From The Pages Of The Ponca City News, Wednesday,
April 8, 1998
LOCAL
Stone, Leonard Survive Four-Man Mayoral Prelim
How Ponca City Voted
Incumbents Retain Seats On Area School Boards
Several Churches Are Planning Special Easter Week Services
Treasure Hunt May 1-3 Planned At 101 Grounds
Marionette Theater Bringing Play to P.C.
District Court
County Cattlemen's Association Elects Officers
Easter Pageant On KLVV Sunday
Chilocco Reunion Set During June
Emergency Sirens To Sound Thursday
Skin Problems Seminar Set Here April 18
NOC Spring Musical 'Fiddler on the Roof'
Planning Panel Scrutinizes Mini-Storage Project Again
Week Of The Young Child
Area Calendar
Newspaper Project Complete
DEATHS
Leroy Earl Fultz
Raymond Clinton
Stella Fenwick
Hedda Marie Abraham
Beverly A. Crowley
Eunice Kay Vursels
Funerals
Rose Cadle
NEWS BRIEFS
LIFESTYLES
Alma Hedberg Will Celebrate 94th Birthday
Marketing Workshop To Be Held at OSU
Busy Bee Club Meets
Little News
Alpha Gamma Mother's Club Holds Meeting
SPORTS
Bentley Hurls No-Hitter, 6-0
Steidley Takes Mat Post
Lady Cats Testing Chances of Trip to State
JV Tennis
Jr-Hi Thinclads Still Improving
PC Bassmasters
Buddy Bass
Frontier Falls In Slugfest
Tennis Results
Wanna Catch 100-Pound Fish?
By PATTI PFEIFFER
News Staff Writer
"It ain't over until the fat lady sings" and there is a lot of singing yet to be done! The results of Tuesday's mayoral election didn't bring an end to the mayoral election nor the campaigning. Rather it resulted in the need for not one, but two more elections and at least two more months of campaigning.
Because none of the four candidates received a majority of the votes cast, there will be a runoff between the two candidates that received the most votes, both of whom are current city commissioners - Tom Leonard and Richard "Dick" Stone.
The runoff and election of a new mayor will now bring a vacancy in the city commission and with it the necessity for yet another a election - a city commissioner election.
Out of the 4,890 votes cast Tuesday, Stone received 36.8 percent with 1,803 votes, Candidate Leonard received 1,650 votes or 33.6 percent, Carl Balcer received 15.9 percent with 756 vote and Melvin Schoonover received 681 votes and 13.9 percent.
The two city commissioners waited for the results among friends, colleagues, acquaintances and campaign workers. With the sound of incoming and outgoing phone calls, calculators and occasional cheers and applause, the "watch parties" resembled command central.
The need for a runoff came as no real surprise to many people including the candidates themselves. "I thought there would probably be a runoff because there were four candidates in there," Leonard said after the results were announced. "This will give the community a chance to focus in on two candidates."
"It was inevitable," Stone said Tuesday evening. "There were two strong candidates and both are involved in city government."
The need for a runoff election came as no surprise to the current mayor. "I was not surprised at all," Mayor Marilyn Andrews stated. "I suspected there would be a runoff between the two."
Although not surprised, neither commissioner - knowing the runoff election would be more difficult - really treasured the idea of five more weeks of campaigning. "It means we will both have to get out and work hard," Leonard said. "I am going to do that and I am sure we will both make certain that our messages get out."
"I wish it weren't going to happen but that is politics," Stone said. "There were four candidates and now there are two in the swim, the ones the voters wanted the most."
The commissioners say that their campaign styles will not change in the runoff election. "I always said it would be a choice of leadership styles," Leonard stated. "I am going to keep sending the same message - average citizens can make a difference and by working together we can all make a difference and make Ponca City a better place to live - and if the people want to respond to that message then I am ready to respond with that kind of leadership."
Candidate Stone also stated that neither his campaign nor message would change for the runoff election. "I have made myself available and been involved in the untold hours of civic, city, church and non-profit organization work throughout the city," Stone stated. "And I have the management and business skills necessary to lead this city."
The runoff election is scheduled for May 12 and the ensuing city commissioner's election could be held as soon as June.
Here's how Ponca City voters voted Tuesday in the mayoral election. Since no candidate had 50 percent of the vote, there will be a May 12 runoff election between Tom Leonard and Richard Stone.
Leonard Stone Schoonover Balcer
Precinct Votes
Rural
413 116 162 20 40 414 2 0 0 0
419 36 21 23 26
Ponca City
503 165 152 72 73
504 127 157 40 75
507 134 83 64 46
516 74 44 31 30
517 79 49 49 37
523 66 71 64 44
527 177 118 67 64
530 103 92 56 65
532 232 458 76 105
533 98 77 50 56
534 172 287 61 26
Absentees 59 32 7 13
TOTAL 1,650 1,803 681 756
Incumbents retained their seats in Newkirk and Blackwell and propositions passed in both communities as election officials tallied results of Tuesday's elections.
And in an election at the Frontier Public School District, voters selected candidate Rexford Tautfest over Dennis Williams for Office No. 3 of the Board of Education. Janis Biggs of the Noble County election board said the official total was 121 to 91, comprising ballots from Noble, Kay and Pawnee counties.
In Blackwell, incumbent city commissioner Gene Holcomb outpolled former mayor Vernon Steelmon for the Commissioner of Public Property post. The unofficial vote was 1,054 to 821, according to election board secretary Carol Stafford.
The decision was a first elective success for Holcomb, who was appointed last year to fill the unexpired term of former commissioner Richard Hicks.
Blackwell voters also approved a proposition to grant a 10-year franchise for a cable communication system. Votes for the proposition outweighed the "no" votes, 1,593 to 274.
In Newkirk, incumbent city commissioner Frankie Arnold outpolled challenger David Cauley by a vote of 311 to 90, according to City of Newkirk spokesperson Pam Peters.
And Newkirk voters approved the retention of a one-cent sales tax increase to repair streets and drainage. The vote was 304 to 94.
By SALLY HODGES
News Staff Writer
Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter services and celebrations are planned by local churches in Ponca City in celebration of Holy Week. The following is a list of events scheduled in the local churches.
Grace Episcopal - will celebrate Maundy Thursday with Holy Communion and Stripping of the Alter ceremony at 7 p.m. followed by a Maundy Thursday/Good Friday prayer vigil at 9 p.m. Good Friday Liturgy and Holy Communion begins at 6 p.m. Holy Saturday Liturgy at 6 p.m. At 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist will be celebrated on Easter Sunday.
Community Christian - Wednesday, the last of a series of Lenten Prayer Services at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at 7 p.m. special message and drama and Lord's Supper. Easter Sunday sunrise service at 6:45 a.m. at the church, followed by breakfast. Sunday School at 9:30 and Worship at 10:30 a.m.
First United Methodist - Wednesday Night Live has been moved to Thursday and will begin with 5:30 p.m. dinner and singing and fellowship at 6 p.m. Maundy Thursday service in sanctuary instead of usual classes. A Saturday Easter egg hunt for children and family picnic at Redbud Park (next to Woodlands School). Easter Sunday celebration of Christ rising from the dead.
St. Paul's United Methodist - Holy week schedule includes a Maundy Thursday Communion service at 7:30 p.m. and on Friday the 10 Stations of the Cross Service at 7:30 p.m. Easter Sunday events will begin with sunrise service at 6:30 a.m., followed by an ASP breakfast from 7:30-9:30 a.m. and worship services at 8, 9:30 and 11 a.m.
First Presbyterian - A 5:30 p.m. Seder meal will begin the Maundy Thursday celebration followed by a 7:30 p.m. Communion service. A prayer vigil will be held from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Good Friday and a Tenebrae Service will be held at 7:30 p.m.. On Easter Sunday, a sunrise service at 6:30 a.m., followed by an 8 a.m. breakfast, 9 a.m. church school, and 10 a.m. worship service.
Kildare Baptist - Easter morning service at 10 a.m. (no Sunday School). No service on Sunday evening so family members can have extended time together.
Woodlands Christian - Maundy Thursday service at 7 p.m. Easter morning services include a contemporary service at 8 a.m., Sunday School at 9:15 a.m., and the traditional service at 10:30 a.m.
Albright United Methodist - Holy Thursday Communion at 6:30 p.m. Service of the Cross on Good Friday at 6:30 p.m. with the handbell choir and the driving of nails in a big wooden cross and carried outside. Participants are invited to bring flowers to place on the cross on Easter Sunday.
First Lutheran Church - Communion service on Maundy Thursday at 7 p.m. will conclude with the stripping of the alter. Good Friday service is 7 p.m.
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church - Maundy Thursday Communion at 7 p.m. will conclude the Lenten schedule. Good Friday service at 7 p.m. and the Easter Sunday service will be held at Lew Wentz Camp at 8 a.m. followed by breakfast.
Word of Life Christian Center - will serve Seder Supper at 6:30 on Good Friday.
Pioneer Christian Church - Maundy Thursday service at 7 p.m.
Prince of Peace Lutherans - Seder Supper on Maundy Thursday at 6:30 p.m. and Good Friday service at 7 p.m. Easter Sunday Communion service at 8:30 and 11 a.m. followed by a fellowship time and an Easter egg hunt.
Ponca Indian Baptist - Spring Revival - Easter Sunday service at 11 a.m. will conclude the spring revival beginning Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.
Asbury United Methodist - Maundy Thursday communion service at 7 p.m. Easter Sunday sunrise service at 6:30 a.m. followed by a Continental breakfast. Easter Sunday service at 10:45 a.m.
First Christian Church - Maundy Thursday service at 7 p.m. in the sanctuary; Sunrise Easter morning service at 6:30 a.m. in the northwest corner of the church block; Easter Sunday services at 8 and 10:40 a.m.
Hidden treasures such as a coin from the Atocha and ancient Rome will be found at the 101 Rodeo grounds at Treasure Weekend 1998 on May 1-3. Oklahoma Territory Treasure Hunters Club is sponsoring a Treasure Quest Open Hunt. The first prize, a 1998 Isuzu Hombre pickup, is just the beginning of the prizes to be awarded. Other prizes include pearls, gold coins and jewelry and much more.
The events begin Friday evening with a night hunt. Saturday will be filled with a variety of hunts such as the mystery hunt, gem stone hunt and gold and silver, ring and jewelry hunt as well as the truck hunt with various hunts and the awards ceremony on Sunday.
Treasures will be buried in the ground and found by the use of metal detectors. The public is invited to watch or join in the fun. The entry fees range from $5 to $185 depending on activities entered. Entries have been received from Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Nebraska, Kansas, Illinois, Wisconsin, Louisiana. Texas, Arkansas and other surrounding states.
For additional information, call Robert Taglialatela, hunt master, at (580) 765-9727.
Miss Fay's Touring Historical Marionette Theater will bring the play "The Last Land Run: Opening of Kickapoo Territory" to Ponca City and area fourth-grade elementary school students April 14 through 27.
The Ponca City Arts and Humanities Council is sponsoring the event with assistance by the Oklahoma Arts Touring Program.
The play about Oklahoma history presented in traditional marionette theater format is performed by veteran puppeteer and teacher Joann McMillan and magnificently carved wooden marionettes.
McMillan recreates the role of early Chandler school teacher Miss Fay Armstrong, known for her artistry and creativity in teaching with marionettes she designed and made. The Children's Historical Resource Center, new division of the Pioneer Museum at Chandler, produced the touring theater which revives "Miss Fay's" legacy with new characters and plays about Oklahoma history. A question and answer session about the history is conducted and a program about puppetry around the world follows the play in each of the 1 1/2 hour presentations set for 9:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. each day.
For location of performances or for additional information call (888) 258-2809 or Kenn Wessel at 765-0943.
Blackwell
Divorces Sought
Michael P. Edwards vs. Dani L. Edwards.
Tina Louise Fox vs. David Lynn Fox.
Toby Kirk Gose vs. Khrystal Dawn Gose.
Civil Proceedings
Matthew Stolhand, et al., vs. Brian Scott Page; plaintiffs seeking judgment in excess of $10,000.
Lloyd Ferguson and Carolyn Ferguson vs. Earl. G. Cox and Vickie M. Cox et al.; petition to reclaim property.
Derry Taylor of Blackwell was elected president of the Kay County Cattlemen's Association following the organization's annual banquet Tuesday night at Ponca City's Elk Lodge.
Taylor, who served as county vice president this past year, will take over from outgoing county president Stan Claybaker of Blackwell, who has served four years on the board of directors.
The association elected Pat Ronck of Tonkawa to assume Claybaker's spot on the board of the Third District. Ronck will join Taylor and fellow District Three board members Dale DeWitt and Mark Arnold, both of Braman.
In the First District, Jeff Miller of Ponca City was elected to replace outgoing director David Schiltz of Ponca City. Miller will join District One board members David Fruits and Casey Esch, both of Tonkawa, and Mark Liegerot of Ponca City.
In the Second District, R.Q. Spencer of Newkirk was elected to replace outgoing director Steve Kelle of Braman. Spencer will join District Two board members Joe Schieber, Steve Cline and Jake Olsen, all of Newkirk.
At the county level, David Fruits was selected as the association's vice president and Kay County OSU ag agent Larry Fleck will remain as secretary/treasurer.
The association's members and guests mixed business with entertainment Tuesday night during the annual banquet, hearing from former state president Harold Wooderson of Blackwell and from Western humorist/cowboy storyteller Sky Shivers.
The association also honored outgoing county association president Stan Claybaker for his four years of service on the board.
Greater Ponca City Easter Pageant will be aired by Christian radio station KLVV Easter Sunday at 1:30 p.m.
The Easter Pageant is presented each year by First Baptist Church. Thousands of people attended the pageant at the Hutchins Memorial Auditorium.
For the past three years, KLVV has rebroadcast the pageant as an Easter special. Doyle Brewer, station manager, said, "We're glad to have the opportunity to share the Easter message with listeners all across the area by means of this Easter pageant. We do play Christian music every day, but this gives us a chance to tell the incredible Easter story."
KLVV is heard on 88.7 FM in Ponca City and around Northern Oklahoma and at 98.3 FM in Enid, 106.7 FM in Stillwater, and 97.3 FM in Guthrie.
The Chilocco National Alumni Association will hold its annual reunion June 11, 12, 13, and 14 at the Radison Inn, I-40 and Meridian in Oklahoma City.
The Chilocco Indian School was opened in 1884 and served as an Indian educational institute for almost 100 years until it was closed in 1980. All Chilocco alumni are invited and are encouraged to attend.
For additional information, contact Fred Underwood, Rt. 1 Box 248-B, Wynnewood, OK 73098.
The testing of the Ponca City emergency siren warning system will be held at noon, every Thursday, according to Tom Montgomery, emergency management operations officer.
The test is scheduled throughout the year.
Montgomery said that in case of inclement weather, the test will be postponed, and in this case or if additional tests are planned, the public will be notified by the Ponca City News and the radio stations.
"For Women, By Women" educational seminar and luncheon is set for April 18, in Conference Room C at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. Tamara Hill, M.D., local dermatologist, will speak. The cost of the luncheon is $5.
"Skin problems are a topic of conversation for young women as well as older women. Their problems may be different, but females of all ages spend a lot of time and effort keeping their skin looking healthy and vibrant," said Hill.
Dr. Hill will discuss routine care of the skin for different skin types and then focus on skin cancer, the most prevalent of all cancers, and stress the importance of early detection. She will provide information about risk factors and some helpful tips for prevention of skin cancer. A question and answer period will follow the presentation.
The "For Women, By Women" educational series is sponsored by St. Joseph Regional Medical Center and is held on a quarterly basis.
Lunch will be served at noon. Reservations are required and made by calling Sandy Gerhard at 765-0301 by April 15.
TONKAWA - Casting for the Northern Oklahoma College spring musical, "Fiddler on the Roof," has been completed, according to Mariann Priboy, director of musical theatre.
Jera Dunn, Perry, and Brad Ellis, Enid, will play the couple Golde and Tevye, respectively. Ponca City students appearing on stage include Joe Lessert and Kevin Goldman, alternating as Motel; Tim Muniz as Lazar Wolfe; Trish Challis, Grandma Tzeitel; Geoff Forbes, Mordcha, the innkeeper; Mark Oblad will play the Fiddler.
Clayton Keyes, Ponca City, takes the role of the Russian tenor. Ricky Cordova and Nick Michael are cast as sons and villagers with Jan Huston and Erin Sylvester as daughters and villagers.
Kelly Haikin, Crescent, and Dru Heffington, Bartlesville, will alternate in the role of Tzeitel while Sarah Fiscus, Blackwell, and Molly Hall, Edmond, share the role of Tzeitel's sister, Hodel. Christy Kelley, Tulsa, plays the third sister, Chava.
Playing Hodel's and Chava's sweethearts are Shane Ellis, Enid, and Perchik and David Kindred, Blackwell, as Fyedka.
Also in the cast are Blackwell residents Kris DeYoe as Yente and Don Sloper as the Rabbi; and Katie Thompson, Enid, as Fruma-Sarah. Devin Tebow, Lamont, plays Mendel, the Rabbi's son, and Josh Long, Tonkawa, is Avrahm, the bookseller.
Dobry Priboy, Bartlesville, will portray Tevye's daughter Bielke, while Rebecca Perry, Cleveland, plays Motel's mother Shandel.
Sons and villagers are portrayed by Jeremy Pfaff and Seth Fiscus, Blackwell; and Blake Tebow, Lamont. Summer Williamson, Tonkawa, plays a daughter/villager.
Keri Kitchen, Tulsa, is stage manager for the production directed by Priboy. Theatre faculty John Michael Warburton is technical director and Luke Hadsall, Blackwell, is assistant technical director.
The musical will play in the Northern Performing Arts Center on April 17-18 and 23-25 at 8 p.m. A Sunday matinee will be presented on April 19 at 2 p.m.
By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE
News Staff Writer
After an hour and 15 minutes of intense scrutiny the Ponca City Planning Commission once more approved the Planned Unit Development (PUD) for the property at Lansbrook and Hartford for a mini-storage.
The measure had been passed back to the Planning Commission twice by the City Commission. The Planning Commission denied the request the first time, and the second time made an exception by placing the property in a PUD.
The PUD designation requires that before there are any changes in use of the property it must come back before the Planning Commission for a Permissible on Review ruling.
The Tuesday evening session was spent nit-picking 22 stipulations laid out by planner Larry Lawhon and the Technical Review Committee. Standing in for Lawhon was city engineer Randy Lauritzen.
One of the major concerns was that Lawhon had determined that the two mini-storage buildings was all that had been approved. Steve Payne, representing L.K. Davis, had indicated a third structure, a storage building would be built in the future, but had decided it was needed when the other buildings were built.
The Planning Commission agreed on the third structure, which is to be used for storing lawn mowers and for items left behind by renters of the mini storages. The planners stipulated that the end of the building be bricked in keeping with the residential area.
Also eliminated was the striping for the parking lot. The hours of business were designated as 7 a.m., to 7 p.m. and security at all hours. A location for the trash dumpster was designated and the size of the sign was designated as not to exceed the legal limit in a residential area.
There was no one present Tuesday evening to speak in opposition. The matter will go back on the City Commission's agenda for final action.
In the beginning the request was for rezoning the property from R2-C condominium/townhouse district to C1C local commercial district, use permissible on review for an upper scale mini-storage facility.
By PATTI CARMACK
Lifestyles Editor
This year marks the 28th celebration of the Week of the Young Child with the theme, "Early Years are Learning Years Make Them Count!"
Although many events occur throughout the month, the official week in Oklahoma has been designated as April 5 through 11. (Oklahoma's special week differs from the week celebrated nationally because of the tragic loss of life - including children in day care - caused by the April 19,1995, bombing of the Murrah Building in Oklahoma City.)
The annual celebration, April 19-25, is sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children and reminds us that the early years are the basis for all learning.
The early years shape children's success in school and later life, says Prins Ella Anderson, programs administrator for the Office of Child Care. Celebrating the Week of the Young Child provides an opportunity to focus public attention on the importance of quality child care for Oklahoma's children.
The statewide contact is RaeLynn Herron, who can be reached at Children's New World West, 702 Garth Brooks Blvd., Yukon, OK 73099 or at 405-354-5056.
Local Association Daycare providers participating in this event include the Pioneer Technology Center, and the First Baptist and Assembly of God churches. Also placing emphasis on the care and development of young children are Child Development Center, KinderCare, St. Mary's Catholic School daycare, the First Baptist Teen Parent child care and the city-operated Tumblebears program.
Department of Human Services
"The Week of the Young Child is a time to recommit ourselves to ensuring that all children receive the type of early environment that will promote their early development" said Anderson. Making the early years count as the very best learning years for all children - that's what the Week of the Young Child is all about.
Key Facts
The quality of young children's environment and social experiences has a decisive, long-lasting impact on their well-being and ability to learn. But many children do not receive the supportive environments needed to promote healthy development and learning.
Population and family characteristics: How many young children are in the United States? There are about 23 million children between the ages of birth through 5 and another 23 million children between the ages of 6 to 11, according to the Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics 1997.
What proportion of the population do children represent? Children make up 26% of the U.S. population, down from a peak of 36% in 1960. This proportion is expected to remain relatively stable through 2020.
What is the racial and ethnic composition of children in the U.S.? In 1996, 66% of U.S. children were White, non-Hispanic; 15% were Black, non-Hispanic; 14% were Hispanic; 4% were Asian or Pacific Islander; and 1% were American Indian or Alaskan Native.
Child health and well-being: How many infants are born with one or more health risks (late or no prenatal care, low maternal weight gain, smoking during pregnancy, and drinking alcohol during pregnancy) that can directly affect their physical health? In 1995, 34% of infants were born with 1 or more health risks, down from 37% in 1990 (National Educational Goals Panel 1997).
How well are children immunized? In 1996, the percentage of 2-year-olds who were fully immunized ranged from 88% in the best states to 64% in the worst states; across the United States, 78% of all 2-year-olds were fully immunized in 1996 (National Educational Goals Panel 1997).
What percentage of children live in poverty? In 1995, 20% of children (younger than 18) lived in families with cash incomes below the poverty line. Children younger than age 6 are more likely to be in poverty (24%) than older children (18%) (Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics 1997).
How many children go hungry? In 1994, 8% of children in households with incomes at or below 130% of poverty sometimes or often did not have enough food, compared to less than 1% of children in households above130% of poverty (Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics 1997).
Child care and education
How many families need child care? In 1995, 78% of families with children younger than age 18 had at least one parent who worked full time. Since 1970, the proportion of two-parent families in which both the mother and the father worked all year full time has more than doubled, from 13% in 1970 to 32% in 1995. (Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics 1997).
How many children younger than age six are in child care in the United States? Approximately 13 million infants, toddlers, and preschool children are regularly cared for in nonparental care (National Center for Education Statistics 1995).
How many infants are cared for by individuals other than their parents? Forty-five percent of children younger than age of one are in child care on a regular basis. (National Center for Education Statistics 1995).
What types of child care are used by working families with preschool children? Of children younger than five with employed mothers in 1994, the Census Bureau found that families used the following child care arrangements:
29% were cared for in a child care center;
15% were cared for in family child care homes;
25% were cared for by relatives other than parents;
5% were cared for by non-relatives in the family home
24% were cared for by parents themselves (Internet release, January 1998: http://www.census.gov)
How does quality child care affect a child's intellectual capabilities? Research shows that children in better quality care/early education programs have stronger language, pre-mathematics, and social skills than those in lower quality classrooms. Quality care has an even greater impact on "at-risk" children's language skills and self-perception (Helburn 1995). According to the NICHD Early Child Care Research Network (1997), higher quality care for very young children (0 to 3) was consistently related to high
NAEYC first established the Week of the Young Child in 1971, recognizing that the early childhood years (birth through age 8) lay the foundation for children's success in school and later life. The Week of the Young Child is a time to focus on the needs of young children and families and to plan how we - as citizens of a community, of a state, and of a nation - will better meet the needs of all young children and their families.
Why focus on young children and early childhood programs? Today we know more than ever before as to the importance of children's earliest years in shaping their learning and development. It is increasingly clear that an adverse early environment can compromise brain function and place children at greater risk of developing a variety of cognitive, behavioral, and physical difficulties.
The good news, however, is that "a good start in life can do more to promote learning and prevent damage than we ever imagined" (Carnegie Task Force 1994, pp. 4-5). Yet, never before have the needs of young children and their families been more pressing. A significant number of children confront one or more major risk factors: inadequate health care, isolated parents who lack adequate family and community supports, substandard child care and education, poverty, or insufficient attention by parents because of workplace or other pressures.
Professionals in the field say there is a need for our entire nation to commit to ensuring that each and every young child in our country has the best possible early childhood and lives in a community that values and supports each child and family.
March 11-April 8
April 1-30
April 5-25
April 9
April 10
April 11
April 12
April 13
April 14
April 14-May 9
April 16
April 16-19
April 17
April 17-18
April 18
April 19
April 20
April 21
April 23
April 24
April 24-25
April 26
April 28
April 30
May 1
May 1-31
May 2
May 3
May 4
May 5
May 7
May 8
May 9
May 12
May 13
May 16
May 19
May 24
May 23
After a six-year Oklahoma newspaper project, the Oklahoma Historical Society reports 76 Kay County newspaper titles are now cataloged in a national library network for use by researchers all over the country.
The Kay County titles were among more than 3,500 titles cataloged on the Online Computer Library Center and in a printed Union List of Oklahoma Newspapers, said Dr. Bob Blackburn, deputy executive director of the Historical Society. The newspapers are available in the Historical Society Archives and Manuscripts Division.
Newspapers are among the Historical Society's most significant resources, Blackburn pointed out.
"They tell the history of Oklahoma as it happened in each community," he said. "Saving newspapers was the first priority of the Oklahoma Historical Society in 1893, when it was founded by the Oklahoma Press Association. Microfilm copies are now provided to local libraries and historical organization at low fees."
The Historical Society now has more than 87 percent of all the newspapers ever published in Oklahoma back to 1844. Now that they are cataloged, they are available to historians, genealogists and other researchers all over the United States.
For information on microfilmed newspapers, call (405) 522-5210.
DEATHS
BLACKWELL - Leroy Earl Fultz, formerly of Blackwell, died in the Veterans Center in Claremore Tuesday, April 7, 1998. He was 79.
The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, April 10, 1998, at the Church of Christ in Blackwell. David Fultz and Loren McCord, pastors, will officiate. Burial will be in Blackwell Cemetery with a flag presentation by members of American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars and DAV.
Leroy Earl Fultz was born Dec. 1, 1918, in Portland, Kan., to Earl and Susan Elizabeth (Smith) Fultz. His early schooling was in Portland, Kan., and he moved with his family to Braman and the Blackwell area in 1931 where he attended the Battle Axe Rural School. Following his schooling, he began working on neighboring farms until 1941 when he entered the U.S. Army. He served with the 3564th Ordinance Group in the European Theater during World War II.
He married Merlene Fitch on July 5, 1941, in Perry and they settled in Blackwell. Following his discharge he returned to Blackwell and they settled on a farm south of Braman, living there until 1950 when they moved to a farm west of Braman. He farmed there until 1994 when they moved into Blackwell. He served as a rural mail carrier from 1967 through 1983, working out of Braman, Newkirk and Billings. In 1995 he moved to the Claremore Veterans Center. He was a member of the Church of Christ of Blackwell and the American Legion.
Fultz is survived by his wife, Merlene Fultz; six daughters, Karen Hill of Arkansas City, Kan., Jo Rainbolt and Susan Cummins, both of Claremore, Sherry Henderson of Stillwater, Nancy Leslie of Blackwell and Lorena Heiden of Choctaw; two sons, Gary of Blackwell and Earl of Grandview, Mo.; three sisters, Earlene Rhors of Blackwell, Thelma Smith of Winfield, Kan., and Wanda Pingry of Arkansas City, Kan.; 24 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a son, Douglas Leroy Fultz, his parents, and three brothers, Kenneth, Victor and Calvin Fultz.
Casket bearers will be Bronze Hill, Shawn Cummins, Curtis Rainbolt, Charles Storck, Jason Rainbolt and Robert Bergman. Honorary casket bearers are Carl Storck, Bill Shoffner, Jordan Fultz, Aud Pingry, Harold Fox, George Rowe, Trenton Leslie, Audie Nodine, Derald Crow, Ryan Henderson and Adam Heiden.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Fultz' name to Claremore Veterans Center, P.O. Box 988, Claremore, OK 74018 or Parkinsons Information and Referral Center, 3220 South Peoria, Tulsa, OK 74105-2099.
GIRARD, Kan. - Raymond Clinton, former Ponca City resident, died Monday afternoon, April 6, 1998, in the emergency room at Hospital District No. 1 in Girard, Kan. He was 61.
The funeral will be held graveside at the Girard City Cemetery at 11 a.m. Friday, April 10. with the Rev. Gaylord DeMoure officiating. Military honors will be conducted by the Girard American Legion Post No. 26.
Friends may visit at the Bath-Naylor Funeral Home, 522 South Broadway, Pittsburg, Kan., after 9 a.m. Thursday. The family will be at the funeral home, from 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday for visitation.
Raymond Clinton was born Sept. 18, 1936, in Ponca City, the son of Walter William and Effie (King) Clinton. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and was honorably discharged in 1962.
On Feb. 25, 1961, he was married to Dianne Snyder in Ripley, Okla., and the couple lived in Oklahoma until moving to the Pittsburg, Kan. area in August 1966. Clinton had been employed for 25 years as a heavy equipment operator and mechanic by Heckert Construction Co., in Pittsburg. He was a former member of the Gooding Road Baptist Church in Girard, Kan.
He is survived by his wife, Dianne, Rural Route 1, Pittsburg, Kan.; two sons, Dwayne of Cherokee, Kan., and David of Girard, Kan.; one daughter, Angela Renee Hall of Stillwater; his mother, Effie Clinton of Ponca City; one brother, Jesse Clinton of Ponca City; two sisters, Shirley Saunders of Sulphur, and Carolyn Fairchild of Ponca City; and four grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father; an infant sister, Betty; and an infant brother.
Stella Fenwick, Ponca City resident, died Tuesday afternoon, April 7, 1998, at Tender Heart Health Care Center, Ponca City. She was 96.
The funeral will be held 2 p.m. Thursday at Trout Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. John J. Michalicka, pastor, St. Mary's Catholic Church, officiating. Burial will be in Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery. There will be no viewing at the service; however, friends may call at the funeral home until 1 p.m. Thursday.
Stella (Grall) Fenwick was born October 15, 1901, in Neva, Wis., to John and Sarah (Colbeck) Grall. She was a homemaker and has been a Ponca City resident since 1985. Mrs. Fenwick was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church. Her hobbies were her family.
She is survived by two daughters, Betty Goddard of Ponca City and Catherine Mottola of Lopez, Wash.; one sister, Helen McCormack of Fairfield, Calif.; four grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and eight great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, six brothers, and three sisters.
Casket bearers will be Benjamin Turbeville, Stephen Turbeville, Ricky Hooker, John Eakers, Michael Lessert and Pat Lessert.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary's Catholic Church, P.O. Box 1330, Ponca City, OK 74602.
Wichita, Kan. - Hedda Marie Abraham, former Ponca City resident, died Tuesday morning, April 7, 1998, at William Newton Memorial Hospital in Winfield, Kan. She was 70.
The funeral will be held at 2:30 p.m. Friday, April 10, at the Old Mission Cemetery Mausoleum Chapel in Wichita, Kan. Friends may visit at the Miles Funeral Service in Winfield, Kan., from noon to 9 p.m. Thursday.
Hedda Marie Abraham was born Jan. 24, 1928, in Ponca City, one of four children born to Joseph and Katherine (Taylor) Abraham. In 1930, she moved with her parents to Wichita, then returned to Ponca City in 1945. She again moved with the family to Wichita in 1958. She had been a resident of Focus Developmental Center in Winfield, Kan., since 1979.
Miss Abraham had been a baptized member of St. George Orthodox Christian Church. Some of her favorite interests included, shopping, wristwatches, shoes, talking and dancing.
Survivors include a brother, N.J. Abraham of Wichita, Kan.; one sister, Dode Jabara of Wichita, Kan.; and eight nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, and one sister, Phyllis Mannering.
OKLAHOMA CITY - Beverly A. Crowley, former Ponca City resident, died Monday, April 6, 1998, in Oklahoma City. She was 51.
The funeral is set for 2 p.m. Saturday at the Bill Eisenhour Southeast Chapel with burial at the Kolb, Okla. Cemetery.
Beverly A. (Lambert) Crowley was born Jan. 12, 1947, in Blackwell to William R. and Grace M. (Shipman) Lambert.
Survivors include her husband Colin Crowley of the home in Oklahoma City; one daughter, Robin Johnson of Tonkawa; four sons, Raymond Osborn, John Osborn, and Christopher Crowley, all of Oklahoma City and Randall Osborn of Claremore; her mother, Grace Lambert of Ponca City; one brother, Alvin Lambert of Ponca City; and one sister, Kay McCauley of Fairfax. She was preceded in death by her father and one brother, John Lambert.
HOBART - Eunice Kay Vursels, mother of Marilyn K. Jantz of Ponca City, died Sunday, April 5, 1998, in Albuquerque, N.M. She was 77.
A memorial service was to be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday, April 8, at the Steadman-Hall Funeral Home in Socorro, N.M. The Rev. Cullen Woods was to officiate. Burial will be in the Hobart Rose Cemetery in Hobart, Okla., at 10 a.m. Friday.
Eunice Kay (Robinson) Vursels was born Dec. 9, 1920 in Gray, Iowa, to Ralza and Mary (Voght) Robinson.
Survivors include one son, Robert Wayne Vursels of Socorro, N.M.; one daughter, Marilyn K. Jantz of Ponca City; one sister, Maxine Newell of Gray, Iowa; a sister-in-law; three grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and many other relatives and friends.
Thursday
Rose Cadle - Funeral to be graveside at 3 p.m. at Tonkawa IOOF
Cemetery under the direction of McCafferty-Bolick Funeral Home, Tonkawa.
NEWS BRIEFS
Afton Alumni - The Afton Alumni reunion is scheduled for 6 p.m. May 23 at the vo-tech center located three miles northeast of Afton on Highway 69. Tickets are $10 per person and reservations, including money, must be made by May 4 to Afton School Reunion, P.O. Box 656, Afton, OK 74331. Honor classes are 1938, 1948, 1958, 1968, 1978. Nominations for Outstanding Alumnus should also be included.
Parenting Workshop - A parenting workshop will be held Thursday entitled "Job Preparedness." Carmaleta Wesbrook will be facilitating the workshops and they will be held at the Family Resource Center, 700 W. Broadway, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Refreshments and child care will be available. Please call 767-8000, ext. 247 or 767-9509 to sign up for the workshop.
Legion Auxiliary - Members of American Legion Auxiliary 14 will meet at the post Thursday at 1:30 p.m.
Piano Concert - Rosilee Walker, pianist, will appear in concert April 18, 8 p.m., at the Poncan Theatre and at a Master Class April 18, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church. All events are free to the public and are sponsored by Arts and Humanities, Conoco and the Mid-America Arts Alliance.
U.S.S. Ranger Reunion - U.S.S. Ranger (CVA/CV-61) will hold its 11th annual reunion of all hands (ship's company) including all detachments and air groups July 2-4 in Seattle. Wash. For information call (201) 798-3599 or write to U.S.S. Ranger (CVA/CV-61) Reunion Association, Inc., Teddy Pathroff (Retention-Recruiter), 39 Carlton Ave., Jersey City, NJ 07301-3807.
Agrarians Meet - The Agrarian Club will meet Thursday, 6 p.m. at the Western Sizzlin' in the Southwest Meeting Room. The program is being arranged by Floyd and Irene Harden and the speaker will be from the American Legion Children's Home.
Legion Meeting - The regular meeting of the American Legion is Thursday, 7:30 p.m. at the Legion post. All members are encouraged to attend.
Holiday for Library - The Ponca City Library will be closed Friday through Sunday for the Easter holiday. It will reopen at 9 a.m. April 13.
No Trash Pickup - City offices will be closed for Easter on Friday and therefore there will be no garbage collection that day. In addition, the landfill and recycling center will also be closed on Friday but both will be open during regular hours on Saturday.
Birthday Supper - A birthday supper and prayer meeting for Florence Cole will be held at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the Ponca Indian United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall. Everyone is invited.
Accident - An accident at West Grand Avenue and Peachtree Street was reported at 7:29 a.m. Tuesday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Broken Window - A man in the 2600 block of North Fifth Street advised police at 7:48 a.m. Tuesday that the window of his car had been broken out. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Break-In - At 9:01 a.m. Tuesday a woman in the 400 block of North Twelfth Street called police to report that her vehicle had been broken into. A report was taken.
Car Fire - A car fire was reported at 9:20 a.m. Tuesday in the 300 block of Fairview Avenue. A fire unit responded and extinguished the fire.
Downed Line - At 9:31 a.m. Tuesday police were called to Bradley Avenue and North Fourteenth Street after a power line reportedly fell on a semi-tractor trailer.
Arrest - Police arrested a 32-year-old man at 10:50 a.m. Tuesday from the 600 block of North Oak Street on a city warrant for failure to appear.
Vandalism - At 12:06 p.m. Tuesday a man in the 200 block of South Seventh Street notified police that his house had been vandalized. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Arrest - A 27-year-old man was arrested at 12:08 p.m. Tuesday from North Pine Street and West Cleveland Avenue for driving under suspension and on a Kay County warrant for civil contempt.
Stolen Toy - At 1:35 p.m. Tuesday a toy gun was reportedly stolen from the Caboose Thrift Shop at South First Street and Central Avenue. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Accident - An accident at North Fourteenth Street and Viola Avenue was reported at 2:02 p.m. Tuesday. A report was taken.
Juvenile Shoplifter - Police apprehended a 14-year-old boy at 3:26 p.m. Tuesday from Wal-Mart, 1101 East Prospect Avenue, for grand larceny. He was released to his parents.
Student Injured - At 4:37 p.m. Tuesday a 15-year-old boy was treated at the emergency room at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center for injuries he received from being kicked at the Mid High School. A report was taken.
Accident - A non-injury accident at East Hartford Avenue and Joe Street was reported at 4:48 p.m. Tuesday.
Backing Accident - At 7:31 p.m. Tuesday a woman in the 2100 block of North Fourteenth Street called police to report that a vehicle had backed into her vehicle. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Injured Bird - A woman in the 800 block of North Fourth Street called police at 1:37 a.m. Wednesday to report a possible injured bird in her back yard. A note was left for animal control.
Arrest - Police arrested a 39-year-old man at 2:08 a.m. Wednesday from South Fourth Street and England Avenue for driving under the influence, possession of drug paraphernalia and careless driving.
Frog Exploration - Celebrate the arrival of spring with the Frog
Exploration program offered by Chaplin Nature Center in Arkansas City April
17, 7:30-8:30 p.m. Spring rains and warm weather start frogs and toads to
chorus. The group will listen to the chorus and also search for frogs hoping
to get a close up and personal look at some amphibians. Call (316) 442-4133
to reserve space for you and your family.
LIFESTYLES
Alma Hedberg will celebrate her 94th birthday on Easter Sunday. She was born April 12, 1904, the second daughter of Erick and Rosa Hedberg, on the homestead he claimed during the Cherokee Strip Run in 1893. Miss Hedberg still resides on the farm located north of Ponca City.
Marilyn Robbins of Ponca City is making a special birthday cake and Miss Hedberg requests no gifts. She would appreciate visits, phone calls and cards for her birthday. A member of the Methodist Church for 77 years, she is a member of the Prairie Chapel Church northwest of Ponca City.
Miss Hedberg attended the Kildare Consolidated District I School, and following the eighth grade she attended Ponca City Schools, graduating in 1922 from the Ponca City High School. She was awarded a 4-H scholarship to attend Oklahoma A&M, now called Oklahoma State University. She received a bachelor of science degree in education with a life certificate in math and a life elementary certificate. Miss Hedberg taught school for 43 years in Kay, Osage and Grant counties as well as tutoring students in her home.
A 55-year 4-H leader, Miss Hedberg has been involved and held office in many organizations, including the Newkirk Business and Professional Women, OEA, Lost Creek Home Demonstration Club and school groups. She received several first prize awards at the Kay County Fair for canning, sewing, refinishing furniture, art and flowers. Miss Hedberg is still active in gardening and raising poultry as well as canning vegetables and participating in church work.
She has a niece, Carlene Hedberg White of Arkansas City, Kan; a nephew, Wendell Lee Smith of St. Louis, Mo.; four great-nieces, Debra Randol and Jorden Whitfield of Ponca City, Tammie Benzinger of Chicago, Ill. and Carrie Smith of Bloomington, Ind., and a great-nephew, Chris Smith of Tulsa; two great-great-nieces and a great-great-nephew.
As more Oklahomans venture into the world of operating a home-based or micro-business, the need for more education in the area of marketing continues to rise. A joint effort between Oklahoma State University and the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture will provide entrepreneurs with the opportunity to learn about marketing during a two-day workshop in Oklahoma City. said Mary Rhyne, OSU Cooperative Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences. "Marketing: A Key to Business Success," is planned May 29-30 at the OSU/OKC campus.
"We want to let people know how crucial marketing is to a business," said Glenn Muske, OSU Cooperative Extension home-based and micro-business specialist. "Businesses survive by selling. People who get educated in marketing stay in business and do better." Various marketing and business specialists will be on hand to provide marketing training. "We hope to provide the participants with the opportunity to explore marketing and meet industry professionals." he said. "We encourage not only individuals who already are in business, but those people who are thinking about venturing out into entrepreneurship." Because many of Oklahoma's home-based and micro-businesses are food-related, the first day of the workshop will focus on marketing the food, agricultureandvalue-addedproduct. JJ. B. Pratt, owner and president of Pratt Food Stores, will be on hand to offer advice on how entrepreneurs can market their products through his chain of grocery stores. In addition, Barbara Brown, OSU Cooperative Extension food safety specialist, will provide information on starting a food-based business. The agenda also will feature small business owners just like those in attendance. Sammie Wilson, owner of The Bread Company in Edmond, and Lee Henry, Rockin' L-H Asparagus proprietor in Stidham, will relate their Oklahoma Trade Show experiences.
Day two of the workshop will feature more of the mechanics of marketing Gwen Benson of the Women's Business Center will talk about marketing a business on a shoestring budget. Muske will provide information about the different avenues of marketing. "The home-based and micro-business industry in Oklahoma is continuing to grow," Muske said. "We simply want business owners and potential business owners to know we're here to help in any way we can." For more information about the workshop, contact Muske at 405-744-5776.
Members of the Busy Bee Club met April 1 at the home of Ruby Harvey, 1309 Chestnut. Beulah McCartney conducted the business meeting with seven members answering roll call. Louise Womack led the group in the salute to the flag and The Lord's Prayer. Helen Taylor gave the devotion "His Love is Always Near."
Helen Hiskett gave the treasurer's report and members reported on visiting at the nursing home. Games were played with prizes going to Louise Womack and Beulah McCartney. The Mystery Bowl prize was won by Chloe Lewis. The April 15 meeting will be at the home of Helen Hiskett, 3901 North Union.
Curtis and Jamie Roland of Wichita, Kan. announce the birth of their second child, a daughter, HaLee Jo Roland, on April 5, 1998. She weighed 8-pounds, 8.6 ounces. The baby has a brother, Alek.
Grandparents are Ron and Sandy Berwert of Winfield, Kan., Doug and Sharon Roland of Wichita, Kan. and Elard and Maralyn Haden of Ponca City. Juanita Montoya of Winfield, Kan. is the great-grandmother.
Members of the Alpha Gamma Mother's Club met on March 23 for their bimonthly meeting at the home of Mrs. Karen Yost. Mrs. Mary Spears led the Collect and Aims and Chaplain Jean Hess read a devotional from the book "Joy Breaks". Secretary Carol O'Rear read the minutes and Mrs. Yost gave the treasurer's report. There were seven members present.
The projects committee is planning to make an Easter basket for a local family. The history book committee urged members to complete their family page for the club history book before convention time.
During new business, the OAMC Spring bulletin was distributed and read.
Mrs. Yost presented the program for the evening. She read portions from
the chapter entitled "Low Down on Low Life" from the book "How
To Avoid Housework". Carol O'Rear won the friendship basket. The next
regular meeting will be on April 13 at the home of Mrs. O'Rear, 3612 Ashbury
Road.
SPORTS
By MATTHEW KOENIG
News Sports Writer
Ponca City pitcher Jay Bentley performed one of the rarest feats in baseball Tuesday night, throwing a no-hitter in the second game of a double header against Charles Page to shut the Sandites down, 6-0.
The Sandites split with the Poncans, however, taking the first game 9-5.
Bentley struck out three, and behind a stepped-up defense, including highlight stops in the infield by shortstop Justin Thomas and second baseman Brian Benson, the senior right hander effectively silenced the Sandites' bats. Bentley was also 3-for-6 at the plate through both games, with an RBI and a walk.
"He was just awesome," said a very pleased coach Roydon Tilley, who had a hard time recalling the last time he'd witnessed a no-hitter at the high school level. "I'm so proud of the young man, I'm happy for Jay Bentley right now. This is special. He's really stepping up for us."
The Wildcats (5-12), who have won three of their last five games, also knocked out eight hits and capitalized on two Sand Springs errors to put some runs on the board. Michael Quick started the Poncans off in the second inning with a single, stole second, and was driven in on consecutive sacrifice bunts by Dean Hemenway and Evan Rupp.
In the third, Mark Smith drew a walk, advanced to third on a steal and a wild pitch, and came in on a sacrifice fly by Thomas.
The Cats upped the ante again in the fifth. Thomas was hit by a pitch and came in on a double by Bentley. Rupp then drew a walk, advanced on a wild pitch, and came in on a single by nine hole hitter Kevin Reusser to make it 4-0 in the top of the sixth.
The Poncans picked up two more insurance runs in the seventh. First, catcher Jarrod Spears blasted a ball over the left field fence to post his second home run in three games, followed by Thomas, who was hit by a pitch and later came in on a Sandite throwing error.
To Tilley, the whole team effort bodes well for the remainder of the Cats' season.
"They took that game one pitch at a time," he says. "We lose games because we make key mistakes at key times and get into a bind, but that was a whole game. We had some consistency, and if we can play like that we'll win a lot more games down the road."
For the game, Spears was 2-for-3, and Quick was 2-for-4.
In the first game, however, the Cats couldn't overcome a big, five run second inning by the Sandites.
Sand Springs pounded out eight hits, drew five walks and used two Ponca City errors to escape with the win.
The Sandites got things rolling in the second with a hit batter, three walks, two singles and a home run. The Cats never recovered.
In that game, Bentley was 2-for-3.
The Wildcats have today off before hosting the Ponca City Wildcat Classic, Thursday through Saturday.
Sand Springs 9, Ponca City 5
Sand Springs 051 003 0 - 9 8 1
Ponca City 110 102 0 - 5 7 2
Gilbert and Perry; Stewart, Rupp (2) and Spears.
Ponca City 6, Sand Springs 0
Ponca City 011 011 2 - 6 8 1
Sand Springs 000 000 0 - 0 0 2
Bentley and Spears; Pope and Perry.
By FRED HILTON
News Sports Editor
Todd Steidley almost became an assistant wrestling coach for the Ponca City Wildcats in 1991. In 1998 he will finally move to Ponca City as the head coach.
Steidley, who has lifted Bristow to a state wrestling power in Class 3A, confirmed today he will be the new head wrestling coach for the Wildcats, following the resignation last month of Pat Young.
Young tried to hire Steidley fresh out of the University of Central Oklahoma as an assistant. But the former national NAIA champion got a late call from Clemson and took a position there as an assistant.
He returned to Oklahoma to become head wrestling coach at Enid. A year later. in 1993, Steidley took the position at Bristow.
He took over a program that was struggling.
"The year before I came here, Bristow had minus-one point in the state tournament," Steidley recalls. "We had one wrestler entered and he was disqualified.
"But the talent was there. All we had to do was convince the kids they could win."
He must have convinced someone. The next season, the Purple Pirates went 10-3 in duals, won the district title and was eighth in the state tournament, crowning one state champion.
In 1994, the Pirates went 15-1, won the Class 3A state tournament and had three individual state champions.
Since that time, Bristow has been a state power, winning two more state championships and finishing as state runners-up twice. The Pirates have also won the Dual State championship twice and has been a runner-up once.
Last season, Bristow went 16-0 in duals, won Dual State and was second in the state tournament, crowning one individual champion.
"Class 3A is tough," Steidley said. "But 5A is the toughest of them all. With all the recruiting 5A coaches do, its going to be an intriguing challenge."
Steidley believed in a hands on approach in all phases of a wrestling program.
"I've had total control (of the Bristow wrestling program), from kindergarten through 12th grade," Steidley says. "Of course, I don't coach at the elementary level, but I do sometimes go to watch practice and I have my high school kids go to the practices and help out in the off-season.
"I stress in having a family atmosphere in the program," the coach said. "We're all in this together."
Under Steidley's watchful eye, the Bristow junior high wrestling team had a 54-0 dual record going into the past season.
"They lost three matches this year, but they didn't have any freshmen. I had three freshmen up on the high school team," Steidley said.
Steidley is not promising any quick fixes in Ponca City.
"It will take some time," he said. "Wrestling runs in cycles where ever you are."
With the regional qualifier looming less than two weeks away, the Lady Wildcat golfers are testing their chances this week of reaching the state tournament.
The Lady Cats are at Blackwell today before facing their toughest test in the Edmond Memorial Invitational Thursday.
"The Edmond tournament is at Oak Tree," Po-Hi coach Jerry Orr notes. "This is where the state tournament is going to be. This will give us a good look at where we stand with pretty much all the large school in the state entered.
"I think we need to finish among the top 12 teams to have a legitimate chance of making it to the state tournament."
The Po-Hi girls may have taken a step in that direction Monday, finishing eighth in the Enid Invitational.
"We made some improvement in our play from last week - although the scores did not indicated it," Orr said of the Enid tournament. "The (Enid Meadowlake) course was longer and tougher that the courses we played at Jenks and Cushing."
Led by Jenni Nimmo's 75, the Lady Cats posted a 424 total at Enid. Edmond North won the team total with a 345, edging out Enid, which had a 349.
Enid's Stacy Prammanasudh took medalist honors with a 71.
Calyn Howe and Ashley Mott followed Nimmo for the Lady Cats with 107 and 108. Heather Staires had 114, Jackie Dyer 115 and Jessica Freeman 119.
Team Scores
Edmond North 345, Enid 349, Westmoore 365, Stillwater 382, Edmond Memorial 399, Edmond Santa Fe 412, Edmond North "B" 417, Ponca City 424, Enid "B" 437, Woodward 438, Midwest City 444, Moore 485, Putnam City North 563.
Top Individuals
Stacy Prammanasudh (Enid) 71, Windy Martin (Ed. Santa Fe) 74, Jennifer James (Ed. North) 76, Ashley Earls (Westmoore) 80, Jill Combrink (Enid) 81.
The Ponca City Lady Cat junior varsity tennis team competed in a pair of tournaments recently, finishing second in the Ponca City JV Tournament on Monday, followed by a first place finish in the Bartlesville Tournament, Tuesday.
On Monday, Enid won the tournament with 143 points, followed by the Poncans with 111, Muskogee with 96, Stillwater with 82, and Bartlesville with 68.
Emily Wheeler and Mandy Dickson won in No. 2 doubles play, topping Muskogee (9-5), Stillwater (9-3), Enid (9-8, 7-2), and Bartlesville (9-2).
In No. 1 doubles, Mea Alexander and Claire Winterrowd dropped two of four matches to finish in second place, beating Stillwater (9-4) and Bartlesville (9-2), but falling in a squeaker to Muskogee (9-8, 7-5) and Enid (9-5).
Erin Shaw finished fourth in No. 2 singles, beating Stillwater (9-7), but fell to Muskogee, Enid and Bartlesville, 9-4, 9-0, and 9-6, respectively.
Gina Smith fared slightly better in No. 1 singles, however, finishing third with wins over Stillwater (9-0) and Bartlesville (9-1), but fell to Muskogee (9-3) and Enid (9-4).
The Poncans, with 27 points, eked out the first place position in the Bartlesville Tournament a day later, surviving by one point over Oolagah and Grove, with 26 points each, followed by Broken Arrow with 23 points. Five other teams also competed.
Wheeler and Dickson, in No. 2 doubles, took third, blanking Bartlesville White, 6-0, 6-0, but fell to Broken Arrow in a second round match up, 6-2, 6-0. The duo then flew past Miami for the third place spot, 6-0, 6-2.
Alexander and Winterrowd, in No. 1 doubles, finished in second. After a come from behind victory over Grove, 6-7 (7-3), 6-2, 6-3, the Poncans went on to beat Oolagah, 6-1, 6-3, but fell in a hard fought championship match with Broken Arrow, 6-3, 7-6 (7-3).
In No. 2 singles, Shaw also netted a third place finish. After topping Miami, 6-4, 6-2, Shaw fell to Grove, 6-0, 6-2, but came back to blast both Pryor, 6-0, 6-0, and Oolagah, 6-0, 6-1.
In No. 1 singles, Smith ran into some stiff competition, losing a heartbreaker in the first round to Oologah, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6, but came back to top both Broken Arrow, 6-2, 6-0, and Bartlesville, 6-1, 6-3, in the lower bracket. But Smith then fell to Grove, then came back to beat Sand Springs, 4-6, 6-0, 6-2, for a fifth place finish.
"These girls are playing really well," said coach Don Lambring. "And they're fun to coach."
The Mid-High Cougars' eighth and ninth grade track teams continued to improve on Tuesday in the Bartlesville Invitational, with the eighth graders finishing in 7th place with 36 points and the ninth graders coming in at 9th, with 20 points.
For the eighth graders, Micah Johnson had an excellent meet, getting the gold in the 300 intermediate hurdles, at 45.36, and a silver in the high jump, at five feet, four inches. Marcollo Aguillar posted a fifth place finish in the 200, at 25.55, while Jason Jump posted a fourth place finish in the high jump, at five feet, two inches.
The 1600 relay team of Nate Macy, Shawn Cochran, Troy Cochran, and Nathan Kellert had an impressive finish, at 4:16.24, as did Shawn Cochran in the 800, coming in at 2:29.98.
"These guys work real hard and do whatever you ask of them," said coach Joe Matlock. "Sometimes they ask you 'what can we do to help the team?' It's really special when that happens."
For the ninth graders, Kyle Henderson took the bronze in the 300 intermediate hurdles at 43.98. Jeff Hand, Micah Johnson, James Anno and Henderson combined for a fifth place finish in the 400 relay, at 49.20, and went on to post an impressive fifth place finish in the 1600 relay, at 3:55.40.
Hand, John Chamberlin, Dustin Barden and Nate Macy also had a good finish in the 3200 relay, coming in at 10:12.90.
"That was a big meet for these guys yesterday," said Matlock. "I'm very happy with the improvements we're seeing. They get better with every outing."
Despite high water and windy conditions, fishing was good for the Ponca City Bassmasters, as they competed with other bass clubs from Oklahoma at Lake Texoma, April 3-4.
Glen Hughes was first, with 29.1 pounds, Dana Hulet was second with 19.1 pounds, Paul Brooks Jr. came in third with 19 pounds, Robert Cartlidge was fourth with 17.1 pounds, Phil Richardson was fifth with 15.8 pounds, while Jody Linder was sixth with 12.15 pounds. Twelve members of the Ponca City club participated.
In addition to being a regular event, each of the competitors are trying to secure a position on Oklahoma's Federation 12 man team. This team will represent the state in a Divisonal Tournament in June, on Lake Eufala.
For more information about the Bassmasters, contact Phil Richardson, at 765-2089.
The Ponca City Buddy Bass Club held its first tournament of the 1998 season last Sunday on Sooner Lake.
Brian Klinger and Jeff Dobson took first place with a five fish limit weight of 19.84 pounds. Larry Platt and Mark Reeves came in second at 18.23 pounds, while Tom and Steve Owens finished third at 17.39 pounds.
In fourth place, it was Lanny and Chris Johnson with 15.25 pounds, and Doug Fink and Doug Matney rounded out the top five with 11.00 pounds.
The Owens team also caught the Big Bass of the tournament, at 7.85 pounds, just ahead of Klinger and Dobson, with a 7.06 pounder.
The club will hold its next monthly meeting April 16 at 7 p.m. at the VFW located on East Prospect, and visitors are welcome. The club's next tournament will be on Birch Lake, April 26.
ORLANDO - Frontier's late rally fell just short as the Mustangs lost a 20-19 shootout with Mullhall-Orlando Tuesday afternoon.
The slugfest saw a total of 28 hits, 15 by Frontier. The Mustangs also had the longer balls, two home runs and four doubles. Mullhall-Orlando also committed 12 errors to five by Frontier but it wasn't enough to keep the Mustangs from falling to 6-5 on the season.
The see-saw battle started early as Frontier scored six runs in the second inning only to see M-O come back with four runs in the bottom of the inning. Frontier held an 11-9 lead after three innings. But Mullhall-Orlando scored 10 runs in the fourth and fifth innings.
Frontier had four runs in the fifth and two each in the sixth and seventh innings, but couldn't quite catch up.
Martin Sanders was 3-for-3 at the plate for Frontier with a home run and two doubles. He had four RBIs. Kevin Fillmore had a home runs and four runs batted in, Joe Gates and Robert Regnier each had a double. Mary Williams also had four RBIs. Chad Sisco went 3-for-5.
Jeremy Williams was the losing pitcher in relief of Marty Williams.
Frontier will entertain Billings Thursday at 4:30 p.m.
Mid-High Tennis, April 7
Stillwater 12, Ponca City 6
singles
1 - Trevor Viljoen lost to Andrew Jaco, 3-8
2 - Michael Stumky lost to Sean Hellman, 3-8
3 - Squire Lawrence def. Steve Anderson, 8-2
4 - Shane Samples def. Andrew Chan, 8-6
5 - Mark Parsons def. Will Eastman, 8-0
6 - Matt Caine def. Vikram Hosur, 8-4
7 - James Cullin lost to Eric Davis, 4-8
8 - Blake Sylvester lost to Chase Dearinger, 7-9
9 - Thomas Quillen lost to Andrew Lugg, 3-8
10 - Nick hartman lost to Jimmy Kappel, 5-8
11 - Terry Pappan lost to Abdul Anzaloua, 5-8
12 - Ronnie Schooley lost to Andrew Lugg, 2-8
13 - Levi Branson lost to Jimmy Kappel, 1-8
doubles
1 - Viljoen-Stuemky lost to Hellman-Anderson, 6-8
2 - Lawrence-Samples def. Jaco-Chan, 8-2
3 - Parsons-Caine def. Hosur-Eastman, 8-6
4 - Cullin-Sylverster lost to Davis-Dearinger, 0-8
5 - Quillin-Hartman lost to Kappel-Anzaloua, 2-8
If catching a 100-pound fish sounds exciting, you're in luck because one of the state's most unique angling spectacles will soon have anglers battling some of the biggest fish that swim Oklahoma's waters.
Paddlefish, an ancient fish species which evolved more than 50 million years ago, are plentiful in the Arkansas and Neosho rivers in northeast and northcentral Oklahoma. As recent spring rains cause the rivers to rise, paddlefish will move upstream on their annual spawning runs.
"Most paddlefishing occurs below dams along the Arkansas and Neosho rivers," said Barry Bolton, assistant fisheries chief for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. "Spoonbills, as they are often called by anglers, can grow to weights of 100 pounds or more. The state record is an incredible 134-pounder, caught in 1992 on a trotline in Grand Lake."
Bolton said that paddlefish are primarily plankton eaters, preferring deep, standing or slow-moving water most of the year. They swim with their mouths wide open, and specially adapted gill rakers strain zooplankton and aquatic insect larvae from the water.
But from mid-March to early-May, spoonbills swim upstream to find spawning areas in water flowing over gravel beds. When males and females reach the spawning grounds, there is a rush of spawning activity that leaves the water thick with the adhesive eggs, which stick to anything they touch.
The eggs hatch in about one week, and by one month the young paddlefish have fully-developed paddle-like snouts called rostrums.
Paddlefish anglers usually use a large spinning reel and heavy surf rod. Line is usually 30- to 40-pound test with one or two large treble hooks attached about two to three feet above the end of the line. Depending on river flow rates, a large four- or five-ounce sinker is tied to the end of the line.
The line is cast slightly upstream, and with both arms, the angler swings his or her rod toward the bank. The angler then swings the rod back toward the river, reeling in the slack line. The process is repeated over and over again, until the angler hooks one of the prehistoric fish.
Anglers should keep in mind that paddlefishing regulations vary depending on the time of year. From March 15 through May 15, anglers are allowed three paddlefish per day. Catch and release of paddlefish taken by any method except trotline is prohibited. You must keep what you catch until reaching the daily creel limit of three, then stop fishing. Trotliners keep all fish until reaching the daily limit, then release all others immediately.
From Jan. 1 through March 14 and from May 16 through Dec. 31, catch and release of paddlefish is allowed by use of rod and reel and trotline only. Taking of paddlefish by bow and arrow, gig, spear or speargun is prohibited during these time periods.
At all times, paddlefishermen also must keep their paddlefish separate
and distinctly identifiable (plainly labeled with taker's name and address)
from paddlefish possessed by another person.