LOCAL

Dentist Court Appearance Set for Friday
Nearly News
Chamber News
Area Oil and Gas Report
Tourism Panel Helps Sponsor Great Race
Newport Places Children’s Book In P.C. Library
Pet Owners Checking for Tick Infestation
Search Extended To Find New Retired Ed Director

Dentist Court Appearance Set for Friday

Dr. Merle George Smith III will appear in Kay County District Friday, on charges relating to controlled dangerous substance violations. A Ponca City police officer arrested the 46-year-old local dentist Tuesday, after officers searched his office and home.

Sherry Bowers, public information officer for the PCPD, confirmed the arrest resulted from an investigation which began May 11. According to the affidavit used to obtain the search warrant, the health care professional was involved in the unlawful diversion, possession and dispensation of prescription, dangerous controlled substances. Furthermore, the warrant indicated the dangerous controlled substances had been obtained by fraudulent means.

Smith was transferred to the Kay County Detention Center Wednesday, where he will remain until his initial appearance, according to Brian Surber, assistant district attorney.

Nearly News

If, perchance, the skies open and raindrops fall upon our heads for graduation Friday evening, Ponca City Senior High commencement ceremonies will be held at 8 p.m. in Robson Fieldhouse — not Hutchins Memorial Auditorium as previously announced. If in question, keep your ear tuned to local radio stations for the latest word.

Sometimes it is difficult to keep track of dates in the news room. When reporting that representatives from the Oklahoma State University (MBA) program and masters in telecommunications management (MSTM) program will be in Ponca City, the article should have read the meeting would be 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. tonight, not Friday night, at the Ponca City High School Commons Area, 927 North Fifth Street. The University Learning Center of Northern Oklahoma is sponsoring the presentation.

Chamber News

By: Chamber Chairman, Craig Myers

Over the past several weeks, numerous issues have occurred, both locally and nationally, that have been very negative in nature. It tends to be part of our nature to focus on the negative and ignore the positive. As a result, I feel we need to reverse our perspective, and take a few minutes to highlight several actions and people in our community.

Initially, I want to congratulate a local group of high school students, who as part of an honors English class, conducted a very effective survey with their peers. They analyze our youth perspective of things to do in Ponca City, relationships with our police, curfews and our community’s support of high school functions. Their presentation was nothing short of an excellent performance of professionalism, and honesty. What I was most impressed with was their unbiased review of the results and quality recommendations.

Secondly, I want to express appreciation to our local convenience store operators who fight a very difficult battle with tobacco and alcohol sales to minors. They truly are trying to stop such sales with badges worn on their shirts, and signs and posters posted at the sales counters. They are committed to upholding the laws of our state and nation.

Finally, there is a large group of people who are doing a quality job with planning our community’s Millennium celebration. As spring has sprung, there is no doubt that Ponca City is a beautiful place to celebrate. I hope that you, when asked, will volunteer for this monumental occasion or at least come join in the festivities planned at the end of the year.

Come on Ponca City, let’s get behind ourselves, and Cheer for the Home Team.

Upcoming Events

Friday, May 21 — Legislative Review, 7:30 a.m., Chamber Conference Room.

Tuesday, May 25 — Business After Hours, 5-7 p.m., Quality Pools and Spas/Quality Water.

Wednesday, May 26 — Ribbon Cutting for Northern Therapy and Rehabilitation, Noon-2 p.m., 2005 North Fourteenth, Suite 111 (Ponca Plaza).

Area Oil and Gas Report

A new wildcat has been brought on line in Kay County, with Pace Exploration Partnership as the operator.

Located 7.5 miles west of Tonkawa, the well is designated as the No. 1 Victory.

It pumped oil at the rate of 20 barrels per day.

The well bottomed at 5,390 and will produced from a perforated interval at 3,700 to 3,708 feet into the hole.

Section 5-township 25n-range 2w-nw-sw.

R.C. Taylor Companies has plugged and abandoned an unsuccessful wildcat well in Kay County, 4.3 miles northwest of White Eagle. The well was spudded on Feb. 16 and was known as the No. 1-26 Suzy. Total depth was unavailable.

Section 26-township 25n-range 1e-se-ne.

Warren Corp. has revealed plans to drill a 1,050-ft. wildcat well in Kay County. The operator has designated the venture as the No. 3 Refinery. Drillsite is about one-half miles south of Ponca City.

Section 33-township 26n-range 2e-s1/2-nw.

Drillsite has been staked for the No. 2-31 Chadwick, an 800-ft. developmental well in Kay County’s Tonkawa Field. The operation will be located 2.8 miles southwest of Tonkawa. Vector Exploration Inc. is the operator.

Section 31-township 25n-range 1w-se-ne.

Vector Exploration Inc. has revealed plans to drill an 800-ft. wildcat well in Noble County. The operator has designated the venture as the No. 1-7 Case. Drillsite is 4.8 miles west-northwest of Marland.

Section 7-township 24n-range 1e-nw-se.

Drillsite has been staked for the No. 1-33 A & M Unit, a 5,700-ft. wildcat well in Noble County. The operation will be located 9.5 miles southeast of Perry. Harris Minerals Corp. is the operator.

Section 33-township 20n-range 1e-se-sw.

The No. 2-25 Cinnamon, a 700-ft. developmental well, is scheduled to be drilled in Noble County’s East Echo Field. Vector Exploration Inc. is the operator. The well will be spudded 6.9 miles southeast of Billings.

Section 25-township 23n-range 2w-ne-nw.

Ronald D. Blubaugh has posted first production data for the No. 1 Marie, a newly completed gas well in Noble County’s East Echo Field, seven miles southeast of Billings.

The well flowed 113,000 CF gas per day.

Bottomed at 675 feet, the well will produced from perforations at 603 to 613 feet into the hole.

Section 19-township 23n-range 1w-sw-nw.

Flowing 68,000 CF gas per day, the No. 2-1 Gilbert has been brought on line in the North Happy Star Field, Noble County, six miles northeast of Billings.

With Vector Exploration Inc. as the operator, the well probed to a 651-ft. depth.

It was perforated to produce at 602 to 612 feet into the wellbore.

Section 1-township 24n-range 2w-se-se.

BMW Group Inc. has plugged and abandoned an unsuccessful developmental well in Noble County’s Polo Field, seven miles northwest of Perry.

The well was spudded on April 12 and was known as the No. 1 Velma.

Total depth was unavailable.

Section 16-township 22n-range 2w-se-se.

Baron Exploration Co. has given up on its efforts to make a producer out of the No. 1-20 R T in Noble County’s Orlando Field.

Location was 5.8 miles south of Perry.

The well was spudded on March 7, 1997.

Total depth was unavailable.

Section 20 township 20n-range 1w-sw-se.

Tourism Panel Helps Sponsor Great Race

By LAURA CORFF

News Staff Writer

Members of the Ponca City Tourism Authority agreed to sponsor the Great Race with $500 during their meeting Wednesday. This is the second year, the board has been a participated.

Missy Morland, coordinator for Tourism, said J.D. Hanks will again take Tourism brochures to distribute at various Chamber of Commerce Departments along the race route.

In addition, Kathy Tippin, with Kay Lake Association, visited the board to show off the new Kaw Fest T-shirt. She also reminded the members that the fest was set for June 12 and 13. Planners have a contingency plan in place for Saturday’s events.

If Sandy Beach cannot be used, the events will be relocated to Sandy Park, on the river side of the dam, according to Tippin. Furthermore, a decision on whether the jet ski races will be held, should be made within two weeks.

During the coordinator’s report, Morland informed the board that the budget had been adjusted. Printing costs of $9,000 and community promotion funds of $1,200 were pulled out of the current year’s budget and applied to the 1999-2000 budget.

In addition, Morland reported the total year-to-date revenue from tour donations, gift shop sales and hotel/motel tax collections was $86,627. According to the coordinator, two hotels are one month late in paying their taxes and letters have been mailed.

Members also discussed the outcome of the board retreat held Sunday. The board created a new mission statement which will be formalized and voted on June 2, at 2 p.m., at the Cultural Center, Sun Room. Also, on the agenda will be discussion and consideration of an action plan for the 1999-2000 fiscal year. The board will also review the ordinance related to board terms as well as look at increasing the size of the board.

Newport Places Children’s Book In P.C. Library

A children’s book about Oklahoma’s land run has been contributed to the Ponca City Library by State Representative Jim Newport. The book presentation is part of a literacy awareness campaign sponsored by the Oklahoma Literacy Coalition and Conoco, Inc.

The book, “I Have Heard of a Land”, is a moving story of African-Americans on a journey, circa 1893, to a place of hope — the Oklahoma territory.

National Book Award winner and native Oklahoman Joyce Carol Thomas draws on her own family history to bring to life a piece of America’s little known past, the Blacks who participated in the Oklahoma land run in their quest for a new life.

With rich illustrations by Corretta Scott King Award honor recipient and fellow Oklahoman Floyd Cooper, the book is a tribute to the courage of those early Americans.

Pet Owners Checking for Tick Infestation

By LAURA CORFF

News Staff Writer

Pet owners may begin to notice the onslaught of little brown specks on or around their pets, if they haven’t already. One local veterinary clinic has noticed more ticks than usual. Most tick infestations are seen during late spring, summer and early fall.

Ladd Oldfield, DVM, reported his office began receiving calls about tick infestations about three weeks ago. Oldfield also said the clinic had seen a big increase in tick borne diseases, since the first of the year. Several of the pets were lost, due to advanced cases.

“Any time a pet is ‘not himself’ it should be checked by a veterinarian,” Oldfield said. “Tick borne diseases are a slow, gradual process. Early detection can make the difference of life and death.”

Oldfield confirmed diseases are very treatable if caught early.

“People need to be careful, for their own protection as well as for their pet’s,” he said.

Unfortunately, some ticks can survive temperatures below freezing and live up to two years, according to Brad Parker, president of Parker Pest Control. Ticks are difficult to kill and many products that claim to have an effect on ticks do an ineffective job, said David Kinkaid, DVM. However, the two local vets do recommend a topical solution called Front Line. According to Kinkaid, it’s the only one that’s any good.

Ticks are parasites in that they depend on a host for survival. Ticks do not really bite their hosts, but embed their barbed mouth parts into the skin, then pierce tiny blood vessels.

Control

To control infestations, citizens are encouraged to keep grass cut low, including areas around fence lines, sheds, trees, shrubs, swing sets and other difficult to cut locations. Remove weeds, woodpiles and other debris which are attractive to mice as nesting areas. Also, remove leaf litter and keep garbage can lids on tightly to discourage varmints from coming into the yard.

Precautions

Citizens planning to spend time in a wooded areas, should wear light clothing consisting of long sleeves and long pant legs. Tuck pants into socks or a boot. Furthermore, do not walk bare-legged in tall grass, woods or dunes where ticks may live. Avoid sitting on logs, stumps or the ground in brushy areas. Inspect clothing and the body for ticks to remove them before they become attached.

Also, spray the outside of clothing and shoes with an insect repellent containing DEET. Use products with no more than 15 percent DEET for children and no more than 30 percent on adults.

Check children for ticks when they come into the house. Wash skin thoroughly. Take a shower with a scrubber or washcloth to remove ticks you may have. Ticks are tiny, so look for new freckles.

Favorite places of ticks are on the legs, thighs, groin, in the armpits, along the hairline, back of the neck, base of skull and in or behind the ears. Ticks usually wonder about for up to four hours or so before they attach. In most instances, a tick has to be attached for a period of six to eight hours before a successful transmission of a disease can take place. Be sure to clean the attachment area.

Removal

Oldfield suggests not handling the tick, but spraying the tick and letting it die and fall off, when attached to a pet. Parker recommends not using hot matches, alcohol or fingernail polish remover, but tweezers to remove a tick. Grasp as close to the skin as possible.

Pull the tick straight out, with a steady motion. Do not twist or jerk the tick, as this may cause mouth parts to remain in the skin. Do not touch the tick, but save it in rubbing alcohol for later identification. Ticks can be tested to determine if they carry organisms.

Local Ticks

The American Dog tick and the black legged deer tick are common to Oklahoma, according to Parker. They concentrate on vegetation located in transitional areas where forest meets field, mowed lawn meets unmowed fence line, a foot trail through high grass.

The deer tick is orangish brown, except for dark legs. It is of medical importance because it is an important vector of Lyme disease. Symptoms of Lyme disease include an expanding rash three to 30 days after a bite. The rash will have a ring like appearance. Without the rash, it mimics other diseases, like flu.

Also, the American Dog Tick is commonly found on dogs and readily attacks humans. These ticks are brown with whitish to grayish markings, often with a silvery hue. It can cause organisms of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF).

Following an incubation period of three to 14 days, victims can experience “flu-like” symptoms. There may also be a sudden onset of high fever, headache, chills and muscle aches. A rash often appears a few days later.

It caught early, these illnesses can be treated with antibiotics. Diagnosis of RMSF or Lyme disease will be based on clinical signs and symptoms and confirmed by positive laboratory test results.

Search Extended To Find New Retired Ed Director

The search for a new executive director for the Oklahoma Retired Educators’ Association has been extended, according to Mrs. Theo Crawley, association president. “Our search committee simply thought that we had too few candidates from the previous announcement to conclude that the reservoir of available talent had been reached,” Crawley stated.

Dr. Edwin E. Vineyard, search committee chairman, said that the association is looking for a retired professional with well-honed leadership skills who would like a second career. “We welcome both inquiries and nominations,” he said.

The present executive director, Dr. Charles Weber, has requested retirement effective June 30 of this year. “Although we would like to find a suitable replacement for Dr. Weber by the beginning of the new fiscal year, that may or may not be possible,” Vineyard indicated.

The position is a three-fourths time assignment and involves the coordination and direction of all the affairs of the association. Because of its office being located near the Capitol and the necessity of dealing with state agencies and groups, the person filling the position will need to reside in the metropolitan Oklahoma City area.

“The residency practicality and the part-time salary has limited our field of candidates somewhat,” Vineyard said, “but we believe there is a crusader with talent out there who would like to lead this group of former educators.”

Inquiries or expressions of interest may be made to Search Committee, P.O. Box 18485, Oklahoma City, OK 73154. Telephone inquiries may be made to the association office at (800) 522-8091 or the search committee chair in Ponca City at (580) 762-5924.

DEATHS

Harold G. Wilkins
Charles O. Mathews
Raymond Loesch
Leo E. Hazaleus Jr.
Julian H. Beal

Harold G. Wilkins

NARDIN — Harold G. Wilkins, former Blackwell area resident, died Wednesday, May 19, 1999 at the Integris Bass Baptist Health Center in Enid. He was 62.

A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at the Mt. Olive Cemetery in Nardin with the Rev. Roland Briggs, pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church, Blackwell, officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel, Ponca City.

Harold G. Wilkins was born Feb. 8, 1937, in Blackwell, the son of Hal B. and Katherine (Sommers) Wilkins. He grew up in Blackwell, graduated from Blackwell High School and attended Northern Oklahoma College in Tonkawa. Mr. Wilkins was a veteran of the U.S. Army serving from June 1957 to April 1959. Following his discharge he was employed with the Acme Foundry in Blackwell for a number of years before moving to Enid.

On May 17, 1968, he was married to Evelyn Ganer at the Second Baptist Church in Ponca City. He was employed at Vance Air base for 10 years. He later worked for the Broadway Tower in Enid until retiring due to disability. He attended Calvary Baptist Church in Enid and enjoyed reading and working crossword puzzles.

Surviving are his wife, Evelyn, of the home and one sister, Jane Johnston, of Corvallis, Ore. He was preceded in death by his parents, and an infant brother.

Charles O. Mathews

Charles O. “Blackie” Mathews, longtime Ponca City resident, died Wednesday, May 19, 1999, at his home. He was 89.

The funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, May 21, 1999 at the Trout Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Larry Calvert, pastor, Ranch Drive Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will follow in Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Trout Funeral Home.

Charles O. “Blackie” Mathews was born on Oct. 9, 1909, in Ponca City to Enoch and Edith (Wilson) Mathews. He grew up in Ponca City and attended Ponca City schools.

He married Edna Thele in Newkirk on March 9, 1931, and worked at several odd jobs before joining the U.S. Navy. He served with the Sea Bees during World War II. After the war, he returned to Ponca City and worked in the Cities Service Oil Company refinery. He retired in 1970. Mathews was a member of Ranch Drive Baptist Church and enjoyed camping and fishing.

He is survived by one brother, Everett Mathews of Arkansas City; two nieces; and one sister-in-law. He was preceded in death by his wife on Dec. 29, 1996; his parents; three brothers and two sisters.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home today, between 7 and 8 p.m.

Raymond Loesch

ENID — Raymond Loesch, brother to Marcella Matthews of Ponca City died Tuesday evening , May 18, 1999, in Enid. He was 61.

The funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Enid with the Rev. Kenneth Wade officiating. Burial is to follow in Memorial Park Cemetery in Enid under the direction of Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home.

Raymond Loesch was born Nov. 26, 1937, in Enid, to William and Bertha (Roggow) Loesch. He grew up in Enid, graduating from Douglas High School in 1955 and receiving a BA degree from Phillips University in 1959.

In 1960, Loesch entered the U.S. Army and was assigned to the Redstone Arsenal Company in Huntsville, Ala. After his military service he was employed with North American Aerospace in California. Loesch moved back to Enid in 1969. He was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Enid.

Survivors include two sisters, Margaret Wagner of Oklahoma City and Marcella Matthews of Ponca City; and one brother, Kenneth Loesch of Enid. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Loesch’s name to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, or a charity of choice, c/o Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home, P.O. Box 3501, Enid, OK 73702.

Services Pending

Leo E. Hazaleus Jr.

Leo E. Hazaleus Jr., rural Newkirk resident, died Wednesday evening, May 19, 1999, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Ponca City. He was 77. Survivors include his wife, Roberta, of the home. The funeral is set for 2 p.m. Saturday at the Newkirk Christian Church. Other arrangements will be announced later by Miller-Stahl Funeral service, Newkirk.

Julian H. Beal

Julian H. Beal, longtime Ponca City resident, died Wednesday, May 19, 1999, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. He was 86. The funeral service will be held Saturday, May 22, at 10 a.m. at Ponca City First Baptist Church. Local survivors include his wife, Frances V. Beal of the home. Other arrangements are pending with Trout Funeral Home and will be announced later.

NEWS BRIEFS

DUI School Set — A State Certified DUI School Bridgeway, Inc. is Kay County’s only local non-profit organization that offers both mid-week and weekend DUI Schools and Assessments. Next school is scheduled Friday, May 21, and Saturday, May 22, starting at 5 p.m. The school offers the 24 hours DUI School. Call 762-1462 for reservations and information.

Canna Bulbs president red. Reg. 59 cents, sale 39 cents.

Keathly Nursery. 2448 Bridge Ave. adv.

Ranch Drive Fund Raiser — The Ranch Drive volunteer fire department fund raiser, a spaghetti and bean supper, is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. May 22 at the station. Those attending are asked to bring a covered dish or dessert. A silent auction of homemade items is also planned. Everyone is welcome. Cost is $3 for adults and $1.50 for children. For more information call 765-5081.

Pauline's Shrimp peel. All you can eat, $11.95, Friday the 21st.

For reservations, call 765-5460.adv.

Warrant Served — A Ponca City police officer arrested a 34-year-old woman in the 400 block of South Pine Street at 8:21 a.m. Wednesday, on a city warrant.

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.

Break In — A resident in the 600 block of North Sunset Street contacted the Ponca City Police Department at 10:09 a.m. Wednesday to report a shed had been broken into. An officer responded and took a report.

Summer Sunshine, Citrus Sorbet, Raspberry Blossom. Door

Country candles can bring spring into your home now at Mrs.

Brown’s Attic, 300 E. Grand. Downtown Ponca City. adv.

Mischief — An employee of Taco Bell, 2400 North Fourteenth Street, notified the Ponca City Police Department at 11:50 a.m. Wednesday, that a group of juveniles were inside spraying shaving cream. An officer responded and had the kids clean up the mess, before leaving.

Good Used Maytags, 315 E. Grand, Copeland Appl. adv.

Accident — A Ponca City ambulance crew transported a man to the emergency room at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center at 1:03 p.m. Wednesday after an accident which occurred in the 700 block of North Union Street.

WWF Over The Edge: In your house. Action-packed wrestling

coming to Cable One Pay Per View. Sunday, May 23rd at 7:00

p.m. To order early call Cable One at 762-6684. adv.

Collision — A Ponca City police officer took a report of an accident in the 1900 block of North Fourth Street at 1:44 p.m. Wednesday.

Balloon Bouquets $24.99

Roses, from $10 - “Villa” Floral & Balloons at West End, 223 W.

Grand. 765-8864. adv.

Accident — At 1:45 p.m. Wednesday, a Ponca City police officer took a report of an accident in the 800 block of South Fifth Street.

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.

Warrant Served — A 40-year-old man was taken into custody at the Ponca City Police Department by an officer at 2:37 p.m. Wednesday, on a city warrant.

4” Geraniums - One group 99 cents each. Keathly Nursery.

2448 Bridge Ave. adv.

Forgery — At 2:56 p.m. Wednesday, a Ponca City police officer took a report of a forged check at Buy for Less, 2405 North Fourteenth Street.

Dougan's Bar-B-Q Thursday special from 4-? 1/2 BBQ chicken

with 2 vegetables. $4.25. 215 South 14th. 765-7979. adv.

Accident — A Ponca City police officer took a report of a minor accident which occurred at North Fifth Street and East Hartford Avenue at 5:47 p.m. Wednesday.

Kids Glow Bowl, Fridays 1-4 p.m. Schools out! Party! Tuesday

May 25th, 1-4 p.m. Ponca Bowl. 762-3333. adv.

Shoplifters — An employee of Wal-Mart, 1101 East Prospect Avenue, contacted the Ponca City Police Department at 7:33 p.m. Wednesday to report two boys were in custody for shoplifting. An officer responded and arrested a 17-year-old boy and a 16-year-old boy for petit larceny. The boys were each released to a parent on a promise to appear in juvenile court.

Want A computer? Find out how you can earn a new DELL

Computer with a little effort. Call 765-3404. adv.

The Original Bad Company Live, in concert, from Hard Rock

Cafe in Orlando, Florida. Seen only on Cable One Pay Per View.

Check it out Friday, May 21st at 8:00 p.m., $19.95. To order early

call Cable One at 762-6684. adv.

May Is better hearing month. Better hearing means better

quality of life. Take advantage of special offers this month and

have your hearing tested for free. Heartland Hearing Aid Center,

1302 N. 7th, 767-1961.adv.

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.

GARDENING

Omniplex Lists Garden Exhibits
Volunteer Plants Spring Garden Surprises
Watch for Pests on Small Plants
Bridal Veil Plant Drops Leaves
Herb Festival Seminars Announced

Omniplex Lists Garden Exhibits

OKLAHOMA CITY — Maximize your garden’s potential with great perennials and save money and time in the process. Perennials for Oklahoma features flowers and plants perfect for Oklahoma’s climate and is on display May 1­June 21 in the Kirkpatrick Greenhouse at Omniplex.

Perennials such as ajuga, rudbeckia, gaillardia, asclepias and more will be on display. Tips such as the best time to plant perennials and how to help plants handle winter weather will be available on signage throughout the exhibit area. Visitors can also seek out Gardens staff for answers to questions about particular situations or concerns they may have about their landscaping choices.

Summer garden exhibits at the Omniplex are open May 15-Sept. 20. Exhibits featured include drought tolerant plants, Nectar garden for butterflies, Peppers: Hot and Sweet, Bed and Bath Gardens.

Omniplex is located at 2100 NE 52nd Street in Oklahoma City. Summer Hours (Memorial Day­Labor Day) are: Monday­Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is $7.60, adults; $6.80, seniors; and $6.00, children. Children under three and museum members are admitted free.For more information, please call (405) 602-ONINI or visit the Omniplex Web site at www.omniplex.org.

Volunteer Plants Spring Garden Surprises

By GEORGE BRIA

POUND RIDGE, N.Y. (AP) — Spring’s arrival is never more exciting than with the birth of asparagus. And this year my first spear made a surprise appearance. It had jumped over the vegetable garden fence and into an iris bed.

In gardening, such a rover is known as a ‘‘volunteer plant.’’

That means the plant showed up where you had no intention of seeing it or in a different place from where you originally put its parents.

The term has been around a long time. The Oxford English Dictionary, which defines the phenomenon as ‘‘growing spontaneously,’’ cites a 1794 reference to ‘‘a remarkably fine growth of volunteer ash.’’

Whatever the origins of the word, I think I know what happened in the migration of my asparagus from its longtime bed in the garden to its new location.

I’m guessing that wind or a bird moved a seed to the iris bed and it rooted there. This happened two or three years ago because the spear I cut was of good size and it takes that long for asparagus to grow that big. But either nobody had noticed its fern before or had left it there for its ornamental effect.

Meanwhile, my original bed, of course, is continuing to produce at the average rate of 750 spears a year.

Now wildflowers and weeds may spring up willy-nilly, but those are not thought of as volunteers. If they were, dandelions, in my neck of the woods, would constitute a huge volunteer army. Nor, obviously, does the jungle bear that label.

What we’re talking about is the domesticated plant that shows up unexpectedly where you didn’t plan for it. One of the commonest sources of such rovers is the compost heap.

That’s where you dump garden debris and kitchen scraps to form the rich soil you eventually recycle into the garden. Mixed in the new soil are seeds from the old refuse and they will spring into life. So you’ll find violets and Cleome, Johnny-jump-ups, portulaca, forget-me-nots, coreopsis and ageratum suddenly crowding beds you enriched with the compost but designed for other plants.

Orange and red zinnias may pop up in the lettuce patch or a leafy lettuce among the marigolds.

Plants you allow to go to seed in place are another source of the next year’s volunteers. If for some reason you didn’t get to harvest all your tomatoes, but left them to rot on the ground, the seeds of some will live another day. They may even bear fruit, although very late in the season. The currant tomato, which produces scores of tiny fruit, regularly ‘‘volunteers’’ for another spell of duty in my garden.

Ordinarily, in my northern climate, tomatoes are grown from seed indoors and the plants are put out in the garden in May after the danger of frost has passed. So it’s interesting to see them actually produce from seed outdoors, even though late.

As ‘‘volunteers,’’ these may show up among your bean plants or in the corn patch in a different part of the garden from where you’ve planted your regular tomato crop this season.

It’s also thought-provoking to note the vitality of the tiny seed that survived the rigors of a northern winter even though its parent fruit died at the first touch of autumn frost.

A friend asked me whether a volunteer plant would still be considered volunteer if it were dug up and planted somewhere else. Who, if anybody, makes the rules in this branch of gardening? I’d say the plant remains volunteer, or free agent, only if allowed to stay put. Once moved, it’s a captive plant.

Watch for Pests on Small Plants

By LEE REICH

For AP Special Features

Vegetable and flower transplants are apt to suffer three kinds damage by three garden pests this time of year:

—Stems chopped off at the soil line (cutworms).

—Leaves chewed (slugs).

—Leaves shot full of tiny holes (flea beetles).

All can be controlled without spraying pesticides.

Cutworms only take a few bites out of young plants, which would be OK if only those bites were not at ground level. The toppled seedlings never recover. Thwart cutworms with some sort of barrier such as a cardboard collar placed around each transplant and pressed an inch into the soil. Before a cutworm takes a bite of a plant, it wraps its body around the stem to see if it is tender enough to eat. So you also can fool cutworms by sticking a toothpick in the ground right up against each transplant. The insects believe they are embracing small, woody-stemmed trees and ignore them.

Slugs love to slither around at night in wet, spring weather. Slugs dislike anything sharp or caustic rubbing against their slimy bodies, so they’ll think twice about crossing a barrier of either sharp sand, diatomaceous earth (sharp remains of tiny sea creatures, sold in garden centers) or wood ashes sprinkled around plants. These barriers must be renewed after rains.

You could take a flashlight into the garden at night and sneak up on slugs while they are at work. They are slippery to handpick, so take along a saltshaker. Sprinkling salt on them will dehydrate and kill them.

Beer is an effective poison bait for slugs as many gardeners know by experience. Put a shallow pan of beer on the ground, and almost immediately slugs will start inching to their death. No need to open a fresh bottle each night, for slugs are happy even with stale beer.

Flea beetles are the most difficult to control without pesticides. You may not even notice them because they are very short and hop away when approached.

The easiest way to control flea beetles is to exclude them by covering plants with a barrier of a ‘‘floating row cover.’’ These lightweight materials, made from spun-bonded or woven synthetic materials, are permeable to water, air and sun, but impermeable to insects.

Another approach that sometimes works to control flea beetles is to ignore them. Small plants that are growing rapidly often outgrow any damage.

Bridal Veil Plant Drops Leaves

Q: I have a Tahitian bridal veil plant and it does great during the summer. but sheds leaves all winter. What am I doing wrong? C. G. , Monessen, Pa.

A: A favorite plant of mine when I lived in Oregon was the Tahitian bridal veil. Mine acted just as you described — it grew gloriously during the warm season and shed leaves dramatically all winter. I always attributed the drop to short days/lower light, cooler temperatures and low humidity but I noticed the same event (to a lesser degree) on plants at a local greenhouse. I highly doubt you are doing anything wrong and also doubt you will be able to decrease the winter leaf drop. Be careful to keep the plant warm and not keep the soil too wet, though.

Joe Freeman is chief horticulturist for Cypress Gardens, tropical showplace located near Winter Haven, Florida. The question and answer format submitted by him is the source of information for this story.

Herb Festival Seminars Announced

The Sage, Rosemary and Thyme Garden Club will host the annual Ponca City Herb Festival, Saturday, June 5, at Fourteenth and Grand, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free. Site of the festival, Cann Memorial Gardens, is a ten acre historical, botanical garden, centrally located in Ponca City. Antique lampposts, winding brick walkways, a gazebo, park benches, a large tree-shaded brick patio, as well as herbs and blooming flowers, make it the perfect setting for the festival.

Several seminars are planned and numerous vendors will be selling food, herbal products, garden items, and, of course, a variety of herb plants.

Seminars taking place inside the Cann Memorial Garden Home include:

* 9:30 a.m., “Scents Make Sense” presented by Gael Hancock;

* 10:30 a.m., “A Bird’s Eye View Of The Bivin Garden” presented by Molly Bivin of Shidler;

* 11:30 a.m., “Herbs & Medicinals” presented by Jerry Willis of Heaven Scents;

* 12:30 a.m., “Multiple Uses of Lavender — Herb of the Year” presented by Kay Whitlock of Just Yesterday;

* 1:30 p.m., “Herbal Breads” presented by Diane Christensen;

* 2:30 p.m., “Soaping 101” presented by Joe Widner.

Seminars being presented outside, to the west of the Cann Home, include:

* 10 a.m., “Gourd Mania” presented by Jan Meng of Hungry Holler Gourds, Ouchi;

* 11 a.m., “The Back Yard” presented by Von Lyda Custom Garden Furniture & ETC.;

* 12 p.m. “Mr. Iris” presented by Jerry Cathey;

* 1 p.m., “Gourds, Gourds, Gourds” presented by Joan of J & M Gourds, Liberal Kan.;

* 2 p.m., “Basic Herbs” presented by Mary Anne Potter of Herban Renewal Farms;

* 3 p.m., “Lasagna Style Gardening” presented by F.G. Williams, Master Gardener.

SPORTS

Pokes Stumble; Sooners Rumble
PC Drivers Off to Fast Start in Enid
Graves Crowned Collegiate Champ
Sooner State Games To Hold Tryouts

Pokes Stumble; Sooners Rumble

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Pitchers made a strong showing on the first day of the Big 12 tournament. The same can’t be said for top-seeded Texas A&M.

Chad Wiles of Nebraska and Jason Jennings of Baylor threw back-to-back one-hit shutouts Wednesday, leading their teams to first-round victories. Wiles’ gem, which required 152 pitches, gave the Cornhuskers a 5-0 victory over Oklahoma State while Jennings and Baylor beat Missouri, 2-0.

Meanwhile, Texas A&M — ranked No. 1 nationally by Baseball America magazine — started the tournament with a 10-5 loss to eighth-seeded Oklahoma. The Sooners’ Jared Hoerman threw seven solid innings and Jeff Bajenaru closed it out.

‘‘Hoerman pitched very well, because they are an outstanding offensive club,’’ OU coach Larry Cochell said. ‘‘I thought that he made his pitches when he had to.’’

The last game of the day saw No. 3 seed Texas Tech fall to Texas, 7-3.

Today’s schedule has A&M playing Oklahoma State and Missouri going against Texas Tech in elimination games. Oklahoma plays Nebraska and Baylor meets Texas tonight.

Oklahoma (30-27) led 4-0 and 6-1 against the Aggies (44-13), who are already assured a spot in the NCAA tournament. Hoerman was in control until the seventh, when he gave up a three-run homer to Daylan Holt that made the score 7-5.

But the Sooners then added three insurance runs in the top of the ninth to knock A&M into the loser’s bracket.

‘‘He got us out with his off-speed stuff all day and that was pretty much it,’’ Holt said of Hoerman (7-6). ‘‘I thought it (his home run) could get us back into the game, but it just didn’t fall that way for us today.’’

In the second game of the day, Wiles threw the first shutout in the three years of the Big 12 tournament and just the second one-hitter all season. It marked just the second time Oklahoma State (40-16) had been shut out this season.

‘‘We have swung the bats really well and we have faced a lot of good right-handed pitching,’’ OSU coach Tom Holliday said. ‘‘Sometimes, that stuff gets you ready. We didn’t get it done today.’’

The Cornhuskers (38-16) got three hits and two RBIs from Brant Vlieger and two RBIs from Brian Johnson as they advanced to play Oklahoma.

A few hours after Wiles’ performance, Baylor’s Jennings looked even better. He struck out 10, walked just two and retired the final 10 batters he faced in throwing his second one-hitter of the year. He also one-hit Northeast Louisiana on Feb. 10.

‘‘This was a better hitting team (than Northeast Louisiana) and with this being the tournament, this was by far the best of my career,’’ said Jennings, a junior.

Jennings (12-1) gave up a single to W.T. Hoover to start the game, but Hoover then was caught stealing and that was about it for the Tigers (35-18).

The performances of Wiles and Jennings marked the first back-to-back shutouts in the 24 years that the Big Eight and Big 12 tournaments have been played in Oklahoma City.

Missouri wasted a nice pitching performance by Justin Stine (9-4), who gave up only five hits. The game lasted just 1 hour, 58 minutes, the first Big 12 tournament game ever played in under two hours.

In the final game of the night, Texas first baseman Jeff Ontiveros launched a 420-foot homer into left-centerfield in the top of the ninth inning, giving the Longhorns the victory.

Ontiveros’ grand slam snapped a trend in which Nebraska and Baylor pitchers posted back-to-back one hitters earlier in the tournament.

Texas starter Dax Leone was cruising with a one-hit shutout through seven innings when the Red Raiders erupted for three runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to tie the contest.

The Longhorns took a 3-0 lead after five innings and held it until Tech tied the contest in the eighth.

Longhorns’ shortstop Jason Moore drove in two of the first three runs with a triple in the first inning before teammate Chris Houser forced home another run in the fifth with a run-scoring groundout.

Texas Tech countered off Leone and winning pitcher D.J. Jones (9-6) with a two-run double by shortstop Lance Woodcock in the eighth.

Woodcock subsequently scored when an errant relay throw went into the Red Raiders’ dugout after he reached third on an attempted throw to the plate.

Tech starter Shane Wright (9-4) took the loss.

Nebraska-Oklahoma St.

Nebraska 010 220 000 — 5 10 2

Oklahoma St. 000 000 000 — 0 1 0

Wiles and Johnson. Smith, Herrmann (4) and Budde. W—Wiles, 5-1. L—Smith, 9-4. A—9,030.

Missouri-Baylor

Missouri 000 000 000 — 0 1 1

Baylor 000 200 000 — 2 5 1

Stine and Williams. Jennings and Loeb. W—Jennings, 12-1. L—Stine, 9-4. Sv—None. HRs—None. A—7,460.

Texas-Texas Tech

Texas 200 010 004 — 7 12 1

Texas Tech 000 000 030 — 3 4 0

Texas Leone, Jones (7) and Anderson; Texas Tech Wright, Roberson (8), Stewart (8) and Bard. W—Jones (9-6). L—Wright (9-4). HR—Texas, Ontiveros (12). Texas Tech None.

Oklahoma-Texas A&M

Oklahoma 013 011 013 — 10 13 1

Texas A&M 000 011 030 — 5 9 2

Hoerman, Bajenaru (8) and Van Horn. Caple, Scarcella (6), Weller (9), Knight (9) and Schumacher. W—Hoerman, 7-6. L—Caple, 7-4. Sv—Bajenaru (8). HRs—Texas A&M, Holt (28). A—8,590.

PC Drivers Off to Fast Start in Enid

ENID — Ponca City’s Troy Gemmill has taken up where he left off in the modified division racing at the Enid Speedway.

Gemmill, the defending Speedway champion in his division, won his third straight feature in a row Saturday.

Having won his heat race earlier, Gemmill waited his turn in the feature, finally taking over the lead coming out of turn four on the sixth lap.

Two caution flags did not hurt his bid at all as he drove the Kirby sponsored Dirt Work’s Chassis to victory.

Ponca City’s Rocky Austin, also a heat winner, got the early lead in the 20-lap street stock main event, but couldn’t hold it and finished third.

———

HALLETT — Ponca City’s Dane Pryse finished third in the Spec Racer Ford division of the COMMA Open Wheel races at the Hallett Motor Racing Circuit Saturday.

It was the second third place finish for Pryse during the early season races at Hallett.

Hallett is located west of Tulsa on the Cimarron Turnpike. The monthly road racing series is run over the 1.8-mile, 10-turn challenging course.

Graves Crowned Collegiate Champ

ALVA — Stockton Graves of Ponca City was a high school state champion in steer wrestling and now is a collegiate champion, as well. Graves was crowned Central Plains Region (CPR) steer wrestling champion after the season’s last rodeo at Western State College in Altus.

He will compete at the College National Finals in Casper, Wyoming June 14-19.

“I am really in awe right now,” Graves said. “I am excited to be able to represent Northwestern. I just hope I do well.”

Graves finished fourth in the region in the all-around division and was eighth in calf roping.

“The great thing about Stockton is that he is only a sophomore,” coach Guy Forell said. “His toughest competition throughout the year have been his two teammates (Chancey Larson and Justin Thompson) and they are seniors. Qualifying is a big accomplishment, but Stockton can compete at the national level.”

Graves received another honor at the final CPR rodeo of the year. His calf roping horse Tuffy was voted horse of the year by the region’s competitors. Tuffy was nominated by a cowboy from Oklahoma State University. Graves has had Tuffy for eight years and trained him himself.

Five of six Northwestern men's team members finished in the top ten in their respective events. The team finished fifth overall.

At the Western State College rodeo in Altus, Kasie Green of Rosston was seventh in break away roping in the first round, second in the short go and tied for second in the average.

Robin Brandenburg of Edgerton, Kan., was fourth in the long go in goat tying, but failed to place in the short go.

Also in goat tying, Kelly Wood of Kingman, Kan., was third in the first round and split eighth and ninth in the short go to finish sixth in the average.

Chancey Larson tied for fourth in the first round in steer wrestling.

Sooner State Games To Hold Tryouts

Baseball tryouts for four regional all-star teams which will play in the 17th Annual Sooner State Games will take place in the next few weeks.

The tryouts are open to all athletes who attended high school in the 1998-99 school year. Each player must play for the region in which he attends high school. Oklahoma Interstates 35 and 40 will serve as natural boundaries for each region. The only exceptions will be Midwest City, Del City, Choctaw and Carl Albert. These cities will be considered in the Southeast Region.

Ponca City area players are in the Northeast Region, east of I-35 and north of I-40.

Northeast tryouts are scheduled for Collinsville on May 29 and at Frontier School in Red Rock on June 12. Both tryouts start at 10 a.m. Interested players should contact Matt Holland, Shidler High School, (918) 793-2461

The round-robin baseball tournament is scheduled to be played at the Yukon High School Baseball Field on June 18-19. For more information call David Hinckley, the state coordinator at (405) 799-8294.