From The Pages Of The Ponca City News, Monday, July
7, 1997
LOCAL
Blackwell Tax Vote Tuesday
Letters
DEATHS
Ora Lee Blubaugh
Jacqueline Johnstone
Ila M. Thomson
Edgar C. M. Dewberry
Marilu Hochderffer Casford
Patricia Sorenson Cox
Joe Wayne Vann
Velma A. Roberts
Funerals
Donald R. Holmes
Willie Elbert Ridgway
M. Eloween Bean Junkens
NEWS BRIEFS
LIFESTYLES
Kay County 4-H Youth Attend Oklahoma Roundup
SPORTS
PC AA Falls In Finals
Ponca's Majors Only Have So-So Tourney
BLACKWELL - Voters in Blackwell will go to the polls Tuesday to decide if an half-cent sales tax increase will be passed to provide money to construct and equip a softball-soccer complex.
The complex would be located on the old Henry Airport area west of Twenty-first Street. The tax would also be used to renovate and equip the existing Memorial swimming pool at Main and Coolidge.
If approved the proposal for $1.5 million would be generated over the next six years. If approved the tax would expire in Aug. 2003.
The sports complex plans are to have four softball fields, two soccer fields, practice fields, batting cages, a concession stand, restrooms, a walking path, a retention pond serving both aesthetic and drainage purposes parking accessibility and facilities designed for tournament play and viewing.
Driver's Ed Needed
I am writing to express my concern over the elimination of Driver's Education from the high school curriculum. It is important that this course is reinstated for the safety of our students. Safe driving requires more than manual skills. Only in a controlled and formal environment can the serious purpose and responsibility of driving be stressed. This requires instruction from an impersonal teacher.
The school provides a service by teaching new drivers to be responsible citizens. This course also gives parents a financial break in the rising cost of automobile insurance for teenagers.
Many classes, once considered extra-curricular activities are maintained at the expense of a practical and much needed course. Eliminating the winter classes also penalizes the student who does not have the personal resources for summer tuition and must maintain a job during the summer months.
I hope parents interested in maintaining this course will attend the Board of Education meeting on July 14 and show their support.
Neo Kirby
Obey Traffic Rules
An open letter to those who drive Highway 11 and Hubbard Road every day, as I do. It you have not read your driver's manual recently, please do so. A solid yellow line on your side of the road means "NO PASSING." The line is put there for a reason. Several times, I have seen people passing going up a hill, near an intersection, with a solid yellow line in their lane.
I value my life, as I do yours. Your family loves you, and does not want to see you dead because of your hurry. If you are late for work, please slow down, don't speed, don't pass in a no-passing zone. Your boss would rather have you arrive for work a few minutes later, than not have you arrive at all because of a traffic accident that could have been avoided. And if you have to speed to get to work every morning, then for your family's sake, please leave a few minutes early.
Also, if there is water across the road, DO NOT try to cross. Flood waters are very unforgiving. Take another road, wait until the water goes down, but again for the sake of those who care about you, please don't cross flood waters.
Lesley Riddle
Pet's Death Lamented
To All the Animal Lovers:
Our eyes are swollen today because a member of our family has been taken away. To others he may have been an enemy but to our son he was his best friend. No, he wasn't hit by a car or became sick and died. Instead he was cruelly shot and not only shot, but right in front of his 12-year-old master's eyes. No mercy or time was given to allow his master to catch him. Little did he know he couldn't run aimlessly free from his back yard a few minutes, that innocently going to a stranger's yard would cost him his young little life.
He will be truly missed. We have other pets but they cannot take the empty place in my son's heart.
Our hearts are heavy enough seeing our son's tears but how our dog died makes us even more sad.
Linda Rhea
Compost Alternative
As we go into summer, and the problem of grass clippings increases. I would wish to pass on an idea, how the Dutch farmers in the dairy business handled excess water and bedding from the barns. This was a simple and efficient method. They piled the bedding where the piped water from washing down the stalls would run under the pile.
One molecule of water is attracted to another and like a wick in the old coal oil lamp, it moved upward.
If you don't believe this try sleeping in an old straw or hay stack. You will wake up cold and wet.
I am trying this method for compost clipping and run-off water, free from the neighbors, both sides. I used the cheapest plastic pipe, three inches and perforated. It seems to be working well.
The advantage of this method, you don't have to turn the compost, thus no smell, no fancy bins, expensive fertilizers, just a wire or lattice work container. You use the rain water from your house or campgrounds. The perforated pipe will water your garden, just buried a few inches underneath.
The disadvantage, a very slow method. The compost pile has to be a slight drop from the source of water. But still cheap and better than city water.
It will perhaps take a year to make compost. But then you have a good product free of chemicals and very gratifying to know your have helped the environment in a small way.
NEWKIRK - Ora Lee Blubaugh, longtime Newkirk resident, died Thursday night, July 3, 1997, at her home southeast of Newkirk. She was 72.
The funeral will be held graveside at 10 a.m. Tuesday, at Resthaven Memorial Cemetery, Ponca City, with the Rev. Dr. William R. Chace, minister of Newkirk First United Methodist Church, officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Miller-Stahl Funeral Service, Newkirk. Friends may visit at the funeral home until 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, then the casket will be closed.
Ora Lee (McKee) Blubaugh was born Dec. 13, 1924, in Braman, the daughter of Ora Samuel and Lucinda Fairy (Sherron) McKee. She moved to Missouri with her family for a short time, then returned to Kay County, where she attended school in Braman, graduating from high school there. In her youth, she enjoyed fishing and trapping for pelts.
On Nov. 8, 1942, she was married to Leo Emmett Blubaugh in Ponca City, and one month later, her husband was drafted into the U.S. Army. Mrs. Blubaugh made her home in Blackwell and worked at the Boeing Aircraft Plant in Wichita, Kan., while her husband served during World War II.
A year after her husband's discharge in 1945, the couple purchased a farm southeast of Newkirk, where they farmed throughout their married life. Mr. Blubaugh preceded her in death on Jan. 18, 1997. Mrs. Blubaugh was a member of the VFW Auxiliary. She enjoyed being with her family and playing Bingo and cards.
Survivors include two daughters, Mr. Dave (Leora Sue) Sears of Newkirk and Mrs. Ken (Brenda Kay) Lovelee of Tulsa; one brother, Carl McKee of Plano, Texas; four grandchildren; and numerous other relatives in the area. In addition to her husband and parents she was preceded in death by a step-father.
Casket bearers will be Bob Blubaugh, Bennie Blubaugh, Karel Blubaugh, Kenny Sherron, Lonnie Sherron and Wayne Pettit.
NEWKIRK - Jacqueline Johnstone, Ponca City resident, died Friday night, July 4, 1997, in the Bethany General Hospital, Bethany. She was 71.
A graveside service will be held at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Newkirk Cemetery with Danny W. Cornish, minister of the Newkirk Church of Christ, officiating. Arrangements and cremation are under the direction of Miller Stahl Funeral Service, Newkirk.
Jacqueline (Shaw) Johnstone was born Sept. 1, 1925, at Marlow, one of 13 children of William Able and Udie Mae (Acrey) Shaw. She grew up in the Marlow area, attending Old Trail Rural School and graduating from Marlow High School. After graduation she worked in a cafe.
On Feb. 23, 1946, she was married to Max E. Johnstone in Texas. They lived in Texas, Illinois, Oklahoma, Kansas, Indiana, California and Alaska, where his work in the oilfields took them. Her husband retired in 1983 and the couple moved to Caldwell, Kan., then to Ponca City in 1986. Mrs. Johnstone attended the Baptist Church and enjoyed cooking, sewing, crocheting and crossword puzzles.
Survivors include her husband, Max "Tater" Johnstone, of the home; two sons, David Ray and Jeffrey Craig, both of Ponca City; three daughters, Debra Kay Heady of Cherryvale, Kan., Paula Gay Johnstone of Ponca City and Lorrie Ann Johnstone of Bandera, Texas; two brothers, Kenneth Ray Shaw of Duncan, and Haskell Eugene Shaw of Las Vegas, Nev.; four sisters, Naomi May Armstrong of Marlow, Alice Laveen Morris of San Antonio, Bobbie Lee Smith and Patricia Ann Adams, both of Tulsa; 10 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by an infant son, Steven Max; her parents; four brothers, W.A. Shaw Jr., Randolph Lee Shaw, Billie Dwane Shaw and Jerry Don Shaw; two sisters, Alene Lowry and Joyce Lane; and one grandson.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Johnstone's name to the Midian Temple for their Plane of Mercy, c/o Eastman National Bank, P.O. Box 468, Newkirk, OK 74647.
Ila M. Thomson, longtime Ponca City resident, died Saturday, July 5, 1997, at the Ponca City Nursing Home. She was 85.
The funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Grace Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Charles Heyer, associate pastor of First Christian Church, officiating. Burial will follow in the Hope Cemetery, southwest of Arkansas City, Kan.
Ila M. Thomson was born July 1, 1912, in Newkirk, the daughter of Clarence and Hattie (Esser) Thomson. She grew up in Newkirk and attended school there, graduating from the Newkirk High School. Ms. Thompson was employed at Smitty's Mens Wear and Spray's Jewelry Store in Ponca City for several years. She later worked for Zales Jewelers for 23 years before retiring in 1982.
She was married to Mack Neal Payne in Miami, Okla., on Sept. 22, 1989, and the couple made their home in Ponca City. Mr. Payne preceded her in death in 1991. Ms. Thompson was a member of the First Christian Church and enjoyed traveling and fishing.
Survivors include two sisters, Erma Lee Rogers of Oklahoma City and Clara Bailey of Frisco, Texas; one brother, Maurice Thomson of Santa Fe, N.M.; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, one sister and one brother.
Casket bearers will be Bob Morehaed, Colvin Bailey, Larry Landes, Gary Morehead, Truman Smith and Mike Morehead. Honorary bearer will be John Krider.
Memorial contributions may be made in Ms. Thompson's name to the First Christian Church, 210 North Fifth Street, Ponca City, OK, 74602.
The family will be at the Thomson home.
OAKLAND, Calif. - Edgar Claborne Maurice Dewberry, former Ponca City resident and nephew of Barbara Young died of Sickle Cell Disease, Wednesday afternoon, July 2, 1997, in Long Beach, Calif. He was 46.
The funeral is set for 11 a.m. Friday at the Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in Oakland. Arrangements are under the direction of Fouche's Mortuary, Oakland, Calif.
Edgar Claborne Maurice Dewberry was born in the Ponca City Hospital, on June 13, 1951, the son of Perry Leon and Elnora (Dial) Dewberry. He was baptized in St. John Baptist Church in Ponca City on June 8, 1959. Dewberry graduated from Ponca City High School in 1969. On Oct. 16, 1971, he joined the U.S. Navy and served a tour of duty in Vietnam.
Struggling with Sickle Cell Disease most of his life, the disease manifested itself during his military career and he was discharged on Jan. 5, 1973. He then moved to California and attended American River Junior College and Laney College while working in the television broadcasting industry. On Feb. 18, 1979, he was married to Linda Phillips in Reno, Nev.
Survivors include his wife, Linda, of Richmond, Calif.; one son, Julian-Edgar of Richmond; one daughter, Siante' Dewberry of Alameda, Calif.; one brother, James Dewberry of Sacramento; two sisters, Patricia Cowan of Denver, Colo., and Sandra Thompson of Oklahoma City; four grandchildren; two uncles and two aunts; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents and one brother, Charles Edward.
TONKAWA - Marilu Hochderffer Casford, former Tonkawa resident, died Thursday, July 3, 1997, at her home in Galveston, Texas. She was 69.
A graveside funeral was held July 5, 1997, at the Tonkawa IOOF Cemetery under the direction of McCafferty-Bolick Funeral Home. Intern pastor Danny Dieth, Tonkawa First Presbyterian Church, officiated.
Marilu Hochderffer Casford was born Nov. 18, 1927, in Tonkawa, the daughter of Joseph H. and Edna Emily Hochderffer. She grew up in Tonkawa, graduating from Tonkawa High School and Northern Oklahoma Junior College.
On June 1, 1947, she was married to Merle E. Casford, who preceded her in death in 1992.
Survivors include one son, Brant of San Antonio, Texas; daughters, Kyle Casford Jackson of Galveston, Texas, Starla Casford Aycock of Springdale, Ark.; four granddaughters and five great-grandsons. In addition to her husband and parents she was preceded in death by one brother, Joe Gordon Hochderffer.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Casford's name to the First Presbyterian Church of Tonkawa, c/o McCafferty-Bolick Funeral Home, 400 E. Grand, Tonkawa, OK 74653.
TIGARD, Ore. - Patricia Sorenson Cox, former Ponca City resident died Friday July 4, 1997, at Legacy Meridian Park Hospital in Tualatin, Ore. She was 41.
The funeral will be held Wednesday, at 4 p.m. at Lake Grove Presbyterian Church in Lake Oswego, Ore. Arrangements are under the direction of Young's Funeral Home in Tigard, Ore.
Patricia Sorenson Cox was born May 20, 1956, in Wilmington, Del., the daughter of Wayne and Pat (Owen) Sorenson. She grew up and attended schools in Ponca City, graduating from Ponca City High School in 1974. She graduated from Indiana University School of Music, receiving a master's degree in piano and voice in 1980.
In 1981, she was married to Neal Cox in Princeton, N.J. and the couple moved to Sunnyvale, Calif., where Mrs. Cox was employed as a research analyst for Dataquest for 15 years. In 1996 the couple moved to Lake Oswego, Ore, where Mrs. Cox was active in local music circles. She had been a member of the Sunnyvale Presbyterian Church choir, Lake Grove Presbyterian Church choir, the Scola Cantorum and the Princetonpro Musica.
Survivors include her husband, Neal Cox of Lake Oswego, Ore.; one son, John Cox of Lake Oswego, Ore.; her parents, Wayne and Pat Sorenson of Belle Mead, N.J.; two sisters, Joan Sorenson of Morris Plains, N.J., and Gail Blake of Austin, Texas; and two nephews.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Cox's name to the National Arthritis Foundation, 1314 Spring Street N.W., Atlanta, GA 30309.
Joe Wayne Vann
HOUSTON, Texas - Joe Wayne Vann, former Ponca City area resident, died Thursday, June 26, 1997, in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad. He was 53.
A memorial service was held at the Memorial Oaks Funeral Home Chapel in Houston, Texas, July 3, 1997. Burial was Memorial Oaks Cemetery.
Joe Wayne Vann was born in Webb City on June 5, 1943, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Clem Vann. He attended Webb City and Shidler schools graduating in 1961. Following two years of college, he served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War. He returned to college and graduated from Northeastern State University in 1969 with a BS in accounting and business administration. In June 1969, he began his accounting career with Conoco in Ponca City.
At the time of his death he was a business development consultant for Conoco Inc., and was in Port-Of-Spain to finalize a contract with Trinidad for two large off-shore drilling blocks.
Survivors include his wife, Judith, of the Houston home; one daughter, Brenda Putman of Oahu, Hawaii; one son, J. Scot Vann of Austin, Texas; two sisters, Dorothy Rhoten of Claremore, and Connie Jackson of Oklahoma City; two brothers, Neale Vann of Shidler and Wesley Vann of Blackwell; and three grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Vann's name to the American Heart Association, 1415 LaConcha, Houston, TX 77054.
ENID - Velma A. Roberts, sister of Bob Oswalt of Ponca City, died Tuesday evening, July 1, 1997 in the Highland Park Manor Nursing Facility in Enid following an extended illness. She was 77.
Graveside service was held for Mrs. Roberts on Saturday at 10 a.m. in the Memorial Park Cemetery in Enid under direction of the Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home, Enid. The Rev. Don Tines and the Rev. Rodney Kucera officiated.
Velma A. Roberts was born March 17, 1920 in Osage County, the daughter of Ray and Ivy Gilbert Oswalt. She graduated from Mount Carmel School in Vinita.
She and William T. "Bill" Roberts were married June 1, 1948 in Arkansas. He preceded her in death on Oct. 16, 1986. She was a homemaker and long-time member of the Junior Thrift Club.
Surviving are two sons, Raymon and Ron Kucera, and one daughter, Linda Holt, all of Enid; four step-sons, Bill Roberts of Waukomis, Milton Roberts of Carney, Dean Roberts of Stillwater and Ronnie Roberts of Drummond; one brother, Bob Oswalt of Ponca City; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In addition to her husband, and parents, she was preceded in death by one grandson.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Roberts' name to the Oklahoma Medical Foundation, Diabetes Division, c/o Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home, P.O. Box 3501, Enid, OK 73702.
Tuesday
Donald R. Holmes - Funeral to be held at 10 a.m. at Central Baptist Church. Burial to be in the Longwood Cemetery under the direction of Trout Funeral Home. The family will be at the funeral home from 7 to 8 p.m. today for visitation.
Willie Elbert Ridgway - Funeral to be at 3 p.m. graveside at the Fairfax (Okla.) Cemetery. Arrangements are under Arnold Moore Funeral Service, Bartlesville.
M. Eloween Bean Junkens - Funeral to be at 10:30 a.m. at Miles Funeral
Service in Winfield, Kan. Burial will be in the Atlanta, Kan., Cemetery.
Friends may visit at the funeral home until 9 p.m. today.
NEWS BRIEFS
SJRMC Meeting - The Better Breather's Club will hold its monthly meeting Tuesday at noon in Conference Room "C" of St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. Call 765-3321, ext. 510 for more information.
Friends Meeting - The Friends of the Cultural Center Museum Foundation, Inc. will meet Tuesday at 10 a.m. at the Sunroom of the Cultural Center. This will be a general meeting and all interested persons are invited to attend. Volunteers are needed for various jobs and to fill committee positions.
No Meeting - The Fibromyalgia Support Group will not meet this evening as planned. The next meeting will be 7 p.m. July 21 in the parlor of the First Baptist Church.
Senior Citizens Dance Planned - The Sunshine Playboys will be playing for dancing from 7 to 10 p.m. at the VFW in Ponca City every Wednesday. All seniors are invited to come and enjoy. The first Wednesday of every month will be snack night, and those attending are asked to bring goodies to share.
Accident - The Communications Center received a report of a vehicle accident in the 400 block of South Fourteenth Street at 8:12 a.m. Saturday. An officer was assigned and parties involved exchanged information.
Non-Injury Accident - A two-vehicle accident at the intersection of East Central Avenue and South Third Street was reported to the Communications Center at 3:01 p.m. Saturday. An officer was assigned and drivers exchanged information.
Gas Drive-Off - The Communications Center received a report at 3:06 p.m. Saturday that a $4 gas drive off had occurred from a business in the 300 block of West Grand Avenue. An officer was assigned and the information was logged.
Shoplifters - A business in the 1100 block of East Prospect Avenue reported at 5:04 p.m. Saturday that two shoplifters were in custody. An officer was assigned and arrested a 17 year-old female and a 20-year-old male for grand larceny.
Minor Injury Accident - Two Ponca City Police officers responded to a parking lot accident that occurred Saturday at 5:12 p.m. A report was taken.
Truck Fire - A Bristow resident reported a pick-up truck on fire at U.S. 60 at 5:30 p.m. Saturday. McCord Volunteer Fire Department responded.
Injury Accident - Two vehicles were involved in a minor injury accident at North Fourth Street and East Hartford Avenue at 6:32 p.m. Saturday. A 33-year-old man was arrested for driving under suspension, no insurance and negligent collision.
Arrest - Communications Center received a 911 call at 11:42 p.m. Saturday from a male who had been jumped by individuals at the intersection of South Second Street and East South Avenue. A 40-year-old man was taken into custody on a Kay County warrant.
Vehicle Rollover - Communications Center received report of a vehicle rollover at 1:50 a.m. Sunday on West Highland Avenue. Emergency vehicles responded and the victim was taken to St. Joseph Regional Medical Center for treatment of injuries
Vandalism - A female reported to Communications Center that a male had vandalized her vehicle and assaulted her at 1:50 a.m. Sunday. An officer responded and a report was taken.
Arrest - A 27-year-old man was arrested for domestic assault and battery at 10:10 a.m. Sunday in the 2900 block of North Union after a female reported to Communications Center that her boyfriend had assaulted her.
Burglary - Communications Center received a report at 11:43 a.m. Sunday that a vehicle had been burglarized and a CD player and CDs were stolen. A Ponca City police officer responded and a report was taken.
Bike Stolen - A bicycle was reported stolen from the 1000 block of North Sunset at 11:47 a.m. Sunday. A report was taken.
Citation Issued - A citation was issued at 12:29 p.m. Sunday when a pick-up truck was reported taking up two parking spaces, one a handicapped space, in the 1900 block of North Union. An officer was assigned and a citation was issued.
Ambulance Dispatched - A victim with a broken leg was transported by ambulance to the emergency room from Kaw Lake at 2:46 p.m. Sunday.
Arrest - A 27-year-old man was arrested for domestic assault and battery at 5:35 p.m. Sunday when Communications received a report from a resident in the 1400 block of South Ninth Street that her residence had been trashed.
Gas Drive-Off - A business in the 700 block of South Waverly reported $18 in gas had been stolen at 10:55 p.m. Sunday.
Arrest - Officers reported that a 24 year-old male was arrested in the 300 block of East Grand for driving under suspension, no insurance, no inspection sticker, and for a Newkirk warrant at 12:20 a.m. Monday.
Hit and Run - A hit-and-run accident was reported at South Ash
Street and West Ponca Avenue at 2:44 a.m. Monday. Two officers were assigned
and a report was taken.
LIFESTYLES
The Oklahoma State University campus recently took on a more youthful appearance as 1,300 youth from 76 counties gathered for the 76th Oklahoma 4-H Roundup
With political rallies and enthusiastic speakers, Oklahoma 4-H'ers took the Roundup theme to heart and literally "shook the walls" at OSU as they participated in the four-day event. This year's theme was "Shake the Walls in Your Club, Community, Country, and World".
Those attending from Kay County included Kristy Buck, Suzanne Johns, Carissa Clavert, Courtney Hill, Stacie Schneeberger, Kaycee Brandon and Jana Johnson. Also Larry Klumpp, Kay County Extension 4-H Agent; Mark Bolay, Tyler Klumpp, Daniel Alley, Bryan Overman, Laura Hoy, Tyson Morton, Hallie Godbehere, Jason Schneeberger, Jill Coutrney, Kami Main, Emily Lewis, Mandy Hudgins and Joyce Courtney, chaperone.
Valeri Terry, OSU Extension 4-H events coordinator, said she believes this year's Roundup was one of the best ever."I think the biggest change we made this year was host a banquet for Honor Night Assembly," Terry said. "Everyone seemed to enjoy it and the 4-H chorus provided excellent entertainment."
Keynote speaker was Patrick Grady, a former educator, who travels throughout the nation inspiring and encouraging individuals to do their best in all they attempt. "He did a great job of motivating and communicating enthusiasm to all of the delegates," Terry said. "He talked about the importance of using enthusiasm and motivation to reach goals."
In addition to recognizing various individuals with awards, Roundup delegates attended a wide variety of educational workshops. Topics ranged from model rocketry, meat science, making home pages and team building to consumer judging, animal health, personal image and arts and crafts.
"Roundup has changed so much since it started 76 years ago," she said. "The activities and workshops are geared to reflect that there's more to 4-H than livestock projects."
The biggest highlight of Roundup is Honor Night Assembly. This assembly provides a time when various individuals are honored for their contributions to the 4-H program.
Hall of Fame
Being inducted into the Oklahoma 4-H Hall of Fame is the highest honor a 4-H'er can receive on the state level. This year's inductees were Jill Anderson, Stillwater and Charla Dobson, Weatherford.
Other individuals recognized for their support of 4-H were Clayton Taylor, Oklahoma City, and Jimmy Harrell, Leedey. They were presented with the Outstanding 4-H Alumni award.
Margaret McDonald, Vici, has provided the 4-H program with much support and leadership. She was presented with the Honorary Membership award.
State 4-H Partner awards were presented to Dennis Howard, Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture, Jim Stiegler, Extension soil management specialist, Mary Peck, editor of "Ag Youth" magazine, and Clyde and Gayle Topping, State Fair Committee.
Groups recognized as 4-H Partners include Oklahoma Gardening, College of Veterinary Medicine, Payne County Fair Board and the OSU Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture.
Many 4-H'ers also were presented with educational scholarships during Honor Night Assembly.
Officers
As always, the highlight of the closing assembly was the announcement of the 1997-98 state and district 4-H officers. The new state officers are Missy Conner, president, Garfield County; Tracey Cox, secretary, Grady County; Lacy Clampet, songleader, Love County; Ryan McMullen, reporter; Washita County; Jon Steward, SE District state vice-president, Pottawatomie County; Casey Cox, SW District state vice-president, Grady County; Jennifer Catlin, NW District state vice-president, Harper County; and Jacob Stone, NE District state vice-president, Lincoln County.
NE District officers include Jim Rexwinkle, president, and Kristy Hill, vice president, both of Ottawa County; Karmen Gregory, songleader, Creek County; Jennifer Wiginton, reporter, Creek County; and Monica Combrink, secretary, Payne County.
Leading the NW District will be Amy Catlin, president, Harper County; Jeremy Unruh, vice-president, Noble County; Kylie Simard, secretary, Garfield County; Jarie Pierce, songleader, Harper County; and Jenny Brune, reporter, Texas County.
SE District officers are Chad Batchelor, president, McCurtain County; Clayton Edgar, vice-president, Murray County; Jennifer Steward, secretary, Pottawatomie County; Earl Ward, reporter, Bryan County; and LeaAnn Johnson, songleader, Pushmataha County.
Leading the SW District are Derrick Ott, president, Cleveland County; Natalie Coe, vice-president, Caddo County; Rachel Hubbard, secretary, Washita County; Rachel Small, reporter, Oklahoma County; and Julie Coulter, songleader, Cleveland County.
Four-H is the youth phase of the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service,
Oklahoma State University and is open to all young people age 9-18 regardless
of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, or disability, and is an
equal opportunity employer.
SPORTS
By DAVID BROWN
News Associate Sports Editor
A 6-0 loss to Enid in the championship game of the Ponca City American Legion AA Tournament Sunday night didn't diminish the Royals' fine four-day run.
Ponca City defeated El Dorado 6-1, Alva 7-0, Ark City 17-5 and Perry 7-3 to advance to the title game. The offense finally faltered at that point, though, as Enid held the AA Royals to just three hits in recording the shutout and ending the tourney with a perfect 5-0 mark.
Evan Rupp threw a good game for the Royals in the championship game. He went the distance and gave up five hits but Enid had just two hits and three runs through five innings. Only one of Enid's six runs were earned as the Ponca City defense made four costly errors - three in Enid's three-run sixth.
Two of Ponca City's hits against Enid came in the opening frame. After Barry Geheb reached on a one-out error, Rupp and Toby Red Leaf singled to load the bases. But a strikeout and a ground out ended the threat.
The Poncans also left Daniel Denny, who led off with a single, stranded at third base in the top of the third.
Enid then plated three runs in the bottom of the third and that proved to be enough.
Earlier Sunday Ponca City (19-19) defeated Perry 7-3 to advance to the finale. Todd Stewart pitched a great game in relief of starter Denny, allowing just one run on three hits in 6 1/3-innings to get the win.
Denny had control problems as he walked two, hit one and gave up a base hit before giving way to Stewart with one out and two on.
The Royals didn't waste any time taking the lead, though. Ponca City scored twice in the second to go up 3-2 and then scored twice more in the third, once in the fourth and again in the sixth. Perry's final run came in the bottom of the fifth.
Anthony Stark, Rupp and Geheb had the hot bats for the Poncans. Stark was 2-for-2 with a double, a sacrifice bunt and was hit by a pitch. Rupp was 3-for-4 with a double and Geheb was 2-for-3 with a double. Five of Ponca City's 11 hits were two-baggers.
Ponca City wrapped up first place in its pool Saturday night with a 17-5 drubbing of Ark City.
The Royals led just 2-1 after two but then exploded for 12 runs in the third to put the game out of reach.
Jeff Lieb relieved Stewart to begin the bottom of the third leading 14-1 and Ark City scored four times in the inning. But Lieb settled down after that, giving up just one walk in the final two innings.
In addition to pitching well for two innings, Stewart also hit well, going 3-for-4. Rupp and Geheb were each 2-for-2 and Lieb was 2-for-4.
The AA Royals finish up regular season play at home Tuesday night as they host Blackwell for a doubleheader beginning at 6 p.m. The AA District Tournament then begins Friday at Stillwater.
The Royals open up against the Stillwater 16 team. Also in the field are the Stillwater 15 team and Perry.
BARTLESVILLE - Ponca City's American Legion Majors finished up a so-so performance in the 1997 Glen Winget Memorial Tournament with an 8-7 extra inning win over Shawnee Mission, Kan., here Sunday in the fifth-place game.
Ponca City (28-14) ended up going 2-2 in the tourney with wins over Enid and Shawnee Mission and losses to Fayetteville, Ark., and Lawrence, Kan. Ironically, Enid ended up winning the tournament.
Against Shawnee Mission, Ponca City trailed 6-3 after five innings but scored four runs in the top of the sixth to go up 7-6. The Poncans couldn't hold that lead, however.
Mission scraped together a tying run in the sixth off reliever Rocky Hughes and it took an eighth-inning run for the Poncans to finally prevail.
J.R. Fry led off the eighth with a double, Marc Smith singled and an error on the catcher allowed Fry to score the winning run.
In Ponca City's big sixth inning comeback, Doug Scott got things rolling with a one-out single. Fry singled, Smith walked and a wild pitch allowed Scott to score the first run in the frame.
With two outs, Michael Quick doubled in both Fry and Smith and then Josh Shafer (who was 4-for-5 in the game) doubled to score Quick for a 7-6 lead.
In addition to Shafer, Jason Ross, Fry and Quick also had a multiple hit game. Ross was 2-for-4 with a pair of RBIs, Quick was 2-for-5 with two RBIs and Fry was 2-for-5.
Hughes got the win in relief to improve to 9-4. He worked three innings allowing one run on one hit with six strikeouts and three walks
The Majors will take a break from game action today but will then get busy again. Tuesday the Royals are at Enid for a doubleheader beginning at 6 p.m. and then the Poncans return home to play a single nine-inning game against Putnam City Wednesday beginning at 6 p.m. Ponca City then travels to Blackwell for a pair Thursday and hosts Enid for a doubleheader Friday.
Ponca City opened play in the Bartlesville tournament with a tough 5-4 loss to Fayetteville. All five runs for Fayetteville were scored in the second inning off Ponca City starter Matt Holland (3-3).
Ross relieved with two outs in the second inning and prevented any more Fayetteville runs.
The Poncans closed to within 5-3 in the third thanks to back-to-back RBI singles by Quick and Hughes and then made a final push in the bottom of the seventh.
Smith led off the final inning with a single and Shafer singled to put runners on the corners. But Smith was thrown out trying to make it home following a passed ball. Quick then walked and Hughes came through with an RBI single to narrow the gap to 5-4. A walk by Justin Thomas loaded the bases but Chris Koenig grounded out to the shortstop to end the threat.
Smith and Jason Neff were each 2-for-3 in the game as the Poncans out-hit Fayetteville 10-8. Fry (2-for-4) and Hughes (2-for-4) also had a pair of hits.
Against Enid Friday, Ponca City was helped by a pair of Enid errors and Hughes pitched a strong seven innings for the win. He gave up two runs on five hits with seven strikeouts and five walks. Three of those walks, two hits and both runs came in the third inning.
Ponca City scored twice in the first as Fry reached on an error and later came in off a
Quick single. Hughes also had an RBI single in the inning.
The Royals went into the fifth tied at 2-all but a leadoff walk, a hit batsman and an Enid error led to the run that broke the deadlock. Another Ponca City run crossed on a wild pitch and Hughes came up with a two-out RBI single.
Ponca City outhit Lawrence 10-6 in its 7-2 loss Saturday. But the only two Ponca City runs came off a two-out, pinch-hit home run by Quick in the sixth inning with Lawrence up 6-0.
Jay Bentley (4-3) took the loss despite allowing just three earned runs on six hits with eight strikeouts and just three walks. The Ponca City defense committed five errors.
Doug Scott was 2-for-3 in the game and Shafer went 2-for-4.