From The Pages Of The Ponca City News, Friday, February
13, 1998
LOCAL
Nearly News
A Day for Big Hearts
A Review: 'Anything Goes' Draws Raves
Not Ordinary Weather For January in Area
County Diabetes Support Group Meets Feb. 17
Transmission Pole Inspection Under Way
District Court
DEATHS
Martha Ann Rigdon
Josephine Goode Tillman
Funerals
Venus Esther Yount
Melvin Tennison Carriger
Services Pending
GennaVee Klufa
Chester E. Postelwait
Juanita Rich
NEWS BRIEFS
EDUCATION
Po-Hi Senior Class Meeting Scheduled
School News
Scholarship To Be Offered
RELIGION
Church Briefs
First Baptist Hosting OBU Bisonettes
'Blessed' Theme At 1st Lutheran
First UMW Schedules Mini Book Reviews For Feb. 19 Meeting
Newkirk Church Prepares for Lent
Osage Heights Hosting Concert
LIFESTYLES
Beta Sigma Phi Valentine Dance Saturday at Elks
Little News
SPORTS
Cagers Back Home Again
Matmen Return To Dual State
Lady Mavs Fall Again To Murray
Mavericks Shake Off Murray
Jr. Hi Basketball
Prep Scores
"Please Give From the Heart" is the Valentine's Day theme for First Lutheran School's blood drive Saturday. The Oklahoma Blood Institute van will be at the school between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. to accept blood donors.
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Little treasures can be found in unusual places. Terri Ivers, owner of Terri's Toys and Nostalgia, 419 South First, reports that she has sold two items - a Roy Rogers Little Golden Record and a Dale Evans toy plastic horse - to the Roy Rogers Museum in Victorville, Calif. Looks like "Happy Trails To You" for the collectibles.
VALENTINE'S DAY is Saturday, a day when couples and special friends of all ages acknowledge love and affection for each other. St. Mary's second grade students Tom Boyd and Mary Wood exchange a big greeting in honor of St. Valentine, the patron saint of the holiday. (News Photo by Michael Kennedy)
By KATHY ZEHR
News Staff Writer
The Thursday night dress rehearsal of "Anything Goes," was enjoyed by a crowd of about 150 early viewers at the Poncan, who whistled, clapped and gave the 53 performers a standing ovation at curtain down.
Exciting tap dances, beautiful Cole Porter music, love, intrigue, humor, deception, and clever lines make "Anything Goes," a delightful musical drama and perfect ending to a year of Ponca Playhouse productions.
It was exciting to see a stage full of tap dancers, ranging in age from about three to 60, doing some pretty difficult tap routines. The stage thundered with the volume of feet all dancing in rhythm. This large company appears several times during the production.
The set is a simple two-deck ship area on board a cruise ship traveling to England. Very well planned, two staterooms, halls and the side decks on the old ship harbor numerous romances and other entanglements to enhance a good story. Costumes are a feast for the eyes!
Dana Poulson Nesselrode, as "Reno" the "star" of the ship, also gleaned star approval with the tested Playhouse audience. Beautiful, colorful, a real streetwise "wise-cracker" she does a professional job on several of Cole Porter's best, and keeps the transitions moving smoothly on stage.
Micah Carroll (with the Paul Newman eyes) plays the fast-talking, lovable, con-artist, leading man "Billy" - and his voice ain't half-bad either. His duet part in "All Through the Night," with his love interest "Hope," was flawless. For a first-time performer for Ponca Playhouse this young man is a keeper.
My favorite in the production is the clever, cute and talented Kent Carbaugh, who plays the part of the most wanted No. 13 criminal in the U.S. His dancing skills in "Friendship" and especially his solo "Be Like a Bluebird," kept the audience tittering and laughing throughout the production. I'd go back every night just to watch those classic facial expressions.
Jose Cervantes plays about the funniest drunk I've ever seen on Playhouse stage. He steals the attention during entire song and dance with Reno and others in "Take Me Back to Manhattan."
There are too many great performers to mention all in a production of this size, but some to mention are Kelly Haikin whose beautiful voice graced the entire auditorium when she sings those lovely Cole Porter numbers with Billy.
Dave Hart as the perfectly funny and ridiculous English Nobleman, "Sir Evelyn Oakleigh," whose duet with Reno "Let's Misbehave," brought a blast of applause from the audience and much laughter for his antics.
Motherly Vicki Poulson, cute Christy Kelly, handsome Robert Nesselrode, and numerous other talented Playhouse actors and actresses help pull the entire production together singing, dancing, and playing various characters.
My hat goes off to Mel Arner and that great orchestra. It is difficult to gauge the volume of sound needed to enhance the singers and dancers, but still be pleasing to the audience. Arner accomplishes that feat perfectly.
Lighting for the love number "All Through the Night" was stunningly romantic and props, set, sound and all other background productions are professional, as usual.
Our thanks to director Nancy Vunovich for a delightful production, Fran Norris who has worked since November to turn out a stage full of terrific "tappers," and Commercial Federal Bank and Crown and Rose Pub for sponsoring a musical of this magnitude.
Funny, colorful, delightful and definitely entertaining, this is one Playhouse production citizens of Ponca City will not want to miss.
Tickets are available at the Poncan Theatre prior to each performance on Feb. 13, 14, 15, 20, and 21, and on other days at the Ponca Playhouse box office, 765-5360.
By MAX STOKESBERRY
News Staff Writer
You can blame global warming or El Nino if you wish. Most of us are probably not qualified to explain why it happened. But we do know that, weather-wise, last month was not your ordinary January in the Ponca City area.
And with February half gone, we still haven't seen much evidence of the real winter weather usually anticipated long before this time of the year. Several spring-like days in January were topped by two consecutive 72-degree readings. Also among last month's 31 days were seven that sent the mercury zooming into the 60s and six that climbed into the 50s. Less spring-like were seven days in the 40s, eight in the 30s and one in the 20s.
The coldest reading was 17 degrees on the 13th. Other daily lows included 53 degrees, two in the 40s, 14 in the 30s and 13 in the 20s.
The average daily temperature last month was 40.4 degrees, according to Universal Weather Station observers at Municipal Airport. This was 3.9 above normal and four degrees warmer than the 36.4 registered a year earlier.
Although January was warmer this year than last over all, 1997 had the hottest temperatures, 79 and 78 on Jan. 2-3, which beat the pair of 72s on the same dates last month. Helping to cool down the average in '97 was the January low of three degrees above zero - 14 degrees colder than last month's low mark.
January records since 1954 indicate that the hottest temperature at the airport has been either 80 degrees on Jan. 22, 1967, or last year's 79. One Oklahoma Climatological Survey sheet lists the 80 while another has 78 degrees for the same 1967 date. The coldest tally remains the minus-12 degrees marked up in January 1984.
Weather this year has been ideal for wheat pasture, but many growers have been unable to take advantage of it. Because the record precipitation of 1997 delayed planting last fall, the growing wheat in some fields has not developed sufficiently to provide pasture.
Some gardeners, as well as farmers, have worried that lack of hard freezing could contribute to a greater bug infestation than usual to threaten crops.
January, which seemed to have more clouds than sunshine, started off 1998 with 1.49 inches of moisture. This was .63 above normal and made it the eighth wettest first month in 31 years. Twenty of those Januaries have had less than an inch of precipitation. The wettest one produced 3.24 inches. Four months were in the 2-3 inch range and six had from one to two inches.
The Mesonet, an automated system of recording weather data, provides information for the National Weather Service in several communities surrounding Ponca City. The following figures show a comparison of rainfall and temperatures for January 1998. Listed in order are average, maximum and minimum temperatures, and total inches of rainfall.
Blackwell - 37.4, 69, 15, 1.36; Burbank - 37.8, 72, 17, 2.37; Foraker - 36.7, 71, 15, 1.86; Medford - 36.4, 67, 15, 1.83; Newkirk - 36.5, 69, 13, 1.41; Pawnee - 38.6, 73, 18, 2.99; Perkins - 39, 69, 21, 3.00; Red Rock - 38, 71, 18, 2.09; Stillwater - 38.5, 73, 19, 4.00.
The figures for Ponca City, whose station is manned 24 hours per day by the staff of the contractor, Universal Weather, are 40.4, 72, 17, 1.49.
The Kay County Diabetes Support Group will meet Feb. 17 at 7:30 p.m. at the Grand Avenue Church of Christ, 1300 West Grand. Mike Quirey, PT, is scheduled as the guest speaker.
Quirey will give a presentation entitled, "'What does it really mean - 'If the shoe fits, wear it?'" The presentation will include information about the importance of proper footwear for people with diabetes. Information will also be discussed on how to evaluate footwear needs, then select the appropriate footwear.
Quirey received his degree in physical therapy from Texas Women's University in Denton, Texas. He became interested in diabetes treatment early in his career when he noticed that persons with diabetes had different needs and often did not respond to standard therapy.
Currently, Quirey works as a physical therapist for Blackwell Regional Hospital Home Health Care and St. Joseph Regional Medical Center Outpatient Physical Therapy Center where he makes orthotics.
He served as an instructor in the Kay County Health Department diabetes education program in the early 1980s. From 1989-1994, Quirey worked with the SJRMC "I'm In Control" program.
The public is invited to attend the meeting.
Contract crews with Osmose Inc. will be inspecting the transmission poles of the City of Ponca City. The activity began today, from South Fourteenth Street and East South Avenue, and crews were expected to work their way to the Pecan Park subdivision on the transmission loop, according to Phillip Johnston, systems engineer.
Officials say that if the pole is treatable, it will be retreated, thereby extending the life of the pole. Should the pole not be treatable, the detection will be recorded in order for additional action before there is a cause of electrical outages for city customers.
Newkirk
Marriage Licenses
John Joseph Mashburn, 21, Fairfax, and Ginny Rebecca Sherrard, 18, Ponca City.
Dale Allen Moulton, 28, and Kerry Lynn Barrows, 18, both of Braman.
Audley Meryl Backus, 54, and Jacqueline Munroe, 45, both of Blackwell.
Jeremiah Robert Smith, 21, and Cathryn Lavona Lincoln, 26, both of Ponca City.
Jason Colin Foster, 22, and Toma Lynn Burgess, 30, both of Ponca City.
Roy Allen Lopeman, 33, and Karen Darlene Leiding, 28, both of Tonkawa.
James Russell Noonan, 36, and Melanie Luan Webster, 30, both of Tonkawa.
Ernest Wilbert Quillen, 71, and Irene Johanna Kersey, 71, both of Newkirk.
Carl Thomas Walton, 30, and Gladys Genevieve Franklin, 25, both of Tonkawa.
Billy Gene Roberson, 21, and Cherri Cyana Hill, 22, both of Ponca City.
Gregory Scott Wright, 24, and Kimberly Kay Hopkins, 28, both of Wichita.
Divorces Filed
Sharon Earls Broadwater vs. Terrence V. Broadwater.
Divorces Granted
Charles Kelly vs. Faith Ann Kelly.
Civil Proceedings
Bank of Oklahoma, N.A., vs. Linda Johnson and Dennis Johnson; plaintiff seeking judgment for $5,000.92.
St. Joseph Regional Medical Center of Northern Oklahoma, Inc., vs. David T. Shoats Jr.; plaintiff seeking judgment for $4,706.82.
Bank of Oklahoma, N.A., vs. Rodney W. Tidwell and Patrica A. Tidwell, aka Goulden; plaintiff seeking judgment for $33,243.23.
Beverage License
Kenny Fink, dba Ken's Honk 'n' Hollar.
DEATHS
NEWKIRK - Martha Ann Rigdon, longtime Newkirk resident, died Thursday morning, Feb. 12, 1998, at her home. She was 85.
The funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Newkirk First United Methodist Church with Dr. William R. Chace officiating. Burial will follow in Newkirk Cemetery under the direction of Miller-Stahl Funeral Service. The casket will remain closed at all times.
Martha Ann (Miller) Rigdon was born April 11, 1912, in Hinton, the daughter of Harrison W. and Mabel (Cottingham) Miller. She grew up and received her education in Hinton, graduating from high school there in 1928. She attended one year at Oklahoma College of Arts and Sciences at Chickasha and finished her education at Oklahoma A&M in Stillwater, graduating in 1934 with a degree in music.
On Aug. 25, 1934, she married Marion Thomas Rigdon in Hinton and the couple established their home in Newkirk. During World War II, Mrs. Rigdon returned to Hinton to live with her parents, while her husband was in the armed forces. After the war, the couple returned to Newkirk, where they have since resided.
Mrs. Rigdon was a member of the First United Methodist Church, where she taught Sunday School for several years. She was also a member of PEO and Pi Beta Phi Sorority. She enjoyed playing bridge and spending time with her family and friends.
She is survived by her husband, Marion, of the home; two sons, Robert M. Rigdon of LaHabra, Calif., and Thomas M. Rigdon of Newkirk; two grandchildren; and one great-grandson. She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Mohler Miller and William Miller; and an infant sibling.
Casket bearers will be Charles Eisenhauer, Marlin "Ike" Glass Jr., David Haynes, Jack McCarty, David Ross, and Philip Ross.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Rigdon's name to the First United Methodist Church, c/o Eastman National Bank, P.O. Box 468, Newkirk, OK 74647.
FAIRFAX - Josephine Goode Tillman, Fairfax resident, died Thursday morning, Feb. 12, 1998 in Fairfax. She was 79.
The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Monday, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Fairfax with Father Ken Lewis officiating. Burial will be in the Fairfax Cemetery under the direction of Hunsaker-Wooten Funeral Home.
Josephine (Goode) Tillman was born Sept. 3, 1918, in Fairfax, the daughter of Hall Emerson and Maggie Bates Goode. She was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
Survivors include one son, Charles O. Tillman Jr. of Tulsa; one daughter, Mrs. Raymond (Nancy) Keil of Fairfax; one sister, Rita Marlene Ware of Claremore; four great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by one son, Rodney Tillman; her parents; one brother, one sister, and one grandson.
Casket bearers will be Charles O. Tillman III, Raymond E. Keil Jr., Joseph Tillman, Christopher Keil, Wesley Ware and Richard Roberts.
Monday
Venus Esther Yount - Funeral to be at 2 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Galena, Kan. The family will be at Derfelt Funeral Home in Galena to visit with friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday.
Melvin Tennison Carriger - Funeral to be at 10 a.m. at Roberts Funeral Home Chapel in Blackwell. Burial will be in the Braman (Okla.) Cemetery.
GennaVee Klufa, Osage County resident, died at her home, 7100 South Eighth Mile Road, early today, Feb. 13, 1998. She was 81. Survivors include a son, Doug Klufa. Arrangements are pending with Trout Funeral Home, Ponca City.
Chester E. Postelwait, longtime Ponca City resident, died Thursday evening, Feb. 12, 1998, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. He was 89. Arrangements are pending with Trout Funeral Home.
Juanita Rich, longtime Ponca City resident, died Thursday, Feb. 12, 1998,
at Westminster Village. She was 84. Arrangements are pending with Trout
Funeral Home.
NEWS BRIEFS
Senior Citizens Dance Set - A Senior Citizens Dance will be held from 7 to 10 p.m. tonight, in the Senior Citizens Building, 320 South A in Arkansas City with the Pete Coli Band playing for dancing. All seniors are invited to come and bring your favorite snack to share.
Genealogy Interest Group - The Pioneer Genealogy Society Computer Interest Group will meet Sunday, at 2 p.m. in the Oklahoma Room at the Marland Mansion. The topic will be "Family Tree Maker."
VFW Family Dinner - VFW Post 1201 and Auxiliary will host their family dinner, Sunday at 1 p.m. at the Post Home. Members are asked to bring a covered dish. Chicken is on the menu..
Theft From Porch - A resident in the 700 block of West Hazel Avenue contacted Ponca City police at 11:43 a.m. Thursday to report a toolbox stolen from the front porch. An officer was assigned and a report taken.
Grass Fire Reported - A citizen at 1:49 p.m. Thursday reported a grass fire three miles south of U.S. 60 on Nine Mile Road in Osage County. The Osage Cove and McCord Fire Departments responded.
City Warrant - A 33-year-old woman was arrested at 4:16 p.m. Thursday from the 2500 block of Industrial Blvd. on a city warrant for failure to pay.
Assault Arrest - A 33-year-old woman was arrested at 4:19 p.m. Thursday from the 1000 block of Riviera Drive on a complaint of assault and battery.
Minor Injury Accident - Ponca City police responded at 4:24 p.m. Thursday to a two-vehicle accident at East Hartford Avenue and Pecan Road. A report was taken on a minor injury accident.
Assault Arrest - Ponca City police arrested a 27-year-old man from his residence in the 300 block of South Oak Street at 12:10 a.m. Friday on charges of domestic assault and battery, resisting arrest and public intoxication.
Assault Report - Ponca City police received an assault-and-battery report at 5:19 a.m. Friday from a man who reported another man struck him in the eye and stole his girlfriend. An officer was assigned.
City Warrant - A 28-year-old man was arrested at 5:44 a.m. Friday on a city warrant for failure to appear.
Stuck Finger - A resident of the 900 block of North Palm called 911 at 11:35 a.m. Thursday when her finger became stuck in a mixer. Engine 1 responded and the rescue was successful.
Gasoline Taken - Citgo, Oak and Grand, reported at 12:48 p.m. Thursday that a red van had left without paying for gas. Officers were assigned and they apprehended a 20-year-old man at Grand and Overbrook for destruction of private property, driving under suspension, no insurance and possession of a fire arm.
Missing Bike - A resident of the 100 block of Hillside reported the theft of a 20-inch boy's Huffy Trimmer BMX at 3:39 p.m. Thursday.
Disturbance - A caller reported to police at 6:18 p.m. Thursday
that there was disturbance at a residence in the 500 block of South Seventh.
The assigned officers took a report on destruction of private property.
EDUCATION
A senior class parent meeting has been scheduled for Feb. 19 at 7 p.m. at the Howell Auditorium. This meeting will kick off the planning for Great Escape 1998, a drug and alcohol-free senior party which was initiated eight years ago by senior class students and their parents as an alternative to the annual senior weekend party which had become an undesirable situation for the students and community.
The Great Escape has grown into a wonderful community effort to recognize the graduating senior class and Conoco has again offered to host this event with the use of their facilities, games, food and entertainment. Many community businesses show their support by donating services, money and prizes.
A great amount of support is needed from parents to set-up and clean-up, serve refreshments, staff casino tables and officiate team contests. An overview of what Great Escape is all about will also be presented at this meeting.
Woodlands Discount Cards
The Woodlands Elementary PTA and students are selling Woodlands Eagle Discount Cards, otherwise known as "a free milk card". The cards are $5 and are good through Jan. 1999. Proceeds will go towards computers and software. To obtain a card visit the school or Buy for Less.
Senior Class Parent Meeting
The kick-off meeting for Great Escape 1998 has been scheduled for Feb. 19 at 7 p.m. at the high school in the Howell Auditorium. Parents of all senior students are encouraged to attend this meeting.
Westfield Receives Honors
Christopher Westfield, Ponca City, was placed on the College of Engineering Dean's Honor Roll at the University of Oklahoma.
Cowley County Honor Roll
Gordon Gray, Newkirk; and Bryant Carter and Jon Hoover, Ponca City; were placed on the honor roll at Cowley County Community College in Arkansas City.
Attention Washington Alumni
Washington Elementary PTA is taking donations for a lighted sign to be placed outside the school. Donations may be sent to Barbara Wright, 1615 N. 7th, Ponca City, Okla. 74601.
The Nathan Lee Memorial Scholarship is limited to a Kay County High School graduate pursuing a career working with the developmentally disabled, majoring in special education or a related field, such as speech therapy, hearing therapy or physical therapy.
Applications should be received by the Scholarship Committee of the Kay County Council for the Opportunity Center no later than March 15. The amount of the scholarship is $300 for one year, awarded $150 a semester. To receive the second semester check, the student needs to have at least a 2.0 grade average from college.
Information concerning this scholarship has been sent to counselors at
all Kay County High Schools or you may contact Nala Watkins, Scholarship
Chairman for the Kay County Council for the Opportunity Center. Send inquiries
to Box 629, Ponca City, Okla. 74602.
RELIGION
Heart Emphasis Month Set at Woodlands Christian
Nurses will be available this Sunday after morning worship at Woodlands Christian Church to "Check Your Blood Pressure," it was announced. Age has nothing to do with blood pressure ... but your blood pressure has everything to do with you. Take the time to "Check it out," was the message given by Pastor Paul Krueger.
Woodlands Christian folks have been asked to sign up to be part of the
CPR Class that will be held Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. Sign up or just show
up, Pastor Krueger said. You never know when you might be called on to be
the "bridge" between someone needing help and getting to a hospital,
he advised. Youth, as well as adults, are encouraged to take this class.
Melvin Todd and Melissa Harger will be leading the class, both are certified
CPR instructors.
'Footsteps of St. Paul' Trip Planned
Fr. James Stafford from Lawton's Blessed Sacrament Parish will lead a group to Greece and Turkey for a 14-day visit in September 1998. A seasoned traveler to the Holy Land, this will be his first time to walk in the "Footsteps of St. Paul".
On this trip, the group will spend five nights in Turkey. There, they will visit Ephesus. This prominent ancient capital was founded in the 10th century BC by the Ionian Greeks and flourished between 600 BC and 500 AD.
Ephesus is the town that inspired St. Paul's Epistle to the Ephesians and was the site of one of the Seven Churches of Asia Minor. Nearby is the reconstructed site where the Virgin Mary is said to have spent her last year. The group will spend two days in Istanbul, with ample time for shopping.
Fr. Stafford's group will depart on Sept. 16 and return on Sept. 29,1998.
The package includes air from OKC/DFW/TUL, first class hotels, fees and
taxes, daily breakfast and 10 dinners. If interested in joining this group,
you may call John Tagnesi at 947-7171/toll free.
First Baptist Hosting Seminar
First Baptist Church will host a seminar Feb. 20-21 entitled "Your Finances in Changing Times", taught by Woody Laywell, trainer for the Larry Burkett organization, Christian Financial Concepts, Inc.
Purpose for the seminar is to help individuals and families develop healthy financial practices. It will help participants learn to budget, deal with uncontrolled spending, set priorities for spending and manage debt.
Cost of the seminar is $30 for singles and $45 for a couple to attend. This fee covers the cost of seminar materials. Childcare is available. Call the church office at 765-4427 for more information.
The event will be held in the church assembly center, located at the
corner of Fifth and Oklahoma.
Grace Episcopal Church Holds Annual Meeting
John Gardner was elected Senior Warden of Grace Episcopal Church at their annual meeting Sunday, following a 9:30 a.m. service of Holy Eucharist, led by Deacon Steve Mallory.
Phyllis Kennedy, outgoing Senior Warden, chaired the annual business meeting following a light lunch in the Parish Hall. Everett Van Hoesen was elected Junior Warden.
The gathering of communicants heard reports from the various church committees and organizations, and elected new Vestry member to fill the positions being vacated. New vestry members elected are Richard Winterrowd, Cameron Fleming and Jon Kennedy
The rector, the Rev. Ken Armstrong, who suffered a heart attack several
weeks ago, is reported improving at home, and in physical therapy several
times a week.
Hartford Avenue C of C Tells Service Times
"Come let us reason together" is the theme at Hartford Avenue Church of Christ with the invitation to the public to share God's Word every week. Sunday Bible classes are scheduled at 9:30 a.m. with worship at 10:30 a.m.; Sunday evening worship at 6 p.m. and Wednesday at 7 p.m. Classes are held for all age levels - nursery through adult.
Jan. 6 through 14 of this year, two of the men of the congregation - Bob Gibson son and Lyle Harms made a trip to Spain, visiting with the men and the church at La Corun, Cadiz, Chipiona, Coin, Malaga and Fuenlabrada. The local church helps with the support of the churches in these locations.
Bob and Lyle reported the work of the churches in Spain is going well,
in spite of the difficulties with rules and regulations not found in the
United States, scarcity of meeting place and expense of properties and buildings.
Albright UM Youth Attend Mid-Winter Retreat
Nine Albright United Methodist Youth returned Sunday afternoon from a weekend District Mid-Winter Retreat at Camp Egan. The camp is located in Northeastern Oklahoma on the banks of scenic Baron Fork Creek. Sunday lunch was eaten at Tahlequah.
Attending were Cortney Burns, Courtney and Christopher Coppock, Kristina Dehn, Randy Novotny, Eric Peeples, Christi and Michelle Rutledge, and Dustin Topper. Adult leaders for the group were Beth Wright, and Allan and Paula Coppock.
Scott Sharp, Director of Religious Life at OCU was a special guest at the retreat. The recent annual Youth Chili Cook-off at Albright UMC helped support the expenses to attend retreat and for future camps and special trips.
Youth Fellowship meets on Sunday evening at the church, at 128 South
Palm, and welcomes guests. Call the church office at 765-6432 for additional
information.
Burned Out Church Plans Groundbreaking Feb. 22
WAKITA - A groundbreaking ceremony is being planned for Feb. 22 for the Wakita Christian Church here.
Pastor Barry Worcester said details will be finalized Feb. 15 for the event, but will definitely be held at a new location from the previous site where the church was destroyed in an early November 1997 fire.
The groundbreaking is expected to be at 3 p.m. Feb. 22, on one of two locations across the street to the west on Elm Street in Wakita, or the southwest corner of the intersection where the church had previously been located, also on Elm Street.
Oklahoma Baptist University's Bisonette Glee Club, a select women's choral ensemble under the direction of associate professor of music, Jack Pearson, will appear in concert as part of morning worship at 10:45 this Sunday, Feb. 15 at Ponca City's First Baptist Church, corner of Fifth and Central streets. Bringing the morning inspirational message will be OBU's President, Dr. Bob Agee.
Pastor Hance Dilbeck cordially invites the community to worship at First Baptist for this special "OBU Day" observance. Prospective students, current students and alumni are especially encouraged to attend this service led by President Agee and the Bisonettes. Although the primary focus will be that of worship during the morning service, there will be opportunities to meet Dr. Agee and other admission officials from the Shawnee campus after the service. In addition to meeting members of the Bisonettes, there will be a large number of current OBU students from Ponca City in attendance. There will also be an exhibit table with campus activity photos, brochures, scholarship information and "college preview" dates.
The Bisonettes will be singing a sacred mini-concert that includes a variety of musical styles. In addition to an annual tour of several states, they sing for OBU campus events and perform throughout the sate for churches, schools and civic organizations. Group members represent many regions of the United States and many fields of study. The women are selected for the choir by audition. Director Jack Pearson has been a member of the OBU faculty since 1967, and has directed the Bisonettes since 1971. The Bisonettes were organized in 1954 under the leadership of Dr. Warren M. Angell, dean emeritus of the university's College of Fine Arts.
Oklahoma Baptist University is a four-hear liberal arts university offering undergraduate degrees in more than 75 areas of concentration.
Hosting the guests are the Ministerial staff of First Baptist Church - Pastor Dilbeck, Larry Heslip, Minister of Administration and Education; Larry Masters, Minister of Music; Danny Ringer, Minister to Students; and Gayle Young, Minister of Childhood Education.
Ponca Citians are invited to come and be a part of an exciting worship experience led by OBU President Dr. Bob Agee and the Bisonette Glee Club. Worship begins at 10:45 this Sunday morning, Feb. 15, in the Worship Center of the First Baptist Church of Ponca City, corner Fifth & Central.
The Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany at First Lutheran Church will center on the theme, "Blessed." This theme is based on the Gospel reading from Luke 6 in which Jesus preaches both blessings and woes in His Sermon on the Plain. Pastor Ramsey says we are blessed just to hear His Words, but Jesus speaks of many more blessings.
Pastor Ramsey's sermon is based on Act 2:42-47 where we read of the powerful acts of the apostles. He will speak about the blessings that come from our working together in love in the ministry that Christ has given us here in our community. Members of First Lutheran invite the public to join them in receiving the blessings of Christ in worship at either the 8:30 a.m. or 11 a.m. service.
To demonstrate Christian love and thankfulness for many blessings, First Lutheran School will be sponsoring a blood drive in association with the Oklahoma Blood Institute on Saturday, Feb. 14 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The donor coach will be parked outside the school.
OBI is the exclusive supplier of all blood products for St. Joseph Medical Center, St. Joseph Cancer Center, and the Outpatient Surgery Center.
If you are at least 17 years old, weigh 105 pounds, and are in relatively good health, please consider sharing the gift of life with others.
The United Methodist Women Unit program at First United Methodist on Feb. 19 will be based on "Mini Book Reviews" of the four books chosen from the church library. The reviewers will be Alpha Watts, Tari Carbaugh, Eleanor Coates, and Diana Mills.
The meeting is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. in Fellowship Hall, First United Methodist Church, Sixth and Central. Members of the Isabelle Thoburn Unit will be hostesses and will provide the devotional thoughts.
The UMW Board voted that someone be hired to operate the dishwashing machine after funeral dinners. Anyone wanting to learn to operate the machine is most welcome to try. Any names of persons who might like this job are welcome.
Also the Board reminds that those who brought casseroles and/or desserts, may pick up their dishes following each funeral dinner.
Donations will be accepted by the United Methodist Women's Board for the four chairs on rollers to be placed in the church library. Donations may be left in the church office at First United Methodist, with name and designation to the church library.
March 28 has been chosen by First United Methodist as UMW Sunday, it was announced.
The public is invited to share an opportunity to prepare for Lent and the new millennium with Fr. Bob Hartmann during Mission Days, Feb. 15, 16, 18 and 19 at 7 p.m. at St. Francis of Assisi in Newkirk.
A nursery will be provided for infants through kindergarten age, and a social time in the Church Hall will follow the service.
Pope John Paul II wrote a letter to the entire Roman Catholic Church in 1994 outlining his plan for the Jubilee to prepare for the coming of the third millennium in the year 2000. The Newkirk Mission is based on the Pope's plan for celebrating the Jubilee, focusing on the need for renewal as individuals, families, parishes and Church.
Fr. Hartmann, leader of the local Mission Days, is priest of the Diocese of Wichita. A native of New Jersey and raised in Illinois and Ohio, Fr. Hartmann moved to Wichita as a high school student.
After a few years of discovering life, Fr. Bob entered the seminary in 1977. He attended St. Pius Seminary in Erlanger, Ky. and Mt. St. Mary's Seminary in Emmitsburg, Md., and was ordained in 1985.
He spent 8 years as an assistant pastor in various parishes in Wichita. Since then, he has served as pastor of small rural parishes in central Kansas. Currently, he is pastor of St. Joan of Arc Parish in Harper County, Kan. - a brand new parish formed in 1997 as a consolidation of three small rural parishes.
Within the Diocese of Wichita, Fr. Bob is involved in the Diocesan Religious Education Commission, the Ministry with Persons with Disabilities, the local chapter of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians, the Scouting Ministry and the Cursillo Movement.
Osage Heights Baptist Church will host a Valentine's Day Concert on Sunday at 11 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. with Joe Russell, an ordained minister, evangelist, and national recording artist, according to Pastor Leon Grider.
Russell says music has always been a part of his life - first remembering musical instruments at his grandparent's home in Hiwassee, Va. His grandparents were pastors and church founders for 58 years and their prayers, Russell says, for their children and grandchildren are no doubt the reason he is in the ministry today.
He began his musical career at age 13, playing drums in night clubs in Richmond, Va. The love of music led him to Bill Lowery Talent in Atlanta, Ga. for many years, and finally into the ministry some 17 years ago. Since that time he has traveled from coast to coast sharing Jesus with thousands.
He is currently touring America, ministering in churches, outdoor sings, homecomings, and now performing live in the Wal-Mart stores across America.
Pastor Grider says Joe ministers with excitement, sharing the good news of Jesus Christ, and it is that message he invites everyone to come and enjoy, listening to outstanding Gospel singing - Sunday at 11 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.
For more information, call 765-6298.
LIFESTYLES
Xi Gamma Sigma chapter of Beta Sigma Phi sorority met Feb. 10 in the home of Barbara Feil. Correspondence was read from member Sue Waggerman and former member Betty McLaury. President Barbara Feil gave a report on the city council meeting.
The sorority Valentine dance will be held Saturday with a pre-party at 7:30 p.m. at the Elk's club with the dance starting at 8p.m. LaRannah Bartlett will be honored as the chapter queen. The chapter will meet at 10 a.m. that day for the presentation rehearsal and to decorate the arch and chair for the Valentine queens.
Secret sister Valentine gifts were distributed. A flier for the Xi Kappa Mu Branson Getaway Weekend was given out. It will be Nov. 13 - 15 and entertainment this year will be Shoji Tabuchi and Branson City Lights. Optional shows will be the Rockettes or Presleys.
At the Mar. 10 meeting, a Ritual of Jewels will be held for LaRannah Bartlett and new officers will be elected. Social chairman Cindy Russell reported that a St. Patrick's party will follow the Mar. 24 meeting. The Camp McFadden camp-out is scheduled April 24. The next meeting will be Feb. 24 at Pauline's Supper Club for a dinner to honor Mrs. Bartlett.
Alan and Kathleen Otto, 501 North Thirteenth, announce the birth of a daughter, Breanne Rose. She was born at 3:44 p.m. Feb. 5, 1998 at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. The baby weighed 9-pounds, 6-ounces and was 22 1/2-inches long. Her sister, Meredith Ann, is three-years-old.
Maternal grandparents are Bert and Sandra Blanton and paternal grandparents are Neal and Joan Otto, all of Ponca City.
Maternal great-grandmother is Lillian Jentgen of Albuquerque, N. M. and paternal great-grandparents are Marie Luis of Marland and John and Anastasia Otto of Ponca City.
Blake Daniel Dean Behar is the name selected by Ron and Danielle Behar of Ponca City for their son born at 11:46 a.m. Feb. 6, 1998 at the Stillwater Medical Center. The baby weighed 7-pounds, 11-ounces and was 21-inches long. He has a brother, Brandon.
Grandparents are Dianne and Norman Brown and Dora Mae Behar and great-grandmother
is Mary Anne Keathly, all of Ponca City.
SPORTS
By MATTHEW KOENIG
News Sports Writer
After what seems like an eternity of road games, the Wildcats and Lady Cats return to Robson Fieldhouse tonight for a showdown with the Owasso Rams.
The Lady Rams are ranked second in conference and fourth in the state, while the Rams are perhaps beatable, currently ranked just fifth in the conference.
The Lady Cats tip off at 6:15, while the boys' game is scheduled for 7:45.
Owasso Rams (8-9, 6-5)
at Ponca City (5-14, 2-11)
Statistically, there couldn't be two teams more different than the Rams and Wildcats. While the Cats are second in offense, at around 58 points per game, the Rams are last, with just 45 points per game.
Defensively, however, the Rams are second, giving up 47 points per game, while the Poncans give up way more - around 62.
And with an 8-9 record in conference, the Rams may be building a case for the "defense wins ball games" pundits. In toppling the Cats Jan. 6, they gave up the ball nine times and held the Poncans to just 47 points. Blame that on a molasses like pace - it's what the Rams like.
"We didn't pick up the tempo in the first half," said Wildcat head coach Ron Arthur. "They controlled the game. This time we gotta get 'em from the get-go, because being down by 10 to Owasso is like being down by 20 to any other team."
To do that, Arthur says, they'll have to shoot better than the 30 percent they did on Tuesday.
"We took a lot of crazy shots in that game," said Arthur, "but I thing we were overcompensating for all the bumping under the basket."
Lady Rams (13-5, 10-2)
at Ponca City (6-13, 2-11)
After suffering two blowouts in their last three games on the road, the Lady Cats are about to be put to the test again.
The last time they ran into Owasso, the Lady Rams' prolific scoring pair of 6-2 Jessica Bates and 6-1 Sara Reese combined for 49 points en route to downing the Poncans 63-40.
So, to stop Owasso, the Lady Cats will have to stop Bates and Reese - and that means playing, on average, four or five inches taller.
"We just have to get physical," says head coach Dana Pulley. "We have to put a body on someone and get the rebounds."
To do that, the Lady Cats will have to show up with more energy than they had Tuesday against Jenks, when they scored just 12 points in the first half and gave up the ball a very un-Lady Cat-like 28 times.
"I think we'll play hard," Pulley concludes. "The home town crowd is always an incentive. I told the seniors they have to take advantage of these last two home games, too - they're the last two they'll play for Po-Hi."
By FRED HILTON
News Sports Editor
Ponca City's Wildcat wrestlers make a return trip to the Class 5A Dual State Tournament in Moore tonight looking to extend their dual match record.
"But it will be close," Po-Hi coach Pat Young said as he sends his 10th ranked Wildcats against No. 3 rated Mustang. "We can't give up a lot of bonus points."
Ponca City is once again one of eight Class 5A team to qualify for the post season tournament. They won the district title by beating Edmond Memorial, Enid and Edmond Santa Fe.
The other Class 5A teams in the two-day tournament at Moore High School are No. 1 Broken Arrow, No. 2 Choctaw, No. 6 Muskogee, No. 8 Del City, No. 9 Westmoore and unranked Stillwater.
Ponca City (10-3-1) and Mustang (8-0) clash at 8 p.m. along with Broken Arrow (11-0) vs. Westmoore (8-0). The 6 p.m. duals pit Choctaw (6-0) against Muskogee (7-1-2) and Stillwater (11-2-1) against Del City (8-1).
The Wildcats are making their seventh appearance in the nine-year-old state tournament. However, they have won a Dual State match only once. This year's edition hope to change that.
Ponca City and Mustang have crossed paths twice this season. The Broncos finished sixth (80 points) in the Geary Tournament while the Wildcats were 10th (49 points).
More recently, the two teams were entered in the Sapulpa Tournament. Mustang finished third (146.5), one point behind second place Muskogee while Broken Arrow was running off with the team title. Ponca City was eighth at Sapulpa with 80 points.
Mustang crowned four champions at Sapulpa and had one runner up. Ponca City had one titlist (Matt Dodgen) and one runner up (Mark Dodgen).
The Mustang champions were Micah Copeland (28-6) at 112 pounds, Matt Bean (31-1) at 145, David Stitt (30-3) at 189 and Ross Lassley (27-6) at 215. Placing second was Warren Barry (26-10) at 140.
The Wildcats and Broncos went head-to-head only twice at Sapulpa. At 119 pounds, Mustang's David Blankenship topped Josh Bailey, 15-2. At 130, Matt Dodgen pinned Bronco Joe Reynolds in the first round in 47 seconds.
The two teams do not match up well, so bonus points could be a deciding factor.
Ponca City will go with its tournament lineup tonight, according to Young.
Phillip Gelino (14-12) or Phillip Brotherton (3-7) will be at either 103 or 112 pounds. Bailey (18-9). will be at 119, Mark Dodgen (23-4) at 125, Matt Dodgen (21-1) at 130, Clint Stafford at 135, Michael Osborn (19-16) at 140, Blaine Empting at 145, Kyle Duren (21-9) at 152, Toby Red Leaf (12-8) at 160, Jay Bentley (17-12) at 171, Eric Michael at 189, Nick Steichen (11-13) at 215 and Jason Nurenberg (10-11) at 275.
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The Class 4A Dual State matches will be going on at the same times at Moore. The 6 p.m. matches send El Reno (10-1) against Claremore (9-3) and Tulsa East Central (7-4) against Duncan (7-4). At 8, Bixby (14-0) takes on Altus (7-3) while Carl Albert (7-4) goes against Tulsa Webster (19-5).
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Two other Kay County teams will be in the 2A and 3A Dual State which will hold its first round at Harrah.
In Class 3A, Blackwell (9-2) tackles Wagoner (12-) at 8, the same time Bristow (13-0) clashes with Harrah (9-5-1). The 6 p.m. matches send Marlow (14-0) against Sallisaw (7-3) and Skiatook (15-3) against Little Axe (9-2).
In 2A, Tonkawa (6-1) is making its first visit to Dual State and will face Chandler (10-3) at 8. Perry (15-4) also meets Snyder at 8. In the 6 p.m. 2A matches, Tuttle (8-3) goes against Sperry (3-6) and Berryhill (6-4-1) takes on Comanche (8-4).
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The semifinals and finals in all classes will be at Moore Saturday afternoon and evening.
By MATTHEW KOENIG
News Sports Writer
TONKAWA - The Lady Mavericks of NOC dropped their third conference game in a row, Thursday, falling to the Murray State Lady Aggies at the wire, 64-60.
Without point guard Brandi McClellen, who went down Monday with a torn ACL, the Lady Mavs still managed to make things exciting. Down by three with less than a minute left, Stephanie Stovall buried one from beyond the 3-point arc to tie the game at 60 apiece. After Teresa Nelson added two for the Lady Aggies, a turnover by the Lady Mavs led to another opportunity for Murray. This time it was Josie Wales, taking a nice feed from Nelson, and with just 18 seconds left the Lady Aggies went up by four.
And though the Lady Mavs had several 3-point attempts in those final seconds, none would fall.
"We just didn't play well, overall," said Lady Mav head coach Greg Krause. "The first game after you lose your team leader is obviously going to be hard. You could feel her absence out there, the spirit of the team was different."
Still, after falling behind by 11, 17-6 in the early going, the Lady Mavs staged an admirable comeback to tie the game at 25 before halftime. In that run, Stovall had a pair of 3-pointers, and Jennifer Williams added five more to get the Lady Mavs back on track.
Into the second half, neither team could build more than a four point advantage until near the five minute mark, when the Lady Aggies forged ahead by six, 53-47. But NOC's Shannon Hands, who was quiet through the first three quarters, dumped in seven of the Lady Mavs' next eight points to put them back in contention.
Leading the Lady Mavs was Stovall with 12 points, followed by Hands and Williams with 10 each, Joey Mount with 9, Mandy Perkins with 8, Danielle Monie with 6, Jessica Garner and Angella Ogle with 2 each, and Ritha Moro with 1.
The Lady Aggies were led by Shamika Wilburn with 15, Kuirston Walker with 11, and Karri Youree with 10.
With just four games left on the conference schedule, Krause knows his team has their work cut out. They need to win at least two of those four to have a shot at making playoffs, and even that is iffy.
"4-6 might not cut it this year," Krause says. "Our backs are against the wall right now - we're in a pretty serious position."
The Lady Mavs do get a brief respite from conference play Saturday, taking on Crowder, in Tonkawa.
By MATTHEW KOENIG
News Sports Writer
TONKAWA - With a combined 49 points from their two big post players, the NOC Mavericks overcame a feisty Murray State Aggies team, 71-61, to up their conference record to 4-2, Thursday.
Although the Aggies are just 1-5 in conference play, they showed up to play. And though the Mavs owned the definite size advantage, the Aggies were down by just ten through most of the second half.
"They can make you look bad," said NOC head coach Mick Weiberg. "They stick their noses in there and rebound, and they never die. They make you play at their tempo. They're tough."
After going down by 12, 31-19, the Aggies went on a 10-2 run to close the first half, and with a 3-pointer by Marcus Betts at the buzzer, were within four, 33-29.
Into the second, Marlon Towns and Kyle Dean combined for 10 points to send the Mavs on top by nine, and that's where they would stay. Though Chris Kelly nailed three 3-pointers within three minutes of play for the Aggies early in the fourth quarter, steady free throw shooting and stellar inside play by the Mavs kept their opponents at bay.
And, though the Mavericks had just six players posting a score (opposed to their normal 8-9 players), the 6-5, 215 pound Towns and 6-7 Joe Patmon more than made up for that lack of scoring from the rest of the line up.
Towns made mince-meat of the smaller Aggie roster, scoring 29 points - mostly under the hoop - and posted 17 rebounds. Patmon added 20 points.
"They saved us," said Weiberg, "but our strength has got to be in numbers. Mentally we were kinda tight, and we didn't have the flow. DeShawn (Denson) was out of sync, and we have to get Zach (Cazzelle) back shooting the ball. He's questioning his shots too much."
The Mavs shot very well from the free throw line to maintain their lead in the second half, going good on 23-of-30 attempts, and shot just as well from the field, hitting 21-of-32 for 66 percent. 3-pointers, of which the Mavs had been hitting over 35 percent during the regular season, continue to suffer. Thursday, the Mavs were good on just 2-of-13 tries.
Besides Towns' 29 and Patmon's 20, Dean and Cazzelle finished with 7 each, while Denson and Chris Beech had 4 each.
The Mavs travel to Seminole on Monday to take on conference contender Seminole.
"It's probably the biggest game for us so far," says Weiberg. "We gotta go out and play a free flowing ball game, we gotta play our game."
Stillwater 42, Ninth Grade Blue Girls 20
Ponca City's ninth grade Blue girls lost in the first round of the Northern Conference Tournament in Enid Thursday, falling to Stillwater 42-20.
The girls play again today against the loser of the Enid Longfellow-Woodward game.
Jesscia Windham led the Poncans with 9 points while Erica Wiles had 4, Angela Penny 2, Abby Gehlert 2, Jenni Nimmo 1 and Tara Trenary 1.
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Eighth Grade Blue Girls 38, Enid Waller 29
Ponca City's eighth grade Blue girls blew to a 12-0 first quarter lead and never looked back in beating Enid Waller 38-29 Tuesday.
The Blues ended their season at 12-3.
Jamie Neal poured through 20 points for the Poncans while Amanda Summers had 8, Monica Sawyer 43, Mallory Hodge 4 and Catherine Larison 2.
By The Associated Press
Thursday's results:
BOYS
Choctaw 59, Moore 38
Cushing 56, Harrah 50
Heavener 78, Hartshorne 56
Hobart 61, Clinton 60
Pioneer 57, Tonkawa 36
Trinity Christian 65, Mid-Del Christian 41
GIRLS
Bristow 73, Stroud 52
Choctaw 49, Moore 40
Chr. Heritage 55, OKC Home School 36
Crescent Aca. 39, SW Christian 28
Harrah 48, Cushing 19
Haskell 60, Morris 48
Heavener 47, Hartshorne 38
Heritage Hall 63, Classen 17
Olustee 79, Tipton 38
Pioneer 41, Tonkawa 30
Savanna 61, Clayton 47
Trinity Christian 40, Life Christian 39
Tulsa Union 44, Bartlesville 34
TOURNAMENTS
Christian School Tournament
at Broken Arrow
Cimarron Christian 73, Bradford Christian 68
Cimarron Christian 53, Greater Tulsa 28 (girls)
Mid-Del Christian 76, Victory Life 14 (girls)
Districts
Class B Girls
AREA I, District 1 at Texhoma
Texhoma 62, Felt 21
Yarbrough 52, Keyes 39
District 2 at Carney
Agra 67, Boley 62, OT
District 3 at Cheyenne
Cheyenne 67, Reydon 21
Ft. Supply 44, Fargo 43
District 4 at Tyrone
Forgan 60, Tyrone 33
Hardesty 33, Goodwell 30
District 6 at Wakita
Burlington 33, Aline-Cleo 31
Wakita 68, Freedom 18
District 7 at Medford
Kremlin-Hillsdale 43, Braman 37
Medford 62, DC-Lamont 39
AREA III, District 1 at Oilton
Billings 70, Wynona 33
Oilton 46, Shidler 36
District 2 at Carney
Agra 67, Boley 62, OT
District 3 at Varnum
Moss 66, Hanna 40
Varnum 59, Calvin 49
District 5 at Paden
Butner 48, Wilson (Henryetta) 31
District 7 at Gans
Red Oak 54, Gans 36
Webbers Falls 71, Kinta 11
District 8 at Midway
Boynton 49, Dustin 37
Midway 59, Schulter 26
AREA IV, District 1 at Earlsboro
Paoli 50, Earlsboro 46
Wanette 64, Macomb 49
District 2 at Milburn
Stonewall 68, Mill Creek 33
Tupelo 41, Milburn 33
District 4 at New Lima
Asher 43, Sasakwa 30
New Lima 78, McLish 32
District 5 at Coleman
Coleman 63, Olney 35
Caney 46, Wapanucka 30
District 8 at Stringtown
Stringtown 52, Bennington 43
Soper 51, Pittsburg 49