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From the pages of The Ponca City News, Tuesday, February 13, 2001 LOCAL DEATHS NEWS BRIEFS LIFESTYLES SPORTS BUSINESS LOCALBouquet of Roses Says Love As Florists Prepare for Big Day Bouquet of Roses Says Love As Florists Prepare for Big DayBy LOUISE ABERCROMBIE News Business Editor Everything is coming up red roses or almost everything in regards to Valentine’s Day, according to Ponca City florists. Flower shops, greeting card dealers and candy stores may be doing a landslide business today and tomorrow, but the planning started months ago. Although the red rose is best known as a sign of love, there are other flowers that symbolize affection. The Agapathus sends a message of secret love, while the Daffodil says, “You are the only one.” The Forget-Me-not, is an indication of true love, and the Lotus flower is a sign of estranged love. The deep burgundy rose conveys unconscious love and the while rose specifies “I am worthy of you.” As always red roses are the most popular flower, although other favorites are red carnations, gladiolas and tulips. Red tulips mean a declaration of love. Balloons with love messages are popular also and are often anchored with stuffed animals or a box of chocolates. Blooming plants are also in demand. In order to have a supply on hand at a reasonable price the roses and other flowers have to be ordered one or two months in advance, according to Victoria’s Gardens and M&M Family Flowers. Other florists were too busy with orders for Valentine’s Day to talk to The News. The flowers come to Ponca City from Oklahoma City by truck, or by overnight express direct from farms in South America. Valentine’s and Mother’s Day rank as the two top holidays for sending flowers. Light Early Turnout For School ElectionBy KRISTI HAYES News Education Editor The foggy, drizzly weather may have an impact on this year’s annual school elections. Election officials are calling today’s turnout “very light” with only a few voters showing up before 10:30 a.m. DeAnn McDaniel, inspector at Pioneer Technology Center’s site, said today’s turnout has been extremely light. “We’ve only had 17 voters so far this morning,” she said. At the Church of Christ on Hartford Avenue, inspector Iris Peterson said they’ve had 43 voters so far. “The first voter didn’t show up until 7:15 a.m. this morning. There was no line at all. We’re trying to keep busy. Sometimes we’re sitting around doing nothing,” she said. On the ballot today for Ponca City schools are the annual mill levies, and a vote to make them permanent. David Kinkaid and Norris Frederick are also vying for Office 6 of the Ponca City Board of Education. Frederick currently fills the office after being appointed to the board last February to replace Steve Stalcup. The local ballot includes seven questions. The first question is between the two candidates, the next three questions deal with the annual school levies (emergency, building fund and local support levy). The final three questions ask the voters to make the levies permanent. If the levies fail, a second vote will be held in April. Pioneer Technology Center is seeking an additional building mill, generating about $200,000 annually. This money will meet the future facility and equipment goals. The final bond payment at PTC will be made this May. Two questions are on the ballot for PTC. The first question deals with the five building mills, one more than last year’s, and the second question deals with making the levies permanent. The polls are open until 7 p.m. Nearly NewsRebecca Harris, great-niece of Ruby Bartunek, Ponca City will appear in Wednesday’s episode of “Law and Order.” Ms. Harris is the daughter of former Ponca City resident Madelyn (Whitlock) and Dr. Floyd Harris of Arkansas. DEATHSReina Okla Kent Allen ObituariesReina Okla Kent AllenBLACKWELL — Reina Okla Kent Allen, resident of Blackwell, died Monday morning, Feb. 12, 2001, in the Hillcrest Manor Nursing Home in Blackwell at the age of 98. The funeral is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16, in the Church of Christ in Blackwell. Chad Knappier of the Church of Christ will officiate with Mack Lyon of Edmond delivering the message “In Search of the Lord’s Way.” Burial will be in the Blackwell Cemetery under the direction of Roberts Funeral Home. Reina Okla Kent Allen was born on Feb. 14, 1902, in an earth dugout near Eagle City in Blaine County. She was the eighth of nine children born to William T. and Margaret Jaynes Kent. Soon after her birth, the family moved to a farm near Geary. She received her early education in the Crown Mound School in rural Geary. She continued her education by attending Geary High School, graduating in 1922. She married Charles Lewis Allen on June 28, 1924, in Newkirk, and they settled in Blackwell. This wonderful Christian lady placed her membership with the Blackwell Church of Christ in 1924. She seldom missed an opportunity to worship or serve the Lord as wife, homemaker and friend until she moved into the Hillcrest Manor Nursing Home in 1998. She was a particularly gifted cook and loved to bake her special treats including hundreds of pecan pies for her family’s, neighbors’ and church member’s birthdays. Seldom did a neighbor, relative or church member celebrate a birthday without receiving a greeting card from Reina. Indeed, her life priorities were God, family and friends and in that order. She enjoyed the role of serving other people’s needs in any way she could and always with a cheerful smile, word or deed. She walked humbly before her Lord always giving a hug, kiss or pat on the back and a “thank you” to the staff at Hillcrest Manor Nursing Home. She was a member of the Blackwell Church of Christ. Survivors include a son, Kent Allen and wife Linda of Ponca City; local nieces and nephews, Opal and Ronnie Porter and Carla Wilson, all of Blackwell, and Tammie Little of Ponca City; and several other nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; four brothers, Uriah, Millard, Arthur and Leo; and four sisters, Esther, Eva, Ida and Ova. Casket bearers will be Larry Cochenour, Jim Anderson. Joe Anderson, Ross Hiatt, Darrel Gingerich and Ned Sweetser. Honorary bearers will be George Morgan, Bill Barber, Arlen Byers and Shannon Richards. Memorial contributions may be made in her name to In Search of the Lord’s Way, P.O. Box 371, Edmond, Okla. 73083 or to Church of Christ Building Fund, 1035 S. Main, Blackwell, Okla. 76431. The family will be gathering at the Church of Christ in Blackwell at noon on Friday to eat and greet visitors. paid obituary LaLa Marie MorrisLaLa Marie Morris, lifelong Kay County resident, died on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2001, in the Shawn Manor Nursing Home. She was 88. The funeral was graveside on Monday, Feb. 5, 2001. at 2 p.m. at the Ponca City IOOF Cemetery. The Rev. Bruce Keck, pastor of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, officiated, and burial was conducted under direction of Grace Memorial Chapel. Born LaLa Marie Lynn on May 21, 1912, in Red Rock, she was the daughter of Charles Herbert and Merica Ann (Trammel) Lynn. She was reared in Red Rock and had attended schools in Red Rock. On Sept. 11, 1937, LaLa and Roy Paris Morris were united in marriage in Hays, Kan. The couple made their home in Ponca City in 1966, and LaLa was content in being a housewife. She was a lifetime member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the VFW and of the Primetimers Club. LaLa was the bingo champion of Shawn Manor bingo, and she enjoyed calling in on the WBBZ party line, and many fellow citizens would enjoy listening to her converse on the radio. She was the matriarch of the family and enjoyed being with her family. She also was a strong supporter of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol State Troopers Association. She is survived by one sister, Madoline Williams of Oklahoma City; one niece, Helen Marie Widner of Ponca City; and two nephews, Archie Moore of Perry and Frank Williams of Collinsville. She is also survived by a brother-in-law, Chester R. Morris of Stafford, Kan.; a sister-in-law, Irene McPherson of Claflin, Kan.; and five nieces, Eula May Hughes of Lago Vista, Texas, Frankie Long of Irmo, S.C., Glenora Roberts of Dallas, Texas, Marleeta Anspaugh of Hoisington, Kan., and Colleen Taylor of Dumas, Texas. LaLa was preceded in death by her husband, Roy P. Morris on Jan. 4, 1979; one sister, Helen Chadwell; and her parents. Honorary casket bearers were John Caughlin, Tim Caughlin, Vince Corbin, Archie Moore, Joe Widner and Frank Williams. In lieu of flowers, the family requested memorial contributions be made to: Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 2800 Turner Rd., Ponca City, Okla. 74604 or to Hospice of Ponca City, 1904 N. Union St., Suite 103, Ponca City, Okla. 74601. paid obituary FuneralsWednesday Leopoldine Barbara DeckerLeopoldine Barbara Decker — Funeral at 10 a.m. in St. Frances of Assisi Catholic Church in Newkirk with burial in the Newkirk Cemetery under the direction of Miller-Stahl Funeral Home. Thursday Ludi Marie Robinson MaplesLudi Marie Robinson Maples — Funeral at 1 p.m. in the First Baptist Church worship center. Burial to follow in the IOOF Cemetery under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel. BUSINESSConoco Official Discusses Projects, Prospects Conoco Official Discusses Projects, ProspectsEditor’s Note: This is a follow-up on an interview with Mike Fretwell, General Manager of the Ponca City Conoco Mid-Continent Business Unit. By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE News Business Editor The year 2000 was a good one for Conoco and for the Ponca City Mid-Continent in particular with the construction of the $150 million carbon fibers plant well under way and other investments on the horizon. Business Unit General Manager Mike Fretwell discussed some ongoing projects and some forward looking prospects. Fretwell said, “We have all our connections in place to bring in crude from abroad. We are now processing crude from Canada and purchasing a lot of crude oil from Brazil and also from West Africa. Some of these crudes are special crudes and are more marginal and that is good for the business as well.” Foreign Trade Zone Conoco has recently been approved from the U.S Customs and from the state, to designate the refinery a Foreign Trade Zone. This process took about a year. Fretwell said, “What that enables us to do is to bring in crude oil from abroad and to save the import duties and so it will make it more competitive for us to process those kinds of crudes.” Marketing In terms of marketing, Fretwell said, “Last year we set some new production records here. We reached a new processing level of 200,000 barrels a day of crude. That is about 66 million ton. What we are hoping to do is to sustain that level of crude oil processing. “A few years ago we were at about 130,000 barrels. That has been one of the things that has helped us improve our profitability. In order to run the refinery like that we’ve got to be able to sell the products obviously.” He added, “Our marketers have been successful as well, they have really expanded our market share. We’ve got 17 or 18 percent of the market place in the mid-continent. “Actually we’ve got a marketing area that we call ‘the bigger better bean,’ which is in the shape of a bean on the map. It covers most of Oklahoma, Kansas and goes up into Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri and that is our main focus marketing area. It really is a geography that fits around our pipelines. So we are able to deliver products to customers in that area at a very competitive cost compared to our competitors. “We have some big plans in that area, we’d like to expand our markets some more in that area maybe into the 20s (percent), so we would be a significant player in this part of the world. That is our branded market share. Our Conoco signs are seen around the area.” New Store in PC Fretwell said, “As a little local flavor here in Ponca City, we’ve reached an agreement with Jack Gas Up and we are going to rebuild that store on North Fourteenth and have a really nice facility there.” Looking Forward On the new regulations for clean fuel, Fretwell said this is a huge issue for the refining industry. “We are going to have to produce gasoline by the end of 2003 with just 30 parts of per million of sulfur in it, that is a ten fold reduction of sulfur. It is part of the Clean Air Act. “So we have to make a decision this year on how we are going to achieve that. Probably by June or July we will be announcing what that is going to look like. We’ve done many studies on this and it is a pretty significant investment. “There is no way you can reach that level of clean gasoline production without hydrotreating. So we will have to make that announcement later in the year. I think we are going to make the investment here and I am excited about what it means for the refinery. Again it will be another step in terms of strengthening the position we have here.” Building Tankage On another forward looking note, Fretwell said, “As far as the refinery is concerned we will be building a lot of tankage. We are actually doing that at the moment as we will be providing the raw material for the carbon fibers plant. “We will be building three new tanks. The carbon fibers plant is due to push off in June 2002. Tying the refinery as the supplier of the raw material into the carbon fibers is good news for the refinery as well as carbon fibers.” Other Issues Responding to a question as to whether some of the personnel from LaFayette’s Exploration unit would be coming into Ponca City, Fretwell said he thought they would be transferring to Houston. Addressing the question of what will happen when the IPO protection is terminated and could the company be bought? Fretwell answered, “You can never say never, in fact of the matter if somebody bid a high enough price for Conoco the company is obliged to look after the shareholders and consider those things. So that is a possibility on one side. “Really our intent as a company is to be strong enough to be independent and continue to thrive as an independent company. One of the things that we are excited about from last year’s performance is that there is an element in our bonus calculations that looks at our return on investment compared to all of the other competitors and we were second out of 15. “As long as we can continue to perform and grow strongly in many ways we are in a good position to withstand any offers that are not attractive. On the other hand, I am sure that management will look at offers where it makes sense.” CSC Contracts Responding to the fact that Conoco is advertising for support services and is CSC in danger of losing out? Fretwell said, “The company has gone out and its looking for provisions of computer services and support services for Information Technology and Technology. This happens routinely every five years or so. We have an alliance at the moment with CSC and they provide support here for this location and Houston. “We’re looking at their services compared to other companies that provide that service. We are looking at levels of service, obviously costs of service and those things. That process will be complete by summer. It is a normal bidding out of these services that happen in a routine way.” Honeywell Deal Asked if the 17.5 million 10-year Honeywell manageability agreement with Conoco to provide automation functionality for Conoco’s new carbon fibers plant here meant in loss in terms of future of jobs for Conoco personnel, Fretwell said, “No, the Honeywell deal is an alliance deal for the company to put in process equipment and instrumentation for controlling the carbon fibers process. “The idea of the alliance is that we use Honeywell equipment in the carbon fibers plant here and then we use that alliance to replicate that in other plants we plan to build around the world.” Carbon Fibers Plant Responding to whether the capacity of the carbon fibers plant had been expanded beyond what had been first announced? Fretwell said, “As I understand it they are having a lot of success finding ways to produce more out of the same plant. I have heard that the demand for carbon fibers appears so strong we are looking at other ways to expand further.” Gas-to-Liquids Plant Here? Answering an inquiry about whether the Gas-to-Liquids pilot plant was going to be located in Ponca City? Fretwell said, “I really don’t know. I know that we have located a site here in the plant for a pilot plant for gas-to-liquids. We have been working with the city on that and we’ve been delighted with the cooperation that we’ve gotten on that. “There are as I understand it a couple of competing sites. Our technology folks will be making a decision around that in the next couple of months. I’m pretty optimistic, but we’ll have to wait and see.” Conoco Power? Regarding as to whether the Ponca City Plant is considering generating its own power? Fretwell said, “We have a team set up that is looking at co-generation projects. We have a co-generation plant and we work with OG&E on that plant. It is an old plant and not a particularly efficient plant. We are looking at the options going forward. “One possibility is to build a new plant. If we were to do that we would consider sizing the plant that it was big enough to supply all the requirements on this site, for the refinery and carbon fibers, clean fuels, gas-to-liquids and maybe sizing it even bigger than that so that we could supply other power for regional needs. Conoco has a growing power business called Conoco Power. “We’ve got alliances with several other power producers and it makes a lot of sense to locate power stations next to refineries, particularly when we think about environmental performance — reducing emissions, because a lot of the gases and emissions we can circulate through those power plants and they are extremely efficient.” Bush to Change Emissions Regs? About the possibility of the Bush administration lowering the emission standards, Fretwell said, “After clean gasoline in 2006, the last administration produced some laws about clean diesel. Those are very, very difficult emission standards to meet. The current diesel specification is 500 parts per million of sulfur in road diesel that trucks use. The new requirement to produce that to 15 parts per million over 90 percent reduction. “For a refinery to do that it is taking us out of the refinery business and into the pharmaceutical business. Some people are saying that a law that is that stringent would put some refineries out of business. “There hasn’t been a new refinery built in the U.S. since 1971 and demand continues to grow and so a lot of people are concerned that if that happens we could end up with supplies shortages and higher prices. “So the Bush administration has said they are going to take a look at that diesel law that was passed by the last administration and it is possible that they made modify it and make it less stringent.” Fretwell said in order to meet that legislation, as it stands now, the company would have to commit to the investment by 2004. “It would take us that long to reconfigure the refinery and put in the investment.” Special Forum On Firefighters Contract SetLegislative Review Committee of the Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a special forum on the firefighters contract with the city. The citizens will be voting on March 6 on whether to raise the pay scale of the firefighters by ten percent. The forum is set for Thursday 8 to 9 a.m., at Pioneer Technology Center in the EBC Room. The public is welcome and coffee and doughnuts will be provided. Moderator will be Roj Phansalkar, chairman of the Legislative Review Committee. Speakers are Mayor Tom Leonard and Skip Jump of the firefighters. Evans Executive Vice President Retirement Party Set for Feb. 19Jackie BohonA come and go retirement party for Jackie E. Bohon, executive vice president of Evans & Associates Construction Co. Inc., is set for Feb. 19 from 5 to 7 p.m., at Evans and Associates, 3320 North Fourteenth. Bohon is retiring after 40 years with the company. He began his career Feb. 2, 1961, as a laborer for the then Evans & Throop Construction Co. Inc. His first wage was $1.35 an hour. Four years later he was promoted to construction superintendent for Evans & Throop working directly under Jim Throop. In 1974, under the new banner of Evans & Associates Construction Co. Inc., Bohon was promoted to construction manager. A year later he was named vice president of Evans and Associates Construction and promoted to executive vice president in 1978. In 1982, Bohon was elected to the Board of Directors of Evans & Associates Construction Co. Inc., and to the Board of its parent, Evans & Associates Enterprises Inc. He was also elected vice president of all other subsidiary operations under the parent, Evans & Associates Enterprises. Presently Bohon holds the title of execute vice president of Evans & Associates Construction Co., vice present of the parent company, Evans & Associates Enterprises Inc., and all other subsidiary operations, and is a board member of all companies. A native of Severy, Kan., Bohon moved with his family to Burbank in 1947. He attended Burbank Schools and graduated in 1954. Upon high school graduation he joined the Army by volunteering for the draft and served the required two years in the U.S. Army. He served in the Infantry and attended Non Commission Officer Academy School in Germany and attained the rank of Staff Sergeant prior to his discharge. He received an Honorable Discharge in 1956. Upon discharge from the Army, Bohon moved to Wichita, Kan., and was employed at Boeing from 1956 to 1959 as an aircraft mechanic while attending Wichita Business College for two years. In 1957, Jackie met his future wife, Zofia, in Ponca City. Zofia was originally from Poland and she took her U.S. Citizen test shortly after marrying Jackie and moved to Wichita. The couple was married on Dec. 28, 1957. In 1959 moved back to Ponca City and Bohon went to work for Wright Construction building houses from 1959-1960 and a year later joined Evans. The couple’s oldest son Jackie E. “Jay” Bohon, has worked for his father at Evans & Associates Construction Co., Inc. since he was 18 years old. Jay and his wife, Beth have two children, Jackie E. Bohon III and Amanda Bohon. They have a daughter Susan Renee Bohon. She is now married to Glen Lanoue and they have two children, Elizabeth Lanoue and Evan Lanoue. During his retirement, Bohon plans to pursue his hobbies of raising cattle and doing woodworking and spending time with his grandchildren. Copper Ridge Apartment Homes Near CompletionCopper Ridge Apartment Homes, located at 1515 West Highland, is the newest apartment community in Ponca City. Copper Ridge, nearing completion, features the latest in modern floor plan designs and amenities. Copper Ridge offers one, two and three bedroom apartment homes. These new apartment homes each come with washer and dryer connections, kitchens equipped with the latest Whirlpool appliances, double paned thermal windows, no wax kitchen and bath vinyl flooring, plush carpeting and lots of closet space. The housing community will have a playground and access gates along with quarterly resident activities. The apartment home complex is designed for individuals whose incomes meet the maximum annual allowable income as determined by the State. There are several programs available and those interested should call or come by to see how Copper Ridge may be able to help them move into a new apartment home. Copper Ridge was developed by and is managed by Wilhoit Properties, Inc. Wilhoit Properties, Inc. was founded in 1967 in Springfield, Mo. It is a family-owned and operated property-management company with locations throughout the Midwest and Southern States. For additional information contact Marilyn L. Tyler, Oklahoma District Manager, Wilhoit Properties, Inc. (417) 860-8816. EDAB Gets Several UpdatesBy LOUISE ABERCROMBIE News Business Editor Conoco’s carbon fibers plant is on target, according to a report given at the Thursday Economic Development Advisory Board (EDAB) meeting. Other topics of discussion included the status of the Unitherm building, bandwidth, the technology accelerator and gas-to-liquid project by Conoco. The Unitherm building, on West Hartford, is expected to be used for a speculation building to draw new industry into town. Currently an appraisal of the building is under way. There is a possibility that Smith International would lease 10,000 square feet of the building on a short term lease. Jan Jarrett, EDAB executive, said he had a manufacturing contact that expressed some interest. On Conoco’s gas-to-liquid project, EDAB has been making its pitch for the pilot plant to be located here, but apparently the decision has not been made yet as to where the plant is to be located. On the bandwidth project, Jarrett said the bandwidth board is doing the paper work for the project. Ponca City is to receive a $4.7 million federal grant to upgrade the capabilities of the community to have a competitive position nationwide for location of high technology companies and to transmit data for education. EDAB Told Venture Capital Progress Making HeadwayBy LOUISE ABERCROMBIE News Business Editor Progress is being made on the quest to establish a $1 million venture capital fund to encourage development of start up companies was reported on by Economic Development Advisory Board (EDAB) Chairman Ricky Flak at a recent meeting. Flak told that he and Barry Bickle have been talking to possible angel investors and more meetings are scheduled. The funds are basically needed to help established start-up firms. Qualified Investors Jan Jarrett, EDAB executive, told The News how venture capital groups operate and what the criteria is for qualified investors. Jarrett said, “The availability of venture capital has gotten to be a really large issue in Oklahoma particularly because historically we haven’t had a lot of venture capital to help new forming companies. With us being involved here with Ponca City Technology Accelerator it has gotten to be much more important for us.” Telling how a venture group could be formed and the tax benefits for investors, Jarrett said, “There is a state law which allows the formation of venture capital groups and it does give some tax benefits. In order to qualify for the tax benefits the group must have at least $1 in venture capital. So we have been working toward the establishment of a venture capital group.” Jarrett noted, “Everybody understands that it is a high risk proposition and so therefore the actual investment rules, by law, require that anybody who participates in this be what as known as a sophisticated investor — they understand what risk is. “The definition of the investor is a person, who has net worth of over a million dollars or who has had over the past couple of years and expects to have an annual income of $200,000.” Jarrett said there are some other rules involving combined income of spouses. About the progress, Jarrett said, “We have had several meetings with people, who we know will qualify for this type of venture. We think it is important for Ponca City. We’ve had a very favorable response so far, so I’m optimistic that we are going to be able to pull together our first venture capital group here in Ponca City. If there is additional interest out there we may even form another group.” He added, “The first objective is to get over that first hurdle and get into the ball game so we can begin to look at some of these projects coming down the line hopefully for our incubator at the accelerator and even for the incubator at Pioneer Technology Center it will help us to be more in the game.” When the group comes together it will form as an investment company. Tax Incentives for Investor Explaining the tax incentive, Jarrett said, “Under the laws in Oklahoma, if a capital venture group is formed and a million dollars is invested in business ventures, the people who have invested are allowed to tax a 20 percent tax credit against their Oklahoma income taxes due. “For example if a person invested $100,000 the tax credit allows them to get back $30,000 of that $100,000. This is done quite simply as an incentive try to get money generated in capital that will create new jobs.” He added, “In Oklahoma the standard tax credit in metropolitan areas is 20 percent. In rural areas it is more difficult to raise venture capital so the state has increased that credit in rural areas like ours from 20 to 30 percent for the same investment.” Summit Education Goals Facing Tough ChallengesEditor’s Note: The Ponca City Summit met in September 2000, establishing as one of the initiatives that ties into economic development as being continued improvement in education for citizens within the community and those outside the area with a Ponca City connection. This is the first in a series regarding the Summit education initiative. By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE News Business Editor Education is the number one issue folks are looking for in economic development as far as establishing a company, or bringing in employees from other metropolitan areas. A question being addressed by the Summit Educational Task Force is education in Northern Oklahoma and Ponca City up to the challenge of being the best? Other concerns included are things getting better? What improvements are being made? Why aren’t the schools as good as they were 20 or 30 years ago — or are they? Some interesting perceptions about education came to light in the Summit’s workshop in the fall — some have merit and others are just perceptions. It was pointed out that changes in the social fabric and economic base of Ponca City are different than 20 or 30 years ago, when Conoco had a number of high degreed employee’s children in the school system. Today many families only have one parent and parental involvement is a vital part of education — seeing that students make the right choices that will serve them well in the future, whether they are going on to higher education or on another career path. Another problem is a lot of high school students work, some from necessity, others for spending money either for themselves personally or to buy or operate a car. These students often do no get enough rest or have enough time to devote to homework. This came to light in a recent meeting of the Summit Education Task Force with heads of educational institutions, Summit members and citizens. Dr. Joe Kinzer, Northern Oklahoma College, president, chaired the meeting with co-chairmen Dr. Bill White, superintendent of Ponca City Public Schools; Doug Majors, CEO of Pioneer Technology Center, and Dr. Brenda Stacy, director of University Learning Center as co-chairs. Perceptions Charles Casey, one of the founders of the Summit, said, “Our school system is no different than most systems. Things have changed. In the old days in Ponca City Conoco had 4,000 high level employees and we don’t have that anymore. We have a totally different system. Now we have poverty pockets that we really didn’t have before.” He added, “We also didn’t have families where everyone was working. In those days we usually had a husband and wife and these days we have a lot of single parent situations and these are factored into the educational situation.” “Parent involvement is the most crucial thing that can happen in a community. That is to get the people who have children in school to live up to that commitment so there can be some incentive at home for the kids to have a good learning experience,” Casey said. “Another problem is getting disadvantaged families to get interested in the children’s education by attending back-to-school functions and PTA meeting,” Casey said. We Want It The Way It Was Casey, a local attorney, talks about the old days. He said, “In the old days — 50 years ago when I went to school here we didn’t have those problems. We kind of tend to forget and think everything used to be better, but that isn’t always true — probably isn’t true at all. “We didn’t have the same problems. We’ve got a totally different situation to deal with. Talking to a lot of Summit people who went to school here they felt they had a good education. I think students here have good education now. “But I don’t think that message is getting out to the public and to that extent the public should be aware of it and help our administration with those problems and that’s to point out that we can help influence parents to get behind their kids. We need to do that.” NEXT: Dr. Bill White, Superintendent of Ponca City Public School and Dr. Brenda Stacy, director of the University Learning Center tell about upgrades in education. NEWS BRIEFSG.E. Retirees — The G.E. Retirees meeting will be held at 9 a.m. Wednesday at the Arkansas City VFW, 3212 North Summit. An election of officers was held at the January meeting. New officers are Dwaine Schimmel, president; Harry Bannon, vice president; K.E. “Jeep” Czaplinski, treasurer; and Bob Behrens, secretary. Free Pregnancy test. Birth Choice cares. Confidential. Hours: Monday 1-3 p.m., Tuesday, 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, 1-3 p.m. and Thursday, 6-8 p.m. 700 West Broadway. 765-9689. adv. Theft — A woman came to the front lobby of the Public Safety Center to report to Ponca City police at 11:08 a.m. Monday several items had been stolen out of her vehicle while she was parked at J.B.’s Laundry, 513 West Highland Avenue. An officer was assigned and a report was taken. Free Delivery!! Valentine’s gifts, balloon bouquets and candy. $15 minimum. Carla’s Hallmark, 405 East Grand, Downtown. 765-3094. adv. Subject Held — An officer at the intersection of West Grand Avenue and Oak Street reported a 38-year-old man was taken into custody after a traffic stop for driving under intoxication, expired inspection, transporting an open container and no drivers license at 11:47 a.m. Monday. A vehicle was towed from the scene. Every Wednesday ð price clothes and shoes, except priced items. Check our daily specials. Caboose Thrift Shoppe, First and Central. adv. Subject Held — An officer in the 900 block of West Highland Avenue reported a 38-year-old man was taken into custody for forgery at 12:53 p.m. Monday. Disturbance — A woman in the 700 block of West Grand Avenue advised Ponca City police at 1:22 p.m. Monday she had been assaulted. The 25-year-old male half of the argument left the residence before police arrived. He was later located in the 400 block of Birch Street, where he was taken into custody for domestic assault and battery, violation of protective custody and burglary. Subject Held — An officer in the 200 block of South Waverly Street reported a 21-year-old man was taken into custody on a city warrant for failure to pay at 2:44 p.m. Monday. Subject Held — An officer in 2000 block of Thorn Apple Valley Boulevard reported a 27-year-old man was taken into custody after a traffic stop for conspiracy to commit forgery and no insurance at 4:34 p.m. Monday. Gas Drive-Off — A clerk at Citgo Short Stop No. 4, 320 West Grand Avenue, reported a $10.01 gas drive-off to Ponca City police at 8:06 p.m. Monday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken. Suspicious Person — A woman advised Ponca City police at 8:11 p.m. Monday of an unknown subject trying to gain entry into a residence in the 200 block of West Gary Avenue. When police arrived the subject had gained entry. A 35-year-old man was taken into custody for unlawful entry of a residence at night. Gas Drive-Off — A clerk at Citgo Short Stop No. 1, 400 East South Avenue, reported a $14.16 gas drive-off to Ponca City police at 9:40 p.m. Monday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken. Accident — A minor two-vehicle accident in the 300 block of South Eighth Street was reported to Ponca City police at 3:50 p.m. Monday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken. Gas Drive-Off — A clerk at Citgo Short Stop No. 1, 400 East South Avenue, reported a $21 gas drive-off to Ponca City police at 4:22 p.m. Monday. A description was given of the vehicle. An officer was assigned and a report was taken. Theft — A clerk at Conoco Convenience Mart No. 17, 3305 North Fourteenth Street, reported to Ponca City police at 11:40 p.m. Monday the theft of a 30-pack of beer by a subject who left eastbound on Queens Avenue in a pickup truck. An officer was assigned and a report was taken. Disturbance — A clerk at Holiday Inn, 2215 North Fourteenth Street, advised Ponca City police at 12:04 a.m. Tuesday an intoxicated man was in the parking lot tearing up a vehicle. Two officers responded to the scene and a 24-year-old man was taken into custody for public intoxication. No damage had been done to the vehicle. LIFESTYLESThe Neighborhood Chefby Sherry Muchmore OOPS!!!!!! I must have been asleep. In last week’s article on Venison, Greg Armstrong, Director of Health and Fitness at the YMCA, had a recipe for Venison Jerky — it should have read 150 degrees instead of 175 degrees for oven temperature. Also, Bill Bob Nix said that Fritos are the best corn chip for his recipe for Taco Soup. What better signifies sweets for the sweetest than chocolate and cherries. Trifle bowls or compotes are deep even bowls sitting prettily on a pedestal. These sometimes clear bowls showcase layers of wonderful bites of flavor that blend into one delicious dessert. Black Forest Trifle 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar 1/4 cup cocoa 3-1/2 tablespoons cornstarch 2 cups milk (can use skim milk) 1 tablespoon margarine 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 15-ounce chocolate pound cake 4 tablespoons Kirsch or other Cherry flavored Liqueur 1 20-ounce can cherry pie filling 2 cups frozen whipped topping, thawed Fresh cherries (optional) Chocolate curls (optional) Combine sugar, cocoa and cornstarch in a saucepan. Gradually add milk, stirring with a wire whisk until smooth. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, 5 to 8 minutes until mixture is thickened. Remove from heat. Add margarine and vanilla, stirring until margarine melts. Cover custard and chill. Cut cake into 1-inch cubes. Arrange half of cake cubes in a 3-quart trifle bowl. Brush with 2 tablespoons liqueur. Spoon half of cherry filling over cake. Spread half of chocolate custard over cherry filling. Top with half of whipped topping. Repeat layers with remaining cake, liqueur, cherry filling, chocolate mixture and whipped topping. Cover and chill at least 8 hours. If desired, garnish with fresh cherries and chocolate curls prior to serving. Yield: 12 servings. Note: Variation - instead of Cherry Liqueur, use Amaretto and drizzle a little coffee over the chocolate cake. Substitute vanilla pudding for chocolate pudding. Layer the same. Over the years, some of us have come up with a specialty we serve our loved ones on special days. Tom’s mother, Lyntha, had a special dish she would prepare most Valentine Days. Meat loaf in the shape of a heart surrounded by fluffy mashed potatoes. As a finishing touch, she added a nice crisp stalk of celery as a stand-in for Cupid’s arrow. Take a stalk that has leaves on one end and carve a point for the other end. Sprinkle paprika on the mashed potatoes. My neighbor and friend, Martha Jones, says she remembers Lyntha bringing this exact Valentine dinner to her and husband, Harold, when they were neighbors. Use your favorite recipe for meat loaf. Or, try the following one. I’ve used this one over the years and sometimes vary the meats, from using just ground beef to using the mix described below and sometimes mixing half beef and half bulk ground Italian Sausage. Meat loaf is really just a hodgepodge of spices and a variety of flavors combined to produce what we lovingly call meat loaf. Surprise Meat Loaf 1-1/2 pounds ground beef (mix equally - beef, ground pork, sausage) 2 tablespoons olive oil 1/2 cup chopped onion 1/2 cup chopped celery 2 tablespoons chopped green bell pepper 1 clove garlic, crushed 1-1/2 cups bread crumbs or oatmeal 2/3 cups diced American cheese 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon chili powder 1/2 teaspoon Thyme 2 beaten eggs 1 8-ounce can seasoned tomato sauce 2 tablespoon catsup Sauté onion, celery and garlic in olive oil until tender. Set aside. In a large bowl, combine ground meat, spices, eggs, sauteed vegetables, bread crumbs, cheese and tomato sauce. Blend well and mold into a desired shape. Bake in a shallow baking dish at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Score top of meat loaf with a knife and fill the lines with catsup. Return to oven and continue baking for 30 to 40 minutes longer. Several years ago Mom gave me a recipe for a super satisfying cake. It’s pretty; it tastes great; it’s not hard to make and can be made a day ahead; feels light, not heavy; a cool-delight. Better Than Sex Cake 1 package white cake mix, prepared and baked according to package directions in two 8 or 9-inch round pans - Cool and slice each layer in half. Cream the following for filling: 1 8-ounce cream cheese, room temperature 1 large Instant Vanilla Pudding Add: 2 cups cold milk Combine Cool Whip and pineapple: Icing: 1 large Cool Whip 12 ounce can crushed pineapple, drained Spread the filling between the four layers and stack. Ice the whole cake with the Cool Whip and pineapple mixture. Carefully cover and refrigerate until needed. Keep all leftovers refrigerated. Happy Valentine’s Day to you and yours Send your recipes to: The Neighborhood Chef, c/o The Ponca City News, P.O. Box 191, Ponca City, OK 74602, or e-mail me at: chef@poncacitynews.com (All recipes become property of The Ponca City News.) SPORTSMaverick Defense Shines In Big Win Over Bacone Maverick Defense Shines In Big Win Over BaconeBy TED ATCHLEY NOC Sports Information Edmond Sophomore Scott Prater scored 23 points. Sophomore Richie Myers banged the inside for 13. But when all was said and done Monday night in Foster-Piper Fieldhouse in Tonkawa, it was the Northern Oklahoma College defense that was the real winner in the 67-41 Maverick victory over Bacone. The Mavs started out behind but tied things up at 20 with a three-pointer launched up by Prater with 7:20 on the clock before the half. The Mavericks never looked back. Not only did the Northern team score 11 more points in the half, they only allowed 3 more on the defensive end. Buthead coach Mick Weiberg wasn’t satisÞed with a 31-23 halftime lead. The NOC defense had more in mind than that. Following the intermission, the Mavericks came out and clamped down even tighter on the Bacone offense. The Mavericks didn’t allow the visiting Warriors another point until there was only 9:36 left on the clock, and that was a free throw following a foul by Northern Freshman J. R. Regnier. “If you take away the Þrst and last few minutes, we played a þawless ballgame,” Weiberg said. “We started out in a zone for the Þrst time this season but left it in a hurry. Bacone couldn’t miss a three in the beginning.” The Mavericks switched to a man-to-man defense and put the brakes on the Bacone squad. First time starter sophomore Akil Gay, Trinidad, added an extra element to the ballgame according to Weiberg. “We’ve been looking for a way to use Akil more because he gives great help to Myers and Prater,” Weiberg said. “Akil did a great job for us tonight.” Gay Þnished the game with 9 points including several key putbacks and some big rebounds and a pair of blocked shots on defense. “You have to have a þow in the last Þve minutes of the Þrst half and Þrst Þve minutes of the second,” Weiberg said of his team’s tough defensive effort. “We had that tonight and that’s what won it for us.” “Prater did a great job shooting the three for us,” Weiberg said. Prater hit four of eight from 3-point land. “Myers had a big game,” he added. Myers earned 11 defensive rebounds and had 8 assists on the night along with his double-Þgure scoring, most of which came during intense struggles from inside. Weiberg also pointed to the solid play of Tulsa sophomore Guard Greg Wilson. Wilson controlled the game and earned six points on the night. Guard Merrill Andrews also garnered 6. Freshman Matt Hall came in off the bench for 4 points. Phillip Knowlton, Ryan Newby and C. J. Johnson each earned 2. The Mavericks will face off on the road against Connors on Thursday. “Now we have to play more than one game,” Weiberg said. “Connors will be a tough one on the road.” Glad To Be Home Again Lady Mavs Get 20th WinBy TED ATCHLEY NOC Sports Information “I thought we played really hard after a couple of tough road games,” said Northern Oklahoma College Lady Maverick assistant coach Scott Morris said Monday night after the Lady Mavs dropped Bacone 68-42. The Lady Mavs stand at 20-4 with an 11-3 conference record. “The defense deÞnitely set the tone for the game,” Morris said. The game was tied after two minutes of play, but the Northern defense clamped down and only allowed 10 points in as many minutes leading to the half. The Lady Mavs were up 41-20 at the intermission after a string of unanswered points in the closing Þve minutes. “Tia Andrew did a great job for us offensively,” Morris said. “She’s always there on defense but tonight she was there on both ends of the court.” Andrew, an Oklahoma City sophomore, had 14 points on the night, 11 rebounds, 3 steals and 3 blocked shots. B. J. Homer led the Lady Mavs with 21 points, including six 3-pointers. “B. J.’s shooting was exceptional tonight,” Morris said of the Moore sophomore. Sophomore LaQueisha Dickerson dropped four in from the paint for 8 points on the night. Freshman Guard Ashley Hewitt drove the lane several times on her way to 8 points. Sophomore Lindsey Shiever was a presence on defense, pestering the Bacone Lady Warriors out front. She earned 5 points on the night as well. Freshman Erin Goss was strong inside for 5, Denise Jake had 3, Jessica Talley 2 and Reva Howell 2. Sooners Win ESPY Award As Best TeamLAS VEGAS (AP) — The national champion Oklahoma Sooners came away with a trophy Monday night at the ESPY Awards. The Sooners, who went 13-0 in winning their first national championship since 1985, were voted the college team of the year. Coach Bob Stoops was up for coach/manager of the year, which went to Joe Torre of the New York Yankees. Quarterback Josh Heupel was nominated for college football player of the year and breakthrough athlete of the year. The ESPY — or Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly — is voted on by a panel of Hall of Fame athletes and print and broadcast sports journalists. Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus made the awards a golf show. Woods won a record four awards, giving him 11 career ESPYs, and Nicklaus received a lifetime achievement award from the ESPN television network Monday night. Woods won male athlete of the year, pro golfer of the year, championship performance of the year and come-from-behind performance of the year as he capped his 2000 season by breaking the one-year record of three awards he shared with Michael Jordan. Woods now has 11 career ESPYs, surpassing Jordan’s 10.
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