LOCAL

Conoco Investing In Russia
Its Back to School For 620 PC Students
City Plans To Get Tough With Public Nuisances
Four Teaching Slots Eliminated Following Special Board Session
County Students Plant 2045 Trees

Conoco Investing In Russia

MOSCOW — Russian President Vladimir Putin, after meeting with U.S. President Bill Clinton, encouraged Production Sharing Agreements as a way to advance foreign investment in Russia.

American company Conoco is involved in two opportunities — one oil project in the Northern Territories with Lukoil and the Shtokman natural gas project with Gazprom/Rosshelf — that could benefit under an improved investment climate.

Last week, Putin signed a law that would enable negotiations for a Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) on the giant Shtokman field. The draft law was previously approved by both houses of the Russian parliament.

“We've had noteworthy success with our Polar Lights joint venture in Russia, and would like to expand our investment under the right conditions,” said Conoco Executive Vice President, exploration production, Rob McKee at the company's Houston headquarters.

“With the recent approval to negotiate PSAs on Shtokman and Northern Territories, Conoco is carefully and strategically moving closer to development of these two projects — both of which contain huge reserve potential.”

The Shtokman field is located in the central part of the Barents Sea, about 600 miles northeast of the city of Murmansk, in about 1,0OO feet of water. It was discovered in 1988.

The Russian Federation estimates reserves for the field of about 100 trillion cubic feet of gas and 250 million barrels of condensate. These reserves are based upon data from six wells that have penetrated four separate reservoirs in the field.

Conoco and its partners — Gazprom, Rosshelf, TotalFinaElf, Norsk Hydro and Fortum — must still negotiate the PSA contract with the Russian Federation. The contract will result in splitting production between the investors and the government in lieu of taxes.

The partners have jointly prepared a draft PSA for negotiations with the Russian State and are currently performing technical, marketing and financing studies to help prepare the field for development.

Given the large productive capacity of the field, it is expected that the gas from the field will be supplied to both the internal Russian market and to export markets in Europe.

Preliminary technical studies show development will require drilling deviated and horizontial wells, and building ice-resistant platforms and gas pipelines. At peak production, the field could produce as much as 20 percent of the current daily gas production in Russia

McKee said he hopes the companies can reach a final agreement on the PSA with the Russian government in 2001.

“With a PSA in hand, the Project sponsors can start negotiations with potential gas buyers,” he said.

“Once we have the appropriate gas sales contracts in place, we can begin working on the technical aspects of field development and pipeline construction so that both the Russian Federation and investors can begin sharing in the benefits from this large resource in terms of gas supplies, revenues for the governments, employment and assistance with the conversion of military installations in Northwest Russia to commercial enterprises.”

The company said PSA negotiations for the Northern Territories project are already underway.

Its Back to School For 620 PC Students

By KRISTI HAYES

News Education Editor

It’s time for school ... again.

Some 620 kindergarten through eighth grade students bid farewell to their short summer break Monday and returned to school.

Ponca City summer school enrollment figures are somewhat lower than first anticipated — partly because over 50 middle school students didn’t show up.

Preliminary numbers called for 230 at the middle school level. On Monday, only 153 were in attendance.

Superintendent Dr. Bill White said he was disappointed with the low turnout at the middle school.

“I guess the parents and students decided together that attending summer school would not benefit them. They made the choice together to repeat the grade again next year,” he said.

White said summer school in the elementary levels went smoothly: “Yesterday went very well. We were pleased with the positive response we had from both parents and students yesterday.”

Summer Bridges, offered at Liberty Elementary, had an enrollment Monday of 220 students. The program is offered for K-2 students.

The second elementary program — Smart Camp, at Union Elementary — is for grades 3-6 and had 251 students.

White said enrollment was full at Union: “We had some students who wanted to attend, but were placed on a waiting list.”.

The elementary programs will run from June 5-30.

The majority of the 471 elementary students were required to attend summer school after the Ponca City board of education adopted a policy last fall requiring students to read at grade level.

The policy stipulates if students are not reading at or above their grade level, they must attend summer school. Following summer school, if the child still is not reading at grade level, he/she will be retained.

Several high school students are also attending summer school.

On Monday, 130 students were enrolled in academic classes, while 128 were taking driver’s education. White said the numbers at the high school were typical of past years.

City Plans To Get Tough With Public Nuisances

By JEFF POLITTE

News Staff Writer

Commissioners discussed several “how to’s” for weeding out many of Ponca City’s public nuisance problems during a regular work session Monday afternoon.

But ... what is a public nuisance?

According to the city, it can be anything from a junked car to a dilapidated structure or overgrown lawn ... or even low-hanging limbs.

Mayor Tom Leonard told commissioners at the meeting, “We are not going to go through another summer of letting some of these problems go by.”

“I have been on this board for three years,” he continued, “and this has been what has happened every year.”

City planning director Todd Kennemer, who brought the issue before the board, asked commissioners for stronger procedures to help deal with enforcement of public nuisance ordinances.

He noted many of the problems Ponca City is seeing this summer are repeat problems from last year. In many cases, he said, the same property owners are at fault.

“We need to get tough ... and we need some back up [from commissioners],” to deal with the issues, he said.

One of the problems Kennemer cited was unmowed yards and vacant lots. He explained when property owners let grass and weeds exceed the current 12-inch limit set by the city, they become subject to receiving a citation.

“We give violators a notice that they have 10 days to deal with the public nuisance,” he said. At the end of the period, the property owner can be cited. A court date could be set for the offender to appear before a city municipal judge.

At this point current enforcement procedures tend to break down, stressed Kennemer.

According to Kennemer, some property owners have learned how to work the system. They wait until the issuance of a citation before complying with the law.

This tactic allows the property owner not only to escape punishment, but to keep from mowing the property for the majority of the year. Leonard called these types of owners “chronic repeat offenders.”

Leonard argued that the city needed to issue a citation “as soon as the weeds get up to 12 inches in height.”

“Otherwise,” he noted, “we are going to have so many exceptions to this thing that we aren’t going to get anything done.”

Commissioner Chris Hand agreed with the mayor’s no-nonsense solution.

“If you get a ticket ... you have to pay a fine,” he said, “Even if you mow the lawn before you go see the judge, you still have to pay.”

There should be no getting out of it, he said.

To help enforce the policy, police chief Raymond Ham suggested hiring someone to deal with the problems on a full-time basis.

He noted that a “public nuisance officer” would be able to centralize tracking and enforcement of these violations on a routine basis.

Another public nuisance problem members discussed was dilapidated structures.

Some of these structures unstable and a public hazard, Leonard warned.

Four Teaching Slots Eliminated Following Special Board Session

By KRISTI HAYES

News Education Editor

Because of the change in enrollment numbers and needed budget cuts, the Ponca City Board of Education eliminated four positions for the 2000-2001 school year Monday night during a special board meeting.

The positions include one administrator and three teachers to save the district about $130,000.

The board eliminated 16 vacant staff positions and created 12 new ones (net change of four positions).

Superintendent Dr. Bill White said the positions are vacant. “No one will lose their job. These positions are already vacant because of retirement or resignations,” he explained.

He told board members there is a decrease in the student count, non-funded state mandates and increased costs in teacher steps, retirement, technology and the federal employee pay raise.

White said the district must eliminate some positions and create others. The new positions will mainly be at the high school.

“Our organization is changing,” White said. “Because of the trimester schedule at the high school this fall, drivers education will now be offered during the school day. This alone generates four new positions.”

To date, there are 403 high school students enrolled in drivers education for the 2000-2001 school year and 120 enrolled for the summer months.

The 16 eliminated positions at the elementary level includes two Spanish teachers, a fifth grade teacher at Trout, a sixth grade teacher at Woodlands, an art, library and music teacher, a counselor position and hearing impaired instructor.

At the middle schools, the elimination includes a part-time creative writing teacher and a part-time drama teacher. Changes at Ponca City High School includes two social studies teachers, a math teacher and an English teacher. At the Alternative High School, changes are a counselor and a principal.

The additions for 2000-2001 includes a kindergarten and intern principal at the elementary level, a part-time science teacher and gifted teacher at the middle school, and a part-time science teacher and a coordinator/counselor and math teacher at the Alternative High School.

Changes at the high school includes four driver’s education teachers, a business teacher, an art instructor and a part-time home economics teacher.

In other business, the board approved several purchase orders in the building fund. The purchase orders are encumbrances that allow the district to pay for the purchase of property approved at earlier meetings.

One purchase order approved for $18,588 completes the property acquisition of almost four acres next to the district’s FFA farm on North Pleasantview Road.

The second purchase order approved was for $97,000 and includes the 12 acres south of Union Elementary. The other purchase orders were items for summer maintenance including plumbing work for the Sullins Women’s Restroom/Locker project, or help facilitating the renovation work at East Middle School.

County Students Plant 2045 Trees

Kay County students from 65 classrooms, grades prekindergarten through to eighth, planted a total of 2,045 trees as part of the 2000 National Tree Trust Growing Together Program.

The National Tree Trust, Great Plains RC and D Growing Together Program and Kay County Conservation District all participated in the program.

This year the national Tree Trust program provided 9,750 packets to 18 Oklahoma conservation districts and approximately 130,000 containers to schools and organizations nationwide.

Kay County had 15 public schools, two church schools and 27 home-schooled students participate in providing tree packets to 65 classroom teachers, 10 parents and one Girl Scout group.

In addition, once the trees were planted, teachers were free to use hands-on activities from the Growing Together Activity Guide. Each of the 65 teachers received a copy of the guide as part of their packet.

DEATHS

Anita Ann Lunn
Earl Gene Cauley
Lottie L. Clymer
Bill Allmon
William Everett Mugg
Vivian Sindorf

Anita Ann Lunn

BLACKWELL — Anita Ann Lunn, resident of Braman, died Sunday night, June 4, 2000, in the St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center in Ponca City. She was 37.

The funeral will be Wednesday, June 7, at 2 p.m. at The Tabernacle in Blackwell with the Rev. Robert Johnson officiating. Burial will be in the Braman Cemetery under the direction of Roberts and Son Funeral Home.

Anita Ann Lunn was born March 28, 1963, in Blackwell, the daughter of Bill James and Kathryn Ann (Cassady) Sprueill. She grew up in Blackwell, attending Blackwell public schools until the ninth grade, when her family moved to Braman. She married Larry Lunn on Oct. 10, 1981, in Blackwell, where she lived until 1994, when they made their home in Braman.

She worked as a lead person for Titus in Ponca City from 1987 to 1992. She and her husband then opened a bakery in Blackwell, operating it for a year. At the time of her death, her husband, mother and she operated Lynn’s Kanza Cafe in Braman. She was active throughout her childhood in the Campfire Girls organization and played softball for many years. She was active in the community and was a member of The Tabernacle in Blackwell.

Survivors include her husband of the home; her daughter, Racheal Ann Lunn of the home; her son, James Rutger Lunn of the home; her parents; her sister, Tammy McClellan of Davis; three brothers, Billy Sprueill of Newkirk, Tim Sprueill of Braman, and Rick Sprueill of Blackwell; and many other relatives. She was preceded in death by her grandparents.

Casket bearers will be Billy Sprueill, Rick Sprueill, Tim Sprueill, Mark Lunn, Jerry Bradley and James McClellan. Honorary bearers will be Frank Evans, Casey Osborn and Dennis Cassady.

Memorial contributions may be made in her name to the Lunn Children Educational Fund, c/o Roberts Funeral Home, 120 West Padon, Blackwell, Okla. 74631.

Services Pending

Earl Gene Cauley

NEWKIRK — Earl Gene Cauley, resident of Newkirk Nursing Center, died Monday morning, June 5, 2000, at the nursing center. He was 67. Survivors include a son, David Cauley of Newkirk. Arrangements are pending with Miller-Stahl Funeral Service.

Lottie L. Clymer

Lottie L. Clymer, longtime resident of Ponca City, died Monday afternoon June 5, 2000, at the St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. She was 94. Funeral arrangements are pending with Grace Memorial Chapel.

Bill Allmon

Bill Allmon, Ponca City resident, died Tuesday, June 6, 2000, at his home. He was 60. Local survivors include his wife, Bertha. Arrangements are pending with Trout Funeral Home.

William Everett Mugg

TONKAWA — William Everett Mugg, longtime resident of Tonkawa, died Monday evening, June 5, 2000, at the Blackwell Nursing Home. He was 89. Survivors include a daughter, Mary Grace Simpson of Tonkawa and a son, Niki Mugg of Texas. Arrangements are pending with McCafferty-Bolick Funeral Home of Tonkawa.

Vivian Sindorf

NEWKIRK — Vivian Sindorf, Arkansas City resident, died Monday evening, June 5, 2000, in the Arkansas City Memorial Hospital. She was 92. Arrangements are pending with Miller-Stahl Funeral Service.

NEWS BRIEFS

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Child Abuse — Someone in the 300 block of South Osage Street reported to Ponca City police at 8:52 a.m. Monday that a child was possibly being abused. An officer, who was assigned to the scene, reported that the child wasn’t being abused. Instead, the child was running from the parent because he didn’t want to go to summer school.

Skips Taxi cab service. Seven days a week, 24 hours. 716-0979 or 762-6442. adv.

Theft — Someone in the 2000 block of North Fourteenth Street reported to Ponca City police at 9:11 a.m. Monday that a bicycle had been stolen during the night. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Burglary — A woman in the 100 block of Warwick Road reported to Ponca City police at 9:36 a.m. Monday that her home had been broken into over the weekend. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Free Pregnancy test. Birth Choice cares. Confidential. Hours: Tuesday, 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, 1-3 p.m. and Thursday, 6-8 p.m. 700 West Broadway. 765-9689. adv.

Subject Held — An officer in the 800 block of North First Street reported that a 19-year-old man was being held for driving under a revocation, no insurance and no seat belt.

Burglary — An employee of Medley Materials, 805 South First Street, reported to Ponca City police at 11:46 a.m. Monday that the company had been burglarized over the weekend. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Mel’s Clothing & shoes. Buy any one item get the 2nd item for half price. adv.

Accident — An associate at Wal-Mart, 1101 East Prospect Avenue, reported a minor accident in the store’s parking lot to Ponca City police at 11:56 a.m. Monday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Fraud — A clerk at a business in the 2000 block of North Fourteenth Street reported the failure of a customer to return rental property to Ponca City police at 1:33 p.m. Monday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

www.HeartandHealth.com -Buy or sell Rexall natural

health products online. adv.

Prowler — Someone in the 200 block of North Lake Road reported to Ponca City police at 10:48 p.m. Monday the possibility of a prowler. An officer was assigned and contact with the resident was made. Officer told resident that an extra patrol would be made.

Accident — A minor accident in the 3000 block of North Fourteenth Street was reported to Ponca City police at 2 p.m. Monday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Accident — A motorist reported a two-vehicle accident in the intersection of Central Avenue and Sixth Street to Ponca City police at 4:40 p.m. Monday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Subjects Held — An officer at Wal-Mart, 1101 East Prospect Avenue, reported at 6:23 p.m. Monday that a 17-year-old boy and an 18-year-old man were taken into custody for petit larceny.

Every Wednesday ð price clothes and shoes, except priced items. Check our daily specials. Caboose Thrift Shoppe, First and Central. adv.

Subject Held — An officer in the 1900 block of North Fourteenth Street reported at 9:52 p.m. Monday that a 28-year-old man was being taken into custody for driving while intoxication and reckless driving.

Subject Held — An officer in the 2900 block of North Fourteenth Street reported at 10:42 p.m. Monday that a juvenile was being held for shoplifting. Subject was later released to parent with a promise to appear.

Stormescape Shelters, perfect for garage, under vehicle, installation. $1,695. 765-2633. adv.

Prowler — Someone in the 1500 block of West Broadway Avenue reported to Ponca City police at 1:33 a.m. Tuesday that two prowlers were in a back yard. Several officers responded to the scene. Officers arrested a 30-year-old man for public intoxication. They were also still searching for a second man.

Subject Held — An officer in the 1100 block of West Ponca Avenue at 1:36 a.m. reported Tuesday that a 19-year-old man was being taken into custody on a city warrant.

Burglary — Someone in the 1400 block of West Broadway Avenue reported to Ponca city police at 6:09 a.m. Tuesday that a door to a detached garage had been kicked in. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Ostomy Meeting — The Stillwater - Ponca City chapter of the United Ostomy Association Inc. will meet Monday, June 19, at 7 p.m. in the board room of the Stillwater Medical Center. June Parsons, retired LPN, will give the program on Urostomies.

Pioneer Transit Closed for Training — Pioneer Transit will be closed for employee training Thursday afternoon and Friday morning. Transportation services will resume Friday at 1 p.m. For questions, call 718-0444.

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LIFESTYLES

The Neighborhood Chef
Little News

The Neighborhood Chef

by Sherry Muchmore

When my birthday rolls around (though grateful for small favors, we don’t keep track anymore), Mom always asks “which dessert shall I fix you this year?” This year like every year, Lime Meringue Pie. And, if Mom’s not around, I make it for myself. Truthfully, I could devour the whole pie by myself with only a little bit of guilt, though not much, justification comes with “Special Day.”

There is a delicate balance between sweet and tart that only lime can give. Lemon is great but lime is perfect. Of course, this is totally subjective, a personal evaluation only.

Lime Meringue Pie

Filling:

1 1/4 cups granulated sugar

1/8 teaspoon salt

6 tablespoons cornstarch

2 cups cold water

Grated rind of 1 lime

1/4 cup butter or margarine

4 egg yolks

1/2 cup fresh lime juice

1 baked 9-inch pie crust

In a saucepan, combine sugar, salt and cornstarch. Gradually stir in cold water, whisking to completely blend. Stir in grated lime rind. Cook mixture over medium-high heat until thick, stirring constantly. Reduce heat and continue cooking for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Be careful not to burn.

Remove from heat, stir in butter. In a medium bowl mix egg yolks and lime juice. Stir the cooked sugar mixture into the egg yolk mixture. Let cool. Pour into baked pie shell and make meringue. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Meringue

4 egg whites, room

temperature

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar

8 tablespoons granulated sugar (1/2 cup)

Beat egg whites with vanilla and cream of tartar until soft peak form. (Whites will whip fluffier if at room temperature.) Gradually add sugar, beating till glossy and stiff peaks form. Spread over pie filling sealing meringue to edges of pastry all around (to prevent shrinkage) and then into the center. Dab spatula over meringue to create peaks. Bake at 325 degrees for about 20 minutes or until golden brown.

Never-Fail Meringue

Using the above ingredients for meringue: In small saucepan, combine 1/3 cup water and 1 tablespoon cornstarch. Bring to simmer, whisking off and on in the beginning and more frequently as mixture thickens. When mixture turns translucent, remove from heat and let cool while beating egg whites and vanilla till frothy.

Combine sugar and cream of tartar and gradually add to whites and beat until soft peaks form. Pour in the cooled cornstarch mixture beating until stiff peaks form. Bake as above.

Note: When making meringue topping for pie, sugar to egg white ratio: 2 tablespoons granulated sugar to 1 egg white.

When summer rolls around, family and kids ask for another popular dessert, Key Lime Pie. The recipe is so incredibly short and simple and yet you’ll find this pie an entirely different experience; pungent and refreshing, cool and creamy, a very satisfying dessert. True key limes have not been a significant commercial crop in this country since the early 1900’s when storms destroyed the Florida groves.

Occasionally you can find them in the supermarket but usually only Persian limes are available. Key limes are about the size of a large walnut, full of seeds and thin-skinned making them a nuisance to zest. You will only need 3 to 4 Persian limes verses up to a dozen Key limes to make this pie.

So, despite the name of the pie, I actually find Persian limes preferable as an ingredient with much the same taste. DO NOT use bottled juice, only fresh squeezed lime juice should ever be used. A lot of restaurants use bottled, reconstituted juice. Key Lime pies eaten out leave a lot to be desired. Try homemade, what a difference fresh juice makes.

Key Lime Pie

Filling:

4 teaspoons grated zest

1/2 cup juice from 3 to 4 limes

4 large egg yolks

1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk

Whisk zest and yolks in a medium bowl until tinted light green, about 2 minutes. Beat in condensed milk, then juice. Set aside at room temperature to thicken.

Crust:

This is the best ratio of butter to crumbs crust: Too much butter gives a tough, chewy, candy-like crust; too little butter and the crust is too crumbly and the meringue will shrink from the crumbling crust.

Best-Ever Graham

Cracker Crust

11 full-size rectangular

graham crackers, processed to fine crumbs (1 1/4 cups)

3 tablespoons granulated sugar

5 tablespoons unsalted

butter, melted

Mix crumbs and sugar in medium bowl. Add butter; stir with fork until well blended. Pour mixture into a 9-inch pie plate; press crumbs up sides and over bottom firmly with a glass or cup to form an even crust. Bake on middle rack at 325 degrees until lightly browned and fragrant, about 15 minutes. Cool on wire rack, about 20 minutes.

Pour filling into crust and chill OR, preferably, use the slightly baked method. The difference between baked and unbaked is remarkable. The baked filling is thick and creamy with a more complex taste, perhaps the heat of the oven releases the flavorful oils in the lime zest.

When using the whipped cream topping, bake pie at 325 degrees for about 15 minutes; bring to room temperature and chill. Before serving, either decoratively pipe the whipped cream over filling or spread evenly with spatula. Garnish with optional sugared lime slices and serve. Though whipped cream is preferred, another option is a meringue topping which I’ve tried and is also good.

If making meringue, use Never-Fail Meringue from above and bake pie at 325 degrees 7 minutes, then apply meringue gently and as described above. Return pie to oven and bake 20 minutes longer. Whipped Cream Topping:

The filling is fairly tart and must be overset by generously sweetened whipped cream.

3/4 cup heavy cream

1/4 cup powdered sugar

1/2 lime, sliced paper thin and dipped in sugar (optional)

Up to 2 hours before serving, whip cream in medium bowl to very soft peaks. Adding sugar 1 tablespoon at a time, continue whipping to just-stiff peaks. Chill until ready to serve.

Send your recipes to: The Neighborhood Chef, c/o The Ponca City News, P.O. Box 191, Ponca City, OK 74602, or e-mail me at: chef@poncacitynews.com (All recipes become property of The Ponca City News.)

Little News

Chris and Jana Bright announce the birth of their second child, a son, born May 15, 2000, at the Royal Free Hospital in London, England. Samuel Lucas Bright weighed 8 pounds, 1 ounce. He has a sister, Sophie Elise, 20 months old.

Maternal grandparents are Ralph and Pauletta Beaty of Ponca City, and paternal grandparents are Bob and Connie Bright of Oklahoma City. Great-grandparents include Vera Beaty of Ponca City, Ila Barr of Temple Hills, Md., Justine Schwab, Dave and Marciel Barber of Oklahoma City.

BUSINESS

Ponca City Investigating Sister Cities Program
Conoco Safest Global Energy Firm for Third Straight Year
Chamber Planning Fun Auction at Wentz Aug. 12
Notes/Quotes

Ponca City Investigating Sister Cities Program

By JACKIE SCHROEDER

News Summer Intern

“There’s every reason to think this would have a direct benefit to Ponca City and achieve some of our goals set,” Mayor Tom Leonard said about the Sister Cities International Program.

The Sister Cities International, SCI, Program was introduced by President Dwight D. Eisenhower during his 1956 White House Conference, shortly after World War II, with the hope that the relationships would hinder any further world conflicts. Some cities in Oklahoma have already adopted the program, and now Ponca City is in the developmental stages of the program.

There are 16 cities in Oklahoma involved in SCI, including Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Stroud and Pawhuska. Each city has it’s own way of selecting a city to become Sister Cities with. “Mutual interest, similar size, ethnic concentration, some cities even look at economics,” said Priscilla Harris, Sister Cities International Oklahoma State Coordinator.

Pawhuska’s relationship with it’s Sister City dates back to 1827 according to Dave Keathly, the executive director of the Chamber of Commerce. “The Osage Tribe and citizens from Montauban France have had an on-going relationship for over 200 years,” Keathly added.

“We’ve had a lot of visitors from Montauban. It’s great for tourism. Right now they are sending us a international display of their region for six months to get visitors to go to France, and we have a display in Montauban to get people to come here,” Keathly said.

“We’ve had student school exchanges and are considering a possible teacher exchange for a few months,” Keathly said.

Grove is sending four students and three adults to Miyama, Japan, said Priscilla Harris, SCI Oklahoma Coordinator. “It’s a great opportunity for cultural exchange all over the world,” Harris added.

“It would be a great benefit to Ponca City,” said Harris, “There would be opportunities for all ages.”

“It will raise your awareness of different cultures,” said Kathy Ferguson, manager of Ponca City Tomorrow, about the SCI Program.

“It’s really still in it’s infancy,” said Ferguson, about Ponca City’s involvement. “We want to make sure this is something that will last,” Ferguson added.

According to Harris, “the exchange takes place between the people,” but it’s critical to have the support of elected officials and civic leaders, Ferguson said.

“It’s a great experience for the community,” Keathly said.

“This will open up new opportunities,” said Leonard.

Conoco Safest Global Energy Firm for Third Straight Year

HOUSTON - Conoco Inc. is the safest global energy company in the U.S., according to the American Petroleum Institute (API) annual survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses in the Petroleum Industry. This is the third consecutive year Conoco has topped the safety list among industry pears, and the 15th time in the past 21 years. Conoco also ranked number one in the API’s first survey of the industry’s safety performance outside the U.S.

Conoco’s rate of O.51 injuries or illnesses per 100 employees in the U.S. is more than three times safer than the average of all companies reporting safety statistics to API for 1999. In the APIs first-ever survey of non-U.S. employee safety performance, Conoco’s 1999 rate of 0.18 is also three times safer than average and ranks the company as the safest outside the U.S.

In addition to the API rankings, Conoco’s double-hulled tanker fleet was rated the safest in 1999, for the third consecutive year, by the U.S. National Safety Council.

“These accomplishments represent the hard work and diligent efforts of all Conoco employees, not only to Protect themselves but also to watch out for the wellbeing of their fellow workers,” said Archie Dunham, Conoco chairman, president and CEO. Even in the most demanding situations and harsh environments, our employees know that our work is never so urgent or important that we cannot take the time to do it safely,” he said. Conoco, with 16,700 employees worldwide, celebrates its 125th anniversary this year.

In the API survey, Conoco’s 4,300 upstream employees enjoyed the safest year in their history in 1999. In Europe, the company’s employees have worked more than two years without a single recordable injury.

In downstream operations, the company also ranks as the safest petroleum company for 1998 and 1997 in data published by CONCAWE, a European downstream industry organization.

Recently, the 700 employees at the company’s Humber Refinery in England surpassed 10 million hours — more than 5 years — without a lost time injury or illness.

Chamber Planning Fun Auction at Wentz Aug. 12

By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE

News Business Editor

Lots of items will be going on the auction block on Aug. 12, when the Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce holds this fun event at Wentz Camp.

“The Chamber hasn’t held an auction event in six years and I wanted to have an event during my tenure that would bring the membership together for an evening of entertainment and fun.”

“This year’s auction will have a circus theme with lots of activities that one might encounter at a real circus, with a ring master, clowns, popcorn and cotton candy, plus many other activities that guarantee everyone will go away with a smile at the end of the evening,” said chairman and board member Carla O’Neill.

Proceeds from the evening’s activities will be used to support Chamber programs and projects. The event will feature two different auctions, the silent and the live. Auction items include a variety of items, trips and parties.

Festivities include food, refreshments, music, dancing and a few surprises. The Chamber is accepting items for auction. For more information contact the Chamber at 765-4400. Tickets for the event are $10.

Notes/Quotes

OSBDC Rep

On June 14, a representative from the Oklahoma Small Business Development Center (OSBDC) will be in this area The OSBDC provides free one-on-one counseling, to individuals interested in starting a new business or to existing business owners needing assistance.

Questions concerning the “how to” of establishing a business or problems relating to marketing, advertising, inventory, cash flow, and personnel can be discussed. Information about loan programs available through the United States Small Business Administration (SBA) can also be addressed.

Clients will be seen by appointment only from 9 a.m. to noon at the offices of Kay Electric in Blackwell and from 1 to 4 p.m. in the South conference room of the Administration Building on the NOC campus in Tonkawa. To schedule an appointment or receive additional information, call (580) 327-8608 from 8 to 4:30 Monday through Friday.

Attends Relocation Conference

Faye and Bob Askew of CENTURY 21 Group One recently attended the Employee Relocation Council’s 200 National Relocation Conference, held at the Opryland Hotel in Nashville, Tenn.

More than 2,000 individuals attended the Conference, that offers opportunities for networking and education to enable relocation professionals to optimize their knowledge and skills. Expert presenters shared information on enhancing practices in relocation and real estate; technology, service, and communication, tax and legal considerations; human resources; and personal and professional development.

The Conference featured noted speakers Pat Lynch, a leading authority on change and the future, and Elizabeth Dole. Lynch spoke on the “new realities” of the 21st century with regard to demographics, technology, business practices and changes in service delivery and customer care. Dole shared her views in her speech, “An America We Can Be.” A special session and reception was held for CENTURY 21 attendees who focus on residential relocation business.

The Employee Relocation Council helps relocation professionals like Faye Askew continually increase their expertise in relocation issues, and allow corporations relocating employees to communicate more effectively and to conduct transfers more efficiently.

Maddux Attends Meeting

Mary Maddux, of the financial-service firm Edward Jones, recently met with representatives of American Funds in St. Louis. She was one of 45 Jones brokers nationwide invited to attend.

The “Business Development Workshop,” brings together Jones brokers who have achieved a certain level of success in the financial-services business. Those attending discuss investment management with the portfolio manager and analysts of one the largest money managers in the United States. Jones brokers continue training throughout their careers, according to Maddux.

SPORTS

Enid Shuts Down Ponca City Legion

Enid Shuts Down Ponca City Legion

ENID — Enid’s Kendall Bergdall shut down Ponca City's American Legion baseballers in a two-hit, 11-0 victory Monday night.

Still looking for that elusive first win, the Ponca Citians will be home tonight for a doubleheader against S&J Tire of Putnam City, starting at 6 p.m. This will be the Legionaires’ third Metro League outing of the season.

Bergdall struck out 10 in the five inning game.

The game started well for the Poncans as catcher Jerrod Spears led off with a single to left. He stole second and one out later moved to third on Bryan Coppock’s sacrifice.

But Bergdall struck out the next batter to end the threat.

The other Ponca City hit was a single by pinch hitter Tony McGaugan in the third inning.

The only other Poncans to reach base were Jimmo Ozment (hit by pitch) in the fourth and Stephen Michael (walk) in the fifth.

Meanwhile, Enid collected just five hits. Two of those hits — along with a walk and an error — scored three runs in the second inning.

Enid scored eight runs in the third on three hits, a walk, a hit bats man — and four Ponca City errors.

Ponca City’s major Legion team is scheduled to be back in Enid Thursday for a tournament. In pool play, the Poncans will meet Great Bend, Kan., at 8:45 a.m. Thursday, take on Hutchinson, Kan., and Fort Smith, Ark., Friday at 11 a.m. and Pueblo, Colo, and Enid on Saturday and 1:30 and 8:30 p.m.

The semifinals and championship game are slated for Sunday.

The Legion Royals’ next home game is Monday against Putnam City Brassfield at 6 p.m.