast Woodland.
Claudine Engstrom, longtime Ponca City resident, died Thursday, Jan. 22, 1998, at the Continuous Care Center at St. John's Hospital of Tulsa. She was 70.
The memorial service will be held Monday, Jan. 26, 1998, at 10 a.m. in the Trout Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. David Clipson, associate pastor of First Presbyterian Church, officiating. Inurnment will be in Longwood Cemetery.
Mrs. Engstrom was born March 11, 1927, in Ponca City to Claude and Mary (Hoffman) Stillwell. She came to Ponca City in 1956 from Oklahoma City. On July 4, 1959, she married Alfred E. Engstrom in Ponca City. He preceded her death in 1983. Mrs. Engstrom was employed as a custodian for First Presbyterian Church for several years before retiring in 1992. She enjoyed flowers, gardening, traveling and shopping.
She is survived by a son, Arthur R. Stingley of Ponca City; daughter, Sharon Pruitt of Tulsa, Okla.; sister, Loretta Lancaster of Ponca City; and several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband, her parents and a brother, Lyman Stillwell, preceded her in death.
There will be no visitation at the funeral home; however, the family will be at 1036 North Oak Street.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Claudine Engstrom Memorial Fund at the Bank of Oklahoma, 2007 North Fourteenth Street, Ponca City, Okla. 74601, in care of Joyce Mills.
MULVANE, Kan. - Kenneth Marion Johnson, brother of Lela Welch of Ponca City, died Thursday, Jan. 22, 1998 in Via Christi - St. Joseph Hospital in Wichita. He was 70, and a resident of Mulvane, Kan.
The funeral service will be Monday, Jan. 26, at 2 p.m. in Mulvane Christian Church in Mulvane, Kan. with the Rev. Larry Snodgrass officiating. Burial will follow in Mulvane City Cemetery under direction of Devorss Flanagan-Hunt Mortuary, Wichita, Kan.
Kenneth Marion Johnson was born Dec. 4, 1927 in Eva, Okla. He was a retired engineer from Boeing in Wichita, Kan.
Surviving are his wife, Rene Johnson of the home in Mulvane; a son, Karl Johnson of Houston, Texas; a daughter, Janice Schluter of Canon City, Colo.; two brothers, L.R. Johnson of Goodwell, Okla. and Paul Johnson of San Jose, Calif.; two sisters, Helen Fielding of Oklahoma City and Lela Welch of Ponca City, also six grandchildren.
Memorials may be made in Mr. Johnson's name to The Arthritis Foundation, Kansas Chapter, 1602 East Waterman, Wichita, KS 67211.
TONKAWA - Funeral services for Eva Marguerite Gulick, a longtime Tonkawa resident, will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 26, 1998, in the Chapel of McCafferty-Bolick Funeral Home of Tonkawa.
Mrs. Gulick died Saturday, Jan. 24, 1998 in Shawn Manor Nursing Home. She was 98.
Dr. Brian Kovacs, minister of the United Methodist Church, will be the clergy officiating. Burial will be conducted in the Blackwell Cemetery following the Chapel Services. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 8 a.m. Monday until service time, then the casket will be closed.
Mrs. Gulick was born Oct. 24, 1899, in Denver, Colo. to her parents, Timothy and Sarah (Mack) Mahoney. She came to Tonkawa as a child and attended school in Tonkawa, graduating from University Preparatory School in 1920. She married Charles Gulick on May 20, 1920, at Winfield, Kan. After marriage she settled on a farm at Tonkawa with her family. Eva was a member of the United Methodist Church of Tonkawa, The Rebekahs, The Order of Eastern Star and the African Violet Club.
She is survived by her grandchildren, Deneise Miner, Elizabeth Suter Smith and Jim Suter, all of Ponca City; and Bill Suter, Broken Arrow, Okla.; great-grandchildren Stacey Glowacki, Jeremy Suter and Hailie Courtney, all of Ponca City; and Cody Suter, Broken Arrow; great-great-grandchild Justin Glowacki of Ponca City; and Susie Dodge of Tonkawa and Mary Lou Kornmeyer of Edmond, Okla., whom she raised. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Charles, daughter Marguerite Eloise Suter, an infant son, and four brothers, Frank, Leonard, Vernon and Eugene.
paid obituary
Eldred Post, Ponca City resident, died Saturday, Jan. 24, 1998, at his home. He was 78. Survivors include his wife, Betty, of the home. The funeral is scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday in the First Church of God. Other arrangements are pending with Grace Memorial Chapel, and will be announced later.
Beaulah Ellen Quimby, former Ponca City resident, died Thursday, Jan. 22, 1998, at Oxford, Kan. She was 88. Services are set for 2 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27 at Grace Memorial Chapel.
MONDAY
Stephen W. Young - Long and Folk Funeral Home in St. Marys, Ohio with
burial in Elm Grove Cemetery there.
NEWSBRIEFS
Water Recruitment Day - The Bluestem Girl Scout Council, Ponca City Service Unit, will hold a Water Recruitment Fun Day. All girl scouts can enjoy a fun-filled afternoon swimming and playing water games in an indoor heated pool. The date has been set for Feb. 13 from 1-4 p.m. at the Ponca City YMCA. The cost is free to all registered Girl Scouts and $7 for non-Girl Scouts. The deadline has been extended to Feb. 9. For more information call the Girl Scout office at 762-9616.
Burglary - At 7:53 a.m. Friday a burglary at the Animal Control Center, 2501 East Central Avenue, was reported. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Residence Burglary - At 8:33 a.m. Friday a resident in the 1700 block of Dover Drive reported a burglary at the residence. A report was taken.
Theft - A resident in the 1100 block of South Ninth Street advised police at 8:46 a.m. Friday that a wheel barrow was stolen. A report was taken.
Arrest - Police arrested a 27-year-old man at 8:48 a.m. Friday from the 2200 block of North Ash Street for driving under suspension.
Harassment - A resident in the 300 block of North Birch Street reported harassment to police at 9:16 a.m. Friday. A report was taken.
Theft - At 9:18 a.m. Friday a fire extinguisher was reportedly stolen from the 3400 block of North Fourteenth Street. A report was taken.
Harassing Calls - A resident in the 1300 block of South Seventh Street reported harassing phone calls to police at 11:12 a.m. Friday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Vandalism - At 11:33 a.m. Friday a car was reportedly sprayed with a "fire bottle" in the 1400 block of Queens Avenue. A report was taken.
Accident - A two vehicle accident at West Hartford Avenue and North Waverly Street was reported at 11:51 a.m. Friday. An officer was assigned.
Arrest - A 27-year-old man was arrested at 1:11 p.m. Friday from the 800 block of West Highland Avenue on a city warrant for failure to pay.
Tool Theft - At 2:30 p.m. Friday a person in the 300 block of South Birch Street reported tools taken. A report was taken.
Assault and Arrest - At 3:28 p.m. Friday a 16-year-old girl was arrested for assault and battery after a student was reportedly assaulted at the Ponca City High School.
Grass Fire - Fire units responded to a grass fire at West South Avenue and South Waverly Street at 3:46 p.m. Friday. The fire was extinguished.
Assault - A woman advised police at 3:54 p.m. Friday that her grandson had been assaulted at the Lincoln Center, 700 West Broadway Avenue. A report was taken.
Vandalism - At 4:02 p.m. Friday police were called to the 100 block of West Oklahoma Avenue to take a report on a destruction of private property that reportedly occurred Thursday night.
Skate boarders Moved - Police were called to Ponca City High School at 5:29 p.m. to remove skate boarders from the parking lot.
"Tater" Gun - At 6:02 p.m. police received a call from a person reporting three men shooting a gun and who then left in a truck. Police located the vehicle and determined that the gun was a "potato gun." A report was taken.
Assault - Police were called to the 700 block of North Ash Street at 6:36 p.m. Friday to take a report from a man that had been assaulted earlier at his home.
Arrest - A 43-year-old man was arrested at 8:54 p.m. Friday from the 2500 block of Industrial Boulevard on two counts of embezzlement by an employee.
Egg Throwing - At 9:07 p.m. Friday police received a report of a person in a car throwing eggs on North Fifth Street at East Hartford Avenue.
Arrest - A 17-year-old man was arrested at 9:53 p.m. Friday for discharging a weapon in a public place.
Deer Moved - At 9:53 p.m. Friday police were advised that a deer was in the road east of North Union Street on Hubbard Road. The sheriff's office was advised.
False Alarm - Due to a report of smoke, fire units were called to the First Assembly of God, 1308 East Bradley Street at 10:18 p.m. Friday. However the smoke was determined to be coming from a neighbor's fireplace.
Arrest - Police arrested a 38-year-old man at 10:38 p.m. Friday from the 200 block of West Hartford Avenue for driving under restriction and no insurance.
Break-In - At 11:22 p.m. Friday police were notified of a vehicle at Darr Park that had been broken into through a back window that had been broken out. A report was taken.
Beer Theft - At 12:16 a.m. Saturday a beer theft at a store at East Highland Avenue and North Second Street was reported. A 30 pack of beer and two six packs was reportedly stolen. An officer was assigned and some of the beer was recovered. A report was taken.
Arrest - Police arrested a 32-year-old man at 12:18 a.m. Saturday from West South Avenue and South Waverly Street for driving under the influence.
Arrest - A 29-year-old woman was arrested at 1:33 a.m. Saturday from the 2200 block of North Fourteenth Street for driving under the influence, no insurance and failure to stop at a stop sign.
Window Broken - At 1:36 a.m. Saturday a man reported that the window of his vehicle had been broken out while it was parked at the Ponca Bowl, 2000 Lake Road. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Arrest - A 33-year-old man was arrested at 3:31 a.m. Saturday on a city warrant for failure to pay and public intoxication.
House Fire - At 4:56 a.m. Saturday all units responded to a house
fire in the 700 block of East Albany Avenue. The fire was contained to one
bedroom and was reportedly caused by a space heater.
LIFESTYLES
The International Club's annual December Silent Auction was held Dec. 10 at St. Paul's United Methodist Church, hosted by Almeda Crook, Gloria Ossa, and Sian Boyd.
The tables for guests and the serving table were decorated with candles and Christmas ornaments. Music was presented by a recorder trip of Barbara Brown, Sian Boyd and Gail Hancock. Spirited bidding for the silent auction objects preceded the program.
Carrie Johnson from Her Majesty's Gems, 420 South Fourteenth, presented the evening's program, introduced by Jannie Ross, program chairman.
Mrs. Johnson and her husband, Edward, who is a gemologist, expanded their hobby of gems into their business. The couple has the ability and the equipment to do custom designing and to do their own casting for very personalized jewelry, Mrs. Johnson related to the group.
The use of gems goes back thousands of years, Mrs. Johnson explained. Four gemstones that were discussed are the ruby, emerald, sapphire and, of course, the diamond. The gem gravels of India, Sri Lanka and Burma are legendary for the rich variety of their gemstones, the speaker pointed out, producing the finest diamonds, sapphires and rubies for many centuries. An ancient manuscript records that Indian diamonds were an important source of state revenue over 2,000 years ago.
Today, Mrs. Johnson related, South Africa produces over 30,000 carats of diamonds a week. Emeralds, the finest in the world are mined in Colombia and shipped all over the world to sell. These Colombian emeralds first reached Europe in the 16th century in the plunder of the Conquistadors. They surpassed the color and size of emeralds previously mined in Egypt, Mrs. Johnson pointed out.
Ideally, she related, gemstones should be hard and unaffected by temperature, abrasives or chemicals found in every day life. The majority of stones, like emeralds, are silicates and so are softer than stones. Rubies and sapphires are Oxides and are more durable but not as strong as diamonds, whose chemical composition is carbon. Sapphires are thought to bring luck and an emerald seemed to give the power of prophecy. Garnets were worn to protect soldiers. Gems were used as medicines for thousands of years, she said. Rubies, because of their color, were thought to heal blood disorders and wounds.
Many gemstones, Mrs. Johnson said, are mentioned in the Bible. During the 8th through the 15th centuries much literature recorded for us the virtues and powers of about 300 gems and minerals.
Wednesdays through Fridays "Her Majesties Gems" is open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sundays 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Mrs. Johnson donated a lovely ring for the Silent Auction.
The meeting closed by announcing the winning bids of the silent auction.
Mediator Speaks in November
Sonja Engster hosted the November meeting of the club, with Bette Lee, Marina Mayer and Vivian Schofield serving as co-hostesses. Refreshments were served before the program.
Jannie Ross, Program Chairman, introduced Tom Reams, an attorney and certified Mediator. He presented information about "Mediation - Early Settlement, Before Lawyers and Courts." The presentation, along with the "Question and Answer" period provided insight as to how the program applies to every day problems.
Reams explained mediators do not enter into litigation and do not replace attorneys. The high number of resolutions prove the value of mediation. Mediation tends to relieve the crowded court dockets.
Twelve Early Settlement Centers are located in Oklahoma and each serves several counties. Each mediator completes 40 hours of initial training courses to be ready for this work, Reams explained, and the next training course is set for June 10-12 in Enid. Anyone interested may call Jill Moery in the Stillwater Mediation Center at 1-800-464-5677.
The November business meeting was conduced by President Lisa Rosette. Guest Lili Liu was introduced to the group.
Lillian Taylor Relates RAF Stories
Mrs. El. L. Manering hosted the October meeting of the International Club in her home, 11 Sherman Lane. Co-hostesses were Mary Smith and Kateryna Hercyck. Doroia Olejniczak was introduced as a guest.
President Lisa Rosette opened the meeting and committee chairmen have activity reports.
Project chairman Margaret Rains reported that the Head Start Program has been chosen as the philanthropic project for the year. This is a government program for low income children. The funding for this program has been cut and they would like to expand their school to 60 students and add another class of 24. Margaret distributed a list of supplies needed by y the school, and it was suggested that each member choose an item or items to donate to the program.
The by-laws committee distributed copies of the proposed change in the by-laws. Barbara Brown asked members to read the proposed changes before the next meeting. A short discussion was held and an in-depth discussion is scheduled for later.
Program chairman Jannie Ross introduced Lillian Taylor who presented an interesting group of stories about changes to Ponca City when British Royal Air Force sent men here to be trained as pilots.
Mrs. Taylor became a licensed pilot and a Link trainer instructor during that time. Darr School trained 1500 British pilots and 250 American pilots here in Ponca City. Many new windows to the world were opened to Ponca City, Lillian pointed out, when the British Royal Air Force sent these men to Ponca City.
Friendships formed during this time are still cherished, Lillian pointed out. During the 50th Anniversary celebration of pilots, instructors, officers and friends, Ponca City celebrated with many events and hospitality occasions. In 1991 the reunion was held in England and Mrs. Taylor and her family attended. Of interest to all present was how well known Ponca City is to the people of England.
A question and answer period followed her talk, with some members sharing their own remembrances with the group.
Over 130 volunteers were recognized for their service to Hospice of Ponca City at the Volunteer Recognition Banquet held recently. Tamie Barnes, Volunteer Coordinator, says volunteers help Hospice in many different ways. "Our major volunteer jobs are working with patients, serving as bereavement helpers, delivering medical equipment, helping in the office, working in fund-raising events, and providing support for Raindrops. Each job is important to us. Not only do the volunteers save Hospice money, which allows us to provide more services to patients, but they also bring heart and soul to our organization."
Named Volunteer of the Year was Joe Fowler, who serves as a volunteer for patients, delivers medical equipment, and helps with fund-raising events. Barnes says, "Joe even wears a pager for Hospice so he can be reached at any time! We couldn't ask for anyone to be more dedicated to our mission than Joe." Fowler attended volunteer training in 1996 and has worked many hours a week for Hospice since. Patient Volunteer of the Year is Suzy Meyers. Although a new volunteer for Hospice of Ponca City, Suzy has served four patients and logged a large number of hours.
Mary Buxton, who has been a volunteer for 12 years, was given the Office Volunteer Award. She has been coming to the Hospice weekly for all those years to help in the acknowledgement of donations DME *durable medical equipment) Delivery person of the year was Ken Kruk "Not only do these volunteers deliver the equipment," says Barnes, "but they also set it up, explain its use to patients and families, make simple repairs, and even rearrange furniture for the patients to make room for the equipment."
Sandy Foster and Wanda Voegele, who were co-chairmen of the Hospice portion of the Chili and Barbecue Cook-Off, hosted by Professionals Today, were given the fund-raising volunteer award. Barnes noted that special events such as the Cook-Off, the Memorial Golf Tournament, and the Tree of Life require a large number of volunteers to be successful.
Helen Broadwater of Blackwell was named Bereavement Volunteer of the Year. Helen delivers flowers weekly in Blackwell, as well as co-facilitates the monthly support group in Blackwell.
Two groups of volunteers were recognized at the dinner for their special services. The "sewing ladies" of Asbury United Methodist were named as Raindrops Volunteers. Each Tuesday morning these ladies come to the Raindrops office to sew gowns, packets, blankets, and bonnets for the Raindrops perinatal loss program. They also do special projects for Hospice such as altering clothing for special patient needs and constructing remembrance pillows. Those honored were Betty Crosson, Esty Maxwell, Mary Lou Reichert, and Merlynn Perdue. The other group honored were the volunteers who make monthly telephone calls to people who are grieving the loss of a loved one. Named "Comfort Callers," these volunteers check to see how their people are doing, to offer any assistance, and to remind them of monthly support group meetings. Those recognized in this group are: Helen Broadwater, Elaine Davis, Sandy Foster, Maxine Griggs, Barb Kegler, Diana Ketchum, Dottie Kliewer, Ellen Morris, Gertrude Murphy, Robbie Powell, Dick Robinson, Rozann Sebor, Eileen Spellman, Mildred Treiber, and Clara Wise.
Volunteers who died during the past year were remembered: Pat Goodman, Larry Hughes, and Hazel Long.
Volunteers receiving awards for service to Hospice of Ponca City are: 13 Years, Barbara Brucken, Rilla Cobb, Ruth Ritter; 12 Years, Rose Marie Boggus, Mary Buxton; 11 Years, Audrey Lee Hall, Marilyn Krepps, Eileen Spellman; 10 Years, Veatrice Harris, Aladayne McConaghy; 9 Years, Harold Goodman, Fran Mathews, Lee Pappan, Helen Pappan; 8 Years, Ramona Bellinghausen, Ray Lahann, LaVonne McConnico, Judy Roberds; 7 Years, Sheila Gregory, Jack Huffman, Majir Kornblit, Dee Miller, Rose Paddock, Vic Peri, Roy Rogers; 6 Years, Alice Bland, Don Bland, Joe Forcum, Glenda Locke, Sue Lunsford, Robbie Powell, Margareta Rains, Jerry Turner, Dona Veal, Margaret Wiles; 5 Years, Helen Broadwater, Bayard Casey, Anna Hall, Deanna Nicholas, Ernestine Overholt, Vincie Paisley, Joyce Psikal, Mary Nell Randel, Emilie Scott; 4 Years, Edna Brown, Sharon Countryman, Marybeth Glass, Diana Ketchum, Nick Larchey, Ann Mistretta; Ramona Muegge, Dave Mueller, Veva Joe Spore, Ray Stevenson; 3 Years, Oran Begwin, Becky Cunningham, Joe Fowler, Sandy Gearheart, Carl Giddens, Daisy Gilbert, Carol Goulden, Mike Gray, Paul Hagood, Phyllis Kennedy, Betsy Keyes, Dottie Kliewer, Wayne Majors, Cyndi Miller, Gertrude Murphy, Carlea Pearcy, Mary Rigdon, Dick Robinson, Marcus Roggenbuck, Wes Schneider, Phil Turney, LaVone Vap, Clara Wise; 2 Years, Irene Ackerson, Gayle Atkins, Donna Atkins, Beth Bednarski, Dennis Brock, Elaine Davis, Pamela Ericksen, Doris Fields, John Gardner, Maxine Griggs, Barbara Kegler, Ken Kruk, Lester McDonagh, Tony Molluzzo, Ellen Morris, Marcia Nelson, Mickie Oulds, Lisa Phelan, Mary Ross, Rozann Sebor, Mildred Treiber, Wanda Voegele, Terri Ward, Phyllis Worley; 1 year, Guy Anderson, Sandy Foster, Joe Kinzer, Judy Lewis, Suzy Meyers, Karen Shiflet, Juanita Vinson, Linda Ward; Special Recognition, Debbie Adams, Jim Adams, Marl Avila, Clara Heldenbrand, Betty Hibbs, Kim Hough, Bill Murphy, Larry Murphy, Jerry Newsom, Max Payne, Ray Ramsey; Raindrops, Steve Bierly, Pernicia Cartwright, Betty Crosson, Cricket Falconer, Mary Fischaber, Kim Fristoe, Cindy Larmer, Esty Maxwell, Donna McCoy, Ruby Moore, Merlynn Perdue, Regina Rainwater, Mary Lou Reichert, Tamara Rundle, Eva Sayles, Brenda Vasques, Jan Williams.
The Volunteer Recognition Banquet was held at First Baptist Church. The youth group of First Baptist and First Assembly of God served those attending. Decorations were provided by Ruth Ritter. As special entertainment a video of past Hospice volunteers and activities was shown. The video was made by LaVonne and Charles McConnico and Claudia Barnes and included a poem written and read by Barnes thanking the volunteers. Emcee for the banquet was Administrative Director, Melody Lahann; photographs were taken by Hospice staff members Ashley Hollingsworth and Ann Lyford, and the program was videotaped by Trudy Fowler-Smith.
The Oklahoma Center for the Book is providing students the opportunity to tell authors from S.E. Hinton just what they think about their books.
Students in grades 4 through 12 are invited to enter Letters About Literature '98 by writing a letter to an author (living or dead) explaining how a character or an event in one of their books influenced their lives. This national competition is co-sponsored by the Oklahoma Center for the Book, the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress, and the Weekly Reader Corporation. The Oklahoma Center for the Book is one of 22 state centers participating in the contest.
The popular Letters About Literature program has been expanded this year to include upper elementary students. During the past four years, more than 40,000 students have participated in the annual program that celebrates the very special relationship between an author and a reader. This year, two competition levels are offered: Level I for students in grades 4 through 7, and Level II for students in grades 8 through 12.
The Center for the Book in the Library of Congress will select national winners in Level I and Level II, each of whom will receive a $1,000 U.S. Savings Bond. In addition to the national awards, the Oklahoma Center for the Book will award the top three Oklahoma winners in each category a total of $350 worth of gift certificates to local bookstores.
Oklahoma's first place winner in 1997 was Melissa Adair, a junior at Western Heights High School in Oklahoma City for her letter to Joan Lowry Nixon concerning a book "A Family Apart." Other winners were Amber Boggs, Haskell High School in Haskell, second place; Kiera Unsell Cimarron, Middle School, Edmond, third place; and Maribeth Marino, St. Eugene Catholic School in Oklahoma City, fourth place.
All contest entries must be postmarked by March 1, 1998. Each essay needs to be accompanied by an official entry coupon. To receive a copy of the guidelines and an official coupon, teachers and students may call Weekly Reader at (203) 705-3500. Weekly Reader will fulfill each request with a complimentary issue of either Weekly Reader for Level I students, or copies of "Read and Writing!" magazines for Level II students.
For more information contact Glenda Carlile, executive director, Oklahoma Center for the Book, Oklahoma Department of Libraries, 200 NE 18th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73105; or call 1-800-522-8166 toll free statewide.
Announcement is being made of the engagement and approaching marriage of Alicia Burns and Ryan Kirkpatrick. The bride-elect is the daughter of Mrs. Mary Esch, Tonkawa, and the late Tim Burns. Kirkpatrick is the son of Mr. and Mrs. W.E. Kirkpatrick, Ponca City.
The ceremony will be on March 7 at the First Christian Church in Tonkawa.
The bride-elect is a 1991 graduate of Tonkawa High School and the future bridegroom is a graduate of Ponca City High School. He is a junior at Oklahoma State University majoring in Animal Science.
Grandparents of the bride-to-be are Mr. and Mrs. Frank Burns Jr. and Mr. and Mrs. Jim Oxford, all of Tonkawa. Grandparents of the prospective bridegroom are Mrs. Hazel Thomas, Tonkawa, and the late R.D. Thomas.
A ceremony March 14 at the First Christian Church of Edmond is being planned by Shanon Rae Waddelow and Brian Wayne Fields.
Miss Waddelow is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jim Waddelow of Des Moines, Iowa, and the granddaughter of Mrs. Don A. Waddelow and Mr. and Mrs. Elgin W. Lee, all of Ponca City. Fields is the son of Robert and Carole Fields, Edmond.
The future bride is a 1995 graduate of Edmond North High School and is currently a junior at the University of Central Oklahoma majoring in psychology. She is a Pharmacy Technician at Hospital Discount Pharmacy, Edmond.
Fields is a 1994 graduate of Edmond Memorial High School and attended the University of Central Oklahoma. He is a jeweler with Fields' Jewelry in Edmond.
Kimberly Ann Hughes and Ricky Jo Nelson were united in marriage in a 2 p.m. ceremony on Dec. 28, 1997 at the First Assembly of God Church. Dr. Bracy V. Hill officiated at the double ring ceremony. The church sanctuary was decorated with candelabra trimmed in Christmas garland, baby's breath, red bows and red poinsettias. The unity candle was graced by two glass etched candlesticks, family heirlooms from the bride's great-great-aunt. The bride also carried a linen and lace handkerchief which she wore as a bonnet on her Christening Day. It was also a gift from a great-aunt. She received a blue oval topaz ring surrounded by diamond baguettes, a special gift from her parents.
The bride is the daughter of Jackie and Bob Hughes and the groom is the son of Laura and Kevin Arrington, all of Ponca City. Grandparents of the bride are Helen F. Hughes and the late John J. Hughes; Mary P. Delaney and the late John R. Delaney, all of New Jersey. Grandparents of the groom are Joy and Ron Havens and Earline and Vernon Arrington.
A praise magnificat instrumental of "Give Thanks" was played as the grandparents were seated and the mothers of the bride and groom lighted the unity candles. The traditional wedding march instrumental was played as the bride was escorted by her father. Mark Green of Ponca City sang "Butterfly Kisses." While the bride and groom lighted the unity candle, the Rev. Robert Elders and Rita Elders sang "Only God Could Love You More."
The bride wore a Mari-Lee white satin gown with a high Victorian neck, princess sleeves and cut-out pyramids of Battenburg lace. Cascading down the cathedral length train were soft satin roses with insets of baby pearls. The waist length veil by Illusions of the Heart was a halo of satin buds, Venice lace motifs and pearls with a two tier ribbon edge of natural silk fabric
She carried a cascade of fresh flowers mixed with large and small red and white roses, accented with greenery and baby's breath.
The bridesmaids dresses were Bridal Originals. The red crepe floor length gowns had an Empire waist, scalloped jewel neckline that came to a V in the back, and finished with a large red bow. Their bouquets were fresh red roses and baby's breath.
Attending the bride as Maid of Honor was the bride's cousin, Jackie Boegershausen of Whippany, New Jersey. Her bouquet was fresh red and white roses, accented with greenery, baby's breath and fresh red and white roses, accented with greenery, baby's breath and red ribbons. Serving as bridesmaids were Alysa Bottoms and Laura Harris.
The bridegroom wore black tails with a green vest, tie and cummerbund. His boutonniere was a white rose with red baby's breath. The groomsmen and ushers wore traditional black tuxedos with black ties and cummerbunds. Their boutonnieres were red roses, accented with white baby's breath. Serving the groom as best man was Michael Bullington of Ponca City. Groomsmen were Andy Cooper and Robby Hughes. Ushers were Chad and Darren Matheson. The candlelighters were Erin Deweese and Ricky Trussel. Kara Sneath attended the guest book.
Following the wedding ceremony a reception was hosted by the bride's parents at the Marland Mansion. The bride's tiered cake was decorated with garland and string work along with red roses centered in red and white ovals for a cameo design. The three tiers of cake were over a crystal stand and water fountain on a stairway leading to tiered satellite cake where there were three groomsmen in black tuxedos and three bridesmaids in red dresses. The top of the cake was adorned with a Precious Moments bride and groom music box. Fresh red roses draped down from the top tier and also between the tiers of the cake.
The groom's chocolate cake featured his 1996 low rider Ford Ranger which was air brushed on the top.
Assisting with the wedding and reception were Carol Buie, Robin Johnson, Jan Matheson, Nancy Overall and Robin Biddle. Music was provided by Dave May. The bride and groom danced to "How Do I Live."Following a honeymoon to Memphis, Tenn. and then to Orlando, Fla., the couple will reside at 2209 Mary in Ponca City. The bride is a daycare teacher at First Assembly Christian School and Daycare and the groom is a student at Northern Oklahoma College.
Special out-of-town guests attending the wedding were Helen Hughes, grandmother of the bride; Jim, Liz and Pat Hughes; Gary, Kathy, Jackie, Mindy and Brian Boegershausen, all of New Jersey; Kathe and Jason Fawcett of New York State and Ellen and Kyle Hartmann of Florida. Also, Ron and Joy Havens, Vernon and Earline Arrington, grandparents of the groom; Adam and Traci Arrington, Shirley and Ed Parma of Katy, Texas; Don and Becky Gammill and Brian of Edmond; Tony and Juli Cooper of Wichita Falls, Texas and Jennifer Cooper of Edmond.
A pre-nuptial shower was hosted by Wilma Carmack, Carol Dyer, Dana Hines, Robin Johnson, Nancy Overall, Carol Thompson and Cindy Tomerlin. A Faculty Shower was hosted by Robin Johnson, Nancy Overall and Cindy Tomerlin, and a Personal Shower was hosted by Laura Harris and Alysa Bottoms. The rehearsal dinner was hosted by Laura and Kevin Arrington at Godfrey's on Dec. 27th.
In celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary, McDaniel and Maxine Wall will be honored at a reception on Saturday, Jan. 31 from 2 until 5 at the First United Methodist Church, 410 East Grand in Tonkawa.
The couple extends an open invitation to friends and relatives to attend this celebration. They request no gifts, please.
McDaniel Wall and Maxine Gibson were united in marriage on Jan. 31, 1948 at the First Christian Church in Blackwell, formerly located at McKinley and First.
Maxine graduated from Blackwell High School, now Middle School and was employed at S.H. Kress, Pardews and the Tonkawa High School Cafeteria.
McDaniel graduated from Tonkawa High School and worked at Tinker Air Force Base. He served with the U.S. Navy for three years aboard the U.S. Rocky Mountain Communication ship, and after his discharge from the service, he was a hay hauler, and in the combine business, and later raised hogs for 30 years.
The couple has a daughter, Mrs. Steve (Labrenda) Swain of Haysville, Kan.; a son, Terry Don Wall of Blackwell and four grandsons, Jason, Justin and Jeremy Swain of Hayesville, and Cory Daniel Wall of Whitefield, Okla.; also a great-granddaughter, Haylee Nicole Swain, daughter of Jason Swain.
The Walls reside southeast of Tonkawa.
Charles "Chuck" Huckaby, Chouteau, state commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Oklahoma will be honor guest at the meeting of the 15 posts and 11 auxiliaries of District Eight VFW and Ladies Auxiliary, including representatives of the Ponca City VFW Post and Auxiliary, Sunday, Feb. 1, according to Esther Stringer, state VFW and Auxiliary press secretary.
District Commander Cecil Henrick, Perkins, and Lynda DeAnn McDaniel, Ponca City, district auxiliary president, will conduct the 11 a.m. sessions at the Glencoe VFW, two miles south, one quarter mile west of SH 108. Delegates and members are expected from Bartlesville, Blackwell, Cushing, Dewey, Fairfax, Marland, Newkirk, Pawhuska, Pawnee, Perkins, Ponca City, Stillwater, Tonkawa and Glencoe. Lunch will be served at noon, according to Ola Mae Frazier, host auxiliary president.
Huckaby, a charter and life member of the Chouteau VFW was elected state commander at the 76th annual state convention in Oklahoma City in June 1997, after serving in the offices leading to the commandership.
He has served his local post as commander two terms, being named All State Post Commander both terms. He has been district commander and quartermaster. Currently he is serving as quartermaster for the Chouteau post. He served as junior and senior vice commander of the state VFW.
Huckaby and his wife, the late Ardis Huckaby, served the state VFW and Ladies Auxiliary as chairmen of the Community Activity program a number of years, earning first place on the record book judging in their states national membership group and first runner-up in the nation.
He has served on a number of committees in the state and also as a member of the national community activity and Americanism committees.
He received the coveted Mr. VFW Award in 1980-81 for his efforts, loyalty, spirit and dedication to live up to the ideals of the organization. He is a Navy retiree and a bonded locksmith.
He stresses Courage Under Fire! Power and Strength. Shoot Straight in 1997-98 and says "Working together we will get the job done."
He reminded the members of Veterans Awareness Day at the state capitol in February. He encouraged all veterans, their dependents and VFW and Auxiliary members to participate in the program and to meet with their congressmen. He called attention to the Feb. 20-22 annual Mid-Winter Conference of the state VFW and Auxiliary at the Radisson Inn in Oklahoma City. Sumner Smith, a junior in Purcell High School, Amberly Goodman, a senior in Seiling High School, and Tonya Allen, a senior in Cache High School, the top three state winners in the 51st annual Voice of Democracy Audio Essay Scholarship Program will receive their awards.
He also reminded members of the annual Mid-Winter Conference in Washington D.C. Feb. 27 to March 4. He will join the officers and members from the 50 states and national officers to meet with the legislatures to promote entitlements for the veterans.
The national winners in the YOD program sponsored by the VFW and Ladies Auxiliary will be announced. Smith will represent Oklahoma in the national judging. She, along with the other 53 entrants, is assured a minimum of $1,000. The first place winner will receive a $20,000 scholarship to a college or university of his or her choice, an expense paid trip to the national convention in San Antonio, Texas and an expense paid weekend to the Banquet of the Golden Plate and Salute to Excellence weekend held in June at a selected site.
Cherryl Eisteimer, Broken Arrow, state youth chairman, will stress the March 15 and April 1 deadlines and participation in the third annual Youth Essay Program for seventh through ninth grade students; and the Outstanding Young Volunteer of the Year Program. Chairman Deloris Carter, Bristow, will remind the members of the eighteenth annual Young American Creative Patriotic Arts Program for high school students, noting March 15 is the deadline for local entries.
"What Patriotism Means to Me" is the theme for the typed 300 to 400-word essay the student must submit to a post or auxiliary. One entry from each school will advance to the district judging, the date to be decided at the Sunday meeting. The state winners will receive trophies from the state Ladies Auxiliary and $1,000, $500 and $250 U.S. Savings bonds for first, second and third place respectively. The state winner will compete in the national judging. The national winners will receive $5,000, $3000 and $2000 Savings bonds. District awards will be decided Sunday.
The Outstanding Young Volunteer of the Year Program is open to all students ages 12 through 15 years. He or she will be judged on the volunteer work done between June 30, 1997 and April 1, 1998. The local winner will advance to the state judging to compete for a $100 scholarship or $50 for runner-up. Two winners in the national judging will each receive a $1,000 scholarship and an expense paid trip to the national convention in San Antonio.
The Young American Creative Patriotic Arts Program is open to all students in the ninth through 12th grades in all private, parochial or public schools. The local winner from each auxiliary will be entered in the state judging to compete for $200 for first place, $175 for second place and $150, $100 and $75 for the third to fifth places. The national organization is offering $3,000 for first place, $2,000 for second place and $1500, $1000 and $500 for the third through fifth place. Local awards are decided by the auxiliary.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars and Ladies Auxiliary are national patriotic and community service organizations dedicated to promote Americanism, protect veterans entitlements, provide scholarships for young people, raise funds for cancer research, and volunteer in hospitals, according to Henrick and McDaniel.
Bob and Kendal Rhoads, Ponca City, announce the birth of a son, Taylor Lane Rhoads, born Jan. 9, 1998 at Stillwater Medical Center at 10:10 p.m. He weighed 6 pounds, 4 ounces and was 20 inches long.
Grandparents are Ken and Patsy Prather, Pryor; Wayne Roads, Fairfax, and Judi Rhoads, Stillwater. Great-Grandparents are Roy and Floy Rhoads, Fairfax; Gladys Slinkard, Pryor, Betty Prather, Pryor.
Kurt and Melissa Hoffman of Broken Arrow, announce the birth of a son, Payden Michael Hoffman. He was born Dec. 18, 1997 at Hillcrest Hospital in Tulsa. He weighed 5 pounds, 1 ounce and was 17 inches long.
Maternal grandparents are Jim and Danys Self and maternal grandmother is Elizabeth Sandy of Ponca City. Paternal grandparents are Sharon Hoffman and Don and Sheila Hoffman of Santa Fe, N.M.
Justan and Megan Burke, Newkirk, announce the birth of a daughter, Cassidy Rhae Burke, born Jan. 4, 1998 at 1:59 a.m., at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. She weighed 5 pounds, 13 ounces and was 19 and a half inches long.
Maternal grandparents are Johnny and Peggy Lawson, Newkirk, and Kevin and Sherrie Kreger, Ponca City. Paternal grandparents are Tommy Gray, Vinita, Shelly Gray, Vinita and Bob Burke, Dewey, Okla. Great grandparents are Julia Burke, Newkirk, LaVerne Kreger, Ponca City. Cassidy has a brother, Colby.
Jeremy and Phylisha Kimbrel, 500 East Hazel, Apt. 56 are parents of a baby girl, Sally Gail Kimbrel, born Jan. 21, 1998 in Blackwell Regional Hospital. The baby girl weighed 7 pounds, 5 ounces.
Ponca City area Chapter 432 of the American Association of Retired People (AARP) met Jan. 6, at the Wheatheart Nutrition Center for their monthly meeting. New officers for 1998 were installed.
Vernon Darwood, Blackwell past district director of AARP installed the new 1998 officers including Dr. Ellis Oster as president, F.G. Williams as vice-president and Lottie Etzel as treasurer.
Members approved the annual treasurer's report presented by Lottie Etzel, treasurer, and the minutes of the December meeting by Elmeta Kodesh, secretary.
Mrs. Kodesh announced her resignation as AARP secretary and was honored by members and officers with a resolution of thanks for her many years of service.
President Oster announced that the program for the Feb. 3 meeting would include a program presenting both sides and issues of the upcoming school board election.
The group meets the first Tuesday of each month at 1 p.m.
The Alpha Gamma Mother's Club recently met at the home of Leslie Hoover with Carol O'Rear as co-hostess. Billie Stepken led the Collect and Aim, and the secretary called roll with each member answering "if she like winter or not." Seven members were present.
Chaplain Jean Hess read a devotional entitled "Creativity" out of the book "God's Words of Life." Secretary Carol O'Rear read the minutes of the last meeting, and treasurer Pat Koehler gave her report.
The projects committee reported that the club provided groceries for a family at Christmas. In addition to the groceries, the family was given a check and a supply of canned goods.
Billie Stepken won the friendship basket. Deb Cordes was awarded the hostess gift.
The next meeting will be Monday evening, Jan. 267 at the home of Carol O'Rear.
Jane Morris, captain for United Airlines, spoke to the members of the Ponca City Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution at the January meeting at the Cultural Center.
Morris reminded members that her grandmother, Mrs. O.V. Black, had been regent of the Ponca Chapter from 1924 to 1926 during the time when the Civic Center fountain was originally constructed and 1957 to 1958. Morris's great aunt, Gertrude Nuckols, was a charter member of the chapter.
After Morris received her education at the University of Oklahoma she taught aviation there. In 1976, the military allowed women to fly so she joined the Army and was in the second military class that accepted women to fly.
Later she got out of the Army and was the seventh woman to be hired by United Airlines to be a pilot. She flies a 747 which seats 450 to 480 passengers and is about three stories high. When she is on the runway, it is like she is taxiing a plane from the third story. Her run is from Los Angeles to Sidney. That is about a 7,000 mile trip according to Morris.
There are 20 attendants and four pilots on the crew. She is away for 12 days and is home 18 days, which she feels works fine for her family.
"The United Airline is the largest ESOP in the world. The employees own 55 percent of the airline. It is fun to work for it," Morris said.
Morris became a captain in 1987. United has 9,000 pilots and she is 2,000 in seniority. One thing she enjoys about her job is that the women receive equal treatment with the men pilots.
Virginia Mair, regent, presided over the business session. June Meade, chairman of the nominating committee, gave her report. The candidates include Jan Prough for regent, Eleanor Coates for treasurer, Rosalie Bolene for chaplain and June Meade for historian. Election of officers will be next month.
Nineteen members of Unit III of the Ponca City Mothers Club attended a noon luncheon at "Personalities," the student-operated and serviced restaurant at the Pioneer Technology Center. The event was held on Friday, Jan. 16.
Following the luncheon, brief informative reviews of the restaurant operation were given by Steve Ellenwood, food service instructor, and Kim Bayha, a second year student at Vo-Tech and a junior at Ponca City High School. A question and answer period followed the presentations.
After the luncheon and speaker remarks, the meeting was called to order by Louise Locke, chairman. Reports were given by Ann Kennedy, treasurer, and Mary Joan McCann, secretary.
Maureen Danielson, General Mothers Club president, asked for volunteers to chair the Spring Luncheon and Fashion Show to be held in May. Gloria Harris distributed copies of the recipes from the Christmas "Taste and Tell" luncheon to members, to be added to the Mother's Club Cookbook.
The February meeting of Unit III will be held on Feb. 20 in the home of Vivian Mertz. Co-hostesses will be Rachel Tidrow and Marcene Young.
Marking their Golden Wedding anniversary, a family dinner was held in honor of Elgin and Emma Lee, at Perkins Restaurant, Saturday evening, Jan. 17, 1998.
Attending were Rick, Wilma and Joe Lee from Perkins, Okla.; Larry, Carol and Mindy Neilson of Ponca City; Bob and Margaret Romer of Broken Arrow; Al and Bob Thele of Tahlequah; Shanon Waddelow and her fiance, Brian Fields of Edmond.
Pie and coffee were served in the Lee home following dinner.
Elgin W. Lee and Emma Kathryn Thele were united in marriage in Newkirk on Jan. 17, 1948. They have resided in Ponca City all their married life, and make their home at 1200 North Oak.
They are the parents of five children: Kay Shockley of Norman, Rick Lee of Perkins, Carol (Lee) Neilson, living in Ponca City. Reva (Lee) Waddelow now resides in Des Moines, Iowa and June (Lee) Corona live in Great Falls, Mont. The Lees also have 16 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
The Democrat Women will meet Thursday, Jan. 29, at 7 p.m. at the OCAW Hall, 1220 West Ponca Avenue.
All Democrat precinct officers elected for the year 1998 should plan to attend this upcoming meeting for information pertaining to their precincts, said Donna Swope president.
Plans for the new year and final reports on business affairs of the 1997 year will be discussed. All members are encouraged to attend as well as inviting a guest.
"This year is an important election year and we are ready to get started," says Swope. "We need every Kay County Democrat to come and join in the activities and projects and make this a banner year. Husbands of members are cordially invited to attend," she added.
Singles Network will have the Discussion Group on Sunday, Jan. 25 at First Presbyterian Church at 6:30 p.m. A Super Bowl Party is scheduled at Phil's on Sunday evening, also. Call 765-8381 if planning to attend.
Friday, Jan. 30, from 7 to 9 p.m. CCC will meet. Call Betty at 762-9776, if planning to attend.
Saturday, Jan. 31, Singles are reminded of the last Community Concert of the season at Hutchins Memorial, 8 p.m.
Singles Network is an organization for adults who are divorced, widowed or never married. This is not a dating service. For more information, please call Betty at 762-9776 or Dorothy at 765-1403.
The Lilac Garden Club, met recently at Western Sizzlin with 10 members present. Highlight of the meeting was a program by Peggy Keith, titled "Biblical Flowers and Trees."
Keith told the group lilies and roses were named in the Bible as well as several trees including oak, fig, apple, olive, cedar and juniper. She cited book, chapter and verse where the flower or tree was used in the Bible and included 21 references to plants, six to flowers and 13 references to trees.
Lilac Club president Helen Bozarth presided over the meeting and led the Gardeners' Creed to open the meeting. Florence Riesen, secretary, and Neva Onstot, treasurer, presented the minutes and financial reports.
The meeting concluded with the Gardeners' Benediction.
The Piano Workshop of the Ponca City Federated Music Club met Tuesday, Jan. 20 at the home Bobby Motz.
Lois Rence presented a study on Bands - Marching, Military and Funeral. Sousa was probably the most popular conductor, it was noted.
Alice Crowder presented the musical performance, as follows: Beethoven: Funeral March from "Symphony No. 3" by Carolyn Hook and Barbara Manering; Mendelssohn: Wedding March from"Midsummer Night's Dream" with two pianos, Ann Salmons and Kathy Wimberley.
Also Schumann: Birthday March from "Twelve Four-Hand Piano Pieces", piano duet by Kathleen Chambers and Alice Crowder; Grieg: In the Hall of the Mountain King from "Peer Gynt Suite" by Roberta Motz and Kathy Tucker.
Prokofieff: Procession from "Peter and the Wolf" with two pianos, Mary Sunshine Cogman and Elma Robson; Rodgers: The March of Siamese Children from "The King & I" with Pat Purkey; Alford: Colonel Bogey by Marge Howard and Sousa: Stars and Stripes Forever with Annette Williams.
SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
Serve From The Heart - on Thursday, Jan. 29, at 11:30 a.m. the Community
Volunteer Center will open its doors to the citizens of Arkansas City. The
Center will be a one stop volunteer referral system. Volunteers can register
for volunteer service and community organizations, groups, clubs, etc. can
register to receive volunteer help with projects. Placement counselors will
be available to match volunteers with those in need. The Community Volunteer
Center is located on the lower level of City Hall. Starting Jan. 29 everyone
is invited to stop by or call 441-4412 to learn more.
SPORTS
By MATTHEW KOENIG
News Sports Writer
PERRY - After being blasted by Newcastle on Friday, 60-37, the Ponca City Lady Cats came back with a thrilling performance on Saturday, topping Kingfisher 60-55 to claim third place in the Perry High School Tournament.
And it was a nail-biter all the way.
Down by 11 to start the fourth quarter, the Lady Yellow Jackets rallied. Working the ball inside to freshman six-footer Ashley Lindsey and dominating the offensive boards, they staged a 14-3 run to tie the game at 47 apiece, with just four minutes remaining.
Natasha Anderson then stepped up for the Lady Cats (6-8) with a 3-point basket, but was answered in kind on the other end by the Lady Yellow Jackets' Staci Kochenower.
After Newcastle hit one of two free throws, Desiree Cries For Ribs sank a jumper to give the Poncans a narrow, one-point lead, and after forcing a traveling violation from the Lady Yellow Jackets, the Poncans got the breaks they needed.
Namely, Kingfisher's best player fouled out, and the Lady Cats suddenly figured out how to hit free throws.
On the Lady Cats' ensuing possession, Lindsey collected her fifth foul, sending Alana Smith to the line, where the Po-Hi sophomore hit 1-of-2.
Cries For Ribs was fouled and hit a pair. Keesha West was then fouled on a loose ball scramble and hit both of her shots, as well.
Down now by six, with 34 seconds left, the Lady Yellow Jackets responded with a 3-pointer to slice the lead in half. After Ander