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From the pages of The Ponca City News, Tuesday, April 18, 2000 LOCAL DEATHS NEWS BRIEFS LIFESTYLES SPORTS BUSINESS LOCALAuto Tag Bill Passes Senate Amid Protests Auto Tag Bill Passes Senate Amid ProtestsOKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — A bill changing how car tag costs are assessed has passed the Oklahoma Senate amid objections that it does not go far enough in cutting taxes. House Bill 2633 is expected to wind up in a joint conference committee. The bill is an effort to revamp what one senator labeled as Oklahoma’s ‘‘goofy’’ car tag system that bases fees on the factory-delivered price instead of the actual cost of a vehicle. In other action Monday, the Senate approved a $4.8 billion general appropriations bill, ensuring state government can function at the start of the fiscal year even if lawmakers fail to reach agreements on a final state budget. Republicans argued the car tag measure didn’t go far enough and would increase the total first-year tag costs of some motorists. The bill sets a flat fee of $85 for car tags up to five years old. The fee would be $45 up to 10 years and $15 each year thereafter. It replaces the current 3.25 percent excise tax on the factory-delivered price with a 4.5 percent sales tax on the actual price, less trade-ins, discounts and dealer incentives. Supporters said it will cut down on the incentive for ‘‘cheaters’’ who get their tags out of state or get commercial tags for vehicles not used in a legitimate business enterprise. The cost for a commercial tag now is $95, more than the maximum cost for any tag under the bill. Opponents said the $11 million reduction in car tag costs is insufficient. ‘‘Why not just pass a clean car tag bill that reduces the burden on every Oklahoma motorists?’’ asked Rep. Todd Hiett, R-Kellyville, author of a rival bill that was buried in a Senate committee. Sen. Dick Wilkerson, D-Atwood, said any change would be an improvement. ‘‘The goofiest thing I ever heard is that we pay taxes on a price that doesn’t exist,’’ Wilkerson said. Gov. Frank Keating, who vetoed a similar bill a year ago, said the Senate vote ‘‘certainly indicates that everyone seems to agree that Oklahomans deserve genuine car tag relief.’’ He also said it did not go far enough. ‘‘Oklahomans are overdue for real and meaningful car tag relief, and without the caveat of a tax increase,’’ he said. The measure was introduced in the House by Rep. Ron Kirby, D-Lawton, and sponsored in the Senate by Sen. Jim Maddox, D-Lawton. Maddox said it would be hard to defend voting against the bill during the fall elections, since it would limit car tag fees to no more than $85. ‘‘Stupid, why didn’t you vote for that bill that would have saved me money?’’ is a question incumbents might face, Maddox said. Sen. Charles Ford, R-Tulsa, said he had not heard a satisfactory explanation why the bill costs only $11 million, when it is estimated a GOP-sponsored plan with the same schedule of tag fee reductions would cost an estimated $138 million. PC Board Changes Grading SystemBy KRISTI HAYES News Education Editor Ponca City Board of Education members rescinded a February vote changing the weighted grading system for honors courses at Ponca City High School. The decision was made Monday night at the board’s regular monthly meeting. The Academic Council at Ponca City High School requested the board change its decision to move to a weighted grading system based on five points for an A, four points for a B and three points for a C in honors classes. It also recommended that the current weighted system of a .03 add-on continue with this year’s juniors (class of 2001) and sophomores (class of 2002). The group also wants to make a new proposal for calculating weighted grades. Superintendent Dr. Bill White agreed with the council’s recommendation. “The current system does not benefit everyone,” he told board members. “If a student takes a lot of courses that are not weighted, like driver’s education, it hurts them in the long run.” White explained how the situation developed. “This item came through the curriculum committee and we recommended it in the first place. After examining it and how it hurts our students, it needs to be looked at more closely,” he said. According to the academic council, the new grading scale was not fair for students who started under a different system. Utilizing it changes their grade point average and class rank. In other matters, the district announced it will buy the property adjacent to Union Elementary School on North Union Street for $95,000. The land will be used for future school purposes. Also, a correction was added to the minutes of the December board meeting. The minutes reflected the wrong amount paid for the school property located on the 2200 block of North Pecan. The minutes listed the amount as $341,500; the actual amount paid was $341,000. The money to purchase the land on Union Street will come from the money collected from the sale of the North Pecan property. Another item included on the agenda was the continuation of the license and system support agreements with the HOSTS Corporation at Garfield Academy and West Middle School. Renewal of these two agreements with the HOSTS Corporation grants the continuation of the HOSTS Language Arts program license for Garfield Academy and for the math program license for West Middle School. The contracts are for the 2000-2001 school year. HOSTS will provide access to its help line technical assistance provided over a toll-free help line. The agreement provides sys-tem support services for the entire year. The annual license fee for both agreements is $5,700 to each site in one payment. Also, members ap-proved the continuation of the 2000 Summer Feeding Program at Liberty and Union Elementary Schools and West Middle School. A separate feeding area is at the Salvation Army. The meals are free to children ages one to 18. The April Employee of the Month and Friend of Education Awards were presented during the meeting. Award recipients included Randy Cra-ven, Certified Employee of the Month; Cathy Swenson, Support Em-ployee of the Month; and Westside Policing Project Officers Brad Fultz and Tom Burg, Friend of Education. City Commissioners To Discuss Budget For 2001 Fiscal YearSpecial sessions have been set for Wednesday and Thursday mornings at the city manager’s office for the Ponca City Board of Commissioners to work on the fiscal year 2001 budget. Sessions at city hall in the city manager’s office will begin at 8 a.m. each day to discuss budget situations with various department heads. The meetings are open to the public. The meetings will also allow time for citizen’s comments. On both days the commissioners are expected to go into executive session to discuss employee status and situations. They will return to regular session if any action is needed following the executive sessions, prior to adjournment. Nearly NewsBy way of correction, John Streight won both first place and honorable mention in the amateur color category as well as overall best in show at the Photogrpahy Competition and Show. Sherri Jack was awarded second and third place in amateur color. The exhibit, sponsored by the Ponca City Art Association, will be on display at the Art Center, 819 East Central, from 1 to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Bluestem Council Girl Scouts Will Say Thank You to LeadersAs part of a nationwide celebration of Girl Scout Leader’s Day on April 22, Girl Scouts within Bluestem Council will say thank-you to adults who make a difference in their lives — their Girl Scout leaders and other Girl Scout volunteers. In honor of its 880,000 adult volunteers nationwide, Girl Scouts of the USA has designated April 22 as a day to acknowledge Girl Scout leaders and its other volunteers. On Girl Scout Leader’s Day, girls, parents and communities will recognize the commitment, dedication and continuing support of local Girl Scout leaders who inspire girls and make a difference in their lives everyday. “Character, conduct and community service are the core qualities of Girl Scouting,” said Connie Matsui, national president of Girl Scouts of the USA. “By devoting their time and energy to helping girls grow into tomorrow’s leaders, Girl Scout volunteers possess these core qualities and lead by example — for this, we are truly grateful.” Girl Scouts is the world’s preeminent organization dedicated solely to girls where, in an accepting and nurturing environment, girls build character and skills for success in the real world. In partnership with committed adults, girls develop qualities that will serve them all their lives — like strong values, social conscience and conviction about their own potential and self-worth. For more information on how to become a Girl Scout volunteer in Bluestem Council, call 762-9616 or 1-800-457-GIRL. Chamber Web Page Almost CompleteThe Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce’s web page is almost complete. Chamber members with web pages and or e-mail addresses are encouraged to sign up to promote their businesses on-line through the web site. The cost to participate is $15 year. How does it work? Clients must contact the Chamber office (5800 765-4400 to inform the Chamber office know the e-mail and or web site (URL address). You will be notified once the site is up and running. The Chamber’s Web Page will include information on the Chamber. Economic Development, Community Events and Calendar, Visitor and relocation information and will link to other state and national sites. When members sign up on the Chamber’s web page, they will receive a link under the Chamber’s Business and Yellow Page Directory. Only Chamber members will be listed in the directories. District CourtNewkirk Marriage Licenses Celvin Jovany Leiva Martinez, 25, and Lia Kristen Gondran-Chimine, 28, both of Ponca City. Richard Lee Fesler Sr., 57, and Cassandra Geraldine Rice, 26, both of Wichita. Anthony Wayne Allen, 26, and Racheal Diane Owens, 18, both of Winfield. John Cletus Rives, 24, and Lucinda Marie Pinion, 19, both of Ponca City. Jason Matthew Green, 20, and Reanna Marie Ramirez, 18, both of Ponca City. Divorces Sought Robert W. Schuyler III vs. Monica L. Duff. Angie M. Wright vs. Mark Allen Wright. Divorces Granted Tamra Jean Bates vs. Paul Ronald Bates. Blackwell Divorces Sought Allen Lee Boyer vs. Debora Kay Boyer. Ponca City Divorces Sought Deloris Ann Thomas vs. Lewis Edmond Thomas. Bradley K. Stevens vs. Robin R. Stevens. Clifton M. Neeley Jr. vs. Cathy D. Neeley. Larry E. Grantz vs. Marian E. Grantz. James Leroy Miner vs. Terena Luann Miner. Debra Lynn Whitener vs. Rickey A. Whitener. Divorces Granted Timothy Robert Staggs vs. Teresa Ann Staggs. Paula Elaine Hall vs. Robert Dean Hall. Jeromy L. Schneider vs. Jodi Schneider. Carol Jean Wilson vs. Robert Allen Wilson Jr. Cherie Lee Parker vs. Jeffrey Lee Parker. DEATHSNO DEATHSNEWS BRIEFSFire Response — Two units from the Ponca City Fire Department responded at 9:31 a.m. Monday to the scene of a washing machine fire in the 1600 block of East Woodlands. Easter Egg Hunt for children through 8 years. Saturday, April 22 at 10 a.m., south side of Hutchins. Sponsored by Century 21 Group One. adv. Abandoned Bicycle — The Communications Center received a call at 10:11 a.m. Monday that a bicycle had been abandoned. Animal Control was notified to pick up the bicycle. Free Pregnancy test. Birth Choice cares. Confidential. Hours: Tuesday, 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, 1-3 p.m. and Thursday, 6-8 p.m. 700 West Broadway. 765-9689. adv. Boat Stolen — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported from the 400 block of South Fourteenth Street at 10:13 a.m. Monday that a boat had been stolen. The information was logged. 17% off Of 17 antique tables for 17 days! Christy’s 3005 North 14th open everyday. adv. Money Missing — A woman from the 1600 block of Academy Road reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 11:27 a.m. Monday that some money had been stolen. An officer was assigned and a report was taken. Easter Specials; One group ladies Sag Harbar dresses sizes 8- 18. Mel’s price $19.99, Nice selection ladies sails and dresses, sizes 2-18. Mel’s price $29.99 to $59.99, Ladies sandals and shoes all name brands save 50 to 60% off regular retail, Lands’ End knit tops- polo style sizes S-M-L Mel’s price $9.99. adv. Subjects Held — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported from the 1100 block of North Peachtree Street at 12:04 p.m. Monday that a 22-year-old man was being held for strong armed robbery and a 20-year-old woman was being held for strong armed robbery. Vehicle Stolen — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported from the intersection of South Fifth Street and Madison Avenue at 3:21 a.m. Tuesday that upon approaching a van being pushed by several subjects that the subjects ran from the scene. The owner of the van was contacted. If You are looking for guaranteed results at prices to catch the competition, look no further than Heartland Hearing Aid Center. 1302 N. 7th. 767-1961 Guaranteed. adv. Apartment Fire — The Communications Center received a call from a woman in the 2100 block of North Union Street at 2:55 p.m. Monday that smoke was coming out of an apartment above hers. All stations of the Ponca City Fire Department responded with units and the fire was put out. Two officers of the Ponca City Police department assisted. Every Wednesday ð price clothes and shoes, except priced items. Check our daily specials. Caboose Thrift Shoppe, First and Central. adv. Hit and Run — A man from the 1100 block of East Prospect Avenue reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 4:25 p.m. Monday that a hit and run accident had occurred. An officer took a report and information was logged that the other driver was contacted and a citation was issued. Brush Fire — The Communications Center received a call at 6:06 p.m. Monday that brush was on fire at First and Main in Marland. Marland Volunteer Fire Department was contacted and handled the situation. Stormescape Shelters, perfect for garage, under vehicle, installation. $1,695. 765-2633. adv. Accident — A two-vehicle, non-injury accident in the 400 block of East Grand Avenue was reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 7:34 p.m. Monday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken. Subjects Held — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported from the intersection of West Grand Avenue and Osage Street at 11:40 p.m. Monday that a 21-year-old man was being held on a Kay County warrant for failure to pay, and a 24-year-old woman was being held on a Kay County warrant for failure to appear and failure to obey. LIFESTYLESHot Cross Buns Traditional Easter Bread Hot Cross Buns Traditional Easter BreadLooking for a special bread that rises to the occasion this Easter? try Barbara Jean Lull’s recipe for Traditional Hot Cross Buns, shared by the editors of Taste of Home magazine. Jean, a country cook from Claremont, Calif., carries on her mom’s tasty tradition with this time-honored Easter morning treat. Traditional Hot Cross Buns 2 packages (1/.4 ounce each) active dry yeast 2 cups warm milk (110°-115°) 1/3 cup butter or margarine, softened 2 eggs, lightly beaten 1/4 cup sugar 1 1/2 teaspoons salt 6-7 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 cup raisins 1/2 cup dried currants 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice 2 tablespoons water 1 egg yolk confectioners’ sugar icing In a mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in milk. Stir in butter, eggs, sugar and salt. Combine 3 cups flour, raisins, currants, cinnamon and allspice; add to yeast mixture and mix well. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. Turn onto a floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about one hour. Punch dough down; shape into 1 1/2-2 inch balls. Place two inches apart on greased baking sheets. Using a sharp knife, cut a cross on top of each roll. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes. Beat water and egg yolk; brush over rolls. Bake at 375° for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on wire racks. Pipe icing over rolls. Yield: 2 1/2 dozen. Website for the magazine is www.reimanpub.com The Neighborhood ChefBy Sherry Muchmore Easter is a time when family and friends gather to worship and join together in fellowship. Following services, families celebrate in many ways but always uniting with each other through traditional activities of Easter egg hunts, outdoor picnics, church socials. Spring has sprung and a new beginning is offered. The shades and feel of Easter permeate the air in hues of pastel — eggs, soft dresses, a bounty of food; all in celebration of goodwill and rebirth — of faith, of nature. And with this bounty of food, comes the preparation which usually means large quantities. When we gather, we do it right, the door is open and all are welcome. When I ask, What can I bring? the usual response is either a salad or dessert. I normally opt for dessert, but many times in my family, the hostess will offer the salad to those bringing in food since it is the least favorite dish to make. No logical reason why, since we all love salad, but it’s kinda like the one with the least seniority gets to bring the salad. The following are several recipes that can be made the day before and will compliment any meal. Not only is this a really great tasting salad, it can be a wonderfully cool summertime meal. It was still good the following day when we served it for lunch. Broccoli - Cauliflower Salad Mozelle Sodowsky, PC, OK 1 bunch broccoli, separated into florets 1 head cauliflower, separated into florets 8 strips of bacon, fried crisp, drained, crumbled 1/3 cup red onion, diced 2 hard boiled eggs, sliced 1 cup tomatoes, seeded and chopped (peel the skin if tough) 1 cup mayonnaise or salad dressing 1/3 cup granulated sugar 2 tablespoons cider vinegar In a large salad bowl, combine the broccoli, cauliflower, onion, tomatoes and sliced eggs. Set aside. Make your dressing in a small bowl by mixing the mayonnaise, sugar and vinegar until well blended and smooth. Just before serving, pour dressing over salad and toss. Add the crumbled bacon, toss lightly and serve. When we made this salad, we preferred using mayonnaise over the sweeter salad dressing because the sugar makes the dressing sweet enough. Several years ago, while catering, I concocted the following pasta salad. I wanted a pasta salad without that after taste so many seem to have. It’s pretty simple to make and is another of those salads that can substitute as a meal in itself. Garden Pasta Salad 1 pound bag Tri-Color Fusilli Spring Pasta or any Garden Pasta 1 bunch broccoli - broken into small florets 1/2 head cauliflower - broken into small florets 3 stalks celery - diced 2 carrots - sliced 1 3.5 oz. package Pepperoni slices - cut into half moons 1 2.25 oz. can sliced ripe olives or about a handful (optional) Combine the above and, Add: 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 1/3-1/2 bottle (16 oz.) Wishbone salad dressing Toss to coat and chill several hours or overnight before serving. Stays well for several days in the refrigerator. Just remember, you can play with this. Add more garlic or Parmesan if preferred. If you don’t like some of the ingredients, change out or omit altogether. Onions are good in pasta salad, so are the many varieties of bell peppers. Use your imagination and food preferences. This recipe makes a nice large bowl of colorful salad you can make year-round served with chops, chicken, turkey or any mild-flavored entree. It’s a pretty dish that would be nice to take to a salad luncheon. Kathy says Lots of variations are possible. Experiment! Fix, rearrange or do whatever you want with this offering. It’s almost fool-proof. Crisp Garden Salad Kathy Zehr, PC, OK 1 can green beans 1 can shoe peg or yellow corn 1 can English peas 1 jar pimientos (4 oz.) 1 cup celery (chopped) 1 cup granulated sugar (or more to taste) 3/4 cup white vinegar 1/4 cup vegetable or olive oil 1 tablespoon ground black pepper 1 teaspoon salt 2 tablespoon dried onions (or 1/2 cup fresh minced onion or green onions) 1 cup chopped celery 1 chopped bell pepper In Kathy’s words: Mix vinegar, sugar, oil, pepper, salt (and dried onions if using) in small sauce pan and heat until sugar is dissolved. We like our recipe sweeter, so I add about 1/4 cup more sugar. Drain canned veggies and pimientos and place in pretty bowl. Reserve the liquid from the green beans. Add all the chopped veggies. (Other crunchy vegetables may be added including cauliflower and broccoli, but the vinegar and sugar must be increased by 1/4 to 1/2 cup to accommodate the increased veggie volume.) Pour cooled vinegar mixture over the veggies and stir. Press down in the bowl. If liquid does not cover the salad, add a small amount of liquid saved from the green beans. We prefer to omit the oil, and don’t miss it at all, but I add it if taking the salad out for a dinner somewhere. Refrigerate for a couple of hours for the best taste, though it can be served right away. This recipe serves 12-14 people and stays crisp and delicious for several days in the refrigerator. It’s great with sandwiches and soups. Send your recipes to: The Neighborhood Chef, c/o The Ponca City News, P.O. Box 191, Ponca City, OK 74602, or e-mail me at: chef@poncacitynews.com (All recipes become property of The Ponca City News.) Churchwomen’s Divinity Easter Egg Recipe ReprintedBy SHERRY MUCHMORE (First printed in The Ponca City News Sunday, April 1, 1990 and reprinted Tuesday, April 18, 2000) Several months ago, I received a letter from a lady who hoped I might locate a Ponca City News article from an April issue back in 1990. It contained a recipe for divinity Easter eggs made and sold by the ladies of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints as a fund raiser. This 25 year practice became so popular that at one time they were making and selling up to 5,000 eggs during the Easter season. Unfortunately, as many things go, 1990 was the last year for these handmade confections. So we thought we’d reprint our article and if you’ve the time or the initiative, maybe you’ll want to re-create these special treats from our past. Spring Won’t Be the Same Without Popular Easter Eggs Ending a tradition of 25 years, the women of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints will no longer be preparing the beautifully decorated Easter eggs that have become so popular in the Ponca City area. For years, Mrs. Joe Hermes has sold the eggs to Ponca Citians, and kept The News informed about the time and place of sale each spring. The women of the church worked diligently for a week before the sale to prepare the hundreds of eggs Ponca Citians bought prior to Easter. She explained the project has raised funds for the work of the Relief Society in helping sick and needy members of the congregation. The project began in 1965 with the women making 500 eggs, concocted of divinity, pecans or black walnuts in colors of pink, yellow, peach and some chocolate, and all beautifully decorated. The men have helped with the wrapping and selling all these years. In recent years, the women were making some 5,000 eggs during the Easter season, and selling them all. Through the years, the funds have been used for such things as improvements to the church building and purchasing equipment for the Family History Library which is open to the public. The women express thanks to the community for support through the years, and are sharing their recipe with anyone interested in continuing the tradition at home. Chocolate Covered Divinity Eggs 4 cups sugar 2 cups water 1 cup light corn syrup Dash salt 2 room temperature egg whites, stiffly beaten 3/4 teaspoon vanilla Dipping chocolate In a deep three-quart saucepan, combine sugar, water, corn syrup and salt. Stir until well-blended. Bring to a boil on medium-high heat. When syrup reaches soft boil stage (236 degrees), begin to whip egg whites. When syrup reaches 245 degrees, remove from heat and slowly pour over egg whites while mixing on low. Gradually increase to full speed, continuing to add syrup. Add vanilla. Beat until candy is soft-set and no longer moves off beaters when lifted. Add nuts, stirring only to blend well. Use two buttered serving spoons to form the candy into 12 egg shapes (work quickly). While rotating the mixer bowl, scrape one spoon along side of bowl, rolling candy into the spoon. Scrape onto buttered wax paper with second spoon. Lightly pat rough edges with buttered fingers. Allow to set up at least 4 hours. Coat with dipping chocolate, let set and decorate with icing. For signs of spring this year, Ponca Citians will have to look elsewhere, or make their own decorated eggs. BUSINESSRetired Hollar Proves Point ... Business Vital to Education Retired Hollar Proves Point ... Business Vital to EducationBy LOUISE ABERCROMBIE News Business Editor For the past ten years retired Ponca City businessman Charles Hollar has been proving a point — that business can and should play an important role in education. “The leadership concepts of business and education are almost identical,” Hollar says. Hollar, who started the Great Expectations Program in Oklahoma, might well have as his theme song “On the Road Again,” because he crisscrosses the state four days a week sounding the cause of education. He offices in his car, he says jokingly. Hollar notes “My handicap has gone up. I have to scheduled my golf way in advance.” A former City Commissioner, Chamber of Commerce chairman and member of the Ponca City School Board, United Way chairman, Hollar is a great believer in volunteerism. He retired in 1990 from The Equitable and served a stint at Northeastern State University as a special assistance to the president. Hollar has been championing the business-education connection with the Great Expectation program, Principals’ Academy and the Educators’ Leadership Academy. To Receive State Award But more importantly Hollar has the concern of the students at heart. This has been so evident that Hollar has been recognized with the Judges Award of the Friends of Children 2000 of the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy. The Twelfth annual Friends of Children Awards Celebration is set for April 25th at 6:30 p.m., at Oklahoma City Marriott. Channel 9’s Angela Buckelew is the mistress of ceremonies for the evening. The nomination says “Hollar uses his years of retirement from the business world to make Oklahoma richer by investing in children. He captured a vision and created Oklahoma’s Great Expectations, a program designed to create an environment for success, in the classrooms across the state.” Great Expectations, has grown from 175 teachers trained in 1992 to 4,115 in 1999, reaching teachers from elementary to high schools. The gift of Hollar’s work is a renewed zeal and thrill for education for Oklahoma children and their teachers. The Great Expectations program, through summer camps, seminars and traveling mentors demonstrates to educators teaching methods designed to help them relate to students in a way that inspires learning and creates a climate of classroom respect. As an outgrowth of the Great Expectations programs comes the Educators’ Leadership Academy, which redefines leadership, and the Principals’ Academy. Hollar says of these two programs “I think we restore in their heart (educators) why they originally entered education. Education is a calling it is a path of nobility.” He says they should be treated as professionals. “We have surfaced the best of the best, like the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence secondary teacher of the year is now interning for us to be an instructor,” Hollar. said. “The big thing in education is to become nationally certified and Oklahoma per capita is about the tops in the United States but it is rigorous, they [teachers] are compensated if they do but it is very time consuming and a real honor. We invited those 146 to come to summer institute and waive the tuition because we want those people to come and a lot of them are coming. They attest to what they have been through and then we get them hooked on ‘Great Expectations.’” Hollar pointed out that a number of businesses are represented by the members of the Great Expectations Foundation Board. Conoco is a staunch supporter, among others. Conoco Announces Equity Investment Over WebsiteHOUSTON — Conoco has announced an equity investment in HoustonStreet Exchange, the first fully Web-based exchange and portal for trading wholesale energy products. The investment marks a major commitment by Conoco to trade crude oil, refined products (such as heating oil, gasoline and jet fuel) and natural gas on HoustonStreet’s Web-based energy trading site, HoustonStreetcom. The investment amount was not disclosed. As part of the deal, Conoco will provide strategic guidance on continued site enhancements, based on user feedback and changing market dynamics. Conoco’s commitment to trade on HoustonStreet.com will add a significant amount of trading volume to the site. “We considered a number of energy exchanges, but ultimately chose HoustonStreet because they are setting the standard for providing a real-time trading forum,” said Rick Oshlo, Conoco’s vice president and general manager for supply and trading, “This partnership puts Conoco on the cutting edge of emerging technologies, and allows us to maximize the potential business benefits of the Internet by reducing the overall cost of acquiring and trading crude oil, refined products and natural gas. “We are very excited about this e-entry into the commercial trading of energy commodities,” Oshlo said, adding that this represents the second major e-commerce step Conoco has taken in less than a week. Conoco is one of 14 founders in the giant global procurement exchange for energy and petrochemical companies announced April 11. Other major energy companies that recently committed capital, liquidity (the ability to consistently trade with multiple active buyers and sellers) and strategic guidance to HoustonStreet include international energy and utilities company, Vivendi S.A.; Sithe Energies, Inc.; Williams Energy Marketing & Trading Co.; and Equiva Trading Company, the U.S. trading arm for Shell, Texaco and Saudi Aramco’s downstream alliances, Equilon and Motiva. “To have Conoco, one of the leading integrated energy companies in the world, select HoustonStreet validates not only our technology, but also our vision for the future of real-time business-to-business exchanges,” said Brian King, vice president, crude oil and refined products at HoustonStreet. “Our partnership with Conoco will leverage our ability to provide efficiencies that extend well beyond the trading floor.” HoustonStreet Exchange said it benefits from these relationships through increased trading activity on the exchange, strategic guidance on site enhancements, the capital to continuously improve the site and services offered, as well as expansion of its reach into other markets. “Energy companies such as Conoco benefit because their traders can use HoustonStreetcom to gain a view of the market’s depth and breadth. as well as information such as weather services and worldwide energy news that allows them to keep abreast of market developments,” King said. “Conoco also will be able to provide direct feedback aimed at enhancing functionality and improving information and services available through HoustonStreet.com.” Conoco (NYSE:COC.A) (NYSE.COC.B), with revenues of $27 billion, is a major, integrated energy company active in more than 40 countries. Designed by traders for traders, HoustonStreet Exchange represents the first Web portal for the trading of wholesale energy products, providing an online trading engine that allows traders to buy and sell their energy products faster, more efficiently and more easily than in the past. HoustonStreet Exchange is a majority-owned subsidiary of BayCorp Holdings, Ltd., (AMEX; MWH). Evans & Associates Sports Number of AccomplishmentsEvans & Associates Construction is celebrating its 40th Anniversary, as a proud and permanent part of the local community. The company continues to serve citizens through the construction of city streets, county roads, State and Federal highways, airport runways, parking lots and driveways. Among the many proud accomplishments, the company recently completed the construction of a 30,000 square ft. storage facility at the OG&E Sooner Generating Plant south of Ponca City. The facility is capable of storing 20,000 tons of fly ash, a by-product from the generating facility. Fly ash is used as a soil stabilization product as well as an additive to concrete. This facility will provide a ready source of supply to the various customers. In addition to the fly ash storage facility, the company recently completed the reclamation of several Atlas Missile Silo’s in southwest Oklahoma, which included filling the silos and living quarters with flowable fill concrete. The company also recently completed several major utility projects including the construction of a 17-mile pipeline to transport water to the Hackberry Wildlife Refuge in Southwest Oklahoma as well as a new water line for the Braden and McCord water districts. Most recently, the company has been constructing the Ash and Hartford intersection as well as the widening of Waverly Street. These types of projects are labor intensive and require daily attention to detail and to the needs of the local residents, who are unavoidably inconvenienced through the various phases of the projects. In order to diminish, as much as possible, the problems for the citizens, the company has public forum meetings to explain the work procedures, and then makes every effort to get acquainted with the people in the area. Also in the past year, the company enhanced the quality of its Ponca City work force through the acquisition of the assets of Throop Construction. Ralph Throop and all of the Throop employees joined Evans & Associates with this acquisition allowing the company to provide an even higher quality of service to the community. Under the banner of the parent company, Evans & Associates Enterprises, Inc., the company now employs 250 associates statewide. The company also, manufactures ready mix concrete, quarries sand and aggregates, and markets fly ash. Its subsidiary operations are located in Ponca City, Alva, Enid, Waukomis, Perry, Stillwater, Bartlesville, Miami, Grove, Fairland, Altus, Hobart, Lawton, and Oklahoma City as well as Southwest City, Missouri. Former Resident Receives National Honor for GalleryFormer Ponca City resident, Donna Milstein has received a top national honor for her Houston, Texas retail galleries. Niche magazine has named Hanson Galleries, a family-owned Houston business, as a “TOP 10 Retailer of American Craft.” Hanson Galleries is the first in Texas to receive this honor. Hanson Galleries was selected from 535 galleries throughout the United States based on polls of more than 20,000 professional craft artists. Criteria the artists used in selecting galleries for this award include respectful and courteous treatment, punctual payment, efficient marketing of American crafts and the mentoring of emerging artists. Niche magazine is one of the premier publications of the fine crafts industry. It’s the equivalent of what “Women’s Wear Daily” is to the fashion industry. The success of Hanson Galleries is a result of innovative marketing techniques and close partnerships with artists. Their two locations, the Galleria Mall and Town & Country Mall, have allowed for further craft awareness and education. In addition, the gallery’s new web site, ww.hansongalleries.com, enables customers to purchase fine crafts on line and allows the artists to promote their crafts worldwide. With the internet making the world shrink even further, her web site has been getting attention from Oklahoma as well as other states and countries. “There is a close working relationship between artists and retailers in the craft community,” said Wendy Rosen, publisher of Niche. “Together they build the image of the artist and the gallery far more effectively than either could do alone.” Art and Donna Milstein, owners of Hanson Galleries, have worked with a dedicated staff since 1977 to promote the quality and beauty of American fine crafts in Houston. They are also involved in national committees that promote and educate artists and galleries. In accepting this award Donna said “We are extremely appreciative of this honor and share this award with our staff, artists, and loyal customers whose support over the years made this possible.” Donna is the daughter of JoAnn Wolfson, 2224 Garden. SST Development Group Planning Ag WorkshopSST Development Group will be presenting a free educational meeting entitled, “Are You Ready for Precision Agriculture?” April 25th from 7 to 9 p.m., at Kay Electric Cooperative in Blackwell. The event is co-sponsored by OSU Extension Service. Farmers, crop consultants, farm equipment dealers and fertilizer/chemical dealers are encouraged to attend. The term, precision agriculture, involves technologies that allow people to gain site-specific information about their farming operations so they can make more informed management decisions. Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers are instrumental in recording site-specific locations of field boundaries, grain yield flow and soil samples. GPS is also used for applying variable rate fertilizer applications or for varying planter rates. Other data can be gathered as well such as hybrid/variety information, soil types and soil nutrient levels. All of this data is input into a Geographic Information System [GIS] for mapping, analysis, reporting and subsequent decision-making. SST Development Group is a Stillwater firm that has developed the premier GIS software used in the precision farming industry. SST has been in business since 1994 and has grown rapidly with software customers in 33 states, eight Canadian provinces and 11 countries. SST provides a thorough training seminar for its SSToolbox users on a monthly basis at its headquarters. More than 500 customers have come to Stillwater for the training seminar. Notes/QuotesBusiness After Hours Evans and Associates Enterprises, Inc., 3320 North Fourteenth, will be hosting the Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours this evening from 5 to 7 p.m. Evans and Associates is celebrating 40 years in the business. SPORTSPioneers Bomb Cats Pioneers Bomb CatsBy FRED HILTON News Sports Editor Wildcat baseball coach Mike Krehbiel says playing rival teams like Stillwater, “means something,” to his players. They seem to play harder. It apparently means something to Stillwater, too. The Pioneers brought their big bats to the high school diamond for single game Monday evening. In the first two innings the Pioneers had four hits — three home runs and a double. That 8-0 lead was more than the Wildcats could overcome, but they gave it a try, losing 9-5. Krehbiel was, of course, unhappy with the loss. But he did see a bright side. ‘We were able to compete,” he said after the game. “This was as competitive as I’ve seen this team in a week.” The Wildcats actually outhit the Pioneers 10-8, but couldn’t get the long ball. The Pioneers, on the other hand, had long balls to spare. Stillwater greeted starting pitcher Buddy McCoy with a lead off double by Chance Jeffries. An out later, the Pioneers’ Stan Fields cleared the right field fence. The assault continued in the second inning. A fielding error put the first Stillwater batter on base. The Pioneers made the Poncans pay with a two-run home run by T.J. Severe. Two walks brought on pitching change with side-armer Russell Ward coming to the mound. He induced a fly out to left before issuing a free pass to Fields to load the bases. That was fine with Pioneer Brent Wadley who cleared the scoreboard in right field with a grand slam home run. Matt Wilks came to the mound in the third and limited Stillwater to one run on four hits — none home runs — the rest of the way. Meanwhile, the Wildcat batters started to scratch their way back. With one out in the bottom of the third, J. Michael Sharon doubled to centerfield and took third on an error. Jarrod Spears singled past the Stillwater third baseman, but on a head-up play, Stillwater shortstop Fields came up with the ball at the edge of the outfield to keep Sharon at third. However, Jeff Furnas collected the third straight hit off Stillwater’s Joe Weaver to put the Poncans on the scoreboard. Chris McCool then flied out to left to score Spears. Ponca City cut the lead to 8-3 in the fourth. Todd Stewart, who had three hits on the night, beat out a hit to deep short. McCoy, now at third, singled to left, moving Stewart to third. He scored on a single by Bryan Coppock. Stillwater added a run in the sixth on a pair of singles. But the Ponca Citians retaliated with two runs in the bottom of the sixth. With two outs, Furnas singled up the middle, scoring Sharon, who had walked. McCool then doubled to center but was out trying to reach third. The Cats, who split with Perry and Blackwell at Perry Saturday — losing to Perry 7-4 and beating Blackwell 6-4 — take a 13-15 record into the Guthrie Tournament Wednesday. Ponca City plays McGuinness in the first round at 2:30. The Wildcats return Friday to play Cushing at 2:30 and Choctaw at 7:30 p.m. The first and third place games are Saturday afternoon. Stillwater 9, Ponca City 5 Stillwater 260 001 0 — 9 8 1 Ponca City 002 102 0 — 5 10 2 Weaver (W), McCollough (6) and Birdwell; McCoy (L), Ward (2), Wilks (3) and Spears. HR — Fields, Severe, Wadley (Still) Wildcat Netters Fourth in LeaguePonca City’s Wildcat tennis team appears to be a set or two away from being one of the top teams in the area. The Wildcats finished fourth in the Frontier Conference tennis tournament held at the Wally Smith Tennis Center and the Ponca City Country Club Monday. But the Poncans lost two tough three-setters in two of their final matches of the day which kept them from finishing third or challenging for second place. Jenks took the boys’ title with 36 points, followed by Broken Arrow with 30, Tulsa Union with 25 and Ponca City with 23. Stillwater had 21 points while Bartlesville had 17, Owasso 13, Sand Spring 11 and Sapulpa 5. The No. 2 doubles team of Josh Pitts and Sterling Foy paced the Poncans with a second place finish. Easing past Sand Springs in the first round, Foy and Pitts had to come from behind to beat Broken Arrow, 0-6, 6-2, 6-4. That may have cost them in the finals as they lost to Jenks, 6-7, 6-2, 6-2. The No. 1 doubles team of Daniel Lee and Tim Frick placed fourth. They also had to wade through a pair of three-set matches. After losing in the second round to Broken Arrow, the Poncans stormed back to beat Bartlesville 4-6. 6-2, 6-3. In the third place match, Frick and Lee met Union and lost 6-4, 6-7, 6-3. No. 2 singles player Trevor Viljoen finished fifth, beating Sand Springs, losing to Jenks and Owasso before coming back to beat Sand Springs’ Joe Cox again, 6-3, 6-1. No. 1 singles Wildcat, Bilal Agha was sixth, beating Owasso and Sapulpa, but losing to Stillwater, Bartlesville and Broken Arrow. The Wildcats are back in action Thursday in a dual match at Stillwater.
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