Local News and Sports

From The Pages Of The Ponca City News, Tuesday, July 2,1996

LOCAL
New Senate Majority Whip Keeps in Touch With Home
Five-Year Planning Gets Studied by City
Easement Proposal Tabled for Survey
Ponca City Educator One Of 10 Named to Hall of Fame
AMBUC Pool Will Not Be Open Night of July 4

BRIEFS

BUSINESS
Leather Products Firm A Growing Business
Sales Tax Up For March Sales In Ponca City
New Business Provides Service For Heat and Air
Note and Quotes
Application Deadline Set for Leadership PC
Sykes Enterprises CEO Named Top Entrepreneur
Former Ponca Citian Retires As Area Manager for ONG

FAMILY
D&D Speaker Tells About Camp Hope

LITTLE NEWS

SPORTS
AA Coaches Remain Positive

LOCAL
New Senate Majority Whip Keeps in Touch With Home

By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE
News Staff Writer
New assistant majority leader of the U.S. Senate, Sen. Don Nickles, was well received as he played to a packed hometown crowd here this morning at the Ponca City Country Club. A popular and often witty speaker, Nickles said he likes to come home to "keep in touch."
During his opening remarks Nickles commented on a variety of topics including the enhancement of Vance Air Force Base in Enid, which he had a hand in. He also talked about balancing the budget this year, which he is determined to do; foreign policy; Whitewater; Filegate; the lack of "character" in the White House, and his confidence in Republican Bob Dole for president.
Duties as Majority Whip
Outlining his duties as the assistant majority leader, known commonly as Senate majority whip, Nickles said his duties are to help run the Senate and to help the new majority leader, Trent Lott.
He said, "We both have a lot of work to do. Trying to manage the Senate is a very difficult place to manage. The House has strict rules on debate length and can set a time limit for debate on a bill.
"In the Senate we have unlimited debate on any issue. We have unlimited debate on amendments and the amendments don't have to be germane. Any bill, no matter how uncontroversial, can be amended by somebody with something else and they can talk about that amendment for as long as they want - that is their right."
Nickles said, "For instance we want to pass the Department of Defense Authorization Bill, a bill that needs to be passed before the Appropriations Bill. There are things in there for Oklahoma. We said we were going to pass it before the Fourth of July, which should of taken a couple of days, but instead it took eight days."
"Part of my job will be to get these things done, to marshal forces on the Republican side and also to work with the Democrats to find out where we can get votes, trying to finalize votes and come up with agreements to finish the Legislative items.
"Part of the job is setting the agenda. What are we going to take up next? What do we have to get done before a certain period of time? Where do we get the votes to bring it to a closure? How do we finish it? In the Senate it is easy to start a bill, but hard to finish one. It is easy to obstruct a bill. It is hard to pass a bill," Oklahoma's senior senator said.
Nickles explained that it is easier in the Senate to be in the minority and throw grenades over the fence and see what happens than it is to have the responsibility of getting legislative items all the way through.
The Senator said his staff has not been enlarged because of the job, that it fact it is less than when he was chairman of the Policy Committee. He said in that position he had about three times the staff he has in the Whip position.
Nickles paid tribute to retiring State Rep. Jim Holt, with whom he served in the Oklahoma Legislature. He also mentioned his long-time staff members Cheryl Fletcher and Joy Bradford.

Five-Year Planning Gets Studied by City

By LAURA TREADWAY
News Staff Writer
A five-year forecast was adopted by the Ponca City Board of Commissioners in their work session Monday.
Rather than trying to address budget constraints every year, City Manager Gary Martin said the board needed to look at all things that affect the general fund, especially major projects not being funded by sales tax or general fund revenues. "We also need to look at a Building Maintenance Division," he noted.
"There is not enough on-going revenues to fund any capital projects two years out," he said. "We will need additional revenues to operate."
Five areas were targeted in the forecast: general fund budget, capital, projects, economic development and beneficial groups.
The demands on money are tremendous, according to Martin. "There is too much competition for the same money. The City has to decide how to do it all to benefit the city."
"We are limited to what we can do, when we can't generate the cash to fund what we have," Martin said.
One option to create more revenue is to increase electric rates. However, commissioners are reluctant to pursue this avenue.
Commissioner Greg Gregson initiated discussion about an ad valorem tax that would provide a steady income to broaden the city's financial base. Though the idea of an ad valorem tax would not address big capital expenditures, it would maintain rolling stock, according to the board.
Commissioners discussed putting together a package to take to the citizens which would address capital expenditures and funding for the Economic Development Foundation.
The city has not had a bond issue since 1979. "We haven't wanted to ask the people for money," the city manager said.
In reviewing project requests, it appears priority will be given to City Hall, a new fire station and up-dating the conference center so it can be leased out.

Easement Proposal Tabled for Survey

By MICHELE JEAN
News Staff Writer
NEWKIRK - A request to relinquish an easement on county property located north and west of Blackwell was tabled during Monday's 9 a.m. Kay County Commissioner's meeting at the courthouse in Newkirk.
The request to reconvey the easement back to the private landowner was tabled until the District No. 3 Commissioner Rex Purdy could survey the county road in question.
Several contracts were approved for various services for the county. Those contracts included: a cleaning contract for the Department of Human Services building in Newkirk with Cleaning Specialities; a contract for all insurance for the county excluding health and workers compensation insurance with CPSK Insurance Company of Missouri; a juvenile detention contract with the Oklahoma Juvenile Justice System in Garfield County; a contract with the Oklahoma Department of Corrections for the Community Service Sentencing Program; a contract with Tammy Childers to continue as the Director of the Kay County Community Service Sentencing Program; and a contract for review of the Blackwell Health Department and its possible contamination with Charles Downs of Pollution Prevention Associates.
Also, a salt water crossing was approved for Warrens Corporation of Oklahoma city to put a line in southwest of Ponca City.
Several accounts in county government had funds that were rolled over into the 1996-97 Fiscal Year. The Commissioners approved the appropriations to those accounts.
At 10 a.m. bids were open on the printing services for the ballots and ballot materials for the 1997 election year. After the Kay County Election Board secretary Carol Stafford reviewed and gave her recommendation of the two bids, a bid was accepted from Midwest Paper of Sapulpa.

Ponca City Educator One Of 10 Named to Hall of Fame

Dr. Thurman James White of Ponca City is one of 10 individuals who will be inducted into the Oklahoma Higher Education Hall of Fame named recently by Friends of the Oklahoma Museum of Higher Education. The third annual induction banquet and ceremony will be held Oct. 17 at the Marriott Hotel in Oklahoma City.
The others selected for their outstanding contributions to higher education are: Dr. Lawrence R. Boger, president emeritus, Oklahoma State University; Dr. Bill S. Cole, president, East Central University; Charles N. Hockman, professor emeritus, University of Oklahoma; Dr. Joe C. Jackson, vice president emeritus, University of Central Oklahoma; Dr. Melvin D. Jones, former president of the Higher Education Alumni Council of Oklahoma, Dr. Robert N. Maddox, professor emeritus, OSU; and J.R. Morris, provost emeritus, OU. Dr. Nell A. Nash, former chancellor for the State Regents for Higher Education and Dr. John W. Raley, president emeritus of Oklahoma Baptist University, will be inducted posthumously.
Dr. White is vice president emeritus of OU. He retired in 1980 after a career which spanned 45 years at the University of Oklahoma. In 1985 he took the helm of the Oklahoma Network of Continuing Education, a project of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education sponsored by the Sarkeys Foundation, Noble Foundation and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.
The Oklahoma Museum of Higher Education is housed in historic Old Central on the campus of Oklahoma State University. It features exhibits reflecting the heritage of Oklahoma's colleges and universities and is supported by contribution to Friends of the Oklahoma Museum of Higher Education, PO Box 2415, Stillwater, OK 74067-2415.
Persons employed in Oklahoma higher education for a minimum of 10 years and those not employed in higher education but who have performed meritorious service to Oklahoma higher education are eligible for induction into the Oklahoma Higher Education Hall of Fame.

AMBUC Pool Will Not Be Open Night of July 4

AMBUC Swimming Pool will be open from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on the Fourth of July. The pool will be closed from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Normal pool hours are 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Sunday for open swim. The pool is closed every Wednesday for cleaning.
The adult lap swim is scheduled for 4:45 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Families can swim from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Additionally, the pool will be closed to the public during the Junior Olympic Swim Meet during July 25-28, according to Greg Hadley, recreation supervisor.
For more information, contact Hadley at 767-0430.

BRIEFS

Aqua Fit - Aqua Fit classes began a new session at Community Pool, Seventh and Grand, today. For details, contact the YMCA, 765-5417.

Dance Set Thursday - A Senior Citizens Dance will be held Thursday from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Kaw City Community Building, with music by Country Fever Band.

Office Closed - Birthchoice will be closed on July 4 for Independence Day.

Fire - The Ponca City Fire Department extinguished a small grass fire in the 2500 block of East Central Avenue at 8:52 a.m. Monday.

Bike Found - Animal Control picked up a bike at East Central Avenue and South Second Street and brought it to the Ponca City Police Department at 9:33 a.m. Monday.

Bike Stolen - A woman in the 900 block of North Third Street advised the Ponca City Police Department at 11:24 a.m. Monday that a bike was stolen. An officer took a report.

Accident - A Ponca City police officer took a report of an accident which occurred by the gate on Thorn Apple Valley Drive at 11:51 a.m. Monday.

Theft - The Ponca City Police Department was contacted at 1:10 p.m. Monday about a cellular phone that was stolen from a vehicle in the 100 block of Westbury Road.

Collision - An accident occurred at West Cleveland Avenue and North Oak Street at 2:33 p.m. Monday. A Ponca City police officer took a report.

Abandoned Bike - Animal Control picked up an abandoned bike in the 1600 block of Clarke Street at 3:53 p.m. Monday and brought it to the Ponca City Police Department.

Burglary - The Ponca City Police Department was notified at 4:04 p.m. Monday that several storage units in the 2100 block of North Union Street were burglarized.

Bike Stolen - A Ponca City police officer took a report of a stolen bike in the 600 block of South Fifth Street at 4:14 p.m. Monday.

Fire - A grass fire under the Arkansas River bridge on U.S. 60 was extinguished by the Ponca City Fire Department. Firefighters responded at 4:56 p.m. Monday.

Accident - Two Ponca City police officers responded to a non-injury accident at East Prospect Avenue and Turner Road at 5:45 p.m. Monday.

Arrested - A 32-year-old man was arrested in the 300 block of West Grand Avenue by a Ponca City police officer at 8:15 p.m. for public intoxication, false information and a city warrant.

Vandalism - A woman in the 200 block of North Third Street contacted the Ponca City Police Department at 9:39 p.m. Monday to report the lock on her door had been broken. A vandalism report was taken by an officer.

Subject Held - A Ponca City police officer arrested a 60-year-old man at South Ash Street and West South Avenue at 12:28 a.m. Tuesday for driving under restrictions and driving under the influence.

Arrested - A 45-year-old man was taken into custody at 2:22 a.m. Tuesday by a Ponca City police officer in the 300 block of West Grand Avenue on two Kay County warrants. A 39-year-old man was also arrested on a Kay County warrant.

BUSINESS

Leather Products Firm A Growing Business

By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE
News Business Editor
The atmosphere at No. 5 Building in the Darr Industrial Complex is industrious - but happy - as the employees make quality leather products to be marketed nationally and internationally.
Owner Dean Garroutte, a native of Ponca City, had an interest in leather products ever since he worked on his uncle John Garroutte's farm. He recalls harnessing up the mule to do the plowing when the tractor got stuck. John retired from Conoco and went on to raise race horses and Dean became familiar with another kind of tack.
After graduating from Ponca City High School in 1967, Garroutte did a stint in the Navy and then joined Conoco here.
Following his eight-year career in the transportation department at Conoco, he and a partner started a leather products company and after two years went their separate ways.
Garroutte Products began in No. 10 at the Darr Industrial Complex and two years later moved to the present location. Since it is sometimes hard to get "Garroutte Products" out over the phone it is sometimes reduced to "Circle G."
Good Products
Garroutte says, "We make a really good line of tack. It is not the expensive show, dressed-up saddlery type items and its not throwaway stuff. The tack is a good, working cowboy type tack. We don't dye a lot of edges or we don't do a lot of hand rubbing, which would raise the price just for appearance. The tack is a good user line, normal, everyday tack that a person would purchase and use."
The leather products are dipped in pure neat's foot. Garroutte says the neat's foot sold in stores generally has only about three percent neat's foot and the rest is petroleum products. He said the dipping method is expensive but worth the price for long wearing everyday tack.
The sewing machines used by the leather product firm are Lock-Stitch and were invented in the 1800s for the U.S. Calvary to make saddles. Garroutte says the machines make a good and pretty stitch.
The Ponca City firm makes breast collars, bridles, head stalls, cow and horse halters, saddle pads and saddle bags.
Marketing Efforts
Marketing efforts, in addition to working about eight trade shows a year, are through catalogs. Four big shows Garroutte makes are in Denver, Indianapolis, Atlanta and Orlando.
The products are marketed in the states, in Canada, Mexico, Germany and Italy. Most of the product is shipped UPS. However, Garroutte Products put about 100,000 miles a year on the delivery truck. The raw materials, which are basically purchased in Texas, Tennessee and Kentucky, are also back-hauled.
In the beginning years the company rocked along with a gross income of about $100,000. Last year that figure was a $1.5 million. The annual payroll for 23 employees is about $250,000.
Some of the employees are longtime workers. Plant foreman Sally Vallines has been with the firm since the inception in 1980. Office manager Doris Ross, who keeps things going while Dean is on the road, has been there 11 years. The overall general plant foreman is Salvador Martinez, who keeps the machines running and attends some of the trade shows.
The work shift is 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m., five days a week. The plant is beginning to burst at the seams, since it has about 8,000 square feet and needs about 12,000. Garroutte predicts that in the near future he will be seeking a new building and location.

Sales Tax Up For March Sales In Ponca City

Ponca City sales tax return from the Oklahoma Tax Commission for business conducted during April shows that Ponca City coffers will receive a total of $657,965 compared to $655,160 for the same time frame in April 1995.
Statewide the June distribution of city sales tax collections totaled $62,017,087. The disbursement to 480 cities and towns showed an increase of $4,763,657 from the return of $57,253 distributed 476 cities and towns in April one year ago.
Effective July 1, three towns will increase tax rates. Drummond will increase from one to three percent; McLoud from three to four percent, and Seiling from two to three percent.
Drummond will also increase the city use tax from one to three percent; McLoud from three to four percent; Seiling from two to three percent, and Meeker starts a new three percent use tax.

New Business Provides Service For Heat and Air

Steve Westerman has an-nounced the opening of his new business, Westerman's Heat and Air and Insulation Company in Ponca City.
Formerly of B&L Heating and Air, Westerman has served Ponca City and surrounding area over the past 12 years.
A native of Stillwater and reared in Ponca City, Westerman attended St. Mary's School and graduated from Ponca City High School in 1985. He has attended various schools and training connected with the heating and air business over the years.
Westerman said, "Ponca City and the surrounding communities have been very supportive of me over the years and as I start my own business, I'm excited to continue to serve them with my best quality service or all their heat and air needs."
Steve and his wife, Melony, have been married eight years and have two children Joshua, 5, and Zackery, 3. They attend and are active members of Northeast Baptist Church.

Note and Quotes

Trotter Elected
Dr. J.C. Trotter was recently elected to the board of directors of the Oklahoma Optometric Association at its annual education congress in Tulsa. This association represents over 400 doctors of optometry. These optometrists are primary health care providers who diagnose, manage and treat conditions and diseases of the human eye and visual system.
Dr. Trotter is a graduate of the University of Houston and a dedicated member of the Ponca City community. He currently conducts volunteer visual screenings for several school systems. His office is located at 521 East Hartford.
Pioneer Bank Luncheon
Pioneer Bank and Trust's monthly Board of Director's Luncheon was hosted on June 27 by Carl R. Renfro, chairman of the board and CEO; Tom Quillin, president, and directors Cory Bowker and Pat Mulligan.
Attending this month were Lynn Boyer, city commissioner; Lisa Cantu, director, Specialty Products, Conoco Inc.; Pat Hand, director, Help Line; David Myers, retired Conoco; John Pennewitt, plant controller, Continental Carbon; Phyllis Worley, area manager, ONG.
OSBDC Rep Here
ALVA - A representative from the Oklahoma Small Business Development Center (OSBDC) will be in Ponca City on July 15. The OSBDC provides free one-on-one counseling to individuals interested in starting a business or to business owners needing assistance.
To schedule an appointment or to receive additional information, contact the OSBDC at (405) 327-8609.
Receives Certificate
STILLWATER - Ponca City resident J. Williams recently received his air conditioning and refrigeration helper and residential air conditioning servicer certificates at Meridian Technology Center, Stillwater.
Summer Seminars
STILLWATER - The OSU-OKC Center for Organizational Improvement, business, industry and government, is presenting a series of four summer seminars for professional and personal improvement.
"First Things First" is slated July 10-11. This deals with "From Time Management to Life Management." Other seminars: "Avoiding Legal Problems in Management," July 24; "Communication: Men and Women," Aug. 28, and "Statistical Process Control," Sept. 17-18.
OBA School
Eric Kurtz, Pioneer Bank and Trust Company, recently completed the Oklahoma Bankers Association's Intermediate School - Session II in Stillwater. Kurtz, commercial loan officers, was among 21 students who attended the school the Oklahoma State University
The school is designed to prepare its students to serve effectively and profitably the needs and desires of their banks and the banking public.

Application Deadline Set for Leadership PC

Nominations and applications for the 11th class of Leadership Ponca City are now being accepted at the Chamber office. The nomination forms are due no later than Monday, July 15, with the application deadline scheduled for July 29.
Those wishing to apply, or nominate someone, now is the time to obtain one of the forms and fill it out.
Leadership Ponca City (LPC) is a project of the Ponca City Foundation for Progress Inc., begun in 1986 by a group of city visionaries who wanted to help develop the volunteer base in the community.
The program is designed to help prepare our future leaders with the public decision making that is required in those positions. LPC also seeks to develop community knowledge and leadership skills through a variety of training sessions whose subjects include local and state government; civic and humanitarian organizations; personal skills development; business, finance, and industry; public service organizations; as well as a community facilities tour.
LPC takes 15 individuals through nine full days of education regarding Ponca City, which has proven very informative, even to those most familiar with the city.
The 15 class members are selected based on self-application or by nomination of employer, friends, volunteer organization, or Leadership Ponca City graduate. The selection process is very competitive, so it is not unusual for a candidate to apply more than one year before being selected.
The basic criteria for LPC is a desire, motivation and interest to serve the citizens of the community in future leadership roles. Also, candidates should demonstrate a commitment or willingness to commit to Ponca City involvement; an interest in and commitment to seek public office or other key volunteer roles in the community; have the potential for advancement to a top leadership position within the individual's own organization; and a commitment to attend each and all session in their entirety.
The Leadership Ponca City Program is supported by a group of volunteers who make the program work. These people include the individual sessions facilitators, known as day-chairs, and the class tri-chairs, who are responsible for the program throughout the year.
Tri-chairs for the 1996-1997 program are Randol Marzuola, Conoco; Karen Dean, Group One; and Pat Morris, Ponca City Public Schools.

Sykes Enterprises CEO Named Top Entrepreneur

TAMPA, Fla. - John H. Sykes, president and CEO, of Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated (SEi), which has a customer support center in Ponca City, recently was named Florida Entrepreneur of the Year during an awards ceremony in Orlando, Fla
The criteria used by a team of judges in their selection process included SEi's financial growth, along with Sykes' business innovation, entrepreneurial passion, community involvement and the story behind his success.
Sykes stated Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated in 1977 with two employees and the company has risen to be a leader in a $28 billion industry with 16 offices and more than 2,300 employees.
He has carried his vision to rural America, creating over 1800 high-technology jobs. The company went public this spring, with its stock climbing from $18 a share to a high of $54.25 early last month. The successful IPO has given SEi a market valuation in excess of $600 million.
The awards in various categories are presented annually by Ernst & Young. About 80 companies in Florida were nominated for the program and Sykes was among three finalists in the Information Technology Services category. As winner, he will advance to the National Entrepreneur of the Year awards, which will be announced in Palm Springs, Calif. in November.
SEi, a diverse information technology company, provides a variety of computer-related out-sourcing services to Fortune 500 firms.
SEi's business includes third-party hardware and software technical support, help desk services, systems consulting, documentation development and foreign language localization.

Former Ponca Citian Retires As Area Manager for ONG

ANADARKO - Wayne Holder, Anadarko area manager for Oklahoma Natural Gas Company, retired as of July 1 after working for the company for 35 years.
Holder was employed in 1955 as a skilled laborer in Ponca City.
In 1963 he was named distribution superintendent in Perry, in 1980 he was named area marketing manager in Clinton, and in 1986 be-came Anadarko area manager.
Born in Meeker, Holder graduated from Marland High School in Marland, and attended Northern Oklahoma College at Tonkawa. Holder is a member and past board member of the Anadarko Chamber of Commerce, member and past chairman of the Economic Development Council, is a member of the Rotary Club, a board member and past chairman of the Fort Cobb Reservoir Master Conservancy District, member of the First United Methodist Church and the Educational Enhancement Center of Caddo Kiowa Vo-Tech.
Holder and his wife, Lola, reside in Anadarko. They have three daughters: Phyllis Parli, of Perry, Cheryl Spears of Cushing and Kristi Schapansky, Enid. They have six grandchildren and one great grandchild.

FAMILY

D&D Speaker Tells About Camp Hope

Sue Lunsford, senior counselor, Conoco Employee Assistance Program, spoke to Desk and Derrick Club members at the annual picnic held in June at the home of Phyllis Kennedy.
Ms. Lunsford, introduced by Margaret Sloan, second vice president, spoke about "Camp Hope: A Place Beyond the Rainbow." Originated by a McPherson, Kan., woman who lost two of her own children to cancer, Camp Hope is a week-long camp for children with cancer.
The camp, located northeast of Great Bend, Kan., is sponsored by the Kansas Division of the American Cancer Society, and is held at the Camp Alderich Conference Center. The camp is staffed solely by volunteers who are professionals and/or individuals who have a personal interest in cancer.
Ms. Lunsford said her own interest came, in part, from her professional role as a hospital social worker working with cancer patients; her volunteer work in Hospice, and her friendship with another volunteer who told her about the Camp. In 1983, she applied and was accepted as a houseparent.
"There is never a charge for campers to attend," she said. She displayed a T-shirt, cap and name tag bearing the Camp Hope logo - the Rainbow - which each camper and volunteer receives.
Ms. Lunsford said each year the number of campers and volunteers has grown. In 1993, there were 77 campers and an equal number of volunteers who served as houseparents, kitchen help, nurses, and activities personnel. At least one doctor is available at all times, she noted.
Campers are divided into boys and girls cabins, with houseparents sharing quarters with the children. She said this means sleeping in a cabin with bathroom facilities for two and sleeping on bunk beds with sagging springs.
Her assigned group is teenagers between 14 and 18. One of the most important features of Camp Hope, she said, is that for this week, the campers are not "different." They have the opportunity to hike, horseback ride, go on hayrack rides, fish, or play quiet games, volleyball, kickball, softball and horseshoes.
She also spoke about an annual golf tournament for children and houseparents at the Great Bend Country Club and other excursions which have included a visit to the Barton County Planetarium, a picnic at a local park following a trip to the zoo, tennis lessons, and a morning of bowling or skating. The older group gets a "night out" when they are taken into town for pizza and a movie. The Friday Night Dance is another highlight on the last night of camp, she said.
Ms. Lunsford explained that some of the campers are limited in activity by their physical condition, but participate as much as they are able. They are divided into age groups and choose their own group names.
Individual groups are responsible for one day of KP duty, including setting and cleaning up tables, the flag salute in the morning, and a prayer before each meal.
One of the traditions at camp is the Memorial Service, usually held mid-week. A tree is planted in memory of each camper or volunteer who has died the previous year. "It is a brief but moving ceremony during which each personally becomes aware of their own vulnerability and the importance of living each day to the fullest," she said. "It also reaffirms the existence and importance of those who have died and insures that their memory lives on."
Ms. Lunsford said that people frequently ask her how she can 'do' it, isn't it 'depressing' or 'hard?' She answers that it is definitely not depressing but, in some ways, is the most physically and emotionally exhausting week she spends all year.
"However," she said, "it is also the most rewarding and the one I most look forward to. Returning to camp is like a reunion with family - seeing fellow volunteers again, renewing old friendships and making new ones. Seeing returning campers is exciting--now with hair, added weight, more self-confidence, changing from boys and girls to young men and women." She added that another reward is welcoming new campers--nervous and shy, a little homesick - whom she sees grow during the week. "All of this is part of the spirit of Camp Hope," she said.
In closing, she shared the words of "I Shall Prevail," the camp song, and stated that she hoped each was able to feel the emotion, strength and love that comes from the song. A question and answer session followed, and Ms. Sloan presented her with a gift of appreciation.
Christine Valliere, president, called the business meeting to order, welcomed members and introduced a guest, Cassandra Corley of Houston. It was announced Vicki Dronberger and Monty Davis would be married in Eureka Springs June 28.
Mary Faken, chaplain, read the "Gentle Art of Being Kind," and gave the blessing. Norma Buffalow, secretary, presented minutes of the previous meeting and correspondence. Beth Johnson, treasurer, presented the financial report.
Ms. Valliere recognized those celebrating birthdays: June Jeffries, Cleone Deichman and Della Rein. Martha Williams, field trip chairman, reported the next field trip will be an oil field tour by Dave Zimmerman Aug. 17 at 9 a.m.
Andrea Reutlinger will be chairman of the poinsettia committee, and Jerry Lanius will assist with the accounting. Della Rein and Phyllis Kennedy will help with routing and publicity. The annual poinsettia sale fund-raiser, which benefits club scholarships, will begin in November.
Members voted Ms. Valliere as delegate and Joy Asbury, alternate delegate for the ADDC Convention to be held in San Francisco Sept. 5-8.
Ms. Valliere announced a memorial donation to Desk and Derrick and to the Humane Society in memory of Edythe Brooks, charter member. She asked members to take a moment of silence to remember Ms. Brooks, her years of service and untiring effort and love she contributed to the club and members.
In closing, Ms. Valliere thanked Imogene Leavitt, door greeter,and Ms. Kennedy for allowing the club to use her house and yard for the annual picnic and meeting. Jerry Lanius and Ms. Valliere assisted with the refreshments.
The next meeting will be July 22 at 5 p.m. at the Fourth Street Clubhouse. Speaker will be John Sinton, Conoco. His topic will be "1996 Engineering Excellence Award for Seismic Technology for Petroleum Exploration."

LITTLE NEWS

Mark and Laura Southard, 2215 Turner, announce the birth of a son, Benjamin Mark, at 5:17 a.m., June 24, 1996, at Stillwater Medical Center. He weighed 8 pounds and 1 ounce, and was 211¦2 inches long. He was welcomed home by a brother, Bill, 7; and two sisters, Katie, 8, and Carol, 2.
Grandparents are Glen and Colleen Brinson of Ponca City, and Mike and Joy Southard of Albuquerque, N.M. Great-grandparents are Mazo Southard and John and Tonnie Crawford of Ponca City.

Erin and Kelli Caudillo of Ponca City announce the birth of a daughter, Kristin Macinzie Caudillo, at 4:35 p.m., June 10, 1996, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. She weighed 6 pounds and 5 ounces, and was 19 inches long.
Maternal grandparents are Terry and Susan Helt of Ponca City. Paternal grandparents are Jessie and Betty Caudillo of Tonkawa. Great-grandparents are John and Jean Hess, Merle and Cerita Helt and Betty Acton, all of Ponca City.

SPORTS

AA Coaches Remain Positive

By DAVID BROWN
News Associate Sports Editor
Ponca City's AA American Legion coaches continue to remain positive in the face of a trying season. The AA Royals were swept by talented Yukon here Monday in the regular season finale to finish with 33 losses in 42 games.
The district tournament begins Friday in Stillwater and runs through Sunday.
The Royals will not be one of the favorites. But head coach Jared Cottle remains upbeat.
"These kids have improved over the course of the season," he said after Monday's doubleheader loss to a Yukon club that now stands 30-10. "This team (Yukon) was kind of a barometer for us. We played them at the very beginning of the season and they run-ruled us pretty easily. But in that second game tonight (Monday) we lost 7-3.
"Yukon is probably one of the two best teams we faced all year, them and Dewey," Cottle continued. "So this was a good chance to see how we've progressed this season. And even though we had some defensive lapses that led to some unearned runs, the defense played better. The kids hit the ball better, too. We didn't seem in awe of them and didn't back down."
Yukon won the first game 18-6 thanks in large part to a 10-run second inning and then won the nightcap 7-3. Both games were scheduled for five innings.
In the first game, the Royals rallied from a three-run deficit to take the lead with a four-run first.
Justin Ross got the rally started by drawing a one-out walk. Evan Rupp also walked and then Wes Crosson blasted a two-out RBI double. After a Brian Connelly walk, back-to-back singles by Jeremy Leavitt and Rodney Bonham led to three more runs and a 4-3 lead.
The second inning proved a nightmare for the Royals. Yukon chalked up eight base hits (two coming within about two inches of being caught for outs), drew three walks and had a hit batsmen.
When the dust settled and the third out was finally recorded, the Royals trailed 13-4. The Poncans did come back with three runs in the bottom half of the frame but the deficit was too great.
Ponca City did record nine hits in the five-inning opener with Rupp, Crosson and Leavitt recording two hits apiece.
Rupp drew the mound start in the second game and combined with Crosson to allow seven runs (five earned) on seven hits with six strikeouts, three walks and three hit batsmen.
Yukon threatened to get the Royals down big in the first after loading the bases with no outs. But Rupp struck out the next two batters before allowing an RBI single. A nice relay back home and a diving tag by catcher Connelly erased a second run and ended the frame with the Royals down just 1-0.
The Ponca City offense was held to just a leadoff single by Jason Cales through three innings and Yukon added to its lead with three runs in the second, another in the third and two more in the fourth for a 7-0 advantage.
In the bottom of the fourth the Poncans put together a little rally and netted its three runs.
Crosson, Connelly and Bonham all had hits in the frame.
The AA has been further hampered in its district tournament bid with the loss of infielder and pitcher Wes Murrie to the AAA squad. Joining the AA Royals in Stillwater for the tournament will be both Stillwater AA teams and Perry.

PC Majors Experience Strange Times

By DAVID BROWN
News Associate Sports Editor
The past few days have been strange ones for the Ponca City American Legion Majors baseball team.
First, the Royals traveled over to Sapulpa June 28 for a pair of games only to find the field nearly deserted. Turns out no one in Sapulpa had bothered to inform Ponca City that the games would not be held.
After some discussion among several in the Ponca City Legion program it was decided to count the two games as forfeits, improving the Royals to 20-9.
Ponca City got in a seven-inning, 3-1 loss to Derby Sunday, which was strange for the fact that it was only the Poncans second loss in 14 games. The second game was even stranger. Ponca City erupted for 13 runs to lead 13-2 after three and then Derby asked for the game to end.
Skies were threatening but it seems the weather was not the overriding factor. So the Royals counted the victory to improve to 21-10.
The Poncans were then scheduled to play at Edmond Monday but Edmond not only canceled that game but their game in Ponca City July 10 as well.
After all these strange goings-on, the Royals are back at home tonight for a single game against Bartlesville beginning at 7 p.m.
In the first game against Derby June 30, the Royals could produce little offense - managing just six scattered hits.
Jason Ross scored the Poncans' only run in the fifth as he singled, advanced to second on a wild pitch, moved to third on a groundout and scored on J.R. Fry's sacrifice fly to center field.
Derby scored twice in the fourth on four hits and a Ponca City error and once more in the sixth.
Ross started and took the loss, falling to 2-2 on the year. He allowed three runs on seven hits with seven strikeouts and three walks.
"Jason pitched well enough to win," said head coach Jack Shears. "We just couldn't put any runs on the board."
The Royals didn't have that problem in the second game. They scored two in the first, six in the second and five more in he third before the game was called.
Rocky Hughes was 3-for-3 in the contest and Fry and Josh Free each homered.
Josh Shafer picked up a two-RBI double in the first to push across the first two Ponca City runs. In the second, a walk and an error put two men on for Fry to knock in with his home run. The inning continued and later Jay Bentley came through with a two-RBI single.
Free's third-inning homer was also a three-run shot.
Hughes started on the mound and picked up the win to improve to 6-3. He allowed just three hits, struck out three and walked four.
Following tonight's home game, the Royals travel to the Bartlesville Tournament July 4-7. Thursday, the Majors play Lawrence, Kan. at 5 p.m. The Royals then play Enid Friday at 5 p.m. and Bartlesville Saturday at 8 p.m.
The top two teams from each of two pools play for the championship Sunday. All others are put in a consolation bracket.