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From the pages of The Ponca City News, Wednesday, March 31, 1999 LOCAL DEATHS NEWS BRIEFS LIFESTYLES SPORTS LOCALAbsentee Voting at Courthouse Absentee Voting at CourthouseThe Kay County Election Board has arranged for Kay County voters to vote in-person absentee. The election board announced that it will be open Thursday, April 1; Friday, April 2; and Monday, April 5 for voters who are unable to vote in person at the polls on April 6. In-person absentee voting will be held in the basement of the Kay County Courthouse between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Other offices in the courthouse will be closed on Good Friday. Commission Candidates Agree on Variety of IssuesBy PATTI PFEIFFER News Staff Writer It was an “agreeable” forum Tuesday evening as the four city commissioner candidates met to answer questions regarding city issues and, surprisingly, enough they concurred on most of the questions posed. Challenging incumbent Dick Stone for position 1, Marvin Rider stated his love for and interest in the city of Ponca City prompted him to run for the position of city commissioner. “I have been attending commission meetings for three years, and this town has been my home for many years and I love it,” Rider said in his opening comments. “We need to create a surplus in the budget for emergencies and build streets and build them on time without any additional cost to taxpayers.” It was a combination of things that prompted Stone to run for reelection. “My idea of the future of Ponca City is stated very well in the City’s strategic plan which also parallels the vision of Ponca City Tomorrow,” Stone said. “I want to see the completion of the civic center and I support the Economic Development Advisory Board in their efforts to attract new businesses and jobs.” Position No. 3 pits incumbent Lyn Boyer against Ron Smith and it is his experience in the position that Boyer says qualifies him for another term. “I have been one of your Ponca City Commissioners for three years and during that time I have found the city to have excellent department heads and staff and I would like to continue to work them and the mayor for the betterment of the city,” Boyer said. “I have the time and the commitment plus engineering, technical and financial background and experience which is very helpful in this position.” During his opening comments, Smith says he is running to give back to the community. “I am just like you, a concerned citizen that would like to give something back to the city that has given me and my family so much over the years,” Smith said. “I think we need to adjust our spending habits, and create more of a surplus. It is always easier to spend tax dollars because they are not your own.” Between questions regarding a speculative building, job growth and affordable housing, it was an evening of issues dedicated mainly to economic development. When asked whether quantity or quality of jobs was most important the candidates seemed to agree both were important. “I believe we need diversity and quality,” Boyer answered. Although Smith agreed with Boyer, he took the opportunity to state his objections to incentives. “I think we are offering too much incentives to corporations to come into this city,” he said. Rider also agreed with the other candidates. “If you bring in quality jobs, others will follow but I wouldn’t put one above the other,” he said. “I think both are important and the citizens have told us over the years to improve the quality and focus on economical development,” Stone said. While three candidates rated the completion of the civic center complex as a top priority for the city, Smith had another priority. “I think we need to update our building and electrical codes and have them available to the public,” he said. All four candidates supported the idea of a speculative building, however only one favored the notion — at city expense. “I favor it being built with city funds and we should go ahead with it in all haste, more business means more jobs,” Rider said. The four also agreed on the need for affordable housing in Ponca City but were short on answers about how to complete the task of having them built. The questions continued for nearly two hours and the moderator Larry Felix summed up the evening well with his closing comments. “It takes a lot of courage to run for public office and to be here in front of the public and answer the questions thrown at you,” Felix commended the candidates. The election will be held Tuesday, April 6, and polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Ponca City residents who live within the city limits are encouraged to vote for the candidates of their choice. NOC To Unveil New Web PageTONKAWA — Northern Oklahoma College will unveil its new web page after a flag consecration ceremony on April 19, according to Dr. Joe Kinzer, president. The announcement was made during the March meeting of the NOC’s board of regents. Kinzer reported that the institutional flag as well as divisional flags would be presented at the flag consecration ceremony, with faculty in full academic regalia. The regents were asked to attend. Also during the meeting, regents approved personnel changes. Reemployment of full-time faculty personnel for the academic year 1999-2000 was approved. In addition, regents accepted the resignation of John Cash, job developer with Project Achieve. Several new employees were approved for hire including: Bruce Braga, security guard; Troy Lester, plumber and Dr. Denise Coldwater, director of Institutional Research and Grants. In other business, Kinzer reported that Dr. Brenda Stacy was named as director of the University Learning Center. According to Kinzer, an advisory council met with representatives from both Oklahoma State University and the University of Oklahoma present. He noted that as soon as specific types of programs to be offered were determined, providing institutions would be located. Mrs. Marian Tucker, vice-president for information systems, informed the board that she had met with Bill Lundeen and Darrell Cox of Conoco on Learning Center’s requirements for additional power and data lines. Additionally, Kinzer presented architectural sketches of the Wilkin Hall renovation project. He reported that he expects the bid process for the project to begin immediately. Brochures for the Math and Science summer academy, institute for teacher teams, the press technology program and the pre-athletic training program were introduced by Dr. Roger Stacy, vice-president for academic affairs. Stacy also reported that 45 Northern faculty attended the Oklahoma Association of Community Colleges conference in Muskogee and Warner, in early March. Regarding the district music contest held on Northern’s campus during March 4 and 5, Tucker told regents that 1,300 junior and senior school students participated. She expects the same number to arrive on campus April 1, for the annual interscholastic contest. In addition to approving the monthly financial reports, the board also accepted the bid from Lambert Construction Company of Stillwater for construction of the Community Wellness Center. An allocation request to purchase a passenger van for the Enid campus, new windows for Threlkeld Hall as well as repairs to the curb and sidewalk were also authorized. Summer hours for NOC were approved to begin May 17 and run through August 6. Furthermore, summer enrollment on the Enid campus will begin April 6. Dr. Ed Vineyard, dean of instruction at the Enid campus, mentioned that Northwestern asked that NOC offer a general physical science course for education majors. Northern agreed to offer the course with Jerry Hawkins, Enid faculty member, as instructor. Vineyard also reported he was working with Enid’s YMCA on a reduced membership arrangement for students, since Northwestern does not have athletic facilities on their campus. The next meeting of the NOC Board of Regents is scheduled on April 19, at 4 p.m. Kay County Cattlemen’s Banquet SetNEWKIRK — Kay County Cattlemen’s Annual Association Banquet is scheduled for Tuesday, April 20, at 6:30 p.m. at St. Francis Catholic Church Gym, 202 South Academy here. Entertainment for this years banquet will be provided by Dr. R.E. Bellows, psychologist and hypnotist. Bellows has performed at Disneyland, Disney World, Epcot Center, the World’s Fair, Japan, Norway, Mexico and all across the U.S. He has been a practicing psychologist and hypnotist for 36 years and worked extensively with young people in drug and alcohol rehabilitation for nine and a half years and was at the White House for the National Teen Seminar on Alcohol and Drug Abuse. He is currently serving on the boards for the Mayo Clinic and the Johns Hopkins Medical Center. The State Cattlemen’s Association will be represented by Scott Dewald, executive vice president of the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association, according to Derry Taylor, Kay County Cattlemen’s Association President. The meal of beef and all the trimmings will be catered by Mickael’s Bakery of Newkirk. Cost of the banquet is $10 per person. Tickets may be purchased from any association director or the OSU Extension Center in Newkirk at 580-362-3194. You are requested to purchase tickets by Monday, April 12, to facilitate meal planning. Maundy Thursday Pilgrimage Set At First MethodistThe public is invited to join the folks at First United Methodist on Maundy Thursday, for a pilgrimage of sorts. From the raising of Lazarus to praying in the garden on the night of His betrayal, the journey with Christ will take participants through points of meditation on, and reflection of, moments on His life. At each point the worshiper will be given a card to read. Each card will contain a moment from the life of Christ, questions for personal reflection, and time for meditation on how this moment applies to each of us on Maundy Thursday. The journey through the sanctuary to the chapel for communion will take between 10 and 20 minutes, depending on the individual. The church will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on this day for the convenience in choosing a time best for each worshiper. This pilgrimage is being prepared as a “gift of time” for reflection and can be a powerful experience for each, Pastor Denny Hook pointed out. Biggest Spring Expo EverThis Saturday the Hutchins Memorial Auditorium will be transformed into a huge spring mall. More than 50 merchants are planning to display their wares for spring. From lawn care and gardening to finance and the internet almost every aspect of home products and services will be featured. WBBZ Radio Station Manager Phil Turney said, “This is the biggest event of it’s type ever in Northern Oklahoma.” Turney added, “Best of all it features all local businesses.” The Spring Expo is the sixth for WBBZ and is the first to be co-sponsored by The Ponca City News. A feature of the expo will be a display of the giant copy of the painting “American Gothic” made from thousands of Jelly Belly candies. Free packs of Jelly Belly candies will be given away. More than $1,500 in door prizes will be awarded Saturday, including the grand prize, an 8-by-10 Cavett portable building. The Northern Oklahoma Spring Home and Garden Expo will be held at the Hutchins Memorial Auditorium, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free to the public. For more information contact WBBZ Radio at 765-6607. Nichols Judge, Jury Won’t Be From Oklahoma CountyOKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Any state trial of convicted Oklahoma City bombing conspirator Terry Nichols will likely include a judge and jury from outside Oklahoma County. District Attorney Bob Macy said meetings were held Tuesday to discuss finding a judge to oversee the case. District Judge Dan Owens earlier said he intends to ask the state Supreme Court to appoint someone from outside the county to avoid ‘‘the appearance of impropriety.’’ Macy said first-degree murder charges filed against Nichols on Monday are on hold until a judge is selected. ‘‘That will be a big step,’’ he said. ‘‘Once a judge is appointed he can go ahead and appoint defense counsel and then we can sit down and see if there are things we can agree on.’’ Prosecutors expect the defense to ask for a change of venue, and Macy said he would agree to picking a jury elsewhere and bringing them to Oklahoma City to hear evidence. Nichols, 43, could face the death penalty if convicted in state court. He already is serving a federal life sentence after being convicted in the deaths of eight law officers who died in the April 19, 1995, bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. He was charged with 160 counts of murder under state law Monday, each count representing a bombing victim. He also faces first-degree manslaughter for the death of an unborn child whose mother died in the bombing, one count of conspiracy to commit murder and one count of aiding and counseling in the placing of a substance or bomb near a public building. Once the case is moving along, Macy said, it could be up to a year before any trial because of an anticipated torrent of legal challenges from the defense. Once a judge is appointed, Ponca City attorney Brian Hermanson will formally be appointed to defend Nichols. Hermanson was selected by the Oklahoma Indigent Defense System. At that point, the way will be cleared for federal marshals to return Nichols to Oklahoma City for arraignment. He is being held in a federal prison in Florence, Colo., along with convicted Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh. Oklahoma County Sheriff John Whetsel, whose jail is approved to hold federal prisoners, said he is assuming Nichols would be held in Oklahoma City although he could be housed at a federal facility in the suburb of El Reno. ‘‘At this point in time, we’re continuing to do some planning,’’ he said. ‘‘We don’t have a timetable yet.’’ The sheriff said any security arrangements would focus on keeping Nichols safe as much as anything else. ‘‘We would have to well plan moves within the facility and to court, as well as housing within the facility,’’ Whetsel said. Federal jurors in Denver convicted Nichols on Dec. 23, 1997, for conspiring to bomb the building and eight counts of involuntary manslaughter in the deaths of the law officers. McVeigh was convicted by a separate federal jury in Denver and sentenced to die. Gates To Pioneer Park Entrance Restoration Project of LandmarkDonations are needed to preserve a 78 year old Ponca City landmark for the next millennium. The Landmark Conservancy of Ponca City, Inc. in cooperation with the City of Ponca City and local contractors intends to restore the gates at the entrance of Pioneer Park, located at the end of Sixth Street. The decision was made in response to a national call, publicized by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, for local groups to adopt a preservation project. Although the gates are city property, the Landmark believes that city property is the property of the citizens; and understanding the financial restraints of the community, the conservancy believes that individuals and groups must work with the city to preserve significant landmarks. While the primary goals are stabilization and repair of the gate, in addition to rewiring and repair of the lights, any remaining funds will be used for items such as a marker to denote the gate’s history. Constructed in 1922 as a memorial to Mr. C.H. Ruby, the gates have suffered from exposure to the elements. The grout between the granite slabs has eroded, the lighting fixtures are damaged and the globes are long-gone. Some of the granite slabs are in danger of coming loose from the structure. In their current state, the gates soon will be damaged to a point where restoration will be much more difficult, according to the group. Ruby was the first person convinced that Ponca City lay in the center of oil reserves. It is not commonly known that Pioneer Park, originally called City Park and later Ruby Park, is the site of the city’s first supply of natural gas. Ruby discovered the first local natural gas in 1905. Although he did not become wealthy on the scale of Lew Wentz or E.W. Marland, Ruby did become wealthy in admiration and respect of his community. After his death, the community decided to honor him with the construction of this classically inspired gate. Original donations ranged from $1 to $100. The entrance gates are made of granite, laid in large thin slabs. The basic design consists of four massive piers, or square columns. The inner two are taller than the outer two and have plaques honoring Ruby embedded on the front. The space between the inner and outer piers serves as a space for walking into the park. Although called a gate, the piers never had actual gates installed, only serving to mark the entrance to the park. All four piers originally had lights on top. Objects such as the Ruby Memorial Gate, while serving no functional purpose, provide a sense of place and a source of community pride. The Landmark hopes to rely on private donations for the bulk of the financing, however, fund-raising events are being planned. The Landmark Conservancy of Ponca City, Inc. is a non-profit local preservation organization dedicated to the preservation of the built environment in the Ponca City area. It is financed solely by donations and memberships. For more information on donating to the Landmark Millennium Project, contact Brett Carter, vice chairman, at 765-5383. District CourtNewkirk Marriage Licenses John Matkins Dick, 27, and Gina Dawn Williams, 25, both of Nashville, Tenn. David William Long, 75, and Mary Ann Vinyard, 71, both of Ponca City. Dennis DeWayne Epperly, 32, and Leveda Dianna Durbin, 19, both of Tonkawa. Charles Sherwood Funk, 24, and Amanda Kay Barns, 19, both of Tonkawa. David William Perkins, 37, and Connie Teresa Martz, 35, both of Wichita. Gerald Allen Benson Jr., 34, and Brenda Faye Montgomery, 36, both of Ponca City. Chad Allen Carney, 24, and Bianca Nicole Steeprock, 19, both of Ponca City. Derry Dewayne Hallmark, 34, and Michelle Renee Carpenter, 27, both of Newkirk. Divorces Sought Renee Lynn McNamara vs. Bruce Gene McNamara. La Dawna Marie Richards vs. Cody Allen Richards. Divorces Granted Kathryn A. Harp vs. Kelby J. Harp. Civil Petitions Bank One vs. Gary D. Simmons and Doretta Simmons, et al.; plaintiff seeking foreclosure of mortgage. NationsBank vs. Debra Lynn Courtney; plaintiff seeking judgment for $13,531.74. General Electric Capital Corp. vs. Virginia R. Simmons and Denys L. Golay; plaintiff seeking judgment for $3,468.01. Eight Inmates Sentenced From Kay County Seek Early ReleaseLEXINGTON — Several Oklahoma inmates will be considered this month for parole by the State of Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board. The meeting will be held on April 20, 21, 22 and 23 at the Lexington Correctional Center. Daily meetings will begin at 8 a.m. each day, with the exception of Tuesday, April 20, when the meeting will begin at 1 p.m., and all meeting dates, times and places are subject to change. All offenders who have been convicted of violent offenses and who are eligible for parole will be subject to a two-stage parole hearing process, as a result of a legislative change so victims and district attorneys will not have to attend the parole hearing as often as in the past. The procedures have been sent to all district attorneys and victim/witness coordinators. Comments concerning any inmate on the docket must be submitted in writing and be received by the Pardon and Parole Board at 4040 North Lincoln, Suite 219, Oklahoma City, Okla., 73105-5221 no later than Tuesday, April 13. The phone number is 405-427-8601. The following inmates sentenced from the District Courts of Kay County are scheduled on the regular parole docket: Tony R. Ferguson, incarcerated since May 1982 and originally serving a 5-year sentence on a charge of grand larceny after former felony conviction. Christopher C. Hesler, incarcerated since January 1996 and serving a 7-year sentence with two years suspended on a charge of shooting with intent to kill. Bryan D. Jacquay, incarcerated since February 1984 and serving a life sentence on a charge of robbery with a dangerous weapon after former felony conviction. Shannon Johnson, incarcerated since October 1997 and serving a 12-year sentence on a charge of feloniously carrying a firearm after former felony conviction. Jamie Lessley, incarcerated since January 1999 and serving a 5-year sentence on a charge of obtaining a controlled dangerous substance by fraud or deceit. Whilley L. McCormick, incarcerated since April 1995 and serving a 20-year sentence of a charge of second-degree forgery after former felony conviction. Jimmy C. Rankin, incarcerated since February 1994 and serving a 20-year sentence with 10 years suspended on a charge of distribution of marijuana after two or more former felony convictions. Donald G. Wallace, incarcerated since January 1998 and serving an 8-year sentence on a charge of possession of a stolen vehicle after former felony conviction. Ponca City Businessman Helped Design ELA PlanEDMOND — A Ponca City businessman helped design a program which will assist area educational professionals with leadership skills. More than 60 leaders from across the state will graduate from the inaugural class of the Educators’ Leadership Academy (ELA) April 2, at the Kerr Mansion in Poteau. Believed to be one of the first of its kind in the United States, The University of Central Oklahoma-based program helps build leadership skills in the area of academia. The leaders represent colleges and universities, vocational-technical centers and public school districts. After first meeting for workshops last summer, these leaders continued their training at locations throughout the state. They explored the latest concepts in leadership, including: ethics, stewardship, systematic thinking, employee empowerment, trustworthiness and spirituality. Ponca City businessman Charles Hollar and leadership consultant Dr. Leo Presley designed the program, which takes a business-world approach toward leadership education. “Our schools’ chief executive officers need exposure to the same caliber of development as their corporate peers,” said Hollar. Local graduates of the ELA program are: Joe Kinzer, president of Northern Oklahoma College in Tonkawa; Ann Candler Lotven, College of Education dean at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater; Roger Stacy, vice president for academic affairs at NOC; Dr. John Scroggins, assistant superintendent for Ponca City public schools; John Howell, assistant superintendent with the Autry Technology Center in Enid; and Belinda McCharen, Oklahoma School-to-Work coordinator in Stillwater. For more information about the ELA, or to register for the 1999-2000 class, which begins this summer, call 405-974-5560. Six Shows For One MembershipMark Southard, Community Concert president, has invited citizens to join the Community Concert membership this year to be a part of the “Season of the Century.” The annual Community Concert membership will include six high-quality live performances for the 1999-2000 season. “That is about one concert per month through the concert season,” says Southard. “With a season Community Concert membership the purchaser gets six top performances for less than the amount one normally spends on one concert in Tulsa or Oklahoma City,” he said. Admission to the concerts are by annual memberships only, which will be available at campaign headquarters, April 5-9 at Commercial Federal Bank, 400 East Central, or by calling 580-767-0616. All concerts will be presented at the Hutchins Memorial Auditorium. Annual memberships are $30 for adults, $15 for students, $75 for family, and $45 for single-parent family. Frontier TSA Members Shine at Arnett ContestRED ROCK — Frontier High School TSA members recently attended the Arnett TSA Leadership Conference. This one-day conference provided students with an opportunity to develop their leadership skills and personal growth by participating in up to six of the 16 competitive events. They competed with students from nineteen other schools from around the state. In Structural Engineering Matthew Caldwell’s bridge design brought home the Second Place trophy, Joyce Helms earned the third place trophy and Alison Thomas placed fourth. In the Oklahoma T-shirt Design competition Alison Thomas secured the second place trophy and Joyce Helms the third place trophy. Matthew, Joyce and Alison teamed up to place 6th in Technology Bowl Written test and placed 8th in the Technology Bowl Oral competition. They also competed in Technology Problem Solving and Extemporaneous Presentation. The entire Frontier TSA Team enjoyed renewing passed acquaintances and making new friends among the hundreds of fellow competitors. They are already planing new strategies, redesigning projects, and working on new competitive events as they hone their skills in preparation for the Oklahoma State TSA Conference to be held in Oklahoma City the last week in April. Ponca City Native in Cast Of ‘Anything Goes’ at TUTULSA — Ponca City native Kim Manning will play Purity in The University of Tulsa’s Department of Theatre’s production of “Anything Goes.” Manning is a junior musical theatre major at TU. The show will be held April 22 through May 1 at TU’s Chapman Theatre in Kendall Hall. “Anything Goes” was written by Guy Bolton, P.G. Wodehouse, Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse. The play includes gamblers and FBI agents, evangelists and lovers, arranged marriages and would-be suitors, yet all the romances are sorted out and disaster is averted in the end aboard the Ocean Greyhound “America.” “This is a high spirited production that captures the spirit of the 1930s in America,” says Terry Silver-Alford, TU professor of musical theatre and director of the play. “The jokes are as silly and refreshing as they were when the show was first staged.” Art Deco is the theme for both the costumes and the set. Guest costume designer Teri Lewis, from Oregon, is working with students and guest draper Don Bolinger, to build many of the 1930s costumes in house. Jennifer Lupp, the guest choreographer, has taken a break from her career in Chicago to work on the dance numbers for the production. The scenic and lighting designer is Susan Barrett, technical director is Curt Selby, and stage manager is Allison Merritt. Musical direction is by James Gregory. The cast includes 35 TU students, Chairman of the TU Department of Theatre David Cook and TU Adjunct Theatre Professor Maureen Hawley. Performances will be held at 8 p.m., April 22 through 24 and April 29 through May 1. On Sunday, April 25 and Saturday, May 1, performances will be held at 2 p.m. Tickets are $7 for adults, $5 for Tulsa area students and senior citizens. TU students, faculty and staff can attend for $2. Tickets can be purchased at the door or at the TU Box Office at Kendall Hall. For more information call (918) 631-2567. Box office hours are 12 to 5 p.m. Kay County Youths ‘Fair’ Well at Enid ShowENID — Brandon Kahle of Blackwell showed the overall Grand Champion steer at the Northwest District Junior Livestock Show. And in auction results from area counties, Reed James of Pond Creek-Hunter sold his second-place crossbred steer for $1,300 to Farmers Grain of Pond Creek and the Pond Creek Masons, and Ramee Yost of Billings sold her first-place shorthorn steer for $800 to W.B. Johnston’s Grain of Billings. Darrin Schultz of Pond Creek sold his reserve champion Chester hog for a record high of $3,600 to Jumbo Foods. Jeremy Unruh of Billings sold his champion Duroc hog for $500 to Atwoods. Kemper Hill of DCLA sold a first-place Suffolk lamb for $900 to Johnston’s of Eddy. Newkirk’s Leven and Shores Company bought all the lambs at the show, a total of 3,213 pounds for 25 lambs, for $1.40 per pound. Double S Hog Farms purchased all the hogs, a total of 6,214 pounds for 25 animals, at $1.10 per pound. Fairview Livestock bought all the steers, a total of 31,417 pounds for 25 animals, at 61 cents a pound. CalendarMarch 31 Bingo, 1 p.m., Ponca City Senior Center, 319 West Grand Avenue. April 1 Annual Tree Seeding Sale, 8 a.m.-noon, Newkirk NRCS/Kay County Conservation District Office, 115 South Maple Avenue, sponsored by Kay County Conservation District and NRCS, OG&E Electric Services and OSU Cooperative Extension Service. Kay-9 Dog Training Club, 7 p.m., Ponca City Library, public welcome, more information 762-9053 or 762-7360. April 2, 3, 4 Outdoor Easter Pageant “It’s Time,” presented by Faith Tabernacle, Four Square and First Assembly of God Churches, 7 p.m., First Assembly of God parking lot, 1308 East Bradley Avenue. April 3 Northern Oklahoma’s Spring Home and Garden Expo, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Hutchins Auditorium, sponsored by The Ponca City News and WBBZ. Fifth Annual Easter Egg Hunt sponsored by Century 21 Group One Realtors, 10 a.m., Ponca City War Memorial Park, south of Hutchins Memorial, for children eight years old and younger. April 5 Pioneer Christian Crusaders Motorcycle Association, 6 p.m., Conestoga at I-35, U.S. 60 west of Tonkawa, more information 765-3164. April 6 “Meet and Eat” RSVP Member Monthly Meeting, 11:30 a.m., Conoco Clubhouse, Ponca City, special music program by Union School Honor Choir, the Unionnaires, call RSVP office 762-9412 for reservations by noon April 5. April 7 Ponca City Council of Garden Clubs, Mollie Bivin presenting “The Bivin Garden,” 9:30 a.m., Cann Center. April 8, 9 and 10 KLVV’s annual Sharathon Fund Raiser on 88.7 FM, call 767-1400 to volunteer or pledge. April 10 Pancake and Sausage Feed (all the pancakes you can eat), 6:30-10 a.m., American Legion, 407 West South Avenue, adults $3.50, children under 12 $2, children under six free, proceeds to children and youth activities. United Ostomy Association, Stillwater-Ponca City, Okla., Chapter, Health Fair, 7 a.m.-1 p.m., Stillwater Community Center gymnasium, 8th Avenue and Duck Street, Stillwater. Cherokee Wheelmen Freewheel Training Ride, 25 miles, leaders Randy and Linda Coffin, 8 a.m., Pioneer Woman Statue, Ponca City. Corvettes of Enid Seventh Annual Corvette Indoor Expo, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Chisholm Trail Pavilion, Garfield County Fairgrounds, Enid. For information call 580-233-6555. April 12 Kay County Retired Educators Association, Program “Special Health Care — Patients’ Rights,” by Karen Navarro, 11:30 a.m., First Methodist Church, 6th and Coolidge, Blackwell. April 13 McCord Volunteer Fire Department, 7 p.m., McCord School Library. Rural Water District No. 1 Regular Board Meeting, 7:30 p.m., Enterprise School on Lake Road. April 14 Rural Water, Sewer and Solid Waste Management District No. 3 Board Meeting, 7 p.m., Braden Community Center. April 15 The Plummer Family Show, 7:30 p.m., Hutchins Memorial Auditorium, sponsored by Ponca City Noon Lions Club. April 16 Friendship Feast Fund Raising Spaghetti Dinner, 4:30-7 p.m., Ponca City First Christian Church fellowship hall, $6 adults, $3 children. April 17 Cherokee Wheelmen Freewheel Training Ride, 30 miles, 8 a.m., Pioneer Woman Statue, Ponca City. Lions Club Mobile Health Screening Unit, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Ponca City Wal-Mart Parking Lot, free health screening for visual acuity, hearing, glaucoma, diabetes, and blood pressure, sponsored by Ponca City Noon Lions Club. April 18 Lions Club Mobile Health Screening Unit, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Ponca City Wal-Mart Parking Lot, free health screening for visual acuity, hearing, glaucoma, diabetes, and blood pressure, sponsored by Ponca City Noon Lions Club. April 19 Multiple Sclerosis Support Group, 6:30 p.m., Albright United Methodist Church, 128 South Palm, Ponca City. United Ostomy Association, Stillwater-Ponca City Chapter, 7 p.m., Board Room, Stillwater Medical Center. April 20 Kaw Lake Association, noon, Golden Corral, 2300 North Fourteenth Street. Osage Cove Volunteer Fire Department, 7 p.m., Fire Station, corner U.S. 60 and Keeler Road, new volunteers always welcome. April 22 Alzheimer’s Support Group, 7 p.m., Conference Room A, St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Ponca City. April 23 Seventh Annual Taste and Tasteless, Poncan Theatre, Ponca City. April 24 Cherokee Wheelmen Freewheel Training Ride, 35 miles, 8 a.m., Pioneer Woman Statue, Ponca City. April 30-May 1-2 11th Annual Ponca City Iris Festival April 30 1999 Iris Festival Postal Cancellation, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., U.S. Post Office, Fourth Street and East Grand Avenue. Retired Senior Volunteer Program Iris Post Card Sale, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., U.S. Post Office, Fourth Street and East Grand Avenue. Ponca City Humane Society “A Fetchin’ Affair” Dinner, Dance and Mutt Strutt, 6:30 p.m., Moose Lodge, Tickets 580-767-8877. May 1 Ninth Annual Victorian Chocolate Festival, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Grand Central Station, Fifth Street and East Central Avenue, sponsored by pro-teens, lunch 11 a.m.-2 p.m., chocolate and craft booths, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sixth Annual “Rhythm & Blooms” Amateur Talent Contest, 11 a.m., Center Stage, sponsored by Commercial Federal Bank and Ponca City Main Street Authority. Plants for Pleasure Sale & Free Tours of Cann Memorial Garden and Home, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., sponsored by Ponca City Garden Council, Cann Memorial Garden, Fourteenth Street and East Grand Avenue. “Lil’ Bloomers” Children Events, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Grand Avenue, sponsored by Ponca City Main Street Authority. H.G.H. Antique Car Museum, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., 110 North Union Street. Demonstrations of Native American Art and Crafts and Guided Tours, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Standing Bear Park, U.S. 60 and U.S. 177, sponsored by Ponca City Native American Foundation. “Trail of Tails” Dog Walk and Dachshund Race, 10 a.m., Seventh Street and East Grand Avenue, sponsored by Ponca City Humane Society. Children’s Hands-on Flower Planting Session, 10 a.m., Fifth Street and East Grand Avenue, sponsored by Ponca City Library. United Way Bed Race, Fifth Street and East Grand Avenue, 10 a.m., more information 580-765-2476. Iris Garden Tours, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Chalk Art Contest, Ages 1 to 100 invited, 10 a.m.-12 p.m., Fifth Street and East Grand Avenue, sponsored by the Ponca City Library. Matzene Art Collection Tour, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Ponca City Library, Fifth Street and East Grand Avenue, sponsored by Ponca City Library. Fifth Annual Community Iris Show, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Fourth Street Clubhouse, 1500 South Fourth Street, sponsored by Southside Neighbors. Pioneer Porcelain Artists, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m., Fourth Street Clubhouse, 1500 South Fourth Street. Retired Senior Volunteer Program Iris Post Card Sale, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., RSVP Office, 110 North Fourth Street. Retired Senior Volunteer Program Petals & Lace and Sidewalk Plant Sale, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., RSVP Office, 110 North Fourth Street. Eleventh Annual Iris Show, 1-4:30 p.m., Commercial Federal Bank lower level, sponsored by Northern Oklahoma Iris Society. Sky Shivers and the Sounds of the Southwest, 7:30 p.m., Poncan Theatre, sponsored by the Poncan Theatre Co., tickets available at the theater. May 2 Fifth Annual Community Irish Show, 1-4 p.m., Fourth Street Clubhouse, 1500 South Fourth Street, sponsored by Southside Neighbors. H.G.H. Antique Car Museum, 1-5 p.m., 110 North Union Street. Iris Garden Tours, 1-4 p.m., Inquire at Community Irish Show. May 1 Cherokee Wheelmen Freewheel Training Ride, 40 miles, 8 a.m., Pioneer Woman Statue, Ponca City. May 8 Cherokee Wheelmen Freewheel Training Ride, 45 miles, 8 a.m., leaders, Kevin Neustador and Patti Kanawisher, Osage Cove, joint ride and picnic. May 14-15 World Impact Tour featuring Team Extreme (Friday) and GX Jam (Saturday), two shows, 6:30 and 8:30 p.m., Hutchins Auditorium, Fifth Street and Overbrook Avenue, Ponca City, sponsored by area churches and KLVV 88.7 FM. May 15 Cherokee Wheelmen Freewheel Training Ride, 50 miles, 8 a.m., Pioneer Woman Statue, Ponca City. May 16 American Legion Post 14 Golf Scramble, 10 a.m., Lew Wentz Golf Course, Ponca City, $20 per person, does not include green fees or golf cart, cutoff date May 12 5 p.m., contact American Legion Post 14 Ray Lunsford or Maurice Johnson (580) 765-9073. May 17 United Ostomy Association, Stillwater-Ponca City Chapter, Business Meeting including election of new officers, 7 p.m., St. Joseph Regional Medical Center Conference Room B, Ponca City. May 22 Cherokee Wheelmen Freewheel Training Ride, 55 miles, leader Jack Rawlins, 8 a.m., Pioneer Woman Statue, Ponca City, . May 29 Cherokee Wheelmen Freewheel Training Ride, 60 miles, 8 a.m., Pioneer Woman Statue, Ponca City. June 5 Cherokee Wheelmen Freewheel Training Ride, 65 miles, 8 a.m., leaders Earl and Jody Ball, Lake Ponca Park, graduation ride and picnic. Sixth Annual Ponca City Herb Festival, sponsored by Sage, Rosemary and Thyme Garden Clubs, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Cann Memorial Gardens, Fourteenth Street and East Grand Avenue. June 12-19 Freewheel ’99, Broken Bow, Okla. to Baxter Springs, Kan. DEATHSAncel Morgan Fairbanks Ancel Morgan FairbanksCLEVELAND, Okla. — Ancel Morgan “Pete” Fairbanks, father of James Fairbanks of Ponca City, died March 29, 1999, in Tulsa. He was 87. The funeral is set for 2 p.m. Friday, April 2, at the Community Pentecostal Holiness Church, five miles south of Cleveland on airport road. Frank Goodman will officiate. Burial will be at Woodland Cemetery in Cleveland under the direction of Chapman-Black Funeral Home, Cleveland. Ancel Morgan “Pete” Fairbanks was born Jan. 17, 1912, in Paris, Ark., to Hester Alfred and Ludie Belle Fairbanks. He moved with his family to the Ripley area at an early age. He later moved to Calvin where he attended Moss Country School and Calvin Public Schools. After completion of his schooling he was employed at several jobs, learning mechanical, carpentry and masonry skills. He was married to Jewel Horton on Dec. 2, 1935, in Okemah. The couple resided in the Calvin area where they operated a service station and grocery store at the 3-mile corner west of Holdenville. They were later employed as foreman and cook of the buffalo/cattle ranch near Holdenville for several years. In 1947 they moved from Woodward to Osage, then on to Cleveland a short time later. While living in Cleveland, Fairbanks was employed as a pipefitter and welder and operated a dump truck, wrecker, and backhoe service. He was a member of the Pentecostal Holiness Church in Cleveland which he helped build in the late 1940s. After his retirement in 1970, the couple moved to Kansas, Okla., where Fairbanks raised cattle and repaired automobiles. When he wasn’t tinkering with a car or truck, he and his wife could be found at yard sales and flea markets throughout eastern Oklahoma. Survivors include his wife, Jewel Fairbanks of the home; four children, Willie Branson Fairbanks of Houston, Texas, James Victor Fairbanks of Ponca City, Linda Marie Page of Tulsa, and Glenda Kay Gilbert of Cleveland, Okla.; 11 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Violet Thompson; and one grandson. Aileen Mae DeRoinRED ROCK — Aileen Mae (Jones) DeRoin, longtime Red Rock resident, died Thursday afternoon, March 25, 1999, at her home. She was 82. A graveside service was held at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 28, at the Otoe-Missouria Tribal Cemetery in Red Rock with Minister Toby A. Blackstar, Greater First Deliverance Temple of Oklahoma City, officiating. Arrangements were under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel, Ponca City. Aileen Mae (Jones) DeRoin was born Nov. 19, 1916, in Red Rock, the daughter of Edmond and Mary (Barnes) Jones, and a proud member of the Otoe-Missouria Tribe. She attended school in Pawnee and at Chilocco Indian School. Mrs. DeRoin was employed as a machine operator for Mid-American Clothing in Ponca City for several years. She was a companion to Cleve DeRoin for a time until his death in December 1980. Survivors include two daughters, Prudence Davis of Red Rock and Laura Tucker of Oklahoma City; one son, Charles Whitehorn of Oklahoma City; one sister, Vena DeRoin; and one grandson. Michael Eugene JonesYALE — Michael Eugene Jones, former Fairfax resident, died Monday, March 29, 1999, in Vinita. He was 31. The funeral has been set for 2 p.m. Thursday, April 1, at the Davis-Yale Funeral Chapel in Yale, with Michael Dershem of Yale First Baptist Church officiating. Michael Eugene Jones was born Jan. 18, 1968, in Tulsa. He grew up and received his education in Fairfax. He was a member of the Baptist Church, and enjoyed listening to music and making people laugh. Survivors include one son, Kyle Jones of Tulsa; his mother, Virginia Gonzalis and her husband, Jody, of Ponca City; his father, John Jones of Ponca City; his grandmother, Mildred Hartley of Yale; one sister Robin Jones of Ponca City; two aunts and uncles, and a host of other family and friends. He was preceded in death by one brother, Scott Hartley. Services PendingJack MitchellJack Mitchell, Ponca City resident, died Wednesday, March 31, 1999, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. Arrangements are pending with Trout Funeral Home. Woodrow LabenskeFAIRFAX — Woodrow “Pedro” Labenske, longtime Fairfax resident, died Tuesday evening, March 30, 1999, at the Fairfax Memorial Hospital. He was 86. Arrangements are pending with Hunsaker-Wooten Funeral Home in Fairfax. Elaine ScottElaine Scott, longtime Ponca City resident, died early Wednesday, March 31, 1999, at the Broken Arrow Hospital in Broken Arrow. She was 83. Arrangements are pending with Grace Memorial Chapel, Ponca City. NEWS BRIEFSCommunity Concerts — The Season of a Century. Join now and see six live concerts for the price of one during the 1999-2000 year. Call 765-3971 for details. Reverse Osmosis water 25 cents per gallon. Pure Water Wagon. 1717 North 5th. adv. Outdoor Passion Play — A large Easter production “Hope of Christ” with a cast of hundreds will be presented, tonight at 7 p.m. at Willow Springs baseball complex. Free hot dogs, chili, drinks and other food will be served at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free, no tickets needed. The event is a joint venture of several area churches. Following the production youth vocalists will present a program of hit contemporary Christian music songs. Amazin’ Hair, all liters of Redkin shampoo $5.00 off. Excluding hair cleansing cream. 108 North 5th. 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. Having A choice is what “The Works” can do for you. Wait no more to subscribe to the best of HBO package. Sign up now and receive a limited edition die cast replica of the Titanic. Call Cable One at 762-6684. adv. Square Dance — The Chikaskia Valley Square Dance will be held Friday, April 2, at the VFW Ballroom, 2900 East Prospect. Participants are asked to bring finger foods. Squares begin at 8 p.m. with Dick Manning as caller and rounds start at 7:30 p.m. with Bob Collyar as cuer. Easter Egg hunt for all children through 8 years. Saturday, April 3 at 10 a.m., south side of Hutchins. adv. Trespassing Turkey — A woman in the 100 block of South Irving Street reported a turkey in her yard at 10:19 a.m. Tuesday. Animal control was notified. Theft — At 3:51 p.m. Tuesday a woman reported that checks had been stolen out of her purse while at the Pioneer Vo-Tech, 2101 North Ash Street. An officer was assigned and a report was taken. Private Lives — The Oklahoma City University Theatre will present the play, “Private Lives,” a comedy by Noel Coward, April 8, 9 and 10, at 8 p.m. in the Burg Theater. A matinee will be held Sunday, April 11, at 2 p.m. Tickets are $5 for adults, with group rates and discounts for senior citizens and students. Contact the OCU Box Office at 405-521-5227 or 1-800-633-7242, ext. 5227, for information. All Cole crops 1/2 off regular price $1.69 except lettuce and strawberries. Keathly’s Nusery adv. Disruption — A police report was taken at Pioneer Auto, 3224 North Fourteenth Street, after a man reportedly caused a disturbance. 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. Board Meeting — The Church Women United board meeting will be held Monday, April 5, at St. John Baptist Church, 1009 South Eleventh Street at 9:30 a.m. Plans will be made for Church Women United’s 50-year anniversary celebration. Paris Concert for Amnesty International starring Bruce Springsteen and Tracy Chapman. Seen only on Pay Per View, Sat- urday, April 3rd at 8:00 p.m. Call for your front row seat 762-6684 Cable One. adv. Food, Pageant — Come see Jesus at Willow Springs Park, tonight 7 p.m. Free food for all that come. Burglary — At 7:29 a.m. Tuesday police were notified of a burglary at Bartlett’s, 213 East South Avenue. 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. Harassment — A woman in the 3500 block of E Street contacted police at 8:15 a.m. Tuesday to report harassing phone calls. Crimson Beauty canna bulbs. Regular $0.59 each. Sale $0.39 each, Keathly’s Nursery. adv. Arrest — Police arrested a 28-year-old woman at 8:54 a.m. Tuesday from the 1000 block of South Seventh Street on a city warrant for failure to pay. Now Available, tomato plant, seed potatoes, onion sets and plants, asparagus. Keathly’s Nursery. adv. Fight — At 6:50 p.m. Tuesday police were called to the 700 block of East Grand Avenue due to several children fighting. An officer was assigned, however he was unable to locate them. Assault — At 9:26 a.m. a man contacted police regarding his daughter being assaulted at the Middle School. Windshield Chips repaired professionally. Guaranteed and insurance approved. Ponca Glass, 762-6522, 762-7957. adv. Arrest — A 25-year-old woman was arrested at 12:31 p.m. Tuesday from Wal-Mart, 1101 East Prospect Avenue, for grand larceny. 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. Theft — Extra police patrol was requested at 5:09 p.m. Tuesday in the 100 block of East Albany Avenue due to a reported theft of an air tank and ice chest. Jim Bowen Construction - Custom homes, room additions and remodeling. Call 762-3077. adv. Juvenile Arrest — A 17-year-old boy was arrested at 1:28 p.m. Tuesday from Albertson’s Food and Drug Store, 2005 North Fourteenth Street, for petit larceny. Red Bud trees, five gallon. Regular $39.99. Sale $27.99. Keathly’s Nursery. adv. Arrest — A 27-year-old man was arrested at 1:53 p.m. Tuesday from the 1300 block of South Eighth Street on a city warrant for failure to pay. Arrest — Police arrested a 29-year-old man at 1:02 p.m. Tuesday from the Lincoln Elementary School, for obstructing an officer. Assault — A woman in the 400 block of South Lake Street contacted police at 4:59 p.m. Tuesday reporting that her 14-year-old daughter had been assaulted. Court Allen Construction. Concrete and flagstone walkways, pa- tios and yard curbing. Call 765-2720. adv. 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. Deer Hit — A man contacted police at 11:08 p.m. Tuesday reporting that he had just struck a deer in the 2000 block of Lake Road. A note was left for animal control. LIFESTYLESLittle News Little NewsTerry and Randy (Peters) Combs of Ponca City announce the birth of a daughter at 3:27 p.m. Feb. 19, 1999, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. The baby weighed 6 pounds, 15 ounces, and was 19 inches long. She has been named Collyn Breann Combs. Maternal grandparents are Lynn and Janna Peters of Newkirk, and paternal grandmother is Betty Conwell of Ponca City. Maternal great-grandparents are Dorys Peters of Newkirk and Thaylia Boxley of Shidler. Paternal great-grandparents are Junior and Dicie Jones of Fairfax. Free Guide Offer For MicrowaveNEW YORK (AP) — The American Plastics Council has created a free consumers’ guide to microwaving food using plastic wrap and containers: “Plastics in the Microwave: A Common Sense Approach.” The guide includes recommendations developed by Dr. Charles Breder, food-packaging specialist and former supervisory chemist at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Among the guidelines: —Cook or reheat foods in containers intended for microwave use. These containers are designed to withstand the high temperatures that are possible when the foods you’re heating contain fat or sugar. —Remove food from store wrap before thawing or reheating in a microwave oven unless the manufacturer has indicated that it’s meant for microwave use. Some plastic trays, wraps or containers can melt or warp when the food gets hot, possibly causing spills and burns. —Most cold-food packages, such as margarine tubs, cottage cheese containers and foam meat trays, are not intended for microwave use. —Microwave-safe plastic wraps, placed loosely over bowls or dishes during rewarming, can help keep moisture in and provide even cooking. If the wrap touches the food, the wrap could get overly hot and possibly melt. (Dr. Breder notes that if you were to accidentally eat food containing melted plastic, you’ll probably have an unpleasant eating experience but you won’t be harmed.) The free brochure is available on the Internet at www.plastics.org, or by mail from American Plastics Council, 1801 K Street NW, Suite 701 L, Washington, D.C. 20006. Ethnic WebsitesNEW YORK (AP) — Web surfers visiting StarChefs.com can find a St. Patrick’s special section with a colorful variety of Irish insights on eating and drinking. Recipes are a major part of it, with such goodies as Basic Porridge for breakfast, Shepherd’s Pie or Irish Stew for dinner, and a lot of other extras. Among assembled data are listings of Irish cookbooks, addresses of Irish pubs around the United States, and background on Irish cheeses. SPORTSCats Get Win No. 1 Cats Get Win No. 1By FRED HILTON News Sports Editor Ponca City’s Wildcat soccer team finally broke into the win column here Tuesday, but not until after some nail-biting. What started out as a scoring binge for the 1-2-1 Cats, turned into a battle of survival before they outlasted Sand Springs 5-4 on Paul Broome’s goal with under a minute left in the match. “This was a must-win game for us,” said a relieved coach Marco Castillo who had watched his team lose their first two matches to highly ranked teams and then battle to a controversial scoreless tie against Enid last week. Happy to finally get that first win, Castillo was not at all pleased with the way it came about. “In my 21 years in soccer, that was the ugliest win I’ve seen,” the coach said. “We proved we could play offense. We proved we could score,” he said as the Cats matched their goal output in the previous three matches. “Now its time to go back to work on defense.” Just 11 minutes into Tuesday’s match, Kip Quiram got the Wildcats on the scoreboard with a strong kick from 30 yards out. Four minutes later Bret Skaggs headed in a corner throw-in by Quiram and the Cats had a quick 2-0 lead. It didn’t last. Just over halfway through the first half, Sand Springs scored two goals in just a minute and a half to tie the score. A minute after that the Sandites scored again on a penalty kick to go in front 3-2. But the Wildcats refused to fold. With 15:53 left in the first half. Skaggs collected his second goal of the night blasting in a score from point blank range following a throw-in. That tied the score at 3-3. Five minutes, later Sand Springs made a crucial mistake. Thinking a long Ponca City pass was going out of bounds, the Sandite defense gave up on the ball. Skaggs didn’t. He broke down the sidelines and fed a perfect pass to Broome in front of the goal. Broome put his first score of the night into the net and the Wildcats held a 4-3 halftime lead. “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen seven goals in one half of soccer,” Castillo said. “But we came back to play a little defense in the second half.” However, it didn’t come before Sand Springs scored off a throw-in 12 minutes into the second half to knot the score once more. Suddenly the scoring stopped for the next 25 minutes. The defenses took over before Broome kept the match from ending in another tie for the Poncans. Broome’s winner came in the melee in front of the Sand Springs goal that accompanies a corner kick with an assist from sophomore Jerimy Cox. “Sand Springs is a good team,” Castillo said of the No. 5 ranked Sandites. “And we face another good team Friday.” The Poncans are scheduled to play host to Sapulpa Friday. The boys’ game is set for 6 p.m. with the girls’ match to follow. Baseballers Still SlidingBy MATTHEW KOENIG News Sports Writer TULSA — Though Ponca City coach Mike Krehbiel is still a beloved figure in Jenks, the Trojan baseballers had no qualms about spoiling their former coach’s homecoming, sailing to a 10-0 decision in six innings, Tuesday. In a make-up game that evening, the Cats’ slide continued with a 10-2 loss to Sand Springs. For the day, the Cats (3-11) left 15 runners on base, including two bases-loaded situations in the Sand Springs game. The Cats also blew two scoring opportunities — on missed calls — in the Jenks game. “We’ve gotta learn to relax with kids on base,” said Krehbiel. “I’d hate to count up how many we left on (in both games).” Zac Tenison pitched a 2-hitter for the Trojans, giving up just three walks, while striking out four. Despite a nice performance from starting pitcher Toby RedLeaf, the Trojans pounded out 10 hits, including a 2-for-3, 3 RBI performance from first baseman Jake Whitley. Though RedLeaf started out strong on the mound, giving up just two hits while striking out three in the first three innings, the Trojans took advantage of two costly Wildcat errors in the infield to march to a 4-0 lead. Of the five runs scored on RedLeaf, just one was earned. “Toby was doing a good job, we just weren’t making the plays,” Krehbiel continued. After piling up four runs in the fifth inning off reliever Wes Murrie, the Trojans got a sacrifice fly from third baseman Jason MacKenzie to put the run-rule into effect. The lone Ponca City hits in that game came off the bats of Jerrod Spears and Barry Geheb. Later, despite a stellar showing from reliever Buddy McCoy, who shut down the Sandites in the final 3 2/3 innings, the Cats couldn’t get the big hits to make the game close. After the Sandites scattered nine hits off two Wildcat pitchers, McCoy came in to allow just one more hit, no runs, and two walks, while striking out two. “I was tickled with that,” Krehbiel said of McCoy’s effort. “That was his first outing, and he didn’t give up any runs.” The Cats’ defense was also on fire through most of that game, turning two, 6-4-3 double plays. The Cats crumbled at the plate, however. Though they picked up seven hits, including a monster, solo home run from Spears — his second of the season — the Poncans left 10 runners on base. RedLeaf singled in the first inning, and Murrie sent him in with a shot to center field to account for the only other Wildcat score. RedLeaf finished 2-for-3 with a walk. To Krehbiel, the long afternoon of baseball wasn’t indicative of what he knows his team is capable of doing. “We’ve got all the tools and I know these kids can play with just about anyone,” he says. “We’re playing some darn good people right now. “Still, I feel like we’re in the middle of the pack somewhere, we just have to play like it. Three-and-11 doesn’t mean we can’t get on a win-streak, either. We can still bite some people.” On Saturday, after numerous rain delays, the Cats managed to get in a doubleheader with No. 1 ranked Owasso. Though the Rams pounded the Cats in the first game, 10-0, the Poncans played their foes close in the second, 12-8. In the first game, Chris McCool was 2-for-2. In the second game, RedLeaf was 2-for-4 with an RBI, Geheb was 2-for-4 with an RBI, while Murrie was 2-for-2 with four RBIs. The Cats now get a much-needed three day break before traveling to Perry, Friday. Jenks 10, Ponca City 0 Ponca City 000 000 — 0 2 3 Jenks 103 141 — 10 10 1 Tenison (w) and Keller; RedLeaf (l), Murrie (4) and Spears. Sand Springs 10, Ponca City 2 Ponca City 100 010 0 — 2 7 4 Sand Springs 244 000 x — 10 11 2 Ballard (w) and Hill; Whitsitt (l), Stewart (2), McCoy (3) and Spears. Lady Cats Win AgainBy FRED HILTON News Sports Editor Once again the Lady Wildcat soccer team won. Once again the Lady Cats dominated. Once again the girls won 1-0. Once again they waited until the final minutes of the match to score the winning goal. Po-Hi coach Steve Hermann has said repeatedly that with his young team, he’ll take a win almost anyway he can get it. But in the past few weeks he has said he would like to see his girls win while playing better. His only comment after Tuesday night’s win over Sand Springs, was a “no comment.” For most of the night at Sullins Stadium, the match looked like a shoot-around for the Lady Cats. They were so dominant, the Lady Sandites got off only two shots on goal in the second half. Meanwhile the Po-Hi girls were lined up for shots on the Sand Springs goal. The only trouble was the ball wasn’t going in the net. The Lady Cats outshot Sand Springs at least 10-1 but did not get a shot past the goalkeeper until there was just 5:17 left in the match. Freshman forward Sherina Wood got the rebound off a missed Ponca City shot and booted the ball just over the Sand Springs’ goalie’s outstretched arms. Abby Cantrell had the original shot after a Ponca City throw-in. But her shot bounded off the top rail of the goal. Wood was in the right place at the right time as the ball caromed back to her. Her shot was also a little high, but caught the net just inside the goal post. Ponca City goalkeeper Carrie Cooley got her third straight shutout, but the Ponca City defenders had little to do but watch in frustration as 90 percent of the match was played in Sand Springs’ end of the field. Now 3-2 on the season, the Lady Cats try to make it four in a row Friday against Sapulpa here. Only coach Hermann hopes it will be a little prettier. Cat Netters Get Nice Play From Nos. 2BARTLESVILLE — With some outstanding play in the lower reaches of their varsity ranks, the Wildcat netters managed a split with both Muskogee and Bartlesville, 2-2, Tuesday. Bartlesville topped Muskogee, 3-1. While coach Steve Larimer was pleased with the wins, he says the Cats still have a ways to go before they can dominate. “We’ve got to be willing to do the things it takes to win,” he says. “Our guys have to learn that an ugly win is better than a pretty loss, any day. I’d rather be a dinker and win than be a hard hitter, and lose.” Daniel Lee cleaned up in No. 2 singles, winning both matches. Lee sailed past Muskogee’s Andrew Doughty, 6-1, 6-2, and held on to top Bartlesville’s Doug Hankinson, 6-4, 2-6, 6-3. Josh Pitts and Trevor Viljoen also had a fine outing in No. 2 doubles, prevailing over Muskogee’s Ward Wagner and Brian Risch, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, and Bartlesville’s Ryan Elfstrom and Grant Pierce, 6-4, 6-3. Things fell apart for the Poncans in the upper ranks, however. In No. 1 singles, Bilal Agha showed some rust after recently rejoining the team, falling to Bartlesville’s Curt Lehman, 6-1, 6-2, and Muskogee’s Dylan Dickman, 6-3, 6-0. In No. 1 doubles, Tim Frick and Sterling Foy also had their hands full, falling to Muskogee’s Blake Coburn and Julian Fuller, 6-4, 6-2, and Bartlesville’s Doug Richmond and Jarrett Richmond, 6-2, 7-5. “Basically what we need is to be coachable,” Larimer concluded. “These guys need to listen, and do the things I tell ‘em.” The Cats will host Enid, Thursday. Play gets under way at 2:30. Sodowsky Now Heads to CardsBy BOB BAUM AP Sports Writer TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — Looking for experienced relievers to back up their high-priced starting rotation, the Arizona Diamondbacks acquired Darren Holmes from the New York Yankees and John Frascatore from the St. Louis Cardinals. As part of the trades, the Diamondbacks sent Ponca City’s Clint Sodowsky to the Cardinals. Sodowsky is expected to be assigned to Triple A-Memphis. Sodowsky, 26, a right-hander, was 3-6 in 45 games for the Diamondbacks last season with a 5.68 ERA. He appeared in five games for Arizona this spring before being optioned to Triple-A Tucson. ‘‘Now we have a major league bullpen,’’ Arizona general manager Joe Garagiola Jr. said after the trades were made Tuesday. The Diamondbacks considered relief pitching their biggest need in the days leading up to next week’s season opener. In the offseason, they signed Greg Swindell, and they want Holmes, 32, and Frascatore, 29, to give them the experience and depth they need as setup pitchers for closer Gregg Olson. ‘‘They were in a group of four or five that we were really actively talking about,’’ Garagiola said, ‘‘and I’m really happy these are the two we would come out of this with.’’ The Yankees also agreed to pay about $1 million of the $3.45 million Holmes is owed on the remaining two years of his contract, according to a baseball official who spoke on the condition that he not be identified. New York received young pitcher Ben Ford and minor league catcher Izzy Molina. The trade will save the Yankees $527,000 in luxury tax and reduce their major league-high payroll to about $85 million. Holmes was 0-3 with New York last season with a 3.33 ERA. He signed with the Yankees after a successful five-year stint with Colorado, where he was 23-13 with 46 saves. ‘‘I came from an expansion team, so I know know what it’s like,’’ Holmes said today. ‘‘It’s going to be a very energized atomsphere out there. They got a new stadium and signed a lot of quality of players.’’ He was sidelined from Aug. 1 to Sept. 4 last season with a lower back injury, but came on strong after that, giving up one earned run in his last eight appearances, lowering his ERA from 4.05 to 3.33. ‘‘For part of the year, I didn’t pitch like I was capable of doing,’’ Holmes said. ‘‘That’s probably the most bitter part of it.’’ Ford, who stands 6-foot-7 and is just 23 years old, returns to the organization that originally signed him as a 20th-round selection in the 1994 amateur draft. He was Arizona’s ninth pick in the first round of the expansion draft. ‘‘This is a move I guess you can say is somewhat risky,’’ Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said in Tampa, Fla. ‘‘I think Arizona gets better now because they get a guy who’s going to help immediately. We made the move with an eye to the future.’’ Holmes gives the Diamondbacks a reliever with experience as a closer in case Olson falters or is injured. Olson, who had 30 saves in 34 tries in a comeback season last year, has been bothered by a sore forearm this spring.
Copyright© Ponca City News, 1998 |