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From the pages of The Ponca City News, Thursday, May 11, 2000 LOCAL DEATHS NEWS BRIEFS SPORTS GARDENING LOCALNearly News Nearly NewsIn keeping with the Taste and Tasteless theme, the program for that annual farce made a tasteless error in the credits. It should have credited Deb Evans as being the head wine server. Actually, Evans organized and supervised the wine servers. In a higher class production, she would probably have been referred to as the wine steward. Big Sky Maintenance Facility May Be Coming to PC AirportBy LOUISE ABERCROMBIE News Staff Writer A Big Sky Airlines maintenance facility is the newest business prospect for the Municipal Airport complex, economic developer Jan Jarrett told the Ponca City Economic Advisory Board (EDAB) Tuesday. Jarrett said that the city is considering modifying a hangar to accommodate the maintenance facility. One of larger modifications would allow the passenger plane’s tail to extend out of the facility. The changes would cost about $60,000. If this occurs, Big Sky could keep an extra plane here, Jarrett speculated. That would add another five to six jobs with salary ranges in the $30,000 area and also add to the revenue of the airport. It was announced during the meeting that Mayor Tom Leonard appointed three new members to the EDAB board: Mike Fretwell, Conoco Mid-Continent Business Unit General Manager; Jay Snell, president of United Supermarkets; and Mark Detten; president of Home National Bank. Retiring from the board are Nick Spencer, Conoco Refinery manager; Carl Renfro, chairman of Pioneer Bank; and Tim Burg of St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. In other business, EDAB chairman Carl Renfro reported that Congressman Ernest Istook has been working with the group on the bandwidth project. Renfro said that Istook has been seeking federation appropriations from education sources because of OneNet. Discussion was held on breaking ground for the Conoco carbon fiber plant, tentatively scheduled for June. Larry Buck, Brian Harpster and Tim Burg were appointed to make the arrangements for EDAB Other discussion concerned seeking a grant for assistance on a water line for the carbon fibers plant. A delegation from Ponca City will be meeting with EDA officials in Texas on the matter in mid-May. Cheryl Fletcher of Sen. Don Nickles office will join the group for the meeting. Highlight of the meeting was a demonstration on the Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce’s Website by Lee Little. In addition to chamber information, the page is to include economic development, community events, a business directory and links to related sites. The related sites would include the State Chamber and the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, City of Ponca City and The Ponca City News. The website was developed under the auspices of the marketing committee headed by Karen Furman. During the staff report, Jarrett said that in regard to Unitherm that the City Commission had unanimously overturned the unanimous decision of EDAB, which had recommended a compromise between the city and the company on a contract. If Unitherm leaves Ponca City, it will take between 26 and 30 jobs with it, according to Jarrett. Newkirk Receives Main Street HonorsNewkirk took several top honors at the 11th annual Main Street Awards Banquet in Oklahoma City recently. The awards ceremony was held in the National Cowboy Hall of Fame where 37 communities gathered who are currently active in the program. Tying for the top honor of Premier Partner was the city of Newkirk and the Daily Ardmoreite. Newkirk Main Street also won Best Community Education/Public Awareness for its “Shop Newkirk First” on KIRK-TV Hometown Channel 8. Newkirk also won the award for Outstanding Program Administration. Each active Main Street town selects one person who is named as Main Street Board Members of the Year; Bret Carter was chosen from Ponca City, and Jana Shafer was chosen from Newkirk. Indian Buffalo Post Sets Armed Forces Day DanceWHITE EAGLE — The American Legion Ponca Indian Buffalo Post No. 38 of Alfred Little Standing Buffalo will present an “Armed Forces Day Dance” May 20 at the Ponca Tribal Cultural Center in White Eagle. Members of the staff will include head singer Wilkie D. Eagle Sr., Ponca, of Marland; head man dancer Kyle Robedeaux, Otoe, of Enid; head woman dancer Thomasine Neff, Pawnee, of Fairfax; head gourd dancer D.K. Toppah, Kiowa, of Weatherford; master of ceremonies Marvin Alexander, Seminole, of Ponca City; arena director Cameron Page, Ponca, of White Eagle and water boy Gilbert Samson Cole, Ponca/Seminole, of Carbon Black. Special guest will include Buffalo Post No. 38 princess Bethany Nell Roughface, 1999-2000. A 2000-2001 princess will be crowned. Other special guests will include Auxiliary Post No. 38 princess Eva Joann Thomas, 2000-2001, and all princesses are welcome, as are all gourd dance groups and all war dancers. The agenda opens with gourd dance at 2 p.m., followed at 5:30 p.m. with evening supper, and 7 p.m. more gourd dancing. War dance will be from 8 p.m. until closing. Free arts and crafts, but donations will be accepted. There will be no alcohol or drugs permitted, with security provided inside the building and the outside parking lot. Attendees are to bring their own table service and chairs. Concessions will be provided by American Legion Buffalo Post No. 38, with the head cook Inez Howling Wolf and helpers District CourtNewkirk Marriage Licenses Phillip Joe Cly, 32, and Angela Marie Miller, 25, both of Ponca City. Boydd Len Romero, 19, Red Rock, and Leann Louise Waters, 22, Nespolem, Wash. Kevin Wayne Epperly, 28, and Lisa Jean Hart, 29, both of Blackwell. George Kyle Hendrix, 20, and Amber Dawn Rhea, 21, both of Ponca City. Jeremy Lee Johnson, 23, and Wava Rachel Rodgers, 26, both of Ponca City. Kyle Jason Hibbets, 23, and Joy Nicole French, 25, both of Ponca City. Richard Allen Convers, 22, and Sherri Ann Rhodd, 26, both of Blackwell. William Eugene Kelly, 32, and Ronda Kay Newman, 30, both of Ponca City. Joseph Clay Clark, 20, and Tiffany Ann Hoelting, 20, both of Ponca City. Divorces Sought Judy E. Phillips vs. Terry Lee Phillips. Divorces Granted Robert William Schuyler III vs. Monica L. Schuyler. Amanda Kay Glass vs. Brent Lee Glass Sr. DEATHSDorothy Ruth Matney Dorothy Ruth MatneyNEWKIRK — Dorothy Ruth Matney, former resident of Newkirk and resident of Winfield, Kan., died Wednesday morning, May 10, 2000, in Medicalodge East in Arkansas City, Kan. She was 71. A graveside service has been scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday, May 12, in Newkirk Cemetery with the Rev. Jerry Albright, minister of the Newkirk First Christian Church, officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Miller-Stahl Funeral Service. Dorothy Ruth Matney was born Sept. 20, 1928, in Ponca City, the daughter of Raymond C. and Edith (Day) Blakey. She grew up and received her education in Ponca City and Newkirk. On Dec. 7, 1945, she married Orville Ellsworth Matney in Winfield, Kan.; he preceded her in death on Jan. 23, 1983. They established their first home on a farm northeast of Newkirk. In 1950, they moved into Newkirk. Over the years, she was employed as a cook for most of the Newkirk restaurants as well as for the Newkirk Nursing Center. She also did ironing for many of the town’s residents. In 1986, she moved to Winfield. Except for a brief period when she lived in Wichita, Kan., she made her home in Winfield until May 5, 1995, when she entered the nursing home. She was a member of the Newkirk First Christian Church. She enjoyed cooking, embroidery, gardening, word search puzzles, her children and grandchildren. She is survived by one son, Everett L. Matney of Arkansas City, Kan.; one daughter, Ruth Kay Matney of Wichita, Kan.; two brothers, Raymond Blakey of Arkansas City and Larry Joe Blakey of Ponca City; two sisters, Shirley Stewart and Janice Bowser, both of Newkirk; five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, John Blakey; and four sisters, Mary Casper, Virginia Belair, Delores Howard and Charlene Blakey. A memorial fund has been established in her name with the First Christian Church, c/o Eastman National Bank, Box 468, Newkirk, Okla. 74647-0468. Hildur Fredreka GeorgePAWNEE — Hildur Fredreka George, former resident of Ponca City, died Wednesday, May 10, 2000, in Fairfax. She was 104. A graveside service will be held at 4 p.m. Friday, May 12, at the Fairfax Cemetery with the Rev. Randy McElveen, pastor of the Ralston Bible Church, officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Poteet Funeral Home of Pawnee. Hildur Fredreka George was born Oct. 2, 1895, in Oneida, Ill., the daughter of Charles and Fredreka (Carlson) Wedell. She married Iria Earl George on Oct. 29, 1917, in Anthony, Kan.; he preceded her in death Nov. 13, 1964. She lived on a farm near Ponca City before moving to Ralston in 1963. She was a member of the Ralston Bible Church. She enjoyed tatting, crocheting and quilting. Survivors include one daughter, Auldene Gardner of Ralston; five grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and 13 great-great-grandchildren. Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, one son, one granddaughter, two brothers and three sisters. Mary Francis SoukupMOUNT PARK — Mary Francis Soukup, resident of Mount Park, died at Wednesday, May 10, 2000 in Integris Baptist Medical Center in Oklahoma City. She was 74. A graveside ceremony is scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday, May 12, at the Snyder Fairlawn Cemetery with the Rev. Hayslip officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of the Preston-Leckie Funeral Home in Snyder. Mary Francis Soukup was born Nov. 13, 1925, in Gainesville, Texas, the daughter of Joseph Thomas and Sybil Alice Settles McCallick. She married Raymond Harold Soukup on Jan. 1, 1942, in Vernon, Texas. Survivors include a her husband of the home; a son, Bruce Soukup of Yukon; a brother, Thomas Lauvelle McCallick of Ponca City; and two grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Joseph McCallick and Herbert McCallick; and two sisters, Margie Goodin and Marion “Pinky” Alder. ObituariesBill WeatherbieFORT SCOTT, Kan. — Bill Weatherbie, age 74, a resident of 517 Andrick, Fort Scott, Kansas, died Monday, May 8, 2000, at St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Joplin, Mo. He was born June 29, 1925, in Linn County, Kan., the son of Charles I. and Darrell E. Kellstadt Weatherbie. He married Margaret L. Smith on June 16, 1947, in Pittsburg, Kan. He was a graduate of the Blue Mound High School and the Fort Scott Junior College. He received his BS, MS, and EDS degrees from Pittsburg State University. Mr. Weatherbie had served with the United States Navy during World War II. Bill began his teaching career in 1950. He taught social science and coached at Miller, Mo., Howard, Kan., and Neodesha, Kan. Mr. Weatherbie served as principal of the Fort Scott High School from 1965 to 1979. He later served as principal of the Junior and Senior High School at Welch, Okla., prior to his retirement. He was a member of the Gideons, the Lions Club, the Mound City Masonic Lodge and the National Association of Secondary School Principals. He had received recognition as being a 50-year graduate of Pittsburg State University. Bill enjoyed music and was a member of the Fiddlers and Pickers where he played the guitar and banjo. He also played the boombas in a polka band. His other hobbies included camping and watching his grandsons play football and his son, Charlie, coach the Navy football team. He was an active member of the First Baptist Church and had served as deacon. Survivors include his wife, Margaret of the home; a daughter, Pat Lutz, and husband, Bruce, of Ponca City; two sons, Larry Weatherbie, and wife, Michelle, of Derby, Kan., and Charlie Weatherbie, and wife, Leann, of Annapolis, Md. Also surviving is a sister Kay Aylmer, and husband, Bill, of Sun City, Ariz.; and five grandchildren, Trent and Brett Lutz, and Lindsay, Lance, and Jonas Weatherbie. The Rev. Duane McCracken will conduct the funeral at 2 p.m. today, May 11, 2000, at the First Baptist Church. Burial will follow in the U.S. National Cemetery where military honors will be conducted by the Olson Frary Burkhart Post 1165 VFW. Memorials are suggested to the First Baptist Church Memorial Fund and may be left in care of Witt Memorial Chapel, 201 South Main, Fort Scott, Kan. 66701. paid obituary Don R. GuinnDon R. Guinn, 3045 Guinn Road, died Tuesday, May 9, 2000, at the St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. He was 72. The funeral will be 10 a.m. Friday in the chapel of the Trout Funeral Home with the Rev. Steve Harden, pastor of Providence Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery. Born Dec. 31, 1927, in Ponca City, he was the son of Shelby Leon and Millie Kennett Guinn. He attended Ponca City schools, graduating from Po-Hi in 1946. Don began working for Western Electric until 1950, when he was drafted into the U.S. Army. He spent his enlistment in Germany, where he was involved in communications construction. He and the former Judy Lea Lessert were married Sept. 30, 1956, in Ponca City. Following his honorable discharge, he worked for several local auto parts stores in Ponca City. In 1968, Don joined Continental Carbon, where he worked until his retirement in 1990. Throughout his life, Mr. Guinn was involved in farming and ranching in Osage County. He was a member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Moose Lodge. He was an avid bowler, having won the city doubles and team tournaments. Also, he was one of the founding members of Kids Inc., and held a life membership on the board of directors. He is survived by two sons, Dennis R. Guinn of Oklahoma City, and James R. Guinn of Ponca City; two grandchildren, Derek Guinn and Courtney Guinn, both of Ponca City; two brothers, Bob Guinn and Rex Guinn, both of Ponca City; a sister, Jean Bruce of Ponca City; and his friend and companion, Lola Cain of Ponca City. His wife preceded him in death Oct. 18, 1986. He was also preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Jim. Casket bearers will be Gary Bruce, Jay Guinn, Todd Guinn, Scott Mills, Steve Mills, and Ron Putnam. Memorials may be made to Kids Inc., 218 North Fourth, Ponca City, Okla. 74601. The family will be at 2655 South Ranch Drive. paid obituary NEWS BRIEFSRenaissance Faire — The 5th annual Renaissance Faire will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Castle of Muskogee, 3400 Fern Mountain Road. As a tribute to Mother’s Day, the first 1,000 mothers entering will receive a rose, courtesy of the king and his knights. For additional information, visit its web site at www.thecastle.org. www.HeartandHealth.com- Buy or sell Rexall supplements on-line. adv. Nardin Parade — Friends of Nardin Parade is scheduled at 11 a.m. May 27. Antique vehicles and saddle groups are welcome to participate. Call Joe Davis, 580-363-5018, for more information. Windjammer Restaurant now open. 11-9 Wednesday-Friday, 7-9 Saturday-Sunday. Kaw Landing Marina. 765-0696. adv. Accident — A clerk from a business in the 1600 block of West South Avenue reported at 8:50 a.m. on Wednesday to Ponca City Police that a truck had just ran into their wall. An officer was assigned and a report was taken. Appliances, Scratch/dent Maytag refrigerators and ranges. Copeland's 315 East Grand. adv. Subject held — An officer in the 700 block of South First Street reported at 9:43 a.m. on Wednesday that a 39-year-old man was being held on a city warrant for failure to appear. T-shirt Quilts for Graduation. Call Persnickety (580)762-3214. adv. Subject held — An officer reported at 1:46 p.m. on Wednesday from the intersection of West Hartford Avenue and North Union Street that a 19-year-old man was being held on Kay County warrants for failure to appear, failure to obey and driving under suspension. Free Pregnancy test. Birth Choice cares. Confidential. Hours: Tuesday, 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, 1-3 p.m. and Thursday, 6-8 p.m. 700 West Broadway. 765-9689. adv. Stormescape Shelters, perfect for garage, under vehicle, installation. $1,695. 765-2633. adv. Burglary — Someone in the 400 block of South Ash Street reported at 2:44 p.m. on Wednesday that a stereo had been taken from a vehicle. Two officers were assigned a-nd a report for burglary of an auto was taken. Sweet Potato plants are here! Jay’s Farm and Ranch Supply, 307 West Grand. adv. Theft — Someone in the 100 block of North First Street reported to Ponca City Police at 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday that $50 had been taken out of their vehicle while they were having their car serviced. An officer was assigned and a report was taken. Pauline Sirloin steak and shrimp dinner $12.95 Friday the 12th. For reservations call 765-5460. adv. Gas Drive-Off — A clerk in the 400 block of South Fourteenth Street reported to Ponca City Police at 10:02 p.m. on Wednesday that two women drove off without paying for $4.06 in gas. An officer was assigned and information was logged. Head Country all day Friday special All you can eat, smoked BBQ ribs, beans, potato salad, and coleslaw, only $7.49, all day. 1217 East Prospect. 767-8304. adv. Come Let us eat bugs and party. Third Annual Bug O’Mania, 10AM-??PM, Saturday May 20th at Parker Pest Control. All proceeds go to Northern Oklahoma Youth Services Center. Call Brad 762-6614 for details. adv. Special- Now through Mothers day. Large baked beans free with purchase of 20 piece tub. Snyders Grocery- order today! 762-4686. Open seven days a week. adv. Dougan's Bar-B-Q Friday special from 4-8 p.m., all you can eat ribs with beans, potato salad and coleslaw, $7.49. 215 South 14th, 765-7979. adv. Wedding Dance — A wedding dance will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 13, at the Burr Hill Powwow Grounds, a quarter mile west of White Eagle. Supper will be at 5:30 p.m., with those attending requested to bring their own dishes and chairs. Master of ceremonies is Tony Arkeketa. Head singer is Kinsel Lieb and cook is Jewell Arkeketa. -- GARDENINGDiggin in the Dirt By Kathy Zehr Diggin in the Dirt By Kathy ZehrTomatoes or ta-mah-toes, fruit or vegetable, whatever you want to call them, they are almost everybody’s favorite garden plant. I talked to a 92-year old at a local store who said she regretted she can no longer put in a garden. I noticed, however she was purchasing four tomato plants. She “noticed that I noticed” and with a mischievous little grin said, “ I promised my family I’d give up the garden, but I hide tomatoes in a my little flower bed so I could have some to enjoy when they ripen. It just isn’t summer without homegrown tomatoes.” Of all the plants she had to choose from — she chose the tomato, as most of us would do. Buyer Beware Ponca Citians flock in droves to local stores to buy their plants. However, “Buyer Beware” is an old cliche that is really appropriate for tomato plants this year. First, carefully look over the stems and leaves of offerings at the store. If the leaves are black-spotted or have turned yellow — go somewhere else to buy! Little black or brown spots on seedling leaves are usually a sign of a disease which may cause the leaves to die and fall early. Lack of food from the diseased leaves keeps the roots from getting enough nourishment for strong root growth and ultimately causes smaller yields. The tomatoes themselves may also mature with black spots on the skin. As if that isn’t enough trouble after all your hard work — the bacteria may be spread to other plants. If you save seed, it can be carried over to next year’s crop in that seed. We noticed the spots recently on many of the plants in local stores (all from the same large nursery supplier). We searched stores until we found healthy plants at a local nursery. The variety selection was not as great as in the larger stores, but the plants are healthy. Helpful Tomato Tips Many of these hints and tips are accredited to “The Tomato Man” Darrell Merrill, Tulsa, who often appears on area TV gardening shows. 1. Begin with adequate soil. Of course we recommend a soil test. If your tomatoes were less than satisfactory last year you might want to try Darrell’s favorite tonic by mixing 1 tablespoon bloodmeal, 1 cup bonemeal, 1 cup sand or wood ashes and 1 tablespoon Epsom salt and placing the mix in the hole before planting a tomato. 2. Bury the plant halfway up the stem, regardless of size. Roots will form all along the buried stem and make it stronger. 3. Mulch lightly to prevent rain or water from splashing soil onto the new plants, then add more (6 inches) when the plants are larger. Mulch keeps the soil moist, moderates temperatures and keeps down weeds. 4. Adequate moisture prevents fruit from cracking and developing blossom-end rot. Water twice a week (6-8 inches). Soaker hoses are best and overhead watering should be avoided. Leaving foliage wet at night encourages fungus. Too much water is as damaging as too little. Let the soil dry between waterings. 5. Plants do best if placed in a tomato cage. It reduces stress on the plants. 6. Tomatoes love the sun and need 6-8 hours daily. If they must be in shade a part of the day, they prefer it after 4 p.m. 7. Some wind on the plants is a must to shake up the pollen and fertilize the blossoms. If plants are placed in a non-windy location, gently shake the plants twice a day to simulate wind. If blossoms are not pollinated the plants will have “blossom drop,” and no tomatoes. 8. Other factors also cause blossoms to drop. Several days with temperatures above 90 degrees and nighttime temperatures above 75 degrees will prevent setting of fruit. 9. Rotate plants to a new location in the garden each season, to prevent disease. 10. Buildup in the soil. 11. If soil is good, fertilizing is not really necessary, but if you feel better about feeding, Darrell recommends feeding twice a month with an alfalfa tea made by soaking a handful of alfalfa tablets overnight in 5 gallons of water. For greener healthier foliage, spray twice a month with liquid seaweed, fish emulsion (see labels) and a cup of dissolved Epson salts per gallon of water. 12. Tomato lovers may want to try growing a successful fall crop of tomatoes this year. Plant the new seedlings in July. 13. To treat common diseases of tomatoes, call your Kay County OSU Extension Office at 580-362-3194 and ask for Brochures number F-7626 and F-7627, which deal extensively with diseases, bacteria, viruses and nematodes. Northern Oklahoma Groups Hosting KAABGThe spring reunion of the Kansas Association of Arboreta and Botanical Gardens (KAABG) will be hosted by Ponca City Tourism, Kay County Master Gardeners, The Bivin Garden and Shidler Chamber of Commerce. KAABG began in 1985 with 15 members and currently has a membership of 250. The purpose of the organization is to provide arboreta and botanical gardens in Kansas with support, both from an educational and research perspective, foster the development of professional levels of performance of member institutions and their staffs, and encourage the improvement of standards and assist in the development of these standards. Ponca City Tourism and the Bivin Garden of Shidler got together over a year ago when interest was shown by KAABG in visiting northern Oklahoma. The roster of members includes professors, horticulturists, Botanica members, landscape architects and master gardeners. Kay County Master Gardeners will host the registration at Cann Memorial Gardens, giving tours of the arboretum and gardens. Lots of work has been going on to get the gardens ready for this visit, said a local spokesperson. Guest Speaker for the spring meeting of the Kansas Association of Arboreta and Botanical Gardens (KAABG) is Steve Owens, Studio Garden Manager at Oklahoma Botanical Garden and Arboretum (OBGA) Headquarters, Stillwater. Owens holds a bachelor and master’s degrees in horticulture, and has created a video and publication on rock gardening for Oklahoma. He spent four years with the city of Tulsa Park department, and the last four years as a Consumer Horticulturist with Oklahoma Gardening, (Oklahoma Botanical Gardens & Arboretum OBGA). His area of special interest is herbaceous ornamentals. The business meeting and luncheon will be at First Presbyterian Church fellowship hall, followed by a tour of Marland Mansion, and visit to Chief Standing Bear/Conoco Office Garden Complex. The day will conclude with a tour of The Bivin Garden at Shidler. SPORTSMonday Evening Quarterback Monday Evening QuarterbackLady Wildcat track state qualifier Kassandra Coldiron is living up to her name. She has shown the strength of iron, both physically and mentally, while being very cool under pressure. Coldiron is one of 11 freshmen who lettered for coach Terry Henderson this season. Sending 15-16 year-olds against 17-18 year-olds from teams like Tulsa Union and Jenks has made this season, “interesting,” for Henderson and his staff. But it has paid off in the likes of Coldiron. A relative newcomer to track, Coldiron and teammate Chelsie Hill are breaking new ground in the first-year event of girls’ pole vaulting. An exhibition event last year, women’s pole vault became a full fledged part of high school and college track this past season. The state champion at Ardmore this weekend will set a state record, just as Coldiron has set a school record at nearly every meet. But it is a learning experience for both coaches and athletes. There are no perimeters to go by in either training or technique. Most of the coaching Coldiron and her fellow female vaulters are receiving comes from Wildcat vaulters Jason Jump and Scott Steichen, although Henderson has enlisted help from area coaches. But Coldiron makes an ideal athlete to try a new event. “She has no fear,” Henderson acknowledged, “and she is very coachable.” The lack of fear is a must in this event. “Pole vaulting is an unnatural act,” Henderson concedes. “It’s not normal to hang upside down at the end of a pole several feet in the air.” Coldiron came to track just two years ago — “I tried tennis and didn’t like it,” — as a runner, and a good one, according to Henderson. But early in the spring her challenge changed. “Coach told me to just go over there and try it,” Coldiron recalls of her first experience at pole vaulting. “I liked it.” Coldiron’s progress has been steady. but she got her biggest boost when the team got a girl’s vaulting pole. “It bends more at the top than in the middle as a boys’ pole does,” Henderson explains. “It gives the girls more spring.” “It improved my height by a foot,” Coldiron reports. So far, Coldiron has reached nine feet in a meet and has gone 10 in practice. Last week Coldiron qualified for the state meet by vaulting eight feet. And she did that with a severely cut left hand. A cut that required seven stitches to close. Coldiron cut her hand the morning of the regional meet and was back just hours later to take part in her event. “Luckily, the cut was on the outside of her hand,” her coach points out. “She pushes off the pole mostly with the inside of her hand. “Still, it was a gutsy performance. When she cleared eight feet, and we knew she would finish third and qualify for state, I made her quit,” Henderson said. “I didn’t want her to do more damage to her hand.” Coldiron is currently in, “about the middle of the pack,” as far as statewide marks are concerned, Henderson says. Girls from Choctaw and Stillwater regularly go over 10 feet. But the coach points out these other girls are juniors and seniors. Coldiron is still growing — and learning. This year’s freshmen — and a good group of eighth graders coming up — will make up the bulk of the Po-Hi teams next year. Henderson notes he loses just three seniors — Wes Crosson and Micah Johnson off the boys’ team and Brooke Hines from the girls’ — while returning all of the Ponca City state qualifiers. Joining Coldiron at Ardmore for the Lady Cats will be Jessica Jorgensen in the 3200-meter run and Kendra Love in the shot put. The three Wildcat qualifiers are Michael Kirby in the 200-meter dash, Billy Broughton in the long jump and Jared Brashears in the high jump. NOC Sets Girls Cage CampsGirls interested in improving their basketball skills can register now for a Northern Oklahoma College Girls' Summer Basketball Camp, according to camp director Greg Krause. Dates for individual camps are June 1-3 for girls entering grades 2-4; June 18-23 for girls entering grades 7-8; and June 25-30 for girls entering grades 5-6. The grades 2-4 camp is a day camp only. Camps for school teams and their coaches are set for May 28-31 for junior high teams and June 4-8 for high school teams. “Our team camps are special in that they [the players] work on individual skills in addition to teamwork. Most team camps just play games, but we have drill sessions and contests, plus playing games,” Krause said. Krause, head coach for the NOC Lady Mavericks, has already lined up coaches Nancy Waters, Cement High School; Doug Sinor, Deer-Creek-Lamont High School; and Calvin English, Ponca City Mid High, plus graduating Lady Mav Suzi Eisenhauer of Newkirk, for his coaching staff. He expects to add Jared Weiberg, student assistant coach with the Oklahoma State University men's basketball team, other high school coaches and a number of current Lady Mavs to the staff. Cost for the grades 2-4 day camp is $60, including the noon meal. For other individual camps, the fee is $170 for overnight campers and $125, which includes lunch and dinner, for commuters. Junior high team camp fees are $100 per person for overnight campers and $75 for commuters. High school camp fees are $125 for overnight campers and $85 for commuters. For information or applications contact Coach Krause at 628-6733
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