From The Pages Of The Ponca City News, Wednesday,
August 27, 1997
LOCAL
Nearly News
Holt To Step Down as OSU Dean
Pawnee Tribe: Strong and Steady Growth
Kay County Free Fair's History Meaningful to Kildare Woman
Balloon and Air Show Features Living Historians
'Quinceanera' Tradition: From Girl to Woman
PTC Puts New Foundation To Work
Bressie Reunion Planned Sept. 7
Some Precincts Combined For Blackwell Vote
Emergency Sirens To Sound Thursday
DEATHS
Elmer Roy
Orville E. Taylor
Mabel Vivian McPherson
Jeanne Catherine Stingley
Darla Denton Hickam
Olive Marie Childress
Obituaries
Ina Mae Wells
NEWS BRIEFS
LIFESTYLES
Brendan W. Hall Contest Winner
Laureate Phi Chapter Schedules Meeting
BeautiControl Event Attended by Group
Eta Delta Chapter Has 'Beginning Day'
Area Women Named OSU Sorority Pledges
SPORTS
Lady Cats Stumble Twice
Volleyball Team Has New Look
Sports Notes
Big Bass Is Winner
Oops! The new Sunday library hours are 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. beginning Sept. 7. The hours were incorrectly listed in the Tuesday news briefs.
----
Realizing inquiring minds will want to know, NN wants readers to know the identity of the skydiving student in the photograph in today's Midweek about the Labor Day weekend air show. The student is Lori Nuzum, who earned her "tandem freefall" skydiving certificate at Guthrie at the Oklahoma Parachute Center. Lori is married to Ponca City's Municipal Airport Manager Don Nuzum.
STILLWATER - Dr. Smith L. Holt, dean of the Oklahoma State University College of Arts and Sciences, announced Monday that he will step down as dean, effective Aug. 31, 1998.
Holt, a native of Ponca City and also an OSU chemistry professor, became dean of OSU's largest college in 1980.
"This is a lengthy tenure for an administrator, and as such, I feel the need to seek out new challenges in other venues," Holt said.
Holt said he intends to devote his energies to the OSU Center for Science Literacy and to work with the public school sector to improve the preparation of children and young adults in science and mathematics.
Holt is currently a member of the Oklahoma Commission for Teacher Preparation and is a co-principal investigator on a five-year, $5 million grant from the National Science Foundation to restructure Oklahoma's teacher education in science and mathematics.
Holt was a member of the chemistry faculty at the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn in 1966 and later served as head of the biochemistry program and director of the Office of Energy and Conservation Development at the University of Wyoming. He was head of the chemistry department at the University of Georgia prior to going to OSU.
He received a B.S. degree in science engineering at Northwestern University and a Ph.D. in chemistry from Brown University. In addition, he completed a NATO Postdoctoral Fellowship at H.C. Orsted Institute in Copenhagen, Denmark.
In 1987, Holt took a one-year leave of absence from his responsibilities as dean to become Oklahoma's Secretary of Education. In 1988, he returned to OSU and resumed his duties as dean.
Some of Holt's accomplishments as dean include founding OSU's Arts and Sciences Teleconferencing Service, a satellite-based telecommunications service which provides high school and college courses to sites throughout the United States.
He also is a co-founder and was first chairman of the board of the U.S. Distance Learning Association. He serves as a member of the board of the National Education Telecommunications Organization and is a member of Phi Eta Sigma, Sigma Xi and a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
Holt has received numerous awards including "Advanced Placement Special Recognition Award" from the College Board, Southwestern Region; "Paul Simon Award" for promotion of language and international studies; "Junior Achievement Bronze Leadership Award;" and the "National Rural Education Association Outstanding Service Award;" the "National Rural Education Association Outstanding Service Award;" and the "Martin Luther King, Jr. Award."
He also has written more than 100 professional papers and edited three books and one monograph.
OSU will conduct a national search to find a new dean for the college.
Once Feared as Warriors, Many Became U.S. War Heroes
Editor's Note: The Pawnee Nation, with headquarters located near Pawnee, Okla., is one of the six tribes involved in the Standing Bear Native American Park project, located in Ponca City. Their unique Pawnee Tribal Seal may be seen affixed to a large sandstone bolder in the observation plaza at the foot of Standing Bear monument.
The Pawnee Tribe of Oklahoma has a long and proud history documented more that 700 years ago. At one time more than 10,000 members lived along the North Platt River in Nebraska. After the tribe was reduced to only 600 citizens because of small pox and cholera in the late 1800s, the tribal rolls reflect a slow but steady growth in population, with 2,500 registered members today. A registered Pawnee must prove 1/2 Pawnee blood to qualify.
When first documented by historians, tribal members lived in villages in dome-shaped, earth covered lodges with a diameter of 25 to 60 feet. The entrance was always towards the east, and a center pit, dug 3 to 4 feet in diameter, served as the source of heat, cooking and other fire needs. The lodges served extended families.
Four Tribal Bands
Four distinct bands comprised the tribe, as it still does today. English names are the Grand, the Republican, the Tappage and the Skidi Wolf. Each band operated independently and fought separate battles in olden days. Each still elects their own representatives to speak for the band today.
Known as a raiding tribe, the men often set out on foot and brought back hundreds of horses from other tribes in the south and southwest. Horses gave the Pawnees more mobility and made them a name to be feared by their enemies.
Despite poor treatment from the U.S. Government the Pawnee still served as faithful courageous scouts for the U.S. Cavalry during the Indian Wars and never made war against the United States.
Continuing the tradition of service to their country, many young Pawnee men and women served their country during World War II. In 1957, the Pawnee Indian Veterans Organization was created to honor those who died and those who returned. The Tribe held the largest free Indian Powwow in the world at Pawnee in 1946 to honor their veterans. That group celebrated its 50th birthday in 1996 with a mile-long parade through Pawnee and four days of celebration and athletic competitions.
Known for Their Hairstyle
Pawnees of old dressed similar to other Plains Indians except for their hair which was worn in a special style. The scalp lock was dressed with red ochre and buffalo fat until it stood erect and curved backwards like a horn.
The origin of their name Pawnee is probably taken from the Choctaw world pana meaning a braid or a twist and mahana meaning to curve or to end up.
Through a series of treaties in the mid-1800s The Pawnees surrendered the last of their claimed homeland for a reservation along the Loup River, and in 1876, the greatly diminished Pawnee tribes moved to Indian Territory in Oklahoma. They now populate land near Pawnee, Skedee, Lela, and Maramec in Pawnee County and near Yale in Payne County.
Tribal headquarters is located on the Pawnee Tribal Preserve at Pawnee, which was once the campus of the nationally famous Pawnee Indian School. The School operated from the early 1900s until it was closed in 1958. Affectionately known as "Gravy U," the self-sufficient vocational trade school produced outstanding citizens and world leaders during those years.
Tribal Business Council
The Pawnee Tribal Business Council is the supreme governing body of the Pawnee Tribe of Oklahoma. They are housed in a large three-story native stone building once housing the girls at the Pawnee Indian School. Eight council members are elected every two years by a general tribal election, and those council members in turn elect their officers. Current Business Council president is Elizabeth Blackowl.
Also elected is a Nasharo Council "Chiefs Council" with eight elected members serving four-year terms. Each of the four bands elect two to represent the band at the Nasharo Council. At council level the representatives elect a lead chief, second chief, and secretary-treasurer.
A very religious people, Pawnee early-day ceremonies and beliefs were rich in myth, symbolism and poetic fancy. The early day members held elaborate ceremonies linked with the cosmic forces and heavenly bodies, believed to be created by a single god named "Tirawa." Many of those rituals and beliefs are still observed today.
New Grant Programs
A new Tribal Trading Post and Smoke Shop and a Bingo Hall was recently opened on the Reserve, since they forsee government funds in many areas may fade. Presently the tribe is involved in up to 60 grant programs at a time to help promote health, education and welfare of tribal members.
Modern day Pawnee have the same concerns as other citizens - jobs, crime, education, taxes and especially health problems. As the tribal leaders lead their members into the 21st century, they continue to provided modern programs including Elderly Meals Program, JTPA, a fitness center, tribal library, and a dental and eye clinic. Other programs are eyed for the future.
The Pawnee Indian Health Service is located in what was originally the large, native stone 50-bed Pawnee Indian Hospital. Native Americans from all over the state of Oklahoma are served at the grand and impressive looking building. Also on campus is the Tribal Police Department and Finance Office.
Also on campus, The Bureau of Indian Affairs Pawnee Agency currently leases the old Pawnee Indian School building serving five tribes from that location including the Pawnee, Ponca, the Otoe-Missouria, the Tonkawa and the Kaw. Many more of the impressive Pawnee School buildings are still standing and in good shape today. Various plans are being formulated to put the grand old stone structures to use.
Every year at this time when the Kay County Free Fair is approaching, you can be sure that there is air of nostalgia in the household of Helen Spore of Kildare.
No one has been able to match the cornstalk that Miss Spore's grandfather, Sylvester Spore, exhibited at the 1904 Kay County Free Fair and later at the St. Louis World's Fair. It was "the tallest corn in the world - 23 feet 11 inches that was grown on the home place near Kildare," said Spore.
The event is featured in the North Central Oklahoma Historical Association's recently published book, "North Central Oklahoma: Rooted in the Past - Growing in the Future," and tells of a man standing on the shoulders of another - but needing yet two more men to reach the top of the cornstalk.
At the turn of this century, while the oil boom had not yet captivated the economy in Kay County, agriculture still prevailed. Living and growing up on the farms were sons who assisted with the farming and livestock, and daughters who helped with the canning of fruits and vegetables.
The Kay County Free Fair originated about 1900 in Newkirk when, in September, the people paused to enjoy the end of the harvest season. That first year of the Kay County Free Fair was a financial failure and some of the bills could not be paid.
The following year Sylvester Spore and F. B. Hutchison both of Newkirk finance the operation and everything started out right - but that also ended in disaster due to heavy rains almost everyday.
Persistence eventually paid off and in 1917 Blackwell and Newkirk jointly established the Kay County Free Fair with Blackwell providing the facilities. Since then, the Fair has been successful and will open their gates for the 80th year on Sept. 9 - 13.
Photographs of the Spores' exhibits of canned goods, sweet potatoes. corn, grain, feeds and livestock are featured in the North Central Oklahoma history book. Those items were the pride of hardworking men, women, and children and that same tradition continues today. The Future Farmers and the 4-H Club originated at the fairs.
In conjunction with the 80th annual Kay County Free Fair and celebration of the Cherokee Strip Run, Paula Denson, president of the North Central Oklahoma Historical Association will speak to the Descendants of Early Day Settlers on Sept. I at 1:30 p.m. in the American Legion Building in Blackwell.
The NCOHA will also sponsor a booth in the Family-Community-Education Building on the fair grounds to make available for sale the two-volume, 1100 page set of books.
"North Central Oklahoma: Rooted in the Past - Growing in the Future," was awarded a Certificate of Commendation for superior work by the American Association for State and Local History in 1996. Also for sale at the fair booth will be notecards and prints of a collage' of Northern Oklahoma watercolor vignettes by artist Gene Dougherty
Denson also reminded that sets of the 2-volume 1100 page history books are currently available at Brace Books and More on North Fourteenth Street and Just Yesterday on South Fourteenth in Ponca City; at Joe Cary Real Estate in Newkirk, 362-2257; and at the home of Madelien Reutter in Blackwell. 363-3602.
Military collections and living historians will be exhibited at the Ponca City Balloon and Air Show on Friday and Saturday, according to chairman Bruce Eberle.
Eberle said, "Last year's exhibits delighted the children and this year's show will be even more extensive."
Civil War drills will be performed by a squad from the 22nd Arkansas and Trans Mississippi Rifles with a Cohorn Mortar.
Both units are members of the Confederate States of America (CSA). Also present will be the U.S. Signal Corps. They were the Yankee unit that executed all surveys for the government.
World War II 45th Infantry Division will be present. They will have tents, all types of weapons from World War II, from Browning Automatic Rifle to Thompson sub machine guns.
The Wichita Military Vehicle Collectors Club will display military vehicles from World War II to Vietnam, such as M2 armored scout car, three-fourths ton truck and jeeps.
Static military antique collections will include authentic uniforms and equipment from the Indian wars to Desert Storm.
There will be a collection of U.S. Army knives, U.S. patches and machine guns.
The National Guard will set up a missile system with optics and thermal sights which the public may look through to track targets.
They will also display TOW HMMV (anti-tank vehicle).
Civil War & World War II living historians will be set up to represent soldiers of those periods. When visitors speak with these reenactors they will respond as though they were actually living in that period of time.
Admission both days to the Air Show is $3, youths under five, $1 and parking is free. This event is partially sponsored by Ponca City Tourism Authority, Ponca City Aviation Booster Club, EAA Chapter 1046, Conoco Inc., Thorn Apple Valley and Lowe's of Ponca City.
Those wanting more information can contact Gene Sigle (405) 762-7427.
In a Hispanic family, there is the reassurance of knowing that the family will always be there for you.
This is perhaps never clearer than with the popular Mexican tradition of Quinceanera, the celebration of a girl on her fifteenth birthday.
By tradition, the 'quinceanera' leaves her childhood to turn into a woman. So, her parents feel proud of her and they make this day unforgettable for her by arranging a church ceremony and sponsoring a big party with lots of food and music.
The whole family starts to get ready for the party six months before her birthday. They choose the dress the girl will wear, decorate the place where the party will be held and plan the menu.
The "quinceanera" and her mother will go to several stores to choose the dress - it could be any light color, but the most commonly chosen colors are pink, peach or blue. The dress is long and it has ruffles and ornaments on it.
The day of the celebration starts with a ceremony on her behalf. The quinceanera looks like a queen in her beautiful dress. On this day she, her parents, relatives and friends thank God for being together.
After the ceremony every body goes to the reception where the place is decorated with lots of flowers that have the same color as the dress. There are also lots of different kinds of foods that could be either a sophisticated menu or traditional one. The most common menu is a traditional dish called "mole" that is a thick sauce made out of more than ten different types of dried peppers and Mexican rice.
The last part of the party is the dance, when the "quinceanera" goes to the center of the dance floor and her parents, relatives and friends get in line to dance with her a beautiful waltz.
The family will make the party as big as possible to make it memorable for their daughter and all the people invited. The girl, in appreciation to her parents, will let them know how much she loves them by being a respectable person, good student, and excellent daughter.
This day is the one that every girl waits for because it is the day when by tradition they are allowed to wear makeup, and dance for the first time. It is a time when, because they are fifteen years old, it is hard to distinguish if they are still in their childhood or if they are grown-up women.
It is the age when most of the girls change their appearance and want to look more beautiful by wearing makeup and being slender, like a blossom turning into a flower.
- Details for this story came from notes by Luz Solorio and Jessica Torres.
A new foundation at Pioneer Technology Center has been selected. The name of the new foundation will be Pioneer Technology Center Foundation Incorporated. The six member committee established the tax-exempt foundation with the belief that education is the main investment and student achievement is the bottom line.
"The Foundation focuses on making a difference in student's lives, which sometimes means going above the normal operations to provide additional opportunities," said Carl Balcer, Foundation vice-president.
"Currently to do extra things for students, PTC has to use the vending account to encumber the costs," said Dr. Sally Downey, PTC superintendent. "With the support of the Foundation, student opportunities can increase whether it is in the form of tuition assistance or trips for student organizations."
The Foundation is being created with endowments and donations given by individuals, families or corporations. The contributions will be placed in an endowment and the income used to provide scholarships for student tuition, teachers and administrators, student organization trips and institutes.
The Foundation's board of trustees consists of six voting members and two non-voting members from the Kay County area.
The members are Don Mertz, president; Carl Balcer, vice-president; Don Bouldin, treasurer; Mary Beth Glass, secretary; and Joan Auld and Gary Bracken. The two non-voting members are Dr. Sally Downey and Larry Cannon.
According to Don Mertz, Foundation president, "People are many times looking for ways to help others, especially in education. Hopefully individuals will look to the Foundation as a way to help."
For more information on the Foundation please call 762-1364.
The 41st Annual Bressie Reunion will be held Sept. 7, at the Bressie Community Building and all Bressie residents, former residents, relatives, friends and interested persons are invited to attend the reunion.
A covered dish luncheon will be held at 1 p.m. with table service and beverages provided. In addition to covered dishes, attendees are encouraged to bring old photos of present and previous Bressie Community residents and of school and neighborhood events.
The Bressie Community Building (formerly the Tearney School) is located three miles south of the Salt Fork River bridge on U.S. 177 and 2.5 miles east of the highway.
For more information, contact Neil Blubaugh, president, at (405) 723-4331 or Maxine Hall, (405) 268-3703, secretary-treasurer.
BLACKWELL - The Blackwell Board of Education has combined certain precincts for the Sept. 9 special school bond election.
For the special election only, voters in Precincts 409 and 410, who normally vote at St. John's Lutheran Church, will vote at Precinct 202, located at the Free Will Baptist Church, 209 North Sixth Street.
Voters in Precinct 404, who otherwise vote at the Peckham Christian Church in Peckham, and voters in Precinct 406, who normally vote at Braman High School in Braman, will all vote at Precinct 201, located at the First Christian Church, 306 East Coolidge in Blackwell.
Voters in Precinct 417, who normally vote at the National Guard Armory in Tonkawa, and voters in Precinct 420, who normally vote at the Ranch Drive Co-Op, will all vote at Precinct 210, located at the First United Methodist Church at Sixth and Coolidge in Blackwell.
Kay County Election Board Secretary Carol Stafford said voters also are entitled to vote by absentee ballot in this election, and can apply to have an absentee ballot mailed to them.
Applications for absentee ballots must be received no later than 5 p.m. Sept. 3, at the Kay County Election Board in the basement of the Kay County Courthouse.
Voters may vote by in-person absentee ballot by going to the election board office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Sept. 8.
The testing of the Ponca City emergency siren warning system will be held at noon, every Thursday, according to Tom Montgomery, emergency management operations officer.
The test is scheduled throughout the year.
Montgomery said that in case of inclement weather, the test will be postponed,
and in this case or if additional tests are planned, the public will be
notified by the Ponca City News and the radio stations.
DEATHS
MARLAND - Elmer "Motes" Roy, Marland resident, died Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 26, 1997, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Ponca City. He was 41.
A prayer service will be held this evening at the Ponca Indian Baptist Church. The traditional Indian feast will be held at the church at noon, Friday, followed by the funeral service at 2 p.m. The Rev Ted Freeman, pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in the Ponca Indian Cemetery under the direction of Trout Funeral Home, Ponca City.
Elmer "Motes" Roy was born May 11, 1956, in Pawnee, the son of Antoine and Carmel Agnes (Howe) Roy. He attended Arkansas City, (Kan.) public schools and the Chilocco Indian School. From 1973 to 1976, he served in the U.S. Marines and then worked in the South Central Kansas/North Central Oklahoma area, in farming and construction. He enjoyed Indian crafts, music, animals, and time spent with family and friends.
Survivors include his wife, Veleyas Adams, of the Marland home; one daughter, Trista Laraine (Cornell) Roy of Tonkawa; one step-son, Chandano Cornell of Tonkawa; his mother, Carmel Agnes Roy, Arkansas City, Kan.; nine brothers Maurice Howe of Burden, Kan., Robert Roy and Darrell Clark, both of Ponca City, Darrell Green, Marvin C. Knudson, Steve Roy and Warren Roy all of Arkansas City, Kan., Thomas Roy of Oklahoma City and John Roy of Tulsa, two sisters, Liz Roy and Delrayne Roy Leftwich, both of Oklahoma City.
He was preceded in death by his father, Antoine Roy, and two brothers, Dennis Wayne Badoman and Freddie Mallet.
Casket bearers will be Lee Roy, Blue Roy, Paris Roy, Kallian Leftwich, Sabin Green, John Dennis Howe, Michael Mora and Ponca Green.
Orville E. Taylor, longtime Ponca City resident, died Monday, Aug. 25, 1997, at Ponca Nursing Home. He was 85.
The funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 28, 1997, at Grand Avenue Church of Christ with Mr. Larry Keirn officiating. Burial will follow at Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Trout Funeral Home.
Orville E. Taylor was born Feb. 5, 1912, to Henry and Lillian (Seaton) Taylor in Broken Bow. He attended schools at Comanche.
On July 12, 1932, he married Mildred Ledbetter in Hindsville, Ark. The couple moved to Ponca City in 1947, where he worked as a mechanic for many years. In 1961 they moved to Wynona, then returned to Ponca City in 1989. Taylor was a member of the Grand Avenue Church of Christ. Taylor was a cowboy in his spare time. He also enjoyed painting horses on quilt blocks, hunting, and spending time with his family.
Survivors include his wife Mildred, of the home; four daughters, Cleda Oertle of Ponca City, Mary Hargraves of Bella Vista, Ark., Helen Chlodene Horton of Hominy, and Judy Mason of Wichita, Kan.; two sons, Max Taylor of Spearman, Texas and Kenneth Taylor of Wynona; two sisters, Emma Barnett of California and Juanita Gardner of St. Petersburg, Fla.; two brothers, Cliff Taylor of Fullerton, Colo., and Emmett Taylor of Bethany; 29 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers, two sisters, and one grandson.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Taylor's name to Hospice of Ponca City, 1904 North Union, Suite 103, Ponca City, OK 74601.
Mabel Vivian McPherson, longtime Ponca City resident, died Monday, Aug. 25, 1997, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. She was 76.
The funeral will be held graveside at 2 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 28, 1997, at Longwood Cemetery, east of Ponca City. The Rev. Dr. Kip Wright, pastor, Albright United Methodist Church will officiate. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home. Friends may visit at the funeral home until 12:30 p.m. Thursday.
Mabel Vivian McPherson was born Feb. 18, 1921, in Morton County, Elkhart, Kan. She was the daughter of Ed and Mildred (Staley) Stall. She attended schools at Pleasant View, Kan.
On June 11, 1938, she married Jim Busey and the family moved from a farm at Wann, to Ponca City in November 1940. Mrs. Busey attended and graduated from Ponca City Beauty School. She was beautician for 30 years before her retirement in 1990. She was married to John McPherson on May 20, 1956.
Survivors include one son, Jeff, of Ponca City; two daughters, Patricia Ann Busey Martin of Horseshoe Bay, Texas, and Jonita Lynn Pickens of Ponca City; two brothers, George Stall of Wann and Carl Stall of Catoosa; two sisters, Alma Wallace of Gretna, La. and Clara Brown of Bartlesville; and five grandchildren. She was preceded in death by both husbands, her parents, five sisters, and two brothers.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. McPherson's name to St. Joseph Home Health Care, 120 Patton, Ponca City, OK 74601.
The family will be at the Pickens' home, 401 North Thirteenth Street.
Jeanne Catherine (Olbert) Stingley, mother of Bill Stingley of Ponca City, died Monday, Aug. 25, 1997, at Rosewood Care Center in Stillwater. She was 75.
The funeral will be held at Ponca City First Presbyterian Church at 2 p.m. Saturday with associate pastor David Clipson officiating. Burial will be in Ponca City under the direction of Strode Funeral Home, Stillwater.
Jeanne Catherine (Olbert) Stingley was born Jan 22, 1922, in Granada, Miss., to John and Lena (Giller) Olbert. She attended Wood River High School and Milikin University of Illinois. She was employed on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., during World War II. After the war she worked for the government at UNRUH in conjunction with the United Nations.
She was married to Elmo Stingley in 1948 at Wood River, Ill. and the couple lived throughout the United States following her husband's career in the U.S. Marine Corps. At one time she enjoyed teaching second grade elementary school in Vista, Calif. During one of her husband's tours of duty, she returned to work at the Capitol in Washington, D.C. Due to Multiple Sclerosis, Mrs. Stingley moved to Stillwater in 1980 to be near her family. Mrs. Stingley was a homemaker and a member of the Presbyterian Church.
She is survived by her husband, Elmo Stingley of Oceanside, Calif.; one son, Bill Stingley of Ponca City; one daughter, Sherry Viner of Napa, Calif.; and one brother, George Olbert of Florida.
The family will be at the home of Bill and Charlene Stingley in Ponca City following the services.
BLACKWELL - Darla Denton Hickam, former Blackwell resident, died Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 26, 1997 at Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas, Texas. She was 57.
The funeral will be held graveside at 3 p.m. Friday at the Blackwell Cemetery under the direction of Roberts Funeral Home. Kendall Fox will officiate.
Darla Denton Hickam was born Oct. 20, 1939 in Blackwell, the daughter of Aubrey J. and Auretta (Velmon) Denton. She grew up and attended Blackwell schools, graduating there in 1957. She received her BA in English from Oklahoma State University in 1961 and began teaching in the Tulsa Public School system.
She married Andrew Hickam in July 1963 in Oklahoma City, where they made their home and she taught for the next five years. They then moved to Dallas, Texas, where she began teaching again in 1992. At the time of her death she was teaching English in the Rowlett High School in the Garland, Texas, school system. She was a member of the Bible Church in Dallas.
Survivors include her husband, Andrew Hickam of the home in Dallas; one daughter, Hillary Diane Hickam of New York, N.Y.; one son, Richard Hickam of Big Spring, Texas; and her mother, Auretta Denton of Blackwell. She was preceded in death by her father, Aubrey Denton and her grandparents.
TULSA - Olive Marie Childress, mother of J.D. Childress of Ponca City, died Monday, Aug. 25, 1997, in Ponca City. She was 89.
The funeral will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday at Moore Funeral Home Rosewood Chapel, 2570 South Harvard, Tulsa. Burial will be in Floral Haven Cemetery, Tulsa.
Olive Marie (Corning) Childress was born Feb. 22, 1909. She was married to J.D. Childress and the couple lived at Coffeyville, Kan. and Tulsa. Mrs. Childress has been employed as a nurses aide at both the Coffeyville Hospital in Kansas, and at Hillcrest Hospital in Tulsa. She was a member of the Will Rogers United Methodist Church in Tulsa.
Survivors include two sons, James Dale Childress of Ponca City and Kenneth Konard; eight grandchildren; one step-grandchild; numerous great-grandchildren; and a sister-in-law. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, one grandson and a brother.
The family will be at Moore's Rosewood Chapel, Tulsa, from 7 to 8 p.m. today, to receive friends.
Ina Mae Wells, 90, died Monday, Aug. 25, 1997, at 3:10 p.m. at the St. Joseph Regional Medical Center.
The funeral service will be Thursday, 1 p.m., at the DeBolt Cemetery, Arnett, with Kathleen Wolfington, of Gage, officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of the Trout Funeral Home.
She was born April 2, 1907 to Jeptha Allen and Letha May Larison Barnes, at home southeast of Arnett, where her parents had homesteaded. She was the second child of six children. The family moved to a farm southeast of Gage when she was two years old. Ina learned early to help her mother with the housework since there were younger babies to take care of. At the age of 12 her father taught her to drive the Fordson tractor to plow and cultivate. However, by age 14 he had died and mother Letha and children moved into the town of Gage. Ina completed one year of high school before going to work full time.
She met Frank Ellis Wells and they were married February 2, (Ground Hogs Day) 1927. Two children Gene Ray Wells and Bebe Joann Wells Woodworth were to enrich their life. Ellis, who died Jan. 30, 1973, always said Ina could do more for the family as a housewife than working out of the home. Ina and Ellis went everywhere together.
She kept a spotless house and always had a beautiful yard as well. Ina was always proud of the clothes and quilts she had hand made. On the lighter side, she was a crack shot with a rifle, always going for the eyes of the frog or squirrel. She was also willing to ride behind her son-in-law Don, on the motorcycle in the Colorado mountains. Ina moved to Ponca City in January of 1986, to make her home near Joann, Don and their family.
Ina was preceded in death by an older sister Lottie Apple, and her three brothers, all younger, Ray, Ralph and Carl and a great grandson, Matthew McCool. Only her sister, Sara Holt, just younger, of Gage, is still living.
Ina is survived by both her children and her grandchildren: son, Gene and wife Gail of Bethany; granddaughter Dana and her husband Matthew McFarland and great-granddaughter Veronica; granddaughter Carla; granddaughter Jana and husband Luke Green and great-granddaughter Rachel; daughter Joann and husband Don Woodworth, Ponca City, granddaughter Lisa and husband Rick McCool and great-grandsons Christopher and Kyle, granddaughter Angela Whitfield and great-grandson Cody.
Memorials may be made to the Lifeline Program, c/o St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, 1900 N. Fourteenth, Ponca City, OK 74601 or to the charity of choice.
Friends may call at the Trout Funeral Home until 9 p.m. Wednesday.
Senior Citizens Dance Set - A Senior Citizens Dance will be held from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday at the Senior Citizens Building, 320 South A in Arkansas City. The Pete Coli Band will be playing for dancing and all seniors in the area are invited to attend and bring a favorite snack to share.
WalkAmerica Luncheon - WalkAmerica Kick-Off Luncheon will be held Thursday at noon at Parker Pest Control, 3616 Lake Road. The luncheon is open to team captains and their bosses and anyone interested in being a team (as few as one). Lunch will be provided. For more information call Vicky Morton at 762-6614 or Christy Murray 767-2603.
Theft - At 6:55 a.m. Tuesday a woman in the 900 block of East Walnut Avenue reported the theft of an auto license sticker. A report was taken.
Forgery - Pioneer Bank reported a forgery to police at 9:09 a.m. Tuesday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Injury Accident - Oklahoma Highway Patrol responded to an injury accident at U.S. 77 and Oklahoma 11 at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday. Two people were taken to St. Joseph Regional Medical Center.
Stolen Bike - A resident in the 200 block of South Seventh Street reported the theft of a bicycle at 1:54 p.m. Tuesday. A report was taken.
Arrest - Police arrested a 19-year-old man at 3:10 p.m. Tuesday at North Sixth Street and East Hartford Avenue for driving under suspension and no insurance.
Vandalism - A woman in the 300 block of Sunset Street reported to police at 4:06 p.m. Tuesday that her vehicle had been vandalized. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Break-In - The communications center received a 911 call at 11:13 p.m. Tuesday from a man in the 1500 block of Bradley Avenue reporting that a break-in had occurred at his apartment. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Break-In - At 11:13 p.m. Tuesday police received a 911 call from a woman in the 800 block of West Highland Avenue reporting that her residence had been broken into. An officer took a report.
Arrest - Police arrested a 42-year-old woman at 12:07 a.m. Wednesday
in the 2300 block of North Waverly Street for public intoxication, resisting
arrest and allowing a minor to drive a vehicle.
LIFESTYLES
Brendan W. Hall, 17-month-old son of Dan and Andrine Hall, 608 Shamrock, was named 1997 National Overall Photogenic winner this summer. The Baby America Pageant was held in Orlando, Fla.
Other titles won by Brendan this year are 1997 National Mini Master First Runerup; 1997 Oklahoma Pee Wee Master; 1997 Oklahoma Pee Wee Swimsuit; Ponca City Pee Wee Master.
Sponsors include grandparents, Dan and Evelyn Hall of Bridger, Mont. and Glenn and Lois Wheeler of Butte, Mont. Other sponsors are Michael Sullivan, M. D., Lon E. Bair, D. D. S., Wyatt and Yvonne Crabs, Dwight and MAry Haub, Tammy's Playschool, P. Fred Henke, M. D., Paul K. Davis, M. D., Robbins Take Ten, Inc., Jack Bowker Ford and Amazing Hair People, Inc.
A "Beginning Day" meeting was held recently by members of the Laureate Phi chapter of Beta Sigma Phi sorority. Following recollections of past members the group heard plans for the new year.
Correspondence was read from John J. Ross concerning a contribution to the Disaster Fund and the chapter scrapbook was presented to Dorothy Majors, past president. Gwen Higgins will host the Sept. 8 meeting at 7:30 p.m.
The annual conference of BeautiControl consultants was held recently in Nashville, Tenn. Those attending participated in workshops on business and leadership development as well as receiving training on new products.
Attending from the local McClung unit were Judith McClung of Ponca City, Barbara Smith and Terri Buesing, both of Newkirk, Julie Cope of Ponca City, Pat Ammerman and Carol Munley, both of Arkansas City, Kan. Also attending was Pam Bailey of Dunwoody, Ga., formerly of Ponca City.
On Aug. 18 Eta Delta Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi sorority held its Beginning Day in the home of Marilyn Jouret with Sylvia Smith as co-hostess. Fifteen members were present. Meeting dates and social plans for the year were set.
Committee assignments were completed and Service projects designated to include monetary donations, goods and/or services to several community agencies throughout the year. Announcement was made that eight members would attend the Branson Getaway trip Nov. 7-9.
Officers for the chapter year are Sylvia Smith, president; Marilyn Jouret, vice-president; Pat Sipe, Recording secretary; Carla McGregor, Corresponding secretary, and Betty Wyatt, treasurer.
Cecelia Schieber will host the Sept. 8 meeting. Julie Collins, Janet Hughes and Carol Mounts will host the September social.
Several area women are among the pledges announced for sororities at Oklahoma State University recently. Ponca Citians are Anne Yates and Michelle Means, Kappa Kappa Gamma; Heather Roth and Amanda Mott, Pi Beta Phi; Sarah Hilyard, Phi Mu; Niki Batt, Risa Freeman and Amanda Berry, Zeta Tau Alpha.
Other area pledges are Heather Hill of Lamont, Alpha Chi Omega; Anna
Buller of Newkirk, Kappa Delta; Betsy Free of Pawhuska, Gamma Phi Beta;
Jennifer Zweiacker and Valerie Thompson of Pawnee, Alpha Chi Omega; Nicole
Williams of Perry, Pi Beta Phi; Lesley Mitchell of Ralston, Kappa Delta.
SPORTS
BY FRED HILTON
News Sports Editor
For a while Ponca City's young Lady Wildcat softballers were able to stay with powerful Tulsa Union in the Frontier Conference doubleheader here Tuesday,
But then the cracks started to appear and the Poncans inexperience showed through. Union scored five unearned runs in the seventh inning to hand the Lady Cats a 6-2 setback in the first game. The locals never quite recovered and Union broke on top early in the second game, cruising to a five-inning 8-0 win.
The Poncans dropped below .500 for the first time this season at 5-6 and the road remains rocky a they host Sapulpa in a twinbill here Thursday before entering the Edmond Classic Friday and Saturday.
Although they couldn't match the Lady Redskins in hitting, the Po-Hi girls got good pitching and solid defense to battle Union to a 1-1 deadlock through six innings.
But it came crashing down in the top of the seventh when Union loaded the bases with two outs.
A ground ball that should have ended the inning was muffed and the go-ahead run scored. That opened the door with Union getting a single and triple to score four more runs before Ponca City could get out of the inning.
Until that time, Ponca City pitcher Robbi Coffelt had limited Union to four singles and one run.
The Poncans struggled at the plate, but had tied the score at 1-1 in the bottom of the first with help from two Union errors. Leadoff batter Alana Smith was safe when the Union third baseman bobbled her hot grounder. One out later, the Union right fielder misjudged Chris Hinman's fly ball and the speedy Smith scored from first.
The game settled into a pitching dual for the next five innings until Union exploded in the seventh.
Even then, the Poncans tried to come back, bunching two of their four it the game, singles by Shauntia Feathers and Nikki Andrews to score one final run.
But that took the wind out of the Poncans' sails, Union jumped second-game pitcher Ashley Engle for three runs the the first inning and never looked back.
The Lady Cats managed just one hit in that game, a single by Marie Wilson in the fourth.
"Right now, with the injuries we've had, we're feeling our way along," coach Roydon Tilley said after the games. "We're still trying to find the right people to go in the right spots.
"We showed signs of improvement in that first game. We gave ourselves a chance to win."
But there are no lulls in the schedule to allow the Poncans to regroup.
"All of the teams in Class 6A are good now," Tilley said. "It use to be that we would go to Sapulpa or Jenks or Owasso or Stillwater and be assured of a "W". We'd just have to show up.
"But it's not that way any more. Fast pitch softball has been around here for some tie. But it has only recently come to some of these other schools. And they are making great progress. There aren't any easy opponents now."
As the rejuvenated Sapulpa will attest when the Lady Tigers come to town Thursday.
With a new lineup starting to take hold, the Lady Wildcat volleyball team is quickly becoming a force in the region.
The Lady Cats swept past Tulsa Hale on the Rangers' home court Tuesday.
That came hard on the heels of a three-win performance in the Edmond North Tournament.
In Tuesday's dual, the Lady Wildcat varsity topped Hale, 15 -12, 15-9, with Lauren Brune collecting 10 kills in those two games.
"Amy Freemin passed the ball very well," coach Steve McKay said. "This was a well as we have played all year. Hale is a good team and is taller than we are. But we were able to neutralize that."
The Po-Hi JV and ninth grade teams both came back from first set loses to complete the sweep.
In the Edmond North Tournament, McKay unveiled his new lineup for the first time and was very pleased with the way it came together.
The Lady Cats dropped a 15-8, 15-6 decision to host North in the first game, but they came back to stop Putnam West 15-6, 15-10 and Cement, 15 -7, 15-13. The Poncans split with Del City, 10-15, 15-10, to earn a second place in their bracket. They advanced to the tournament semifinals where the lost to eventual champion Christian Heritage, 15-7, 15-5.
"The girls played much better than they had earlier," McKay said of the tournament effort.
Brune had a total of 21 kills in the tournament along with two blocks and a pancake. Emmy Hufnagle had 17 kills and eight blocks. Nikki duke had five kills and three blocks while Freemin six kills and three blocks.
"Melissa Whiting had a good defensive game," McKay said, " and sophomore setter Ashley Mott set nearly every ball in every match. She had a busy tournament.
The Lady Cats try again to play on their home court as they host Bartlesville Thursday. The eighth and ninth grade game start things off at 6 p.m. with the JV and varsity matches to follow.
Golf Deadline - Thursday is the deadline for entering the Wentz Labor Day 2-Man Scramble, which is scheduled for Aug. 30-31.
The entry fee is $80 per two-man team, That does not include greens or cart fees. A barbecue dinner will be held after play Saturday.
---
Eighth Grade Volleyball - The Ponca City eighth grade volleyball team competed in the Eighth Grade League matches at Bartlesville Monday.
The Poncans beat Jenks Maroon 15-11, 15-6 and Tulsa Union, 15-4, 15-6, before splitting with Jenks White, 9-15, 15-0
Larry Platt and Mark Reeves pulled in the tournament Big Bass and that was enough to land them first place in the Ponca City Buddy Bass Tournament on Keystone Lake Sunday.
Their first place finish also gave them a share of the lead in the club's overall standings.
The Big Bass weighed in at 5.57 pounds. Platt and Reeves brought in four other bass to reach their limit and the five weighed a total of 15.48 pounds.
That was enough to edge out the team of Steve and Tom Owens, who had five bass weighing 13.65 pounds.
Delmar Hutchison and Ray Stevens were third with a total catch of 12.11 pounds while Dean Gratias and Mike Lewis were fourth with 10.65 pounds.
Reeves and Platt are now tied with Gratias and Lewis for the year-to-date standings. Both teams have 227 points. Don and Mike Owens are third in the standings with 220 points, followed by Steve and Tom Owens with 217 points.
Three team are tied for fifth with 210 points. They are Bryan Klinger and Jeff Dobson, Hutchison and Stephens along with Jamie Flegler and Dale Brown.
Mark Sanders and Dale Conner have 207 points, Jim and Scott Jones 204 and Ken Bright and Wayne Pemberton round out the Top 10 with 203 points.
The next meeting for the Buddy Bass Club will be Sept. 18 at 7 p.m. at
Ody's Outback. The next tournament will be Sept. 28 on Sooner Lake.