News Archive

From the pages of The Ponca City News, Monday, March 21, 2000

LOCAL

DEATHS

NEWS BRIEFS

BUSINESS

LIFESTYLES

SPORTS

LOCAL

City Enters High Speed Tech Market
PTC Board Plans To Add Facilitator To Aid with Issues
City Commission Work Session Deals With Three Specific Issues
Standing Bear Expansion Gets Approval

City Enters High Speed Tech Market
By BOB PATTERSON
News City Editor
The Ponca City Board of Commissioners, meeting as members of the Ponca City Utility Authority, acted swiftly Monday during a special session to avoid a second mistake.
Mayor Tom Leonard opened the session at the Public Safety Center by stating, “In an effort to enhance high-speed technology for the city, we’ve had a study of several months, realizing a need for such business.”
He said that as a result of not having the high-speed technology, “We very likely lost one prospect,” and noted that “because of the urgency, we are now having this meeting to have a look at a proposal that may get us the needed information.”
Leonard called on Fred Williamson, who helped found Fred Williamson and Associates in Tulsa in 1984, to explain a proposal that would provide a study and business plan for the development of a point of presence in Ponca City.
Williamson noted that the study and plan would be an effort to attract businesses to the city with high-speed technology.
He said, “The potential is here. We’ve checked with the mayor and Conoco and other areas of the city for basic needs, and feel the study and plan for point of presence in Ponca City is available.”
Commissioner Chris Hand added, “There have been many questions brought up and answered as to how it involves the city and the county. I would hope we will be dealing with absolute facts.”
Urging action, commissioner Lyn Boyer said, “Time is of the essence, and we’ve been stuttering with this type of issue long enough. I would move to approve the motion, but in reality I will have to vote against it. However, I want to get something done, just to get it off the table.”
Commissioner Kenneth Ray questioned other sources, such as the Economic Development Advisory Board, as to the needs.
Jan Jarrett, executive officer of the Chamber of Commerce and an officer of the EDAB, responded, “The board wants to go forward. We feel this is a [(an opportunity] for grants that may become available. It’s a matter of timing, with the budget process approved and a chance to move forward as a result of this being an election year.
“We feel the business is out there, and that Ponca City has an opportunity to get in on getting it,” he added.
Commissioner Dick Stone also said that the commission has to be careful, adding that he had concerns about the program.
Leonard said he felt very strongly about “what we’re doing.”
Calling for the question to settle the issue, the vote by the commissioners showed that Boyer did indeed vote against the motion, stating he had reservations on it, but wanted to get on with business.
As a result of that approval, commissioners also approved, 5-0, a resolution amending the operating budgets of various Ponca City Utility Authority funds for the fiscal year 1999-2000. That provides an expense budget for the feasibility study on the telecommunications project for Ponca City.
The proposal will provide basic consulting services by Fred Williamson and Associates, over a 609-day term, preparing a market feasibility study in the form of a summary business plan that will include — but not be limited — to addressing a number of areas of concern.
Foremost would be an executive summary operating a Broadband Network Operations Center, known as a “BPOP,” in Ponca City for the purposes of community economic development and as a possible source of future revenues for the PCUA.

PTC Board Plans To Add Facilitator To Aid with Issues
By KRISTI HAYES
News Education Editor
Acknowledging the need to bridge communication gaps, board members of Pioneer Technology Center have been discussing the possible implementation of a facilitator.
At a special meeting last Monday, board members interviewed Linda Dowling of Norman. Last night they were to meet with Gail Puckett of Oklahoma City, but she was unable to attend because of a time conflict. Her appointment will be rescheduled.
The selected individual will serve as a facilitator between administrators and staff and possibly do an employee survey. Both Dowling and Puckett are private consultants.
“The board is considering [the move] to assist it in assessing areas of needs in the school and to provide guidance to board to assess the school’s strengths and weaknesses in certain personnel issues,” said board president Larry Buck.
Special counsel Derrin K. Hiatt was introduced to the board at the meeting.
Hiatt, of Baumert, Cummings and Hiatt of Ponca City, will assist at a due process hearing if assistant superintendent Dr. Janet Cox requests one. The renewal of Cox’ contract remains an issue with the board.
Buck said the introduction was necesary because a few board members didn’t know Hiatt. “He gave a brief introduction to them and some background information,” Buck explained.
Last Tuesday, the board took no action on renewing the contract of Cox. She asserted the board voted not to renew her contract, then voted 3-2 to take no action.
Gary Bracken, board attorney, advised Cox of her right to a due process hearing. Buck said Cox has 10 days from the March 14 board meeting to request a hearing.
Cox said her lawyer, Lana Tyree of Oklahoma City, would advise her what steps should be taken.
According to Buck, a due process hearing was the only fair thing to do. “After lengthy discussion with our attorney, it is my opinion that the due process hearing is the only fair way that the facts on both sides of the issue can be clearly presented to the board. Not until this process is completed and the facts presented can the board make its decision.”
The Ponca City News reported a story on Jan. 11, 2000, after receiving an anonymous letter from employees at PTC. The employees drafted a letter of no confidence for Cox and superintendent Dr. Sally Downey.
In mid-January, the board offered Downey a three-year contract extension.

City Commission Work Session Deals With Three Specific Issues
By BOB PATTERSON
News City Editor
A work session by the Ponca City Board of Commissioners dealt with information about three specific issues Monday. Commissioners seldom take action at work sessions, unless the specific proposals need action at that time. None was made Monday.
Commissioners heard from Todd Kennemer, city planner, about two of the proposals.
The first was on a request from Jay Anthony Properties Inc. for the city to develop property north of Wal-Mart.
That would include stretching the newly completed Fifth Street project further north past Prospect Avenue, as a four-lane street project. Depending upon various situations, the development could stretch to Knight Road, which goes west from Fourteenth Street on the south side of Lowe’s.
Another part of the project would include an eight-inch water line northward through the same area.
The commission also reviewed requests from Evans and Associates for the city to develop land adjacent to the Lew Wentz Golf Course.
Included in the proposal would be for the development of land as a subdivision, a golf course project estimated at $250,000 on holes No. 11 and No. 12 that would include a golf cart crossing estimated at $25,000. Also a water distribution system improvement and a sewer system improvement project for that immediate area.
There was a presentation by Fire Chief Gary Denny that would provide implementation of a proposed paramedic business plan.
Denny outlined the immediate fire coverage area, primarily that of Ponca City and secondary, of other areas, which are also served by volunteer fire departments, including Kildare, McCord, Osage Cove, Marland and Ranch Drive.
He then noted that the ambulance coverage also includes along west of U.S. 77 along Oklahoma 11 nearly to Blackwell, and south to an area along Oklahoma 15 to the west of U.S. 77 and east to an area that nearly overlaps with Fairfax.
“That’s a large area for our ambulance coverage, which is much greater than fire service,” Denny noted.
Denny also noted that three-year ambulance revenue over expenditures continues to grow and that it has grown to a figure over $266,000 for 1999.
The information also provided indicated that 65 and older patients account for 53 percent of the service, and 20 to 64 account for 35 percent.
The Ponca City Fire Department follows the Department of Transportation curriculum, which is the minimum standard for technicians, trained in pre-hospital emergency care. There are two levels of care defined for pre-hospital emergency care, Basic Life Support and Advanced Life Support.
There is quite a difference in the two, BLS and ALS. The BLS is only an emergency lifesaving procedure while the ALS requires the use of complex equipment and steps in treatment including various other situations, cardiac monitoring, defibrillation, maintenance of intravenous lines and infusion of appropriate drugs.
Denny outlined a program that would increase the number of paramedics that the city does not now have. There are two in the department, and four others nearing completion of work that would satisfy that program. “We believe additional people and equipment including an additional ambulance, or two, are needed,” Denny said.
He outlined other information that when ambulance service is used to transport patients from Ponca City to other hospitals, mostly Oklahoma City, Wichita, and Tulsa, it takes away personnel and equipment that may be needed in Ponca City for not less than four hours each trip. If two are gone, that complicates the matters even more.

Standing Bear Expansion Gets Approval
FINAL PLANS for Phase II of the Standing Bear Native American Park received approval Monday night. The park board approved plans submitted by Landplan Consultants of Tulsa, who also did the work on the initial phase of the park. Board members reviewing the plans are (seated, L-R)) JoAnn O'Bregon, Kaw Tribe Chairman; Carl Renfro, Foundation Chairman; and T. L. Walker, Park Director; (standing, L-R)) Barry Bickle, Foundation Vice-Chairman; and Bennett Arkeketa, Ponca Tribe Chairman. The million dollar expansion of the park will include two orientation courts and six tribal courts and renovations to the existing court. In addition to the improvements in the main area of Standing Bear Park, new trails will be constructed in the green belt area adjacent to the park. Work is scheduled to begin by May 1 and be completed in September.

DEATHS

James Archie Lynch
Vernon Edmond Martin
John Robert Gibson
Michael Eugene Lane
Martha Jo Roady
Earl Wayne Vick

James Archie Lynch
DUNCAN — James Archie Lynch, longtime resident of Tonkawa area, died Tuesday, March 14, 2000, at the Duncan Care Center. He was 87.
A graveside will be held for 2 p.m. Friday, March 24, in the Tonkawa IOOF Cemetery under the direction of Don Grantham Funeral Home of Duncan.
James Archie Lynch was born April 4, 1912, in Comanche, the son of James Madison Lynch and Mary Elizabeth (Beaver) Lynch. He moved to the Tonkawa/Ponca City area in the mid 60s and married Lucille (Shyne) Williams in 1966; she died January 1996.
He spent his life employed in oil production and exploration in the Tonkawa area, Stephens County area and in foreign countries.
Survivors include two daughters, Jo Ann Burgin of Plano, Texas, and Mickie Howe of Los Alamos, N.M.; two stepsons, Jerry Williams of Trinity, Texas, and Randy Williams of San Diego, Calif.; four grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

Vernon Edmond Martin
CRESCENT — Vernon Edmond Martin, former resident of Blackwell, died Thursday, March 16, 2000, in the Mercy Hospital in Oklahoma City. He was 79.
A memorial service will be held 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 22, 2000, in the Church of Christ at Crescent.
Vernon Edmond Martin was born April 18, 1920, in Lamont, the son of Lewis Marshall and Nina Derice Downum Martin. He attended school in Lamont, graduating from high school there. He served in the European Theater during World War II from 1942 to 1945. Upon his return, he resided in Blackwell and was employed by Blackwell Zinc Smelter for 28 years until its closing in 1973.
He was a member of the Church of Christ in Ponca City. His hobbies included fishing, bowling and playing dominoes.
Survivors include his wife, Capitola Martin of the home in Crescent; three daughters, Claudia Holmes of Collinsville, Winnifred Freshour of Edmond, and Vicki Ballagh of Branson, Mo.; two sons, Stephen Wilcox of Oklahoma City and Wendell Wilcox of Crescent; two sisters, Tillie Walton of Tonkawa and Rose Thompson of Aline; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his first wife, Vivian Martin.

John Robert Gibson
BLACKWELL — John Robert Gibson, resident of Blackwell, died Friday, March 17, 2000, in the St. Joseph Hospital in Denver, Colo. He was 64.
The funeral is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday, March 25, 2000, in the Roberts Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Chad Knappier of the Blackwell Church of Christ officiating. Burial will be in the Blackwell Cemetery.
John Robert Gibson was born Feb. 25, 1936, in Wichita, Kan., the son of Ernest and Ruth Gibson. He grew up in Wichita and attended school there. He then furthered his education by attending the University of Kansas on a football scholarship. He later transferred to Abilene Christian University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree. He later earned his master’s degree from the University of Oklahoma.
He began his teaching and coaching career in San Marcus, Texas. He then moved to Oklahoma where he taught in the Enid public schools and then Blackwell public schools. While in Blackwell, he married Dona Bradford on Aug. 1, 1964, in Blackwell. Following their marriage, they moved to Denver, Colo., where he began teaching in the Aurora public schools in the driver education program and was currently teaching in his 36th year at the time of his death. He was a member of the Church of Christ.
Survivors include his wife of the home in Denver, Colo.; a daughter, Andrea Lea Gibson of Chicago, Ill.; two sisters, Jean Bertrand and Joyce Herrington, both of Wichita, Kan.; two brothers, Jim Gibson of Derby, Kan., and Joe Gibson of Ponca City.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a son, John Bradford Gibson.
Casket bearers will be Wesley Ailey, Dick Blagden, Bob Fletcher, Wayne Foster, Darrell Gingerich and Randy Lenaburg.

Michael Eugene Lane
PAWNEE — Michael Eugene Lane, resident of Pawnee, died Sunday, March 19, 2000, in Oklahoma City. He was 31.
The funeral will be noon Wednesday, March 22, at the Otoe Cultural Center in Red Rock. Burial will follow in the Otoe-Missouria Cemetery in Red Rock under the direction of Poteet Funeral Home of Pawnee.
Michael Eugene Lane was born Jan. 8. 1969, in Pawnee, the son of Gene Dale Beaver and Henrietta Rose (Dent) Lane. He resided in Perry and was presently staying in Red Rock. He was employed in construction. He enjoyed helping with the traditional tribal activities. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints and was a new member of Native American Church.
Survivors include his mother of Perry; his son, David Michael Lane of Serna, Texas; two stepsons, Dillon Jeans and Willie Jeans, both of Red Rock; six brothers, David Lane, Joe Lane and Shawn Dent, all of Perry, and Leland Siemens, Bruce Rodgers and Patrick Beaver, all of Erick; a sister, Pam Beaver of Hammond; and numerous other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his father and grandparents.

Obituaries

Martha Jo Roady
Martha Jo Roady, Ponca City resident, died Monday, March 20, 2000, in the Shawn Manor Nursing Home. She was 61.
The funeral will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, March 23, 2000, in the Grace Episcopal Church with the Rev. Kenneth Armstrong, rector, officiating. Burial will follow in the Odd Fellows Cemetery with arrangements by the Trout Funeral Home.
Martha Jo was born Oct. 13, 1938, in El Reno to Ryman H. Flippen II and Martha (Cowen) Flippen. She graduated from El Reno High School and attended Oklahoma State University at Stillwater. She was a homemaker and enjoyed crafts, sewing and gardening. She was a member of the Grace Episcopal Church of Ponca City.
Survivors include Duane Roady of Ponca City; one son, Mike Roady and his wife Donna of Ponca City; one daughter, Nan Brown and her husband Nick of Edmond; six grandchildren; two sisters, Nan Barnes of Edmond and Julia Hart of Woodward; one brother, Ryman H. Flippen III of Chicago.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
The family will greet friends in the Trout Funeral Home from 7 until 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 22, 2000.
Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 6465 South Yale Street, Suite 318, Tulsa, Okla. 74136.
paid obituary

Services Pending

Earl Wayne Vick
MOORE — Earl Wayne Vick, former resident of Ponca City, died today, March 21, 2000, in the Norman Memorial Hospital. He was 62. Local survivors include Robert Vick of Ponca City. Arrangements are pending with the John M. Ireland Funeral Home in Moore.

LIFESTYLES

Onions A Delicious Dishes Worth Crying Over
The Neighborhood Chef

Onions A Delicious Dishes Worth Crying Over
By KAROL STONGER
Associated Press Writer
One of the earliest cookbooks, by the Roman gourmet Apicius sometime around A.D. 800, included many references to the onion, a root vegetable believed to have originated in central Asia and was a staple of the prehistoric diet.
We’re still writing about onions and their benefits, both culinary and medicinal. Their culinary success is easy to explain: Raw onions are pungent. A slice adds punch to a hamburger while minced onions tart up egg salad. Cooked onions are mellow, somewhat sweet. Creamed or caramelized, they’re tasty side dishes. French onion soup or an onion gratin can serve as a meal with bread and a green salad.
Medicinal Benefits
The onion’s medicinal value is harder to establish. Early Egyptians buried onions with their pharaohs because they believed onions, with their circle within a circle structure, symbolized eternity. Pliny the Elder catalogued ancient Roman beliefs that the onion could cure everything from dysentery to insomnia, and to heal everything from dog bites to toothaches. By the Middle Ages, onions were a major part of European cuisine and were believed to alleviate headaches and snake bites and to reduce hair loss.
Today, research shows that onions contain quecetin, an antioxidant compound that reacts favorably on many fronts. It helps to eliminate free radicals in the body and to regenerate Vitamin E. Onions also are a source of Vitamin C, potassium, dietary fiber and folic acid.
But the major benefit of onions is that they are pleasing to the palate and are available year-round. We’ve collected several recipes in which storage onions star rather than play a supporting role. But first, a note from the National Onion Association on how to avoid tears when handling raw onions:
Refrigerate onions a few hours before cutting. Then, start by cutting off the top. Peel the outer onion skin down to the root and leave the root end intact while cutting. This reduces tearing because the sulfuric compounds that cause tears are concentrated at the root end.
Patricia Wells, who lives and cooks in a farmhouse in France, includes a recipe for Onion-Parmesan Gratin in the paperback edition of ’’Patricia Wells at Home in Provence,’’ (Fireside Books, $23). She suggests serving it as a vegetable course or as a side for a hearty beef stew.
Onion-Parmesan Gratin
2 pounds onions, peeled
4 tablespoons unsalted
butter
&Mac223; teaspoon freshly ground whole cloves
&Mac221; teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
Fine sea salt to taste
2 large egg yolks
¤ cup heavy cream
&Mac221; cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
Slice the onions in half lengthwise. Place, cut side down, on a cutting board and slice crosswise into very thin slices. Set aside.
In a large nonstick skillet, combine the butter, cloves, onions, thyme and salt. Cover and sweat over very low heat until the onions are very soft, about 10 minutes. Taste for seasoning.
Transfer onion mixture to a shallow 1-quart gratin dish and smooth it with the back of a spoon. (The gratin can be prepared several hours in advance up to this point. Store, covered, at room temperature.)
Just before serving preheat the oven broiler.
In a small bowl, combine the egg yolks and cream, and whisk with a fork to blend. Stir in the cheese. Pour the mixture over the onion mixture in the baking dish. Place the baking dish under the broiler, about 2 inches from the heat. Broil until the top is sizzling, fragrant and golden, about 1 minute. Serve immediately.
Makes 4 servings.

Julia Child introduced French cuisine to American kitchens in 1961 with the publication of ’’Mastering the Art of French Cooking.’’ Two years later she began ‘‘The French Chef’’ television series. A classic French dish is Onion Soup Grantineed With Cheese, and her version is from the paperback edition of ’’The French Chef Cookbook’’ (Ballantine, $14).
‘‘This turns onion soup into a hearty main course,’’ she writes. ‘‘All you need to complete the meal is a bottle of red wine, perhaps a green salad and fresh fruit.’’
Soupe a l’Onion, Maison
3 tablespoons of butter
1 tablespoon olive oil or cooking oil
About 1 1/2 pounds or 5 to 6 cups thinly sliced yellow onions
1 teaspoon salt
&Mac221; teaspoon sugar
3 tablespoons flour
2 quarts hot beef bouillon (homemade or canned bouillon diluted with 2 cups of water
1 cup red or white wine
1 bay leaf
&Mac221; teaspoon sage
Salt and pepper to taste
Melt the butter and the oil in a heavy 4-quart saucepan or casserole; add the sliced onions and stir up to coat with the butter. Cover the pan and cook over moderately low heat for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until onions are tender and translucent. Then uncover the pan, raise the heat to moderately high, and stir in the salt and sugar. (Sugar, by caramelizing, helps onions to brown.) Cook for about 30 minutes, stirring frequently, until onions have turned an even deep golden brown.
Then lower heat to moderate, stir in the flour, and add a bit more butter if flour does not absorb into a paste with the onions. Cook slowly, stirring continually, for about 2 minutes to brown the flour lightly. Remove from heat.
Pour in about a cup of the hot bouillon, stirring with a wire whip to blend flour and bouillon. Add the rest of the bouillon and the wine, bay and sage and bring to a simmer. Simmer slowly for 30 to 40 minutes, season to taste with salt and pepper, and the soup is done. If you are not serving immediately, let cool uncovered, then cover and refrigerate.
Serve with French bread and grated Parmesan cheese, or bake with the cheese as follows:
Soupe a l’Oignon Gratinee
1 Loaf French bread
Olive oil or melted butter
Onion soup, (recipe above) brought to a simmer
¤ cup cognac (optional)
1 peeled 2-inch raw onion
2 ounces Swiss cheese
1 &Mac221; cups grated Swiss and Parmesan cheese, mixed
Preheat oven to 325 F.
Cut the bread into slices 1-inch thick, paint lightly with oil or butter and arrange in one layer on a baking sheet. Place in the middle level of the oven for 15 to 20 minutes until beginning to brown lightly; turn and brown lightly for 15 to 20 minutes on the other side. These are called ‘‘croutes.’’
Preheat oven to 350 F.
Pour the hot soup into a serving casserole or baking dish. Pour in the optional cognac, grate in the onion and shave the piece of cheese into fine slivers and strew over the soup. Place a closely packed layer of croutes over the top of the soup and spread on the grated cheese, covering the croutes completely. Sprinkle a tablespoon of oil or butter over the cheese and set the soup in the middle level of the oven. Bake for about 30 minutes, or until soup is bubbling slowly and cheese has melted.
Meanwhile, heat your broiler to red hot. Just before serving, run the soup under the hot broiler for a moment to brown the cheese lightly. Pass remaining croutes in a bread try along with the soup.
Makes 6 to 8 servings

The National Onion Association, a trade group in Greeley, Colo., is dedicated to the good name of the root vegetable that contains about 60 calories and a lot of taste. Here, NOA’s recipe for Caramelized Onions, ‘‘a quick way to add the sweet, rich, slow-cooked flavor of onions to many dishes such as pizza, pasta, lasagna, sandwiches, seafood or just about anything.’’
Caramelized Onions
4 pounds yellow onions, peeled and cut into slices 1/8-inch thick
12 ounces unsalted butter
2 &Mac221; teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
2 teaspoons fresh minced herbs such as thyme, rosemary, sage or savory (optional)
Place onions, butter, salt and pepper in a heavy saute pan. Cook slowly over low heat, stirring often. After 10 minutes, onions will begin to turn golden brown. If herbs are desired, add to onion mixture. Cook 15 to 20 minutes longer, until all onions are translucent, tender and golden brown.
Cool onions on a sheet pan in the refrigerator, then place in an airtight container and keep refrigerated until ready to use. Onions may be made ahead and kept refrigerated for up to 5 days.
Reheat in a saute pan over medium-low heat.
Makes 12 servings, 1/2 cup each.

The Neighborhood Chef
by Sherry Muchmore
Through the years, if we’re lucky, we make and hold on to a few close friends. Eileen is one of mine, you might call her my soul-sister. One of the many things we’ve shared over the years is a love for cooking; so, I asked her to send me a favorite from her family. Eileen writes, “I just made a batch of this for my family and though ... I should send this to Sherry. So here’s a recipe that was given to me by my aunt JoAn. It is a North Georgia Bar-B-Que recipe that is wonderful. Serve it with cole slaw and baked beans or corn on the cob, good on its own and makes great sandwiches.”
Bar-B-Que Pork
Tenderloin ala Eileen
Eileen Wiley, Broken Arrow, OK

1 pork tenderloin (2-2 1/2 pounds)
Cover with liquid smoke and cook in a brown-in bag for 30 minutes per pound.
Shred meat with a fork and put into a 13 by 9 baking dish.
Sauce: Mix the following ingredients in a saucepan and simmer 10-15 minutes
2 cups catsup
1 teaspoon liquid smoke
¤ cup brown sugar
6 Tablespoons margarine
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
dash or two of garlic powder
Tabasco sauce to taste
2 Tablespoons vinegar
6 Tablespoons cooking sherry
enough Kitchen Bouquet for color
salt to taste
Cover the shredded tenderloin with sauce, stir till all meat is coated and heat in 350 degree oven for about 20 minutes.
While still a teenager, my daughter Laura gave me a recipe she and her brother Blaine really liked that step-mom, Peggy, made for them.
As Peggy explains, “Back in the 50s our family acquired this wonderful recipe from a gentleman friend who was a gourmet cook. Daddy Bell who couldn’t boil water, let alone nothing about a kitchen, was shamed into cooking them. Grating the cheese, chopping the garlic, measuring the spices, (the hard part) had been done ahead of time by mom. All daddy had to do was hand mix the ingredients and cook them. He was always praised for all his ‘hard work’ and told they were the best ever! We served “Daddy’s Hamburgers” traditionally on Christmas Eve and other special occasions.”
Daddy’s Hamburgers
Peggy Lewis, Tulsa, OK
1 pound ground chuck
4 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, grated
2 tablespoons chile sauce
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1 large pinch of thyme (dried)
1 large pinch sweet basil (dried)
¤ teaspoon garlic powder (or, 1 garlic clove, crushed)
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
In a mixing bowl, combine all the above ingredients. Mix completely (I use my hands) and form into balls about 2 inches in diameter. Brown the meatballs on all sides in a skillet in butter. While the meatballs are browning, mix together the sauce. Reduce heat and drain off any excess grease. Pour the sauce over the meat balls, cover and simmer on low for 15 to 20 minutes. Check and turn meatballs periodically. Makes about 9 meatballs.
Sauce
2 8-ounce cans tomato sauce (another can may be added, if you’d like more and/or a milder sauce)
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
¤ teaspoon garlic powder (can always add extra garlic here and in the meatballs)
While the meatballs and sauce are simmering, take hamburger buns and cut out about a two inch round hole in the middle of each bun. When the meatballs are done, place the cooked meatball in the middle of the cut out buns. Pour the sauce over this and serve immediately. Great served with a green salad.
......or try the following green salad my daughter has added to the must-haves in our family get-together menu; it has a different texture and taste punch that will light up your senses with a mixture of fresh greens, tangy sweet citrus and the crunchy nutty goodness of almonds. A nice change from the ordinary tossed green salad.
Mandarin Tossed Salad
Laura Borlabi, W. Des Moines, IA
1 Bunch red or green leaf lettuce, torn into bite-size pieces
1 Avocado (sliced)
1 Small can Mandarin oranges sections (chilled and drained)
2-3 green onions, chopped
Poppyseed dressing
&Mac221; cup toasted slivered almonds
Toss together lettuce, avocado slices, green onions and orange sections with the Poppyseed dressing until coated. Sprinkle with toasted almonds. Serve immediately after adding dressing.
Note: Toast almonds at 350 degrees for 3 to 5 minutes or until lightly browned. Set aside to cool.
Note: A pinch of something is usually equal to about one-eighth teaspoon. So I’d suggest, depending on your taste preference, start with 1/8 teaspoon and work up to 1/4 teaspoon (which we liked).
We’ve had a great response to our request for a Tupperware party recipe for refrigerator rolls. I even logged on-line to the Tupperware website and they mailed me one they thought might be similar to what we wanted. So, we’ll see you next week when we print some of the recipes we’ve received for some really good yeast rolls.
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

BUSINESS

Overview of EDAB Activities Notes Success
EDAB Approves Agreement For State Office in Ponca City
Farmers Cooperative Association Announces Two New Positions
State Chamber Notes Firms with Those Abroad Must Be Counted on Census Day

Overview of EDAB Activities Notes Success
By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE
News Business Editor
Ponca City Economic Development Advisory Board (EDAB) received a report on the proposed fiscal year 2001 budget at the Tuesday meeting. The City contracts with the Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce for the services.
The request for the city’s portion is $145,000, which is 71.7 percent of the $186,140 budget, while $41,140 comes from the Chamber. Jan Jarrett holds both of the positions of CEO for Economic Development and the Chamber’s top executive.
Compared to the 2000 budget, the EDAB budget request has increased by about $30,000. Members of advisory board reviewed the documentation. Board member George Ferguson said he would like for the board to have more input. Jarrett said time had been of the essence and that he and Carl Renfro, EDAB Chairman, had presented it because of the time constraints.
Many Opportunities Available
Along with the budget an overview of activities were presented to the City Commission and EDAB by Jarrett. Listed projects were an EDAB web page; an impact analysis model by Dr. Mark Snead; Retail expansion and a needed street infrastructure for the project. Estimated cost of the investment would be about $4 million and would employ about 60 persons.
Other projects include new signage, in cooperation with area manufacturers; trade shows, including a booth at a Silicon Valley science and technology trade show in San Jose, which is expected to draw one of the companies to visit here in March.
On new industry the partnership between Conoco and the EDAB was listed and that over the past eight months they have dealt with two different companies that showed a strong interest in the space.
High Tech Incubator
Another project in the final stages is the establishment a High Tech Incubator in the Research West facilities at Conoco is under way. Ten laboratories, High Bay Pilot Plant facilities and related office space are to be included.
As proposed, this facility will be one of three in the state that will have participation with the Oklahoma Technology Development Corporation. This includes possible staffing of the facility. Another firm, Marine Resources, has already been accepted as an incubator tenant.
The biggest project was the recent announcement by Conoco that Ponca City has been selected as the site for its new carbon fibers facilities. Ponca City was engaged in a spirited competition with four other states, Texas, Louisiana, Tennessee and South Carolina for this location.
Efforts Deemed Exceptional
The end result was that Ponca City’s efforts were deemed to be exceptional, and thus the decision to locate the new $125, million facility here. Projections call for employing about 90 persons. All jobs are to be highly skilled positions, with salaries starting in the $50,000 annual range. Startup is slated for mid-2001.
On existing businesses two companies that have expanded, Center Line and Mertz, Inc., were assisted using the City’s Linked Deposit program. EDAB also worked with Encompass Mold to assist in a restructuring which saved the location for Ponca City.
Work has been done with Workforce Development’s new structure. Ponca City is to be designated as a lead city, enabling the community and its employers to have a voice in allocation of funds to assist people in developing and learning new and more valuable job skills. The program is slated to kick off in July.

EDAB Approves Agreement For State Office in Ponca City
By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE
News Business Editor
The Economic Development Advisory Board recently approved an agreement with the Oklahoma Alliance for Manufacturing Excellence to operate a Ponca City office.
Jan Jarrett, Executive Director of economic development for the city of Ponca City, explained the significance of the cooperative agreement. He said, “The board approved an agreement, wherein we would work jointly with Oklahoma Alliance for Manufacturing Excellence and the Oklahoma Technology Commercialization Center to house an individual, who is called a Manufacturing Extension Agent.
“The agent will serve the northwestern part of the state all the way out through the Panhandle and will be primarily serving the area where the majority of the businesses are located which is from Ponca City to Enid.”
Jarrett said the agent is to be housed here at the Conoco complex in the new incubator facility as soon as it is up and going. “In addition to working with the incubator he will also work with local area manufacturers, primarily the small and medium sized, in conjunction with the Economic Development Board.
“The arrangement we have made for Ponca City is a really good one for Ponca City because this will bring about a $65,000 budget into the community for economic development and for service to existing industry. We have been able to make that arrangement without having to spend any cash. Our obligation will be to pay the monthly expenses for that operation and then submit to Oklahoma Alliance a statement for what we paid and they will refund to us that amount,” Jarrett explained.
The agreement will be by the Chamber on behalf of economic development.
Another plus for Ponca City is that the Technology Commercialization Center have three incubators in the state and Ponca City is one of them. The others are in Oklahoma City and Tulsa. Each one is different, the one is Oklahoma City is biomedical and the one is Tulsa is biotechnology and Ponca City’s is more general. Jarrett said this will give an option of where to send clients. “We have a real strong, well-defined niche we will be working.
“In addition to this MEA person, there will be one person here as the overall manager of the incubator. Right now that is starting out on a two-day a week basis, until we get it up and running and people will be added as it goes along. They are funding that position. Anita Newton is the person who will hold the position,” Jarrett said.
He said, “ Newton is technology proficient. She knows the lingo, she knows the players and how to work through who is a good technology prospect, and who is not.”

Farmers Cooperative Association Announces Two New Positions
Two new positions have been announced for the Farmers Cooperative Association. Brent Smith has assumed the position of assistant general manager and Gerald Wynes is the new crop management specialist.
Brent Smith
Tonkawa resident Brent Smith assumed the responsibilities as Assistant General Manager of the Farmers Coop Association of Tonkawa, Ponca City, Perry, Coyle, and Lucien beginning Jan 1, 2000. Previously Smith was serving as Crop Management Specialist at the Coop.
Brent has a Bachelor of Science in Agronomy from Texas A & H University and a MS from Oklahoma State University also in agronomy. He has been a farmer rancher north of Tonkawa for 20 years and served on the Board of Directors of the Farmers Coop Association seven years. Smith is a certified crop advisor and is currently serving on the Oklahoma Certified Crop Advisory Board.
Smith will become the general manager on Dec. 1, 2000 upon retirement of present general manager Ray Flasselwander.
Smith and his wife Kelly have two children, Mark age 9 and Kyle age 7.
Gerald Wynes
Gerald Wynes has returned to the Farmers Cooperative Association in a new role. He will be assisting farmers in the Ponca City, Tonkawa, Perry, Lucien, and Coyle areas as the Crop Management Specialist.
Wynes has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture from Oklahoma State University. He was employed for 13 years at the Coop in the fertilizer department. The past two years he has served as the Crop Management Specialist for the Farmers Grain Company in Pond Greek.
Wynes is available to assist farmers with everything from soil sampling, fertilizer recommendations, crop production practices, weed control, crop rotation, insect control and equipment calibration. He can be reached through any of the cooperative offices.
Wynes resides near Ponca City with his wife Vicki and four-year-old son Payton.

State Chamber Notes Firms with Those Abroad Must Be Counted on Census Day
OKLAHOMA CITY — The State Chamber encourages Oklahoma businesses with foreign operations not to overlook employees working abroad on Census Day. Businesses can inform local family members that all persons living in their household on April 1 count toward the census, even if that person is currently working in a foreign country.
“Oklahoma businesses with overseas operations can help by making sure their employees who work overseas are counted,” said Richard P. Rush, president and CEO of The State Chamber. “Also, employees who are vacationing overseas during the census count need to receive census forms.”
Rush encourages all Oklahoma businesses to identify a volunteer within the organization who can coordinate with the Oklahoma Department of Commerce for local census information by calling (405) 815-5184.
According to the state commerce department, Oklahoma lost roughly $13.8 million in federal funds as a result of under counting during the 1990 census. Oklahoma now is at risk of losing approximately $200 billion in allocated federal funds unless everyone is represented in this census.
Oklahoma also is at risk of losing a seat in Congress because population growth is not keeping up with faster growing states. “It is imperative that every resident of Oklahoma be counted,” Rush said. “This data will have an effect on all our lives for the next 10 years.”
The State Chamber, Oklahoma’s Association of Business and Industry a nonpartisan, nonprofit business lobbying organization consisting of approximately 1,400 business members, 62 trade associations and 91 local chambers of commerce. More than 50 percent of its members have less than 35 employees. The State Chamber also serves as Oklahoma’s manufacturing association and is the nation’s first accredited state chamber.
For more information, contact The State Chamber at (405) 235-3669, or visit their Web site at www.okstatechamber.com.

KidsCare Learning Center Premiere Day Care Facility
KidsCare Learning Center, 1304 Princeton, is a premiere day care and preschool facility, owned by Guy LeMonnier Jr. and Sandra LeMonnier Kulczycki.
The KidsCare building, built by KinderCare several years ago, which was built solely for the purpose of the care of children-unlike other day care facilities which are in homes, churches, or other buildings.
This facility was built to handle the sized down needs of different aged children, with special rooms to handle infants and toddlers, separate from the two and three year old classrooms. The facility is centrally located on Princeton near shopping and fast food stores. The playground is secure and has new, age-appropriate equipment for safe play.
Sandra LeMonnier Kulczycki will manage the facility along with the Center Director, Elva Janey. Janey has worked at KinderCare for 14 years and has the qualifications needed to manage a center of this size.
KidsCare, a new member of the Ponca City Chamber of Commerce, is committed to become active in the community and to support local events connected with Ponca City. The new business will be purchasing food and supplies locally.
The demand for quality day care and preschool education is growing in Ponca City as more parents enter the work force. Janey and the qualified staff of teachers and care givers have daily learning activities based on children’s needs to develop intellectually, emotionally, socially and physically.
These activities are for all levels and areas of development from six weeks old to preschool. Activities are centered around monthly and weekly themes enhanced by enrichments that are incorporated in the KidsCare Learning Center language/library, home living/dramatic play, blocks, creative art/woodworking, science, math/manipulative and outdoor activities.
The Learning Center provides opportunities for hand-on reinforcement of concepts and skills that are introduced in group settings. Because children learn best through active exploration and concrete experience, learning centers make up the biggest portion of the daily schedule. At KidsCare, we believe in the “whole child development.”
Children at KidsCare are provided with balanced, nutritious breakfasts, snacks and lunches.
New enrollments are being taken. KidsCare accepts full time, part time and drop-ins at this time — with lower, introductory rate schedules. For more information, call Janey at (580) 762-8800.

NEWS BRIEFS

Democrat Women — Kay County Democrat Women’s club will meet Thursday at 7 p.m. at the PACE Hall, 1202 West Ponca. Lisa B. Otipoby will conduct the meeting, and the group will discuss spring activities. Refreshments will be served, and all Democrat women in Kay County are encouraged to attend the meeting.

Quality Replacement windows and patio doors. We sell and in-stall. Ponca Glass, 300 West Highland and Pine, 762-6522. adv.

Accident — An accident at the intersection of South Fifth Street and East South Avenue was reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 10:14 a.m. Monday. An officer was assigned and a 59-year-old man was held for driving under suspension, failure to yield and having no insurance. A vehicle was towed from the scene.

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.

Suspicious Activity — A woman from the 2000 block of North Sixth Street reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 10:23 a.m. Monday that youngsters were roller skating and stopping at houses asking for money ‘for school.’ An officer was assigned and the youngsters were sent home.

Sandi Gore Evans 2000 line has arrived! Come see it 1st! Carla’s Hallmark, Downtown. adv.

Item Missing — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported from the 1400 block of North Waverly Street at 11:03 a.m. Monday that someone had reported the theft of a jacket.

25 Cents a gallon drinking water. Pure Water Wagon 1717 N. 5th. adv.

Accident — A two-vehicle, non-injury accident at the intersection of John Street and East Hartford Avenue was reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 11:49 a.m. Monday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Burglary — A man from the 2500 block of North Fourteenth Street reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 12:41 p.m. Monday that his vehicle had been broken into and a stereo taken. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Disturbance — A man from the 500 block of East Otoe Avenue reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 11:06 p.m. Monday that a man was at the residence trying to fight. An officer was assigned and a report on an assault, and an accident, were taken.

Subject Held — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported from the 100 block of West Hazel Avenue at 1:14 p.m. Monday that a 39-year-old woman was being held on a warrant for failure to pay.

Every Wednesday - price clothes and shoes, except priced items. Check our daily specials. Caboose Thrift Shoppe, First and Central. adv.

Stormescape Shelters, perfect for garage, under vehicle, installation. $1,695. 765-2633. adv.

Vandalism — A woman from the 500 block of South Lincoln Street reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 2:02 p.m. Monday that the residence had been vandalized. An officer was assigned and information was logged that a footprint was on a window.

Shoplifter — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported from the 1100 block of East Prospect Avenue at 2:10 p.m. Monday that a 29-year-old man was being held for shoplifting.

Bicycle Stolen — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported from the intersection of West Grand Avenue and Ash Street at 2:11 p.m. Monday that a bicycle had been stolen and requested Animal Control to pick up the item.

Hit and Run — A hit and run accident at the intersection of Ash Street and West Grand Avenue was reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 3:15 p.m. Monday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Suspicious Activity — A person from the 2000 block of North Fourteenth Street reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 3:21 p.m. Monday that a man had exposed himself while in the parking lot. An officer was assigned and information was logged.

Subject Held — A man from the 100 block of North First Street reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 4:17 p.m. Monday that a bicycle had been stolen. An officer was assigned and took into custody a 37-year-old man on four city warrants.

Subject Held — A man from the 1600 block of Clarke Street reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 11:27 p.m. Monday that several intoxicated juveniles were in the area. An officer was assigned and a juvenile citation was issued for a minor in possession of 3.2 beer and other juveniles were released to parents.

Theft — A clerk at Triple T, 201 West Hartford Avenue, reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 1:03 a.m. Tuesday that a subject had stolen a six-pack of beer. An officer was assigned and information was logged.

Accident — An officer of the Ponca City Police department reported from the 400 block of North Fourteenth Street at 1:49 p.m. Monday that his unit had been hit from behind. Another officer was assigned and a report was taken. The injured officer went to the emergency room of St. Joseph Regional Medical Center for medical attention.

Requests Assistance — A clerk at E-Z Mart, 2225 North Fourteenth Street, requested assistance from the Ponca City Police Department with subjects in the store at 1:35 a.m. Tuesday. Two officers were assigned and a 39-year-old man was held on a Kay County warrant.

Fire Run — A man reported to the Communications Center at 6:17 a.m. Tuesday that a grass fire was burning at North Fifth Street and Bradley Avenue on the west side of the tracks. A unit from the Ponca City Fire Department responded to handle the situation.

SPORTS

Lady Stars Seek Back to Back NAIA Crowns
Life Survives Scare By Georgetown For Mens Title
OU Women Trip Purdue Eye UConn

Lady Stars Seek Back to Back NAIA Crowns
JACKSON, Tenn. (AP) — The Oklahoma City University women’s basketball team faces a familiar opponent in its quest for a second straight NAIA championship.
The Stars will play Simon Fraser tonight, the same team they beat 72-55 to win the title last year.
Top-seeded Oklahoma City advanced to the championship game by beating Findlay (Ohio) on Monday night, 75-52. Simon Fraser, seeded third, knocked out Southern Nazarene, 77-62 in the other semifinal.
Patty Cantella had 16 points, eight rebounds and seven steals Monday and the Stars held Findlay to 24 percent shooting.
Oklahoma City (31-7) and Findlay (27-4) battled through eight ties and five lead changes before Cantella gave the Stars the lead for good at 27-25 on a jumper with 15 seconds left in the first half.
A pair of free throws by Cantella pushed the lead to 49-41 with 11:18 play. She then capped a 13-3 run with a layup to push the Stars’ lead to 64-44 with 5:24 remaining.
Jhudy Gonzalez scored 16 and Mary Ogunsola had 13 for the Stars, who came up with 26 turnovers. Cantella’s seven steals were two shy of the national tournament single-game record.
Mianda Watts had 18 points and 14 rebounds for Findlay and made half of the Oilers’ 16 field goals.
In the other semifinal, Jessica Kaczowka scored 26 points to lead Simon Fraser (30-2), which took the lead late in the first half and didn’t trail again.
Simon Fraser shot 54.7 percent from the field for the game, while Southern Nazarene (24-9) shot only 32 percent.
Sasha Seriogina led the Crimson Storm with 15 points. Sherri Lehrling scored 13 and Leann Bezner added 11.

Life Survives Scare By Georgetown For Mens Title
TULSA (AP) — Jimmie Hunter found a quick cure for the back spasm that sent him crawling off the court in the NAIA championship game — making the game-winning shot.
His pain wasn’t so bad after Life (Ga.) won its second straight championship by beating Georgetown (Ky.) 61-59 Monday night.
‘‘It has eased, yes,’’ Hunter said, smiling.
Hunter, who finished with 22 points, left the court clutching his back two minutes into the second half. He returned, but not before the Tigers had chiseled top-seeded Life’s 14-point lead to a 37-35 advantage with 13:19 remaining.
‘‘Any time Jimmy Hunter is not in the game, it makes a difference for us,’’ coach Roger Kaiser said.
Will Carlton used a height advantage to lead Georgetown’s rally, including the basket that gave the Tigers their first lead, 54-53, with 2 1/2 minutes to go.
Hunter sank another basket and made two more free throws to move Life ahead 59-56. Mark Williams tied it at 59 with a 3-pointer before Hunter hit the game-winner.
He bobbled the ball twice on his way to the basket, but managed to drop in a short jumper with four seconds remaining.
Lee Love then made it only midway down the court for the Tigers before tangling with Life players and tumbling to the floor as the clock ran out.
Georgetown coach Happy Osborne said he didn’t fault officials for not calling a foul on the final play, even though his players disagreed.
‘‘I would have loved to have a foul called, but if that’s what he saw, that’s what he saw,’’ Osborne said.
Carlton finished with 23 points, 17 of them in the second half, and Todd Cox had 13. It was the Tigers’ third trip to the title game in five years, including a 1998 championship victory.
Georgetown (34-5), coming off Saturday’s quadruple overtime game against Biola (Calif.), labored under Life’s constant defensive pressure in the first half, committing 13 turnovers in the first 17 minutes.
Hunter had 14 points by halftime. The Running Eagles’ 33-20 halftime lead was kept in check only by their 3-of-12 shooting from 3-point range.
Carlos Jones scored 13 for Life (34-2), which has won three of the past four NAIA Division I championships. The Running Eagles became the first team since Oklahoma City in 1991 and ’92 to repeat as champions, and both have been thrillers — last year, Corey Evans’ buzzer-beater beat Mobile (Ala.) for the title.
Hunter said he was thinking of Evans’ shot when he went for his own.
‘‘I kind of just wanted to take that shot,’’ he said.

OU Women Trip Purdue Eye UConn
By HANK LOWENKRON
AP Sports Writer
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) — Oklahoma’s women’s basketball team has taken giant steps at jet speed.
Four years ago, coach Sherri Coale’s team lost 16 consecutive games, recorded just one conference victory and finished 5-22. Today, the 18th-ranked Sooners are headed to the NCAA East Regional semifinals for a date with top-ranked Connecticut.
Oklahoma (25-7) rallied from a 17-point first-half deficit to beat defending national champion Purdue 76-74 on Monday night.
LaNeishea Caufield scored 26 points — 16 in the second half — and hit two free throws to give Oklahoma its first lead of the game with 63 seconds left.
‘‘When we were down, I just thought, ‘Well we have to come back in the second half.’ We were trying so hard in the first half and we just couldn’t get shots to fall,’’ said Caufield. ‘‘I just knew if we got close enough, we were going to keep fighting and eventually have a chance to take the lead.’’
Coale said her team never lost faith. ‘‘They never doubted they would win,’’ she said.
Oklahoma trailed from the start until Caufield’s two free throws gave them a 73-72 edge. Purdue (23-8) had two chances to regain the lead and one to tie it in the final seconds.
Purdue’s Katie Douglas, the Big Ten player of the year who had just 4 points, missed on a drive and was called for a foul with 41.4 seconds remaining. Stacey Dales hit two free throws and on the next trip down the court, a 3-point attempt by Douglas bounced off the front of the rim.
‘‘We did not value each possession in the last five minutes,’’ Purdue coach Kristy Curry said. ‘‘Oklahoma did a great job converting and we did not do a very good job of executing.
Camille Cooper, who had a career-high 34 points, grabbed the rebound from the 3-point attempt by Douglas but stepped out of bounds as she tried to get in position for a shot. Dales, who added 16 points and played a significant role in defending Douglas, then made one of two free throws with 21 seconds remaining.
Cooper missed two free throws with 9.9 seconds left and then scored a basket with just over a second to play.
‘‘Oklahoma came out and played with a lot of composure,’’ Cooper said. ‘‘They never got rattled. It was hard to watch those final few minutes. You have to credit them with playing hard and with a lot of composure.’’
Oklahoma was down 59-46 with 11:05 to go.
A 13-2 run brought the Sooners back into the game. Jadrea Seeley capped the run by hitting a 3-pointer with 7:06 to go. It made the score 61-59 as Purdue was going more than four minutes without a field goal.
Purdue pulled ahead 68-62 on a three-point play by Shinika Parks with 5:18 to go, but Oklahoma wouldn’t quit.
Cooper’s previous high was 26 points. Parks topper her previous high of 16 with 17 of a career-best 22 points in the first half.
‘‘I didn’t dream that she’d have 17 points in the first half. Our second-half adjustment was to not let her go right,’’ Coale said. ‘‘We did a much better job of that in the second half.’’
Oklahoma, seeded fifth, will play Connecticut in a regional semifinal game Saturday at Richmond, Va.
‘‘I’m definitely looking forward to this game,’’ said Caufield. ‘‘I didn’t play my best when they came to Oklahoma.’’
Connecticut won that game 84-68.
‘‘I’m looking forward to redeeming myself when we play them,’’ Caufield said.
Monday’s loss ended a seven-game NCAA tournament winning streak on its homecourt for Purdue. The Boilermakers built a 42-25 lead in the first half and held a 44-32 lead at the break.
‘‘All we can do is use this game as motivation for the returning players,’’ Douglas said. ‘‘You’ve got to let this one sink in your stomach and know how it feels. ... Remembering how this feels, how disappointed and upset we feel, I guess we have to turn it into a positive.’’
Phyleisha Whaley, the Big 12 player of the year who became Oklahoma’s career-scoring leader on Saturday, had 11 points and was 4-of-8 from the field.
‘‘We kept playing because we had nothing to lose. You play hard or you go home,’’ Whaley said.
EAST REGIONAL
At West Lafayette, Ind.
OKLAHOMA 76, PURDUE 74
OKLAHOMA (25-7)

Hill 4-11 2-2 11, Whaley 4-8 2-2 11, Hardemann 1-3 0-0 3, Caufield 9-13 5-5 23, Dales 5-16 5-9 15, Seeley 4-8 0-0 9, Taylor 0-0 0-0 0, Cunningham 1-1 1-1 3. Totals 28-60 15-19 76.
PURDUE (23-8)

Duhart 1-1 0-1 2, Douglas 1-11 2-2 4, Cooper 13-18 8-13 34, Komara 2-8 0-0 4, Parks 7-14 7-8 22, Noon 3-4 2-5 8, Crawford 0-0 0-0 0, Curless 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 27-56 19-29 74.
Halftime—Purdue 44, Oklahoma 32. 3-Point goals—Oklahoma 5-14 (Whaley 1-2, Seeley 1-2, Hill 1-3, Hardeman 1-3, Dales 1-4). Purdue 1-5 (Parks 1-1, Komara 0-1, Douglas 0-3). Fouled out—Caufield. Rebounds—Oklahoma 32 (Whaley 8), Purdue 36 (Parks 9). Assists—Oklahoma 13 (Dales 4), Purdue 18 (Parks 7). Technical—Oklahoma bench. Total fouls—Oklahoma 23, Purdue 21. A—5,680.