From The Pages Of The Ponca City News, Thursday,
March 20, 1997
LOCAL
77 Undocumented Aliens Netted During INS Action
County Election Board Purges Names of Former Residents
Nearly News
Spring Arrives
Five Neglected Horses Mending at 'Safe Place'
Crime Stoppers
Plans Are Being Prepared For West Side Block Party
Tourism Panel Provides Funds for Two Publications
Oklahoma Festival Ballet in Third Show At Poncan Theatre
Traffic Panel Meets Friday Afternoon
Police Investigating Early Morning Fight
National Field Trials Banquet Set Saturday
DEATHS
Walter L. Kampschroeder
Hubert S. McMonigle
Lena Bell Jernigan
Vivian Lenna Redbird
Elsie Frances Younkin
Funerals
Patricia Ann Hise
Carolyn Fae Seal
Services Pending
Floyd A. Davis
NEWS BRIEFS
GARDENING
Wes Rice To Teach Course About Pecans On April 20
Festivals Set For Spring & Summer
SPORTS
Liston Struggles in His Final Collegiate Game
Sailfish Do Well at Jr. Olympics
By LAURA TREADWAY
News Staff Writer
U.S. Immigration agents apprehended 77 undocumented aliens in Ponca City and Blackwell Wednesday.
According to a press release from the U.S. Department of Justice, Immigration and Naturalization Service, approximately Oklahoma City special agents were assisted by INS investigators and detention and deportation personnel from Dallas, Texas, Kansas City, Mo., and Wichita, Kan. The aliens were processed at the Edmond Oklahoma National Guard Armory.
Victor W. Johnston, INS officer in charge, said INS agents conducted work site enforcement operations at approximately 7:11 a.m. at the meat processing plant, where 66 undocumented aliens were netted.
At 9:45 a.m., an additional operation was conducted at Electron Corporation, in Blackwell, where 10 undocumented aliens were apprehended. The release verified that the 57 men and 20 women were Mexican nationals. All, but one man, requested voluntary departure to Mexico and were immediately removed.
"These actions were part of an on-going INS enforcement initiative designed to remove unauthorized aliens from the workplace. Both employers fully cooperated with INS during the investigation," the officer confirmed.
Four Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers and officers from the Ponca City Police Department also assisted in the proceeding.
In a press release, TAV confirmed that the business had not been accused of committing any violations, although a number of employees were found not to be lawful residents of the U.S.
In addition, the company insists that all employees provide necessary documentation required by federal law to verify employment eligibility.
"It appears, however, that forged or fraudulent documents may have been provided to us by a small group of employees," the company said in the release. "We are committed, in letter and spirit, to equal employment opportunity for all. Without compromising our commitment and sensitivity to nondiscrimination at all of our plants, we will continue to work with federal authorities to ensure that our nation's immigration laws are complied with in full."
Moreover, Electron Corporation Division Manager Richard Hicks, also said the company's documentation was in order, but, false documents were apparently provided by a few employees.
By MARK GALVIN
News Staff Writer
NEWKIRK - The names of more than 600 former Kay County voters have been dropped from the county rolls during the state's first-ever computer-match cleanup, county election board secretary Carol Stafford said this week.
The deletion of former voters - those who have either died or moved away - was part of a statewide effort to get the rolls as clean and accurate as possible.
All 77 Oklahoma counties are on the state computer and where the search discovered "true duplicates" of names, birth dates and other search criteria, the older registration was deleted.
Stafford said it is not that easy to maintain completely accurate registration rolls.
In fact, she said, "It's impossible, because we're depending on the voter to report the change. The people are responsible for it themselves."
She said there's no real consequence to the county if the rolls are not 100-percent clean but it "helps us look professional" during the elections.
"A lot of people get tired of seeing their daughter's name or their son's name on the rolls after they've moved away. That's what people complain the most about," Stafford said.
At the end of 1996, Kay County had 31,912 registered voters, including 2,069 voters new to the county.
With those new registrations came 521 more Democrats, 960 more Republicans and 588 more Independents. Because of the greater increase of Republicans, the party pushed its county membership total closer to the number of Democrats here.
The county had 14,808 Democrats, 14,579 Republicans and 2,361 Independents at year's end.
"You get way more registrations in a big election year," Stafford explained, adding that new voters are typically those who have just reached voting age or party-changers such as Independents who change parties to vote in primary elections.
She said people often mistakenly think the election board gets busy only once every four years.
Stafford, along with the election board's two employees, Cheryl Howard and Carol Eastin Leaming, was responsible for 21 individual elections last year, including five county-wide elections.
The board also has 93 regular precinct officials who worked the 21 elections, including those for individual cities and schools, and a total of 96 trained substitutes ready to fill in when the regular officials can't work.
For each election, each ballot must be tested 100 times for each arrow on the ballot to prove to the candidates that the arrow did work and that they have a fail-proof election, she said.
In 1996, the election board staff entered into the computer 2,529 new voters and 1,714 updates or changes on previously registered voters.
With deletions of 1,021 registered voters in the county, the staff totaled 5,775 transactions during the year - an average of 482 transactions per month.
"And people ask, 'What do we do to stay busy?'" Stafford said.
Those who haven't been able to get up and out early enough to see Comet Hale-Bopp (which has been visible to the naked eye in the predawn hours for several months), have a wonderful opportunity to see the most spectacular comet in recent memory. Look to the northwest just after sunset and you will see the interstellar visitor. Don't expect fireworks, but if you look closely (telescope or binoculars not necessary, but helpful and fun) you will see the wispy tail which, extends 100 million miles behind the 25-mile-long comet.
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While we're on the subject of nature and celestial events, today is the first day of spring, which officially arrived at 7:56 a.m., when the sun was directly over the equator. NN usually declares Dec. 21 as the first day of spring, because that's when the days start getting longer, but since the rest of the world observes the vernal equinox, then so shall we. By the way, for those who notice these things, Monday was Ponca City's "vernal equinox." The sun came up at 6:37 a.m. and set at 6:37 p.m., giving us 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of not daylight.
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If spring is here, can Daylight Savings Time be far behind? DST begins at 2 a.m. on the first Sunday in April, which is April 6.
'SPRING HAS SPRUNG," and the beautiful blooming Bradford Pear trees on the grounds of Roosevelt School on Highland Avenue are showing appreciation with their blossoms on this first day of spring. Spring officially arrived at 7:56 a.m. today. (News Photo by Louise Abercrombie)
By LAURA TREADWAY
News Staff Writer
Five neglected quarter horses from Osage County are on the mend. The horses were recently rescued from their owner's abuse, and taken to a "safe place" in the Sand Springs area.
According to Laurie Lawson, executive director, for Second Chance Equine Rescue Foundation of Broken Arrow, the horses are much more active and definitely feeling better. However, Lawson did express concern for the 27-year-old mare who is still anemic. Isolated from the others, she is being fed a mashed mixture, four times each day.
On March 7, the Osage County Sheriff's Office obtained a court order to remove the horses after investigating a complaint of neglect, east and south of Ponca City. Using trailers and vehicles from Second Chance volunteers, the horses were relocated to the "safe place."
Furthermore, Lawson said that with approval from a judge, Second Chance can take the issue out of the sheriff's hand and satisfy the association's stableman's lien. She confirmed that the horses will not be taken to a sale barn.
"We can pick and choose the horses' new home, as well as monitor them for a year," the director said. "We don't want the horses to get back into the same situation."
The non-profit organization has already spent more than $700 on transportation, vet bills and feed. In addition, Lawson said a farrier worked all day caring for the horses feet. The farrier commented to Lawson that the horses feet had never been cared for.
"Owners do not realized how very expensive horses are and what is required for their care," she continued.
According to Cottle, the sheriff's office will submit a report to the district attorney's office asking the D.A. to file charges of animal cruelty against the owner.
Second Chance provides education and assistance to horse owners as well as furnishes nutritional, medical needs and loving care for sick, starving or abused horses. If the owner can be educated on nutritional and health care needs, the animal may remain at home. 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 Lawson at (918) 357-2578 or outside the Broken Arrow/Tulsa area call 1-800-449-8546.
Cash Registers, Safe Missing
Crimestoppers is investigating a crime which occurred at a business in the 300 block of East Hartford Avenue between March 16 at 9 p.m. and March 17.
According to Lt. E.B. VanArsdale, of the Ponca City Police Department, an unknown person or persons forcibly entered the Blimpies Subs and Salads Restaurant and took two electronic cash registers, a safe weighing approximately 90 pounds and an undisclosed amount of cash.
If you have information about this crime or any other crime in the Ponca City area, call Crimestoppers at 762-5100. Callers may receive a reward of up to $1,000 and may remain anonymous.
Plans are in the works for a West Side Block Party and Community Gathering May 3 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
A group of neighbors from the west side of Ponca City, city staff, area ministers, and the Ponca City Police Department attended a meeting of the Mutual Respect and Community Attitude for Ponca City Tomorrow on Tuesday.
Discussion centered on the development of a community center where youths, elderly and families could gather. If a facility is provided and a west side alliance is formed, the Ponca City Police Department said they would look into the possibility of "community policing," where officers would be educated to assist residents in working through problems.
According to Major Everette VanHoesen, with the PCPD, "These officers would go door-to-door introducing themselves to people. They would spend time getting to know the community to provide more personal contact.
Sandy Murphy-Driggers, co-chair for the Mutual Respect Committee, said, "The goal is to get everyone involved."
The idea to form a west side alliance came to the committee, according to co-chair Benita Graham. "We want to help get this effort started," she said.
The group agreed that a leader was needed to organize the effort. Attendees at the meeting offered support in organizing the block party.
For simplification, the "west side" is considered from Highland Avenue to South Avenue and Waverly Street to Union Street. The group will meet again next week.
By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE
News Business Editor
Ponca City Tourism Authority (PCTA) made two positive moves in the interest of promoting the Native American culture Wednesday approving the expenditure of $2,800 for Standing Bear Memorial brochures and $430 to advertise in the upcoming Indian issue of Oklahoma Today magazine.
The approval of the brochures came after some soul searching by the group as to whether this was setting a precedence. Three years is the limit for grant requests and Standing Bear Foundation has received grant funds the past three years.
Missy Morland, PCTA coordinator, made the pitch that she really needed the brochures in promoting upcoming tours to Ponca City. The brochure funding was passed with a "one time" stipulation. The funds will come out of advertising and promotion and not out of grant money. Bettie Marsh made the presentation on behalf of the Standing Bear Foundation.
March 31 is the last day for grant requests to be turned in for the next quarter. Applications may be obtained at the PCTA office at the Chamber of Commerce building.
Morland reported that the Heartland Americas Marketplace and Show had been canceled and the $1,000 fee had been refunded. Morland and Kathy Adams, director of the Marland Estate, will be attending a Glamor Show in Dallas this week. She said seven tour groups have been here and there are 30 more on the books so far this year.
Discussion was held on the location of Angel Central and the PCTA members suggested that the seasonal store, open during the holiday season, be located downtown.
The 1996-1997 plan of action, which was updated at a work session on Tuesday, was approved. Short term goals include developing a contingencies plan if the lodging tax revenues should drop considerably or increase considerably.
Long-term goals are to create a new attraction that provides a central place for the 101 Ranch memorabilia; to promote ongoing festivities, create local tours for tourists in motels and develop a performance, play, or reenactment on a yearly basis to continue to attract motor coaches, visitors and the public to Ponca City.
The board approved a letter to be sent to Mayor Marilyn Andrews presented by Chairman David Zimmerman, and signed by the board, stating the PCTA preferred to remain independent rather than return to the umbrella of the Chamber of Commerce. Invited guests included Larry Felix, chairman of the chamber, and Jack Shilling, acting CEO.
If the PCTA does not become affiliated with the Chamber there is some discussion about moving the office from the Chamber building. Currently the PCTA has free rent from the Chamber and shares a secretary. Possible other locations could be the gate house at the Marland Mansion or the Cann Garden Center, both city-owned facilities.
The PCTA is funded by a three percent motel tax. Morland reported the tax revenues were down about 10 percent for January and February.
New Ponca City brochures were presented and in addition to the logo on the back, shows a blue ribbon for winning the best brochure award in 1996. Betty Rutz reported that volunteers are needed to help keep the brochure racks around Ponca City filled.
Jan Prough, Pioneer Woman Museum manager, told that the construction is going on at the museum and that the entire complex is being built. Last month it was apparently in question as to whether one of the larger rooms could be funded.
Approval of financials was postponed until next month, as Morland said the incorrect financials were included in the packet.
Another guest was Kenn Wessel, the new executive director of the Poncan Theatre.
NORMAN - Oklahoma Festival Ballet (OFB), the resident ballet company of the University of Oklahoma, will make its third appearance at the Poncan Theatre on Friday. Based upon past tour performances, Ponca City audience members anticipate the curtain rising on a professional ballet production touched with elegance, exuberance and pure delight.
However ticket holders are not the only ones making plans for the special evening. Consider the eager preparations of the company, the months of work and behind-the-scenes details which culminate in a two-hour performance.
Oklahoma Festival Ballet is not a stranger to touring. Last year the ballet visited five cities and just two weeks ago returned from a second week long tour to France.
Thirty-two dancers will grace the Poncan stage after having rehearsed 15 or more hours every week, Monday through Saturday since January. Four dance faculty members and three rehearsal assistants have worked to stage new repertoire, refresh and revise the classic Swan Lake from OFB's fall season, and polish all four ballets which will tour to Ponca City.
Rehearsal schedules, however, are only a part of the advance preparation necessary for this production. Even prior to January, OFB's administrative staff has remained busy making arrangements for publicity pictures, press releases, program information and transportation.
A costume crew has had to fit, alter and box for travel, 46 costumes with accessories such as tights, headpieces and shoes. The production staff will have to gather five rolls of linoleum, each weighing over 50 pounds, which will compose the dance floor. They make sound recordings, prepare props and tote along audio and video equipment to document the company's performance.
In order for all the pieces of the production to fit together smoothly a production coordinator visits the Poncan Theatre two weeks in advance to familiarize himself with the lighting and sound equipment, as well as to take measurements for the stage. Using this vital information, he assists the dancers by taping off the space on the floor of the studio so they can rehearse according to exact stage specifications. Once he understands what is possible from the technical standpoint he also begins to work with the artistic director on lighting designs.
On the day of the tour a cargo van is loaded with the costumes, props, dance floor, audio and video equipment and technical supplies. The production coordinator and one other faculty member travel to Ponca City prior to the rest of the company and begin taping down the floor and focusing the lighting equipment.
The remaining dances, faculty and staff will depart two hours later, at about 10 a.m., with their make-up cases and personal belongings in three passenger vans. Upon arrival the dancers will take a one and one-hour class on stage while faculty and staff begin to program light cues and unload and touch-up costumes. After class the dancers and faculty space the ballets on the stage.
At about 4:30 p.m., if all goes well, the entire company receives one hour off to rest and eat. Dancers then head to the dressing room to put on make-up. The stage manager soon takes control and finalizes coordination between lights, sound and backstage. The dancers reappear on stage for 30 minutes to take another short class in order to keep their muscles warm.
At 7:40 p.m., the house opens. Most audience members do not realize all that has transpired during the day. Hopefully the curtain rises and the performance concludes without so much as a falter. This is certainly an accomplishment and a testament to the organizational abilities of the technicians, administration and production staff, as well as the dancers.
However, when the curtain closes and the audience departs, Oklahoma Festival Ballet returns to work. The floor is rolled up, costumes are boxed and the vans loaded. The company travels home in the dead of night.
Thoughts are already focused on plans for next year's tour to Ponca City. The routine unloading is repeated once again in Norman. Everything must be placed into Oklahoma Festival Ballet's home theatre before the dancers, faculty and staff can go home and grab a short night of rest. They will have to be up early the next day to prepare for yet another performance.
The 1996 Annual Traffic Accident Report will be discussed by the Ponca City Traffic Commission at the Public Safety Center, 200 East Oklahoma Avenue, at 1:15 p.m. Friday.
In other business, members will consider a request from Conoco to vacate certain streets in the Conoco "Greenbelt" area. Also, Traffic Engineer Mike Lane will provide 25-year traffic volume projections for Fifth Street, from Hartford Avenue to Prospect Avenue.
Additionally, traffic accident reports on Prospect Avenue (from the railroad tracks to Fourteenth Street) and on Fourteenth Street (from South Avenue to Knight Avenue) will be reviewed.
A 25-year-old Ponca City man received multiple stab wounds during a fight in the 400 block of South Perry Street at 1:49 a.m. this morning.
Ponca City emergency medical technicians took Wayne L. DeLodge to St. Joseph Regional Medical Center where he has been admitted. The ambulance report indicated the man was stabbed twice in the lower left back and once in the upper left arm.
A hospital supervisor confirmed it was too early to release information on the victim's condition.
According to Ponca City telecommunication officers, two Ponca City police officers responded to the report of a fight. Officers took an 18-year-old man into custody for assault with deadly weapons.
Joshua Wiggs, 18, of Ponca City, was also taken to SJRMC where he was treated and released, the hospital official confirmed.
Currently, Ponca City detectives are investigating the incident.
Captain Jack Parker, well-known speaker and humorist, will provide the entertainment Saturday at a banquet being held in conjunction with the National Field Trials.
Sponsored by Quail Unlimited, the National Field Trials are being held Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Red Rock Ranch.
The banquet will be at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Marland Estate Chapel. Tickets are $20 and reservations can be made by calling Bob Schuster at 762-1217.
Local Quail Unlimited officials say the banquet and field trials are open to the public.
The trials, which feature the best in hunting dogs, will be held at Red
Rock Ranch, eight miles south of Ponca City on U.S. 177 and eight miles
east to the ranch. Signs will be posted.
DEATHS
WINFIELD, Kan. - Walter L. Kampschroeder, former Braman-Newkirk area resident, died Wednesday morning, March 19, 1997, at Presbyterian Manor, Arkansas City, Kan. He was 84.
The funeral will be held at 2 p. m. Saturday, at Miles Funeral Service in Winfield, Kan. Burial will be at the Highland Cemetery in Winfield. Friends may visit at the funeral home from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and until service time, Saturday.
Walter L. Kampschroeder was born Jan. 22, 1913, on a farm near Braman. He was one of four children born to Henry and Anna (Janke) Kampschroeder. At age seven, he moved with his family to Winfield, where he grew up and received his education. The family moved back to the Braman area in the 1930s.
During World War II, Kampschroeder served as an infantryman with the U.S. Army 90th Division during the invasion of Europe. He was captured by enemy forces and confined to a POW camp in Germany for a year. After his release and discharge, he returned to the family farm near Braman, where he lived and farmed in the Braman-Newkirk area throughout his adult life.
He was married to Laura Wallace Bence in Miami, Okla., on Aug. 16, 1982. Kampschroeder was a member of the Redeemer Lutheran Church in Arkansas City. He enjoyed visiting with family and friends, farming, working with livestock, and baseball. He had resided at Presbyterian Manor in Arkansas City, Kan., since February 1996.
Survivors include his wife, Laura, of the home, 1711 North Fourth Street, Arkansas City, KS 67005; one brother, Henry Kampschroeder of Cambridge, Kan.; one sister, Louise Womacks of Atlanta, Kan.; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Edmond Kampschroeder.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Kampschroeder's name to the Presbyterian Manor, c/o Miles Funeral Service, 1001 East Ninth Street, Winfield, KS 67156.
Hubert S. McMonigle, 121 Cooley, died Wednesday afternoon, March 19, 1997, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. He was 80.
The funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, at the Community Christian Church, with the Rev. Wayne Majors, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in the Ponca City IOOF Cemetery under the direction of Trout Funeral Home.
Hubert S. McMonigle was born Sept. 24, 1916, in Marland, the son of Porter and Bertha Lee (Wright) McMonigle. As a young man, McMonigle began working for Jack Webb's ranching operation near Marland.
On Dec. 23, 1939, he was married to Mildred Fern Mathes in Perry. He joined Continental Oil Co., as a pipefitter in the refinery in June 1941. During World War II, McMonigle served as a motor machinist's mate 1st Class with the U.S. Navy. After the war, he returned to Continental Oil, where he retired Sept. 30, 1976, as a coordinator. He and his wife enjoyed camping, and were members of several RV clubs. McMonigle was a member of Community Christian Church. He was an avid fisherman and hunter.
Survivors include his wife, Mildred, of the home; one son, Terry, of Ponca City; one daughter, Yvonne McMonigle Smith of Ponca City; one brother, Dennis of Fort Worth, Texas; three sisters, Bonnie Rollins and Jettavee McClaskey, both of Ponca City, and Della Chiasson of Orange, Texas; five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
He was preceded in death by his parents, six brothers, and two sisters.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. McMonigle's name to Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Cancer Research, 825 Northeast 13th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73014.
Casket bearers will be, Ryan McMonigle, Todd Smith, Rick Epperson, Bill Epperson, Maloy Rollins, and Mark Fisher.
The family will be at the home, 121 Cooley.
BLACKWELL - Lena Bell Jernigan, longtime Blackwell resident, died at Blackwell Regional Hospital, Wednesday morning, March 19, 1997. She was 71.
The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at the Blackwell First Church of the Nazarene with the Rev. Bill Kalfas officiating. Burial will be in the Blackwell IOOF Cemetery under the direction of Roberts and Son Funeral Home.
Lena Bell (McClung) Jernigan was born Dec. 14, 1925, in Ponca City, the daughter of Ernest and Edith (Jester) McClung. The family moved from Ponca City to Blackwell, where she attended school. She began employment with the Hazel-Atlas Glass Plant while in the 9th grade.
On Jan. 19, 1946, she was married to Kenneth Matthew Jernigan in Wellington, Kan., and the couple established their home in Blackwell. Mrs. Jernigan continued employment at the glass plant until it was destroyed by a tornado in 1955. She was then employed at Turvey Packing Plant for two years. Mrs. Jernigan was a member of the Blackwell First Church of the Nazarene.
Survivors include her husband, Kenneth M. Jernigan of Bethany; one daughter, Lorene Christian of Edmond; one son, Kenneth Jernigan of Blackwell; one sister, Ruth Ridgeway of Anaheim, Calif.; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Jernigan's name to Blackwell First Church of the Nazarene, c/o Roberts and Son Funeral Home, 120 Padon, Blackwell, OK 74631.
KINGFISHER - Vivian Lenna (Tallbull) Redbird, relative of several residents in the Red Rock-Marland area, died Tuesday, March 18, 1997, at Baptist Medical Center in Oklahoma City. She was 68.
The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at the Kingfisher First Baptist Church with the Rev. Newton Old Crow officiating. Burial will be in the Kingfisher Cemetery under the direction of Sanders Funeral Service.
Vivian Lenna (Tallbull) Redbird was born June 6, 1928, in Concho, the daughter of John and Mable Horn Tallbull. She was a homemaker and a member of the Baptist Church. She enjoyed being with her family and friends.
Survivors include five sons, Emmett, Leslie, and George, all of Kingfisher, and Allen Jr., and John, both of Ignacio, Colo.; three daughters, Virginia Wood, Betty Roman Nose and Irene Deer, all of Kingfisher; 26 grandchildren, including three grandchildren, whom she raised in her home, Emmett Jr., James, and Geraldine Lenna Redbird; 18 great-grandchildren; and numerous other relatives and friends, many of whom live in the Red Rock-Marland -White Eagle area.
She was preceded in death by her husband, one daughter, her parents, two brothers, and five sisters.
FAIRFAX - Elsie Frances Younkin, former longtime Fairfax resident, died Monday morning, March 17, 1997, at the Meadowbrook Nursing Center in Chouteau. She was 95.
The funeral was to be held at 2 p.m. today at the Fairfax Cemetery with the Rev. David Reddick officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Hunsaker-Wooten Funeral Home, Fairfax.
Elsie Frances (Curtis) Younkin was born March 1, 1902, in Sedan, Kan., the daughter of Frank G. and Maud Lewis Curtis. She graduated from Laverne High School in 1923 and attended Northwestern State College in Alva.
She was married to Fred Younkin on Nov. 21, 1934, in Wichita, Kan., and the couple moved to Fairfax in the early 1950s. Mrs. Younkin was a nurses' aid. She was a member of the First Assembly of God Church and enjoyed gardening and raising tomato plants. She moved to the nursing center in Chouteau in 1993.
Survivors include one brother, Russell Curtis of Adair; one sister, Edith DuVall of Grenada, Colo.; and 17 nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband on Feb. 27, 1956; her parents; one brother; and one sister.
Friday
Patricia Ann Hise - Funeral at 1 p.m. at Strode Funeral Home in Stillwater. Burial will be in Resthaven Memorial Garden Cemetery in Ponca City.
Saturday
Carolyn Fae Seal - Funeral to be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, at the Trout Funeral Home Chapel, Ponca City. Friends may visit at the funeral home until 1 p.m. Saturday. Burial will be in Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Seal's name to American Heart Association, Kay County Division, c/o Vickie Graves, 222 East Grand, Suite 202, Ponca City, OK 74601. The family will be at No. 9 Oak Place. Other arrangements will be announced later.
Floyd A. Davis, former Ponca City resident, died Wednesday, March 19,
1997, in Baton Rouge, La. He was 83. Survivors include his wife, Elsie,
of the home. Arrangements are pending with Grace Memorial Chapel in Ponca
City. The family will be at the funeral home from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday for
visitation with friends.
NEWS BRIEFS
Vandalism - A resident in the 1200 block of South Eighth Street advised Ponca City telecommunication officers of a window broken out of a vehicle. An officer responded at 7:12 a.m. Wednesday and took a report.
Found - An employee at the Lew Wentz Golf Course advised the Ponca City telecommunication officers at 7:40 a.m. Wednesday that an abandoned bike was at the maintenance shop.
Vehicle Painted - A Ponca City police officer took a report in the 400 block of North Birch Street at 7:44 a.m. Wednesday of a vehicle that was spray painted.
Vandalism - A resident in the 500 block of Glendale Avenue reported a trampoline received damage. An officer responded at 12:03 p.m. Wednesday and took a report.
Pedestrian Hit - A vehicle fell off a tow truck and apparently hit a pedestrian on Interstate 35 and West Hubbard Road at 4:16 p.m. Wednesday, according to information from Ponca City telecommunication officers. An Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper responded with a Blackwell ambulance. The OHP believes that since no report has been filed, the man was treated at Blackwell Regional Hospital and released. Neither the Blackwell Fire Department nor the Blackwell city administration was able to provide information from the ambulance report. Furthermore, officials from Blackwell Regional Hospital would not confirm whether the man was admitted or treated and released.
Arrested - A Ponca City police officer arrested an 18-year-old man in the 200 block of East Park Avenue at 4:57 p.m. Wednesday on a city warrant for failure to pay and possession of marijuana.
Subject Held - A 36-year-old woman was arrested in the 300 block of South Perry Street at 5:45 p.m. Wednesday on a city warrant for failure to pay. At 6:04 p.m., an 18-year-old man was also arrested in the 700 block of North Sunset Street on a city warrant for failure to pay.
Accident - A Newkirk ambulance responded to an injury accident seven miles north of Ponca City on U.S. 77, at 6:26 p.m. Wednesday, according to Ponca City telecommunication officers.
City Warrant - A Ponca City police officer arrested a 44-year-old man in the 500 block of West Grand Avenue at 6:26 p.m. Wednesday on a city warrant for failure to pay.
Fight - Three Ponca City police officers responded to a report of a fight in the 800 block of North First Street at 9:59 p.m. Wednesday. The subjects refused to talk to the officers, however, a report was taken. All units were advised to watch for a cream colored Datsun or Nissan with six occupants.
Destruction of Property - A 41-year-old man was arrested by a Ponca City police officer in the 1100 block of East Otoe Avenue at 10:18 p.m. Wednesday on a city warrant for destruction of private property.
Found - A Ponca City police officer informed Ponca City telecommunication officers at 11:37 p.m. Wednesday of an abandoned bike in the 2000 block of North Fifth Street.
Vehicle Rolls Over - No one was injured in an accident two miles
north of Lake Road on Enterprise Road, according to Ponca City firefighters.
At 4:44 a.m. Thursday, a fire unit stood by until a Oklahoma Highway Patrol
trooper could arrive.
GARDENING
Did you know that there's a new pecan weevil trap that shows promise in significantly reducing the population of this pest in your pecan trees? Pecan weevils are the little bugs that cause the white worms in your pecans. Uncontrolled, they may eventually destroy all the pecans on your trees. Then, what about those awful webworms. Where do they come from, and what's the best way to control them?
What are the best pecan varieties for Ponca City? Why did my big pecan tree fail to leaf out last year? What's the black stuff on my trees? Why does my pin oak have yellow leaves, while my neighbor's pin oaks have pretty green leaves?
These are just a few of the questions that will be addressed in a forthcoming pecan course to be offered at the Pioneer Technology Center April 20 and April 22 starting at 6:30 p.m. A field session (time to be set later) will also be held at the Rice Farm in conjunction with the course.
Attendees can learn how to graft pecans, and observe other management practices. Other subjects to be covered include pruning, fertilization, disease management, storing and eating pecans, and more. The course is oriented both to both pecan enthusiasts with a tree or two and commercial growers. Even people who just like to eat pecans can benefit from the course.
The course will be taught by Wes Rice, local pecan authority. Rice has received international recognition for his work in pecans. An overview version of the course was presented to a "standing room only" crowd March 8 at the TLC Nursery in the Oklahoma City area. Rice is to be the keynote speaker at the North Carolina Pecan Growers Association Meeting in Clinton, NC March 20-21. Pecan enthusiasts from several neighboring states plan to attend stated Milton Parker from the North Carolina Agricultural Extension Service.
Rice is a director on the Oklahoma Pecan Growers Association Board, and is the Oklahoma delegate to the National Pecan Breeding Advisory Group. He is an instructor for the Oklahoma Pecan Short Course, offered annually at the Horticulture Industries Show in Tulsa.
Other speaking engagements include the Northern Nut Growers Association meeting in Marion, Indiana and the Oklahoma Pecan Growers Association meeting in Ada. He has been a recent invited speaker at meetings of the Southeast Pecan Growers Association, the Western Pecan Growers Association, and other gatherings of pecan enthusiasts.
Rice is a member of the Oklahoma Pecan Growers Association, Northern Nut Growers Association, and the Kansas Nut Growers association. He and wife, Margaret, produce pecans and graftwood on 15 acres in Osage County, near Ponca City. Rice's main production varieties are Pawnee, Maramec, Peruque, and Shawnee. Oconee is just coming into production, and looks very good from a disease resistance and nut quality perspective.
Rice has test plantings of Kanza- released by the USDA in 1996. Rice states," based on what I've seen, Kanza may be the best variety ever for the northern half of Oklahoma." Over 50 other named cultivars, a number of experimental USDA varieties -- and of course some Oklahoma natives also grow on the Rices' Osage County acreage. Rice also grows a few fruit trees, black and Persian walnuts, persimmons, and as he says, "a lot of other stuff."
In answer to the question on pin oaks in a pecan tree talk- Pin oaks, of course, aren't pecan trees- but the yellow leaves are caused by micronutrient deficiencies similar to those found in pecan trees. Proper fertilization goes a long way in improving the quality of your pecans and the beauty of your trees - both pecans and other varieties.
Tulsa- Local herb festivals are popping up all over Green Country. There are as many festivals to choose from as there are herbs- Sand Springs, Ponca City, Jenks and Tulsa's Brookside neighborhood.
"A lot of people are looking for ways to go back to the past, to simplify their life without artificial things, says Sandra Foster, Herb Shoppe owner. "We're all so rushed now and herbs are so soothing." Her Brookside store features everything from dried herbs to books. This festival is scheduled for April 12.
This is the first year for the Jenks Herbs 'n' Plant Festival scheduled for April 5. Sand Springs is hosting their eighth annual Herbal Affair, scheduled for April 19. When it comes to boasting, they've a lot to brag about from their lively entertainment to their ethnic food.
Sand Springs expects more than 70 vendors from Texas to Tennessee to attend their Herbal Affair. Add to that a little sunshine and festival organizers expect to draw more than 25,000 visitors.
To think a little plant is spurring such competition, but dollar figures show that herbs bring in more than $60 million in sales in the United States. That's attributed to more people taking vitamins and looking for natural ways to stay healthy from eating home-grown salads to bathing in lavender oil.
Ponca City will host the fourth annual herb festival on June 7 at the Cann Memorial Gardens. Scheduled 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. the event will feature fresh herbs, demonstrations, samples and seminars, herbal crafts and products, food music and lots of "thymely" advice.
For more information about the summer Herb Festival in Ponca City contact
Mary Anne Potter, 767-1957 or Rebecca Barker, 765-1689.
SPORTS
By DAVID BROWN
News Associate Sports Editor
TULSA - Morrison's Chuck Liston ended his collegiate career on the floor of ORU's Mabee Center Wednesday evening as East Central's 10th-ranked Tigers were upset 57-50 by unseeded Claflin (S.C.) College in the first round of the NAIA Men's Division I National Championship Basketball Tournament.
It was not a stellar performance for the 6-5 forward who was voted the Oklahoma Intercollegiate Conference Player of the Year this season after leading the Tigers to a 22-5 record and the OIC Tournament Championship. Liston averaged 23.04 points per game while shooting 52.8 percent from the floor (48.8 from three-point range) and 74.8 percent from the free throw line. He also averaged nearly nine rebounds per game.
But Liston's offensive game went south against Claflin. He was just 1-for-13 from the field (0 of 6 from three-point range) and had a game high 6 turnovers. He finished with 9 points as he converted on 7 of 8 free throws.
Liston did battle hard on the boards, finishing with a game-high 15 rebounds, six coming on the offensive end. But most of those offensive rebounds turned into missed shots.
East Central (22-6), which averaged 83.3 points per game during the season, went nearly seven-and-a-half minutes before getting on the scoreboard as the Tigers fell into a 15-0 hole. It looked like Liston had ended the drought a few minutes earlier but his tip-in was ruled offensive goal-tending and disallowed.
The Tigers clawed their way back into the game but it was Guthrie sophomore guard Roland Miller leading the way as he scored 16 first-half points and finished with a game-high 26 before fouling out in the closing minute.
"We picked a fine time to play poorly," veteran ECU head coach Wayne Cobb said afterwards.
The Tigers ended up 17-for-57 from the field (29.8 percent) and 12-for-19 from the line (63.2).
East Central was one of three Oklahoma teams eliminated from the tournament in the opening round, joining Phillips and Southern Nazarene.
Third-seeded Oklahoma Baptist and ninth-seeded Southeastern are still alive as the field has been whittled to 16 teams.
The second round will be played today and tonight with the quarterfinals Friday. The semifinals are Saturday at 6 and 8 p.m. and the final is scheduled for Monday night at 7.
The Ponca Sailfish swim team placed eighth out of 18 teams at the Oklahoma Junior Olympics, held at Oklahoma City Community College March 13-16.
Swimmers had to place in the top eight to score points for the team. Top swimmers for the Sailfish were Maria Hester in the 10-and-Under Girls division and Rory Peterson in the 15-16 Boys Division.
Hester won state championships in the 50 yard breaststroke and 100 yard individual medley. She was also second in three other races - 200 yard individual medley, 100 yard breaststroke and 50 yard butterfly.
Peterson won four state championships and was the High Point Champion for the 15-16 Boys Division. He took first in the 400 individual medley, 200 fly, 100 fly and 1650 freestyle. He was also second in the 200 free, 500 free and 1000 freestyle.
Other point scorers for the Sailfish were Caroline Brown, Heather Harris, Kelsey Whitebay, Marie Brown, Kayla Mills, Sarah VanArsdale, Tiffany Long, Andra Nuzum, Megan Tomek, Greg Dunham, Chris Kana and D.J. Nuzum.
The Sailfish also had a state champion relay team. The 10-and-Under Girls team of Kelsey Whitebay, Maria Hester, Caroline Brown and Heather Harris were state champs in the 200 medley relay. Those four were just edged out in the 200 free relay and had to settle for second in that race.
"We had a good meet," said coach David Strah. "I was real proud of all the swimmers. Maria and Rory had an exceptional meet."
Coach Strah will be holding a clinic for new swimmers March 24-27 from 7-8 p.m. at the YMCA Community Pool. Forms are available at Play It Again Sports and need to be turned in by Friday.
Oklahoma Junior Olympic Swimming Championships
Team Results (Top 10)
Kerr McGee Swim Club, 1826.5; Swim Tulsa, 927.5; Trojan Aquatic Club of Tulsa, 837.5; Phillips 66 Splash Club, 760; Oklahoma Aquatics Alliance, 544; Broken Arrow Swim Society, 261.5; Moore Aquatic Swim Team, 239; Ponca Sailfish Swim Team, 211; Sooner Swim Club, 185; Aquatic Club of Enid, 89.5.
Individual Ponca City Results (Top 8)
10-and-Under
Maria Hester - 2nd 200 IM, 2:45.84; 4th 50 back, 35.31; 2nd 100 breast, 1:22.63; 1st 100 IM, 1:14.36; 1st 50 breast, 36.96; 5th 50 free, 30.98; 3rd 100 free, 1:07.51; 2nd 50 fly, 33.86; 4th 100 back, 1:17.88.
Caroline Brown - 6th 200 free, 2:35.18; 6th 50 free, 31.05; 5th 100 fly, 1:28.04; 6th 100 free, 1:10.09; 6th 50 fly, 35.21.
11-12
Marie Brown - 5th 500 free, 6:01.41; 6th 200 free, 2:16.30.
Tiffany Long - 5th 100 breast, 1:16.83; 6th 50 breast, 35.90; 7th 200 free, 2:17.58.
13-14
Andra Nuzum - 8th 1650 free, 20:21.87.
15-16
Rory Peterson - 2nd 200 free, 1:47.78; 1st 400 IM, 4:23.82; 5th 50 free, 23.17; 1st 200 fly, 2:04.29; 5th 100 free, 51.68; 1st 100 fly, 57.71; 2nd 1000 free, 10:10.13; 1st 1650 free, 16:53.46.
Chris Kana - 5th 200 fly, 2:18.31.
Megan Tomek - 8th 50 free, 26.68.
Relay Results
10-and-Under
1st 200 medley (Whitbay, Hester, C. Brown, H. Harris), 2:30.74. 2nd 200 free (Whitbay, Hester, C. Brown, H. Harris), 2:16.04.
11-12
6th 200 free (T. Long, K. Mills, S. Vanarsdale, M. Brown), 2:03.70.
15-16
6th 200 medley (Kana, Dunham, Nuzum, Peterson), 1:53.76; 7th 400 free (Kana, Dunham, Nuzum, Peterson), 3:40.23.