LOCAL

Outstanding Citizen David Mills Dies at 62
Lydie Marland Finally Allowed Tape Recorder
Cultural Center Ice Cream Social Planned Saturday
‘Safe Room’ Construction Could Get FEMA Rebate
Crime Stoppers Will Distribute P.C. Ten Most Wanted Posters
Free Swim Suits Available at PD

Outstanding Citizen David Mills Dies at 62

By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE

News Staff Writer

Ponca City lost its latest Outstanding Citizen Saturday evening with the death of David M. Mills, President and CEO of Home National Bank. He was named Outstanding Citizen for 1998 at the annual Chamber banquet in March.

Although he wasn’t a native of Ponca City or Oklahoma, Mills moved here from across the Kansas border and adopted the community with vigor.

When the state’s Pioneer Woman Museum needed a financial personality to lead the drive to raise local funds for a major expansion, the late Warren Jensen, chairman of the advisory board , tapped Mills for the job.

Accepting the challenge, Mills spearheaded the effort raising $564,000. The project came to fruition in September 1998, with Lt. Gov. Mary Fallin as the featured speaker. Dedicated to women, the museum is a showpiece for Oklahoma and Ponca City.

Mills, 62, was a man of principle who never hesitated to speak up on a project when serving on the Economic Advisory Board or while chairing the Marland Estate Commission. He also was a solid member on the Boards of Opportunity Center, Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development Advisory and Salvation Army.

A fellow who enjoyed golf, Mills was to combine two of his pet projects, playing golf and raising money for Opportunity Center School For Retarded Children.

For two years Mills would be the “chief” of the annual Cherokee Strip Golf Classic at the Ponca City Country Club. Under his leadership the classic underwent some needed format changes to continue to draw players from across the nation and to raise funds for the cause.

Never shirking from responsibility, Mills was willing to do his part in whatever area he was needed, and always gave recognition to others. He had a cheery greeting for everyone he met even during his final days.

Prior to coming to Ponca City in 1990, Mills already had a distinguished background. A graduate of the University of Kansas with a degree in finance, he went on to graduate from Kansas School of Law.

David entered politics serving in the Kansas House of Representatives, was a lobbyist, and later legislative liaison to two Kansas governors. Mills was a past mayor of Arkansas City.

Although he won many battles in his lifetime, David would lose to cancer in the end. But a braver fighter would be hard to find. He was always cheerful and positive throughout his life. The community has been enriched for the nine years Mills gave to Ponca City.

Lydie Marland Finally Allowed Tape Recorder

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the second in a three-part series involving Dick Sturdevant, who has been in the Real Estate business for 47 years. One of his sales was the Marland Mansion.

By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE

News Business Editor

Local Realtor Dick Sturdevant recalled a conversation with Lydie Marland, widow of E.W. Marland, at a meeting in the old Jens Marie Hotel before the City purchased the Marland Estate in 1975.

The meeting was initiated by Mrs. Marland, who called Sturdevant to tell him that she was coming to Ponca City and wanted to meet with him. She was aggravated that they had written a story and quoted her in the promotional material, Sturdevant said.

He was to meet her at 11 a.m., and at 11:30 a.m., an entourage of eight people, who had once worked for her came down the stairs and the last person down was Mrs. Marland.

“She came down and there was a very formal stately introduction,” Dick said. Answering how she was dressed, he said, “She was dressed terribly.”

He asked her if he could turn a tape recorder on and talk to her and she said, “No.” She got in his car and he asked her again if he could record the conversation and this time she said, “We’ll try it and see.”

As they drove out to the Mansion, Sturdevant asked her questions and she responded. At the Mansion, Mother Superior Lililoise of the Felician Sisters, who had been called to let her know Lydie was coming, invited her in and to have lunch.

Mrs. Marland refused saying, “I don’t take anything from anybody.” During about a 30-minute interview Lililoise asked if Mrs. Marland would like to have living facilities and she politely refused everything.

Lydie said that she had lived in the house over there before she left Ponca City. She was apparently indicating the building now known as Lydie’s Cottage.

While they were talking Lydie disappeared and when Sturdevant and Lililoise looked up, she was crawling on her hands and knees through the shrubbery. When she returned Mrs. Marland said, “I used to always do that to get between the house and the studio.”

Sturdevant said, “Mother Superior was willing to do anything, she was so pleased that Lydie was there. But in my presence Mrs. Marland refused everything, but was very nice and dignified. She had lots of class. She was the most stately human being I’ve ever met. She had good posture, but few teeth.”

Lydie appeared to be appreciative of the sale to the City to preserve the Estate, he noted.

After the interview with the Sisters, Sturdevant returned Lydie to the Jens Marie Hotel. By that time she had relaxed and visited for a while. He told her that they had tried to find her in Las Vegas, and other places.

Sturdevant told her about an incident that happened when he had heard about a lot of Marland related material that was going to be destroyed at the Gatehouse. When he got there it was too late as it was being burned in a barrel. This included pictures and books. Mrs. Marland was upset about this.

One thing Mother Lililoise wanted the Realtor to do was to open the safe, because she didn’t want any Marland memorabilia destroyed. Dick got someone to open the safe, but it was empty.

Mrs. Marland had thought there might be some of her jewelry and other things in the safe. According to Dick, Mrs. Marland made the statement that she hoped in her life time a lot of the Marland things available in Ponca City would be returned.

Recalling the open houses held at the Marland Mansion before the citizens voted to buy it, Sturdevant said the Mothers Clubs were excellent helping show the crowds through. The crowds were tremendous. Dick remembers it was hot and they had the firemen sprinkle the visitors waiting in line with water from the hoses to cool them down.

Dick recalled before the sale they had responses from 12 foreign countries wanting pictures, because of the cultural significance of the Mansion.

The measure to buy the property using a one cent sales tax for two years passed 3,770 to 3,227. the purchase price was $1.5 million and Conoco paid half of it. The rest of the funds were put into a trust fund.

Serving on the City Commission at the time were Mayor Kenneth Holmes, Lee Brown, Joe Dempewolf, the late Bonnie Phillips and the late John Robinson.

Next Installment: Real Estate Past and Now

Cultural Center Ice Cream Social Planned Saturday

Friends of the Cultural Center will host a membership ice cream social Saturday, June 10, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Cultural Center for members who want to renew their support to help preserve the 22-room historical landmark.

Other area citizens who want to become a part of the effort to restore and keep the Cultural Center in good condition are encouraged to attend and lend their support as well.

Lance Johnson and his fascinating ice-cream machine will be serving delicious ice-cream to all those area citizens who come by to sign up for the worthy cause.

Also on the grounds will be the “Sale of the Century” yard sale with some items from the Cultural Center Carriage House and the attic as offerings. Many other items donated by local citizens will also be exhibited for sale on the lawn near the Carriage House from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Ice cream will also be available to non-member sale browsers and customers for a small fee beginning at 11 a.m.

The Cultural Center, the former home of Governor E.W. Marland, is now used for receptions, weddings, showers, various meetings and the Ponca City Tourism offices. The Italian Renaissance styled home was constructed in 1916.

‘Safe Room’ Construction Could Get FEMA Rebate

A pilot initiative of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Oklahoma Department of Civil Emergency Management and Ponca City Emergency Management will provide rebates to 5,000 Oklahoma homeowners who build “Safe Rooms.”

First, homeowners who had more than 50 percent damage to their primary residence as a result of the May 3, tornadoes and who build a shelter may qualify for a rebate of $2,000 through Ponca City Emergency Management from FEMA. The funds are distributed from the Oklahoma Department of Civil Emergency Management, through the Ponca City Emergency Management office, for residents of Ponca City. Those who live in rural Kay County should contact the Kay County Office of Emergency Management. The Osage County Emergency Management office will work with residents in Osage County.

If there are any rebates remaining after this first group has been considered, administrators will review applications from homeowners who had any damage to their primary residence as a result of the May 3 tornadoes and install a shelter.

Next, homeowners who live in one of the 19 counties that were included in the Presidential Disaster Declaration 1272 and who put in a shelter, will be considered. Kay County was not included in the declaration.

Homeowners should apply for the rebate, wait until after Sept. 30, then call to find out who was selected. The “safe room” must meet or exceed the plan specifications developed by Texas Tech University published in FEMA No. 320, “Taking Shelter From the Storm”, or purchase and install an underground storm shelter. To receive a copy of FEMA No. 320, call 1-800-480-2520. Additionally, the publication, not the construction plans, can be downloaded from the FEMA website at www.fema.gov/mit/tsfs01.htm.

To register or ask questions, call 1-800-996-OKLA (6552). Also, contact Tom Montgomery, Ponca City Emergency Management director, at 767-0380 for information on the rebate program.

Crime Stoppers Will Distribute P.C. Ten Most Wanted Posters

By LAURA CORFF

News Staff Writer

Ponca City Area Crime Stoppers discussed several ideas to promote and increase membership for the organization during their meeting July 1. The board of directors is comprised of several business people, along with law enforcement officials and concerned citizens. It is a non-profit group, funded solely by donations.

The committee approved funds to print and distribute “Ponca City’s Ten Most Wanted” posters. Sherry Bowers, who researched the project and made the request, received enough funds to print 30 posters in English and 15 in Spanish. The posters will primarily be located in break areas at large businesses.

Additionally, Capt. Dwaine Vincent and Andy Longoria reported on their meeting with Po-Hi administrators on a pilot program. The two are working to initiate a student Crime Stoppers at the school this fall. Guidelines will be modeled after an established youth program in Wichita Falls, Texas. The board agreed to allocate funds to assist with the pilot program. And, Longoria expects to meet with administration and the student leadership group by the end of the month.

In other reports, Vincent informed the group that two new case numbers were assigned to subjects contacting Crime Stoppers. According to Vincent, one call provided the names and locations of two subjects that committed the strong-armed robbery at Triple T in Osage County recently. The suspect names were passed on to the Osage County Sheriff’s office with a request that their Crime Stoppers program pay the reward if arrests are made.

Another tip provided the name of one of the subjects involved in the strong-armed robbery at South Oak Street and West Oklahoma Avenue, on May 7. The information was given to the investigator working the case.

A second tip provided the name of a subject that could have been involved in stealing two cars from a Moyer Car Rental on North Fourteenth Street. The information was passed on to the investigator working the case, who interviewed the suspect. The case is still being investigated.

Also, an investigator was sent to the 1100 block of West Greenwood Avenue on a tip that illegal fireworks were in a residence.

The Ponca City Area Crime Stoppers wants members of the community to partner with the media and law enforcement to provide crime-solving assistance to law enforcement agencies. Such programs have been created world-wide to combat the public’s fear of reprisal, an attitude of apathy and a reluctance to get involved.

“The most appealing part of the Crime Stoppers program is that the caller remains anonymous to authorities, if they wish to, while relaying information that leads to the recovery of stolen property, illegal drugs or leads to the arrest of individuals responsible for committing a crime,” said Vincent.

“When you compare the dollar amount of stolen property and illegal drugs seized to the dollar amount of rewards paid out, Crime Stoppers has proven to be a wonderful investment for our community,” says Vincent.

Call the Hot Line

Anyone with information about a crime is asked to call 762-5100. Cash rewards of up to $1,000 are offered to anonymous persons who telephone the hotline with information which leads to the arrest and indictment of person(s) responsible for felony offenses. Initially, a caller provides details that are taken and recorded on a standardized form. The caller is given a “Caller ID number” and asked to call back if they have any more information on this crime or to check on the status of the information provided.

Individuals can become members for a $10 annual fee. Small business memberships are $25 annually, and corporate memberships are $50. Dues or donations should be made payable to Ponca City Area Crime Stoppers and mailed to the Ponca City Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 1109, Ponca City, OK 74602. For more information, contact Vincent at 767-0370.

Free Swim Suits Available at PD

Children in need of swim wear can stop by the Ponca City Police Department lobby beginning Tuesday, to pick out a suit free of charge. Swim suits are available in children and young adult sizes. Any swim suits not claimed by Friday, will be taken to Ambuc Pool for distribution by staff.

The AMBUCs began this effort with a concern that some children were not able to pay the $1 admittance to the pool. Bob Thomas, AMBUC and owner of Braudrick Printing, printed up “citizenship awards” to be given by Ponca City police officers.

Awards will entitle the holder to a free swim at AMBUC Pool. The Park and Recreation Department will return the passes to the department for redistribution.

DEATHS

Hiram Lee Brown
Mildred Ann Rowe

Hiram Lee Brown

Hiram Lee Brown, longtime Ponca City resident, died Sunday morning, July 4, 1999 at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. He was 81.

The funeral service will be held at 10 a.m., Tuesday, July 6, 1999 at the Trout Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Dr. Michael Kear officiating. Burial will follow at Odd Fellows Cemetery.

Hiram Lee Brown was born Jan. 16, 1918, in Tennessee to Isaac and Ruby Brown. He moved to Ponca City as a child, and attended Ponca City schools. After graduation, he was employed with Conoco and worked in the refinery until his retirement in 1981. While working for Conoco, he also owned and operated Lee Brown Boats and Motors.

He married Dorothy Fair on August 26, 1953 in Oklahoma City. He enjoyed water skiing, fishing, and boating. He was a member of First Baptist Church and the Moose Lodge.

He is survived by: his wife Dorothy of the home; a niece, Rowena Darnell of Pryor; a nephew, Ronnie Jones of Vinita; and several other nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one son, and one sister.

Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.

Mildred Ann Rowe

Mildred Ann Rowe, longtime Ponca City resident, died Saturday, July 3, 1999, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. She was 80.

The funeral service will be held graveside at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 7, in the Ponca City Odd Fellows Cemetery, with the Rev. Dr. Sheila Combs-Francis, pastor, Albright United Methodist Church, officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of the Trout Funeral Home.

Mildred was born July 29, 1918, in Brenham, Texas, to Wilhelm and Lydia (Wensel) Priesmeyer.

She was married to Raymond Rowe in Ponca City. Mrs. Rowe was a cosmetic salesperson with the Rexall Drug and later with Avon. She enjoyed playing golf.

Survivors include one brother-in-law Clifton Rowe of Ponca City; and one sister-in-law, Martha Rowe of Burbank; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1984 and her parents.

Memorials may be made to the Opportunity Center, 2225 North Union, Ponca City, Ok. 74601.

NEWS BRIEFS

Clothing Give Away Canceled — The free clothing giveaway has been canceled at First Assembly of God for the remainder of the summer. Watch for a Giant Back-to-School Giveaway later — before school starts in September.

Tuesday Kids Night: Come for food and fun, face painting, balloons, activities and bike give away. 5 - 7 p.m. Golden Corral. adv.

Grass Fire — At 1:18 p.m. Sunday, Ponca City firefighters extinguished a grass fire behind the Airline Drive In.

DAV Announces Bingo — Play Bingo at the DAV, 401 South Lincoln. Monday 6 to 9 p.m. (doors open at 4:30), Tuesday from 1 to 3 p.m. (doors open at 11:30 a.m.) Light lunches available. Service officer on duty from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Tuesday.

Exposure — A resident in the 2000 block of North Seventh Street advised the Ponca City Police Department at 8:13 p.m. Saturday that a subject was engaged in active indecent exposure in front of the window. Two officers responded and a 40-year-old man was arrested for indecent exposure.

Burglary — At 7:53 a.m. Saturday, a subject contacted the Ponca City Police Department to report money and checks stolen from a vehicle while parked at Wal-Mart, 1101 East Prospect Avenue. An officer took a report.

Windshield Sale: Extra July Specials! 94-98 Dodge Pickup, $275; 88 & up Chevy pickup, $275. Johnson Glass, 515 South First, 762-2012. Call today for your appointment!adv.

Illegal Parking — A Ponca City police officer issued a citation at 8 a.m. Saturday, on a Riviera parked in the 500 block of North Eighth Street. The officer determined that the vehicle was illegally parked and marked it for the 48 hour ordinance.

Miss Nan’s Christian Day School is accepting summer and fall enrollment. All ages. Please call 765-9939 for enrollment information. adv.

Vandalism — A resident in the 3500 block of North Union Street contacted the Ponca City Police Department at 8:42 a.m. Saturday to report a vehicle was vandalized. An officer responded and took a report.

Help the school of your choice. Donating a new VCR tape and ordering great entertainment from HBO or Showtime is a start. Call Cable One at 762-6684 for details.adv.

Water Leak — At 8:56 a.m. Saturday, the Water and Light Department were advised of a water leak in the street in the 1500 block of Northeast Woodlands Road.

Free Pregnancy test. Birth Choice cares. Confidential. Hours: Monday, 4-6 p.m., Tuesday, 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, 1-3 p.m. and Thursday, 6-8 p.m. 700 West Broadway. adv.

Theft — An employee from Triple T, 201 West Hartford Avenue, advised the Ponca City Police Department at 9:12 a.m. Saturday that a boy and two girls stole items from the store.

Pauline's Every Monday Night Special. Fried Chicken Only- all white meat. All you can eat, $6.50. For reservations call 765-5460. adv.

Burglary — At 12:07 p.m. Saturday, a Ponca City Police Officer responded to the 1400 block of West Highland Avenue to take a report of speakers stolen from a vehicle.

Shoplifter — An employee of Hastings, 2900 North Fourteenth Street, advised the Ponca City Police Department at 12:16 p.m. Saturday of a shoplifter. An officer responded and took a report.

Mischief — At 12:57 p.m. Saturday, a motorist reported that two youth threw rocks and hit the vehicle. An officer responded and took a report. Apparently, the suspects were ages four and six.

Stop — Traffic Engineering was advised at 1:05 p.m. Saturday that a stop sign was missing at North First Street and East Emporia Avenue.

Accident — A Ponca City police officer responded to John Street and Young Avenue at 1:33 p.m. Saturday to take a report of an accident. No injuries were reported.

Defrauding — An employee of El Chico, 900 East Prospect Avenue, contacted the Ponca City Police Department at 2:56 p.m. Saturday to report two women left the business without paying for their meal. An officer responded and took information for a warrant request of defrauding an innkeeper.

Theft — A resident in the 1600 block of Academy Road, advised the Ponca City Police Department at 4:12 p.m. Saturday that money was stolen. An officer responded and took a report.

Destruction — At 7:06 p.m. Saturday, the Ponca City Police Department received notice that three boys broke a window on the south side of Iver’s, 1801 North Union Street. An officer responded to the 200 block of West Fresno Avenue and arrested a 12-year-old boy, an 11-year-old boy and an 8-year-old boy. Each was charged with destruction of private property and burglary.

Fire — At 10:45 p.m. Saturday, the Ponca City Fire Department received a report of a house on fire seven miles east of Ponca City on Lake Road, one-half a mile north at Camp McFadden Road. Three units from the fire department responded and determined that the fire was a controlled brush fire.

Warrant Served — A Ponca City police officer arrested a 29-year-old man from Lake Ponca at 11:02 p.m. Saturday for a city warrant.

Arrested — A resident in the 100 block of West Hartford Avenue contacted the Ponca City Police Department at 1:11 a.m. Sunday to report a man looking in the windows. The subject jumped on a bike and headed southbound from North First Street and East Gary Avenue. Two officers responded and arrested 22-year-old man for a Kay County warrant.

Grass Fire — An employee of Burlington Northern Santa Fe Rail Road advised the Ponca City Fire Department of a grass fire four miles south and one-quarter west at the first intersection past Garland Gates. Firefighters located the fire and put it out.

Arrest — At 6:01 a.m. Sunday, a Fort Oakland officer advised the Ponca City Police Department that two subjects were passed out inside a vehicle at South Fourteenth Street and Harding Avenue. An officer responded and arrested a 56-year-old man for actual physical control of a vehicle while intoxicated and no insurance.

Stolen — A resident in the 100 block of West Gary Avenue contacted the Ponca City Police Department at 8:48 a.m. Sunday to report a bike was stolen. An officer responded and took a report.

Accident — At 9:04 a.m. Sunday, a Ponca City police officer took a report of an accident at North Fourteenth Street and East Prospect Avenue. No injuries were reported.

Stolen — A resident in the 300 block of East Hartford Avenue advised the Ponca City Police Department at 9:13 a.m. Sunday that a dog was stolen. An officer responded and took a report.

Fire — The Ponca City Fire Department received a 911 call about a house on fire in the 3700 block of Goldenrod Avenue. All stations responded at 12:25 p.m. Sunday, however, prior to arrival they were advised the fire was out. One unit arrived to check the scene.

Under Suspension — A Ponca City police officer arrested an 18-year-old man at South Twelfth Street and East Ponca Avenue at 2:34 p.m. Sunday for driving under suspension.

Fireworks Taken — A Ponca City police officer responded to the 800 block of West Highland Avenue at 9:49 p.m. Sunday about a report of juveniles throwing fireworks at vehicles. The officer confiscated fireworks from the youth.

Stolen — A Ponca City police officer responded to the 200 block of South Seventh Street at 6:18 p.m. Saturday, to take a report of an air conditioner stolen from the residence.

Theft — At 10:15 p.m. Sunday, a Ponca City police officer took a report that a driver in a Oldsmobile Cutlass drove off without paying for gas at the Triple T, 425 South Fourteenth Street.

Fireworks — At 6:11 p.m. Saturday, a Ponca City police officer advised the communication officers that he was in the 200 block of South Osage Street issuing citations to youth who were shooting fireworks.

Stolen — A resident in the 300 block of North Olympia Avenue contacted the Ponca City Police Department at 5:32 p.m. Saturday to report four hubcaps were stolen off a vehicle while the resident was in the 1100 block of East Prospect Avenue. An officer responded and took a report.

Fireworks — At 8:21 p.m. Sunday, a Ponca City police officer responded to the 300 block of Wren Drive to check out the report of subjects shooting fireworks. He contacted the subjects and solved the problem.

LIFESTYLES

Grand Opening of Cottage Friday

Grand Opening of Cottage Friday

The cottage Lydie and E.W. Marland lived in for a time on the Marland Estate will have a grand opening July 9, 10 and 11. The following is a history of the cottage compiled by the Marland Estate.

John Duncan Forsyth, master architect for the Marland Estate, designed the original chauffeur's quarters and garages. Several architectural elements used in the mansion were implemented in a scaled-down version in the cottage, including the scalloped ceiling and fish-scale stone floor in the entry.

The exterior limestone and red clay tile roof match the other original buildings on the estate. The house consisted of a living room, kitchen, and half-bath on the ground level, with two bedrooms and a full bath upstairs, plus four garages and two carnage stalls.

Marland and his wife, Lydie, returned to Ponca City and the Marland Estate in 1939, following E.W.'s term as governor of Oklahoma. Forsyth remodeled the garage area of the chauffeur's house into a bedroom and bathroom, and E.W. and Lydie made this cottage their home. They only opened the mansion occasionally for special events.

In 1941, six months before he died, Marland sold the mansion and the surrounding buildings to the Discalced Carmelite Fathers for $66,000. He kept the cottage and the surrounding land and left them to Lydie in his will.

Lydie stayed in the cottage after E.W.'s death, living a fairly reclusive life. When the monks sold the estate to the Sisters of St. Felix in 1948, Lydie continued to live in her home, and the nuns always made her feel welcome. Then in 1953, she packed her belongings and artwork and tapestries from the mansion and left Ponca City. She lived in various parts of the country for the next 22 years, including Kansas City, New York, and San Francisco.

In the '60's, during the unrest that surrounded the Vietnam War and civil rights, she marched in peace marches in Washington, D.C. While she was gone, several people lived in the cottage as renters, but she retained her ownership and paid her taxes.

When the City of Ponca City announced its plan to purchase the estate from the Felician Sisters, Lydie's attorney contacted her and asked her to return to Ponca City. A two year, one-cent sales tax was to be voted on by the people to pay half the sales price. Conoco had agreed to pay the other half.

Lydie did return home and wrote an open letter that was printed in the Ponca City News. She encouraged the citizens to vote yes for the sales tax and ensure the protection and future of the unique structure.

“To me it is a place of rare beauty and artistic integrity, a structure that is an expression from mind into substance, of the quality, the strength, and the heart of a man,” her letter concluded. On Sept. 16, 1975, the issue passed, and the citizens of Ponca City became the new owners of the Marland Estate.

Shortly after her return to Ponca City, Lydie moved back into her cottage. She continued her self-imposed obscurity; however, she was helpful to the staff and volunteers as they worked on the newly acquired mansion.

She grew to trust a few people, who were always ready to give her a ride to the health food store, or fix something in the cottage. Lydie Marland died in 1987 at the age of 87.

The restored cottage is now open for tours. The ground floor is furnished as Lydie's home might have looked in the 1940's. The two bedrooms upstairs will contain the Marland Family historic exhibit, opening this fall.

SPORTS

Monday Evening Quarterback
Celebration Fizzles for Legion

Monday Evening Quarterback

The officials at the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation have blown their creditability away and may have done irreparable harm to its own funding.

At the same time the OWD big wigs were lobbing the legislature for a bill that would give them more funds, saying they would have to cut back on needed programs, they were giving themselves substantial raises.

As if that wasn’t bad enough, they also alienated their field workers. While they were boosting the pay for a few of the top officials, they were actually cutting what was supposed to be a pay raise for the game wardens and supervisors.

The legislature last year gave state workers a four percent pay raise. Yet, ODWC higher-ups have cut that raise to two or three percent.

At the same time the administrators were raising their own pay by as much as 40 percent.

“They have a lot of fence mending to do,” one field worker said.

“I’m 90 percent sure they’ve killed any chances of getting that bill (rising funding for the department) passed by the legislature, now,” another said.

Few at the lower levels of the department want to go on record, for a very simple reason. You don’t go irritating the bosses when you want a pay raise.

The Oklahoma Wildlife Commission will meet later this month to consider rescinding those pay raises, which would reportedly amount to $89,000 to 13 administrators in just the first year. The salaries of some officials would go up even more than that.

If the commission rescinds those hefty raises for administrators it still may not be enough to boost the morale of the average department employee, which has to be at an all-time low right now.

It may also not be enough to placate the legislators, several who feel they were lied to by administrators.

No one in the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife is getting rich. And no one is saying that raises for administrators aren’t need.

But at a time when you’re going to the legislature hat in hand, you should not be giving yourself a 40 percent raise.

A little common sense could be helpful here.

Nor do you lessen the moral of your work force, which is also (and even more) underpaid.

The annual Wildlife Department youth camp for youngsters considering a career in wildlife management was held at Camp McFadden last month. It was considered a success with a full house of young game wardens-to-be.

With the latest controversy surrounding the department it will be interesting to see how many youngsters apply next year.

Celebration Fizzles for Legion

By MATTHEW KOENIG

News Sports Writer

BARTLESVILLE — Bottle rockets and Roman Candles weren’t the only bombs bursting in air over the holiday weekend.

The American Legion majors team continued to explode — or rather, implode — in the round robin portion of the Glen Winget Memorial Tournament in Bartlesville, falling 4-3 to Enid, Saturday, and 9-1 to Bartlesville on Sunday.

Along with Friday’s 15-14 loss to Springfield, the Royals’ 0-3 record left them with an 8-seed in the tournament, and a consolation match up for seventh place, today, against Elk City. The Royals’ season record stands at 11-14.

In contrast to a couple of error-strewn catastrophes in their first and third games, Friday’s contest with Enid proved to be the Royals’ finest hour in the tournament.

After a methodical come-back to tie the score at 3-all in the top of the fifth, Kevin Schwandt nudged Enid into the lead with an RBI single in the top of seventh. With two outs in the bottom of that inning, J. Michael Sharon blasted a 3-base shot up the first baseline to bring up Jerrod Spears — no stranger to pressure situations. And, though the Royals’ catcher made vicious contact, the rapidly departing ball went straight into Enid shortstop Jeremy Kliewer’s glove.

Though the Royals finished with just seven hits, at least five drives were, as they say, “right to ‘em.” Perhaps more importantly, however, the Poncans totaled just one error in the game.

“Just a little higher, or to the right or left, and we would have been right back in it, with Toby (RedLeaf) coming up to bat and Jerrod on second,” said coach Jim Sharon, of the Royals’ unfortunate final play. “But we actually played halfway decent in that game.”

All the Royals’ runs came in a productive first inning, as Sharon led off with a double, and Spears sent him in to score with a another double. RedLeaf then hit a phantom home run that somehow transmogrified into a triple, as the ball — by most accounts — bounced off the top of the brick wall in right field.

Jeff Furnas then completed the attack, dropping an RBI single into short right field.

Furnas also did a nice job on the mound, giving up nine hits and just two walks, while striking out six in seven innings. The Royals’ defense also did their part, including a double play in the second. For the second straight game, Spears picked off a runner at first, as well.

Enid pulled within one run in the third, getting a solo homer from Roy Hughes and an RBI double from Aaron Hays. Hays then got a sacrifice in the fifth inning to tie the game.

Brandon Jenkins got the complete game win for Enid, giving up seven hits and one walk (and one hit batter), while striking out six.

Sharon was 2-for-4 for the Poncans, but had two of the Royals’ bad-luck drives, while RedLeaf and Furnas were both 2-for-3 with an RBI each. Spears was 1-for-3 with a walk, but was also robbed by the Enid defense twice, including a diving catch by Scott Hibbets in left field, in the third inning. Todd Stewart also hit a screamer that couldn’t seem to find an open spot in the outfield.

Enid 4, Ponca City 3

Enid 002 010 1 — 4 9 0

Ponca City 300 000 0 — 3 7 1

Jenkins (w) and Werther; Furnas (l) and Spears.