From The Pages Of The Ponca City News, Thursday,
March 13, 1997
LOCAL
Leadership Class Observes State Government Activities
Keating Names Ponca Citians To State Boards
Special Second Friday Forum Will Feature 'Right-To-Work'
Chamber News
Suspect Held In Shooting Incident Here
Police Tac Team Continues Training
Beaded Jewelry Making Class Set Saturday
Flash Flooding More Dangerous Than Storms
Area Salvation Army Officials Complete Task
Limited Number Of Lydie's Legend Now Available
'Rhythm in Shoes' Workshop Held
Kay Electric Will Sponsor Driving Class
March Proclaimed Opportunity Center Membership Month
Water Line Tie-In Completed This Week
Letters Say:
Ground Fault Detection Can Prevent Injury
DEATHS
Hugh Allen Waters
Opal Betty Adair
Naomi Welch
NEWS BRIEFS
GARDENING
Wichita Site of Top Ten Gardening Show
Plans Underway For Iris Show
SPORTS
Burtner Leads Lady Maroons to 4A State
PC's Matt Dodgen Named League's Wrestler of Year
Frontier Tops NCRVC Picks
By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE
News Staff Writer
OKLAHOMA CITY - Three pieces of legislation were being acted upon Wednesday while the Leadership Ponca City Class was at the capitol - deregulation of electricity, the swine bill and the charter school issue.
Leadership Ponca City was introduced on the Senate floor by Sen. Paul Muegge while Rep. Jim Newport had the group recognized on the floor of the House.
House Speaker Loyd Benson told the group that leaders had to be "very committed" and to realize the risks of leadership and that "criticism follows leadership."
Gov. Frank Keating informed the group of all the good things going on in Oklahoma. He told about meeting with Archie Dunham, Conoco CEO. Keating said not only asked Dunham to keep a presence in Ponca City but to move the world headquarters here.
"Oklahoma must be more aggressive in attracting headquarters of major companies in Oklahoma. That is where the money is," Keating said. Keating said that Oklahoma appreciates companies such as Sykes, but that Oklahoma needs more than call centers.
Oklahoma must continue to seek high paying jobs, Keating added.
Keating indicated that right-to-work is a dead issue this year. He also said if major changes are made by the Legislature in the workers compensation legislation that has been presented by the Fallin Commission that he will use his veto. He said he was determined that he will be fighting to reduce the corporate income tax.
Since the Leadership members are expected to volunteer on commissions and boards sometimes supported by tax money, Attorney General Drew Edmondson informed them about the Open Meeting and Open Record Acts. He told that any organization supported in full or in part by tax money is subject to both acts.
Sandy Garrett, superintendent of Public Instruction, brought the class up to date on the state of education in Oklahoma. After a tour and lunch at the Mabel Bassett Correctional Facility for Women, the group visited the Supreme Court courtroom, where they learned about the system from Justice Marian Opala. Later they heard about the functions of a lobbyist from former Sen. Al Terrill.
Stratton Taylor, president pro tempore of the State Senate, explained the electrical deregulation bill. He also gave a number of positive facts and figures about Oklahoma in the past 10 years. He told that Oklahoma is in the top 10 states in job growth, rated No. 5 in business climate and unemployment at three percent. He said retail is up 25 percent and Oklahoma is 60 percent below taxes in other states.
At this point the group went to the Senate gallery to hear arguments on the deregulation of electricity. Next they heard about how a bill becomes law. Also Sen. Muegge told about the results of the so-called swine bill, that he had spoken on in the Senate earlier.
The last 45 minutes at the capitol, where the House was still in session, were spent in the gallery of the House, where Leadership talked with Reps. Jim Newport and Jim Reese.
The day began with greetings from Sens. Paul Muegge and J. Berry Harrison. Newport joined the Leadership class with the other legislators for a photo session on the capitol steps.
Danny Thompson was the day chairman and Pat Morris the tri-chair for the day. The group traveled by bus to the capitol.
From Staff and Wire Reports
OKLAHOMA CITY - Two Ponca City women have been appointed to state boards by Gov. Frank Keating.
In appointments announced Wednesday, Keating named Kathleen Paczkowski of Ponca City to the state Board of Vocational and Technical Education to serve a term expiring April 1, 2003. She succeeds Larry Fisk, who resigned. Senate confirmation is required.
He also named Ponca City Mayor Marilyn Andrews to the Air Quality Advisory Council. She will succeed Pierre Taron and her term expires June 15, 2002.
Senate confirmation is re-quired.
A special Second Friday Forum featuring "Right-To-Work" panelists is slated for 8 a.m., Friday at Pioneer Technology Center. The public is invited, according to Dave Mueller, chairman of the Legislative Review Committee of the Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce.
The first 45 minutes will be devoted to the issue with panelist Kirk Shelley, executive director of Oklahoma Freedom to Work Committee speaking for the issue and Judy Calhoun, lobbyist for the Oklahoma UAW speaking against.
Panel members will respond to written questions following opening statements.
From 8:45 to 9 a.m., legislators Sen. Paul Muegge, and Representatives Jim Reese and Jim Newport will give brief updates on legislative action.
Panelist Calhoun, 43, a native of New Mexico, holds a bachelor of science in education from New Mexico State University and a registered nurses degree from Oklahoma City Community College.
She has been employed by General Motors for 17 years. She has held various elected position s with the UAW. For the past four years she has been the lobbyist for the United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Works of America, UAW Oklahoma State CAP Council and currently holds the position of chairperson for the UAW Oklahoma State CAP Council.
She states, "I have been a lifelong labor union activist and I hope to continue in this worthwhile endeavor of assisting the working people in the state of Oklahoma, whether or not they are members of organized labor."
Shelley is executive director of Oklahoma Freedom to Work. His consulting for pro-business organizations has included successfully completed projects in New Mexico, Mississippi, Arizona, Louisiana and Alabama.
Shelley has a experience heading up local projects for various national organizations working to increase grassroots awareness of key business issues.
He has worked on various projects for many business groups on subjects ranging from home mortgage deductions, Superfund Reform, tort reform and transportation issues. His responsibilities have included high level direct constituent contacts and press and media relations.
In Oklahoma, Shelley has made an immediate impact for pro-business forces. In three years the Oklahoma Freedom to Work Committee has become a 110,000 member organization. In a campaign consulting role, he is responsible for several of the upset victories for pro-business candidates. Most notably, he served as general consultant for Commissioner of Labor Brenda Reneau's victorious campaign.
Complimentary coffee and doughnuts will be served.
This is the sixth in a series of articles entitled, "Meet a Committee Chairperson," featuring individuals who serve as Committee Chairpersons for the Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce.
Health and Medical Committee
Meet Sandy Gearhart, chairperson of the Health and Medical Committee. Gearhart is very qualified to serve in her position on the committee, as she has worked in the healthcare profession for more than 16 years. She is currently serving as the marketing and public relations director for St. Joseph Regional Medical Center of Northern Oklahoma Inc.
In addition to serving on the Health and Medical Committee since it's formation several years ago, Gearhart has also chaired the Ponca City Tomorrow Health Care Committee. Very active in the Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce for the past five years, Gearhart has been an ambassador, participating in many Business After Hours events, and has served in the Chamber's annual membership drives.
Gearhart has also served as captain for the Paul Revere Committee for several years. In 1995, Gearhart served as Chairperson of the Communications Committee as the Chamber prepared for reaccreditation.
Currently on the board of directors of Hospice of Ponca City and Ponca City Tomorrow, Gearhart has also served on the Board of Directors for Edwin Fair Community Mental Health Centers, serving two years as president. Gearhart was recently named to serve on the advisory board for the Northeast Region of the State Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. Gearhart has volunteered at the Community Clinic since it's inception and is a member of the Kay County Wellness Alliance.
A native of Iowa, Gearhart has lived in Oklahoma since 1973. She and her husband Harry are the parents of six grown children and have seven grandchildren.
The purpose of the Health and Medical Committee is to continue to develop and support health care and wellness through education relative to the health care industry; to promote health and wellness programs; to assure quality and affordable health care services are available within the community, and to promote the utilization of local health care providers. Committee members meet at SJRMC on the first Tuesday of each month.
If you have questions about the Health and Medical Committee for the Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce, contact Laura Gray at 765-4400.
Mind Your BISness
Jan Matheson, M.S. LPC, will present "Depression, Grief and Stress Management" at the next "Mind Your BISness" Seminar March 27 at Pioneer Technology Center.
Sessions will be 8:30-11:30 a.m. or 1:30-4:30 p.m. Cost is $5 a person.
Call 762-8336 ext. 238 for reservations or further details.
A Ponca City man has been arrested in connection with the shooting which occurred near the corner of South Elm Street and West Ponca Avenue on March 3.
According to the Ponca City Police Department, a 28-year-old man was arrested in Nowata County Tuesday on a warrant for assault and battery with a deadly weapon. The Kay County District Attorney's Office issued the warrant.
A Ponca City ambulance crew took a 16-year-old boy to St. Joseph Regional Medical Center for a gun shot wound. The victim was treated and released. In addition, a 17-year-old boy suffered minor injuries.
According to the police investigation, words had been exchanged between the suspect and the victims, who were in a car. An altercation ensued, whereby the victim's car was damaged and the shot was fired.
The suspect was expected to be taken to the Kay County Sheriff's Office later Wednesday, according to the PCPD. He is expected to be formally arraigned on charges.
By LAURA TREADWAY
News Staff Writer
For an initial $30,000 investment, the Ponca City Police Department equipped and organized a Tactical Unit in 1993, trained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The unit is deployed for hostage situations, attempted suicides, barricaded suspects, manhunts, high risk warrant service and VIP protection.
According to Capt. Jerry Neville, the Tac team's only expense, since the start-up costs, has been to restock ammunition. The Tactical Unit consists of a head negotiator, two negotiators, two five-man entry teams and a sniper. Neville supervises the unit.
Originally, the team trained once a month for five months with Chuck Choney, FBI agent and team leader for the Oklahoma Division of the FBI. Also, Neville and the team leaders direct monthly training sessions. In addition, two members are specially trained in gas and smoke. These officers know how and where to shoot the gas guns and launchers, confirmed Neville.
Additionally, Neville confirmed that the sniper will be attending a week-long Certified Law Enforcement Education Training school to learn the intricacies of being a sniper. To graduate, the officer must fire a qualifying score and pass a written exam.
In the beginning, officers made application to become a member of the Tac team and were given a physical fitness test. Afterwards, Police Chief Raymond Ham selected 13 to establish the unit.
Each Tac team member has a ballistic helmet, tactical body armor and fire retardant protective clothing. An armored vehicle, ballistic shields, and a negotiator telephone are also available as well as high powered rifles, submachine guns and riot shotguns. Additionally, the unit has gas, smoke and oleoresin capsicum solution (OC spray).
"The least amount of force is used," said Neville. "Everyone wins when we get the arrest and no one is hurt. With the element of surprise, we can hold down the amount of force required."
In keeping costs down, Neville was able to purchase an armored truck for $10, through a special program that Brink's Inc. Armored Car Service has for law enforcement agencies. According to Neville, the truck had a three-year-old motor and transmission, so the department only had to spend about $600 to fix it up.
Since its organization, the Tactical Unit has been deployed to more than five incidents.
"The police department is not equipped to resolve certain situations without the team," said Neville.
The Tac team supervisor stated that the first incident the team responded to, involved a felony warrant for drugs, and was pulled off perfectly. Within 11 seconds, the entry team knocked the door down and placed the two suspects in handcuffs.
"In that instance, everyone knew where they were going and no one was hurt," he said.
The biggest high-risk incident occurred last Memorial Weekend in the 200 block of South Pine Street. According to the officer, shots had been fired when the surrounding area was secured. Three suspects barricaded themselves in an apartment complex and continued to discharge a firearm while negotiating with police.
Two hours later, the suspects were taken into custody. There were no injuries and the deployment was a complete success, confirmed the captain.
Neville, a 23-year veteran with the police department, completed both the basic and advanced courses at the SWAT supervisory school.
A "mulliforri" beaded jewelry making class will be presented at Woolaroc Museum Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. Class fee is $20.
Experienced staff from Tulsa's "The Bead Merchant" will teach the ancient tradition of bead making and beaded jewelry making. Using "Sculpey" clay, students will make their own original beads using the venetian style cane technique, "mulliforri," meaning a thousand flowers.
In order to harden the beads, they will be "fired" or baked for a short time. Visitor will also have the opportunity to incorporate their own unique beads with other beads to make beaded bracelets. The end result is a one-of-a-kind beaded bracelet whose technique dates back centuries.
For more information or to reserve space for the Woolaroc Institute Beaded Jewelry Making class, call (918) 336-0307. Woolaroc is located 12 mules southwest of Bartlesville on State Highway 123.
Ponca City often sees flooding after thunderstorms that produce heavy rain. Although flash flooding can occur at any time, according to the National Weather Service (NWS), the biggest threat runs through the summer months.
In recent years floods and flash floods have often been more deadly in the U.S. than tornadoes or lightning. In 1994, 91 people were killed by floods across the entire U.S.
In addition, an average of 139 people were killed by flash floods from 1974 through 1994. Most flood deaths occurred in cars where motorists attempted to cross flooded roads. NWS urges motorists not to drive into flooded areas.
If the vehicle stalls in high water, abandon it immediately and get to higher ground. Additionally, be cautious when approaching bridges and low water crossings. Rapidly rising water can sweep the vehicle and its occupants away. According to the NWS, it only takes two feet of moving water to lift and carry away most cars and trucks.
Moreover, be alert for rapidly rising creeks, small streams and storm drains. Stay away and keep children away from storm drains and storm sewers. Do not a attempt to walk through flowing flood waters, especially where water is above the knees.
Local Salvation Army officials returned from Arkansas where they helped victims of recent tornadoes.
According to Major Harvey Adams, Commanding Officer of the Salvation Army in Ponca City, Ron Henderson, Richard Winkler and Adams went to Saline County last week to assist in clean-up operations, supervising the canteen units and developing relief efforts.
"The damage was so much more than we had imagined or seen on TV," said Adams. "We had units set up in Polaski County, Saline County, Jonesboro and Arkadelphia. In our area, we had two stationary canteen units serving meals and drinks to workers and victims. In addition, one mobile unit went into desolate areas," he said.
Many groups worked night and day to bring relief to the victims. Crews from Texas and Southern Baptist Men provided reinforcements, enabling the Ponca City men to return home.
The first edition pictorial booklet, Lydie's Legend, E.W. Marland's Tragic Love, is now on sale at the Marland Mansion.
According to Kathy Adams, Historical Buildings director, the booklets can be purchased at the Marland Mansion Gift Shop for $8. Proceeds will go to the Marland Mansion Estate.
First, Lydie Marland was E.W. Marland's niece, then his adopted daughter. On July 14, 1928, she became his second wife. In 1953, she left Ponca City for 22 years.
Upon her return, Lydie lived as a recluse in the chauffeur's quarters until her death on July 25, 1987.
The booklet includes excerpts from personal interview notes of those who knew Lydie, a brief history of life and copy from her memorial service as well as pictures from the Marland Estate collection.
Patti Apman, former executive director of the Marland Estate, wrote, compiled and designed the layout of the booklet. A limited number are available.
Students, teachers and dancers from the community gathered March 8, at 3 p.m. at the Hutchins Memorial Auditorium for an afternoon of dance. They were instructed by the nationally renown dance troupe "Rhythm in Shoes," who also presented the community concert entertainment Sunday afternoon.
The younger dancers participated in two workshops, folkdance/play rhythms and improvisational tap. These dancers included Katie Southard, Hayden Watkins, Jennifer Daniel, Desiree, Dierdre, Drew, Matt, and Ryan White, Sheila Payne, and Rory Sharpe. Also Arthur Morris, Demos and Timothy Dorsey, Hetel Naresh, Aaron and Micah Wright, Lindsay Pruitt, Michael Waechtler, Audrey Eubank, Patrick Powers, Jessi Bruner and Amanda Choate.
Dancers attending from the Inciardi School of Dance and Fran's Dancers included Sean Love, Alisha Allen, Whitney Bunch, Melissa Arambula, Mandy Bacher, Megan Williams, Kim Buie, Meg McDaniel, Shawna Kelley, and Jennifer Severson.
Ponca City teachers included Joyce Myers and Liz Watkins of Woodlands, Marta Maril of Ponca City Middle School, Sharon Luis and Belinda Stephenson of Garfield, and Joan Wright of Liberty.
Dance teachers included Judy Fu Lee and Kathy Mackey. Also members of the community who have been active in several fine arts areas, included Shane Green, Ivery Allen, Tom and Yvonne Ho., and Shirley Williams. The dancers enjoyed learning a contra dance, a reed - called "Rendez-vous" set to traditional 64 measure New England fiddle, banjo, and guitar music. The group finished with a square dance, a lively and more familiar form of dance.
Members and volunteers of the Ponca City Community Concert Association will conduct their annual membership drive, March 24-April 4, and funds from that drive will provide the funding for concerts for the 1997-98 season.
Concerts scheduled for the 1997-98 Community Concert season will include "Direct from Broadway," "Gershwin and Friends," "Antal Szalai's Gipsy Orchestra" and the "Vancouver Wind Trio."
Annual memberships are $12 for students, $24 for adults, $36 for single parent family, and $60 for a full family membership. Free reciprocal concerts at Winfield, Arkansas City, Kan., and Bartlesville are also included in the annual membership.
Information concerning upcoming concerts, and membership, is available by calling Richard Jacobson 765-4822, Leslie Rardin 765-3971, or Mary Lois Nield at 762-5156.
BLACKWELL - Kay Electric will sponsor a Defensive Driving Course on March 17 and 18, from 5-9 p.m. in the Kay Room at 300 West Doolin in Blackwell. (Both sessions must be attended to receive certificate of completion.)
The 55 Alive/Mature Driving Class was developed by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP). Just recently AARP has opened the class to any Oklahoma licensed driver. The class is an eight-hour classroom refresher course, and is approved by the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety. Course participants sharpen their driving skills, develop strategies for adjusting to age-related changes in vision, hearing and reaction time, as well as learning about the effects of medications on driving performance.
Enrollment is $8 a person, and checks need to be made out to AARP and mailed to Kay Electric (P.O. Box 607, Blackwell, OK 74631) with the Applicant's Name, Address, and Phone Number.
This class can save a driver money. After the course is completed, each registered person will receive a certificate of completion that can be turned in to their auto insurance for what the state law calls an 'appropriate' discount that is good for three years. (Discounts vary, so drivers should check with their insurance agent on the discount that they could receive for attending this class.)
Reservations are limited, and will be accepted on a first-come basis. For more information, call Marilyn Harmon at Kay Electric at 405-363-1260.
March has been proclaimed as Kay County Council for the Opportunity Center Membership Month, according to Vice Mayor O.E. (Greg) Gregson.
Rose CrazyBear and Diane Burton represented the Opportunity Center at a recent Ponca City Board of Commissioners meeting, in which Gregson encouraged citizens of Kay County and surrounding areas to join the Council to improve and expand services to meet the needs for persons with mental handicaps.
The Kay County Council provides facilities and support to programs for the citizens of Kay County with developmental disabilities. A common goal of the Council is for each person with a mental handicap to be viewed as unique individuals and given the opportunity to be more independent. Furthermore, the Council wants these individuals to have the opportunity to grow and learn to their potential.
Ram Engineering completed a tie-in of a 24-inch transmission water line to the Water Treatment Plant on Monday.
According to Water Treatment Plant Superintendent, Mike Hatfield, as part of the Northwest Water Transmission Pipeline project, a transmission water line was connected to one of the distributions lines at the Water Treatment Plant. However, one line remains to be connected. The supervisor said, RAM needs additional valves before the second tie-in will be complete.
In addition, west of the railroad tracks, water is being retrieved from the Pine Street Water Tower.
Moreover, they must pressure test and sanitize the line on the east side of the tracks before putting it in service, Hatfield said.
The city official said there will be a very noticeable change when both distribution water lines are connected to the plant and in service. Residents and businesses through the mid-section of Ponca City will experience an increase in water pressure, he said.
Editor, The News:
April 1, we will have an opportunity to vote to continue our sales tax for funding of street work. I am sure from the astounding results of the past two elections that most of us are upset with the kind of questions that have been placed before us. However, I suggest we put that aside on the street question. God knows that this town needs street funding as much as any City in the state.
I think the reason that such a large majority of Citizens were opposed to the questions of the past two elections had a lot to do with how the questions were asked. Citizens no longer trust Government (City, State or Federal) and will nearly always vote No on a question of funding without specific purpose. The Economic Development election of 96 did not have a specific project and The Commission was ill-advised to have called that election.
Then came the greasiest multiplex question of all time with the Fire Station/City Hall/Police Station/Hutchins funding question. I think most of you would agree that a new fire station could be under construction today if we had voted on one question for the proposed funding of an identifiable project with specific items such as: type of building (with sketches), location (less arguable) and the exact dollar amount (moderately conservative) had been laid out in the election proclamation ordinance. Each question of the multiplex question should have been asked separately even if it had taken more than one election to vote on them.
I am also sure the one thing the Commission did that upset us most was their meeting in special session only three days after the election to vote unanimously to purchase two new fire trucks after receiving specific instruction from the Citizens to not buy fire trucks!
And if that were not bad enough, they did not have the money to buy the trucks so they financed them over several years, therefore committing future City Commissioners to continue the payments even if they do not support that concept of general fund financing. Commissioners, that was nearly unforgivable! You have fulfilled the notion that "It doesn't make any difference how we vote, they are going to do it anyway" i.e. swimming pool and library projects of the past.
Back to the issue at hand. Do your streets need improvement? We all know that we must keep improving our streets. The Commissioners through the assistance of the Traffic Commission have done a pretty good job spending our 1/2 cent sales tax for street funding. Yes, some of the street funds have been spent for streets in the industrial park, but those streets are important too. Don't vote no just because you are angry and want to get even with the Commission. Please vote yes for Streets on April 1. And don't forget to vote!
Thanks for listening.
Jerald D. Stone
Past City Commissioner
A ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) can detect ground faults at low levels which can prevent serious injury from electrocution in the home.
According to Phil Johnston, system engineer for the Ponca City Electric Department, the inexpensive electrical device wire, installed in every U.S. household, could prevent nearly 70 percent of the 330 electrocutions that occur each year.
GFCIs are products designed to prevent serious injury or death from electrical shock by detecting ground faults at very low levels. Furthermore, a GFCI should be used in any area where water may come in contact with electrical products.
In addition, if a GFCI senses minimal current leakage to ground in an electrical circuit, it assumes a ground fault has occurred and will interrupt power fast enough to prevent serious injury from electrical shock.
Three types of GFCIs are designed for home use: wall receptacles, circuit
breakers and portable plug-ins. All three are readily available, inexpensive
and fairly simple to install. For more information, contact Johnston at
767-0405.
DEATHS
RED ROCK - Hugh Allen Waters, Red Rock area resident, died Wednesday, March 12, 1997, at his home. He was 68.
The funeral will be held graveside at 10:30 a.m. Friday, at the Grace Hill Cemetery in Perry, with the Rev. Reed Hartford officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Hills-Ely Funeral Home, Medford.
Hugh Allen Waters was born Dec. 15, 1928, in Oklahoma City, the son of Hugh Nathan and Frances Florence (Short) Waters. As an infant, he moved with his family to the Van Buren, Ark., area and attended Bond Special School and the Van Buren public schools. During World War II he traveled across the U.S. with his family, due to his father's job on various defense plants, and in that process attended as many as seven different schools in one term. After the war the family settled in Oklahoma City, where Waters graduated mid-year in 1948 from Capitol Hill High School. He also lived with his aunt and uncle, Helen and Leo McCoy, during a part of his high school days.
On March 6, 1954, he was married to Betty Lou Bulling at the Evangelical United Brethren Church in Orlando, Okla. He worked in the construction business, building houses in Oklahoma City, until 1956, when he purchased a farm and moved to Red Rock.
Waters helped establish the Red Rock Creek Watershed Association after the "big flood" of 1957, and served as its first president and as director. He also served as district director of the Noble County Soil Conservation District for 21 years and on the Red Rock School board for 10 years. Waters was a member of the Perry Elks Lodge and the Red Rock Christian Church, where he had served as treasurer and chairman of the board for many years.
He is survived by his wife, Betty, of the home; one son, Ross Allen Waters of Red Rock; two daughters, Laura Lee Sharp of Stillwater and Nancy L. Waters of Temple, Okla.; two grandchildren; one brother, Arle Waters of Springtown, Texas; his step-mother, Dahlia Waters of Barling, Ark.; and his aunt, Helen McCoy of Wagoner.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Waters, name to Hospice of Ponca City, 1904 North Union, Suite 103, Ponca City, OK 74601.
Opal Betty Adair, former longtime Ponca City resident, died Wednesday, March 12, 1997, at St. Francis Hospital, Tulsa. She was 85.
The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at the Harmony Missionary Baptist Church in Ponca City with pastor Randy Ratliff officiating. Burial will be in the Tonkawa IOOF Cemetery under the direction of the Bixby (Okla.) Funeral Home.
Opal Betty (Basham) Adair was born Jan. 27, 1912, in Council Hill, the daughter of Denver and Maude (Farmer) Basham. She was first married to Marshall Liles and he preceded her in death in 1943. She was also preceded in death by her second husband, A.D. Adair, in 1978. Mrs. Adair was a homemaker and had lived for many years in Ponca City. She was a member of the Harmony Missionary Baptist Church, Ponca City. Mrs. Adair had recently moved to Bixby and had been attending the First Baptist Church of Broken Arrow.
She is survived by three sons, Don Liles of Stillwater, Mike Adair of Weatherford, Texas, and David Adair of Broken Arrow; three daughters, Beverly Dewey of Ponca City, and Patricia J. Stephens and Ina Deuvall, both of Bixby; two step-daughters, Georgia Rose Westmoland of Tulsa and Gerry Adair of Skiatook; 16 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. In addition to both husbands and her parents, she was preceded in death by one son, W.J. Liles; one brother, Orville Basham; and one grandson.
Casket bearers will be Billy Dewey, Jess Adair, Christina Liles, Jeremy Hensley, Tony Liles and Doug Liles. Honorary bearers will be Jason Adair and Aaron Adair.
BLACKWELL - Naomi Welch, longtime Blackwell resident, died Wednesday afternoon, March 12, 1997, at Blackwell Regional Hospital. She was 80.
The funeral will be held graveside at 10:30 a.m. Friday, at the Blackwell IOOF Cemetery with the Rev. Geoffrey Pfaff, pastor of Blackwell First Presbyterian Church officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Hackler Funeral Home, Blackwell.
Naomi (Johnson) Welch was born Jan. 14, 1917, in Arkansas City, Kan., the daughter of Fred H. and Zoela F. (Cole) Johnson. She grew up and received her education in Arkansas City, Kan.
On Sept. 29, 1937, she was married to Carl E. Welch in Perry and the couple established their home in Blackwell. During the 1960s she and her husband owned and operated the Welch Trucking Co.
Mrs. Welch has no immediate family survivors. She was preceded in death
by her husband, Carl, in 1968; her parents; and a brother Fred Johnson.
NEWS BRIEFS
Pancake Breakfast - Elks Lodge, 1301 Bradley, will be serving pancakes (all you can eat) and sausages (limited) or biscuits and gravy Saturday, from 7 to 10 a.m. Adults $3; children under 12 are $1.50; and children under six are free. Proceeds will be used for the summer youth program and lodge maintenance.
Sports Cards- The Ponca City Collectors Club is sponsoring a Sports Card Show Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. The show will be at the Marland Mansion chapel, 901 Monument Road. Admission is free. More information may be obtained by calling 405-765-5333.
Senior Citizens Dance Set - A Senior Citizens Dance will be held from 7 to 10 p.m. on Friday at the Senior Citizens Building, 320 South A in Arkansas City. The Pete Coli Country Band will play music for dancing. All seniors are invited to attend and bring their favorite food to share.
USS Taussig Reunion - The USS Taussig DD746 will have the 11th reunion of shipmates in September. The location is Clubhouse Inn and Conference Center in Nashville. The reunion begins Sept. 24 and check out is Sept. 28. Contact person is Vincent Esposito, 7 Astronomy Lane, Levittown, N.Y. 11756; phone 516-579-4479.
Airman Graduates - Misty D. Willaford has graduated from the information management apprentice course at Keesler Air Force Base, Biloxi, Miss. Course graduates learned administrative support and office management for functional staff elements. Willaford is the daughter of Roberta E. Goddard and Garth R. Willaford, both of Ponca City. She is a 1996 graduate of Po-Hi.
Departs for West Pacific - Navy Airman Juan E. Salazar, son of Paula J. Sneed of Ponca City, has departed for a three-month deployment to the Western Pacific aboard the amphibious assault ship USS New Orleans. Salazar is one of more than 800 sailors assigned to USS New Orleans who departed San Diego to participate in a combined exercise with Australia. More than 28,000 U.S. and Australian personnel will participate in the exercise. During preparation, his unit took part in joint forces exercise off the coast of California. Salazar is a 1993 graduate of Po-Hi and joined the Navy in 1994.
DUI School - Alcohol Training and Education Inc. will conduct a State Certified Alcohol and Drug Substance Course known as DUI School, March 21 and 22 at Rose Stone Inn, 120 South Third. Classes will be 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday. To pre-enroll, call 765-199 8. Walk-ins are welcome.
Abandoned - An employee from Woodlands School contacted Ponca City telecommunication officers at 8:12 a.m. Wednesday to report an abandoned bike.
Grass Fire - Ponca City firefighters responded within two minutes to extinguish a grass fire at North Seventh Street and East Hazel Avenue at 9:58 a.m. Wednesday. According to the fire report, a high voltage fuse overheated, which melted a plastic cover and started the grass fire. The fire burned approximately 100 square feet.
Bike Theft - A resident on Hillcrest Drive informed Ponca City telecommunication officers at 10:17 a.m. Wednesday that a bike was stolen.
Larceny - A Ponca City police officer took a report of items stolen from a residence in the 100 block of North Lake Street at 2:27 p.m. Wednesday.
Accident - A five-year-old boy received minor injuries in an accident at North Fifth Street and East Liberty Avenue at 3:14 p.m. Wednesday. A Ponca City police officer responded to the accident and took a report.
Stolen - A resident in the 300 block of South Oak Street reported the theft of a boys blue mountain bike to Ponca City telecommunication officers at 4:46 p.m. Wednesday. A Ponca City police officer took a report.
Found - The Ponca City telecommunication officers received notice of three bikes found in the 3500 block of Wellington Road at 4:55 p.m. Wednesday.
Larceny - A Ponca City police officer took a report of a mobile phone stolen from a vehicle in the 300 block of East Grand Avenue at 5 p.m. Wednesday.
Found - A resident in the 1700 block of Little Lane found a bicycle and reported it to Ponca City telecommunication officers at 6:34 p.m. Wednesday.
Extra Patrol - An employee of the Elks Lodge, 1301 Bradley Avenue, requested extra patrol at 7:54 p.m. Wednesday from the Ponca City Police Department. The employee reported problems with juveniles in the area.
Shoplifting - Three Ponca City police officers responded to the
report of a shoplifter at Hastings Books, 2101 North Fourteenth Street.
A 19-year-old man was arrested at 9:18 p.m. Wednesday for petit larceny.
GARDENING
BY PATTI N. CARMACK
News Lifestyles Editor
The color brochure and the hint of spring coming were reasons to make me excited enough to hurriedly finish my work for the day and make elaborate arrangements for "covering" the nearest top ten lawn, flower and garden show- top ten for the nation according to "House Beautiful" magazine. In this case, in Wichita, Kan.
Since I write and edit a gardening page for The News, I felt the need to take pictures of living plants and learn more of the gardener's vernacular. Considering that Ponca Citians often use the Wichita planting zone based on weather conditions, soil, planting times, etc. I thought this would be an ideal trip for furthering my here-to-fore lacking education in the field of horticulture.
Borrowing photo equipment and trying to learn how to use it properly in a 10-minute session, I armed myself with a notebook, pen, camera, film and flash, bag to carry brochures and a chauffeur (in this scenario, my husband) and set off for the land of Dorothy and Toto. I found, not a yellow brick road, but a gray concrete one that led from Lawrence-Dumont stadium and the shuttle to the Century II expo-center in downtown Wichita.
Wanting to be professional, I waited, with my camera on a strap around my neck, while the chauffeur purchased tickets and picked up voting ballots for "best of show." We immediately had to make a decision on which direction to go first.
Opting for the left turn because of the massive evergreens in that direction I was awed at the amount of work it must have taken to recreate a woodland scene indoors. Five Wichita area nurseries created individual garden settings following a subtitle of the show's overall theme of "Memories of Spring."
Going from one lovely display to another I was delighted to see waterfalls, reflection ponds, rock walls and hundreds of species of plants and trees in varying Spring colors including yellows, pinks, lavenders and white as well as green. Professional judges from the area will present awards for the winning display.
Primary focus of the garden show according to the non-profit association that manages the event is "Beauty and Education." Some of the proceeds go toward educational organizations and community landscape projects.
Sedgwick county extension service educational seminars were held hourly throughout the show which was held March 6-9. The latest lawn and garden techniques and products were on display and a television film crew from the Home and Garden Channel was on hand to tape a segment on the show to be aired in late 1997 and early 1998.
In keeping with the garden theme Kansas artists exhibited various mediums of artwork and the WLF&G group co-sponsored with the Prairie Quilt Guild a quilted wallhanging contest.
Wandering through the aisles and trying to take photographs of the many things on exhibit without getting strangers in the picture proved to be a challenge. I attempted to find members of the Ponca City Garden Club Council who were attending the show, but was unable to locate them. Each time I asked if anyone had seen the group they would say "Oh you just missed them" so I know they were there. In talking later in the week with Rebecca Barker, president of the Ponca City Garden Council, we decided we all were circling opposite sides of the show.
Over 200 orchids were on display and several contests were taking place as I stopped to admire the many booths present. The first Birdhouse contest was conducted this year and the innovative dwellings made a picturesque setting for the plantings. Kansas 4-H groups were represented as well as the Great Plains Nature Center.
I spent some time visiting with the people at the "Enviroshopping" booth representing K-State Research as we talked about recycling grass clippings, making and using compost and related topics. When I mentioned Oklahoma State University and the information I receive from them I asked the K-State people if I could use their information also. Their response was "Sure-after all we probably got a good portion of it from OSU." By this time I was thinking it was indeed a "small world." Yes, I know, I was only about 100 miles from Ponca City.
Throughout the day announcements were made concerning various seminars being conducted and many of the lessons sounded like they would be of major interest for The News Gardening page, but regarding my limited time, I decided to let the garden clubs report on the workshops members attended.
Before leaving I returned to admire the impressive center landscapings. Garden A was titled "Memories-Foundations for the Future" while Garden B was called "Reflections." "Beacon of Hope" was Garden C and my personal favorite. Garden D was"Creating Tomorrow's Memories" and Garden E was "First Love."
The varied themes included a replica of a lighthouse with ocean front property, small cabin tucked admist the trees, and garden delights hidden in every nook and cranny of the displays. An oriental theme was used for one center with all the graceful design you would expect from such a garden. Ponds, trellis, bridges and hundreds of plants such as tulips, daffodils, impatiens, petunias, and many more flowers, shrubs, etc. provided a treat for the eye. The perfume from so many flowers wafted through the show to mix with smells from the concession stands and give a holiday atmosphere.
Hating to leave, but realizing I had enough material to fill the Gardening pages for many months, I decided to call it a day. For those of you who have never seen a show of this type I heartily recommend the trip even if you are not a gardener.
And before I forget, yes, there were many herbs there and it increased my interest in the Ponca City Herb Festival being planned here in June. Members of the Sage, Rosemary and Thyme Garden Club are sponsors and festival plans indicate it will be a learning experience as well as fun for the family. I am looking forward to my second "gardening show" this year.
The time for the Ponca City Iris Festival is approaching and planning is underway for the fourth annual Community Iris Show to be May 3-4 at the Fourth Street Clubhouse. This show is sponsored by Southside Neighbors under the direction of Richard Barker, coordinator.
According to Barker this show will be the "best ever" as entries increase each year. The event is open to all "growers" of Iris plants in the area and flowers may be entered without being named. Competition will be according to color.
The show will have both an adult and a junior division. Multiple entries may be submitted by the individual, but there may be only one entry per color. More than 600 visitors attended the two day show in 1996.
The floral motif will be used for items being sold such as windsocks, banners, mugs and candle holders as well as hand-crafted wooden Iris and Iris rhizomes. A new product for the hand-crafted items this year will be lapel pins featuring authentic Iris. These pins are being made by Jan Erhart.
Among the members on the planning committee are Dick Barker, coordinator;
Jerry Cathey, founder of the Iris show; June Meade, Ben Meade, and Rebecca
Barker. More information about the Iris show may be obtained by calling
the Barkers, 765-1689.
SPORTS
By DAVID BROWN
News Associate Sports Editor
When the Blackwell Lady Maroons take the court tonight at 7 against Sallisaw at Del City they will end a long drought. It will mark the first time since 1921 that a girls basketball team from Blackwell has participated in a state tournament game.
"The town's just going crazy," second-year head coach Jamie Burtner (the former Jamie Graves of Ponca City) said of Blackwell's reaction to her team's success. "We're having a pep rally today at 2 p.m. downtown and the grade schools, the middle school and the high school are all letting kids out so they can attend. It's a neat feeling. There is a lot of support for the girls."
Blackwell hasn't played girls basketball for all those 76 years between tournament appearances, but it has fielded a girls team the past 22 seasons, with only occasional success.
But Burtner has led her unranked squad to the state tournament in just her second season at the helm. The Lady Maroons were 17-11 her first year and are currently 19-8 as they get set to go up against preseason No. 1 and current No. 4-ranked Sallisaw (21-4), the defending Class 4A state champions.
"Sallisaw is the No. 2 seed in the tournament. They won state last year and return just one player, but she scored 36 in the finals last season. (Athena) McCoy is a great penetrator and a great scorer (averaging 17.1 points per game). We have to contain her and keep the others off the boards, because she will be doing most of the shooting."
Burtner hopes the size of her ball club will be able to accomplish those goals.
"They are not very big, and we start a 6-footer, plus a 5-10 girl and another 5-9 with a 5-8 girl first off the bench," said Burtner, the former Po-Hi all-stater, NOC All-Region II performer and University of Oklahoma player.
Blackwell will rely on its balance offensively.
"Our strength is our inside game, but we don't rely on any one player," said Burtner. "We really have very good balance. We have a 4-player that can shoot from the high post, we have a 3-player that penetrates well and can shoot the three-pointer, we have a 2-guard that is a very good three-point shooter and a point guard that handles the ball well and doesn't make many turnovers. And then we have a great defensive player off the bench in Amanda Perkins.
The Lady Maroons' starters are Valerie Clark (6-0, 9.4 ppg), Heather Stone (5-9, 9.1 ppg), Ashlee Young (5-5, 8.2 ppg), Haley Goff (5-9, 6.0 ppg) and Emily DeBoard (5-6, 5.3 ppg). Perkins averages 2 points per game as well as 4 rebounds. Stone is the leading rebounder at 7 per game while Clark averages 5 rebounds per game.
Clark, Stone and Perkins are seniors. Goff and DeBoard are juniors and Young is a sophomore.
Burtner was on three state tournament teams with Ponca City, which was a state runner-up her senior year. She was also on two Region II Tournament qualifying teams at Northern Oklahoma, which went 21-9 during her sophomore campaign.
Burtner credits Ponca City coach Larry Rehl and Northern coach Greg Krause with influencing her coaching, as well as her time spent at the University of Oklahoma.
"Coach Rehl taught us a lot about the game. He was great with the Xs and Os and zones. Coach Krause took it a step further with a lot of man to man and a lot of different things."
So what does Burtner have Blackwell running?
"Defensively, we like to run a matchup zone, a 1-2-2 or a 3-2. And we run coach Rehl's offense against the zone and we call it Arkansas just like coach Rehl called it. We like to run a 1-4 out single post offense. Our inbounds plays was taken from OU.
"Really, I've taken from everyone, including coach (Jeff) Fletcher (Blackwell assistant coach). He knows the kids so well and is a big help."
Blackwell advanced to the 4A State Tournament by taking the area consolation championship in a 40-30 win over Okmulgee, after losing in the area championship game to top-ranked Harrah.
Sallisaw will go into tonight's game the favorite, no doubt. But Burtner has her Lady Maroons believing in themselves. And why not, they are just the third team in school history to advance to a state basketball tournament (boys or girls), and the first since 1956.
"I've stressed to the girls that we have three more games to win to get where we want to be. I'm not just satisfied getting to the state tournament," said Burtner. "and I don't think they are either."
TULSA - Ponca City 125-pound state champion Matt Dodgen was named the Frontier Conference Wrestler of the Year by league coaches.
Dodgen, brother Mark (119 pounds) and Stockton Graves (160) were all named to the All-Conference team. All three were state placers with Mark Dodgen taking second and Graves third.
Five other Wildcats received Honorable Mention awards. They included Doug Scott at 134 pounds, Darrin Smith at 145, Toby Redleaf at 152, Jay Bentley at 189 and Cory Burkett at heavyweight.
The rest of the first-team All-Conference team included Scott Barbee of Sapulpa at 103 pounds, Ben Elmore of Stillwater at 112, Chris Forbes of Broken Arrow at 130, Justin McAuliff of Jenks 135, Ricky Jaramillo of Broken Arrow 140, Scott Lunsford of Union 145, Justin Ross of Sapulpa 152, Ryan Allensworth of Stillwater 171, Scott Douglas of Broken Arrow 189, Max Wilson of Sapulpa 215 and Jake Harringer of Broken Arrow heavyweight.
The Frontier Conference Coach of the Year was Steve Dunlap of Broken Arrow.
BRAMAN - Frontier, which won both the boys and girls North Central River Valley Conference championships, topped the league's All-Conference picks
The Class A State Champion Mustangs placed four players on the All-Conference boys' team. They were Josh Regnier, Nolan Grant, Mitch Shiever and Dee Buxton.
Braman players included conference Most Valuable Player Jeff Frieouf and teammate Kent Douglas. Billings selections were Kevin Goforth and Robby Pittman. The 10-player team also included Joe Silks of Deer Creek-Lamont and Justin Cyphers of Mulhall-Orlando.
The All-Conference girls' team included Most Valuable Player Mindy Williams of Frontier with teammates Stephanie Romero and Elizabeth Sober.
Billings also had three selections, Annie Reim, Jamie Hayton and Billie Heinrich. The Braman picks were Joy Turner and Jennifer Head. Also on the team were Julie Gallaway of Mulhall-Orlando and Ashley Tefft of DCLA.
The Academic All-Conference team, seniors with a cumulative grade point
average of 3,5, included Goforth, Hayton, Reim, Pete Matthiesen and Michele
Thralls of Billings; Brian Coons, Frieouf and Turner of Braman; Frontier's
John Burk, April Vap and Williams; and Heather Hill, Silks and Truby Sproull
of DCLA.