LOCAL

Ponca City Group Gets Reports On Local Issues While in OKC
Nearly News
Roustabouts Will Perform On Saturday
Warrior-Zuccaro Set Traditional Event
Bereavement Teleconference Available to Poncans April 14

Ponca City Group Gets Reports On Local Issues While in OKC

By PATTI PFEIFFER

News Staff Writer

A group of 20 city business leaders embarked upon a “goodwill” trip to Oklahoma City Monday. The trip, sponsored by the Ponca City Chamber of Commerce, is intended to be both educational and promotional for Ponca City.

It was a day which both began and ended with informational meetings on key issues involving Ponca City. Among those greeting and meeting with the delegation included Lt. Gov. Mary Fallin, Secretary of Transportation Neal McCaleb, Sen. Paul Muegge and Rep. Jim Newport.

A “possible prospect” for Ponca City was revealed to the group by Fallin. The lieutenant governor related that a Taiwanese delegation had expressed an interest in bringing research and development to Oklahoma.

“I have been working on this for several years. I can’t make any promises at this time, but it may be a real opportunity for Ponca City,” Fallin said. “I will sure try on your behalf to see what I can do.”

Fallins also gave an update on her crusade to reform workman’s compensation.

“I’m trying to have permanent, partial disabilities removed from workman’s compensation coverage so that when a person is injured, able to return to work with the same job, same rate of pay, they don’t continue to draw permanent disability, because there are those out there now with partial permanent disabilities who have returned to work, receiving pay and still drawing disability,” she said. “We are in a battle with trial lawyers, and this is an issue that may not be decided until the final days of the session.”

Legislation Fallin also mentioned included the elimination of the franchise tax, which is still “alive” in the legislature. A legal reform bill involving limited liability concerning Y2K was discussed.

In addition, Fallin stated that the next issue she would “tackle” would be health care reform.

“I would like to see more health coverage provided to our citizens,” she said. “Our system has changed over the years, and I think it is time to revisit some issues.”

Monitoring Oklahoma industries is also a priority of Fallin. “I would like to make certain the oil industry stays healthy, and the agricultural industry is also suffering. We need to look at issues facing that industry.”

According to Fallin, there is a movement by the Tulsa World and Daily Oklahoman for an initiative petition to bring the matter of the right-to-work issue to a vote of the people.

“The House is limited in their support of the petition, and they still don’t have the guts to vote it up or down,” Fallin said.

An update on the matter of Amtrak, as well as the plight of U.S. 177, was given by McCaleb.

“The good news is that the secretary of interior has declared that they are giving back to the original landowners the land that had escheated to the tribe,” he said. “You can condemn individual landowners but not tribal land.”

The matter involves the construction of a new “super two-lane highway” on U.S. 177 south of Ponca City and the acquisition of easement to complete the project.

Next to speak were local legislators. “Education, education, education,” was all Muegge had to say to get his point across to the group. He then predicted an increase in tuition and doubted that the Board of Regents would be granted their wish of more latitude in setting tuition rates.

Rep. Newport reported on “up-to-minute changes” in the legislation.

“Hot off the press is the fact that the 4x4 plan has just failed in committee,” Newport said.

Nearly News

The artist in residence program cancellation in Tuesday’s Nearly News should not be confused with the performance by the Howard Hanger Jazz Fantasy scheduled for Friday evening at the Poncan Theater. That presentation, sponsored by the Ponca City Arts and Humanities Council, Conoco and the Oklahoma Arts Council, will be held beginning at 7:30 p.m. There is no admission charge.

Roustabouts Will Perform On Saturday

TONKAWA — The Roustabouts, Northern Oklahoma College’s world-traveling musical show troupe, will present a benefit concert at 8 p.m. Saturday in the Northern Performing Arts Center.

Donations of $5 per person will be accepted with child under five years old admitted free. Proceeds will go toward the troupe’s expenses for its performing tour of England this summer.

Dineo Heilmann, Roustabout director, will conduct his talented young men and women in an exciting evening of energetic music and dancing ranging from pop to country-western to jazz.

Solo numbers include the Aretha Franklin number “Think,” “Meadowlark,” a Gloria Estefan favorite, “Heaven Is What I Feel,” Shania Twain’s “Still the One” and Reba McIntyre’s “What If.”

Selections from the hit musical “Godspell” and “Crazy Him,” an original composition by the Northern Combo are also on the program. Instrumental numbers include Mike Moore’s arrangement of “Back at the Chicken Shack” by Jimmy Smith and “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore” by Duke Ellington.

Warrior-Zuccaro Set Traditional Event

The Warrior-Zuccaro family will hold a traditional Wah thee see, breaking morning feast and give away starting Sunday at noon in memory of Regina Nell Zuccaro, sister and niece.

The event will be held at the Ponca Tribal Cultural Center. Following the noon feast, the family will hold a give away.

All participants are asked to bring their own dishes and chairs.

Bereavement Teleconference Available to Poncans April 14

On Wednesday, April 14, Hospice of Ponca City will join 2,000 other organizations across the United States and Canada as a local host for the Hospice Foundation of America’s sixth annual National Bereavement Teleconference.

“Living with Grief: At Work, At School, At Worship”, a live-via-satellite video teleconference, will examine the ways that grief influences us in various settings, such as the workplace, schools, or places of worship. The program will offer humane and practical suggestions for those assisting grievers and for organizations who may have those struggling with illness and loss in their midst.

The program will be moderated by Cokie Roberts of ABC News and will feature a distinguished panel of experts. The teleconference is produced by Hospice Foundation of America, a non-profit organization established to assist those who cope either personally or professionally with terminal illness and the process of death, grief and bereavement. The teleconference is presented in cooperation with the Association for Death Education and Counseling, The Compassionate Friends, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), with additional support from Service Corporation International, Inc.

Last year’s teleconference was seen by more than 150,000 people in over 2,000 communities. A recent participant noted, “the teleconference was excellent; panelists were knowledgeable, topics relevant ... it was a great opportunity for people from our community — hospice staff, volunteers, clergy, funeral directors, and families — to hear valuable information from the nation’s top experts in the field.”

“We often discuss how we grieve, but rarely do we consider the places where we grieve,” said Jack D. Gordon, President of the Hospice Foundation of America. “Yet whether at work, at school, in our faith community, or at home, grief not only affects our moods and motivation but our relationships as well. It is essential that hospices and other organizations take the opportunity to explore how the places we grieve have a profound effect on our abilities to function. Hosting or co-sponsoring the teleconference allows local organizations the opportunity to offer a valuable community service to businesses and schools and to network with other resources in their area.”

In addition to hospices, teleconference sites will include hospitals, state offices on aging, universities, community colleges, and funeral homes.

Ms. Roberts will moderate the two-and-one-half-hour panel discussion. The panel will include Kenneth J. Doka, Ph.D., Lutheran minister and professor of gerontology at the College of New Rochelle; Michael Jemmott, B.S., M.Div., Senior Staff Chaplain at the Johns Hopkins Hospital; Michael Kirby, M.S.W., director of the New York State Police Employee Assistance Department; and Marcia Lattanzi-Lichit, R.N., M.A., L.P.C., co-founder of Hospice of Boulder County and internationally known educator, author, and consultant.

Debbie Brock, Hospice of Ponca City, Bereavement Specialist concludes, “Grief is something that touches all of us. It’s like a wave that comes and goes and we can’t always control where we will be or when we will experience it. This conference is an important tool that our community can use to help the grieving person in their process.”

The local teleconference is co-hosted by Conoco, Inc. and will be held in the Conoco concourse auditorium. Those interested in attending are encouraged to register early due to limited seating. Continuing education credits for professionals are available.

For more information, call Brock at Hospice of Ponca City 762-9102.

DEATHS

Edgar L. Sparks
Isaac Francis Wano
David Stuart Burgert
Howard Phillip Gonzales
Edgar Gene Shelton
Judith Bradford

Edgar L. Sparks

OKLAHOMA CITY — Edgar L. “Sparky” Sparks, former longtime Ponca City resident, died Tuesday, March 23, 1999, in Oklahoma City. He was 73.

A funeral will be held at Goodrich Memorial United Methodist Church in Norman at 10 a.m. Friday, March 26. The Rev. Marvin Hudson will officiate. Burial will follow at Franklin Cemetery under the direction of Primrose Funeral Service, Norman.

Edgar L. “Sparky” Sparks was born Dec. 17, 1925, in Elmore City to John Gilbert and Esther Rachel Sparks. He attended schools in Elmore City, before moving to Norman, where he graduated from high school in 1943. Sparks served in the U.S. Army Air Corps from Dec. 16, 1943, to June 15, 1946, when he was discharged as a Staff Sergeant.

On Aug. 8, 1946, he was married to Dixie Pearl Rollins and the couple made their home in Ponca City for 51 years. He was employed with Southwestern Bell Telephone for 34 years, retiring in 1983. He enjoyed camping, fishing and singing in the choir at Asbury United Methodist Church, where he was a member for 43 years.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Dixie Pearl Rollins; three sons, Gene of Oklahoma City, Stan of Muskogee, and Steve of Oklahoma City; four brothers Gerald, Truitt, Kenneth and Wylie; eight grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by an infant son, Scott Aaron, and his parents.

Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Sparks’ name to the American Heart Association, First National Bank and Trust, Box 1151, Ponca City, OK 74602.

Isaac Francis Wano

TONKAWA — Isaac Francis “Larry” Wano, longtime Tonkawa resident, died Tuesday, March 23, 1999, at his home. He was 53.

A prayer service will be held at 7:30 p.m. today at the McCafferty-Bolick Funeral Home Chapel in Tonkawa. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 25, at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Tonkawa. Father Joe Burger will officiate. Burial will be in the Tonkawa IOOF Cemetery.

Isaac Francis “Larry” Wano was born May 29, 1945, in Tonkawa, to Isaac Peter Wano and Mary Margaret DeLonias. He grew up and attended school through the 10th grade in Tonkawa. He moved away from Tonkawa for several years and in 1967-68 served as a private first class in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He moved back to Tonkawa from Almagordo, N.M. in 1976.

Wano was a member of the VFW Post 2855 in Blackwell and the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Tonkawa. He enjoyed camping, fishing, cookouts with his family and going to the lake.

Survivors include one son, Larry Francis Wano of Tonkawa; three daughters, Penny Cook of Breckenridge, Texas, Angela Dawn Mendiola and Christy Faye Wano, both of Tonkawa; three brothers, Roger D. Wano of Tonkawa, Gary K. Wano of Oklahoma City and Joe Wano of Joplin, Mo.; two sisters, Rosamary Young of Tool, Texas, and Estella Rowland of Edmond; three stepchildren; and seven grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Henry “Pete” Wano and one sister, Geneva M. Wano.

David Stuart Burgert

KAW CITY — David Stuart Burgert, Kaw City resident, died Monday evening, March 22, 1999, at his home. He was 55.

The funeral is set for 2 p.m. Thursday, March 25, at the First United Methodist Church of Kaw City. The Rev. Tom Short, pastor of Oak Grove Baptist Church of Kaw City will officiate. Burial will be in the Grandview Cemetery in Kaw City, under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel, Ponca City.

David Stuart Burgert was born Nov. 5, 1943, in Kaw City, the son of Robert S. and Marie (Harper) Burgert. He graduated from Kaw City High School in 1962, and continued his education at Northwestern State College in Alva, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in education. Burgert served his country in Vietnam with the U.S. Navy before his honorable discharge in 1968.

He was married to Pilar Pena on Nov. 17, 1970, in Mexico City. Mr. Burgert was employed as systems supervisor/operator with the City of Kaw City for 17 years. He was a member of the Kaw City Chamber of Commerce and the Volunteer Fire Department of Kaw City. He enjoyed collecting Indian artifacts, bee keeping and bird watching.

He is survived by his wife, Pilar, of the home; his mother, Marie Burgert of Kaw City; three daughters, Amy Atkinson of Oklahoma City, and Jessica Burgert and Sarah Burgert, both of the home; two sisters, Emily Ryan and Sondra Smith, both of Oklahoma City; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Robert S. Burgert; and two brothers, J. Robert Burgert and John E. Burgert.

Casket bearers will be Dave Corlett, Larry Gardner, Darryl Cells, Mitchell Smith, Larry Myers and Don Suter. Honorary bearers will be Harold Roberts and John Ryan.

Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Burgert’s memory to the Oklahoma Veteran’s Hospital, Memorial Contribution Fund, V.A. Medical Center, 921 N.E. Thirteenth Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73104.

Howard Phillip Gonzales

PAWNEE — Howard Phillip Gonzales, lifelong Pawnee resident, died Tuesday, March 23, 1999, in Tulsa. He was 47.

The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at the Pawnee Tribal Roundhouse in Pawnee. Burial will be in the North Indian Cemetery at Pawnee under the direction of Poteet Funeral Home.

Howard Phillip Gonzales was born in Pawnee on March 29, 1951, to Howard and Sadie (Moore) Gonzales. He was a lifelong resident of Pawnee. Gonzales was an accomplished auto mechanic, a licensed heavy equipment operator, plumber, carpenter, and had worked in the oil fields. He was employed with the Pawnee Tribe as a planner and laborer. His hobby was riding his Harley motorcycle.

Survivors include his mother, Sadie P. Gonzales of Pawnee; four sisters, Phyllis L. Gonzales, Dollie P. Gonzales and Janet I. Gonzales, all of Pawnee and Dena C. Dishman of Coats, Kan.; one brother, Sherman F. Gonzales of Pawnee; five nephews, four aunts; two uncles; and numerous other relatives and friends. He was preceded death by his father, and a sister, Susan E. Gonzales.

Edgar Gene Shelton

Edgar Gene Shelton, former Ponca City resident, died Saturday March 20, 1999, in Orlando, Fla. He was 79.

A memorial service will be set at a later date in Ponca City. Arrangements and cremation were under the direction of Beacon’s National Cremation Society of Winter Park, Fla.

Edgar Gene Shelton was born in Alton, Ill., on June 18, 1919. He attended Westminster College in Fulton, Mo., and moved to Ponca City in 1942, then to Winter Park, Fla., in 1963. He was director of Construction for Sigma Con, a branch of General Mills from 1970 until his retirement in 1985. He had earlier owned Shelton Construction Company.

Shelton, who founded the Ponca City Tennis Club, was past president of the Oklahoma State Tennis Association, and a member of the Presbyterian Church, Kiwanis Club, and Kappa Alpha Fraternity.

He is survived by a son, Edgar Gene Shelton Jr. of Orlando, Fla.; one daughter, Sandra Ann Redman of Winter Park, Fla.; and one grandson. He was preceded in death by his wife, Sally Josephine Shelton; and his parents.

Services Pending

Judith Bradford

TONKAWA — Judith Bradford, age 57, died March 24, 1999, at Integris Bass Hospital in Enid. Arrangements are pending, with McCafferty-Bolick Funeral Home in Tonkawa.

NEWS BRIEFS

Singles Game Night — The Singles Connection will hold a Game Night on Saturday, March 27, at 7 p.m. at the Conoco Fourth Street Clubhouse. If attending and your last name begins with A-M bring a snack, N-Z bring a 2-liter bottle of pop. For more information or child care call Mary Lou Kircher at 762-0578.

WWF Wrestlemania XV: The raging climax. Live, Sunday,

March 28th at 7:00 p.m., $34.95. To order call Cable One at 762-6684.

adv.

Yes, We Still Have Afghans — The Pioneer Woman afghans are still available and they do make excellent gifts for any occasion. The afghans are sold exclusively by the First United Methodist Women and are a fund raiser for missions. They are available in four colors — burgundy, Hunter green, blue and navy. Call 762-1429 or 765-0157 to order for delivery or for information.

Windshield Chips repaired professionally. Guaranteed and

insurance approved. Ponca Glass, 762-6522, 762-7957. adv.

Volunteers Needed — Volunteers are needed to deliver noon meals to the elderly homebound through the Wheatheart Nutrition program. For more information call 767-1620 for more information.

Jim Bowen Construction - Custom homes, room additions and

remodeling. Call 762-3077. adv.

Vandalism — A woman from the 100 block of West Albany Avenue reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 9:25 a.m. Tuesday that some vandalism to her residence had been discovered. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

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.

Subject Held — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported from the 300 block of South Pine Street at 9:35 a.m. Tuesday that a 45-year-old man was being held on a city warrant for failure to pay.

Bicycle Stolen — A woman from the 1000 block of North Sunset Street reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 3:38 p.m. Tuesday that a bicycle had been stolen from Liberty School. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Accident — An accident in the 2900 block of North Union Street was reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 10 a.m. Tuesday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Reverse Osmosis water 25 cents per gallon. Pure Water

Wagon. 1717 North 5th. adv.

Subject Held — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported at 12:29 p.m. Tuesday that an 18-year-old man was being held on two counts of assault and battery and two counts of harassment.

Head Country, One half bar-b-q chicken with choice of vegeta-

bles, $4.25, Thursday, 4-? p.m. 1217 East Prospect. 767-8304. adv.

Vehicle Towed — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported from the intersection of South Palm Street and West South Avenue at 1:08 p.m. Tuesday that a 42-year-old man was being held for not wearing a seat belt and driving under suspension. A vehicle was towed from the scene.

Black Mamba yo-yos. Best yoyo on the market. In stock now.

Mrs. Brown’s Attic, downtown, Ponca City. 762-4838. adv.

Vending Machine Vandalized — The manager of the Standing Bear Park reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 1:14 p.m. Tuesday that a vending machine had been vandalized. The information was logged.

Shoe Shine by Leroy. 117 North 3rd. Barney’s. adv.

Burglary — A man from the 3600 block of B Street reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 2:20 p.m. Tuesday that a burglary had occurred. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Great Fundraiser: Booths at Victorian chocolate and craft fes-

tival. Saturday, May 1st. Call 762-6700. adv.

Suspicious Items — A woman from the 500 block of South Third Street reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 5:44 p.m. Tuesday that she had found a box of items believed to be stolen. The items were found under a porch. Two officers were assigned and the items were brought to the police department and a report was taken.

Garden Hose Missing — A man from the 500 block of Shamrock reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 3:34 a.m. Wednesday that his garden hose and reel were missing from the yard. An officer was assigned and the information was logged.

Assault — A woman from the 500 block of Lora Avenue reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 6:22 p.m. Tuesday that an assault had occurred. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Court Allen Construction. Concrete and flagstone walkways, pa-

tios and yard curbing. Call 765-2720. adv.

Disturbance — A woman from the 300 block of North Sixth Street reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 2:23 p.m. Tuesday that a disturbance had occurred. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

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.

Light’s Out — A woman from the 300 block of North Birch Street reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 3:18 p.m. Tuesday that someone had shot out the outside light. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Windows Broken — A woman reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 9:47 p.m. Tuesday that a window of her vehicle had been broken while parked at Hutchins Memorial, and that two other vehicles also had damage. An officer was assigned and three reports were taken on auto burglary.

Vehicle Fire — The Communications Center received a 911 call at 8:25 p.m. Tuesday that a vehicle was on fire at the intersection of Scott Avenue and South Twelfth Street. Two officers of the Ponca City Police Department and a unit from the Ponca City Fire Department responded to find the vehicle engulfed in flames. It was to be towed from the scene.

Accident — An accident in the 1800 block of Riggs Drive was reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 3:22 p.m. Tuesday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Fight — The Communications Center received a 911 call from E-Z Mart, 2225 North Fourteenth Street at 9:44 p.m. Tuesday, that several subjects were fighting in the parking lot. Two officers of the Ponca City Police Department responded and a report was taken.

Subjects Held — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported from the 700 block of North Palm Street at 1:44 a.m. Wednesday that a 26-year-old man was being held for DUI and careless driving. A 25-year-old man was being held for public intoxication.

Subjects Held — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department requested assistance with subjects at North First Street and Highland Avenue at 2:28 a.m. Wednesday. Another officer was assigned and a 28-year-old man was held for driving under suspension, transporting an open container, having no insurance, not wearing a seat belt, and improper stopping on the roadway. A 20-year-old woman was held on a city warrant for failure to pay, and a 36-year-old woman was held on a Kay County warrant.

Bicycle Stolen — A woman reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 3:35 p.m. Tuesday that a bicycle had been stolen from Union School. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Subject Held — A woman from the 400 block of East Detroit Avenue requested assistance from the Ponca City Police Department at 1:54 a.m. Wednesday with a subject causing a disturbance. Two officers were assigned and a 27-year-old man was held for domestic assault and battery and a city warrant for assault and battery.

Legion Meeting — There will be a regular meeting of the American Legion Thursday, 7:30 p.m., Huff-Minor American Legion Post 14, 407 West South Avenue.

Spring Fling — The Church Women United Spring Fling Arts and Crafts Show will be held Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Unity Gym. The event benefits Child Development Center. Call Mary Bates, 718-0019 for more information.

Meeting Now Unnecessary — As a result of the cancellation of a meeting by the American Indian Exposition that had been set for March 14, and the subsequent immediate rescheduling of the regular monthly meeting to March 28, there will be no need for any emergency or special meeting of the American Exposition Board of Directors, according to Isa Bravescout, secretary American Indian Exposition 1999.

Meeting Scheduled — The Park and Recreation Advisory Board is scheduled to meet Thursday at 5:30 p.m. in the Public Safety Center.

LIFESTYLES

Xi Delta Chapter Members Elect New Officers
Mildred Tapp Gives Review
Little News

Xi Delta Chapter Members Elect New Officers

The Xi Delta chapter of Beta Sigma Phi sorority met in the home of Linda Turner March 22. Lisa Mena, president, called the meeting to order, and the opening ritual was recited. There were 10 members present.

The social for the month was held Saturday night at a Stillwater restaurant. Patsy Hastings read the treasurer’s report and Ms. Turner read the minutes. Sue May reported that Shari Magee has completed her training and is ready for her Ritual of Jewels, which will be held at the next meeting. Dorothy Leonard reported that a scrapbook meeting will be held at her home Wednesday evening. Secret Sister pages and event pages are all to be completed and given to her by March 30.

Ms. Mena read a portion of the book of Beta Sigma Phi and asked the chapter for input and clarification on how some matters were to be dealt with. Jody Sanford won the traveling basket. The chapter voted on Girl of the Year, whose name will be revealed during Founder’s Day April 20.

An election of officers was held. Those selected are: President, Linda Turner; Vice President, Lynda Smith, Recording Secretary, Shari Magee; Corresponding Secretary Sue May; and Patsy Hastings was re-elected as treasurer. Members concluded the evening with a salad dinner.

Mildred Tapp Gives Review

Frances Waldron, 2313 Quail Lane, was the hostess for the recent meeting of the Tuesday Review Book Club. There were 10 members present, and Ruth Stone, president, conducted the meeting.

Mildred Tapp gave the review of “Having Our Say” by Amy Hill Hearth, writer for The New York Times. Ms. Tapp said that Ms. Hearth spent several months interviewing the Delaney sisters. Miss Sadie Delaney was a teacher in the New York school system and Dr. Bessie Delaney was the first black woman dentist to graduate from Columbia University. Their father was born a slave and later became the first black priest in the Episcopal Church.

Dr. Bessie died at age 104, and Miss Sadie died at age 109, said Ms. Tapp. They attributed their longevity to eating healthly, exercising regularly, and spending a good portion of each morning in prayer.

Little News

Ann Alyssa and Matthew Scott Eatherly of Oklahoma City announce the birth of a daughter at 3:50 p.m. March 17, 1999, at Lakeside Renaissance Women’s Hospital in Oklahoma City. Anna Mattise Eatherly weighed 8 pounds and measured 21 inches long. She has a sister, Alyssa Scott Eatherly.

Grandparents are Carole Anne and Stan Coy, Scottie and Jim Eatherly, all of Ponca City.

Colton Woodrow Crane is the name selected by Chad and Kelle Crane, 7551 Souligny Road, for their son born at 7:42 a.m. March 15, 1999, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. The baby weighed 6 pounds, 10 ounces and was 19 1/2 inches long.

Maternal grandparents are John and Linda Countryman, and paternal grandparents are Chuck and Sylvia Crane, all of Ponca City.

Great grandparents are Sylvia Lee of Coweta, George Countryman of Ponca City, and the late Fern Countryman, the late Tom and Elrene Wright, the late Frank Hall, and the late Charles and Ruth Crane.

SPORTS

Boys Tennis Team Wins Upper Duals
Bruins Edge Wildcats
Lady Cats Show No Mercy to Stillwater
Lady Wildcats Get Win No. 1
Buddy Bass Club Holds Tournament
Broken Bow Angler Lands State Record Largemouth

Boys Tennis Team Wins Upper Duals

STILLWATER — Aside from a faltering effort in the their lowest ranks, the Wildcat tennis team ran over Stillwater in dual action, Tuesday. While the two teams were dead even in matches won, at 13-apiece, seven of Stillwater’s wins came in the bottom eight match ups. The Cats’ varsity and junior varsity both won, handily, by identical scores of 6-3.

“I just can’t score them all together,” said coach Steve Larimer, who calls the bottom eight players the junior-junior Varsity. “That’s not fair to the top kids. I’ll say that we had three (duals), and we won two and lost one.”

For the varsity, the Cats swept the top three spots, with junior Sterling Foy, sophomore Tim Frick and sophomore Josh Pitts all winning. Foy, playing for the first time this year in the No. 1 spot, came back to win in three sets, 3-6, 6-3, 6-3.

“He could have folded his tent,” said Larimer. “He reached down and found something inside and decided he was going to win that one.”

Foy and Frick also teamed up to win in No. 1 doubles, while Daniel Lee and Shane Sample won in the No. 3 spot.

The junior varsity won 4-of-6 singles matches. Junior Cory Landes was victorious in the No. 1 spot, and teamed up later with Mark Parsons to win in No. 1 doubles, as well. Sophomore Matt Caine, sophomore Squire Lawrence, and junior Scot Mitchell were also winners in singles competition.

Mitchell and Mark Goddard also won in the No. 3 doubles spot.

The Cats, however, dropped 7-of-8 matches in the lower ranks to make the overall score somewhat misleading.

“Stillwater isn’t necessarily deeper than us, we just lost a lot of matches we should have won,” said Larimer.

The Cats will continue their season on Saturday, traveling to Ada for the Ada Tournament. Other teams in that tourney include Chickasha, McAlester, Anadarko, Clinton, Byng, Moore, Durant, Seminole, Duncan, Norman North, Shawnee, Norman, Lawton Mac, and Okmulgee.

Ponca City 13, Stillwater 13

singles

1 — Sterling Foy def. Todd Darlington, 3-6, 6-3, 6-3

2 — Tim Frick def. Jordan Witt, 6-1, 6-1

3 — Josh Pitts def. Andrew Juco, 6-1, 6-3

4 — Daniel Lee lost to Brent Tongco, 1-6, 6-2, 7-6(7-5)

5 — Trevor Viljoen lost to Shawn Hellman, 6-0, 6-3

6 — Shane Sample def. Daniel Weber, 6-2, 6-2

7 — Cory Landes def. Eric Ho, 8-2

8 — Mark Parsons lost to Andrew Hong, 8-3

9 — Matt Caine def. Steve Anderson, 8-5

10 — Squire Lawrence def. Mike Higbee, 8-1

11 — Scot Mitchell def. Ruben Kuravilla, 8-2

12 — Mark Goddard lost to Sean Morrison, 8-6

13 — Michael Galbraith lost to Robert Duncan, 8-1

14 — Michael Stuemky lost to Kenny Poppe, 8-4

15 — Blake Geubelle lost to Jason Shiplett, 8-3

16 — Wade Bair lost to Jay Jay Anderson,9-7

doubles

1 — Foy-Frick def. Darlington-Tongro, 6-3, 6-1

2 — Pitts-Viljoen lost to Witt-Hellman, 0-6, 6-4, 6-3

3 — Lee-Sample def. Juco-Weber, 6-3, 6-0

4 — Landes-Parsons def. Ho-Hong, 7-5, 6-2

5 — Caine-Lawrence lost to Anderson-Higbee, 6-3, 6-4

6 — Mitchell-Goddard def. Kuravilla-Morrison, 6-1, 6-2

7 — Galbraith-Stuemky lost to Duncan-Poppe, 6-4, 4-6, 7-6

8 — Geubelle-Bair lost to Shiplett-Anderson, 6-2, 6-3

Bruins Edge Wildcats

By FRED HILTON

News Sports Editor

Wildcat soccer coach Marco Castillo insists he has a good team, “the best 0-3 team in the state.”

Now the Cats must prove it as they step away from the crushing early season schedule.

Ponca City lost a 3-2 battle to Bartlesville at Sullins Stadium Tuesday night when the Bruins scored in the 72nd minute to hold off the Wildcats.

“This is the third ranked team we’ve played,” Castillo said. “It was a game where we didn’t do anything wrong, we just didn’t get the breaks.

“But the schedule gets easier now. We should get rolling now.”

However, the Wildcats must visit arch rival Enid Friday. After that, the Poncans face Sand Springs, Sapulpa, Stillwater and Muskogee before getting into district play.

“We can win all of those matches,” Castillo said “We can still wind up 8-3.”

Once again it was late scores that did in the Wildcats against Bartlesville.

The Poncans started strong, scoring near the halfway point of the first half on a goal by Andrew England off an assist by Paul Broome.

“That was England’s third goal of the season,’ Castillo said after watching the shot from the left side sail into right corner of the net.

But Bartlesville came back to tie the score with 8:44 remaining in the first half as forward Sean Pearman booted home a perfect crossing pass.

Pearman gave the Bruins their first lead with just 36 second left in the half, again scoring from right in front of the goal.

But the Ponca Citians tied the score again at 2-2 in the first minute of the second half as D.J. Scarbrough took an indirect kick and bent his shot around a line of defenders in to the goal.

“That was a big-time shot,” Castillo enthused. “That was a pro shot.”

But the Wildcats couldn’t capitalize on the early pressure as the momentum started to turn. However, stout defensive play, led by goalie Matt Morris, kept the Bartians out of the Ponca City net.

“Morris was just awesome,” his coach said. “He had at least five crucial saves.”

Castillo also credited Jerimy Cox and Kip Quiram will helping to hold down the Bruins.

“Bartlesville likes to go up the middle on offense,” the coach said. “But those two helped load up the middle and kept them from going that way.”

However, the Bruins finally got on the scoreboard again with 7:34 left in the match.

The Bartlesville pressure forced Morris out of the box to block a shot. But the Bruins got the rebound and lifted a soft shot over his head for what turned out to be the winner.

Because Enid is a western region team, the Po-Hi girls will play the Enid girls in the first match Friday at 6 p.m. The boys’ match will follow, about 8.

Lady Cats Show No Mercy to Stillwater

Despite a long week off the courts, the Lady Wildcat tennis team came back from Spring Break with a vengence, blazing past the Stillwater Lady Pioneers, 16-1 in dual action, Tuesday.

Aside from a few minor glitches in a few matches, the Lady Cats got little protest from the short-handed Lady Pioneers, taking straight set victories over all 12 singles opponents.

The Lady Cats’ one loss came in doubles competition, as the Lady Pioneers elected to drop their two best players down to play the Lady Cats’ No. 3 team, Gina Smith and Claire Winterrowd.

Despite taking on Stillwater's premier twosome, Smith and Winterrowd made a show of it, falling 2-6, 5-7.

“They almost came back and won a set,” said coach Stan Wheeler. “I think Stillwater did that just to get some points, to avoid the shut-out.”

The Lady Cats’ No. 1 doubles team of Romi Foreman and Abby Frick upped their record to 7-1 with a victory over Jadlow-Miller, 6-1, 6-1, while the No. 2 team of Mea Alexander and Emily Wheeler remained undefeated at 6-0 with a 3-set win over Kennedy-Martin, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2.

“We had a few timing problems coming back from Spring Break,” Wheeler continued. “But after the matches we had a lot of kids come back and hit around, so they’re dedicated. We just have to get over the Spring Break thing.”

The Lady Cats’ season will continue on Friday, as they travel south for the Ada Tournament. Other teams in that tourney include Chickasha, McAlester, Anadarko, Clinton, Byng, Moore, Durant, Seminole, Duncan, Norman North, Shawnee, Norman, Lawton Mac, and Okmulgee.

Ponca City 16, Stillwater 1

singles

1 — Ashley Roussel def. H. Huber, 6-0, 6-1

2 — Abby Frick def. E. Fuhrman, 6-3, 6-3

3 — Romi Foreman def. J. Jadlow, 6-0, 6-1

4 — Mea Alexander def. J. Miller, 6-4, 6-2

5 — Emily Wheeler def. L. Kennedy, 6-1, 7-5

6 — Gina Smith def. C. Martin, 6-4, 6-4

7 — Claire Winterrowd def. K. McKeever, 6-1, 6-3

8 — Erin Shaw def. S. Dohman, 7-6, 6-3

9 — Morgan Mongold def. C. Ortiz, 6-1, 6-1

10 — Marcie Wilkinson def. J. Newlin, 6-0, 6-0

11 — Anna Stalcup def. C. Boyer, 7-5, 6-0

12 — Karly Merrifield def. L. Dao, 6-3, 6-1

doubles

1 — Frick-Foreman def. Jadlow-Miller, 6-1, 6-1

2 — Alexander-Wheeler def. Kennedy-Martin, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2

3 — Smith-Winterrowd lost to Huber-Fuhrman, 2-6, 5-7

4 — Shaw-Wilkinson def. McKeever-Dohman, 8-0

5 — Merrifield-Atteberry def. Ortiz-Newlin, 8-4

Lady Wildcats Get Win No. 1

By FRED HILTON

News Sports Editor

Ponca City’s Lady Wildcat soccer team broke into the win column for the first time this season with a 1-0 victory over Bartlesville at Sullins Stadium Tuesday night.

Senior goalkeeper Carrie Cooley got credit for the shutout in her season debut, heading up a stout defensive effort.

However, coach Steve Hermann credited his three-forward offense with the win.

“These two teams are so close, I felt we had to keep up the offensive pressure,” the coach said.

That pressure finally paid off when sophomore forward Jessica Windom booted home the winner off a corner kick by Laura Sudbury in the 71st minute of play.

Ironically, Windom had missed on a penalty kick just two minutes earlier.

Instead of deflating the Lady Cats, “that seemed to give us a boost,” Hermann noted.

The Poncans kept pressuring the Bartlesville goal until they got the only goal of the match with 9:03 left to play.

“I was pleased with the win,” Hermann said afterwards, “but not with the way we got it. I wasn’t happy with the passing and communication. But it’s a win and we’ll take it.”

Now 1-2 on the season, the Ponca Citians travel to Enid on Friday.

The Lady Cats will play the first match of the night, at 6 p.m., with the boys’ match to follow, about 8.

The matches are scheduled for the Plainsmen’s Stadium.

Buddy Bass Club Holds Tournament

Lanny Johnson took first place in the Ponca City Buddy Bass Tournament held at Sooner Lake Sunday.

Johnson caught five bass weighing a total of 11 pounds, 4-ounces to win the tournament over 30 other boats.

Donnie and Mike Owens finished second with three fish weighing 8-pounds, 2-ounces. Scott Weible and Bruce Vossen were third with two fish, weighing 8-pounds, 8-ounces.

Weible and Vossen had the Big Bass, a 5.3-pounder.

Over $800 in prizes were awarded in the tournament.

Starting April 7 there will be a Jackpot Tournament every Wednesday at Sooner Lake, starting at 6 p.m.

For information, or to join the club, contact Larry Platt (762-6571).

Broken Bow Angler Lands State Record Largemouth

Broken Bow Lake has always been better known more for its beauty than its brawn, but not anymore.

Thanks to a 14-pound, 11.52-ounce largemouth bass caught by William Cross of Broken Bow, this scenic reservoir in the mountains of southeast Oklahoma is now the state's undisputed heavyweight champion.

Cross caught the bass on Sunday, March 14, at 9 a.m., while participating in a tournament at Beavers Bend Resort Park. He said he wasn't aware he had caught a potential record-breaker until the tournament director announced it at the end of the event. The fish eclipsed the previous record of 14 pounds, 10 ounces caught in 1993 by Rodger Hockersmith at Mountain Lake.

"It was just another fish to me when I caught it," Cross said, "but when they announced that it might be a state record at the weigh-in, it felt really special."

Jack Harper, southeast regional fisheries supervisor for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, certified the catch. It measured 28 inches long and had a girth of 22 3/4 inches. On March 15, Barry Bolton, assistant chief of fisheries for the Department, signed the affidavit that put the fish in the record book.

"That's an extraordinary bass by any standard," Bolton said, "and it says a lot for the quality of Oklahoma's bass fisheries as a whole. We've got a number of lakes capable of producing record-book bass, and this just goes to show that you never know when or where such a fish will appear. We tip our hats to Mr. Cross. He accomplished something every bass angler dreams about."

At first glance, March 14 seemed an unlikely day to land a trophy bass. The weather was cold, windy and spitting snow. Fishing in the Bee Creek area of the lake, Cross was using a 10-inch, blue Berkeley Power Worm and 20-pound test Berkeley Trilene line. His tackle included a Zebco Quantum 1310 reel and a six-foot, six-inch All Star rod with a medium-heavy action.

Despite the weather, Cross said he caught a couple of small bass before he got the big bite. It happened as he worked the worm slowly along the bottom among a rock bed in a stand of flooded timber about 15 feet deep.

"It wasn't much of a strike, really," Cross recalled. "It felt like I'd hit a log and hung. And then it started pulling ... hard. It took about five minutes for me to get it in the boat."

While Broken Bow isn't famous for producing big bass, Cross said he wouldn't be surprised if it produced the next state record.

"I guarantee you that lake has bigger bass than the one I caught," he declared. "I've hooked a couple myself that were bigger, but I couldn't get them to the boat. I wouldn't say there's a lot of them like that, but I know for a fact there's more where that one came from."

The time to find will be over the next few weeks. Cross said bass are entering the pre-spawn stage where they feed ravenously to prepare for the rigors of the spawn. According to Cross, the key to catching trophy bass on Broken Bow is homework, hard work and perseverance. Finding a place with the magic combination of cover, structure and food is essential.

"You have to work for it," Cross said. "I'm going to try to work for another one. I know it's there. It's just a matter of catching it."