From The Pages Of The Ponca City News, Thursday, July 4,1996
Kaw Lake Spots Going Fast
Nearly News
PC Art Center Exhibits 'Collections'
Cherokee Author Here Saturday to Sign Book
Yule Jones Sr.
Robert G. Swopes
LOCAL
Kaw Lake Spots Going Fast
By MICHELE JEAN
News Staff Writer
Kaw Lake officials are gearing up for the increase in lake activity they
anticipate in conjunction with the Fourth of July weekend. As of Wednesday
evening, only 70 campsites were still available.
"The few we have left are going fast," said Stanley Spirlock,
Supervisory Park Ranger. "It seems several of the family's are planning
to stay through, even through Sunday. We're planning on being very busy."
Spirlock also went on to say that with the increase in traffic in the lake
area, people should be more aware of their surroundings. "Safety is
the key and lifejackets are a must," said Spirlock. "We strongly
urge people to wear their lifejackets at all times."
Although storms are unlikely for the weekend, lake users should also be
aware if a thunderstorm pops up. "When storms come up, Kaw Lake is
not very friendly," continued Spirlock. "It gets rough really
quick. And when people realize a storm has hit Kaw Lake, they head to the
boat docks, creating big traffic jams in those areas." Spirlock suggested
that boaters should head in as soon as they see a possibility of a storm
brewing.
Several areas of the lake have day-use fees, ranging anywhere from $2 to
$14. Most of the user areas have boxes where users are responsible for depositing
their fees for the time they spend in those areas. "We think the fee
schedule is pretty reasonable," said Spirlock, "and if we find
people using the areas around the lake and they do not have the proof of
their payment of the fees, we will fine them up to $75." Lake users
can find informative signs and the fee boxes in the areas they plan to use
this weekend and any other time they visit the lake.
Another option for lake users is to purchase a $25 annual user pass, good
nationwide at all Corps of Engineer's lakes.
Nearly News
Delbert Cole of American Legion Post 38 hopes that a number of riders become
available this weekend for the van that is being donated for use by the
Ponca Tribal Business Committee when Post 38 heads to Winfield, Kan., for
the Walnut Valley inaugural Intertribal Powwow, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Post 38 has been invited as the host gourd clan. Riders wishing to go can
call him at 762-8129. Sorry about the notice that the use of the van was
for the Kaw City event in August, but is instead for use to go to Winfield.
Nearly News always knew Ponca City grew the prettiest girls in the country,
but it's being proved again and again by the granddaughters of Wally and
Polly Edwards. Sally Morris, daughter of Tom and Jane Morris of Ponca City,
is the model currently featured on the "Gherry Car Seat" boxes,
found in stores across the country as well as in Ponca City stores. Sally's
modeling career began at age three in Denver, Colo.
And another granddaughter, Meghan Goldman, age 18, of Honolulu, Hawaii,
was also recently featured on the front cover of the holiday issue of "Aspen"
Magazine.
PC Art Center Exhibits 'Collections'
"A Collection of Collections," is the theme of the art exhibit
hanging at the newly air-conditioned Ponca City Art Center during July and
August. On July 14, refreshments will be served to visitors viewing the
arts.
Since its founding in 1947, and throughout the years, many Ponca Citians
and others have donated paintings to the Art Association's Fine Arts Collection.
Some gifts contained as many as 14 works of art - many only a single piece.
"A Collection of Collections" will exhibit all groupings down
to two pieces from the same source, which includes about 10 collections.
According to Doris Stanley, Chairman of the Fine Arts Committee, "This
varied show will alert other collectors that we do have a desire to keep
and display quality art work in our community.
"We hope the area citizens will come out and see how diverse and different
our tastes can be," she said. The Fine Arts Committee is responsible
for screening all works for acceptance into the collection.
The Association owns and operates the Art Center (formerly the Soldani Mansion)
from membership dues and donations. The Ponca City Art Association is a
non-profit organization and membership is open to anyone at $10 per family
membership per year. No government grants or funds are used for its operation.
Recently the Ponca City Art Association received an anonymous gift from
a generous benefactor and used the funds to install a new air conditioning
system in the historic old mansion.
"Please stop by and see this interesting 'Collection of Collections,'"
said Stanley "We invite everyone to enjoy the wide variety of works
now on exhibit through July and August in the newly air-conditioned Art
Center."
Admittance to the Art Center, located at 819 East Central, is free and exhibits
are open to the public Wednesday through Sundays from 1-5 p.m.
Cherokee Author Here Saturday to Sign Book
By KATHY ZEHR
News Staff Writer
Robert J. Conley, Cherokee author, will be in Ponca City Saturday to autograph
copies of his latest book "Mountain Windsong."
Well known throughout the literary world as the writer of the Columbia Pictures
screenplay "Geronimo: An American Legend," Conley is equally appreciated
for his novels "Yellow Bird: An Imaginary Autobiography," "The
Witch of Going-snake And Other Stories," and "Nickajack."
This newest release, "Mountain Windsong," is described by more
than one critic as an "American classic." Critics also have written,
"Conley takes the grim facts of our 'manifest destiny' and makes them
come alive in a novel which is beautiful, heartwarming as well as tragic."
Max Evans, author of "The Rounders" said of Conley's "Mountain
Windsong," that "it is the most honest, deeply felt book of the
American Indian I have ever read. It is blessed with heart-tearing savagery,
and a love story that reaches into your very fiber and your soul."
Wilma Mankiller, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation said, "At last
- a Cherokee love story about two ordinary people caught up in an extraordinary
period of time. In telling the love story of Oconeechee, Bob Conley takes
the reader on a journey that allows one to feel the effects of the Trail
of Tears on individual people and their families, while weaving in solid
historical information about all the external forces which forever changed
the Cherokee Nation.
"'Mountain Windsong' evokes deep feelings and thoughtful reflection.
It is a poignant story, powerful and disturbing," concluded Mankiller.
The award winning author is currently also writing a series of novels for
Bantam-Doubleday-Dell, which traces the Cherokee Indian Tribe's history
beginning about the year 1500. He also recently completed a new history
of the Cherokees, commissioned by the Cherokee Nation.
Some of Conley's literary awards include "Best Western Short Fiction
of 1988" and "Best Western Novel of 1992" by Western Writers
of America; "Best Western Novel 1991 runner up by WWA Spurs; and USA
West Literary Award in Fiction" for 1991. Many other awards for his
writings have also been earned by Conley. He was inducted into the Oklahoma
Professional Writers Hall of Fame in 1996.
Conley will be at Brace Books and More from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday.
The public is invited to come out to the book store, and meet the author.
NEWS BRIEFS
Didn't Pay - Subjects in a blue Ford Tempo was reported to have driven off
at 10 a.m. Wednesday from a business in the 200 Block of East Highland without
paying for $12 worth of gas, according to the Police report.
Assault Reported - A juvenile citation was issued Wednesday at 10:19 a.m.
to a youth that reportedly assaulted a worker at a business in the 2300
Block of West South Avenue.
Gas Drive Off - A clerk in the 400 Block of South Fourteenth advised the
Police Department at 1:20 p.m. Wednesday that a gray and maroon 1987 Oldsmobile
Cutlass had driven off without paying for gas.
No Skateboards - Two male juvenile subjects were reported to continue riding
their skateboards on a parking lot in the 2200 North Fourteenth after they
were asked to stop at 1:39 p.m. Wednesday. An extra patrol was requested.
Tractor Upset - A male subject was rescued Wednesday from being pinned
underneath a tractor that turned over on him. An ambulance took the subject
to the Emergency Room at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center at 2:30 p.m.
Wheel Fell Off - A police patrol reported that assistance was given to a
motorist at 3:44 p.m. Wednesday at Union and Warwick where a wheel had fallen
off a vehicle and damaged the roadway. A report was taken.
Signs Deposited - A female in the 300 Block of South Perry requested an
officer at 4:55 p.m. Wednesday to pick up three street signs someone had
left on the north side of the residence. The officer bought the signs to
the Police Department.
Hot Air - A call was received at 7:10 p.m. Wednesday from a person in the
1500 block of Donald that his air conditioner had "blew" and Freon
was spewing. He wanted to know if this was toxic.
Fight Reported - Two Ponca City Police units responded at 8:15 p.m. Wednesday
to a call at the railroad tracks in the 700 block of South First, where
a fight was reported to be in progress.
Fireworks Violation - Several fireworks ordinance violations calls were
received by the Police Department on Wednesday. Discharging fireworks within
the City Limits is a violation. Calls were received from 1500 Block East
Oklahoma, 300 Block West Hartford, 800 Block North Pine, 300 Block of Oak
an Pine, 200 Block of North Seventh.
High Speed - A report was received at 11:42 p.m. Wednesday that a Blue 1995
or 1996 Ford Mustang convertible was traveling at a high rate of speed southbound
on Waverly from Hubbard Road. An officer was assigned.
Dock Parties - Officers were assigned for extra patrols at 11:47 p.m. Wednesday
at West Lake Ponca, where unauthorized subjects were having parties on the
docks.
Fireworks Thrown - A report was received at 11:57 p.m. Wednesday that two
juveniles were throwing firecrackers at vehicles at Grand and Flormable
An officer was assigned.
Grass Fire - A grass fire was reported six mile east on Lake Road and one
mile north at 12:32 a.m. Thursday. The Osage Cove Fire Department responded.
Accident Report - Osage Cove Fire Department and two ambulances responded
to a calls from the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and Osage County Sheriff's office
about a one vehicle accident nine and a half miles east and one and a half
miles south of Highway 177. Two subjects were transported.
This Buds Gone - A business in the 2500 Block of North Fourteenth advised
the police at 2:04 a.m. Thursday that a person driving an old green van
with a white top had stolen a case of Bud cans and left east bound on Princeton.
An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Subjects Running - Two subjects were seen fleeing at 2:16 a.m. Thursday
on foot in the 1200 Block of East South Avenue. Subjects were reported to
be running from a fight that occurred at a business on South Fourteenth.
Two police units were assigned and reports taken. A warrant request was
made for contributing to the delinquency of a minor and two juvenile males
were cited for curfew violation and public intoxication.
Rotary Holiday - Pioneer Rotary will not meet Friday due to the Fourth of
July holiday. The club, which normally meets at the Crown and Rose Pub,
will resume its regular schedule July 12. A sign-up sheet will be available
for Rotarians needing to make up a meeting.
Art Center Closed - The Ponca City Art Center will be closed the Fourth
of July, but open at the usual times the rest of the weekend, including
Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
DEATHS
Yule Jones Sr.
Yule "Bill" Jones Sr., Ponca City resident, died Monday, July
1, 1996, at the Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, Kan. He was 74.
The funeral will be Monday at 2 p.m., in the St. John's Baptist Church with
the Rev. W.O. Reed presiding. Burial will follow at the Odd Fellows Cemetery
under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.
Bill Jones was born May 5, 1923 in Abilene, Kan., the son of William and
Blanche (Patterson) Jones. He was raised in Great Bend, Kan., and attended
school there. He later moved to Winfield, Kan., where he worked for the
Newton Memorial Hospital for over 36 years.
He and Jimmie Ruth Harris were married on Aug. 31, 1985. The couple made
their home in Arkansas City. Following his retirement in 1985 he worked
cleaning doctors offices until 1994. In September of 1995, the couple moved
to Ponca City. Bill enjoyed throwing horseshoes, sports and spending time
with his grandchildren. In his younger days, he was active in harness horse
racing.
Surviving are his wife, Jimmie of the home; four sons, Yule Jr., of Winfield,
Kan., Vernon of Las Vegas, Nev., Yuleen and Michael, both of Ponca City;
a daughter, Leslie Jones of Ponca City; ten step-children; Dillard Harris
and Theresa Roland, both of Phoenix, Ariz., Ricky Harris and Cleophus Harris,
both of Topeka, Kan., Mary Kay Shaw, Patricia Ann Chandler, Edith Lockett
and Jerry Harris, all of Ponca City, Brent Veasey and Trent Veasey, both
of San Diego, Calif.; brothers and sisters; Blanche Robertson, Willie Jones
Jr., and Marcella Jones, all of Great Bend, Kan., Donald Jones, Rudolph
Jones and Vernon Jones, all of Albuquerque, NM, Lauren Jones of Denver,
Colo.; 39 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. He was preceded in
death by his parents, two sisters and a daughter.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation
for heart research at 825 NE Thirteenth Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73104.
The family will be at the home, 1421 South Sixth Street.
Robert G. Swopes
Robert G. "Bob" Swopes, longtime Ponca City area resident, died
Monday, July 1, 1996, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. He was 82.
The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at Grace Memorial Chapel with
the Rev. Douglas Scott officiating. Burial will follow in the Newkirk (Okla.)
Cemetery.
Robert G. "Bob" Swopes was born Oct. 21, 1913, in House, N.M.,
the son of Jesse O. and Mollie L. (McGuire) Swopes. He moved with his family
to Missouri in 1919 and to Oklahoma in 1920. He grew up and attended schools
in the area, living in Kay and Osage Counties most of his life except for
a two year period when he made his home in Maple City, Kan.
On May 14, 1936, he was married to Doris N. Sierman in Newkirk, and they
were engaged in farming and ranching in the Shidler and Kaw City areas.
Swopes was also a contract worker for Phillips Petroleum at Webb City in
1940s and 1950s. Doris Swopes preceded him in death in October 1969.
He was married to Reba Pennington in Ponca City on Jan. 21, 1977. Swopes
enjoyed fishing, bowling, gardening, working with horses, and especially
spending time with his grandchildren.
Survivors include his wife, Reba, of the home; two sons, Clarence of Ponca
City and Bobby J. of Shidler; one daughter, LaVonne Holcomb, of Houston,
Texas; two step-daughters, Linda J. Nichols of Denver, Colo., and Pamela
J. Smith of Ponca City; two brothers, Jess of Roseburg, Ore. and James Leo
of Ponca City; three sisters Dollie Day of Pawnee, Hazel Cates of Chandler
and Dixie Sorenson of Choctaw; 12 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
In addition to his first wife and his parents he was preceded in death by
one son, Fred; four brothers, Wesley, Henry, Clarence and Floyd Swopes;
and two sisters, Margaret Rockwood and Mayme Day.
Casket bearers will be David Stieber, Gary Sheffield, Darrell Boxley, Roy
Shafer, Keith Hambleton and Vern Irwin. Honorary bearers will be Carl Roady,
Dan Godbehere, and Sonny Cannon.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Swopes' name to Oklahoma Medical
Research Foundation, Cancer Research, 825 N.E. 13th Street, Oklahoma City,
OK 73104.
Copyright ©1996 - The Ponca City News