From The Pages Of The Ponca City News, Thursday,
May 15, 1997
LOCAL
Help for Flood Victims
Nearly News
Editorial
Hand-Made Lures Could Hook Buyers to Auction for Charities
Annual Fire Report Expresses Concern for Young 'Firesetter'
Traffic Board To Discuss Street Closings
City's New Commissioners Optimistic About the Future
Average Monthly Billing Program Open Until May 31
Youths Earn Certification For Summer Farm Jobs
Ranch Rodeo Offers Unique Team Events
Health Fair Saturday in Blackwell
Jaycees Youth Golf Program a Success
Blackwell Gets OWRB Grant For Damages
Chamber News
DEATHS
Funerals
Grace V. Bridges
Ruby Inez Jenkins
Ruth M. Johnson
Services Pending
Lee H. Edwards
NEWS BRIEFS
SPORTS
Wildcats Humbled at 6A State Baseball Tourney
In Regional Tournament: Lady Mavericks End Season
NOC Cage Camp Changes Format
Golf Notes
Members of Boy Scout Explorer Post 69 (from left) Will Oldfield, Mike Grubb, Jason Bussey and Dane Price unload supplies that the post is gathering to assist flood victims with their clean-up effort in the Red River Valley region of Minnesota and North Dakota. Items are being stored at the American Red Cross office, corner Lake Road and Fourteenth Street, until May 23, when the scouts will load them on a truck, donated by Conoco, for delivery to the flood-ravaged area. The scouts will be on hand at the American Red Cross office Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to receive donations from the community. Contributions will be accepted through May 22.
Nearly News has learned that local country and western singer Les Gilliam and the Silver Lake Band will be playing again at Silver Dollar City, near Branson, Mo., this year. Les and the band are scheduled to play at the Frisco Freight Barn for eight days, three shows a day, May 17-24. Les invites all his friends and fans to come by and say "hello" and catch the show while in the Branson area.
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No - Doug Supernaw, country recording star, will not be at Norm's in Newkirk this weekend as published in the May 14, Midweek. For folks who missed his performance on May 10 there is not a second chance to hear the vocalist for quite sometime since he is booked up month's in advance. Nearly News apologizes for getting Supernaw fans excited and causing an inconvenience in entertainment plans. NN does recommend enjoying the scheduled country and western band, "Western Steel," at Norm's Saturday instead.
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Ponca City Police officers are joining officers from across the U.S. today to observe Peace Officers Memorial Day. The officers are wearing black ribbons across their badges in memory of those who have fallen in the line of duty. Also in recognition, flags have been lowered to half mast.
Great Expectations
The Great Expectations program, begun by Marva Collins, has caught on in many school districts in Oklahoma and the nation. The program is based on a principle of mutual respect and acceptance of responsibility by the students and the teachers. Charles Hollar of Ponca City is a founder of the Great Expectations program in Oklahoma.
By all accounts it is hard work to teach following the guidelines and principles of the Great Expectations program. The teachers are on their feet the entire day working and interacting with the students on an individual and group basis.
That makes it all the more admirable that a group of teachers in Ponca City are willing to spend their money and their time this summer to learn how to make the program work for us. They are willing to do it because the results have been nothing short of remarkable in other schools which have adopted Great Expectations throughout the nation.
Individual teachers have shown interest in the program before, but this time the entire faculty and principal at Woodlands school have asked to be able to learn to make this work. At least one other elementary school is looking at taking up the challenge this summer also.
A small, but dedicated' group of Ponca Citians, the Friends of Education, is raising money to help with this and other programs. With this kind of effort and more, we can bring Ponca City schools back into the prominence which we have enjoyed in the past, and Charles Hollar will get to realize his dream of bringing Great Expectations to the Ponca City school system.
By MARK GALVIN
News Staff Writer
Of all the items listed in Saturday's charity auction of the old D.I. Kelly estate east of Ponca City, the ones causing the biggest stir seem to be the smallest ones, with the hooks.
Several of the famous, original hand-carved fishing lures invented by local craftsmen such as Bud Renbarger and N.G. "Pop" Poplin will be auctioned off at 10 a.m. Saturday as part of an arrangement made by Kelly, who died in February.
The lures, which earned national attention as long ago as the 1930s, were even featured in a 1986 book, "The Ponca City Bait Carvers," by Jim Bourdon of Croton-on-Hudson, New York.
As their plugs attracted the fish, the bait carvers became hometown heroes here. In fact, to some plug-collectors, the work of Renbarger or Poplin is instantly recognizable.
"An unbelievable paint job - you don't know what's involved in the paint job there," remarked Dr. Bill Stuever of Ponca City as he admired the intricately detailed fish-scale pattern on an old Renbarger lure.
"It's a collector's item," Stuever said, adding that some of the lures he surveyed this week from Kelly's estate look like they've never been in water.
Most of the lures are probably antiques, too, because Poplin has been dead since 1977. And even 30 years before then, Poplin was making news as a Ponca City whittler whose quest for an effective fishing lure developed into a profitable industry.
He first achieved fame with bass plugs such as the deep-running "Bright Eyes" and the top-running "Walkie Talkie."
His contemporary, Bud Renbarger, also started crafting lures in the late 1930s and, after years of larger-scale production, still continues his operation at a more relaxed rate on Ponca City's west side.
With plug designs known as "Kick-N-Kackle," "Bottom Scrat-cher" and "Slippery Slim," his ideas also were marketed nationally. But of course, when the lures were done by the big manufacturing firms, carefully selected woods and wood-grain considerations gave way to mass-produced plastic.
Renbarger explained how he and the other bait carvers reached their stature as inventors of devices to attract fish:
"It's a different kind of craftsmen - you just try to improve something," he said.
"It's that self-gratifying deal - you always try to improve. You try it, then it's back to the drawing board."
Despite the local attention, the fishing lures are a relatively small portion of the entire estate of Kelly, who was a retired master electrician but also a businessman who made fishing tackle.
Susie Roberts of the Pioneer Bank and Trust said her client, Kelly, was "a very generous and giving gentleman" who years ago arranged for his estate to be divided up to charity groups.
All proceeds from Saturday's auction will go to the Boy Scouts of America, Habitat for Humanity, Woodlands Christian Church, and the Blue Stem Council of Girl Scouts, as Kelly designated.
Auctioneer Mike Welch said the Kelly estate, besides its two-bedroom farmhouse and 10 acres of land to be auctioned, is also full of leftovers from the man's fishing supply business, such as rod blanks to make fishing poles and related items such as eyes, handles and ferrules.
One item is a small Evinrude outboard motor from the 1950s "in mint condition," Welch said.
The estate includes a canoe and at least three boats, several reels and much more fishing equipment, but also items such as tractors, riding mowers, a few guns, arc welders, a metal lathe and several workshop tools.
Welch said the actual items to be auctioned are "too numerous to mention." The home that will be auctioned is currently rented and producing income.
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The location of the 10 a.m. Saturday auction is four miles east of Fourteenth Street on Lake Road, then a mile north, and then a quarter-mile east of the Longwood Baptist Church. Those who want an auction list can contact J.B. Smith Real Estate at 765-2500.
By LAURA TREADWAY
News Staff Writer
Fire Chief Larry Mullikin presented the 1996 Annual Report of Operations for the Ponca City Fire Department to the Ponca City Board of Commissioners Monday.
The chief reminded citizens that there is no "typical alarm." Each fire, each rescue, requires fire personnel to use their training and experience to save a citizen's property or life.
"We can replace a structure, but not family," he said. "Fire takes the things we cherish the most."
Although there were no fire-related deaths in 1996, Mullikin stated less than 50 percent of homes in Ponca City had a working smoke detector.
Furthermore, of the 2,975 calls for the assistance, 693 were fire related. Firefighters were able to respond to fires in the city limits within 3.5 minutes.
During Mullikin's presentation, he expressed concern about the number of juveniles setting fires. Last year, 29 juveniles, ranging in age from 4 to 14, were counseled by Ponca City firefighters. This figure is more than double those counseled in 1995.
The fire chief said youths enter the firesetter program through a recommendation of the parent or school. A youth may be also be encountered at the scene of a fire and referred to the program by the fire marshal or police department.
A new program implemented in 1996, Learn Not To Burn, has shown an increase in the amount of knowledge students have regarding fire safety. The program seeks to involve both firefighters and teachers in improving fire and life safety skills at the elementary level.
Training
In 1996, the fire department's emergency medical technicians received 35 hours of additional training to transition their certification to the new National Standard Curricula. The training sought to improve the prehospital care provided to all victims of sudden illness or injury.
Also, every three months EMTs are required to receive refresher training with the defibrillator, emphasizing CPR skills and the National Heart Association defibrillator protocol.
The EMS Training Officer meets with emergency room doctors and staff quarterly to provide medical quality control measures. At this time serious injuries and fatality cases are analyzed to determine the level and type of care rendered. Moreover, new equipment and procedures are also discussed as well as strategies to improve on-scene care for the sick and injured.
Training in fire service ensures the safety of firefighters. Firefighters received hours of basic skills training at the station level and attended sessions on Wildland Firefighting, automobile firefighting, incident command review and ventilation procedures.
The department also made arrangements to keep a safety officer on the scene at each fire to recognize possible danger signs and develop a safety action plan working directly with the incident commander.
Special Operations Unit
A special group of 14 firefighters, called the special operations unit, receives advanced training and eight members received operations level training in hazardous materials.
Plus, the department now has two operations level instructors. Six firefighters attended the Conoco firefighting school at Texas A&M, funded by Conoco, which allowed firefighters to understand and practice fighting flammable liquid and gas fires.
Their special skills include: dive rescue, swift water rescue, rope rescue, trench rescue, confined space rescue, auto rescue, heavy equipment rescue, farm rescue and hazardous materials.
Copies of the annual report will be available at the Ponca City Library.
Conoco's request to vacate three streets in its greenbelt area will go before the Ponca City Traffic Commission at the Public Safety Center, 200 East Oklahoma Avenue, at 1:15 p.m. Friday.
During a public hearing Tuesday, the board received no opposition to the closings, but received support from the Ponca City Native American Foundation Inc. and the South Side Neighbors.
The closings to be considered include:
- Brunswick Street, from Lucas Street to Seventh Street
- Coolidge Street from Lucas Street to Mercer Street
- Mercer Street from Lucas Street to Coolidge Street
In new business, the board will discuss the need for No Left Turn restrictions on Grand Avenue at Second Street, Third Street and Fourth Street. In addition, an accident study of the 100 block of North Fifth Street will be presented by Traffic Engineer Mike Lane.
In old business, the board will consider installation, reconstruction, and/or repair of sidewalks across the rail road crossings.
Ponca City's new commissioners have hit the ground running since their election to public office. Tom Leonard and Chris Hand are optimistic about the future and what they can bring to city government in Ponca City.
According to Leonard, the board should be commended for freely commenting during Monday's commissioner meeting regarding the sensitive issue of economic development incentives. The two agree that the community needs to see how the board struggles with matters, since there will be variances on how issues should be addressed.
Hand hopes the community is feeling more confident about city government and shared that he had been receiving numerous calls from concerned citizens.
Already, the new officials have different ideas about the budget. Leonard said he felt good about the proposed 1997-98 general fund budget, however, Hand does not. Hand wants to balance the budget now, not over three years, as it's been proposed.
In addition, Leonard wants to look at the electric utility operations and Hand wants to make a review of the city's current bidding process.
Today, the officials are attending the Oklahoma Municipal League Institute in Oklahoma City. They will receive information about their duties as city commissioners and powers of the governing board. Other sessions include budgeting and purchasing, open records, forms of government, utilities and media relations as well as clarification on the Open Meeting and Open Records Acts. The sessions last through Friday.
Residential customers can apply for the average monthly billing program at the Utility Billing Office through May 31.
According to Sherri Tapp, office manager, customers can minimize the impact of wide seasonal fluctuations of their monthly utility bills. The plan allows customers to spread their annual utility cost offer 12 monthly payments.
Applications are accepted Sept. 1 through May 31, of each year. Customers may call or come into the Billing Office to sign up. For more information, call 767-0300.
Outdoor Electrical Safety
Its the time of year to begin working outdoors again. Using garden products and power tools outdoors can be hazardous, according to the Ponca City Electric Department.
Residents are encouraged to take precautions around sharp blades and rapidly moving parts, that can sever a finger or throw debris, causing injuries.
To use products safely, remember:
- Plug in and turn on only when use.
- Never leave tools or products unattended when in use.
- Turn off tools when being carried or hooked up to. attachments, like mower baskets or saw blades.
- Never remove safety guards from lawn mowers, snowblowers or power tools.
- Do not try to repair electrical products yourself.
- Use safety goggles with lawn products and special safety gear suggested in power tool manuals.
- Clean up the lawn before mowing, using electrical clippers or trimmers.
- Keep cords out of the path or work area, throwing the cord over your shoulder may help.
For more information on electrical safety, contact the department at 767-0405.
In the world of farm machinery, the equipment is simply too big and complicated to be taken lightly - even for adults.
So 14- and 15-year-olds looking for summer jobs on farms know that the first step to employment is to complete the Tractor and Machinery Operator Certification program offered by the county.
The 20-hour course emphasizes the safety aspects of the machinery, as well as its efficient operation.
Completion of the course qualifies youths who are too young for a driver's license to get employment to operate farm tractors, combines, swathers and mowers, as speficied by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Course instructor Larry Klumpp, who is the county's OSU 4-H Extension Agent, says the course is good, "even for those people who've been around tractoring."
Klumpp said it's important because "when you're working with machinery, sometimes you don't get a second chance.
"You can do something 100 times in a row and nothing happens, but the more shortcuts you take, it'll eventually catch up with you," he said.
"Most of it is just carelessness."
That's why the focus is to get people to think before they act, "especially that age of kids - 14 to 15 years old - are coming out of that awkward stage.
"They want to do something, and the course tells them to slow down and think before they do," Klumpp said.
It teaches the youths home safety, such as how to turn off the water, electric and fuel supplies to their homes, barns and sheds.
It shows them how to disengage the main gearboxes on farm tractors for emergencies and how to perform safety inspections of outbuildings on the farm or ranch for unsafe conditions such as bare electrical wires or improperly stacked boxes.
The course even includes lessons in CPR and first aid, and traffic rules such as the need for bright "slow-moving vehicle" decals for the farm equipment.
In one portion of the course, a register nurse comes to describe safety and the possible consequences of not paying attention.
Klumpp said adults occasionally also sign up for the course as a refresher.
The driving examiner is John Powelson, a local farmer who also is the superintendent for the tractor driving contest at the Free Fair.
Powelson, who is in his seventeenth year of testing the driving portion of the course, commands the attention of the students.
If it prevents a future farm machinery accident, it's worth it.
Klumpp said the ideal student is the one "who takes the driving test seriously and asks questions of the instructor before he mounts the tractor to take the test."
"If you're not 100 percent positive of how to operate it when you get on it, it's best to ask, because every piece of equipment is made differently," he said.
That way you dont hurt or kill somebody or burn up a piece of equipment, he said.
A rodeo different from anything you've ever seen before!
That's the way producers describe what will be happening at the 101 Wild West Rodeo Arena located at the southwest part of North Ash Street at West Prospect Avenue in Ponca City, May 23-24.
It's the Head Country Bar-B-Q Restaurant-sponsored Head Country Ranch Rodeo, and all the fun begins at 7 p.m. each night.
Ranch rodeo means just exactly that. Ranch rodeo action includes four-man teams. Not the usual rodeo cowboys participating, but actual ranches putting their best personnel on the line for a fun-filled night of competition against each other.
Take for instance, some of the events that will be going on - and it's all teamwork that counts towards the best score. In regular rodeo it's usually just one man against the culprit (calf or steer for roping or bulldogging), or wild horse or bull to ride.
In the ranch rodeo events, there's teamwork towards wild cow milking, team branding, team penning, double mugging, pasture roping and stampede race.
Added events include wild horse race, free calf scramble (for youngsters 12 and under, match team roping, breakaway steer roping (for youngsters 12 and under).
The four-man teams will be involved in a simulated cattle stampede, jumping out of bedrolls into boots and chaps, saddling their horse and racing after the cattle to rope the leader in the "stampede race."
Roping excitement is at its highest in three events, including roping and "branding" calves (with chalk) in the "team branding," heading and heeling calves in the "pasture roping" event and then roping, throwing down and tying a 600-pound calf in the "tie down mugging" event.
Team penning competition requires a good cowboy and a good cowhorse, to pen cattle inside a stock trailer set in the middle of the arena.
What comes up as the Ranch Rodeo's answer to a standard rodeo's bull riding event, is the wild cow milking. High-horned brahma-cross cows are sent into the arena - weighing from 900-1,200 pounds - and they are actually milked. Just imagine a half-ton of hooking horns and kicking feet trying to convince cowboys there ain't no way she's going to be milked.
That wild cow milking event includes cows to be caught, utilizing only one legal head catch (no multiple rope catches allowed) and the roper must stop the cow. The milker will be using a much smaller container than the usual milk pail. Don't be surprised if it's smaller than a regular milk bottle either.
Pasture roping is much similar to team roping in regular rodeo. The only catch - the animal must be sorted from a herd and brought back across a chalk line before roping.
The excitement of team penning finds one rider behind the line to sort the cattle, but two have to be penned, into a stock trailer.
BLACKWELL - The Chamber of Commerce and Blackwell Regional Hospital once again have teamed up to provide a health fair for the people of Kay County. The event is to take place Saturday, 8 a.m.-noon, at the American Red Cross Building, 1313 West Ferguson in Blackwell.
"Everyone is invited to take advantage of the low cost medical tests, and also several free tests and information offered," said Beverly Wooderson, BRH public relations and chairman of the chamber healthcare committee. "Where else can you find 26 different blood tests for $10? We're also including a PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test for men this year for $15. Health providers from Blackwell, Ponca City, and Oklahoma City will have their booths set up, ready to go at 8 a.m."
The BRH Physical Therapy department will demonstrate a "show and tell" utilizing adaptive equipment and home architectural changes designed to allow older people to live in their homes longer.
An audiologist from the Hough Ear Institute will be conducting hearing tests, Dr. Chris Chenoweth will give free glaucoma screenings, Drs. Rebecca and Leon Bristow, free posture analysis. Free blood sugar tests and blood pressures will be provided by Blackwell and Hillcrest Nursing Homes along with physical therapy information from Northern Therapy and Rehabilitation.
For those interested in knowing their body fat composition, BHR will provide a free test by standing one's bare feet on an electrode scale. Not to worry, after this test the Fitness Factory will be on duty demonstrating how to get rid of that fat with aerobics.
Many other healthcare professionals will have displays with information including Kay County Health Department, American Red Cross, Edwin Fair Community Mental Health Center, Al-anon, The Arthritis Foundation, TMI Medical Equipment, American Heart Association, AARP, Headstart, Senior Citizen Adult Day Care, and information about Living Wills from Blackwell Regional Social Services.
Wooderson said that those participating in the Chem 26 blood tests need to fast 10-12 hours before. The PSA test for men does not require fasting.
For more information about the health fair call Wooderson at (405) 363-2311 ext. 198.
The May 3, Ponca City Jaycees Labron Harris Memorial youth golf school was "a smashing success," according to Jim Harris, Jaycee spokesperson.
The program offered professional instruction from five top professionals and other expert golfers from Ponca City and the surrounding area.
"The school offered instruction and tips for kids who otherwise might not have the money or opportunity to get this kind of instruction," said Harris. "We had several positive comments from instructors about the ability of the young golfers. It was an enjoyable and well-spent afternoon for the kids, the parents, and the volunteers."
Volunteer instructors for the project included Mark Hilyard, head-pro at Lew Wentz; Kevin Brown, assistant pro at Lew Wentz; Mike Holder, head coach of the OSU Cowboy Golf Team; Rich Maril, head pro at the Ponca City Country Club; Bill Biernacki and Ritchie Romine.
"Because of the generosity of numerous businesses and individuals, every young person took home at least one door prize and several won golf clubs," said Harris. Contributors included Wal-Mart, Kmart, Ball Ribbon and Trophy, Mailboxes Etc., the 5-4-3 Practice Range, Ponca City News and KLVV Radio.
"A special thanks from the Jaycees is due to Mark Hilyard who organized the training and donated several sets of golf clubs," continued Harris.
Harris also said the Jaycees want to hear from any parent or child who would like to see this event repeated next year or have suggestions about how to make the school better. Interested persons may write opinions or suggestions to the Ponca City Jaycees, P.O. Box 1682, Ponca City, OK 74602.
Harris also said several youths were unable to attend after sending in preregistration fees. Those fees will be refunded to absentees if they will call 767-3817, and leave a message.
BLACKWELL - Customers of the Blackwell Municipal Authority will benefit from a $19,550 grant from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board in Oklahoma City.
Approved this week, the grant from the board's financial assistance program will fund repairs needed because of flood damage to the city's wastewater treatment plant last fall, said Joe Freeman, chief of the OWRB financial assistance division.
Blackwell's community development coordinator Candy Thomas attended the meeting on behalf of the authority. The announcement was made by State Sens. Paul Muegge and J. Berry Harrison and State Rep. Jim Reese.
The OWRB grant will be combined with local funds to complete the project.
Area legislators said the successful Financial Assistance Program administered by the OWRB is unique to the nation.
The FAP has three facets: grants are awarded to cities, towns, rural water and wastewater districts and other qualified entities whose assistance requests are reviewed and prioritized; loans are available for water and sewer infrastructure improvements, and the state revolving fund loan program is available to replace or renovate wastewater facilities.
The authority's grant brings the total number of water and wastewater projects enabled by the grant program to 401 and the total grant dollars to $22.47 million.
Chamber Activities
With more than 120 new members and membership investments exceeding $23,000, the annual Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce membership drive ended with the Chamber Social on Friday, May 9.
In its second year, the social was held at the Marland Estate Mansion Grounds. More than 200 people enjoyed the food and festivities at the event.
The band, "The Imposters" from Alva entertained the group and the membership drive top achievers were awarded prizes for their hard work.
The Chamber would like to recognize those sponsors who helped ensure the success of the drive and Social. Those sponsors are: Albertson's Grocery, Amarillo Grill, Apple Cart Catering, Bank of Oklahoma, Beall's, Boatmen's, Brown's Shoe Fit, Buy For Less, Conoco Inc. Conoco's Fourth Street Club House, Cookshack Inc., Days Inn, Dr. Gary Dorman, Dwyer's Hallmark, El Chico, The Equitable, Farha Wholesale, First National Bank and Trust Company, Head Country Bar-B-Que, Holiday Inn, Honey Bee Floral, J.C. Penney's, John's Apparel, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Leach Paper Company, Maurices, Monumental Enterprises Inc., Moore's, Oklahoma Natural Gas Company, Dr. Pepper/7-Up, Pepsi Cola, Pioneer Bank and Trust, Dr. Milburn Quinn, Sonja's Flowers, St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Dr. William Stuever, T-N-T Construction, Thorn Apple Valley, United Supermarket, Victoria's Gardens and Designs and Wells Plumbing.
Trip to the Capitol
On Monday, May 12, more than 20 Kay County business and community leaders traveled to the Oklahoma Capitol building to lobby local issues with Gov. Frank Keating, Lt. Gov. Mary Fallin, Secretary of Transportation, Neal McCaleb and Rep. Jim Newport. The group also met with Rep. Jerry Askins, coauthor of SB730, the bill addressing Worker's Compensation reform that is working its way through Conference Committee.
The group also met with Dick Rush, Robert Cupp and Mike Seney, all from the State Chamber of Commerce. Michael Biggs and J. Kevin Chambers from the Oklahoma Department of Commerce also visited with the group.
Upcoming Events
Ribbon Cuttings:
Thursday, May 22
10 a.m. Maurices, 2101 N. 14th
10:30 a.m. The Transmission Center, 423 S. Pine.
DEATHS
Friday
Grace V. Bridges - Funeral will be graveside at 2:30 p.m. at Longwood Cemetery, east of Ponca City. Arrangements are under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel, Ponca City.
Ruby Inez Jenkins - Funeral to be held at 1:30 p.m. at the First Free Will Baptist Church, Blackwell. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery in South Haven, Kan., under the direction of Hackler Funeral Home, Blackwell.
Saturday
Ruth M. Johnson - Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10 a.m. at the Immaculate Conception Church in Elmhurst, Ill. Burial will follow in the Queen of Heaven Cemetery under direction of Pederson-Ryberg Mortuary, Elmhurst, and Trout Funeral Home, Ponca City.
Lee H. Edwards, Ponca City resident, died Wednesday, May 14, 1997, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. He was 86.
Arrangements are pending with Trout Funeral Home.
NEWS BRIEFS
Burglary - A resident in the 800 block of Edgewood Drive notified the Ponca City Police Department at 7:50 a.m. Wednesday that a vehicle was burglarized. The resident requested extra patrol for the area.
Larceny - A Ponca City police officer took a report of vandalism and larceny at Washington School at 8:22 a.m. Wednesday.
Arrested - A 39-year-old woman was arrested by a Ponca City police officer in the 800 block of East Cherry Avenue at 8:29 a.m. Wednesday on a city warrant for failure to appear.
Warrant Served - A Ponca City police officer arrested a 46-year-old man at South Fourth Street and East South Avenue at 9:08 a.m. Wednesday on a city warrant for failure to appear.
Accident - A Ponca City police officer took a report of a non-injury accident in the 1800 block of North Fifth Street at 2:10 p.m. Wednesday.
Fraud - An employee at Albertsons, 2005 North Fourteenth Street, alerted the Ponca City Police Department at 2:31 p.m. Wednesday that a man had switched tags on merchandise. At 3:13 p.m., a man at in the 1100 block of East Prospect Avenue advised officers that the alleged subjects were heading eastbound through the parking lot in a black van. Four officers responded and took a 23-year-old man into custody in the 3000 block of North Fourteenth for fraud. The officer also took a 17-year-old boy into custody at 4:23 p.m. for fraud.
Florida Warrant - A Ponca City police officer arrested a 34-year-old woman in the 800 block of North Sunset Street at 3:22 p.m. Wednesday on a Sarasota County, Fla., warrant for grand theft.
Collision - Ponca City telecommunication officers received notice at 3:33 p.m. Wednesday of a non-injury accident at Lake Road and Sherman Lane. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol was advised.
Under Restrictions - A 41-year-old man was arrested by a Ponca City police officer from a traffic stop in the 600 block of North Palm Street at 4:27 p.m. Wednesday for driving under restrictions and failure to secure a child.
Theft - A resident in the 1700 block of Fairway Place advised the Ponca City Police Department at 9 p.m. Wednesday that a bike was stolen.
Fraud - A Ponca City police officer took a report of fraud at Buy For Less, 2405 North Fourteenth Street, at 10:16 p.m. Wednesday.
In Custody - A 25-year-old man was arrested by a Ponca City police officer at North Fourteenth Street and Bradley Avenue at 10:33 p.m. Wednesday for three city warrants for failure to pay.
Curfew Violation - Two Ponca City police officers located a youth in the 400 block of West Grand Avenue at 12:09 a.m. Thursday. The youth was cited for curfew violation and released to a parent.
Under the Influence - An 18-year-old woman was arrested at Cooley Avenue and North Fourteenth Street at 1:26 a.m. Thursday for driving under the influence and speeding.
Vandalism - A Ponca City police officer received a request for extra patrol from a resident in the 300 block of South Lake Street at 1:48 a.m. Thursday due to vandalism in the area.
Returns From Western Pacific - Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Casey C. Keith, son of Tom R. and Fredi R. Keith of Ponca City, recently returned from a six-month deployment to the Western Pacific Ocean and Persian Gulf aboard the guided missile frigate USS Reid. Keith is one of 300 sailors aboard the ship, which departed its homeport of San Diego in October as part of the USS Kitty Hawk Battle Group, which was comprised of 10 tactical aircraft squadrons, five surface combatants and two submarines. During the deployment, Keith had the opportunity to visit Australia, Bahrain, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates. He is a 1979 graduate of Ponca City High School.
Garage Sale Set - Sigma Phi Gamma members will hold a garage sale Saturday, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. They will be offering household items, crafts, clothing, books, and miscellaneous items too numerous to mention. Everyone welcome.
Oyebi Memorial Dinner - A memorial dinner for Defford T. Oyebi
will be held Saturday at the Otoe-Missouria Tribal Complex at Red Rock.
All friends and relatives are invited.
SPORTS
Bombers, No.1 Rams Oust Ponca
By DAVID BROWN
News Associate Sports Editor
EDMOND - Ponca City's eighth-ranked Wildcats made a quick exit in the 6A State Baseball Tournament Wednesday, losing 15-5 to sixth-ranked Midwest City in the opener and then falling 11-6 to top-ranked Owasso in the late-night elimination game.
Following the disheartening loss to Owasso that ended Po-Hi's season at 24-10, head coach Roydon Tilley gathered his players.
"Seniors, you started a tradition here. It's now up to you younger kids to keep it up," Tilley said to his hushed squad. "From what I've seen, you're one of the best teams in Ponca City history, if not the best. This (the two losses) doesn't detract from a great season. I'm proud of you."
The 1997 Wildcats won more games than any other team in school history and their .706 winning percentage is ninth-best all-time in the modern era (1948-present) and the best since 1961.
The beautiful sunny day offered up a promising start for the Cats as they took a 5-2 lead into the top of the sixth inning against the Bombers of Midwest City.
Ponca City ace Rocky Hughes had thrown a no-hitter through five innings and seemed to have weathered a shaky third inning in which he walked five, including two with the bases loaded. He set down the side in order in the fourth and fifth innings.
But then came the pivotal sixth.
Hughes, who came into the contest a perfect 12-0 on the year and sporting an ERA of 0.95, hit the first batter and then a throwing error by usually flawless shortstop Justin Thomas opened the door a little further. After a strikeout, Hughes walked the next batter to load the bases.
With the belligerent Midwest City crowd chanting "Bomber Magic," six-hole hitter Ryan Budde made Midwest City's first hit a big one. He doubled down the third base line in the cavernous Edmond North ball park and all three runners were able to score, tying the game at 5-all.
A bunt single put runners on the corners and Midwest City took its first lead of the game on an RBI groundout.
A stolen base and a throwing error on the attempted pickoff allowed the Bombers to tack on another run before a groundout to Josh Shafer at first base ended the carnage.
Ponca City went down in order in the bottom half of the sixth and then the Bombers ended any hopes of a comeback when they hung eight more runs on the board in the seventh, driving Hughes from the game after a hit batsman, a walk and three consecutive singles.
Senior Jason Ross relieved but was greeted by an RBI double and later an inside the park home run.
The end of the game was a big contrast to the beginning. Ponca City scored three times in the first and again in the second to lead 4-0. Another run in the fifth pushed the score to 5-2 and the Cats were just six outs away from moving on.
In the first, third baseman J.R. Fry led off with a single, moved to second on a wild pitch and took third on a nice bunt single by Thomas. Fry then scored on a wild pitch for a 1-0 lead.
Shafer followed with a solid RBI double to right field and Hughes brought him in with a double of his own, a slicing ball to left field that glanced off the glove of a diving fielder.
The Poncans later loaded the bases with two outs but could do no further damage.
In the second, Fry led off with a grounder to short but ended up on third following the throwing error. A single by Thomas drove Midwest City's starting pitcher from the game but Shafer greeted the new hurler with a sacrifice fly to right field to plate Fry for a 4-0 advantage.
After Midwest City got back in the game during Hughes' difficulties with the strike zone, the Cats got one of those two runs back in the bottom of the fifth.
Shafer crushed the ball to deep right-center field and the big first baseman, not known for his speed, chugged all the way to third for a triple despite getting the hold sign from coach Tilley.
"I wasn't stopping," Shafer said between innings. "It's not every day you get a triple."
Pinch runner Brian Benson quickly scored as Hughes reached on a fielding error at first base.
The good times faded away, however, behind Midwest City's big comeback.
The Cats then found themselves facing the No. 1 ranked team in the state and 16th-ranked team in the country in the elimination game, which began at 8:30 Wednesday night.
Owasso (35-4) was upset 4-3 by unheralded Edmond Santa Fe (18-22) in its opening game after head coach Larry Turner outsmarted himself by going with freshman Mark Roberts on the mound and saving his two best pitchers for later.
Later turned out to be against Po-Hi in a must-win game.
The Cats hung tough against the formidable Rams and found themselves in a 1-1 tie after three innings.
Ponca City starter Jay Bentley held Owasso in check despite yielding four hits in the first two innings. But the Rams exploded for six runs in the fourth inning to go up 7-1.
With one on and one out in the fourth, Owasso received a walk from Bentley and then got to the junior for a single and a bloop double. Those hits, coupled with an error that led to a run, convinced Tilley to go with Ross in relief.
Three more runs scored after Ross entered but all were unearned because of more fielding woes by the Cat defense.
Ponca City never gave up, though. The Wildcats fought back with a run in the fourth and two more in the fifth to close the gap to 7-4.
Doug Scott picked up a fourth-inning RBI single to plate Ross and Ross and Marc Smith had RBIs in the fifth inning.
Owasso came back with two runs in both the sixth and seventh innings to bump the lead back to 11-4 before Po-Hi made its final charge.
Hughes led off with a single, Daniel Dodgen walked and Ross reached on an error to load the bases. Chris Koenig followed with an RBI groundout and then Smith drove in a run with an infield hit to make the score 11-6. Scott battled back from an 0-2 count to draw a walk and reload the bases for the top of the order.
Fry and Thomas went down swinging, though, and the Poncans had to be content knowing that they didn't roll over for the heavily favored Rams.
The game, which ended just past 11:30, marked the final high school contest for nine seniors - Fry, Shafer, Hughes, Dodgen, Ross, Scott, Brad Taylor, Matt Holland and Ryan Sullivan.
After being eliminated, Tilley offered up a few comments on the day's events.
"We made some mistakes and did some things that were not typical of what we've done," Tilley said when asked about the loss to Midwest City. "But being in the state tournament for the first time, there is pressure that comes with that.
"This is a super bunch of kids, though," Tilley continued, "and we got some bad breaks, too."
As for the second game, Tilley commented, "I sure thought the kids kept battling. We were one hit away from making it real interesting."
Ponca City Notes - Josh Shafer went 4-for-5 in the two state tournament games to raise his season batting average to .442, one of the best all-time marks in Po-Hi history. Unofficially, Larry Tarpenning holds the school record at .509, set during the 1955 season. The next best averages are .476 (Jackie Davis, 1956), .465 (Neal Krider, 1955) and .457 (Lu Clinton, 1955).
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In 10 State Tournament appearances in the modern era (1948-present), the Wildcats have played 12 games. Their all-time record is 1-11.
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Head coach Roydon Tilley wrapped up his seventh season as the Cats' mentor. He has coached 247 games, second most all-time to Bill Leming (267 games from 1966-1976). Tilley surpassed Leming this season for most wins in school history and is currently 117-130 (.474).
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This group of Cats set a new standard for winning. They set a school record with 21 regular season victories and 24 overall wins.
Bomber 15, Wildcats 5
Ponca City Box
AB R H BB RBI
Fry, 3b 4 2 1 0 0
Thomas, ss 4 1 2 0 0
Shafer, 1b 3 2 3 0 2
Hughes, p,cf 3 0 1 0 1
Dodgen, c 3 0 0 0 0
Ross, cf, p 2 0 0 1 0
Hemenway, dh 3 0 0 0 0
Smith, rf 2 0 0 1 0
Scott, 2b 3 0 0 0 0
Koenig, lf 0 0 0 0 0
Midwest City 15, Ponca City 5
Midwest City 002 005 8 - 15 7 3
Ponca City 310 010 0 - 5 7 5
PC-Hughes, Ross (7) and Dodgen. Midwest City-Burnett, Richardson (2), and Richardson, Burnett (2). WP-Richardson. LP-Hughes (12-1).
Rams 11, Wildcats 6
Ponca City Box
AB R H BB RBI
Fry, 3b 5 0 1 0 1
Thomas, ss 5 0 0 0 0
Shafer, 1b 2 1 1 2 0
Hughes, cf 3 2 2 1 0
Dodgen, c 3 1 0 1 0
Ross, rf, p 2 1 0 1 1
Koenig, lf, rf 3 0 1 0 1
Hemenway, dh 1 0 0 1 0
Smith, lf 2 0 2 0 2
Scott, 2b 2 1 1 0 1
Bentley, p 0 0 0 0 0
Owasso 11, Ponca City 6
Owasso 100 602 2 - 11 13 2
Ponca City 001 120 2 - 6 8 2
PC-Bentley, Ross (4) and Dodgen. Owasso-Bradbury, Reed (4) and Zodrow. WP-Reed. LP-Bentley (4-3).
TONKAWA - The Northern Oklahoma College Lady Mavericks, coached by Annette Kennedy, went 1 for 3 at the NJCAA Regional Softball Tournament to end their season.
All-Region awards went to outfielder Raynee Moody, Washington sophomore, First Team, and to catcher Brigit Maxwell, Taloga sophomore, and shortstop Robbie Ashford, Blackwell freshman, Second Team. Moody received an NJCAA All-American nomination.
In game one, the Lady Mavs played Eastern, losing the opener 7-4. Eastern scored two in the first inning, three in the third and two in the seventh, while the Lady Maws scored single runs in the first and seventh plus two runs in the sixth inning.
Moody and Joyce Mills, Piedmont sophomore, were the hitting stars for the Lady Mavs. Moody went 2-for-3 with an RBI, while Mills went 3-for-4 with an RBI.
Losing pitcher was Kim Garrison, Cleveland freshman, allowing 5 runs in two innings pitched, but only 3 of the runs were earned.
In game two, the Lady Mavs took on the Lady Warriors from Bacone and squeaked out a 2-1 victory. Garrison pitched a complete game, allowing just 3 hits and one earned run while striking out seven.
Maxwell and Tera Eakins, Blackwell freshman, had the RBIs for the Lady Mavs. Eakins and Ashford went 2-for-3 in the game.
In game three, the Lady Mavs took on Carl Albert and lost 4-2 to end their season. Jennifer Seaton, Skiatook freshman, took the loss throwing 5 2/3 innings, allowing four runs on eight hits and only two earned runs while striking out three.
Hitting stars for the lady Mavs were Maxwell, going 2-for-4 and an RBI; Shelli Price, Tonkawa freshman, 1- for-2, scoring a run; Moody, 2-for-3; and Kodee Shaklee, Ringwood freshman, 1-for-3 with an RBI.
Carl Albert scored three in the second inning and one in the third, while the Lady Mavs scored single runs in the fourth and fifth.
For the season, Ashford led the Lady Mavs in hatting average with .384, 37 runs and 58 hits. Moody closely followed with a .382 batting average, 26 runs and 52 hits, and led the team in slugging percentage with a .713 average, 5 triples, 8 home runs and 21 stolen bases.
Mills had a .376 batting average and led the team in doubles (12) and RBIs (33). The team batting average was a very respectable .321.
Garrison had a record of 15-13 with an ERA of 2.44 while striking out 96 and allowing 23 base-on-balls in 172.1 innings. Seaton's record was 8-14 with an ERA of 2.99 while striking out 78 and allowing 20 base-on-balls in 135.2 innings.
The Lady Mavs finished the 1996-97 season with a record of 23-27.
TONKAWA - Northern Oklahoma College Girls' Summer Basketball Camp will see some changes from the usual format, according to Greg Krause, camp director.
"Because of the size of our camp, we have restructured our age groups," he said.
This year, separate sessions will be offered for fifth graders and for sixth graders, bringing the number of camp sessions to five. The individual high school camp has been changed to a three-day team camp. As in the past, the camp goal is "to teach the fundamentals of basketball and to use those fundamentals within a competitive atmosphere," Krause said. "In addition to teaching basketball, we try to help the girls understand the values of hard work, responsibility, teamwork and good sportsmanship."
Camps are available for girls who will be enrolled in grades 2-12 for the 1997-98 school year with grades 2-8 eligible for individual camp and grades 9-12 eligible for team camp. Each camper will receive a T-shirt, and all campers in grades 2-8 will receive a regulation size camp ball.
The schedule for campers in grades 5-8 includes mass and station drills, relays, team drills, skill contests, league games and time for extra help on individual skills. Grades 2-4 will participate in a day camp, learning individual and group basic skills without competition
Overnight campers will be housed in air-conditioned residence halls with a security person on duty during night hours. Two gymnasiums are available for use, and a six-lane Olympic size indoor swimming pool, with qualified lifeguards on duty, will be open for campers' use. Campers will be supervised by the coaches at all times.
Since enrollment is limited, camp reservations must be made in advance, accompanied by a deposit or total amount, and will be accepted as they are received. Upon receipt of the application and deposit, the camper will receive an acceptance letter along with details regarding housing, arrival and departure times and important phone numbers,
Fees for grades 5-8 are overnight, $170, and commuters, $115, with a $60 nonrefundable deposit. High school team camp grades 9-12 fees are overnight, $135, and commuters, $100, with a $5O nonrefundable deposit.
Day camp grades 2-4 fee is $60 with a $20 nonrefundable deposit. Checks should be made payable to NOC Girls Camp.
Session dates are: June 1-6, grades 7-8; June 8-11, grades 9-12 high school team camp; June 12-14, grades 2-4 day camp; June 22 - 27, grade 5; June 30-July 4, grade 6.
For information or brochures, contact Greg Krause, Northern Oklahoma College, PO Box 310, Tonkawa, OK 74653-0310, telephone 405-628-6733.
The Lew Wentz Memorial Golf course will hold a Couples Tournament Sunday starting at 1 p.m.
The scramble play is open to everyone. Pairings will be done by the Wentz Pro Shop staff and tee times assigned. The entry fee is $10, which does not include greens and cart fees. Golfers may sign up by calling the Pro Shop (767-0433)
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The Lew Wentz Junior Golf summer program is accepting sign-ups until May 21. The classes start May 28.
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Al Oulds collected his seventh career hole in one at Wentz Thursday when he aced the 145-yard No. 14 hole, using a 6-iron.
He was playing with Rupert Cooper, Jack Stamper and Ray Lunsford.
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Lou Reyher got her second career hole-in-one Wednesday at the Ponca City Country Club as she aced the 155-yard No. 16 hole.
She used a 3-wood to drive the hole.
She was playing with Marge Brookshire and Madeleine Daily.