LOCAL

Superintendent Out Of ICU After Bypass
Students, Parents Reminded Of State’s School Hotline
Wal Mart Hosts March Blood Drive
Northern Students Should Apply Now for Financial Aid
Golden Dragon Acrobats Thrill Community Concert Audience

Superintendent Out Of ICU After Bypass

OKLAHOMA CITY — Ponca City superintendent Dr. Bill White is listed in stable condition today after undergoing quadruple bypass surgery last Friday.

Mary Ladd, public information officer, said White was moved out of ICU today and into a regular room. Current plans are for him to come home on Wednesday.

The surgery went well and there was no damage to the heart.

He is in room 265 at Mercy Hospital in Oklahoma City.

Students, Parents Reminded Of State’s School Hotline

By SEN. J. BERRY HARRISON

Senate Review

In light of the recent school shootings in California and Pennsylvania this week, I’d like to take this chance to remind everyone of a hotline that’s available to students and parents to deter school violence in Oklahoma.

The Oklahoma toll-free SAFE CALL program is in its third school year of operation and has seen a significant increase of calls taken each year, with more than 500 already received during the 2000-2001 school year. This program was the first of its kind in the nation when it was launched in 1998 and has been the model for other states in establishing similar hotlines.

We had a sobering reminder that even Oklahoma wasn’t immune to school violence when a student in Fort Gibson opened fire on his classmates in 1999. If only one student had called the hotline to report his or her concerns, that attack might have been neutralized before anyone’s life was jeopardized.

Students are encouraged to call 877 SAFE CALL to report weapons, threats, harassment, fights and vandalism in all grade levels. Students can also call to report incidents involving suicide, drugs, tobacco and discrimination. Each call can be made anonymously and the caller will only be asked to provide the name of their school, the town where they live and information about the potential danger they are reporting. Each call is then assessed and a written report is faxed to the local superintendent of the school. In cases deemed to be an emergency, the school is contacted by phone within five minutes.

This communication tool could prove crucial in deterring dangerous situations in our schools. Our students deserve to learn in a safe and secure environment. Even with all the precautions taken, there’s no guarantee we can keep a violent or dangerous situation like that of Littleton, San Diego, Paducah, or even Fort Gibson from happening, but this hotline provides a good start in keeping schools free from weapons, drugs and other violence. I also encourage parents to talk to their children about this hotline and educate them on the importance of reporting anything that could pose a threat.

Violence in schools is an escalating problem that demands our most serious commitment to finding a way to keep our schools and students safe.

Anyone wanting to report a concern or threat in an Oklahoma school can call toll free 1-877-SAFECALL, extension OK1, or 1-877-723-3225, extension 651.

Callers are given a case number, which allows the caller to check back in three school days to learn what action was taken as a result of his or her initial phone call.

Wal Mart Hosts March Blood Drive

In their efforts to contribute to their community, Wal-Mart will host a blood drive at the store on Tuesday. The Oklahoma Blood Institute will have its donor coach parked in front of the store from noon until 6:30 p.m. By hosting six blood drives a year, Wal-Mart contributes greatly to making sure that Ponca City has an adequate blood supply for local patients.

“We are very grateful to Wal-Mart for their outstanding support of our blood donation program,” said Pixie Rowland, manager of the OBI Ponca City Center. “Because of their dedication and commitment to helping other, many lives are saved by the large number of people who donate at the store. We are excited to be able to offer donors their choice of the “Survivor” or the “OSU Memorial” T-shirt. In preparation for a recent blood drive at the University of Oklahoma, students at OU requested that OBI create a special memorial T-shirt in honor of the ten OSU people who lost their lives in the plane crash. OBI also wanted to offer this special shirt to donors in Ponca City.”

Each and every day there is a critical need for blood products across the country. In fact, less than 5 percent of the national population are blood donors and that is not enough to meet the needs of this country.

“We are proud to partner up with the Oklahoma Blood Institute in their efforts to provide a safe and quality blood supply for Ponca City,” said Gary Gregg, Wal-Mart Blood Drive Coordinator. “So many of our employees have become regular blood donors and we admire their willingness to help people by donating blood. This is one more way that Wal-Mart is committed to helping their local community.”

In order to be a blood donor, a person must be at least 17 years old, weigh 105 pounds and be in relatively good health. In addition to helping local patients, all donors will receive a mini physical which includes checks on temperature, pulse, blood pressure, iron and cholesterol levels. OBI also offers prostate-specific antigen blood testing for men at a fee of $15 for a donor and $20 for those unable to donate.

The Oklahoma Blood Institute is an independent, regional, not-for-profit blood collection center and is the exclusive supplier of all blood products for St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, St. Joseph Cancer Center and the Outpatient Surgery Center in Ponca City. Anyone wishing additional information about the blood drive or the blood donation procedure may call the OBI Ponca City Center at 580-762-9488.

Northern Students Should Apply Now for Financial Aid

TONKAWA — Northern Oklahoma College students interested in filing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for 2001-2002 should do so soon, according to Linda Brown, Northern director of financial aid.

FAFSA applications are available in the Office of Student Affairs, Vineyard Library-Administration Building on the Tonkawa campus and in the Financial Aid Office, Gantz Student Center, on the Enid campus.

Filing early allows the Office of Financial Aid to receive and process all documents required for the student's file during the spring and summer months. A student can thus receive an award letter before the fall semester begins and can make better decisions by knowing how much aid is available.

In most cases, students can charge books and room and board when they arrive on campus if their financial aid is already in place.

Also, some federal and state grants are available only for a limited application period. For example, the Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grant Program accepts applications only through June 30 and the priority deadline is April 30. Applications received after April 30 usually cannot be funded.

Pell Grants and Stafford Loans are always available to qualifying students, Brown noted.

Most institutions receive campus-based funds including Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, Federal Work Study and Perkins Loans, which are awarded to the neediest students on a first-come, first-served basis. These funds are also limited and usually are completely awarded by June 30.

As students and parents are completing federal income tax forms, they should remember to file the FAFSA for the 2001-2001 school year, Brown advised. Students who filed last year should have received a renewal application by mail, Brown said. Some students who filed previously have received a PIN which allows them to file through FAFSA on the Internet (www.fafsa.ed.gov) without submitting a student signature.

Offices on both the Tonkawa and Enid campuses are open from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday during the fall and spring semesters. Summer hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. Friday. Financial Aid counselors will be available to answer questions from parents and students either in person or by phone (580-628-6240 on the Tonkawa campus. No appointment is necessary.

Golden Dragon Acrobats Thrill Community Concert Audience

By Kay Anthony

News Guest Reviewer

Ponca Citians who are members of the Community Concert Association were thoroughly entertained on Thursday evening, March 9, when they attended the Chinese Golden Dragon Acrobats Performance. This reviewer heard nothing but appreciative comments from those in attendance.

The concert was different from almost any that has been seen on stage in recent years in Ponca City, and it was a real treat to see many children and families in the large audience. One special group attending was a group of students from Garfield Academy, who got to meet the troupe in person and have their pictures taken with them.

Since I am a music major, and not in any way shape or form a dance critic, I asked the help of Judy Fu in writing this review. A native of Taiwan, she has a masters of Arts degree in dance from the University of North Texas in Denton, and also graduated from the same University in Taipei , as the choreographer of the guest artists. She did not know her personally since she was considerably younger, but felt they had a lot in common attending having the same teachers.

Judy said that the girl dancers in the troupe were probably all between the ages of 15 and 22, and that they were chosen at age four or five to be trained in their country of China as dancers, very similar to the way skaters used to be schooled in Russia to prepare to represent their country.

Although attending the concert would be the only way to fully understand the magnitude of the entertainment presented by the artists, with Judy’s help, I want to give a brief summary of the most enjoyable two hour concert.

In Act I, “Tung Huang” Body Sculpture and Foot Juggling, Judy said that the movements of the dancers were imitating the statues in the famous Tung Huang Caves The waving of long white cloths signified a journey to the heavens. In Act II one of the feats that was most amazing was the balancing of ten water filled shot glasses, placed on a tray in a pyramid by one of the dancers, first on one foot. Next, an added like tray on the other foot, then on each hand, followed by the forehead and one held on a mouthpiece from the lips. The audience gasped in amazement when water was poured out of one of the glasses at the end as the performer bowed and accepted her applause.

One of the numbers featured the use of colorful umbrellas which were twirled around as the dancers juggled them on their feet, and did a variety of routines, which the audience applauded often during the performance. The costumes and umbrellas which were hand painted with traditional hand brushed designs, added to the enjoyment of this section.

Showing that feet can be used as well as hands for juggling, one of the acrobats demonstrated great strength as she juggled a large pot on her feet as well as a big table (nearly card table size) with swift movements that were almost impossible to believe could be achieved by such a petite dancer.

To introduce the second act, the girls came out bearing plates that were balanced on sticks. Each dancer had three or four plates in each hand, which they were adept at keeping in perpetual motion, with unbelievably, none ever being dropped during the entire number. This was included in the section which told the story of Mulan, familiar to all Chinese, but also popular to Americans because of the Disney film about Mulan. Mulan should have been riding a horse, but for practical purposes, bicycles were substituted. Later in the show, the bicycles were used to pick up as many as ten of the dancers, all on one bicycle at a time, again to the complete baffling of the audience.

After the intermission, martial arts were featured in Tai Chi demonstrations where both men and women performed with various weapons. Many breath taking feats were performed, again with colorful costumes representing the many different dynasties in Chinese culture.

This reviewer enjoyed the magician who did the usual tricks producing flowers, vases, dishes of eggs and water, etc., from out of nowhere, but his biggest accomplishment, which amazed the audience, was the ability to have flaming pots of fire appear from behind thin silk scarfs.

Billed on the program as the most amazing stunt of all, the Tower of Chairs was truly just that. A young man with deadpan facial expressions, actually stood only a few feet from the top of the auditorium ceiling, as he built a stack of seven chairs on top of four champagne bottles. This was all atop at least a six to eight foot platform which added to the excitement. Without any nets or safety supports, he patiently put one chair on top the other and did hand stands, foot stands, and other actions which panicked the audience as they held their breath waiting for the fall, which thankfully, never came. At the very top, he still did more daring maneuvers which brought the audience to disbelief. He asked if they wanted even one more chair, but of course, there wasn’t room, so he ended with the seven tower treat as his finale. He then had to come down from his tower, so that was done carefully and deliberately, one chair at a time. He stood in front of the crowd with a pleased grin and received a long and thunderous applause, which was most well deserved. This act alone, made the concert worth attending.

Although this could have been the end, there was still more. Balancing the original form of yo-yos on a string, looked easy at first, but then became very complicated as many of the girls not only exchanged their yo-yos with others but did an assortment of other tricks that really opened the audience eyes and brought many rounds of applause during their performance.

The finale brought many more colorful costumes and flags of every size and color as the acrobats displayed tumbling and jumping over the flags. Most astonishing of all, they actually made a human pyramid of 13 people. Some of the acts were just not describable, unfortunately. You just needed to be at the concert to appreciate the variety and difficulty of the performances. Instead of one standing ovation, the audience brought the curtain call back an amazing four times. Of course, there wasn’t an encore, but you could tell by the smiles on our new friends faces, that they realized they had been thoroughly appreciated by the Ponca City audience.

One more concert, featuring a baritone soloist, Roderick Dixon, on April 27, awaits the Community Concert goers on this years membership. At that time, newly bought memberships for next season will enable the person to attend this concert as a bonus.

DEATHS

John Leon Blenz
Helen G. Richardson
Darrell Bruce Green
Virginia Irona Humphrey
Lonnie Edwin Atnip Jr.

John Leon Blenz

ARKANSAS CITY, Kan. — John Leon Blenz, resident of Arkansas City, died Saturday, March 10, 2001, at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Wichita, Kan. He was 60.

A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, March 15, at the Newkirk City Cemetery in Newkirk under the direction of Rindt-Erdman Funeral Home of Arkansas City.

John Leon Blenz was born Feb. 6, 1941, on a farm east of Newkirk, the son of Dave and Stella Ramsey Johnson. After their deaths, he was adopted by Ralph and Thelma Blenz and was reared and educated in Wyoming. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1958. He served in Vietnam War on the USS Hamner, the USS Epperson and the USS Forrester until 1968, when he was honorably discharged.

He married Nancy Roeseler in 1965 and had three sons. In later years, he married Shirley Lever. He was employed at Boeing and Cessna as a mechanic. At the time of his death, he was employed as a highway escort for oversized loads.

Survivors include two sons, David Blenz and John Blenz, both of Arkansas City; three sisters, Virginia Schoonover of Arkansas City, Emma Jo Jennings of Farmington, Mo., and Marge Hunt of Deluth, Minn.; three grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and the Shriner’s Plane of Mercy through the funeral home, 100 East Kansas Avenue, Arkansas City, Kan. 67005.

Helen G. Richardson

Helen G. Richardson, longtime Ponca City resident, died Saturday, March 10, 2001, in her home. She was 93.

The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 13, at St. Luke’s Church of the Nazarene with the Rev. Terry Barker, pastor, officiating. Burial will follow at Odd Fellows Cemetery under the direction of Trout Funeral Home.

Helen G. Richardson was born on Aug. 25, 1907, in Renville, N.D., the daughter of Marion A. and Estella B. Pixley Barnhart. She moved to Ponca City when she was in junior sigh school and graduated from Ponca City High School in 1926. She then attended Northern Oklahoma College in Tonkawa for a year. She married Theodore “Ted” John Richardson on Feb. 1, 1936 in Ponca City. He preceded her in death on Jan. 30, 1981.

She began working part-time at the Ponca City Library while she was still in high school. After high school and one year of college at Tonkawa, she began employment full time at the library, retiring in 1972 after close to 50 years of service. She was a member of St. Luke’s Church of the Nazarene and enjoyed gardening, knitting, reading, and crocheting.

She is survived by one daughter, Jerry Estelle Altman of Ponca City; one son, Tom Richardson of Ponca City; four grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents and one brother.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Luke’s Church of the Nazarene, 1715 E. Prospect, Ponca City, Okla. 74604.

Obituaries

Darrell Bruce Green

Darrell Bruce Green, resident of Arkansas City, Kan., died Saturday, March 10, 2001, at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Wichita, Kan. He was 52.

The traditional Indian feast will be held at noon followed by the funeral service at 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 14, 2001, at the Ponca Indian Baptist Church with the Rev. Ted Freeman, pastor, officiating. Burial will follow in the Ponca Indian Cemetery. An evening prayer service will be held at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 13. Arrangements are with Trout Funeral Home.

Darrell was born Aug. 17, 1948, in Pawnee, Okla. to Charles and Carmel Agnes (Howe) Green II. As a young boy he was raised in Ponca City and Arkansas City and was very active in church and sports. He received his education in Arkansas City and graduated from Fort Sill Indian School in 1966. After graduation, Darrell joined the marines and served in Vietnam from 1968-70. His specialty was a mortarman. He received special honorable medals while stationed in Guam, the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and a Rifle Sharpshooter Medal. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Lt. Cpl/3rd Marine Division. He worked as a concrete construction contractor for most of his life, and was very skilled at what he did. He enjoyed fishing, mushroom hunting and pecan picking with his family.

Survivors include his wife, Rencie of Arkansas City; six children, Tara Mora, Sabin Green, Ponca Green, Rhea Green, Jacque Green, Amber-Dawn Green, all of Arkansas City; seven grandchildren; five brothers, Marvin Knudsen of Arkansas City, Maurice Howe of Burden, Kan., Smokey Green of South Dakota, Warren Roy, Steve Roy and Gerome Green, all of Ponca City; three sisters, Delrayne Leftwich of Oklahoma City, Judy Green of Perkins, Okla., and Charlene Warrior of Ponca City; numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents and five brothers, Dennis Badoman, Freddie Mallet, Elmer Roy, Robert Roy and John Roy.

Casket bearers will be Warren Roy, Steve Roy, Edward Leftwich, Michael Mora, Sabin Green and Ponca Green. Honorary casket bearers will be Robert Billips, Billy Brumly, Paris Roy, Lee Roy, Blue Roy, Kallian Leftwich, J.D. Howe, Chip Pappan and Casey Green.

paid obituary

Funerals

Tuesday

Virginia Irona Humphrey

Virginia Irona Humphrey — Funeral at 10 a.m. in the chapel of Roberts and Son Funeral Home with burial to follow in the Blackwell Cemetery.

Wednesday

Lonnie Edwin Atnip Jr.

Lonnie Edwin Atnip Jr. — Funeral at 2 p.m. at the First Free Will Baptist church in Blackwell. Burial will follow in the Blackwell Cemetery under the direction of Roberts and Son Funeral Home.

NEWS BRIEFS

Non-Injury Accident — The Communications Center received a call at 10:12 a.m. Saturday that a two-vehicle, non-injury accident had occurred at the intersection of North Seventh Street and East Chestnut Avenue. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Before you sign the dotted line talk with Heartland Hearing Aid and hear the difference. Prices to meet or beat all others and more. 1302 North 7th. 767-1961. adv.

Minor Accident — A woman from the 1100 block of North Pine Street reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 11:15 a.m. Saturday that a minor accident had occurred. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

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.

Gas Drive-Off — A clerk at the Citgo, 400 East South Avenue, reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 12:36 p.m. Saturday that someone had driven off without paying for $21.92 worth of gas. A description of the vehicle was given to the officer who was assigned and a report was taken.

Noni Juice now available at Toni’s Westside Healthmart. adv.

Narcotics Violation — The Ponca City Police Department received a report at 12:56 p.m. Saturday that possible narcotics violations were being made from the 1100 block of East Prospect Avenue. Officers assigned found an identified suspect vehicle in the 2600 block of North Fourteenth Street, where a 34-year-old man was held for drug possession, conspiracy to sell, and driving under suspension. The vehicle was towed from the scene.

Maytag, Scratch/dent Sale. Copeland’s 315 East Grand. adv.

Causing Problems — A woman from the 3500 block of North Union Street reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 1:19 p.m. Saturday that a subject had been there causing problems. An officer was assigned and a report was taken on destruction of private property.

Fire Run — Units from the Ponca City Fire Department responded at 1:20 p.m. Saturday to the 900 block of North First Street to check out a house fire. Five units responded as did the Fire Marshal, who reported that the incident was arson-related. The State Fire Marshal was notified. Police officers assisted with traffic control at the fire area.

Grass Fire — A man from the 7100 block of Souligny Road reported to the Communications Center at 3:25 p.m. Saturday that a grass fire was burning. Ranch Drive Volunteer Fire Department was notified and handled the situation.

Subjects Held — Two officers of the Ponca City Police Department reported from the intersection of East Grand Avenue and Second Street at 4:54 p.m. Saturday that an 18-year-old man was being held for obstructing an officer, and a juvenile male was held for disorderly conduct.

Vandalism — A woman from the 2700 block of East Prospect Avenue reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 3:56 a.m. Sunday that someone had hit her brick mailbox. Two officers were assigned and took into custody, a 22-year-old man for DUI, having no driver’s license, and leaving the scene of a property damage accident. A vehicle was towed from the scene and a report was taken.

Suspicious Activity — Two officers of the Ponca City Police Department reported that upon being assigned to the 300 block of South Oak Street at 4:45 a.m. Sunday that a juvenile girl and an adult male were taken to the Ponca City Police Department for possible unauthorized use of a vehicle. The vehicle was towed from the scene.

Hit and Run Accident — A clerk at Sav-A-Trip, 207 East Highland Avenue reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 9:09 a.m. Sunday that someone had struck the outdoor phone with a vehicle. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Subject Held — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported from the 300 block of West Highland Avenue at 11:11 a.m. Sunday that a 28-year-old man was being held for driving under suspension.

Deer Hit — A motorist contacted the Communications Center at 11:49 a.m. Sunday to report that a vehicle had hit a deer in the 1400 block of East Hartford Avenue. An officer of the Ponca City Police Department was notified and a report was taken that Animal Control took care of the deer.

Accident — An accident at the intersection of South Fourteenth Street and East Edwards Avenue was reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 2:13 p.m. Sunday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Assault — A woman reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 3:10 p.m. Sunday that her 14-year-old son had been assaulted. An officer was assigned and information was logged.

Subject Held — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported from the 700 block of South Fourteenth Street at 3:20 p.m. Sunday that a 41-year-old man was being held for driving under suspension and failure to register a vehicle.

Subject Held — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported from the 2600 block of North Union Street at 4:14 p.m. Sunday that a 22-year-old man was being held for driving under revocation, having no insurance and speeding.

Subject Held — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported from the 200 block of North Oak Street at 4:21 p.m. Sunday that an 18-year-old man was being held for unlawfully carrying a weapon.

Subject Held — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported from the intersection of West Grand Avenue and Oak Street at 6:09 p.m. Sunday that a 36-year-old man was being held for driving under suspension, have a vehicle with defective equipment, and failure to carry insurance.

Pig in the Street — The Communications Center received a call at 6:26 p.m. Sunday that a pig was in the street at the intersection of North Ash Street and West Highland Avenue. Animal Control responded to the scene and removed the animal.

Burglary — A woman from the 2300 block of Chapel Hill reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 7:09 p.m. Sunday that someone had taken her purse and CDs from her vehicle. An officer was assigned and information was logged as to where the crime may have been committed.

Suspicious Activity — A woman from the 1500 block of East Bradley Avenue reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 7:57 p.m. Sunday that she had found a stolen purse at her residence. An officer was assigned and information was logged.

Subject Held — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported from the intersection of East Cleveland Avenue and North Fourth Street at 7:58 p.m. Sunday that a 33-year-old man was being held on a Kay County warrant for failure to appear.

Subject Held — A woman from the 700 block of Marland Drive contacted the Communications Center at 9:24 p.m. Sunday that she was being assaulted. Three officers of the Ponca City Police Department were assigned and a 36-year-old man was held for violation of a protective custody, and domestic assault and battery.

Beer Missing — A clerk at Citgo, 400 East South Avenue reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 10:10 p.m. Sunday that a man had stolen an 18-pack of beer. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Assault — An employee at the emergency room of St. Joseph Regional Medical Center reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 5:46 a.m. Monday that a woman was being treated for injuries received in an assault Thursday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

LIFESTYLES

Newly-Formed Overeaters Group To Meet at SJRMC
Lifestyle Information

Newly-Formed Overeaters Group To Meet at SJRMC

Overeaters Anonymous has been an organized group in Ponca City for 10 years, with a regular Saturday meeting from 10 to 11 a.m. Beginning March 15, there will be a second regular meeting each Thursday from 7 to 8 p.m., in Conference Room D, St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center.

Overeaters Anonymous groups are located around the world, with many different groups with different meeting times in larger cities, making the help available to compulsive overeaters several times a week, if they need it, similar to Alcoholics Anonymous chapters.

The second group in Ponca City will make it available for those whose work schedule, or family obligations, make it impossible to attend the Saturday morning meeting, which is held in the library room at Woodlands Christian Church.

The format of the meetings is the same for each group. Some may need the backing of both meetings each week, or go between the two, depending on current schedules. Meetings are based on the “Twelve-Step” program of help. There is no registration of any kind, no dues or fees, although a donation may be made if desired toward keeping the group stocked with folders describing the program, and what it offers, for new attendees.

Some people have the problem of being compulsive over-eaters. Particularly now, with much fast food available, and schedules overcrowded, many people give little time or thought to their eating, and do not know their overweight is a problem that requires finding out “why they are driven to eat more than they need.” Dieting and/or willpower alone is not the answer when a person is compulsive, said a spokesperson. Reasons for overeating need to be sought and found before the condition can be corrected for the health and happiness of the individual and the family.

It is suggested that anyone with a weight problem, or with the problem of keeping weight off, attend a series of the Overeaters Anonymous meetings and decide if this is the help which is needed. The meetings are open to anyone, and attendance by individuals or even family members are welcome and anonymous. Only first names are used in the meetings.

At Woodlands Church, use the southeast door. The library is just inside to the left. At the hospital, take the elevator down to the ground floor and follow the signs to Conference Room D. For more information, call 762-2161 or 762-8256.

Lifestyle Information

Forms for engagement, anniversary, wedding and Little News (baby) announcements are available at the desk of the Lifestyles Editor at The Ponca City News.

The deadline for stories and pictures for the Sunday edition is 5 p.m. Wednesday, but stories and pictures may be submitted earlier. Stories for the daily edition should be submitted one to two days prior to the date of publication.

In order to keep stories current, The News prefers to have wedding stories submitted within two weeks of the event; however, we will use a photograph and story within three months after the event. If a wedding story is submitted more than one month after the event, the date will not be used and the story may be abbreviated.

We cannot reproduce photographs from a newspaper or magazine. Prints or negatives only, please. Either color or black and white photos are acceptable. Soft focus pictures do not reproduce well in a newspaper. Almost any size photograph is acceptable since they will be computer-enlarged or reduced as needed. Photographs are included with wedding anniversary information beginning at 25 years.

There is no charge for wedding, anniversary or engagement announcements or any news article used in Lifestyles, and pictures are returned free of charge. A return name and address should be printed on the back of the photographs. “Sticky” notes are preferred since ink may show through the picture if the writer presses too hard.

The News cannot be responsible for the spelling of names if the information submitted is handwritten rather than typed.

If the article is intended for the Lifestyle pages please write this on the material you submit by mail. As a service to readers of The News forms may be found via e-mail. Address is http://www.poncacitynews.com/lifeforms

Announcement of a birth requires a signature and telephone number by a parent or grandparent. If the parents of the baby are not married a special form must be signed by the father of the child. These forms are available at the Lifestyles desk. Birth announcements will not be taken by phone.

SPORTS

Cowboys Happy To Be Invited To the Dance
Sooners Wanted No. 3 Seed

Cowboys Happy To Be Invited To the Dance

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Oklahoma State coach Eddie Sutton had no problem being one of the last teams invited to the NCAA tournament. After this year, he was just glad to be asked.

The Cowboys, who had to deal with a January plane crash that killed 10 members of their traveling party, were made the 11th seed Sunday in the East regional. They will play No. 6 seed Southern California (21-9) on Thursday at Uniondale, N.Y.

Oklahoma State (20-9) and Xavier, each seeded No. 11, are the lowest-seeded at-large teams in the tournament, which means they were among the final teams penciled in by the tournament selection committee.

“It doesn’t make any difference as long as we make the big dance,” Sutton said. “I was really thrilled and so happy for our team. It means so much to them after what they’ve been through. I think they’ve been very courageous to get their team to this point.”

On Jan. 27, one of three small planes carrying the team back from a game at Colorado crashed near Denver. Reserve players Dan Lawson and Nate Fleming were killed, along with six others associated with the program and the two pilots.

The Cowboys lost three of five games after the crash, leaving them 15-6. Then they won four in a row to get to 19 victories, and after losing at Oklahoma in the regular-season finale, won their opening game at the Big 12 tournament.

“Most people felt like this would be a rebuilding year, with only three players coming back from that Elite Eight team of a year ago,” Sutton said. “After the accident, a great many people probably felt like we might go into a nosedive, and these guys didn’t do that.

“It’s certainly not one of the best teams we’ve ever taken into the NCAA tournament, but it’s one that I’m quite proud of because of the things that have happened.”

Forward Fredrik Jonzen said he was glad to see the Cowboys get a bid, and wasn’t concerned about the low seeding.

“If you look at some of the other teams that are in there, it’s kind of hard to compare. I don’t know about all the records and everything like that,” he said. “I’m just happy we made it.”

The NCAA berth is the ninth in Sutton’s 11 years at Oklahoma State and the 22nd in his 31 years of Division I coaching.

Sooners Wanted No. 3 Seed

By OWEN CANFIELD

AP Sports Writer

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Oklahoma coach Kelvin Sampson felt his team could have been a No. 3 seed in the NCAA tournament. It turns out the Sooners are No. 4 in the South, and that’s just fine.

“Did we play well enough to deserve a No. 3 seed? Yeah, I think we did,” Sampson said in Kansas City, Mo., after his team won the Big 12 Conference tournament title. “But who do you knock out?

“Do the math. Four times three is 12, so that means to get a three seed, we have to be one of the top 12 teams in the country. We’re close to that.”

The Sooners (26-6) open NCAA tournament play Friday in Memphis, Tenn., against 13th-seeded Indiana State, winner of the Missouri Valley Conference tournament.

Sampson said he was pleased to see his team get sent to a regional that begins Friday instead of Thursday, so the Sooners will have an extra day to rest. They played three tough games to win the Big 12 tournament, beating Missouri, Kansas and finally Texas.

The players groaned when they saw they were a fourth seed, and didn’t show much excitement. Sampson said not to misread that reaction.

“This week took a lot out of our basketball team. This is a very emotional weekend for us,” he said. “There’s been so many different emotions in the last 24 hours. But we’re still excited.”

Oklahoma’s run in Kansas City capped a strong but difficult year. The Sooners began conference play 1-3, then won nine out of 10. But the player who carried them through that stretch, guard J.R. Raymond, was dismissed from the team two weeks ago.

Oklahoma has won five of six games since then, however, with the only loss coming at Maryland. At the conference tournament, they beat Missouri by two points on Friday night, beat Kansas by five on Saturday afternoon, then overcame a 14-point first half to beat Texas 54-45 on Sunday.

“What these kids did this weekend, I hope they get the proper credit for what they’ve accomplished,” Sampson said. “It’s an unbelievable accomplishment.”

Indiana State (21-11) likely would not have gotten the NCAA bid if it had not won its league tournament. Sampson saw the Sycamores play last year at a tournament in Alaska and said he was impressed. Their victory over Creighton in the semifinals of the Missouri Valley tournament also impressed him.

“If you beat Creighton on a neutral court, you’re good,” he said.

Oklahoma is making its seventh straight NCAA appearance under Sampson. The Sooners reached the regional semifinals two years ago and lost in the second round last year.

“We’ve got a championship under our belt, we’ve won 26 games and we have a lot of confidence going into the tournament,” he said. “But everybody starts over now.”