From The Pages Of The Ponca City News, Wednesday,
March 12, 1997
LOCAL
Oklahoma Sports Museum at Guthrie Unique
Architect Ties 'Pioneer Woman' of Any Age Directly To Pioneer Woman Statue
Post Office Mural Artist Tells of History Behind 'Traditional Clans of the
Ponca'
Area Calendar
Nearly News
Adult Clay Classes Begin At Art Center This Sunday
Emergency Sirens To Sound Thursday
'Freedom From Smoking' Program Begins April 7
Sorghum Producers Set Tuesday Meeting
OFB Returns to Poncan Theatre
Clarification
Five Osage County Horses Relocated To 'Safe Place'
Peachtree Landing Board Makes 1997 Preparations
Several Air Opinions During Tuesday's OASIS Session
Curb, Gutter, Sidewalk Repair Set
CPR Signup Deadline March 28
John Jeter To Lead OKC Philharmonic Performance Here
Pioneer Tech Board Looks At New Insurance Carrier
DEATHS
Elizabeth Lynnette Parent
Dewey Dean Brown
Obituaries
Dorotha A. Wells
NEWS BRIEFS
LIFESTYLES
Christian Center Ceremony Unites Couple In Marriage
Club Welcomes City Newcomers
Elder Care Topic For Club Lesson
Theta Alumnae Set Agenda For New Year
State Quilter's Group Officer Gives Program
SPORTS
PC Tennis Teams Do Well Here
Top of Order Carries Wildcats
Po-Hi Soccer Clubs Both Shut Down
Ponca City Swimming Peterson Edging Toward National Times
Po-Hi Girls Third-Team All-Frontier
National Dog of Year Competition QU Field Trial Due Here
NCMBA Tourney
By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE
News Staff Writer
GUTHRIE - From tip-off, to kick-off, to tee-off, bucked-off and leading-off, the new Oklahoma Sports Museum at Guthrie covers the state's five major sports. The museum honors those professional sportsmen and women with Oklahoma connections. This memorabilia arena promotes the athletic heritage of Oklahoma.
The museum is not a stagnant dusty building dedicated to the past - but rather an inspiration to youth who will be the stars of tomorrow. One can almost hear the umpire's "play ball" command, the cheering football fans, and the basketball referees whistle as one strolls about the facility dedicated to the sports greats of the Sooner state.
The idea for the unique museum germinated from a discussion between Richard Hendricks, retired educator, coach and administrator; Ferguson Jenkins, a Hall of Fame major league pitcher, of Guthrie, and "Geese" Ausbie, former Harlem Globetrotter from Crescent. This bull session came after Geese and Jenkins had spoken to hundreds of youth about staying in school and being drug free.
The like-minded athletes were talking about how to use sports and the athletes who played the games professionally as a positive influence on youth, when the museum idea jelled.
They talked it around Guthrie and put a notice in the paper and had a meeting. The result was the group decided to incorporate under the auspices of the Oklahoma Sports Museum Association (OSMA) and purchase some buildings.
About 25 interested folks got together and guaranteed enough funds to rescue three adjacent historic buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places in the downtown historical district of Guthrie on West Oklahoma Avenue. The buildings were owned by the Guthrie Arts and Humanities group.
Legislative Blessing
On April 30, 1996, by a joint resolution of the 48th Oklahoma Legislature, the museum was named Oklahoma's official sports museum. The sports museum is a facility to house, preserve and promote the rich athletic heritage of Oklahoma, according to the resolution. Once the buildings were purchased and the OSMA formed, restoration of the West Gallery began.
In addition to displaying memorabilia, ranging from bats, to basketball shoes, jerseys and photographs honoring Oklahoma related athletes, the museum also provides educational and motivational programs. These programs are encouraging young people to stay away from drugs, alcohol and any substance or activities that might limit their minds and abilities.
By the fall of 1996, the west gallery was opened. To raise funds, Guthrie artist Bill Walton made an artist rendering of "Oklahoma's 5 Greatest Baseball Players." These Baseball Hall of Famers are Mickey Mantle, Paul Waner, Johnny Bench, Warren Spahn and Carl Hubbell. Oklahoma boasts eight Baseball Hall of Famers. For a $150 donation patrons received a 25 by 17 inch Limited Edition. The framed prints were worth a $250 donation.
Another money raiser was a framed, print autographed by Johnny Bench with a price tag of $500. The association has 501 3-C status and contributions are deductible. Memberships aren't sold but there are annual donors of $25, $100 and $500.
A golf tournament that was started last year to benefit several youth programs was held at Karsted Creek in Stillwater. Hosts were basketball coaches Eddie Sutton, OSU, Kelvin Sampson, OU, and Bill Self, Oral Roberts University.
In addition to the OSMA, the Oklahoma Drug Free Golf Classic proceeds were shared with Federation of Parents for Drug Free Youth, Oklahoma Kids and the Professional GA Youth. This year's event is slated for the Oklahoma University Golf Course and the next year will be in Tulsa and then return to Stillwater in 1999.
Famer Bats
One of the featured displays shows the signature bats from eight Baseball Hall of Famers. The bats came from the Louisville Slugger Company and are encased in glass with copies of the hall of fame plaques provided by the Cooperstown Hall of Fame.
Those Oklahoma baseball greats inducted into the exclusive Baseball Hall of Fame are: Mickey Mantle, Commerce; Ferguson Jenkins, Guthrie; Johnny Bench, Binger; Warren Spahn, Hartshorne and Broken Arrow; Paul and Lloyd Waner, only two brothers to be inducted, of Harrah; Carl Hubbell, Meeker, and Willie Stargell born in Earlsboro.
Although Hendricks has not been able to nail down the information yet, he has reason to believe that Dizzy Dean spent some time living in southeast Oklahoma.
Oklahoma has three football Hall of Fame personalities, Jim Thorpe, Steve Largent and Leroy Selmon.
Hendrick's athletic background stems from playing college baseball and basketball at Oklahoma Baptist University. In 1963 he started coaching baseball, basketball and was associated with football. He came to Guthrie in 1978. He had been involved on and off in sports for 17 years. the last eight years Hendricks has been in school administration. He retired last year to become director of the OSMA part time. He also sells real estate on the side.
Another outstanding exhibition is a Golden Glove trophy donated by the Rawlings Company in memory of the five Oklahomans who were honored with the award. Also the Rawlings Company donated an education display showing how gloves and bats are made.
Other Sports Figures Included
The striking logo features an outline of Oklahoma with symbols from the major sports, a golf ball, a basketball, football, baseball and a cowboy hat for rodeo. Although the main thrust is dedicated to the five major sports, there are some other areas of interest such as wrestling, bowling, gymnastics and others.
In addition to the OSMA Board, the advisory board has some impressive members including Alvan Adams, NBA Phoenix Suns; Hubert "Geese" Ausbie, Harlem Globetrotters; Roy Cooper, Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame; Andrew Lester, resident artist and sculptor; Clem McSpadden, Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame; Dennis Price, Phillips University Coach; Warren Spahn, Baseball Hall of Fame, and David Hardin, Cambridge Sports Int.
There are several Ponca City linkages in the museum already and Hendricks is looking for more. Bill Pickett is featured as the inventor of the sport of bulldogging, which originated on the 101 Ranch. He was inducted in the National Cowboy Hall of Fame in 1971
Another western show performer, Lucille Mulhall, a performer with the 101 Ranch Wild West Show, is featured in a mural on the west wall of the museum. Ms. Mulhall was posthumously inducted into Rodeo Hall of Fame in 1975.
A grant to the OSMA by the Logan County Coalition for a demonstration art project is being used to create the murals depicting Oklahoma athletes.
Other arty displays include the busts of Bill Pickett, Ferguson Jenkins, Mickey Mantle and Jim Thorpe. These busts are tera cotta, with a bronze finish. The busts are by Andrew Lester, who has busts of Daniel Boone at the Alamo, Henry Iba, OSU basketball coach, Jim Thorpe at Yale, Okla., and others.
Criteria at the present for memorabilia admission for the museum includes those who have been contestants or coached in professional sports, who have been born in Oklahoma, live in Oklahoma or spent 15 years in Oklahoma or played for one of the universities.
Other Ponca Citian Candidates.
The News contacted former Ponca City High School baseball and football coach Earl Sullins, for which Sullins Stadium is named, and asked him for a list of players that went on to the major leagues.
This list included "Waddy" Young, Oklahoma University All America, and pro football player and National Collegiate Hall of Fame. Also Tom Catlin, All American, pro football with the Cleveland Browns pro-champs and career pro-football coach.
Then, of course, Lew Wentz, Ponca City oilman, who had ambitions of being a major league player. Wentz at one time almost bought the St. Louis Cardinals, whose then manager was Branch Rickey.
Baseball players who played in the majors included Eddie Carnett; Herschel Martin, New York Yankees, manager of Albuquerque Dukes; Lou Clinton, played for the Kansas City Athletics, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Angels and Cleveland Indians; Mike Thompson, Clint Sodowsky. Carnett and Martin also played for minor leagues.
Olympians to be Accepted
Also to be included in the sports museum are memorabilia on Olympic medal winners. Ponca City boasts two Olympic Gold Medal Winners, Shelby Wilson and Doug Blubaugh. Both wrestled in the Wildcat program of Grady Peninger.
Besides winning gold medals Wilson and Blubaugh were inducted into the Helms Foundation Hall of Fame in Los Angeles in 1961, after winning gold medals at the Olympics in Rome the previous summer. Wilson won the lightweight title at Rome after being runner-up for an NCAA title two years in a row at Oklahoma State.
Blubaugh, also an Oklahoma State wrestler, was NCAA champion in 1957 and NAAU champion in 1957 and 1960. He won the welterweight title at Rome.
All Americans and Christian Athletes
All Americans and Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) are to be recognized also. This means Chuck Bowman of Ponca City, who went on to become the state director for the FCA, is eligible. Bowman was an all state tackle for Ponca City Wildcats under Coach Earl Sullins and later played four years at OU. He was also a standout wrestler for Coach Grady Peninger here.
Bowman was honored by the National Junior College Athletic Association All-American 1967 and 1969, when he coached Northeastern A&M to national championships and was named Coach of the Year.
Another prospect from Ponca City and Newkirk is Jim Crossland, who held a number of football coaching positions including being defensive coordinator in the pro World Football League for the Chicago Fire. Crossland had been part of the coaching staff of Bum Phillips, when Phillips was head coach of the Texas Western University College, now University of Texas at El Paso. Phillips would go on to coach the Houston Oilers.
Hendricks is also looking for material on the Ponca City Dodgers and Ponca City Angels early day baseball teams.
Future plans for the museum are to open up the two other buildings as galleries. The area behind the West Gallery has an old swimming pool that will more than likely be filled in and the space used in another manner. Part of the plans call for a sports theater for video and other film. Also a computer center is planned for calling up sports data for research purposes
The Texas Rangers, when they built their new stadium gave the museum 50 seats. Some of these stadium seats are already in use and others will be used for the theater area. One of the turnstiles for the old museum is now used at the front of the museum.
Other plans call for one of the galleries to have a batting cage for hands-on experience. Also part of the plans are for one of the galleries to look like a football field and another section will simulate a baseball diamond.
Those wishing to make a contribution or needing more information may contact Hendricks at (405) 260-1342 or write to P.O. Box 1324, Guthrie, Okla. 73044.
Editors Note: The following story about the Pioneer Woman Museum, written by Max J. Nichols, Oklahoma Historical Society writer, was released for publication in Oklahoma newspapers and entitled "One for the Book."
The project was to design an expansion of the Pioneer Woman Museum in Ponca City - more than doubling the size to somewhere between 7,000 and 8,500 square feet. The available money ranged from $850,000 to $1.2 million.
That seems like a straight-forward deal. Add two or three rooms and try to match the material, right? What else can you do with that kind of space for that little money?
Architect Rand Elliott of Oklahoma City has shown us what can be done. He has taken the basic concept of what it means to be a "pioneer woman" in any age and expressed it with symbols that are tied directly to the famous Pioneer Woman Statue in Ponca City.
Beyond that, Elliott's concepts fit the function of the building rather than being added as some sort of decoration. As a result, the expanded museum itself will express the meaning of the "pioneer woman" when it is completed this year. Oklahoma Historical Society Museums Director Kathy Dickson will lead production of exhibits to carry that meaning.
This is not new for Elliott. He has built a 21-year career of turning small projects into special meaningful designs. Along the way he has become more and more committed to his native Oklahoma.
"I thought of my grandmother when I started thinking about this building," said Elliott. "She lived on a farm near Clinton, and she always wore a bonnet tied around her neck." She stood up to the prairie dust, drought, and wind. The bonnet and the pride to stand tall, with chin up, amid hardships are clear symbols of the statue commissioned by E. W. Marland in 1930.
"The whole idea of the Pioneer Woman Statue was way ahead of its time," Elliott mused. "Women were mostly in the background, holding families together at the time. Now they are pioneering in all directions, but they still hold families together."
Elliott ties the statue and the museum together with a simple but imposing device - an entrance shaped much like a bonnet. It's about 40 feet wide at the front and narrows like a funnel to a four-foot wide door covered by a mirror.
"As you walk toward the door, you see the reflection of the statue," Elliott said, "so the two are directly linked in your mind as you enter the museum, and that's what the museum is about."
The museum actually is (will be) built on an axis - a straight line that leads straight through the museum to an eternal clock in a tree-lined park behind the museum. The clock symbolizes the "eternal" life passages of women.
The walk to the clock passes between two concrete elements with the word "BEGIN" embedded in the ground between them. That, he said, symbolizes the beginning of the "eternal" journey.
Timberlake and Kanady designed the original 3,000-square foot museum, which was opened in 1958. The Ponca City community took on a major share of financing the expansion, raising $465,000. Other contributions and $220,000 in state bonds brought the total to $850,000, but $1.2 million remained the goal.
"We didn't want to expand to the rear," said Elliott, "because there were about 35 to 40 trees in that area, and some would have been removed. Instead, we decided to expand from the front toward the statue and to design the park for potential use."
The permanent gallery will remain in the same space, but the project will include more office space, a work room and a community room that can be used for temporary exhibits. If the financial goal is reached, another temporary exhibit room will be added.
"As a result" said Elliott, "a visitor can walk through the "bonnet" entrance into a lobby area and will be able to see through a glass rear wall all the way to the eternal clock in the park. From the lobby, a visitor will be able to reach each exhibit area directly. We also will have a small kitchen next to the community room for serving at events or meetings.
At night, lighting will provide a "glow" from inside the bonnet and will highlight trees in the park - providing a visible attraction for Ponca City as well as security.
Meanwhile, Dickson is planning three primary exhibit themes. The lobby will feature a history of the Pioneer Woman Statue and interpretation of the lives of Mary Virginia and Lydie, wives of E.W. Marland. The main exhibition area will utilize a quilt as a unifying symbol of a woman's life with the "Road to Oklahoma" pattern, which was developed in 1889.
The "temporary" gallery will open with an exhibition of quilts, but other topics will be explored. Women of the West, women photographers, marriage in a pioneer society, "suffering for suffrage" and numerous achievements by women will be considered.
All this will amount to the presentation of women throughout the history of Oklahoma in a museum designed by Rand Elliott expressly for that mission.
Its a major step forward in the development of museums by the Oklahoma Historical Society.
Editor's Note: The following is a story by one of the artists that is painting one of the panels for the Ponca City post office mural. The panels are set to be dedicated during the Iris Festival. This is artist Donna Flood's description for her panel.
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The traditions the Poncas held helped them adhere to a conservative nature. The artist's job to record for history is this mural called "Traditional Clans of the Ponca."
The teepees setting on the plains are the number of 12 symbolizing the family unit which the clan upheld. These families within their clan at one time identified themselves with the symbol of their clan much like we use logos today to identify businesses and such.
Anyone could recognize the clan at a gathering. Each clan had its own laws and duties. The Buffalo clan on the far away hills at the top of the mural stands for the policemen of the tribe. The large eagle represents the chief's clan with a large place given to his authority. There is a small quiet voice that reminds us, "there was not an elected chief, but rather, a head of the clan by one of the grandfathers or elder men." Dedication, love, protection, concern, acquaintance with each of the clan or family was this elder's success in governing his clan or family.
Each Ponca member understood that there was a cultivation of peaceful condition with them and about them. It was something they worked at. They did not go out for warfare but had their warriors ready if someone came in upon them. This is shown by the child dressed in his war dance costume. A child is used because my mother, asked that a special place be given to the children in the painting.
A rainbird by the signature represents the rain clan. The Osage clan, by the spider web, which is their belief that a spider goes out first to lead. There is the medicine clan, the elk, deer and bear. The half-breed clan is recognized too by the red bird, who is a symbol of the Scottish people who readily married into the Native Americans. The ice clan is shown at the top of the picture for those who were of the north, or the Black Hills, where the Ponca originally lived.
Many of the traditions are but a happy memory of an orderly way of life in the minds of the elders now living. As the people of this society blend and work their way into the mainstream one is reminded of the Young prince in "The King and I," who is taking his dying father's place stating what freedom he will give his people while the elder statesman and the school teacher still kneel at the foot of the king.
Like all of us family responsibility presses in upon my time for art work. However, over the years many kindnesses have been shown to me by citizens of Ponca City, some of whom I hardly know.
There is the doctor who stood at my father's bed, the nurse who was there before and after his death, there is the young man who pulled up his truck to a hard stop to change a tire for me at night, there was a bus driver who found and returned my wallet intact, the many people who helped with my handicap daughter's education and therapy, still those above who helped in quiet ways of which I will probably never know. For all these I make a small contribution of my work that it may remain and encourage maybe one of their descendants to aspire to use their God given talents in a way to fight for a better world.
P.S. Donna Flood's works have been exhibited at Texas Instruments, Dallas Power and Light Building, Northpark Mall, Golden Acres, Town East Mall, Ponca City, Oklahoma Art Association, Pawhuska, Arkansas City and the Kennedy Performing Arts Center, Washington, D.C. She resides on Quail Ridge Road in Ponca City.
March 13
Kaw Lake Association Board of Directors, 11:30 a.m. Dutch treat lunch, noon, business meeting, Golden Corral, Ponca City, all interested persons welcome.
Kay County Democrats precinct organizational meetings, 7 p.m., Ponca City precincts plus 414, 415, 419, 420 and 421, OCAW Hall, 1202 West Ponca Avenue; Newkirk and rural precincts, 400, 401, 402, 403, 404 and 411, Community Room, Courthouse in Newkirk; Tonkawa and 417, First National Bank annex, Grand and Main, Tonkawa; Blackwell precincts and 406, 409 and 410 at Chamber of Commerce Red Carpet Room, 120 S. Main, Blackwell; and Rural 412, Buffy's Indian Plaza Restaurant, Kaw City.
"An Evening of Elegance," baroque duet recital, by Northern Oklahoma College music faculty Jennie Olson, soprano and Mike Moore, trumpet, with string orchestra, 8 p.m., Northern Performing Arts Center, free.
March 15
Sportscard Show, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Marland Mansion Chapel, Ponca City, free admission, call 765-5333 for more information.
Nardin United Methodist Church consignment auction, 10 a.m., on the church grounds, 9 miles west of Blackwell on Oklahoma 11.
Wes Rice autographing his books "When A Man's Fancy Turns to Cooking" and "The Pecan Growers Perspective," 1-3 p.m., Brace Books and More, North Fourteenth Street, Ponca City.
"The Oklahoma City Philharmonic," Poncan Theatre, time to be announced, tickets required.
March 16
FreeWheel '97 Training Rides, 2 p.m., Pioneer Woman Statue, Ponca City, 10 miles, leader Randy Coffin.
March 17
United Ostomy Association, Ponca City-Stillwater Chapter, 7:30 p.m., speaker Ruby Lingelbach, "Things I Have Learned From My Ileostomy," Ponca City St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Conference Room B.
March 19
Saint Francis Guild, Saint Patrick's Day Luncheon and Card Party, noon to 3:30 p.m., St. Mary's Church Parish Hall, Ponca City, tickets $5, for reservations 762-5496 or 762-2695, lunch only or take out available.
March 20
Kay County Conservation District sponsoring Conservation Farming Today, field day and tour, 9 a.m., Kay County Youth Barn, Newkirk.
March 22
Heartland Share Food Program, 9:30-10:30 a.m., Dale Township Volunteer Fire Department, signup and delivery day.
United Ostomy Association Ponca City-Stillwater Chapter, Stillwater Health Fair, 7 a.m.-1 p.m., Armory, Ninth Street, four blocks east of Main, Stillwater.
Dale Township Volunteer Fire Department annual meeting, 5:30-6 p.m., smoked pork dinner, 6-7:30 p.m., bingo, 7:30 p.m., until prizes all gone, dinner, $4.50 adults, $3 for 6-10, 5-and-under free, Catholic Church Gym, Newkirk.
March 23
FreeWheel '97 Training Rides, 2 p.m., Pioneer Woman Statue, Ponca City, 15 miles, leader Art Jones.
March 26
Ponca City Humane Society Annual Meeting, 7 p.m., 900 West Prospect.
March 27
Environmental Trust Authority of Northern Oklahoma, 11:30 a.m., City Manager's Office, 221 West Blackwell, Blackwell.
March 27, 28, 29, 30
Annual Easter Pageant, "He's Alive," 7 p.m., presented by First Baptist Church, Hutchins Memorial Auditorium, tickets free but necessary, available at First Baptist Church office, Master's Touch, KLVV, Guy Lyall Insurance in Tonkawa or Eastman National Bank in Newkirk.
March 29
Easter Egg Hunt, 1 p.m., Football Field, Shidler School, sponsored by the Shidler Area Chamber of Commerce.
Northern Oklahoma College Roustabouts Benefit Show, 8 p.m., Northern Performing Arts Center, $3 donation at the door.
March 30
FreeWheel '97 Training Rides, 2 p.m., Pioneer Woman Statue, Ponca City, 20 miles, leader Jerry Neville.
April 5
American Legion Pancake and Sausage Feed (all the pancakes you can eat), 6:30-10 a.m., 407 West South Avenue, Ponca City, adults $3, children under 12 $1.50, children under 6 free, proceeds go to the Rehab Fund.
Laurette Willis "The Nutty 40s Radio Show," Poncan Theatre, free.
April 6
FreeWheel '97 Training Rides, 2 p.m., Pioneer Woman Statue, Ponca City, 25 miles, leader Katie Flegler.
Arkansas City Music and Dramatic Club annual scholarship concert, featuring "Sisters of Habit," costumed nuns in musical performance, directed by Donna Tucker, 3 p.m., Robert Brown Theater, Cowley County Community College, Arkansas City, $5 adults, $3 children under 12.
April 12
Second Annual Trail of Tails benefiting Ponca City Humane Society.
"Trash Off Day, Clean Highway 11, sponsored by Shidler Area Chamber of Commerce.
Sportscard Show and Memorabilia Auction, show 9 a.m.-5 p.m., auction, 6-8 p.m., Northern Oklahoma College, Foster-Piper Fieldhouse, Tonkawa, admission $1, proceeds to Maverick Athletic Booster Club, call 1-405-628-6733 for more information.
Doris Cross, Stillwater, autographing her newest book "Fat Free Home Style Cooking," and other books "Fat Free and Ultra Low Fat Recipes" and "More Fat Free and Ultra Low Fat," 1-3 p.m., Brace Books and More, North Fourteenth Street, Ponca City.
88.7 FM presents Contemporary Christian group NewSong, guest Erin O'Donnell, concert, 7 p.m., Hutchin's Memorial, tickets available March 24 at Master's Touch, call 767-1400 for more information.
April 13
FreeWheel '97 Training Rides, 2 p.m., Pioneer Woman Statue, Ponca City, 30 miles, leader Royce King.
April 14
Kay County Retired Educators Association, 11:30 a.m., Program, Blackwell Police Department "Scams," First United Methodist Church, Sixth and Coolidge, Blackwell.
April 19
Mystery author Robert Greer, Denver, Colo., autographing "The Devil's Hatband" and "The Devil's Red Nickle," 1-3 p.m., Brace Books and More, North Fourteenth Street, Ponca City.
April 20
FreeWheel '97 Training Rides, 2 p.m., Pioneer Woman Statue, Ponca City, 35 miles, leader Jason Allen.
April 21
United Ostomy Association Ponca City-Stillwater Chapter, Round Table Discussion, 7:30 p.m., Stillwater Medical Center Board Room.
April 26
Heartland Share Food Program, 9:30-10:30 a.m., Dale Township Volunteer Fire Department, signup and delivery day.
Lile Cockerille Livingston, Tulsa author, autographing her new book, "The American Indian Ballerinas," 1-3 p.m., Brace Books and More, North Fourteenth Street, Ponca City.
Presenting the slide program for the Singles Network March 13 will be Gerald Winn from the Chaplin Nature Center. His program begins at 6:45 p.m. but contrary to a story in Sunday's paper, he is from the center and not chaplain of the center. The meeting will be at the First United Methodist Church and perhaps the word association was a little too much. Our apologies.
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Before going into cardiac arrest and needing CPR, don't let the headline on Page 4B fool you into signing up for a CPR class. That computer must have put the initials in alphabetical order, and it should have been CRP, or Crop Reserve Program, which many area producers are very familiar. Sorry for the inconvenience.
Clay classes for adults will be held at the Ponca City Art Center on Sunday afternoons, March 16 and 23. Cost will be $20, plus a $5 material fee. Adult clay classes will also be held on April 6, 13, 20, and 27. Cost will be $40 with a $10 material fee. Students will work with stoneware clay and use lead free glazes.
"Students may learn the techniques of handbuilding or how to use the potter's wheel and are welcome to try their hand at both," say instructors Anna Adams and Cindy Rasche.
"Anyone who has ever wanted to work with clay is welcome, and we will offer a new project each week," says Adams. "Students are encouraged to develop their own ideas, she said.
"Students will progress at their own pace and there will be plenty of personal attention," said Rasche.
Adams will instruct in the use of the potter's wheel. Students will watch demonstrations and then begin to put their knowledge to work immediately.
Adams says, "skill on the wheel comes through practice. It is challenging and rewarding." She is experienced in pottery, Native American beadwork and printmaking and received her BFA from The Institute of American Indian Arts in Sante Fe, N.M. She also assists with the art program at Roosevelt School, and has previously taught pottery at the Art Center.
Cindy Rasche will instruct in the techniques of handbuilding. "These methods can be used to create useful sorts of pottery or sculptural artworks," said Rasche. Students will be able to make pieces with the pinch method, coil pots, slab construction and modeling.
Rasche is a sculptor and has experience in painting, drawing and glass. She received her BFA from the Columbus College of Art and Design and her MFA from Tulane University. She has previously taught at the Art Center, Northern Oklahoma College and Multigraphis Art Center in Stillwater.
Clay tool sets and additional clay is available from the instructors. Registration is at the Art Center, 914 East Central. Call 765-9746 or stop by Wednesday-Sunday from 1-5 p.m. For more information call Anna Adams at 765-5086 or Cindy Rasche at 765-5332.
The testing of the Ponca City emergency siren warning system will be held at noon, every Thursday, according to Tom Montgomery, emergency management operations officer.
The test is scheduled throughout the year.
Montgomery said that in case of inclement weather, the test will be postponed, and in this case or if additional tests are planned, the public will be notified by the Ponca City News and the radio stations.
The renewal of springtime and joy of Easter remind us of our abilities to change, to improve, to achieve our goals.
For many smokers, the most desired change of all is to quit smoking, to begin recovering from the adverse effects of smoking, and to achieve a healthier lifestyle.
To help smokers succeed in their resolve to quit, St. Joseph Regional Medical Center is sponsoring the spring-session of the successful "Freedom from Smoking" program. This seven-part smoking cessation series is scheduled to begin April 7. If you enroll, circle the date May 19 on your calendar. That's the date of the final "Freedom from Smoking" class, when you will likely be smoke-free!
"Freedom from Smoking" is a clinical program conducted by an expert who understands the motivations and rationalizations that cause people to continue smoking. The program uses a positive, behavioral change method that teaches each smoker how to become a non-smoker. The curriculum includes suggestions for building a healthier lifestyle, relaxation techniques, and encouragement to exercise. Central to the program is "maintenance," staying away from cigarettes once a smoker has quit.
Martha Denney, RN, Coordinator of Nursing Education, is a certified "Freedom from Smoking" instructor and program coordinator. Throughout her years of experience, Denney has found no two smokers are alike. "The program helps each participant determine why he or she smokes - what people, places and things trigger the urge to light up," said Denney. "Once those individual triggers are identified, the participant receives help developing a personalized system to quit smoking."
Utilizing other means of smoking cessation can work in conjunction with the "Freedom from Smoking" program, according to Denney. "Products such as nicotine patches work well with the program, helping the participant to keep kicking the habit," she added.
Sessions also provide information about stress management, weight control, exercise and assertive communication. The spring session will end on May 19 with a special program about preventing relapse and a graduation celebration.
All "Freedom from Smoking" classes will meet from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in Conference Room "B", located on the ground floor of SJRMC. For maximum personal attention, classes are limited to 15 participants, with a minimum number of five. The fee for the series is $50.
Pre-registration is not required; those who wish to achieve "Freedom from Smoking" may simply enroll at the first class. If you need additional information about the program, please call Denney at (405) 765-0201.
TONKAWA - A grain sorghum production meeting has been scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday at the First National Bank of Oklahoma Annex in Tonkawa. The annex is located on the south side of the bank at the Grand and Main intersection.
Roger Gribble, OSU area agronomist of Enid, and Gary Strickland, OSU research and agronomy specialist of Guymon, will be the guest speakers, discussing grain sorghum production practices, variety selection, controlling weeds and insect pests, and soils and fertility considerations.
Chairmen are Kent McAninch and Larry Fleck of the Newkirk extension office.
NORMAN - Oklahoma Festival Ballet (OFB), the resident ballet company of the University of Oklahoma, will return for it's third engagement in Ponca City at the Poncan Theatre on March 21, at 8 p.m.
Leading the program will be the recently successful staging of "Swan Lake, Act II" by OFB's artistic director Mary Margaret Holt. The challenge says Holt in producing one of ballet's most famous classics, is "breathing new life into the dancing, while remaining true to the original choreography and intent."
This production which debuted at OU in December received the best reviews. Dr. Camille Hardy, senior editor for the nation's premiere dance publication Dance Magazine, said that "OU has the highest level of training outside of New York, and is one of the only schools whose company could perform 'Swan Lake.'"
Other selections on the Ponca City program will include the exciting Grand Pas de Deux from "Le Corsaire," the beautifully languid "Monotones," choreographed by Mary Margaret Holt, as well as Holt's "Tender Land," set to the rousing and inspiring music of Aaron Copland.
In addition to campus and statewide performances, Oklahoma Festival Ballet has performed in Ecuador, Taiwan, Japan, Mexico and twice in France. In fact, the company has just returned to Norman from Bordeaux, France, in time to rehearse the new Ponca City program. The glowing French reviews and public acceptance of the young dancers in their 1995 European debut fueled the speedy delivery of this second invitation.
Ticket information for the March 21 Poncan performance can be obtained by calling the Poncan Theatre (405) 765-0943. Tickets are available at local banks.
The headline with Tuesday's school board story on page 7 of The News was misleading. The headline referred to the board of education's decision to vote on all components of School-to-Work before they are implemented in the district. The board did not vote unanimously to approve School-to-Work.
The News regrets any confusion or misunderstanding that may have been caused.
By LAURA TREADWAY
News Staff Writer
PAWHUSKA - Five quarter horses from Osage County were relocated to a "safe place" after Osage County deputies confirmed the horses had been abused.
According to Osage County Sheriff Russell Cottle, the department received a complaint of neglect east and south of Ponca City last week. Deputies responded and took pictures of the undernourished horses.
The Sheriff's Office was able to obtain a court order Friday evening, after a judge viewed photos of the horses, Cottle said. Members of the Second Chance Equine Rescue Foundation loaded the horses and took them to the Sand Springs area.
Second Chance states that an abused horse is one that has been denied shelter, food, water and medical attention or is being overworked, tortured or beaten.
Cottle said in these cases a veterinarian will work out a special diet for the horses. Baring any unforeseen complications, the Sheriff was told the horses are expected to recover.
"People do not realize the expense in taking care of horses or how to take care of the horses. This is a big problem in Osage County," he confirmed.
The first complaint was lodged against the owner last summer. However, according to Cottle, the horses were not in such bad shape. The owner received a warning at that time.
Currently, deputies are completing reports, which will be submitted to the district attorney's office. The Sheriff's Office is asking the DA to file charges of five counts of animal cruelty.
If convicted, the owner could serve up to five years for each count. However, if the charges are filed together, the owner could receive a maximum of five years in prison.
Furthermore, Cottle said that if the horses recover, they will be sold to cover costs associated with their care. The sheriff said it is hard to find someone to take horses, especially without funds to cover the costs.
The non-profit organization, Second Chance Equine Rescue Foundation of Broken Arrow, provides education and assistance to horse owners as well as furnishes nutritional, medical needs and loving care for sick, starving or abused horses.
In clear cut cases of neglect and/or abuse, Second Chance will remove the animals. However, if the owner can be educated on the nutritional and health care needs, the animal may remain. These situations are monitored in a non-aggressive manner.
Donations of money, time, services, land, equipment, facilities or feed are welcome. For more information, contact (918) 357-2578.
The Peachtree Landing newly elected board of directors recently met and set goals for the 1997 year.
"Pursuing these goals, the board feels it can better meet the needs of the homeless in our community," said Carmaleta Wesbrook, director of the facility for the homeless.
We first identified the needs of the shelter in the community, then set goals for the upcoming year, she continued. Each of our board members then volunteered to be responsible for working toward one or more of the goals.
The goals and those who volunteered to commit to their implementation are:
1. To develop a mission statement, reflecting Peachtree Landing objectives, while considering the effects on state and federal funding requirements by Lee Little and Carmaleta Wesbrook.
2. To develop and identify an appropriate board member profile by Cheryl Self and Shirley Foxworthy.
3. To develop recommendations for a membership drive by Lee Little and Joe Theobald.
4. To pursue all available grants by Carmaleta Wesbrook and Sherry Tapp.
5. To heighten community awareness by developing a presentation to be used by board members for community groups by Patty Ladd and Shirley Foxworthy.
6. To assess the physical equipment needs of the shelter by Don Roland, Joe Theobald, Park Nelson and Sherry Tapp.
By KRISTI GRABEAL
News Education Editor
The last couple of weeks, problems have risen at Ponca City Mid-High concerning the OASIS program. In January, the program's teacher Mrs. Kathleen Stoeckley resigned from her position. After her resignation, several substitute teachers tried to teach the OASIS class. After several teachers left the program, the Ponca City School System hired Miss Roxanne Denton to teach the class.
Presently, students and parents are worried about the future of the OASIS program at the Mid-High. Some feel that the program cannot continue like it is and others feel that the program has improved over the last couple of weeks.
Tuesday, Dr. John Scroggins, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, and Steve Nida, Principal of the Mid-High held a public meeting for all concerned parents, students and teachers. About 20 people attended the meeting Tuesday to voice their concerns about the program.
The use of new computers were discussed by Nida. He said that the current program has not been renewed for the last couple of years and the school is going to upgrade the computers to a new system. The new system will be placed in the computers on April 2,3 and 4.
Also on the agenda for discussion was the use of spelling words and textbooks. Miss Denton told the parents that previously, the class had been required to learn 20 new words a week, but the class was having problems with them so she cut the number of words to 10 words a week. Before, there were no literature textbooks in the classrooms and all the teachers at the Mid-High felt that it was important the students learn such stories like "Romeo and Juliet." After the teachers met, several textbooks have been donated to the class so that the ninth graders will be ready to take English during their sophomore year.
One problem that has risen over the last couple of weeks is that of tutoring. Nida went to the teachers at the Mid-High and asked the teachers to work with the students during their off hours. Tutors are offered once a week in the subject areas of mathematics and history. According to some of the students, the tutors are not working and the school system will consider other options.
In other concerns, parents wanted to thank the participants that attended the meeting, especially the teachers at the Mid-High saying that they are happy so many interested teachers are trying to keep the OASIS program alive. According to Jennifer Wirtz, student in the OASIS program, some good things have happened in the OASIS program, but there are still a lot of other problems that need to be addressed. She felt that having these meetings were a good idea so that the students can voice their concerns. At the close of the meeting, Mr. Nida and Dr. Scroggins told the patrons that there will be other meetings like this one. They felt that the meetings are a good step in communicating and identifying student concerns.
The next meeting will be set after school personnel return from spring break.
Curb and gutter replacements will be made around Ponca City after the Ponca City Board of Commissioners approved awarding the contract to Chitwood Construction Co., Inc.
The curb repair list totals 838.5 linear feet and 254.11 square feet of abutting sidewalk for a cost of $27,028.75. Waller Construction, the other bidder, made a proposal over the city engineer's base bid of $28,557.50.
According to Ken Parr, Public Works director, Chitwood was in the process of finishing a project so work on the curb and gutter project could begin within a month.
Parr said the worst sites were identified and will be paid for through the street and alley funds. He also said that each year, the city will try to address other areas as funds become available.
The following locations were included in the contract:
- 400 block of East Broadway Avenue
- 100 block of Virginia Street
- Little Lane (Washington School Cross Walk
- 900 block of South Fifth Street
- 1200 block of South Fifth Street
- 1000 and 1100 blocks of South Sixth Street
- 900 block of South Seventh Street
- 100 block of North First Street
- 100 block of North Second Street
- 100 block of North Third Street
- 100, 200 and 300 blocks of East Grand Avenue
- 300 block of South Lake Street
- Ash Street and South Avenue
- 2300 and 2500 block of Cardinal Road
- 100 block of Fairview Avenue.
NEWKIRK - Landowners have the opportunity to enroll land into the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) during the current sign-up period, which continues until March 28. Sign-ups and eligibility are a joint effort by the local Farm Service Agency and the Kay County Conservation District offices at 115 South Maple.
District Conservationist Dick Zetterberg said the program has changed since previous sign-ups, with the new goal to enroll only the most environmentally sensitive land.
Reducing crop production is not the purpose of the program and while erosion is still an important factor, emphasis will also be placed on water quality improvement and wildlife habitat enhancement, he said.
The maximum CRP rental rates for each offer are calculated in advance of enrollment. Producers may offer land at that rate or they may bid a lower rate to increase the likelihood their offer will be accepted, Zetterberg said.
The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) bases rental rates on the relative productivity of soils within each county and the average of the past three years of local dry land cash rent or the cash rent equivalent.
Eligible acreage devoted to certain special conservation practices such as riparian buffers, filter strips, grassed waterways, shelterbelts, living snow fences, and shallow water areas for wildlife may be enrolled any time under the CCC's continuous sign-up and are not subject to competitive bidding.
Persons wanting more details can contact the FSA, the conservation district office, or cooperative extension offices.
The Oklahoma City Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of guest conductor, John Jeter, will perform at the Poncan Theatre, Saturday at 8 p.m. Tickets are available at the Ponca Playhouse ticket office, 107 East Central at $10, $8, and $6. The ticket office is open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 4 to 6 p.m. Seating is still available.
A native of Southern California, John Jeter is presently cover conductor and guest conductor of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. He has conducted performances of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra's Yuletide Celebration and on the orchestra's summer Indiana Series.
He has conducted professional and conservatory orchestras in California, Illinois, Arkansas, Tennessee, Georgia, Missouri, Michigan, Indiana, Minnesota, Virginia, New Jersey, South Carolina, and Connecticut as well as orchestras in Catalonia, Spain, and the Czech Republic.
Dedicated to educating young musicians, Mr. Jeter is the music director and founder of The Greater Indianapolis Youth Symphony, which in addition to giving concerts, is an orchestral institute where young musicians are trained in the disciplines and expectations of working in a professional orchestra. During the 1994-95 school year, Mr. Jeter was Visiting Director of Orchestral Activities at Purdue University.
Mr. Jeter is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of the Hartt School of Music with a Bachelor's Degree in Piano and Music Theory. He graduated with honors from Butler University's Jordan College of Fine Arts with a Master's Degree in Orchestral Conducting.
He was a Conducting Fellow at the Conductor's Institute of South Carolina. His performance background includes cello, orchestral percussion, and voice. He is a member of the national honors music society, Pi Kappa Lambda and the national college honor scholarship society, Alpha Chi.
Mr. Jeter was awarded honorary membership in Tau Beta Sigma and Kappa Kappa Psi for his work at Purdue University. He has received critical acclaim for his participation in numerous conducting workshops and master classes in the United States and Europe. Mr. Jeter is a frequent guest on "The Listening Room" a classical music radio program on WFYI in Indianapolis.
The Oklahoma City Philharmonic Orchestra. which has played in Ponca City several times in past years, continues more than a 70 year tradition of orchestral music in Oklahoma City. This rich tradition has included appearances by the world's leading artists, international radio and television broadcasts, recordings, and numerous tours.
The Philharmonic offers a variety of services to central Oklahoma, including Classics, Pops, Family, and Youth Concerts, and it provides orchestral services to Ballet Oklahoma and Canterbury Choral Society. In addition, the Philharmonic participates in many special programs throughout each season, including concerts in more distant Oklahoma locations and the award-winning classroom music education program, "We've Got Rhythm."
The first Oklahoma City orchestra was formed as early as 1924, and then in 1937, the Oklahoma Federal Symphony Orchestra was founded and Ralph Rose conducted its inaugural season. During the 1940s, 50s and 60s, the Oklahoma Symphony became internationally renowned for its regular series of weekly radio broadcasts over the Mutual Radio Network in the U.S. and Canada, and through the Voice of America.
The Oklahoma City Philharmonic Orchestra made its debut on Oct. 16, 1989, to an invited audience of music lovers and community leaders. The Philharmonic has continued the tradition of bringing the world's leading performers to Oklahoma City to perform with the orchestra.
The Classics Series of the Oklahoma City Philharmonic consists of nine Saturday evening concerts presented from September through early May. The repertoire reflects a well-balanced blend of all periods and styles. Traditionally, one concert each season has included a collaboration with Canterbury Choral Society performing a major work for orchestra with chorus.
The Pops Series consists of six pairs of Friday and Saturday evening performances presented from November through April. Concerts showcase celebrities from the entertainment industry, local celebrities, and the orchestra itself. The most notable home-grown concert is "A Yuletide Festival," an annual holiday celebration featuring 300 performers including Canterbury Choral Society, Oklahoma City University's American Spirit Dance Company, adult and child actors, and a puppet troupe.
The Oklahoma City Philharmonic also performs three to five concerts annually in communities outside of the Oklahoma City metropolitan area, such as the one to be featured Saturday in Ponca City.
The Oklahoma City Philharmonic Orchestra has quickly earned a reputation as one of the most successful regional orchestras in the nation. The orchestra continues to provide a wide range of concerts while maintaining balanced operating budgets each year. The orchestra will soon be performing in a newly renovated Civic Center Music Hall, fulfilling one of the principle goals of the 1990 Long Range Plan.
The Oklahoma City Philharmonic's well-loved Music Director and Conductor, Maestro Joel Levine, has been conducting Oklahoma City's orchestra since 1979. He has received international recognition for his performances of works reflecting many different styles in the classical repertoire, and he is fluent with an unusually wide range of orchestral literature.
Following the tragic Oklahoma City bombing on April 19, 1995, Philharmonic musicians donated their services to provide music for the internationally televised prayer service. Subsequently the Philharmonic, in association with Warner Reprise Recordings nationally released a benefit CD containing music from the service.
Reviewing the recording the Boston Globe wrote, "The Oklahoma City Philharmonic excels on the Adagio from Beethoven's Symphony No. 7 (2nd Movement), along with Bach's sweetly mournful Air and Ravel's gentle Pavane for a Dead Princess."
On October 30, 1995, the Philharmonic joined Michael Martin Murphey on the stage of the Civic Center Music Hall for the video taping of the PBS television special "Sagebrush Symphony," featuring artists Hank Thompson, Herb Jeffries, Robert Mirabal, and the Sons of the San Joaquin.
In celebration of the opera's 100th anniversary, the Philharmonic produced a fully-staged production of "La Boheme" featuring artists and a stage director from the international opera world.
By KRISTI GRABEAL
News Education Editor
The Insurance Committee at Pioneer Technology Center will now prepare a contract for the board's approval to change the insurance carrier to ProOklahoma. This motion was carried Tuesday night during the PTC regular board meeting.
Frank Vascellaro, insurance committee, gave a report to the board members about the possibility of changing the current insurance carrier. Pioneer Tech's current insurer is Anthem Health. According to Vascellaro, several employees are having problems with the insurer. Problems include the company not paying for mammograms, emergency room coverage, major/minor surgical problems and lab fees. Anthem Health came to PTC in January to talk with the employees and after they left, the committee decided to invite 13 health companies to make bids.
After consideration, the committee narrowed the selections to two insurance carriers: one being Anthem Health, the current carrier, and the other ProOklahoma.
Tuesday, the committee also held an employee vote. According to Vascellaro, 37 people voted to change, 7 voted not to change and 4 declined to vote. The reason some people declined to vote was because they felt they did not have enough information to make a decision.
After discussion, the board decided to have the insurance committee prepare a contract for their approval for the next board meeting in April.
In other action, approval was given for PTC to hire Betty Durkee as a short-term grant writer. Gary Bracken, board attorney, said that the contract is for $500 a month and will take up 16 percent of Durkee's time. The board accepted the contract with the stipulation that Durkee give a monthly report about what action she is taking.
Vance Johnson reported to the board about the heating/cooling system. Streets Mechanical will be handling the repairs at the total cost of $7,480.
The board adjourned to executive session at 9 p.m. to discuss personnel issues. After returning at 10:42, the board approved several contracts. The following personnel contracts were approved: Erwin Anderson, Farm Business Management Instructor; Larry Atteberry, Director of Business Assistance Center/SET Coordinator; Dee Brown, Displaced Homemaker/Single Parent Program Coordinator; Debbie Childrers, Practical Nursing Instructor; Pam Dickerson, Small Business Management Instructor; Marian Grantz, Part-time Practical Nursing Instructor; Beth Frantz, Practical Nursing Program Coordinator; Jim McCormick, Broker/Agent; Vince O'Brien, MTC Coordinator/Network Administrator; Teresa Smith, BID Center Coordinator; Janet Taber, Public Relations; Linda Thompson, School-to-Work Program Coordinator; Frank Vascellaro, Adult Training and Development Coordinator; Marla Wear, Computer Specialist; and Elroy Wheeler, Broker/Agent.
The board also approved various certified secondary probationary personnel: Nancy Miller, Career Specialist/Counselor; Sandy Payne, Cosmetology Instructor; Mike Swinehart, Construction Trades Instructor; Mike Wiles, Counselor; and Sally Williams, Medical Office Assisting Instructor.
Contract approvals were also given to: Steve Bookout, Welding Instructor; Burton Brandt, Horticulture Instructor/Grounds Maintenance; Steve Ellenwood, Food Services Instructor; Lori Evans, Applied Academics Instructor; Sheila Foxworthy, Business Technology Instructor; David Goodacre, Transportation Technology Instructor; Elizabeth Johnston, Marketing Instructor; Steve Ketchum, Machine Tool Technology Instructor; Dodee King, Health Sciences Technology Instructor; Carol Scott, Child Care Instructor; Arlene Stauffer, Business Technology Instructor; and John Strecker, Industrial Electronics Instructor.
The board adjourned at 10:49 p.m. and set the next board meeting for
April 8 at 7 p.m.
DEATHS
FALLON, Nev. - Elizabeth Lynnette "Betty Lynn" (Balduff) Parent, former Ponca City resident, died Sunday, March 9, 1997, in Nevada. She was 58.
The funeral will be held graveside at the Clovis Cemetery in Clovis, Calif. on Friday, at 3 p.m. Arrangements are under the direction of Smith Family Funeral Home, Fallon, Nev. and the Clovis Funeral Home, Clovis.
Elizabeth Lynnette "Betty Lynn" Balduff Parent was born April 28, 1938, in Ponca City, one of six children born to Marion Albert and Berniece (Underside) Balduff Sr. She attended Fairfax (Okla.) High School.
She was married to Charles Floyd Parent on June 18, 1955. Mrs. Parent attended West Hills College, where she earned a degree in both Philosophy and Liberal Arts. She also earned a Community College Instructor Credential and a California State Designated Subjects Credential. Mrs. Parent taught business courses and was a faculty adviser to future business leaders of America. Before here retirement and move to Fallon, Nev., she had owned and operated her own business, "Innovations," a clerical business in Lemoore, Calif.
Active in community affairs, she was elected to the Lemoore City Council in 1982, served on the Kings County Cultural Arts Council, Kings County governmental alternatives executive committee, Kings County task force on police and fire services, Lemoore Growth task force, South San Joaquin division of the League of California Cities Housing, community and economic development committee, Lemoore Cultural Arts Festival scholarship committee and as chairman of the action committee of the Lemoore Chamber of Commerce. She was a nominee for the 1994 Volunteer for the Year for Kings County award.
Mrs. Parent was also a member of the Fleet Reserve Auxiliary, Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary, Cherokee Strip Descendants, American-Canadian Genealogical Society, First Families of the Twin Territories, and Daughters of the American Revolution-Kaweah Chapter.
Survivors include her husband of 41 years, Charles Parent of Fallon, Nev.; three daughters, Debra Jamison of Fresno, Teri Wilson of Visalia, Calif., and Wendy Parent of Fresno, Calif.; three brothers, Marion A. "Sonny" Balduff of Fairfax, Fred R. "Fritz" Balduff of Ponca City, and William F. "Bill" Balduff of Granada Hills, Calif.; two sisters, LeAnna S. Diamond of Ponca City and Beulah T. "Boe" Gordon of Placentia, Calif.; and one granddaughter.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Parent's name to American Cancer Society, c/o First National Bank and Trust Co, P.O. Box 1151 Ponca City, OK 74602, attention: Lori Ellis.
NEWKIRK - Dewey Dean Brown, Newkirk resident, died Monday night, March 10, 1997, at the Blackwell Regional Hospital, Blackwell. He was 57.
The funeral will be held graveside at 2 p.m. Thursday at Grandview Cemetery in Kaw City with the Rev. Dan Cornish, Newkirk Church of Christ, officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Roberts and Son Funeral Home, Blackwell.
Dewey Dean Brown was born June 2, 1939, in Cyclone, W.Va. to James H. and Blanche M. (Toler) Brown. He grew up in Cyclone and attended Road Branch School. After his schooling he began working as a carpenter in the Cyclone area. In 1957, Brown entered the U.S. Army. Following his discharge, he moved to Brooksville, Fla.
On Nov. 24, 1960, he was married to Mary Ann Rouse and the couple made their first home in Brooksville. In 1961, they moved to Newkirk where he continued his trade and became a licensed plumber. He also worked in concrete and roofing construction. In 1967, he began employment with Blackwell Zinc Company in Blackwell, then moved to Cyclone, W.Va. in 1972, where he worked for the Buffalo Mining Company.
In 1983, he was married to Drema G. Hopson in Logan, W.Va. and continued to work for the mining company. Following his retirement in 1986, Brown returned to the Newkirk area and worked in the roofing and plumbing business until his death. Brown was a member of the United Mine Workers of America. His hobbies included country music, spending time outdoors, and with his pet dogs.
Survivors include one daughter, Deborah A. Dobson of Ponca City; one son, Jeffrey D. Brown of Newkirk; three sisters, Lois Acord of Cyclone, W.Va., Katherane Paugh of Buchanan, W.Va., and India Paugh of Pineville, W.Va.; two brothers, James K. and Dennis R., both of Cyclone, W.Va.; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; one infant sister, Evelyn Rose; and a brother Cleetis Cook.
Honorary casket bearers will be David Carson, Doug Koenke, Pat Kiser and Jerry Parker.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Ponca City Humane Society, c/o Roberts Funeral Home, 120 West Padon, Blackwell, OK 74631.
Dorotha A. Wells, longtime Ponca City resident, died Monday evening, March 10, 1997, at the St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. She was 80 years of age.
The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at the First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Denny Hook, pastor, officiating. Burial will follow at the Braman Cemetery in Braman, under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.
Dorotha Wells was born Feb. 7, 1917, in Dilworth the daughter of Robert and Viola (Elwood) Gibson. She grew up on the family farm in Dilworth and received her education in the Dilworth and Blackwell schools, graduating from Blackwell High School. She attended Northern Oklahoma College in Tonkawa and Southwestern University in Winfield, Kan. Following graduation she taught in rural Kansas and Oklahoma schools.
On May 21, 1939, she was united in marriage to Charles "Osie" Wells in the Dilworth Church of God. The couple made their home in Ponca City from 1947, to 1954 before moving to Harrah. They later returned to Ponca City in 1966, where they have since made their home. Mrs. Wells returned to college in the 1960s at Central State University in Edmond and received her bachelor's degree. She taught school in Harrah and also Ponca City. She retired from Ponca City Schools in 1971.
A member of the First United Methodist Church, she was active in the Friendship Sunday School Class and the Silver Bells Bell Choir. She was also a member of the Dilworth Alumnae Association, the Round Grove Home Extension, the Retired Teachers Association, the Progressive Club, the Joy Club and the Pioneer Area Quilters Guild. She enjoyed crafts, sewing, and quilting.
Survivors include a daughter, Sherry Wells, of Dallas, Texas; one son, J. Bob Wells of Stillwater; one brother, Arch L. Gibson of Houston, Texas; one sister, FloyAnna Curl of Braman; three grandchildren, Lisa Wells of Korea, James Wells of California and Jennafer Wells of Missouri; three nieces and six nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and one grandson, Charles Wells.
Honorary casket bearers will be members of the First United Methodist Church Friendship Sunday School class.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Wells name to the First United Methodist Church, 200 South Sixth Street, Ponca City, OK, 74601 or to the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Heart Research, 825 Northeast 13th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73014.
The casket will not be opened following the service, however, friends may call at the funeral home until noon, Friday.
The family will be at 1607 East Prospect.
M&M Men's Challenge Set - Central Baptist Church is hosting the M&M Men's Challenge Friday and Saturday with guest speakers from across the state. Open to all men who would like to attend, free of charge. For more information, contact Brad Lowrie at the church, 618 East Hartford or call 765-5840.
Cardiac Arrest Campaign - The American Heart Association along with a volunteer Ponca City cardiac arrest "parole board" will be conducting the annual Cardiac Arrest campaign in Ponca City from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday. The Cardiac Arrest "Parole Board" hopes to reach a goal of $3,500 to help support American Heart Association research, education and community service programs to fight cardiovascular disease throughout the Oklahoma area.
Rummage Sale Set - The Adult Class of The First Church of God, 1101 West Grand will hold a rummage and garage sale Friday and Saturday from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. in the Church Gym. They will also conduct a bake sale at that time. Everyone is invited to stop by and shop.
Memorial Dinner- A memorial dinner will be held Saturday at noon at the White Eagle Cultural Center honoring Claremore Zack Tyndall.
Seeds Available - The Ponca Tribe of Oklahoma will begin issuing garden seeds to enrolled Ponca Tribal members on Friday at the Ponca Tribal Affairs Building. Call 762-8104 for further information.
Legion Dinner, Celebration - The American Legion will host a family dinner at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Huff-Minor American Legion Post 14, 407 West South Avenue, to celebrate the Legion's birthday. A regular meeting will follow.
Marland Round Up Club - A meeting of the Marland Round Up Club will be held Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the home of John Pulliam. Everyone is welcome.
Ponca Indian Youth Basketball Set - Ponca Tribe Youth Outreach Program is sponsoring a 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament on March 19 at 10 a.m. at White Eagle Cultural Center for ages fifth grade through twelfth grade. No entry fee, just sign up. For more information, call Oney Roy at 763-0132.
Traffic Stop - A Ponca City police officer arrested a 39-year-old man in the 1800 block of East Hartford Avenue at 8:19 a.m. Tuesday for driving under suspension and speeding.
Youths Arrested - A 15-year-old boy and a 12-year-old girl were arrested by a Ponca City police officer Tuesday morning for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.
Shoplifters - An employee at Drug Warehouse, 2211 North Fourteenth Street, advised the Ponca City Police Department at 10:09 a.m. Tuesday that a boy was in custody for shoplifting. A second shoplifter ran away, according to the employee. Two officers responded and arrested two 12-year-old boys for larceny.
Failure to Appear - A 37-year-old woman was arrested by a Ponca City police officer at North Pine Street and West Summit Avenue at 11:52 a.m. Tuesday for failure to appear.
Stolen - A resident in the 700 block of North Elm Street advised the Ponca City Police Department at 1 p.m. Tuesday that tires were stolen off the pickup. An officer took a report.
Grass Fire - At 1:51 p.m. Tuesday, Ponca City firefighters responded to battle a grass fire at White Eagle, six miles south of Ponca City on U.S. 177. Firefighters worked more than two hours to extinguish the blaze.
Grass Fire - Ponca City telecommunication officers received a 911 call about a grass fire one mile west of the Marland Y on old U.S. 60. Ranch Drive firefighters responded at 4:25 p.m. Tuesday.
Subject Held - A 27-year-old man was arrested in the 300 block of North Seventh Street by a Ponca City police officer at 6:24 p.m. Tuesday on a city warrant for failure to pay.
Arrested - A Ponca City police officer arrested a 19-year-old woman on a city warrant for failure to appear.
Osage County Democrats - Two Osage County precincts will meet at McCord School Thursday at 7 p.m. in the cafeteria building. Precinct 305, which votes at McCord School, and precinct 303, which votes at Braden School, will elect Democrat precinct officers. For more information, contact Glenn Welch at 762-4919.
Car Fire - Ponca City firefighters extinguished a car on fire in the 1600 block of Crawford Avenue at 7:32 p.m. Tuesday.
Grass Fire - A resident in the 800 block of North Birch Street notified Ponca City telecommunication officers at 7:40 p.m. Tuesday of a grass fire in Sunset Park. Ponca City firefighters handled the call.
Under Suspension - A 20-year-old man was arrested by a Ponca City police officer at South Osage Street and West Ponca Avenue at 10:56 p.m. Tuesday for driving under suspension.
Stop Ends in Arrests - A Ponca City police officer stopped a vehicle at North Fourteenth Street and East Hazel Avenue at 4:17 a.m. Wednesday. A 21-year-old man was arrested on a city warrant for failure to pay and a 22-year-old man was arrested on a Kay County bench warrant. In addition, a third man was arrested for speeding, transporting an open container and transporting a loaded firearm.
Barn Fire - Newkirk firefighters responded to a barn on fire one mile north of Newkirk on U.S. 77 at 2:39 p.m. Tuesday.
Bike Theft - A Ponca City police officer took a report at 3 p.m. Tuesday in the 700 block of East Prospect Avenue of a stolen bike.
City Warrants - A 35-year-old man was taken into custody from
the Payne County Sheriff's Office at 4:15 p.m. Tuesday by a Ponca City police
officer on city warrants for failure to pay and failure to appear.
LIFESTYLES
Pamela Jean Keltner and Kenneth Duane Gaskill were united in marriage Feb. 9 in a 6 p.m. ceremony at the Word of Life Christian Center in Ponca City. Pastor Bob Innis officiated and Mike Doll led the praise and worship preceding the ceremony, which was written by Kenneth Copeland.
The Rev. Charles Hanna of the Nardin Methodist Church offered prayer, and musical accompaniment for the pre-nuptial worship service was provided by Marcie Broam, pianist, and Steve Phipps, guitarist.
Altar decorations included brass planters containing white chrysanthemums decorated with red hearts and white bows. The pews were marked with white bows.
Accompanied by Jeanette Reese, the bridegroom sang "Together As One" to the bride. Attending the couple were Joy Goddard and Ken Reese. Following the ceremony the couple took Holy Communion and exited the sanctuary as the "Hallelujah Chorus" was played.
Following the wedding a reception was held in the Fellowship room. The tables were draped with red cloths overlaid with white lace and accented with red bows. Assisting with the reception were Jan Innis, Carol Craig, Judy Doll and DeeDee Holloway. Serving at the event were Hollie Bolay, Eric and Kirsten Kilborn.
Special guests were Jim and Janet Gaskill, parents of the bridegroom; Brian Gaskill, brother of the bridegroom, and his wife, Sherry, and children, Becca and Matthew, of Sherman, Tex. Also JoElla Friend, mother of the bride; Lisa Keltner, daughter of the bride, and her three daughters, Alex, Abby and Aryn. The newly-married couple will reside in Deer Creek.
The next meeting of the Newcomers Club is scheduled for March 20 at 6:30 p.m. at the Ponca City Country Club. An election of officers is planned.
During March those women interested in joining the Newcomers group and have not yet been contacted are welcome to attend the meeting. Dues are being accepted at this time. For more information call Joyce Fox, 762-9578.
Members of the Wah-Sha-She Club held the Feb. 20 meeting at the home of Connie Mullenax. Betty Herard presented the lesson on "Options For Elder Care" and Lou Penoi gave some first-hand information on home health care.
Ms. Mullenax showed members how to make a holder with recycled baby food jars, spray can lids and 35mm film holders.
Ms. Herard, president, called the meeting to order and Ms. Penoi gave the devotions. Linda Wooters led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance. Members answered roll call with "What I Remember My First Year of School." There were eight members and one guest, Peggy Delaney, present. The group welcomed Ms. Delaney as a new member.
Announcement was made that Roxann Sensman and Betty Herard had presented the McCord School first graders with tooth fairy pillows for Dental Month. Members were reminded to bring cookies, cakes, pies, etc. for the fundraiser at McCord School in late February and for the Spring stock show March 4 in Pawhuska. A craft show and tell was conducted and secret sisters exchanged gifts. The March meeting will be at the home of Linda Wooters.
The Kay County Kappa Alpha Theta Alumnae Club met March 3 in the home of Arleen Jacobs with Charlotte Paden serving as co-hostess for the evening.
Officer reports commenced with treasurer Jane Johnson saying that funds had been distributed from last fall's pansy sale proceeds. Hospice and Lifeline each received $150 from the club, and money was also contributed to Kappa Alpha Theta Foundation and Friendship Fund. Panhellenic Representative Marilyn Leming reported that the 1996 Homes Tour raised approximately $2500 and that four scholarships will be awarded to Kay County girls for next year.
President Charlotte Paden called for officers to be designated for next year: Barbara Impson will serve as president for 1997-98, with other officers to include Charlene Carmichael, vice-president; Marilyn Leming, Rush and Panhellenic; Elizabeth Nickles, secretary, and Jane Johnson, treasurer. The Calling Committee will be made up of Barbara Impson, Frances Neill, Charlotte Paden and Arleen Jacobs.
The business session concluded with setting next year's meeting schedule. 1997 dates will include September 8; October Pansy Sale, and November 3. Meetings in 1998 will be January 10 (Founder's Day Celebration) and March 28. The group made tentative plans to honor two members who celebrate significant anniversaries this year, one as a 50 year member of Kappa Alpha Theta, and one who will mark 75 years since her initiation into the fraternity. After dispensation of business activities the hostesses served dessert and members enjoyed a social time for visiting.
The Theta Alumnae Club previously met this year on Jan. 4 to celebrate Founder's Day. The event took place at E.W.'s Restaurant on the Marland Estate where members and guests attended a brunch. Danys Self provided decorations and Lynda Clark was chairman for the celebration.
Alumnae Club members hosted Kay County Theta Collegians and their mothers as guests for the event. Collegians attending included Dawn Rahme and Kim Neisen, University of Tulsa, and Katie Dobson and Sarah Oldfield, Oklahoma State University. Other local collegians are Laurie King and Ashley Whiting, Oklahoma State University. Special note was made that Kim Neisen will be President of Gamma Tau Chapter next year and Dawn Rahme will be that Chapter's Rush Chairman.
Also,Thetas from Beta Zeta Chapter, OSU, who are members of Mortar Board Honorary Society were pictured in the last issue of Kappa Alpha Theta magazine; Sarah Oldfield was among this group. A brief program on Theta history and a candle lighting service to honor the Fraternity's Founding members were part of the day's program as well as a time of sharing memories by members.
The regular monthly meeting of the P.M. Patches and Pieces Quilt Guild was called to order by President Terry Stekly. Twenty-four quilters were present and ten guests were introduced.
Nancy Bright, Hospitality Chairperson, distributed twelve door prizes of quilt stickers and postcards donated by Dover Publishing Company.
Show and share was begun by showing the guild donation quilt for the 1997-98 season which is called Christmas Star. Julie Fox showed her full size Star of Bethlehem quilt. Sue Roy, Margaretta Rains and Judy Meador showed baby quilts.
Deloris Pickens and Sue Roy reminded the quilters of the Oklahoma Quilters State Organization meeting to be held April 4-6 in Midwest City.
Judy Wohletz, Nominating Committee Chairperson, announced the slate of officers for election at the March meeting of the guild. Nominations from the floor will also be accepted at that time.
The workshop scheduled for March 22 will be given by Catherine llka in two parts. The morning session will be foundation piecing at a cost of $3. The afternoon session is for a sewing kit at the cost of $2. More information is available by calling 762-7766.
All members who have not finished the president's block are urged to complete and return those blocks at the March meeting as our president, Terry Stekly, will be moving to Dubai the first week in April.
Debra Burgess, Vice-president, announced some future programs: April, Hawaiian Applique; June, Silk Embroidery; July, Betty Gilliam; and August, Becky Goldsmith
The March executive board meeting will be at Sue Roy's home, 521 N. Walnut, Newkirk.
The meeting adjourned for the program to be given by Nadine Moss, vice-president
of the Oklahoma Quilter's State Organization. Ms. Moss presented a program
on the use of color in quilts and presented several different blocks and
quilts made up in both strong and soft colors, for the quilters to view.
She told the quilters that color selection is a personal choice and that
there isn't any wrong way to use color. Ms. Moss was accompanied by Moeta
Alexander, Northeast District Representative for the Oklahoma State Quilter's
Organization.
SPORTS
By DAVID BROWN
News Associate Sports Editor
Sunny, calm conditions greeted high school tennis players from Ponca City, Sand Springs, Sapulpa and Edmond Santa Fe here Tuesday as the Wildcats and Lady Cats hosted quad action at the Wally Smith Tennis Center.
The Lady Cats out-pointed their three foes (Santa Fe had just one entry) with seven team points while the Wildcats finished tied for second with Santa Fe at seven points apiece. Sapulpa garnered 10 points to lead the way in boys play.
Ponca City swept through the field unbeaten in girls' No. 1 Doubles, girls' No. 2 Doubles, girls' No. 2 singles and boys' No. 1 Singles.
The No. 1 girls doubles team of Natalie Lindsay and Abby Frick dropped four games in winning both matches, the No. 2 girls doubles team of Romi Foreman and Melissa Collagan lost just one game in taking both its matches and Lady Wildcat senior No. 2 Singles player Michelle Means lost eight games in sweeping through two matches.
Ashley Roussel was the only Lady Cat to play three matches and she won one.
On the boys' side, Stuemky played great tennis in sweeping through his three matches in straight sets.
"That's the best tennis he's played all spring," said head coach Steve Larimer. "I'm looking forward to him continuing that type of play."
Justin Lewis won one match in No. 2 Singles, the No. 1 Doubles team of Donovan Weems and Chris Brune won twice and the No. 2 team of freshmen Bilal Ahga and Daniel Lee won once.
The Wildcats next take part in the Jenks Invitational Friday and then the Lady Cats play in that same tournament Saturday.
Other teams participating include Ada, Bishop Kelley, Broken Arrow, Cascia Hall, Chickasha, Claremore, Edison, Edmond Memorial, Jenks, Owasso, Seminole, Shawnee, Tahlequah. Texas High (Texarkana) and Union.
Ponca City Quad Results
Girls
No. 1 Singles - Ashley Roussel lost to Pauchnik, Santa Fe, 0-6, 2-6; lost to Marvel, Sapulpa, 1-6, 0-6; defeated Crahan, Sand Springs, 6-0, 4-6, 6-1.
No. 2 Singles - Michelle Means defeated Ryan, Sapulpa, 6-2, 6-4; defeated Minihan, Sand Springs, 6-1, 6-1.
No. 1 Doubles - Natalie Lindsay-Abby Frick defeated Quinton-Hensley, Sapulpa, 6-0, 6-1; defeated Crawford-Daney, Sand Springs, 6-2, 6-1.
No. 2 Doubles - Romie Foreman-Melissa Collogan defeated Queen-Baker, Sapulpa, 6-0, 6-1; defeated Chisum-Sanders, Sand Springs, 6-0, 6-0.
Boys
No. 1 Singles - Matt Stuemky defeated Pourtorkan, Santa Fe, 6-1, 6-2; defeated Lewis, Sand Springs, 6-2, 6-0; defeated Keller, Sapulpa, 6-3, 6-2.
No. 2 Singles - Justin Lewis lost to Wilson, Santa Fe, 1-6, 1-6; defeated Bentley, Sand Springs, 7-6, 6-1; lost to Harris, Sapulpa, 0-6, 1-6.
No. 1 Doubles - Donovan Weems-Chris Brune defeated Tandy-Reynolds, Santa Fe, 6-3, 4-6, 7-5; defeated McCoin-Stout, Sand Springs, 6-1, 6-1; lost to McCracken-Jackson, Sapulpa, 6-7, 2-6.
No. 2 Doubles - Bilal Ahga-Daniel Lee lost to Edwards-Burke, Santa Fe, 4-6, 4-6; defeated Hamilton-Witbeck, Sand Springs, 6-2, 6-7, 6-0; lost to McDonald-Hill, Sapulpa, 3-6, 6-7.
SAND SPRINGS - The streaking Ponca City Wildcat baseball team picked up its fourth straight win here Tuesday with a 5-2 victory over Sand Springs.
The Wildcats trailed 2-1 after four innings but moved past the Sandites with a three-run fifth and then added an insurance run in the seventh to seal the win.
Senior left-hander Rocky Hughes improved to 2-0 as he notched the complete-game win, striking out a season-high 11 batters while allowing six hits and three walks.
The big blast in Po-Hi's comeback was a three-run home run by senior first baseman Josh Shafer in the fifth after two-out singles by J.R. Fry and Justin Thomas. Shafer, who was 3-for-4 with four RBIs, is hitting over .600 on the season.
The 4-2 Wildcats got on the board first as leadoff man Fry singled, stole second, moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Thomas and then came home on Shafer's double.
Sand Springs countered with two runs in the second as the Sandites got to Hughes for three hits. Hughes was greeted with a leadoff double and a single in the third and Sand Springs threatened to pull away from the Cats. But Hughes got an out on a bunt and then struck out the next two batters to end the threat.
The Sandites could produce just a fifth-inning single and a seventh-inning walk the rest of the way against Hughes.
After Po-Hi's big fifth-inning rally, the Cats salted the win away with a final run in the seventh. Fry, a senior shortstop, drew a one-out walk and junior second baseman Thomas blasted an RBI double.
The top three in the Ponca City order - Fry, Thomas and Shafer - were a combined 7-for-11 with a walk and scored all five runs.
"This was a big win for us," said head coach Roydon Tilley. "Sand Springs threw their ace against us, Shipman, and he's a good pitcher. But we hit the ball well and came up with some key hits."
Ponca City hosts Union Thursday for a single game beginning at 4 p.m.
TULSA - Still looking for more offense, the Po-Hi soccer teams again went against one of the top programs in the eastern region and came up short on the scoreboard.
Tulsa Union's boys broke through in a tight battle for two second-half goals in a 2-0 win over the Wildcats while the Lady Cats fell 4-0 to the Lady Redskins.
"I'll have to eat my words," boys coach Marco Castillo, who had predicted a Ponca City win, said. "But the guys played well. We moved the ball well on their turf field.
"But I'll have to say I think they (the Redskins) are the team to beat in our area. We fell apart in the second half."
Union scored on a booming free kick from about 30 yards out to break up the scoreless tie. The Redskins then took advantage of a Wildcat gamble to score again late in the match.
"I moved my forwards up," Castillo said, "in an effort to get a score. In a situation like that you either score or get scored on. It backfired on us."
But the coach feels his team is improving and would like to see them prove it Friday night when the Cats play host to Choctaw.
"This is a must-win for us," Castillo said. "We need some momentum going into Spring Break. We need to win this one.
The boys match will start at 6 p.m. in Sullins Stadium with the girls scheduled to play at 8.
"I would like to see our fans really rockin'," Castillo said. "We will need the support."
Ponca City's Rory Peterson keeps edging toward national times in swimming as he enters five events in the Region 8 Meet in St. Louis over the weekend.
Peterson set three team records during that competition against some of the best swimmers from the region that includes Oklahoma, Kansas, Arkansas, Missouri and parts of Illinois.
Peterson finished 24th in the Bonus Consolations in the 500-meter freestyle event with a team record of 4:47.91. He was 17th in a field off 44 swimmers in the mile swim in 16:47 and was 18th in a field of 53 in the 1,000-meter swim in 9:56.0.
He was 27th in the 200 free and also swam in the 100 free.
"Rory is just a fraction of a second away from Junior National times." Ponca City coach Dave Strah said. "He was the fourth fastest Oklahoma swimmer in the 1,000 and the fifth fastest Oklahoman in the 1,650.
"Unfortunately, he doesn't have anyone to push him in practice," Strah said. "All of the boys he swam with are on teams where they can push each other. But he is getting there."
Peterson was joined by Sailfish members D.J. Nuzum, Chris Kana and Greg Dunham as they swam in the 400 freestyle relay, the 800 free relay and the 400 medley rely.
"It was great for these three other kids to get a taste of national competition," their coach said.
The Sailfish, who finished eighth in the Division II meet held here over the weekend, will take part in the state Junior Olympics this weekend.
Ponca City's Lady Wildcats were shut out of first and second team recognition on the recently released All-Frontier Conference Girls Basketball Team selections but did land two players on the third team.
Senior 6-3 post Lyndsey Warrior, who led Po-Hi in scoring (12.8), rebounding (113) field goal percentage (48.0) and blocked shots (95) through the regular season, was a third-teamer as was junior guard Natasha Anderson. Anderson was the second leading scorer for the Lady Cats (8.2) and the leading free throw shooter (64 percent) and three-point shooter (35 percent).
Senior Tee West was an honorable mention selection.
The Most Valuable Player, as selected by Frontier Conference coaches, was Sapulpa junior Kara Faulk. The first team selections were Mandy Nightingale of Sapulpa, Kristin Brady of Broken Arrow, Jamie Fuente and Anika Calvert of Union and Owasso post Jessica Bates.
Second-teamers were Owasso's Sarah Reese and Natalie Lefler, Stacy Wyatt of Stillwater, Misty Bruner of Sapulpa and Destani Kirkpatrick of Jenks.
Joining Warrior and Anderson on the third team were Sarah Painter of Sand Springs, Jessie Burress of Bartlesville, Kara Chapman of Broken Arrow and Briana Keeton of Union.
From March 20-23, the best 64 upland game hunting dogs in the nation will compete for the 1997 Quail Unlimited National Dog of the Year title at the Red Rock Ranch 16 miles southeast of Ponca City.
Hosting the 10th annual national QU field trial competition is the Oklahoma State Council of Quail Unlimited.
"This annual field trial competition is comparable to the Super Bowl for quail hunters and their seasoned hunting dogs from across the nation," said Bob Schuster, an executive officer of the Ponca City-based North Central Oklahoma Chapter of QU and field trial chairman for the event. "The public is invited to attend at no charge and enjoy observing the competition."
Schuster also noted that the 1997 field trial marks the first time that the competition has been held away from the Come Away Plantation in Georgia.
"It was a major undertaking by our state's contingent to convince QU officials to select the Oklahoma bid over other venues vying to host the prestigious hunting competition," he said. "But, once our national guests come into contact with our great Oklahoma hospitality, the great setting of the Red Rock Ranch and the quality of our field trial operations, we know they'll be convinced that they made the right selection."
Schuster said that entries from more than 30 states have already signed up for the field of 64 contestants.
"Although we originally had a March 1 entry deadline, we have extended it to March 18; so there still is time for more Oklahomans and other quail hunters to enter the competition," he added.
Schuster noted that the entry fee is $175. Priority is being given to dogs with field trial championship credentials, thus allowing only the best dogs into the competition.
Competition rules require all entered dogs must be handled by their owners, and the owner must be a member of QU.
"The cash purse for the field trial is $5,000 with half going to the first-place finisher and the other half divided proportionately between the next three finishers," Schuster explained. "What's more, keeping with tradition, the top field dog also will be featured on the cover of Quail Unlimited magazine."
The 1996 winner, "River Ridge Johnie Jack", an English setter two-year-old male, owned by Billy Ray Vincent of Smiths Grove, Ky., is slated to return to defend his title.
Second, third and fourth-place finishers were entries from Alabama, Georgia and Ohio, respectively.
The Red Rock Ranch, a 5,000-acre hunting preserve owned and operated by Mustang Fuel Company of Oklahoma City, is considered the premier quail and deer hunting operation in the Sooner State. Nestled in the ox-bow of the Arkansas River in Noble County, the ranch is professionally managed for upland game-bird habitat development.
Accommodation and hospitality center for the national field trial is the Marland Mansion.
Proceeds from the event have been earmarked to underwrite the costs associated with Oklahoma QU Council's efforts to improve upland habitat across the state as well as for research, academic scholarships and Covey Camps for Oklahoma youth.
"The Oklahoma QU State Council is an all-volunteer organization with its local chapter members working very hard to keep Oklahoma the premier quail hunting state in the nation, and we look forward to hosting the QU National Dog-of-the-Year Field Trial for many years to come," said Don Black, State Council chairman.
QU is a national non-profit conservation organization dedicated to the preservation and re-establishment of upland habitat vitally needed to sustain healthy populations of quail and other wildlife.
The 200-member North Central Oklahoma chapter of QU represents Kay and neighboring counties and includes members across the state line in Kansas. It is one of 400 QU chapters located throughout the United States and one of 22 in Oklahoma.
For more information about the Oklahoma QU State Council, its many projects or the field trial competition, individuals may contact Black at 1-800-573-0316 or Schuster at 405--762-1217. People can learn more about QU on the Worldwide Web (http://www.outdoorsource.com/quail/).
Kevin Dirksen and Kerry Ebbert won the first Northcentral Mini Boat Association bass tournament held at Lake Ponca Sunday.
In a winner-take-all competition with six other teams, Dirksen and Ebbert caught three bass weighing a total of 6-pounds, 7-ounces. Their big bass was a three pounder.
The weather didn't exactly cooperate," according to Mike Stasyszen of the association, but he said he was pleased with the turnout.
Ten percent of the entry fees from the NCMBA tournaments this summer will go to charity.
The next tournament for the association will be April 12 at Lone Chimney. That tournament is scheduled to start at 7 a.m. with the weigh-in at 3 p.m.
For information about the association and tournaments, contact Stasyszen
(762-4182).