From The Pages Of The Ponca City News, Tuesday, February
18, 1997
LOCAL
Grass Fires Threaten McCord Area Homes
Nearly News
Oil and Gas Report
Computers Need Protection From Power Surges
Kaw Dam Road Closed Wednesday
NEWS BRIEFS
DEATHS
William Gerald Simpson Jr.
Ruth Shepard
Charles M. Coffman
Melvin R. Fagg
Services Pending
Kenneth Leffler
Helen Louise Frost
Wilford Ray Collins
Funerals
Emma Plunkett
BUSINESS
Marketing Next For BISness Seminar at PTC
Presley To Address Breakfast of Champs
Sonic Plans Super Store
Money Management Seminar To Begin Feb. 25 at NOC
Mulligan Now Affiliated With Equitable Agency
Unemployment Up in County
LIFESTYLES
Miss Northern Oklahoma College 1997 Winner Chosen
YMCA Fund Drive Ends Feb. 27
SPORTS
Late Surge by PC Girls Falls Short
Northern Men Now Hope Road Is Kind
Alexander Strikes For 28 in OT Loss
Butts, Geter Power NOC Ladies to Win
News Sports Editor
By LAURA TREADWAY
News Staff Writer
MCCORD - Gusting winds fueled a grass fire which ravaged the northwest side of the McCord area Monday.
According to Teresa Mayes, McCord Volunteer Fire Department assistant chief, the incident commander, no injuries were reported after the fire which damaged property of three residences on Todd Drive, three on Candace Drive and one on Whipporwill Road.
Firefighters suspect a cigarette discarded in a bar ditch approximately one mile east of the Old River Bridge on U.S. 60 ignited the fire at approximately 11:07 a.m. The fire spread north through a pasture endangering houses and livestock, however, efforts by firefighters and residents kept damage to a minimum. Total damage is estimated at $50,000.
Mayes said most damage occurred on Whipporwill where fire destroyed a two-story garage and three vehicles housed inside. According to the insurance company, Mayes said damage to the garage and cars was approximately $30,000.
Firefighters from McCord, Ranch Drive, Ponca City and Osage Cove Fire Departments battled the fire for more than four hours.
However, due to dry conditions and high winds, McCord firefighters kept busy revisiting the fire scene. At 5:01 p.m. McCord firefighters returned to the 300 block of Whipporwill Road to put out a small fire that rekindled. At 7:29 p.m. McCord firefighters responded to the 3200 block of Moneytree Road to extinguish a hay bale that reignited.
Furthermore, firefighters were back out to Moneytree Road at 5:38 a.m. today to extinguish more burning hay bales, Mayes said.
"McCord wants to thank the fire departments who came to assist," the incident commander said. "We appreciated their help."
Mayes also said volunteers from the Red Cross brought drinks and hamburgers to the firefighters.
Other Fires
In addition to McCord, other departments battled grass fires which erupted outside the Ponca City area. Osage Cove and Burbank Fire Departments responded to a grass fire at Burbank Landing and U.S. 60 at 12:40 p.m.
Osage Cove went back into action at 6:05 p.m. to the scene of another fire four miles east of Burbank on Apperson Road. Burbank was also notified to provide assistance, according to Ponca City telecommunication officers.
Telecommunication officers notified the Marland Volunteer Fire Department to assist the Red Rock Department with a grass fire south of Red Rock on Red Rock Road at 2:11 a.m. this morning.
Red Flag Alert
A Red Flag Fire Alert was issued by the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture for most of the state effective Monday.
The alert is not in effect in the eastern edge of the state. While this is not a burning ban, it is a high-caution fire advisory, especially in grassy areas.
Even though most areas received snow recently, the moisture in the grassy fields will rapidly be lost with warmer temperatures and windy conditions, according to department officials.
The department recommends citizens use extreme caution when burning. The alert will remain in place until the windy, dry, warm conditions subside.
NN has been alerted by Ila Hoelting McKee that the Thursday meeting of the Republican Women of Kay County has been set up until Thursday, Feb. 27 in order to get the speaker folks wanted to hear. Keep an eye on The News for an upcoming account of "what's happening" at the next meeting of the Republican Women. Ila promises the news any day now, according to NN.
Coaner Oil Co. has revealed plans to drill a 900-ft. wildcat well in
Kay County. The operator has designated the venture as the No. 3 Crawford.
Drillsite is 4.5 miles north-northwest of Ponca City.
Section 4 - township 26n - range 2e-nw-nw.
EXOK Inc. is preparing to conduct a wildcat re-entry in Kay County, 3.3
miles southwest of Chilocco. Included in the operation is the No. 1-32 Silver.
EXOK is planning to take the well to a new 4,800-ft. bottom in the Mississippian
Formation.
Section 32 - township 29n - range 2w-sw-ne.
Drillsite has been staked for the No. 1 Noble "A," a 4,550-ft.
developmental well in the Liberty Field, Noble County. The operation will
be located 6.3 miles southeast of Red Rock. Venture Energy Corp. is the
operator.
Section 9 - township 22n - range 2e-ne-sw.
The No. 1 Suzy, a 1,300-ft. developmental well, is scheduled to be drilled
in Noble County's Orlando Field. Blackcat Oil Co. is the operator. The well
will be spudded five miles south of Perry.
Section 20 - township 20n - range 1w-sw-ne.
A 580-ft. developmental well is planned by Pangaea Exploration Corp.
at a drillsite 4.1 miles northwest of Ceres, Noble County.
The well is designated as the No. 1-1 Bertha. It is in the Whiterock Field.
Section 1 - township 20n - range 2
Deeper pay will be target at a recompletion operation planned by JOC
Operating Inc. in Noble County's East Three Sands Field. Located about 4.8
miles west of Marland, the well is designated as the No. 1-18 Maxine. JOC
will be seeking production in the Mississippi Chat at a depth of about 4,700
feet.
Section 18 - township 24n - range 1e-nw-ne.
Computers should be protected from power surges since they are sensitive to changes in electric current.
According to Phil Johnston of the Ponca City Electric Department, although surges are rare, they are brief changes in the voltage of electricity. Voltage is the force at which electric current moves through power lines.
To provide extra protection for your computer, the utility suggests owners to:
- Purchase a surge protector. Although they do not protect against power loss, they ensure that sudden voltage changes won't affect the computer's memory.
- Check the wiring in the home and office to be sure it is properly grounded.
- Save or "back-up" the computer work often to ensure the user has an up-to-date copy.
"At the city, our goal is to provide reliable electricity at a not-for-profit rate," said Johnston. "We work hard to prevent surges and most surges won't affect your appliances."
The road across Kay Dam will be closed Wednesday for construction work at the dam.
According to the Oklahoma Municipal Power Authority, the road will be closed from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Motorists should seek other routes to and from Ponca City during these hours and allow additional time for planned trips.
Construction work at the dam should be completed no later than 4 p.m.,
at which time the road will reopen.
NEWS BRIEFS
Spay Certificates Available - During Spay Day USA, the Ponca City Humane Society has 40 spay certificates to distribute at 10 a.m. Each certificate is for $25 towards the cost of surgery. The certificate is not for the full fare of surgery. Call 767-8877 for further information.
Failure to Pay - A Ponca City police officer arrested a 20-year-old man in the 1000 block of North Sunset Street at 8:31 a.m. Monday on a city warrant for failure to pay.
Abandoned - A motorist informed the Ponca City Police Department at 10:20 a.m. that an abandoned bike was in the 1500 block of West Liberty Avenue.
Larceny - An employee of Drug Warehouse, 2214 North Fourteenth Street, contacted the Ponca City Police Department at 12:40 p.m. Monday to report a man just stole something and ran south. An officer responded and took a report.
In Custody - A Ponca City police officer arrested an 18-year-old woman in the 1600 block of Hudson Drive at 2:31 p.m. Monday on a city warrant for assault and battery.
Accident - The Oklahoma Highway Patrol investigated an accident four miles west of Oklahoma 156 and old U.S. 60 at 3:10 p.m. Monday. The Ponca City rescue unit also responded and found a 1982 New Yorker rolled on its left side. According to the fire department's report, the driver of the New Yorker reported driving through a heavy dust cloud. When a 1984 Ford Bronco collided with the New Yorker, the driver lost control. The New Yorker rolled over on the south side of the road. Furthermore, a van collided with a 1989 Chevy pickup near the site of the first accident. No injuries were reported.
Collision - A Ponca City police officer took a report of a non-injury accident at South Fifth Street and Houston Avenue at 4:21 p.m. Monday.
Warrant Served - A Ponca City police officer arrested a 26-year-old man at North Ash Street and West Highland Avenue at 5:37 p.m. Monday on a Kay County warrant for failure to pay.
Vehicle Fire - Ponca City firefighters responded in the 1400 block
of Bradbary Lane at 6:42 p.m. Monday to extinguish a truck on fire.
DEATHS
William Gerald Simpson Jr., former Ponca City resident, died Monday morning Feb. 17, 1997, at the Mission Hill Hospital in Shawnee. He was 37.
The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at the Ponca Indian Baptist Church at White Eagle with the Rev. Ted Freeman presiding. Burial will be in the Ponca Indian Cemetery under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel, Ponca City.
William Simpson Jr. was born Feb. 21, 1959, in Fort Worth, Texas, the son of William G. and Ruth (Warrior) Simpson Sr. He was a direct descendant of Chief Standing Buffalohead and Chief George Giveswater. He received his education in the Ponca City area schools. Simpson enlisted in the U.S. Navy on Aug. 17, 1979, and served aboard the USS Cushing, involved in the Persian Gulf War. He received his discharge in 1983.
He was married to Deborah Lynn Mitchell on Nov. 23, 1987, at Shawnee and the couple made their home in Noble. Simpson was a mechanic by trade. He was a member of the Ponca Indian Baptist Church and the Giveswater Service Club. He enjoyed fishing and camping.
Survives include his wife, Debbie, of the home in Noble; three children, Jacob, Benji and Perry Simpson, all of the home; his parents, William and Ruth Simpson, Shawnee; three brothers, Scotty, Clyde and Steve of Shawnee; three sisters, Irene Lawson, Naomi Simpson and Mary Morrison, all of Shawnee; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Amos and Irene LeClair Warrior.
Casket bearers will be Steve Simpson, Scotty Simpson Jr., John Gibson, Clyde Simpson and Michael Shawn Warrior. Honorary bearer will be Scotty Warrior Jr.
The family will be at the Scotty Simpson home, south of Ponca City.
Ruth Shepard, mother of Gary Shepard of Ponca City, died Monday, Feb. 17, 1997, at Shawn Manor Nursing Home in Ponca City. She was 85.
The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at the Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home Chapel in Enid with the Rev. Lawrence Gresham officiating. Burial will follow in the Memorial Park Cemetery, Enid.
Ruth (Francis) Shepard was born Aug. 19, 1911, in Marlow to Samuel and Sarah Alice (Jackson) Francis. She grew up in Marlow and graduated from Duncan High School. She moved to Enid in 1939.
On Dec. 24, 1941, she was married to Lee Shepard in Enid, where they made their home. Mrs. Shepard had been employed at the Wiebel Dairy and also the Kress Department Store in Enid. She attended Calvary Baptist Church. Mrs. Shepard moved to Ponca City in 1991.
Survivors include one son, Gary Shepard of Ponca City; one daughter, Gail McGinnis of Boston, Mass; two sisters, Madeline Van Buren of Houston, Texas, and Ruby Venable of Duncan; nine grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband on Sept. 13, 1981; her parents; and one brother.
Charles M. "Chuck" Coffman, 65 year Ponca City resident, died Monday morning, Feb. 17, 1997, in the St. Joseph Regional Medical Center following a brief illness. He was 91.
The funeral mass will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 20, 1997, in St. Mary's Catholic Church with the Rev. John Michalicka, pastor, officiating. Burial will follow in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery under the direction of the Trout Funeral Home. A rosary will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday evening, Feb. 19, 1997, in the Trout Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Scott Adams, associate pastor, officiating. Friends may call at the funeral home until 9:30 a.m. Thursday.
Mr. Coffman was born June 26, 1905, in Little River, Kan., the first son of Hays B. and Elsie (Stratton) Coffman. He was preceded in death by three brothers: Herman, Max, and Carl. The Coffman family settled in Olathe, Colo., in 1910, after the purchase of farm and ranch property. Chuck actively worked the operation while earning 14 letters in high school athletics. The University of Colorado attracted Charles to its Boulder campus where he secured an electrical engineering degree in 1929, while also lettering in football, basketball, baseball and track. He was among recent honorees of "Living Legends" at the University of Colorado.
The oil industry in Oklahoma provided Mr. Coffman his career opportunities. He joined Empire Oil in 1929, and retired in 1967 as night superintendent of the former Cities Service refinery of Ponca City. Mr. Coffman's interest in athletics was a lifelong joy. He played on local amateur softball and basketball teams as a young man. He coached St. Mary's High School basketball team from 1948-49, 1963. From those teams, his son Mel went on to University of Colorado basketball fame as a key performer in the NCAA final four in 1955. He encouraged each of his sons in their athletic pursuits.
Charles Coffman and Catherine Baustert were married in May 1935, after the premature death of his college sweetheart wife, Geraldine Hilker in 1934. Catherine "Kate" preceded him in death in 1988. He is survived by four sons: Mel Coffman of Boulder, Colo, John Coffman of Ponca City, Rick Coffman of Dallas, Texas, and Tim Coffman of Ponca City.
Grandchildren include Chris, Patrick, and Scott of the Rick Coffman family; Mike, Steve, David, Jay, Shelly, and Steve of the John Coffman family; Mel Jr. Kathy Rawls, Jeff and Scott Carson of the Mel Coffman family: and Debbie Beard and Melissa Coffman of the Tim Coffman family; and three great-grandchildren. In addition to both wives, he was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Herman, Max and Carl, and one grandson, Richard Gregory, in 1988.
Charles Coffman had many social and community interests. He served as Scoutmaster and undertook many projects for St. Mary's Church. The Knights of Columbus were a main focal point where he achieved fourth degree status and served as Grand Knight.
After retirement in 1967, Charles and Kate traveled extensively and made many friends around the country. Visiting children and enjoying their environs gave them great pleasure. They purchased various properties in Florida, and built a retirement home there but missed their Ponca City roots so much they moved back. Winter in Brownsville, Texas, was a favorite haunt. Their Airstream travel trailer was their major adventure.
In the past few years, Charles enjoyed spending time in his beloved Colorado and following the fortunes of the Colorado Buffaloes. In addition, a fall spent on the east coast rooting his step-grandson to gridiron glory with the Naval Academy Football Team brought him great pleasure.
Casket bearers will be grandsons, Chris Coffman, Jay Coffman, Mike Coffman, Steve Coffman, David Coffman, Mel Coffman Jr., and Trey Beard. Readers at the funeral mass will include Chris Coffman, Patrick Coffman and Melissa Coffman. Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree will provide an honor guard.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Boy Scouts of America, 412 South Fourteenth Street, Ponca City, OK 74601.
paid obituary
Melvin R. "Mel" Fagg, Route 2, Box 98, died Sunday, Feb. 16, 1997, 10:04 a.m. at the St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. He was 64.
The funeral service will be Wednesday, 2 p.m. at the First Lutheran Church with pastor Paul Volz officiating. Burial will follow in Longwood Cemetery under the direction of the Trout Funeral Home.
Born July 28, 1932, at Ponca City he was the son of Frank and Edith Anderson Fagg. He attended schools at Ponca City graduating from Ponca City High School in 1950.
He and the former Peggy Rea were married June 7, 1952, at the First Lutheran Church. Mel began his career working at Sober Brothers. In 1958 he joined Industrial Welding Supply as a salesman. He retired in 1992 from the Jimmie Jones Company.
He was a member of the First Lutheran Church. He was a former member of the Lew Wentz Golf Association more recently a member of the Ki-Wah-C Golf Club in Fairfax. He also held memberships in the Ponca City Bassmasters and BASS. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and enjoyed gardening and OU athletics. In earlier years he had coached little league baseball and football.
He is survived by his wife, Peggy, of the home; two sons, Dan and his wife Janice, Owasso, and Mark and his wife Donna, Arkansas City, Kan.; a brother, Charles Fagg, Kansas, Okla.; five grandchildren, Troy, Scott, Leslie, Travis and Derrick, and three great-grandchildren, Cody, Matthew and Rebecca; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Casket bearers will be Darrell Adams, Robert Sharp, Kevin Davis, Greg Rea, Darwin Rea, and Larry Klumpp. Honorary casket bearers will be Buddy Klumpp, J.P. Reed, Alfred Hall, Art Warren, Hubert Hutchins, Cal Steinberger, Arky Reyez, Bob Stebbins, Bud Renbarger, Mark Hilyard, and Doug Sullivan.
Memorials may be made to the First Lutheran Church, 1101 North Fourth Street, Ponca City, OK 74601.
Friends may call at the Trout Funeral Home until noon Wednesday.
The family will be at the home, Route 2, Box 98.
paid obituary
TONKAWA - Kenneth Leffler, longtime Tonkawa resident, died Tuesday morning, Feb. 18, 1997, at the Blackwell Regional Hospital in Blackwell. He was 80. Arrangements are pending with McCafferty-Bolick Funeral Home, Tonkawa.
Helen Louise Frost
Helen Louise (Edwards) Frost, Ponca City resident, died this morning, Feb. 18, 1997, in Ponca City. She is survived by a brother Wallace H. Edwards of Ponca City. Arrangements are pending with Trout Funeral Home.
BLACKWELL - Wilfred Ray "Bill" Collins, Blackwell area resident, died Monday evening, Feb. 17, 1997, at the Blackwell Regional Hospital. He was 69. Arrangements are pending with Hackler Funeral Home, Blackwell.
Saturday
Emma Plunkett - Memorial service at 2 p.m. at the Y Chapel of Song on
the University of Central Oklahoma campus in Edmond. A reception will follow
in the Broncho corral of Health and Physical Education Building. Arrangements
are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home, Ponca City.
BUSINESS
Pioneer Technology Center's business and industry services will be presenting a seminar from the Mind You BISness series on marketing.
The seminar is Feb. 26 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., in PTC's Education Business Center East.
Presenter for the seminar is Joe Engelbrecht, president of ImageQuest Advertising, Inc. ImageQuest is a multi-service advertising and marketing firm that specializes in assisting small businesses in non-metro areas.
Engelbrecht began his career in Amarillo, Texas, by working in radio advertising. After attending workshops and seminars on how to make advertising more effective for small business, Engelbrecht soon opened his own agency.
Engelbrecht currently conducts seminars and workshops of his own. He has conducted seminars throughout Oklahoma for chambers of commerce, civic groups, the Oklahoma Vo-Tech Department, small-business development centers and other agencies.
To make reservations call (405) 762-8336, Ext. 238.
The Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce has scheduled Dr. Leo E. Presley, executive director of the Department of Commerce, as the speaker for the Friday "Breakfast of Champions."
The breakfast is designed to help customer service representatives as local businesses hone their skills in dealing with the public. Local employers are encouraged to make reservations for front line employees.
The breakfast will be held at Pioneer Technology Center at 7:30 a.m. Breakfast will be served starting at 7:15 a.m. Tickets are $5 and reservations may be made (405) 765-4400.
Dr. Presley was selected by Gov. Frank Keating as executive director of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce and his appointment was unanimously confirmed by a vote of the Senate during the 1996 session.
Presley came to the Commerce Department with a successful and distinguished background which included work in organizational management, leadership training, education and economic development, and small business ownership.
Following an early career in sales, management and training, consulting and small business ownership. Presley joined the Oklahoma Department of Vocational and Technical Education in 1980. During his first six years with the department, he was responsible for a number of different organizational areas.
In 1986, Presley was named assistant state director for the department with management responsibilities for business, industry and economic development services.
Since early 1992, Presley has had his own consulting business in leadership, management, organization and community development related activities. Throughout his career, Presley has been an active member and leader in a wide range of public and private groups and organizations. Presley has worked with the Chamber of Commerce in Ponca City several times.
He is a graduate, board member and past president of Leadership Oklahoma; graduate, inaugural class of Leadership USA; chairperson, Executive Bond Oversight Commission; member, board of directors of Oklahoma Community Institute; Oklahoma Futures; Oklahoma Council for the Advancement of Science and Technology; Oklahoma Finance Authorities; Oklahoma Ordinance Works Authority; Oklahoma State Chamber of Commerce and Industry; OSU Alumni Association.
Plans have been submitted to the Ponca City Planning Department for a new "super" Sonic Drive-In. The new drive-in is to be located at 2603 North Fourteenth, between Chapman Shoes and Amarillo Grill.
The spokesman for America's Drive-In Trust, (Sonic corporate) stated this the largest prototype for the chain. Owner of the franchise will be Virgil Richardson of Ponca City. The builder is Guy Lemmonier.
Sonic has three other locations in Ponca City: Hartford and Fifth Street, 608 South Fourteenth and Fourteenth Street and Princeton. The Fourteenth and Princeton store will close when the new store opens.
TONKAWA - A three-part Successful Money Management Seminar will be conducted at Northern Oklahoma College this month. The seminar covers basic personal financial planning topics such as investments, lowering your taxes, IRAs and other retirement plans, and developing a personal financial plan.
Everyone who attends will receive a confidential personal financial plan, workbook and home study materials. The seminar is designed for all ages, income levels and occupations, including retirees.
Instructors are professional financial planners from Clark & Associates. No products or services will be promoted or offered at the seminar.
The three-part seminar will be held on consecutive Tuesday or Thursday evenings from 6:30 to 10 p.m., beginning Feb. 25. A $40 fee covers the cost of instruction and all materials for one couple or a single individual. To register or request additional information, call NOC at (405) 628-6220.
Pat Mulligan has joined the Sullivan Agency of The Equitable Life Assurance Society of the U.S. He will be working with Carol Bouldin in the Ponca City office.
The announcement was made by John P. Sullivan, agency manager for The Equitable in Oklahoma and northwest Arkansas.
As financial sales associate, Mulligan will be responsible for analyzing, designing and implementing financial solutions for individuals as well as businesses, in order to grow, protect and preserve the assets of his clients. Previously Mulligan was vice president of Smith Tool Business Unit of Smith International Inc., and has resided in Ponca City since 1977.
Mulligan received his bachelor of science degree in industrial engineering from Kansas State University and his master of business administration from Phillips University. In addition to being a graduate of Leadership Ponca City, he has been active in the community and served as a city commissioner, a board member of the Ponca City Public School Foundation and Peachtree Landing. He has also previously coached several youth teams.
Currently, Mulligan serves the community as chairman of the Ponca City Economic Development Foundation, as a member of the Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, the Marland Estate Foundation, Westminster Village Board of Trustees and Rotary International.
He and his wife, Diane, and his daughter Katie live in Ponca City and are members of St. Mary's Church. His two sons, Tim and Danny, live in Stillwater and Norman, respectively.
The Equitable office in Ponca City is located at 106 North Third Street. Financial products and services available to individuals and small businesses through the Sullivan Agency include life and disability insurance; annuities; financial, retirement and estate planning and mutual funds.
Kay County's unemployment rate for December was 7.5 percent compared to 7.3 percent in November and 5.8 percent in December 1995.
According to the Oklahoma Labor Force Statistics Kay County has 20,390 employed and 1,660 unemployed for a total work force total of 22,050.
Other area counties and unemployment rates include, Grant 2.6 percent
in December 1996, compared to 2.7 percent in November and 2.8 percent in
December 1995; Noble, 3.1 percent, compared to 3.4 percent in November and
3.5 percent in December.; Payne, 2 percent compared to 2.1 in November and
2 percent in December 1995; Pawnee, 7 percent for both November and December
and 7.1 in December 1995.
LIFESTYLES
Cindy Miller, Mooreland, won the title of Miss Northern Oklahoma College 1997 at the Miss NOC Scholarship Pageant held on the college campus Feb. 13. She will represent Northern at the Miss Oklahoma Pageant in Tulsa in June.
Fachaitte Kinslow of Dover was named second runner-up and was awarded a $175 scholarship. First runner-up was Molly Hall, Edmond, receiver of a $225 scholarship. Miss Hall won the Crowd Pleaser Award, determined by audience vote. Winner in physical fitness in swimsuit category was Jodi Rosewitz, Ponca City.
A $50 tuition waiver scholarship went to each of the five non-finalists: Kathryn Conaghan, Tonkawa; Veronica Hughes, Blackwell; Stacie Krienke and Katie Thompson, Enid; and Rosewitz.
Crowned by Miss NOC l996, Kristi Kirkpatrick of Enid, Miss Miller received a scepter, sash, plaque, arm bouquet of roses and numerous gifts from area merchants in addition to a $425 scholarship.
A freshman drama and mass communications major at Northern, Miss Miller gave a dramatic interpretation of "Shall I Tell You What I Think of You," an excerpt from "The King and I" during the talent portion of the pageant. She will perform again at the Miss Oklahoma Pageant Contestants Day March 22.
She has played leading roles in two dinner theatre productions for the Woodward Arts Council and co-hosted as well as performed on a telethon for the council. She acted in five all-school plays in high school, playing the lead in four of them. At Northern she served as stage manager for the "No Frills Revue."
Miss Miller's career goal is to host her own television show dealing with entertainment and to open an acting studio. Currently she plans to audition for the Pollard Theater, home of Oklahoma's only professional resident acting company, and she is interested in performing in summer stock.
For her personal pageant platform, Miss Miller will promote organ donation, beginning with a project to encourage organ donor awareness on the college campus. Suffering from kidney problems as a child, she is aware of problems experienced by patients who need organ transplants. She is available to explain her platform to civic groups and has already been invited by her niece, Jennifer Miller, to visit Frontier High School.
Miss Miller is the daughter of Gale and Mary Miller of Mooreland and the granddaughter of Alice Miller of Zenda, Kan. She has two older brothers, Greg of Marland and Brad of Woodward. Her two nieces, Jennifer and Jene Miller, attend Frontier school.
KOCO-TV personality Dino Lalli hosted the pageant, which was directed by Sally Nesselrode and featured performances by Miss Oklahoma 1996, Amy Duncan; Junior Miss Dance of Oklahoma, Sarah Reed; the Inciardi School of Dance Company, including Anna Heagy, Cara Kem, Sean Love, Dana Poulson Nesselrode (Miss NOC 1993), Robert Nesselrode, Tye Pameticky, Dane Pryse and Erin Wilson; and Miss Kirkpatrick.
Hostesses were Juli Adams (Miss NOC 1994) and Northern faculty Pat Hullet, Ginny Orban and Sue Ann Rodgers. Judges were Jan Piper Adams, Jeri Cocannouer, Tony Daniels, Ronda Mikles and J. Steven Smethers, PhD. Judy Colwell, Northern business division chair, and C.M. Hullet, Northern dean of men, served as auditors.
Editor's note: Information for this story was correlated by Laura Treadway, News Staff Writer.
The second annual fund raiser for the YMCA Community Support Campaign has already collected $40,000, according to Executive Director Bart Miller. Mike Blackburn and Joe Rothbauer are co-chairs for the campaign. Set to conclude Feb. 27 the campaign is still in need of funds. Anyone who would like to help the YMCA by contributing financially or by volunteering time and talents please call 765-5417.
"We cannot direct our efforts toward solving many community needs without your financial support," said Miller. "It is your support that allows the YMCA to offer assistance to those in need."
Team Captains for the campaign this year are Keni Ray, Conoco; Jeff Cowan, Pioneer Bank; Mary Ann Hall, retired; Chris Hand, Carpet Specialities; Clarence Palmer, YMCA.
Campaign funds from 1996 provided the following opportunities:
- Fifty-five kids were able to attend Summer Day Camp for $13,000.
- More than 200 children enjoyed the free community Swim Safe program. The week long program introduced water safety and encouraged kids to learn to swim at a cost $5,000.
- Sixty children were sponsored in the youth sports programs for $1,200.
- Membership increased by over 38 individuals thanks to $4,500 used for financial assistance.
- Forty Native Americans were able to use the YMCAs facilities for a substance abuse program. The bi-weekly program was scholarshipped at a cost of $5,400.
- The free Senior Health fair attracted 150 participants. Over 25 informational booths and displays directed toward helping senior citizens was produced for $1,250.
- Over 250 children and parents attended the Health Kids Day program. Families became more aware of the importance of good health, and exercise and family involvement was stressed. The collaborative community effort involved over 15 organizations at a cost of $2,200.
Additionally, the YMCAs has incurred over $3,000 in start up expenses and financial assistance for an after-school program at McCord School. This new program requires assistance.
"We have greatly increased our ability to provide financial assistance to some of those children and families with a need as well as provide free community awareness programs," Miller said. "However, as a mission driven organization, we can see a much greater need."
"We want to be able to respond to those needs," the executive director said. "But as has often been said, no money-no mission. We need your support. Help make that difference," he concluded.
The YMCA of Ponca City, a United Way agency, serves more than 3,500 people each year. According to the YMCA, "too many of Ponca City's children are reaching adulthood unprepared to be productive workers, effective parents or responsible citizens."
The YMCA provides positive developmental programs for children and youth, including youth sports, summer day camp, aquatics and leadership training. YMCA teaches four core values - caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. The organization is the number one provider for child care. The non-profit organization is international in it's scope. The "Character Counts Coalition" has Tom Selleck, television and screen star, as the national spokesman.
Furthermore, the YMCA develops over 200 community service volunteers.
Logo for the organization is "Building Strong Kids, Strong Families
and Strong Communities."
SPORTS
By DAVID BROWN
News Associate Sports Editor
BARTLESVILLE - Ponca City's Lady Wildcats came from 10 points down in the fourth quarter to forge a tie with Bartlesville with 2:40 left but a jumper with six seconds remaining gave the Lady Bruins a 40-38 win here Monday night.
The win snapped a 16-game home court losing streak by the Bartlesville girls that stretched back to the 1994-95 season and improved the Lady Bruins to 6-13 overall and 2-11 in the Frontier Conference. Ponca City fell to 7-12 and 4-9.
After trailing 9-6 at the end of the first quarter, 20-14 at the half and 33-23 after three, Ponca City finally got its offense untracked in the fourth and made a startling comeback.
Junior guard Natasha Anderson entered the fourth quarter 2-for-9 from three-point range but quickly stroked down her first two attempts in the final stanza and Bartlesville called a timeout with 6:43 to play now up by just four, 33-29.
A steal and a layup by Anderson sliced the lead to three points at the 3:32 mark and then 6-3 post Lyndsey Warrior went to work for the Cats.
Her bucket at the 2:56 mark cut the lead to two and then her jumper 16 seconds later tied the game at 35-all. The two teams took turns going 1-for-2 from the line and then Bartlesville went back up by two points when senior Andrea Richmond hit both her free throws with 46 seconds left.
Ponca City worked the ball into the hands of junior post Tiffani Essary and she came through with a big basket to forge a 38-all tie with just 24 seconds left. But Bartlesville wasn't through. The Lady Bruins got the ball into the hands of senior wing Jennifer Morrison on the left side and her shot hit nothing but net with six seconds left.
The clock continued to run on the inbounds and Anderson's desperation halfcourt heave at the buzzer was short and to the left of the basket.
Anderson led the Lady Cats with 14 points, which tied her individual season high. Warrior finished with 12 points, Desiree Cries For Ribs had 4, Essary 4, Keesha West 2 and Tia Williams 2 points.
Richmond topped Bartlesville with 13 points, Catina Barnes had 10, Macie Viets had 8 and Morrison finished with 7.
Ponca City ended up 16-for-54 from the field (29.6 percent) overall and was 5-for-22 from three-point range (22.7). The Lady Cats were just 1-for-4 from the line (25.0) and had a season-low seven turnovers.
Bartlesville was 13-for-33 (39.4) from the field - 2-for-5 from three-point range - and 11-for-17 (64.7) from the line with 20 turnovers, nine coming in the fourth quarter.
Ponca City's girls will try to complete a sweep of the season series against Charles Page High School at Sand Springs tonight and then the Lady Cats return home for Senior Night Friday in a rematch with Bartlesville. The regular season ends Monday.
By FRED HILTON
News Sports Editor
TONKAWA - Monday's 95-79 loss to St. Gregory's at home may have left Northern Oklahoma College's Mavericks where they need to be for a run at the post season tournament - on the road.
The Mavs fell to 3-4 in conference play and in danger of losing a bid to the Region II Tournament. It left them with a dismal 1-3 conference record in Foster-Piper Fieldhouse. NOC has three games remaining and two of those are on the road, where the Mavericks are 2-1.
NOC travels to Seminole Thursday, plays the final home game against Rose State next Monday and closes out the regular season Feb. 26 at Murray State.
Maverick coach Mick Weiberg can't really explain the lack of home court advantage for his team, but does have a bit of reverse logic that fits his reverse logic team.
"It may be that our fieldhouse is too friendly, with too good a crowd," he said. "Other teams don't draw nearly as well as we do. We went down to St. Gregory's and there weren't 50 people in the stands. We had as many fans there as they did.
"I think when they come here before these crowds, it pumps other teams up. Also, I think maybe the referees bend over backwards a little to make up for the crowd."
Weiberg had a running battle with the referees in Monday's game which saw his team draw two technicals and an intentional foul in a whistle-blown second half.
Whatever the reason, St. Gregory's, which leads the Bi-State Western Division, used its time at the foul line well. The Cavaliers hit 31-of-36 free throws on the night. NOC was 15-of-18.
Although unhappy with the officiating, Weiberg said the Mavericks' problems were all of their own making.
"We just don't play very tough," he said after the game. "We played soft inside and let them get some easy buckets early. Also, we were at a size disadvantage at the guards and St. Gregory's took advantage of that.
"But we did play tough in the final five minutes and that gives me hope. If we can get into the tournament and if we can play a whole game like we did the final five minutes tonight anything can happen."
Despite giving up some easy scores early, the Mavericks were able to stay with the Cavaliers in the opening minutes. The Mavs led 9-6 early and then built a 28-24 lead midway through the first half on back-to-back jumpers by Mark Passley and a bucket by Chauncey Webb.
But St. Gregory's came back and broke up a 32-32 deadlock with a 12-2 run down the stretch. The Cavaliers held a 44-37 lead at halftime.
The Mavs came out storming in the second half. Passley opened with a pair of field goals. Richard Whitfield hit from the top of the key and Blake Sonne drained a three to tie the score at 46.
But St. Gregory's Chris Green countered with a trey and that started a 12-3 run by the Cavaliers that was the beginning of the end.
The Cavaliers were 27-of-32 in free throws in the second half. They did not hit a field goal in the final six minutes but popped through 17-of-20 charity tosses as NOC fouled to get the ball back.
Passley paced the NOC scoring with 22 points while Sonne, who had three threes, finished with 20 points. DeShawn Denson had 14 points and Whitfield 10.
Steven Lookout finished with 6 points, Bryan Stevens had 3 and Webb and Chris Beech had 2.
By DAVID BROWN
News Associate Sports Editor
BARTLESVILLE - Micha Alexander's high-scoring ways continued here Monday night but the junior guard's career-high 28 points were not enough to prevent the Bartlesville Bruins from snapping an eight-game losing streak with a 57-50 overtime win.
Ponca City led by five, 49-44, with just 55.4 seconds left in regulation but couldn't hold off the Bruins, who forced three Ponca City turnovers in the last 43 seconds.
Following the first of those turnovers, Bartlesville made a pair of free throws at the 39.9 second mark. Dan Hartsock, a 6-7 senior forward, then hit a tying three from the right wing with 22 seconds showing after Po-Hi's second turnover.
Ponca City got the ball back, pushed it across halfcourt and then called time with 9.5 seconds remaining. After a Bartlesville time, Ponca City had to inbound into the backcourt and Bruin Josh Cole made a steal with three seconds left but missed the layup at the buzzer and the teams went to the four-minute overtime session.
Sophomore Tom Engle put the Cats up by one with 3:36 left on a free throw but that was all Po-Hi would get as Bartlesville closed out the game on an 8-0 run, going 6-for-6 from the free throw line. Ponca City was just 1-for-4 from the line in OT.
Alexander, who has averaged 20.8 points per game in the Wildcats' last five games, scored all 10 of Po-Hi's first-quarter points but the Cats trailed 13-10.
Alexander's third trey of the game gave Ponca City its first lead of the game at 16-15 with 4:20 left in the second quarter but Bartlesville came back to lead 23-22 at the half despite allowing Alexander to scorch the nets for 17 points.
Bartlesville came out with renewed defensive intensity on Alexander in the second half but the 5-11 sharpshooter didn't force his shots. The first three minutes of the quarter saw good ball movement by the Cats and that set up a made free throw by Ryan Treadway and a three-point play from fellow post Jason Shelton.
Alexander then worked free for a trey and junior point guard Ryan Meyer followed with a three-pointer to put the Cats up 32-27 with 4:18 to play in the third.
The Po-Hi lead grew to seven points at the 2:22 mark as Alexander scored inside off a nice Shelton pass to put the Poncans up 35-28.
Bartlesville crashed the boards hard in the last 15 seconds to get off three shots and sophomore guard Zac Willis got a tip to follow with eight seconds left to whittle Po-Hi's lead to 37-33 after three.
The Bruins cut the margin to a single point at 40-39 after back-to-back buckets midway through the fourth but Alexander swished his fifth and final trey of the game to up the lead to four with 3:11 showing.
Bartlesville again closed to within one, 45-44, following a Jacob Lawson three-pointer at the 1:25 mark but the Cats converted a nice fastbreak layup as Meyer passed to Shelton for a basket and then Meyer hit a couple of big free throws with just 55.4 seconds left that seemed to clinch the victory.
But then came the rash of turnovers and the Bartlesville comeback.
In addition to the 28 points from Alexander, Shelton had 6, Meyer 5, Wesley Swygert 5, Treadway 3, Brad Brewer 2 and Engle 1.
Bartlesville was led by 6-5 senior forward Rusty Macklin with 15 points. Lawson had 9 points, Hartsock had 9 and 6-8 senior post Kyle Stewart had 8.
Ponca City lost for the 10th straight time and fell to 4-15 overall and 2-11 in the Frontier Conference. Bartlesville improved to 6-13 and 3-10.
The Wildcats were 15-for-39 from the field (38.5 percent), 14-for-21 from the line (66.7) and committed 22 turnovers. Bartlesville was 18-for-52 from the field (34.6), 16 of 25 from the line (64.0) and had just 11 turnovers.
Next up for the Cats is a trip to Sand Springs tonight and then Ponca City is at home for the final time this season Friday against Bartlesville. The regular season ends Monday in Broken Arrow.
BY FRED HILTON
News Sports Editor
TONKAWA - Powered by the inside play of 6-2 Sherry Butts and 5-10 Lynetta Geter, Northern Oklahoma's Lady Mavericks got off to a fast start and never looked back in a 74-51 win over St. Gregory's in Piper-Foster Fieldhouse Monday night.
The Lady Mavs, who have won 11 of their last 12 games, lead the Western Division of the Bi-State Conference with a 7-0 record and are 18-9 overall.
But the NOC women face a showdown at Seminole, 6-1 in the conference, on Thursday in the race for a top seed in the Region II Tournament.
"A win at Seminole would put us in good shape - for now," smiled NOC coach Greg Krause. "But it's going to be tough winning down there."
Krause is hoping his team can get off to another hot start in that game. Against St. Gregory's the Lady Mavericks broke from a 2-2 deadlock with a 10-0 run on the shooting of Geter and Butts.
St. Gregory's tried to get back in the game, closing to 19-14 before NOC went on a 6-0 streak that gave the Lady Mavs a 25-14 lead with 6:32 left in the first half. They built the margin to 44-22 at halftime.
Geter had 16 of her game-high 25 points in the first half while Butts added 11 points to NOC's first half spree. She finished the night with 13 points.
The Lady Mavericks got off to a slow start in the second half, allowing St. Gregory's to get within 44-28 before Geter took control again.
This time the Tulsa native had help from the outside by Cathy Rogers, who hit on three threes as the NOC women pulled further in front.
NOC had a 31-point lead (70-39) with about eight minutes left.
"We had a good first half shooting and played pretty good defense," Krause said. "The big girls shot well and Rogers came in off the bench to help out."
The Lady Mavs shot 40.8 percent (31-76) from the field to offset some poor (5-of-11) free throw shooting. But the Lady Mavs controlled the boards as Geter and Michelle Brown each had 9 rebounds. NOC collected 44 caroms on the night.
Behind Geter and Butts, Rogers finished with 9 points, Jill Kliewer had 6, T.J. Humphreys and Brown each had 5, Jennifer Whittet 3, Danielle Monie 2 and Mandy Perkins 2.
After Seminole, the NOC women finish the season against Rose State at home on Monday and at Murray State on Feb. 26.