LOCAL

Drug Task Force Discovers Big Methamphetamine Rock
Nearly News
New Direction for Tourism Sought in Recent Session
Istook Gives Update On Bandwidth Project
Guest Ponca Playhouse Director Of 1995 Returns for Next Shows
Letters

Drug Task Force Discovers Big Methamphetamine Rock

By JEFF POLITTE

News Staff Writer

Ponca City Police Department officials are calling a methamphetamine bust involving an FBI fugitive Thursday afternoon one of the largest such busts in the history of Ponca City.

A total of 70 grams of the illegal drug were discovered, with a street value of $30,000, while officers with the District Attorney’s Special Drug Task Force were executing a search warrant at a residence in the 400 block of South Perry Street in conjunction with the Ponca City Police Department. Police were acting on information provided by the Department of Human Services (DHS).

Brian McCuiston, 20, was taken into custody after police learned he was wanted on a federal south Texas warrant for trafficking in methamphetamine. McCuiston was being questioned in connection with this case when officers recognized his gang related tattoos from photographs in a wanted flier and made the arrest.

A second 20-year-old man was also taken into custody and charged with presenting a false identification to a police officer, which is a felony, and possession of methamphetamines with intent to distribute.

Two juveniles were also removed from the residence by DHS workers at the time of the incident. The occupants of the residence have not been arrested at this time.

“This is the largest piece of methamphetamine rock I’ve ever seen in Ponca City,” said Detective Freddie Garza, lead investigator for the special drug task force. “The recovery of this narcotic is due in large part to the persistence of Master Patrolman Greg Wright.” Wright was the officer who actually found the drug at the residence.

“This certainly is a substantial narcotics arrest for our community,” agreed Police Capt. Dwaine Vincent. “This arrest will keep a substantial amount of drugs off our streets.”

According to Vincent, investigators requested the search warrant after receiving information from DHS. “We presented this evidence to the court earlier Thursday morning and Judge D.W. Boyd issued the warrant,” he said.

While police were searching the residence, the two subjects who were arrested came to the residence and “presented themselves to be someone other than who they were” through the use of false identification, explained Vincent. While questioning these individuals, it was learned that McCuiston was wanted by the FBI.

“They were at the right place at the wrong time,” noted Vincent.

The methamphetamine “rock” was found in a vehicle in the residence’s garage, which checked out to belong to the second, unnamed man who was arrested.

Federal agents transported McCuiston to Oklahoma City this morning.

The investigation is still continuing, say police. Other arrests may follow in the course of this investigation.

Nearly News

OOPS! The caption for Thursday’s photo of the work in progress on West Hazel Avenue between Ash Street and Lake Street mistakenly stated that the work was being completed by the city’s Street Department. Instead, it should have read that the work was being completed by Evans and Associates Construction Company Inc., who contracted for the project.

-——

Shannon Love of Ponca City was recently asked to audition for Warner Bros. movie “White Oleander” starring Michelle Pfieffer. Shannon read for the lead role as Michelle’s daughter. Filming starts early April. Shannon, a ninth grader at Ponca City High School, will keep The News informed.

New Direction for Tourism Sought in Recent Session

By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE

News Staff Writer

A work session with combined members of the Ponca City Tourism Authority (PCTA), task force members and others met Wednesday at Holiday Inn to design a new direction for tourism.

Several months ago the coordinator resigned and Mayor Tom Leonard challenged the PCTA to change the focus of the program from motor coaches tours to another venue. Leonard had suggested more festivals and local involvement.

The PCTA is funded, by ordinance, by a three-percent motel/hotel tax, and the funds are to be used to promote tourism. The PCTA has been in a state of flux since coordinator Missy Morland resigned in September.

Calls on tourism have been fielded by the Chamber of Commerce, and by Terri Sherbon at the Park Department. The Chamber was instrumental in passing the tax in 1986. At that time tourism was officed at the Chamber. Tourism moved to the Cultural Center (now known as Marland’s Grand House) in 1997.

The tax had generated around $100,000 a year and this was used for operating costs, to fund grants for promotional projects and advertising. Costs had risen and the number of overnight visitors paying motel/hotel tax had apparently not increased to generate more funds.

By ordinance the PCTA is required to meet once a quarter and the number of members and make-up of the Board is also specified. The Board had been meeting on a monthly basis, which is permissible.

The Authority has been more or less in limbo, since the coordinator left. In fact the City Commission on its own initiative , according to the minutes of that body, approved a $1,000 donation to the Big Blue Band to go to Washington.

Although the City Commission has the final say, normally a decision of this type would be recommended to them by the PCTA board. Leonard had announced at the October 2000 meeting of the PCTA there would be no more grants made after June 2001. So this apparently is another directive to the PCTA.

In the stead of a full-time tourism person, the City has hired a marketing director, who will spend half time working on tourism and the other half for marketing for the Ponca City Utility Authority, according to Gary Martin, City Manager.

The new marketing director is Kristen Stumbo, who has extensive experience in marketing. Stumbo was in attendance at the meeting. Apparently some of the funding for the new director’s salary will come from the PCTA. Stumbo will be officed at City Hall. Martin said that the Chamber of Commerce will continue to answer the phones for tourism.

The work session was led by Michael Varnum and one of the major problems defined was lack of communication in several areas. The mission statement was redefined and goals are to be set at a second session in about two weeks. This is to include setting regular meetings.

Martin explained to the task force group that if they had a quorum of the PCTA that the meetings must be posted and an agenda required.

Istook Gives Update On Bandwidth Project

By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE

News Staff Writer

Fifth District Congressman Ernest Istook at a town hall meeting here Thursday afternoon spoke about the return to civility in the White House and Washington, D.C.

About 30 persons attended the town hall meeting held in the Conference Room of the Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce. Earlier in the day Istook held a teleconference which was received in Ponca City at the University Learning Center.

Istook has been holding town hall meetings across the Fifth District during his week off from Washington. Ponca City had the largest number of persons attending the meeting. Istook was to hold another meeting in Kay County at Blackwell later in the afternoon and then on to Bartlesville.

On the local level Istook talked about the progress on the bandwidth project that will be coming to Ponca City as an educational advantage and as an economic development tool.

Along with Sen. Don Nickles, Istook pushed through a measure to fund the first phase of the project to the tune of $4.7 million. The second phase is expected to come up for funding in the future.

Questions for Istook ranged from the proposed tax cuts, to Social Security and disability benefits, to educational funding questions for Special Education.

Other questions centered on the ergonomics legislation, the U.S. bombing of Iraq and the accidental sinking of a Japanese fishing boat by a U.S. Navy submarine.

Members of the audience were composed of education personnel, the business community, city employees and civic leaders.

Guest Ponca Playhouse Director Of 1995 Returns for Next Shows

“The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940” marks Dr. Sondra Williams’ return to the Ponca Playhouse after directing “Biloxi Blues” in 1995. An artist-in-residence with the Oklahoma Arts Council, she has directed over 50 productions and teaches theater arts in workshops, schools and arts programs. She also taught two summers with the Ponca City Arts Adventure.

Williams has a doctorate in theater from Bowling Green State University in Ohio, a bachelor’s degree in speech and theater from Oklahoma State University and a master’s degree in communication behavior from the University of Oklahoma. She recently completed training as a certified facilitator for the Alternatives to Violence project.

A multi-talented artist, Williams has won national and international awards for her writing, including curriculum materials, video scripts, essays and poetry. Most recently, working with Ron Dubois, she won honorable mention in an international film festival in Amsterdam with “Yorba Women Potters and Their Daughters.”

Williams is also currently doing a residency at Mannford High School with the alternative education class and continues working on scripts for documentary videos. She now lives in Perkins with her 94-year-old father and her husband Doug. They raise shiitake mushroom logs at Lost Creek Mushroom Farm and operate Redbud Gourmet, a company that produces shiitake mushroom products.

“This has been an excellent cast to work with. They’re very supportive of each other, working under the hardships of time constraints. They’ve been real troopers. My production coordinator, Diane Malone, and stage manager, Cheryl Mauk, have been there to meet my needs as they arise,” Williams said. “This is only the second time in my experience to have dealt with this kind of ‘upfront’ organization.”

Williams’ production of “The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940” runs March 2, 3, 4, 9 and 10. To make reservations, call the Ponca Playhouse box office Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at 765-5360.

Letters

Accidental Omission

No signature was printed with the top letter to the editor on Page 4A of the Thursday, Feb. 22, 2001, edition of The News. It is News policy that no letter be printed without the signature of the writer. The omission was accidental, and The News apologizes for this happening.

The letter was submitted by:

Beverly Miller

House Burned Down I live at 2416 Wildwood in the city. April 26, 1998 during a thunderstorm my house caught fire in the attic due to an electrical fire caused by lightning. At 5:00 in the morning with a thunderstorm in progress it should have been considered a good chance it was not an alarm caused by someone burning breakfast, however, the fire department responded with the 500 gallon pumper truck from Pecan and Donner. They responded very quickly but with no sense of urgency. When the firemen arrived the hole in the roof was approximately 8 feet across and when they got around to hooking up the hose it took the blaze below the roofline In less than five minutes the hose went dry. You have no idea the feeling of seeing that hose stop running and the firemen walk back to their truck and watch your house burn. I informed them there was a hydrant less than 100 yards from my house and was told “The big trucks will hook to that when they get here.” Those big trucks were seen turning on to NE Woodland instead of Meadowbrook which dead-ends into my drive. They were lost more than an hour. My house was declared a total loss by the insurance company and if you believe for a minute I do not have an accurate account of my fire talk to my neighbors, they watched with me for two hours. My conclusion is that the people of Ponca City are not getting the protection they are paying for.

In my search for “WHY” it seems that even though we pay a fire chief and a city manager they have no authority over the Ponca City firemen, it appears the Union is in control.

Firemen I recognize drive nice vehicles and their work schedule is such they can operate a private business on their off duty time. I do not understand why we pay firemen to eat and sleep. Instead of a 10 percent pay raise maybe the best solution would be to cut the force considerably and put them on eight hour shifts so they would be awake and alert and would get more practice.

From my experience we are already paying for more than we are getting.

Loretta Willoughby

Objects To Raise

I’m writing in regard to the firefighter’s pay increase. My daughter has worked for the City almost 10 years at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. As part of her job, she must work with untreated and unchlorinated sewage from homes and businesses across Ponca City. It’s not the most glamorous job at the City, but she’s proud of what she does and the people she works with. She makes about $29,000 before tax per year for doing this. To get family health insurance through the City would cost her over $1,100 per year.

I’m tired of hearing about how the firefighters need a 10 percent pay raise. I don’t think they do. They were offered the same 5 percent that all other City employees got, but that wasn’t good enough and they saw fit to demand 10 percent. Where is the money going to come from? I read in the paper that the 10 percent will cost us taxpayers another $242,000 a year.

It has to come from somewhere! I’m 167 years old and on a fixed income. I’m scared to death that my utilities bill is going to increase. I can’t afford it. I know lots of other folks who can’t afford any extra bills right now. No one gets 10 percent pay raises these days.

Why should they?

Wanda Griffith

Thanks for Help

On Friday, Feb. 2, our first grader didn’t come home from school. We did a search of all the places that we could think of. When darkness finally set in, we called the police. The following people went above and beyond their jobs:

From the Police Department:

Lt. Bob Miller

Det. Jim Shannon

Sgt. Regina Van Arsdale

From Liberty School:

Ron Myers

Luann Harris

Nancy Ghylin

Patty Gallagher

Jim Rouch

Daylynn was returned to us. These people and unknown others are the reason.

Thank you for your professionalism, kindness and time. It is greatly appreciated.

From those who love Daylynn,

Jane Hughes

DEATHS

May Dell Dawson
Walter Roland Sheffield
Emma Lee Godbey Leonard
Josephene R. Newton Taylor
Robert Guthrie May
L. Josephine N. Jones
Brandon D. Hunt
Sheri Lyn Greer
Marvel Mae Duarte
Cleda W. Hutchinson

May Dell Dawson

BLACKWELL — May Dell Dawson, resident of Blackwell, died Wednesday evening, Feb. 21, 2001, in the Blackwell Regional Hospital. She was 71.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 24, in the Tabernacle Church of Blackwell with the Rev. Robert Johnson, pastor, officiating. Burial will follow at 3 p.m. in the Woodland Cemetery in Cleveland with the Rev. Tim Pitts of the Covenant Community Church in Mannford officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Roberts and Son Funeral Home.

May Dell Dawson was born on April 14, 1929, in Terlton, the daughter of Martin and Gretta Faye Young Florer. She grew up in Terlton and attended Terlton public schools. Following her schooling, she married Jesse James Dawson on May 3, 1947, in Winfield, Kan., and they settled in Cleveland. They lived there until 1949, when they moved to Blackwell. Her husband preceded her in death in 1961. She continued living in Blackwell until 1976 when she moved to Stillwater and was employed as a supply clerk for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In 1997, she returned to Blackwell. She was a member of the Tabernacle Church in Blackwell.

Survivors include a daughter, Lois Jones of Katy, Texas; a son, Jesse L. Dawson of Yale; two sisters, Juanita Reeves of Cleveland and Pat Tilley of Terlton; three grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. She was also preceded in death by her parents.

Casket bearers will be Jerry Magers, Roger Kelley, Lee Elam, John Newland, Russell Nichols and Buck Younger.

Memorial contributions may be made in her name to Faith Outreach, P.O. Box 4292, Tulsa, Okla. 74159.

Walter Roland Sheffield

FAIRVIEW — Walter Roland Sheffield, father of Gary Roland Sheffield of Ponca City, died Thursday, Feb. 22, 2001, in his home near Chester. He was 84.

The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24, at the Cedar Springs Nazarene Church with the Revs. Denis Burrell and Roy Berkley officiating. Burial will follow in the Rusk Cemetery under the direction of the Fairview Funeral Home Inc. Visitation will be Friday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Walter Roland Sheffield was born Sept. 3, 1916, west of Fairview, the son of Charles Walter and Nettie Thompson Sheffield. He married Juanita Brockelman on Sept. 5, 1936, in Seiling. He moved to Enid in 1948 and back to Fairview in 1961. He owned and operated his own truck for 25 years, and was employed with the Champlin refinery for nine years, retiring in 1968. He moved back to Enid in 1971 and then to Chester area in 1985.

Survivors include his wife; one son, Gary Roland Sheffield of Ponca City; two daughters, Connie Hicks of Chester and Betty Cunningham of Fairview; six grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents; one daughter, Bertha Lavon; and two sisters.

Memorial contributions may be made in his name to Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Heart or Cancer Research, c/o Fairview Funeral Home Inc., 221 N. Main St., Fairview, Okla. 73737.

Emma Lee Godbey Leonard

GUTHRIE — Emma Lee Godbey Leonard, former resident of Ponca City, died Feb. 17, 2001, at the Golden Age Nursing Home in Guthrie. She was 85.

A memorial service was held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 20, at the Guthrie First Methodist Church. Arrangements were under the direction of Davis Funeral Home in Guthrie.

Emma Lee Godbey Leonard was born in Arlington, Texas. She attended Oklahoma College for Women in Chickasha and graduated from the University of Texas at Austin, where she was a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. She married Adolphe Leonard of Chickasha on July 26, 1936. From 1946 to 1966, they operated the Tasty Bakery on West Grand Avenue in Ponca City. In addition to Chickasha and Ponca City, they lived in Muskogee, Phoenix and Sun City, Ariz., and Guthrie. She was an active member of the United Methodist Church.

Survivors include her husband; three sons, Joe Leonard of Edmond; Jack Leonard of Indianapolis, Ind., and Bob Leonard of Eugene, Ore.; 11 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Josephene R. Newton Taylor

FAIRFAX — Josephene R. Taylor, former resident of Fairfax, died Wednesday morning, Feb. 21, 2001, in the Fairfax Manor Nursing Home. She was 74.

A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 24, in the Fairfax Cemetery with the Revs. Darrel Brien, pastor of Assembly of God Church in Yale, and Michael Brien, pastor of Independent Assembly Church of Seiling, officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Hunsaker-Wooten Funeral Home of Fairfax.

Josephene R. Newton Taylor was born Nov. 7, 1926, in Blackburn, the daughter of John Joseph and Flossie Teeter Newton. She grew up in Ralston and graduated from Ralston High School in 1944. She and Ralph Fitzgerald were married in August 1944. She was a homemaker and, in early years, was employed as a waitress in several Fairfax restaurants. She was a member of Pawnee Assembly of God Church. She enjoyed reading, working crossword puzzles and traveling.

Survivors include her daughter, Ralpha Reed of Pawnee; son, Wesley Fitzgerald of St. Joseph, Mo.; her mother; four grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father; two sisters; her husband; a son, Johnnie Lee Fitzgerald; a granddaughter; and a great-granddaughter.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Pawnee Assembly of God The family will be at the Reed home to receive friends.

Robert Guthrie May

ARKANSAS CITY, Kan. — Robert Guthrie May, resident of Arkansas City, Kan., died Thursday, Feb. 22, 2001, in the South Central Kansas Regional Medical Center of Arkansas City. He was 88.

A funeral will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Feb. 26, at the Rindt-Erdman Funeral Home with Jesse Kindred officiating. Burial will be in the Riverview Cemetery.

Robert Guthrie May was born July 8, 1912, in Coffeyville, Kan., the son of Robert Green and Virginia Guthrie May. He moved with his family to Arkansas City when he was one year old. He was reared and educated in Arkansas City, graduating from Arkansas City High School in 1933. He served in World War II as a tank driver.

He married Wilma Harsha in 1936; she died in 1974. He later married Maurine Conrad in May of 1974 in Ponca City. He owned and operated a seed company prior to World War II. Afterwards, he worked as a contractor for many years, having built more than 100 Arkansas City houses. He was actively involved in basketball AAU tournaments.

Survivors include his wife of the home and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; a wife; two brothers, William May and Charles May; and five sisters, Myrle Moore, Ruth Grow, Felma Allen, Mary Wells and Virginia May.

Memorial contributions may be made in his name to American Diabetes Association, c/o Rindt-Erdman Funeral Home, 100 East Kansas Ave., Arkansas City, Kan. 67005.

Obituaries

L. Josephine N. Jones

L. Josephine N. Jones, 93, longtime Ponca City resident, died Thursday, Feb. 22, 2001. She was in her home at Westminster Village.

The funeral will be Saturday, 2 p.m. in the chapel at Westminster Village with the Rev. Dr. J.D. Ward, pastor of First United Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will follow in Odd Fellows Cemetery under the direction of the Trout Funeral Home.

Josephine was born March 3, 1907, in Jeanerette, La., to Robert B. and Lulu (Kent) Nosko. She came to Ponca City with her parents when she was one year old and lived here until she was five years old. Following the death of her father, she moved with her mother and step-father to various towns until the family settled in Broken Arrow.

Following graduation from Broken Arrow High School in 1926, she attended Northeastern State Teachers College in Tahlequah. She received her life certificate to teach grades 1 through 12 in the summer of 1927. She received her B.A. degree from Central State Teachers College in Edmond in 1936.

She taught seventh and eighth grades in Tulsa County Consolidated School in Alsuma in 1927.

In 1928 she moved to Kaw City where she taught for four years and then to Ponca City where she taught at Jefferson Elementary School.

On Dec. 25, 1936, she married Claude W. Jones in the First Methodist Church in Ponca City. In 1942 Josephine resigned from her teaching position so they could start their family.

In 1954 she returned to teaching at Kildare School, and, in 1955, she went to McKinley School as the library teacher. She retired in 1972.

Mr. Jones died on Oct. 31, 1993.

Josephine was a longtime member of the First United Methodist Church where she was active in the Mary Lambeth Group, the Progressive Sunday School Class, and taught Sunday School for many years. She was also a member of the Ponca City Womens Club, Lilac Garden Club, National Education Association, Oklahoma Education Association, Kay County Retired Educators Association, Oklahoma Retired Educators Association, and Order of Eastern Star Chapter 53. In earlier years, she had served as a Rainbow mother and belonged to the Grand Cross of Colors.

Her hobbies were collecting recipes and sending cards.

Surviving are two daughters, Claudia J. Peck Heath of Lexington, Ky., and Saundria Bordone of Indianapolis, Ind.; three grandchildren, Jody Wink of Broken Arrow, Cameron Peck of Lexington, Ky., and Paul Bordone of Albuquerque, N.M.; a sister, Genevieve Kinard of Kerrville, Texas; three great-grandchildren, Megan Wink, Katie Peck and Grant Peck; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents and four brothers, Gerald Pennington, Elvis Pennington, Kenneth Pennington and Marvin McIntyre.

Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 200 S. 6th, Ponca City, Okla. 74601.

The family will receive friends in the chapel of the Trout Funeral Home Friday evening from 7 to 8.

paid obituary

Brandon D. Hunt

Brandon D. Hunt, 513 N. 10th, died Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2001. He was 26.

The funeral will be Saturday, 10 a.m. in the First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Dr. J.D. Ward, pastor, officiating. Burial will follow in the Odd Fellows Cemetery under the direction of the Trout Funeral Home.

Brandon was born April 29, 1974, in Ponca City, the son of Ronald D. and Pauletta Kay Keller Hunt. He attended Jefferson, Washington, and East Junior High before graduating from Po-Hi in 1993. At the time of his death he was a route driver for Pepsi.

Brandon was a wonderful father, a loving son, and a great big brother. He enjoyed being outside and spent a lot of his free time fishing for trout with his son, Dacoda, and his dad. He loved to go four wheeling with his friends and was getting Dacoda ready to join the group with his own four wheeler. He was very competitive in all he did and loved all sports, whether it was playing with his friends, the kids, or watching his favorite teams on TV, the 49’ers and O.U. Brandon was the first out the door to play any kind of ball with his family and friends. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

Surviving are his parents, Ron and Pauletta Hunt of Ponca City; a son, Dacoda of Wichita; a brother, Cody of Ponca City; his fiancé and her daughter, Stacy and Ashley Haines of Ponca City; and grandparents, Frank and Pauline Keller and Dinty and Wanda Hunt, all of Ponca City.

He was preceded in death by his grandmother, Jesse Keller.

Casket bearers will be Jon Page, Craig Hambleton, Nick Steichen, Cody Hunt, Rusty Duckett and Steven Long. Honorary casket bearers will be Stace Barnard, Shane Feathers, Chad Cantwell, Kenny Smith and Bill Feathers.

Memorials may be made to Dacoda Hunt Educational Fund, in care of Commercial Federal Bank, attn: Kenda Richardson, 1417 E. Hartford, Ponca City, Okla. 74604.

The family will be at 4112 Sherwin Avenue.

paid obituary

Sheri Lyn Greer

Sheri Lyn Greer, Seattle, resident, died Feb. 11, 2001, at her home. She was 40.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, 11 a.m. at Woodlands Christian Church with the Rev. Paul Krueger, pastor, officiating.

Survivors include her parents, Tom and Welema Greer of Ponca City, and Harold and Virginia Wood of Tulsa; two sisters, Deborah Kaye 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.

paid obituary

Services Pending

Marvel Mae Duarte

BLACKWELL — Marvel Mae Duarte, resident of Blackwell, died Thursday, Feb. 22, 2001, at the Blackwell Integris Hospital. She was 72. Arrangements are pending with Hackler Funeral Home.

Funerals

Monday

Cleda W. Hutchinson

Cleda W. Hutchinson — Graveside service at 1 p.m. at the Greenlawn Abbey Mausoleum in Blackwell Cemetery under the direction of Roberts and Son Funeral Home.

NEWS BRIEFS

Baseball Picnic — Wildcat Baseball annual kick-off picnic will be held at Lake Ponca Park shelter area at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 25. Parents will have the opportunity to meet the players and coaches. Officers will also be elected.

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.

Theft — A woman in the 900 block of North Pine Street reported to Ponca City police at 8:09 a.m. Thursday a check and her ID was stolen last night. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Modern Appliance, all Whirlpool, KitchenAid and RCA products on sale. 116 North 4th. 765-9847. adv.

Fire Run — The Ponca City Fire Department reported a vehicle was on fire at the intersection of North Ash Street and Prospect Avenue at 8:12 a.m. Thursday. Engine two handled the call.

If you are interested in saving the buildings on the Marland Estate, come to The Elk’s Lodge Monday the 26th of February at 5:30. 3612 Lake Road. adv.

Theft — A man in the 100 block of Stoneridge reported the theft of a lawn ornament from his back yard to Ponca City police at 8:53 a.m. Thursday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Refrigerators, Electric Ranges, Washers, Dryers, Maytag Dent sale. Copeland’s 315 East Grand.

adv.

Accident — A minor accident in a parking lot in the 600 block of East Hartford Avenue was reported to Ponca City police at 9:16 a.m. Thursday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Head Country Saturday night special. All you can eat beef brisket with beans, potato salad and coleslaw, $7.49. All day. 1217 East Prospect. adv.

Theft — A woman in the 200 block of South Lincoln Street reported her cell phone was stolen to Ponca City police at 9:39 a.m. Thursday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Jim Bowen Construction­ Custom homes, room additions and remodeling. Call 762-3077. adv.

Fraud — A cashier at First National Bank of Oklahoma, 1324 East Grand Avenue, reported to Ponca City police at 1:38 p.m. Thursday that two subjects had tried to pass a stolen check. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Pauline’s Prime rib special, Saturday night, February 24th. For reservations call 765-5460. adv.

Subject Held — An officer in the 400 block of South Perry Street reported a 20-year-old man was taken into custody on an FBI warrant and a second 20-year-old man for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute at 3:18 p.m. Thursday.

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

Accident — A minor accident in the parking lot of a business in the 1300 block of Princeton Avenue was reported to Ponca City police at 3:54 p.m. Thursday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

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 — The owner of a business in the 600 block of South Fourteenth Street reported to Ponca City police at 4:25 p.m. Thursday someone had stolen a hub cap from a customer’s vehicle. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Kids Review now accepting children’s spring/summer consignments. adv.

Theft — A woman in the 900 block of North First Street reported someone had stolen her daughter’s bicycle to Ponca City police at 5:20 p.m. Thursday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Pauline’s Steak and shrimp dinner. $11.95. Friday, February 23rd. For reservations call 765-5460. adv.

Subject Held — An officer in the 2200 block of North Fourteenth Street reported a 38-year-old woman was taken into custody for public intoxication and a warrant request for property damage at 9:27 p.m. Thursday.

Fake Bake for the Winter Dance. Two- minute tanning. No streaking or orange. We’ll demonstrate! Carla’s Hallmark, Downtown. 765-3094. adv.

Subject Held — An officer in the 700 block of South Fifth Street reported a 23-year-old man was taken into custody after a traffic stop for driving under suspension at 10:28 p.m. Thursday.

Burglary — A resident in the 1400 block of West Highland Avenue reported to Ponca City police at 12:45 a.m. Friday a back window had been broken out of a residence and several items taken. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

RELIGION

Area Tri-Church Luncheon Set for Christian Church
World Day Of Prayer 2001 Celebrated by CWF March 2
Religion Page Deadlines
St. Mary’s Congregation Announces Lenten, Ash Wednesday Activities
First Baptist Hosts Recital Sunday
Church Briefs

Area Tri-Church Luncheon Set for Christian Church

Ponca City’s three Christian churches, Disciples of Christ, will meet Thursday, March I, for their annual tri-church luncheon at First Christian Church at noon. Community Christian Church will provide the devotions.

Woodlands Christian Church, program chair, invited Marsha Kay Oldham to present a program on her 1999 Woman to Woman Pilgrimage to Mexico, a short-term missionary program in which women from the United States experience first-hand the lifestyle and needs of women from other countries. Upon returning home, they share their experiences and present realistic ways to meet those needs through a mission project.

The New Hope Clinic in Mexico City has been selected as the mission project for 2000-2001. The clinic is actively working to help women realize their worth as human beings and as wage earners and contributors to their family units. The clinic is an organized, nonprofit organization that grew of out of the 1985 earthquake.

Oldham, a native of Enid, lives on a farm northeast of Garber with her husband, Jolin. She is the mother of eight and grandmother of seven. Mary Kay works at the Cimarron Council Boy Scout Office in Enid and is a member of the Garber Christian Church. She is the director of the Northwest Area Disciples Women in Oklahoma, serves on the Oklahoma Disciples Women cabinet, has been a member of the Preview traveling team, and for several years has been a part of the music team at the Northwest Area Fall Women’s Retreat.

World Day Of Prayer 2001 Celebrated by CWF March 2

Christians in over 170 countries around the world will gather on Friday, March 2, in observance of the World Day of Prayer 2001 service. In Ponca City the service will be hosted by Woodlands Christian Church at 1400 East Hartford Avenue at 9:30 a.m.

Begun in 1887 by Presbyterian laywoman Mary Ellen James, World Day of Prayer brings together international women from a myriad of backgrounds, cultures, and Christian traditions. Since 1941, Church Women United, a grassroots ecumenical movement of Protestant, Roman Catholic, Orthodox, and other Christian women, have sponsored World Day of Prayer in the United States.

This year’s service, written by Christian women of Samoa, focuses on the theme “Informed Prayer, Prayerful Action” and is based on the scriptural passage found in Esther 4:1-16. Esther was summoned during a time of crisis to pray and act according to her faith. She first sought to be informed, and later engaged in fasting and prayer as she discerned God’s will for herself and her people.

The women of Samoa welcome with the greeting Talofa (tah-loh-fah) which means welcome and invite all to share in the traditional Kava ceremony as a way of coming to know their unique history and profound faith. It is through this experience that all also are invited to become informed, from each’s particular contexts and backgrounds, in prayer and finally to bring about the Kingdom of God

The Rev. Marilyn Merle, associate pastor of Woodlands Christian Church, invites the women of Ponca City to share in this year’s worship. The Christian Women’s Fellowship (CWF) of Woodlands Christian Church will lead the worship with traditional and international songs and hymns including special music brought by Linda Watson, president of the church’s CWF.

“Together we will worship God and our Lord Jesus Christ, drawing on God's wisdom to ‘see how we can act together on behalf of the whole community .’ We, too, can be involved in informed prayer and prayerful action for our city,” said Merle.

Child care will be provided at the church. The sanctuary and fellowship areas are wheelchair accessible. Refreshments will be served following the worship service.

The community is invited to join in with friends, families, and community of faith for the World Day of Prayer 2001 celebration and worship. Offerings received will be forwarded to the national committee of Church Women United of the United States for future World Day of Prayer opportunities, as well as for projects which support women in the United States and abroad.

Religion Page Deadlines

The Ponca City News publishes a special page on Friday of each week to carry information for and about churches in the area. Information may be brought to the newsroom religion and obituary desk, mailed to The Ponca City News, Box 191, 300 North Third, Ponca City, OK 74602, faxed to 580-765-7800, or e-mailed to religion@poncacitynews.com. Deadline for the Friday Religion page is noon the preceding Wednesday. For more information call 765-3311, extension 138.

St. Mary’s Congregation Announces Lenten, Ash Wednesday Activities

St. Mary’s Catholic Church invites the community to share the celebration of the Lenten season.

Lent begins with Ash Wednesday. According to the Rev. Michael Casey, it’s a “season in which we are called to live in a foreign country … moving away from the gratifying familiarity of life we have constructed for ourselves, and live in a zone where we feel awkward and ill-at-ease … a time of grace when we are invited to ‘return to the heart.’”

“Lent is a time to prepare for the joy and promise of the Easter celebration. Developing a positive, joyful approach, teaches among other things, that there is a joy in the darkest of moments. While fasting and abstinence encourage spiritual maturity, which have been reduced to a minimum, most acts of self-denial are left up to our personal choice but they should benefit others in some way,” a spokesman said.

Catholics observe Ash Wednesday on Feb. 28. The mark of ashes, a symbol of penance, is received by the faithful this day at the start of the Lenten season. All Catholics are encouraged to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation during Lent, pray, read scripture and perform acts of sacrifice and give alms.

The Lent schedule for St. Mary’s, 707 East Ponca, is as follows:

Poverty meal each Friday in the parish hall, 6 p.m.

Stations of the cross each Friday in the church, 7 p.m.

Vespers on Sunday in the chapel, 5:30 p.m.

Ash Wednesday masses, 8:30 and 11:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Daily Mass in the church, 8:10 a.m.

Additional reconciliations is offered weekly after the stations of the cross..

First Baptist Hosts Recital Sunday

Kathy Cripps, a 1997 Po-Hi graduate, will give a recital on Sunday at 3 p.m. at the First Baptist Church Worship Center, corner of Fifth and Central, by the music ministry of First Baptist Church.

Cripps is currently a student at Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee and will graduate in December with a bachelor of music education with a piano emphasis and a vocal certificate. The daughter of Ray and Karen Cripps, she has been the children’s music intern at First Baptist Church, an Arts Adventure apprentice, a performer at the millennium ‘100 Years of Broadway’ musical event, and a community collaborative pianist. She is also a former drum major and accompanist of the Ponca City High School Band and Chorale. This past summer she participated in the Ponca City American Reads Challenge as an AmeriCorps VISTA associate.

The selections to be performed will include piano works of Beethoven, Liszt, Muczynski, and Scarlatti as well as some vocal songs and arias by Barber, Bliss, Brahms, Hue, and Mozart. Keith Whitmore, OBU school accompanist, will assist her.

There will be a reception following the recital in the Assembly Center. The concert is free and open to the public. All area friends, family, students, teachers, and music lovers are cordially invited to attend. For more information, contact Larry Masters at 765-4427.

Church Briefs

Spiritual Renewal 2001

Eastern Heights Christian Church, 5100 Lake Road, will sponsor a three-day Spiritual Renewal 2001 this weekend lead by Darel and JoAnn Boston, evangelists from the Christian Church in Junction City, Kan. Friday at 7 p.m. the topic will be “Renewal? Why Bother?;” Saturday at 7 p.m., “Renewal? How does it Happen?”; Sunday at 10:30 a.m. will be “Renewal? When?”; and Sunday, 6:30 p.m., “Renewal? Is What?” Special music will be presented each session to include Southern Praise Band, Sky Pilots, the Griffins and Bostons, and Shafer Gospel Quartet. The public is invited to attend. For additional information, call 767-1967.

Connor Chapel AME Church

Connor Chapel AME Church, 945 S. 12th Street, will have a fellowship service Sunday at 3:30 p.m. “Committed to Jesus” is the theme of the service. The Elder F.R. Johnson, pastor of Perry Church of God in Christ will be the speaker for the afternoon. Musical selections will be given by Kenneth Roland of the Johnson Temple Church of God in Christ, St. John’s Baptist Church, Perry Church of Christ and other local choirs. The community is invited to be a part of the service.

Missionary at Word of Life

John MacFarlane will be speaking at the Word of Life Christian Center, 3401 North Union, for a special meeting at 7 p.m. Monday. MacFarlane has served as a missionary, bible smuggler, university teacher at major European universities and is currently traveling extensively throughout Eastern Europe and Asia leading teams to establish churches and Bible schools. He has just returned from Siberia delivering medical supplies, food and clothing to unreached cities and people groups. He has been a frequent speaker and counselor to Word of Life for over ten years. The public is invited to attend the meeting. For more information, call 762-4376.

Prince of Peace Lutheran

Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, ELCA, at 2800 Turner Road, will celebrate the Transfiguration of Our Lord with the conclusion of the Epiphany season and the turning toward the Lenten season. The service will include Holy Communion. This is also Bring A Friend Sunday. Sunday school is 9 a.m. followed by worship at 10 and fellowship at 11 a.m. Ash Wednesday service will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday and will include the imposition of ashes. Our annual Pancake Supper will be held at The Rose Stone from 4 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. Visit the website at www.princeofpeacechurch.net.

Hartford Avenue

Church of Christ

Members of the Hartford Avenue Church of Christ, 1905 Joe Street, invite the public to share God’s Word each week. Sunday Bible classes are at 9:30 a.m. followed by worship service at 10:30 a.m. Sunday evening worship is at 6 o’clock and Wednesday worship is at 7 p.m. There are classes for all ages. Visitors are invited for lunch in the fellowship center following worship service. Watch the Search program Sunday at 8 a.m. on Channels 5 or 8; this week’s topic is Yes! God Answers Prayer. Bible thought for the week from Ephesians 5:15-16: “Be very careful, then how you live not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity because the days are evil.”

Homemaker’s Supper

The Homemaker’s Sunday School class of Albright United Methodist Church will sponsor its annual Pancake/Sausage Supper on Friday, March 2. The charge will be $5 for adults and $2 for children. The all-you-can-eat mean will be served from 5 to 7 p.m. in the fellowship hall of the church, located at 128 South Palm. Proceeds benefit local projects.

International Gospel Hour

The Newkirk Church of Christ sponsors the International Gospel Hour each Sunday at 8:30 a.m. on KSOK 95.9 FM, This week Winford Claiborne will be speaking on the topic of “What is Authority?” The church also helps in the support of “In Search of the Lord’s Way,” which can be seen each Sunday on local stations.

EDUCATION

‘Catavan’ To Visit Garfield Academy Next Tuesday
PTC Board Members Discuss New Programs
West School Publishes Book
School News
Superintendent’s Corner

‘Catavan’ To Visit Garfield Academy Next Tuesday

The joy of reading will take center stage on March 2 when for the fourth year, the National Education Association (NEA) and the Oklahoma Education Association (OEA) invites every child, every teenager, and every adult in every community to celebrate Read Across America.

The OEA “Catavan” will be at Garfield Academy on Tuesday, Feb. 27 at 9:30 a.m. “Our students are so excited about the visit from the Catavan,” said Ponca City EA member Sharon Lewis. “We are proud that our professional organization is a leader in promoting reading.”

The annual literacy event — the largest in the nation, if not the world — coincides with the birthday of children’s author Dr. Seuss (Theodor Geisel), whose beloved books and zany characters provide the backdrop for what OEA President Carolyn Crowder calls a day of fun with a purpose.

Crowder and a “Catavan” of Seuss characters will tour local school districts during the week of Feb. 26. “We hope students of all ages will explore with us the fun, adventure, and magic that reading and books provide,” said the former fourth grade teacher. “We want readers young and old to join us for the ride.”

Those scheduled to honor reading on March 2 include First Lady Laura Bush, members of both Houses of Congress, mayors, governors, and state legislators in all 50 states. Actor Morgan Freeman is serving as the 2001 national chairperson and OU football coach Bob Stoops is Oklahoma’s Honorary Chair.

PTC Board Members Discuss New Programs

Two new programs will be added this fall at Pioneer Technology Center.

The programs, Mechanical Maintenance and Information Technology, were approved by the PTC Board of Education.

The Mechanical Maintenance program is being initiated by an industry partnership that includes Conoco, Ditch Witch, OG&E, Mercruiser, and Northern Oklahoma College. This program will prepare students for careers as an Industrial Maintenance Mechanic or an Industrial Mechanics Technician. The Mechanical Maintenance program will also incorporate curriculum from the Industrial Electronics program.

The second program, Information Technology, will prepare students for careers as certified network professionals, certified computer support systems specialists, and web designers. Students who enroll in the Information Technology program will have the opportunity to prepare for nationally recognized certifications in CISCO, Microsoft Computer Systems Engineer (MCSE), A+ Certification, or Certified Webmaster.

Two other PTC programs, Horticulture and Transportation Technology, were approved for name changes. The two programs will now be called Horticulture/Landscape Management and Automotive Service Technology. Other program changes approved by the PTC Board of Education included the approval to drop the Marketing program for next fall.

An audit report and contract renewals were on the agenda last Tuesday when the members of the Pioneer Technology Center Board of Education met.

Jerry Putnam, Yadon and Putnam, gave the annual audit report for lats fiscal year. Putnam commended the PTC staff on a job well done and said he was pleased with the records that he saw along with all of the documentation.

Items discussed in the Superintendent's /CEO report began with an update on the Practical Nursing program. Dr. Major reported that the Practical Nursing program now has full approval status based upon their 2000 pass rate of 88.88 percent. According to Dr. Major, the national pass rate average is 87.28 percent.

PTC Board members took no action on the approval of the FY00 annual audit by Yadon and Putnam. Board president Larry Buck recommended that board members needed additonal time to review the report.

Following executive session, the board approved the renewal of contracts for Chuck Bayha, campus director; Lanita Chapman, director of business and industry services; Vance Johnson, director of safety/plant operations; Janet Taber, director of communications and marketing; and Stacey Rush, business manager for the 2001-2001 contract year. “The strength of Pioneer Technology Center rests with our people,” stated Dr. Major. “We are fortunate to have people on our management team who are dedicated to the success of our students. They are a talented group of people.” Other employment contracts approved were Andy Colclasure, custodian; Debbie Johnstone, grounds maintenance; Pam Dickerson, computer training specialist; and Laurence Beliel, industrial coordinator.

West School Publishes Book

The West Middle School Home Economics Department has collected 406 recipes from students, their families and faculty members and published “The Best of West 2000” recipe book which is now available.

This cookbook contains traditional and cherished recipes including appetizers, main dishes, desserts and a host of other recipes, as well as the recipes made by the sixth and seventh grade food classes.

Each donor’s name is printed. The book sells for $7. Proceeds from this book will benefit the West Home Economics Department program. To order your copy, contact Jackie Bufton, Freda Brisman or the school office at 767-8020.

School News

Glasgow Inducted

Emily Foy Glasgow was recently inducted into the only honor society at Brigham Young University, Phi Kappa Phi. She is a 1995 Po-Hi graduate, the daughter of Howard and Patricia Foy and wife of Jeff Glasgow. She will graduate in the summer of 2002 with joint Juris Doctorate/Masters of business degrees.

Koch Makes Honor Roll

Kari Koch, a junior at Baker University in Baldwin City, Kan., was recently named to the fall honor roll.

Sudbury Honored

Laura Sudbury, Ponca City, was honored recently by Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tenn. for making the fall honor roll.

Nursing Students Make List

Judith Armstrong and Suzanne Thompson, both of Ponca City, were named to the honor roll for the fall semester at The University of Oklahoma College of Nursing.

Superintendent’s Corner

by Dr. Doug Major

Pioneer Technology Center Superintendent

The mission of the CareerTech system of education in Oklahoma is to “prepare Oklahomans to succeed in the workplace.” As one of 29 technology centers in the state, Pioneer Technology Center works to localize this mission by providing the highest quality career training possible to meet local and regional labor market demands

Through research, we know that students learn better if they are: enrolled in a program that is congruent with their career plan; enrolled in a program that is consistent with their interests and aptitudes; are provided assistance with lacking academic skills; are taught through a self-paced, competency based curriculum; and find relevance in curriculum which is based upon industry standards. To meet these requirements, we have two challenges: 1) to make sure that the needed services are offered, and 2) to annually evaluate the performance of our programs to make sure that our graduates are "succeeding in the workplace".

In addition to our excellent instructional faculty who teach using curriculum based upon industry standards, we have a number of other staff members to provide support services which further enhance our students opportunity to succeed. Enrollment at PTC begins with our Assessment Specialists to help each student identify and quantifying career interests and aptitudes as well as measure basic academic skill levels. This information is then provided to a Career Counselor to make sure that students are appropriately enrolled in programs meeting career goals. Once enrolled, our staff of Learning Consultants and Teaching Assistants work with each students to provide extra help with academic skills and one-on-one instruction when needed. We feel that these services provide our students with a better chance for success and our performance measures reflect this success.

In our most recent follow-up study, the data shows that 85% of students who enrolled in a full-time program completed that program--a retention rate that can be attributed to students being enrolled in programs congruent with their goals, interests and aptitudes. Of the students who completed programs in May of 1999, 86 percent of those students were employed in occupationally related jobs, continuing their education, or had entered military careers. Another 7 percent reported that they were employed, but in occupations that could not be directly attributed to their training program.

LIFESTYLES

Fun and Fundamental HCE Group Discusses Projects
Chapter Honors Alice Beman
Little News

Fun and Fundamental HCE Group Discusses Projects

The Fun and Fundamental Home and Community Education Club met Feb. 13 in the home of Nancy Tindel for a meeting and covered dish dinner. Dorthy Tanner, president, began the meeting with the club creed, and the Pledge of Allegiance. The yearbooks for the ensuing year were presented and filled out. Devotions were given by the hostess.

The year’s schedule was discussed, with possible ways to be of help in local communities, as members did last year with donations to Newkirk Nursing Home, school supplies for local schools, helping with mittens for the Head Start program, and clothing for the Western State Home.

Health, food, and sewing tips were given. The meeting closed with the club collect read in unison.

Nettie Cox distributed literature from the January Lesson on Social Security issues, and Betty Glasgow presented the Lesson on “Character Counts,” with emphasis on “what makes up your character” as the most important attribute you have. She told that Mary Rhyme had presented a lesson showing the “Character Critters”, being presented to the grade schools around the county. Ms. Glasgow said that the HCE clubs could help with the cost of these “Character Critters,” and also the accompanying charts, to help school-aged children learn just how important “character” is.

The March 13 meeting and covered dish luncheon will be in the home of Frances Denton. On March 7 Kay County HCE members will go to Oklahoma City to attend a legislature meeting. Persons interested in home, community and education should call 765-1956 or 762-4134 for more information.

Chapter Honors Alice Beman

Velma Case placed the Valentine tiara on Alice Beman and presented her with a yellow rose corsage when nine members and six guests of Laureate Phi chapter of Beta Sigma Phi sorority met for dinner recently at the Apple Cart restaurant. Ms. Beman was the chapter’s selection for Valentine Queen. Guests were Dean Keating, Charles Starks, Jim Rosenbaum, Bob Case, Jack Cnossen and Dave Smith.

The Feb. 26 meeting will be held in the home of Mrs. Case with Meire K. Harris and Erma Rusch giving the program about “the Importance of Laughter” continuing the study of “How To Live Longer, Happier and Healthier.” Members are asked to be prepared to tell a short “laughter invoking” story. Roberta Streeter will be the co-hostess.

Little News

Fletcher Ryan Warmington

Announcing the birth of a son are Troy and Jennifer Warmington of Independence, Mo. Fletcher Ryan Warmington was born Jan. 25, 2001, in St. Mary’s Hospital in Blue Springs, Mo. He weighed 7 pounds, 12 ounces, and measured 20 1/2 inches long. He has a sister, Sarah Allison, 6.

Maternal grandmother is Sarah Oberly of Ponca City, and maternal great-grandmother is Bobbye Oberly, also of Ponca City. Paternal grandparents are Denny and Carol Warmington of Independence, Mo.

Samantha Jo Elliott

Douglas and Achsah Elliott announce the birth of a daughter, Samantha Jo, Jan. 29, 2001, in St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. The baby weighed 7 pounds, 15 ounces, and measured 21 inches long. She has a brother, Andy, and a sister, Ashleigh.

Maternal grandparents are Gordon and Susan Lunn of Ponca City. Great-grandparents are E.A. and Mary Coffman of Ponca City, Christine Gerth of Windsor, Conn., and the late Frank Corwin.

Paternal grandparents are Joe and Ramona Elliott of Ponca City. Great-grandparents are Marvin and Jean Stout of Ponca City, and Evelyn Youngblood of Tulsa.

Ailey Kaite Robinson

Former residents of Ponca City, Forrest and Tonya (Rackley) Robinson of Missoula, Mont., announce the birth of a daughter, Ailey Kaite, at 6:28 p.m. Feb. 4, 2001, in Community Medical Center in Missoula. Ailey weighed 5 pounds, 11.5 ounces and measured 18 inches long. She has a sister, Autumn Jaide, 30-months-old.

Maternal grandparents are Leroy Rackley of Newkirk, and Carole Rackley of Canton, N.C. Great-grandparents are Paul and Pauline Rackley of Locust Grove.

Paternal grandparents are John and Linda Robinson, Mike and Dorothy Guinn, all of Ponca City. Great-grandparents are Emogene Robinson of Ponca City and the late Forrest Robinson.

SPORTS

Third Time No Charm For Lady Wildcats
Super Wildcat Clinic Postponed
Relatively Speaking

Third Time No Charm For Lady Wildcats

By David Davis

News Sports Writer

BROKEN ARROW — When Lady Wildcat coach Jamie Burtner found out her Ponca City team drew Stillwater in the first game of the regional tournament, she hoped the third time would be the charm.

“It’s hard to beat a team three times in one season,” she said earlier this month when the tournament pairings were announced.

The scenario didn’t turn out the way she planned. The third game wasn’t a charm, but the Stillwater Lady Pioneers know that it is hard to beat a team three times in one year.

Stillwater didn’t beat or defeat the Lady Cats, but the rivals to the south did win the game, 44-41.

Jena Birdsong scored the go ahead basket with one minute left in the game. Birdsong received the ball on the right wing. She made a move toward the goal, but then pulled up for a 10-foot jump shot. The score was 41-40, but it was the final score of the 2000-2001 basketball season for the Ponca City girls.

Stillwater sophomore Erin Fairbanks drew a foul as she crossed the timeline on the Lady Pioneer’s next possession. Ponca City junior Amanda Summers played Fairbanks a little too close and picked up her fourth foul. Fairbanks went to the line and made both ends of a one-and-one to put Stillwater ahead, 42-41.

Forced into a foul situation, Birdsong committed her first and sent Fairbanks to the line with 10 seconds remaining.

Fairbanks missed.

The Lady Cats fought hard for the rebound. Sophomore Jamie Prado somehow emerged from the entanglement underneath Stillwater’s basket.

She drove hard toward the timeline.

Everyone in the gym came to the realization the colloquialism is true. The third time is the charm.

But it wasn’t.

As time spiraled downward to four seconds, then three, Prado lost control of the ball and was charged with a traveling violation.

Lady Cat senior Tara Cries For Ribs fouled Lady Pioneer, junior, Sommer Frazier. She made both shots to push the score to 44-41.

A desperation shot from half-court came close to the basket for the Ponca City Lady Cats.

Burtner said Ponca City was 1-for-6 from the free throw line in the fourth period. Stillwater converted 6-of-7.

“That was it,” she said. “You have to make the free throws.”

But, she said, the girls have nothing to be ashamed of and no reason to hang their heads.

“It was a good year for us,” she said. “The girls overcame so much adversity.

“I wish the seniors could have had a better finish to their high school careers.”

Ponca City scored the first six points of the game, but trailed 11-10 by the time the quarter ended. Stillwater increased the lead to six by the end of the first half, 28-22.

The Lady Cats held Stillwater to five points in the third to pull to within one-point, 33-32.

The Lady Cats finished the game shooting 34.7 percent (8-23) from 2-point range; 31.5 percent (6-19) from 3-point range and 41 percent (7-17) from the free throw line.

Birdsong led the team with 11 points. Cries For Ribs, 10; Janna Green, 9; Lyndsi Frederick, 5; Prado, 5 and Summers, 1.

Stillwater shot 37 percent (10-27) from 2-point range; 27.2 percent (3-11) from 32-point range and 79.9 percent (15-19) from the free throw line.

Fairbanks led the Lady Pioneers in scoring with 12; Hallie Hutchins, 9; Frazier, 8; Lara Mullen, 3; Nataly Gray, 3; J.J. Finley, 2; Donna Tyungu, 2 and Lindsey Slusser, 2.

Super Wildcat Clinic Postponed

The Super Wildcat Baseball Clinic scheduled for today has been rescheduled. It is tentatively set for Saturday, March 3. Accommodations will be made to resolve conflicts between the clinic and soccer. For more information, please contact Keith Coppock, 765-6424 or Pat Ozmunt, 765-2729.

Relatively Speaking

Grandson to longtime Ponca City resident Marvin E. Rider, Chris Rider has agreed to a football scholarship at Northeastern State University in Talequah,OK.

Chris played for Broken Arrow High School and was 6A District 4 co-Lineman of the Year.

Chris is the son of Rick Rider, a 1973 graduate of PCHS.