LOCAL
101 Rodeo Crowd Sees Hot Times, Top Scores
New Economic Development Board To Be Appointed at Aug. 25 Session

DEATHS
Cleta Maxine Hall

Obituaries
Grace Marie Thompson

Funerals
Grant G. Prothro

NEWS BRIEFS

LIFESTYLES
Card Shower Will Honor Louise Witt
Kildare FCE Members Plan For County Fair

SPORTS
Golf Results

101 Rodeo Crowd Sees Hot Times, Top Scores

By BOB PATTERSON
News Staff Writer

Obviously the biggest crowd of the 1997 edition of the 101 Wild West Rodeo watched the curtain drop on the final performance Saturday night at the 101 Ranch Rodeo arena, but not before some really exciting efforts.

One in particular, came in the girls' barrel racing, when an Emporia, Kan., gal and her horse bumped world barrel racing champion Kristie Peterson of Elbert, Colo., from her top spot to claim the 101 Wild West Rodeo championship.

Peterson had clipped more than .3 of a second from previous scores turned in the first three performances with a sizzling 17.44 on Friday night, but Saturday it was Karin M. Henry of Emporia, turning the trick in 17.43. That's top money folks, by a scant .01 of a second. And it was worth $1,115.49 compared to Peterson's second place, $998.07, out of the $5,871 paid off from the Rumford Rodeo Company in producing the rodeo.

Total money paid out by the end of Saturday's performance by rodeo officials came to $64,278.45.

Other Saturday performers got into the top 10 of the barrels, with Terry Hughes of Barnsdall claiming third with 17.58 for $880.65 and Susan Clapp, also of Barnsdall, eighth in 17.87 for $293.55. By the time the curtain dropped, the first nine in barrels had eclipsed the 18-second barrier, while Mary Burger of Elmore City, Okla., had an 18.02 on Saturday for 10th and $58.71.

The remainder of the barrel racers in the money, included Trula Truitt, Mounds, fourth, 17.64 for $763.23; Lynda Gordon, Guthrie, fifth, 17.66 for $645.81; Kim West of Oklahoma City, and Sara Zaleski of Blanchard, sharing sixth and seventh, for $469.68 on times of 17.75 and Brandee Newman of Liberal, Kan., with a 17.98 for ninth, $176.13.

The calf roping title also was won on Saturday night, when Kacee Williams of Warner, Okla., claimed a time of 9.6 for $1,798.54. The two-tenths of a second quicker time kept him from sharing first place money with two others at 9.8, Ross Dotson, Pryor and Billy Hamilton, Kiowa. They got $1,446.65 apiece.

Other payoffs in calf roping went to Gail Turner, Lawton, fourth in 10.5 for $1,094.76; Marty Miller, fifth in 10.6, $860.17; Tony Reina, sixth, 10.9 for $625.58; Doug Hazelbaker, Redford, Kan., seventh in 11.1 for $390.98 and split for eighth money, Marty Jones of Hobbs, N.M., and Troy Amos, Albia, Iowa, in 11.2 for $78.19 each.

Winner of the fourth go-round in steer wrestling, decided all on Saturday, went to Marty Musil of Crescent, in 3.4, worth $875.36. Three others split second, third and fourth, for $437.68 each. They were Stewart Gulager, Tahlequah; Jeff Babek, Granite, and Doug Janke, with times of 3.8.

Best of the four go-rounds was Rex Meier, with 17.5 (that's less than five seconds average on each steer) for $1,750.72. In the closely contested four go-rounds, Bill Mouser of Wyandotte followed in 17.8 for $1,313.04; Brandon Turney of Checotah was next in 17.9 for $875.36 and Blake Bailey was fourth, 18.4, for $437.68.

Saturday's best in bareback riding were a pair of 77s, and that put them in a tie for fourth, each worth $413.44. They were Justin Lindquist of Brookville, Kan., and D.J. Johnson, of Hutchinson.

Remaining on top with his Friday effort was Kent Crouch, Leoti, Kan., with an 84, worth $1,436.16. Second came Troy Thomson, Westlake, Texas, with an 83 for $1,088. Third was Payne Dobler of Andover, Kan., with a 78 for $783.36 while sixth went to Chuck Logue, Decatur, Texas, on a 76 for $217.60.

Best team ropers on Saturday were Foreman Mader of Tulsa and Jeff L. Carney of Sperry, who got the two-rope job done in 6.4. That was worth $370.37 each for second money in the second go-round finish. Jerry Buckles of Kearney, Neb. and Kurt Hall of Hugoton, Kan., had earlier in the week got a 6.3 in the second go-round for first place money of $493.83 each. Joe B. Day of Howe, Texas, and partner Boogie Ray of Rockwell, Texas, had a 7.4 in the second for $246.91 each and they claimed the overall title on two go-rounds, in 13.9 after a first go-round victory of 6.5. The two go-round win was also worth $493.83 each.

Fourth in the second go-round was the South Dakota team of Jay Mattson, Deadwood and Joe B. Marti, Newell, in 10.7 for $123.45 each.

Second to Day and Ray in the two go-rounds were Tom Self, Carrollton, Texas, and John P. Coughran, Edmond, with a 20.8 for $370.37 each; followed in third by Richard Lehew, Oakwood, Okla., and Rich Oller, Enid, 23.4 for $246.91 each and Jim D. Davis, Abilene, Texas, and J. Paul Williams, Ponca City, in 26.3 for $123.45 apiece.

Tops in the saddle bronc efforts Saturday night went to an 80 turned in by Clay Wilson, Afton, Okla., for second money at $966.75 and Todd Hipsag of Brookings, S.D., with a 73 to tie Todd Leftwich of Burden, Kan., for fifth to split $464.04 ($232.02 each).

Justin Howard of Hennessey had an 81 score on Friday and was able to claim first place money in saddle bronc riding, worth $1,276.11. Two other riders, both on Thursday, claimed $580.05 each with 76 scores. They were Lance Gaillard, Texhoma, Okla., and Billy Dimmitt, Burwell, Neb.

In the bull riding scramble, rides of 77 by Chris Littlejohn, Sapulpa; 76 by Lee Akin, Weatherford, and 75 by Josh Pierce, Terrell, Texas, on Saturday moved them into the money. Littlejohn was second for $1,393.61; Akin had one of three 76s in third place for $706.90 and Pierce was sixth for $302.96.

Tops in the bull riding came on a 79 Wednesday night by Francis Wilson of Sidney, Neb., eventually worth $1,817.76. The other two third places went to Bobby Lee O'Donnell of Owasso and Don Ray Howard of Pampa, Texas. In with a 74 for seventh was Danell Earl Tipton of Spencer, Okla., worth $242.36 and getting a pair of 73s to tie for eighth were Thad Bothwell, Fort Pierce, S.D., and Jared Kelber, Des Moines, Iowa, each getting $90.88.

Crowd pleasing efforts every night in the girls barrel racing were a couple of very young riders, Kate Beaty, 4-year-old daughter of Brad and Tina Beaty, and Shelby Carpenter, 3-year-old daughter of Sonny and Robin Carpenter. Saturday night was their closest finishes in 38.48 and 37.51 respectively. The two head to other rodeos in the area, according to announcer Dr. Lynn Phillips of Enid, who continued his chatter throughout the rodeo with information and keeping the crowd awaiting the next event.

Also having a big hand in making the rodeo seem to go faster each night, were Gary Parli, barrel man and clown; Mike Johnson and Kevin Rich, both bull fighters and clowns.

The Red River Riders of Clarksville, Texas, also performed the last two nights of the rodeo, and the crowd was treated each night to two mini-chuckwagon races.

Special Friend of the Rodeo awards were made to Rodeo enthusiasts Darrel Dye and Danny Head, along with special awards to two Ponca City Rodeo Foundation officials, President Brad Beaty and Arena Director Rick Barnthouse. It was Beaty and Barnthouse who spearheaded the grooming of the arena and making some interesting and very worthy changes that included a new press box, and additional space for chute heavens.

Johnny Heinze, with a fine reading, and the Saturday crowd paid tribute to the late Buck LeGrand, former Ponca Citian and National Finals Rodeo clown, who died within the past year.

The Saturday crowd also saw the coronation ceremonies that named Lacey Dale Cully of Shidler as the 101 Wild West Rodeo queen, to reign until the 39th rodeo next August.

New Economic Development Board To Be Appointed at Aug. 25 Session

By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE
News Business Editor

Economic development in Ponca City is expected to continue in Ponca City with a slightly different format, when the new Economic Development Advisory Board is appointed by Mayor Marilyn Andrews at the Aug. 25 City Commissioner's meeting.

The City Commissioners amended the City Code during the Aug. 11 meeting, creating the new advisory board, which will replace the former Economic Development Foundation.

The amendment provides for membership, appointments, terms of office, meetings and rules, removal of membership, severability and effective date of the ordinance. Applications for those interested in serving on the new advisory board are now being accepted by the City.

Nine Member Board

The new board is to consist of nine members, who are residents of Ponca City and will serve without compensation. The members will serve a term of three years or until their successor is appointed, except for those serving during the first term of office.

During the first term, three members will serve one year, three members will serve two years and three members will serve three years. Members may be removed for cause by a majority vote of the Board of City Commissioners.

According to the rules, any member appointed to fill a vacancy will serve the remainder of the unexpired term. Members will be appointed by Mayor Marilyn Andrews and confirmed by a majority vote of the Board of Commissioners the third Monday each year.

Organization

The organization calls for five members to constitute a quorum and all business is to be conducted by a majority vote of the quorum. Members of the board may adopt bylaws, rules and regulations necessary to conduct business. Members of the board will not vote on any question or matter being considered by the board that he or she may have a direct or personal or financial interest.

According to the City's News Release, the board will select from the members a chairman for a term of one year, as well as a time and place for regularly scheduled meetings, which will comply with the State of Oklahoma Open Meeting Law. The EDAB will keep minutes of its proceedings, show attendance, record official action sand discussions, and record the vote of each member.

The powers of the EDAB, as outlined by the City, are: advising the City Board of Commissioners of any and all matters relating to the promotion, revitalization and economic development of the City; providing support and input to the Economic Development Director and recognizing the concerns and needs of future and existing industries and their success in Ponca City.

Jan Jarrett is the new director of Economic Development. He is also the executive for the Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce.

Also, according to the news release, the Advisory Board will provide all assistance necessary to aid the director in execution of his or her duties; submitting to the Board of Commissioners annually for their approval a budget of operations for forthcoming fiscal year. Also any other powers designated by the Board of Commissioners.

Anyone interested in serving on the EDAB can obtain an application from the mayor's office located at 516 East Grand Avenue. For more information call 767-0342.



DEATHS

Cleta Maxine Hall

TONKAWA - Cleta Maxine Hall, Tonkawa resident, died Friday evening, Aug. 15, 1997, at Highland Nursing Home. She was 58.

The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 19, 1997, at the Tonkawa Indian Baptist Church with the Rev. Thomas Roughface officiating. Burial will follow in the Tonkawa Tribal Cemetery under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel, Ponca City.

Cleta Maxine (Rhoten) Hall was born March 25, 1939, in Pawnee, the daughter of Gale and Julia (Collins) Rhoten. She grew up in the Tonkawa-Ponca City area and attended school at the Pawnee Indian School.

She was married to Robert Hall in 1960, and the couple made their home in Texas before moving to Springfield, Mo. Following the death of her husband, she returned to Tonkawa to live with a daughter. Mrs. Hall had been employed with the Tonkawa Tribe at Fort Oakland.

Survivors include one daughter, Martha Hall of Tonkawa; three brothers, Gale Rhoten Jr. of Springfield, Eugene Rhoten of Buffalo, Mo., and Roger Pete William Rhoten of Anadarko; three sisters, Ernestine Southern Witt of Enid, Thomasine Gawhega of Ponca City and Louella Powers of Tonkawa; one grandson; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and one brother, Charles Rhoten.

Casket bearers will be Collins Roubideaux Sr., Michael Martin, Floyd Allen, Melvin Allen Jr., Eddie Ramirez, and Michael Florez. Honorary casket bearers will be Melvin Allen Sr. and Harvey Jenkins.

Obituaries

Grace Marie Thompson

Grace Marie Thompson, Ponca City resident, died Saturday, Aug. 16, 1997, at the Bryant Nursing Home in Edmond. She was 62.

The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 19, 1997 at the Albright United Methodist Church with the Rev. Dr. Kip Wright, pastor, officiating. Burial will follow in Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of the Trout Funeral Home. Friends may call at the funeral home until 12:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Born July 27, 1935, at 416 Lawrence Street in Ponca City, Grace was the daughter of Albert Henry and Emma Cleo (Sample) Cowden. The family lived at the Ponca City River Pump Station until she was five. She attended Garfield Elementary School and East Junior High, graduating from Po-Hi in 1953. In the second half of her senior year she began working as an executive secretary for the president and vice-president at Northern Oklahoma Gas Co., which later became known as Oklahoma Natural Gas.

In 1960 she met Ferrell Thomas "Tommy" Thompson and on Nov. 11, 1961, they were married in Ponca City. Mrs. Thompson continued to work at the gas company until 1965, when their only daughter Susan Annette was born. After her daughter entered high school, she began part-time work at Charlie Ryan's Taco Hut.

Survivors include her daughter Susan and her husband, Russell Cook, of Edmond; two grandchildren, Devin Lee Cook and Taylor Thomas Cook, both of Edmond; and a brother, Bob Cowden of Sulphur, La.; In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband on Feb. 18, 1994.

Casket bearers will be Ray Balthrop, Jim Chambers, Bill Kirkpatrick, Kenneth Mann, Dick Powell and Don Appleman.

Memorial contributions may be made to Albright United Methodist Church, 128 South Palm Street, Ponca City, OK 74601.

paid obituary

Funerals

Tuesday

Grant G. Prothro - Funeral to be held at 11 a.m. at the Udall (Kan.) Cemetery. Friends may visit a Miles Funeral Service in Winfield, Kan., until 9 p.m. today.



NEWS BRIEFS

YMCA Cheerleaders - Registration is being taken through Aug. 27 at the YMCA for Junior Pom and Cheerleaders for YMCA teams. Third grade-seventh grade girls are eligible. Cost for YMCA members is $30 and for non-members $39.75. The fee includes uniform and a private clinic with the Po-Hi cheerleaders and NYSCA Certified coaches.

Young at Heart 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.

Break-In - The communication center received a call at 6:36 a.m. Saturday from a resident in the 300 block of North Seventh Street reporting that a person was crawling in the window of the house. Two officers responded but were unable to locate anyone. A report was taken.

Theft - The communications center received a call at 8:53 a.m. Saturday from a resident in the 400 block of West Broadway reporting that a bird bath and feeder had been stolen from the yard during the night. An officer was assigned a report was taken.

Arrest - At 9:28 a.m. Saturday police arrested a 14-year-old girl on possession of stolen property and no driver's license after a stolen vehicle was reported to police .

Arrest- Police arrest a 30-year-old man on three Kay County warrants at 11:54 a.m. Saturday in the 1800 block of North Union Street.

Arrest - At 1:26 p.m. Saturday police arrested a 29-year-old man in the 500 block of West Grand Avenue on a city warrant.

Theft - Police received a report of a stolen bike at 5:02 p.m. Saturday in the 1400 block of North Sixth Street. A report was taken.

Arrest - Police arrested a 33-year-old man at 6:37 p.m. Saturday on two Kay County warrants for possession of drug paraphernalia, failure to pay and driving under suspension.

Arrest - Police arrested a 37-year-old man at 114 L.A. Cann Drive at 6:42 p.m. Saturday for driving under suspension, transporting an open container, no driver's license and careless driving.

Arrest - At 6:51 p.m. Saturday police arrested a 25-year-old man in the 1400 block of East Hartford Avenue for driving under suspension and speeding.

Arrest - Police arrested a 48-year-old man at 8:22 p.m. Saturday at U.S. 60 for driving under restriction and unlawful display of suspended license.

Arrest - Police arrested a 16-year-old girl for petit larceny after the Triple T reported theft of beer to communications center at 8:34 p.m. Saturday.

Theft - At 9:06 p.m. Saturday Hastings, 2101 North Fourteenth Street, reported the theft of a VCR. A report was taken.

Arrest - Police arrested a 29-year-old woman at 9:08 p.m. Saturday in the 800 block of North Lake Road for domestic assault and battery.

Arrest - At 12:51 a.m. Sunday police arrested a 34-year-old man at Hazel Avenue and Sixth Street for driving under the influence, transporting an open container and changing lanes unsafely.

Arrest - Police arrested a 26-year-old man at 1:42 a.m. Sunday at Warwick Road and Union Street on a Kay County warrant, for no driver's license and transporting an open container.

Burglary - The communications center received a call at 7:15 a.m. Sunday reporting a broken window at the Music Suite, 1806 North Fifth Street. An officer was assigned a burglary report was taken.

Hit and Run - An employee at a business in the 2100 block of North Fourteenth Street reported a hit-and-run in the parking lot to police at 10:56 a.m. Sunday. A police officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Arrest - Police arrested a 26-year-old man at 2:59 p.m. Sunday at Emporia Avenue and Richway Drive for driving under the influence, no insurance and failure to stop at a stop sign.

Stolen Bikes - At 5:08 p.m. Sunday a woman in the 700 block of Marland Drive reported two bikes stolen Saturday night. A report was taken.

Theft - At 7:25 p.m. Sunday police received a report of a stolen car jack from a resident in the 100 block of West Prospect Avenue. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Vandalism - A woman in the 900 block of North Pine Street reported to police at 10:30 p.m. Sunday that her car had been "keyed." A report was taken.

Chemical Spill - Police and fire responded to a diesel spill at Hartford Avenue and Union Street at 10:51 p.m. Sunday. City crews were called to deliver sand on the area.

Arrest - At 11:09 p.m. Sunday police arrested a 27-year-old man at Grand Avenue and Oak Street for driving under the influence and no insurance.

Arrest - Police arrested a 39-year-old man at Grand Avenue and Oak Street at 11:36 p.m. Sunday for driving under the influence, transporting an open container and no insurance.



LIFESTYLES

Card Shower Will Honor Louise Witt

A birthday card shower has been planned for former Lincoln School science teacher, Louise Keith Witt, who will be celebrating a special birthday on Sept. 1.

Mrs. Witt, who recently returned to Ponca City to celebrate with former co-workers and students at the Lincoln School Reunion, retired from Lincoln School in 1977. She had taught there in the science department since 1939, coming from Binger.

While teaching at Lincoln she was married to Aubrey Calvin Witt at the First Baptist Church. After her retirement in May 1977, she moved back to Hollis.

Cards and letters may be mailed to Mrs. Witt at 219 East Lamar Street, Hollis, OK 73550. For more information, friends and former students and co-workers may call 765-7380 or 765-3857.

Kildare FCE Members Plan For County Fair

Members of the Kildare FCE group met Aug. 13 at Smith's Country restaurant in Newkirk with Iva Lee Harris as hostess. Helen Janda, president, presided at the meeting and led the singing of "Wait Till the Sun Shines Nellie." Ms. Harris gave the devotion "God Is Keeping Track."

Roll call "How's Your Memory" was answered by nine members and one guest, Mary Jo Helms. Melba Irwin read the minutes and Elsie Johnson gave the treasurer's report.

Karen Overman reported that the FCE cookbooks are being sold for $7 and the cookbooks will be on sale at the Kay County Fair in September. Announcement was made concerning clean-up day for the FCE building and pre-entry for fair exhibits was discussed. Each county FCE group will work at the Country Kitchen in seven hour shifts and will also manage the building and exhibits during that shift. Members are asked to wear name tags.

Helen Janda gave the lesson on "Memory, Use it or Lose It." She stated that tension interferes with memory processes. Group members submitted ideas for lessons for 1998. Game prizes were won by Ms. Helms and Karen Overman.

Elsie Johnson will be hostess for the Aug. 27 meeting at 1:30 p.m. Margaret Hoepfinger will be the lesson leader.



SPORTS

Golf Results

Wentz 4-Man Scramble

1 - (63) Phil Carey, Jim Armstrong, Alvin Spore. Rob Dick

2 - (64) Tom Courtney. Phil Krueger, Russell Shupe, E.J. Wilson.

2 - John Maddox, John Simon, Carl Reutter, Dave Monsour

2 - Mike Hunsaker, Ollie White, Cling Kirchenbauer, Mike Mooney.