LOCAL

NOC Bids for Phillips
Nearly News
SJRMC, Local Physicians Team Up To Provide Screen for Cancer
Counterfeit Bills Begin To Surface In Oklahoma City
Community at Risk Group Warns of AIDS Disease
Foundation Provides Financial Support
McCord Fire Dept.Community Meeting Set Tuesday, April 27
Ponca City Student Appearing in SWOSU Ensemble Concert
If You Lived in 999, Chances Are You Worked for the Manor
Jewel Close At Hand
Special Cultural Resource for Ponca Citians

NOC Bids for Phillips

By SALLY HODGES

News Staff Writer

In an attempt to purchase Phillips University for Northern Oklahoma College, NOC and the Enid Economic Development Authority have submitted a joint bid and put up 10 percent earnest money.

“We are excited about this opportunity to further expand higher educational services for the northern section of Oklahoma,” said Dr. Joe Kinzer, president of Northern Oklahoma College.

A bid will be approved during an April 29 hearing, at which time the bidding process will end. At present, three bids have been submitted with NOC/Enid’s proposal monetarily in the middle. It has been stated that other considerations besides money will be taken into consideration. The other two bids come from out-of-state concerns.

According to Kinzer, NOC presently has 13 faculty members and approximately 950 students in Enid through the Northwestern Oklahoma State University-Enid program. Kinzer points out that the expansion to the Enid campus would have no effect on the NOC campus in Tonkawa.

If the bid is approved, Kinzer would like students to begin attending classes on the Phillips campus the fall of 1999.

At this time, NOC offers classes through NWOSU-Enid with its main campus in Tonkawa. If the bid is approved, NOC will move its classes from NWOSU-Enid to the Phillips campus. Relations between NWOSU and NOC will remain strong, however, complementing each other and working toward the betterment of the academic community in the area. Currently NWOSU-Enid is filled to capacity, and the purchase of the Phillips campus would free up class space. Approximately 75 percent of the 1200 NWOSU-Enid students are enrolled in NOC classes.

It would not strain the budget of Northwestern’s Alva or Woodward campuses as NOC would pick up the difference between the earnest money and the total cost of the purchase.

There are no plans at this time to make NOC a four-year college; NOC is a two-year junior college which offers first- and second-year classes and associate degrees.

More will be known after the April 29th hearing, but Kinzer is hopeful that the bid will be accepted.

Phillips University filed Chapter 13 bankruptcy reorganization April 1, 1998, and closed its doors four months later.

Nearly News

Robbie Maroney was incorrectly identified as Robbie Lindey on the front page photo from the Oklahoma City memorial Monday. Sorry!

SJRMC, Local Physicians Team Up To Provide Screen for Cancer

In an effort to fight the battle against colorectal and lower the risk of death, St. Joseph Regional Medical Center has teamed with local physicians to provide a fecal occult blood test to screen for the cancer. The kit is available to anyone interested in taking the test.

Since April is Cancer Control Month, anyone who is at risk of developing, or who may have symptoms of the disease, is encouraged to take the test. Participants take the kit home and follow the simple instructions provided in each kit.

Colorectal Cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second-leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Colon and rectal cancers account for about nine percent of new cases of cancer each year and result in about 10 percent of all deaths from cancer. The five-year survival rate is 91 percent for people whose cancer is found and treated in an early stage, before it has spread; however, only 37 percent of colorectal cancer is found at that early stage.

Once the cancer has spread to nearby organs, the five-year survival rate goes down to 63 percent and if the cancer has spread to distant organs, the survival rate is seven percent.

There are certain risk factors that make a person more likely to develop colorectal cancer:

*a family history of colorectal cancer

*a personal history of colorectal cancer

*a personal history of intestinal cancer

*a personal history of intestinal polyps

*a personal history of inflammatory bowel disease

*aging (90 percent of people found to have colorectal cancer are older than 50)

*a high-fat or low-fiber diet

*physical inactivity

People who have any of the following symptoms should check with their doctor, especially if they are over 40 years old or have a personal or family history of the disease: a change in bowel habits such as diarrhea, constipation, or narrowing of the stool that lasts for more than a few days, rectal bleeding or blood in the stool, or cramping or growing stomach pain.

Even though the exact cause of colorectal cancer is not known, it is possible to prevent many colon cancers. Following screening guidelines can lower the number of cases of the disease and can also lower the death rate from colorectal cancer by detecting the disease at an earlier, more treatable stage.

Since some colorectal cancer cannot be prevented, finding them early is the best way to improve the chance of a cure and reduce the number of deaths caused by the disease.

People should manage the risk factors which they can control, such as diet and exercise. Eat more fruits, vegetables and whole grain foods and avoid high-fat, low-fiber foods. Regular exercise is also helpful.

You may obtain a test at any participating physicians’ office at no charge beginning Wednesday, April 21. Participating physicians include: J.A. Blough, MD (415 Fairview); Jackie Garland, MD (415 Fairview); T.C. Glasscock, MD (300 Fairview), P.W. Gray, MD (111 Patton); H.W. Houk, MD (400 Fairview); R.L. Keim, MD (111 Patton); P.J. Knight, MD (400 Fairview); B.A. Mackey, MD (306 Fairview); C.M. Palmer, MD (300 Fairview); G.F. Shea, DO (900 East Hartford), and M.J. Sullivan, MD (400 Fairview).

Counterfeit Bills Begin To Surface In Oklahoma City

The U.S. Secret Service announced that counterfeit notes are currently appearing in the Oklahoma City. The notes have all been investigatively allied to a common source.

The source is believed to be “crip” related gang members with ties to the Los Angeles area. Numerous suspects have been developed and several arrests have been made, however, these notes continue to be passed. According to the secret service, the heaviest concentration of passing activity appears to be in Los Angeles and Oklahoma City.

Counterfeit $100 bills have been known to have the following numbers: AB15509970D, AB341507221, AL33923061D and AL95234131A. Counterfeit $50 bills to watch out for include: AB31673158B, AB67404056B, AG69878695A and AK03029773A.

Bills in the $20 denomination which carry the numbers E90703972A, L75519813C and L91140566E are known to be counterfeit. Also, B45488551B on $10 bills should be considered suspect.

Any contacts regarding suspected counterfeit currency should be referred to the U.S. Secret Service immediately at 405-810-3000.

Community at Risk Group Warns of AIDS Disease

It’s not every day we hear about an AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) death. It’s not every day we hear of a new HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) infection. That doesn’t mean, however, that these diseases are no longer occurring in Oklahoma.

Approximately 4,000 Oklahomans are currently living with HIV or AIDS. Every region in the state has been affected by the AIDS epidemic.

There is something you can do to help stop the spread of HIV. Your community has organizations that are there to help you become more knowledgeable and understanding regarding the spread of HIV.

The Oklahoma State Department of Health, HIV/STD Service, works very closely with the Oklahoma Community Planning Group for HIV Prevention (OCPG). This group is now at work to develop a Comprehensive HIV Prevention Plan for the State of Oklahoma.

This plan will promote community participation and involvement and will work to reduce the duplication of services. Its other goals are to assess and prioritize where HIV prevention is needed.

In addition to the statewide planning group, there are Regional HIV/AIDS Community Planning Partnerships in your area. Their role is to take ideas, solutions, suggestions or any other pertinent information to the OCPG to help develop the comprehensive plan.

OCPG is seeking individuals to join these planning partnerships to make Oklahoma a safer state and help wipe out HIV/AIDS. Your ideas and knowledge are needed to help attain this goal.

If you would like more information on how to become part of the Oklahoma Community Planning Group, contact Linda Thomas with the state health department’s HIV/STD Service, 405-271-4636, or via e-mail; Linda@health.state.ok.us.

Foundation Provides Financial Support

The Ponca City Public School Foundation was established in 1996 to financially support new and innovative projects requested by Ponca City public school teachers. The foundation has presented 183 grants totaling $134,292 to teachers in every school within the Ponca City public school system.

Members are Sandy Murphy-Driggers, president; James Roland, vice president and public relations chair; Marjie Newman, treasurer; Holly LaBossiere, secretary; Robin Richardson, past president; Kathy Paczkowski, allocation chair; Don Nuzum; Gary Bracken, fund raising chair; Kathleen Scribner; Gini Cary; Sandra Hudack; Rhea Howard; Terri Huston; Larry Buck; Dr. John Scroggins; and Michael Grimes, teacher representative.

The foundation meets every third Wednesday of the month; the next meeting will be noon Wednesday at the Ponca City library.

McCord Fire Dept.Community Meeting Set Tuesday, April 27

There will be a meeting of all the members of the McCord Fire Department comunity April 27 at 7 p.m. in the McCord Cafetorium. The meeting is open tot he public whether a member or not and the books will be there for anyone who wishes to rev iew them. There will be door prizes given away.

An election will be held to fill two board positions that expire this year. New memberships into the community district will be accepted and dues may be paid at that time. Each residence is charged $35 per year. Anyone with other ground, a business, or anything else that needs coverage, should contact Nancy Marlar at 762-4017 or Teresa Mayes at 762-0714 for the rates or membership questions.

The firefighters and fire department board members also want to thank everyone involved in preparing and serving the meal for them at the appreciation dinner recently.

Present members are urged to attend and inform neighbors and friends about the meeting and the department which is located at U.S. 60 and Howard Street. A board meeting is held on the second Tuesday of every month in the McCord School Library, and everyone is welcome.

Ponca City Student Appearing in SWOSU Ensemble Concert

WEATHERFORD — Stephen Heslip of Ponca City will be participating in Southwestern Oklahoma State University’s wind ensemble spring concert at 3 p.m. Sunday. It will be held in the Fine Arts Center on the Weatherford campus. Admission is free, and the public is invited to attend.

The wind ensemble, conducted by Dr. James Smith, will perform Carl Maria von Weber’s “Oberon Overture,” transcribed by M.L. Lake; “Symphony in Bb” by Paul Hindemith; “The World is Waiting for the Sunrise” by Lockhart-Seitz and paraphrased and scored by Harold I. Alford; “Emblems” by Aaron Copland; and “Bullets and Bayonets” by John Philip Sousa.

If You Lived in 999, Chances Are You Worked for the Manor

By Kennis Wessel, Ph.D.

Editor’s Note: The Ponca City Millennium Committee has stimulated a series of articles on the subject of “Life in the Year 999.” The articles are edited by Dr. Kennis Wessel, Executive Director of the Poncan Theatre. They will appear monthly during the year 1999, anticipating the Second Millennium. This article is the fourth of the series.

At day-break in 999, Adricus, a peasant, meets with other workers to plow the field. As peasants, none of them is likely to own everything that might be needed to do the work, so they join forces to get the work done. They may use two oxen, or four or, with real luck, they might have four oxen and a pair of horses.

Adricus is a free man. He owns a small house. He also owns the land on which he grows his food. The same land has been handed down to his father from his father’s father. For three generations, the men of Adricus’s familly have worked this land to support their families. Land is the most precious possession of the era. It is the source of food and living. Adricus’s land was given to his family by the lord of the manor as repayment for services.

Adricus and his father are the only male children in their respective generations, so they inherited the entire plot of land. If there had been two sons, the land might have been divided between the two, and each son would have likely supported his new family with the inheritance. But half the land would produce half the food, so the families would have had difficulty supporting themselves. In 999, the second son of a free man often becomes a monk or tries to become a knight, because the land may not support his family. Still, it is an advantage to be a freeman, because the son of a freeman can leave the land.

But some of Adricus’s friends and co-workers are not free. In 999, most villages in Europe have a population that is either free or unfree. Free people buy and sell land. If unfree, there are two different classes of people: serfs and slaves. Neither can own property. They can’t even move to another place. The law permits recovery of serfs and slaves who try to leave. But the unfree are not shackled to their labors like Roman galley slaves. In fact, it is difficult to distinguish them from other peasants, and they can intermarry with freemen.

With Adricus at day break are several men of the village, including his friend Teubertis. Teubertis is a serf. The two men work beside each other and they share common values and wants. Their living conditions are not greatly different. But one owns property and has a right to bequeath to heirs. The other does not.

Both serfs and slaves owe fees to the lord and labor for him. The lord sets aside some land for serfs. Serfs work that land for their own food, and owe the lord a significant portion of their crops. But they also work land that the lord called his own, the demesne. All of the produce of the demesne goes to the lord. As a serf, Teubertis is bound to the land. If the property is sold, he and his family will remain with it.

Slaves do whatever work they are required to do. Some labor in households, others labor in fields. Slaves could come from anywhere. On the manors, many slaves are descendants of former Roman slaves from centuries before. But there is another kind of slavery, too. In 999 there is an active slave trade, and many abductions force healthy young people into slavery. The Norse, just to name one people, capture undefended peasants up and down the coasts and waterways of England, France, and Spain, sending them through trade routes to Baghdad. Conversely, people of eastern Europe are often abducted and taken to the west. In fact, the word “slave” is so often applied to eastern Europeans that they come to be known as “Slavs.”

But on manors, many poor people in 999 are slaves by choice. They sell themselves into servitude. Once under the protection of a lord, they and their families are more secure from the slave trade. In addition, the success of manorial agriculture means that there are more regular meals, more civilized conditions, a better chance of survival. Still, when times are difficult, as in years of famine, families sometimes are forced to sell small children into slavery. An extra mouth to feed is sometimes intolerable. As sad and difficult as it might be, society understands the dilemma and tolerates a poor man’s choice to give up a child to save his family. Children sold into slavery will likely grow near their parents, although they might be re-sold at any time.

Freemen trade their services for the right to have property of their own. Serfs trade their services for the right to make a living off the lord’s land. And everyone is part of the complex society called “the manorial system.” Somewhere on the manse is the land-owner’s home, a manor, which is the center of the whole manorial system.

The manorial work week is broken up. On most days of the week, Adricus will work his own lands. Freemen have varying obligations to the lord in different parts of Europe, and in some places it’s only a token obligation. But on some days, Adricus, Teubertis, and other villagers will work the land called the “demesne,” the lord’s property within a village. The lord and his lady own the manse, a huge property that may include several villages and even several manors. Each village has a demesne, and the produce of the demesne is the lord’s exclusive property. The demesnes of several villages produce a great deal of grain.

The lord and lady reap the benefits of many workers’ labors. The words “lord” and “lady” have not actually come into the English language yet in 999. But Anglo-Saxon, the English language of 999, has early forms of the words “lord” and “lady.” In the next two hundred years, the Anglo-Saxon word “hlafweard” will mutate into “lord” and “hlaefdige” will become “lady.” And these Anglo-Saxon words tell the story of manorial economics in 999. “Hlafweard” means “keeper of the bread” and “hlaefdige” is “maker of the bread.” The hlafweard and hlaefdige really only have one significant advantage over peasants and serfs. They have a store house of foods. The lord is “keeper of the bread” because he has grain in storage, and in times of frequent famine that factor may save his family’s life. Since abundance could also save his peasants’ lives, it becomes a source of power.

The manorial system came into being as a means of protection. After the fall of the Roman Empire in 476, there was little security. There were no military and no police. Invaders from the east, the Huns, the Vandals, the Goths, and the Magyars, could easily overwhelm almost any city. In fact, invaders were more likely to plunder cities than towns. In cities, there was more loot to capture. So Europeans had moved from cities to the country to protect themselves. In 999, ninety percent of all Europeans lived in rural areas.

The former Roman officials across Europe, many of whom held large amounts of land, needed protection as much as a common villager. Over several centuries, land owners developed a system which drew on the labor of peasants and slaves. In 999, peasants swear to defend the lord. In the bargain, they create a group that can unite for common defense. The peasant actually contracts himself to the lord. One such contract calls for the peasant to say to the lord, “As long as I shall live, I am bound to serve you and respect you as a free man ought, and during my lifetime I have not the right to withdraw from your authority and protection, but must, on the contrary, for the remainder of my days remain under it.”

More to the point, the contract pays them in land, and land is their source of food. In a sense, everyone in the manorial system is a servant. The lowest slave and the peasant both serve the lord, the lord serves the king, and the king serves God.

A manor might not be huge. Two or three small manors might be found in a single large village. But two lords may be significantly different in status, so more often, a manse encompasses manors in several villages. Even the Catholic church is part of the system. An abbey or bishopric might have peasants working in the same system, paying dues to the abbot or bishop. Many lords do not live near their property. A lord may visit his land rarely, perhaps once a year.

The lord of the manse has enormous power within his property. But there is a common misconception today that the lord interfered in every local activity. In fact, the lord wants the village and the peasantry to be successful. If they are efficient and productive, his wealth will grow. Manorial courts settle disputes and levy fines for the lord, but jurors are often villagers themselves.

The lord has employees who administer the land in his absence. Chief among them is the steward, who supervises the entire estate. Often the steward is a knight. Immediately below the steward in authority is a bailiff, who is usually a villager. The bailiff’s responsibility is to manage a single manor, primarily to organize work around the demesne. And below the bailiff is a reeve, who is elected by the villagers themselves. He is a kind of work foreman, supervising plow teams, seeing that the workers get to work on time and keep active.

Peasants of all kinds owe certain fees to the lord. Since there is little money in 999, fees and dues are almost always paid in grain or livestock. Peasants have to pay when a daughter marries, or when someone dies, or when someone inherits. The marriage of a daughter might require a fee of two chickens. When a senior member of the peasant’s family dies, the lord will claim the best ox or a number of sheep. Inheritance might mean that the lord will take the best woolens from the peasant’s hut. The peasant doesn’t own much else.

The lord may collect fees for misconduct. For example, there are penalties when a peasant fails to work as assigned, or if a serf tries to escape, or for theft. There are penalties when a peasant’s animal grazes on the demesne without the lord’s permission. On the other hand, the lord often insists that peasants fold their sheep on his property, because he wants the manure to grow his crops.

One of the most significant fees is called a “ban.” The ban is the lord’s control of certain essentials of living. Milling and baking are part of the ban. A peasant home usually has neither a mill nor an oven. But across Europe, large manors might have ten to twenty mills, all owned by the lord. And every large village has one or two baking ovens, also owned by the lord. The ban prohibits milling and baking unless they are done at the lord’s mill and the lord’s bakery. And of course, a fee is involved, usually paid to the lord in grain. Millers and bakers are widely held in contempt. In 999, both professions are underpaid, and they are somewhat unscrupulous, pinching a bit of grain or a bit of bread when they can.

Our friends Adricus and Teubeurtis have little power in 999. Power is in the hands of the lord. But in the bargain, they gain in security. In 999, a lord can help protect them. Typically, a lord’s manor house perches at the top of a hill, surrounded by a mote and one or two wooden palisades. Some houses have a watchtower to spot the approach of invaders. Feuds between rival lords are significant to peasants, because a common way to destroy the rival lord is to destroy his means of sustenance. And that means that peasants are often slain and their property destroyed. For all the advantage of protection, peasants are often caught in the middle of a quarrel about which they know nothing. The lord is their lightening rod. He both attracts violence and shields the peasant from it.

The manorial system is the primary source of power and wealth in 999. There are thousands of manors across Europe, and manors are the principal means of providing structure to daily life. They bring food and sustenance to the mouths of Europe, and they organize a system of defense. On the manor, everyone has a sense of place. But the forces of change are slowly being unleashed. In 999, the defined order of manorial Europe is about to change.

In following articles, we will look at daily life in the year 999. There will be one article per month. They will touch on such subjects as Family Structure, Clothing, Religion, Labor, Arts and Entertainment, and others. Next month, we will look at Homes and Buildings in 999.

Copyright 1999 by Kennis Wessel

Letters

Jewel Close At Hand

Sometimes living in Ponca City we forget what a jewel we have just a few miles away in Tonkawa. Northern Oklahoma College held consecration ceremonies for new flags for the college and each of the divisions within the college. The ceremonies were well done. They did a good job of pointing out the various areas of expertise at NOC and the diversity of experiences and education you can receive there.

Northern has introduced a new website at www.north-ok.edu which is well done and informative. They have advanced in all areas of education and technology as well as telecommunications and distance learning. As a forwarding looking institution they are proving they are moving rapidly into the future.

Started in 1901, NOC has a history of graduating successful students who have gone on to make their mark all over the country. The institution has grown and prospered under good leadership for years. Northern has recently been expanding its presence in Enid and is now making a bid for the Phillips University Campus. A successful completion to that foray will be good for Northern, Kay County and Enid.

There is an argument that there are too many colleges in Oklahoma. Northern Oklahoma College makes a good case that it is not part of the problem.

TM

Special Cultural Resource for Ponca Citians

The people of Ponca City have a special cultural resource, but some citizens may not be aware of it. The Ponca City Arts and Humanities Council contributes quietly but eloquently to the quality of life in this community. This week has been declared the statewide Arts and Humanities Week by Gov. Keating, and it is appropriate that we salute the work of this fine, selfless institution.

The Arts and Humanities Council was founded in Ponca City in 1986. The members of the board volunteer their labors to celebrate and enhance the cultural life of Ponca City. Together with Conoco (the great benefactor of the Council), with the Oklahoma Arts Council, and other agencies, the board brings outstanding artists, educators, and exhibits for the public to enjoy and use.

In recent years, the Council has made it possible to see the Oklahoma City Symphony, the Tulsa Ballet production of “The Nutcracker,” the Norahua Folkloric Dancers, Byron Berline’s bluegrass fiddle, three huge Chautauquas, and many other artists. They regularly provide funds for fascinating exhibits such as “Apron Strings,” “World War II Posters,” and “Seeds of Change” which showed last year at the Marland Mansion and the Ponca City Library. Presentations of the Arts and Humanities Council are free to anyone and everyone.

The Council helps provide classroom opportunities in which fine artists visit schools, opening new experiences to students. Recently, “Miss Fay’s Marionettes” performed in five different schools in a week, using puppets to tell a multi-cultural story of the early Oklahoma land runs.

The Council paid for the event and then helped students from every private and public elementary school get to see it. And the Council offers workshops for students. Because of the Council, young people of Ponca City have had workshops in modern dance, juggling, acting, puppets, and other tools of expression. And these are only a small portion of the Council’s gifts to the community.

The arts enhance a community in ways we are just beginning to understand. Students who learn music show improved skills in math. Students with opportunities to act or dance tend to improve social skills. The feeling of community is richest when we come together to enjoy the diversity of different cultures. We were one people when Al Bostick told his story of the Creation. And we were all youngsters when the Howard Hanger Jazz ensemble performed this spring. And we all celebrated the spirit together when the Ambassador Choir performed last week.

One measure of a community is the quality and reach of its culture. When we think of great civilizations of the past, of ancient Greece, of the Incas, of the England of Elizabeth I, we are naming cultures that rejoiced in the arts and human expression. But many small communities can’t afford the culture that we have in Ponca City. Our town is truly special. Our lives are enhanced by Conoco and by the Arts and Humanities Council. Our cultural wealth is enriched by their labors. We owe them our appreciation.

Sincerely,

Kenn Wessel

DEATHS

Melinda K. Kerr
Eugene E. Rankins
Paul Thomas Shipp Jr.
Frances Elizabeth Casey
Florence Louise Wilson
Clarene Brotherton
Willie L. Armstrong
Henry Webster Sprow
Dorothy Lee McClung

Melinda K. Kerr

SHIDLER — Melinda K. “Mindy” Kerr, lifelong resident of the Shidler Community, died Saturday evening, April 17, 1999, at her home in Webb City. She was 41.

The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 21, at Grandview Cemetery in Kaw City. The Rev. Bill Long will preside over the services assisted by the Rev. Charles Richey. Arrangements are under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel, Ponca City. Mrs. Kerr’s body will lie in state at the Shidler Chapel and friends may visit until 6 p.m. Tuesday, and from 10 a.m. to noon, Wednesday.

Melinda K. “Mindy” (Bethel) Kerr was born Dec. 2, 1957, in Fairfax, the daughter of Meb Bethel and Linda (Thomison) Bethel. She attended Shidler public schools.

She was married to Scott Kerr on Oct. 4, 1975, in Shidler. Through the years, she had been employed at Buffey’s Restaurant, Ma and Pa’s Kitchen, Cox Aviation and had worked as a contract pumper for Roughton Industries. Mrs. Kerr was a member of the Webb City Methodist Church. She enjoyed hunting for arrowheads, camping and the outdoors.

She is survived by her husband, Scott, of the home; two sons, Scott Alan Kerr Jr. of Shidler and Sonny Joe Kerr of the home; her parents, Meb and Linda Bethel of Shidler; her maternal grandmother, Waheneta Hodges of Shidler; three sisters, Sue Ballard of Bartlesville, Cindy Falder of Pawhuska and Michelle Wise of Perry; two brothers, Chuck Bethel of Dallas, Texas, and John Bethel of Grainola; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by one sister, Jeanne Bethel; maternal grandfather, A.L. Thomison; and paternal grandparents Charley and Pearl Bethel.

Honorary casket bearers will be John Bethel, Chuck Bethel, Jim Kerr, Ron Kerr, Bill Kerr, Robert Slatten, Cymon Ballard, Scott Wise and Kenny Falder.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Ponca City, 1904 North Union, Suite 103, Ponca City, OK 74601.

The family will be at the home in Webb City.

Eugene E. Rankins

ALTAMONT, Kan. — Eugene E. Rankins former Hominy resident, and relative to several area residents, died Monday, April 19, 1999, at Labette County Medical Center in Parsons, Kan. He was 75.

The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, April 22, at the Bath Funeral Home in Altamont. Burial will be in the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery at Altamont with military graveside rites. Friends may visit from 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

Eugene E. Rankins was born Feb. 17, 1924, in Hominy, the son of Levi and Viola Gaylor. He lived and attended schools in the Altamont and Mound Valley area. During World War II he served in the South Pacific Theater with the U.S. Marines. He also served during the Korean War.

On Sept. 11, 1946, he was married to Imogene Raymond at Altamont. Rankins was employed in maintenance with Ruskins Inc.

Survivors include his wife, Imogene, of the home in Altamont; five sons, Gaylon of Welch, Gail of Evasham, England, Gary of Altamont, Al of Fort Hood, Texas, and Gregory of Altamont; two daughters, Charlotte Irvine of Platte City, Mo., and Cindy Vanderford of Altamont, Kan.; one brother, Lige Baylor of Denver, Colo.; two half-brothers; two sisters, Audrey Pefley of Coffeyville, Kan., and Wanda Kennedy of Anchorage, Alaska; three half-sisters, and 10 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers; two sisters; and two granddaughters.

Paul Thomas Shipp Jr.

Paul Thomas Shipp Jr. died Saturday, April 17, 1999, at his home in Ponca City. He was 56.

A graveside service is set for 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 21, at the A.J. Powell Memorial Cemetery in Hominy, with the Rev. Mike Chambers officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Powell Funeral Home, Hominy.

Paul Thomas Shipp Jr., was born Sept. 27, 1942, in Hominy, to Paul Thomas and Catherine A. (Todd) Shipp Jr. He grew up and received his education in Wynona, graduating from Wynona High School in 1962. He had been employed as a oilfield worker. At the time of his death he was employed with Acme and with Crossland Ford Lincoln Mercury Dealership in Ponca City.

Survivors include one daughter, Jessi Alderman of Neosho, Mo.; one brother, Jim T. Shipp of Pawhuska; and one granddaughter.

Obituaries

Frances Elizabeth Casey

Frances Elizabeth Casey, Ponca City resident, died Sunday, April 18, 1999, at the Ponca City Nursing Home. She was 75.

The funeral will be held Thursday, April 22, 1999, at 2 p.m. graveside at Resthaven Memory Gardens Cemetery in Oklahoma City with Mr. Mark Berry, officiating. The service is under the direction of the Trout Funeral Home, Ponca City.

Frances was born April 29, 1923, in Zita, in Carter County. She was the ninth of twelve children born to Thomas Alfred and Mamie Bell (Shelton) Burnes. When she was small child her family moved in three covered wagons to the Vinson area where she grew up and attended school. She played basketball for the Vinson Bulldogs as a high school student.

Frances was united in marriage Oct. 12, 1940, in Hollis, to Whitfield “Whit” Casey. They lived for several years in the Vinson and Hollis area, moving to Borger, Texas, for a few years while Whit worked for Phillips Petroleum Co. They moved to Oklahoma City in 1951, where Whit worked at Tinker Air Base. They moved to Ponca City after his retirement in 1980. Frances was a homemaker and full time mom. After Whit’s death in 1989, Frances lived a short while at Broadway Plaza, then moved to the Ponca City Nursing Home. She enjoyed arts and crafts, ceramics and crocheting. She especially enjoyed being with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Survivors include one daughter, LaNell Reed and her husband Jimmy who was considered a special “son,” of Ponca City; three sons, Monty Casey and his wife Rose of Ponca City, and Gene Casey and his wife Judy, and Tommy Casey and his wife Cherrie, all of Aurora, Colo.; eight very special grandchildren, Kathey and husband Eddie Farmer and Kristi Reed, all of Ponca City, Cyndy and her husband David Smith of Grandview, Mo., April and Mikey Casey, of Ponca City, and Jason Casey, Nick and Tyler Guthrie, all of Aurora, Colo.; six great-grandchildren, Jimmy, Katy, and Jordan Farmer of Ponca City, Kasey and Korey Smith of Grandview, Mo., and Jayce Grimm of Ponca City; one brother, Richard Burnes of Dallas, Texas; and three sisters, Pat Smith of Amarillo, Texas, Wanda Quibeadeaux of Point Blank, Texas, and Clara Smith of Simi Valley, Calif.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Whit, one infant daughter, her parents, three brothers, two sisters, and two infant siblings.

The family will be at the home of LaNell Reed, 605 West Otoe.

Memorials may be made to the Korey Smith Cochlear Implant Fund, c/o Rachel Rodgers, Commercial Federal Bank, 400 East Central Ave., Ponca City, OK 74601.

paid obituary

Florence Louise Wilson

Florence Louise Wilson, Ponca City resident, died early Sunday morning, April 18, 1999, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. She was 92.

A vigil service will be held Tuesday evening at 7 p.m. at the Trout Funeral Home Chapel. Mass of Christian burial will be recited at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church with the Rev. John Michalicka, celebrant. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery under direction of the Trout Funeral Home.

Born March 5, 1907, in Washunga, Okla., in Indian Territory, she was the daughter of Bert Joseph and Adele Evangaline (Bellmard) Dennison. She graduated from Mount Carmel Academy in Wichita, Kan.

On Oct. 19, 1926, she was married to Sidney W. Wilson in Wichita, Kan. He preceded her in death on March 7, 1964. Florence was one of the few remain original Osage Nation allotees. She was a charter member of St. Helena’s Guild; a member of the St. Mary’s Church and oblate of St. Benedict.

Survivors include a son Sidney W. Wilson Jr. of North Little Rock, Ark.; a daughter, Suzann Braden of Ponca City; and daughter-in-law Peggy Wilson of Ponca City. Additional survivors include two brothers, Tom Dennison and Leonard Dennison, and a sister, Lenora Crisp, all of Ponca City; 15 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and one great-grandson. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by one son, Charles Wilson; and one infant daughter, Patty Jean Wilson.

Casket bearers will be Sidney Wilson III, Michael Wilson, Scott W. Braden, Matthew Wilson, Daniel H. Braden, and Kevin Wilson.

Contributions may be made in Mrs. Wilson’s name to St. Mary’s School Scholarship Fund, 415 South Seventh Street, Ponca City, OK 74601.

The family will be at the Braden home, 1601 Hathaway.

paid obituary

Services Pending

Clarene Brotherton

PAWNEE — Clarene Brotherton, former Ralston resident, died Monday, April 19, 1999, at the Pawnee Municipal Hospital. She was 74. Arrangements are pending with Hunsaker-Wooten Funeral Home, Fairfax.

Willie L. Armstrong

FAIRFAX — Willie L. Armstrong, longtime Fairfax resident, died Tuesday morning, April 20, 1999, at her home. Survivors include a son, Roy Lee, of the home. Arrangements are pending with Hunsaker-Wooten Funeral Home, Fairfax.

Henry Webster Sprow

Henry Webster “Web” Sprow, longtime Ponca City area resident, died Monday afternoon, April 19, 1999, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. He was 92. Survivors include his wife, Pearl. Arrangements are pending with Grace Memorial Chapel.

Funerals

Wednesday

Dorothy Lee McClung

Funeral at 2 p.m. at Grace Memorial Chapel in Ponca City. Burial will be at Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery in Ponca City.

NEWS BRIEFS

Citian Joins Navy — Navy Seaman Recruit William R. King, son of Bill R. and Peggy E. King of 1012 North Pecan Road, Ponca City, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill. During the eight-week program, King completed a variety of training which included classroom study and practical instruction on naval customs, first aid, fire fighting, water safety and survival, and shipboard and aircraft safety. An emphasis is also placed on physical fitness. He is a 1998 graduate of El Dorado High School in El Dorado, Kan.

Every Wednesday ð price clothes and shoes, except priced

items. Check our daily specials. Caboose Thrift Shoppe, First and

Central. adv.

Canceled — First United Methodist Church is canceling its scheduled Potato Bake and programming for Wednesday, April 21.

Cow Manure $1.19 a bag. Keathly’s Nursery. 2448 Bridge

Avenue. Monday-Friday 8-5:30. Saturday 8-5. Sunday 1-5. adv.

Exhibitors Set Meeting — Please join us April 21 for the Quarter/Paint Horse Exhibitors Association membership meeting to be held at the Pioneer Bank Drive-thru in Ponca City, at 7 p.m. Please call — 762-1757 — if you are unable to attend.

Attention! Country Day School is extending their hours for child

care to 11:30 p.m. to accommodate people working night time

hours. Call 762-4453 for more information. adv.

Graffiti — An employee of Union Elementary, 2617 North Union Street, notified the Ponca City Police Department at 7:12 a.m. Monday, of graffiti on the back side of the school. An officer took a report and requested extra patrol for the area.

4” Red Geraniums, reg. $1.99 sale $0.99. Keathly’s Nursery.

2448 Bridge Avenue. Monday-Friday 8-5:30. Saturday 8-5. Sunday

1-5. adv.

Vandalism — At 9:10 a.m. Monday, a Ponca City police officer took a report of vandalism in the 700 block of Monument Road.

Free Pregnancy test. Birth Choice cares. Confidential.

Hours: Monday, 4-6 p.m., Tuesday, 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, 1-3 p.m. and

Thursday, 6-8 p.m. 700 West Broadway. adv.

Larceny — A Ponca City Police Officer took a report of grand larceny at Ponca City Business Systems, 2101 North Fourteenth Street, at 9:32 a.m. Monday.

WWF Backlash: In your house. Pay Per View hard hitting

wrestling coming Sunday, April 25th at 7:00 p.m. Call Cable One

for your ringside seat, 762-6684.

adv.

Warrant Served — A 21-year-old woman was arrested by a Ponca City police officer at 10:27 a.m. Monday, from the 300 block of West Cleveland Avenue, for a Kay County warrant.

Embezzlement — At 10:59 a.m. Monday, an employee of a business in the 500 block of South Fourteenth Street contacted the Ponca City Police Department to report possible embezzlement. An officer responded and took a report.

Save $$$Thousands$$$ - 3 carat

marquis diamone - cost plus small handling fee - Jewelry Connection, 306 N. 1st. adv.

Accident — A Ponca City police officer responded to the report of an accident which occurred at East Hartford Avenue and North Fourteenth Street, at 1:27 p.m. Monday. No injuries were reported.

One Week only - 3 carat marquis diamond - cost plus small

handling fee - Jewelry Connection - 306 N. 1st. adv.

Stolen — An employee of Music Suite, 1806 North Fifth Street, contacted the Ponca City Police Department at 2:14 p.m. Monday, to advise a guitar accessory had been stolen.

Vandalism — At 3:19 p.m. Monday, a Ponca City police officer took a report of vandalism to a vacant apartment in the 1400 block of West Highland Avenue.

Off the Sidewalk — An employee of a business in the 300 block of West Grand Avenue, notified the Ponca City Police Department at 4:31 p.m. Monday, that two boys on bikes almost hit customers. An officer contacted the youth and advised them to stay off the sidewalk.

Petit Larceny — An employee of Wal-Mart, 1101 East Prospect Avenue, contacted the Ponca City Police Department at 6:21 p.m. Monday, to report a shoplifter was in custody. An officer responded and arrested a 15-year-old girl for petit larceny.

Stolen — At 7:36 p.m. Monday, a resident from the 100 block of Hillside Avenue notified the Ponca City Police Department that a bike was stolen. An officer responded and took a report.

Fire — Ranch Drive Volunteer Fire Department contacted the Ponca City Fire Department at 9:46 p.m. Monday, to report a grass fire at North Avenue and Ranch Drive. Ponca City firefighters responded and extinguished the fire.

DUI — A Ponca City police officer arrested a 32-year-old man from a traffic stop at North Fifth Street and East Prospect Avenue at 11:40 p.m. Monday. The subject was charged with driving under the influence and no insurance.

LIFESTYLES

Caribbean Vegetable Bake Great With or Without Meat
Family Reunions Can Reach Across Time
Sodium Can Increase Hypertension

Caribbean Vegetable Bake Great With or Without Meat

(AP) — Both vegetarian and nonvegetarian menus could include this Caribbean Corn and Vegetable Bake. It can be served with other vegetables, grains, rice or lentils and crusty whole-wheat bread for vegetarians; or with fish, burgers or chops for other family preferences.

It’s a hearty casserole calling for corn, potatoes, onions and tomatoes, flavored with cumin, thyme and ground red pepper. The vegetables are cut into chunks, and the casserole bakes in just over 30 minutes.

On sale in supermarkets nationally now is a new variety of fresh corn, southern super-sweet corn, grown in Alabama, Florida and Georgia. It’s in season from October to July, most plentiful in April and May. California is also an important source of corn, much of it of the super-sweet variety, from April through December. Growers of the hybrid say it rivals fresh “local” late-summer corn in sweetness and tenderness.

Caribbean Corn

and Vegetable Bake

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin

1 teaspoon salt

3/4 teaspoon sugar

3/4 teaspoon dried thyme,

crumbled

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper

4 ears fresh corn, shucked

and halved

1 pound plum tomatoes (about 6),

cut in halves

12 ounces small thin-skinned

potatoes (about 4), cut in quarters

(about 2 1/2 cups)

2 medium onions, cut in thin

wedges (about 2 cups)

Preheat oven to 450 F. In a small bowl, mix oil, cumin, salt, sugar, thyme, black pepper and red pepper until blended. Place corn, tomatoes, potatoes and onions in a 15 by 10-inch roasting pan. Pour the oil mixture over the vegetables; toss gently to coat. Cover pan with foil. Bake, stirring once or twice, until vegetables are tender, about 30 minutes. Makes 4 to 6 servings, about 9 cups.

Family Reunions Can Reach Across Time

By JENNIFER CRICHTON

Mr. Food’s Easy

Cooking Magazine

For The Associated Press

As diverse as America itself, family reunions are held in conference centers, houseboats, YMCA lodges, backyards, parks and campgrounds across the nation.

These gatherings create — if only for one day a year — the exhilarating experience of what life was once like when all families lived in extended, tightknit groups.

Particularly for the kids, who might otherwise never have the reassurance of the safety net of relatives, it is rewarding to know that there is someone there to catch them when they fall off the tense tightrope of everyday life.

The following are 10 steps to a fabulous reunion:

1. Decide whom to include. Do you want to invite your grown siblings, all of your grandparents’ descendants, your great-grandparents? If more than half of those included need to drive three hours or more to gather, plan on a weekend reunion. Consider starting small. Make it a “cousins’ day” in the backyard or in a park pavilion. To drum up enthusiasm, bring in relatives from all the family’s branches.

2. Plan early. For a weekend reunion, 18 months to 2 years in advance is not too early to look for a site.

3. Keep it affordable. You want everyone to be able to come. Consider sites that have dual functions — at a campground in a national park, for example, which would have easily affordable overnight fees as well as lots of recreational activities. Some could choose to camp out, some could stay in cabins, others could sleep in nearby hotels or motels if they prefer.

4. Use the Internet. It’s a great place to find distant relatives and to post an announcement about your gathering.

5. Make it fun for all ages. Horseshoe throwing is not a thrill for kids, and theme parks don’t cut it for most older folks. Find activities that are great for all ages: kite flying, clam digging, treasure hunts with teams of all ages and all branches, a home movie marathon, or slide show with funny captions or music.

6. Go easy on the in-laws. Request only one appearance each day from reluctant spouses, then let them go their own way: to the mall, back to bed, out to play golf. For harmonious reunions, treat family like friends and friends like family.

7. T-shirts are a must! They’re the affordable all-American symbol of family pride. You can even create your own design on a computer, then print it out on iron-on decal paper. The design can then be transferred directly to the shirts with a hot iron.

8. Get people mingling. Have a name tag for everyone — assume everyone is a stranger to everyone else. Play icebreaker games such as volleyball, family trivia, relay races and tugs-of-war. Other ideas: Hold sit-down dinners with planned seating, mixing up the brood.

9. Coordinate the menu. Appoint a planner to keep track of contributions so there aren’t eight zucchini breads and one watermelon. Bringing food to match a planned theme is another way to go.

10. Set aside a specific time when the family collects for a toast. You should remember those folks who have passed away, the ones who have married in, and the babies born since the last reunion. Honor the past, celebrate the present and look forward to the future together.

Websites that can help in the search for relatives www.whowhere.com or www.four11.com.

To post an announcement a bout your gathering www.surnames.com or www.reunionsmag.com.

Jennifer Crichton was inspired to write her book, “Family Reunion” (Workman Publishing), after she helped her cousin organize a reunion for 125 Crichtons.

Sodium Can Increase Hypertension

STILLWATER - Everyone enjoys sitting down to a meal of his or her favorite foods. Some people, however, must make changes in the foods they eat because of a medical problem such as hypertension.

A diet high in sodium is often linked to hypertension, but food is not the only cause.

Other contributing factors can include family history, increased age, smoking, being overweight and leading a sedentary lifestyle, said Janice Hermann, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension nutrition specialist.

“Studies indicate while going easy on salt and sodium won’t prevent hypertension, it can lower blood pressure in some individuals who have hypertension,” Hermann said. “Even healthy people should keep a close eye on sodium intake and shouldn’t exceed 2400 mg per day.”

Before picking up the salt shaker, consider the fact that people are not born with a desire for salty foods. Infants have four primary tastes-sweet, bitter, sour and salty.

Infants will embrace sweet foods and reject sour or bitter. They can take or leave salty foods.

“Basically, if you’re raised on salty foods you’ll feel more need to add salt to your food in order to make it taste good,” she said.

It is possible to retrain taste buds by gradually decreasing the sodium and salt in your diet. The less salt you consume, the less you will want.

Hermann suggests selecting lower-sodium brands of foods when grocery shopping. Also, adding fruits and vegetables without adding salt can lower the sodium content of any diet.

Herbs, spices and salt-free seasonings can help food retain a highly flavorful appeal while cutting down on the salt and sodium.

Fresh-squeezed lemon juice adds a flavorful touch to steamed vegetables, broiled fish, rice or pasta. Also, slice potatoes and spray with non-stick spray, then sprinkle with a salt-free herb-seasoning blend and bake for a batch of tasty homemade fries.

BUSINESS

Kay Electric Announces Winners Of 36th Annual Youth Tour Event
Downtown Grill Opens
Conoco, Bell Geospace Form Exploration Alliance
Secretary’s Day Appreciation Set Wednesday
Four Commercial Building Permits Issued in March
Financial Advisor Attends Conference

Kay Electric Announces Winners Of 36th Annual Youth Tour Event

BLACKWELL — Recent winners of the Kay Electric youth tour competition were announced here.

Amanda Cobb of Ponca City High School and Travis Davis of Deer Creek-Lamont won trips to Washington, D.C. and Esther Sproull and Benito Gonzales, both students at Deer Creek-Lamont High School won trips to Liberty, Mo.

Lindsay Burkhalter of Blackwell, Kyleen Kirby of DCLA, Bob Tull of Newkirk High School and Bodie Leonard of DCLA won cash prizes during the Kay Electric’s 36th youth tour contest.

High school juniors from area schools were invited to enter the contest by writing essays. The four boys and four girls with the best essays were invited to the final’s banquet where they gave their essays in speech form, and answered questions from three judges.

Judges included Louise DeWitt of KanOkla Telephone in Caldwell, Kan.; Lisa Otipoby with the Kaw Tribe, Kaw City; and Stephen Cargill, Superintendent of Shidler Schools.

Marilyn Harmon, Youth Tour Coordinator for Kay Electric, said the competition was tough. “We had some really good essays this year, and the finalists were all top notch.” Harmon said.

The banquet was held in the Kay Room, where finalists, their parents, Kay Electric’s board and staff watched the competition.

Downtown Grill Opens

A new restaurant opened Monday offering Ponca City diners more than just a place to eat. Jack’s Downtown Grill, 200 North Second Street, is trying a unique approach, giving patrons a place to eat and have fun.

“You don’t have to go out of town to do something special,” said Jack McDonald, owner. “We incorporated comments from the community and made a place where any and everyone can feel comfortable.”

Diners can choose from: pasta dishes; Mexican items; steaks (from chicken fried to New York strip); hamburgers and sandwiches, as well as brick oven pizzas. Additionally, the menu offers a wide selection of appetizers and salads.

The inside of the restaurant was remodeled to provide a casual/fun atmosphere. A room upstairs has been converted into an entertainment room, where both the young and young-at-heart can play billiards or video games. Banquet facilities are still available.

Additionally, the patio will be open on weekends and special occasions offering a special menu including: burgers, appetizers and brick oven pizza.

According to McDonald, the first day went pretty well. Hours of operation are: Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

McDonald has been in the restaurant business for more than 20 years. He currently owns and operates two other local eateries, J.W. Cobb’s and Pizza Inn.

Conoco, Bell Geospace Form Exploration Alliance

HOUSTON — Bell Geospace Inc. has announced today they have formed a strategic alliance in exploration technology with Conoco

Inc. The alliance will combine Bell Geospace’s three-dimensional Full Tensor Gradient (3-D FTG) data acquisition and processing capability with

Conoco’s proprietary techniques for analyzing and inverting gradient and magnetic data.

Bell Geospace will work with Conoco’s Seismic Imaging Technology Center (SITE) to integrate the 3-D FTG inversion process with Conoco’s technology in seismic data processing and depth imaging, pore pressure prediction, and seismic analysis. The alliance will allow Bell Geospace and Conoco SITE to integrate the full power of Conoco’s proprietary technologies with the 3-D FTG inversion process to provide superior technical solutions to clients worldwide.

“The combination of these two technologies will allow Bell Geospace and Conoco to offer innovative and integrated solutions to clients,” said Bell Geospace President and CEO, Larry J. White.

Conoco, a recognized leader in the areas of seismic processing, depth imaging, and borehole geophysics, is a major, integrated energy company based in Houston and active in 40 countries.

Bell Geospace, Inc., based in Houston, Texas, is a privately held, technology-based company that is the exclusive provider of high-resolution three-dimensional Full Tensor Gradient data to the oil and gas market. Leading exploration and production companies employ the company’s products and services to gradient optimize seismic data and identify promising drilling locations.

Secretary’s Day Appreciation Set Wednesday

There is still time to reserve your Secretary’s spot at the Chamber of Commerce Second Annual Secretary’s Day Appreciation Event, scheduled for Wednesday, April 21 from 10 a.m. to noon. All you need to do is call the Chamber office at (580)765-4400.

The Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce is teaming up with A+ Printing, Braudrick Printery, Inc., Hobby Lobby Creative Center, Kay Office Equipment Company, Kwik Kopy Printing, Merrifield Office & School Supply, Southwest Business Products, Inc. and Staples, Inc. to host a special reception to recognize those office support professionals who go above and beyond the call of duty. The reception will be held from 10 a.m. to noon at the Chamber offices, 420 E. Grand Avenue.Four commercial permits valued at $566,000 were issued in March, through the Ponca City Planning Department. Charles Kelley, building inspector, also reported one new multi-home permit was issued at a value of $200,000. Additionally, the department issued four remodel addition permits and six miscellaneous permits.

Earl Whittaker, electrical inspector, reported 25 electrical permits were issued in March. Ninety inspections were also completed.

Regarding plumbing permits, 30 were issued with 99 inspections performed, according to Buddy R. Osborn plumbing and mechanical inspector.

Osborn also reported that 20 mechanical permits were given out and 86 inspections were completed.

Total revenue from inspections amounted to $2,268 for the month.

Four Commercial Building Permits Issued in March

Four commercial permits valued at $566,000 were issued in March, through the Ponca City Planning Department. Charles Kelley, building inspector, also reported one new multi-home permit was issued at a value of $200,000. Additionally, the department issued four remodel addition permits and six miscellaneous permits.

Earl Whittaker, electrical inspector, reported 25 electrical permits were issued in March. Ninety inspections were also completed.

Regarding plumbing permits, 30 were issued with 99 inspections performed, according to Buddy R. Osborn plumbing and mechanical inspector.

Osborn also reported that 20 mechanical permits were given out and 86 inspections were completed.

Total revenue from inspections amounted to $2,268 for the month.

Financial Advisor Attends Conference

Vicki Graves, financial advisor with Morgan Stanley Dean Witter, recently attended an Equity Conference held at the Wyndham Anatole, in Dallas, Texas.

The world renowned research department of Morgan Stanley Dean Witter was featured at the conference. The research department was recently named the 1998 Equity House of the Year by International Financing Review, in recognition of Morgan Stanley Dean Witter’s performance in the securities business.

Graves was one of 400 financial advisors invited, to attend the conference out of over 11,000 advisors in the Morgan Stanley Dean Witter system.orts

SPORTS

Lady Cats 2nd in Conference
PC Golfers 6th, 8th In League
Two Errors Too Many in Loss
Wildcat Netters Finish 3rd
Jr. Hi Golfers Nab 3rd, 4th At Cushing

Lady Cats 2nd in Conference

Aside from the ongoing Jenks Jinx, the Lady Wildcat netters once again leveled their competition en route to a second place finish in the 9-team Frontier Conference Tournament at the Wally Smith Tennis Center, Monday.

The Lady Cats finished with one first, two seconds and a fourth place finish to rack up 32 points, second only to Jenks’ 38. Bartlesville, Broken Arrow and Tulsa Union finished in a 3-way tie for third, with 22 apiece.

“We’re playing great,” said coach Stan Wheeler. “That’s about all there is to say: we’re playing great.”

Romi Foreman and Abby Frick solidified their standing as the number one No. 1 doubles team in the conference, cruising to the title after gaining an injury default against Jenks’ Diana Eaton and Lindy Woods. The powerhouse Ponca City duo strolled past Krisa Lambert and Chrysty Walsid of Bartlesville, 6-4, 6-0, and Marcia Queen and Shelly Hensley of Sapulpa, 6-3, 6-0, in the first two rounds.

Ashley Roussel also secured a position among the state’s elite, finishing second in No. 1 singles only after a finals loss to Lindsey Marvel of Jenks, 6-2, 6-4.

After bolting out with a 6-0, 6-0 win over Broken Arrow’s Kayci Silver, Roussel survived a 3-set win over arch-nemesis Brittany Barbe of Tulsa Union, 5-7, 7-6, 6-0.

“Ashley beat her last week for the first time, and proved it again this time. And she played Marvel closer than anyone else,” said Wheeler.

“This should put her in the top four or five in the state.”

Mea Alexander and Emily Wheeler also finished second to a Jenks team in No. 2 doubles, falling 6-0, 6-3 to Ashley Friggel and Sara Lindenberg.

Alexander and Wheeler survived a pair of tough matches to get to the finals, however. After topping Katy Filer and Lacey Heatly of Union, 7-6, 6-4, the Ponca City duo came up with an upset of Kim Birk and Erika Johnson of Bartlesville, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4.

“Birk and Johnson were the 2-seed, and they’d beaten us twice,” said Wheeler. “We played really well, and that should help us with our seeding in Regionals.”

Gina Smith also had a sound performance for the Lady Cats, finishing fourth in No. 2 singles. After getting past Kaci Manning of Bartlesville, 6-3, 7-6, Smith fell to eventual champion Jennifer Helms of Jenks, 6-1, 6-0. In the lower bracket, then, Smith again won a re-match with Manning, 6-2, 6-0, but lost to Owasso’s Valerie Miller, 7-6, 6-4 in the third place match.

“Gina’s playing awesome right now,” Wheeler said. “She was the No. 4 seed, and finished right where she was supposed to be.”

The Lady Cats will continue their season with a dual in Stillwater, Thursday.

Team Scores

1 — Jenks 38

2 — Ponca City 32

3 — Bartlesville 22

3 — Broken Arrow 22

3 — T. Union 22

6 — Owasso 15

7 — Stillwater 13

8 — Sapulpa 12

9 — Sand Springs 7

PC Golfers 6th, 8th In League

BROKEN ARROW — Ponca City’s Wildcat golfers showed some signs of improvement, but not enough to crack the elite group of teams in the Frontier Conference Tournament played at the Indian Springs Windmill Course Monday.

“We’re shooting pretty good scores,” coach Dan McGregor said. “But these other teams are shooting lights out. They’re so good its scary.”

The Cats posted a 627 total in the 36-hole tournament, good enough only for eighth place in the nine-team field.

The Lady Cats fared a little better, finishing their 18-hole play at 385, sixth in the conference.

Ponca City’s Jenni Nimmo was among the top 10 scorers, shooting an 86, eighth in the medalist standings.

Matt Waddell paced the Wildcats with a 74-79—153. Newcomer Nathan Coats fired 79-76—155, Aaron Hill had 79-80—159, Matt Ellis 78-82—160 and Ben Dickey 84-84—168.

But no one came close to Jenks, which won the team title with a 276-294—570, 19 strokes better than second-place Tulsa Union, which had rounds of 287-302. Jenks’ first 18-hole score was four under par as a team.

Sapulpa was third with a 594 total, followed by Broken Arrow at 605, Owasso at 606, Bartlesville at 612, Stillwater at 621, Ponca City and Sand Springs at 677.

The Trojans also swept the individual honors. Matt Hollerback was the tournament medalist at 66-68—134, six strokes under par. Jenks' J.C. DeLeon was second with 65-71—136 and Matt Allert of Union was third with 70-69—139.

Sapulpa’s Davis Hackler shot even par 140 (72-68), which was good enough only for fourth place. Stillwater’s Tucker Rodrick was fifth with 72-71—143.

The shorter of the two courses at Indian Springs, Windmill can be tamed with accurate strokes.

“It rewards the straight shooters,” McGregor said, noting there are out of bounds on both sides of every hole but one. “And on that one there is out of bounds on one side and a bunker on the other.

“We are shooting pretty good but the guys are capable of scoring better, and we’re going to have to in the next few weeks,” McGregor warned with the regional qualifying tournament fast approaching.

“I’m just hoping we’re peaking at the right time and some of these other teams have already peaked.”

McGregor is also hoping that having the regional at home, at Wentz, will help his golfers, who must finish among the top three teams in the regional to qualify for the state tournament.

Hoping his team will improve even more quickly, McGregor sends the Cats to the Edmond Memorial Tournament at Kickingbird Saturday and to the Guthrie Tournament at Cimarron on April 27.

The regional tournament is set for May 3.

The Lady Cats have even less time with the pre-regional qualifying tournament set for Wednesday at Tulsa’s Mohawk Park.

Frontier Conference

Team Scores

Boys

Jenks 276-294—570, Tulsa Union 287-302—589, Sapulpa 298-296—594, Broken Arrow 303-302—605, Owasso 298-308—606, Bartlesville 305-307—612, Stillwater 313-308—621, Ponca City 310-317—627, Sand Springs 333-344—677.

Girls

Broken Arrow 352, Jenks 359, Bartlesville 370, Tulsa union 372, Stillwater 379, Ponca City 385, Sand Springs 405, Owasso 448.

Two Errors Too Many in Loss

By MATTHEW KOENIG

News Sports Writer

BARTLESVILLE — To err is human, or so they say. To err twice, however, and give up two unearned runs is something else altogether.

The Wildcat baseballers lost another squeaker, committing back-to-back infield errors in the bottom of the fifth inning en route to a 2-1 loss to Bartlesville, Monday. The Bruins scored their first run on the second error, and got another on an RBI bunt from right fielder Chris Appel.

“There are usually a couple of places you can point to, but we blew that one with two errors,” sighed Ponca City coach Mike Krehbiel. “They got two unearned runs, we earned our one, and we got beat.”

Shortstop Bryan Coppock and first baseman Jeff Furnas supplied the Cats’ only run in the game, in the top of the fourth. The sophomore Coppock — coming off a 4-for-5 effort on Friday — led off the inning with a triple. Furnas then stepped up with a line drive single to put the Cats on the board.

Furnas finished the game 2-for-3, while a single from sophomore Matt Johnson rounded out the Cats’ 4-hit effort.

“We’ve got to be able to put up some more hits,” Krehbiel continued. “We can’t show up on Friday with 15 hits against Union, and then turn around with something like this.

“I had two hits from two sophomores ... the others aren’t getting the job done.”

Jon Lindbloom got the win for the Bruins, giving up four hits and one walk, while striking out six in seven innings.

Senior Wes Murrie took the loss, but started out strong for the Poncans, giving up just three hits and two walks, while striking out three in 4 1/3 innings. Toby RedLeaf then did a fine job in relief, giving up just one more hit, while striking out two.

The Cats, now 7-19 on the year, will get their last chance for a home win tonight, hosting Sand Springs, at 6.

Game Notes — Bartlesville is 11-14 on the year ... RedLeaf picked off a runner at first, while catcher Jerrod Spears threw out another ... due to field repairs, the game was the Bruins’ first home game of the year ... Coppock also slammed a home run in Friday’s game, his second of the year ... according to Krehbiel, it appears that Sand Springs, Stillwater and Enid will be in the Cats’ Regional, May 4-8.

Bartlesville 2, Ponca City 1

Ponca City 000 100 0 — 1 4 3

Bartlesville 000 020 x — 2 4 1

Lindbloom (w) and Dunlap; Murrie (l), RedLeaf (5), and Spears.

Wildcat Netters Finish 3rd

With a top five finish in every bracket, the Wildcat netters pulled out an impressive third place finish in the Frontier Conference Tournament, held at the Wally Smith Tennis Center, Monday.

The Cats got a third place finish, two fourth place finishes, and a fifth to stack up 24 points and a tie with Bartlesville. Jenks swept every bracket to take the title with 40 points, followed by Broken Arrow with 31 points. Tulsa Union was fifth, with 22.

“We played our best tennis of the year,” said coach Steve Larimer. “And we did really well considering the competition.”

Despite a tough draw in round one, Josh Pitts and Trevor Viljoen made a marathon trek in the lower bracket to storm back into third place. After falling in a dogfight to eventual champions Jon Holland and Drew Oden of Jenks, 4-6, 6-2, 6-2, the Ponca City duo came back to top Union’s Neil Donovan and Roger Nakagawa, 6-1, 6-2. From there, the Poncans topped Bartlesville’s Ryan Elfstom and Grant Pierce, 6-4, 2-6, 6-2, and Stillwater’s Shawn Hellman and Jordon Witt, 6-4, 2-6, 7-5, to take third place.

“They played harder than anyone all day,” said Larimer. “They avenged a loss to Stillwater from two weeks ago that’s been haunting us in the seedings, too.”

Tim Frick and Sterling Foy won 2-of-4 matches to finish fourth in No. 2 doubles. After surviving a 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 thriller against Union’s Nick Abrahamson and Ron Le, the duo fell to eventual champion Jenks, 6-1, 6-0.

Frick and Lee then stormed back with a 6-4, 6-3 repeat win over Union, but fell to Doug Richmond and Jarrett Wilson of Bartlesville, 6-2, 6-4.

“That was another tough draw,” Larimer continued. “They had a lot of close games against Bartlesville, too, but just couldn’t pull them out.”

Daniel Lee finished fourth in No. 2 singles after defaulting due to leg cramps. After topping Bartlesville’s Barry Donaldson, 6-4, 6-4, Lee was bumped by J.G. Gillstrap of Jenks, 6-1, 6-0. From there, the Wildcat cruised past Donaldson again, 6-2, 6-0, to meet Broken Arrow’s Collin Torrence in the third place game. After winning the first set, 6-4, Lee fell in a second set tiebreaker, 10-8, and had to withdraw from final set.

In No. 1 singles, Bilal Agha got the toughest draw in the toughest bracket of the tournament, falling to Jenks’ Matt McCord, 6-0, 6-1 in round one. Agha then topped Sand Springs’ Kyle Manahan, 6-0, 6-1, and Owasso’s Brett Duffy, 6-2, 7-5, but fell to Union’s Ryan Jones, 6-2, 6-1.

Agha then beat Stillwater’s Andrew Jaco, 8-3, to take fifth.

The Cats will have a nice long week off before heading to the Bishop Kelley tournament in Tulsa next Monday.

Team Standings

1 — Jenks 40

2 — Broken Arrow 31

3 — Ponca City 24

3 — Bartlesville 24

5 — Tulsa Union 22

6 — Stillwater 16

7 — Owasso 14

8 — Sand Springs 8

9 — Sapulpa 4

Jr. Hi Golfers Nab 3rd, 4th At Cushing

CUSHING — Ponca City’s junior high girls golf teams finished third and fourth in the 22-team Cushing Invitational Monday.

Ponca City Red tied for second with Seminole after regulation play at 399, but lost a scorecard playoff. Ponca City Red finished with a 401 total.

Cushing won its own tournament with a 378.

Two Ponca Citians, Michaela Cavener and Morgan Meister, were among the top five individually. Cavener posted an 83 for second place, behind Cushing’s Natalie Dotson (81). Meister was fifth with a 91.

Meister paced the Blue team, which included Erin Rutherford (96), Lindsey Mersman (103), Meredith Veal (109) and Pam Snow (118).

Cavener led the Red team, which included Kelly Waddell (102). Laura Murray (107). Tara Schoolery (109) and Jennifer Stone (115).

The Poncans play Friday in the Enid Invitational and next Monday in the Stillwater Invitational.

Top 5 Teams

Cushing 378, Seminole 399, Ponca City Blue 399. Ponca City Red 401, Tulsa Union 406.

Top 5 Individuals

Natalie Dotson (Cushing) 81, Michaela Cavener (Ponca City) 83, Lucia Mourn (Enid) 88, Candace Kinsley (Seminole) 90, Morgan Meister (Ponca City) 91.