LOCAL

School Elections Set Tuesday
Incumbents Will Run Again for Commission
Pipe Replacing To Fuel Flares At Conoco Plant
Conoco Earnings Up In 4th Quarter of 1999
Three of Four Rezonings Okayed by Commission
County GOP Precinct Meetings Monday
Oklahoma Author To Visit Schools
Group To Meet For Iris Festival
Metal Artist To Visit His Exhibit on NOC Campus

School Elections Set Tuesday

By KRISTI HAYES

News Education Editor

It’s that time of year again.

Area residents will be heading to the polls to elect school board trustees and vote on annual mill levies.

The school elections are scheduled Tuesday, Feb. 8.

Board president John Young says it’s important people vote Tuesday.

“I urge our citizens to vote for their chosen board candidate and the annual levies,” he said. “Our operational revenue comes from the mill levies each year. Without the passage of them, we couldn’t operate our schools.”

Locally, Vicki Graves and Michael W. Joosten are vying for Office No. 4, a four-year-term on the Ponca City Board of Education. Incumbent Kyle Keffer did not seek reelection.

In the Pioneer Technology Center race, incumbent Fred Haub faces challenger Robert A. Howard in Ward No. 3, also a four-year-term.

In area races, Rich Cantillon faces Richard Zetterberg for Office 5 on the Blackwell Board of Education and Newkirk residents will decide between Keith W. Bowen and Terry Morton for Office 5 in their school election.

At Frontier Schools, incumbent David B. Beck faces opponents Cheryl D. Lane and Travis Wade Young.

In all the elections, polls will be open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. on voting day.

Also on each ballot are annual school mill levies.

Ponca City Superintendent Dr. Bill White said passage of the mill levies is imperative.

“If residents don’t pass the mill levies in each of their designated school districts, they will have to vote on [the mills] again. If they still don’t pass, schools will have to consolidate with other districts that received the money,” White explained.

The three mill levies on each ballot include the Emergency Levy, Local Support Levy and the Building Fund Levy.

The Emergency Levy, five mills, and the Local Support Levy, ten mills, generate about $2.5 million each year. The money is used to pay teacher salaries, books, utilities, transportation and other costs associated with the general fund.

The Building Fund Levy, five mills, produces about $800,000 a year to help repair and construct new construction projects.

Four building mills will be on the ballot for Pioneer Technology Center. They will be used for repairing and construction work, utilities, technology purchases and other needs.

Incumbents Will Run Again for Commission

By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE

News Staff Writer

Two incumbent City Commissioners, Chris Hand, 2701 McKinley, and Keni Ray, 2109 El Camino, filed for reelection Kay County Election Board officials announced Tuesday.

Deadline for filing is 4 p.m., today.

The election is scheduled March 14, which coincides with the state primary election. The City’s election date was changed recently by the City Commission from the normal first Tuesday of March to the second Tuesday of March.

According to officials, the reasons for changing the voting day are because it saves the City money to hold one election instead of two and it is more convenient for voters to turn out once instead of twice in an eight-day period.

The savings amounts to approximately $4,700. The cost of paying precinct officials is borne by the state.

Hand filed Monday for a second three-year term for Position No. 4. He has held the post since being elected in 1997.

“I am seeking reelection to the City Commission because I am totally committed to the long-term best interest in Ponca City,” Hand said.

“We have made great strides in our community over the last three years and I would like to continue to be a part of our positive momentum. I will continue to listen, to be a voice for all citizens and continue to ensure that the decisions made are in the best interest for all,” he added.

Ray filed Tuesday for Position No. 1, the seat he has held for two years.

“I’m running for the City Commission again because I served only a partial term in late 1998 and 1999,” Ray explained.

“My experience has been that it takes some time, several months really, to learn about al the City and what it is responsible for and oversees. I’d like the opportunity to serve a full term.”

A Conoco employee, Ray was elected unopposed in 1998. He filed for the No. 1 Commissioner post which was vacated by City Commissioner Tom Leonard, who was elected Mayor.

Pipe Replacing To Fuel Flares At Conoco Plant

Conoco announced today that some piping will be replaced Thursday on the fuel gas compressor in the Ponca City Refinery south of Highway 60.

This work will require that fuel gas, which is normally treated and burned in furnaces, be routed to flares on both sides of the highway.

According to Conoco officials, every effort will be made to minimize the amount of fuel gas burned. During the gas compressor outage, scheduled for 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., two of the refinery flares may be large and noisy.

Refinery personnel will reduce rates to the No. 5FCC and the coker to minimize the amount of gas to be flared. The goal is to prevent or minimize the flare and emissions during the compressor outage.

Conoco Earnings Up In 4th Quarter of 1999

HOUSTON — Conoco recently announced fourth quarter 1999 net income of $324 million, or $.51 per diluted share, compared to a loss of $263 million last year.

Net income before special items was 310 percent higher than the $79 million, or $.12 per share, earned in the fourth quarter of the prior year on a pro forma basis. There were no special items in fourth quarter 1999. After-tax operating income before special items for the quarter was a record $384 million, four times higher than the $95 million earned in 1998.

Revenues for the quarter were more than $8 billion, a 44 percent increase compared to 1998, on higher crude oil, natural gas and product prices.

“Conoco’s industry-leading production growth allowed the company to capture the full benefit of rising oil prices in the second half of the year, resulting in record quarterly operating income,” said Archie W. Durham, Conoco chairman, president and chief executive officer.

Full year 1999 net income was $744 million, or $1.17 per diluted share, 65 percent above last year. Before special items, net income was $782 million, or $1.23 per diluted share, 18 percent above the $663 million, or $1.04 per diluted share, earned in 1998 on a pro forma basis.

After-tax operating income before special items for the year was $1 billion, 27 percent or $216 million higher than prior year results. Revenues for the year exceeded $27 billion, also a record, and were 18 percent higher than in 1998.

“The year’s 9 percent growth in production was exactly on target, coming primarily from the Britannia and Viking Phoenix fields in the North Sea, the Ursa field in the Gulf of Mexico, and the Petrozuata joint venture in Venezuela. We remain committed to a production growth profile that is atop the industry and generates significant value for our shareholders,” Dunham said.

“I am also very excited about our exploration successes this year, which were highlighted by significant discoveries in Indonesia, the deepwater Gulf of Mexico and the United Kingdom. These successes bode well for furure reserve replacement as the discoveries move toward commercialization and development,” he said.

For the quarter, Upstream earned $347 million, verses $68 million last year, as a result of higher prices and lower exploration costs. U.S. earnings were $135 million, up 229 percent, due to higher crude oil and natural gas prices, along with lower exploration costs, partly offset by lower U.S. natural gas volumes. International Upstream earned $212 million, verses only $27 million last year, primarily as a result of higher crude oil prices, in addition to increased natural gas volumes and lower exploration costs.

Worldwide net realized crude oil prices more than doubled to $23.48 per barrel. Worldwide natural gas prices of $2.49 per thousand cubic feet were 16 percent higher, as the 41 percent increase in U.S. prices was tempered by lower international prices.

Downstream earned $72 million, an increase of 36 percent, due to improving heavy sour crude inventories. International earnings increased 56 percent during the period to $53 million.

However, U.S. Downstream earnings of $19 million remained flat with last year, as margins for coke and other products were impacted by higher crude costs. Worldwide refinery inputs increased 4 percent to 868,000 bpd over the same period in 1998.

During the quarter, planned shutdowns occurred at the Humber, U.K.; Lake Charles, La.; and Ponca City refineries, although U.S. and European refineries continued to operate at very high utilization rates.

Corporate and Other operating expenses were $35 million, compared to $26 million last year, primarily due to higher administrative costs associated with staffing corporate activities resulting from the split-off from DuPont and an increase in variable compensation. Interest and non-operating expenses of $60 million were down slightly from last year.

For the year, Upstream earned a record $845 million, up 72 percent on higher crude oil prices, increased volumes and lower exploration expenses.

Worldwide net realized crude oil prices increased 42 percent for the year to $17.51 per barrel. Worldwide net realized natural gas prices of $2.12 per thousand cubic feet were 5 percent below last year.

Overall, the company’s total production was up 9 percent to 636,000 barrels-of-oil-equivalent per day, driven by the 18 percent rise in worldwide natural gas production.

Downstream earned $255 million, down 32 percent because of lower refining margins partly offset by higher sales volumes of lower cost inventories. U.S. Downstream earning fell 39 percent to $126 million, while international earnings were $129 million, down 23 percent. Worldwide refinery inputs were 874,000 bpd, an increase of six percent.

Corporate and other operating expenses were $91 million for the year, an increase of $17 million over last year, due to increased administrative costs associated with becoming an independent company and higher overall variable compensation. Interest and non-operating expenses of $227 million were $155 million higher than last year, reflecting the increase in interest expense, as debt was only outstanding for half of 1998. Also, prior year results included $27 million in exchange gains tied to DuPont intercompany loans eliminated as part of the separation. Current year results do not include comparable gains.

During the year, the company generated $2.2 billion cash provided by operations, $800 million more than last year.

Capital expenditures totaled $1.8 billion, as the company exercised restraint throughout the year, even after the improvements in crude oil prices. Coupled with stronger prices in the second half of the year and improved working capital, the reduction in capital spending allowed the company to reduce its debt to $4.7 billion from a peak of $5.1 billion reported in June. Cash ended the year at $317 million.

Three of Four Rezonings Okayed by Commission

By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE

News Staff Writer

Three rezonings zipped through the Ponca City Planning Commission Tuesday evening, while another was zapped.

In a show of togetherness the nine-member planning body, chaired by Bill Lundeen, voted unanimously on all four issues.

The votes came after hearing recommendations from City Planner Todd Kennemer.

Two of the rezonings involved changing the zoning from R-1, single residential, to RMHP, residential mobile home park. These properties were in the same general area.

The application of Bob Whitlock was for property located in the 3600 block of B, C and D Streets. Kennemer explained that this was bringing the zoning into conformity since it had previously fell under the “grandfather” clause.

The second RMPH Zoning application was by Bob and Leona Thomas. This property is south of the Whitlock part at 3510 AA Street.

In other rezoning action the Planning Commission, a recommending body to the City Commission, voted to change the zoning at 413 East Emporia from R-1 to R-3, multi-family, for a professional office.

Kennemer explained that the rezoning is in keeping with the surrounding property. The request was by Kenneth and Jeanette Vassar.

The request of Eva June Bowers to rezone 1113 East Highland from R-1, to C-1, local commercial, to allow retail sales was shot down with a unanimous vote.

Kennemer said there was a petition with 24 names and a letter and a number of phone calls protesting the use of the residence for business.

The planner said that the property did not qualify for a home-based business because no one lives in the house, and there can be no other employees. Bowers said there were two employees but they did not work there. The business is a vitamin related operation.

According to Kennemer, the property also did not qualify for commercial use because of parking and other issues.

Bowers said she wanted to get along with the neighbors and would comply.

Chairman Lundeen mentioned at the onset of the meeting that the agenda was not properly worded because it only called for discussion and did not call for “action.”

He said the Planning Commission is merely a recommending body to the City Commission. The group took action and the rezonings are slated to go before the City Commission on Feb. 14.

All committees or subcommittees of any public body are subject to the Oklahoma Open Meeting Law, which states “agendas shall identify all items of business to be transacted.”

County GOP Precinct Meetings Monday

Republican precinct meetings will be held throughout Kay County on Monday. The meetings will begin at 7 p.m. Party officials expect a good turnout statewide for precinct meetings.

The main business of the meeting will be to elect delegates to the county Republican Convention, which will take place on March 4. The County Conventions will in turn elect delegates to the District Conventions scheduled for April 1 and the State Republican Convention scheduled for April 29.

In announcing the meetings to be held Feb. 7th, Ruslyn Hermanson, County Chairman said, “A person must be a registered Republican voter of the precinct to take part in a precinct meeting or to serve as a delegate to any Republican Convention.

“Others are most welcome to attend the meeting, but may not vote. These meetings are informative with time allowed for discussing problems at the local, state and national levels. Precinct meetings are an opportunity for every registered Republican to participate first hand III grass roots politics,” Hermanson said.

“These meeting are open to all registered republicans, and all republicans are encouraged to participate,” she said. In Oklahoma, attending a precinct caucus is the first step in the election of Delegates to the Oklahoma Republican State Convention to be held in Oklahoma City on April 29.

Hermanson said delegates will then be elected to attend the Republican National Convention in Philadelphia during the summer of 2000.

Following is a list of meeting places in Kay County, and a telephone number that interested persons may call for further information.

Precincts 412, 414, 415, 400, 411

Ann Gardner in Kaw City, call for directions

269-2317

Precincts 419, 507, 523

Lenora Veloz, 1305 West Chestnut

767-1417

Precincts 527, 530

Pat & Leon Payne, 316 East Woodbery Rd.

762-6228

Precincts 516, 517

George & Jennifer Schwarz, 603 South

762 -6567

Precincts 532, 413

Max Berry, 9 Spring Village

765-6244

Precincts 534, 533

Kathleen Chambers, 2304 El Camillo

765-7016

Precincts 201, 202, 205, 210, 404, 406, 409, 410

Jim Rodgers Law Office, 105 North Main, Blackwell

363-3684

Precincts 101, 103. 417, 420, 421

Gay & Eddie Douglas, Tonkawa. Call for directions

628-3202

Precincts 00 1, 002, 401, 402, 403

Roxie Johns,Newkirk, call for directions

362-3-574

Precincts 503, 504

Bill & Mary Martin, 124 East Elmwood Avenue

762-4140

Voters precinct number is on their voter registration card. For more about the precinct meetings, call Hermanson at 765-9868 or Dave White at 762-0103.

Oklahoma Author To Visit Schools

Liberty, Trout and Lincoln Elementary Schools in Ponca City will be visited by author, Anna Myers.

On Thursday, she will visit Liberty Elementary from 8:30 to 11 a.m. and Trout School from 12:50 to 3 p.m. The visit to Lincoln School will be on Friday, Feb. 4, all day.

Anna Myers is the author of the 1999-2000 Oklahoma Sequoyah Children’s Book Nominee “The Keeping Room.” This historical fiction novel for children takes place during the Revolutionary War.

Anna Myers is the author of numerous books for children and young adults. Her book, “Red-Dirt Jessie” has received a Parent’s Choice Award and won the Children’s Book Award in 1993 from the Oklahoma Center for the Books. “Red-Dirt Jessie” is set in Oklahoma during the dusty Oklahoma Depression.

Myers brings us back to a small Oklahoma town in the 1950’s and tells of a moving and heartening story of a young girl at odds with herself and her family in “Rosie’s Tiger.”

Both “Red-Dirt Jessie” and “Rosie’s Tiger” and many other books by Myers are appropriate for children ages 8 to 12.

She has taught English for 20 years in public schools. She lived in Chandler and is the mother of three children.

Visitors are welcome to stop by any school to meet her.

Group To Meet For Iris Festival

The planning committee for Iris Festival 2000 will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday at the United Way, 215 North Second.

Discussion will focus on organizing the various events for that weekend, set for May 5 through 7 on Grand Avenue. Special events for Saturday include United Way Bed Race, Trail of Tails, Victorian Chocolate Festival, two iris shows, classic and new car exhibits, children’s activities, arts and crafts booths, food booths and a talent show.

Participants of past Iris Festivals are encouraged to attend this meeting. Other interested individuals or organizations willing to help are also invited.

For more information, contact Ponca City Main Street Authority at 763-8082.

Metal Artist To Visit His Exhibit on NOC Campus

TONKAWA — “It Comes from the Soul,” an exhibit of scrap metal sculpture by Gage artist Jim Powers, is on view through March 25 in the Eleanor Hays Gallery on the Northern Oklahoma College Tonkawa campus.

In addition to the 29 works in the gallery, eight large outdoor pieces are displayed on the grounds in front of the Northern Performing Arts Center.

Gallery hours are 1 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and during evening and weekend performances in the auditorium of Northern Performing Arts Center. Admission is free.

Powers will be at the gallery from noon to 2 p.m. Thursday to meet the public and comment on his work. That evening he will be honored at a reception from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Powers began creating his scrap metal sculptures as “outsider art” about 10 years ago following his retirement from the salvage yard business. By definition, outsider artists are untrained artists who work in isolation and whose work has never been exhibited. According to University of Science and Art of Oklahoma art professor Jaymes Dudding, “Outsider art is pure, honest and more naïve; therefore, it’s more direct.”

Showing Powers’ sense of humor, the sculptures range from the realistic to the abstract. The artist’s inspiration “comes from the soul” and is usually sparked by a person or an animal, he said. He uses easily recognized objects such as car hoods, bumpers and other rusted pieces of metal to make pieces such as “Tall Turkey,” “Porcupine Bear” and “Persimmon Picker.”

Best known for his “Jimmy Bird” sculptures, Powers has been featured in seven different countries by “Ripley's Believe It or Not.” Some of his works on display around the world include an elephant in Seoul, Korea; a buffalo in Copenhagen, Denmark; a dinosaur in Taipei, Taiwan; and a praying mantis in the Republic of the Philippines.

DEATHS

Frances Elizabeth Novotny
Kathleen Adele Potts
Juanita Maxine Martin
Jessie Thele
Ruby Taylor

Frances Elizabeth Novotny

PAWNEE — Frances Elizabeth Novotny, resident of Ponca City, died Monday, Jan. 31, 2000, in Ponca City. She was 75.

The funeral will be held 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 3, 2000, in the chapel of Poteet Funeral Home in Pawnee with the Revs. Clay Webb and Tommy Shelton officiating. Burial will be in the Highland Cemetery in Pawnee.

Frances Elizabeth Novotny was born June 28, 1924, in Ardmore, the daughter of Johnnie and Emma Patrick Brogan. On Nov. 30, 1947, she married Johnnie Mathie Novotny in Maramec; he preceded her in death on Aug. 29, 1974. She was a lifetime resident of Pawnee County and a member of the Church of Christ of Pawnee. She enjoyed working in her yard, helping at the church, and babysitting children.

She is survived by one daughter, Donna Vigil of Pawnee; three sons, Floyd Novotny of Ponca City, and Johnnie Novotny and James “Dink” Novotny, both of Pawnee; one brother, Ernst Brogan; eight grandchildren; and numerous other relatives.

Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Lucile Mattingly; and one brother, Robert Brogan.

Kathleen Adele Potts

BLACKWELL — Kathleen Adele Potts, formerly of Blackwell, died Monday, Jan. 31, 2000, in the Bass Integris Memorial Hospital in Enid. She was 43.

The funeral will be 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 3, 2000, in the chapel of Roberts and Son Funeral Home in Blackwell. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Park in Ponca City.

Kathleen Adele Potts was born Jan. 8, 1957, in Port Neches, Texas, the daughter of Bill and Mary Colburn. She grew up in Oklahoma City where she attended elementary school. She then moved to Fairfax where she attended Fairfax public schools, graduating in 1976. She then attended college for one year.

She married Alfred J. Potts Jr. on March 8, 1977, in Fairfax, and they settled in Blackwell. She was employed at Jiffy Stop in Blackwell and also with Southwest Cupid Corporation. In 1982, she moved to Enid and began working for Midwest Oil Company and then the Enid State School, where she worked as care trainer. She continued to work there until ill health forced her retirement.

Survivors include her parents, Bill and Jerry Colburn; her son, Richard Potts; two sisters, Deanna Madison of Idaho and Cheryl Bringham of Oklahoma City; a brother, William Sadler of Fairfax; and a nephew.

Casket bearers will be Richard Potts, Greg Mardis, Sam LaBean, Kyle Whitaker, Chris Lewis and Lynzee Crabtree.

Services Pending

Juanita Maxine Martin

NEWKIRK — Juanita Maxine Martin, former Newkirk resident, died early Tuesday morning, Feb. 1, 2000, in Via Christi Regional Medical Center in Wichita, Kan. She was 80. Arrangements are pending with Miller-Stahl Funeral Service.

Jessie Thele

BLACKWELL — Jessie Thele, resident of Blackwell, died Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2000, at Hillcrest Manor Nursing Home. He was 98. Services are pending with Hackler Funeral Home in Blackwell.

Ruby Taylor

Ruby Taylor, former Ponca City resident, died this morning, Feb. 2, 2000, at the St. Francis Medical Center of Tulsa. Survivors include a son, Dr. Robert Taylor, and a daughter, Marlene Bohannon, both of Tulsa. Arrangements are pending with the Trout Funeral Home.

NEWS BRIEFS

Work Session Canceled — Ponca City Commission set for 2 p.m., Monday at the Public Safety Center has been canceled, according to the City Administration office.

Investigation — A report on a auto burglary was taken at 9:13 a.m. Tuesday in the 1000 block of West Highland Avenue.

Flight Breakfast - A flight breakfast is being sponsored by the Ponca City Aviation Booster Club Saturday from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. at Building 14 at Ponca City Regional Airport.

Jim Bowen Construction­ Cus-

tom homes, room additions and

remodeling. Call 762-3077. adv.

Productive Hair salon for sale. Amazin’ Hair People, 108 North Fifth, Call 762-6813. adv.

Vandalism — A vandalism report was taken in the 1100 block of North Pecan Road at 9:24 a.m. Tuesday after it was reported someone drove off the golf course.

We Have Afghans — Pioneer Woman Afghans in multi-colored jewel tones, also in burgundy, dark green, navy and Wedgewood blue. $40 and $50 — great for birthdays, graduations, anniversaries and thank you gifts. First United Methodist Women Project for Missions. Call 765-1956, 762-1681 or 762-1729. We deliver.

Valentine Gifts and Decorations. Crafter’s Mall, 318 East Grand. adv.

Court Allen Construction. Brick, flagstone, concrete, walkway’s, patios and planters. Call 765-2720. adv.

Report Taken — At 9:30 a.m. Tuesday a vandalism report was taken by an officer of the Ponca City Police Department in the 1400 block of West Highland.

Square Dance — The Chikaskia Valley Square Dance Club’s annual “Cherry Pie” dance is slated Feb. 4 at the VFW Ballroom, 2900 East Prospect. Members are asked to bring a favorite cherry dessert. George McElhoe will be the cuer for rounds at 7:30 p.m. and Sonya Savell will be the caller for squares at 8 p.m.

Domestic Problems — It was reported to police at 2:12 p.m. Tuesday in the 700 block of North Fifth that a domestic was in progress. A 22-year-old male was arrested on a city warrant and a 24-year-old female was arrested for domestic assault and battery.

We’re Back! The Threaded Needle Monogramming Shop is re-opening at our new downtown

location. Come see Donna White at 117 N. 3rd (lower level of Barneys Barber) or call 767-1719 TueFri 12:30-5:30. Same top quality work and we welcome your business. adv.

Soccer Sign-up starts Sat., Feb., 5th 9-1. Feb 7th, 8th, & 9th, 4-8pm. 4 1/2 years and up. Quantum Computers Systems. 312 East Grand. Call 762-9056. adv.

Boy Scout Chili Supper — Boy Scout Troop 5 will be having their annual chili supper from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday in the St. Mary’s Parish Hall. They will be serving chili, hotdogs, vegetable soup, cornbread and cake. It is all you can eat for $5; kids six and under eat free. Cub Scout Pack 15 will be selling nachos for $1. Tickets can be purchased at the door.

Open House: It’s in the basket and Health Products. Sample gourmet goodies, 10:00-4:00, Saturday, February 5th, 1113 East Highland. adv.

Suspicious Person — A 31-year-old male was arrested for public intoxication at 4:50 p.m. Tuesday at Palm and Highland Avenue.

Head Country, One half bar-b-que chicken with choice of vegetables, $4.25, Thursday, 11 am until gone. 1217 East Prospect. 767-8304. adv.

Have Pet? Can travel! In-home pet sitting service. We love them when you have to leave them!

762-4205. adv.

Hit and Run — A hit and run was reported to police at 5:38 p.m. Tuesday near the high school on Seventh Street. A report was taken.

Little Dance Smoke Shop. Marlboro $21.00 carton. GPC $17.50 carton. Gunsmoke $12.00

carton. open 7:30 to o 7:30 Sunday 9 to 6. 3 miles South on Hwy 177. 762-7071. adv.

Ponca City Pictorial History Books are still available! Pick up your copy today! Makes a great Gift! Ponca City News Business Office, 8:00-5:00, Monday thru Friday. adv.

Arrest Made — A 30-year-old male was arrested by an officer of the Ponca City Police Department at 5:43 p.m. Tuesday on a city warrant for assault.

Stormescape Shelters, perfect for garage, under vehicle, installation. $1,695. 765-2633. adv.

Concealed Weapons class. Sunday, February 6th at 1pm. 500 South Rockcliff Road. For information call 765-6677 or 761-4447. adv.

Fire Run — At 6:35 p.m. Tuesday a resident in the 1400 block of West Grand reported a smoke alarm going off. Emergency management advised the problem was a pan left on the stove.

Free Pregnancy test. Birth Choice cares. Confidential. Hours: Tuesday, 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, 1-3 p.m. and Thursday, 6-8 p.m. 700 West Broadway. 765-9689. adv.

Theft — A $21 gas drive off was reported to police at 7:29 p.m. Tuesday on North Union.

Fake Bake Tanning Accelerator now at Carla’s Hallmark, 4th and Grand, Downtown. adv.

Windshield Chips repaired professionally. Guaranteed and insurance approved. Ponca Glass,

762-6522, 762-7957. adv.

Report Taken — At 11 p.m. Tuesday in the 1400 block of West Highland a door was kicked in.

Gold ‘N Treasures Jewelry-quality 14K gold and sterling silver jewelry, 762-7273, corner of

Prospect and 14th. adv.

LIFESTYLES

Mrs. Hallmark To Celebrate 90th Birthday
Cammie Wyckoff Engaged
Reception To Honor Eatons
Conference Beneficial To Newkirk Main Street
February Events Include State Chocolate Festival

Mrs. Hallmark To Celebrate 90th Birthday

Mrs. Martha Mae Hallmark will be honored Feb. 5 with a celebration of her 90th birthday. Friends and family are invited to come by the Ponca City Cultural Center, 1000 West Grand, between 1 and 3 p.m. to help her celebrate. It has been requested that there be no gifts.

Martha Mae Covill was born Feb. 8, 1910, in Watonga, and came to Ponca City in 1911. She is the widow of Wendell Horace Hallmark. Correspondence may be sent to her via e-mail at marthah@poncacity.net.

Hosting the event will be her children: Keith Hallmark of Clackamas, Ore., Carrolyn Hiatt of Stillwater, Weny Milligan of Ponca City, Sharon Long of Sequim, Wash., and Donna Sisney of Morrison.

Cammie Wyckoff Engaged

Mr. and Mrs. Donald Wyckoff of Marland, are announcing the engagement of their daughter, Cammie LaDawn Wyckoff, to Glenn Paul Fast, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Fast of Houston, Texas. The couple plans a March 11 wedding at the First Christian Church in Ponca City.

The bride-elect is a 1996 graduate of Frontier School in Red Rock. She graduated from Northern Oklahoma College in 1999, and is employed as a registered nurse in the OB/GYN unit at Integris Bass Baptist Health Center in Enid.

Fast, a 1996 graduate of Mary Caroll High School in Texas, is currently attending Northwestern Oklahoma State University.

Reception To Honor Eatons

Mr. and Mrs. Francis Eaton of Grainola would like to extend an invitation to their family and friends to help celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary.

The event will be Sunday, Feb. 6, from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Shidler United Methodist Church. The couple requests no gifts.

Conference Beneficial To Newkirk Main Street

NEWKIRK — Jana Shafer and Karen Dye, representing Newkirk Main Street, attended the Conversations on Community Renewal conference in Oklahoma City on Jan. 19 and 20. The conference was sponsored by the Oklahoma Community Institute. Scholarships were provided by Eastman National Bank and Public Service Company of Oklahoma for Jana and Karen to attend.

Mrs. Keating introduced Oklahoma’s Millennium Community 2000 program. The Oklahoma Century Community Project 2000 is downtown beautification and the intent to enter form and government resolution for this are due on March 31. Main Street will most likely enter a project for this.

Peter Kenyon, co-founder and Director of the International IDEAS (Initiatives for the Development of Enterprising Action and Strategies) group of Australia, was the opening speaker. His topics included Clues to Creating and Building a Vibrant Community: Australian Experiences and Increasing Citizen Involvement. His key messages included:

1. Attitude is fundamental

2. Be a healthy community

3. Give attention to physical and organizational basics

4. Be idea, opportunity and resource obsessive

5. Plan and implement a comprehensive and sustainable community development agenda

6. Retain and expand the local business base

7. Renew and develop leadership

8. Build a youthful community

9. Be passionate

He shared many thought provoking quotes such as one from Martha Cleary, “The future is not a place to which we are going, it is a place we are creating. The paths to the future are not found but made. And the activity of making them changes both the maker and the destination.”

The Main Street board held its monthly meeting on Jan. 24 at Smith Country with Dorothy Gilbreath, Janice Shinn, Carol Purdy, Juhree Vanderpool, Charles Eisenhauer, Tom Smith, Jana Shafer, Pat Branch, Maureen Spears, Carolyn Williamson, and Karen Dye present.

Results of the Kaw Bingo survey were shared with members of the board. This month’s Breakfast on Main Street will be held Jan. 28 at Smith Country. Jana Shafer will present the program, “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.”

May 27 was the date chosen for the Millennium Event. The parade will be at 11 a.m. Storytelling on the courthouse lawn will begin at 10 a.m. Other activities discussed will include games for adults and children, sumo wrestling, entertainment by local talent and craft booths.

Janice, Pat, Dorothy and Tom will serve on the committee for planning the annual banquet which is held in March.

Feb. 17 is the date set for the annual telethon. The board voted to change February’s board meeting to Feb. 14. The board voted to renew their membership in the Kaw Lake Association. Pat Landers’ resignation was accepted.

Karen reported that the award nominations had been submitted to state. Thirteen nominations were filed this year.

Everyone is invited to attend the Breakfast on Main Street Jan. 28 at 7 a.m. at Smith Country.

For further information, contact Newkirk Main Street at (580) 362-2377.

February Events Include State Chocolate Festival

NORMAN — Chocolate lovers and travelers can plan February to include an Oklahoma festival known worldwide. Starting with the Tasting Sessions and ending with the Chocolate Gala, a whole day will be devoted to chocolate at the Norman Firehouse Art Center’s 18th annual Chocolate Festival set for Feb. 19.

Chefs and artists are sought for three competitions — chocolate as art, chocolate desserts and the Firehouse Art Center Brownie Bake-off. The chocolate can be molded, shaved, carved, sculpted, piped, even thrown on the pottery wheel, to take shapes from funny to fantastic.

About 1, 500 people are expected for this year’s Chocolate Tasting Sessions. Area restaurants, candy shops and bakeries will contribute their most enticing chocolate confections, in competition for the “Best Sample” award, earned by a vote of the tasters. Tickets are sold in limited numbers for entry times on the half-hour from 11 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. The $12 price entitles the ticket holder to 10 generous samples from about 25 choices.

Events will be held at the OCCE Commons Restaurant on the University of Oklahoma campus at 300 Kellogg Drive in Norman. Ample parking is available.

CHOCOLATE! A Juried Exhibit will include artistic creations which are “mostly chocolate and mostly edible” From chocolate sculpture to candy mosaic paintings, chocolate becomes art. The chocolate creations are entered in competition in categories including most elegant, most humorous, most creative and people’s choice. Top prize in each category is $125. Second place receives $75 and third receives $50. The Brownie Bake-off is open to amateur cooks and bakers.

Two past favorites were a bouquet of white and dark chocolate roses and the dancing white and dark chocolate animal “Forest Friends.” Displays have included Lady Godiva in a bath of chocolate milk, complete with floating marshmallow “bubbles,” an elegantly sculpted dancer, and a garden pool with a fish fountain spouting chocolate milk.

Cooks and chefs are invited to enter dessert creations in the Brownie Bake-Off and Culinary Creations competitions. Every chocolate lover is invited to enter.

Saturday evening, the Chocolate Gala features dinner, entertainment and dancing, and judging and enjoying the desserts submitted for the “Most Delicious” competition. Festivities begin at 6:30 p.m. The evening will include music, oral and silent auctions of art. Tickets are $45.

Tickets to the Tasting Sessions and the Chocolate Gala may be secured by phone (405) 329-4523, by mail or in person at the Firehouse Art Center, 444 South Flood, Norman, Okla. 73069. Entry forms for the competition also are available by phone, mail or in person.

SPORTS

Rebounds Fall Short for Wildcats
Lady Cats Winners Show Up
Area Fishing Report
Groundhog Run Slated Saturday
Dugout Meeting
Bowling Tournament for Women Set
Karate Report

Rebounds Fall Short for Wildcats

By FRED HILTON

News Sports Editor

For two running teams, Ponca City and Owasso didn’t do much scoring early in their game at Robson Field House Tuesday night.

So when the shooting is off, rebounding becomes important and the Wildcats lost that battle 39-28 and also lost in the scoring, 56-46.

With Owasso’s highly touted 6-6 Richard Hardman controlling the boards. the Wildcats didn’t get many second chances at missed shot. Hardman grabbed off 17 rebounds in addition to scoring 15 points.

But he was not quite a one-man band. The Rams’ Chris Coke hit for 13 points and Wisdom Ledgerwood banged in 12.

Billy Broughton and Jeff Furnas each had 13 points to lead Ponca City’s scoring.

Both teams stared slow with Ponca City leading 10-9 after one period.

Furnas canned a three to give the Cats a 5-3 edge seconds into the game and Brett Skaggs also scored from long range as the Poncans moved back in front 8-7.

But when the Cats’ attempt to shoot over the Owasso zone chilled, the Rams’ round the range and went on an 11-4 run to start the second quarter.

Broughton hit the last two baskets of the first half for the Poncans, but the Cats failed to gain ground, ad trailed 26-18 at the intermission.

At that point, Ponca City had made 8-of-22 shots from the field while Owasso was 9-of-26. But the Rams made up the difference by throwing through four 3’s.

Skaggs canned a trey to get the Cats started in the second half and Furnas poked through a short jumper as Ponca City trimmed the lead to 26-23.

However, Owasso answered with a 9-3 run to take control again. Blaine Petrie’s trey was the Cats’ only basket in that five-minute span.

Midway through the fourth quarter, Ponca City cut the margin to 47-41 on Blake Geubelle’s shot from outside the arc.

But that’s as close as the Wildcats could get as Owasso started to march to the free throw line.

The Rams were 11-of-15 from the line while Ponca City got just two chances and canned both of them.

Ponca City was 19-of-59 from the field while Owasso was 19-of-50.

The Wildcats, now 2-8, 5-11, travel to play Bartlesville, a team they beat 64-60 here, on Thursday and are on the road again Friday at Sand Springs.

Owasso 56, Ponca City 46

Owasso 9 17 15 15 — 56

Ponca 10 8 14 14 — 45

Ponca City — B#illy Broughton 12, Jeff Furnas 13, Blaine Petrie 9, Brett Skaggs 6, Blake Geubelle 3, Derek Colvin 2

Lady Cats Winners Show Up

By FRED HILTON

News Sports Editor

Po-Hi coach Dana Pulley says she is not sure which of the Lady Wildcat up and down teams will show up for any given game,

On Tuesday night she was happy to see the one that did show up as the Lady Cats held off the Owasso girls, 52-47.

This was the same Lady Wildcat team that managed just 19 points in the earlier game at Owasso.

In Robson Field House, the Ponca Citians hit the floor running, sinking five of their first eight shots, including a pair of 3’s by Jena Birdsong and popped through 17 points in the first quarter for an 11-point lead.

The Owasso girls seemed to be taking a page out of the Lady Cats’ play book as they had five turnovers and hit just three of seven shots in that initial period.

Unable to hit from in close, Owasso started to bomb away from outside and along with a bothersome full court press, cut the Ponca City lead to 26-17 at halftime.

Owasso scored the first basket of the second half to narrow the margin to seven points, but then the Lady Wildcats went on a 10-2 run that upped the lead to 36-21.

Once again Owasso found the perimeter shots would fall and again made a run at the Poncans.

The Ponca City lead was 10 points, 45-35 when first Jenna Wedd, then Laura Sudbury fouled out.

Taking advantage of frequent trips to the free throw line, Owasso again made a run, closing to within four, 48-44, on Callie Curran’s 3 with 1:10 remaining in the game.

However, senior Alana Smith broke the Owasso press and hit a running lay up and was fouled. Her free throw with 51 seconds remaining padded the score to 51-44.

Jena Birdsong hit one of two free throws at the 30 second mark, but Curran sank another trey as Owasso came within five points.

Ponca City committed a turnover with 20 seconds remaining, but the Owasso girls missed on four straight shots in the closing seconds.

The Lady Wildcats had one of their better shooting nights of the season. After going 11-for-23 from the field in the first half, the Poncans finished the game 18-of-39 and had just 14 turnovers.

The downside came at the free throw line where Ponca City was 13-of-29. But Owasso could do little better, canning 8-of-15 charity tosses.

The win lifted the Lady Wildcats, now 2-8 in the Frontier Conference and 3-13 overall, out of the conference cellar. It may also save them from facing the top-seeded team in the first round of the regional playoffs.

They would like to put more distance between themselves and the bottom rung of the seeding ladder as they travel to Bartlesville Thursday and to Sand Springs on Friday. The Cats will look to avenge a 51-4 7 loss to the Lady Bruins here last month.

Ponca City 52, Owasso 47

Owasso 6 11 14 16 — 47

Ponca 17 9 13 13 — 51

Ponca City — Jena Birdsong 16, Alana Smith 11, Laura Sudbury 9, Mallory Hodge 9, Jenna Wedd 2, Tara Cries For Ribs 1.

Owasso — Curran 12, McElrath 9, Wilson 6, Reuthager 6, West 5, Leach 4. Haws 2, Betner 2.

Area Fishing Report

Northeast

Eucha: Elevation normal, water 43 and clear. All fishing reported good.

Ft. Gibson: Water 48. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs, 8-10 ft., near brushpiles.

Grand: Channel catfish fair on cut shad, 15-20 ft.; crappie fair, 10 ft., near brushpiles and docks.

Greenleaf: Crappie fair on minnows and jigs near docks and brushpiles.

Kaw: Elevation 1 ft. above normal, water murky. Channel catfish good on stink bait in the upper part of the river; crappie fair on minnows and jigs, 10-15 ft., near brushpiles.

Skiatook: Elevation 2 ft. below normal, water clear. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs near standing timber and deep brushpiles.

Sooner: Sand bass and hybrids fair on live shad and topwater lures in the discharge canal.

Spavinaw: Elevation normal, water 43 and clear. All fishing reported good.

Tenkiller: Lake elevation 1 ft. below normal and water clear. Black bass fair on minnows and jigs, 15-25 ft., near brushpiles and boat docks.

Webbers Falls: Water murky. Crappie fair on minnows and jigs near bridges and brushpiles.

Groundhog Run Slated Saturday

The annual Groundhog 15K and 5K runs will be held Saturday at Lake Ponca Park.

The 15K run route is around Lake Ponca while the 5K fun run is over the old Grand Prix course. The 15K starts at 9 a.m. with the 5K going off 15 minutes later.

Awards will be given in the five-year age groups in the 15K and the top three men and women in both runs will receive special awards.

The entry fee is $15 with a long-sleeve T-shirt and $8 without the shirt. Entries will be accepted prior to the runs and on race day at Lake Ponca Park.

For more information, contact Bob Kammiller, 2609 Canterbury (765-7855 )

Dugout Meeting

Baseball Meeting — The Ponca City Dugout Club will meet Thursday at 6:30 p.m. in Room 104 of the Howell Building at the high school.

Parents of high school baseball players are encouraged to attend. For further information, contact Rick McCool (762-8857)

Bowling Tournament for Women Set

The 60th annual Ponca City Women’s Bowling Tournament will be held on two weekend, Feb. 5-6 and Feb. 12-14. The squad and double times will be 1:30 and 4:30 each day.

This Saturday, starting at 12:30, a ceremony honoring the Hall of Fame bowlers will be held at Ponca Bowl. The honorees are Tammy Shobert for skill and the late Mary Davis for service.

Shobert participated in the YBA program and has been a WIBC member for 20 years. She carries an average in the 180’s.

Davis’s award will be accepted by her daughters, Joy Sanders and Cathy Coleman.

All Hall of Fame bowlers are asked to attend the induction.

Karate Report

Several members of the Niemann’s Self-Defense Academy took part in the Y2K Kick Off Karate Tournament in Wynnewood recently.

RESULTSSparring

Blackbelts

12-13

Michael White, 1st

14-15

Josh Strider, 1st

Adult

Larry Anderson (mddle), 1st

Tony Gonzalez (heavy), 1st

Under Blackbelts

8-9

Andy Elliott (advanced), 1st

Rocky Hilton II (novice), 1st

10-11

Justin White (novice), 3rd

12-13

Neal Homan (novice), 1st

Adult

James Shoffner (novice), 1st

Zac Clifton (novice). 1st

Forms

Junior Blackbelt

12-13

Bud Hardin, 1st

Weapons

Junior Blackbelt

12-13

Bud Hardin, 1st