LOCAL

Neighbor Rescues Shooting Victim
Wal-Mart Seeking ‘Most Wanted People’ for Blood Drive Tuesday

Neighbor Rescues Shooting Victim

By MARK GALVIN

News Staff Writer

NEWKIRK — Authorities today credited a Newkirk man with saving the life of his neighbor following a shooting Sunday afternoon.

Kay County Sheriff Craig Countryman said alleged gunman Kenneth Snook, 43, Arkansas City, showed up at the home of his estranged girlfriend, Marchel Hill, 44, about 4:30 p.m. Sunday and summoned her outside the residence in the 100 block of East First Street.

During a resulting argument, Hill was struck in the upper left chest by a bullet from a .380 semiautomatic pistol.

After she was shot, Hill ran to the side of her house where neighbor John Gibson, 46, had been working on a car, and she collapsed between two parked vehicles with the shooter following close behind her, the sheriff said.

With the suspect apparently trying to clear his jammed weapon, Gibson approached the man and disarmed him by striking him with a Crescent wrench and then throwing the gun into a nearby pickup truck, Countryman said.

The neighbor then used a cellular phone to call 911 for a Newkirk ambulance and began trying to help the victim.

Through Gibson’s actions, Countryman said, “he actually saved her life and probably his own.”

The victim was admitted to St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Ponca City where she was being treated for gunshot wounds. The single bullet reportedly had made both an entrance wound and an exit wound.

The suspect also was transported at St. Joseph’s and was treated. He was returned to the custody of the sheriff’s office, and was to appear in District Court today to face a charge of shooting with intent to kill.

Wal-Mart Seeking ‘Most Wanted People’ for Blood Drive Tuesday

Wal-Mart employees are looking for “Oklahoma’s Most Wanted People … Blood Donors,” and invite area residents to take a break from shopping to help local patients by donating blood. The Oklahoma Blood Institute will set up in the front end of the store on Tuesday from noon to 6 p.m.

Every three seconds someone in our country needs blood. By hosting five to six blood drives each year, Wal-Mart and their employees help the Oklahoma Blood Institute maintain an adequate blood supply for Ponca City patients. The upcoming drive is especially important because of the increased need for blood products. There is a critical shortage of blood products across the United States.

“We are grateful to Wal-Mart for their outstanding support of the community blood supply,” said OBI Ponca City center manager, Pixie Rowland. “Donating blood is such an easy way to help patients in need. It is a safe and simple way to help save lives. We do not want Oklahoma to get into the same situation that so many other states are in because of the critical blood shortage. Many states are having to postpone non emergency surgeries because there is not enough available blood. The Oklahoma Blood Institute supplies blood to 75 percent of the hospitals in the state as well as many home health care agencies and outpatient surgery centers. We have been able to meet all of their needs as long as the donors continue to come in and donate.”

The Oklahoma Blood Institute is the exclusive supplier of all blood products for St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, St. Joseph Cancer Center and the Outpatient Surgery Center.

“I encourage area residents to join our employees in donating blood products with OBI to help local patients first,” said Gary Gregg, Wal-Mart blood drive coordinator. “When you donate blood, you truly give the gift of life to a patient in need.”

“Gary Gregg, Wal-Mart blood drive coordinator, is a regular platelet donor with OBI, and we truly appreciate his support of our blood program. He has helped many cancer patients with his platelet donations. Gary is always encouraging people to become blood donors,” said Rowland.

In addition to helping patients, all OBI donors receive free checks on blood pressure, temperature, iron and cholesterol level. OBI also offers prostate-specific antigen blood testing for men at a fee of $15 for donors and $20 for those unable to donate. All donors will also receive a special “Oklahoma’s Most Wanted” T-shirt.

In order to donate, you must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 105 pounds and be in relatively good health. If you would like additional information, you may call the Oklahoma Blood Institute at (580) 762-9488. OBI is a regional, not-for-profit blood collection center with locations in Oklahoma City, Ada, Ardmore, Enid, Lawton, Tulsa and Ponca City.

DEATHS

Jack Allen Savage
Raymond Andrew Bradley
Paul I. Ducotey
Thelma A. Jennings
Teddy Lee Barnett
Carl Culbreath

Jack Allen Savage

BLACKWELL — Jack Allen Savage, resident of Blackwell, died Friday, March 5, 1999 at the Blackwell Regional Hospital. He was 78.

The funeral will be Tuesday, March 9, 1999 at 2 p.m. in the First United Methodist Church in Blackwell. The Rev. Charlie Ryser of the First United Methodist Church in Blackwell will officiate. Burial will follow in the Blackwell Cemetery under direction of Roberts Funeral Home, Blackwell.

Casket bearers will be Stan Glenny, Cleo Schone, J.D. Soulek, Max Smyth, Brad Evans and Jack Jeffers. Honorary bearers will be Louis Gose, Bob Shepherd, Max Fry, John Boersma, Kent Randall, Tom Hall, Marvin Purdy, Dan McClung and Ray Glenny.

Members of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars will conduct the flag presentation at the gravesite.

Jack Allen Savage was born Jan. 3, 1921 in Blackwell, Okla., the son of Ralph E. and Esther (Stewartson) Savage. He grew up in Blackwell, attending schools there and graduating from Blackwell High School in 1938. He then attended Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Okla. and received a Bachelors Degree in Animal Husbandry in 1942.

He entered the U.S. Army and served during World War II. While in the army he married Lonnis Abrams on March 1, 1943 in Cleveland, Okla. Following his discharge from the service in 1946, the couple settled in Blackwell to make their home. Mr. Savage engaged in farming and attended school to receive his Real Estate License and Brokers License.

He joined Doyle Steffen in business, operating Steffen and Savage Real Estate and Auction together. He then went on his own with Savage Real Estate and Auction until he retired in 1996.

Mr. Savage was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Blackwell and belonged to the Friendship Sunday School Class. He also held memberships in the Masonic Lodge, Eastern Star, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion and Top of Oklahoma Historical Society. While active in real estate, he served on the Blackwell Board of Realtors and while in college was a member of Farmhouse Fraternity.

Surviving are his wife, Lonnis Savage of Blackwell; three daughters, Janice Lawhon of Blackwell, Carol Finley of Tulsa and Lois Buttress of Tahlequah; a son, James Savage of Blackwell, one brother, Garth Savage of Eucha, Okla. and 14 grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one daughter, Jean Ann Ackerson; a granddaughter, Lisa Savage; and his sister, Wilma Jean Stanley.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Blackwell in Mr. Savage’s memory.

Obituaries

Raymond Andrew Bradley

NARDIN — Raymond Andrew Bradley of Nardin, Okla., died Saturday afternoon, March 6, 1999, in the Blackwell Regional Hospital in Blackwell, Okla., at the age of 80 years.

Raymond Andrew Bradley was born on Oct. 17, 1918, in Wichita, Kan., to Ira Andrew and Carrie Marie (Kelle) Bradley. After about two years, the family moved to a farm east of Anthony, Kan. After a few years at this location the family moved to a farm two miles north, and two miles west of Bluff City, Kan. It was a country school near Bluff City where Raymond completed grades one through six. After the sixth grade, the Bradleys moved to Oklahoma and settled near Bethel School, west of Blackwell, where he completed the seventh grade. The eighth grade was completed at Weston School, east of Blackwell, where the family had settled.

While attending Blackwell High School, Raymond was busy helping out on the farm as well as lettering in football. He graduated in 1936. After spending several years working for the Kelle Brothers Oil Company, he decided that a college education was a necessity. He enrolled at Northern Oklahoma Junior College in Tonkawa, Okla. He attended classes there from 1939 to 1941. He worked nights on the furnace at the Blackwell Zinc Company to pay for his schooling. During this time he was also learning to fly in the Civilian Pilot Flight Training program in Ponca City, Okla.

On August 18, 1941, Raymond enlisted in the Army Air Corps flying school at the Ryan School in Hernet, Calif. Upon graduation he was sent to Gardner Field, in Taft, Calif., for basic training, then subsequently to Luke Field in Phoenix, Ariz., for advanced training. On March 6, 1942, he was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant. Raymond and Maxine Frazier were also married on this day.

Orders immediately followed Raymond’s commission. He was transferred to the 82nd Squadron, 12th Bomb Group, at Esler Field in Lake Charles, La., to fly B-25 bombers. After four months of training, he and his crew, plus 51 other B-25’s, departed for Egypt. The war was finally a reality for Raymond. He flew 56 missions during the next 14 months, chasing General Rommel across Africa and then into Sicilly and Italy. He came home a highly decorated Major in the Army Air Corps. In 1946, the Army Air Corps became a separate selective service, the United States Air Force. In 1948, he became a regular commissioned officer.

Raymond began training replacement crews in the B-25 bombers, after being assigned commander of the 426th Squadron, 309th Bomb Group, in Columbia, S.C. While in Columbia, a daughter, Vickey Lynn, was born on Oct. 4, 1944.

Following a three month command and General Staff school at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., he was transferred to the 47th Bomb Group as the Group Maintenance Officer. In 1946, the Air Force gave Raymond the opportunity to obtain his degree from the University of Oklahoma. This was gladly accepted. Raymond received a B.S. degree in management in 1948, and was then assigned to Sandia Base in Albuquerque, N.M. The highlight of this assignment was the birth of his second daughter, Cristy Lee, on August 31, 1952. The next biggest event was a promotion to Lieutenant Colonel.

Following a very fruitful tour of Sandia Base, he was transferred to Spokane, Wash., in 1952. He commanded a newly constructed base to support the Strategic Air Command with nuclear weapons in support of the national war plan. After three years and a promotion to full Colonel, he was selected to attend the Air War College. This consisted of a one year study for senior officers at Montgomery, Ala. After graduation, he was assigned to the Pentagon as Chief of the Atomic Energy and Armament Division. Raymond served three years at the Pentagon before being assigned a student to the Industrial College of the Armed Forces at Fort McNair, Va. During this year, he attended the George Washington University at night where he obtained his M.B.A. in business administration. Upon graduated in 1960, he became Chief of the Air Force Section of the MAAG in Bonn, Germany, where he flew the F-104-G with the German Air Force.

In 1963, Raymond returned to the United States and assumed command of the 12th Tactical Fighter Wing at MacDill Air Force Base, in Tampa, Fla. He spent his time flying F-4 fighters and training pilots for Vietnam. He later commanded the 836 Air Division. In 1968, he went to Vietnam as deputy J-3 for the air MACV headquarters. He also served as the Chief of the Air Apres Division, making many trips to the “bad lands” by helicopter. He flew many missions in the T-37 a/c over the delta. At the end of his tour, he returned to the United States and was assigned Chief of Staff, 1st Air Reserve Region at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland. As a full Colonel, he retired from the Air Force on Sept. 1, 1970. Shortly thereafter, he was separated from Maxine and they later divorced. Raymond moved to Tampa, Fla., and worked as a Department Head in the city for nearly four years. He married the love of his life, Ruth Moore Lusk on Sept. 1, 1974, at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City and they settled in Tampa for eight months before returning to the farm west of Blackwell. They lived an active life traveling and fishing. They took two trips to Canada, several trips to Europe and two cruises. They attended all of Raymond’s Air War College and Squadron reunions. His squadron honored him at two of the reunions. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Blackwell, the American Legion, VFW, Elks Lodge, Chikaskia Lodge No. 109 where he was a 32nd degree Mason, and the Akdar Shrine. He also held membership in the Kay County Sheriff’s Reserve, the National Rifle Association, the British Museum Association, the Vance Air Force Base Officers Club, and the George Washington University Alumni Association.

Survivors include his wife, Ruth Bradley of Nardin, Okla., two daughters, Cristy and Terry Furr, St. Augustine, Fla. and Vickey and Dave Imes, St. Pete Beach, Fla.; step-children, Linda Lusk, Derry and Gail Lusk, Nardin, Okla.; sister, Francis and Lloyd Wilson, Oklahoma City, Okla.; grandchildren, Tracy Furr, Breckelyn and Doug Lyddon, Derra and Brent Meyer, Ty and Christina Lusk, Ryan and Misty Lusk, Reede and Marcia Lusk; great-grandson, Jonathan Bradley Lyddon; nephew, Dr. Don and Julie Wilson, Oklahoma City, Okla. and great niece and nephew, Cristy and David.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

The funeral service will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 9, 1999 in the First United Methodist Church in Blackwell, Okla. with the Rev. Russell Bracy of Dallas, Texas officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Olive Cemetery in Nardin, Okla.

Casket bearers will be Doug Lyddon, Ryan Lusk, Brent Meyer, Reede Lusk, Ty Lusk and Danny Rowe. Honorary casket bearers will be Raymond Hudsonpillar, James Sneath, John Hart, Jack Bradley, Jim Henley, Jim Beall, and Bob Shepherd.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation for the Heart Fund or Blackwell Regional Hospital for the New Equipment Fund, both through Roberts and Son Funeral Home.

Full military funeral rites will be presented at the gravesite by Vance Air Force Base in Enid, Okla.

paid obituary

Services Pending

Paul I. Ducotey

FAIRFAX — Paul I. Ducotey of Little Chief, died Monday morning, March 8, 1999. Graveside service will be conducted Thursday, March 11, 1999. Mr. Ducotey is survived by his wife, Mary Annie Ducotey of the home. Further information will be announced by Hunsaker-Wooten Funeral Home of Fairfax at a later date.

Thelma A. Jennings

FAIRFAX — Thelma A. Jennings, 82, resident of Fairfax, died Sunday morning, March 7, 1999. The funeral service will be Wednesday, March 10, 1999 in the Hunsaker-Wooten Funeral Home Chapel. Further information will be available later from Hunsaker-Wooten Funeral Home in Fairfax.

Teddy Lee Barnett

Teddy Lee Barnett, former resident of Ponca City, died Sunday, March 7, 1999 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Knoxville, Tenn. He was 64. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Trout Funeral Home Chapel. Other arrangements are pending with the Trout Funeral Home and will be announced later.

Carl Culbreath

Carl Culbreath, longtime Ponca City resident, died Sunday, March 7, 1999 at St. Anthony’s Hospital in Oklahoma City. He was 81. Survivors include two daughters, Carolyn Mullin and Pam Glennan, both of Ponca City. Funeral arrangements are pending with Grace Memorial Chapel, and will be announced later.

NEWS BRIEFS

SJRMC Volunteer Forum — St. Joseph Regional Medical Center volunteers will hold their quarterly Wednesday Forum on March 10 at 2 p.m. in Conference Room C at the medical center. Karen Shiflet, RN, MSN, Coordinator of the Congregational Nurse Program, will be the speaker. Anyone interested in learning about either the congregational nurse program or SJRMC’s volunteer program is invited to attend.

Wednesday Night all you can eat. Steak and shrimp buffet.

4:00 p.m. to close, $7.99. Golden Corral. adv.

Free Clothing Available — Anyone with a need may pick up free clothing tonight (Monday, March 8) from 6 to 8 p.m. at First Assembly of God Church, 1308 Bradley. Use the farthest northwest doors of the church. Open first and second Mondays of each month from 6 to 8 p.m.

Free Pregnancy test. Birth Choice cares. Confidential.

Hours: Monday, 4-6 p.m., Tuesday, 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, 1-3 p.m. and

Thursday, 6-8 p.m. 700 West Broadway. adv.

Extra Patrol — At 9:03 a.m. Saturday extra police patrol was requested in the 200 block of North Birch Street after the resident reported that someone had been in her house.

Holyfield vs Lewis seen only on Pay Per View! Watch history

in the making live, Saturday, March 13th at 8:00 p.m. Call Ca-

ble One and order early. 762-6684. adv.

Accident — A two-vehicle accident at East Central Avenue and South Twelfth Street was reported to police at 9:45 a.m. Saturday.

Being Relocated, or in town for a short time? We have homes

available by the month or longer. All homes are full furnished with

appliances, furniture, linens, pots and pans. Inclusive of cable,

local phone, and utilities. Please call 580-762-7980 or 580-718-0681.

adv.

Missing Vehicle — A woman in the 200 block of South Fourteenth Street contacted police at 10:37 a.m. Saturday to report that her car was missing. An officer was assigned.

Accident — A two-vehicle, non-injury accident at Fourteenth Street and East Grand Avenue was reported to police at 2:57 p.m. Saturday.

Toy Fire — A man in the 100 block of North Pine Street contacted police at 4:10 p.m. Saturday to report juveniles that had a fire burning nearby. An officer was assigned and found that the children were burning toys.

Completely Furnished and equipped one and two bedroom

suites. 765-1367. adv.

Juvenile Arrest — Two 16-year-old and one 17-year-old boys were arrested at 5:24 p.m. Saturday at the scene of a fight at South Tenth Street and East Cherry Avenue, one for assault with a deadly weapon and two for assault. A police report on destruction of private property was taken.

Pauline's Every Monday night special. Fried chicken only - all

white meat. All you can eat, $6.50. For reservations call 765-5460.

adv.

Accident — At 5:48 p.m. Saturday a non-injury accident at North Fifth Street and East Highland Avenue was reported to police.

The Practice-Tee is now open. 1:00 p.m.-almost dark. Seven

days a week. 4100 Lake Road. adv.

Vandalism — Police were notified at 5:57 p.m. Saturday of vandalism to property in the 300 block of West Hartford Avenue. A report was taken.

Solicitation — A resident in the 800 block of West Highland Avenue contacted police at 9:56 p.m. Saturday to report a neighbor that had tried to solicit their 15-year-old daughter. An officer was assigned.

Arrest — A 22-year-old woman was arrested at 11:26 p.m. Saturday from West Summit Avenue and North Waverly Street for driving under suspension, no insurance and a Kay County warrant for failure to pay.

Lost Horse — Police were contacted at 2:13 a.m. Sunday regarding a horse that was running loose in the 300 block of South Fourteenth Street. Animal control was contacted.

Arrests — A 21-year-old woman was arrested at 2:22 a.m. Sunday from Fourteenth Street and East Grand Avenue for no driver’s license, following too close, a city warrant for failure to obey and a Kay County warrant for failure to pay. A 20-year-old woman was also arrested on a city warrant for two counts of failure to pay.

Arrest — At 2:31 a.m. Sunday a 27-year-old man was arrested from the 1000 block of North Ash Street for domestic assault and battery.

WCW/NWO Uncesored wrestling coming to Pay Per View

Sunday, March 14th at 7:00 p.m. Call Cable One for your ring side

seat 762-6684. adv.

Arrest — Police arrested an 18-year-old man at 4:41 a.m. Sunday on a city warrant for failure to obey.

Vandalism — At 6:59 a.m. Sunday police were informed that a door in the 200 block of South Second Street had been kicked in. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Vehicle Vandalism — A woman in the 200 block of South Osage Street called police at 8:53 a.m. Sunday to report that the tires of her vehicle had been “slashed.” An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Citations Issued — Police issued citations to two juveniles at 3:46 p.m. Sunday who were reported recklessly driving motorcycles.

Unpaid Meal — At 6:03 p.m. Sunday police were notified that a customer at Pizza Inn, 2224 North Fourteenth Street, had “walked" out” on a $50 meal ticket. A report was taken.

Tool Theft — A man in the 300 block of East Park Avenue contacted police at 6:46 p.m. Sunday regarding some stolen tools. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Larceny — At 7:28 p.m. Sunday police were advised of the theft of money from the 200 block of North Second Street. A grand larceny report was taken.

Gas Drive-Off — At 8:40 p.m. Sunday a $10.56 gas drive-off from Conoco, 1613 West South Avenue, was reported. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Burglary — At 5:54 a.m. Monday police were informed of a break-in at Miss Nan’s, 1519 North Union Street. An officer was assigned and a burglary report was taken.

Announcement Spots — The News Briefs column of The Ponca City News is a perfect spot to announce upcoming events or services. Just pick up the phone and call 765-3311 and someone will help you with your event or item.

LIFESTYLES

Pasta Is Easy, Versatile and Nutritious
Newkirk Main Street Member Gives Program

Pasta Is Easy, Versatile and Nutritious

By BARBARA ALBRIGHT

For The Associated Press

Pasta anyone? Pasta nearly everyone. In your kitchen cupboard you probably have at least one box of this favorite food that’s long been a basic.

A recent study of more than 1,000 Americans by Princeton Survey Research Associates suggests that 63 percent of U.S. homes have three or more boxes of pasta in their cupboards and 11 percent have eight or more boxes. Of these respondents, 62 percent say they cook pasta at home once a week or more.

Pasta is economical, easy to prepare, versatile and nutritious. It also has been around for centuries. A 4th century Etruscan tomb depicted a group of people making pasta; the Chinese were making a noodle-like food as early as 3000 B.C.

According to cookbook author and restaurateur Lidia Bastianich, pasta consumption really began to flourish in Italy in the 14th and 15th centuries. In Naples, “maccheroni was sold from stands and eaten by holding the bowl close to the mouth, picking up the strands with the fingers, and then slurping them into the mouth.”

King Ferdinand II, 17th century emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, was frustrated by being unable to comfortably serve this popular yet messy food to guests of honor. He complained to his inventive assistant, Gennaro Spadacchi, who promptly invented the four-tined fork so that “the maccheroni could be eaten in polite society.”

I have to report that the 5- and 7-year-old set at my house apparently does not represent eaters in “polite society” even with four-tined forks available. When we were testing these recipes, rumor has it that at the out-of-sight kids’ table they were stuffing fistfuls into their mouths.

Thomas Jefferson is credited with bringing the first “maccaroni” machine to America.

In “Lidia’s Italian Table” Bastianich gives excellent advice on cooking and serving pasta. She recommends that you not add oil to the water when cooking except for cooking wide pasta because it prevents the sauce from sticking to the pasta.

She also says that pasta should be drained well as soon as it is done and sauced immediately while still hot. The serving container should be hot and, she says, “I like to serve my pasta in soup bowls with a rim European style and I pile my pasta into a heap in the center. This way the pasta is more contained, it stays hot for longer periods, and you don’t lose your sauce to the side of the plate.”

Mushrooms with Pasta, Red Wine, and Thyme is an excellent recipe from “Hot Vegetables” by Hugh Carpenter and Teri Sandison. A rich, meaty-tasting mushroom sauce gives this meatless recipe great substance.

Carpenter says that the sauce can be used under steak, chicken or fish or you can “add equal parts of vegetable broth and heavy cream to create a savory soup.” He suggests serving the dish with Asian greens, bread, and sauteed bananas with Grand Marnier.

Bow Ties With

Sausage and Leek Sauce

6 quarts salted water

2 large leeks (about 1 pound)

2 tablespoons extra virgin

olive oil

2 sweet Italian sausages

(6 ounces), casings removed

1 tablespoon minced shallots

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 cup young peas, blanched in

boiling water

for 2 minutes, or frozen baby

peas, defrosted and drained

1 cup chicken stock or canned

low-sodium chicken broth

Salt and freshly ground

black pepper

1 pound bow-tie pasta (farfalle)

1/2 cup freshly grated

Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese,

plus more for serving, if you like

Bring the salted water to a boil. Meanwhile, prepare the leeks; cut off and discard the top third of the rough green portion and the root ends. Remove any brown or wilted outer layers. Slice the remaining green and white parts into 1/2-inch-thick rounds. Rinse the leek slices in several changes of cold water, swishing them around to remove all soil and grit.

In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Crumble the sausage meat into the skillet and cook until golden, breaking up any lumps, about 5 minutes. Add the leeks to the skillet and cook, stirring, until wilted, about 5 minutes. Stir in the shallots and cook for 1 minute. Add 1 tablespoon of the butter, the peas and stock. Heat to a boil, reduce the heat to medium-low, and simmer gently for 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, cover the skillet, and set aside.

Stir the bow ties into the boiling water. When the water returns to a boil, uncover the pot. Cook the pasta, stirring occasionally, until al dente, tender but firm, about 12 minutes. Drain the bow ties well and return them to the pot over low heat. Add the sausage and leek sauce to the pasta and toss well until the pasta is coated. Remove the pot from the heat, adding the remaining 1 tablespoon butter and grated cheese, and toss well. Transfer to a warmed serving platter or individual bowls. Serve immediately, passing additional grated cheese on the side, if you like. Makes 6 servings.

Angel Hair With

Shrimp Sesame Sauce

8 ounces angel hair pasta

(capellini), uncooked

1 pound asparagus, trimmed and

cut into 1-inch pieces

2 teaspoons vegetable oil

5 cloves garlic, chopped

1 cup sliced mushrooms

1 bunch scallions,

finely chopped

1/2 cup vinegar

1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce

3 tablespoons chutney

2 tablespoons sesame oil

2 tablespoons toasted

sesame seeds

1 tablespoon brown sugar

1 pound frozen medium

shrimp, thawed

Prepare pasta according to package directions; two minutes before pasta is done, add asparagus pieces. When pasta and asparagus are done, drain. Place vegetable oil, garlic and mushrooms in a 2-quart saucepan. Saute for 3 to 4 minutes. Add scallions, vinegar, soy sauce, chutney, sesame oil, toasted sesame seeds and brown sugar. Simmer for 3 to 5 minutes. Add shrimp to the sauce and cook for another 5 to 8 minutes. Toss shrimp and sauce with pasta and asparagus and serve. Makes 4 to 6 servings.

Mushrooms with Pasta,

Red Wine and Thyme

8 ounces dried penne, fusilli, or

your favorite pasta

1/2 cup chopped parsley

2 ounces imported Parmesan

cheese

1 tablespoon cornstarch

Sauce:

2 yellow onions, chopped

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 1/2 pounds mushrooms

(shiitake,portabella, chanterelle,

cremini or hedgehog)

1 cup red wine, such as zinfandel

1 cup vegetable or chicken broth

2 tablespoons oyster sauce

1 tablespoon heavy soy sauce

1 tablespoon chopped fresh

thyme leaves

2 teaspoons tomato paste

1/2 teaspoon Asian chile sauce

1/2 teaspoon sugar

6 tablespoons unsalted

butter, divided

Salt and freshly ground

black pepper to taste

Advance Preparation: Set aside the pasta, parsley, cheese, and cornstarch in separate containers. Place the onions and garlic in separate containers. Discard the stems from the shiitake and portabella mushrooms. Cut the mushrooms into 1/4-inch-wide pieces. In a small bowl, combine the wine, broth, oyster sauce, soy sauce, thyme, tomato paste, chile sauce and sugar.

Place a 12-inch saute pan that is not cast-iron or aluminum over medium heat. Add half the butter, and when the butter is melted, add the onions. Saute the onions until they become golden, about 15 minutes. Then add the remaining butter, the garlic and the mushrooms. Cook the mushrooms until they soften, expel all their moisture and eventually become densely textured, about 10 to 15 minutes. Add wine sauce, bring to a boil over medium heat, and cook until the mushrooms begin to show above the sauce, about 6 minutes. Cool, transfer to a bowl, and refrigerate. All advance preparation steps may be completed up to 8 hours before you begin the final steps.

Final Steps: Grate the cheese. Combine the cornstarch with 1 tablespoon cold water. Bring 4 quarts of water to a rapid boil. Lightly salt the water, then cook the pasta according to package instructions. When the pasta loses its raw texture but is still slightly firm, tip the pasta and the water into a colander. Return the pasta pot to the stove over high heat. Add the mushroom sauce and bring to a low boil. Stir in a little of the cornstarch mixture to slightly thicken the sauce. Return the pasta to the pot and stir to evenly combine. Add salt and pepper to taste. Transfer the pasta to a heated serving platter or dinner plates. Sprinkle on the parsley and grated cheese. Serve at once. Makes 4 entree servings.

Newkirk Main Street Member Gives Program

Oklahoma Main Street Program hosted a training session entitled Main Street 101 Feb. 25-26 in Oklahoma City. Newkirk Main Street board members Dorothy Gilbreath, Janice Shinn, Carolyn Williamson, and Jana Shafer attended along with economic restructuring committee member Harold Harris and program manager Karen Dye. Representatives from 22 Main Street communities and 16 non-Main Street towns were also in attendance.

The two-day conference covered Four Points of Main Street — Organization, Design, Promotion and Economic Restructuring. Conference speakers included Jon Schallert with of Sorrento, Fla.; Sylvia Allen of Holmdel, N.J., Mary P. Bosch of Portland, Ore.; Stephanie Redman and Scott Day of the National Trust, Washington, D.C.

Newkirk Design Committee Chairman Carolyn Williamson and program manager Karen Dye, along with Oklahoma Main Street architect Todd Scott, presented a session on Design Basics. Newkirk Main Street has one of the few self-sufficient design committees in the state. They are able to produce their own design sketches and color drawings along with recommendations following the Secretary of Interior's guidelines for historic buildings. Newkirk Main Street offers a variety of grants to assist property owners in the downtown historic district.

Another offering by Main Street is scholarships to Pioneer Technology Center in self-employment and small business administration. These are available to existing businesses as well as to entrepreneurs who are planning to open a new business.

SPORTS

Monday Evening Quarterback

Monday Evening Quarterback

The First Lady says it take a village to raise a child.

Ponca City track coach Terry Henderson says it takes a small army to run a track meet.

One has little to do with the other, except to emphasis the kind of community support it takes to get things done right.

The Wildcat Invitational track meet was done right Saturday as Po-Hi broke in its new track surface with a cross-section of track powers from across the state.

Teams came from as close as Stillwater and Pawnee and as far away as Norman and Okmulgee.

Despite the numbing cold and brisk winds, by all accounts, the meet was a success, not only because Po-Hi has a brand new running surface and a bunch of new equipment, but mainly because the event was run smoothly.

With 16 teams and over a hundred athletes competing, it would be easy for the meet to get bogged down in just the logistics.

That didn’t happen Saturday, mainly Henderson says, because of the volunteers who help keep the meet running smoothly.

Most were fellow coaches. Cross country coaches, football assistants, softball coaches, basketball coaches and wrestling coaches. All were there to help Henderson and his handful of lay coaches put on a meet that would reflect well on the team, the school and the community.

They succeeded.

“This kind of meet cannot be held without the kind of support we received,” Henderson said. “There were so many people to thank — coaches, parents, people in the community — I couldn’t possibly get around to ’em all.”

And track is one of the few Wildcat sports that does not have a booster club, although the Ponca City Track Club stands in very nicely.

It is not only track that depends on support from school officials, parents, fans and the community.

The Po-Hi golf teams would not exist without the help from the two local courses and their members.

Coaches Dan McGregor and Jerry Orr recently pointed out that a number of golf teams have gone by the wayside because they can not afford the green fees charged by courses in their cities or get the practice time needed to be competitive.

Cross-country is another sport without an official booster club. Yet, coach Kelly Chaney has little trouble rounding up support and volunteers to run one of the largest — and best — invitational meets in the state as well as the occasional conference meet.

Other sports continue to hold events that would not be possible without outside support and many more are planned.

The track at Sullins Stadium will be the site of the Wildcat Relays on April 6 and the Frontier Conference meet on May 1.

Lew Wentz will the site of the boys’ regional tournament on May 3.

The Wally Smith Tennis Center is the site of a couple of tournaments, including the conference tournament on April 19.

There will be more in the future. Wrestling coach Todd Steidley would like to revive the Big Four Tournament.

Ponca City was the site of Class A Regional and Area playoffs this year and may be again.

Even regularly scheduled sporting events rely heavily on volunteer help — gate keepers, score keepers, announcers, etc.

At least in Ponca City, if you schedule it they will come.