From The Pages Of The Ponca City News, Tuesday, February
17, 1998
LOCAL
Redbud Jazz Festival Sets Poster Contest Deadline
Wordsmiths Invite Sharing Of Information
DEATHS
Steven Leon Newman
William Earl Dickey
Florence B. Carson Huffman
Harry Glen Braden
Donald L. Swope
Terry Dale Wrolstad
Virginia Jacocks
Obituaries
Dr. Ray Leo Lessert Jr.
Funerals
Everett V. Lofton
Chester Elmer Postelwait
Jesse Wayne Cox
William "Yogi" McNutt
Services Pending
Olene Haynes
NEWS BRIEFS
BUSINESS
Low-Profile Local Company Producing Weed Trimmers
Sykes Plans To Unveil New Identity
Ross Earns Award As Top Photographer
Vaughn To Serve Term on OBA Ag Committee
New Business Specializes In Cigars, Accessories
LIFESTYLES
Winners Named For 4-H Kay County Rally
Garden Council Finalizing Plans For District Event
SPORTS
Wildcat Seniors' Thumbnails
Cats Honor Seniors
Mavs Gain Payback
Lady Mavs Staying Alive
Freshman Girls Fall In Finals
TONKAWA - The Friends of the Redbud Jazz Festival organization has issued a call for poster designs for the Redbud Jazz Festival Poster Competition 1998. Deadline for receipt of art work is Feb. 28.
The contest is open to area high school students and adults. A $200 cash prize will be awarded for the winning entry. Design criteria is as follows:
- Poster will be 11 by 17 inches, vertical format.
- Poster will be printed in one color in addition to black and gray values as needed on white paper.
- Art work must be the entrant's original creation.
In addition to the art work, the poster will be printed with festival information including the following: Redbud Jazz Festival; April 2-4, 1998; featuring Frank Mantooth (headliner), Steve Wilkerson, Andrea Baker, Larry Hammett; Northern Oklahoma College Performing Arts Center; Hosted by Northern Oklahoma College, Tonkawa Chamber of Commerce, State Arts Council of Oklahoma, Friends of the Redbud Jazz Festival.
The winning design will be chosen by the Redbud Jazz Festival Committee. Decision of the committee is final. The committee may elect to use the winning design on T-shirts. All entries will become the property of the Friends of the Redbud Jazz Festival.
Poster designs must be received by Feb. 28. They may be submitted to Mike Moore, festival director, Northern Oklahoma College, P.O. Box 310, Tonkawa, Okla. 74653-0310, telephone 580-628-6366. Designs may be hand delivered to Terry White at Antique Annie Mall, 110 East Grand, Tonkawa, or to Melinda Glasgow at Melinda's Gift Gallery, 112 West Grand, Tonkawa.
The Wordsmiths' writer's group will meet Thursday from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Ponca City Library in the programming room. Guests interested in any style of writing are invited to attend.
According to Joanna Gary, spokesperson for Wordsmith's, the object of meetings held on the third Thursday of each month is to share information about various aspects of writing, including workshops, publishing, contests, computer and TV sites, experience and reading for critique or sharing. No business is conducted at this regular meeting, and meetings end promptly at 9 p.m. when the library closes.
The February business meeting was held earlier at the home of George Collins where the group discussed the possibility of publishing an anthology of first publications of members.
Membership fees were also set at $10 per year to cover cost of publishing and mailing a monthly newsletter. The Newsletter includes writings of the membership in the form of poetry, short stories, articles, profiles and book reports.
Members present at the February meeting were Grace Klinger, George Collins,
Joanna Gary, Rene Simpson, Jan Boise, Bill Corff, Mercedes Hensley, Wynell
Merrit, Marilyn Clark, Shandley Wells, Sammye Coates, Rick Killblane, Betty
Murray, Allison Jones, April Wilson, Dan Pulliam, Ed Apperson and Truman
Smith, whose book, "The Wrong Stuff" has recently been on the
best seller list at Brace Books and More.
DEATHS
WICHITA, Kan. - Steven Leon Newman, former Washunga resident, died Saturday, Feb. 14, 1998, at his home in Auburn, Wash. He was 61.
The funeral will be held at Lakeview Gardens Chapel, 12100 East Thirteenth Street in Wichita, Kan. at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 21. Burial will be at Lakeview Gardens Cemetery in Wichita.
Steven Leon Newman was born July 24, 1936 in Washunga on the Kaw Indian Reservation. He was the third of nine children born to Joseph Alfred and Goldie (McCleary) Newman. He attended grade schools in Oklahoma and Kansas and graduated from Derby, Kan., High School in 1955. He was baptized in Enid at age 15. Following graduation he entered the U.S. Army Reserves.
He was married to Flora Mae Richards in 1958 at the home of his parents. The couple lived in Massachusetts and in Wichita, Kan., before moving to Washington state in 1980. Newman was employed by Peter Kewitt Construction then by Boeing Aircraft and Cessna Aircraft. He retired in 1996, due to failing health. He and his brothers won the National Hot Rod Championship in 1957 at Great Bend, Kan. and again in Smithfield, Texas in 1962. He remained active in the racing arena for many years, building race cars and attending races and shows.
Survivors include his wife, Flora Mae of Auburn, Wash.; three sons, James Steven and Charles Leon, both of Wichita, and Christopher Bryan of Auburn, Wash.; six grandchildren; his mother, Goldie E. Newman of Benton, Kan.; three brothers, Joseph Robert and John Loyd, both of Benton, Kan., and Terry Lynn of Baldwin City, Kan.; four sisters, Mary Magdalen Michalek of Pittsburgh, Pa., Winnifred Faye Lester of Ponca City, Norma Jacqueline Knoles of Apple Valley, Calif., and Peggy Jane Hatcher of Wichita, Kan. He was preceded in death by his father and one brother, Melvin Glenn.
Memorial contributions may be made to Pioneer Elementary School Library of Auburn, Wash., c/o Goldie E. Newman, 466 S.W. County Line Road, Wichita, KS 67017.
ALVA - William Earl "Bill" Dickey, former Ponca City resident, died Thursday, Feb. 5, 1998, at Share Medical Center in Alva. He was 78.
The funeral was held Feb. 9, 1998 at the Alva First Presbyterian Church with the Rev. David A. Laverty, pastor, officiating. Burial was in the Alva Municipal Cemetery.
William Earl "Bill" Dickey was born Jan. 25, 1920, on a farm southeast of Capron to Maurice and Florence (McDowell) Dickey. In 1928 the family moved to a farm southwest of Burlington, where he grew up. He graduated from Burlington High School and Northwestern State College at Alva. After graduation he was accepted to the school of meteorology at New York University. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps as a meteorologist.
On June 6, 1942, he was married to Pauline Byrns in Enid, where the couple established their first home. Dickey was then assigned to the European theater and served in North Africa, Italy, India, Burma and China during World War II. He retired as a Lt. Colonel.
After his military service, he was employed as a meteorologist for Pan American Airlines and he and his family lived in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The family moved to Ponca City in 1947, where Dickey was employed as a chemist for Cities Service Oil Co. In 1972 he moved to Alva and purchased and operated the Western Motel. He later sold the motel and was employed as office manager for the Bouziden Cattle Company. Dickey was a member of the Alva Blackwing VFW Post 2847 and Rotary International.
Survivors include two daughters, Jean Dryden of Portland, Ore., and Sharon Schriner of Colorado, Springs, Colo.; one son, William E. Dickey Jr. of Moore; two brothers, Floyd of Wichita, Kan., and Mack of Omaha, Neb.; four grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Ralph and James.
Florence B. Carson Huffman, longtime Ponca City resident, died Saturday evening, Feb. 14, 1998, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. She was 86.
The funeral was to be held at 2 p.m. today, Feb. 17, 1998, at the Ponca City First Christian Church with the Rev. Charles Heyer, associate pastor, officiating. Burial was to follow in Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.
Florence (Crimble) Carson Huffman was born Dec. 21, 1911, in Blackwell, the daughter of Thomas and Amy (Osburn) Crimble. She grew up on a farm between Blackwell and Tonkawa, receiving her education in the Blackwell schools. She also attended Northern Oklahoma College in Tonkawa.
On Sept. 3, 1945, she was married to Glenn Carson in Tonkawa, and he preceded her in death in 1967. She was employed as a nurses aide at the Ponca City Hospital and also worked as a beautician in her home.
In 1981, she was married to John G. Huffman, and he preceded her in death in 1989. Mrs. Huffman was a member of the Ponca City First Christian Church and the Mary group at the church. She was also a member of the Order of Eastern Star, Iris Garden Club, AARP, Republican Party, Family Campers and a volunteer with RSVP.
Survivors include two sons, Phillip Carson of Ponca City and Steve Carson of DeQuincy, La.; one daughter, Barbara Bell of Sulphur, Okla.; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. In addition to both husbands and her parents, she was preceded in death by three brothers.
Casket bearers will be Randy Stoddard, Julian Ford, Cliff Schilling, Robert Cales, Cecil Cales and Bob Ratcliff.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Huffman's name to the First Christian Church, 210 North Fifth Street, Ponca City, OK 74601.
The family will be at 912 North Second Street.
BLACKWELL - Harry Glen Braden, former Blackwell resident, died at his home in Stroud on Sunday, Feb. 15, 1998. He was 95.
The funeral will be held graveside at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Blackwell Cemetery. The Rev. Kathy Leithner, Stroud Methodist Church, will officiate. Arrangements are under the direction of Roberts and Son Funeral Home, Blackwell. The casket will be open only at the funeral home.
Harry Glen Braden was born on May 29, 1902, in Bogard, Mo., the son of Thomas M. and Marcy C. (McCall) Braden. At age eight, he moved with his parents to Blackwell, where he attended schools, graduating from Blackwell High School in 1922.
He married Kathryn Marie Donley on June 8, 1925, in Perry, and they established their first home in Blackwell. In 1934 they moved to Oklahoma City and he began employment with H.J. Heinze Co. in 1935. He later worked for the Purex Company until 1955, then opened and operated the Red Bud Restaurant and Tea Room until retirement in 1979. After their retirement the couple moved to Blackwell, then moved to Stroud in 1989 to live near a son. Mr. Braden was a member of the Stroud Methodist Church.
Survivors include two sons Dick Braden of Stroud and Robert G. Braden of Albuquerque, N.M.; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife on Sept. 29, 1997; his parents; two sisters, Laura Milliken and Lena Hideman; and two brothers, Link and Jack Braden.
Donald L. Swope, brother to Cleo Leterle of Ponca City, died Monday, Feb. 16, 1998, at his home in Bedford, Texas. He was 68.
A memorial service is set for 3:30 p.m. Thursday at the Lucas Funeral Home Chapel in Hurst, Texas. Burial will be private.
Donald L. Swope was born Nov. 21, 1929 in Fort Scott, Kan. to Moses Morton and Helen (Brown) Swope. He graduated from Bartlesville High School in 1947 and attended Coffeyville Junior College and Odessa College on football scholarships. In 1950 he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served as a radar specialist on B-36 bombers.
He was married to Beverly McWilliams, and after his military service was employed by Bell Helicopter in the pre-design engineering department for 38 years. He retired in 1992. Swope was active in local bicycling groups and enjoyed canoeing.
Survivors include his wife, Beverly, of the home; three sons, Gregory, J.D. and John; two daughters, Michelle McWilliams and Valerie Honeywell; two sisters, Dorothy Carr and Cleo Leterle; two brothers, Eldon and Gerald Swope; and 11 grandchildren.
Terry Dale "Chipper" Wrolstad, Ponca City resident, died Sunday, Feb. 15, 1998, at the Stillwater Medical Center. He was 27.
A prayer service will be held today at 7 p.m. at the Ponca Indian Baptist Church. The traditional Indian feast will be held at noon Thursday and the service will be at 2 p.m. at the Ponca Indian Baptist Church. The Rev. Ted Freeman, pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in Ponca Indian Cemetery under the direction of Trout Funeral Home.
Terry Dale "Chipper" Wrolstad was born June 19, 1970, in Pawnee to Lavern and Bernice (Cries-For-Ribs) Wrolstad. He grew up in Ponca City and attended Ponca City and Marland schools.
On April 3, 1996, he was married to Catherine White of Ponca City. Wrolstad was employed as a laborer. He attended the Ponca Indian Baptist Church. He enjoyed music - especially the guitar, carpentry, and being with his friends.
Survivors include his wife, Catherine, of the home; parents, Vern and Bernice Wrolstad of Ponca City; one sister, Laura Sue Primeaux McBlair of Coyle; two brothers, Ross John Primeaux of Los Angeles, Calif., and Cleveland H. Primeaux of Mesa, Ariz.; four nieces and five nephews. He was preceded in death by one brother, Ronnie Joe Ingram and one sister, Linda Primeaux.
Virginia Jacocks, former Ponca City resident, died Sunday, Feb. 15, 1998, in Edmond. She was 76.
The funeral will be held graveside at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, at the Draper Valley Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Draper, Va. Arrangements are under the direction of Hahn-Cook Street and Draper, Edmond.
Virginia (Alexander) Jacocks was born Dec. 3, 1932 in Pulaski, Va., to Joe Mack and Arlie Rose Alexander. She was married to Claud Leigh Jacocks in the 1940s and the couple later resided in Ponca City, where Mr. Jacocks worked with Conoco. They were later transferred to Lake Charles. She was a member of the Draper Valley Presbyterian Church.
Survivors include one daughter, Ellen Virginia Jacocks of Houston, Texas; two sons, Dr. Alex Jacocks of Edmond and Dr. John Jacocks of Fairfax, Va.; and five grandchildren. She was preceded in death by Mr. Jacocks in September 1992.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Jacocks' name to Draper Valley Presbyterian Church, Route 1, Draper, Va. 24324.
Dr. Ray Leo Lessert Jr., retired longtime local veterinarian, died early Monday morning, Feb. 16, 1998 at his home in Osage County following a lengthy illness. He was 76.
A graveside service and committal will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Odd Fellows Cemetery, with the Rev. John J. Michalicka, pastor of St. Mary's Catholic Church, officiating. Burial is under the direction of the Trout Funeral Home. Military graveside rites will be presented by the American Legion Post No. 14.
Born Oct. 6, 1921, in Ponca City, he was the son of Ray L. and Ruby (Farrell) Lessert Sr. He graduated from Ponca City High School in 1939. Following graduation he served with the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II from July 1942 until his discharge in November 1945. He was stationed in England and Central Europe.
On May 5, 1946, he was married to Robyn Clapp in Ponca City. He returned to school and graduated from Oklahoma A&M College of Veterinary Medicine in 1954. Following his graduation he established his veterinary practice east of Ponca City. Robyn Lessert preceded him in death in 1984.
He was married to Patsy Honeywell Goins in January 1987. He retired from his veterinary practice in 1992. He was a member of the St. Mary's Catholic Church, Moose Lodge, Elks Lodge, American Legion Post No. 14, and VFW Post 1201. He enjoyed golf, dancing, and the many friends he had made during his almost 40 years of practice.
Survivors include his wife Patsy Lessert of the home, Ponca City; a son, Ray L. Lessert III, and two daughters, Mary Hargis and Mrs. Bryan (Carol) Easky, all of Ponca City; one brother, Jay Lessert of Ponca City; granddaughters, Robyn Easky of Ponca City and Mrs. Jason (Lori) George of Wichita, Kan.
Also three step-children, Carl Goforth of Glendale Heights, Ill., Steven Goforth of Billings, Okla., and Mrs. James (Brenda) Lieber of Tulsa; step-grandchildren Kevin and Steven Goforth of Billings, Okla., and Joshua Goforth of Glendale Heights, Ill.
In addition to his parents and first wife, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Judy Guinn and an infant.
Honorary casket bearers will be J.D. Tomlinson, Robert Spray, Jene O'Kelley, J.D. Duncan, Jim Page and Everett Lockwood.
Memorial contributions may be made in his name to Hospice of Ponca City, Suite 103, Ponca City, OK 74601.
The family will be at 2405 Cardinal.
paid obituary
Wednesday
Everett V. Lofton - Funeral at 2 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Udall, Kan. Burial will be in the Udall Cemetery under the direction of Miles Funeral Service, Winfield, Kan.
Chester Elmer Postelwait - Funeral to be at 10 a.m. at the Trout Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow in Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery, Ponca City.
Jesse Wayne Cox - Funeral to be at 10 a.m. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Fairfax. Burial will follow in the Fairfax Cemetery under the direction of Hunsaker-Wooten Funeral Home. A rosary will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
William "Yogi" McNutt - Funeral to be at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church worship center. Burial will follow at Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.
Olene Haynes, 1114 South Twelfth Street, died early this morning, Feb.
17, 1998, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. She was 91. Local survivors
include two sons, The Rev. Elza Haynes and Leo Haynes. Arrangements are
pending with Trout Funeral Home.
NEWS BRIEFS
Arrest - Police arrested a 23-year-old man at 9:38 p.m. Sunday from the Lincoln Center, 700 West Broadway Avenue, on a city warrant for failure to pay.
Arrest - A 37-year-old man was arrested at 9:47 p.m. Sunday from the 300 block of West Grand Avenue on a city warrant for failure to pay and for public intoxication.
Mailbox Vandalism - A woman in the 1900 block of Cedar Street reported at 3:47 a.m. Monday that someone had hit her mailbox and then left the scene. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
School Vandalism - Vandalism to Washington School was reported to police at 5:45 a.m. Monday. An officer was assigned.
Vandalism - At 8:51 a.m. Monday a woman in the 500 block of South Perry Street advised police that a rock had been thrown through her window. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Hit and Run - At 9:22 a.m. Monday a man reported that his car had been hit while it was parked at Ponca Bowl, 2000 Lake Road. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Park Vandalism - At 10:31 a.m. Monday police were advised that Jaycee Park had been spray painted. The Park and Recreation Department was notified.
Theft - The manager of the Timbers Apartment, 2201 North Fourteenth Street, reported to police at 10:50 a.m. Monday that property of the apartments had been stolen. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Arrest - A 26-year-old man was arrested at 2:31 p.m. Monday from the 1600 block of South Ninth Street for domestic assault and battery.
Stolen Cloths - At 3:15 p.m. Monday a woman in the 700 block of North Osage Street reported some stolen clothes. A report was taken.
Phone Theft - At 3:38 p.m. Monday a man reported that his phone had been stolen out his vehicle at East Prospect Avenue and Turner Street. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Theft of Services - Pemberton's, 3330 North Fourteenth Street, reported to police at 3:54 p.m. Monday that a customer had left without paying a repair bill. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Attempted Theft - At 4:10 p.m. Monday a man at Triple T, 1301 West Highland Avenue, reported that some juveniles had attempted to steal some items. An officer was assigned and a petit larceny report was taken.
Vehicle Vandalism - A woman in the 2700 block of Lake Road advised police at 7:53 p.m. Monday that her vehicle had been "paint-balled."
Fight - At 11:04 p.m. Monday a woman was assaulted during a fight between seven people at the Woodridge Market, 4128 Lake Road.
Night Noises - A woman in the 300 block of South Oak Street called police at 11:29 p.m. Monday due to noises outside her house. An officer responded however nothing was found.
Dump Threat - A clerk at Citgo, 400 East South Avenue, called
police at 11:52 p.m. Monday requesting the fire department remove a 55 gallon
drum full of oil otherwise he would throw it into the street. He was advised
to call the city emergency management department in the morning.
BUSINESS
By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE
News Business Editor
A low-profile Ponca City manufacturing company has a high profile in the outdoor equipment industry. Just three years old, T&J Manufacturing Inc. is making its mark in the business by producing a walk-behind, offset, commercial string line and blade trimmer.
Partners in the firm are Tom Huston and his father Jack. The small manufacturing plant began three years ago.
The product, the Shark Trimmer, was rated in the top 25 products for 1997 by Outdoor Power Equipment's publication. The equipment, which allows the operator to walk behind it and mow and trim at the same time, is featured on the cover of the publication.
When Tom was in the cemetery business he spent a lot of time mowing and realized the need for something that would cut grass close to the headstones without using a hand-held weed trimmer, proving out the old cliche "necessity is the motherhood of invention."
Not only was the hand-held method of trimming around the headstones time consuming but could result in back and arm injuries just from the motion required.
With farming experience and cemetery maintenance care in his background, Tom began to think of ways to improve mowing and weed trimming. The end result is a commercial walk behind mower with an offset weed trimmer that allows going around corners and has six patents.
The offset wheels can be adjusted so the machine works on two levels at once. One wheel can run on the street while the other can operates above on the curb to trim.
The Shark Trimmer is powered by a four- or five-point, five-horsepower motor, depending on the model. Local firms that have been instrumental in making parts are Mertz and Sun Manufacturing.
Uses Unlimited
Commercial uses for the Shark Trimmer are almost unlimited. The applications include along highways and long fence rows, around airports, resorts and schools, on golf courses, in parks and areas of recreation, in rental centers, in between trees on tree farms and other grounds maintenance.
The Hustons took their video booth and demonstration models on the road, with Tom's wife, Michelle, doing the scheduling. They have an office at home complete with computers and other equipment for doing business, including mailouts. Additionally they have a web site, www.sharktrimmers.com. The phone number is 1-800-73 Shark.
A do-it-yourself group, the Hustons made their own video here in Ponca City, put together a brochure and hit the road. They do about 35 shows and conventions a year.
As a result of their efforts, they have machines in numerous municipalities. Huston noted that the municipalities like the Shark Trimmer because it cuts down the number of workers comp claims resulting from the use of the hand held trimmers.
"We literally have them coast to coast and in Paris and Denmark, Argentina, Peru, and Puerto Rico," Tom said.
Working slowly and deliberately, the Hustons have established the equipment's reputation and have sold about 300 a year, selling factory direct. But a bigger market looms as T&J Manufacturing is beginning to set up a network of dealers.
Future plans are to get the productivity up to 2,000 a year. Currently the firm is under a three-year GSA (government) contract.
The company is so low-profile that there is no name on the building or mailbox, which is located at 4409 Highway 77 North Access Road.
Eight Machines in One
The Shark Trimmer comes with several attachments and is advertised as eight-machines-in-one, with several accessories.
These include a masonry cup wheel for grinding off uneven sidewalks, the beaver blade that saws small trees up to six inches in diameter and also works doing heavy brush removal.
Then there is the wire crevice accessory brush, which is used for cleaning, gum removal from sidewalks, removing paint (striping) from pavement, and gouging out expansion joints.
Other accessories available are a vertical steel blade edging for edging along curbs, sidewalks and streets. A steel carbide cutting blade for sub surface roots and for light duty trenching.
Also available are a stump grinder cup wheel for grinding off stumps and a 12-inch masonry chop saw blade for cutting out old sidewalks.
With the potential market, Ponca City is becoming known as the home of the "Shark," with the Chamber of Commerce already receiving long distance calls inquiring about the product.
One of Ponca City's most prominent corporate citizens, Sykes Enterprises Incorporated, will unveil its new corporate identity and branding campaign Wednesday at its technical call center located at 1701 Sykes Boulevard.
The new campaign, "Real People, Real Solutions," is designed to differentiate the information technology company's value-added services to its customers throughout the world.
"We've just completed our 20th year of business, growing from a small six-person company to one with global presence," said John Sykes, president and chief operating officer. "But the fact remains that it's our people, right here, who make the difference. They're 'real people' who provide the 'real solutions' to our customers and their customers, in turn. Our new logo and identity build upon their strengths to reflect our proactive growth into the new millennium."
"Our look may be changing, but our commitment is not," said Jim Harwick, call center manager. "We're pleased to be an important part of this community and value our relationships with local business, government and our other neighbors."
Sykes is an information technology company that provides a full complement of outsourcing services to companies worldwide. With more than 6,400 employees, Sykes provides information support services at all stages in the life cycle of their products and services - from initial development to documentation and training to end-user support.
Through recent acquisitions, Sykes also provides diagnostic capabilities and retail software application and support for back office and point-of-sale customers. Sykes, based in Tampa, Fla., operates nine domestic technical call centers, 11 international center sand 20 offices throughout the U.S., Europe, Africa and The Philippines.
Through the Lens Photography Studio finished another award winning year in 1997 when Randy Ross was named "Photographer of the Year" by the Professional Photographers of Ozarks (PPO) at the recent convention in Eureka Springs, Ark.
The PPO is a four-state organization whose membership consists of the professional portrait photographers from Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas and Oklahoma. The honor is given to the photographer scoring the highest total points at the spring and fall print competitions during the year.
Ross and his wife, Kelle, were the top two overall winners at the competition. Several area residents were subjects in the award winning prints. "Deere Hearts," a portrait of the Irwin and Overman families' grandchildren, won Best Portrait of a Group/Family and second place in the overall competition.
"Just Hangin' On," an image of Bailey Lane, won Best Portrait of a Child. A portrait of the Paul Hadley family, entitled "Trio in Autumn" was chosen as third place overall in competition
A bridal portrait of Lara Ebbeson Vannest, entitled "Battenburg Bride" was chosen as Best Portrait of a Bride. Two Judge's Choice awards were given to "Deere Hearts" and to "Style and Structure," a portrait of Calyn Snell. This particular portrait previously received the 1997 Kodak Gallery Award at the Oklahoma state competition for women's portraiture and was selected to be on display at the Epcot Center in Orlando, Fla., last fall along with other national Kodak Gallery Award recipients' works.
More awards were received at the nationally recognized Southwest Professional Photographers print competition held in Houston. Competition at this convention, whose five state membership includes Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, New Mexico and Oklahoma, is considered one of the toughest in the country due to the large number of outstanding and renowned photographers in the group. There were several hundred images entered in the competition.
Through the Lens took home the trophy for the highest total score in Oklahoma. Ross also garnered a "Four-For-Four" award for receiving merits on each of his four entries.
The highlight of the awards ceremony was when Through The Lens was honored with the award for Distinguished Print of a Group/Family for "Deere Hearts" which has become their highest award wining print to date.
Through The Lens opened in 1993 and specializes in family children and high school senior portraiture. The Rosses also hold the distinction of being the state's first ever husband and wife Certified Professional Photographer team.
First National Bank and Trust Senior Vice President Jay Vaughn, has been appointed to the Oklahoma Bankers Association's (OBA) Agriculture Committee.
Vaughn has been with the bank for 12 years, serving as senior vice president of commercial and agricultural loans.
He serves on the board of directors at Bridgeway, is a deacon at Grand Avenue Church of Christ, and has served on the boards of United Way and Bluestem Girl Scout Council.
Vaughn also farms part time with his brother, Tim, and father, Neal, near Wellington, Kan.
Vaughn earned a master's degree in business administration from Oklahoma State University in 1981. He holds a bachelor's degree from Wichita State. He was an assistant vice president and senior credit analyst for the First National Bank of Oklahoma City prior to taking his current position.
The OBA Agriculture committee works to keep the OBA and its membership informed about legislative and regulatory changes related to agriculture lending and changes in the state's agriculture industry that may affect commercial loans.
The OBA is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. The association represents about 320 commercial banks and supports the state banking industry with a broad array of services including government relations, education, legal services and communications.
A new business opening recently in Ponca City is The Gentleman's Humidor, 106 North Second.
The business is described as "stocking fine imported cigars and accessories in order to meet the needs of local cigar customers."
The Gentleman's Humidor was opened recently by two brothers Michael and David Kear, who said they had grown tired of having to travel two hours in order to buy a good Dominican or Honduran cigar and decided to form a partnership and open a cigar shop in Ponca City.
The Gentlemen's Humidor stocks a variety of fine imported cigars for all occasions. They can cater parties or events with cigars, cutters, lighters and accessories. Brands not in stock in the shop's humidor can be special ordered in about a week with no extra charge.
Shop hours are 11 a.m.-8 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
LIFESTYLES
On Feb. 7 members of the Kay County 4-H clubs held their annual County Rally at Northern Oklahoma College. County Rally gives 4-H members the opportunity to display and improve public speaking talents. The Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to all persons regardless of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age or disability, and is an equal opportunity employer.
Special awards will be given at the annual Achievement Banquet for winners of the Peanut Award (9-10 years only), Junior Breads (11-12 years only) and Senior Breads (15 years or older only) Breads, and Dairy Foods Award (13- 14 years only). Members who are 13 and over who participate will qualify to attend State 4-H RoundUp held in Stillwater each year. Listed below are the results:
Beginning division (9-11) Individual Prepared Speeches first place winner was Heather Schneeberger of Tonkawa and second place went to Paula Smithheisler of Tonkawa. Niki McMillen, Heir Born, won first place on her individual speech. Bradley Schneeberger, Kildare, won first place with his individual illustrated presentation. The team of Megan Smith, Chad Courtney and Jaron Soulek, OK Okies, won first place on their team presentation.
Junior division (11-12) Ross Kubik, Newkirk Go-Getters, won first place with his individual speech. Individual illustrated presentation winners were Erica Morris, Kildare, first place; Scott Dorl, Newkirk Go-Getters, second place and Joel Bolay, Heir Born, third place. Stacia and Kelle Otto, Kildare, placed first with their Team Illustrated Presentation and Randi Price and Elisabeth Shuart, OK Okies, placed second.
Intermediate division (13-14) individual illustrated presentation winners were Chassie McMillen, Heir Born, first place and Kaycee Brandon, Kildare, second place. Team Presentation winners were Shawn Alley and Shawn Cavanaugh, Kay County Mounties, first place; Heather and Amanda Brown, Heir Born, second place and Tony Schieber and Jesse Vap, Kildare, third place.
Senior division (15 and over) Individual Speech winners were Emily Lewis, Heir Born, first place and Courtney Hill, Kildare, second place. Individual illustrated presentation winners were Jaron Hudgins, Heir Born, frst place; Stacie Schneeberger, Kildare, second place; Carissa Calvert, Kildare, third place; Emily Lewis, Heir Born, fourth place and Jason Neuerburg, Heir Born, fiflh place. Team winners were Leah Bolay and Kim Miller, Heir Born first place; Daniel Alley, Jack Johnson and Laura Hoy, Kay County Mounties, second place and Hallie Godbehere and Alison Pershall, Kay County Mounties, third place.
The Ponca City Council of Garden Clubs met recently at the Cann Garden Center. Aline Heartsill, president, presided at the business meeting. Rita Robbins presented an informative program on Soybeans, giving timely information on oil, protein and calcium content, then serving soy beans and soy cookies for sampling.
Maureen Danielson reported on the current packets of plants for sale as a fundraiser and also on the Plants for Pleasure sale scheduled May 2 on the Cann Center grounds. Helen Spore informed the group about the bird population and needs. The Garden Pilgrimage trip, with Linda Sparks, sponsor, to The Wichita Garden Show, is scheduled for March 6 with all bus spaces reserved.
The Northern District Convention committees are meeting regularly to
finalize the March 28 event in Ponca City, with tours scheduled the afternoon
before the convention. Registration forms for the convention will be available
at the March 4 Council Meeting in the Cann Center. That meeting will include
a program from the Ponca City Water Garden Club and guests are welcome.
SPORTS
Micha Alexander is the son of Mike and Shawn Alexander, and is a two year varsity letterman. Last season he led the Cats in scoring and 3-point percentage, finishing sixth in conference with an average of 12.4 points per game. He currently leads the team in scoring, is the fourth leading scorer in the conference, and was elected to the January Jam All Tournament Team in Valley Center, Kan. Micha is a member of FCA, FLA, is on the honor roll and is concurrently enrolled at NOC.
Natasha Anderson is the daughter of Vincent and Tonda Anderson, and is a three year varsity letterman. She was an All-tournament selection at the 1997 Edmond tournament, earned third team All-Conference, the Most Steals Award, and had the best 3-point and free throw percentages last year. Anderson was sophomore homecoming attendent and 1998 basketball queen. She is a member of FCA, FLC, the Afro-American Club, Hi-Steppers, and is a three year soccer letterman where she was All-district, All-conference and the leading scorer for three years.
Stephanie Blochowiak is the daughter of Charles and Diane Blochowiak, and has played basketball for eight years. She was elected most improved sophomore over the 1995-96 season, a member of the Po-Hi band, National Honor Society and Student council.
Brad Brewer, son of Jerry and Cathy Brewer, has been in basketball for nine years, was a letterman his junior year, and served as manager his senior year due to an injury. Brewer is a member of FCA and the Honor Roll, is vice president of the Dynamiters, has been a Lions Club guest and was selected as an Oklahoma Boys' State nominee.
Casey Crosson, daughter of Mike and Terri Crosson, has served as basketball and soccer manager. She is a member of the yearbook class, Youth Leadership and FCA.
Jackie Dyer, daughter of David and Linda Dyer, has served as basketball manager for five years and has lettered the last two years. She is a member of St. Paul's United Methodist church, participates in the choir and is active in the youth group. Jackie is a student Kiwanian and a second year letterman in golf.
Alfred Delancy, a foreign exchange student from the Bahamas, is the son of Alfred and Paula Mae Delancy. He has been selected for two All-star teams, the under 18 National Squad, was the MVP in 1996, and received awards for most rebounds and most blocks in post season tournaments. He was also Athlete of the Year, received the Commerce Certificate for Excellence, Civics Certificate for Excellence and an Attendence Certificatee and is on the honor roll.
Amy Fremin is the daughter of Marsh and Betty Pronneke, has played basketball for eight years, has recieved numerous basketball camp awards and lettered as a freshman. She was selected to Who's Who Among American High School Students and is a member of the honor roll and the debate team, historian of the National Forensics League, and was honorable mention All-conference volleyball. She was also a volleyball homecoming queen candidate and first runner up Miss Ponca City.
Ryan Meyer, son of Curtis and Karen Meyer, is a two year varsity letterman and starter and received the Most Assist Award during the 1996-97 season. He has played basketball for ten years. Ryan is a member of the National Honor Society, Who's Who Among American High School Students, FCA, attends St. Mary's Catholic Church, and was selected as an Oklahoma Boys' State delegate.
Lesley Schieber, daughter of Dee and Cathy Schieber, is a two-year varsity letterman and has played basketball for nine years. She is listed in Who's Who in High School Sports 1997-98, is a member of FCA, youth and government, the student council and the Cat Tale staff.
Julie Schiltz, daughter of Pat and Chris Schiltz, is a three year varsity letterman. During her junior year she was a homecoming attendant and a varsity cheerleader. She is a three year softball letterman, received All-conference and All-regional her junior year and All-state pitcher her senior year. Julie is a three year soccer letterman receiveing All-district her junior year, outstanding sophomore girl, and was a Wendy's Heisman Nominee. She is a member of the National Honor Society and Foreign Language Club, was a Girls' State delegate and is on the honor roll.
Jason Shelton, son of David and Sally Shelton, is a two year varsity letterman and held the team record for the highest field goal percentage his junior year. He is a three year football letterman and captain, received the Earl Sullins Scholastic Award, was All-district, and was a Wendy's Heisman Award nominee. He is a member of FCA, the National Honor society, and is a youth deacon at First Christian Church. He is on the honor roll, is a Junior Kiwanian, a Senior Lion and was selected to Boys' State.
Ryan Treadway, son of Gary Treadway and Paul and Darla Terrell, has received varsity letters in basketball and football. He was named All-district in football, All-star tight end 6A east, and All-academic honor roll team of BCA. Ryan is a member of the First Baptist Church, is on the honor roll and is a student Rotarian. He is listed in Who's Who Among American High School Students and was selected to Oklahoma Boys State.
Keesha West, daughter of Dwain West and Gwen Roland, has played basketball for nine years, is a two-year letterman and varsity co-captain. She was listed in Who's Who in Sports, and is a member of FCA and is president of the African American Club.
By MATTHEW KOENIG
News Sports Writer
Tonight is senior night at Robson Fieldhouse, it's the Poncans' last home game of the season, and they hope to put on a show.
The Sandites are ranked last in the conference, while the Lady Sandites are ranked sixth.
The Lady Cats will tip off at 6:15 and the boys' game will begin at 7:45. Introduction and recognition of the senior basketballers will take place between the games.
Sand Springs (3-16, 2-11)
at Ponca City (6-14, 3-11)
After a tremendous win against Owasso last week, and with their final two games against imminently beatable teams (Sand Springs, Bartlesville), things suddenly look - if not rosy - then at least hopeful for the Wildcats. Regardless of their overall record, finishing the season 3-0 would be a nice exclamation mark at the end of a rather parenthetical season.
"That would be great," says head coach Ron Arthur. "We're looking forward to that, and we're thinking about nothing else. This is a big week for us."
And with no playoff ramifications or district seedings to consider, the Cats can just play. For momentum, for emotion, for honor - whatever.
The Sandites, meanwhile, are coming off a 65-51 trouncing at the hands of Stillwater on Monday night, and currently own the worst record in the Frontier Conference. Still, the last time these two teams met, the Sandites were superhuman from the field, going 7-of-10 from 3-point range, and gave up the ball just 13 times.
"They had one of their best games of the season," Arthur says. "And we had too many mental lapses in the second half."
Arthur hopes that the emotion of senior night, combined with the momentum of Friday's victory will carry them to victory tonight.
Lady Sandites (7-11, 3-9)
at P.C. Lady Cats (6-14, 2-12)
Like the Wildcats, the Lady Cats could build some valuable playoff momentum tonight. Unlike their last two opponents, state-ranked big-dogs Jenks and Owasso, the Lady Cats match up well against the Lady Sandites.
And the last time the Lady Cats met a team they matched up well with (Tulsa Union, Feb. 6) they kept things close until the final seconds. Hopefully, with that same kind of effort, combined with the benefit of home-court advantage, they'll pull this one out.
"We're going to match up well," says head coach Dana Pulley, who was too near labor to attend the last showdown with Sand Springs. "We want to keep it close to the end and get a win. We have to make the plays, though."
Those plays include free throws. The Lady Sandites were 21-of-34 from the line last time around, while the Lady Cats were just 7-of-20, and to Pulley, that made the biggest difference in the game. Still, if there is one thing the Poncans have improved on lately, it's free throw shooting.
By MATTHEW KOENIG
News Sports Writer
MIDWEST CITY - It was payback time for the NOC Mavericks Monday night as they pounded Rose College, 85-75, to draw even and share the conference lead with the Raiders at 5-2.
Before a surprisingly bipartisan crowd of about 1,000 fans, many of who had made the long drive from Tonkawa, the Mavericks (22-5 overall) made recompense for what was possibly the lowest point of their season - an 81-79 defeat to the Raiders on their own home court. The loss sent the Mavs into a two game tailspin in conference play and all but ended their run up the National Juco poll.
Needless to say, emotions were running high on Monday.
After being down by as much as nine through most of three quarters, the Mavericks pulled even with the Raiders on a pair of Marlon Towns free throws. From there, Towns proceeded to tear holes in the Raider's defenses, rattling off six more straight points to put the Mavs on top by six, 61-55.
The Raiders struggled back to within two with four minutes left in the game, but after squandering two opportunities to tie the game, went down by four with another aggressive put back by the 6-5, 215 pound Towns. And from there the Mavs didn't look back.
Exhibiting near perfection on the free throw line, the Mavs nailed 13-of-14 to finish the game, while limiting the Raiders to just five points in the final four minutes.
"That was a huge, big-time ball game," said head coach Mick Weiberg, who looked to be as fatigued as his starters. "They embarrassed us at home and we stored that and used it in a good way tonight. We did a nice job."
Though the Mavs went down early behind a pair of 3-pointers by Rose State point guard Lenny Burt, and couldn't seem to get anything going offensively, they did manage to stay in the game with a crushing defense. Combined with a 16-8 offensive rebounding advantage, an 8-0 advantage in steals, and the Mavs were still giving themselves a chance.
"We were doing silly things early on because we got hurried," said Weiberg, "but our defense has been good all year, we've been holding teams in the 50's and 60's and that's the key. That kept us in there and we managed to work our way back in the second half."
After DeShawn Denson nailed a 3-pointer at the buzzer to pull the Mavs to within two, the 6-2 sophomore proceeded to knock down 12 of the Mavericks' first 14 points of the second half to keep things close.
Not to ignore the power of an incredible turnout of NOC students, Weiberg was grateful:
"I gotta complement the student fans. We have the best fans in Juco basketball, and they really sustained us late. We appreciate it, and this one's for the kids."
Towns led the Mavs with 27 points, followed by Denson with 22, Zach Cazzelle with 18, Kyle Dean with 10, while Jared Weiberg, Chris Beech, Josh Regnier, and Joe Patmon each had 2.
The Mavs, looking to tie a school record for the most wins at 25, continue conference play on Thursday, taking on Western, in Tonkawa.
MIDWEST CITY - The Lady Mavs of NOC continued to keep their playoff hopes alive, Monday, pounding the Lady Warriors of Rose State College, 70-51.
With three games left in their regular season schedule, and a Bi-State West record of 3-4, the defending conference champion Lady Mavericks must win at minimum one more game, and possibly two, in order to qualify for regional playoffs. To win two, they would ideally have to split their final two games against powerhouses Eastern and Seminole.
"A 4-6 (record) might not cut it this year," says head coach Greg Krause, "so we're taking any wins we can get. And right now we're still alive."
Monday, the Lady Mavs looked very much alive against the Lady Warriors. After a close game through most of the first half, the Lady Mavs surged ahead to go on top 31-22 at intermission. From there, the Lady Warriors could never get any closer than nine.
"We just played better," said Krause. "We've got some players who are coming on right now, which is good to see."
One of those players is late-season up-and-coming sophomore point guard Sara Roughface - a transfer from Bacone College and 1996 graduate of Po-Hi - who could give the Lady Mavs the boost they need once the post season rolls around.
After preeminent point guard Brandi McClellen went down four games ago with a torn ACL, Roughface stepped in and has since posted several impressive performances. Saturday, in a non-conference game against Crowder, she banged out a team high 17 points (including 5 3-pointers), and Monday finished with eight points.
"She's been playing very, very well," says Krause. "She does a great job of getting the ball into the post, she's good on defense, and she can hit the three. She's becoming a key player for us."
Roughface, who offered her talent to Krause after transferring to Northern to ostensibly play softball, was called by the Lady Mavs' coach after star player Michelle Brown went down earlier in the season - also with a torn ACL.
Mandy Perkins led the Lady Mavs with 15 points, followed by Renee Reese with 14, Jennifer Williams with 12, Joey Mount with 10, Stephanie Stovall with 7, while Cathy Rogers and Shannon Hands both had 2.
Lead scorer for Rose State was Athena Mathis with 13
The Lady Mavs take on Western, in Tonkawa, Thursday, in what is virtually a must-win game.
Ponca City's ninth grade girls won the regular season Northern Junior High Conference with a perfect 8-0 mark but couldn't do the same in the conference tournament over the weekend.
The Lady Cougars scrambled past the Enid Emerson eighth grade team, 31-30, in the first round Thursday then edged Enid Waller in the semifinals, 22-17, Friday.
But the lack of a scoring punch caught up with the Poncans in the finals when they met Stillwater for the third time this season.
The Lady Cougars had won the two regular season meetings with Stillwater by slim margins. It wasn't to be the third time around as Stillwater's girls won the tournament title, 39-33.
"I was concerned with our lack of scoring in the first two games of the tournament," coach John Maddox said. "It caught up with us in the finals. Its hard to beat a team like Stillwater a third time.
"Free throws made the difference in the game," Maddox said, noting that three Ponca City girls fouled out while one Stillwater player was sent to the bench.
Ponca City held a slim 16-12 lead at halftime but Stillwater caught up and tied the score at 21 at the end of three periods. Stillwater then outscored the Poncans 18-12 in the fourth quarter.
"They got 14 of those 18 points at the free throw line," Maddox said. "Stillwater hit 14 of 17 free throws in the fourth quarter while we were only 6-of-12."
However, two Ponca City girls made the All-Conference team, Tara Cries-For-Ribs and Jena Birdsong.
The Lady Cougars finished the season 14-4.