From The Pages Of The Ponca City News, Sunday, March
16, 1998
LOCAL
Nearly News
Letters
DEATHS
Barbara Woods
Obituaries
Roy Dean Atkins
Funerals
Joe Colvin
Betty J. Gaschler
Loyd Vernon Burpo
Tisha Smith
Services Pending
Lucille Lowrey
Jennie V. Hughes
NEWS BRIEFS
LIFESTYLES
Xi Zeta Lambda Chapter Meets
Garden Club Lists Calendar
Little News
SPORTS
Monday Evening Quarterback
Once again NN is confused. If the definition of "vernal equinox" (first day of spring) is equal day and equal night, then spring arrives on St. Patrick's day in Ponca City. As you will note in the weather box at the right of the page, the sun rises at 6:37 a.m. and sets at 6:37 p.m. Tuesday. The rest of the world can wait until Friday for spring, but NN hereby declares today the last day of winter.
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Both lanes of Ash Street, between Summit Street and Highland Avenue, and one westbound lane of Highland Avenue will be closed for a short period of time between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Tuesday as the Electric Department changes out an electric pole at the intersection of Ash Street and Highland Avenue.
Don' t Drink, Drive
Forget Drinking and Driving.
Thousands of people die from drinking and driving. Several are injured or arrested. There is no reason for this, but they must pay the price.
You can hurt yourself and others. Drinking can cause violence and abuse and start anything. It is also a bad influence on your kids and friends.
If you need any or know of someone who needs help, counseling helps. Counseling helps people who have problems talk over things that are bothering them.
Kayla Jackson
(Editor's Note: Kayla is a third grade student at McCord School.)
Don't Drink, Drive-II
St. Patrick's Day gives everyone a chance to kiss the Blarney Stone and celebrate our country's rich Irish heritage. As many of us here in Ponca City raise a toast to St. Patrick on March 17, we should also take a moment to honor the contributions of those who volunteer to be designated drivers.
Why? Because designated drivers help in doing what even the luck of the Irish cannot: stop drunk driving. In fact, designated drivers have contributed to a 36 percent decline in drunk driving deaths nationwide since 1982.
This St. Patrick's Day, 101 Beverage Company, along with several of the most popular St. Patrick's Day gathering places in Ponca City, will be working to continue that positive trend by reminding customers to use a designated driver ant/drink responsibly.
As the Irish and would-be Irish honor St. Patrick with a toast, let's all remember to look out for each other and volunteer to be designated drivers.
Donna Jefferies-White
President/GM
101 Beverage Co.
Citizens Facing MDA Lock-Up
Ponca City citizens will once again be doing "time" for the Muscular Dystrophy Association in the 1998 MDA-Pemberton Chrysler Plymouth Lock-up.
On March 31, notorious citizens will be rounded up, arrested and delivered to the MDA "jail" located at Pemberton Chrysler Plymouth Dealership at 3501 North Fourteenth Street. Arrests will begin at 10 a.m. and continue until 3 p.m.
All participates will receive plenty of "bread and water" courtesy of local restaurants, a framed "mug shot," and an official Lock-Up T-shirt while doing something great for the community.
The honorary judge, Ican B. Bought, has set the "bail" amount at $1,000 or one hour of the participant's time. Ponca City residents are encouraged to support the jailbirds with donations or pledges towards their bail.
All funds raised in the 1998 MDA-Pemberton Chrysler Plymouth Lock-Up go to benefit local children and adults with muscle disease by providing free comprehensive medical care, support groups, summer camp programs and funding for research programs.
For more information, or if you wish to turn someone in to be "locked
up," please contact the MDA office at (918) 749-7997.
DEATHS
WEBB CITY - Barbara Woods, Webb City resident, died Saturday night, March 14, 1998, at her home. She was 53.
The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 18, at the Webb City Church of God. The Rev. Charles Richey, pastor, will officiate, assisted by the Rev. Derrel Harris of the Greater Heights Assembly of God Church, Tulsa. Burial will be in the Grandview Cemetery in Kaw City, under direction of Hunsaker-Wooten Funeral Home, Fairfax.
Friends may visit at the Shidler Funeral Chapel in Shidler from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, and 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday.
Barbara (Wehunt) Woods was born April 1, 1944, in Havana, Ark., the daughter of Herman Lee and Mae Morgan Wehunt. She moved to Fairfax with her family in 1948, and attended schools there.
She was married to Don Woods on May 8, 1962, in Webb City, where they made their home. Mrs. Woods was a homemaker and enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren. She attended the Webb City Church of God.
Survivors include her husband, Don Woods of the home; one son, Brad Woods of Webb City; two daughters, Mrs. Pat (Pam) Moore and Mrs. Cliff (Patty) Gordon, both of Pawnee; two brothers, Bill of Hendersonville, N.C. and Gary of Fairfax; two sisters, Sharon Womack of Fairfax and Virginia Wehunt of Pawnee; nine grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews including Shelly Wehunt, who lives in the home. She was preceded in death by her parents and three brothers, Bob Wehunt, Damon Wehunt and Ronnie Joe Wehunt.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Woods' name to the Webb City Church of God, Route 2, Box 93, Shidler, OK 74652.
The family will be at the home of Don Woods to receive friends and family.
Roy Dean Atkins, 416 South Pine Street, Apartment No. 1, died Saturday, March 14, 1998, at his home. He was 63.
The funeral service will be Tuesday, 2 p.m., in the chapel of the Trout Funeral Home with the Rev. Larry LaRue, pastor, New Life Pentecostal Church officiating.
Born March 8, 1935, at Coffeyville, Kan., he was the son of Charles Seth and Iva Lee McVay Atkins. He attended school at Coffeyville before joining the U.S. Navy at an early age.
Following his discharge, Roy was employed at the Blackwell Foundry and later worked in various jobs as a laborer. Ill health forced his early retirement. He enjoyed singing, fishing and watching television.
Surviving are five daughters, Debra J. Atkins, of Coffeyville, Kan., Connie Courtney of Marrietta, Ga., Anita Ritchie of Paducah, Ky., Donna Anderson, of Dallas, Ga., and June Weiss of Paducah, Ky.; a son, Roy D. Atkins Jr. of Oklahoma City; a brother, Charles Atkins, of Neodesha, Kan.; and five sisters, Gladys Reed of Chelsea, Betty White, Patricia Warnock, Norene Brown, and Pam Harless, all of Ponca City; seven grandsons, one granddaughter, two great-grandsons, and one great-granddaughter.
The family will be at 315 South Osage Street.
paid obituary
Tuesday
Joe Colvin - Graveside funeral at 2 p.m. at Ponca City IOOF Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel, Ponca City.
Betty J. Gaschler - Funeral at 2 p.m. in Forest Park, Ohio, under the direction of Vorhis Funeral Home, Forest Park.
Loyd Vernon Burpo - Funeral at 2 p.m. at Bartlesville (Okla.) First Church of the Nazarene. Burial to be in Memorial Park Cemetery under direction of Arnold Moore Funeral Service, Bartlesville.
Wednesday
Tisha Smith - Funeral set for 10 a.m. at Trout Funeral Home Chapel, Ponca City. Other arrangements will be announced later by Trout Funeral Home.
Services Pending
Lucille Lowrey
Lucille Lowrey, Ponca City resident since 1989, died Monday morning, March 16, 1998. She was 94. Survivors include Deming Lowrey of Ponca City, Barbara Houston of Stillwater, and Harold Lowrey of Woodward. The memorial service and burial will be in Woodward. Arrangements are pending with the Billings Funeral Home, Woodward.
Jennie V. Hughes
Jennie V. Hughes, Ponca City resident, died Sunday evening, March 15,
1998, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. She was 80. Survivors include
her husband, Elzie Hughes, of the home. Arrangements are pending with Grace
Memorial Chapel.
NEWS BRIEFS
Arrest - Police arrested a 31-year-old man at 7:35 a.m. Saturday from the 2000 block of Thorn Apple Boulevard on a city warrant for failure to appear.
Vandalized Greens - At 9:14 a.m. Saturday police were notified that a green at the Wentz Golf Course had been vandalized. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Machine Vandalized - A soda machine at Stratford House Inn, 2320 North Fourteenth Street, was reported vandalized at 11:04 a.m. Saturday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Arrest - At 11:51 a.m. Saturday police arrested a 17-year-old boy for transporting a loaded firearm and person under 21-years old in possession of alcohol.
Threat - A man reported to police at 3:10 p.m. Saturday that he had been threatened by a man with a baseball bat at South Washington Street and West Central Avenue. A report was taken.
Arrest - A 39-year-old man was arrested at 4:56 p.m. Saturday from the 900 block of Greenwood Avenue on a Randolph County, Mo., warrant.
Parked Pig - At 5:45 p.m. Saturday a woman called police to report a pig on Pecan Road north of Lake Road. An officer was assigned.
Injury Accident - One person was taken by ambulance to St. Joseph Regional Medical Center after sustaining injuries in a head-on vehicle accident in the 700 block of East Prospect Avenue at 7:04 p.m. Saturday.
Juvenile Arrest - Police arrested a 17-year-old boy at 7:36 p.m. Saturday from Hastings, 2101 North Fourteenth Street, for petit larceny. He was released to his parents.
Vehicle Vandalism - At 9:28 p.m. Saturday a man in the 400 block of South Lincoln Street called police to report that the brake lines on his vehicle had been cut. A report was taken.
Arrest - Police arrested a 19-year-old man at 10:27 p.m. Saturday from North Union Street and Overbrook Avenue for driving under the influence and illegal window tint.
Arrest - A 56-year-old man was arrested at 11:23 p.m. Saturday from South Fourteenth Street and East Otoe Avenue for driving under restriction, no insurance and speeding.
Arrest - Police arrested a 47-year-old man at 12:18 a.m. Sunday from South Waverly Street and West South Avenue for driving under the influence, transporting an open container and speeding.
Curfew Violations - At 2:23 a.m. Sunday two juveniles were cited for curfew violations at Bradley Avenue and North Fourteenth Street. They were released to their parents.
Arrest - A 23-year-old man was arrested at 2:37 a.m. Sunday from South Birch Street and West Oklahoma Avenue on a city warrant and public intoxication.
Arrest - Police arrested a 27-year-old man at 5:07 a.m. Sunday from the 200 block of South Palm Street for domestic assault and battery.
Vehicle Vandalized - A woman in the 1200 block of Princeton Avenue called police at 8:58 a.m. Sunday to report that her vehicle had been vandalized. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Arrests - A 43-year-old man was arrested at 9:14 a.m. Sunday from South Sixth Street and East South Avenue for driving under the influence, driving under restriction, no seat belt and altered decal and a 42-year-old man was also arrested on a city warrant.
Bottles Thrown - At 3:01 p.m. Sunday police received a report that bottles were being thrown at traffic from under the New River Bridge. Kay County Sheriff's Office was advised.
Minor Accident - An accident in the 900 block of East Prospect Avenue was reported at 4:12 p.m. Sunday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Juvenile Shoplifter - At 4:53 p.m. Sunday a shoplifter was taken into custody at Miller Market, 900 South Fourth Street. A citation was issued and he was released to his parents.
Juvenile Arrest - Police took a 17-year-old boy into custody at 4:50 p.m. Sunday from the 3500 block of North Union Street for grand larceny.
Accident - A two vehicle, non-injury accident at North Fourteenth Street and Bradley Avenue was reported at 5:13 p.m. Sunday. A report was taken.
Home Shot - At 5:44 p.m. Sunday a man in the 1000 block of East Highland Avenue reported hearing gunshots and went outside to discover a bullet in the side of the house. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Heifer on Highway - At 3:29 a.m. Monday police were advised that a heifer was on Oklahoma 11 three miles east of U.S. 77. The Kay County Sheriff's office was notified.
Library Spring Break - The Spring Break program for school aged children
will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday March 17 at the Ponca City Library. The program
will feature two one hour Reading Rainbow films. For more information contact
Judy Johnson at 767-0345.
LIFESTYLES
Xi Zeta Lambda Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi sorority met March 5 in the home of Doretta Jackson with 15 members in attendance.
Judy Watt, vice-president, conducted the meeting with Lila Logan calling roll and reading the minutes. Francie James gave the financial report
Ms. Watt gave the city council report, reminding members of the Founder's Day Banquet set for April 21 at the Marland Mansion. Jackie Hall will purchase the door prize for the chapter.
Cassandra Kifiak, social chairman, announced the next social will be an April Fool's Party on April 4. Historian, Doretta Jackson took committee pictures for the scrapbook and scheduled a work night for her committee. Judy Mallory, service chairman, set a work night for tray favors in the home of Dottie Johnstone.
Judy Watt reported that pledge training was being held. The traveling basket provided by Terri Barnett was won by Lila Logan. Following the meeting, a program on "Irish Art" was given.
The next regular meeting will be an election of officers and Girl of the Year. The chapter will meet on March 19 in the home of Melva Keen.
Sage Rosemary and Thyme Garden Club members met recently at the Cann Memorial Home with Barbara Kegler as hostess, assisted by Mary Perkins and Joni Dyer. Mary Anne Potter, president, presided at the meeting.
Guest speaker Susan Henning, spoke to members about the basics of gardening. With a bachelor of science degree in horticulture, Mrs. Henning provided gardening tips and urged members to enter their plants or flowers in the Kay County Fair this fall.
The group voted to enter the United Way Bed Race at the Iris Festival in May. A publicity update for the June 6 Herb Festival was given by Natalie Nelson, Publicity chairperson. The North Central District Spring Convention of Oklahoma Garden Clubs, Inc. will be held in Ponca City March 28. Reservations for the event should be made with Mavis Robison, 762-4887. The next meeting of SRT garden club will be at the home of Jannie Ross and the program "An English Tea Party" will be given by guest speaker, Holly Harpster.
Alysa Bottoms and Darren Pressnall announce the birth of a son, Bradyn Mickael, at 8:26 p.m. Feb. 25, 1998 at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Ponca City. He weighed 10 pounds and was 22 inches long.
Maternal grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. Carl Bottoms and paternal grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur Pressnall and Mr. and Mrs. Rick Cross, all of Ponca City.
Great-grandparents are Mrs. Vivian Conaway of Aline, Mr. and Mrs. Lester
Bottoms of Wagoner, and Mr. and Mrs. Paul Hutson of Cherokee. Great-great-grandmother
is Mrs. Nettie McCluskey of Tulsa.
SPORTS
by FRED HILTON
News Sports Editor
This year has been a redemptive one for Northern Oklahoma College Mavericks' Marlon Towns and DeShawn Denson who have had their rocky roads turn into a freeway to national prominence.
Towns found his way to Tonkawa after a stormy season at the University of Arkansas and sitting out a season at a California junior college.
Denson came to Northern out of Millwood High School in Oklahoma City but found himself trapped in a NOC team that was its own worst enemy last year.
However, all that is now forgotten as the pair lead the Mavericks to their first-ever appearance in the National Junior College Tournament in Hutchinson, Kan., this week.
"It feels great, just great," Denson says as the Mavericks fly high in one of the best seasons the school has ever had.
"It's a wonderful feeling," adds Towns, eying the national tournament. "We knew weeks ago we had a chance (for a trip to Hutchinson). But we had to wait out that final game (in the Region II Tournament).
The previous seasons have not been nearly as pleasant for the pair.
A standout at Farley High School in Memphis, Towns signed with Arkansas, but ran into problems from the very first.
He was forced to sit out his first semester with the Razorbacks after being accused of cheating on his ACT. He was cleared in an arbitration hearing and played during the second semester, averaging 10 points and 3 rebounds a game.
Then during the summer, his relationship with coach Nolan Richardson turned sour.
"Every time we got together there was an argument," Towns recalls. "We just had a falling out."
Towns left Arkansas to attend a junior college in California but didn't play basketball. Then he got some good advice from his uncle, Leonard Smith. Smith had played under coach Mick Weiberg at Connors and was an assistant with the Mavericks' mentor at NOC.
He suggested Towns give Northern a try.
Towns did and it has worked out rather well. He is leading the Mavericks in scoring with an 18.4 average and his picked off caroms at a rate of 13.4 a game - a far cry from his average at Arkansas.
"Coach Weiberg just said he expected me to do some real damage on the boards," Towns said. "I had done it in high school so I knew I could, I just had to get up to the challenge."
Denson is No. 2 in the NOC charts averaging 14.8 points a game and 3.7 rebounds.
A 44.8 percent shooter overall, Denson is hitting a sizzling 42.5 percent of his 3-pointers (43-of-101)
That a turnaround from last year when the Mavericks just couldn't get their act together.
"We had the athletes, but there was no chemistry," Denson recalls. "The team was pulling apart."
The 1996-97 Mavericks showed great promise but couldn't win vital home games and fell out of contention in the conference.
But there was a whole new atmosphere when Denson and the other sophomores returned to the court this season.
"We knew on the first day of practice this was going to be a good team," hew said. "We knew in the gym this could be a good year for us. Early on it became on of our goals (to win the Region II championship).
While Towns and Denson lead the team's statistics, there can be, and has been, a new hero in almost every game.
"This is not a one or two person team," Denson declares. "In any of our games any person can step up and score 20. It's a team that works well together."
Unlike Towns, Denson hasn't decided where he will go next. "I've had a number of offers," he said. "I'm just starting to narrow it down. I don't have any preferences, I just want to play for the best team I can."
The Mavericks will be tested early in Hutchinson. The teams are seeded by region and the Oklahoma champions have draw the Kansas champs, Seward County, in the first round Tuesday. Stewart County has been ranked as high as sixth nationally.
"We're not at all worried about that team," Denson said. "We
have confidence we can play with anyone. In fact, I would rather play the
tougher teams first and get it out of the way."