LOCAL

Nearly News
Po-Hi Receives Award From Washington, D.C.
Many Oklahoma Small Towns Have Inadequate Storm Warning Systems
Six Are Injured In Van Crash
Post 14 Preservation Fund Plaque Design Approved
Risk Watch Helped Provide Choices to Prevent Injuries
Opponents of Little Rock Sales Tax Cite Clinton Library

Nearly News

NN’s face is red! We made a mistake in announcing the age groups eligible for the Crestivew Baptist Vacation Bible School which gets under way at the church, 3228 Indian Hills Road, U.S. 60E this evening at 6:30. Children four years old through 6th grade are invited to participate. Little ones, you don’t have to be in school to participate — OK? NN regrets the error. For more information, call 762-7817 or 765-6730.

Po-Hi Receives Award From Washington, D.C.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Ponca City Senior High School was named as a National Service-Learning Leader School through a new presidential initiative that recognizes schools for their excellence in service-learning. Service-learning combines academics with community service in a way that benefits students, teaches civic responsibility, and. strengthens communities. As part of their award, schools are asked to lead other schools in starting or improving their service-learning programs.

“These schools are models of what is working in education. They are on the cutting edge of a growing service-learning movement, and their experience and success will serve as examples to others,” said Harris Wofford, CEO of the Corporation for National Service, which administers the award program.

Through service-learning, students apply their coursework to community issues in relevant and meaningful ways. For example, chemistry students might test water quality in a local stream and report findings to local community leaders, geometry students might plan and construct an inner-city playground, English students might tutor younger children in reading, and government students might survey community residents on the area’s traffic safety needs and propose changes to local ordinances.

A recent study by Brandeis University indicates that students who participate in service-learning are more engaged in learning and perform better in school than students who do not. Further, service-learning students enjoy helping others and learning in the process.

Representatives from each leader school will be invited to Washington, D.C., next month for an award ceremony, a congressional reception, and educational workshop. Next year, middle schools will be recognized as National Service-Learning Leader Schools. For more information, call (800) 628-8442.

The National Service-Learning Leader Schools program is administered by the Corporation for National Service which provides Americans of all ages with opportunities to improve communities through programs such as AmeriCorps, Learn and Serve America, and the National Senior Service Corps. Learn and Serve America supports service-learning programs in schools, colleges, and community organizations through which nearly one million students each year from kindergarten through college meet community needs while improving their academic skills and learning the habits of good citizenship.

Many Oklahoma Small Towns Have Inadequate Storm Warning Systems

By The Associated Press

Misty Clay never heard a siren as a tornado bore down on the tiny Oklahoma town of Mulhall.

She heard about the approaching twister from a neighbor and took her family to Billy Ritter’s basement. Ritter never heard a siren, either, and knew to head underground because he saw television reports.

Mulhall, like many small towns across the state, does not have a storm warning system. It has one siren that officials blast during tornado warnings.

‘‘We have a very old siren, an antiquated general siren,’’ Mayor John Pangburn said.

Pangburn and other town officials sounded the siren about 10 minutes before the tornado hit Mulhall shortly after 10 p.m. May 3. About 80 of the town’s 115 buildings were destroyed.

Also tracking the storm that night was Logan County’s emergency management director, John Lewis. He knew Mulhall’s old siren could not be heard throughout town, so he sent sheriff’s deputies to drive through town with their car sirens blaring.

About an hour earlier, a similar scene played out in Dover, where town officials sounded the one fire siren about 10 minutes before the tornado’s arrival.

Danny Mastalka, Kingfisher County’s emergency management director, was watching the twister. After seeing how it had destroyed homes near Kingfisher, Mastalka had sheriff’s deputies drive through the town with their car sirens on to alert residents.

Towns such as Dover and Mulhall would like to have outdoor storm warning systems, but they and other small towns have to get by without them, said Ben Frizzell, public information officer with Oklahoma’s Civil Emergency Management Department.

‘‘The vast majority of communities across Oklahoma can’t afford them,’’ Frizzell said.

The federal government had an assistance program for towns until 1991 to install outdoor warning systems, he said.

State officials in 1995 sought a federal grant of more than $1 million to buy warning sirens for towns, but the request was denied, Frizzell said. A warning siren can cost between $10,000 and $20,000, he said.

‘‘If you want to get the unsophisticated ones, they generally run off a community’s electricity supply,’’ Frizzell said. ‘‘What that means is that if the lights go out during a severe storm before the tornado forms then the warning system is not available anyway.’’

Battery systems can be twice, sometimes three times as much as electric sirens, he said.

It also costs money to maintain the systems and to have someone test and sound the sirens, he said. Small towns such as Mulhall do not have a police department or a paid fire department.

Frizzell said small towns are not defenseless against severe weather, though. Residents can turn to TV and radio weather reports for accurate information and the latest warnings, he said.

‘‘That’s what has saved so many lives,’’ he said. ‘‘We’ve got systems in place that people will turn on the television sets when they see bad weather coming. They will listen to their radios.’’

Most county emergency management directors have developed emergency command stations where they can track storms and have the ability to notify town officials of threatening weather or floods, he said.

In dangerous cases, they also can send deputies who are doing storm-spotting duties to small towns with their sirens blaring.

In Walters, Ramon Vardell, the town’s emergency management director, said he would like the town to increase its warning system.

Six Are Injured In Van Crash

Two Ponca City residents remained hospitalized today after a one-vehicle accident Saturday that injured six people. The 7 a.m. accident occurred six miles east of North Fourteenth Street on Lake Road.

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol reported that a 1988 Dodge van driven by George Browning King, 19, was westbound when it ran off the right side of the roadway then skidded back across the left side of the roadway, rolling 1-1/2 times before coming to rest in a tree.

Five of the six occupants were ejected from the van. All were taken to St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. The driver and three other passengers were treated for various injuries and released. The patrol said the other passengers were Jansen Todd Warrior, 18, and Anthony W. King, 15, both of Ponca City, and Shasta N. Jones, 19, of Arkansas City.

Two passengers, Theresa Coronado, 22, of Ponca City, and Kristy Warrior, 17, of Ponca City, remained in the hospital today and were both listed in good condition. Both women had been ejected from the vehicle in the accident.

The patrol reported the van was equipped with seat belts, but, they were not in use.

Post 14 Preservation Fund Plaque Design Approved

Huff-Minor Post 14 of the American Legion Preservation Fund Committee meet last week at the post home to review information received on the establishment of a memorial or donor program to help finance the post into the 21st century.

The committee had submitted a general design showing a wall group of three etched bronze plaques denoting four levels of giving — Medal of Honor donors, Silver Star donors, Bronze Star donors and Meritorious Service Medal donors. A design submitted for consideration by one of the vendors did not meet with the approval of the committee, and the vendor was asked to resubmit.

The committee’s original design depicted a solid wood background measuring approximately 6-feet by 3-feet. Three cast plaques measuring 20-inches by 30-inches denoting the names of the donor or donations made in memory of or in honor of a loved one would be attached. Two other castings would add an inscription and the wording similar to Huff-Minor Post 14, Preservation Fund, Taking Us Into the 21st Century, Ponca City, Okla.; For Your Tomorrows, Vets Gave Their Yesterdays.

Original donor names would be cast onto one of the plaques while names received after the casting of the plaques would be added by casting their name on a small plaque and attaching it to the original.

Chuck Gregg, commander of Post 14, noted that many details have not been worked out, but the committee has agreed that any money received would be placed into a trust-type account and only the interest from the account could be used to help finance selective programs and post necessities.

Monies donated would be tax deductible, and donors could take advantage of some tax benefits by establishing a charitable trust allowing individuals to use the income from the trust during their lifetime.

For additional information, or to help on the Post 14 Preservation Fund committee, call 765-9073 or call Chuck Gregg at 765-1367.

Risk Watch Helped Provide Choices to Prevent Injuries

The Ponca City Fire Prevention Advisory Council partnered with Lowe’s Home Safety Council to develop a safety curriculum which they plan to implement as a pilot program this fall. The coalition is dedicated to the preventing childhood injuries by showing children how to make choices to prevent injuries. The safety program is called Risk Watch.

The National Safe Kids Campaign and the National Safety Council report that unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death for children ages one to 14, nearly 6,700 deaths per year. More than 120,000 children become permanently disabled every year due to unintentional injuries. And, one of every four children is injured seriously enough to require medical attention.

Injuries are not accidents, they are predictable and preventable, according to Fran James, president of the PCFD Prevention Advisory Council, (PAC).

“Our first goal is ‘safer children — safer homes,’” James said.

Childhood injuries are a result of a child’s behavior. Risk Watch educates the child to change behavior to avoid or minimize a potential injury. Children who learn injury prevention behaviors early, have the necessary information and attitude to avoid risky behaviors from information provided by the National Fire Protection Association, NFPA, who co-developed the safety curriculum.

By engaging children in a comprehensive injury prevention education program at an early age and keeping them involved through their formative years, it is possible to help shape their values about safety and wellness, according to NFPA.

In schools, injury prevention is part of the overall health and safety curriculum, however, it is not a planned content area addressed. But, the Risk Watch program includes an opportunity to learn about injury prevention as well as apply that knowledge in practice situations. Firefighter David VanBuskirk says the curriculum would be structured similar to the Ponca City Police Department’s DARE program. It would be taught one hour per week for nine weeks.

Lowe’s Heroes Awards

The recent Risk Watch Safety Carnival originated from safety curriculum. It was planned and implemented by volunteers from the Ponca City Lowe’s Home Center and the PAC, along with local agencies and business.

In addition to preventing childhood injuries, members of the coalition are also working to raise funds to purchase a Fire Safety House for the Ponca City Fire Department to use in their fire prevention programs. The Lowe’s Heroes program offers one such opportunity.

This year, Lowe’s Heroes offers a grand prize of $10,000, which will be awarded to a local charity that promotes home safety. Last year, the coalition received $2,500 as a regional winner.

To compete, the group will document the Safety Carnival event in the form of a scrap book, which will be submitted by July 30. Entries will be judged on completeness of project, team composition and involvement, use of home safety products/solutions, accuracy of safety messages and visibility of the project in the community.

For more information on Risk Watch or the Ponca City Fire Prevention Advisory Council, contact the Ponca City Fire Department at 767-0368.

Opponents of Little Rock Sales Tax Cite Clinton Library

LITTLE ROCK (AP) — Residents in Arkansas’ capital city will vote Tuesday on a sales tax increase that opponents say includes a ‘‘shell game’’ to help finance land deals for Bill Clinton’s presidential library.

The 1-cent increase would fund nearly $200 million of improvements for streets, parks, the zoo and other projects during the next five years. Barely 4 percent of the money could indirectly benefit the library, but the city’s failure to fully disclose the funding has critics crying foul.

‘‘The point is that basic community services are being pitted against the priority of the presidential library,’’ said Jim Lynch, a researcher specializing in public finance at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and a member of Citizens Against the Sales Tax.

Skip Rutherford, a friend of Clinton and a backer of both the local tax and the presidential library, said critics are simply looking for a way to attack the president.

‘‘It’s the people who have not liked the president all along. They dislike anybody associated with the library,’’ Rutherford said. ‘‘You’re going to have those people who are going to criticize the Clintons, but this package is far broader than that and encompasses many years of study.’’

The city acknowledges that it hasn’t been clear. For example, its promotional material promises $3.25 million in annual funds for the city zoo and other cultural institutions. But less than half of that would be new money for the facilities. The rest would go into the city’s general fund, which could be used to pay off debts — the Clinton library included.

That makes it a shell game, the critics say. It’s giving the city a healthier budget, counters the mayor.

‘‘This is not about the presidential library,’’ said Mayor Jim Dailey, who lobbied to get Clinton’s library in Little Rock. ‘‘This is about a truly major initiative to do things that have been needed in the community.’’

When Clinton selected Little Rock as his library site in 1997, city officials scrambled to make good on a pledge to provide the land. They considered raising the city’s ‘‘hamburger’’ tax on hotels and restaurants, but settled on using a $16.4 million bond issue that also benefits the city zoo and golf courses.

The lion’s share of the bond issue — $11.5 million — is reserved to buy land for Clinton’s library.

The bonds are to be repaid through parks revenues, generated largely from golfers and zoo tourists, with the first $470,000 due next year and $1.8 million annually beginning in 2001.

Although the city is buying the land, private donations will construct the complex and the federal government will operate it.

The ballot proposal would raise combined state and local taxes in Little Rock from 6 1/8 percent to 7 1/8 percent. The change would take the city from the bottom quarter to the top quarter among Arkansas cities with local sales taxes.

The proposal includes two items — a 3/4-percent temporary tax to raise $150 million for improvements over five years and a 1/4-percent permanent tax expected to raise $9.3 million annually for city operations.

The permanent tax is touted by city officials as providing $2 million for the zoo, but would only increase the zoo’s $1.5 million budget to $2.7 million. The other $800,000 would go to the city’s general fund.

Likewise, the tax is touted as raising $1.25 million for cultural institutions. But that’s instead of — not in addition to — the $1.04 million now budgeted for such things. The $1 million freed up from the new revenues would again go into the city’s general fund.

Interim zoo director Carroll Hargrove said the freed-up money ultimately would help pay off the bonds for the Clinton library land acquisition and zoo and golf course improvements.

But Dailey shies away from making a direct link.

‘‘I can’t argue that there is a cost to acquire the land for the presidential library and there is, in fact, a debt payment that must be made each year to pay off those bonds, and that does come out of the parks revenue that does impact our overall budget,’’ Dailey explains. ‘‘But with or without the presidential library bonds, we would need to have some additional revenue to maintain services that we have now.’’

Dailey adds that the size of the bond payments are a ‘‘minuscule amount’’ relative to the total tax proposal. And the 1 percent tax would be on the ballot no matter the plans for the Clinton library, Dailey said.

That may be true, concede tax opponents. But they argue that the city should be more forthright about the Clinton library connection.

‘‘They have pulled the wool over the people’s eyes by doing it this way,’’ said Nora Harris, who has filed a lawsuit alleging the bond issue is unconstitutional because the city is using tax money to pay for it without a citywide vote on the bonds. ‘‘What’s really happening is what we talk about as a shell game.’’

Even Gene Pfeifer, one of the beneficiaries of the Clinton library construction, opposes the sales tax proposal. Pfeifer stands to receive $400,000 from the city for the purchase of a vacant building on the proposed library site.

‘‘Normally I would be glad to convert a non-income-producing building into cash,’’ said Pfeifer, who adds he is not a Clinton supporter. ‘‘But this isn’t a normal situation. I’m offended at the manner in which it was rammed through our city.’’

DEATHS

Robert Lewis Clark
Cleo V. McGaha
Benjamin Earl Demaree

Robert Lewis Clark

DEER CREEK — Robert Lewis Clark, longtime Deer Creek farmer, died early Sunday morning, May 23, 1999, at his home. He was 74.

The funeral is set for 2 p.m. Wednesday, graveside, at the Bayard Cemetery in Deer Creek. The Rev. Dennis Murray, Deer Creek Christian Church, will officiate. Arrangements are under the direction of Roberts and Son Funeral Home, Blackwell.

Robert Lewis Clark was born Dec. 16, 1924, in Sand Creek to Lewis Ervin and Eva Ellis (Younce) Clark. He grew up in the Sand Creek area and attended Wakita public schools through his sophomore year. In 1941, he moved with his family to Deer Creek. After graduation from Deer Creek High School in 1942, he entered the U.S. Navy on Dec. 16, and served in the South Pacific during World War II. Following his discharge on Jan. 16, 1946, he returned to Deer Creek and began his farming operation.

He was married to Lola Florence Fox on July 26, 1947, in Deer Creek, where they made their home. In addition to his farming he served as an elder in the Deer Creek Christian Church and was active on numerous boards and committees in the county.

Survivors include his wife, Lola F. Clark of Deer Creek; two daughters, Janis Rohrs of Blackwell and LuAnn McMahan of Houston, Texas; one son, Roger Clark of Nardin; one sister, Elaine Blubaugh of Medford; one brother Neil Clark of Edmond; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Clark’s name to Hospice of Ponca City, 1904 North Union, Suite 103, Ponca City, OK 74601 or to the Deer Creek Fire Department, Deer Creek, OK 74636.

Cleo V. McGaha

T0NKAWA — Cleo V. McGaha, longtime Tonkawa resident, died Saturday, May, 22, 1999, at Willow Haven Nursing Home. He was 88.

A graveside service is set for 11 a.m. Tuesday at Riverview Cemetery, near Tonkawa, with the Rev. Mark Buchanan, pastor of Pawhuska Bible Church, officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of McCafferty-Bolick Funeral Home.

Cleo V. McGaha was born June 10, 1910, in Billings, Okla., the son of William and Orpha E. (Morgan) McGaha. He grew up and attended school in Billings.

On Sept. 15, 1933, he was married to Garnett Love in Guthrie and shortly thereafter the couple moved to Tonkawa where they continued to make their home to present. McGaha was employed for 24 years in the maintenance department at Northern Oklahoma College.

Survivors include his wife, Garnett, of the home; one son, Verle McGaha of Tonkawa; one daughter, Cleota Javellas of Pawhuska; one sister, Frances Ford of Colorado; three brothers, Victor McGaha of Pennsylvania, and Loren McGaha and Elden McGaha both of California; two grandsons; and seven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters and two brothers.

The family will be at the Verle McGaha home, 113 North 12th Street, Tonkawa.

Obituaries

Benjamin Earl Demaree

Benjamin Earl Demaree, Ponca City resident, died Saturday, May 22, 1999, at the St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. He was 80.

The funeral will be held 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 25, 1999, at the Trout Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Dr. Michael Kear officiating. Interment will follow in the Parker Cemetery, Arkansas City, Kan. Arrangements are under the direction of the Trout Funeral Home.

Earl was born Feb. 12, 1919, in Arkansas City, Kan., to Henry and Sadie (Shirley) Demaree. He was united in marriage Nov. 12, 1947, in Tulsa, to Oletta Leona Moore. He served his country during World War II with the 51st Field Artillery Battalion, 6th Division, on New Guinea and Luzon. He was awarded the Bronze Star at Luzon.

He retired from Conoco as an Electrical Supervisor having worked in Ponca City, Florida, and Colorado. His hobbies included bow hunting and HAM radio. Memberships included VFW post 1201 and Albright United Methodist Church. Family was the most important part of his life.

He was preceded in death by his parents, six brothers and two sisters. Survivors include his wife Oletta of the home; one son, Michael E. Demaree and his wife Carol of Framingham, Mass.; one daughter, Rhonda Kobi and her husband Jim of Northglenn, Colo.; two brothers, Orville Demaree of Wichita, Kan., and Elmer Demaree of Arkansas City, Kan.; two sisters, Lula Gibson and Betty Ann Jones both of Arkansas City, Kan.; three grandchildren Jeff Kobi and wife Melissa of Tulsa, and Cristin Demaree and Lauren Demaree both of Framingham, Mass.; and one great-grandchild Audrey Kobi of Tulsa.

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

The family will greet friends at Trout Funeral Home, Monday from 7-8 p.m.

paid obituary

NEWS BRIEFS

Ex-Employees Lunch — Cities Service and Sequoia ex-employees will gather at Furr’s Cafeteria, Tuesday at 11:30 a.m., for lunch.

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.

Stolen — A resident in the 100 block of South Fourteenth Street contacted the Ponca City Police Department at 7:52 a.m. Saturday, to report three guns stolen from a vehicle. An officer responded and took a report.

The Blue Lite Lounge, 217 S. 2nd will be closed May 28th thru

May 31st for repairs. Will re-open June 1st 10 a.m. Thank you. adv.

Power Line — The Ponca City Police Department received notice that a power line was down in the alley of the 400 block of North Twelfth Street. The Water and Light Department was advised at 8:06 a.m. Saturday.

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

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

Vandalism — A residence in the 1600 block of South Ninth Street advised the Ponca City Police Department at 8:17 a.m. Saturday that a car was vandalized.

Under Suspension — A Ponca City police officer arrested a 21-year-old woman from a traffic stop in the 500 block of West Broadway Avenue at 8:44 a.m. Saturday for driving under suspension.

Vandalism — At 9:14 a.m. Saturday, a Ponca City police officer took a report of vandalism to a vehicle at East Central Avenue and South Thirteenth Street.

Arrest — A Ponca City police officer arrested a 37-year-old man in the 1000 block of Poplar Avenue at 10:57 a.m. Saturday for domestic assault and battery, driving under suspension, no insurance, expired tag and false information to an officer.

Vandalism — A resident in the 1700 block of Little Lane contacted the Ponca City Police Department at 12:10 p.m. Saturday, to report a car vandalized. An officer responded and took a report.

Accident — At 4:48 p.m. Saturday, a Ponca City police officer took a report of a non-injury accident at North Pecan Road and East Prospect Avenue.

Collision — A Ponca City police officer took a report of a non-injury accident at North Fourteenth Street and Patton Drive at 4:49 p.m. Saturday.

Warrant Served — A 23-year-old man was arrested by a Ponca City police officer at First Street and Grand Avenue at 7:15 p.m. Saturday for a city warrant.

Arrest — A Ponca City police officer arrested a 21-year-old man at Tonkawa Police Department at 10:12 p.m. Saturday on a city warrant.

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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.

In Custody — A Ponca City police officer arrested a 40-year-old woman at South Second Street and East Oklahoma Avenue at 10:23 p.m. Saturday on a Kay County warrant, for driving under the influence, transporting an open container and no insurance.

5-Gallon spirea, regular $22.50, sale $17.99. Keathly Nursery,

2448 Bridge Ave., 762-2922. adv.

Mischief — A resident in the 400 block of South Peachtree Street contacted the Ponca City Police Department at 11:49 p.m. Saturday to report several juveniles were on the corner, dressed in black possibly throwing things at vehicles. Two officers responded and issued citations to two youth.

Beer Stolen — A clerk at Citgo, 320 West Grand Avenue, advised the Ponca City Police Department at 12:40 a.m. Sunday that three men took beer and left the business southbound on foot. Two officers responded but were unable to locate the subjects.

Arrest — A 28-year-old man was a arrested by a Ponca City police officer at 12:40 a.m. Sunday from South First Street and Walnut Avenue for no drivers’ license and a warrant out of Olathe, Kan.

In Custody — A Ponca city police officer arrested a 28-year-old man at East Highland Avenue and North Second Street at 4:22 a.m. Sunday, for driving under suspension, no insurance and no tag.

Arrest — A 39-year-old woman was arrested by a Ponca City police officer at South Fourteenth Street and East Central Avenue at 10:15 a.m. Sunday for driving under suspension, no seat belt, no insurance and a city warrant.

Under Suspension — At 11:15 a.m. Sunday, a Ponca City police officer arrested a 28-year-old man at South Franklin Street and West South Avenue for driving under suspension, no insurance and no seat belt.

Arrest — A Ponca City police officer arrested a 23-year-old man at North Fourteenth Street and East Elmwood Avenue at 11:48 a.m. Sunday for driving under revocation, no insurance and no seat belt.

Under Suspension — A 25-year-old man was arrested by a Ponca City police officer at South Fourteenth Street and East South Avenue at 1:38 p.m. Sunday for driving under suspension.

Stolen — At 2:13 p.m. Sunday, a Ponca City police officer took a report of a bike stolen in the 300 block of West Otoe Avenue.

Arrest — A Ponca City police officer arrested a 21-year-old man at Donahoe Drive and East Hartford Avenue at 2:29 p.m. Sunday, for driving under suspension and no seat belt.

Petit Larceny — A clerk at a business in the 201 West Hartford Avenue contacted the Ponca City Police Department at 3:48 p.m. Sunday to report three adults were in the parking lot causing a scene. The subjects took four packs of cigarettes and left in a blue Datson. An officer took a report of petit larceny.

Stolen — A clerk at TTT, 1301 West Highland Avenue, notified the Ponca City Police Department at 4:15 p.m. Sunday that a subject took a 30-pack of beer and headed toward the Highlander Apartments. An officer advised the subject left in an older blue Honda or Toyota. A report was taken.

Pauline's Every Monday Night Special. Fried Chicken Only- all

white meat. All you can eat, $6.50. For reservations call 765-5460.

adv.

Accident — A Ponca City police officer took a report of a non-injury accident in the 900 block of East Prospect Avenue at 5:55 p.m. Sunday.

One Group 4” geraniums, sale 99 cents each. Keathly Nursery,

2448 Bridge Ave., 762-2922. adv.

Arrest — At 6:08 p.m. Sunday, a Ponca City police officer arrested a 48-year-old man from South Tenth Street and East South Avenue for driving under suspension and no insurance.

Stolen — A resident in the 300 block of South Seventh Street contacted the Ponca City Police Department at 8 p.m. Sunday to report a bike was stolen from the garage. An officer responded.

Fire — The Ponca City Fire Department responded to the report of a couch on fire in the parking lot at Woodland’s School. Firefighters responded at 10:16 p.m. Sunday to extinguish the fire. A Ponca City police officer also responded and took a report of arson. The suspect vehicle was described as a green Explorer occupied by three men.

Arrest — An 18-year-old man was arrested in the 1600 block of Christmas Tree Lane by a Ponca City police officer at 3:08 a.m. Monday for obstructing an officer. A resident in the 1700 block of Cedar Street notified the department that two subjects were looking in a vehicle with a flashlight.

Need Assistance? — Try finding the right words for a short announcement to fit the News Briefs column of The Ponca City News. Just phone 765-3311 and ask for assistance with a news brief item. It will get results.

LIFESTYLES

Tornado Warning Causes an Abrupt Closing of Meeting
Little News
Learning Center Topic for PT Group
Main Street Group Meets in Newkirk
Bartlesville Quilters Plan Show In June
Era of Good Feeling

Tornado Warning Causes an Abrupt Closing of Meeting

MARLAND — Bliss Homemakers FCE April meeting was called to order at the Marland Methodist-Christian Church fellowship hall. The devotional, “Beauty Secrets,” was given by Melanie Williams. The group also had a moment of silence for the Littleton, Colo. tragedy.

Members put in their pennies for friendship and their quarters for the quarter drill before the meeting was called to order by the Soni Kodesh, president. A survey to see how many members wore their seat belts to the meeting was taken with 100 percent answering yes. The same 100 percent reported either reading a book, reading to a child or an older person this past month. The roll call was answered with “My Favorite Place to visit in Oklahoma.”

Arleta Pulliam, treasurer, gave the financial report and a thank you note was read from Mark and DeeAnn Thomas. Catherine Robinson reported a total of 85 bibs had been completed for the nursing homes. The June 25 and 26 Cancer Relay for Life was also discussed.

Members reviewed the funding issue facing the state legislature for the Cooperative Extension. Three areas of importance are county staffing, communications technology and increased compensation. Members were urged to let their legislative representatives know about their concerns and opinions. Bliss Club is the chairman group for the Noble County Citizenship, Community Outreach Committee. A tornado warning caused the meeting to adjourn abruptly.

Little News

Wendy Childers and Robert Hughes announce the birth of their son, Michael Wade Hughes, at 5:39 a.m. May 15, 1999, at the Stillwater Medical Center. He weighed 6 pounds, 8 1/2 ounces, and measured 20 1/2 inches long.

Maternal grandparents are Frank and Carmelita Childers, and maternal great-grandmother is JoAnn Waller. Paternal grandparents are Robert and Jacquelyn Hughes, and paternal great-grandmothers are Mary Delaney of Florida and Helen Hughes of New Jersey.

Learning Center Topic for PT Group

Professionals Today heard about the new University Learning Center of Northern Oklahoma at the Thursday noon meeting. Dr. Brenda Stacy, director, said the program had 370 responses to the recent surveys and 11 programs have been slated for the center.

Programs will be made accessible through interactive television, the Internet, or on-site instructors. The programs are slated to begin this fall.

Five undergraduate degree programs are being considered. These include Interdisciplinary Studies With Business Application Emphasis, Cameron University; Liberal Studies with Administrative Leadership Emphasis, University of Oklahoma; Teacher Education and Elementary Education, both from Southeastern Oklahoma State; and bachelor of science in nursing from OU Health Science Center.

Six graduate degree programs are under consideration. These include Masters in Business Administration, and Masters in Telecommunications Management, both from Oklahoma State University; Masters in Business Administration, Cameron University; MS in Elementary Education; MS in Educational Administration and Masters in Nursing from OU Health Science Center.

Dr. Stacy is currently housed at the Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce and is working with the University Learning Center board of directors and advisory council to implement the pilot project.

The Learning Center has been established because many Oklahoma citizens do not have convenient access to bachelor’s or graduate degree programs. Ponca City is the largest city in Oklahoma without access to such programs within a 40-mile radius.

Professionals Today president Ruth Capshaw announced the Cherokee Strip Cook-off Chairpersons’ meeting is set for 5:30 p.m. May 26 at Debbie Whitener’s home, 3624 Wellington.

Participating in the Roses and Raspberries portion were Loretta Leathers, Julie Brown and Louise Abercrombie.

The executive committee will met on June 2, and the business meeting is set for June 3. The June 17 program meeting will feature Sally Niemann and Angie Bradley discussing temporary assistance to needy families.

Main Street Group Meets in Newkirk

NEWKIRK — The Newkirk Main Street Economic Restructuring Committee met May 10 at Smith Country. First on the agenda was a Business Women’s luncheon report by Joanne Cary.

Harold Harris reported on the OMSP Annual Banquet in Oklahoma City. Guests were J. Berry Harrison, State Senator, and Jim Reese, State Representative. Newkirk Main Street was presented three of eight awards.

The bus tour to Cordell, which will be either in July or August, was discussed. It was reported that Conoco is helping with the graphics on the ER brochure. Lisa Otipoby with Kaw Nations is working with Main Street on a survey form to be completed by Kaw Bingo customers.

Breakfast on Main Street will be May 28 with Sue Ellen Worstell from the Newkirk Nursing Home speaking on the “Eden Concept.” The June 25 Breakfast on Main Street will feature Mike Gibson speaking on Y2K.

Bartlesville Quilters Plan Show In June

Jubilee Quilter’s Guild, Inc. of Bartlesville will present their biannual quilt show on June 11 and 12 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Bartlesville Wesleyan College Performing Arts Center, 2201 Silver Lake Road. A single admission fee of $4 permits two days entry. Accompanied children under 12 will be admitted free.

The show will present a variety of quilts gathered from Guild members and surrounding communities. For the schedule of displays and quilting techniques contact Leslie at 918-336-2445, E-mail okquilt@aol.com, or P. 0. Box 3113, Bartlesville, OK 74006.

Era of Good Feeling

James Monroe, America’s fifth president, was elected in 1816 and re-elected in 1820. His administration became known as the “Era of Good Feeling.” He obtained Florida from Spain, and settled boundary disputes with Britain over Canada. His most significant contribution was the Monroe Doctrine, which opposed European intervention in the Western Hemisphere.

SPORTS

Monday Evening Quarterback

Monday Evening Quarterback

“Getting there is just not enough,” one Po-Hi coach fretted as the spring sports scene ended for the Wildcats.

“There” is the state championships.

The Wildcats had a good run of sending teams and individuals to state championship venues. But they had only moderate success once they reached that plateau.

Po-Hi had contestants in state tournaments in boys and girls golf, boys and girls tennis and boys and girls golf.

Even non-state qualifying teams — baseball and soccer — had their moments during the season and a couple had good late showings.

But the successes in state competition was limited. The girls’ tennis team appears to have done the best. Of the four players who qualified for the state tournament, three placed and two — Ashley Roussel and Romi Foreman — were rewarded by being named to the All-State girls’ tennis team.

Perhaps the key to their success was the fact there were four seniors on that team.

Roussel along with the doubles team of Foreman and Abby Frick showed the kind of steady play under pressure that only comes with experience.

Only the boys’ track team had more seniors — 10. Perhaps that’s why coach Terry Henderson was the most disappointed of the spring sports mentors when his thinclads were shutout.

But even he saw good things happening in the future as he joined the other coaches in a chorus of “Wait Until Next Year.”

Boys’ tennis coach Steve Larimer saw his entire top six qualify for the state experience and while they were also shutout, he returns all six along with a junior varsity team that had just one senior.

The boys’ golf team, thanks to a strong regional showing, finished 10th in the state and returns five of its top six. There were just two seniors on the 13-man team.

The girls’ golf team had not a single senior.

The girls’ track team had just four seniors, two of whom were among the seven state qualifiers.

The Wildcat baseball team, which despite a losing regular season record, still managed to reach the regional tournament finals, had just four seniors.

The girls’ soccer team reached the playoffs for the first time in three years and returns all but three seniors.

The soccer boys lose nine seniors and face some serious rebuilding after finishing 5-6-1, but will probably be helped by having a coach for more than one year in a row.

Having to compete with the likes of Jenks, Tulsa Union, Broken Arrow and Edmond, with their much larger athletic numbers and year-around programs in most sports, make it difficult for the Poncans to win a gold ball as a team.

But its’ not impossible and entirely possible in the more individualistic spring sports.

But as the Lady Wildcat netters showed, it takes experience and leadership.

All of which begs the question which paraphrases the 1960’s folk song, “Where have all the Seniors Gone?”

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High school sports should not be the be-all and end-all it sometimes becomes.

But success on the field and on the court has its carryovers.

It certainly helps in the academic realm. The discipline it fosters helps in the classroom. It has also kept more than one student in class and cracking a book or two.

Sports success and the confidence that goes with it also is a big part of helping young people cope in the “real world.”