Local News and Sports

From The Pages Of The Ponca City News, Monday, July 1,1996

LOCAL
Record High Set Sunday In Ponca City
Circuit Fault Causes Low Water Pressure
Chamber Chairman Proud To Introduce Sen. Nickles
Heritage Club Visits Great Lakes Area
Hour-Long Swim for Heart Scheduled for Sun 'n Fun
Eight Inmates Sentenced From County Up for Parole
HOTS Summer Program Heats Up With Olympics Celebration

DEATHS
Earl John Spoon
Nora Mae Simmons
Mildred Oie
Gary W. Love

NEWS BRIEFS

SPORTS
For Long Jumper Kim Roland, Olympic Dreams Are Still Alive

LOCAL

Record High Set Sunday In Ponca City

By The Associated Press
Showers and thunderstorms could cool things off in parts of Oklahoma today as a weak cold front struggles to move southward into the state. Ponca City was the hottest spot in the state with a new record for the date.
The National Weather Service said the front stalled near a Gage to Clovis line on Sunday. Meanwhile, a high pressure ridge located over southeastern Oklahoma and western Arkansas kept most of the state hot and dry.
An upper-level disturbance and the moist, unstable atmosphere combined to touch off showers and thunderstorms in northwestern Oklahoma on Sunday.
Hail the size of golfballs accompanied the storms but little rain fell.
Daytime temperatures were mostly in the 90s and low 100s, with Ponca City recording 104 degrees. Oklahoma City reached 100 degrees and Tulsa climbed to 98.
Ponca City's 104 broke the old mark for the date of 103 set in 1934 and tied in 1956. The record high for today is 110, set in1894.
Ponca City also received .34-inch of rain during a brief thunderstorm Sunday evening.
Overnight lows ranged from 64 degrees in Gage to 73 degrees in Ponca City. Lows in Oklahoma City fell to 71 degrees, while 77 degrees was the low in Tulsa.
Later today, showers and thunderstorms could form along the stalled front in northern Oklahoma, but daytime highs should still climb into the 90s and 100s.
More precipitation is possible tonight, mainly across northern sections as lows drop off into the 60s and 70s.
Thunderstorm chances will linger in the northwest and southeast on Tuesday. Daytime temperatures will peak in the 90s and low 100s again.

Circuit Fault Causes Low Water Pressure

Residents in the southern portion of Ponca City may notice low water pressure, according to Public Utility Department.
The Utility Department is experiencing a fault on an electrical circuit out of Gounterman substation. Not only is the fault affecting power to the Water Treatment Plant, but electrical outages may be experienced in areas of Osage County and southeast Ponca City.
Crews are working to isolate and correct the problem.

Chamber Chairman Proud To Introduce Sen. Nickles

By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE
News Staff Writer
Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce Chairman Tim Burg, said, "It will be an honor and a privilege to introduce Oklahoma's senior Senator Don Nickles here Tuesday." A Republican, Nickles has recently been appointed assistant majority Leader of the U.S. Senate.
Nickles is returning to Ponca City to be the featured speaker for a breakfast Tuesday in the ballroom of the Ponca City Country Club. The event, with a capacity of 250, is a sell out.
Burg said, "The response is overwhelming in three days the event sold out. To get Ponca Citians to get up and get moving early morning is a challenge itself and we've got them going out there for breakfast. I think that is in respect to the Senator that we had a sell-out so fast. It shows everybody's interest in the new role he is going to take in Washington.
"He has always been busy, but once again the majority whip is the highest appointment in the Senate for an Oklahoman in Washington and he will be busier. I think he is going to have some people come out and see what he is all about, but I think mainly they are going to come out and show respect for his new position."
The breakfast is set for 7:30 a.m., and the event will conclude by 9:30 a.m. Senator Nickles is slated to make opening remarks and then to answer questions.

Heritage Club Visits Great Lakes Area

Sixteen area Heritage Club members recently joined Winnie Barber, Director, on an extended trip to Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan.
The group first flew to Chicago for a comprehensive sight-seeing tour before traveling by motor coach through the beautiful country roads of "America's Dairyland" and on to Green, Bay, Wis.
"We enjoyed the mystique of unique Door County with its varied landscapes, quiet harbors, charming villages, towering limestone bluffs and historic lighthouses," said Barber. "From there we took a step back in time to an era before automobiles and spent two nights on Mackinac Island at the Grand Hotel."
"We toured the island and visited Arch Rock, Fort Mackinac, and the Governor's summer home. A ferry took the bus across the Straits of Mackinac to the scenic beach resorts that dot Michigan's shoreline," she continued.
Barber said the group also traveled the scenic "Tunnel of Trees", Harbor Springs, Petoskey and Charlevoix. They were treated to a personal tour of the Amon Orchards and were served a warm home baked cherry cobbler by the owners.
Two nights were spent in Grand Rapids where they toured the Gerald Ford Museum. Then they were off to the lovely Dutch town of Holland, and visited Windmill Island, Veldheer Tulip Gardens and the Dutch Village.
"We watched the Klompen dancers perform, then drove to Frankenmuth, Mich. with its old-world charm and castle-like Bavarian architecture," she said.
While there, they visited Bronner's Christmas Wonderland, the world's largest Christmas store. The last stop was Detroit where they explored Greenfield Village and the Henry Ford Museum.
Heritage Club members accompanying Barber on the Michigan trip included Dwight and Virginia Huth, Erma Vogt, Roberta Weber, Ila Livingston, Luella Hume, George and Leta Sherwood, Robert and Jana Brown, Mary Crockett, Elva Lehman, Lou Ella Franklin, Robert and Wanda Lou Johnston, and Norella Walker.
According to Barber, other trips are planned in the near future by the Heritage Club, and those include an All-American Vacation Steamboatin' Adventure on the Delta Steamboat Company's new grand American Queen; a day at Wichita Greyhound Park; an evening listening to a musical tribute to the late Henry Mancini at the Brady Theatre in Tulsa; a fall foliage trip to Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine; and a trip to Branson, Mo., at Christmas time.
Local activities planned include a lunch and a tour of The Renaissance and Westminster Village, our grandparent's movies, the movie "Babe," a picture party of previous trips; the annual "free picnic" at Grand Central Station and more.
The Heritage Hour can be heard on WBBZ Radio Fridays from 8 to 9 a.m. featuring upcoming events, birthdays and anniversaries. For more details about future activities and trips or information about how to become a Heritage Club member call Winnie Barber, (405) 763-5543 or visit her office at First National Bank.

Hour-Long Swim for Heart Scheduled for Sun 'n Fun

Sun 'n Fun swimmers will participate in Swim for Heart on July 14 at 1 p.m. The hour-long event is sponsored by local coordinator Betty Rutz and Sun 'n Fun to benefit the American Heart Association.
Swimmers will ask family, friends and neighbors to sponsor them for every pool length they swim in the event. Each swimmer can win prizes based on the amount of money collected and qualify for a variety of grand prizes including a 10-speed bicycle, 35 millimeter camera, AM/FM cassette boombox with CD player and more.
Each swimmer who collects $10 or more in donations will receive a free Waterpark admission to Sun 'n Fun on July 14. Fund raiser forms and instructions are available at Sun 'n Fun. Call (405) 762-3152 for more information.
The money from the event will fund the American Heart Association's cardiovascular research, public education and community programs. Most of all, swimmers will actively be involved in learning about their heart and heart-healthy lifestyles.
"When you realize that heart attack and stroke are America's leading causes of death, you realize how important it is to support this effort," said Rutz, local Swim For Heart Coordinator. "Swim For Heart not only supports the American Heart Association, it also teaches the benefits of regular exercise to help keep your heart healthy. You can never learn too soon about the kinds of things you can do to reduce your risk of heart disease."
Thanks to American Heart Association research, scientists have pioneered such medical advances as open heart surgery, balloon angioplasty, laser angioplasty, pace makers and life-saving drugs.
The American Heart Association, Oklahoma Affiliate, funds more than $447,300 in research grants to the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma State University and Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation.

Eight Inmates Sentenced From County Up for Parole

By MICHELE JEAN
News Staff Writer
A total of eight inmates whose cases will be considered for parole, pre-parole conditional supervision or mandatory parole review by the State of Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board in May were sentenced from the District Courts of Kay County.
The cases will be heard at the Lexington Correctional Center in Lexington on July 17, 18 and 19. The meetings are scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. each day.
Comments concerning any inmate on the docket must be submitted in writing and must be received by the Pardon and Parole Board at 4040 North Lincoln, Suite 219, Oklahoma City, Okla., 73105-5221 no later than noon, July 10.
Five of the inmates are on the parole docket. They include Robert W. Edmonson, serving 10 years for lewd molestation; Johnny L. Hardiman, serving 10 years with five suspended for second degree burglary after former conviction of two or more felonies; Christopher W. Hux, serving 12 years with six suspended for burglary of an automobile after former conviction of a felony; Wilber K. Mantz Jr., serving 10 years for conspiracy to manufacture a controlled dangerous substance (methamphetamine); and Freddie L. McDonald, serving 15 years with seven years suspended for delivery of a narcotic (cocaine).
One of the inmates is on the pre-parole conditional supervision docket. Lopez Gumaro is serving a four year sentence for trafficking in a controlled dangerous substance (marijuana).
Two of the inmates from Kay County are scheduled to appear on the mandatory parole review docket. They include Todd O. Coburn, serving five years for accessory after the fact to murder in the first degree and James D. Hendricks, serving 20 years with 10 years suspended for embezzlement by bailee after former conviction of a felony.

HOTS Summer Program Heats Up With Olympics Celebration

An average of 80 students from Garfield, Union Liberty, Lincoln and Roosevelt Elementary Schools recently finished a three-week summer H.O.T.S. program at Union School. HOTS stands for Higher Order Thinking Skills.
The students spent the mornings at Union participating in learning activities in various areas, including science, math and reading. They were bussed to lunch and then to their home school sites. During week one of the program, all activities centered around "Twister" and during week two, "Mission Impossible" was the theme. Their last week focused on the Olympics.
To end the program with a bang, the students were divided into four different teams and had their own Olympics-style games and picnic.
Games and activities included making things out of colored straws, string and colored paper, reaching into a cooler of ice water to see if only a dime, nickel and penny could be brought up, a relay race where kids raced to see who could race to a chair, pull on a shirt and pretend to read a book for the count of ten, creating bubbles with wands made out of string and straws, puzzles, gum drop and toothpick towers, and miniature golf with holes the students built themselves were all part of the games.
Every student got a ribbon for each event and a button that they had designed themselves earlier in the week. Their families could come to the school for the awards presentation and stay afterwards for a cookout on the side patio at Union.
Teachers for the HOTS program included; Pam Lanman, Micki Albert, Nancy Ghylin, MaryAnn Purdum and Linda Helms. Teachers aides were; Marsha Matli, Hallit Collins, Sherri Carnes, Caroline White and Lorene Artman. Counselor/facilitator was Julane Taylor. Support staff were Pat Williams, Nancy Bracken, Kathy Kastendick, Carol Matteson and Claire Russell. Jamal Williams and Kim Matthews were student aides.

DEATHS

Earl John Spoon

LAMONT - Earl John Spoon, lifelong Lamont area resident, died at his home Friday, June 28, 1996. He was 74.
The funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday in the Lamont Christian Church with the Rev. Ruth Tipps, minister, officiating. Burial will be in the Lamont Cemetery under the direction of McCafferty-Bolick Funeral Home of Tonkawa. Members of the Lamont American Legion Post will make the Flag presentation. Friends may visit at the funeral home in Tonkawa until 8:30 a.m. Tuesday.
Earl J. Spoon was born July 1, 1921, in Lamont, the son of Nerr John and Mary Frances (Muegge) Spoon. He grew up on the family farm near Lamont and graduated from Jefferson High School in 1939. On Dec. 2, 1942, he entered the U.S. Army and served during World War II with the 17th Signal Battalion in the European Theater at Normandy and in the Ardennes at the Battle of the Bulge. The first American to enter Paris at its Liberation, Spoon later received the Croix de Guerre Avec Etoile de Bronze Metal from the French government. He also received the Silver Star. Spoon was honorably discharged on Sept. 22, 1945, and returned to Lamont to farm.
On Dec. 8, 1946, he was married to Ethel Russell in Lamont and continued farming. Spoon was a member of Lamont American Legion Post; Tonkawa VFW Post; the Lamont Christian Church, where he served on the church board; a 50-year member of the Tonkawa Masonic Lodge; and a member of the Scottish Rite Consistory of Guthrie.
Survivors include his wife, Ethel, of the home; one son, John Spoon of Tonkawa; one daughter Madonna Todd of Sapulpa; one sister, Kathryn Hunter of Ponca City; and five grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Nora Mae Simmons

Nora Mae Simmons, Route Five resident, died Friday, June 28, 1996, at the Ponca City Nursing Home. She was 92.
The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Grace Memorial Chapel. Burial will be in the Longwood Cemetery, east of Ponca City.
Nora Mae (Pringle) Simmons was born on her parents homestead, northeast of Ponca City, Dec. 16, 1903. She was the daughter of Robert G. and Leota B. (Klopp) Pringle and received her early education in the Maple Grove Rural School, and Ponca City High School.
On Oct. 21, 1923, she was married to John H. "Hank" Simmons in rural Kildare, and the couple established their first home in Ponca City. The couple moved back to the homestead of her parents after Mr. Simmons' retirement in 1951. They celebrated their 50th anniversary in 1983. Mrs. Simmons was a member of the Ponca City First Christian Church. She enjoyed crocheting, reading, quilting, and painting.
Survivors include one son, James L. Simmons of Tulsa; one daughter, Norma Louise Bellmard of Ponca City; seven grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by her husband in November 1984; and her parents.

Mildred Oie

Mildred Oie, Ponca City resident, died at her home, Wednesday, June 26, 1996. She was 83.
The funeral was to be held at the Humes Funeral Home in Addision, Ill., at 11 a.m. today with the Rev. Wes Houghsted officiating. Burial was to be in Mt. Emblem Cemetery at Elmhurst, Ill., under the direction of Humes Funeral Home of Addison.
Mildred (Bunnell) Oie was born May 14, 1913, in Carthage, Ill., the daughter of Elmer and Emma (Burnett) Bunnell. She was married to John Oie and had been employed as clerk of Bensenville (Ill.) Post Office, until her retirement. She later moved to Ponca City where she was past Oracle of the Ponca City Chapter of the Royal Neighbors of America.
Survivors include three daughters, Lois Sakkas of Phoenix, Ariz., Alice Karesh of Syracuse, Ind., and Kay Hellem of Ponca City; 12 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband and her parents.

Gary W. Love

ST. LOUIS, MO.-Gary W. Love, former Ponca City resident, died Saturday, June 29, 1996, at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Mo. He was 51.
A memorial service is planned for 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Ponca City First Christian Church with the Rev. Cliff Fite and the Rev. Sondra Tilsley officiating. A memorial service was also held in St. Louis. Arrangements were under the direction of Kutis Funeral Home, St. Louis. Mo.
Gary W. Love was born Oct. 1, 1944, in Billings, Okla., the son of Ophie L. and Pauline (Franklin) Love. He began his early education in Red Rock and moved with his parents to Ponca City in 1958. After graduation from Ponca City High School in 1963, he completed a training course with General Motors and worked as a mechanic.
In 1964, Love entered the U.S. Air Force. He worked as an electronic engineer with the Defense Mapping Agency while living in the Washington, D.C. area, San Antonio, Texas, and St. Louis, Mo.
He was married to Debbie (Breach) Picone in Silver Springs, Md., on April 30, 1977.
Survivors include his wife, Debbie, of the home in St. Louis; one son, Brian Love of Pryor; one daughter, Michelle, of San Antonio, Texas; his mother, Pauline Love of Ponca City; three brothers, Jack "LeRoy" Love of Ponca City, Billy Joe Love of Springfield, Va., and Carl Love of Hermitage, Tenn.; two sisters, Mrs. Cecil (Nona) Cales, of Ponca City and Mrs. Mickey (Linda) Ratliff of Red Rock; two grandsons; one step-granddaughter; and one step-grandson.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Love's Memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, P.O. Box 50, Memphis, TN 38101.

NEWS BRIEFS

Vandalism - A business in the 2700 block of North Fourteenth Street advised the Ponca City Police Department at 7:06 a.m. Saturday that their building was vandalized. A report was taken.

Larceny - The Ponca City Police Department was notified at 9:48 a.m. Saturday that items were stolen from a residence in the 1000 block of North Ash Street. An officer took a report.

Gas Stolen - A subject drove off from a business in the 3200 block of North Fourteenth Street without paying for $32.25 worth of gas, according to the store clerk. The Ponca City Police Department was contacted at 12:32 p.m. Saturday and a report was taken.

Arrested - A Ponca City police officer arrested a 46-year-old man at North Birch Street and West Summit Avenue at 12:37 p.m. Saturday for driving under suspension.

Accident - Two Ponca City police officers responded to an accident at North Hartford Avenue and Kygar Road at 2:53 p.m. Saturday. A report was taken.

Collision - A Ponca City police officer took a report of an accident which occurred at South Eighth Street and East Oklahoma Avenue at 3:40 p.m. Saturday.

Accident - A non-injury accident was reported in the 3000 block of North Fourteenth Street at 5:48 p.m. Saturday. Two Ponca City police officers responded and a report was taken.

Subject Held - A 31-year-old man was arrested from South Oak Street and West South Avenue by a Ponca City police officer at 7:40 p.m. Saturday for failure to appear and fishing without a city permit.

Arrested - A Ponca City police officer took a 41-year-old man into custody at Parkview Lane and North Fourteenth Street at 8:55 p.m. Saturday for driving under the influence, no drivers' license and speeding.

Subjects Held - A 22-year-old man was arrested from North Twelfth Street and East Highland Avenue at 10:51 p.m. Saturday by a Ponca City police officer for driving under the influence, failure to obey and driving under restrictions. A second man was arrested at 11:05 p.m. for driving under the influence, no insurance and possession of marijuana.

Arrested - A Ponca City police officer took a 36-year-old man into custody from John Street and Williams Avenue at 11:26 p.m. Saturday on a county warrant for failure to pay.

Bike Stolen - The Ponca City police department took a report of a stolen bike at 12:13 a.m. Sunday from a residence in the 500 block of Oak Street.

Subject Held - A 37-year-old man was arrested by a Ponca City police officer at 12:52 a.m. Sunday in the 2900 block of North Fourteenth Street for driving under the influence, transporting an open container, no insurance and no seat belt.

Arrested - A Ponca City police officer took a 19-year-old man into custody at North Fourteenth Street and East Hartford Avenue at 3:16 p.m. Sunday for driving under suspension, expired tag, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Theft - A man in the 1100 block of West Greenwood Avenue contacted the Ponca City Police Department at 4 p.m. Sunday to report his bed frame and springs were stolen from his residence. An officer took a report.

Fireworks - The Ponca City Police Department received a complaint of subjects shooting fireworks in the 800 block of North Elm Street. An officer responded at 5:23 p.m. Sunday and informed the subject that she could be cited if additional complaints of fireworks were received.

Theft - A clerk from the Triple T, 425 South Fourteenth Street, contacted the Ponca City Police Department to report that a man grabbed some cigarettes and ran out of the store. An officer was assigned at 4:45 a.m. Monday and took a report.

Accident - Two residents were injured in an accident that occurred in the 900 block of East Prospect Avenue at 6:51 p.m. Saturday, according to Ponca City Fire Department ambulance reports. A 22-year-old man and a 20-year-old woman were taken to the St. Joseph Regional Medical Center emergency room where they were treated and released.

Helpline Training Classes Set - Helpline Training Classes will begin July 8 at 7 p.m. in the Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce Conference Room. For information, those interested may contact the Helpline Office at 765-5551. Cost is $15 to cover class materials. Scholarships are available.

Teen Mentors Needed - The Thunderbird Youth Academy is now accepting applications from the state of Oklahoma for teen mentors. TYA is a unique academy operated by the Oklahoma National Guard which allows high school drop-outs to receive a GED, and gain vocational and college skills. Friendship and guidance of a mentor will allow these teens to make a successful transition back into area communities A few hours a month can make a difference. Call 1-800-656-4111.

Aqua Jog - Community Pool Aqua Job meets Tuesday and Thursday, 9-9:50 a.m. Susan Henning instructs this Community Pool Program. Baby-sitting is available. Register for the month or come as a walk-in. New session begins July 2. For additional information, contact the YMCA at 765-5417.

Office Closed Thursday - The United States Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency office in Newkirk will be closed Thursday in observance of the Independence Day federal holiday.

SPORTS

For Long Jumper Kim Roland, Olympic Dreams Are Still Alive

By FRED HILTON
News Sports Editor
This has been an off year on the field for Ponca City long jumper Kim Roland, but not a disappointing one.
"It has been a learning experience," Roland said from an apartment in Philadelphia, Pa., where she has worked and trained for the past year for the Olympic Trials which were held this month in Atlanta.
Roland, who holds the University of Oklahoma women's outdoor long jump record at 21-5, failed to qualify for the USA Championships, which were the Olympic Trials this year, for the first time in three years.
The qualifying mark to make the trials was 20-8. She fell just five inches short of that distance in the New York Games on Randall Island in May.
Part of the problem, according to Roland, is that she got in a lot fewer meets that she had when she was with the Sooners.
"I only had about three decent indoor meets and about five outdoors," she said. "That's a lot different than when I was at OU."
Different, too, for Roland was living in a distant city, working to pay expenses, training and going to meets on her own.
Leading up to this month, Roland was practicing at 6:30 a.m. and at 5:30 p.m. while working in between.
"I'd also do weights on Mondays and Wednesdays, recover on Friday and then go to a meet on the weekend."
There was also the cultural shock of living in a big city and having to get used to a different climate.
"I've gotten used to it now," she said of big city life. "In fact, it feels a little funny when I'm back home. It's so laid back."
Roland doesn't get much of a chance to work out in the winter ("we had 30 inches of snow,") and although she doesn't face the 100-plus degree temperatures of Oklahoma, the summers in Philadelphia can also be rough.
"It is so humid," she notes. "It's not as hot as it is in Oklahoma. But the humidity is greater. It makes it hard to breath."
Olympic Committeeman Bill Guy saw Roland at OU, invited her to the Penn State Games last year and talked her into going to Philadelphia to train when her eligibility ran out at OU.
It's been a tough transition, but one she hasn't regretted making.
"The coaches here are more into me." Roland said. "I could have gone to Arizona or Houston. But I like the coaches here."
Working with the Shore Atlantic Coast Athletic Club, Roland has a pair of coaches. Her long jump coach is Norman Tate, a 1968 Olympian in the long jump and triple jump. He coached Jack Pierce, who placed third in the hurdles in the last Olympics
Her strength coach is Carter Bradley.
"I feel stronger," Roland said of her year in Philadelphia, where she is now working as a personal trainer in Gold's Gym. "It's just a matter of getting used to the environment and not having as many meets."
While she would have liked very much to make it to the Olympic Trials, Roland is not too disappointed.
"Even before I decided to try and make it, I was told I was too young," the 23-year-old said. Most of the women in the trials are in their 30s."
Jackie Joyner-Kersey is 34 and took first place in the long jump at 23-1 1/4 - even with two strained thighs.
So Roland has time. She will return to practice full time in November or December with her eye on the World Games next summer.
Then, there is always the 2000 Olympics in Australia.
"I won't be 30 then, either," Roland smiled. "And that would be a nice trip."