LOCAL

ArtrainUSA Ready To Roll Into Ponca City
Absentee Voting Now Under Way
Nearly News
Ponca City Youngsters Ready For Read Across America Day
Letters to the Editor
True Story ‘Until We Meet Again’ Author To Sign Book Saturday

ArtrainUSA Ready To Roll Into Ponca City

By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE

News Staff Writer

A ribbon cutting at noon Saturday of ArtrainUSA will signal the beginning of a unique art experience for Ponca City, northern Oklahoma and southern Kansas.

The art museum on wheels will be open to the public from noon to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday to view the “Artistry of Space” — the NASA Art Exhibit. The museum is a natural draw for train buffs, art fans, and space enthusiast.

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday the train museum will be closed to the public because it has been reserved for tours for about 1,500 fourth and sixth graders from Ponca City.

An extra day has been added to allow students from surrounding areas, which includes Tonkawa and Peckham to have the art experience. Normally the Artrain only spends four days in a community.

The road master is Coy Mathis, with Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railroad stationed in Kansas.

Cathy Ferguson, Ponca City Tomorrow director, who has been coordinating the effort said, “Mathis went above and beyond to get the train here. This involved getting the train from Sapulpa to Oklahoma City and north to Ponca City took a tremendous effort. Another hurdle was securing the railroad siding to park the train for the length of the stay.”

Ferguson went to Sapulpa last Sunday to get the feel of the train and learn what was needed.

Ferguson said, “It is incredible what the community can do when called on to provide experiences for its citizens, and particularly in the small window of time.

“Two short weeks ago, a group of extraordinary volunteers combined their talents to turn an opportunity into reality by bringing the ArtrainUSA to Ponca City. About $25,000 has been raised in the community in cash and in-kind services.

Ordinarily it takes about a year of planning to host the National Art Museum on Wheels.

“We put together a team of event experts in our community who are continually willing to contribute their time and talents for the enrichment of the area,” Ferguson said.

Two of these “experts” who are invaluable are James York of Conoco, who uses his talents to map out the site, while Jim Sindelar, director of Parks and Recreation Department of the City, does the overall management of the site.

Numerous other city departments and resources are involved in the planning and implementation of events such as this, but usually not on such a tight time frame.

Work involved includes both City and Conoco crews, cleaning up the site at the depot, installing telephone lines, water to train, diesel fuel for the generator, tent set up and signal and barricades.

Among the dignitaries officiating at the ribbon cutting event will be Sen. Paul Muegge, Steve Hill, president of the Ponca City Arts and Humanities Council, and Pat Evans, Ponca City, president-elect of the Oklahoma Arts and Humanities Council.

Another city department effort includes the Ponca City Library. The library will host the showing of a musical video “Voyage to the Planets” at 11 a.m., Saturday for the public. This event, as well as the visit to the ArtrainUSA is free to the public.

The area that will define the activities and leading up to the depot is to be cordoned off from Walnut to Oklahoma on South First. There will be no parking allowed in that area.

Kids Zones is in a tent adjacent to the depot, and is a hands on art experience for children of all ages. Also there will be demonstrating artists at this site.

Capt. Jane Morris, a Ponca City pilot for United Air Lines, will be discussing aeronautics with the public.

Also in the activity area, at First and Oklahoma, the Ponca Playhouse is providing site for a number of exhibiting artists to enhance the art experience along with the train. A moon bounce for youths and a refreshment stand is in this area also.

A display of Davis Moore new vehicles is planned for Oklahoma Street as DaimlerChrysler is the National Sponsor of ArtrainUSA.

There is a reception Friday evening for the volunteers and sponsors, hosted by the Ponca City Council of Garden Clubs.

Absentee Voting Now Under Way

NEWKIRK — Voters who want to cast absentee ballots for the Ponca City municipal election can do so at the Kay County Election Board office in the county courthouse in Newkirk starting today.

A two-member, bipartisan absentee voting board will be on duty from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to assist these voters.

Kay County Election Board officials also remind citizens that they must reside in the corporate city limits of the city of Ponca City to vote in this election.

Nearly News

Good Samaritans appear when you least expect them as Sally Shirley discovered this morning. An employee at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Shirley had parked her car near the Ponca Family Medicine building and was cautiously making her way over the ice-laden area when Jinger Henke stopped and insisted on giving her a ride to work. NN says Mrs. Henke earns a star for her good deed!

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Unofficial championship of the nonexistent “First Robin of Spring” contest has been claimed by librarian Becky Gauger. She reported seeing the little creature sitting on her sidewalk “in the sleet” Wednesday with his feathers all fluffed out. NN thinks it is time to officially declare it spring and call an end to winter.

-——

Congratulations go to Bethany Bowen, who had the winning student oil painting, “Oil on Canvas — Canvas on Water” — in the recent Membership show of the Ponca City Art Association. Her name was misspelled on the cover of Wednesday’s Mid-Week.

Ponca City Youngsters Ready For Read Across America Day

By KRISTI HAYES

News Education Editor

“A Cat in the Hat,” “Green Eggs and Ham,” and “Sam I Am” will take center stage Friday when Ponca City students join millions of others across the nation by reading.

The annual Read Across America Day is set for March 2. The event coincides with the birthday of children’s author Dr. Seuss (Theodor Geisel), whose beloved books and zany characters have inspired many to read.

On Tuesday, the Oklahoma Education Association’s (OEA) “Catavan” visited Garfield Academy. OEA President Carolyn Crowder and members of the OEA dressed up like Seuss characters. Those in attendance were Cat in the Hat, Thing 2 and Sam I Am. The trio of characters even persuaded Madison Bookout, student council president, to join them by dressing up as Thing 1.

Crowder told the kids that there is nothing more important in life than learning to read. She also taught them a song incorporating the beloved Seuss sayings.

Ponca City Board of Education members, Superintendent Dr. Bill White, and Mayor Tom Leonard also got into the spirit of things by dancing alongside the students.

Opening up the world through books and reading is the message behind “Oh, the Places You’ll Go,” the theme for this year’s festivities. Taken from the Seuss title, the theme provides teachers, librarians, parents, students, authors, politicians and others an opportunity to share the journeys they have traveled through books as well as the world of ideas that books have opened for them.

In scores of school and libraries, students will be engaged in read-a-thons, reading pajama parties, original plays and skits based on Seussian themes.

Locally, each school has planned events for the day. Some of the elementary schools will have guest readers featuring prominent business leaders. Others will have designated reading time with their teachers and some may even dress up like Cat in the Hat. And for the lucky, some may cook breakfasts featuring “Green Eggs and Ham.”

First Lady Laura Bush will honor this special day and actor Morgan Freeman is the chairperson for the 2001 celebration.

Letters to the Editor

Firefighter Facts

We have been seeing a lot of negative responses to the pay raise that the Ponca City Firefighters have asked for, but there are a few things that some have failed to reveal. They haven’t told you that when a firefighter retires that he has to pay for his own insurance coverage (if he intends to keep it), which can be hundreds of dollars each month. Nor, did they state anywhere that although a retiree receives a pension, they do not pay into Social Security, and only within the last 10 years have the fire fighters paid into Medicare and this is limited to only a portion of the firefighters. My father was a firefighter for 30 years as was my uncle. One of the main points that has yet to be made is that the pay raise also goes to the retirees and widows of retirees pension checks. It affects their lives also because the only time the retirees get a raise is when the firefighters get a raise.

I’m not against the other city employees, each one is an asset to the community, but how many of them have to undergo rigorous training to do their job, how many have to take a test to even qualify for the job (with exception of policemen) and how many have to continually upgrade their training and knowledge in order to perform the job? I will challenge any resident of Ponca City to take on the job of firefighter for just one day and I’ll bet a lot of you will change your minds. How many would be willing to fight a grass fire in 100-plus degree temperatures with a high wind because someone was too careless, or be willing to take on the role of EMT and respond to a call after someone has slammed into a tree or vehicle containing innocent victims and you are the one who is left to take care of the mess, or when the streets are slick and hazardous and they have fight a fire or make an ambulance run when nothing else is moving, and never mind running full emergency code and having to watch traffic and have someone try to beat you through the intersection? I don’t think there would be a lot to meet the challenge, but just remember you decided that they didn’t need the pay raise because you think that they are overpaid now.

We have heard and read complaints about early retirement or having their own business on the side. It’s all about choice, building up Social Security and providing for your family’s future. No where does it say in a firefighters job description that he perform only that job and that job only and that you have to stay until you reach the age of 65.

Someone has also stated that three of the last four firefighters hired came from other towns. I was under the impression that was the way it was with any job — go where you have more opportunity for advancement, better wages and benefits, that’s just part of the right of freedom of choice. You complain about them eating and sleeping on the job, my father worked at the time when you worked shifts of two weeks days and two weeks nights. Due to this type of scheduling there were a lot of holidays spent without my father, but I knew he was doing his job, or never mind when the department took over the ambulance service and you were always on call and might have to spend all night out on a service run that might mean a quick transport or transporting someone out of town to the hospital, but I still knew he was doing his job.

In closing the firefighters of today are a new breed compared to the firefighters of 20, 30, 40 even 50 years ago which were a rare breed all of their own and believe me they sure didn’t make a lot of money, but one thing still remains the same — they were then as they still are now our public servants and should all be treated with the respect in which they deserve.

Pamela Shaw Hunt

Support Fire Fighters

I respectfully request Ponca City to support fire fighters in the quest for a pay raise. Fire fighters responded to 3500 calls last year and 2500 of those calls were ambulance calls. Fire fighters have to be cross-trained as fire fighters and ambulance personnel. The Ponca City Fire Department is actually two departments wrapped in one. Training for ambulance personnel requires them to have as a minimum basic EMT (Emergency Medical Training). EMT training requires several hours of class room training and several hours of ongoing training in an ambulance. EMTs then have to pass a very difficult written test and a practical test to be a certified EMTs. EMTs have to be recertified every two years.

Ponca City Fire Department is blessed with 50 EMTs and three paramedics. With this many EMTs you can dial 911 and have real professionals in your time of an emergency. Knowing that the Ponca City Fire Department is two different departments doubling their pay seems more fair to me than 10 percent. In regard to the fire (suppression) side of the Fire Department, it would take several hours and many pages to explain what it takes to be a fire fighter. For information of training call a Ponca City fire Department Training Officer and they can give you information for what it takes to be a fire fighter.

Fire fighting is one of the most dangerous jobs there is. Just one of the hazards they face is hazardous materials and it is possible they are in it before they know it is a hazard. In some cases one breath can be fatal.

Some fire calls cause some fire fighter a deep sadness and some are happy responses.

For a sad call: Firemen receive a call that a house is on fire, they rush to the house an upon arrival at the scene someone is screaming children are trapped in the house. Without thought for their own safety they rush into the house and bring the children out. With one chest compression they know the children are gone. Then after all their equipment is picked up and they go back to the fire house, some of the fire fighters are so upset over the loss of the children that they have to have counsel for their grief.

On a happier side: A call comes in there is a man down with a heart attack. Firemen rush to the scene and find the man and he is not breathing and no heart beat. After giving the man first aid he is rushed to SJRMC where doctors finish saving the man’s life. Thanks to two Ponca City fire fighters and one Ponca City police officer. I could go for hours about the out-of-town ambulance runs to Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Wichita, Enid and running under emergency conditions, it makes a very tough and tiring job.

Again I ask Ponca Citians, please support Ponca City Firemen

James R. Bates

Ponca City Fire Chief

Retired

Who Should Decide?

The critical question for the upcoming election on March 6 is very clear. Who will be given the authority, by the voters, to set the salary budget for the Firefighters Union for the year 2001 and subsequent years?

The responsibility to prepare and fund the annual City budget for all departments of the City has always rested with the elected city commissioners and the mayor.

As a result of the arbitration demanded by the Fire Fighters Union, the question going before the voters of Ponca City on March 6 is “Will the City Commissioners and the Mayor have the authority to set the budget for the Firefighters Union along with all the other City departments or, will this authority be taken from them and given to the Firefighters Union so they can set their own budget for the year 2001 at twice the percentage increase that all other City employees are receiving?” Our votes on March 6th will decide where the budgeting authority for the City lies.

Greg Gregson

Past City Commissioner

Unfair Compensation

I would like to respond to Mr. Kistler’s letter printed on Sunday, Feb. 25. I will ask you the same question you presented. You asked, “How would we explain to other city employees, who are fairly compensated as compared to other cities our size, that they receive a smaller raise (than) the firefighters?”

Mr. Kistler, How did the mayor explain to the firefighters why they were worth less than firefighters in other cities our size? How did the mayor explain to the firefighters that they did not get any raise some years, when the rest of the city did? Why do firemen work 55 hour a week before they get time and a half. Shall I go on? There is a lot more.

The firefighters are asking to be treated fairly. They have not been treated fairly for quite some time. They have received sub-standard raises, sometimes no raises at all. The result is firefighters that are paid less than their counterparts in similar towns around us. The other city employees are not in that situation. In fact, many of them are in agreement with firefighters and said they would do the same thing if the tables were turned. They are not pleased that they had to listen to a lecture about the firefighters action before they could receive their own paycheck last week.

You ask that respect be shown to all those involved. I totally agree. Let’s begin with the brochure produced by our mayor. That document, and the salary schedule in the newspaper, was full of misleading information intentionally designed to give voters the wrong picture. And are they expected to be “satisfied” because they have safe equipment and facilities in which to work, and not expect equitable wages? By the way, are you aware how long they lived in deplorable conditions, only to be resolved when they called the Department of Health themselves? Our city government knew about the condition of that building, but did the city take action to get them out? Our city government let them live with open sewage, pigeon droppings seeping in, asbestos, and exhaust fumes.

As for the natural gas bills, the senior citizens are not the only ones contending with the rise in costs. Firefighters have heating bills, too. In fact, I know a firefighter who has three senior citizens on limited incomes in his family and supplements them financially when he can. We know the situation quite well. But please don’t include a fear tactic in this issue. The firemen work for public safety and are the last ones in town who would want the city without adequate emergency funds; nor do they want higher utility rates! The city’s budget CAN afford this increase. It has been proven. I, too, am a citizen who supports city government, but not the government actions I have witnessed recently.

The firefighters need and deserve your support of a 10 percent raise on March 6.

Annette White

Firefighters a Blessing

Ponca City is truly blessed to have the firefighter/EMTs we have. Besides responding to 2,500 calls each year they:

— present educational programs for preschool and elementary schools yearly

— participate in “Learn Not to Burn” school program

— give tours of the fire department to all kinds of youth groups

— teach CPR classes in the community

— serve as EMT/fire training instructors in other towns

— provide free smoke detectors for the elderly

— raise money for Toys for Tots (over $6,000 in cash and $4,000 in toys this year)

— spend every Labor Day raising money for Muscular Dystrophy

— participate in the “Operation Fire Safe” program for children under 18 who start fires

— mentor children in schools

— donate to things such as the Band-Aid when “Big Blue” went to DC

— conduct the “Risk Watch” program preventing the eight most common types of accidents

Every one of these activities are totally voluntary. They participate in these activities joyfully and willingly because they care about the people in their community.

This is the first time I can remember that they have asked for help personally. They are in this situation because of lower than average pay increases the last few years. They have tried negotiating with the city and then were forced to use arbitration. They have demanded nothing. A neutral arbitrator, a professor of economics, ruled in their favor. They have gone the extra mile, used proper channels, and been found to be fair in their request.

Considering they have done more than the average firefighter for our community, don’t they deserve at least the average salary of a firefighter/EMT?

Please support the firefighter/EMT’s request for a 10 percent raise on March 6.

Sandy Flegler

Clara Melber

Firemen Overpaid?

The mayor thinks the firemen don’t need a pay raise he says they are already overpaid. All the other city workers got a 5 percent pay raise in July, the firemen did not get. So the firemen are all ready five percent behind city workers. Firemen work week is 50 hours. Without overtime, they only get overtime on call out. The starting pay of a rookie firefighter is $8.75 per hour and he must pass a rigid entry requirements, while a garbage pickup man starts at $10.76 per hour. Police captain pay is $20.35 per hour while a fire captain gets $12.70 per hour So where is the overpaid firefighter money. So if your house is on fire call the street department. They are paid more so they must be better workers. And if you are sick and need to go to the hospital call a garbage truck. If your fire is big enough to have to call in off duty firemen, forget it as they will be working their second job to pay their bills

Jesse Stewart

True Story ‘Until We Meet Again’ Author To Sign Book Saturday

“Until We Meet Again” is the true story of love and survival in the Holocaust, written by their son Michael.

Manya and Majir (Meyer) Korenblit, the two main characters, are 17 year olds with courage, faith and love for each other that sustained them as they endured the horrors of the Holocaust. Their survival was one miracle; finding each other again was a second. The third came 39 years later when Michael’s research for the book led him to find Manya’s brother, whom she had been told had died at Auchwitz. The book ends with their joyous reunion.

Brace Books and More will host the Korenblits — Majir, Manya and Michael — at an autographing session of the book from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday.

The elder Korenblits (also known as Kornblits) are Ponca City residents, having arrived here in 1950 after their trip from Germany. They owned and operated the Dixie Dog Drive-in and other businesses for more than 40 years. Their eldest son, Sam, came with them. Michael was born in Ponca City and graduated from Po-Hi in 1969.

Michael Korenblit will speak to students at Ponca City’s secondary schools Friday. According to a spokesperson, he is in his realm when he discusses the importance of understanding history with students.

“Middle school students who normally have a very short attention span were spellbound the entire time Michael spoke,” exclaimed Caradith Craven, a media specialist from Edmond.

Only months ago, Michael and his wife Joan created the Respect Diversity Foundation, a nonprofit, educational organization that teaches tolerance of people of all ability levels, races, nationalities and religions. A speaker’s bureau that includes an impressive list of lecturers, workshop and seminar leaders is an integral part of RDF.

Included in the RDF speaker’s bureau are elementary and secondary teachers, university professors, a highway patrolman, artists, a magazine publisher, many authors and more.

Mary Anne Potter, a local author/herbalist/motivational speaker, is also a member of the RDF speaker’s bureau.

The RDF promotes many projects throughout the nation including Be A Buddy Clubs. Special needs students in high schools and non-special needs buddies enjoy a variety of activities from sports to pizza baking. RDF representatives are available to schools as club advisors.

Another RDF project that promises to have a far-reaching effect is Respect Diversity Week. This is when students and teachers throughout the nation celebrate diversity as they enjoy a week-long series of events.

“With creativity and flair, curriculum is integrated. History comes alive; social studies, English, art, physical education, even home economics become the stage for examining the importance of diversity,” explained Joan Korenblit. “Students’ knowledge of a concept is enriched when that idea is reinforced throughout the curriculum.”

In some schools, a week in the spring is named Respect Diversity Week. In others, a week in the fall or winter is set aside to honor the importance of understanding diversity.

In some schools, the theme consists totally of understanding people in another country by learning about the history, culture, literature, native dances and art of the country. Students then experience the cuisine.

Originally published in 1983 by G.P. Putnam’s Sons, the book was reprinted in 1995 in paperback by Charles River Press when the Korenblits decided to release it due to demand.

Jean Brace of Brace Books and More invites the community to meet them Saturday and to have the three autograph the book.

DEATHS

Geneva K. Rippee Hand Gildhouse
Doris Mildred C. Gough
Lee Combrink

Obituaries

Geneva K. Rippee Hand Gildhouse

Geneva K. Rippee Hand Gildhouse, Ponca City resident, died Tuesday morning, Feb. 27, 2001, at Baptist Medical Center in Oklahoma City. She was 70.

The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 3, 2001, at Central Baptist Church with the Rev. John Waterloo presiding. Burial will be at Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.

Geneva K. Rippee was born Oct. 12, 1930, at Hartsville, Mo., the daughter of Troy and Venus Rippee. She was a graduate of Ponca City High School. She was married to Leonard James Hand on Dec. 23, 1948, in Ponca City. Mr. Hand preceded her in death on June 20, 1958. She married Dewey Joe Gildhouse on Nov. 11, 1961, in Ponca City. Mr. Gildhouse preceded her in death on Jan. 26, 1995.

Mrs. Gildhouse worked for several years as a nurse at the Grandview Hospital of Ponca City and also as a “pink lady” at St. Charles, La. She attended Central Baptist Church. She was a loving mother and grandmother that had a great sense of humor and enjoyed working and being with people. Her enjoyments were her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, traveling, crafts and shopping.

She is survived by one son, Jim Hand and wife Brenda of Blackwell; one daughter, Anna Fields and husband Wesley of Ponca City; one sister, Delores Butler of Billings; one half sister, Genice Rippee of Ponca City; one stepsister, Connie Mead of Ponca City; one stepbrother, Cecil Haskins of Ponca City; ten grandchildren, Jim Hand, Larry Hand, Rich Hand, Donnie Hand, Jamie Hand, Scottie Hand, Amy Soles, Billy Soles and wife Traci, Leslie Riddle and Leroy Fields; nine great-grandchildren, Ashley Dawn Soles, Brianna Dean Soles, Jessica Hand, Melissa Hand, Noah Richard Hand, Taylor Riddle, Jessica Riddle, Madison Riddle and Hunter Riddle.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two husbands; one step sister, Nadine Mead; and one infant granddaughter, Edith Kathleen Hand.

Casket bearers will be Jim Hand, Larry Hand, Rich Hand, Donnie Hand, Travis Harris, Lonnie Eddings and Jeff Jeffries.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 6465 South Yale, Suite 318, Tulsa, Okla. 74136 or to Hospice of Ponca City, 1904 North Union, Suite 103, Ponca City, Okla. 74601.

The family will be at 1520 North Fourth.

paid obituary

Doris Mildred C. Gough

Doris Mildred C. Gough, Ponca City resident, died Monday, Feb. 26, 2001, at Westminster Village. She was 88.

The funeral will be held 10 a.m. Friday, March 2, 2001, in the Trout Funeral Home Chapel with Jim Barnes of First Church of Christ Scientist officiating. Burial will follow in Odd Fellows Cemetery. Arrangements are made under the direction of Trout Funeral Home.

Mildred was born Oct. 6, 1912. in Britton, the daughter of O.P. Callahan and Myrtle (Edwards) Callahan. Her parents were longtime residents of Ponca City. Her father served as mayor of Ponca City and worked for Marland Oil Company, and her mother ran a kindergarten. After graduating from Ponca City High School, Mildred attended Oklahoma State University. On Feb. 4, 1934, she married her high school sweetheart, Ernest W. Gough, at the Little Church around the Corner in New York City. They returned to Ponca City and made it their home.

They were active members of the First Church of Christ, Scientist, where Mildred served as clerk. She also served as secretary of the Camp Fire Girls office and was a den mother with the Cub Scouts, supporting Camp McFadden for many years. Mildred and Ernest enjoyed square dancing and traveled miles on end to dance. She especially enjoyed gardening and was very active in the Redbud Garden Club. She was always giving and sharing with family, friends and neighbors and will be deeply missed.

Survivors include her daughter Barbara Gough of Littleton, Colo.; sons, Wayne Gough of Parker, Colo., and Larry Gough of Ponca City; one sister, Betty Thomas of Boerne, Texas; five grandchildren, Chris Gough, Craig Gough, and Cary Gough of the Memphis, Tenn., area, Jessica Gough of Virginia Beach, Va., and Ashley Gough of Parker, Colo.; and several nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband; one brother, Neal Callahan; and one sister, Dorothy Norton.

Planting a tree or flower in her memory would please Mildred more than anything else or give a gift to your favorite charity.

paid obituary

Services Pending

Lee Combrink

Lee Combrink, longtime Ponca City resident, died Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2001, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. He was 83. The funeral will be Saturday at 10 a.m. at Trout Funeral Home Chapel. Local survivors include his wife, Iola. Other arrangements are pending with Trout Funeral Home.

NEWS BRIEFS

Wildcat Soccer — The Ponca City Wildcats Soccer season begins Friday. The Wildcats will face Jenks at home in Sullins Stadium. Play begins with the Lady Cats at 6 p.m., followed by the Wildcats at 8 p.m. Junior varsity games start at 4:30 p.m.

Dougan's Bar-B-Q Friday special from 4-8 p.m., all you can eat ribs with beans, potato salad and coleslaw, $8.49. 215 South 14th, 765-7979. adv.

Threatened — A woman from the 400 block of South Sunset Street reported to the Communications Center at 2:19 p.m. Wednesday that she had been the victim of a threat. A Ponca City Police Department officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Opening March 1st 10:30. Homestead Antiques and Curious Goods. 101 West Grand. 765-9699. Cathy Beasley and Bill Denison. adv.

Treated for Injury — An employee at the emergency room of St. Joseph Regional Medical Center reported to the Communications Center at 2:33 p.m. Wednesday that a juvenile boy was being treated for injuries from being restrained on Tuesday night. An officer of the Ponca City Police Department was assigned and a report was taken.

Head Country all day Friday special­ All you can eat, smoked BBQ ribs, beans, potato salad, and coleslaw, only $7.49, all day. 1217 East Prospect. 767-8304. adv.

Assault and Battery — The Communications Center received a request for a police officer at 3:09 p.m. Wednesday from an employee at Liberty School, 505 West Liberty Avenue as the result of an assault and battery incident. An officer was assigned and information was logged that the incident had occurred at the school.

Free Pregnancy test. Birth Choice cares. Confidential. Hours: Monday 1-3 p.m., Tuesday, 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, 1-3 p.m. and Thursday, 6-8 p.m. 700 West Broadway. 765-9689. adv.

Accident — A two-vehicle, non-injury accident was reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 3:21 p.m. Wednesday at the intersection of Pioneer Road and Spring Road. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Pauline’s Shrimp Peel, all you can eat, $11.95. Friday, 2nd. For reservations call 765-5460. adv.

Collision — A two-vehicle, non-injury accident in front of the Twin Theater, 1400 East Hartford Avenue, was reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 3:25 p.m. Wednesday. Three officers were assigned and a report was taken.

R&G Style Shop Newkirk, winter merchandise 70% off. adv.

Vehicle Rolled Into Ditch — The Communications Center received a report of a vehicle in the ditch at 9:39 p.m. Wednesday at the intersection of Lake Road and Longwood Road. Oklahoma Highway Patrol was notified. An ambulance from the Ponca City Fire Department sent to the scene reported that no one was injured.

Theft — A woman from the 500 block of South Seventh Street reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 4:32 p.m. Wednesday that some items including cash, credit cards, driver’s license and a cell phone were missing from her purse. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Officer Injured — The Communications Center received a report at 12:11 a.m. Thursday that a vehicle was in a ditch on North Waverly Street north of Sykes. An officer of the Ponca City Police Department responded to the scene, found the vehicle unoccupied. While assisting another motorist, the officer was hit by a vehicle. An ambulance from the Ponca City Fire Department responded, took the officer to St. Joseph Regional Medical Center for treatment of injuries and the officer was released. A report was taken and the Street Department was notified about ice on the roadway.

Hit and Run Accident — A woman from the 1900 block of North Fourteenth Street requested a police officer at 4:53 p.m. Wednesday as a result of her vehicle being hit by another that left the scene. An officer was assigned and information was logged.

Minor Accident — A motorist reported to the Communications Center at 4:57 p.m. Wednesday that a vehicle had gone off the roadway into a field near the intersection of the Cimarron Turnpike and U.S. 177. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol was notified.

Suspicious Activity — A man from the 100 block of West Central Avenue reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 4:58 p.m. Wednesday that some computer crimes had been committed. An officer was assigned and information was logged.

Items Missing — A woman from the 3000 block of North Fourteenth Street reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 4:58 p.m. Wednesday that some CD’s were missing from her vehicle while it had been worked on at a residence on Gary Avenue. An officer was assigned and a report was taken for grand larceny.

Vehicle Overturned — A man from the 3100 block of North Pecan Road reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 7:16 p.m. Wednesday that a vehicle had overturned in the area. Two officers were assigned, and the vehicle was towed from the scene. A report was taken.

Minor Accident — A minor accident in the 100 block of South Fourth Street was reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 4:22 p.m. Wednesday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Accident — A two-vehicle accident in the parking lot of a business in the 2900 block of North Fourteenth Street was reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 8:37 p.m. Wednesday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Checks Stolen — A woman from the 900 block of East Grand Avenue reported to the Communications Center at 10:29 p.m. Wednesday that some checks had been stolen from her residence. An officer of the Ponca City Police Department was assigned and a report was taken.

Accident — An employee at the emergency room of St. Joseph Regional Medical Center reported at 11:11 p.m. Wednesday that a man was being treated for injuries from a one-vehicle accident in the 3700 block of North Pecan Road. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Subject Held — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported from the 1800 block of North Fourth Street at 12:01 a.m. Thursday that a 32-year-old man was being held for public intoxication.

Vehicle Hits Utility Pole — The Communications Center received a call at 1:54 a.m. Thursday that a vehicle had hit a utility pole 1.5 miles south of U.S. 60 on Glasgow Road, but there were no injuries. Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Osage County Sheriff’s Office and the Water and Light Department were notified.

Treated for Injuries — An employee at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center emergency room reported to the Communications Center at 2:38 a.m. Thursday that a man who reportedly had been assaulted in the 400 block of South Tenth Street was being treated for injuries. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Attempted Burglary — A woman from the 400 block of South Birch Street reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 6:56 a.m. Thursday that she found a gate open and a window that had been damaged from an incident a few hours earlier. An officer was assigned and an attempted first degree burglary report was taken.

GARDENING

Millennium Tree Planters Sought for Registry
Environmental Awards Available
Iris Society Plans Meeting at Cann
Diggin’ in the Dirt

Millennium Tree Planters Sought for Registry

By KATHY ZEHR

News Staff Writer

Members of The Millennium Tree Project committee, chaired by John Raley and Jayne Detten, met Feb. 23, to plan Phase II of the tree planting project celebrating the new century. Goal of the Millennium Tree Project, Phase I, was the planting of 2000 trees in Ponca City.

The MTP group is currently in the process of compiling a Millennium Tree Register of all trees planted in the Ponca City area since the spring of 1999, and the continuance of the planting of trees to reach the 2000 goal total.

“We believe there have been at least 1000 trees planted since we began the project, but only have about 400 of them registered,” said Raley. “We are asking private citizens, schools, churches and other groups who have not registered the trees they have planted to do so at this time so we can get them logged into the Millennium Tree Register.”

Tree registration forms are available at the Chamber of Commerce Office and Keathly Nursery. Committee members are currently placing registration forms in other area locations where trees are sold.

“The participant’s name will be permanently entered into the Millennium Tree Register and they will also receive certificates to frame or add to the family history book,” Detten said.

In addition to tree owners logging into the permanent Millennium Tree Register, owners may also purchase the Millennium Medallion, a permanent record of each Millennium tree’s location and a permanent memento of the donor’s contribution to the new century.

Detten exhibited 11 of the engraved medallions at the meeting, which had been recently ordered by citizens and organizations. Each large brass medallion, designed by Pryse Monument is numbered and has both the Millennium logo, the 2000 Tree project logo, and the name of the tree owner engraved upon it.

“Citizens who want to participate in the project, but do not need another tree in their yard or cannot plant a tree on their own, may donate a tree to be used on city property, schools, churches, parks, or other public areas, explained Detten. “They would also be eligible to purchase the beautiful Millennium medallion ($40) as well,” she continued. Clubs and organizations are encouraged to donate several trees to a planting project.

Healthy trees, planted correctly in Northern Oklahoma, may last more than 100 years and make great living memorials to loved ones or events. Millennium trees can be planted in honor of children, parents, grandparents, friends, co-workers, bosses, etc. “A Millennium tree would make an excellent gift for a birthday, anniversary or other special occasion,” said Cathy Ferguson, committee member.

Keathly Nursery has a list of several available trees, suitable for planting at a designated and approved area around city buildings, schools, churches or other places. Some suggested trees include Oak (Shumard or Sawtooth), Maple (Red or Shantung-yellow/orange), Elm (Lace Bark), Chinese Pistache, Pine (Loblolly), or Redbud. These five-gallon container trees are $35 and approximately 5-8 feet tall. The nursery will plant and stake individual trees for an additional $15.

Other plans made by the committee included seeking environmental grants for purchase of trees; donated landscaping services for schools, churches and public buildings; participation in the Iris Festival, Spring Expo, and the Ponca City Herb Festival; public education; enlisting volunteers to care for newly planted trees; Arbor Day tree planting ceremonies; and others.

Educational programs about the project are available for civic clubs, schools, and other organizations by calling John Raley at 762-1655 or 765-3844.

Environmental Awards Available

Keep Oklahoma Beautiful’s 11th annual Environmental Awards Program will recognize the good works of Oklahomans for their exceptional efforts in the areas of environmental improvement, beautification and landscaping and environmental education and promotion that occurred primarily during the calendar year 2000.

Awards will presented in July in Oklahoma City, and awards will be decided by qualified out-of-state judges. Deadline for entries is May 1. Entries will be accepted from these categories: community effort, news media, youth, individual achievement, business, non-profit organizations, government, and educational institutions.

For more information call 405-844-6543, or view the website www.keepoklahomabeautiful.com

Iris Society Plans Meeting at Cann

The Northern Oklahoma Iris Society will meet at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 2, at the L. A. Cann Garden Center, 1500 East Grand Avenue. Carol Goldsberry will present a program about “Getting Ready for Spring.” If you’re ready for some warm weather so you can work outside in your garden, please join us for some garden clean-up tips, said a spokesperson for the group.

Upcoming events sponsored by NOIS include the iris show in May during the Iris Festival, and the annual iris rhizome sale which will be held in July. Anyone interested in irises is invited to attend the club’s meetings. If you have any questions about the iris society, contact Lillian Williams, 762-3796, for additional information.

Diggin’ in the Dirt

by Kathy Zehr

Gardening Race Has Begun

If vegetable gardeners haven’t already — it’s time to get potatoes in the ground. No matter what you call them: potatoes, spuds, cobblers or by other names, this stick-to-your-rib American mainstay needs to be planted early in northern Oklahoma because they need cool nights for good tuber production. A good time to plant spuds is when day temperatures are around 60 degrees. Planting too late causes excess foliage and few potatoes.

Potatoes love a rich, organic, well-drained soil. Depending on the variety, most potatoes usually mature from 60 to 85 days. Generally, it takes about one-pound of seed potatoes to plant an 8-10 feet row if “hills” are spaced one foot apart. If you buy large seed spuds, cut them in two to three chunks leaving several eyes on each piece. Let the cuts dry for a day before planting.

Small seed potatoes do not need to be cut. Plant about two inches deep in mounds. Early varieties are ready to harvest about eight weeks after planting or just before they blossom. Mid-season types are ready in about 12 weeks. Harvest before the tops start to decline.

Start digging up a few tubers in May to see if they are mature. I dig up a lot because we enjoy eating those small “new” potatoes in the spring and don’t really have a good place to store mature spuds for the long haul. Harvest potatoes when the soil is dry and temperatures are cool (mornings). Store in a dark place at 36-40 degrees with good air circulation.

Onions

Plant onion sets with a small amount of bulb showing at the top. They may rot if planted too deep and we receive too much rain before they sprout. Green plants should be set deeper, but leave about a third of the green top showing. I plant the little onions close together and thin them out through the spring by pulling every other one for fresh salads, stir fry, and favorite Mexican recipes.

We eventually have a good crop of medium size onions to dry and hang in the garage or use in pickle canning recipes. We find that yellow onions are the best keepers, white onions are milder, and red onions are harder to grow. Your soil may bring you a bumper crop of any color.

Building a Healthy Lawn

It’s time to rake (to remove debris and thatch) and mow the lawn before it starts turning green. Set the mower blade at about one and one-half inches. Now is also a good time to correct low spots or holes in the lawn by adding soil.

About March 15, you may want to overseed your lawn with some fresh seed to give it a big boost. A good base for the whole lawn as well as the new seed is the application of about one-half inch of compost to the yard.

Apply the seed at about one and one-half the amount recommended to seed a new lawn and tamp it down to contact the dirt. Keep the seed moist by misting daily. If birds are a problem, cover the lawn with a thin cover of mulch.

If you overseed do not apply broadleaf or herbicides for at least four weeks after seeding. After about six weeks, treat the new growth the same as the rest of the lawn.

We use inexpensive sprigs at our house. As usual the best Bermuda at our house grows in the alley or behind some storage shed. We move sprigs from those places to spots where the lawn looks a little thin. Just dig up the donor grass and layer it in a wheelbarrow or basket between wet newspapers to keep roots cool and moist.

Add compost to area, dig rows about 1-2 inches apart and inset pieces and starts of the roots and plants about 4-6 inches apart. Tamp in the soil and water immediately. Don’t fertilize for six weeks after sprigging.

Note: Most horticulturists warn against excessive fertilizing of the lawn. It stimulates the blades instead of the root and “addicts” the grass to nitrogen so that it requires ever-increasing dosages. Experts recommend a slow release dry fertilizer. It provides nutrition throughout the growing season and won’t burn the grass. Some other organic sources of good nitrogen include cottonseed meal, fishmeal and blood meal.

The best grass food of all is compost, which is free from the Ponca City Street and Park Department.

Dead spots in your lawn? Remove all the old dead grass, add compost, rake area smooth at a level slightly higher than the surrounding lawn, sow the seed and tamp it down. Mulch and keep seeded area moist until the new grass has a good start. Sprigs may be used as suggested above.

SPORTS

Wildcat Soccer Kicks Off
Sports Notes

Wildcat Soccer Kicks Off

By FRED HILTON

News Sports Editor

“We’re young, but exciting,” Ponca City coach Marco Castillo says as the Wildcat soccer team kicks off the season Friday night against Jenks in Sullins stadium.

The girls play at 6 p.m. with the boys taking to the field about 8.

“We beat Jenks 4-3 in overtime last year,” Castillo recalls. “So they’ll be coming up here for revenge.”

Castillo has just six seniors on his roster and will start three of them, goalie Sergio Villirruel and outside midfielders Jeremy Cox and Kyle Morrison.

Despite his team’s youth, Castillo is confident of his team’s talent.

“We’re not waiting for next year,” he said. “We’re going for it now.”

The coach notes that his younger players are pushing even the more experienced ones.

“I have a real battle going on in goal,” Castillo said of the competition for starting positions. “Right now the senior (Villirruel) is ahead, but freshman Jeffrey Enevoldsen is pushing him.”

Junior Nate Johnson is scheduled to start at sweeper for the Cats Friday with freshman Todd Gingerich at stopper.

The marking backs are freshman Justin Bush and sophomore Tim Kana.

However, Castillo said seniors J.B. Bohon and Mark Barnes along with sophomore Austin Drain will see action

The starting center midfielders are juniors Colby Payne and Kyle Cain.

Due to see action at the four midfields spots are freshman T.C. Hankins, junior Dru Hudnall, sophomore Jeremy Beguin and senior Ben Steichen.

The strikers are junior Greg Perez and sophomore Kyle Megenity with freshman Doug Flett at backup.

Sports Notes

Wildcat Baseball

The baseball season opener at Enid is cancelled. The home opener against Choctaw, Friday is still set to be played. Game time is 4:30 p.m.

Super Wildcats

Depending upon the weather, the plan is to begin the clinic Saturday morning at 9 a.m.

The clinic will stop for lunch and the varsity baseball game with the Newkirk Tigers at 1 p.m., then conclude after the game.

Super Wildcats who are pre-registered can pick up their T-shirts at the gate during the Choctaw game on Friday.