From The Pages Of The Ponca City News, Thursday,
April 16, 1998
LOCAL
Ceremony Opens Viewing Of Vietnam Memorial Wall
Nearly News
Letters
Chamber News
'Identities' On Exhibit at Northern
'A Prairie Jewel' Framed In Hopes and Dreams
Unique Shirt Remembering Tornado of 1955 Available
DEATHS
Guillermo N. Pablo
Lois Elizabeth Eller
Nadia Karty Eagle
Dwayne A. Ratliff
Mark O'Brien Bennett
May Woods
Floyd E. Holland
Funerals
Wilford Benjamin Mason
Edith B. Harville
Gareth Sanders
NEWS BRIEFS
GARDENING
Pioneer Water Garden Society Plans Meeting
Wakita Garden Club Given PETALS Grant
Community Iris Show Plans Under Way
Northern Oklahoma Daylily Society Plant Sale Saturday
SPORTS
Cat Golfers Finish Ninth In Cushing
By KATHY ZEHR
News Staff Writer
More than 600 area citizens and eight large buses filled with students from area schools attended the opening ceremony of the Vietnam Memorial Wall at Resthaven Memorial Cemetery this morning.
As they entered the gates, most paused to gaze in awe at the magnificent array of hundreds of large U.S. Flags waving sharply in the brisk breeze in the Court of Honor.
Parents, brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, classmates, Vietnam buddies and friends, came to pay long-delayed respects, to voice good-byes, make rubbings, and to somehow get in touch with lost loved ones. Many students came to learn. All were quiet, subdued and respectful, not only in tribute to the names on The Wall, but to those who were there to honor their heroes who had fallen.
As they filed quietly in the gate, some carried wreaths to place near a special name on the Vietnam Memorial Wall. Students from Charlie Hedgcoth's class at Po-Hi brought a large red, white and blue wreath.
The 200 seats provided for the opening ceremony were never completely filled and the large crowd respectfully stood, huddled in the cold wind, throughout the hour-long ceremony.
At 10 a.m. the 16 colorful and commanding color guards marched proudly to the front of the stage area to stand at attention. The riderless horse followed.
A bright sun broke through the heavy clouds, seeming to approve of the ceremony as the Yellow Hammer Native American Drum Group offered the "Flag Song" and the "Vietnam Veteran Song" in Native American tongue. Staff Sgt. Robert Rodgers next sang the National Anthem and led the visitors in the Pledge of Allegiance.
The Rev. Dr. Evans T. Moseley, colonel, U.S. Army Reserve (Ret.) offered the invocation saying, "our freedom, our blessings, and all we have here today was purchased for us at the cost of those who died for us."
Gold Star family members were recognized as well as all Vietnam veterans in the audience and as they stood, the crowd applauded at length.
U.S. Navy Commander Fred G. Spellman (Ret.), master of ceremonies reminded the visitors that those whose names were inscribed on The Wall were "also present with us today." National Senior vice-commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Boyd L. Barclay, said "We must remember the names on the wall as real people, not just names on a wall."
Staff Sgt. Jeff A. Holsather, U.S. Army recruiter, who lost his father in the Vietnam War, quoted several statistics about the War including the fact that two-thirds of the soldiers were volunteers. He said many myths have been circulated about the war and "we must continue the fight to tell the truth and never forget the sacrifices." Staff Sgt. Holsather explained the purpose of the POW-MIA Watch Fire - and as it was lit, the crowd stood facing the cold wind, observing in reverent silence. The Watch Fire will be manned by Vietnam veterans 24-hours-per-day during the entire four-day Wall exhibit.
Col. Hugh Donlon, who was the first participant in the Vietnam War to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor, spoke next. He said, "One word can capture the spirit that embodies what we are doing here today - love. We are here to show love and respect and to say welcome home. He told the crowd of his lifelong effort to bring reconciliation and forgiveness between the Vietnam people and the U.S. through a special foundation he has formed. He said, "we cannot just talk of love and respect - we have to reach out and do things to make a difference."
Col. Donlon closed saying, "What we are is God's gift to us - what we become is our gift to God," inscribed in his wedding ring.
Mike Mott, offered an emotional, thought-provoking reading about what the Vietnam soldier carried. In addition to equipment, food, personal items, he listed poise, dignity, mud of Vietnam on their boots, grief, terror, longing, emotional baggage, weight of the world, and especially care and concern for others.
Mott then read the list of veterans from Kay County who gave their lives. As each name was read Bruce Evans rang a large bell, and tears flowed unchecked down the cheeks of men and women alike.
At close of the opening ceremony, color guards, led in cadence by Jim Banks, bagpiper, marched from the ceremony area, followed by the riderless horse. All proceeded to The Wall exhibit. Visitors followed close behind, bearing their tokens of remembrance.
The 123-foot-long, black, shiny wall sits proudly, facing the north, with 58,202 names reflecting a nation's loss. It seems such a simple memorial to accomplish such healing power - knitting together all generations, bringing understanding and healing and closure to an unfinished chapter in American history.
With hushed voices, visitors reverently hunt for special names. Eyes unashamedly reflect deep emotions - sadness, heartbreak, resolution, appreciation, love, pride, and reverent respect. Most feel a need to reach out and touch a name on the wall.
All faces, however have a common reflection. It is an appreciation for the thought-provoking Wall - a simple but beautiful tool allowing the people of our nation to pay long-overdue respect and honor to those who paid the ultimate price for their country.
NN has learned that Pioneer Bank and Trust will display the POW-MIA flag during the four-day exhibition of the "Wall that Heals."
Unfair to Tobacco
I am glad the tobacco companies have at last decided to defend themselves against the robbery by the state and federal governments. This is just another example of the government trampling on rights to try to correct some perceived social wrong. If the Congress unilaterally passes punitive confiscatory laws, I hope the tobacco companies take it to the Supreme court who will rule the entire law unconstitutional.
I think that the government attack on tobacco companies is wrong. If we want to prohibit tobacco use by law (prohibition would be a bigger mistake than alcohol prohibition) that would be one thing, but to treat a legal company producing a legal substance as an outlaw is not the way free commerce is supposed to work. The tobacco industry is based on free and informed exchange between buyer and seller, yet in the name of protecting the consumer we are prepared to confiscate the wealth of a legal industry for a perceived good social purpose.
As for the argument that the companies are only paying for the increased health care cost, after this precedent just think of all the new life style taxes we could pass with the same justification, alcohol, fat, sugar, auto injuries. If you think that is farfetched, there are some making those very proposals now. It is ridiculous that the government mandates socialized health care and then justifies robbery to pay for it. I am ashamed that Oklahoma has piled onto the tobacco suits.
As for the tobacco companies preventing teen smoking, I doubt they will be able to control it. I think peer pressure has a lot more to do with teen smoking than advertisement. The studies linking teen smoking to advertisement do not show a cause and effect relationship. Also I am sick of hearing every half brained legislative and regulatory social proposal justified as protection of children.
Raising the price of tobacco products may only create a black market in tobacco. The price of marijuana, I assume is much greater than tobacco, but does not seem to discourage the use of that illegal substance. Wouldn't it be tragic if one of the unintended consequences of tobacco legislation was to create a whole new illegal drug problem.
It is so easy for the congress to penalize an unpopular industry or group, when they are tempted to do so I hope they remember that the main function of our government was to protect the natural rights of individuals (corporations included) or groups (just several individuals), often unpopular or minority individuals.
Try to keep in mind that no where is the protection of our natural rights more important than when they are threatened by the majority.
Dave White
By Tim Burg
Chairman Communications Committee Economic Development Advisory Board
Build It and They Will Come
When asking the average citizen what type of new jobs they would like to see for our community, the response usually falls into the following criteria. They would like to see the new jobs be higher paying, preferably in the $12-$14 per hour range, with benefits. Of course they would like to see these new jobs be high tech type positions, with training needed in a multitude of areas including computer designing. Jobs that are on the cutting edge of technology usually means that they will serve the community for many years to come. High tech jobs also mean that our education system will need to be in touch with the latest training technology, to enable us to train these types of employees. High tech training means better schools, educators and services available to everyone including our existing companies. It is a scenario that allows for one area of improvement to benefit another and in most cases they go hand in hand. It isn't a case of getting the horse before the cart! More likely we need both the horse and the cart to improve our economic situation.
In reality, every community that is seeking to improve its economic climate is looking for the exact same type of new jobs and the competition is fierce. Some communities are better prepared to entice these types of companies than others are, and in some cases, communities let opportunity slip through their hands by simply not being prepared.
Ponca City recently saw such an opportunity fall through the cracks because we did not have what the customer needed.
Oklahoma is blessed to have national impact with businesses wanting to relocate or expand their operations here. Recently, a company was interested in locating in Oklahoma and wanted some of the following criteria. They wanted a rural community within 100 miles of a major airport, (we have three choices for them to select from). They wanted a vibrant community that offered a high level of interest in educating its children and a community that offered a good quality of life for its citizens, (we personally don't believe that a better one exists than Ponca City). Close proximity to a university, along with a diversified level of recreational activities, would also be a plus for this company, (once again we fit the bill). And last but not least, they wanted a community that had an existing speculative building in place. They would not even consider a community that did not have one, regardless of the other attributes available.
In return, the company would offer high paying jobs, high tech positions, including computer aided design and computer modeling, along with some assembly line employment. Their workforce needs would be in the 125 to 150 range and the jobs would be highly diversified.
Everything fit with the exception of one area, we don't have a speculative building in place, or even worse, we don't have plans for one. How many opportunities are missed because we haven't prepared ourselves for what new businesses are looking for? How many times will we be left out of economic growth because we have failed to position ourselves for the future?
Is there a better time than right now to look at what we have or could offer potential businesses? If we plan to be competitive in the economic growth market it's time to step up to the plate and be ready.
Chamber Slates Secretary Appreciation Day Reception
All chamber members are encouraged to mark their calendars for this coming Wednesday, April 22, for a special come and go reception from 10 a.m. to noon at the Chamber offices, 420 East Grand. On that day, bosses are invited to bring their secretaries to the reception. It's our way of saying Thank You! to these very special people for the fine work they do all year round. Be sure to give the Chamber a call at 765-4400 to let us know you'll be attending.
Membership Drive to Begin Monday
The Chamber's annual membership drive will begin this coming Monday. The week-long event is designed to offer the opportunity to area businesses to add their support to that of over 650 businesses which make up your Chamber of Commerce. Through the Chamber, we are able to accomplish things working together which simply couldn't be done by individual effort. The Chamber focuses its efforts in four primary areas which are critical to our community's future (and that of the businesses located here): Community Development, Economic and Industrial Development, Governmental Affairs and Membership Services.
If your business is not now a member of the chamber, we encourage you to give serious consideration to becoming one. Membership can be one of the very best investments you make in the long term strength and vitality of your business. It doesn't cost ... It pays!
Editors Note
Correction from last week's article - We apologize to Jeff Cowan for misspelling his name.
TONKAWA - "Identities" brings the best of Northern Oklahoma College students art work to the Eleanor Hays Gallery in the Northern Performing Arts Center on campus.
More than 240 selected works from 32 students enrolled in Audrey Schmitz' and Neo Kirby's visual arts classes (sculpture, oil and water color painting, drawing, ceramics and design) and of 20 students from Dr. Glenn Cope's black, white and color photography classes are on view through May 9. Gallery hours are 1 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and during evening concerts. Admission is free.
The show features works of 1998 visual arts department graduates Clayton Keyes, Ponca City; Jeremy Kistler, Perry; and Ryan McWilliams, Drummond.
Ponca City student artists represented in addition to the graduates include Azita Azmounnia, Glenn Drake, Kahle Eberle, Connie Erickson, Geoff Forbes, John Fowler, Andrew Grimes, Diane Harris, Lisa Lessert, Melanie Longmore, Jill Marks, Marley Miller, Nadine Owen, Brett Powers and Kelli Tucker.
As a child, Keyes developed his interest in art to the point where he found his niche "in the elementary school societal structure as the 'art kid'" and eventually began submitting his art work to contests "with varied success." A high school art class caused him to consider art as part of his life, rather than just a hobby. Upon graduation from Ponca City High School, he received an art scholarship from the Ponca City Art Association and enrolled at Northern. He plans to major in sculpture or ceramics at the University of Oklahoma.
Keyes says that art is process, not product, not about sales only but mainly about the artist's love for what he is doing. As the poet Shannon Bearskin would say, "It is the dramatics of the moment."
Keyes compares his feeling of immense anticipation when working on a piece of art to a new relationship after the first kiss when "a person is overwhelmed with excitement and anticipation and unable to wait to meet their love again."
Among his works displayed is "Shannon," a portrait of his cousin. "I got my cousin in the right clothing and found the window that would create the desired effect, then captured it on film," he says. After deciding on his color theme, he had to "put my knowledge of color, value and painting to the test."
His favorite subject matter is the nude human figure. "I strive in my art to make my images of this subject as beautiful and perfect as God made them," he comments.
Kistler, whose particular interest is comic book art, says, "Through the stories I tell with pictures, people will be exposed to different views of life and culture. They will learn about the world around them and about themselves."
His work "Dragon Tile" is a relief tile made with stoneware and finished with oxide. Kistler hopes to find work as an inker for a comic book company.
McWilliams sees his work as an expression of feelings and emotions displayed through color and textures. He credits his love of color to the influence of his grandmothers artistic expressions through gardening and quilting. His work "Losing Faith" was inspired by a song he heard on the radio. The size of the cross in the painting "makes this a very dramatic piece and the colors produce many different emotions."
He plans to continue in the field of Fine Arts at the University of Central Oklahoma.
By SALLY HODGES
News Staff Writer
Hopes and Dreams - the theme of Bob Westmoreland's latest black and white photography exhibit. The Hopes and Dreams theme formed while photographing an old dilapidated wooden house only 20 miles from his home, but not before seen by him.
"On my first trip to the house I was immediately touched by its grandiose style. Over the years the structure has deteriorated so much that by now it can only be described as a ruin." According to Westmoreland, that brought questions to his mind - "who - why - how had all of this happened?" Westmoreland took pictures. It was a clear sunny day, but when he developed the photos they were not quite right - they did not show the home that he had seen.
He took another trip to the house. It was heavily overcast and dreary and the house "looked almost haunted." He walked away, not having taken any pictures.
He went back for the third time! The day was warm and "the sky was full of bright, puffy, fair-weather clouds. As I stood there viewing the scene everything came together. Not just the photograph of the house but the entire concept for this exhibit," explains Westmoreland.
The hopes and dreams of families who built homes and lived back when the prairie was developing could be seen even through the ruinous structure before him. He took pictures, and what developed was A Prairie Jewel, a photograph which "reflects not just an old house but rather the Hopes and Dreams of those who built it."
With a photographic eye that sees what others may miss, Westmoreland observes ordinary life and scenes and reveals the meanings, emotions and representations not readily seen by others
A Prairie Jewel and other black and white photographs are now on display at the International Photography Hall of Fame & Museum in the Omniplex/Kirkpatrick Center in Oklahoma City. Westmoreland's exhibit runs through to May 3 in Gallery A.
Westmoreland is a well-known and much-awarded photographer and musician. At an early age he practiced both his love of music and his love of photography. While performing as a professional musician, he constantly took pictures representative of the country he traveled. He produced the widely accepted "Color Slide Clinic for Clarinet" which stimulated his interest in audio-visual techniques. He has worked for Conoco as an industrial photographer, for Ponca City public school system as director of audio-visual, and, among other endeavors, as a teacher, professional musician and professional photographer.
His exhibit will be on display in May at the Ponca City Art Center, 819 East Central.
A uniquely designed shirt remembering the tornado of 1955 will be on sale at the American Red Cross booth at the Tulip Festival Saturday in Blackwell. Part of the proceeds will be used to purchase a memorial marker listing the names of all who lost their lives in the terrible tornado on May 25, 1955 in Kay County. The other part will be used by the Cherokee Strip Chapter of the Red Cross for Disaster Relief and Response.
The chapter will display historical records from the tornado of 1955. which will include pictures, press accounts, and letters. Everyone is invited to stop by and view and even sit and read this part of history.
Every home, business, school room, and motel room should have a Disaster Plan of Action. Information about how to prepare, act, shelter, and monitor weather conditions in case of a tornado will be given free by the Red Cross and Disaster Supply Kits will be available. "Because the Red Cross wants everyone to prepare and be safe in a disaster, we hope everyone will stop by and pick up this important information," said Kathy Hawkins, chapter manager.
The shirts may be purchased or ordered at the festival or at the chapter
at 1313 W. Furguson, Blackwell OK 74631. For information call (580) 363-1738
or fax (580) 353-1739.
DEATHS
Guillermo N. Pablo, Ponca City resident, died Wednesday morning, April 15, 1998, at his home. He was 78.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10 a.m. Friday, April 17, 1998, at St. Mary's Catholic Church with the Rev. John J. Michalicka, pastor, as celebrant. Burial will be in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery under the direction of the Trout Funeral Home. Casket bearers will be Ben de La Paz, Dennis de La Paz, Cink Ozdemir, Rey Patriarca, Jose Luis Escudero, and Ray Ramsey. Friends may call at the funeral home until 8:30 a m. Friday.
Mr. Pablo was born June 5, 1919, in San Pablo City, Philippines, to Gregorio and Marciana (Naguit) Pablo. In 1949 he graduated from the University of the Philippines with a degree in Geodetic Engineering and graduated from the Far Eastern University with a Civil Engineering degree in 1954. Pablo was a Colombo Plan Scholar of the University of London for his Photogrammetry studies.
On February 14, 1956, Pablo married Primitiva Cruz in Manila, Philippines. Pablo served in the U.S. Armed Forces in the Far East during World War II and became a prisoner of war after the Death March. He and his wife came to the U.S. in 1995 from the Philippines. Pablo was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church and was a Knight of Columbus in the Philippines.
Pablo is survived by his wife, Primitiva, of the home, and one sister, Margarita Pablo of San Pablo, Philippines.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, and two sisters.
The family will be at 3117 El Camino to receive friends.
Lois Elizabeth Eller, resident of Ponca City, died Monday evening, April 13, 1998, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. She was 82.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 18, 1998, at Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery with the Rev. Brian L. Davidson officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.
Lois Elizabeth Eller was born March 16, 1916, at Ponca City, the daughter of Thomas Nathan McGee and Effie Gibson McGee. She attended the Pleasant View School. She was married to Luther Harris in 1946 and then to Joe Akers in I967. Mr. Akers preceded her in death. She then married Richard Uell Eller on December 20, 1982.
Eller served some 37 years in nursing care, working seven years at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center before retiring at the age of 75. She was a member of the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Her enjoyments included quilting.
She is survived by her husband, Richard Eller, of the home; one daughter, Evelyn Grimes, Ponca City; seven step-children, Bandy Eller, Richard Uell Eller Jr., Charlotte Dunmire, Helen Brown, Teresa Brown, Andy Lee Eller and David Eller; five grandsons; two granddaughters; and 12 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, one husband, Joe Akers; one sister, Lillian Forrest; five brothers, Wallace (Mac) McGee, Arthur McGee, Charley McGee, Claude McGee and infant brother, George McGee.
The family will be at 509 Foster to receive friends.
Nadia Karty Eagle, Ponca City resident, died Wednesday afternoon, April 15, 1998, in the St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. She was 21.
A prayer service will be held this evening at 7:30 p.m. at the Ponca Indian United Methodist Church. The Traditional Indian Feast will be held at noon Friday at the church. The funeral will be at 2 p.m. at the Ponca Indian United Methodist Church with the Rev. Abraham Jackson, pastor, officiating. Burial will follow in the Ponca Indian Cemetery under the direction of the Trout Funeral Home.
Casket bearers will be David Eagle, Doug Eagle Jr., Marc Eagle, K.C. Roughface, Randy Roughface and Damon Roughface. Honorary bearers will be Matthew Roughface, William Karty Jr., Mitchell Roughface, J.J. Allen and Joshua Allen.
Born December 28, 1976, at Pawnee, she was the daughter of William Karty and Adeline Roughface. She attended Ponca City schools.
Eagle worked as a cook's helper at the Shawn Manor Nursing Home. She was a member of the Ponca Indian United Methodist Church and enjoyed spending time with her family.
Eagle is survived by her husband, Toby Eagle, of the home; two daughters, Sunny Eagle and Sydney Eagle, both of the home; her father, William Karty of Lawton; her mother, Adeline Roughface of Ponca City; four brothers, William Karty Jr., Mitchell Roughface, J.J. Allen and Joshua Allen, all of Ponca City; one sister, Thomasine Roughface of Houston, Texas; and her grandfather, Paul Roughface of Ponca City.
ARKANSAS CITY - Dwayne A. Ratliff, resident of Arkansas City, Kan., died Monday, April 13, 1998, at the Via Christie Regional Medical Center in Wichita, Kan. He was 44.
The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, April 17, 1998, at the Hunsaker-Wooten Funeral Home, Fairfax, with the Rev. Wayne Baker officiating. Burial will follow in the Fairfax Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Hawks Funeral Home, Arkansas City.
Dwayne A. Ratliff was born Nov. 26, 1953, in Uravan, Colo., the son of George Arthur and Imogene Miller Ratliff. He was raised in the Ralston area, graduating from Ralston High School.
Ratliff served in the U.S. Navy, from which he retired. After being discharged, he moved to Arkansas City in 1994. He was a machine technician at K.S.Q. at Strother Field near Arkansas City.
Ratliff is survived by two sons, Curtis Dwayne Ratliff and Thomas Austin Ratliff, both of Addy, Wash.; one daughter, Samantha Jean Ratliff of Addy, Wash.; his mother, Imogene Ratliff of Arkansas City; one brother, Raymond Ratliff of Arkansas City; six sisters, Quazetta Brown, Betty Hunt, Delores Yount and Brenda Walker, all of Arkansas City, Peggy Meadows of Tulsa, and Myrtle Hundley of Fairfax; and his grandmother, Mona McGee of Fairfax.
He was preceded in death by his father, George Ratliff.
KAW CITY - Mark O'Brien Bennett, former Kaw City resident, died Monday, April 13, 1998, at his home in Tucson, Ariz. He was 82.
The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 18, 1998, in the Grace Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Darrel Hardy officiating. Burial will follow in the Newkirk Cemetery. Casket bearers will be Delbert Fair Jr., Kevin Fair, Nathan Fair, Charles Kilpatrick, Lester Knight and Will Fair.
Mark O'Brien Bennett was born Sept. 15, 1915, in Newkirk, the son of Howard and Grace Darling (Hall) Bennett. He grew up around Kaw City and received his education in the Kaw City schools.
Bennett served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II from 1943 to 1945, and was stationed at air bases in England, France and Belgium.
On March 18, 1943, he was married to Wanda E. Fair of Perry. He worked as a Linotype operator and proofreader for newspapers in Kaw City, Ponca City, Oklahoma City and Tulsa before moving to Tucson, Ariz. in 1961. He retired from the paper there in 1975.
Bennett is survived by his wife, Wanda, of the home; two sons, Kim Bennett of Columbia, S.C., and Brad Bennett of Tucson, Ariz.; three grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Paul Bennett and Roy Bennett.
EDMOND - May Woods, former Ponca City resident, died Tuesday, April 14, 1998, in Edmond, Okla. She was 77.
Memorial services will be held 11 a.m. Friday, April 17, 1998, at St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Edmond. Arrangements are under the direction of the Baggerley Funeral Home, Edmond.
May Woods was born August 7, 1920, in Great Bend, Kan., the daughter of Walter and Edna Amend. Woods attended Stanford University where she obtained her degree in political science.
Woods married Warren Woods in 1943. She was a homemaker and lived in Edmond about 10 years, moving from San Diego, Calif., and Ponca City. She was a member of the AAUW in Ponca City, enjoyed reading, and was an avid bridge player, playing both socially and competitively.
She is survived by two sons, Douglas Woods of Edmond and Michael Woods of Longview, Texas; one daughter, Barbara Woods Shapiro of Edmond; nine grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Warren Woods, in 1996.
The family has requested that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to St. Mary's Episcopal Church, 325 E. First, Edmond, OK 73034.
RED ROCK - Floyd E. Holland, former resident of Red Rock, died Wednesday morning, April 15, 1998, at the Green Valley Nursing Home in Perry. He was 87.
The funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 18, 1998, at the Brown Funeral Home Chapel in Perry with the Rev. Cliff Fite officiating. Burial will be at Red Rock Cemetery, Red Rock.
Holland was born February 27, 1911, at Ceres, the son of Thomas A. and Dessie (Sutton) Holland. He graduated from Red Rock High School in 1929.
Holland was a farmer in the Ceres and the Red Rock communities and a member of the Masonic Lodge and the Red Rock Co-op Board.
He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Vera Isabel Carpenter.
Memorials may be made to the Baptist Children's Home, c/o Brown Funeral Home, 1010 7th Street, Perry, OK 73077.
Thursday
Wilford Benjamin Mason - Funeral to be 2 p.m. at Trinity Pentecostal Church, 621 West Grand. Burial will be in Longwood Cemetery under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.
Friday
Edith B. Harville - Funeral at the Pond Creek First Christian Church at 2 p.m. Burial will be in the Pond Creek Cemetery under the direction of Wilson Funeral Home.
Gareth Sanders - Memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. at the
Union Cemetery in Billings. Arrangements and cremation were under the direction
of McCafferty-Bolick Funeral Home, Tonkawa.
NEWS BRIEFS
Chicken Dinner Set - Connor Chapel AME Church, 945 South Twelfth, is holding fried chicken and barbecue ribs dinners on Saturday at 11 a.m., at the church, 945 South Twelfth. For delivery call 762-9557.
Donations to Wall - Donations made during the visit of "The Wall That Heals" will go to Washington, D.C. To make local contributions, call 762-5659.
Dance Set - The Young-At-Heart dance will be every Thursday at the Elks Lodge, 1301 Bradley, from 7-9 p.m. Snacks and Hillbilly night first Thursday of each month. Ken Wilson and the Sunshine Playboys band will be playing.
Cheerleaders Wash - Ponca City Senior High School varsity cheerleaders will be holding a car wash 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday in the Wal-Mart parking lot. The junior varsity cheerleaders are offering detail car servicing along with car wash.
Craft Show- The Iris Festival craft show will be held during the May 2 event. Booth space on Grand Avenue is available for $25 per space. For more information call The Main Street Office, 580-763-8082 from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. or Betty's Boutique, 580-792-1027 from 9:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.
Mailbox Stolen - At 8:08 a.m. Wednesday a woman in the 200 block of North Osage Street called police to report a stolen mailbox. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Parking Lot Accident - An accident in a parking lot in the 400 block of Fairview Avenue was reported at 10:46 a.m. Wednesday. A report was taken.
Minor Accident - A two-vehicle, non-injury accident was reported at 10:48 a.m. Wednesday at North Fourteenth Street and East Hazel Avenue. A report was taken.
Attempted Pick-Up - At 11:01 a.m. Wednesday police were advised that someone had tried to pick up several Mid-High School students. An officer was assigned.
Vehicle Vandalism - An employee of Wal-Mart, 1101 East Prospect Avenue, called police at 11:42 a.m. Wednesday reporting vandalism to their vehicle. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Stolen Phone - At 12:30 p.m. Wednesday a man in the 500 block of West Grand Avenue called police to report the theft of his mobile phone. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Tool Box Stolen - An employee of Citgo, 320 West Grand Avenue, contacted police at 1:42 p.m. Wednesday to report the theft of a vendor's tool box. An officer was assigned.
Arrest - Police arrested a 47-year-old man at 2:02 p.m. Wednesday from the 1100 block of East Prospect Avenue on a city warrant for failure to pay.
Assault - At 2:18 p.m. Wednesday police were notified of an assault in the 200 block of West Grand Avenue. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Attempted Theft - At 2:32 p.m. Wednesday police were advised that two women had attempted to steal $1,000 worth of merchandise at Lowe's, 3500 North Fourteenth Street. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Arrest - Police arrested a 31-year-old man at 2:34 p.m. Wednesday from North Waverly Street and West Hartford Avenue for driving under suspension and no insurance after an accident was reported at that location.
Arrest - A 53-year-old woman was arrested at 2:57 p.m. Wednesday from the 100 block of South Pine Street for fighting in public.
Accident - A minor accident in the 100 block of South Fifth Street was reported at 3:02 p.m. Wednesday. A report was taken.
Lap Top Stolen - At 3:58 p.m. Wednesday police were advised of the theft of a lap top computer stolen April 2. A report was taken.
Burglary - At 6:53 p.m. Wednesday a woman in the 600 block of Shamrock Circle reported that her home had been burglarized and $5,000 had been stolen. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Assault Victim - At 7:46 p.m. Wednesday police received a report that victim was being treated at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center for injuries received from an assault in the 300 block of West Hartford Avenue. A report was taken.
Gas Drive-Off - At 7:51 p.m. Wednesday a $19.91 gas drive-off was reported at the Citgo, 207 East Highland Avenue.
Arrest - Police arrested a 20-year-old man at 2:29 a.m. Thursday from East Central Avenue and South Eighth Street for possession of marijuana and possession of paraphernalia and transporting an open container.
Arrests - Police arrested two men at 3:44 a.m. Thursday from the
700 block of South Waverly Street, a 21-year-old man for resisting arrest
and public intoxication and a 20-year-old man on two city warrants for reckless
conduct with a firearm and destruction of private property.
GARDENING
Members of the Pioneer Water Garden Society will met at 7 p.m. April 21 at the Cann Gardens. Ray Moreland (Ponds to Koi) will give the program on "How To Build a Pond for Less Than $200."
People interested in creating a pond or needing help with a pond are invited to attend the meeting. Dues must be paid by May 1 in order to be included in a pond tour scheduled Aug. 8. Door prizes will be given. For more information contact Mike Welch, 765-3271 or Ray Moreland, 762-7806.
The TWISTER Garden Club of Wakita, a member of the Oklahoma Garden Clubs, Inc. , has been awarded a grant of $250 to be used for a local community improvement project according to an announcement made by Robyn Rapp, the Twister Garden Club president at a meeting held April 7. This grant is one of seven awarded in Oklahoma this year.
This grant is part of the PETALS program - Protect the Environment Through Action, Learning and Service. This is a two-year program of environmental projects co-sponsored by the national council of state garden clubs and Shell Oil Company.
The project being planned by the Wakita club includes a "butterfly attracting" garden with the grant providing funds for a watering system for the garden. Matching funds will be raised by donation of labor from local members and through participation of local school classes. Recent additions to the area were lilac and rose bushes donated and planted by Mark and Gina Holmes.
Southside Neighbors are finalizing plans for the fifth annual Community Iris Show to be held May 2 at the Conoco Fourth Street Clubhouse. This neighborhood project will include special features, a historic homes tour and a category for 10 iris blooms, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Ponca City Iris Festival.
A special category for iris growers to enter in the show will be a bouquet or arrangement of 10 iris. This will provide an opportunity to demonstrate growing ability as well as creativity. Any type of container may be used, any color combination or all one color arrangements will be accepted and the category is open to all ages.
Those people planning to enter a single bloom or the 10-blossom category should bring their entries to the clubhouse, 1500 South Fourth, between the hours of 5 and 8 p.m. Friday, May 1.
Judging will take place Saturday morning and the public is invited to view the entries May 2, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., and on May 3, 1-4 p.m. For more information contact Rebecca Barker, 765-1689.
April 18 has been set as the date for the Northern Oklahoma Daylily Society's annual spring plant sale. The fundraiser will be held at the Cann Memorial Gardens from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. or until sold out.
Offerings will include quality daylily plants from noted hybridizer Ra Hansen of Winter Park, Fl. Many other perennials are included in the inventory of plants that will be available. The Society will be offering a limited selection of Hostas. This easy-care perennial was once incorrectly classified in the same plant genus as daylily.
The purpose of the society is to promote the genus Hemerocallis (daylilies) and to be of assistance to persons interested in growing them. Proceeds from the plant sale are used to obtain speakers for Society meetings and for other programs. NODS meetings are open to the public and are held the first Monday of the month in February, March, April, May, June, August, September and October at the Cann Garden Center at 7:30 p.m.
The Society also sponsors an annual daylily show which is open to anyone
growing named daylily cultivars. This year's show is scheduled June 20 at
the Conoco Fourth Street Clubhouse. Bill Goldsberry serves as president
of NODS for 1998. For more information about the organization or the plant
sale contact Bill or Carol Goldsberry, 765-2390 or Lillian Williams, 762-3796.
SPORTS
By FRED HILTON
News Sports Editor
With the Frontier Conference Tournament looming Monday and the regional tournament just three weeks away, Ponca City's Wildcat golfers are looking for a way to narrow the gap between themselves and the top teams in the eastern part of the state.
"We are playing pretty well right now, but we're not making up any ground," coach Dan McGregor said after the Cats finished ninth in a field of 21 teams in the Cushing Invitational last week.
The Wildcats finished behind five conference foes at Cushing and behind seven teams they are likely to see at the regional tournament.
"It is very competitive," McGregor said of the east region field. "There are nine very good teams in the conference and at least six top teams in the region. Several good teams on the eastern side of the state are not going to make it to the state tournament."
Wildcat senior Eric Smith paced the Wildcats at Cushing, firing a four-over 74 and was fifth on the medalist listing.
Matt Waddell posted an 80, Jason Pettigrew an 81, Aaron Hill an 82 and Scott King and 87.
The Poncans had a 317 total, 20 strokes behind Cushing, which won its own tournament with a 297, one stroke in front of Broken Arrow. Sapulpa had a 303, Sand spring 310, Tulsa Memorial 311, Holland Hall 312, Owasso 314 and Jenks "B" 316.
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The Wildcat JV golfers picked up their pace Wednesday with a fifth-place finish in the Blackwell Tournament.
Ponca City posted a 349 in the 11-team field. The Cats finished behind Stillwater "B" (327), Perry (330), Blackwell (332) and Mangum (331).
Aaron Sattre led the JVs with an 84, Amar Bhakta an 86, Scott King 87 and Bryant Ferguson 92.
The Ponca City JVs will host Pawnee in a dual meet April 23 at the Ponca
City Country Club.