From The Pages Of The Ponca City News, Tuesday, February
3, 1998
LOCAL
Leonard Joins Race As Filing Continues
Nearly News
Burger King Robbed At Knife Point
Kaw Lake Volunteers Are Needed
Rezoning Requests On Planning Agenda
Boy Scouts Will Observe 88th Anniversary
Tina Kambour To Teach Class in Modern Dance
NOC Preview Day Thursday
Parenting Classes For Young Parents
District Court
Youth Art Classes Begin Wednesday
Ponca City Students Join In OKC Catholic Event
DEATHS
Waneta Mae Ebert
Alta Stout O'Dell
Carl H. Bowman
Funerals
Hazel E. Wright
NEWS BRIEFS
BUSINESS
Local Startup Company Carves Its Niche in Petroleum Industry
Mulligan Earns Honors For Service to Equitable
Local J.C. Penney Healthy, Growing
Forum Features Board Candidates
Notes and Quotes
Cato Sponsors Valentine Day Giveaway
Conoco Pays $5.7 Million In Local Taxes
LIFESTYLES
Leslie Fields Bride-Elect
Little News
Mother's Club Board Continues Project
By-Law Change On PT Agenda For Thursday
SPORTS
Cagers Face Tough Chore
Lady Mavs Fall Short in Rally
Mavericks Stumble Out West
Frontier Girls Escape, 52-50
Ninth Grade Girls Win
By Patti Pfeiffer
News Staff Writer
As of this morning, two of the three "announced" mayoral candidates had taken the steps necessary to become an "official" candidate.
City Commissioner Tom Leonard filed early this morning to join fellow Commissioner Dick Stone, who filed Monday morning.
Retired city employee Melvin Schoonover, the third announced candidate, had yet to file as of this morning.
Although filing for the mayor's race has been somewhat slow, the Kay County Election Board office has been a busy place, says Election Board Secretary Carol Stafford.
Upcoming or ongoing, election board employees are preparing for Ponca City mayoral candidate filing, filing for the Blackwell Commissioner of Public Property, the upcoming Ponca City Public School and Pioneer Technology Center board elections and the state question election regarding gambling.
The filing period started Monday and will continue through 5 p.m. Wednesday.
Any registered voter residing in the city limits of Ponca City is eligible to run for the office of mayor of Ponca City. A candidate must complete a declaration of candidacy, have it notarized and pay the $200 filing fee.
According to Stafford, the filing fee must be in the form of either a cashier's check or money order made payable to the Secretary of the Kay County Election Board.
The Election Board is located in the basement of the Kay County Courthouse in Newkirk and is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Conoco is all atwitter today over the comic panel "Bizarro," seen in another newspaper. WBBZ on-air personality David May tipped NN to the activity, pointing out the panel that was labeled "Forgotten Pages of American History" and carried the bottom note: "The Great Pencil Rebellion of 1964, Ponca City, Oklahoma." The central picture is a pencil sharpener pierced with pencils. On the wall in the feature is a map of Oklahoma pointing the wrong direction. On a filing case there is a tiny Conoco triangle. Present Conocoans are trying to find employees from 35 years ago to see what the "historic" basis of the panel might be. Artist Don Piraro, who grew up in Tulsa, is being pursued to see if he will divulge his inspiration.
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NN had some inside information from KLVV 88.7 FM concerning Punxsutawney Phil and cold weather. Morning show host Sammy Carrillo was joined by phone with Nancy Poochey, executive director of the Punxsutawney, Penn., Chamber of Commerce yesterday, and got the lowdown. It seems Phil came out, saw his shadow and forecast six more weeks of winter. NN was afraid of that!
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The former crew of the USS Rupertus DD851 is planning a reunion in May of 1998 and trying to locate additional crew members. NN understands they can use our help in locating their former crew members. If you know any former crew members, please given them this information: USS Rupertus DD 8651 Reunion, April 30 through May 3, 1998 in Houston, Texas. Call Bob Duer (626) 358-5585 for more information. The Rupertus is a U.S. Navy Destroyer commissioned in 1946 in Lowell, Mass. She and her crew members fought in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars.
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Viola Avenue between Fourteenth Street and Elmwood Avenue will be closed through Tuesday as the concrete patching project continues throughout the city. Several more locations are slated for repair and other street closings may be forthcoming.
A robber took to extreme the saying "Have it your way at Burger King" as he walked up to the drive-through window at Burger King, 2908 North Fourteenth Street, shortly after midnight Tuesday and demanded cash from the clerk.
An undisclosed amount of cash was taken as the suspect, wearing a black stocking cap, robbed the restaurant at knife point. It is the second armed robbery in Ponca City in less than three days.
Police are still investigating the armed robbery at the Triple T, 1301 West Highland Avenue, which occurred early Saturday night. Using a gun and ski wearing a mask, the robber in that case managed to heist not only an undisclosed amount of cash, but 3-4 packs of cigarettes.
Although both robberies have several similarities, police say it is too early to determine whether the two are related. However, they will admit that two armed robberies in such a short period of time is unusual.
"It is somewhat unusual for our community to have back to back armed robberies," police spokesman Sherry Bowers said. "As far as I know that hasn't happened in several years."
Police are still searching for the suspect in the first robbery who has been described as being a Hispanic male, 5 feet 10 inches tall with a medium build, having a "slight" mustache and last seen wearing a red shirt and black pants.
The suspect in the second robbery has only been described as having a thin build and a "slight Spanish dialect." At the time of the robbery he was wearing a yellow jacket.
Anyone having any information on either crime should contact the Ponca City Police Department or Crime Stoppers at 762-5100.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Kaw Lake Office are actively seeking volunteers to perform a wide range of tasks at Kaw Lake. These jobs include but are not limited to Campground Host and Cleanup/Maintenance.
Campground Host duties will include opening and closing park entrance gates, greeting guests, assisting campers with the camping and day use fee programs, reporting maintenance needs and light cleaning and mowing.
Campground Host duties may vary according to location and the time of year that the volunteer works. Camp Hosts would need a self-contained camping trailer or some other camping equipment suitable for staying at one of the recreation areas located on Kaw Lake.
Cleanup/Maintenance volunteers duties will include light cleaning duties, light maintenance work such as mowing, painting, tree trimming, wildlife habitat and resource work and watering trees.
These are only two examples of volunteers that are needed. There are many other volunteer opportunities for anyone that is interested in spending time around the lake. Work opportunities, hours, and most other aspects of these assignments can be adjusted to fit almost any schedule.
The Corps of Engineers will provide an assigned campsite at no charge to the volunteer. Water and electric hookups will be provided to all volunteers and in many instances sewer hookups will also be available.
The volunteer is encouraged to agree to a minimum of a 30-day stay with flexible work hours. There will be plenty of time for volunteers to enjoy the recreational opportunities available at Kaw Lake. Interested parties should contact one of the Kaw Lake Park Rangers at 580-762-5611 for more details.
Ponca City Planning Commission will hear three rezoning requests this evening at the 7 p.m., meeting at the Public Safety Center.
The first rezoning request is for rezoning from R2-C, condominium/townhouse dwelling district to C-1, local commercial district, use permissible on review. The property is located at the southeast corner of Lansbrook and Prospect. The legal description is Lot 1 and 2, Block 1, Willow West Addition.
The use permissible on review is for a mini storage facility. The application is by L.K. Davis.
The second public hearing is a request for rezoning from R-1, single family dwelling district to C-1, local commercial district. The property is located at 1038 North Sunset. The Legal description is Lots 3, 4, 5 and 6, Block 13, Sunset Hill Subdivision. The request is by Norman E. Humble to maintain the area for a storage building.
The third rezoning is from R-2, two-family dwelling district to R-2, use permissible on review/municipal use. The property is located at 113 Albany. The legal description is Lot 13 and 14, Block 23, Town of Cross, now an addition to the City of Ponca City. The City is asking for the rezoning for a material storage yard.
The Will Rogers' Council will join more than 300 other Boy Scout Councils Feb. 8-14 in the national observance of the Boy Scouts of America's 88th anniversary.
For 50 years the council has been administering Boy Scouts of America programs in the area with the help of local volunteers. This year's observance is dedicated to the untiring efforts of those volunteers. "We are a volunteer-based organization," said Chuck Rager, Scout Executive of Will Rogers Council. "Since it was organized in 1910, the BSA has dedicated itself to providing an educational program for boys and young adults that instills values, builds character, trains them in responsible citizenship, and develops personal fitness."
"None of this would be possible without the adult volunteers who give their time so unselfishly," said Rager. "There are more than 1,000 volunteers working with 2,519 youth in the area."
Anniversary week begins Feb. 8 with Scout Sunday. Scout Sabbath services conclude the week on Feb. 14.
"We want to pay tribute to our volunteers," Rager said. "But we also want to honor the people who support them, such as employers and spouses. After all, volunteers do sacrifice time away from home and work to serve scouting."
Additionally, the Will Rogers Council will celebrate its 50th Anniversary on Feb. 21. For more information on how you can become a part of this great movement, call 765-6669 or 1-800-478-2563.
Tina Kambour, artistic director of Kambour Dance Theatre, will teach a class in modern dance on Saturday, 10-11:30 a.m., at the Poncan Theatre.
The class is sponsored by the Ponca City Arts and Humanities Council, the Oklahoma Arts Council, and Conoco. Admission to the class will be free.
Tina Kambour is currently an adjunct faculty member in the University of Central Oklahoma Dance Department, and an artist-in-residence with the Oklahoma Arts Council. She has taught individuals of all ages in New York, California, Missouri, and Oklahoma including the Tulsa Summer Arts Institute.
Her choreography has been commissioned twice by the Harwelden Institute of the Tulsa Arts and Humanities Council, the Dance Department of the University of Central Oklahoma and the LocalMotion Foundation of Tulsa. In addition, her work has been adjudicated and selected for performances for the American College Dance Festival Gala, the Mid-America Dance Network Choreographer's Showcase, and LocalMotion's Contemporary Choreography Competition.
Kambour's class is open to local dance students. Students are not required to have previous experience in modern dance, but should be at least 12 years of age with three or more years of dance experience. The class will be taught at an intermediate level.
Kambour will be in Ponca City to perform with her company at the Poncan Theatre Saturday. She will perform in solo and duet works, and her company will dance several ensemble pieces.
The performance begins at 7:30 p.m., and admission is free because the event is also sponsored by the Arts and Humanities Council, the Oklahoma Arts Council, and Conoco. For more information or to register for the class, interested persons should call the Poncan Theatre at 580-765-0943.
TONKAWA - Northern Oklahoma College will host a high school preview day Thursday for area juniors and seniors interested in attending Northern or who have not yet decided upon a college.
Students will meet at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, in the Olin Walcher Conference Center, located in the Memorial Student Union complex, for information on admission requirements, enrollment procedures, how to fill out scholarship applications and how to apply for financial aid.
A campus tour, complimentary dinner in Maverick cafeteria and a free pass for the NOC-Eastern basketball game that evening are included in the activities.
For more information, contact Sheri Snyder, director of college relations, at (580) 628-6668.
Northern Oklahoma Youth Services have been presenting a series of parenting classes for young parents. More classes have been scheduled at the Lincoln Center on Thursdays from 6 to 8 p.m. They are:
Feb. 5 - Ages and Stages of Development.
March 5 - Nutrition and Other Routines.
April 2 - Families.
May 7 - Relationships.
All young parents are urged to attend these classes.
Newkirk
Marriage Licenses
Mitchell Ray Davis, 31, and Kelle Shawn Moffett, 27, both of Ponca City.
Carl Boyd Carlson, 21, and Veronica Kay Hughes, 19, both of Blackwell.
Curtis Eugene Harris, 41, and Margaret Kay Fox, 40, both of Ponca City.
Bradley Daren Stanton, 30, and Ruth Ann White, 20, both of Ponca City.
Floyd Dean Gatz, 48, and Elizabeth Kay Teten, 43, both of Tonkawa.
Billy Joe Golay, 23, and Elizabeth Ann Jones, 19, both of Ponca City.
Michael Brandon Evans, 21, and Trina Sue Yazzie, 19, both of Ponca City.
Beverage Licenses Issued
The CharRon Lounge/Ronnie D. Forbeck.
Crown and Rose English Pub, Inc.
Christy's Club/Mona Buffalohead.
February Youth Art Classes will began at the Ponca City Art Center from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Wednesday taught by Anna Adams and Cindy Rasche. Mediums to be offered during February include drawing, painting, and clay sculpture.
The drawing-painting classes will be combined under the instruction of Anna Adams and some assistants from Ponca City High School. The group will be working with acrylics for composition and using a variety of techniques. Students will be encouraged to experiment with various ideas for improving drawing and painting skills. Materials are provided.
The clay sculpture class will be taught by Rasche, who will be instructing in the building of stoneware and sculptures of students own design. Students who also took the clay sculpture classes in January are encouraged to re-enroll for the month of February to complete projects and hone sculpting skills. All materials and tools are provided for the class.
Fees for the Youth Art Classes are $35 for the first child in a family and $25 for each additional child per month. Classes are limited in size so early enrollment is suggested. Parents or grandparents are encouraged to participate as well.
All students must be members of the Ponca City Art Association to participate and family memberships are available at the Art Center at $10 per year.
For more information call Anna Adams at 765-5086.
The students of St. Mary's Catholic School in Ponca City will join over 5,000 students from 22 Catholic schools from across central and western Oklahoma to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City.
The celebration, to be held Wednesday, at the Oklahoma City State Fair Arena, will include a mass celebrated by the Most Reverend Eusebius J. Beltran, Archbishop of the Oklahoma City Archdiocese, a dramatic retelling of archdiocesan history and a musical concert by singer Steve Angrisano.
This celebration is one of many activities being held in conjunction with National Catholic Schools Week. Locally, St. Mary's School will be represented by approximately 200 persons in a caravan of 25 vehicles.
The Rev. Thomas J. Boyer, Pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Cathedral and chair of this special event, says that each of the archdiocese's Catholic schools will participate in the anniversary program. "In planning the kind of day that might provide a lasting memory for our school children I thought about my own experience as a young student," the Rev. Mr. Boyer said. "I recall gathering with students from other schools and feeling the excitement of knowing we were part of something large - of a community of people whose values and beliefs brought us together." That, he says, is one purpose of the huge anniversary celebration.
Students will participate in the worship processional and mass as well as the narrative historical drama. Commemorative school banners designed especially for the anniversary will hang in the arena. In addition to Archbishop Beltran, the students will be joined by the Most Reverend Charles Salatka, 50 archdiocesan priests, Sr. Catherine Power, CND, Superintendent of School, Sr. Marla Yeck, RSM, Associate Superintendent of Schools, former church and school officials, parents, and guests.
The musical concert will feature Steve Angrisano, internationally recognized
Catholic musician and speaker who has performed in cities in the United
States, Canada and Europe. In 1997 Angrisano performed at Pope John Paul
II's World Youth Day in Paris. He has released four albums, most recently
"Go Make a Difference."
DEATHS
BLACKWELL - Waneta Mae Ebert, longtime Blackwell resident, died early Monday morning, Feb. 2, 1998, at Southwest Medical Center, Oklahoma City. She was 75.
The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Roberts Funeral Home Chapel in Blackwell with a son, Mike Ebert, officiating. Burial will be in the Blackwell Cemetery.
Waneta Mae (Barrows) Ebert was born Sept. 10, 1922, in Blackwell to Henry and Helen Mae Barrows. She grew up and attended schools in Blackwell.
On Oct. 31, 1939, she was married to Lester Ebert Sr., in Wellington, Kan., and they made their first home in Braman. A short time later they moved to Houston, Texas. Mrs. Ebert moved back to Blackwell in 1945, where she lived while her husband served during World War II. After his discharge, they lived in Washington three years and Alaska for six years, before returning to Blackwell in November 1955.
Mrs. Ebert operated a fireworks stand in the area for 25 years. She worked as a volunteer in Blue Birds, Cub Scouts, and Girl Scouts. She had also served as president of the Blackwell VFW Auxiliary. Mrs. Ebert was a member of the Blackwell First Church of God. She enjoyed baking wedding cakes, hunting, fishing and traveling.
Survivors include her husband, Lester Ebert Sr. of Blackwell; one daughter, Darlene Wieland of Colorado Springs, Colo.; four sons, Lester Jr. of Blackwell, Gene of Pekin, Ill., Pat of Havana, Ill., and Mike of Van Buren, Ark.; four sisters, Edith Purdy, Velma Turner, Esther Herren and Vera McCurry, all of Blackwell; two brothers, Ed and Harvey Barrows, both of Blackwell; 16 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by an infant daughter Carolyn June Ebert; and her parents.
Casket bearers will be Lester Ebert Jr., Gene Ebert, Pat Ebert, Mike Ebert, Darlene Wieland and Dean Bay.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Ebert's name to the Blackwell First Church of God, c/o Roberts Funeral Home, 120 West Padon, Blackwell, OK 74631.
KINGFISHER - Alta Stout O'Dell, former Blackwell resident, died at the home of a daughter in Kingfisher, Sunday, Feb. 1, 1998. She was 83.
The funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Kingfisher Church of Christ with Mr. Ken Richter, pastor, officiating. A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Blackwell (Okla.) Cemetery, under the direction of Sanders Funeral Service, Kingfisher.
On May 14, 1914, Alta (Wiggs) Stout, O'Dell was born in Fame, Okla., one of 12 children born to Billy Marion and Lina Verina (Woods) Wiggs.
On Feb. 16, 1932, she was married to Ralph Stout in Hannah, Okla., and they reared 12 children. Mr. Stout preceded her in death on Jan. 17, 1957.
She was married to Claude Lee O'Dell on Oct. 15, 1960, and he preceded her in death on May 21, 1976. Due to an extended illness, Mrs. O'Dell moved to Kingfisher to live with a daughter and son-in-law in November 1994.
Survivors include 12 children, Edward Stout, Lois Beck, and Audrey Bobeck all of Blackwell, Martha Pannell, Mable Clark, Shirley Ann Crosson and Deborah K. Adams, all of Kingfisher, Riley W. Stout and Alfred C. Stout, both of Tulsa; Paradine Epperly of Little Kansas, Okla., Lloyd Stout of Union City, Calif. and Jay C. Stout of Ponca City.
Also two brothers, Riley Wiggs of Blackwell and J.D. Wiggs of Joliet, Ill.; four sisters, Verna Dunnaway of Russelville, Ark., Charlie Wiggs of Blackwell, Angeline Hayworth of Nardin, and Margaret Harold of Longview, Texas; 43 grandchildren; 66 great-grandchildren; and numerous great-great-grandchildren.
In addition to both husbands and her parents, she was preceded in death by four sisters, Mattie Davidson, Charlene Shultz, Dorothy Hayworth, and Flora Doyal; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. O'Dell's name to the Kingfisher Regional Hospital, Skilled Nursing Unit, P.O. Box 59, Kingfisher, OK 73750.
SHIDLER - Carl H. Bowman, longtime Shidler resident, died at the Fairfax Manor Nursing Home in Fairfax, Monday morning, Feb. 2, 1998. He was 80.
The funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Hunsaker-Wooten Funeral Home in Fairfax. The Rev. George Weston, pastor of Fairfax First Christian Church will officiate. Burial will be in the Beggs (Okla.) Cemetery.
Carl H. Bowman was born April 8, 1917, in Beggs, the son of George Washington and Ida Mae (Hubbell) Bowman. He moved to Osage County in the late 1920s, where he attended school. During World War II he served in the U.S. Army in New Guinea. After he was discharged from the Army he returned to Oklahoma to ranch in The Osage.
He was married to Ruth M. Taylor in 1954 in Sedan, Kan. The couple made their home in the Shidler-Foraker area, where Bowman worked on area ranches. He was noted for being a natural horseman and recognized for his ability to train horses and dogs. He enjoyed riding and raising horses and traveling.
Survivors include several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife on Sept. 11, 1992; his parents; three brothers; and two sisters.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Bowman's name to the American Heart Association, c/o First National Bank, P.O. Box 1151, Ponca City, OK 74602.
Wednesday
Hazel E. Wright - Funeral to be at 2 p.m. at Strode Funeral Home
Chapel in Stillwater. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens, Stillwater.
NEWS BRIEFS
Fight - At 8:03 a.m. Monday police were notified of a fight at the Ponca City High School. An officer was assigned and it was decided that the school would handle the matter.
Bike Found - An abandoned bicycle was reported at 11:26 a.m. Monday in the 1500 block of North Seventh Street.
Window Broken - A person at the diesel plant, 1400 North Osage Street, reported a broken window to police at 11:58 a.m. Monday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Harassment - At 12:27 p.m. Monday a man in the 2200 block of North Fourteenth Street advised police that he was being harassed by an unknown person. An officer was assigned.
Arrest - Police arrested a 28-year-old man at 12:50 p.m. Monday from the 300 block of North Pine Street for driving under restriction and no insurance.
Arrest - A 22-year-old woman was arrested at 1:03 p.m. Monday from West Hartford Avenue and Hudson Drive for driving under suspension.
Window Broken - At 2:19 p.m. a woman in the 800 block of South Sixth Street reported that her car window had been broken out. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Break-In Reported - At 3:03 p.m. Monday police received a report of two juveniles attempting to break into a residence in the 400 block of South Lake Street. However, upon police investigation, it was discovered that the juveniles lived at the residence.
Arrest - Police arrested a 23-year-old man from the police station at 4:16 p.m. Monday on a city warrant for failure to obey.
Shoplifting - At 4:18 p.m. Monday police were notified that a woman had left the store without paying for several items from Country General, 3008 North Fourteenth Street. The items were recovered but the woman was not located.
Attempted Break-In - At 4:26 p.m. Monday a man in the 400 block of South Oak Street reported to police that someone had attempted to break into his home. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Harassment - A woman in the 300 block of North Ash Street reported at 5:28 p.m. Monday that two juvenile boys were at her residence harassing her and her children. An officer was assigned.
Pole Hit - At 5:51 p.m. Monday police were notified that a light pole at North Seventh Street and East Highland Avenue had been hit.
Accident - A non-injury accident at North Fourteenth Street and East Prospect Avenue was reported at 6:27 p.m. Monday.
Stolen Ramp - A man in the 100 block of South Ash Street reported to police at 6:54 p.m. Monday that a ramp had been stolen from his front porch. A report was taken.
Cow Crash - At 8:11 p.m. Monday a man called police reporting that he had hit a cow on U.S. 77 north of Newkirk. OHP was notified.
Curfew Violation - At 3:38 a.m. Tuesday two juveniles were cited
for curfew violations after a woman in the 2200 block of North Fourteenth
Street called police complaining of loud music coming from a vehicle.
BUSINESS
Editor's Note: The following story was submitted by a Ponca City Company Multiphase Solutions that is revolutionizing the oil and gas industry.
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Imagine a virtual operator, capable of monitoring and operating oil wells anywhere in the world, and you have a Ponca City based company Multiphase Solutions (MSI).
It works like this data regarding flow, pressure and temperature are entered into a system so the operator can control and optimize oil production in fields from the North Sea to the Gulf of Mexico.
While this may sound like a pipe dream, it is in fact a reality being played out in Ponca City by MSI, which is made up by a group of former Conoco engineers. Their story is a testament to their strong belief in what they do. It's also exemplary of how they are revolutionizing the oil and gas industry.
Five and a half years ago, Conoco's facility in Ponca City employed 110 in production research. At that time, Trent Brown was a chemical engineer doing technical research for Conoco. Over a period of time, he sensed the company's desire to downsize a central unit which provided much of Conoco's technical expertise.
As a result, Brown, along with three other chemical engineers at the company, Dale Erickson, Vicki Niesen and Michael Mai, decided to start their own firm. They saw a niche in being able to provide technical expertise to oil and gas companies, much of which was being outsourced to independent contractors.
In July 1995, the four engineers put together a proposal for their company, Multiphase Solutions Inc., and presented it to their bosses at Conoco. In exchange for software and laboratory tools, the four would provide a certain amount of free support to Conoco. Over a period of nine months, Multiphase negotiated with Conoco and eventually signed a deal to buy the equipment they needed to get the company started. Their first research contract was inked with Conoco in April 1996, and MSI was officially open for business.
"We basically work in three areas," said Brown, one of the co-founders. "The first area is production chemistry. Specifically, crude oil contains varying levels of paraffin, which can cause major operation problems, from slowing the flow of oil to plugging a pipeline. We conduct a great deal of research in identifying crudes that might contain paraffin, and preventative measures to take in lessening its effect on oil production," Brown said. This is especially crucial when dealing with oil-heads at deep depths on the ocean floor.
"Hydrates are another substance that can severely impact the effectiveness of drilling operation," Brown said. "Hydrates are water with gas molecules trapped inside. If not monitored, they can plug off a pipeline. Besides losing valuable production time, it can cost millions to replace a pipeline. We provide the expertise needed to monitor paraffin and hydrate levels, and how to control these substances so they don't interfere with production," Brown added.
MSI's second area of expertise is in transient multi-phase simulation. "Basically this entails pipelines that have water, oil and gas coming out of the well at the same time. Slugging can occur which means that you have large pockets of gas mixed with great amounts of oil. This can cause major production problems when it comes to separating oil and gas which are flowing at different pressures and temperatures," Brown said.
"In addition, there are real stringent safety requirements, especially in the North Sea, and if a pipeline ruptures, we can offer assistance in fire control. Also, if a leak occurs in a pipeline, what are the consequences and how quickly do you shut the pipeline down? These are all situations in which we've developed a number of scenarios and solutions," Brown added.
"The third area in which we offer technical expertise is perhaps the most exciting," Brown said. "We've developed two computer products which we're now marketing, and to my knowledge, no one else in the United States has developed this kind of software.
"Virtual Operator (VO) and Pipeline Integrity Monitoring Systems (PIMS) are controlled packages that can be integrated into standard, on-site control systems. VO and PIMS are especially valuable in the control and operation of multiphase systems. Specifically, PIMS can track the condition of all the pipelines, along with the composition of the fluids and flow rates. In addition, it can detect leaks in a system. This technology is currently being utilized in two large pipelines in the North Sea," Brown commented.
The VO software takes the PIMS information and operates an oil field at its maximum efficiency while eliminating potential problems. "Basically, VO is optimization and control software that operates the wells and allocates production according to certain specifications. Currently, this software is being utilized in one of Conoco's fields in the North Sea.
Brown credits much of the company's success to the talents of the original four. "We were lucky in that three of us had graduate degrees in thermodynamics, which became a critical issue in drilling when we formed the company," Brown said. He also said being a part of the business incubator program at Pioneer Vo-Tech in Ponca City has helped the company immensely in getting off the ground.
If the past several months are any indication, it appears MSI is well on its way to developing a niche in its industry. Three more full-time employees have been hired, and during a recent trip to Houston, great interest was shown in the company's PIMS and VO software.
"Eventually, we'd like to branch outside the oil industry and broaden our expertise base. This kind of technology can be applied to other industries as well. In addition, I hope that several years down the road, we are the dominant supplier of multi-phase technology, and that we'll be well-situated in the Gulf of Mexico. That's where the oil industry is booming right now," Brown added.
And to think that it all started with four engineers from Conoco who were in the middle of a downsizing, but saw an opportunity to branch outside the corporate comfort zone and utilize their technical expertise. It's another example of the entrepreneurial spirit in Oklahoma that many people seem to come by quite naturally.
OKLAHOMA CITY - Pat Mulligan of Ponca City has earned the 1997 Sullivan Firm's New Associate and District Associate of the Year Awards by the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the U.S. for his achievements in production.
These aw-ards are given each year to the new associate and the district associate with the highest production level. A district associate is defined as being affiliated with the company for four years or less.
The announcement of this outstanding achievement of a new associate winning both awards was made by John P. Sullivan, manager of the Equitable in Oklahoma and Northwest Arkansas.
Mulligan joined The Equitable as a financial sales associate in 1997. He is 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. His office is located at 106 North Third.
Mulligan received his bachelor of science 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 has served as a city commissioner, on the boards of various organizations including the Ponca City Economic Development Foundation, Ponca City area Chamber of Commerce, Public School Foundation and Peachtree Landing.
Currently Mulligan serves the community as a member of the Marland Estate Foundation, St. Joseph's Medical Foundation, Westminster Village Board of Trustees, Ponca City Country Club Board of Directors 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.
By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE
News Business Editor
J.C. Penney Inc. will continue to be a viable retail business in Ponca City as it has for almost three-quarters of a century. Although the parent company has announced that some stores will be closing, the Ponca City store in Ponca Plaza is not one them.
Manager Ed Trice said, "The Penney Company announced recently on national news that they were making some changes that would affect about 4,000 people nationwide. That includes 1,500 managers that were already given an early retirement option that have taken it.
"The reason the Penney company is doing this is same reason that every other company is downsizing and that is to position ourselves to be more competitive in the future. They also announced that they were closing approximately 70 stores nationwide. Those were stores that are smaller than $23,000 net sales or more than $160,000. So they are way too small or way too big and they all had that same common denominator - they weren't making bottom line profit for the Penney company."
Trice noted the Penney stock had gone up since the announcement was made. He said that the stock market usually rewards those companies that are trying to improve.
Strong Market
Trice said, "The Ponca City store is strong and healthy - healthier that it has been in sometime - and we want it to continue to grow.
The new arrangement the Penney Company has is to elicit more central buying but still the keep the same strong assortments. We will still have control in our store to mold those assortments and make sure they are what our customers want in Ponca City."
He added, "Ponca City has always been a good business market for Penneys. Our market is called a small store market and our district office is in Little Rock. We have Natchez, Miss., Vicksburg, Miss., and several stores in Arkansas, almost all the stores in Oklahoma except those larger stores in Tulsa and Oklahoma City and then we had Greenville, and Sherman, Texas.
"Those stores were situated in markets that were strong markets for the Penney Company. The district always performed as one of the strongest districts in the Penney Company. This year our store will be in the top 10 in performance in the Arkansas district. So we're real proud of the results."
There are 30 full-time employees and the work force swells to about 45 during the Christmas season. All of the associates that work 25 hours a week or more get benefits and are working for a pension and also have a profit-sharing plan that matches their contribution.
Trice has been with the company for 27 years and has been in Ponca City since September 1995. "Ponca City is a good place to be. Ponca City has always treated Penneys and their managers well."
In Ponca City the Penney store had been located on Grand Avenue until moving to the new store at Ponca Plaza in Jan. 31, 1981.
A special Friday Forum featuring candidates for the Ponca City School Board and Pioneer Technology Center Board has been slated by the Legislative Committee of the Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce.
The event will be at 8 a.m. Friday at Pioneer Technology Center. The format will feature some prepared questions by moderator Steve Crank and then the floor will be opened for questions. The program is to be over by 9 a.m.
Candidates for the Ponca City School Board are Ann Kinsinger and Mike Kruck. Running for the Pioneer Tech board are Zane Barham and Mary Rigdon.
The public is welcome and complimentary coffee and doughnuts will be served.
Attends Institute
Lisa Coy, vice president/general manager of the Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce, recently completed a week-long program of study with the Institutes for Organization Management held at the University of Oklahoma.
The Institute is a professional development program designed to address the unique challenges facing Chamber of Commerces and association executives.
Participants learn the latest techniques in membership retention quality management, volunteer leadership development and non-dues revenue enhancement, among others. Prior to attending, enrollees receive reading assignments and must complete a home-study examination.
Institute is a nationally recognized by chamber and association communities for its standard of academic excellence. Graduates receive a certificate of chamber or association management and earn points toward the Certified Chamber Executive designations.
The Oklahoma Institute is one of the eight programs held each year at United States college campuses. Founded in 1921, Institute is made possible through the Center for Leadership Development, a program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C. More than 2,200 individuals attend Institute annually.
Free Tax Booklet
A free tax planning booklet is being offered by Farm Bureau Financial Services. To learn how new tax laws can be of benefit call 1-800-414-4453 for the booklet "1997 Tax Law Summary."
Free Skin Analysis
Free skin analysis will be given on Feb. 7 and 14 at Wal-Mart Super Center to show appreciation for the Ponca City community and local merchants for supporting the Christmas Basket Fund Raiser and to help Ponca City Domestic Violence and the WHO (Women Helping Others) Foundation. Jana Wilburn and Vicki Lessert, unit chairmen for WHO will be taking an active part in the skin analysis project.
Announces Promotion
Temporary Personnel President Kathy Janes announces the promotion of Amy Lightle employment coordinator to office manager. Lightle and her husband Darrin have three children and are lifelong area residents.
It was also announced that Danita Duroy has joined the firm as employment coordinator. Duroy has a strong background in the area of human resource.
New Location
Among Other Things has relocated to 1911 North Seventh, just north of Hartford. The store, which was due to open today, features antiques, country gifts and accessories. Dawn Waggoner is the owner. The store is open 10 a.m.- 5:30 p.m., Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday.
New Dealer
Great Plains Manufacturing, Inc., of Salina, Kan., announces that Coulter Seed and Equipment Sales of Tonkawa, has recently been contracted to sell and service the Great Plains line of grain drills. Tedrowe and Sandi Coulter are co-owners of Coulter Seed and Equipment Sales.
Dietz Promoted
Ponca City resident David Dietz has been named chief information officer of Stillwater National Bank and Trust Co. This is the same bank that former Ponca City banker Chuck Westerheide is now employed with.
Dividend Announced
WILMINGTON, Del. - Dupont has declared a first quarter common stock dividend of 31.5 cents a share, payable March 14 to stockholders of record Feb. 13. This dividend is the same as that paid in the fourth quarter 1997.
Regular quarterly dividends of $1.125 per share on the $4.50 series preferred stock and .87.5 cents a share on the a$3.50 series preferred stock were also declared. Both are payable April 25 to stockholders of record April 9.
Ponca City's Cato Fashions Store will hold a $250 "Great Valentine Giveaway Feb. 12.
Gifts to be awarded during the event include a gift package from Cato, $25 certificate from Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse, dinner for two from Amarillo Mesquite Grill, haircut and style from Mane Attraction, 10 tanning sessions from All Season's Tan, two 10-ounce ribeyes from Braden Packing Co., five free video rentals from Hastings, a box of chocolates from Dwyer's Hallmark, Valentine bouquet from Creative Flowers, portrait sitting and proofs from Photo Pro, wooden heart shelf from Crafter's Mall, ceramic heart box from Norma B's Ceramics and four movie passes from Ponca Plaza Twin.
Participants can register at Cato Fashions, 3012 North Fourteenth. No purchase is necessary and participants need not be present to win.
More than $5.7 million in 1997 ad valorem taxes have been paid to 33 county treasurers in Oklahoma by Conoco; its subsidiary, Conoco Pipe Line Company (CPL); and its parent company, DuPont.
Kay County received the largest share for a single county - $4,052,159, which is approximately 21 percent of the ad valorem revenues collected by all taxing jurisdictions in the north central Oklahoma county.
Of that amount, the Ponca city School District (No. 71) received $3,958,984, which is about 29 percent of all revenue received from property taxes by the local school district.
"Ad valorem taxes are primary components in maintaining the operation of our local county governments and school districts," said Richard Severance, general manager of Conoco's Ponca City-based Mid-Continent business unit.
In 1997, the company's total Oklahoma ad valorem tax figure was $5,717,984.
Of that, Conoco paid the largest portion, $4,627,361; while CPL contributed
$992,144; and DuPont's share was $98,479.
LIFESTYLES
Leslie Ann Fields and Christopher Jay Riddle are planning a Feb. 7 wedding at the First Baptist Church in Newkirk. The bride-elect is the daughter of Charles and Pam Myers of Newkirk and Wesley and Anna Fields of Ponca City. Riddle is the son of Jerry and Lesley Riddle of Blackwell.
Miss Fields attended Ponca City schools and graduated in 1996 from Pawhuska High School and attended Pioneer Technology Center. She is night auditor for Days Inn.
The prospective bridegroom is a 1992 graduate of Newkirk High School and served in the United States Marine Corps until 1997. He is employed at Pizza Hut in Ponca City.
Faith Elizabeth Greenhagen is the name selected by Chris and Emily (Woody) Greenhagen, 80 Elmwood, #2, for their daughter born at 12:50 p.m. Jan. 29, 1998 at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. The baby weighed 6-pounds, 10-ounces and was 19 1/2-inches long.
Grandparents are Johnny and Betty Woody of Ponca City; Danna Beaston and Wayne and Debbie Greenhagen. Great-grandparents are John and Abbie Woody of Dewey, Rose Duffle of Perkins, Eldon and Betty Greenhagen of Newkirk, Dan and Sue Beaston of Ponca City, and the late Leon Duffle.
Members of the executive board of the Ponca City Mother's Club met Jan. 29 at the home of Maureen Danielson, president. Those attending and their representative units were Jayne Detten and Sandy Lake, pre-school; Beverly Carpenter and Evelyn Culwell, Unit I; Sandy Bishop, Jerri Boyer, Roberta Ford and Sondra Scott, Unit II; Maureen Danielson, Louise Locke, Ann Kennedy and Norma Kinzie, Unit III.
Mrs. Carpenter will be chairman of the Spring luncheon. Ms. Kinzie and Ms. Ford reported on the use of money given to the Community Clinic and a recommendation was made to continue contributions to be used for medications for children.
Professionals Today will meet at noon Thursday at Pioneer Area Technology Center for the regular business meeting. The club will be voting on by-law changes involving changing the date for installing officers according to Debra Whitener, president.
In the past when the organization was a Pilot International Club the change of officers took place in August. Several years ago the club disaffiliated with Pilot to become Professionals Today, a local club which spends its dues, and money from fund raising, locally.
The date for officer election is being changed to November with the officers assuming their duties in January. This will allow for more continuity with the annual Cherokee Strip Cook-off when generally falls in September.
The proceeds from the cook-off, which includes the Oklahoma Barbecue Championship go to Hospice of Ponca City. This year the community event will be staged at Wentz Camp.
In addition to Hospice, Professionals Today funds Christmas Gifts for Bridgeway, donates paper goods to Golden Villa and a number of other special individual projects.
The program meeting on Jan. 22, featured Julie Brown and Lynda Fox talking about "Women and Investing." The women, who are in financial planning, furnished a listed of investment books stocked locally, presented a folder on the subject and showed an informative film .
One of the handouts was about "taking control," assessing financial situations, defining goals, calculating funds needed, creating a portfolio to meet investment goals and monitoring the portfolio.
Ann Yancy was welcomed as a new member and guests were Karen Furman and
Liz Hubbard.
SPORTS
By MATTHEW KOENIG
News Sports Writer
The Wildcats and Lady Cats have a chore in store tonight. The Sapulpa Chieftains are second in the conference and No. 9 in the state, while the Lady Chieftains are the runaway conference leaders and firmly entrenched in the state's No. 1 spot.
The Lady Cats' tip off is scheduled for 6:15 p.m., while the boys' game will start at 7:45. Once again, Hopalong Turney and his faithful sidekick, Craig, will be calling the shots on WBBZ, 1230 AM.
Wildcats (5-11, 2-8) at Sapulpa (11-4, 7-3)
The Wildcats, after weeks of steady improvement, reverted back to their evil, early season alter-egos in Saturday's loss to Stillwater. They shot poorly. They gave up the ball 23 times. They couldn't seem to maintain any intensity.
It was the kind of inexplicable relapse that makes coaches want to take up something more predictable - like dog-track betting.
For the Wildcats' resilient Ron Arthur, however, it's simple.
"I'm a 90's kind of coach. Just give 'em a hug and tell 'em you love 'em," he says.
While a welcome rewrite to the old school doctrine of "yelling," Arthur's coaching path-of-least-resistance will have to work wonders tonight, as the Cats square off against No. 9 state ranked Sapulpa.
The Chieftains are led by 5-10 David Marshall and 6-9 Brian Cardwell, who average a combined 26 points per game. Cardwell is also coming off a huge, 19 point, 11 rebound, seven block outing against Jenks, Friday, which Sapulpa won, 54-50.
The last time these two teams met, Dec. 12, the Wildcats did have some success. Marshall and Cardwell had eight and 12 points, respectively, in a 55-51 loss for the Poncans.
"Marshall makes the team go, they rely on him," says Arthur, "we wanted to keep the ball out of his hands, and we did. Unfortunately, Hall beat us."
That's 6-5 senior Eric Hall, who stepped up and unloaded for 18 points last time around, including the last five that shut down a valiant Wildcat comeback attempt. Still, Arthur says they can't key on the entire team.
"We'll stick with the same kind of game plan tonight. We want to keep Marshall and Cardwell from having great games. They seemed to panic a little last time when they couldn't get the ball to those guys. So we'll see what happens.
"And we'll press. They'll be walking the ball up the court, so we want to make them play fast."
Offensively, Arthur says they've been working on a higher percentage inside game - a logical move in the face of 33 percent shooting, Saturday.
"It's something we're trying to emphasize, and it's something we couldn't seem to do against Stillwater. So we're working on it."
Lady Cats (6-10, 2-8)
at Sapulpa Lady Chieftains
(15-1, 10-0)
Has the power of positive thinking become a part of the Lady Cats' game plan? Two weeks ago, before their home matchup against Bartlesville, head coach Dana Pulley said, "we'll be talking about a win tonight."
And just like that, the Lady Cats won. So, tonight, Pulley is trying to manifest another win through the power of suggestion.
"I told the girls the headline of the Tulsa World would be 'Ponca City Upsets Sapulpa'," she says.
And an upset it would be. Remember Sapulpa? Dec. 12, Division I signees Kara Faulk and Mandy Nightengale shot 78 percent from the field and combined for 48 points against the Lady Cats.
Well, they're still there, Sapulpa is still undefeated, and the Lady Cats will need a Herculean effort to overcome. And while Pulley doesn't flinch in the face of this classic David - er, "Dana" - and Goliath battle, what about her players?
Pulley says to combat the Lady Chieftains' blitzing offense, which averages a whopping 62 points a game, they'll play Nightengale and Faulk man-to-man, while keeping three girls in a zone - a "triangle and two," according to Pulley. A number of the Lady Cats' fleet-footed guards will cover the 5-6 Nightengale, while 5-7 Julie Schiltz, who thrives on a physical challenge, will wrestle with the 6-0 Faulk, under the hoop.
"I've convinced our girls not to be intimidated," Pulley says, "they're expected to lose, so they can just go out and have fun. Sapulpa is the team with all the pressure on them."
ALTUS - In a battle of the Bi-State West undefeated, the Lady Mavs of NOC (9-13, 2-1), couldn't complete a late-game comeback to fall to the Lady Pioneers of Western Oklahoma State College, 75-68.
Down by 15 with 12 minutes left in the game, the Lady Mavs staged a tremendous comeback to even the score at 60 apiece. But a timeout by Western, followed by five unanswered points by the Lady Pioneers and the Lady Mavs were down for good. In the closing moments, they couldn't play catch up again.
"They just out-quicked us to loose balls and rebounds," says head coach Greg Krause, "we didn't cover the dribble, we were a step behind everything, all night."
And though the Lady Mavs showed good teamwork, and made a valiant effort to come back at the end, it was the overall intensity that Krause says his team lacked.
"Our energy level just wasn't where it needs to be for a conference game, especially a game for sole possession of the No. 1 spot. Our readiness wasn't there. And effort isn't something you can turn on and off, you have to go the whole way."
Krause also says that the Lady Pioneers hit most of their shots, while the Lady Mavs had somewhat of an off night.
"But we weren't getting up on their shooters," Krause says, "we looked slow, and that 3-pointer we let them get after the timeout really killed us."
Krause did acknowledge 6-0 post/forward Jessica Garner for having a great game. Garner led the Lady Mavs with 16 points, followed by Mandy Perkins with 10, Renee Reese with nine, Shannon Hands with eight, Danielle Monie with five, Brandi McClellan, Lyndsey Warrior and Cathy Rogers with three each, while Sara Roughface and Angella Ogel each had two.
The Lady Pioneers were led by Hall with 19, while Louthan and Hokett had 16 each.
The Lady Mavs continue conference play at home, Thursday, taking on Eastern
ALTUS - The NOC Mavericks dropped their second game in a row, and fell to 1-2 in conference play, Monday, losing to the Western Oklahoma State Pioneers, 72-59.
The Mavericks, picked to win Region II this year, and after being ranked as high as No. 15 in the national Juco poll, fell behind in the second half by six and never recovered. And to coach Mick Weiberg, the loss is attributable to one thing - shooting.
The Mavs were hitting everything but the net, Monday, going 34 percent from 2-point range, 27 percent from 3-point range, and an atrocious 39 percent from the line.
"No shooting, no flow," says Weiberg, "consequently the rest of the game looks bad. We outrebounded them 16-8 on the offensive boards, and that should have given us a chance, but no."
Now, says Weiberg, his team is faced with a "painful nightmare" to wake up from.
"We've got to figure this thing out. We've dug ourselves a hole in the conference, and now we have to step up. And it's sickening for these kids. They get a little publicity, have a chance, and these losses have gotten to them. It's really a mental thing."
And though they may be doubting themselves now, Western coach Wade Scott was emphatic about the Mavs' chances for a comeback.
"This is just a bump in the road for them. They're a great team and they'll come back. They didn't quit in our game, the ball just wasn't falling for them. It was a funny game, and they'll have those. They'll be all right."
Leading the Mavs' in scoring were Marlon Towns with 17 points, followed by DeShawn Denson with 11, Joe Patmon with 9, Kyle Dean with 8, Jace Turnbull with 5, Zach Cazzelle with 3, while Chris Beech, Todd Seibert, and Shere-Khan Jones each had 2.
For the Pioneers, Arteaga led all scorers with 24 points.
The Mavs will try to right themselves, Thursday, taking on Eastern. The game will be in Tonkawa
MEDFORD - The Frontier girls' run toward the playoffs almost hit a snag Tuesday night as they struggled to 52-50 win over Medford.
The Lady Mustangs broke away from a 26-all halftime tie by outscoring Medford 20-15 in the third quarter. But Frontier had to hold off a comeback attempt to register its 19th win against two losses.
Elizabeth Sober paced the Frontier scoring with 14 points while Denise Jake and Carolee Bible each had 11.
Erica Bramutt had 18 points and Jessica Stevens 12 for Medford.
Frontier plays an important game at Woodland tonight.
Frontier 52, Medford 50
Frontier 15 11 20 6 - 52
Medford 15 11 15 9 - 50
Frontier - Sober 14. D. Jake 11, Bible 11, Romero 8, S. Jake 4, Dunham 4.
Medford - Bramutt 18, Stephens 12, Schutkestin 8, Price 8, Lebeda 4.
With the Northern Conference title in sight, the Ponca City ninth grade girls basketball team had an easy game for a change, popping Blackwell, 40-15, Monday.
The Lady Cougars, 9-3 overall, 6-0 in the conference, all but wrapped up the conference title with a 31-24 win over Enid Waller last week. The Poncans try to complete a perfect league season this week, playing Enid Longfellow in the middle school gym this evening and taking on Enid Emerson at the mid-high Thursday.
"We just outclassed Blackwell," Ponca City coach John Maddox said after his team shutout Blackwell in the second period to hold a 13-4 halftime lead. "The girls had a good game and we got to play almost everyone."
Erica Wiles led the Lady Cougars' scoring with 8 points while Jessica
Plageman had 7, Aubry Kelly 5, Jacee Sheppard 4, Candace Benson 4, Angela
Kana 4, Gena Birdsong 2, Tara Cries-For-Ribs 2, Jessica Windom 2 and Cara
Cusick 2.