LOCAL

Opponents Spar in Forum Over Firefighter Wage Vote
Volunteers Financing Needed To Attract Artrain USA Here
National Symphony Orchestra Here in March for Performance
Memorial Dinner, Service Set Saturday for Genevieve Pollak
Advanced Placement Courses Available to Po-Hi Students

Opponents Spar in Forum Over Firefighter Wage Vote

By JEFF POLITTE

News Staff Writer

Representatives of the city of Ponca City and the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) Local Union 2479 faced off in a public debate this morning over contract disputes, which have become a hot topic between these two bodies since negotiations deadlocked last June.

The intent of the forum, held at Pioneer Technology Center and sponsored by the Ponca City Chamber of Commerce, was to allow both sides of this issue to be heard in a public setting before being sent to a vote of the people during the March 6 general election.

Negotiations between the fire department and the city deadlocked when both parties came to Appendix A dealing with the fire department’s wage scale for the 2000-2001 fiscal year. Union leaders offered a 5 percent wage increase across-the-board for each year of a three year contract. The city countered with a 5 year adjustment for the first year and a 3 percent increase over the next two years over the same period.

According to arbitration documents, each party subsequently changed its demand when submitting its last best offer before the dispute was sent before an arbitration panel in September. In December, the panel returned a ruling in favor of the fire department’s last best offer of a 10 percent across-the-board wage increase for oane year.

Following the news of this decision, city commissioners met the next Monday in executive session and voted to send the issue to a vote of the people, a decision which is allowed in state statute.

“(The decision) will ultimately end up in the hands of the people, as it should,” said union representative Tom Riddle, who was the chief negotiator for the firefighters union. He later said he agreed with the arbitration panel’s decision, and that it was “impartial” and “fair.”

Riddle also argued the panel’s decision centered around the fact the department’s pay scale was below that of other cities our size, while the department’s overall skill level and work load placed it, comparatively, in the top third of the state. He indicated the department’s offer would go a long way toward correcting that problem.

“I didn’t make the decision and the firefighters didn’t make the decision that the 10 percent pay raise was appropriate,” he argued. “The firefighters have never lost their integrity in this. They’re worth 10 percent.”

Mayor Tom Leonard disagreed with Riddle’s comments, as he spoke on the city’s behalf during the debate.

Leonard argued a 10 percent across-the-board pay raise was unfair to other city employees and would directly impact other city services in succeeding years. “One thing that is common to all of us is ‘What’s in the best interest of this community?’” he asked.

Leonard said the citizens of Ponca City have consistently supported the fire department in other issues over the years. These he pointed out as the $3,026,897 spent to improve the No. 1 Fire Station; two new pumper trucks, $541,327; four new ambulances, $247,377; a $305,000 special response vehicle; and $150,000 worth of additional equipment.

“I want you to imagine for a minute that you are the mayor, and a group of people come in and ask for a 10 percent pay raise,” said Leonard, then he asked, “What would you say to those other 334 employees who have already born the brunt of other budget cuts in the past?”

On the ballot, citizens will be able to choose between the 10 percent across-the-board pay raise proposed by firefighters, which will mean a $242,544 increase over last year’s budget, or the city’s last best offer, which was a wage increase differentiating between ranks and ranging from 2.6 percent to 8 percent for assistant chiefs. The total dollar amount for this would be $93,732 or 3.9 percent over the previous year.

Volunteers Financing Needed To Attract Artrain USA Here

By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE

News Staff Writer

All aboard for the Artrain USA, which is headed down the tracks to Ponca City the first or second week of March — if enough volunteers and financing are available.

Cathy Ferguson, Ponca City Tomorrow director, and Kristin Stumbo, the new marketing coordinator for the City, pulled together a group of key people Wednesday afternoon to explain the opportunity.

Seems the Artrian is slated to be in Hutchison, Kan., and then in Sapulpa and has some “downtime” available for a five-day stay in Ponca City. Home station is in Ann Arbor, Mich.

Ponca Citian Pat Evans, chairman of the Oklahoma Arts and Humanities, had mentioned to Ferguson that she wished Ponca City could get the Artrain here.

Artrain USA is a traveling art museum on a train. As America’s museum in motion, Artrain USA is a leader and pioneer in taking art and cultural programming to communities throughout the nation.

This year the national tour train features the “Artistry of Space” and is sponsored by DaimlerChrysler. The exhibition includes 78 paintings, drawings, prints ,music and fiber art form NASA and the National Air and Space Museum art collections that reflects the excitement and energy of space exploration.

Founded as Michigan Artrain in 1971 by the Michigan Council for the Arts, it was established as an outreach program to take art to Michigan communities that did not have access to metropolitan museums.

The program was such a success that Artrain USA was launched making its national debut in 1973 with support from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Ferguson and Stumbo explained that the project will be an education tool for school students in the area, as well as being open to the general public. There may be some other activities scheduled around the visit, such as a reception, local art displays or working artists.

A staff of eight travels with the train. Tentative plans call for the train to be on display at the depot. As a host community, Ponca City will need to provide housing for the staff, rest rooms for visitors, about 50 volunteers for tours, and other incidentals. The bottom line is about $13,000. Some of this can be “in kind” donations.

Among those attending the meeting were representatives of Conoco, City of Ponca City, Chamber of Commerce, train buffs, art patrons, civic clubs, Arts and Humanities and citizens.

A narrow window of opportunity exists for bringing the train here, Stumbo and Ferguson said. The contract has to be confirmed by Friday.

Persons interested in volunteering or donating services or funds should call (580) 763-8051 or (580) 763-8092.

National Symphony Orchestra Here in March for Performance

Tickets are now on sale for the special appearance of the National Symphony Orchestra from Washington D.C. The orchestra will perform on Saturday, March 17, 7:30 p.m. at Hutchins Memorial Auditorium in Ponca City. All seats are general admission and tickets are $5 each. Handicap accessible seating will be available.

Annually, the National Endowment for the Arts sponsors the American residency for the renowned orchestra in one state, and this year it chose Oklahoma.

The Ponca City Arts and Humanities Council is the local host for this special event. The council has been assisted by Joe Ragan, state coordinator for the week-long residency and general manager of the Oklahoma City Philharmonic.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime event for our community. We are very fortunate that Ponca City has been chosen as one of only six cities in Oklahoma,” commented Steve Hill, president of the Ponca City Arts and Humanities Council.

The orchestra will also present concerts in Lawton, McAlester, Bartlesville, Oklahoma City and Tulsa.

The $5 tickets for the National Symphony Orchestra presentation in Ponca City are available at Pioneer Bank, Home National Bank, Bank of America, and the Marland Mansion.

Memorial Dinner, Service Set Saturday for Genevieve Pollak

A memorial dinner for Genevieve W. Pollak will be held at noon Saturday at the Ponca Indian Tribal Affairs Building with the service following at the Ponca Indian Nazarene Church.

Genevieve W. Pollak died Feb. 16, 2000, at home following a short illness.

She is survived by her four children, Carla Moulton, Cheryl Pendergrass, Carl Pollak and Kurt Pollak, along with 12 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two sons and her parents.

The family extends an open invitation to everyone; please bring your dishes and chairs.

Advanced Placement Courses Available to Po-Hi Students

Editor’s Note: This is the third in a series about the Ponca City Summit Education Initiative that formed in September. Education was one of the four initiatives that came out of the Summit, which involved locals and out-of-towners with a Ponca City Connection.

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By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE

News Business Editor

“We are excited that we have a number of courses that are available to students that are Advanced Placement (AP) courses. This is taking college level courses during their high school years,” said Dr. Bill White, Superintendent of Ponca City Public Schools.

Dr. White made the comments during a Summit Education meeting. The committee is chaired by Dr. Joe Kinzer, NOC president; and co-chaired by White; Dr. Brenda Stacy, director of the University Learning Center; and Dr. Doug Major, CEO of Pioneer Technology Center.

“There are a number of AP courses that are available to our students during the high school years. But to do that they have to come into the 6th, 7th and 8th grades on grade level or higher and be prepared to take those more rigorous pre-advanced courses,” according to White.

“Enrollment in those courses is going up dramatically and one of the real fruits of that will be in a couple of years when we see many of our kids leave high school with enough college credits they can skip their freshman year and go right in the sophomore year. In rare cases they can go into the junior year.”

White said, “Our graduation rate is going up. Not too many years ago we lost one out of three and now it is one out of five. We need everyone to graduate. We are intervening so they can go to the college of their choice. We are reaching students for lifetime experiences.”

Dr. Stacy - ULC

Dr. Brenda Stacy, director of the University Learning Center (ULC), at the Conoco Complex, said, “We at ULC are focusing on the recommendations of the Summit.

“We are already expanding.”

ULC is designed to bring upper level and graduate programs to the area. There are also some community service programs available.

Dr. Stacy said, “Since September when the Summit met we’ve increased our advertising and promotion, plus our partnerships with different educational enmities in Ponca City and the area and they helped with more exposure such as our computer mini-series which Pioneer Technology Center teaches.

“A lot of people come in to see the facilities and find out what we’re about, as well as the people at the Summit activities.”

She said, “Currently we have 22 programs that we are offering and we offer 155 courses for the spring semester and enrollment is up to over 150, a 33 percent increase.”

“Recently we have added a business information program, as well as, an applied technology course in hopes of adding a bachelor’s degree in e-commerce. So we are trying to expand in the areas of economic development. This will lead to higher paying jobs and jobs that are fast growing and offer those kinds of programs for students.

“Part of the charge is to be responsive to the community and we feel like these kinds of degree programs, as well as, others do that.”

Stacy added, “Another objective was to develop a cyber campus. We do have liberal studies available on line. Some of our masters degree programs are provided through Internet. In fact of the 150 classes, 35 are available through the Internet.

“Students can take the course on the Internet at home or come to the ULC site and use our facilities and computers to do that work and we offer value added services such as proctoring tests and helping them enroll.”

Stacy added, “Another objective as educators all the time we are focusing on lifelong learning in our society. The courses are designed for working adults, who have full time jobs and families to juggle. We try to bring programs that are available at the times that ware convenient for them.

“ULC is growing to increase program and classes to meet the needs of the community. Classes are open to the public and the campus is in the North Tower at the Conoco Complex.

This afternoon ULC will host a reception of the facilities for Summit members and guests.

DEATHS

Willard Merl Ross
Sheri Lynn Greer
Velma Rosa Johnson
Melvin Nathaniel Shupe
Natalia Lara
Laura Etta Koch
Reina Okla Kent Allen

Willard Merl Ross

BLACKWELL — Willard Merl Ross, resident of Blackwell, died Wednesday morning, Feb. 14, 2001, in the Blackwell Regional Hospital. He was 80.

The funeral is scheduled for 2 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 20, in the chapel of the Rees Funeral Home in Portage, Ind., with the Rev. Mr. Webb of the Baptist faith officiating. Burial will be in the Evergreen Memorial Park in Hobart, Ind. Local arrangements are under the direction of Roberts and Son Funeral Home.

Willard Merl Ross was born on Feb. 26, 1920, in Perry, the son of Harry and Lula Bigley Ross. He grew up in the Perry area and attended Perry public schools. Following his schooling, he worked on various Noble County farms. At the age of 21, he entered the United States Army, serving in World War II in Italy and northern Africa. Following his discharge, he moved to Blackwell, where he worked at various jobs.

He married Delphine M. Hedger on June 15, 1959, in Hays, Kan., and they lived in various communities before settling in Lake Station, Ind. In 1962 he began employment as a truck driver for Arbet Truck Lines. In the late 1960s, he began working for CPT Truck Lines and continued working there until his retirement in 1979. In 1991, they returned to Blackwell and he was employed at the Cimarron Travel Plaza. He was a member of the First Free Will Baptist Church in Blackwell, the VFW and the DAV.

Survivors include his wife of the home; two daughters, Geneva Brandt and Donna Ross, both of Blackwell; six sons, Earl Ross, Rick Ross and Merl Ross, all of Blackwell, Steven Ross of California, and Reece Hedger and Edmond Flynn of Lake Station, Ind.; three sisters, Lucille Link of Bartlesville, Betty Martin of Wichita, Kan., and Dorothy Shaffer of Oregon; 15 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, William Ross, Edward Ross and Earl Ross; and a grandson, Shane Flynn.

Casket bearers will be Jeff Hedger, Jimmy Hedger, Joel Garza, Bobby Gifford, Rob Fiscus and Matt Robine.

Memorial contributions may be made in his name to First Free Will Baptist Church, 209 N. Sixth, Blackwell, Okla. 74631 or Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Heart Fund, 825 NE 13th Street, Oklahoma City, Okla. 73104-5097.

Sheri Lynn Greer

SEATTLE, Wash. — Sheri Lynn Greer, Seattle resident, died Feb. 11, 2001, at her home. She was 40.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Survivors include her parents, Tom and Welema Greer of Ponca City, and Harold and Virginia Wood of Tulsa; two sisters, Deborah Kae Greer and Senee Bocquin, both of Oklahoma City; a brother, Larry Greer of Atlanta, Ga.; and her grandmother, Dorothy Greer of Duncan.

Memorials may be made to Harmony House, P.O. Box 424, Ponca City, Okla. 74602.

Velma Rosa Johnson

FAIRFAX — Velma Rosa Johnson, longtime Fairfax resident, died late Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2001, in the Fairfax Memorial Hospital. She was 96.

A graveside service will be held Friday, Feb. 16, at 2 p.m. in the Fairfax Cemetery with George Weston of the First Christian Church officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Hunsaker-Wooten Funeral Home.

Velma Rosa Johnson was born March 4, 1904, in Seligman, Mo., the daughter of Olen and Josie Lynch Harrison. As an infant, she and her family moved to Oklahoma, and she attended schools in Harmon. She married Lester S. Johnson on April 5, 1920, in Arnett. She enjoyed being a homemaker, fishing, sewing, gardening, hard work and being with her family. She was a member of the First Christian Church in Fairfax as well as a lifetime member of the Order of Eastern Star and the Rebecca Lodge.

Survivors include two daughters, Yvonne McGhee of Springfield, Mo., and Billie Jones of Shidler; one son, Walter Johnson of Dumas, Texas; 14 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; and 11 great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; one son, Irvin Johnson; and a sister, Marjorie Poppirt.

Memorial contributions may be made in her name to First Christian Church, 154 N. Fourth, Fairfax, Okla. 74637.

Obituaries

Melvin Nathaniel Shupe

NEWKIRK — Melvin Nathaniel Shupe, longtime Newkirk resident, died Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 13, 2001, in St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Ponca City. He was 88.

The funeral has been scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 16, in the Newkirk First United Methodist Church with the Rev. James Hollifield officiating. Burial will follow in Resthaven Memorial Cemetery in Ponca City under the direction of Miller-Stahl Funeral Service.

A memorial fund has been established with the First United Methodist Church. Contributions may be made in Mr. Shupe’s memory through the Bank of Oklahoma, 110 S. Main, Newkirk 74647.

Melvin Nathaniel Shupe was born Jan. 21, 1913, on the family farm east of Newkirk, the son of Nathaniel “Nate” and Anna Rosetta (Suman) Shupe. He grew up on the farm and attended a rural grade school and Braman High School. After high school he traveled toward the west coast of California doing various jobs, mainly picking fruit. On returning to Newkirk, he was employed by Joe Luckstead at the Farm Implement Co.

On April 15, 1944, he and Norma Jean Simpkins were married in Newkirk where they established their home. That same year he began working as a heavy machine operator for the Kay County Road Crew. In 1960 he was employed by the W.H. Auterson Asphalt Co. Mrs. Shupe died Dec. 9, 1976.

On Nov. 19, 1977, he and Lucille Stockton Colbert were married and made their home in Newkirk. After working as plant manager at the asphalt plant and in a consultant capacity his last two or three years with the firm, he retired from Evans Associates in 1987. The second Mrs. Shupe died Oct. 20, 1990.

He was a member of the First United Methodist Church. He enjoyed attending steam engine shows. He also enjoyed the birds in his backyard and his many birdhouses.

He is survived by two sons, Melvin Lloyd Shupe of Stillwater and Robert Shupe of Newkirk; one brother, Ralph Shupe of Arkansas City; two sisters, Pauline Goulden of Newkirk and Lucille Law of Lewisville, Texas; four grandchildren, Kristy Paiboon of Fort Worth, Texas, Mel Shupe of Stillwater, and Barrett Shupe and Brett Shupe, both of Newkirk; and one great-grandchild, Connor Paiboon of Fort Worth.

He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Art Shupe, A.W. Shupe, Orville Shupe, and Robert “Bob” Shupe; one sister, Opal McGraw; and one grandchild, Kevin Ray Shupe.

paid obituary

Services Pending

Natalia Lara

Natalia Lara, resident of Shidler, died Wednesday evening, Feb. 14, 2001, at St. Francis Hospital in Wichita, Kan. She was 72. Survivors include her husband, John, of the home. Arrangements are pending with Grace Memorial Chapel.

Laura Etta Koch

Laura Etta Koch, resident of Ponca City, died Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2001, at Shawn Manor Nursing Home. She was 89. Arrangements are with the Trout Funeral Home.

Funerals

Friday

Reina Okla Kent Allen

Reina Okla Kent Allen — Funeral at 1:30 p.m. in the Church of Christ. Burial will follow in the Blackwell Cemetery under the direction of Roberts and Son Funeral Home.

NEWS BRIEFS

Transit Closed - Cimarron Transit will be closed Monday, Feb. 19, to observe President’s Day. All previously scheduled SoonerRide and TANF contracts will be honored. Regular operations will resume Tuesday.

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.

Arrives For New Duty — Army Spec. Vincent L. Scott has arrived for duty in Oklahoma City. Scott, a recruiter, is assigned to the Oklahoma City Battalion. He is the son of Merl L. and Alice Scott of Ponca City. In 1993, he received an associate degree from Northern Oklahoma College.

Maytag washers, dryers, refrig-erators, ranges. Scratch/dent sale at Copeland’s. 315 East Grand. adv.

Fund Raiser — The Wheatheart Sweet Adelines of Kay County are sponsoring a fund raiser 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday at the Wesley House, 201 South Frantz, Tonkawa. Nike, Adidas, Tomy Hilfinger and other brand name items will be part of the sale.

Pauline’s Shrimp Peel, all you can eat, $11.95. Friday, 16th. For reservations call 765-5460. adv.

Completes Basic Training — Air Force Airman Jeremy T. Runnels has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. During the six weeks of training, the airman studied the Air Force mission, organization, and customs and received special training in human relations. He is the son of Donna and Donny Runnels of 4399 Bermuda Drive, Ponca City and a 2000 graduate of Ponca City High School.

Glass Negative has 101 Ranch Calendars for sale. 104 North 1st. adv.

Completes Basic Training — Marine Corps Pvt. David C. Thompson, son of Rhonda L. Wells of 428 N. Fourth, Blackwell, recently completed basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego. Thompson successfully completed 12 weeks of training designed to challenge new Marine recruits both physically and mentally. Thompson is a 2000 graduate of Blackwell High School of Blackwell.

Twice As Good, 209 South Sec-ond, Storewide $4 Sack Sale! Fri-day and Saturday, 9:00-4:00. adv.

Accident — A minor backing accident in the parking lot of a business in the 900 block of North Fifth Street was reported to Ponca City police at 8:02 a.m. Wednesday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Head Country all day Friday special­ All you can eat, smoked BBQ ribs, beans, potato salad, and coleslaw, only $7.49, all day. 1217 East Prospect. 767-8304. adv.

Burglary — A man in the 1100 block of South Fourteenth Street reported to Ponca City police at 12:01 p.m. Wednesday his residence had been broken into and several items taken. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Theft — A woman in the 2100 block of North Union Street reported some money was stolen from her apartment overnight to Ponca City police at 8:47 a.m. Wednesday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

V.F.W. & Auxiliary #1201, Valentine’s dinner February 18 at 1:00 pm. at Post Home. Chicken will be meat dish. Members and guests are to bring a covered dish

to compliment the meal. adv.

Subject Held — An officer at an apartment complex in the 2100 block of North Union Street reported an 18-year-old man was taken into custody on five city warrants for failure to appear and failure to pay at 9:06 a.m. Wednesday.

Dougan's Bar-B-Q Friday special from 4-8 p.m., all you can eat ribs with beans, potato salad and coleslaw, $8.49. 215 South 14th, 765-7979. adv.

Burglary — A woman in the 900 block of North First Street reported to Ponca City police at 9:14 a.m. Wednesday it looked as if someone had tried to enter her residence overnight. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Accident — A minor two-vehicle accident in the 500 block of West South Avenue was reported to Ponca City police at 10 a.m. Wednesday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Accident — A two-vehicle accident with injury at the intersection of West South Avenue and South Waverly Street was reported to Ponca City police at 12:06 p.m. Wednesday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken. Rescue one and an ambulance from the Ponca City Fire Department also responded. A vehicle was later towed from the scene.

Fire Run — A vehicle fire at the intersection of West Hartford Avenue and North Waverly Street was reported to the Communications Center at 3:37 p.m. Wednesday. Engine two with the Ponca City Fire Department responded to the scene. The fire was out upon the fire department’s arrival. The owner had the vehicle towed from the scene.

Accident — A minor accident in the 1200 block of East Hartford Avenue was reported to Ponca City police at 3:43 p.m. Wednesday. An officer was assigned. There was no damage or injuries so no report was taken.

Accident — A one vehicle accident with injury in the 1900 block of Jane Street was reported to Ponca City police at 5:28 p.m. Wednesday. The caller said a male victim of that accident was laying in the front yard of a residence. An officer was assigned and a report was taken. Engine three and an ambulance from the Ponca City Fire Department also responded for a no haul.

Subject Held — A Ponca City booking officer reported a 44-year-old woman was being transferred in from the Osage County Sheriff’s Office on a city warrant for failure to appear at 6:35 p.m. Wednesday.

Fraud — A man in the 1800 block of North Fifth Street reported a forged check to Ponca City police at 5:51 p.m. Wednesday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Fire Run — A large grass fire in the 3100 block of Glasgow Road was reported to the Communications Center at 7:42 p.m. Wednesday. McCord Volunteer Fire Department was advised.

Disturbance — An emergency 911 call informed Ponca City police of a domestic assault in the 1000 block of Poplar Avenue at 2:14 a.m. Thursday. Two officers responded to the scene and a 33-year-old man was taken into custody for domestic assault and battery.

GARDENING

Arbor Day Group Offering Trees
Eureka Springs Club Invites Attendance
New Master Gardeners Group Elects Officers
Diggin’ in the Dirt

Arbor Day Group Offering Trees

Ten free Colorado blue spruce trees will be given to each person who joins The National Arbor Day Foundation during February 2001.

The free trees are part of the nonprofit Foundation's Trees for America campaign.

Colorado blue spruces have silver blue-green color and a compact conical shape. They can be used as individual ornamentals, an energy saving windbreak, a privacy screen, or as living Christmas trees.

The trees will be shipped postpaid at the right time for planting between March 1 and May 31 with enclosed planting instructions. The six to twelve inch trees are guaranteed to grow, or they will be replaced free of charge.

To become a member of the Foundation and receive the free trees, send a $10 contribution to TEN FREE COLORADO BLUE SPRUCE TREES, National Arbor Day Foundation, 100 Arbor Avenue, Nebraska City, NE 68410, by Feb. 28.

Eureka Springs Club Invites Attendance

The Eureka Springs Garden Club invites the public to attend a meeting at the Best Western Inn of the Ozarks Convention Center, Hwy 62W, Eureka Springs, on Friday, Feb. 23, at 1 p.m. The program will feature two guest speakers, Carl Totemeier and Ralph J. Hill. There is no charge to attend the meeting. For further information, contact Georgette Garner, (501) 253-2227.

New Master Gardeners Group Elects Officers

Master Gardener Program graduates met at L.A. Cann Memorial Gardens on Feb. 7 to select officers, and plan educational programs and community volunteer projects for 2001.

Carey Head, recent graduate of the MG Program took the reins as chairman of the newly organized club. Judy Basham was named as second chair; Sandra Brown, treasurer; Jackie Chitwood, recording secretary; and Kathy Zehr, publicity.

Several educational programs were planned for upcoming meetings including how to start seedlings, portable greenhouse tunneling, Northern Oklahoma College campus horticulture history, rose growing and care, water gardens and tours.

Projects suggested for community volunteer hours included assisting with the Kay County Free Fair in Blackwell and the Ponca City Herb Festival, manning phones at the OSU Extension Office in Newkirk, Arbor Day activities, presenting horticulture-related programs to 4-H, civic, and gardening clubs and others.

More than 20 Master Gardener graduates attended the organizational meeting and were encouraged to complete all requirements for certification by OSU Extension instructor Larry Klumpp, who directed the meeting. The group agreed that no dues would be assessed to members and operations would be accomplished through fund raising activities. No July and August educational meetings are planned, but members agreed to continue work on volunteer projects.

Several scheduled gardening seminars, tours and events were announced with locations and dates. Some area events included the Master Gardener Conference in Oklahoma City in June, Lilly Gardens tour in Perry, Herb Growers Festival in Tulsa in April, OSU plant sale in April, Tall Grass Prairie, Wichita Butterfly House and Botanical Gardens, OSU Oklahoma Gardening in Stillwater and more.

To complete certification, MG graduates are required to volunteer 40 hours to community horticulture projects during their first year of membership. Twenty-eight area citizens completed the training program in January. Another MG training course will be offered in the fall.

MG Club meetings will be held at 11:30 a.m. the first Wednesday of each month at L.A. Cann Memorial Garden Center.

Diggin’ in the Dirt

by Kathy Zehr

Veggie Gardeners Start First

Okay veggie lovers, you get to brag about having the first aching muscles of the season! According to the OSU planting guide, from now until the middle of March is the best time to plant the cole crops (cabbage, cauliflower, Swiss chard, Kohlrabi), head lettuce, carrots, leaf lettuce, onion sets and plants, green peas, spinach, turnips, and Irish potatoes. We prefer to wait a week or two after the first suggested date — like the first of March, especially when the weather is so unstable - like this year!

Several things should be carefully considered before planting these early spring crops. Preparation of the garden site is the basic key to growing veggies successfully. An area exposed to full or near full sunlight with deep, well-drained fertile soil is ideal. It should be located near a water supply and away from trees and shrubs that compete for sun, water and nutrients. However, most of the cool crops listed in the column today can tolerate some shade as long as they get at least two hours of direct sun each day. Most summer crops you may be planting later will prefer full sun!

Soil should be tilled as deeply as possible (preferably 12 inches). Always wait until the soil is dry or only slightly moist to till and plant. Never till the soil when it is too wet or it will compact and be full of large clods, causing roots to be stunted and stifled. Avoid excessive walking and working in the garden when the soil is wet as it compacts the soil.

To build up the soil, till in about two inches of well-rotted compost if you have it available. Some gardeners like to add fertilizer, but it should be added sparingly. Use instructions printed on the bag.

Plant in One Area

Unless you practice raised bed gardening, it’s a good idea to plant all these early crops in one area of your garden. After they have been harvested in June or July you will have only one large section of your garden to till for your late season crops, which are usually planted in mid-July. It keeps you from disturbing your long-term plants like tomatoes, okra, and others.

Avoid planting bedding plants too closely, placing fertilizer in direct contact with roots, keeping soil wet and soggy, and using chemicals not specifically recommended for garden crops.

Seeds are cheap! Plant one for the garden, one for the birds and one for you. Some seeds purchased at the nursery by the pound have no instructions, but a good rule of thumb is to plant them three times as deep as their thickness (a one-fourth-inch thick seed should be planted three-fourths to one-inch deep). If they all come up, think about how much space each mature plant will need and thin appropriately after they have grown at least two “real” leaves. You can use most thinnings in salads and soups.

Prune Some Trees Now

The heavy ice we received this winter took its toll on many trees and shrubs in the Ponca City area. Now is a good time to trim off all the damaged and diseased branches. However, be selective with other pruning procedures especially on trees and shrubs that bloom in the spring or bear early fruit or nuts.

If your shrubs and woody perennials are spring blooming varieties do not prune them now or you may not have good blooming action. Wait until after they bloom and prune them in the summer.

Most other shrubs and trees should be pruned now before buds begin to swell. Winter pruning invigorates the plant roots. Young trees should only be pruned to develop the desired branch structure. I’ve never been able to do it, but some growers think you should remove budding blooms and fruit the first year to help develop stronger roots.

Older fruit and nut trees should be kept thinned to allow air and light to reach fruit bearing branches. Less branches usually result in larger, healthier fruit on the remaining branches. All suckers should be removed whenever they appear since they draw energy from the tree. Apple trees usually have a lot of suckers.

Pruning Cuts Made Right

Always cut back a branch to where it joins another branch or the trunk. Never leave a long stub! Look for a ridge of bark (collar) where the branch to be cut grows out the trunk or other branch. Cut just above this collar (usually at a slight angle. Leaving the collar undamaged promotes healthy healing of the wound. Pruning paint or dressings are not necessary, so save your money.

For detailed instructions about annual pruning, order brochure F-6228, and for a good veggie planting guide ask for F-6004. They are free from the OSU Extension office at Newkirk by calling 580-362-3194.

SPORTS

Cowboys Bring Sooners’ Streak Crashing Down
Mat Regionals Start Friday
Blue Freshmen End Year 6-4
Eighth Grade Red Girls Collect Split

Cowboys Bring Sooners’ Streak Crashing Down

STILLWATER. (AP) — Oklahoma’s seven-game winning streak came to an ugly, crashing halt against Oklahoma State.

The 13th-ranked Sooners shot poorly, defended poorly and didn’t rebound very well, either, in a 72-44 loss Wednesday night. The point total was their lowest in three years and they suffered their worst loss in the series since a 33-point loss in 1964.

“Sometimes when you go on a winning streak like we’ve been on ... there is a tendency for kids to start reading the press clippings and start thinking they’re a little bit better than they actually are,” coach Kelvin Sampson said. “I thought that tonight we kind of lost our identity and our poise.”

Oklahoma State ended its two-game losing streak by holding Oklahoma to 34 percent shooting, outrebounding the Sooners 32-22 and holding them to a season-low two 3-pointers.

Victor Williams scored 18 points in the first half, matching Oklahoma’s team total, and finished with a career-high 26. The Cowboys shot 57 percent, the best percentage against Oklahoma this year.

“My first shot kind of felt good today,” said Williams, who came in averaging 11 points per game. “The basket just kept getting bigger and bigger for me and I just kept knocking them down.”

Williams was as impressive on defense as he was on offense. Assigned to cover J.R. Raymond, he held Raymond to seven points on 3-of-10 shooting. Raymond had averaged 20 points during Oklahoma’s winning streak.

“I don’t think we’ve played any better defense in several years than we played tonight,” coach Eddie Sutton said. “We played certainly the best game we’ve played all season. That was probably about as well as we could play.”

The Sooners (19-5, 8-4 Big 12) had won the past two meetings in Stillwater and four straight road games during their winning streak, but never got untracked this time.

Williams scored on a drive to the basket, then hit back-to-back 3-pointers as Oklahoma State took a 10-2 lead. After Oklahoma pulled within 10-7 a few minutes later, the Cowboys put together a 12-2 run to take control. Williams capped the spurt with his third 3-pointer.

Oklahoma went without a basket for more than five minutes later in the half, allowing the Cowboys to take their biggest first-half lead, 32-13.

The Sooners shot just 35 percent in their lowest-scoring half of the season. Their backcourt trio of Raymond, Nolan Johnson and Hollis Price managed just two points each.

The second half wasn’t much better. Oklahoma cut the deficit to 16 by scoring the first basket, but Maurice Baker had nine of his points in an 11-4 run that ended any doubt about the outcome. The Cowboys led by as many as 31 at one point.

“They played like a team that desperately needed to win,” Sampson said. “It’s the best I’ve seen a team play against us this year.”

Williams’ point total eclipsed the 25 he scored as a freshman two years ago at Illinois State. He sat out last season after transferring.

Fredrik Jonzen had 15 points and Baker scored 13. Johnson was the only Sooner in double figures, with 12.

The 44 points were Oklahoma’s fewest since a 53-43 loss to Nebraska in 1998.

“I thought our offense was bad and I thought their defense was great,” Sampson said. “There was not one phase that Oklahoma State was not good at.”

Oklahoma State improved to 9-0 at home. The Cowboys had come off an emotionally draining week last week — three games in six days in their first action since a plane crashed killed two players and eight others associated with the program.

“We had to get back and have a good two- or two-and-a-half-hour practice and work hard,” Jonzen said. “We did that Monday and Tuesday. That is part of the routine that we have to get back into.”

OKLAHOMA ST. 72, No. 13 OKLAHOMA 44

OKLAHOMA (19-5) 

McGhee 4-8 0-0 8, Heywood 0-1 2-2 2, Johnson 3-12 6-7 12, Price 2-3 2-4 6, Raymond 3-10 0-0 7, Heskett 0-2 0-0 0, Newton 1-3 0-0 3, Selvy 2-5 1-1 5, Gilbert 0-0 1-3 1. Totals 15-44 12-17 44.

OKLAHOMA ST. (15-6) 

Jonzen 5-10 5-7 15, Sanders 1-2 0-0 2, Keep 0-2 0-0 0, Baker 6-9 1-1 13, V.Williams 9-17 4-6 26, Crawford 1-2 0-0 3, Broxsie 1-1 1-2 3, A.Williams 4-5 0-0 8, Marlow 1-1 0-0 2. Totals 28-49 11-16 72.

Halftime—Oklahoma St. 36, Oklahoma 18. 3-Point goals—Oklahoma 2-13 (Newton 1-3, Raymond 1-5, Price 0-1, Johnson 0-2, Heskett 0-2). Oklahoma St. 5-13 (V.Williams 4-9, Crawford 1-1, Sanders 0-1, Baker 0-2). Fouled out—None. Rebounds—Oklahoma 22 (Johnson, Raymond 5), Oklahoma St. 32 (Baker, A.Williams 6). Assists—Oklahoma 6 (Raymond 2), Oklahoma St. 13 (Jonzen 5). Total fouls—Oklahoma 17, Oklahoma St. 20. A—13,611.

Mat Regionals Start Friday

Ponca City’s wrestlers go for individual accomplishments the weekend in the east regional tournament at Jenks.

The Wildcats will face top 10 teams Broken Arrow, Sand Springs, Choctaw and Muskogee.

Other teams vying to send wrestlers to the state tournament are Bartlesville, Edmond Memorial, Enid, Jenks, Owasso, Sapulpa, Stillwater, Tahlequah, Tulsa Memorial and Tulsa Rogers.

The sessions at Jenks High School are scheduled for 12 and 6 p.m. Friday and 1 and 6 p.m. Saturday.

The four area wrestling teams are also in regional action.

Blackwell will host the Class 3A west regional. The other teams there are Cleveland, Collinsville, Fort Gibson, Glenpool, Jay, Locust Grove, Mannford, Miami. Oologah, Pryor, Skiatook, Stillwell, Tulsa Webster and Wagoner.

Class 2A’s Tonkawa, Newkirk and Woodland are at the regional in Salina along with Barnsdall, Berryhill, Chandler Covington-Douglas, Henryetta, Hubert, Inola, Kellyville, Morrison, Oklahoma Union, Parkview, Pawhuska, Pawnee, Perkins-Tryon, Salina, Sperry, Tulsa Cascia Hall, Tulsa Victory Christian and Vinita

Blue Freshmen End Year 6-4

Ponca City’s freshmen Blue boys JV team finished a 6-4 season Tuesday with a 58-45 win over Enid Longfellow.

The Poncans broke to a 14-7 first quarter lead, saw Enid edge to within 28-22 at halftime, but put the game away in the second half with 12 players reaching the scorebook.

“All of the kids played well,” saw coach Steve Larimer. “It was a great defensive effort.”

Derek Viljoen had 8 points, Jeramie Anderson 7, Jared Yaffe 6, A.C. Noll 6, Ronnie Teague 6, Blaine King 6, Layne Keathley 5, Nick Durham 5, Eric Schatte 3, Chris Rutherford 2, Daren Beam 2 and Brandon Hayes 2. Also playing were Joe Sisco, T.C. Hankins and Brian Ward.

Eighth Grade Red Girls Collect Split

The eighth grade Red varsity and junior varsity girls basketball teams ended their seasons Tuesday against Stillwater with opposite results.

The Red varsity won 35-12. The JV score was almost a reversal in numbers. Stillwater won, 21-12.

The Red varsity led by a slim 7-3 margin after the first quarter. But the girls put a nice finishing touch to their final junior high school game with a in the second quarter with a 15 point outburst. Defensively, the Ponca City team held Stillwater to four points. At the half, the score was 22-7.

Both team scored three points in the third to enter the fourth quarter with Ponca City leading, 25-10.

Laci Starnes scored 19 points. Savanah Morin put in 6; Nicole Overman, 4; Crystal Beattie and Erin Pickering each scored 2 points.

The Red JV went scoreless in the first quarter, but Stillwater managed only four points. Ponca City fell behind 12-2 at the half and 14-6 at the end of three periods.

The girls came within four points in the fourth quarter, but everything went Stillwater’s way and the junior varsity girls fell a little bit short.

Cheyenne Cartlidge scored eight points for the Red junior varsity. Shea Schutte and Patton Theobald each scored 2.