From The Pages Of The Ponca City News, Sunday, February
16, 1997
LOCAL
Blackwell Man Killed in Wreck Near Tonkawa
Reserve Unit Receives Official Welcome Home
Workers' Comp, Right-to-Work Draw Attention During Forum
Community Concert Renewals Solicited
Traffic Stops Most Common Interaction for Police, Public
Spay Day USA Helps Prevent Unwanted Pets
'Dance for Heart' Party Next Sunday at Legion
Attention Deficit Disorder To Be Topic of Seminar
'Retired' Director Stays Busy With Variety of Theater Events
'Noises Off' Promises Laughs
Dog Obedience Spring Classes Begin Monday
Edwin Fair Prize Goes to Editor Of Newsletter
Multiple Sclerosis Support Group Meets Monday
Frontier's FFA Plans Big Week
Letters Say:
City Calendar
Chamber News
PC Police Arrest Suspect As Accessory to Homicide
School Menu
Muegge Pleased To Sidetrack Right-To-Work
Pipeline Work To Close Streets
County Plans Bid Openings
Two More Counselors Certified As Early Settlement Mediators
Dolan Bayless Accepts Work With Church in Lake Jackson
School Calendar
Horinek Tabbed To Continue Board Service
DEATHS
Emma Willment Plunkett
Services Pending
Paul E. Andrews Jr.
Funerals
Phyllis I. Hooten
Christine Rosemary Haymond
NEWS BRIEFS
LIFESTYLES
Garden Club Council Lists Future Plans
Wes Rice: Truly A Man For All Seasonings
Better Breather's SJRMC Group New Organization
Stained Glass Program Given For Church CWF
MOPS Meeting Marks Beginning Of New Group
Christian Women's Club Planning 'Time for a Change' Lunch Event
Mozart Music Club Showcase Set for Feb. 23
Patterson Honored At Party
Brass Rubbings Topic For Unit II Program
Women of the Bible Topic for Meeting
Toni Pontius Is Bride-Elect
Xi Beta Tau Hears Reports, Slates Events
Pair Planning April Vows
PCHSAA Is Resource For Reunion
Perry Chamber Sponsors Bridal Fair on February 23
Homemakers Donate Money To Helmet Fund
Little News
Couple Will Marry March 1
State Quilters Workshop Set For April 4-6
Wheatheart Nutrition
Miriam Class Meets
Party For Former Residents
Ponca City Library Director Will Review Book For DAR Meeting
Lee Ann Graham Engaged
Germans From Russia Scheduling Workshop
Naturalist Speaks To Gardeners
Couple Marries in Shidler Baptist Church Ceremony
Shelly King Is Bride-To-Be
Happenings
Singles Network Lists Schedule
SPORTS
Owasso 61, Ponca City 30: Shorthanded Wildcats Skinned
Owasso Shuts Down PC Girls
Pokes Pop OU Wrestlers
Bowling News: Miner, Penka All-Events Winners
Sports Notes
Junior High Sports Update
City Basketball
A Blackwell man died at the scene of an accident one mile east and 3.75 miles north of Tonkawa on U.S. 177 early Saturday.
Charles Leroy Fergeson, 36, was northbound in a 1990 Chevrolet pickup at 2:25 a.m. when he apparently ran off the east side of the road, over corrected, crossed the roadway and ran into a ditch before overturning three times, according to the investigation of Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper Ty Hendren. The victim was ejected 35 feet.
Fergeson was found dead at the scene from head and internal injuries. The report also revealed that Fergeson could have been driving under the influence and was not wearing his seat belt when the accident occurred.
Tonkawa Police and the Kay County Sheriff's Department assisted with the investigation.
A group of Ponca City Army Reservists who spent more than eight months on active duty supporting American efforts in Bosnia will celebrate their return home with a ceremony at their headquarters this morning.
Brig. Gen. Stephen D. Livingston, commander of the 90th Regional Support Group, will be the featured speaker at the ceremony welcoming home the 29 reservists from the 381st Replacement Battalion who served on the mission.
The ceremony begins at 10 a.m. and is open to the public.
The unit was called to active duty last April and reported to Fort Benning, Ga., to perform personnel processing of soldiers being sent to Bosnia. After more than eight months of duty, the group was released from active duty on Jan. 13.
By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE
News Business Editor
A funny thing did not happen at the forum - the Second Friday Forum that is - featuring three area legislators here Friday at Pioneer Area Technology Center.
The session - starring Sen. Paul Muegge, D-Tonkawa, Rep. Jim Reese, R-Deer Creek, and Rep. Jim Newport, R-Ponca City - had a large, attentive and intense audience. Represented in the crowd were industry, business, medical and academic communities, municipalities and utilities.
Sponsored by the Legislative Review Committee of the Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce, the spotlight was on workers' comp. Additionally right-to-work had its place on stage.
Reese and Newport have indicated support for the Fallin Commission legislation, while Muegge was the target of comments and questions on the matter.
A 28-member delegation from the municipality, business, industry and others called on the Tonkawa senator at the capitol recently to show support for the proposed workers comp reform.
They were requesting that he sign on as a co-author. At that time Muegge declined saying he had just got the bill and hadn't read it. He said because he didn't commit didn't mean he was against the reform.
Among those speaking for right-to-work and workers' comp legislation was Jerry Evans, president of Evans and Associates Construction. Muegge had suggested a forum devoted to right-to-work and Evans agreed and asked for a date to be set.
Larry Felix, chairman of the Chamber, said the Chamber would take the lead and be getting the information to members and the public as to when the forum would take place.
On right-to-work, Muegge said he did not believe there would be a big economic boom if Oklahoma passed right-to-work. "I feel like the right-to-work issue boils down to one thing. It takes away the rights of individuals to join together in an organization - a union - and stand for what the believe in and work for a common cause."
Newport said he is for an initiative petition for right-to-work.
Another community member speaking on workers' comp, Clark Nickles of Nickles Machine, told that the firm has companies in Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas. He said the workers comp rates in Oklahoma are 93 percent more here. Nickles, who served on the Fallin Commission, spoke for Senate Bill 730, said, "We need this and Oklahoma needs it."
On another issue J.H. Dannenmaier, citizen, asked the state legislators why there has been no adjustment on deductions on state taxes to keep up the federal deductions.
None of the three legislators seemed to be knowledgeable on the subject and Dannenmaier said he found it appalling that three elected officials could be so uniformed about state taxes that affected every member of their constituents.
Dannenmaier explained to The News, "The Oklahoma standard deduction is $1,000 per person or 15 percent of the Oklahoma adjusted income, but not to exceed a thousand dollars. This has not changed in years.
"The federal income tax exemptions and deductions have advanced each year. So that now the federal exemption is $2,550 per person. The standard federal deduction has also risen. If you take the federal standard deduction instead of itemizing then you must take this very small Oklahoma standard deduction."
He added, "There comes a time when you can itemize your deductions for the federal income tax and they will not exceed the federal standard deduction. You can elect to take that smaller deduction and pay a slightly higher federal income tax because you can use that itemized deduction on your state income tax and you will save more on your state income tax than the additional you pay on your federal income tax."
At the beginning of the forum each legislator is allowed 10 minutes to take about current legislation and projects. Rep. Reese talked about the proposed $750 million lease back road building program. Reese also mentioned his bill providing the Internet to all school systems.
Muegge paid tribute to the late Dr. Francis Tuttle, founder of the Oklahoma vo-tech system, talked about lots of people being at the capitol including students, livestock organizations and workers comp delegations. On workers' comp, Muegge said he didn't think "we should accept something just because it was dropped in the hopper."
The senator spoke about the deregulation of utilities and how important that is to both Ponca City and Tonkawa, because they own their utility systems. He also talked about the so called "swine legislation," and mega farms. He said there is a legislative task force study under way on this matter. He noted that this is fastest growing product going into the international market.
Newport, the freshman representative, told about bill he had authored that had come out of committee on sentencing juveniles on the local level. He said Municipal Judge John Northcutt had brought he problem to him. Newport also told that he is working on legislation to reimburse the city and police transferring patients to state mental hospitals.
Another project is to allow relatives that do not have children to pass their estate to other relatives, such as nieces and nephews, without the estate being liable for large taxes.
Ponca City Community Concert Association volunteers mailed out letters this week to 1996 members to remind that early renewal of membership for the 1997-97 season allows a discount on the 1997 membership rates.
Members renewing for the 1997-98 year before March 1, will be eligible for an approximate 10 percent reduction in annual dues according to Kay Sahai, publicity chairman.
Early-bird paid memberships are discounted to $22 for adult memberships, $11 for student memberships, and $55 for family memberships, and $33 for single parent family memberships.
Four concerts are scheduled for the 1997-98 season and include the Tony Award winning talents of two of Broadway's most gifted performers, Michael Maguire and Debbie Shapiro Gravitte. The two will present an evening of popular music written for the Broadway stage in "Direct from Broadway." Ponca City native, Lara Teeter will direct the exciting Broadway musical show.
"Gershwin and Friends" will be performed by world-acclaimed Ralph Markham and Kenneth Broadway, duo-pianists. The program knits together Gershwin's music with three of his favorite composers, Bach, Debussy and Liszt. The two men have become one of the finest duo-piano teams playing in the world today.
The third concert is the "Antal Szalai's Gypsy Orchestra," a 13-member orchestra devoted to maintaining Hungary's national tradition in folk music. All performers are gypsies themselves and belong to a folk group within the Hungarian army. All are graduates of the Bela Bartok Conservatory and many will play original peasant instruments to present the "soul of the wandering Gypsy," concert.
The next concert will be presented by a veteran touring trio of young men who call themselves, The Vancouver Wind Trio. The young men will perform with English horn, bass clarinet, contra bassoon, basset horn, E-flat clarinet and MIDI saxophones, providing an astonishing variety of sounds from the ensemble. The trio's wide repertoire includes popular works from Mozart and Tchaikovsky, exciting Romanian pieces from Bartok and Enescu, operatic selections from Verdi and strains of Gershwin and Joplin.
The annual membership drive for the Ponca City Community Concert Association will be held March 24-April 4. The drive will provide an opportunity for new members and those who did not take advantage of the early discount enrollment to enjoy the 1997-97 concerts.
Members who want to take advantage of the early enrollment discount may mail membership dues and information to Community Concert Association, c/o Mrs. Gerald Nield, 837 Edgewood, Ponca City, OK 74604. Please include name address, phone, and type of membership (adult, student, family).
For more information call 762-5156.
By LAURA TREADWAY
News Staff Writer
Despite what the community thinks, Ponca City patrolmen do not write traffic tickets to create additional revenue for the city.
However, it is true that most interaction with the police department occurs during a traffic stop, according to Ponca City patrolman Randy Stoddard.
He said aggressive traffic enforcement is required to provide a safe and orderly flow of traffic. In addition, the department stresses both officer safety and courteous service during these stops.
Deterring violators, detecting and apprehending violators, observing and reporting traffic conditions as well as observing road conditions and viewing obstructions are handled while an officer is on patrol. Officers also provide public services and handle emergencies.
Stoddard confirmed that speeding is the No. 1 traffic problem in Ponca City. Current radar beams can pick up more than one vehicle at a time, from a distance up to 1.5 miles away. If an officer is stationery, the radar can detect speeders from both directions, he confirmed.
"If we can see you, we can get you," said Stoddard. "The main problem with speeding is we have to go faster to pick the speeder up. Not only is he causing a problem, but we cause a problem by speeding up," he said.
Also, it is up to each officer, whether or not to set up a speed trap. Officers often follow up when residents complain of speeders in their area. Speeding in school zones is taken very seriously. Additionally, fines for speeding in these zones are higher, he verified.
Since officers never know who they are stopping, patrolmen must exercise safety measures and policies during a stop.
In contacting a violator, the officer will first ask for a license and insurance verification. The violator will be informed of the infraction and have the choice to pay the ticket or appear in court.
Once the citation is presented, the officer looks for suspicious activity before terminating the contact. Then, the violator is asked to sign the traffic citation as a promise to appear, in lieu of arrest. The law requires a violator be taken into custody for refusing to sign the ticket, according to Stoddard.
Furthermore, a traffic stop can end in an arrest if the violator is in actual physical control of a vehicle while drinking, driving under the influence, driving under suspension and reckless driving.
In the event of an arrest, the vehicle is impounded and the officer will perform an inventory on the contents of the vehicle to protect them from liability.
The Doris Day Animal League has designated Feb. 25 as Spay Day USA Across America.
In the past two years, this event has resulted in an additional 79,000 cats and dogs being altered. What a tremendous step in avoiding pet overpopulation.
This year the Ponca City Humane Society will participate in this program in conjunction with a grant from Conoco. Forty certificates will pay the first $25 of the spaying or neutering of a cat or dog, at one of the local veterinarians. Certificates will be issued on a first come, first served basis and may be claimed at the Ponca City Humane Society Shelter, 900 West Prospect Avenue, beginning at 10 a.m. Feb. 25.
The Humane Society of the United States has traditionally had its "Be a P.A.L. - Prevent a Litter Month" campaign in April. However, it has been changed to February to coincide with Spay Day USA - 1997.
Getting companion animals altered is the most efficient way to reduce the large numbers of unwanted animals coming into shelters throughout the country. Please do your part to help this problem. In addition to not contributing to the pet population, spaying or neutering your pet has health and behavioral benefits.
Spayed or neutered pets live longer and healthier lives, are less aggressive and less likely to wander. A calmer pet makes a more loving companion for your family. Spaying or neutering your pets also reduces their chance of suffering from cancer later in life.
Members of the North Central Square Dance District clubs have invited area square dancers and anyone interested in square dancing to attend the "Dance for Heart" party at the American Legion building, 407 West south Avenue, 2-4:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 23.
Non-dancers are encouraged to come and watch, support the Heart Fund drive, try the line dancing, join in the silent auction for several nice prizes and enjoy the refreshments.
According to Don and Cham Crawford, spokespersons for the NCSDD dance group, all proceeds will be donated to the American Heart Association for research in heart and cardiovascular disease, supplies to local patients, and educational materials.
Callers for the dances will be Dick Manning, Oklahoma City and Dave Johnson, Tulsa. In addition to the squares, the two men will also be calling some line dances, where non square-dancers may also participate.
Clubs in the North Central Square Dance District include the Wagon Wheels of Stillwater, Pioneer Squares and Chikaskia Valley clubs of Ponca City and the Kaws and Squaws of Kaw City.
According to Don Crawford, NCSDD has participated in the American Heart Fund "Dance for Heart" program for several years, except last year when the group donated the $700 in funds raised at the dance to help with medical expenses for a fellow square dancer.
"This is a fun way to raise money for an important cause. Everybody has a good time and its good clean family fun for everyone," he said.
Admission to the dance is a donation to the American Heart Fund drive.
"The diagnosis and Treatment of Attention Deficit Disorder" free seminar will be presented Monday evening at the Pioneer Technology Center.
The seminar is open to the public and will begin at 6:30 p.m.
Thunder Canyon counseling Center in Ponca City, beginning it's second year of operation in Ponca City, will sponsor the seminar.
Mark Davis, clinical director for Thunder Canyon said, "We are excited to offer this seminar to the citizens of Ponca City. It will be both informative and useful to parents, teachers and those who are struggling with the 'symptoms of the disorder."
Presenters of the seminar will include Julane Taylor, M. Ed, and Kenny James, M.S., both of whom have experience in working with ADD.
Thunder Canyon Counseling Center offers several counseling services including assessment of ADD, individual, marital, career, group, and family counseling. Most insurances are accepted. A sliding scale fee is utilized for individuals who do not have insurance coverage.
For more information about the programs and services offered by Thunder Canyon, the public is encouraged to call the central office at 1-800-820-2276. The Ponca City office is located at 1914 Lake Road.
Dr. Nancy Vunovich, director of the upcoming Ponca Playhouse production of "Noises Off," though retired, admits she is happiest when working on a theater project of some kind, and that seems to be a constant in her busy life.
Vunovich, who retired as theater professor from the University of Tulsa several years ago and moved to Ponca City, admits that one of her major reasons for doing so was the opportunity to work with a community theater rather than an academic theater.
"It was a new venue for me, and one that I've really enjoyed since living in Ponca," she said, "although I keep my hand in as many areas of theater as I can."
In January, before starting rehearsals for "Noises Off," Dr. Vunovich spent a week in Las Vegas at the National Senior Adult Theatre Festival, where 20 senior theater groups held workshops and performances.
"It's a very new national organization, and I was amazed to discover more than 600 people - many of them involved for the first time - having a great deal of fun in performance activities, acting, singing, storytelling. I would love to get a group together here in Ponca. In fact that's near the top of my project list right now."
Vunovich's next project is acting in a brand-new, prize-winning play for the University of Kansas. "Abide With Me," winner of the first Great Plains play contest, is being produced at KU in April and features several alumni actors who will work with current students.
The humorous-but-touching drama touches on characters who must learn to celebrate all of life's difficulties, and is set in a small town in Kansas.
"I'm playing an old hymn-singing widow who finds new love late in life," she says, "and the playwright will be working hand in glove with the actors and director - a great project!"
Also in March, she'll be perform in Eureka Springs, Ark., for the 25th Tulsa University Mystery weekend, where she plays a 1882 woman judge, raised by the Indians and "tough as nails."
After Arkansas, it's off to Colorado, and her vacation home, where she may be working again with the Creede Repertory Theatre acting in "Forever Patsy Cline," this summer.
"Of course, my current project, 'Noises Off,' is what interests me most at the moment. I wanted to direct this show because it presents such a challenge - not only to the actors and designers, but to the director as well. I really felt that some Ponca City talents were ready for the challenge - and boy, have they come through!"
Ticket information for both Ponca Playhouse members and non-members for "Noises Off" to be presented Feb. 21, 24, 28, and March 1 at the Poncan Theatre, is available by calling 765-5360.
Ponca Playhouse continues its season of "must see theater" Feb. 21 when Michael Frayn's "Noises Off" opens at the Poncan Theatre.
Directed by Nancy Vunovich, this side-splitting farce features a diverse cast of seasoned and new playhouse actors. The show concerns a play being staged and all the oddities associated with the production onstage and off.
Playing the beleaguered director of the show is veteran David May. His stage managing girlfriend is depicted by Tari Carbaugh. Playhouse newcomer Josh Sroufe portrays the young assistant stage manager who gets to fill the inherent holes.
Ruslyn Hermanson's character not only is the leading lady, she's bankrolling the show. Kent Carbaugh just happens to be her lover and in the show, too. David Hart returns to the stage playing the dashing leading man in the "show."
Lori May's role is the featherbrained actress. C.R. Rupert appears as the old character actor who hears too little and drinks too much. Rounding out the cast is Karen Rivers as the competent female thespian who has all the answers.
Members can reserve their seats starting Monday by calling 765-5360. Those interested in being a member can also call. Show dates include Feb. 21, 22, 28 and March 1 at 8 p.m. The Sunday matinee Feb. 23 is at 2 p.m. Corporate sponsors for "Noises Off" are Thorn Apple Valley and Mid-America Fence and Door Company.
Spring obedience classes taught by the Kay-9 Dog Training Club of Ponca City will begin Monday, at the South Avenue National Guard Armory. Registration and orientation will be held from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Dogs are not invited to this session.
Trained instructors will inform the owners how to train themselves and their dogs. Owners will learn to give praise, have a positive attitude and tone of voice, give proper enthusiastic commands, get to know the dog better and have fun.
Also, dogs will learn to socialize with other dogs and people while remaining at the owner's side. They will be taught to stay quiet and non-aggressive.
In addition, dogs will sit, stay, come when called, walk in heel position and about-turn. Most importantly, the dog will love its owner for making him responsible and giving him purpose.
Renowned author Robert F. Jones is quoted as saying, "The secrets of successful training are really quite simple. You must be patient, repeating the lessons over and over until they become second nature to the pup. Whenever the pup does well, reward him with praise. Dogs are very sensitive to tones of voice "
The fun and informative classes will be held in a controlled environment indoors at the Armory.
The Kay-9 Dog Training Club is a non-profit organization. A $40 registration fee covers equipment, materials, education of instructors and apprentices, providing public service and paying other club expenses.
Instructors are not paid for teaching. Interested dog owners should come to meetings held the first Thursday of each month.
All dogs must have proof of current vaccination, before participating in the class. Since dogs of any age can benefit, there is no age limit.
Applications may be picked up from local veterinarians or by calling Ruth Daugherty at 762-5690 or Mary Garrison at 762-7360.
Robert J. Hefley, executive director, recently announced the selection of Linda Coats as Employee-of-the-Quarter for the fourth quarter of 1996 at the Edwin Fair Community Mental Health Center, Inc.
For this award, an employee is chosen by fellow employees for an outstanding contribution to the Center during the previous quarter. The employee is presented a cash award of $100 and a plaque at the monthly board meeting. The employee's name is also added to the traveling plaque.
Coats' nomination for this award was based on her efforts in publishing the Edwin Fair Center's newsletter called "The Crosswinds.". The newsletter is published each month.
Her nominator said, "Linda has taken on this job when no one else wanted it and she continues to see it through faithfully each month. The newsletter provides an important linkage between all Edwin Fair Center locations in the five counties served by the organization".
Coats, an employee of Edwin Fair Center since 1993, is administrative secretary at the administrative offices in Ponca City. She has two children, Le Coats of Ponca City and Becky Hull of Yukon, and is also grandmother to Cortney and Mackenzie Hull.
The Ponca City Area Multiple Sclerosis Support Group will meet Monday at 6:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall of Albright United Methodist Church, 128 South Palm.
The group will be viewing a video entitled "The Doctor Is In Multiple Sclerosis." This video points up the fact that multiple sclerosis hits like a thief in the night, affecting young adults when least expected, mostly women - pregnant women, newly married women, women in the time they are making lifelong decisions.
Discussing the subject will be Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center Neurologist Alexander Reeves, Researcher Lloyd Kasper, Ron Dahley, director of the New Hampshire Chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation.
The Ponca City group is affiliated with the Oklahoma Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. For information, please call Beth Wright, 765-6738.
FFA Week at Frontier School will feature many fun-filled activities, according to Heath Harmon, chapter reporter.
FFA Week is Monday through Saturday and concludes with a barbecue dinner Saturday at the local show. The meal is free but donations will be accepted.
In addition to the local show, the chapter members will participate in bowling and a pizza party.
FFA members are also sponsoring a coloring contest for elementary students and a teacher appreciation day.
Also under way are the annual Blue & Gold sausage, chicken and hamburger sale.
Editor, The News:
This is my response to the EDF letter in the News on Jan. 26. I want to thank the EDF board of directors for publishing the letter although it questioned the accuracy of statements I made in my announcement for city commissioner on Jan. 22. First, as my friends jokingly point out, it is the only occasion my name has appeared 10 times in one issue of the newspaper. Most importantly, it ensures that public discussion of the affairs of EDF will continue until firm action is taken to redefine its image, policies, and attitudes.
I want to point out some facts that were not mentioned in my letter and explain why EDF is a "loose cannon."
1. EDF quarrels with my interpretation of their budget which includes $96,000 annually in salary and benefits for the executive director. Since my announcement I have learned, and EDF failed to tell you, that he also had 24-hour unlimited use of a rental car which is budgeted at $6,500 per year. His total package is $102,500-plus. (See EDF 1996-1997 budget).
2. In March 1996, EDF considered abandoning compliance with the Oklahoma Open Meeting Laws and the Open Records Act. These laws reflect the public policy that citizens have the inherent right to know and be fully informed about their government. The language is very simple and understandable when it says these laws apply to any " advisory group supported in whole or in part by public funds." Adverse public reaction forced EDF to abandon the idea. Adopting the suggestion would have closed the door on the public's right to inspect EDF's budget, minutes of meetings, and expenditures. (See Ponca City News, March 24, 1996).
3. The sales tax election failed even though it was orchestrated by Larry Wood (not to be confused with Don Wood, the executive director who recently resigned), a hired political consultant from Oklahoma City. Misinformation was advertised as fact. There was no concrete plan for spending $5 million in public money. The plight of local businesses caught in the financial struggle between Thorn Apple Valley and its general contractor was ignored.
4. After the election EDF's executive director attributed the defeat to ''retirees'' whom he said always vote against taxes and growth. Ex-commissioner Bill McCann publicly criticized this statement at an EDF meeting. However, there was no apology, no retraction, no recognition of the insensitivity the statement displayed. Personally, I respect the wisdom, character and intellect of my retired friends. They were intuitively right about the issue and ought to be thanked. (See Ponca City News, Oct. 29, 1996).
5. A specific example of conflict of interest occurred at the Jan. 16, 1997 meeting of EDF. With the help of EDF, the city collateralized a loan to a startup business which was financed by a local bank. The collateral was the Whirlpool Industrial Site which had been improved by taxpayer money with sewer lines and utilities. When the business was not able to pay the loan, it came to EDF for an extension of the collateral agreement. Three members of EDF are also members of the local bank's board of directors. Two of the three failed to disqualify themselves from the discussion or voting. (See Ponca City News, Jan. 17, 1997).
6. Another conflict of interest was reported in the March 24, 1996, edition of The News. A company called ADSPEC sought incentives from the City. The application was rejected, but during the discussion it was learned that a board of directors member and the executive director owned an interest in the company. Do you wonder why people are suspicious?
7. It is very difficult to assess the true value of the past work of EDF. How many citizens are aware that public money paid a $180,000 broker fee to Larry Toombs of Jones, Okla., for introducing Thorn Apple Valley to Ponca City? Was TAV handed to us on a silver platter? Why wasn't this disclosed to the public? (See EDF/Toombs contract dated Dec. 14. 1993).
8. EDF says the statements in my announcement breed "doubt and mistrust in people's minds." It was already there. EDF has tried to avoid disclosure of its affairs, has put a spin on its activities, and has sugar coated its programs. As an example, consider the statement in its minutes of Dec. 16, 1993. Under the heading "Poncans For Jobs" is the following: "There is some concern as to the price of hiring consultant Larry Wood [the political consultant from OKC]. To field any questions it can be explained that he was hired as our communications consultant and that is his area of expertise."
I do not want to characterize the motives of the EDF board members. I respect any man or woman who accepts the responsibility of public service. However, appointment to a public body or acting in a volunteer or elected capacity does not immunize their own opinions from criticism. It does not render their opinions superior to those of the average citizen. Instead it requires that they accept the duty of public accountability while working for a better community. This includes the duty to respectfully listen to the opinions of others, to admit mistakes, and to work painstakingly to keep the public informed. Our citizens are perfectly capable of evaluating all the facts.
Lastly, where has the city commission been during the turmoil? Why haven't we heard from them? (Except Commissioner Stone who apparently supported EDF by signing the letter criticizing my statements). I believe EDF should be an advisory board under direct city control. No member of the city commission should have a seat on it, and all expenses should have direct approval of the commission. Anyone with an interest in the outcome should be removed from discussion or voting. It's time for a change.
(Copies of The Ponca City News articles are on microfiche in the genealogy room of the library. Newspaper articles for the last eight months are also available on the Internet at http://www.poncacitynews.com. Copies of the EDF budget and other documents referred to in this letter are available at no charge at my office.)
Tom Leonard
Editor, The News:
I am an American Indian male in my late 30s. I grew up here as a child, so I believe that I do have a valid point of view. I believe that there has always been a feeling of resentment towards Indians in this town. There are signs that say we wish you were not here. I firmly believe that the citizens of Ponca wished that they did not have to deal with us. That if they ignore us long enough maybe we will go away, that our concerns are not their concerns. Isn't it ironic that the Ponca's were forced to move here and that the town was named after them, yet if you look for any public information about them its hard to find. What Does the Tourism Bureau know about the Poncas today? Do you think they know the name of a stick-ball game that's played every spring by the Poncas for the past couple of centuries, and that they could probably come watch it if they wanted to for free and would be welcomed?
What about for example, Highway 177 South. All other roads leading into Ponca have reduced speeds of 55 mph or less except this one. This highway has grown in use. Hundreds travel it daily getting to and from Stillwater, Tulsa and Okla City or Bingo. I personally believe it is the most heavily traveled road leading into Ponca City with the exception of I- 35. If you come in from any other direction you will find reduced speed limits posted because of safety for the people in that area. Yet if you go south right outside the city limits it reads 65 and people will usually go 70 mph if they can. We have businesses, churches, organizations and homes all along that 5 mile stretch of land:. A couple of thousand people either work or live here. How many lives must be lost before something is done. Your indifference says we wish you were not here, it's a sign. Oh you could say its the state's responsibility and the state could say it's the county's job and the buck could be passed on and on. What voice do Indians have in any of this. How many Indian are on civic or state committees, chambers or councils? Our exemption from these groups indicates that you don't care.
Our education is another issue. I was told recently by a tribal employee that our drop-out rate is probably one of the highest in the state. Example given was 12 Indian children start school and enroll into kindergarten when its time to graduate from High School only two will be there. What happened to the 10 other students? I'm sure they all had dreams and ambitions for the future. Are we destined to fail? Are we just a bunch of quitters unable to cope with mainstream America? would you have us standing outside stores asking for change? I think not, nor do we want to. But your indifference to this situation is a big sign saying that if we look the other way the problem will go away.
Look at where you dump your trash, right next to one of the oldest cemeteries in the county. Indians have been buried there for more than 80 years. When a strong north wind blows, trash goes all over our loved ones' graves. Your lack of concern says that you can tolerate us but that's about it, another sign.
Look at those stupid bus stop benches all over town. They were not made to be used as benches to sit and rest upon; advertising seems to be the real use for them. If you travel 177 south more often than not you see an Indian or two standing by the roadside looking for a ride. Do you think somebody would have said let's put a bench there? Indifference, its a sign.
So you build a big statue and invite the governor and other politicians, the mayor and many others. Good optimistic words were spoken and backs are patted with a round of congratulations given to all. There was no mention of the economic plight of the local Indians, the environmental hazards that Indian people live under. The Standing Bear Committee received great credit and mostly deserving, however how many young Indian people were on that committee, none. Did you know that over 50 percent of the total population of American Indians today are under the age of 30. That we are a young nation and the Poncas are no exception. There are more young people than there are elders, yet you continue to ignore the fact that it is the youth who you are going to have to deal with on a daily basis. How many young Indian couples or individuals does Ponca City have on any committee, organization or club? Probably none. You stay out of touch with their concerns by doing this.
These are just a few of the signs that I see here in Ponca City. I believe Carter Camp was right in his recent article that stated there are things wrong and the people are frustrated. Its just a good thing that we are mostly apathetic and have given up raising cane over issues. My concerns are not political, I believe that we are governed by the people that we vote for and we get what we deserve in doing so. I was told by a non-Indian co-worker not long ago that she was raised all her life right here in Ponca City and that after getting to know Indians, she was ashamed of what she was told about Indians in this town. She was raised to be afraid and suspicious of all Indians. If you decide to publish this I want to thank you. I probably will not write again but these things have been on my mind for quite some time. I will as an individual continue to improve relations between our races by working for a living and going to church. I pray that you will too, and let's tear down those signs!
D. Howe
Editor, The News:
I never thought I would be writing a letter in hopes that it would be published for thousands of people to read it. But, as concerned parents, and there are many of them in this town, the action in our school system have got to be publicized. We all need to be informed that our school system does not tell all.
We attended a recent school board meeting and were so surprised at what we saw and heard, it was sickening. To think that we send our young children to school every day, believing our children are safe, and there is actually abuse, mentally and physically going on against teachers, good, caring teachers, that want to help our kids succeed in school and the future. But, as usual they are the ones that are put down by other teachers and the administration. How can we let this happen?
I watched teachers stand up and say all's well at school. How can that be true? I hope this will compel them to write letters so that we can all see them in the paper, and explain to us, if all is well, why is our dropout rate so high, and why are there so many students failing this year? These statistics need to be brought out at the next board meeting, which is Feb. 25.
I attended another meeting no too long ago. It was just a social club meeting, had nothing to do with school. We talked about everything from our toddlers to our graduating kids. One mother of a junior high student was asking why Ponca has such a high pregnancy rate.
But guess what? Half of the mothers that were at this meeting allow their 14 and 15-year-olds to date high school boys. Need I say any more? I think we know why we have so many pregnant girls by the time they are in high school. They have already done so much at such a young age, there, what's next?
We all need to wake up and stare the problem in the face. We, as parents owe this to our kids, to tell them what's right and what's wrong. That's why we are parents. They need to be told that it can happen to anyone. Not just your friend or your friend's friend. It can happen to anyone.
Too, there is money being funded to help these kids get an education, but yet nothing is being spent on helping the at risk kids, drug and alcohol abuse, fighting, etc. Maybe someone can clear this. we are being told there is money to help these kids, but it is being spent elsewhere? Can anyone clear this for us parents?
Another issue that was brought at the board meeting, and I did not understand why, is the local paper was put down for printing certain letter to the editor. I believe that every letter should be printed in The Ponca City News, as it looks like that is the best way to inform our parents of what's going on. I think our News does a great job.
Please, let's not sit back and watch our system go downhill. It's time to step in and voice our opinions. I had so much support in writing this letter, but no one else wanted to sign their names. They are afraid of what will happen to their kids in school if their name appears in the paper. Isn't that awful?
I want to see more letters from all these great parents we have in Ponca City. Don't be afraid, we are what our kids have, no one else is going to speak up for them. Thank you.
Lisa Pemberton
Items for the City Calendar should be brought in or telephoned (765-3311) to Bob Patterson, at the Ponca City News, by Thursday noon.
Anytime
Through February 28
Through February 22
Through March 2
Today
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Friday-Saturday
Saturday
February 23
February 24
February 25
February 26
February 27
February 28-March 1
March 1
March 4
March 8
March 9
March 11-12
March 15
March 16
Leadership Ponca City Update
The Leadership Ponca City class met Wednesday to learn about County Government and Public Relations/Media. The group met for the session at Pioneer Technology Center and also traveled to Newkirk.
After arriving in Newkirk, the class began its county government tour at the Kay County Department of Human Services. Carlan Kindred, director of the county DHS, highlighted the programs and services available to citizens of Kay County.
The class then moved to the Kay County Detention Facility and participated in a tour of the jail given by Sheriff Marion "Van" VanHoesen's officers. Many class members felt the tour was an eye-opening experience.
Leaving the detention center, the class walked the short distance to the Courthouse. Several county officials greeted the class as the members made their way to the second floor to meet with Jodie Frazier, coordinator for the Victim/Witness Program of Kay County. Frazier gave the group a short presentation describing the role she plays in working with and for victims and witnesses of crimes.
The class returned to Ponca City and Pioneer Technology Center to meet with George Schwarz, who has been the chairman of several successful political campaigns in Kay County. He gave class members a presentation about the "ins and outs" he has experienced while running political campaigns.
Lunch followed at the new "Personalities" restaurant at PTC. The restaurant is operated by students involved with PTC's Food Services program.
The Public Relations/Media portion of the day continued after lunch, with informational sessions given by Phil Turney, news director and station manager of WBBZ; Louise Abercrombie, business editor of The Ponca City News; Gael Hancock, of Hancock & Associates; and Lynn Hohensee, public relations director for Conoco's Mid-Continent Business Unit.
The class used the information they had learned about public relations to perform the highly-rated "media grill drill" where the class was divided into groups, given public relations scenarios and then responded to media "grilling."
A tour of The Ponca City News, given by Tom Muchmore, business manager, and Foster Johnson, managing editor, rounded out the days events.
The class spent the evening at the Ponca City Country Club, reflecting on the information they had received during the day.
Next Leadership Ponca City sessions is March 12, when they travel to Oklahoma City for State Government Day.
A 35-year-old Ponca City man was arrested Friday in connection with a homicide which occurred Jan. 14.
According to Sgt. Bob Stieber, the suspect was taken into custody as an accessory to the murder, after the fact. He is believed to have helped hide murder suspect Juan Carlos Alvarado Duarte. Detectives say he is also thought to have assisted the murder suspect in leaving town.
Stieber said the accessory suspect concealed information from detectives.
The accessory suspect remains at the Ponca City jail. The department expects a probable cause hearing to be held today. Charges will be read, a judge will determine if there is probable cause and bond will be set.
Once probable cause is determined, the subject will be taken to the Kay County Sheriff's Office, where he will be formally arraigned on Tuesday.
Ponca City detectives have been investigating the homicide since Jan. 14. Detectives interviewed several persons and were able to secure a search warrant for a residence in the 900 block of East South Avenue. The department seized evidence and took a man into custody as a material witness.
A warrant for, the arrest of the 24-year-old Hispanic murder suspect, was issued Jan. 20. The PCPD provided details to the National Crime Information Center, which allows the suspect to be taken into custody anywhere in the United States.
According to the department, the murder suspect's vehicle was found in Dallas on Jan. 19. Dallas police officers located the vehicle and alerted the PCPD on Jan. 19.
Detective William Thornton and a lab analyst from the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation went to Dallas, obtained a search warrant on the vehicle and recovered physical evidence from the car.
Martin Zamora Briones, aka Gallo, aka Briones Martinez, a 30-year-old Hispanic male, has been identified by the PCPD as the homicide victim. The body has not yet been found.
Elementary Breakfast
Elementary Lunch
Middle School and Mid High
Breakfast
Middle School and Mid High
Lunch
High School Lunch
All American
Training Table
McCord Breakfast
McCord Lunch
Pioneer Technology Center
The cafeteria at Pioneer Technology Center is open Tuesday through Thursday from 11:15 a.m. to noon. The cafeteria is also open to the public.
By RALPH SEWELL
News State Capitol Bureau
OKLAHOMA CITY - Kay County Sen. Paul Muegge, D-Tonkawa, helped sidetrack another Right-to-Work effort last week, and he's happy about it.
The fatal 8 to 3 vote came in the Senate Committee on Business and Labor. SB 23, authored by Sen. Howard Hendrick, R-Bethany, would ban employers from signing closed shop agreements - a provision fought by organized labor.
SB 23 is part of Gov. Frank Keating's program, who insists such a law is needed to bring new jobs and industry to Oklahoma. Muegge doubts that.
"I just can't believe in it," Muegge said later. "It certainly isn't the magic silver bullet for economic development."
Muegge, who is chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, took note of last week's invasion of the Capitol by farmers, environmentalists and rural folk. They were present to air their views on "pig factories."
The visitors packed the House Chamber and galleries for a meeting of the House Agriculture Committee, mostly to protest smell and pollution allegedly caused by factory-style pig growing operations.
Two Ponca-area representatives - Jim Reese, R-Deer Creek, and Larry Ferguson, R-Cleveland - are on that House committee.
Defenders as well as critics of the pork factories were heard. Then the visitors called on legislators in their offices.
Sen. J. Berry Harrison, D-Fairfax, is a member of Muegge's Agriculture group. Both were receiving visitors.
Later, Harrison was inclined to treat it lightly. He joked that perhaps what is needed is a scientific push to find out how to reduce the pig odor. He also noted most people love to eat bacon.
Harrison doesn't have a plant in his district. Muegge does, in Major County. So he views the problem more seriously.
Muegge says one problem is the effectiveness of lagoons that supposedly will cleanse discharges of waste from the pigs. He suspects valves on lines carrying waste to the lagoons sometimes malfunction.
He also believes construction of some of the lagoons may not be up to standard. He says perhaps what the legislature should do is to appoint an interim committee to study the problem then make recommendations.
"Maybe some minor restrictions would solve the problems," he says.
Senators - including Muegge and Harrison - had some fun when a freshman from southeast Oklahoma passed his first bill. As is the custom of both the House and Senate, all members voted no on his bill. Then after the member shows proper dismay or surprise, all change their votes to yes.
The bill was SB 10, which would allow cities to enter agreements to have joint jurisdiction with tribal officers where their territory overlaps.
The House Small Business Committee, met last week to consider HB 1105, a bill to help finance small business growth in the state. Rep. James Newport, R-Ponca City, is a member of the committee.
The money would be obtained by diverting 1 percent of state income tax revenue - up to a $10 million annually to make loans or buy equity.
If HB 1105 passes the committee this week and then is voted by both houses, it would still require a referendum election. A constitutional change, it would need approval by a majority of voters to become law.
To Newport, the bill right now is only a working draft. While he wants to support economic growth, he worries about creating an agency using state funds to make loans or grants that good business judgment would allow.
Newport also expects the House to hear his bill to give municipal courts the option of ordering community service as punishment for violators appearing before them.
Reese hopes to get committee action before Thursday on HB 1610, which would require all state school districts to be connected to One-Net, the statewide educational link.
He says the $2.5 million to $5 million cost would be a small amount to give all children access to instruction now available only to select schools.
HB 1610 was assigned to the House Appropriations Committee.
Another Reese bill would allow the Department of Corrections to have access to juvenile offenders records, so a full past criminal history would be available on applicants for parole or pre-parole release.
Ferguson is listed as principal author on almost a dozen House bills. When it comes to advancing those bills, the House minority Leader sees little evidence of Democrat co-operation. Some of his bills will show up, he hopes, with Democrats as authors.
Committees so far have produced several bills likely to generate frothy floor debate. These include:
- A Senate resolution asks voters to approve a half cent increase in the state sales tax to fund more prisons and operate them.
- A House bill would prohibit the State Health department from giving condoms to those with AIDS or HIV infections.
- HB 2175, as it went to the House floor, provides a $20,000 fine and up to 20 years in prison for anyone who performs a late-term abortion using a controversial procedure known as dilation and extraction.
After committee sessions end Thursday, the next three weeks will be used for floor consideration of bills. Each house has until March 13 to move its own bills to be considered on the opposite side of the Fourth floor from the three weeks to pass the bills. Before bills reach the governor, they must be passed in identical language by both the House and Senate.
How They Voted
Here's how Muegge, Harrison, Newport, Reese, Ferguson and Hager voted on bills reaching the floor last week:
- HB 1571 was approved 99-0 by the House. It would make county jail inmates pay for any medical treatment, if they have the money or insurance. Newport, Reese, Ferguson and Hager voted for the bill.
- HB 1572, approved 99-0, would allow counties and tribal officers to make deals to patrol and enforce laws in counties where both have jurisdiction. Again, Newport, Reese, Ferguson and Hager voted in favor.
- HB 1070 would remove secrecy from juvenile records when a youngster is charged with a felony offense. The vote was 98-1. The only no vote was cast by a Black legislator, who also is an Oklahoma City lawyer. Ponca City-area legislators voted yes.
- HB 1454 failed by a vote of 36 in favor to 63 against. The bill would have increased from $25,000 to $50,000 the assets required to operate a pawnshop. Newport, Reese, Ferguson and Hager voted no.
- HB 1207 failed on a 46-53 vote but the author served notice of reconsideration. It would lower to 3,000 from 15,000 the size of a city which may adopt a written policy on investing excess funds in securities. Newport, Reese and Ferguson voted yes; Hager voted no.
- HB 1467 passed the House 93-6. It would include school counselors in professional development programs held by local school districts. Newport, Reese, Ferguson and Hager voted for the bill.
- HB 1136, which passed the House unanimously, would repeal state laws which require county clerks to keep road records. It now goes to the Senate.
Two intersections will be closed all week as work on the Northwest Water Transmission Pipeline project continues.
According to Steve Shea, Ponca City Engineering Department, the intersection at South Eleventh Street and East Central Avenue and the intersection at South Thirteenth Street and Central Avenue will be closed Monday through Friday for street repairs.
Additionally, the alley located between Third Street and Fourth Street and Grand Avenue and Central Avenue will be closed for repairs Tuesday through Friday, according to Corky Gammon, with the Street Department.
NEWKIRK - The Kay County Board of County Commissioners will open bids at 10 a.m. Monday for a remodeling project for the health department building in Ponca City.
An hour earlier at the board's regular weekly meeting, the commissioners will consider possible action regarding the state department of transportation's STP program and the reallocation of funds for the 1997 federal fiscal year.
They also will review a certified-workplace medical plan, consider appropriation requests for various cash funds, and consider approval of project completion resolutions for primary road projects.
The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. Monday at the county courthouse.
By LAURA TREADWAY
News Staff Writer
Two additional Ponca Citians have received certification as mediators through the Early Settlement Dispute Resolution Program. Judge Doug Revard swore in the two at the Ponca City Courthouse on Thursday.
Byron Tribble and Heather Denslow attended 20 hours of mediation training before assisting with and mediating sessions to gain experience for completion of statutory requirements offered through Oklahoma's Administrative Office of the courts.
Early Settlement handles disputes including business/customer problems, neighborhood disputes, landlord/tenant issues and family matters.
"No one else can make a better decision for you than you can. Conflicts often arise because people tend to take assumptions about others or they send mixed messages about their own interests and don't even realize it," said Jill Moery, program coordinator.
"Finding the best resolution to a dispute begins with clear communication with the other persons involved," she continued. "The mediation process enables the participants to share information and focus on problem solving in order to work together at reaching a mutually acceptable agreement."
According to Tribble, the skills learned for mediation have also helped in his daily job working with kids and their families.
Although Early Settlement mediation is successful in over 80 percent of cases reach an agreement, disputes can still be taken up through the court system.
Additionally, participants don't have to miss work and can schedule a session to fit their particular needs. A neutral location is selected and each case is kept private and confidential.
According to Early Settlement, judges encourage participation in mediation because it can be a low-cost step in resolving the dispute and decisions reached are of the disputants. Whereas, in the court process, there is a winner and a loser.
About the Mediators
Denslow completed her undergraduate work in Interpersonal Communications at the University of Kansas and a masters of science in Community Counseling from Oklahoma State University.
For the past three years, she has worked with youth and their families on such issues as family dysfunction, spousal and child abuse, social and court related services and chemical dependency. Before moving to Ponca City, Denslow completed the required counseling internship for her masters at Stillwater Domestic Violence Inc.
Currently, Denslow works at the Northern Oklahoma Youth Services and Shelter as well as working on the Parent Resource Program, a home-and center-based educational model created for pregnant and parenting teens and their families in the Ponca City and Newkirk area.
For the past 14 years, Tribble has worked with individuals and families dealing with substance abuse issues. Currently, he works as a Community Prevention Specialist sponsored through Northern Oklahoma Youth Services in cooperation with the "Youth Crisis Prevention Task force."
Tribble holds a bachelor's degree in Family Relations and Child Development. He is an Internationally Certified Alcohol and Drug counselor, a certified consultant supervisor and a certified prevention specialist.
For More Information
Mediation and conciliation services are available to individuals and businesses in Oklahoma per the Dispute Resolution Act of 1983. In addition, training is available free, however, mediators are required to volunteer 10 hours each year for mediation.
The Early Settlement Mediation program is funded by the state's court system to keep costs to a minimum. Five active certified mediators are available in Kay County.
To a file a case costs $5 per party, or free if a district court case has already been filed. The office of North Oklahoma is located at the Payne County Courthouse in Stillwater. For more information, call (405) 372-4798 or 1-800-464-5677.
Dolan Bayless, Ponca City's Mr. Music, will be leaving Ponca City soon to share his talent with folks in Lake Jackson, Texas. After 18 1/2 serving as minister of music at First United Methodist Church, Bayless has resigned to accept the same position with First United Methodist Church in Lake Jackson.
Dolan had just received his master's degree from the University of Kansas when he came to Ponca City in July of 1978 from Topeka, Kan., to serve at First United Methodist Church.
He had taught for five years in the Topeka public schools before going to graduate school, and while a student he was the director of choirs of Countryside Church in Topeka.
He came to Ponca City and First United Methodist ready to work, and has enlarged the church's music program through vocal choirs, bell choirs, specialties, and community outreach, and along the way has enriched the life of the entire Ponca City community with his musical talent.
The First United Methodist musical ministry now includes the Chancel, Vesper, Chapel, Wesley and Carol Choirs, and Bayless has enlarged the bell choir ministry by five choirs.
When he came to First United Methodist, the bell ministry was composed of the Ann Yeary Bell Choir. Elma Robson, the first director of the Ann Yeary Bell Choir, said, "After He (Dolan) came, he enlarged the program by five choirs. The groups include the Silver Bells, Carillon, Jubilate, and Wesley Handbell choirs, plus the Wesley Chimes."
The specialty groups include two handbell quartets, the Recorder Consort and the Madrigal Singers. A community outreach program includes "Funsong Week," which is a week in which children of the community participate in preparing and presenting a musical program.
Another outreach has been the "Meet-the-Composer" series made possible by the Helen Foster Endowment. Outstanding composers have been invited to the church to work with choirs or bell choirs if the composer has this specialty. Several original anthems have been commissioned and presented by these choirs.
In addition, the outreach program included vocal and handbell support of the Christmas season, performing at the Marland Mansion Gala, shopping malls and for various organizations in the Ponca City community.
Bayless' talents spread generously across the Ponca City community. In addition to his work with First Methodist, he has enriched the life of the community by conducting the Civic Orchestra from 1984 to 1992. As conductor, he was on the Board of Directors, but after his resignation, he continued to be on the board.
He has also served on the Board of Directors for the Community Concert Association, and helped organize the Arts and Humanities Council, currently serving on its Board of Directors.
In the Ponca City playhouse, he was music director for the productions of "Little Mary Sunshine," "Oklahoma," "Sound of Music," and "Fiddler on the Roof."
The Rev. Denny Hook, pastor at First United Methodist, indicated First UMC is preparing a memory book for Bayless, and anyone in the community who has pictures, mementoes, or anecdotes they would like to include, please get them to Faith Kalback, of the music committee at the church by March 1.
Bayless' last Sunday at First UMC will be March 9. Then he, Kathy and Kara will leave for Lake Jackson, a town about the size of Ponca City and about 50 miles south of Houston. The church in which he will be working has 2,000 members, with an average worship attendance of about 600, Bayless indicated.
To say "so long" and "God's speed," First United Methodist will be holding a reception after church services on March 9. More information concerning this event will be published later.
Po-Hi
February 17
February 18
February 19
February 20
February 21
February 22
February 23
NEWKIRK - Fred Horinek of Newkirk has been reappointed to the Kay County Conservation District board of directors, announced Mason Mungle, executive director of the Oklahoma Conservation Commission.
Horinek is one of five members who serve on the board of directors for the district office in Newkirk.
The county conservation district is the only local unit of government
responsible for the conservation, restoration and development of Oklahoma's
renewable natural resources, and assists individual landowners, groups,
cities and towns prevent soil erosion and water pollution, upgrade wildlife
and recreation areas, and preserve nature's beauty.
DEATHS
Emma Willment Plunkett, 95, of Ponca City, died Friday, Feb. 14, 1997, in Ponca City. She was born on Aug. 7, 1901, in Greenville, S.C., to Theodore Francis Plunkett and Josephine Neibling Plunkett. She graduated from Augusta's Tubman High School and taught physical education there from 1920 until 1925 when she left to pursue her college degree.
She graduated from George Peabody College in Nashville, Tenn., in 1928, received her master's degree from Oklahoma A&M College in 1934, and took post graduate work at the University of Oklahoma, New York University, Boston University, Columbia University and the University of Washington.
Miss Plunkett joined the faculty of Central State College in Edmond in 1928 and taught there until her retirement in 1966. During her 38 years at Central, she taught and was chairman of the Department of Health and Women's Physical Education; developed a nationally known teacher education program in health and physical education; organized and sponsored the Physical Education Club and the Women's Recreation Association; coached the women's intercollegiate sports teams; and directed May festivals, dance concerts, Gilbert & Sullivan musicals, circuses, play days, and intramurals.
She served on many campus committees and was a primary contributor to the development of a cultural arts program for the college. She was instrumental in the planning and building of the Health & Physical Education Building, the Broncho Fieldhouse, the Max Chambers Library, the Student Health Center, the Y Chapel of Song, the tennis courts and the playing fields. She planted and encouraged the planting of many trees, shrubs and flowers on the campus.
Emma Plunkett was an active leader in the Oklahoma, Southern District, and American Associations for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance; the American Association of University Women; the American Red Cross Safety Services programs; the Camp Fire Girls and the Boy Scouts of America. She was a member of the NEA, OEA, Kappa Delta Pi and Delta Kappa Gamma.
She was active in the community life of Edmond and Oklahoma City serving on the Edmond Recreation Council, the YMCA Board, and the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and being an active member of the Edmond Chamber of Commerce, the Oklahoma County Democratic Women's Club, the Oklahoma City Town Hall, and the Cambridge Literary Club. She was a public speaker, an international traveler, a patron of the arts, and a dedicated educator.
Miss Plunkett's survivors include her sister Effie Smith of Augusta, Ga.; nieces Amelia Green and Betty Phillips of Augusta, Ga.; several grand nieces and grand nephews; and thousands of former students who will always remember the tremendous influence she had on their personal and professional lives. "A teacher affects eternity; she can never tell where her influence stops."
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, 1997, at the Y Chapel of Song on the University of Central Oklahoma campus in Edmond. It will be followed by a memory-sharing reception in the Broncho Corral of the Health and Physical Education Building.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the "Roots to Wings" Program of the Oklahoma Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, or to the Emma Plunkett Scholarship Fund, c/o HPERD Dept., UCO, 100 N. University, Edmond, OK. 73034. Condolences may be sent to Effie Plunkett Smith, 3151 Lake Forest Drive, No. 85, Augusta, GA 20909.
paid obituary
Paul D. Andrews Jr. died Saturday, Feb. 15, 1997, at his home. He was 66.
The family will be at the home, 745 North Peachtree. Funeral arrangements are pending with Trout Funeral Home, and will be announced later.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Andrews' name to Hospice of Ponca City, 1904 North Union, Ponca City, OK 74601.
Monday
Phyllis I. Hooten - Graveside at 11 a.m. in Ponca City IOOF Cemetery. Black's Funeral Home, Eufaula in charge of arrangements.
Christine Rosemary Haymond - 2 p.m. in Tonkawa Tribal Affairs and Cultural
Center at Fort Oakland. Burial in Ponca Indian Cemetery at White Eagle under
direction of Roberts & Son Funeral Home, Blackwell.
NEWS BRIEFS
Meeting Canceled - The Ponca City Board of Commissioners canceled their work session Monday due to a lack of quorum.
After Five Lions - John Hedrick, from the Stamp Collectors Club, will speak to the After Five Lions club at Western Sizzlin' Monday at 6:30 p.m. Prospective members are welcome.
Theft - A Ponca City police officer took a report of larceny in the 1000 block of Riviera Drive at 8:01 a.m. Friday.
Attempted Auto Theft - A resident in the 700 block of North Pine Street advised the Ponca City Police Department of attempted theft of a vehicle at 9:15 a.m. Friday. An officer took a report.
Arrested - A Ponca City police officer arrested a 20-year-old man from a traffic stop for driving under suspension, no insurance and three people in front.
Grass Fire - Ranch Drive Volunteer Fire Department responded to a grass fire 2.5 miles west of U.S. 156 on South Avenue at 12:25 p.m., according to the Ponca City telecommunication officers.
Scattering Trash - A Ponca City police officer contacted a subject who had trash scatter from his trailer while driving past North Fourteenth Street and East Highland Avenue at 12:29 p.m. Friday. The subject went back and cleaned up the mess.
Accident - A non-vehicle accident occurred in the 1600 block of Hudson Drive at 12:33 p.m. Friday. A Ponca City police officer took a report.
Vandalism - A resident in the 200 block of South Birch Street notified the Ponca City Police Department at 1:47 p.m. Friday that the vehicle had been vandalized. An officer took a report.
Collision - The Ponca City Police Department received notice of an accident in the 2400 block of East Central Avenue at 2:21 p.m. Friday. An officer took a report.
Vehicle Fire - Ponca City firefighters extinguished a vehicle fire in the 500 block of East Hartford Avenue at 2:44 p.m. Friday.
Grass Fire - Osage Cove Volunteer Fire Department handled a grass fire on the south side of the road, five miles west of Burbank, on U.S. 60 at 2:59 p.m. Friday.
Accident - A Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper investigated an accident which occurred in the southbound lane on Interstate 35 at mile marker 198 at 3:29 p.m. Friday. According to the OHP, the trooper did not report anyone admitted to the hospital.
Stereo Missing - A Ponca City police officer took a report at 4:08 p.m. Friday of a stereo apparently missing from a vehicle in the 800 block of North Elm Street.
False Information - A 27-year-old man was taken into custody from the Kay County Sheriff's Office at 6:11 p.m. Friday on a city warrant for false information to an officer.
Window Broken - A Ponca City police officer took a report at Po-Hi Field House at 6:46 p.m. Friday. An Enid School bus reported a window broken out.
Bikes Stolen - A resident in the 1900 block of North Fourth Street contacted the Ponca City Police Department at 8:44 p.m. to report two bikes stolen from the residence. An officer took a report.
Juveniles With Beer - A Ponca City police officer took a report from a business in the 1100 block of North Union Street who reported two juveniles took two cases of beer and left eastbound on Brookfield Avenue in an orange truck.
Vandalism - A resident in the 300 block of West Hartford Avenue notified the Ponca City Police Department at 9:44 p.m. Friday that someone just broke the windshield out of a vehicle and was seen running from the area. An officer took a report and a warrant request was made. Burnett Security was advised for extra patrol.
Stolen - A resident in the 100 block of Lansbrook Road informed the Ponca City Police Department at 9:52 p.m. Friday that a cellular phone and a pair of tennis shoes were stolen from the vehicle while it was parked on North Fourth Street. An officer took a report.
Violation Ends in Arrest - A Ponca City police officer arrested a 48-year-old man at West Grand Avenue and Sunset Street at 1:13 a.m. Saturday for driving under the influence and a stop sign violation.
USS Maddox Reunion - USS Maddox Destroyer Reunion (DD731,622 and 168) June 5-8, 1997 Orlando, Fla. Contact Joyce Metcalf, 12686 West Highway 55, York, S.C. 29745. Phone (803) 222-3180.
Yearbooks For Sale - The 1996-97 Mid-High yearbooks must be preordered and prepaid by Feb. 26 at the Mid-High office. The cost of the yearbooks is $10.00
Internet Access - Free-Internet-Access! Pick up your membership application at the Ponca City Public Library today. Pioneer Free-Net!
Driving Class Scheduled - The Conoco 55 Alive Driving Class is scheduled March 11 and 12 from 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. each day at the Fourth Street Clubhouse. For more information call Joe McGlone at 765-6197.
Attention Adult Soccer Players - The Cherokee Strip Adult Soccer Association Spring Season meeting will be Tuesday, Feb. 18 in the Programming Room at the Ponca City Library.
On the Air Tuesday - Pastor William Bonee of St. Luke's Nazarene Church, will be on Ponca City's Christian radio station, KLVV Tuesday from 5 to 6 p.m. to talk with listeners who call in through the Encouragement Hour. Listeners may call and talk privately with Pastor Bonee, expressing any questions they may have. By listening to 88.7 FM listeners will be told the number to call and when the line is open for additional calls.
Class Coffee - Members of the Ponca City High School graduating class of 1949 will meet for the annual coffee Thursday, Feb. 20 at 7 p.m. at the Pioneer Drive-In Bank. For more information contact Bob, 762-2826.
Rural Water Meeting - McCord Rural Water District 3 will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the north building of McCord School.
A.D.D. Seminar Monday - An free Attention Deficit Disorder seminar will be presented Monday evening at Pioneer Technology Center by Thunder Canyon Counseling Center, Ponca City. The public is invited and parents, teachers and those who are struggling with the symptoms of this disorder are encouraged to attend.
Ostomy Assoc. To Meet - The Ponca City-Stillwater Ostomy Association
will meet at 7:30 p.m. Monday in the Stillwater Medical Center Board Room
in Stillwater. Guests are welcome. Program will be presented by Lavenia
Hutchinson on management of urostomy. For more information about the association
or ostomies and alternative surgeries visit the web page at http://www.pcok.com/~bobbau/uoa/
or call (405) 767-5792 or 765-0050.
LIFESTYLES
Members of the Ponca City Council of Garden clubs met Feb. 5 at the Cann Memorial home with Mrs. Shirley Riggs presenting the program on Norway. Mrs. Riggs, dressed in the national dress of Norway, entertained the group with a slide presentation from her collection accumulated during her travels to the country. The table was set with collectibles from her travels as well as woven paper hearts which traditionally are used for Christmas decorations in Norway. Refreshments served were "Pepperkaker" and "Vafler with Brunost", traditional Norwegian foods. Each guest was encouraged to take a paper heart as a memento of the meeting.
Business conducted at the meeting included making preparations for the upcoming State Convention to be held April 4-6 in Oklahoma City. The Ponca City Council voted to provide geraniums for centerpieces at the banquet tables. New business introduced was the presentation of the slate of officers for the 1997-99 term. Those officers elected were: Leota See and Aline Heartsill, co-presidents; Linda Sparks, vice president; Kay Martin, secretary; Mavis Robison, treasurer; Helen Widener, historian; Rita Robbins, parliamentarian.
The Council made a memorial contribution to the Headquarter's Fund in Oklahoma City upon the death of the North Central District's Honorary President, Mrs. Lucille Daniels. The Council also remembered the late Fay Paisley Cook, who was president of the Gardenia Garden Club.
Linda Sparks announced plans for the upcoming trip to the Wichita Lawn and Garden Show March 7. A city bus will transport the group to the show. As tickets are limited and are being sold on a first-come basis members were urged to sign up quickly. Payment of $15 for travel and entrance to the show should be made to Mavis Robison. The trip is not limited to club members.
Leota See announced that the club dues should be paid at the March meeting. The North Central District Spring Convention will be held March 15 in Kingfisher. Those interested in attending should contact Mrs. Robison or Mrs. See.
Members of the Council served as hostesses and provided cookies for the retirement party of LaWanda French at the Cultural Center following the meeting.
The March program will be a craft presentation by Leota See.
BY PATTI N. CARMACK
News Lifestyles Editor
Wes Rice is indeed a man for all seasonings as demonstrated in his most recent cookbook"When a Man's Fancy Turns to Cooking." Many of the recipes detailed in the book are award-winners from various contests entered by the author and his wife, Margaret.
Rice is a multi-talented person who grows pecans and graftwood on 15 acres East of Ponca City. Now retired from the oil industry, he enjoys growing pecans and cooking. His work resulted in travel to many foreign locations where he observed and sampled many different cooking styles according to information in the cookbook. Residence and employment in Los Alamos, New Mexico provided the basis for the section of his book on authentic Northern New Mexico cuisine.
He is also the author of "Pecans: a Grower's Perspective" which also includes recipes featuring pecans and especially an award-winning pecan pie created by the author and his wife. The pie instructions may be found in the "Pecans for Food" section of the book.
Rice uses many herbal blends and seasonings to flavor the food he cooks. Accustomed to cooking at an early age, he cites the reason for the latest cookbook as being a help to his daughters who often call for information about what to use in a certain recipe, especially during the holidays.
When asked how he came up with ideas for recipes, Rice said "It begins sometimes when I see something new in a seed catalog or something new in a store or my creativity is spurred by something I read in a magazine." He also said "I start thinking that a certain recipe might be good with something different added or an ingredient taken away, and I like to experiment with different herbal flavors. My time overseas stimulated my creativity and interest in ethnic foods."
The author/chef offers hints to those new to cooking when he suggests not to overdo the smoke or use too much wood when preparing smoked items and barbecue. "I like to put the herbs, stems and all, especially Rosemary, on the coals to enhance the flavor of all types of meat," he says. When questioned about what dish people seemed to like the most, Rice said "my brisket is a favorite of people's" and "I like to burn brown sugar to glaze meat with. There are little tricks here, there and yonder to enhance the recipes and a lot of it is strictly experimental."
He went on to say "I use herbs to minimize the use of salt. There are ways to modify most recipes to make them more healthy. Once you learn the basic components you can use a few modifications to make them healthy."
On one of his favorite subjects- pecans- he stated that pecans help to maintain the "good HDL" and he went on to discuss monunsaturated fats. He said "you can use the healthier components of recipes if there is a good substitute. These are things to learn as you go and you have to be careful to see what is added to food such as margarine that has been thinned with water to make it low fat when all the time you could just use less of the original ingredient and still maintain the flavor." Because an item is labeled low-fat does not always mean it is the way to go in changing a recipe," said the author.
As an example of the good food written about in the book "When a Man's Fancy Turns to Cooking", here is the recipe for Pecans Caliente.
Combine first five ingredients in a small saucepan. Heat until butter or margarine is melted. Add pecans and stir until the pecans are coated. Bake for 30 minutes at 300 degrees F, stirring occasionally. Additional salt and hot sauce can be added during the cooking process. Cool and serve.
Look for more of Rice's recipes in the Lifestyles pages in the future as more of his cookbook will be shared with you. There are many color photos and black-and-white illustrations along with personal anecdotes and snippets of useful information to enhance the recipes in his 12 chapter, 144 page book.
More information about the books he has written may be obtained by writing to Pecan/Quest Publications, Route 3, Box 473, Ponca City, Okla., 74604. Rice's books are available at local bookstores.
As an incentive to those who have already enjoyed his publications, Rice is in the process of writing yet another book. This time it will be a first person, or rather, a "first-dog" book with the tentative title of "Katie the Orchard Pooch" and will include the trial of J. O. Coyote as narrated by Katie, a border collie/beagle mix who is into solving mysteries. The humorous story stems from a pet once owned by the family and Katie is also pictured in another of Rice's books.
All in all, this multi-talented man has a unique approach to story-telling as well as being an excellent chef. Using time (thyme?) and research to create his different seasonal and herbal flavorings Wes Rice is definitely "a man for all seasonings." Stay tuned for more of his recipes and witticisms in the News Lifestyles pages.
The St. Joseph Regional Medical Center Better Breather's group met for the second monthly meeting Feb. 10 at SJRMC. More than 20 participants gathered for lunch and program activities.
Jeff Seirer, SJRMC Finance director, discussed changes in Medicare coverage and Leanna Felix, St. Joseph Medical Equipment director, answered participants' questions during a brief question and answer session. Pizzas for the lunch were donated by Mazzio's and delivered by the Running Chef.
SJRMC's Cardiopulmonary Department is sponsoring the Better Breather's group and plans to continue the group meetings on the second Tuesday of each month. This support group is a free community service program with no fees or dues charged. People with chronic lung conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, emphysema and COPD, as well as their family member or guest, are invited to attend.
"We're excited about this new organization" said Dianna Gemmill, Registered Respiratory Therapist. "We hope that people will find the support they need by attending our meetings."
Janet Knight, Registered Respiratory Therapist, said they plan to schedule speakers who will discuss a variety of topics. "It's important for us to meet the needs of the group participants" said Knight. "We want to make sure they get pertinent information, and have a little fun as well."
The next meeting is scheduled March 11 at noon. If there are questions or you would like to participate in the Better Breather's group call 765-0574.
Members of the Christian Women's Fellowship met for a covered-dish luncheon Feb. 6 at the fellowship hall of the First Christian Church. Background music was provided by Sue Laird and the tables were decorated with handmade angels provided by the Dorcas group.
Ethel Jorgenson opened the meeting by leading the CWF prayer and welcomed guests, Nona Cales, Cheryl Smith, Lovina Meeks, Russell Wallace, Neil Blubaugh and members of the church staff.
Lorraine Shiflet, program chairman, introduced Glenda Green, who gave a program entitled "Display of Angels." Mrs. Green resides with her husband on a cattle ranch northwest of Red Rock. She has taught classes on wheat weaving and stained glass. Her program for the afternoon was a demonstration of the steps in making a stained glass angel.
She gave a history of stained glass and its uses and began her demonstration with a pattern showing the size and colors of the project to be created. She then cut the glass into the needed shapes and showed the tools and products needed to put the pieces together. Mrs. Green also displayed various sizes of angels as well as lamp shades and a kaleidoscope she had made.
The worship was brought by Chris Schilling titled "What More Do We Need." It concerned angels, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit and communication through prayer. Part of the offering for the day was given to the Child Development Center.
The first Kay County MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) meeting was held Feb. 10 at the First Baptist Church. MOPS is an international organization designed for mothers with children under school age, infant through kindergarten.
Meetings for the group are 9 a.m. the second and fourth Mondays of the month at the church. There is currently a waiting list for the children's program so those wanting to attend should contact Tammie Barham, 762-6794, or Toni Cloud, 765-8522, for registration information.
Speaker for the recent meeting was Mrs. Cloud, assistant coordinator and publicity chairman for MOPS. She said participants in the group "could discover they are not alone with their fears, concerns and joys of being a mother." Sara Myers spoke on how a "mom is the heart of the home."
Following discussion time the 40 women present made name tags as part of a craft project and were then reunited with their children who had participated in a MOPPET group activity.
Steering committee members for the group are Tammie Barham, coordinator; Sara Myers, Titus woman; Lesa Bailey, discussion groups; Debora Gooch, finance; Sandy Lake, hospitality; Pam McGovern, craft; Kristi Myers, MOPPETS.
A "Time for a Change" Luncheon will be held Feb. 19, 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. at the Ponca City Country Club. The Ponca City Christian Women's Club invites all area women to join them. The cost for the luncheon is $8.25. Reservations for the luncheon and child care may be made by calling Cindy, 762-2151 or Karen, 765-9835 by Tuesday. Reservations must be honored, canceled, or used by a friend.
Presenting a "Simple Changes" special feature will be Sally Thomas, decorator with The Designers who will show easy ways to beautify your home with the new directions in design. Born in Kansas City, graduated from Omaha high school and Kansas State University, Ms. Thomas has been a resident of Ponca City since 1974. Opening her interior design business in 1977, Ms. Thomas's goal is to decorate a home, office, etc so that the end product represents the client's tastes and lifestyle. Those attending the luncheon will have the opportunity to learn simple changes to establish a timeless look that is "affordable, livable and lovable." Mother of two children, the speaker is married to James Thomas, a local psychologist.
"Changing Keys" music will be shared by Maureen Coates. A native of Ponca City, she and her husband Ken, an area school teacher, have two grown sons. Returning to Ponca in 1993 she is employed by the Ponca City Country Club. Mrs. Coates enjoys writing, snow skiing and music and often accompanies herself on the guitar. Background music for the luncheon will be presented by Annette Williams.
Helen Logan, a china painter from Coffeyville, will use china painting to present the stages of life in "Changed Lives" as the guest speaker. A native Oklahoman and graduate of Will Rogers High School, she attended Tulsa Junior College and currently is a cosmetologist and director of Christian Education. Mother of five children and grandmother of nine, she and her husband Jerry own a construction company in Coffeyville. Raising and training harness horses - IL & KS, sewing, china painting and reading are her hobbies.
Members of the Mozart Music Club will meet Feb. 23 for a Junior Music Festival Showcase at the Ponca City Cultural Center, 1000 East Grand.
Those students who are enrolled in the music festival in Primary I, II, III will perform between 2-2:45 p.m. and those in Primary IV and above will perform from 3-3:30 p.m.
Refreshments will be from 2:45-3 p.m. Information for the National Music Week poster contest will be distributed. Students from the Haydn and Schubert Clubs may perform after 3 p.m. according to their festival classification.
March 1 is the date for the Junior Music Festival which will be held in Ponca City for the third year and will take place at the First Baptist and First Methodist churches. The last meeting will be April 13 and will highlight various types of ensembles as well as solos.
Families are welcome to attend the Mozart Club meetings and hear the performances. Questions about the Junior Music Festival and anyone volunteering to provide refreshments for the event are asked to call Suzi Lenhart, 762-9895.
Members of Xi Gamma Sigma chapter of Beta Sigma Phi sorority met Tuesday at the Amarillo Grill for a farewell event honoring Mrs. Delorus Patterson who is moving to Norman.
The group then met in the home of Barbara Ashlock. Cindy Russell of the membership committee introduced her guest, LaRannah Bartlett.
Juni Parks, president, reminded members of the Valentine dance preparations. A pre-party was planned at the home of Leora Simmons. Donna Ross is the chapter's selection as Valentine queen.
Sue Waggerman, Service committee chairman, asked members to bring small toiletries, packages of disposable diapers, and green stamps to the next meeting. These items will be given to the Domestic Violence program.
Announcement was made that Founder's Day would be April 22 at the Marland Mansion with tickets priced at $13.75. Forms were distributed for members to enter recipes into next year's book "Fast Feasts."
Following tradition the group circulated a box of candy for sampling in celebration of the expected grandchild of member Jane Culver whose daughter is Allison Ogden.
Also announced was that Glenda Brown, chapter member, and director of the Golden Villa, had been appointed by Gov. Frank Keating to serve on the Long Term Care Committee for the State of Oklahoma.
Barbara Ashlock presented a Valentine's Day program based on the book "Forever Love" written by Gary Smalley. Suggestions were given on "how to build and sustain a loving relationship." She then served a Valentine dessert called "Cherry Berries on a Cloud." Members then opened their Valentine cards and gifts.
The next meeting is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., Feb. 25 at the home of Margaret Price. An election of the "Girl of the Year" will be conducted and a training meeting for new members will begin at 7 p.m.
Twenty members of Unit II, Mother's Club, met Feb. 7 at the home of Pat Morahan with Marge Robb and Mary Bryant as co-hostesses.
Sandy Bishop introduced Margaret Yeakley who gave a program about brass rubbings. Jeri Boyer, president, led the group in repeating the collect and Roberta Ford, executive board president, gave a report on the last board meeting. The Spring luncheon will be May 16 with Marcene Young as chairman. A memorial fund is also being prepared.
The next meeting of Unit II will be March 7 in the home of Lorene Stalcup.
The Lutheran Women's Guild of First Lutheran Church met Feb. 6 at the fellowship hall of the church. Kathryn Prescott introduced the guest speaker, Janet Ebbesson. She presented a study on "Women of the Bible."
Final preparations were discussed for the Valentine luncheon Feb. 13. Hostesses for the meeting were Kathryn Horton and Elmeta Kodesh.
The Martin United Methodist Church in Bedford, Texas will be the setting April 26 for the wedding of Toni Leigh Pontius and Edward William Eckart. Announcing their engagement are her parents, Dale and Londa Pontius, 721 Sugar Maple. The prospective bridegroom is the son of Gerald and Sheila Eckart of Bedford, Tex. Grandmothers of the bride-to-be are Mrs. Herbert Reese and Mrs. Ray Pontius of Blackwell. Eckhart is the grandson of Stanley Smith of Dallas, Tex.
Miss Pontius is a graduate of James E. Taylor High School in Katy, Tex. and a 1995 graduate of the University of Oklahoma. She is employed with Customer Support/Administration, IBM, in Dallas, Tex.
Eckart is a graduate of Trinity High School in Bedford and a 1996 OU graduate. He is a civil engineer with the firm of Goodwin & Marshall in Fort Worth, Tex.
The Feb. 10 meeting of Xi Beta Tau chapter of Beta Sigma Phi sorority was held in the home of Cindy Wardlow. June Miller, president, led the group in the opening ritual.
Official communication from International included the state convention scheduled June 6-8 at Tulsa Marriott Southern Hills. Costs will include a $73 registration fee and $69 minimum hotel room. The "Fast Feasts" recipe contest was announced and members were given forms to enter recipes which will be collected at the March 10 meeting.
Patsy Bray, membership chairman, read a letter from International congratulating Xi Beta Tau chapter for increasing membership. She also presented the 1996-97 Rushing Award of Excellence from International to the chapter. Third edition pink ribbon pins recognizing the sorority's fight against breast cancer were distributed.
Ms. Miller reminded members that Xi Beta Tau chapter was responsible for the yearbook for Founder's Day. Donations for the Humane Society were collected and will be delivered to the shelter by Sara King. Pledge training was conducted by Ms. Bray.
The traveling basket was given to Ms. Bray by Ms. King and the mystery gift was won by Ms. Bray. The cultural program presented by Sara King concentrated on "humor in the workplace" and programs and articles of interest from the 1930s when Mrs. King's mother, Edith Stewart, and aunt, Merlee Seeger Wall, were members of Beta Sigma Phi. Mrs. Wall was a charter member of the organization.
A dinner honoring the chapter's Valentine Queen, Sammie Coats, will be at the Amarillo Grill at 6 p.m. preceding the Feb. 24 meeting of the chapter. Election of officers and the "Girl of the Year" will be on the program for the Mar. 10 meeting. A Ritual of Jewels degree will be given to Cindy Wardlow and Jan Ellison on April 14 in the home of Sammie Coats. The next meeting of the group will be at 7 p.m. Feb. 24 with pledges meeting at 6:30 p.m.
Mr. and Mrs. Randall L. Lauritsen, 1508 Cookson, are announcing the engagement of their daughter, Kimberly Kay, to Bruce Edward Schmid, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Caldwell of Omaha, Neb., and the late Gerald Schmid. An April 26 ceremony at St. Mary's Catholic Church is planned.
Dr. Lauritsen graduated from Ponca City High School in 1987, and Oklahoma State University with a bachelor's degree in chemistry in 1991. Her medical degree was earned in 1995 from Creighton University in Omaha. She is a resident physician with SIU Quincy Family Practice in Quincy, Ill.
The prospective bridegroom graduated from Bryan High School in Omaha in 1987 and from Metro Tech Community College in 1995. He is employed as a lead insert operator with CSG Systems Inc.
The Ponca City High School Alumni Association (PCHSAA) is offering support as a resource for the upcoming class reunions. One of the goals for the four-year old association is to be a local resource for "lost" graduates to call or write to receive information for their particular reunion says Mark Lechtenberg, 1972 Po-Hi graduate and PCHSAA president.
During past summers the group has received numerous calls from graduates now residing nation-wide who are seeking information about their graduating class. To help the situation Karen O'Neill Meyer, 1974 graduate, and secretary for the PCHSAA, offers these suggestions to reunion organizers: when the reunion committee is decided upon let the association know whom to contact, a telephone number and mailing address for graduate information, as well as information of the date and location for the particular reunion. Send this information to the Ponca City High School Alumni Association, P. O. Box 2694, Ponca City, Okla. 74602-2694.
Currently, the PCHSAA is involved in a number of support activities. Each year an academic scholarship is offered to a graduating senior. Last summer, the first Ponca City High School Alumni directory was published with 15,000 names and addresses listed. The data base for this directory belongs to the PCHSAA and can be used by the local search committees.
Semi-annually, an alumni newsletter containing information about Po-Hi and alumni is published and mailed to association members. Annually, the group sponsors alumni basketball games scheduled for the Christmas holidays.
The association is gearing up for its annual membership drive. Dues are $10 per person per year, $50 for a business, and $100 for lifetime membership. Membership rolls for the association include graduates from all classes beginning with 1926.
Alumni and Ponca City High School supporters who would like to join PCHSAA or obtain further information should contact Lechtenberg, 765-3841; Meyer, 762-1216, or Norris Frederick, 762-2679.
All past, present and future brides of all ages are encouraged to attend the upcoming bridal fair being sponsored by the Perry Chamber of Commerce. "Weddings, a Community Affair" will be Feb. 23, 2-5 p.m., at the National Guard Armory, 309 Fourteenth Street, Perry. Admission is free.
One of the show's highlights will be a fashion parade featuring more than 75 dresses of all styles from dress shops, custom designers and dressmakers.
Brides-to-be will also enjoy the opportunity to sample wedding cakes, discuss photography and floral options and view the latest in jewelry designs.
Booth space is available for those wanting to display products and services. Booth rental is $35. Anyone interested in securing a booth space is asked to contact the Perry Chamber of Commerce, 405 336-4684.
Mrs. Jimmy Smith, 711 East Albany, was the hostess for the February meeting of Valley View Homemakers. There were 11 members and one guest present. Mrs. Cathy Bayless presented a workshop on "tatting."
Mrs. Joann Grimley, president, opened the meeting and roll call was answered with informative tips. Doris Cline, secretary, read the minutes. The group voted to send money to the Ponca City Firemen's Fund for purchase of special helmets. This will be the group's community project for the year.
The social committee presented a proposal for a Feb. 26 luncheon at Pioneer Technology Center for members. Each member can invite her husband as a guest for the luncheon.
The March meeting will be a workshop to finish the Santa Claus project begun at the January meeting. The Mar. 23 meeting will be at the home of Mrs. Paula Denson.
Karyn and David Keeling, 1804 Cedar Lane, announce the birth of a son at 9:50 a.m. Jan. 22 at Stillwater Medical Center. The baby weighed 8-pounds, 9 1/2-ounces and was 21-inches long. He has been named Joshua Tyler Keeling.
Maternal grandparents are Harold and LaVeta Jantz of Branson, Mo. The paternal grandparents are Dody Goad of Wilburton and Ulis Keeling of Ralston. Elba Keeling of Ralston is the great-grandparent.
Announcement is being made of the engagement and approaching marriage of Jennifer Lynn Lechtenberg and James Andrew Townsley. The wedding is planned for March 1 at Woodlands Christian Church. Family and friends are invited to attend the 2 p.m. ceremony and reception following.
Parents of the couple are Mr. and Mrs. Vincent G. Lechtenberg and Mr. and Mrs. Mike Townsley and the late Patricia Townsley.
The Oklahoma Quilters' State Organization, Inc. is announcing a Spring meeting and workshops slated April 4-6 at Rose State College in Midwest City.
Guest teacher and speaker for this event is Dava Carrell from Kansas who will conduct a "Scrappy Star Quilt" workshop April 4 and present a program entitled "Scrapbag Quilts" on April 5. This year OQSO has also arranged additional workshops to expand the hands-on workshop opportunities on April 4 and April 6.
For additional information send a stamped, self-addressed envelope to OQSO, INC./Spring Meeting, c/o 4104 N.W. 62nd, Oklahoma City, Okla. 73112.
Wheatheart Nutrition menus for Feb. 18-21 will be:
Monday, Feb. 17: Holiday
Tuesday, Feb. 18: Turkey enchilada casserole; refried beans; tossed salad with carrots; Mexican cornbread with butter; peach crisp.
Wed., Feb. 19: Hearty beef vegetable soup; cabbage slaw, crackers or bread with butter; oatmeal cake.
Thursday, Feb. 20: Smothered beef patty, mashed potatoes with beef gravy; Club spinach; biscuits with butter; peach upside-down cake.
Friday, Feb. 21: Chicken rice casserole; Under the Sea salad; buttered broccoli; muffin with butter; cinnamon apples.
Members of the Miriam Class of the First Baptist Church met at the Williamsburg parlor of the church for the February meeting with Fay Johnson as teacher. The meeting opened with prayer by Odell Watson. Maizie Russell gave a devotional touching on "Judas' betrayal of Jesus."
Ramona Minter gave a devotional from the book "Have A Great Day" by Norman Vincent Peal. She emphasized "spirit lifters" for positive living and gave a prescription from the book on improving "your day" which included "do something kind for someone."
The group participated in a discussion about gambling taken from the Baptist Messenger and Christian Living. A round-table talk was held on the subject.
Refreshments were served by the hostesses, Ralphene Brown and Dolores Rose. The next meeting will be in March at the parlor of the First Baptist Church.
On Sunday, Feb. 23, Joe and Mary Ella Ortwein will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary with a reception hosted by their children and grandchildren. The event will be 2-4 p.m. in the fellowship hall of First Baptist East, 3826 S. E. Elmhurst, Lawton.
An open invitation is extended to friends and relatives to join in the celebration. In lieu of gifts those attending are asked to share their "memories" of the couple. Cards may be mailed to 902 S. E. 38th, Lawton, Okla. 73001 or to Karen, 417 West Seventh, Newkirk, Okla. 74647.
Hosting the golden anniversary event will be the honorees' son Chris, his wife Janis, and their children, Joshua and Micah, of Littleton, Colo. as well as another son, Craig, and his wife, Karen, and their children, Mark and Sally, of Newkirk.
Joe C. Ortwein and the former Mary Ella Walker were married Feb. 23, 1947 in Blackwell. Serving as best man was his brother, Eugene, and matron of honor was Mrs. Max Payne, the bride's cousin. Moving various places with Mr. Ortwein's job, the couple resided in Ponca City from 1949-59, where they attended the First Baptist Church. The couple is active in church activities. They moved to Lawton in 1975 where he retired from a sales position and Mrs. Ortwein retired from a career in real estate in 1986.
In observation of President's Day, Holly LaBossiere, director of the Ponca City Library, will review the book "Eisenhower: Soldier and President" written by Stephen E. Ambrose for the Feb. 21 meeting of the Ponca City chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
The meeting will begin at 1 p.m. at the Ponca City Cultural Center. Mrs. Harold Prough is the DAR program chairman. The featured speaker said "although this is not a new book, I feel that it gives a wonderful insight into the man and our country."
Ms. LaBossiere graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1990 with a bachelor of arts degree and earned a master of arts degree in Library and Information Studies from the University of Wisconsin in 1991. She came to Ponca City in 1992 as an adult services librarian and two years later became the library director.
Her professional and academic memberships include the American Library Association, the Oklahoma Library Association, Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi, and the Public Library Director's Council. This year she has been named the chair for the Oklahoma Library Association's Intellectual Freedom Committee.
Her community interests include volunteering at the Poncan Theatre and being a member of the Pioneer Rotary. At present she is participating in the Leadership Ponca City class. She is also a board member for the Ponca City Area Literacy Council and the current secretary for the Ponca City Arts and Humanities Council. The speaker and her husband are the parents of a two-year-old son.
The dessert meeting hostess committee includes Mrs. Jack Keathley, chairman; Mrs. Homer Anderson, Mrs. Paul Kelly, Mrs. Louis McCormick, Mrs. V. C. Merrifield, Mrs. Virginia Hess, Mrs. E. W. Lindsay Sr., Mrs. Richard McDonald, Mrs. Glenn Peel, Mrs. Charles Tharp and Miss Nancy Lee Wetzel.
Lee Ann Graham and Robert Brandon Valliquette are planning a June 7 wedding at the First Christian Church. Parents of the couple are Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Graham of Nowata and Mr. and Mrs. Ron Valliquette of Wichita, Kan.
The bride-elect is a 1990 graduate of Bartlesville High School and has attended Northern Oklahoma College and Northeastern State University. She is employed as an assistant general merchandising manager for Albertson's in Stillwater.
Valliquette graduated from Great Bend, Kan. High School in 1991 and has attended Barton County Community College. He is employed at Albertson's in Ponca City as an assistant manager.
A "Genealogy Workshop" will be conducted by the Central Oklahoma Chapter of the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia. The workshop will begin at 7 p.m. Feb. 18 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 1800 N.W. 36th Street, Oklahoma City, said Lillian Larwig, chapter president.
There will be tables set up for village groups to meet and exchange information. Those interested in participating are invited to come and meet the AHSGR representatives and to bring family documents, records and other information to share.
For more information contact Duane Osmus, publicity chairperson, 405 942-2391.
The Red Rose Garden Club met at the home of Mrs. W.L. Martin,124 Elmwood, on Feb. 10. Assisting Mrs. Martin were Mrs. Henry Bourne and Mrs. Carl Coates. Refreshments were served from a silver-appointed table which was centered by red and white teddy bears and red and white candles surrounding several Valentines.
Mrs. Harold Younger introduced Gerald Wiens, Naturalist from the Chaplin Nature Center near Arkansas City, Kan. who gave the program for the afternoon. He stated that the Chaplin Nature Center is sponsored by the Wichita Audubon Society and is open to the public. They also give various programs for school children and adults.
The program for the garden club members was on "Animal Clues." Various clues that prove that an animal has been there might be feathers, foot or paw prints, bone and skulls, skins or claw marks on trees, nests and trees that have been cut down, among others. He also announced that there will be a photographic workshop for interested parties on March 1, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. entitled "Tricks & Techniques of Nature Wildlife Photography". There is a fee for this workshop.
In the business meeting that followed Mrs. Younger led the group in the recitation of the Gardener's Creed followed by roll call which was answered with "My Favorite Bird to Watch". Mrs. E.L. Manering gave the minutes of the last meeting and the Treasurer's report. Mrs. Younger announced that two books had been placed in the Library in memory of Mrs. Rex ( Mildred) Storm and Mrs. Robert Bosworth. Mrs. Younger also gave the Garden Council report.
Announcements were made that the North Central District Convention will be in Kingfisher on March 15. Anyone wishing to attend should contact Leota See or Mavis Robison. Red Rose club contributed two lace angels to be used as door prizes at the State Convention April 4-6. The Fourth Annual Herb Festival is to be June 7 at the Cann Garden Center.
Mrs. William Majors, chairman of the Nominating Committee, announced the slate of officers who were then elected and will take office in June. New officers are Mrs. John (Ann) Strickland, president; Mrs. Jim (Jannie) Ross, vice president; Mrs. Fred (Suzanne) Boettcher, secretary; Mrs. E. L. (Maxine) Manering, treasurer; Mrs. William (Rosalie) Majors; Mrs. Edward W. (Lana) Jones, publicity; Mrs. Strickland and Mrs. Don E. (Mavis) Robison, Council representatives; Mr. Harold (Barbara) Younger and Mrs. Henry (Carolyn) Bourne, parliamentarians.
Mrs. Henry Bourne gave each member a copy of"The Story of St. Valentine" which concluded with "May beauty touch your life, May peace bless your world and May love warm your heart. Happy Valentines Day."
The next meeting of the Red Rose Garden Club will be Mar. 10 at the home of Mrs. Gerald Pace, 1405 Reveille Drive, with Mrs. George Hinds as co-hostess. The program will be "Chocolate Kiss Bouquet."
The First Baptist Church in Shidler was the setting for the December wedding of Sharon Lea Nickles and Richard Emery Patrick. Officiating the double ring vows were the Rev. Jackie E. Vogele of New Hope Assembly in Arkansas City and the Rev. Scott Duke of the Shidler First Baptist Church. Parents of the couple are Mrs. Bessie Mae Nickles of rural Shidler, and Emery (Dick) and Margie Patrick of Ponca City.
John Roe of Shidler played "Greensleeves" and the traditional wedding march. Rick Whiting of Ponca City sang the "Wedding Song" and taped music by Kathy Mattea, "Battlehymn of Love," and George Strait singing "Carried Away," completed the musical program.
The bride wore a gown of antique embossed satin styled with raglan sleeves fitted at the wrist. The high neckline was embellished with seed pearls and sequins as well as lace insets. The deep vee neckline in back was marked with a fabric bow and highlighted the train. Her waist-length illusion veiling was secured by a headpiece of pearls and baby's breath. She followed the traditional something old, new, borrowed and blue. The wheat penny in her shoe was given to her by her sister, Ruby Nickles, and was dated the year of the bride's birth. The silk floral bouquet carried by the bride was created by Joan Auld, and featured pink Dogwood, mauve and blue roses, miniature mauve roses, baby's breath and greenery.
Mrs. Clara Sue Freeman was matron of honor and bridesmaid was Ruby Nickles, both sisters of the bride. Each was dressed in western attire with long, blue skirts decorated with conchos and accented by matching blue vests and cream-colored blouses and Navy blue boots. Each carried a bouquet of mauve and blue roses and baby's breath. Keely Patrick, daughter of the bridegroom, wore a pink satin and lace western-style dress with pink boots and carrie