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From the pages of The Ponca City News, Tuesday, March 14, 2000 LOCAL DEATHS NEWS BRIEFS LIFESTYLES SPORTS BUSINESS LOCALBush Visits State Says He Can Carry Oklahoma Bush Visits State Says He Can Carry OklahomaBy LOUISE ABERCROMBIE News Staff Writer OKLAHOMA CITY - “You don’t forget your friends,” Republican presidential nominee hopeful George W. Bush said at a news conference Monday. The Texas governor was explaining why he come to Oklahoma, a state which only has a few electoral votes. He said, “I have lots of friends in Oklahoma.” One of his more obvious friends is Gov. Frank Keating who, with three members of the Oklahoma Congressional delegation, flanked Bush and wife Laura at the podium. Bush danced around the issue of how he would handle Keating. Would he select him as his vice presidential running mate or, if elected, name him to a cabinet post? He left the door open, saying, “My cabinet posts would be filled with hardworking, honest, conservative-minded people who will bring honor and serve the people and not special interests. Obviously, Gov. Keating falls into that category.” Keating to Washington Again? For months, rumors have been floating through the state that if Bush is elected, Keating would be named Attorney General, a post where his background would be an asset. A former FBI agent, Keating is in his second term as governor of Oklahoma. He has served on the national level as a U.S. Attorney, assistant secretary of the United States Treasury and as general counsel and acting deputy secretary of Housing and Urban Development. As Assistant Secretary of the United States Treasury, Keating directed the U.S. Customs Service; the Secret Service; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Fire Arms. Under the mantle of Associate Attorney General, he presided over the U.S. Prison System; the U.S. Marshals; the Immigration and Naturalization Service; and all of U.S. attorneys. End of Clinton/Gore Declaring, “The beginning of the end of the Clinton/Gore era,” Bush brought wide smiles to the faces of Keating and congressional members J.C. Watts, Frank Lucas and Ernest Istook. “I’m here in Oklahoma to encourage people to vote in the primary,” he continued. “It is in my best interest in the long run to get people to vote in the primary. Someone voting in the primary is likely to vote in the general election. “I believe I have a good chance of carrying Oklahoma in the general election, just like I believe I have a good chance of carrying my home state of Texas. We share a lot of conservative values together, but I am not going to take nothing for granted. If you’re happy with the status quo in Washington D.C., then I’m probably not the right guy. “But if people want a change and they are interested in somebody to lift the spirit of the country, somebody who has a reform agenda to get some positive things done from all walks of life, I’m the right person.” On Bosnia, after being informed two Oklahoma National Guard units have recently been called up to train for service there, Bush said, “It is important for us to say to our friends, ‘We'll work to keep the peace. If there needs to be troops on the ground to keep warring parties apart, you need to be the peacekeepers.’ “We need to work with our allies for political solutions in the Balkans. We should get our troops out of the Balkans because we are over extended." Learned from McCain Commenting on John McCain, Bush said, “I appreciate John's efforts. The competition made me a better candidate. “I got a taste of humble pie a couple of times and my message is sharper,” he added. “I showed folks around the country that I could take a punch and recover. The good news is that we’ve energized a lot of people and the turnouts have been huge.” Noting that the Republicans are the ones turning out in the primaries, Bush predicted that “a lot of conservative-minded Democrats are going to come on to our team.” Bush promised, “I am gong to work hard to unite our party. I am going to reach out to independent voters and conservative Democrats.” Then he added, “I do not expect to attract many liberal-minded Democrats.” Commenting on how important morals are to the office of president, Bush answered, “Very important.” He said that countless people have come to him as he traveled around he country with pictures of their children saying they want someone in the White House their children could admire. Campaign Trappings At the airport, the hangar for Metro Tech Aviation had been revamped for the event. The white floors were gleaming, the stage was decorated with patriotic bunting and 50 huge spotlights lighted the podium. The background stage banner touted “REFORM.” Prior to Bush's arrival, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol used a bomb sniffing dog to check the area. As another safety measure, an ambulance — with motor running — waited in the parking lot with a clear path in case of an emergency. Over a thousand people attended the event. Many of them brought their youngsters to see a possible future president of the United States. A number of the spectators were attired in red, white and blue. Several veteran groups and FAA organizations came dressed in attire representative of their affiliations. Most of the crowd had Bush bumper stickers provided by campaign workers. The podium featured the American and Oklahoma flags and a special lighting effect cast lighted stars on both flags. Country and western music rattled the tall rafters through a mighty sound system. As the crowd waited for Bush to arrive, nearly an hour late, it listened to Long Tall Texan and King of the Road. The music was interrupted at various spots with the sound track from some of Bush’s campaign “words of wisdom.” Hand-lettered signs, made by volunteers and highlighted with red spotlights, touted campaign slogans. They read, “Oklahoma for Bush,” “Arkansas For Bush,” “Bush Gets Results,” “Vision, Leadership, Integrity - Bush,” and a play on words from Gov. Keating’s newspaper columns, “Frankly Speaking, I’m Voting for Bush.” Bush Outlines His Education PlatformBy LOUISE ABERCROMBIE News Staff Writer OKLAHOMA CITY - “I don’t want to be the federal superintendent of schools,” George W. Bush, Republican nominee candidate for president of the United States, said Monday in Oklahoma City Bush noted, “Education reform comes when you have governors like Frank Keating. I would give maximum flexibility and maximum authority to the local level. There is a role at the federal level. The Head Start program, for one, provides a great opportunity for us to give children basic building blocks to read, write and to add and subtract.” He added, “I believe we ought to expand education savings accounts and tax codes so parents have more choices to make for their families. “I’m going to ask a fundamental question, ‘What are the results?’ Does Oklahoma receive Title I money for disadvantaged children? “There needs to be an accountability system to be developed locally so we know that the disadvantaged children aren’t just simply shuffled through the system. “This is going to be a point of contention with Al Gore,” he continued. “He calls my plan ‘a plan to diminish public schools.’ I call my plan ‘a plan to save children’s lives.’ “It is incredibly important that we answer the question, ‘What do you know?’, instead of, ‘How old you are.’ It is important that we ask, ‘Do you know what you are supposed to know?’” Bush continued, “By asking that question, we find out if the children are learning. And if they are, there needs to be a bonus and reward plan. If not, we cannot subsidize failure anymore in America. “We cannot continue to give money to schools that are failures and teachers who refuse to change. Every child matters.” He added, “That is what I want to come out of Washington. You develop strong accountability systems. You work with your legislature to come up with ways to find out if your children are learning.” Talking about future confrontations with Gore on education, Bush said, “This is going to be a debate I relish. I have a record I can point to. Our test scores are up among our Hispanic and African-American students, some of the most improved in the nation, because we asked the question, ‘Do you know what you are supposed to know?’ And if you don’t, we are going to correct it before it’s too late.” Bush said, “What Al Gore would say is, ‘Folks, vote for me. we’re going to build you more buildings,’ What I am going to say is, ‘Vote for me. We’ll put plans in place to save children’s lives.’” PC Board Approves Contract RenewalsBy KRISTI HAYES News Education Editor They’re staying put for another year. Several administrators and teachers will stay in Ponca City for the 2000-2001 school year after Ponca City Board of Education members renewed the 400-plus contracts. The unanimous approval was made Monday night at the board’s regular board meeting. Ponca City superintendent Dr. Bill White was happy with the board’s decision. “Our teachers and administrators have done a tremendous job this year. We expect even better things from them next year,” he said. White said in Ponca City there are 413 full- and part-time certified teachers. “When you add our administrators to the mix, we have 441 people employed in our schools ... that doesn’t include support personnel,” he said. He said enrollment numbers are higher this year, partly because of the tremendous job Ponca City’s teachers are doing. “We are up 67 students (5,712 total students) from this time last year. This shows me our teachers are doing something right,” he said. Administrative directors included in the contract renewals were Dr. Patty Ladd, director of elementary education; Jerry Lee, district transportation director; Jerry Jantz, director of technology; Pat Morris, director of special education; Dr. Nancy Niemann, director of personnel; Dr. Linda Powers, director of secondary education; and Bret Smith, director of maintenance and risk management. Coordinators renewed included Mary Ladd, administrative assistant to the superintendent, and Brenda Storie, business coordinator/treasurer. The 2000-2001 principal list for Ponca City will not change. Principals are Randa Bloomfield, Garfield Academy; Barbara Cusick, West Middle School; Richard Dale, East Middle School; Jean Hastings, Union Elementary; Pat Keast, Washington Elementary; Ron Myers, Liberty Elementary; Sharon Scroggins, Woodlands Elementary; David Shelton, Lincoln Elementary; Tom Sipe, Roosevelt Elementary; and Jerry Winkle, Senior High. Jeff Edwards was also hired as the interim principal at Trout Elementary from April 10- June 1. He will replace Ron McCleary, who retired this year. Assistant principal contracts renewed were Becky Cole, Randy Craven, John Woody and Mark Wynn, assistant principals at the high school; Link Cotham at West Middle School; and Karen Humble, East Middle School. Monday night’s board meeting can be seen in its entirety tonight at 6:30 p.m. on Cable Channel 11. Homestead Filing Deadline NearingWednesday is the final day for property owners to file homestead exemptions and other tax benefits for 2000. Kay County assessor Tresa Engle said the homestead exemption saves an average of $90 on property tax and provides homestead protection under Oklahoma law. An additional homestead benefit is also available for certain applicants, Engle added. Homeowners do not have to refile each year for homestead exemptions, but are required by state law to notify the assessor’s office if they have moved or are no longer eligible for exemptions. Applications received after March 15 will be applied to the 2001 tax roll. Contact the assessor’s office at the county courthouse by telephoning 580-362-2565. School Board Approves Less Lighting at Softball ComplexBy KRISTI HAYES News Education Editor A deduct change on the contract with K.C. Electric for the softball lights at West Middle School was approved by the Ponca City Board of Education Monday night. The action came at the regular session of the school board. During the initial phase of the construction of the softball lighting at West Middle School, the district determined there was sufficient spectator lighting without installing two additional lights as part of the project. The architect submitted a proposal request and asked that the two lights not be included in the final project. The contractor delayed in getting the estimated savings to the architect until the final payment was requested. The deduction is for $450 with $50 of that being labor and the remaining $400 the cost of the electrical lamps and wiring. Lease Agreement A lease/purchase agreement with Home National Bank to purchase two new district vehicles as part of the district’s replacement schedule was approved. Quotes were received from local new car dealers to continue the district’s vehicle replacement schedule. Quotes were received and opened from Pemberton’s, Jim Crossland and Jack Bowker. The lowest quotes approved were from Jack Bowker with a 2000 Ford Crown Victoria priced at $19,905.40 and a 2000 Ford Taurus priced at $15,148. The Crown Victoria will replace the wrecked car ruled a total loss by the insurance company. The purchase of the Taurus allows an older model Taurus to be utilized for driver’s education classes. Public Comment During public comment, two sets of parents angrily addressed board members regarding an incident at a non-sponsored school function in December. The parents allege high school administrators accused two students of shoplifting, pulling the two out of class without parents’ permission for questioning. School officials said an investigation was made and the students were cleared of the charges. Other Items Board members approved selling $2,750,000 worth of bonds to BOSC Inc., in association with Pioneer Bank and Trust and Bank of Oklahoma. The interest rate will be 5.023259 percent. Superintendent Dr. Bill White reported an enrollment of 5,712 students, up 67 from this time last year. He attributed the change to Ponca City’s alternative programs including the Alternative High School and Teen Mom program. The personnel report was approved. Certified resignations include Judy Friess, Kim Mayo, Theta Pederson, Carol Green, Lynn Hopkins and Carol Mounts. New employment will be Jeff Edwards, interim principal at Trout Elementary from April 1 to June 1, to replace Ron McCleary, who submitted his resignation effective April 1. Others included David Wright, secondary teacher; and John King, elementary teacher. March Employee of the Month and Friend of Education Awards were presented to Linda Helm, Carolyn Berry and Ginger Duval, Certified Employees of the Month; Doug Lawler, Support Employee of the Month; and the Senior High Building Level Team parent members, Friend of Education. Woodlands Christian Church Rezoning Request PostponedBy BOB PATTERSON News City Editor An application requesting rezoning an area at Woodlands Christian Church was postponed at the request of Mayor Tom Leonard during the meeting of the Ponca City Board of Commissioners Monday night. The action was requested after it was determined that there was indeed a matter that needed to be settled between city administration and the planning commission, along with representatives of the church. Mayor Leonard said he would rather the parties get with the city manager to resolve their differences, that came up with the amount proposed for square footage along the property if it became rezoned. There were citizens in the audience who were against the proposed rezoning and had voiced that difference at a recent planning commission. They were concerned that if the rezoning from residential to commercial would put a business on the corner, which remained at the present time, the only part of the intersection that does not have a commercial business. Representatives of the church noted they were told that they would get quite a bit lower price for their property than allowed other businesses along North Fourteenth Street for the square footage. The matter was thus postponed four weeks. Commissioners held a public hearing on the local law enforcement block grant that would provide $25,997 including a 10 percent cash match to provide communications equipment for the Ponca City Police Department. Lt. E.B. VanArsdale noted for the commission that the item is an annual grant from Bureau of Justice Assistance, but that a public hearing always needs to be held prior to any motion acted on at a later meeting. Lt. VanArsdale reported that 25 percent of the grant money would go to the Kay County Sheriff’s Office, less 10 percent for their portion of the cash match. The equipment would be used to purchase portable radios and related equipment, much of which is now unserviceable. Approximately $2,000 would be left over after completing the purchases outlined by Lt. VanArsdale, and would be spent on equipment as needed. The commission approved the consent agenda that includes $13,870 worth of play structure equipment for Attucks Park and $15,305 worth of play structure equipment for Dan Moran Park, both from May Recreation Equipment and Supply, Tulsa. Also approved was a bid committee’s recommendation on the purchase of a rotary mower amounting to $8,500 from Tulsa New Holland for the park department and to allow improvements at Lake Ponca Dam. Meeting as members of the Ponca City Utility Authority, commissioners approved the capacity lease agreement with OMPA. PCUA consent agenda items included authorization for a change order amounting to $4,681 at the wastewater treatment plant, and write off accounts with delinquent balances and transfer the uncollectible to a collection agency. The commissioners and as members of PCUA and Ponca City Development Authority approved resolutions amending the operating budgets of various funds for the fiscal year 1999-2000 requested by Financial Director Marc LaBossiere. Hutchins Memorial Will Get Spruced UpBy BOB PATTERSON News City Editor Facilities at Hutchins Memorial will be upgraded following action by the Ponca City Board of Commissioners during a regular session Monday night in the Public Safety Center. Kathy Adams, director of the Hutchins Memorial, said the improvements would enhance a number of areas at Hutchins Memorial, most notable in the area of smaller rooms and restroom facilities. Estimated cost of the redecorating project amounts to $54,939 with some of the labor being done by city employees and some of it going out for contract. Work expected to get done would be carpeting east and west rooms, and two hallways and office; ceiling light fixtures in the rooms and concession stand and four chandeliers in the lobby entries. Other work would be window blinds. Plumbing fixtures to be repaired or new include drinking fountains, restrooms including one handicap accessible and snack bar. There would be new restroom divider doors and panels and wood trim, chair rails and other items plus paint for all rooms. Additionally other items would include cabinets, countertops, ceiling fans, door to the Ponca room, and ceiling vents. “We’ve had a number of activities held at Hutchins recently, and we’re beginning to get others lined up. Some of those that have been held at the Hutchins, have stated they will be glad to return for additional activities annually,” Adams told the commission. She reported an optimistic target date for completion would be May 1, 2000 and that it depended on availability of city employees and contractors doing the work and working around events to be held there. DEATHSKeith Timothy Sedam Keith Timothy SedamKeith Timothy Sedam, former resident of Ponca City and resident of Winfield, Kan., died March 12, 2000, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. He was 32. The family will host a memorial service at a later date. Arrangements for cremation are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home. Keith Timothy Sedam was born June 30, 1967, in Wichita, Kan., the son of Marion Marvin Sedam Sr. and Martha Ellen Hankins Goatley. He attended Ponca City schools. On June 30, 1992, he married Mindy Lynn Reeves in Arkansas City, Kan. Keith had been employed as a certified nurses assistant and had also worked in construction. He was a member of First United Pentecostal Holiness Church. Additionally, he was a member of the National Rifle Association, the National Wildlife Society and R.E.A.C.T. Keith enjoyed the outdoors; he liked fishing, hunting, and camping. He also enjoyed doing carpentry work and working with electronics. He is survived by his wife; three daughters, Katereena Renea, Jewell Ellen and Kimberly Lynn, all of Winfield; his mother and step-father, Martha Ellen and Bub Goatley of Ponca City; his father of Wichita, Kan.; two brothers, Eugene Earl Sedam, Sr. and Curtis Lewayne Sedam, Sr., both of Ponca City; a sister, Carol Sue Sedam of Winfield; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a brother, Marion Marvin Sedam, Jr., and a sister, Jewell Ellen Sedam. Paul Sylvester ThurmanCHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Paul Sylvester Thurman, resident of Chattanooga, Tenn., died March 2, 2000, at his home. He was 42. The funeral was held March 6, 2000, at the Dodds Avenue Chapel of Turner Funeral Home with the Rev. Terry Steil officiating. Burial was in the Chattanooga Memorial Park. Paul Sylvester Thurman was born May 22, 1957, in Winfield, Kan., the son of Walter Jackson Thurman Sr. and Velda Alberta Harris Thurman. He lived in Chattanooga, Tenn., for most of his life and was a member of the First Calvary Baptist Church. Survivors include his mother of Chattanooga; seven brothers, Jack Thurman of Winfield, Kan., Billy Thurman of Arkansas City, Kan., Ed Thurman of Perry, Ga., Marvin Thurman of Red Bank, Tenn., Teddy and Harry Thurman, both of Chattanooga, and Jimmy Thurman of Ooltewah, Tenn.; and four sisters, Mary Jones of Ponca City, Eva Harvey of Doniphan, Mo., and Nelda Thurman and Wanda Rapier, both of Chattanooga. He was preceded in death by his father and one brother, Clyde Thurman. ObituariesEva May NeelyEva May Neely, longtime Ponca City resident, died Saturday, March 11, 2000, at the St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. She was 100. The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 15, 2000, at the Community Christian Church with the Rev. Wayne Majors, pastor, officiating. Burial will follow in the Sunset Memorial Park under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel. Born March 12, 1899, in Kentucky, she was the daughter of Charles Lanham and Mary (Glaspy) Fry. The family made their home in Kentucky and Missouri before moving to Oklahoma. On Nov. 26, 1918, she was married to James F. Neely in Apache, Okla., and the couple made their home in Ponca City. Mrs. Neely worked for a time for the Kerr Glass Co. and Mid America Manufacturing. She was a member of the First Christian Church and had been a member of the Royal Neighbors for 76 years. She kept herself busy making all of her children’s clothes, quilting, crocheting, knitting, tatting, and embroidery. She liked to cook and bake. Eva’s long life can be attributed to her ability to live simply, love gently, work hard and her generous nature. Surviving are a daughter, Patricia Silver of Ponca City, and a son, Jesse Neely and his wife, Shirley, of Lincoln, Neb.; one sister, Mary B. Wilks of Ponca City; 12 grandchildren, Sharon Langley, Susan Jones, Nancy Klocko, Jim Hanes, Ty Cranford, Mike Cranford, Patrice Silver, Denise Silver, Carol Strasil, Cheryl Moshiri, Valerie Bazinet, and Theresa McGee; and numerous great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; four daughters, Ruby Hanes, Dorothy Gilman, Doris Ogle, and Thelma Hix; one son, Elmer Neely; and seven brothers and sisters. Casket bearers will be Paul Hosman, Burton Gilman, Mike Cranford, Ty Cranford, Jesse Neely and Orville Wilks. Friends may call at the funeral home until noon on Wednesday. paid obituary Billy Ray SoberWELLINGTON, Kan. — Billy Ray “Bill” Sober, longtime businessman and owner of Sober’s Jewelry for 32 years, passed away early Tuesday morning, Feb. 22, 2000, at his home after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. He was born the sixth child of Colonel LaFayette and Lucinda Lord on March 9, 1940, in Fay, Okla. Bill was united in marriage to Laura Potts on June 10, 1961, in Ponca City. Bill loved to work with jewelry and was quite the metal smith and wood worker. He made many toys for his grandchildren, including a cherry wood rocking horse, baby cradle, tractor and a car. He loved the outdoors, gardening, motorcycling, fast cars and especially his little 1961 red Porsche. Bill loved to go to auctions and always came back with a truck load of stuff. He was an avid Rock - Chalk KU Jayhawk basketball fan. His life was his family. Bill was a master jeweler, past president of the Kansas Jewelers Association and a member of Jewelers of America, Inc. Bill won many awards for his jewelry design. He was a charter member of National Gem and Jewelry Appraiser Association, past exalted ruler of BP0E and a member of the winning team of Elks National Ritualistic contest. Bill was a master mason with the Wellington Masonic Lodge 150 AF&AM, member of the First Christian Church and Wellington Area Chamber of Commerce. Bill is preceded in death by his parents and a brother Verdell Sober. Survivors include his wife Laura of the home; son Ty Sober and his wife Patti of Wellington, Kan.; daughter Kristin Lock and her husband Jason of Los Angeles, Calif.; brothers, Willard Sober of Edmond and Frank Sober and his wife Bertie of Oklahoma City; sisters, Annabelle Scott of Fay and Louise Snodgrass and her husband Bill of Altus; grandchildren Houston and Dietra Sober and Dalton Lock. Funeral services for Bill were held at 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 25, 2000, at the First Christian Church, Wellington. Pastor Sallie Shore of the First Christian Church and the Rev. Ron Keith of Hospice Inc. officiating. Interment was in Prairie Lawn Cemetery with the Wellington Masonic Lodge 150 AF&AM performing Masonic graveside rites. Arrangements were under the direction of Day Funeral Home of Wellington. Casket bearers were Robert Weir, Bill Newland, Ed Brawley, Jack Potucek, Joe Soria and Jerry Sears. Honorary casket bearers were G.L. Mountz, Dale Glasco, Charles Tucker, Charles Tibbs, Norman Capps, George Huegel, Glenn Compton and Kent Sherman. Memorials have been established in his name and loving memory for the restoration of the old town clock that will be located in front of the Wellington Memorial Auditorium and with Hospice Inc. Contributions can be left at the funeral home or mailed to the Bill Sober Clock Restoration Fund in care of the Security State Bank, 101 North Washington, Wellington, Kan. 67152 or to Hospice Inc., P.O. Box 3267, Wichita, Kan. 67201. paid obituary NEWS BRIEFSWomen’s Luncheon — All area women are invited to come to the “Simply Souper” Luncheon on March 15, from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. at the Ponca City Country Club. Sponsored by the Ponca City Christian Women’s Club, the cost is $8.50. Calling Jeanette at 765-8427 may make reservations for the luncheon and complementary childcare. It is necessary for reservations to be honored, canceled or used by a friend. Pokemon Cards in stock! The Hot Corner, Ponca Plaza Shopping Center. 765-5333. adv. Kaw City Museum Meeting — The annual meeting of the members of the Kaw City Museum Association will be held at the Kaw City Museum, Brill Building at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 22. Election for board members and officers will be held. All members are encouraged to attend. Onion Plants, onion sets, asparagus, cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, potatoes, strawberries, grapes, bulk seed. Keathly Nursery. adv. Community Meeting — The Ponca Tribe Office of Environmental Management will hold a community meeting on March 20, 2000 at noon to 1 p.m. at the Valdez Social Service building. The subject of the meeting is Environment Code and Regulation Development. Come and let the Tribe know your opinion on how your environmental codes and regulations should be passed. Lunch will be served. Free Pregnancy test. Birth Choice cares. Confidential. Hours: Tuesday, 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, 1-3 p.m. and Thursday, 6-8 p.m. 700 West Broadway. 765-9689. adv. Fraud — A man from the 1200 block of South Thirteenth Street reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 9:01 a.m. Monday that someone had forged a check that had been sent to him and cashed it. An officer was assigned and a report was taken. Quality Replacement windows and patio doors. We sell and in- stall. Ponca Glass, 300 West Highland and Pine, 762-6522. adv. Items Missing — A man from the 2500 block of Briar Ridge Road reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 9:35 a.m. Monday that golf clubs had been stolen. An officer was assigned and a report was taken. Hair Etc. introducing Becky Gearheart spring break perm special $25.00 March 15 through 31. 762-4247. adv. Item Missing — The manager of Pizza Hut, 2301 North Fourteenth Street, reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 10:49 a.m. Monday that a money bag was missing. An officer was assigned and a report was taken. Items Missing — A man from the 1400 block of West Highland Avenue reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 11:53 a.m. Monday that someone had stolen his billfold and checkbook. An officer was assigned and a report was taken. 25 Cents a gallon drinking water. Pure Water Wagon 1717 N. 5th. adv. Accident — The Ponca City Police Department received a report at 1:23 p.m. Monday that a vehicle had jumped a curb and went through the window of a building in the 1700 block of North Fourth Street. An officer was assigned and a report was taken. Every Wednesday ð price clothes and shoes, except priced items. Check our daily specials. Caboose Thrift Shoppe, First and Central. adv. Subject Held — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported from the 200 block of East Oklahoma Avenue at 1:38 p.m. Monday that a 27-year-old man was being held on a Kay County warrant for delivery of marijuana. Items Missing — An employee with Landers Window Cleaning reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 2:45 p.m. Monday that mops had been stolen from the back of a pickup truck during the weekend. The information was logged. Stormescape Shelters, perfect for garage, under vehicle, installation. $1,695. 765-2633. adv. Gas Drive-Off — An employee at Triple T, 720 South Waverly Street, reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 3:18 p.m. Monday that a subject had left without paying for $33 worth of gas. An officer was assigned and a report was taken. Items Found — A man reported to the Ponca City Police Department from the intersection of East Overbrook Avenue and Virginia Avenue at 4:11 p.m. Monday that some radio equipment had been found in the drainage ditch. An officer was assigned and information was logged that the items may have been taken in a burglary reported earlier. Assault — A woman was at the Ponca City Police Department at 4:41 p.m. Monday to report that a grandson had been assaulted while at Attucks Park. An officer was assigned and information was logged. Citations Issued — A man from the 1600 block of North Osage Street reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 5:34 p.m. Monday that juveniles were riding a bicycle through fresh cement. An officer and a city employ arrived to fix the damage and citations were issued to juveniles. A report was taken. Abandoned Vehicle — An employee at Animal Control, 2500 East Central Avenue, reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 4:50 p.m. Monday that a pickup was stuck in mud west of the building. The abandoned vehicle was towed from the scene. Shoplifter — An employee at Wal-Mart, 1101 East Prospect Avenue reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 6:21 p.m. Monday that a shoplifter was in custody. An officer was assigned and a 56-year-old woman was held for grand larceny and trespassing. Subject Held — An officer reported from North Fifth Street at 8:03 p.m. Monday that a 39-year-old man was being held for public intoxication and resisting arrest. Grass Fire — A unit of the Ponca City Fire Department responded to handle a grass fire in the 700 block of East Prospect Avenue at 8:36 p.m. Monday. Vehicle Vandalized — A woman from the 900 block of Riviera reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 10:11 p.m. Monday that her vehicle had been vandalized while at Ponca City High School. An officer was assigned and a report was taken. Subjects Held — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported from the 1900 block of North Union Street at 1:40 a.m. Tuesday that a 35-year-old man was being held for DUI and a 30-year-old man was being held for public intoxication. LIFESTYLESThe Neighborhood Chef The Neighborhood Chefby Sherry Muchmore March 17th, better known as St. Patrick’s Day, marks the holiday of Ireland's patron saint. We will celebrate this Friday with everything from parades, to the 'wearing of the green', to serving green beer (they add green food coloring), to some places going so far as dying rivers green. In Ireland, this is a religious holiday, with all businesses closed except restaurants and pubs, beginning with a mass before the long day of revelry. And, for some, what would St. Pat’s be without the traditional dinner of corned beef and cabbage. Ever since I can remember, Mom has been serving up the best Corned Beef and Cabbage you’ve the luck of the Irish to be tastin’. Even the most discerning Irishman would agree this is the genuine thing. Mom’s Corned Beef and Cabbage Gayle Fausett, OKC, OK 4 pounds corned beef brisket 1 onion, peeled 6 whole cloves 2 celery stalk, coarsely cut 8 whole peppercorns 1 bay leaf several Parsley Sprigs (can use parsley flakes) 1 garlic clove, diced 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary 1/2 teaspoon mustard seed Salt to taste potatoes, peeled and cut into sections carrots, peeled and cut into strips onion, peeled and cut into wedges green cabbage, cored and cut into wedges Wipe beef with a damp cloth and place in kettle or large pot. Add water to cover corned beef and add the peeled whole onion stuck with the 8 whole cloves, celery, peppercorns, bay leaf, parsley sprigs, garlic, rosemary, mustard seed and salt. Bring to a boil and skim off the scum. Lower heat, cover and gently simmer for 2 1/2 to 3 hours or until tender. Remove the celery pieces and whole clove/onion. To the cooked brisket, add potatoes, carrots and onions. Cover and simmer for about 15 minutes, add cabbage wedges and cook covered an additional 15 minutes until all vegetables are done. A Horseradish Sauce goes well with corned beef: Combine 1 cup sour cream with 1 tablespoon prepared horseradish. Serve the meat on a platter surrounded by vegetables. Ladle the cooking broth over all and serve the horseradish on the side. (Prepared mustard is also a nice accompaniment with corned beef) So many recipes for Irish type breads are made with raisins or other dried fruits and are traditionally round and flat in shape, sliced in wedges. As a matter of fact, they are quit similar to the increasingly popular scone. While most associate scones with England and Scotland, they are native to Ireland as well. The following is typical of soda bread served in the Emerald Isle. This versatile bread, like scones, can be served as a nourishing breakfast with or without sausage and eggs, as an accompaniment with afternoon tea or as a pleasing finish to any meal. However, in Ireland for everyday fare, they use a similar soda bread where the dried fruits are left out, more kneading (but very little) is required for a smoother texture, that is served with meats and broths for sopping. Most Irish breads are made with soda rather than yeast due to a milder climate producing a 'soft' wheat (low in gluten) needing only bicarbonate of soda to be the primary leavening agent especially when mixed with buttermilk. Traditional Irish Soda Bread 3 cups sifted unbleached white flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 2 cups raisins 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 egg 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup honey 1 1/2 sticks cold, sweet butter 1 cup buttermilk Sift flour, baking powder, soda and salt into a large mixing bowl. Cut the cold butter into pieces and add to dry ingredients and cut into flour mixture with a pastry cutter until the mixture resembles small peas. Add the raisins and toss to distribute evenly, using two forks. In a small bowl, beat the egg until frothy with a wire whisk. Whisk in the honey until well blended and beat in the buttermilk. Gradually pour into the flour mixture, tossing with a fork to evenly moisten. Continue tossing lightly with two forks until the batter comes together. It doesn’t have to be completely mixed and should be very rough and lumpy. Butter a heavy skillet or casserole, 10 to 11 inches in diameter and 2 to 3 inches deep. Round is the traditional shape. Spoon batter into the pan and push it gently to fill the pan. In can be somewhat mounded in the middle. Bake at 350 degrees for about 1 hour or until the middle is set. Cut out a piece to test if necessary. Cut into wedges and serve warm from the pan. Makes 1 large round loaf. Although Irish Coffee has been served in the pubs of Ireland for many years, it wasn’t until sometime during the 1950's it first came to the notice of Americans. This unique hot coffee featuring Irish whiskey will warm the cockles of your heart on those cold, damp winter days. Irish Coffee 1 cup whipping cream 1/4 cup powdered sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla 3 cups strong, hot coffee 8 tablespoons Irish Whiskey (or you can substitute with Brandy) 4 teaspoons sugar Beat together the whipping cream, powdered sugar and vanilla. Chill. Put 2 tablespoons of whiskey and 1 teaspoon of sugar into each mug. Add hot coffee and top with a dollop of whipped cream. Makes 4 servings. May the Leprechauns be near you, to spread luck along your way, And, may all the Irish angels, Smile upon you St. Patrick’s Day Anonymous *(AY-ruh guh BRAWKH) = Ireland Forever! Send your recipes to: The Neighborhood Chef, c/o The Ponca City News, P.O. Box 191, Ponca City, OK 74602, or e-mail me at: chef@poncacitynews.com (All recipes become property of The Ponca City News.) Traditional Irish Breakfast Served All DayNEW YORK (AP) — To read the table of contents to “In Praise of Irish Breakfasts” is to understand why the meal, known as “fry,” is served all day long. Listed are: Porridge; bacon; pork sausage; smoked salmon; calves’ liver; eggs scrambled, fried, boiled and poached; pudding black and white (sausages); drisheen (blood sausage); crubeens (pigs’ feet); lamb chops; lamb kidney; mushrooms, tomatoes and onions; finnan haddie; kippers; kedgeree (smoked and fresh haddock with cooked rice, chopped hard-boiled eggs, cream, butter and seasonings). Fish, fast fried and poached; trout; salmon; oysters; scallops; whitebait (sprats on which mackerel feed); cod’s roe; smoked mackerel; brown bread; pratie oaten (potato and oatmeal cakes); scones; black velvet (equal parts stout and chilled champagne); mulled stout; tea. The author, Malachi McCormick, lays claim to creating mulled stout, prepared by plunging a red-hot iron poker into a glass of brew. To read it also is to understand why the Irish breakfast is talked about by laborers and literati alike. James Joyce, a gourmand as well as a prolific writer, began “Ulysses” with not one, but two Irish breakfasts. His protagonist, Leopold Bloom, recounted every meal consumed on what is now known as Bloomsday. Boutique Publishing McCormick, owner of a boutique publishing house, The Stone Street Press, writes his hand-bound books in calligraphy. Despite the painstaking process, he spares no effort in recounting how as a young man he took the Irish Breakfast with him when he moved from County Cork to London. “In London, breakfast was at its leisurely best at weekends, slipping easily into brunch time.” It also was at its best when friends were present. “The genius of breakfast as a social event is such that, no matter how many people showed up, to set an extra place was never a big deal. Sometimes we had 20 people in the kitchen. ... several large dogs worked the room, looking for the soft touches; all nine of London’s Sunday papers (each one sleazier than the next) were being picked over by the gang. The scandal du jour was the Christine Keeler affair, which brought down Macmillan’s Tory government. A Bloomsday Irish Breakfast sounds tempting as a St. Patrick’s Day feast. And since March 17 falls on a weekday, you can do what the Irish do: Serve it for dinner. If you can’t let yourself go for broke, try a Low Calorie Irish Breakfast Omelet (recipe follows) instead. Bloomsday Irish Breakfast 8 slices Irish bacon 8 Irish sausages 4 slices black breakfast pudding 4 slices white breakfast pudding 4 eggs 4 medium tomatoes Freshly ground pepper Over low heat, fry bacon, turning frequently until done to taste. Irish bacon should remain soft rather than cooked to a hard crisp. Remove and drain on paper towels. Place sausages in the pan and brown on all sides. Remove and drain on paper towels. Cut the tomatoes in half and fry them in the bacon fat, cut side down, with slices of pudding. Remove and keep hot. Cook eggs to order: fried, poached or scrambled. Add freshly ground pepper to taste. Add grated Irish cheddar cheese to taste if eggs are to be scrambled. Divide equally on four plates and serve with Irish brown soda bread (recipe follows), butter and preserves or marmalade. Malachi’s Brown Bread 4 cups whole-wheat flour, preferably stone ground 2 cups unbleached white flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 2 cups buttermilk Preheat oven to 400 F. Mix the flours, baking soda and salt in a bowl. Make a hole in the middle and add the milk, stirring vigorously, to make a thickish dough, not too floppy. Mix well; turn out onto a floured board; make a round cake 2 inches high and 7 inches across. Warm a cast iron skillet or a round cake pan in the oven for 3 minutes. Take it out, grease and flour it. Add the dough and with a wet knife make a cross cut on the top. Bake for about 40 minutes, or until cooked through. Remove from the oven and wrap the loaf in a clean tea towel to cool for 5 to 6 hours. Low Calorie Irish Breakfast Omelet 1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 cups no-fat, no-cholesterol liquid egg product 4 teaspoons skim milk Salt and pepper to taste Mushroom Scallion Filling Use just enough oil to cover the surface of an omelet pan or skillet set over medium heat. For each omelet, in a small bowl beat a half-cup of the egg product, 1 teaspoon milk and salt and pepper to taste. Pour into skillet. Cook, lifting edges to allow uncooked portion to flow underneath. When almost set, spoon 1/4 of the Mushroom Scallion Filling over half of the omelet. With spatula, fold other half over filling; slide onto serving dish. Serve immediately. For the Mushroom Scallion Filling: 4 slices Irish bacon 1/2 cup chopped scallions 8 ounces (about 3 cups) fresh mushrooms, sliced Salt and pepper to taste 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, minced Cut bacon slices into 1/2-inch dice. In nonstick skillet, cook bacon and scallions over medium heat until bacon begins to brown and scallions are tender. Increase heat to medium-high; add mushrooms. Cook, stirring frequently, until mushrooms begin to brown. Stir in salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat. Stir in parsley. Makes 4 servings. Recipes are from Irish Food Board and Malachi McCormick. Many Irish foods are available at specialty stores and supermarkets. They also can be mail-ordered from Dairygold USA Inc., 140E Commerce Way, Totowa, NJ 07512. (800) 386-7577. Prize Winning Roasted Fennel Soup Recipe(AP) — Ah, nuts! A half-cup of them were worth $3,000, which is what the Walnut Marketing Board shelled out for the grand prize in a recipe competition for students at the Culinary Institute of America. Christine Leopold, studying at the Hyde Park, N.Y., campus, won with a recipe for Roasted Fennel Soup With Walnuts and Stilton. Recipes, all containing walnuts, were judged on taste, creative use of ingredients, ease of preparation and appearance. In addition to the grand prize, there were first- and second-place awards for appetizers and salads, entrees, and desserts. Fennel is low in calories but high in Vitamin A and minerals such as calcium, potassium and iron. ‘‘When combined with walnuts that provide protein, fiber and essential fatty acids like omega-3’s,’’ the contest sponsors said, ‘‘this soothing soup becomes a delicious nutritional powerhouse for any season.’’ The soup recipe and that for Walnut Macaroons follow. The macaroons, created by Karen Bornarth of the CIA campus in Greystone, Calif., won first-place in the dessert category. Roasted Fennel Soup With Walnuts and Stilton 1 large bulb fennel, cut into quarters 2 tablespoons canola oil kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste 1 leek, white part only, sliced 1 cup russet potatoes, peeled and cubed 2 cups chicken stock 2 tablespoons dry sherry 1/2 cup half-and-half 1/2 cup toasted walnuts, coarsely chopped 1/4 cup Stilton cheese, crumbled 1 lemon, zest only, finely chopped 1 tablespoon fresh chives, minced Preheat oven to 400 F. Toss fennel with 1 tablespoon oil. Sprinkle with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Roast fennel on baking pan until tender and golden brown, about 15 to 20 minutes. While fennel is roasting, heat remaining oil in a heavy, medium-sized pot over a medium-low flame. Add leeks, stirring to coat with oil. Cover pot and cook the leeks for 5 minutes, until they are translucent. Add potatoes and stock. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until the potatoes are fully cooked, about 20 minutes. Puree mixture with a hand-held blender or in a food processor until smooth. Allow fennel to cool. When easy to handle, slice fennel in 1/2-inch strips. Add to potato mixture, along with dry sherry and the half-and-half to reach the desired texture of the soup. Return to a simmer and stir in walnut pieces. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Toss Stilton cheese with the lemon zest. To serve, ladle soup into warm bowls, top each with a tablespoon of the Stilton mixture. Sprinkle with minced chives and extra walnuts if desired. Makes 4 servings. Walnut Macaroons 2 cups walnuts 1 cup granulated sugar 2 large egg whites Pinch of salt Preheat oven to 375 F. In a food processor fitted with the blade attachment, finely grind the walnuts with 2 tablespoons of the sugar. Combine the ground walnut mixture, remaining sugar, egg whites and salt in the top of a double boiler over, but not touching, simmering water. Heat the mixture, stirring constantly, until the sugar dissolves (to 130 F). Remove from the heat and let cool to room temperature. To shape macaroons, spoon the mixture into a pastry bag fitted with the 1/2-inch plain tip. The mixture should be soft enough to pipe but firm enough to hold its shape. If it is too stiff to pipe, add more egg white, a little at a time, until the mixture has the proper consistency. Pipe 2-inch half-dome shapes on a parchment-lined or buttered baking sheet. Bake 12 to 15 minutes, until the macaroons are very light brown and the tops crack slightly. Cool on the baking sheet and store in an airtight container. If the macaroons stick to the parchment, spray the back of the paper with water to remove them easily. NOTE: If you don’t have a pastry bag, drop gently rounded large tablespoons of the mixture onto the baking sheet. Makes about 15 macaroons. BUSINESSLeadership Class Spends Full Day at State Capitol Leadership Class Spends Full Day at State CapitolBy LOUISE ABERCROMBIE News Business Editor OKLAHOMA CITY — Leadership Ponca City had a full itinerary last Wednesday when they spent the day at the State Capitol, learning about State Government. Leaving Ponca City by bus at 7 a.m., they arrived at the Capitol in time to hear Secretary of Tourism and Recreation Jane Jayroe tell about the efforts of that department in drawing tourism to Oklahoma. Jayroe will be in Ponca City on March 22 for a luncheon and a tour of various attractions including the Marland Mansion, Poncan Theater and others. Jayroe was member of the Sarky’s Foundation Board, which gave a grant towards the restoration of the theater. She talked about how tourist attractions add to the quality of life. Jayroe told that Oklahoma has a variety of landscape and four distinct natural experiences. The state has 51 state parks. She said the two most visited parks are at Beaver Bend and the Little Sahara. One of the things that will be created this year is the Oklahoma Golf Authority. Jayroe said the film commission is in the process of being expanded. She told about plans for a film and music festival. She said Oklahoma has the best known country and western artists and the state should capitalize on this. At this point Jayroe said she did not see funds available for a new welcome center at Blackwell. Education Activities Carl Renfro, Chairman of Pioneer Bank and Trust, was the Government Day Chairman. Renfro, who is on the State Board of Regents, introduced Sid Hudson, Vice Chancellor for Systems Advancement and Economic Development, Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. Hudson told about the operation and duties of the Regents. He told of the importance of a good educational system in attracting industry to the state. Next stop was the Oklahoma Supreme Court, where the Ponca City group, heard new Justice James Winchester tell about the duties of the court. Winchester is latest appointee and filled the vacancy left by the death of Justice Alma Wilson. A point Justice Winchester made to the Leadership class was to “figure out your strengths and hire people to do the other.” He also encouraged the members that “the best way to get a good idea is to get a bunch of good ideas.” Lunch at Sleepy Hollow After lunching at Sleepy Hollow the group went to the grounds of the Governor’s Mansion and visited the recently built hospitality house. Later they would return for a personal tour of the Mansion, given by First Lady Cathy Keating. Back at the Capitol the Leadership group met with Gov. Frank Keating and Mrs. Keating. Mrs. Keating autographed her book about the governors’ mansion of the nation and this was given as a door prize. Mrs. Keating commented on the excellent Ponca City Main Street and she talked about the Standing Bear Memorial Park. They also heard from Kay Dudley, who is director of appointments for Gov. Keating. she told about the process and criteria involved in making appointments to boards. Next came a talk with Speaker of the House Loyd Benson. He talked about leaders making a difference. He discussed legislation in the works. He talked about meeting with all of the college presidents on education issues; highway funds; Medicaid reimbursement what to do with the tobacco settlement monies. Recognized at Legislature Senate was voting and the Ponca City delegation sat in the Senate Chambers viewing the Legislature at work. Sen. Paul Muegge recognized the group from the Senate floor. Next they went to glassed in observation booth at the House of Representatives, where Rep. Jim Newport joined them for a question and answer session. Besides members of the class, the group was accompanied by the tri-chairs, Don Nuzum, Carole Jeffries and Lana Jones, and Lisa Coy, vice president of the Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce, Louise Abercrombie, Business Editor of The Ponca City News. Mrs. Renfro joined the group for dinner. The last session was by Tom Daxon, Secretary of Finance and Revenue, who told the class about the finances and revenue of the States. Dinner was at Coaches at the baseball park in downtown Oklahoma City. Former Po Hi Teacher Shares His Life StoryDr. William P. Hytche, former mathematics teacher at Ponca High and president emeritus of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, Md., is currently sharing his life’s story which is embodied in his book Step by Step to the Top: The Saga of a President of a Historically Black University. Consequently, Dr. Hytche is receiving many positive responses from readers from every walk of life. Dr. Hytche’s life, from birth to retirement, is outlined in his timely and motivational account of an ordinary life lived extraordinarily by an incredible man. Throughout the book, there are vivid, true-life experiences that could easily happen to any ambitious individual trying to reach the top. For example, according to the Black Dispatch, published in Oklahoma City, Okla., Dr. Hytche was the first Afro American to be hired at an all-white senior high school in the state of Oklahoma as the result of the 1954 Brown vs. Topeka, Kan., Board of Education court decision. This is one of the many experiences he shares. Also, among his many contributions, Dr. Hytche gives 12 simple rules that will assist one in becoming and remaining successful, particularly potential presidents. An interesting story of the author’s memory of his work at Attucks School and Ponca City High School and of his tenure as owner and operator of Bill’s Blue Moon, well known for its steaks and barbecue. His book is available from NILVED & Associates, P.O. Box 488, Princess Anne, Maryland 21853. Dr. Hytche and his wife, the former Deloris Juanita Cole, have three children, Pamelia, Jaqueta and William Jr. and four grandchildren. ODOT Open House Here March 23The Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) holding a public regional meeting to help write the state’s transportation plan announced it will bring an open house, trade-show type exhibit to Ponca City from 4 to 6:30 p.m. March 23, at the Fourth Street Clubhouse, 1500 South Fourth Street. The Ponca City meeting is one of 20 open house meetings scheduled across the state in March. The meetings will help ODOT gather public input for the Statewide Intermodal Transportation Plan, which will guide the state’s transportation improvements for the next 25 years. “Even though this is a 25-year plan, we go out to hear from the people every five years in order to keep up with the ever-changing transportation needs of the state,” said David Streb, ODOT planning engineer. The public is encouraged to attend the open house and view displays to learn more about various transportation issues. Displays will represent highways, aeronautics, rail, transit, and waterways as well as bicycle and pedestrian paths. ODOT officials from each area will be on hand to explain each program and answer questions. Attendees will then be asked to fill out comment cards, which will be carefully reviewed and evaluated by ODOT officials as they prepare the transportation plan. Later in the year, ODOT will once again visit every region of the state to report on the input from the public. “This will be a fun event, with more of a trade show atmosphere,” Streb said. “Don’t show up expecting to hear a bunch of speeches. The economic future of our state depends largely on how well we take care of our transportation needs, and the more input we get from the public, the better job we can do in planning for the future.” The meetings are planned for the late afternoon hours to minimize interference with family and church activities. The 20 locations have been arranged so that every Oklahoma citizen is within one hour’s driving time of an open house event. Light refreshments will be served. For more information on the Ponca City open house, call: Missy Morland, Ponca City Department of Tourism, (580) 763-8067; Mayor Jerry Johnston of Braman, (580) 385-2169; or Marilyn Harmon, Kay Electric, Blackwell, (580) 363-1260. SJME Open House and Ceremony HeldRibbon cutting and open house for the new St. Joseph Medical Center Equipment (SJME) at 425 Fairview, was held last Tuesday. Leanna Felix started the business in August 1994 for St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. The old location was next door to the new building as a interim location. Felix says that she sat down with Tim Burg in early 1995 and described the dream building. She said he drew the building plans over coffee on a napkin, as she described what she wanted and needed. Five years later the dream came true, she said. Burg designed the state-of-the-art building, which provides customer accessibility, employee efficiency and has allowed the increase of product availability. The 4,400 square foot $250,000 structure, built by TNT Construction, has an inventory of $200,000. The location on Fairview is in the medical complex district to allow customers and patients easy access, Felix said. SJME is a home medical equipment company that provides through rental or purchase medical equipment and supplies to customers in the home. The new products offered are diabetic shoes, uniforms, clogs. scooters and a new line of mastectomy products. SJME offers 24-hour emergency service with qualified trained technicians. Unlimited medical resources for all home care needs from physical therapist, respiratory therapist, wellness and nursing are available. Professional staff are customer service focused. Hours are Monday through Friday 8 a.m., to 5 p.m. Wal Mart Official Saluted Recently on Paul HarveySometimes it takes awhile for companies and individuals to be recognized for good projects. For instance Gary Gregg, 320 Virginia, a local Wal-Mart assistant manager was saluted recently, on Paul Harvey News, a nationally broadcast program. The recognition came from a letter dated Feb. 3, 1999 from Ponca City Police Chief Raymond Ham. The letter from Ham read, “Each time I hear you talking about Wal-Mart, I think of our local Super Center. I am the Police Chief of Ponca City, Okla., a modest town located in North Central Oklahoma. “Our officers have invited adult citizens to learn more about the functions of our police department by participating in the Citizen’s Police Academy. From the graduates of the last three academies an alumni group has formed. Gary Gregg, a local Wal-Mart Assistant Manager, is a graduate of the third session of CPA. He is a strong supporter of our police department and we appreciate it. “Our department received a grant from the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office geared directly towards safety belt and child safety seat compliance. When our Citizen’s Police Academy Alumni made application to our local Wal-Mart Store for a ‘Make a Difference Day’ grant to compliment our police department’s emphasis for child safety seats, Gary Gregg and others at our local Wal-Mart supported the idea. The project was funded by Wal-Mart and during the months of October, November and December our CPA Alumni and Wal-Mart worked together to distribute thousands of pieces of ‘Buckle Up’ literature and gave away six new child safety seats. “I thought you’d like to know,” sincerely, Chief Raymond E. Ham, Ponca City Police Department.” Head Country One of Few Selected for Berlin StoreBy LOUISE ABERCROMBIE News Business Editor Head Country Food Products of Ponca City, is one of 12 food products to be selected by the Berlin, Germany, Department Store, KaDeWe, Europe’s largest department store, to be a part of an Oklahoma display during March. Head Country was invited to participate by the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture. Carey and C.R. Head met with the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture to submit Head Country’s barbecue sauce for consideration, according to Carey. There were several levels of criteria that the product had to meet. Then the Agriculture officials presented the product to a delegation of Germans and Head Country was selected, as one of a dozen from Oklahoma to be displayed. Mrs. Head said the Ponca City factory shipped 20 cases of pints and several gallons of barbecue sauce, which would be used for tasting demonstrations, to Berlin. Jayne Jayroe, Secretary of the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department, told the Leadership Ponca City group touring the capitol Wednesday, about the Oklahoma display. The Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department traveled to Berlin, this week, to encourage tens of thousands of Europeans to make Oklahoma a tourism destination stop on their next trip to the United States. Oklahoma is the only state selected by the prestigious KaDeWe (pronounced: KAW DEH VEY) to showcase itself to more than 300,000 customers who will shop there during the nine-day period. KaDeWe is Europe’s largest department store. To capture the beauty of Oklahoma and the pageantry of its Native American and western heritage, the Oklahoma Tourism Department took an eight-foot high, 50-foot long, $50,000 reusable display draped with giant photos of the state and its people. World-famous fiddler Byron Berline and his Bluegrass Band, which has performed several times at the Poncan Theatre, performed at the KaDeWe, as well as representatives of Oklahoma’s Pawnee, Comanche and Cheyenne tribes, who will demonstrate American Indian crafts and dances. More than 1,000 cases of Made in Oklahoma food products were shipped for the exhibit. German food brokers for the KaDeWe came to Oklahoma to hand-pick these products with the assistance of the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture. Jayroe said, “German travelers are known as great admirers of Oklahoma’s Native American heritage and are fascinated with Route 66, and visits the state more than visitors from any other country outside of North America. In Fiscal Year 1999, out of nearly 21,000 total foreign visitors to Oklahoma’s Welcome Centers, 2,745 were German. Oklahoma also promoted the state as a tourist destination at the International Tourism Exchange, the world’s largest travel trade show, March 11-15 in Berlin. Professional Hearing Health Care Services Office OpensThe formation of Hearing Associates, professional hearing health care services at 400 Fairview is being announced by W. Robert Howard, M.D., Otolaryngologist, and Merrisue Seitsinger, M.A., C.C.C. Certified Audiologist. Seitsinger earned her B.S. Degree in Speech and Language Pathology from Oklahoma State University and her M.A. Degree in Audiology from the University of Kansas and Wichita State University. Seitsinger practiced as a Clinical Audiologist at Kansas ENT Associates, Wichita, Kan., where she conducted audio logical evaluations and hearing aid fittings. After living in Kansas City, Wichita, and Chicago, she and her family now reside in Stillwater. Seitsinger has served as the clinical audiologist with Dr. Robert Howard’s medical practice for over seven years. With the formation of Hearing Associates, the practice will not only continue to offer complete medical and audio logical evaluations, but also hearing aid evaluations, fittings, and complete consultations. Seitsinger, with a master’s degree and certification by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, will be the only certified Audiologist offering hearing aid services in Ponca City. Hearing Associates is located in the office of W. Robert Howard, M.D., in the Doctor's Park. Vincent Pilcher First in Kay County To Accomplish SBA CertificationBy JANET TABER Pioneer Technology Center TONKAWA — Vincent Pilcher, owner of Red Wolf Construction Company, Tonkawa, has done something no other businessman has done in Kay County. Pilcher has just received notification from the Small Business Administration (SBA) Washington, D.C. office that his brand new company is the first company to achieve SMA certification as a Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB). The SDB certification is a result of an agreement to help small socially and economically disadvantaged firms who want to do business with the federal government. “It has been a long eight months waiting of correspondence with the SBA representatives in Washington, D.C. The process was slow waiting on my certification, but it has been worth the wait,” said Pilcher. “Since I received notification stating that I am fully certified as an SDB, I feel like I am finally getting my new business in a position where it is strong enough to survive. The whole process has taught me to be a lot more patient! I know there is still more for me to do, but I feel like I have jumped my first few hurdles.” Since Pilcher can prove his Native American status, and he has satisfied all of the SBA’s criteria, he has positioned his small business with several incentives he can offer to the prime contractor who uses Red Wolf Construction as a subcontractor. Pilcher states that he has achieved his first few long lasting goals: 1) SDB Certification; 2) Knowledge of the process to utilize the five percent Indian Incentive program paid directly to the prime contractor; 3) HUBZone Certification; 4) Red Wolf’s business profile listed in the SBA database, PRO-Net. According to Teresa Smith, Bid Assistant Coordinator, PRO-Net is a database of business profiles accessible by government buyers and the private sector aiding in matching the needs of the buyer with the company to fulfill the request. “For example, when the Tulsa Corps of Engineers, a Department of Defense (DoD) federal government agency, awards a prime contract to a business, there is a portion of that contract that is set aside for small businesses and SDB’s,” said Smith. “HUBZone is a separate standalone set aside for the SBA program, with a goal for the fiscal year 2000 of one and a half percent of the total contract dollar amount that is set aside to be subcontracted out the HUBZone certified companies.” Pilcher stated that Pioneer Technology Center’s Business and Industry Services group is all helping to meet his business goals. Pilcher first began attending seminars through the Self-Employment Training (SET) program with Larry Atteberry and even some safety training seminars with Vance Johnson, Industrial Coordinator. “PTC has done a lot to help me along the way,” said Pilcher. “I never knew all these services were available until I served on a cultural diversity panel at PTC about a year ago. When I heard Teresa tell about how Indian incentive programs work and how she works with small businesses that are interested in government contract bidding, I thought it really was interesting since I had been thinking about starting my own business.” Smith further stated that the SDB process will be easier than ever for eligible firms to participate in the government’s programs for disadvantaged businesses.” “Under the new agreement between SBM and DOT, it should allow most small businesses that have qualified for disadvantaged status through one agency’s certification process to qualify for the other’s without going through additional paperwork,” said Smith. “In most cases, all that will be required will be a supplemental statement confirming the eligibility requirements.” “It is exciting to know that all of these opportunities are out there for minority owned business, said Pilcher. “I hope some people will use the Bid Assistance program partnership with Red Wolf Construction as an example of how it can work for them. If there is another Native American out there needing some guidance, I would really like to help them!” “It’s a wonder more companies in Kay County are not SDB certified,” said Pilcher. “I am not sure I would have my certification if I had not been working with Teresa.” For more information on SDB qualifications and certification and the Bid Assistance program, contact Teresa Smith at 762-8336, Ext. 261. Notes and QuotesInternational Award Quality Pools & Spas, 115 East Highland, was recently honored for outstanding design of spa installations and for customer service by Sundance Spas of Corona, Calif., a world leader in hot tub manufacturing. The awards were announced during Sundance Spas’ Annual International Dealer conference and Awards Night Banquet held in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Quality Pools & Spas received the International Design Award, which recognizes excellence in design from over 550 dealers in 60 countries worldwide and the Service Award, signifying the store as the best in customer service. In reaction to receiving the award, J. Downing Johnson III said, “We’re proud to be recognized by Sundance. We look forward to carrying on the tradition of quality products and service.” Curves Joins Food Drive Curves for Women, 30-minute fitness and weight loss center, here in Ponca City will be joining in the Curves “Food for Friends,” nationwide food drive, to benefit local food banks. During March, members who bring a bag of nonperishable food items, exercise three times weekly and lose five pounds and five inches will be awarded a limited edition, “Food For Friends.” T-shirt. Those joining Curves the week of March 13th may bring a bag of groceries and have the normal service fee waived. Anyone desiring, may drop off nonperishable food items at Curves, 914 East Highland, Monday through Friday. The food will be donated to area food banks. Joins American General Dennis Smith, general manager of the Wichita office of American General Life and Accident Insurance Company, has announced that Letitia Maki-Pappan has been appointed an agent for the company. She will be assigned to the local office, 400 East Central, Ponca City and will be serving policy owners and developing clients in the Ponca City area. O’Reilly Announces Record Net Income SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — O’Reilly Automotive, Inc., which has two locations in Ponca City, has announced record revenues and earnings for the year ended Dec. 31, 1999. This represents the seventh consecutive year of record revenues and earnings since becoming a public company in April 1993. Net income for the year totaled $45.6 million up 48.3 percent from $30.8 million a year ago. Basic earnings per share (EPS) for the year increased 30.6 percent to 94 cents on 48.7 million common shares compared to 72 cents on 42.5 million common shares for the prior year. Diluted EPS for the year were 92 cents on 49.7 million common shares, a 29.6 percent increase from prior year diluted EPS of 71 cents on 43.2 million common shares. Conoco Elf Aquitaine Join In Syrian Desert ProjectHOUSTON — Conoco and its Partner, Elf Aquitaine of France, have awarded a $160 million contract to Kvaemer ENC, a division of Kvaemer U.S. Inc., to engineer, procure and construct infrastructure for a major natural gas development in Syria’s eastern desert. Conoco, as lead operator, is a 50-50 partner with Elf Aquitaine in the Deir Ez Zor gas project. Under the terms of a service contract with the Syrian Petroleum Company, the project will gather, process and transport a large associated gas stream that has been flared in oil fields around the city of Deir Ez Zor. The overall cost of the DEZ Gas Project is expected to be around $430 million, which represents the largest U.S. investment in Syria in several years. Conoco is the only U.S. oil company currently operating in Syria, and was selected to participate because of the company’s exceptional project management skills. “We saw an opportunity for harnessing the associated gas that was being flared and responded with a creative technical and commercial approach that will turn this resource into a clean and valuable product for the people of Syria,” said Rob McKee, Conoco executive vice president for worldwide exploration and production. “Demand for natural gas in Syria far exceeds the country’s current supply capability. Combine that with Conoco’s project management strengths and our strategic interests in expanding our international gas business and increasing our presence in the Middle East, and you have a project that’s an excellent fit for both Syria and Conoco,” he said. The contract awarded to Houston-based Kvaemer ENC involves building a plant with two natural gas processing trains that have a combined processing capacity of about 450 million cubic feet of gas per day. Six compressor stations, a 100-mile gathering system and a 150-mile transport pipeline connecting to the national grid also will be built. Initial construction is expected to begin later this month. “Conoco opened an office in Damascus in 1999,” said David Lundeen, head of Conoco Syria DEZ Gas Ltd. We’re now establishing our construction camp and gearing up to begin laying the transport pipeline. The pipeline will carry 150 million cubic feet of processed gas per day to an existing delivery system that connects to the major population centers in western Syria, including the capital city of Damascus. The remaining processed gas will be reinjected for future use.” SPORTSOU and OSU Ready OU and OSU ReadyOKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Oklahoma’s Eduardo Najera figures he and his teammates only need to remember what happened to Arizona last year to get ready for their first-round game in the NCAA tournament. Arizona, a No. 4 seed, lost to 13th-seeded Oklahoma in the first round. ‘‘We’ve been in their spot,’’ Najera said Monday, referring to the Sooners’ first-round opponent, Winthrop. ‘‘We know what it’s like to be there and be the underdog playing the big team.’’ The Sooners are seeded third in the West Regional this year. They play at 11:40 a.m. Thursday against 14th-seeded Winthrop, champion of the Big South Conference tournament. Winthrop (21-8) won at Missouri earlier this year and is in the NCAA tournament for the second straight year. Oklahoma coach Kelvin Sampson said the Eagles are an athletic and disciplined team that can cause problems in the tournament. ‘‘I like their attitude,’’ he said. ‘‘I think this team (Winthrop) likes playing the teams they see on TV. They think they should be there, and they should.’’ The Sooners (26-6) aren’t overconfident going into the game, Sampson said. His team is preparing to continue to do the things that got them this far, like playing terrific halfcourt defense. ‘‘It’s amazing how many people fail because of misplaced confidence,’’ he said. ‘‘If we don’t show up to the dance with those things, it’s going to be a short dance.’’ Oklahoma is making its sixth straight NCAA appearance. Last year, the Sooners reached the regional semifinals where they lost to Michigan State. Eddie Sutton’s Oklahoma State team also is a No. 3 seed, in the East Regional. The Cowboys (24-6) play at 6:40 p.m. Friday against Hofstra (24-6), champion of the America East Conference. ‘‘I don’t think we will overlook anyone,’’ Sutton said Monday. ‘‘A team wouldn’t be in the NCAAs, regardless of what conference they’re in, if they weren’t a good team.’’ Senior guard Craig ‘‘Speedy’’ Claxton leads Hofstra. He was named America East player of the year for the second time this season. He averages 22.8 points per game and 3.3 steals per game. Sutton said his experienced Oklahoma State team, with six seniors receiving substantial playing time, should have an advantage over Hofstra. ‘‘When you have seniors, they’ve been through battles and pretty much know what the coaching staff expects out of them,’’ he said. Mavericks Face Tough Juco FieldBy FRED HILTON News Sports Editor TONKAWA — One look at the field in the National Junior College Divsion I Tournament left Northern Oklahoma College coach Mick Weiberg with two conclusions. It is a balaced field, and a tough one. “There are 10 very good teams and six petty good ones.” Weiberg said before he took his Mavericks to Hutchinson, Kan, for their second go at a national title in three years. The tourament started today in the Hutchinson Sports Arena. The Mavericks (26-7) take to the court Wednesday at 1:45 p.m. against Northeastern Junior College of Sterling, Colo. (21-13) in the final first round game. A win moves the Mavs into Thursday’s 7:45 p.m. quarterfinals against the winner of the Shelby State Community College of Memphis, Tenn. (28-4) and Independence (Kan.) Comminity College (23-11). A loss dumps NOC into the consolation bracket game at 3:30 Thursday. With teams qualifying from regional tournaments all over the counry, there is no seeding. The team with the best record is San Jacinto College of Pasadena, Texas, at 31-3. It played Vincennes (Ind.) University (29-4) in Game 2 today. Another team with just three losses, Champlain College of Burlington, Vt. (24-3), plays Midland (Texas) College (29-4) late tonight. “As far as we can tell all of the teams are pretty good,’ Weiber said. “The evidence of how tough this fields is shows in which teams are not here. “The team that was No. 1 (in the national rankngs) is not here. They lost in the playoffs. Independece also knocked off a ranked team in the regionals to get to the national tournment.” With blind seeding, first round games can pit two very good teams against each other. For that reason, Weiberg is wary of Northeast Colorado, which advanced out of a region that includes Nebraska, Wyoming, Montana and eastern Colorado. “They start players who are 6-9, 6-8, 6-6 and 6-3. Then there’s a 5-10 guard who transfered in from a major California school. “They will have a definate height advantage,” Weiberg says. “But I think were have an advantage from the outside with our guards. Defensively we are going to have to hit the boards hard.” The Mavericks are averaging 81 points a game. Three NOC players are averaging in double figures. Larry Reid is averaging almost 18 points a game, Sherman Rochell 12 and Richie Myers 11. Paced by Jeff Newby, the Mavs can be deadly from the outside. Newby is averaging 44.3 percent of his three-pointers (66-of-14), Tyler Narnard 38.6 percent (56-of-145) and Reid 38.4 percent (78-of-203). “These first-round games are important,” Weiberg notes. “We need to get off to a good start.” Mavericks Larry Reid One Of the Nations BestBy FRED HILTON News Sports Editor TONKAWA — Northern Oklahoma College basketball coach Mick Weiberg has said all season that Larry Reid is one of the top junior college guards in the region. He can now claim Reid is one of the top 10 Juco players in the country. Reid, a 5’11” sophomore, helped lead the Mavericks into the National Junior College Tournament in Hutchinson, Kan., this week, has been selected to a national All-Star team which will play a team of Florida stars next month in Florida. Weiberg knew from the start the Oklahoma City all-stater was something special. It has taken major college coaches a little longer to get on the bandwagon. But they are definitely on the trail of Reid now. Weiberg reports his hot shooting guard is being looked at by Oklahoma State, the University of Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas State, Baylor, Alabama, Georgia and others. Reid is averaging 17.9 points a game, shooting 42.9 percent from the field, 38.4 percent from three-point range and 81.9 percent from the free throw line. He has also handed out 200 assist in 33 games and has 64 steals. Reid was passed over by major colleges as he graduated from high school, getting a bid from only one small four-year school. He decided to takes his chances on improving his skills and his grades at the junior college level. He picked Northern, he admits, partly because the Mavericks had just gone to the national tournament two years ago. “But I also like the town and I liked the atmosphere with the team,” Reid says. That atmosphere is something Weiberg is proud of. “This team is a close group,” the coach says. “We’re like a family.” Weiberg stresses he wants his players to be good citizens off the court. “Larry and the other players do a lot in the off-season with the young people of the community. It’s important they be a part of the community,” the coach says. Despite all the sudden attention from college coaches and scouts, Reid says he is concentrating on this season, one game at a time. He would very much like to end his junior college career with a national championship. “This team has as good a chance as any,” he says. “We have really come together this season.”
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