LOCAL

Volunteer Writes Grant Proposal For Entry Beautification Project
Sample Ballots Now Available
City Commission Cancels Sessions
Kaw Lake Attractive To Kansans
Newkirk’s Annual Quilting Event Saturday
Fund Raiser for African American Gallery SatuCharlie Christian rday
American Legion Post 14 Planning Navy Reunion
Ponca People Meet Saturday On Education

Volunteer Writes Grant Proposal For Entry Beautification Project

By JEFF POLITTE

News Staff Writer

Who says one person can’t make a difference?

One Ponca City resident, Jon Kennedy, a retired Conoco employee and active community volunteer, has certainly proven that with a little hard work and dedication one person can do just that.

After reading an article in The Ponca City News several months back about an Oklahoma Department of Transportation Highway Beautification Grant program, Kennedy set himself to the task of acquiring some of this grant money for beautifying the entrances to Ponca City.

Why the entrances to Ponca City? Because, according to Kennedy, the entrances are what give visitors their first impression of Ponca City, and, “You only have one chance at a first impression.”

Through his efforts, Kennedy not only acquired $48,912 in grant money through the ODOT program, with $21,890 earmarked for the purchase and planting of 101 trees, he is now the chairman of the Summit Revitalization and Beautification Committee’s sub-committee, the Ponca City Entrances Committee, set up to improve these entrances, as well.

City commissioners voted Monday night in favor of accepting a bid committee recommendation to award the contract for the purchase and planting of these trees to Keathly Nursery of Ponca City as the lowest and best bidder. Keathly Nursery’s bid was $20,940.

Also on Monday, during a special city commission work session held prior to the regular commission meeting, city commissioners, city staff and members of both beautification committees took a bus tour to view and discuss the areas where the trees were to be planted. These areas are the triangle-shaped area south of the Pioneer Woman Statue, the U.S. 177 and U.S. 60 intersection and the U.S. 60B and Waverly Street intersection.

“It’s always a pleasure to work with Jon Kennedy on projects,” said Gary Martin, city manager. “He’s a good asset to our community.”

(See GRANT WRITER, Page 3A)

Martin noted this wasn’t the first project that the city of Ponca City has worked on with Kennedy. “When Jon came to me and said he wanted to work on an ODOT grant to beautify the entrances to Ponca City, there was no doubt in my mind that he would be successful,” he said.

Over the years, Kennedy says he has driven past the city’s entrances and silently complained about them. During those years before he retired, he would say, “I wish someone would do something about that.”

Now that he’s retired and has more time, things have changed. Instead of saying “something needs to be done” about the entrances, he looks at them and says, “I’m going to try to do something about them.”

Once he read the ODOT article in the paper, Kennedy says he called the number included at the bottom for more information. When he called, he learned there was a class about tree planting and the ODOT grant packet information and decided to attend. This was the beginning of a three-month-long process leading up to the grant’s approval.

“I think there were around 30 towns represented at that meeting,” he said. He recalled the speaker who discussed the actual ODOT beautification grant pointed out only 20 of these towns would actually receive a grant. At that time, he determined that Ponca City would be one of those towns.

Later, Kennedy met with both Martin and Jim Sindelar, Park and Recreation Department director, to discuss the possibility of a commitment by the city of Ponca City to help care for the trees once the grant was awarded. This was only one of many requirements the retired Conoco worker had to see met while applying and qualifying for the grant.

Why trees? Kennedy explained that trees are commonly used for these types of areas because, besides their obvious aesthetic nature — which simply means they are pretty to look at — they make for a low maintenance and long-term solution for this type of landscaping. “Although there is still some maintenance to them, there is less maintenance than shrubs or bushes,” he said. They are also more durable than shrubs or bushes.

Future issues the Ponca City Entrances Committee will consider is signage and the inconsistency of the “Welcome to Ponca City” signs and material construction of these signs. “We’re also going to look at the possibility of having stone bed boarders that will tie in with these entrance signs,” he said.

Anyone interested in this program or having beautification ideas, can contact Jon Kennedy, at 762-3642, or Fred Boettcher, chairman of the Summit Revitalization and Beautification Committee, at 765-2541.

Sample Ballots Now Available

NEWKIRK — Sample ballots are now available at the Kay County Election Board office for voters who want to get a preview of what will be at stake in the Ponca City municipal election on March 6.

According to Carol Stafford, secretary of the Kay County Election Board, sample ballots can be viewed at the election board office in the county courthouse, 201 South Main in Newkirk, during regular office hours from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Sample ballots will also be posted outside every precinct polling place on Tuesday so voters can review them before casting their votes.

City Commission Cancels Sessions

The Ponca City Board of Commissioners special session set for 9 a.m. Friday, and the regular work session set for 2 p.m. Monday have both been canceled.

The next scheduled commission meeting is a regular session set for March 12 at 5:30 p.m. in the Public Safety Center’s commission chambers, 200 East Oklahoma Avenue.

Kaw Lake Attractive To Kansans

Winners of a weekend get away to the Kaw Lake area were recently selected from entrants at the Kaw Lake Association’s booth at the Kansas Boat, Sport and Travel show in Wichita, Kan.

One winner was selected at random from each day’s entrants. The show, held at the Kansas Coliseum, featured booths from various lakes, boats, R.V.’s, personal water craft and seminars on fishing, hunting and boating.

“Southern Kansas is our primary market for Kaw Lake,” said Kathy Tippin, executive director of the Kaw Lake Association. Each year the association has a booth at the show to attract people from southern Kansas to the Kaw Lake area.

The winners of the get away were Wes Lyons, Wichita, Kan.; Melvin Nelson, Mulvane, Kan.; Sandi Smith, Wellington, Kan.; John Wood, Wichita, Kan.; and Kip Schultz, Andale, Kan.

The mission of the Kaw Lake Association is to develop and market the Kaw Lake area with the goal of economic growth for area communities. Individuals who would like to become involved with the association should call Tippin at 580-762-9494, or e-mail at kawlake@kskc.net.

Newkirk’s Annual Quilting Event Saturday

NEWKIRK — Newkirk Main Street will host its fifth annual quilting event on Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Newkirk Heritage Center, 116 North Main. This year’s event will be a Quilter’s Tea complete with storytelling, refreshments and a silent auction. As in the past, there will be a storefront quilt show throughout the downtown for your strolling pleasure.

Teller’s for the event will include Beth Bilger, Betty Lane and Joanne Cary. Sue Roy will present a short style show of quilted garments. Carolyn Williamson has been working her magic, and the 2001 Quilter’s Tea will include original art pins created by Carolyn. A silent auction of quilted items and a drawing will round out the day. Venders, including the Quilt Shop from Perkins, Tea Cozies from Bartlesville and antiques and tea will all be available on site.

In addition to the display of historic quilts from the Newkirk Community Museum, there will be a special exhibit entitled “My Mother’s Apron Strings” to coincide with Women’s History Month. The exhibit will follow the social history that apron’s trace in a woman’s world from the pioneer days through the 1950s. All proceeds will be used to fund the Newkirk Main Street design grants.

Fund Raiser for African American Gallery SatuCharlie Christian rday Honors Oklahoma Jazz Legends probably is the most famous jazz artist who came out of Oklahoma City’s Deep Deuce, or Deep Second — the former African American business district. That’s partly because the Deep Deuce Jazz Festival was named after him for years.

Nationally, however, numerous others became famous among jazz, blues and swing followers. That was made clear during the recent Jazz series on National Public Television. One was Jimmy Rushing, who also grew up in Deep Deuce. He was known as Mr. Five by Five and played in Count Basie’s band from 1935 to 1950.

Some, such as Jay McShann, Don Byas, Oscar Pettiford, Earl Bostic and Claude “Fiddler” Williams came to Deep Deuce from other Oklahoma towns and went on to fame. Others, such as Basie and Lester Young, played there for the Blue Devils.

This heritage is the basic reason the Oklahoma Historical Society struck a significant chord with “A Night of Oklahoma Legends: The Music of 2nd Street.” The event was planned for March 3 to raise money for the African American Gallery and other features in the new Oklahoma History Center (which will open in 2003), but ticket sales and donations came rolling in even before the event was announced.

“This success indicates that celebrating the legendary musicians of Deep Deuce obviously is long over due,” said Historical Society executive director Dr. Bob Blackburn. “While followers and collectors of jazz have long known about these great musicians, the new History Center will provide an opportunity to educate visitors from all over the state and nation about their major contributions to jazz.”

The Blue Devils, one of at least 10 Oklahoma City-based jazz bands in the 1920s and 1930s, produced numerous outstanding artists. Christian, Rushing, Byas, Abe Bolar, Walter Page, Lester Young, Oran “Hot Lips” Page, Buster Smith, Lem Johnson and Alvin Burroughs were among them. Rushing, Bolar, Byas and Johnson later helped form Count Basie’s band in Kansas City.

Other Oklahoma City groups included the Andrew Rushing Band, the Charlie Christian Combo, the Glover “5” Jazz Orchestra, Edward Rushing’s Jolly Harmony Boys, the Ideal Jazz Orchestra, Happy Black Aces, Commanders, Pails of Rhythm, Turk Thomas’ 10 Gobblers of Rhythm, and Leslie Sheffield and the Rhythmaires.

For decades, little was written about their contribution to jazz and swing in Oklahoma history books and other publications for the general population. Hannah D. Atkins wrote a report on “The Jazzmen from the Blue Devils through Bennie Moten to Count Basie” for “Oklahoma Today” in 1969-70. Prof. George Carney of Oklahoma State University provided a report in 1994 on Oklahomans in jazz and swing for “The Chronicles of Oklahoma.”

Director Anita Arnold of the Black Liberated Art Center wrote two books on Christian and one on Deep Deuce during the 1990s. She researched The Black Dispatch newspapers and interviewed former Deep Deuce residents to gather information. She was interviewed for National Public Television’s series on jazz and provided photos.

D.C. Minner, who operates the Downhome Blues Club in Rentiesville and takes blues music to students as an Artist in Residence for the Oklahoma Arts Council, has provided a report that documents the influence of early Oklahoma jazz musicians to this day.

Christian, Rushing and Bolar all grew up in musical families. They were influenced by Zelia N. Page Breaux, who taught music at Douglass High School and was a co-owner of the Aldridge Theater in Deep Deuce. Christian is given a special place. He elevated the electric guitar to national prominence while recording for Benny Goodman, Lionel Hampton and the Metronome All-Stars from 1939 until his death from tuberculosis in 1942.

Rushing, whose father played the trumpet and owned a café next door to the Aldridge Theater, became a vocalist who made “Every Day I Have the Blues” famous. Bostic of Tulsa gained fame during the 1940s and 1950s as a tremendous saxophone player. Pettiford of Okmulgee has been called the “greatest jazz upright bass player that ever lived.”

The influence of these and other “jazz greats” from Oklahoma led to “urban blues” and “rhythm and blues” with the electric instruments of today, but Minner said “those jazz musicians were the guys who trained us.” Preserving their heritage in the new Oklahoma History Center will be a major step for Oklahoma.

American Legion Post 14 Planning Navy Reunion

American Legion Post 14 invites all veterans of the Navy, Coast Guard and Merchant Marines to the second annual Navy Reunion.

On Wednesday, March 14, at 6 p.m., registration and happy hour will commence. Traditional Navy chow will be served at 6:30 p.m. with a short program to follow. At 8:30 p.m. the “smoking lamp” will be lit for a final hour of scuttlebutt, swapping war stories, catching up with old friends and establishing new veteran relationships. Everyone is invited to wear their uniforms — if they can still fit into them — and to bring any and all types of memorabilia for display.

Letters have gone out to well over 100 veterans. Reunion committee chairman, Mike Isbell, explains, “Last year’s reunion was a real success. It was great to see some old acquaintances and make new veteran friends. We know we still don’t have addresses for all our north central Oklahoma Navy veterans, so we are extending an open invitation to any and all veterans from these branches to come join us for an evening of fun and camaraderie.”

The event will be held at the American Legion Post 14 at 407 W. South Avenue and is free of charge. For additional information or to make a reservation, contact the American Legion at (580) 765-9073.

Ponca People Meet Saturday On Education

WHITE EAGLE — The importance of education is becoming more obvious with the passage of time and the advancement of technology, says Sherman Bold Warrior. The significance and positive advantages of formal learning cannot be over emphasized, he said.

However, at this point in their social evolution., the youth of the Ponca People are experiencing extreme difficulty in attaining a high school diploma.

Therefore, in order to assist the Ponca student, a committee has been formed to identify and address these educational problems. The first public meeting of this committee will be held at the Ponca Tribal Affairs building in White Eagle on Saturday, March 3, at 2 p.m.

A meal will be served and the Ponca People are invited to attend and discuss the educational problems of the Ponca youth.

DEATHS

Herbert Eagle
Mildred C. Gough
Geneva K. Gildhouse

Obituaries

Herbert Eagle

Herbert Eagle, longtime White Eagle resident, died Monday morning, Feb. 26, 2001, in the Hillcrest Medical Center in Tulsa. He was 73.

An evening prayer service will be held on Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m. in the Ponca Indian United Methodist Church. The traditional funeral feast will be held at noon on Thursday, March 1, followed by the funeral at 2 p.m. The Rev. Thomas Roughface, district superintendent of the Oklahoma conference of the Indian United Methodist Church and The Rev. Abraham Jackson, pastor of Ponca Indian United Methodist Church, will officiate. Burial, with full military honors by the L.S. Buffalo Post 38, will follow in the Ponca Tribal Cemetery under direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.

Herbert Eagle was born on April 3, 1927, in Ponca City to Simon and Adreanna Whitetail Eagle. He grew up on the Ponca reservation and attended Pawnee “Gravy U” Indian School. During the 40s, Herbert did farm work for Ervin Kelly, Ross Kelly, Dewey Kelly and George Pago. He also did union jobs for Carbon Black, Thompson Pipe and Steel Co. in Denver, Colo., helped with the construction of the new wing of St. Joseph Regional Medical Center as well as worked on Highway 177 in construction of a new bridge. Herbert was active on the Ponca Tribe Business Committee and also did farm work for Bud Freeman, John Eaton and Fred and Doug Wilson. The last job he worked before retiring and leaving the pain and woes of hard manual labor was for Titus Company. In earlier years, Herbert was involved in the Golden Glove Boxing competitions and excelled greatly as a young boxer. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and had served in World War II as well as the Korean Conflict. He was highly decorated with Army Occupational Medal for service in Japan, Purple Heart, United Nations Service Medal and the Korean Service Medal with one Bronze Camp Star. Upon returning back to Ponca City after his honorable discharge, Herbert and Esther Hardman were united in marriage on Aug. 22, 1950, in Newkirk. He attended the Ponca Indian United Methodist Church and was a proud member of the Ponca Tribe as well as the American Legion L.S. Buffalo Post 38, the VFW Post 45th Division of Marland and was a Horse Chief descendant. He enjoyed working around his house and doing yard work and dancing the gourd dance at tribal gatherings.

He leaves behind to cherish his memory two daughters, Elaine Primeaux and Malinda Smith, both of Ponca City; four sons, Simon Eagle, Lee Eagle, Manuel Eagle and Lance Eagle, all of Ponca City; three sisters, AnnaBelle Littlehoe, Julia Pickett and Hope Whitestar, all of Ponca City; 24 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and two nieces, Ledavie Rhodd and Beverly Brown, both of Ponca City.

He was preceded in death by his wife; three sons, Luke, Steven and Elliott Eagle; one daughter, Anna Eagle; and one sister, Henrietta Eagle.

Casket bearers will be Elliott Eagle, Curtis Primeaux Jr., Robert Primeaux, Herbert Primeaux, Eagle Rhodd and Michael Cornell.

Honorary casket bearers will be members of the 45th Division Post 38 of the Ponca Tribe George White Eagle, Bronson Roughface, Leonard Biggoose, Claud Hardman and Drew Little Warrior.

paid obituary

Services Pending

Mildred C. Gough

Mildred C. Gough, Ponca City resident, died Monday, Feb. 26, 2001, at Westminster Village. She was 88. Local survivors include her son Larry Gough. Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Friday in the Trout Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow at Odd Fellows Cemetery.

Geneva K. Gildhouse

Geneva K. Gildhouse, resident of Ponca City, died Tuesday morning, Feb. 27, 2001, at Baptist Medical Center, Oklahoma City. She was 70. Survivors include a daughter, Anna Fields of Ponca City. Arrangements are pending with Grace Memorial Chapel.

NEWS BRIEFS

Goal Kick Club — The Wildcat Overtime Party will be held for all Po-Hi soccer players and their families Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Fourth Street Clubhouse.

Opening March 1st 10:30. Homestead Antiques and Curious Goods. 101 West Grand. 765-9699. Cathy Beasley and Bill Denison. adv.

Testing Meeting — An informational meeting on the Oklahoma State Testing Program (OSTP) for parents will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday at the Administration Center, 111 West Grand. Parents will be informed about the various components of the Oklahoma State Testing Program.

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.

East Reunion — Present and past staff members from East Middle School are invited to a staff reunion on March 31. For more information call 762-2093.

Pauline’s Hot Prime Rib Open Face sandwich with mash potatoes and mushroom gravy, $7.95. Tuesday & Wednesday night, February 27th & 28th. For reservations call 765-5460. adv.

Peckham Fund Raiser Canceled — The Peckham Volunteer Fire Department’s scheduled fund raiser has been postponed until a later date.

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

Internet 101 — A CLE seminar, Internet 101, will be conducted 11 a.m.-1 p.m. March 1 at the Apple Cart restaurant, and lunch will be provided. All attorneys and legal professionals are encouraged to attend. One hour CLE credit may be earned. RSVP Anna Garner, 1-800-364-2512, x2460 if you plan to attend.

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

Dog Training — The K-9 Dog Training monthly meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Armory on West South Avenue. The public is invited to attend as are “well-behaved dogs on a leash.” For more information call 762-7360.

Riddles drive-Thru. Burgers, Chicken Fillets, Onion Rings, baked German Sandwich, request free drink/purchase. 217 North 14th. 765-5188. adv.

Fraud — A clerk at Citgo Short Stop No. 1, 400 East South Avenue, reported a forged check to Ponca City police at 1:46 p.m. Tuesday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Ponca ANA —The Ponca ANA Program announces that a meeting will be held each Friday at noon from now until the end of April at the Ponca Tribal Affairs building. The purpose of these meetings will be for the Ponca People to discuss the formulation of a new governing document. All members of the Ponca People are urged to attend. A meal will be served.

Fuller Brush, Watkins and Vision for Life products available at 300 West Highland, (Ponca Glass building). 762-6522. adv.

School Rummage Sale — St. Mary’s eighth grade class rummage sale will be held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. The sale will be located at the old Carpet Specialties building north of the Fairfield Inn on North Fourteenth Street. No early sales. Proceeds go to class trip and service projects.

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

Completes Basic Training — Marine Corps Pvt. Bradley E. Fox, son of Patricia R. and Jerry R. Fox of 1420 Clarke Street, Ponca City, recently completed basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego. Fox is a 2000 graduate of Ponca City High School Of Ponca City.

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

Accident — A minor accident in a parking lot in the 900 block of North Fifth Street was reported to Ponca City police at 7:49 a.m. Tuesday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Windshield Chips repaired professionally. Guaranteed and insurance approved. Ponca Glass, 300 W. Highland and Pine. 762-

6522. adv.

Theft — A man in the 2900 block of North Union Street reported to Ponca City police at 9:40 a.m. Tuesday someone had been stealing his mail. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Fraud — A clerk at Citgo Short Stop No. 2, 200 East Highland Avenue, reported a forged check to Ponca City police at 1:10 p.m. Tuesday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Disturbance — An employee at a business in the 400 block of South Fourteenth Street reported to Ponca City police at 5:24 p.m. Tuesday two intoxicated men were in the business and causing a disturbance. Two officers responded to the scene and a 22-year-old man and a 24-year-old man were taken into custody for public intoxication.

Accident — An emergency 911 call from a cell phone advised Ponca City police at 5:29 a.m. Wednesday that a tractor-trailer truck was in the ditch on the north side of the intersection of U.S. 60 and Joe Colby Road. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol was advised.

Theft — A woman in the 300 block of South Birch Street reported a stolen bicycle to Ponca City police at 1:37 p.m. Tuesday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Accident — An emergency 911 call reported an accident in the 2400 block of North Fourteenth Street to Ponca City police at 2:19 p.m. Tuesday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Subject Held — An officer at a business in the 2400 block of North Fourteenth Street reported a 40-year-old man was taken into custody on a Kay County warrant at 4:01 p.m. Tuesday.

Burglary — The caretaker of a residence in the 2900 block of North Union Street reported the residence had been entered to Ponca City police at 4:46 p.m. Tuesday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Theft — A woman in the 2100 block of Jane Street reported her mail box had been stolen to Ponca City police at 5:37 p.m. Tuesday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Subject Held — An officer behind J.C. Penney’s, 2005 North Fourteenth Street, reported a 24-year-old man, an 18-year-old man were taken into custody for public intoxication, and a 19-year-old man for actual physical control of a motor vehicle while intoxicated at 4:33 a.m. Wednesday.

LIFESTYLES

Erin M. DeWeese Bride Of Richard Jay Trussell

Erin M. DeWeese Bride Of Richard Jay Trussell

Pioneer Bible Church was the setting for the Jan. 20, 2001, wedding of Erin Michelle DeWeese and Richard Jay Trussell. Their double-ring vows were solemnized by the Rev. Larry Harris. Decorations in the church included spiral candelabras adorned with Virginia roses, Stargazer lilies, white carnations, baby’s breath, coffee leaves, sprengeri and leatherleaf fern. The pews were marked with burgundy and green bows and a white candle was placed in each window enclosure.

The bride is the daughter of Gail DeWeese and Garry DeWeese of Ponca City, and the bridegroom is the son of Lynda Trussell and Lyles Trussell, also of Ponca City. Grandparents are Wayne and Frosty Erkenbeck, Homer and Bonnie DeWeese, Leo and Martha Rodrigues, Emmitt and Katherine Trussell, all of Ponca City. Great-grandmother is Ethel Ramsey, also of Ponca City.

The musical program included “Amazed” by Lonestar and “From This Moment On” by Shania Twain. Jessica Sawatski of Oklahoma City and Matt Payne were vocalists, and Angela Kana was the pianist. Candlelighters were Kristina Kirsch and Kristina Huddleston. Carol Bottoms attended the guest book.

Flowergirls, Olivia Johnson of Bartlesville and Corinne Nelson, wore white satin sleeveless dresses complemented by short-sleeved jackets and tulle overskirts filled with burgundy and white flower petals. The dresses were designed and fashioned by Gail DeWeese. Ringbearers were Bradyn Pressnall and Christian Frame of Andale, Kan.

Alysa Pressnall was the honor attendant, and bridesmaids were Jessica Sawatski of Oklahoma City; Laura Harris of College Point, N.Y.; Kim Nelson; Patty Frame of Andale, Kan.; and Rachel Erkenbeck. Each wore a forest green satin gown in an A-line design with a fitted bodice and scooped neckline. Each skirt was overlaid with forest green tulle. The gowns were created by the bride’s mother. Each carried a colonial arrangement of white Virginia roses, burgundy-tipped white carnations, wax flowers, white carnations, baby’s breath and leatherleaf fern. Flowers for the wedding party were arranged by Sheryl Sallee and Paula Denson as a gift for the couple.

Ryan Sawatski of Oklahoma City served as Best Man. Groomsmen were Darren Pressnall; Ben Coffman and Kevin Dunn, both of Oklahoma City; Mark Frame of Andale, Kan.; and Shawn DeWeese. Ushers were Bart Varner of Oklahoma City and Bryan Bottoms.

The bride wore a gown designed and created by her mother. The floor-length white satin gown in a princess style featured a fitted bodice and sleeves embellished with white lace. The off-the-shoulder neckline was accented in back by pearl buttons. The triple-layered tulle veiling was adorned with silk roses and secured by an ivory comb. The bride carried a bouquet of Stargazer lilies, white Virginia roses, Cymbidium orchids, white tulips, baby’s breath and burgundy waxflowers. Following tradition, she wore a heart-shaped necklace, a gift from the bridegroom, as something new. For something old, two charms were sewn into the sleeves of her gown. Something borrowed was the veil from Jessica Sawatski, and something blue was her garter.

Gail DeWeese, Garry and Debbie DeWeese hosted the reception at the American Legion. Assisting with the event were Caroline Stolhand, Len DiGaia, Marika Kirsch, Debi White and Amy Cobb.

The newlywed couple resides at 2012 Westchester, Oklahoma City, OK 73120. The bride is a special education teacher at Monroe elementary School and the bridegroom is a personal trainer at Adams Athletic Club.

Out-of-town guests attending the wedding were Debi White of Winston-Salem, N.C., Marketa and Jim Fisher, Raqueta and David Portalatin of Houston, Texas, Lisa Imbriano of Massachusetts; Gloria and Richard Franks, Jennifer and Dusty Johnson of Bartlesville, and Juanita Haddad of Enid.

SPORTS

Po Hi Boys of Summer Take to Cold Field Friday
OU Moves On; OSU Hopeful
Three Former Cat Wrestlers Due Honors
NOC Sophs Due Honor Thursday

Po Hi Boys of Summer Take to Cold Field Friday

By DAVID DAVIS

News Sports Writer

The Ponca City Wildcat baseball home opener is scheduled for 4:30 p.m., Friday. Parkas and long-johns are optional for fans, but the boys of summer are being fitted with a new line of athletic snow shoes by a major athletic wear supplier to the Iditarod.

The team has been lifting weights since October. Now they are ready to play ball.

First year head coach Justin Timmerman is anxious to get the season under way. In three scrimmages with Westmoore, Guthrie and Enid, Timmerman said he was pleased with pitching and defense.

It’s still too early for hitting, but he is confident it will come around. Under the threat of freezing rain Tuesday, he was still trying to get another school to come over for a scrimmage. At three in the afternoon, he was waiting on a call from Tonkawa.

“We’ve got to see some live pitching before Enid,” he said. “But, I feel confident we can be 3-0 before Sunday.”

The team is playing well and the seniors are stepping into their leadership roles.

“We’re getting great senior leadership from Jimmo Ozment, Bryan Coppock, J. Michael Sharon, Buddy McCoy and Wes Day. They’ve all done a great job,” he said. “Senior Matt Wilks is going to be used mostly for relief pitching. He’s done a great job so far.

“B.J. Hays is going to come in off the bench to pinch hit or get a key bunt at times.

“That’s going to be his role this year. It’s a crucial part of the game that when someone is struggling, he can come in. I expect B.J. to do that and I think he can, by him being a senior and knowing his role.

“I’m extremely happy with the way everyone has accepted their roles, but we still have positions open. We still have some people who are hungry and want those positions and that’s a good thing.

“We need that competition. We need someone to keep pushing. We don’t need someone saying, ‘This is my position,’ and they’re satisfied.

“Things can change.

“You never know what can happen,” Timmerman said. “Probably, whoever steps up and hits the ball will get the position.”

So far, the lineup has Sharon batting first and playing second base; junior pitcher Doug Tosh, (depending on who starts); Coppock at shortstop/pitcher; Ozment, center field; Jeremy Denoya, junior, first base; McCoy, catcher; juniors Ryan Hess, Kyle Soutter or Aaron Jones, right field;. Day or junior Josh Kelly, third base; and junior Casey Rowe in left field.

“But, we’re looking forward to the season. We’ve been working hard and we’re optimistic.”

The Wildcats travel to Enid Thursday, host Choctaw Friday in the home opener, then Newkirk comes to Ponca City Saturday at 1 p.m.

They are trying to move Saturday’s game back to 3 p.m. to allow for the rescheduled Super Wildcat training camp.

The Wildcats play Perry Monday, then begin conference play Tuesday when Sand Springs comes here at 4 p.m., followed by a freshman game at 6 p.m.

“So there’s four games were capable of winning before we start conference play and get us off to a good start,” Timmerman said. “This game against Enid is going to be crucial.”

Jim Sharon and Stoney Parks are assistant coaches. Parks also coaches the sophomore and freshman teams. Jonathan Hopkins is the junior varsity coach.

“You couldn’t ask for better assistant coaches,” Timmerman said.

Note for Super Wildcats

Depending upon the weather, the plan is to begin the clinic at 9 a.m. as scheduled.

The Newkirk Lady Tigers are still playing basketball, so Newkirk is reluctant to change the game time from 1 p.m.

The clinic will stop for lunch and the game, then finish afterward.

Super Wildcats who are pre-registered can pick up their T-shirts at the gate during the Choctaw game on Friday.

OU Moves On; OSU Hopeful

By OWEN CANFIELD

AP Sports Writer

NORMAN. (AP) — Left with no option, No. 17 Oklahoma is moving on without dismissed point guard J.R. Raymond.

But before going forward, the players took a quick look back to get a shot of confidence heading into the final week of the regular season.

“For the last 10 games he’s been our leading scorer and our floor leader, so obviously it’s going to be hard without him,” guard Nolan Johnson said. “But we were 11-1 when he wasn’t playing good.

“We just have to find the same type of chemistry we had when we were 11-1 and go on from there.”

Raymond, dismissed by coach Kelvin Sampson on Sunday for breaking an undisclosed team rule, struggled early in the season. With Hollis Price at point guard, Oklahoma won 11 of its first 12 games before starting 1-3 in Big 12 play.

Sampson then moved Raymond to point guard, and Raymond flourished. In the 10 conference games after the move, he averaged 18 points per game and Oklahoma went 9-1.

The Sooners are 21-6, 10-4 in league play entering Wednesday night’s game against Colorado.

“Hollis was our starting point guard at the end of last year and beginning of this year,” reserve guard Tim Heskett said. “We were 11-1 at the beginning of the year with him at the point guard. We’ve got someone that can take it over that’s used to playing that position.”

Sampson said the Sooners, with two victories this week, have a chance to win or tie for the conference title. He said regardless of how things turn out, no excuses will be made.

“It’s unfortunate that we had to be in a position to make this decision, but the decision’s made, and our goal is to continue to play and play well,” he said. “We’ve got a chance to get to 22 wins and 11 conference wins Wednesday night, and our focus is on that.”

Oklahoma lost 68-60 at Maryland on Saturday without Raymond. His dismissal leaves a significant hole in the lineup, one that could affect the Sooners’ chances in the Big 12 and NCAA tournaments.

Kelley Newton, now a starter as a result of the lineup change, said the team hopes to prove skeptics wrong.

“When we started out the conference 1-3, everybody was kind of pushing us to the wayside then. We as a team rallied together and stepped up, and now look at us,” he said.

“This is just another opportunity for the team to come closer together and bond and stay together so we can rise again.”

Oklahoma State is approaching its game with Baylor on Wednesday as another opportunity to impress the NCAA tournament committee. The Cowboys, hoping for an at-large bid, improved to 18-7 by beating Texas Tech 66-58 on Monday night.

Coach Eddie Sutton said a loss Monday likely would have required the Cowboys to make a strong showing the Big 12 Tournament to get an NCAA invitation.

“At least by winning we kept the momentum going,” said Sutton, whose team has won four of five. “If we could get the one Wednesday night, then we’d have 10 conference wins and have 19 wins (overall), and at least you’ve made some progress.”

Three Former Cat Wrestlers Due Honors

Three former Wildcat wrestler will be inducted into the Ponca City Takedown Club Hall of Fame during the annual high school wrestling banquet Thursday.

The banquet will be held in the Ponca City High School Commons, starting at 6 p.m. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under.

The Hall of Fame inductees are the late Gene Nicks, Dick Beattie and Gordon Stangeland.

Nicks was a two-time state high school champion wrestler, in 1948 and 1950, at heavyweight.

He continued his wrestling career at Oklahoma State where he was a national champion in 1952 and 1954. He was the national runner-up in 1953.

The Conoco, Inc., chemist died in 1985.

Beattie was a state high school champion in 1952 at 148 pounds.

He also wrestled at OSU where he was a Big Eight champion in 1958 and 1959. He was also an NCAA national champion both years.

Beattie was a member of the 1956 Olympic team in Melbourne, Australia and became and international freestyle referee.

He has been inducted into the Helms Wrestling Hall of Fame.

Beattie currently lives in Grandview.

Stangeland lettered at Po-Hi in football and wrestling. He was the captain of the wrestling team in 1947.

He played football for Northern Oklahoma College, attended Bethany Nazarene College and received his Masters Degree at OSU before returning to Ponca City as a teacher and coach.

He was an assistant coach to Grady Peninger and served as head wrestling coach from 1960 to 1963

Stangeland was the high school cross country coach for a number of years as well as being the track coach and assistant coach in football.

He retired from coaching in 1994

NOC Sophs Due Honor Thursday

TONKAWA — Denise Jake of Red Rock is among 16 Northern Oklahoma College-Tonkawa sophomore athletes to be honored at an autograph party following the Þnal home basketball game against Seminole State College Thursday, March 1 in Foster-Piper Fieldhouse.

Players will autograph their individual game posters, programs or other souvenirs for fans in the East Gym. Parents of the sophomore athletes will be recognized at the game, designated as Parents’ Night.

Jake graduated from Frontier High School where she played for Coach Greg Jackson. Her high school sports honors included State Tournament, Second Team All-Tournament, Eastern Oklahoma All-Region Team, North Central River Valley All-Conference three years, Morrison All-Tournament Team, Stillwater All-Area two years and Otoe-Missouria Outstanding Basketball Player. Other school honors included membership in the National Honor Society, All-American Scholar and President’s Education Award.

In her freshman year at Northern, she averaged 4.2 points, 2.9 assists and 1.5 steals per game.

According to Lady Mavs Coach Greg Krause, “Denise is an outstanding athlete. She loves basketball and it shows every day in practice. She is a pleasure to work with.”

Jake is the daughter of Deborah Jake and Phillip Jake. A criminal justice major, she is listed on the dean’s honor roll and is active in the college Fellowship of Christian Athletes chapter.