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From the pages of The Ponca City News, Sunday, August 9, 1998 LOCAL DEATHS NEWS BRIEFS LIFESTYLES SPORTS LOCALNearly News Nearly NewsLook at today’s bridge hand on Page 7C where Pawnee (Okla.) player and world traveler William Perel sent the deal to Philip Adler for use in his column. Nearly News congratulates Mr. Perel for submitting the deal. Nearly News has been informed by the city of Ponca City that the water on John Street will be turned off 7 a.m. Monday to repair a water line. It is anticipated that the water will be flowing again by 3:30 p.m. the same afternoon. Residents have received notification of the shut-down. It will be ‘Doug Nickles Day’ Monday NN has learned after receiving a notice of a proclamation by Mayor Tom Leonard concerning Nickles being named ‘Ponca City Ambuc of the Year’ and then qualifying to be ‘District 5C Ambuc of the Year’ which was followed by ‘National Ambuc of the Year’ honors. Nickles spent countless hours for the Ponca City Ambucs helping get the Jack Blevins Motocross track into shape, and the city has just recently realized more than 4,000 people from 36 states and seven foreign countries attended. NN sends congratulations. LettersUnwanted ProgramsNight before last I was shocked and could not believe as I was surfing (seeking to see what was on the TV) to suddenly be faced with nudity and explicit sex on my TV. I mentioned this to my neighbor, who also was moving from channel to channel while sitting on the divan with his teenage daughter and saw the same scene. He also could not believe what he was seeing was being channeled into his home as he sat watching TV with his daughter. I realize it was 10:30 p.m. … but I wonder this week how many parents have gone out for the evening and left their children alone in front of the TV. The next morning, as I was surfing again, I ran into a program (I guess it was HBO, to which I had not subscribed) where every other sentence include the “F” word … no stranger to my ears of course. It since was brought to my attention that CABLE ONE is, using “free time” this week to present R-rated materials any time of the day so that they may get increased revenue. This may be legal since I do not believe that CABLE ONE would do anything illegal, but is there not a moral issue here? Does the media have the right to enter the homes of our community with R-rated movies anytime of the day and foul, dirty language which you and I would not want to be used in front of our wives, children and grandchildren? We would not tolerate this behavior on Grand Avenue for all to see … Why then must we tolerate it being sent into our homes so that CABLE ONE, or any other cable, can entice additional subscribers for one hour, let alone one whole week, 168 hours? Maybe, I am an old-fashioned, 75-year-old, but I have been around the tub looking for the handle (as we used to say down on the farm), As a Christian 75-year-old, I must complain out of love for my neighbors and friends. What do you say? Dr. Don Parsons Shop Ponca City FirstIn driving around Ponca City, there are bumper stickers on cars, and signs in yards telling people to “Shop at Home” and “Shop Ponca City First.” And in the weeks preceding Christmas, the local Chamber of Commerce campaigns also to “Shop at Home.” This is somewhat distressing to me in that the local city government does not follow this practice of “Shopping at Home.” The City of Ponca City’s Health/Dental insurance is carried through an agency in Stillwater, and there is an agent right here in Ponca City that represents the same insurance company. This local agent provides the same policy with the same benefits to cities in the Ponca City area, so why did our city government chose the agency in Stillwater? The city pays over $900,000 a year in insurance premiums to an insurance agency in Stillwater. This is money that should be spent supporting local businesses and Ponca City’s economy. Come on Ponca City. Let’s truly “Shop Ponca City First.” Cindy Fike Good SamaritanPonca City can be very proud of its citizens who, on Sunday afternoon, Aug. 2, stopped on the very busy 35N to assist me with an ailing car while on the way back to Wichita from Oklahoma City. This gentleman, driving a white extended cab vehicle, quickly and accurately diagnosed the problem, and drove me back to the Guthrie exit (4 miles) to purchase the proper item to cleanse the system. Then, after inserting the fluid, he faithfully followed me from Guthrie to the Ponca City exit to ensure my safe return to Kansas. Thank you, kind sir, for your generosity of time and effort. I pray for you and your family often and promise to continue to do so in the future. your kindness will always be remembered. Sister Rose Therese Bahr, ASC Graduate Faculty, Division of Nursing Newman University Wichita, Kan. Familiar Tune Likely for Most Middle School Students“East is east and West is west” may be the tune sung by Ponca City middle school students as they enter the 21st century, pending the outcome of Monday’s vote by the Ponca City Board of Education. The status of the local middle school situation will highlight Monday’s 6:30 p.m. meeting at the Ponca City Administration Building, 111 West Grand. The meeting is open to the public. Pending the outcome of the board vote, the city will return to the “old” East-West division for seventh and eighth graders in the 1999-2000 school year. According to the board agenda, “At the July 27 special meeting of the Board of Education, an open forum was held to discuss long-range plans for future middle school configuration.” Consensus of the board and administration was to recommend establishing two middle schools (Mid-High and Middle School facilities) consisting of seventh and eighth graders at each site. Currently the Mid-High (eighth and ninth graders) is located at the old East Junior High on East Grand while the Middle School (seventh and eighth grades) is located in the former West Junior High on West Grand. Under the proposed realignment, students from Liberty, Lincoln, Trout and Union would feed the West Middle School while students from Garfield, Roosevelt, Washington, Woodlands and McCord would attend the East Middle School. Provisions for open transfer between the two schools will be included. According to the board, “Long-range plans include bringing the sixth grade into both sites as soon as the building could accommodate them, which would probably be in the year 2001.” Ninth graders are to be moved to the high school campus as soon as their new building is completed. Dr. Bill White, superintendent of schools, recommends approval of the new alignment. Also on the agenda will be consideration of transferring the operation of the school system’s After School Kids Program to the Ponca City YMCA effective with the upcoming school year. Dr. White recommended the transfer, following an 18-month study, with the stipulations that there be no changes in the program and that the YMCA retain all of the current employees for at least one year. Rates will remain the same for the coming school year. All donations made to the program will stay at the schools and may be used by the program as long as they remain in the schools. If there ever becomes a time that the programs are no longer held in the schools, all donations will remain the property of the school district. The district will provide transportation for at least one year. Kelly Kay, local YMCA director, will be at Monday’s meeting to explain the proposal and answer questions. In other action on Monday’s agenda, the board will consider: *Approval of change orders for ongoing construction. *Appointing principals and assistant principals as attendance officers. *Appointment of a plan administrator for the district’s Deferred Compensation Plan. *Designation of representatives for a number of federal programs for the coming school term. *Agreement with National Computer Systems Inc. for the SASI attendance software used at the secondary schools and Central Office at a cost of $8,412. *Recommendation of a new code of ethics for school board members. The board will also consider an executive session for the statutory purposes of discussing possible termination, reassignment, resignation and employment of personnel; discussion of confidential conversations with the board’s attorney concerning pending claims and litigation and discussion of negotiations. No specific cases or situations were given in the agenda. The board will also hear reports from the Property, Policy and Finance committees and consider a number of encumbrances including general, building, gifts and endowments, child nutrition and 1998 construction bond. There will also be requests for transfers of funds, an expenditure analysis report, bond fund summary, activity fund reports and treasurer’s report. Economic Development Board/OU To Conduct SurveyWhat is the status of the workforce in Kay County? Are the unemployment figures correct? What skills levels are available? Are there enough people trained to fill available jobs? Answers to these questions and many others are the subject of an Area Workforce Survey which is being done by the Ponca City Economic Development Advisory Board in conjunction with the Oklahoma Department of Commerce and Oklahoma University. The survey, which is scheduled to begin Monday, will take approximately five weeks to complete and will involve telephone calls to approximately 1,000 households in Kay County, parts of Osage County and parts of southern Kansas. According to local development officials, this is the primary area where people live who comprise the Ponca City workforce. According to Jan Jarrett, director of Economic Development, the composition of the area workforce has gone through some substantial changes over the past few years. With the location of Thorn Apple Valley and Sykes, over 1,000 new jobs have been created for area citizens in a relatively short span of time. This has provided opportunity for area residents to gain new skills and new jobs, but appears to have placed pressure on the labor pool from which all area manufacturers and processors fill vacancies. Even given unemployment figures which indicate an unemployment rate of around 6 percent, representing some 1,320 persons, local companies have reported difficulty in maintaining full staffing levels to meet production demands. The total labor force, according to the June 1998 report of the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission, indicated a total workforce of 22,180 persons, 20,860 of whom were employed. Although the 6 percent figure represents a decrease in the unemployment rate of 1.4 percent from this time last year, local employers are indicating that a number of jobs are left unfilled due to a lack of qualified applicants. The Workforce Survey is designed to give local officials and employers a better idea of those who are in the labor market, those who are not and persons who would like to work, but are unable to seek employment due to personal constraints like transportation, lack of job skills and child care. Additionally, information will be generated on those forces which drive the market, available skills and mobility of the labor force. The format for the survey is straightforward in nature. People in the area will receive a telephone call asking if they would be willing to help in this process by answering a series of questions which will take several minutes to complete. All calls will be totally confidential in nature and all persons who participate will be assured of complete privacy. In addition to the more commonly asked questions, respondents will also be asked to respond to questions which it is hoped will determine the need for additional housing in the area, as well as the potential need for child care. Those who receive a call during the Workforce Survey are encouraged to take the time to respond. Jarrett said, “Information gained from the survey will provide a great tool to give Ponca City better understanding of the makeup of our workforce and help to create new and better jobs for area residents.” Red Earth Indian Center Includes Numerous Activities in 12 MonthsBy KATHY ZEHR News Staff Writer The Red Earth Indian Center, located inside the Kirkpatrick Center at 2100 N.E. 52nd Street in Oklahoma City has numerous activities, exhibits, a festival, an art auction, and a benefit golf tournament scheduled through the next 12 months. Admission to Red Earth Indian Center is included in a general ticket purchase at the main entrance to the 10-acre Kirkpatrick Complex. The same admission ticket also allows access to Omniplex Science Museum, Oklahoma Air Space Museum, International Photography Hall of Fame, Kirkpatrick Planetarium and all other galleries, attractions and garden areas located inside the 10-acre center. Ticket prices are $6 for children and $7 for adults. Children under three are admitted free. Currently on exhibit through Aug. 23, at the Red Earth Center is an exhibit featuring vintage glass-plate negatives drawn from the photographic archives of the Western History Collections of the University of Oklahoma. Portraits are from 1890 to Oklahoma’s statehood in 1907. Included is a portrait of Geronimo as he prepares to travel with Pawnee Bill’s Wild West Show. Also on exhibit through Aug. 31, is an exhibition of clothing, beadwork and masks from the Iroquois, Huron and other tribes living in the Great Lakes region. From Sept. 14-Nov. 29, and exhibit of artforms from the Red Earth permanent collections focuses on the Southwest, from earliest paleo-Indian times to present modern cultures. Highlighted will be Navajo weaving, Hopi Kachinas and prehistoric pottery and artifacts. The exhibit is combined with educational text and artwork. On Sept. 21, an 18-hole scramble golf tournament at the Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club will benefit educational programs at Red Earth. For more information call (405)427-5228. To celebrate the Christmas season, Red Earth will present a special exhibit of Native American children’s toys, and holiday decorations. Included in the display will be dolls, bows and arrows, rattles, toy cradleboards and miniature figurines. From Jan. 10, to March 28, 1999, a photographic essay of the Seminole Tribe of Oklahoma will be accented by patchwork art, paintings and memorabilia. A lecture series by scholars and artists will be scheduled at various times. Call (405) 427-5228 for scheduling. Central Mexico and Yucatan Peninsula cultures will be studied through historical text, photographs, artwork and artifacts from April 5-May 30, 1999. These cultures include the Olmec, Maya and Aztec peoples. Each culture’s ascendancy to supremacy and ultimate downfall due to western expansion, internal conflicts and other occurrences is studied in this presentation. June 1 through Aug. 29, 1999, artwork, photos and artifacts will represent the unique story of ancient to present day Sprio people, Plains Tribes, Prairie Tribes, Southeastern and Northeastern Tribes. On June 5, cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and a seated dinner will precede an auction of art by America’s most renowned Native American artists to benefit Red Earth. Held at the National Cowboy Hall of Fame and Western Heritage Center, tickets are available by calling (405) 427-5228. June 10-14, 1999, is the date set for the next Red Earth Festival at the Myriad Convention Center in Oklahoma City. This 13th annual festival features a juried art show, Native American dance competition, parade, storytelling, children’s activities, music, authentic food and many other events for the entire family. The event has been honored as “Oklahoma’s Outstanding Event” and named one of the top 100 events in North American by the American Bus Association. For information on any of the events or for tickets, call (405) 427-5228. Repair Work Will Confront City Commission MondayBy PATTI PFEIFFER News Staff Writer Fixin’, repairing and replacing will be the main topic of conversation during Monday night’s city commission meeting as city commissioners consider not one but two different types of repairs. A costly but necessary repair of an electrical transformer will be considered by city commissioners. Recently an oil leak was discovered on the transformer at the Huffy substation, located near the intersection of Hartford Avenue and Waverly Street. Upon closer inspection “extensive” damage to the “tap changer” was discovered and it is being recommended that the repairs be made in Oklahoma City. According to Electrical Superintendent Don Romine, this transformer is important because it provides electrical service to all those businesses located in the Industrial Park including Thorn Apple Valley, Mertz, Albertsons, Smith International and the Municipal Airport. Currently a mobile substation is on lease from OG&E and will be used for the two weeks it will take to make the repairs. Cost of the repairs is estimated between $60,000 and $130,000 which includes the cost of leasing the mobile substation. If all goes as planned the heating, air conditioning, (HVAC) units as well as the roof at the Public Safety Center may soon be replaced. And not much has gone according to plan with this project. In the works for one year, the renovations at the Public Safety Center originally called for the remodeling of the bathrooms to the American Disability Act specifications and replacement of both the HVAC and roof at a cost of $166,000. An increase in construction cost raised the project to $188,500. Currently the project includes a drive through canopy, another increase in cost and a revised total cost nearly 30 percent or $50,000 higher than originally estimated. In a letter to the city manager and commissioners, Police Chief Raymond Ham states “The HVAC and roof are 21 years old. We have experienced problems with them both, especially the HVAC. So to speak, these are operating on a wing and a prayer.” He continues stating “All of these items have been maintained and the problem is that they are worn out. To continue on would leave another building that could not be maintained properly.” A city commission meeting would not be complete without a change order in the $15.3 million wastewater treatment plant remodeling and renovation contract. Yet another change order revision is slated to be voted upon Monday night, this one includes $18,205 in repairs to an existing transformer. City commissioners will also be considering a proposal from former city planner Larry Lawhon to revise the city zoning ordinance. Two reports will be given during the meeting. An update on both the Hartford Avenue and Union Street projects and a consumer utility bill analysis which will show that utility rates for the “average” family have actually decreased over the past five years. On the darker side of city business, the commissioners will be voting on the purchase of a small animal incinerator for Animal Control as part of the consent agenda. The low bid is in the amount of $20,540. Also on the consent agenda is a Donation Agreement with the Salvation Army, release of funds request for the Lake Ponca Dam project, a request to allow the First Methodist Church to use Pioneer Park on Sept. 6 and a request for partial payment for the wastewater treatment plant. Ponca Tribe Works To Meet Care NeedsIn the Ponca Tribe of Oklahoma’s efforts to meet the health care needs of the members of the Ponca Tribe, they have entered an agreement of mutual interest with the “Building Healthy Hearts in American Indian and Alaskan Native Communities Project.” According to Kinsel Lieb, vice chairman of the Ponca Business Committee, this is a two-year project funded by the National Institute of Health, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. The primary purpose of this project is to design culturally appropriate cardiovascular health promotion and disease prevention information and education materials that target health care needs of American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations. This project recognizes that heart disease is one of the top three health risks for tribal members. There is a need to provide culturally appropriate health education material to tribal members for prevention, at risk patients, and those individuals who already have cardiovascular disease. The project will hold focus groups, develop materials based on their findings working with the tribal health department in these endeavors. This study is to assure that materials developed are appropriate and effective for American Indian populations. These materials will be tailored to the needs of specific target communities and sensitive to the differences in their health, disease patters, behaviors and health care delivery systems, and the socio-cultural aspects of their lives (e.g., language, traditions, values). The Ponca Tribe will provide a contact person who will serve as the liaison between the tribe and the Healthy Hearts project team. This individual will assist the team in finding appropriate space for the focus groups that is acceptable to the community and assist in the recruitment of individuals for four focus groups that will consist of six to ten individuals each. The tribal liaison will promote the program to the community and serve as a resource person for the team. The tribe will provide transportation for the members of the focus groups if there is a need. The project for the Ponca Tribe began in July 1998 and will end September 1999. City CalendarItems for the City Calendar should be brought in or telephoned (765-3311) to Bob Patterson, at the Ponca City News, by Thursday noon. Anytime FOLOBS (Friends of Library Ongoing Book Sale), anytime the Ponca City Library is open, North of Multimedia Room (downstairs). July 13-August 28 Ponca City Humane Society Pet Photo Contest, $5 entry fee, photos will not be returned, $100 savings bond grand prize, submit entries to Ponca City Humane Society, 900 West Prospect Avenue. SundaySingles Network of Ponca City and First United Methodist Church presenting Life Adjustment Workshop, at the church, Sixth and Central, cost $30, call 762-9776 or 765-1403 to register. ALANO Group Open Discussion meeting (smoking allowed), 8 p.m., 603 South First Street. MondayHospice of Ponca City Grief Support Group, 10 a.m., 1904 North Union Street, Suite 103, 7 p.m., Westminster Village. Enrollment, High School, grade 12 (A-K), 7:45 a.m. to 11 a.m. Ponca City Board of Commissioners, Ponca City Utility Authority, Ponca City Development Authority, 5:30 p.m., Public Safety Center Commissioner’s Room, 200 East Oklahoma Avenue. ALANO Group 12 X 12 meeting (smoking allowed), 8 p.m., 603 South First Street. TuesdayEconomic Development Advisory Board, 7:30 a.m., Chamber of Commerce, 420 East Grand Avenue. Enrollment, High School, grade 12 (L-Z), 7:45 a.m. to 11 a.m. Ponca City Library Board, 11:30 a.m., Library Board Room, 515 East Grand Avenue. Hospice of Ponca City Raindrops Support Group, 7 p.m., St. Paul’s Methodist Church. Enrollment, Elementary Schools, grades K-6, from 4 to 7 p.m. McCord Volunteer Fire Department, 7 p.m., McCord School Library. Osage Cove Volunteer Fire Department, 7 p.m., Fire Station, Keeler Road and U.S. 60. Rural Water District No. 1 Regular Board Meeting, 7:30 p.m., Enterprise School on Lake Road. ALANO Group Beginner’s meeting (smoking allowed), 8 p.m., 603 South First Street. WednesdayEnergy Advisory Board Special Meeting, 7:30 a.m., Public Safety Center, 200 East Oklahoma Avenue. Cultural Affairs Commission, 11:30 a.m., Cultural Center Sun Room, 1000 East Grand Avenue. Fire Prevention Advisory Council, 11:30 a.m., Golden Corral. Young Thang! doors open 6 p.m. close 8:30 p.m., free admission, Grand Central Station. Rural Water District No. 3 (Braden) Board of Directors, 7 p.m., Braden Community Center. ALANO Group Big Book meeting (smoking allowed), 8 p.m., 603 South First Street. August 12-13-14-15 101 Wild West Rodeo, 101 Rodeo Arena, 8 p.m., North Ash Street at West Prospect Avenue. ThursdayPonca City Housing Authority, 10 a.m., 201 East Broadway Avenue. Agrarian Club, 6 p.m., Evans Park southeast of city on Riverview Road, all former, present and agribusiness are urged to attend the social consisting of family basket picnic with drinks and entertainment provided. ALANO Group Women’s meeting (smoking allowed), 8 p.m., 603 South First Street. Friday ALANO Group Speaker meeting (smoking allowed), 8 p.m., 603 South First Street. Saturday Pancake and Sausage Feed, 7-11 a.m., Masonic Lodge No. 83, 1200 West Grand Avenue, adults $3, children under 12 $1.50, proceeds to building operations. 101 Wild West Rodeo Parade, 10 a.m., Downtown. ALANO Group Open Discussion (smoking allowed), 8 p.m., 603 South First Street. August 16 Flea Bath and Dip for Dogs, 2-4 p.m., Pioneer Motor Bank, sponsored by Kay-9 Dog Training Club of Ponca City Inc., dip provided by Farmers Ranch Drive Co-Op. Janice Graham Autographing her novel Firebird, 2-4 p.m., Brace Books and More, 2205 North Fourteenth Street. August 17 Ponca City Board of Commissioners Work Session, 2 p.m., Public Safety Center, 200 East Oklahoma Avenue. Multiple Sclerosis Support Group, 6:30 p.m., Albright United Methodist Church, 128 South Palm Street, call Beth Wright 765-6738 for additional information. Family Council, 7 p.m., Highland Nursing Home, 1401 West Highland Avenue. Ponca City Ostomy Association, 7 p.m., Stillwater Medical Center Board Room, program Bob and Marcia Baumel, “Review of UOA National Conference.” August 18 Standing Bear Educational Committee, 11 a.m., Pioneer Bank Drive-In, interested citizens encouraged to attend. Mutual Respect and Community Attitude Committee for Ponca City Tomorrow, 11:30 a.m., lower level of Commercial Federal Building, public invited, more information 767-0823 or 765-3873. Kaw Lake Association Board Meeting, noon, Golden Corral, North Fourteenth Street and Bradley Avenue. Marland Estate Commission, 4:30 p.m., Marland Estate Conference Center. Pioneer Water Garden Society, 7 p.m., Cann Gardens, East Grand Avenue at Fourteenth Street, Ponca City. August 19 The first day of school is Aug. 19. Ponca City Tourism Authority, 2 p.m., Cultural Center, Sun Room, 2000 East Grand Avenue. Young Thang! doors open 6 p.m. close 8:30 p.m., free admission, Grand Central Station. August 20 Hospice of Ponca City Grief Support Group, 10 a.m., First Presbyterian Church, Blackwell. Park and Recreation Advisory Board, 6:30 p.m., Municipal Court Room, Public Safety Center, 200 East Oklahoma Avenue. August 21 Historical Preservation Advisory Panel Work Session, noon, Planning Conference Room, Commercial Federal Building, Room 305, Fourth Street and Central Avenue. Traffic Commission, 1:15 p.m., Public Safety Center, 200 East Oklahoma Avenue. August 24 Ponca City Board of Commissioners, Ponca City Utility Authority, Ponca City Development Authority, 5:30 p.m., Public Safety Center Commissioner’s Room, 200 East Oklahoma Avenue. August 25 Ponca City Main Street Authority, 1 p.m., Main Street Office, 117 North Third Street. August 26 Planning Commission Work Session, 7:45 a.m., Planning Conference Room, Commercial Federal Building, Room 305, Fourth Street and Central Avenue. Fire Prevention Advisory Council, 11:30 a.m., Golden Corral. Young Thang! doors open 6 p.m. close 8:30 p.m., free admission, Grand Central Station. August 27 Mary R. Bundred sharing 101 Educational Travel Tips for Families in Travel Wise With Kids, 2-3 p.m., Brace Books and More, 2205 North Fourteenth Street. Leadership Ponca City Class Reception, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Ponca City Country Club. Alzheimer’s Support Group, 7 p.m., Conference Room A, St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. August 29 Mary Anne Potter, Recipe sampling and Cookbook signing, 2-4 p.m., Brace Books and More, 2205 North Fourteenth Street. August 30-31-September 1 88.7 FM and area churches present “Heaven’s Gates and Hell’s Flames,” a dramatized real life presentation, 7 p.m., Hutchins Auditorium, admission free, for more information, 767-1400. September 1 Planning Commission, 7 p.m., Public Safety Center, 200 East Oklahoma Avenue. September 2 Energy Advisory Board, 7:30 a.m., Public Safety Center. September 3 Kay-9 Dog Training Club of Ponca City Inc. meeting, 7 p.m., Ponca City Library. September 4 Historical Preservation Advisory Panel, noon, Planning Conference Room, Commercial Federal Building, Fourth Street and Central Avenue. September 8 Economic Development Advisory Board, 7:30 a.m., Chamber of Commerce, 420 East Grand Avenue. Ponca City Library Board, 11:30 a.m., Library Board Room, 515 East Grand Avenue. Ponca City Board of Commissioners Work Session, 2 p.m., Public Safety Center, 200 East Oklahoma Avenue. McCord Volunteer Fire Department, 7 p.m., McCord School Library. Osage Cove Volunteer Fire Department, 7 p.m., Fire Station, Keeler Road and U.S. 60. Rural Water District No. 1 Regular Board Meeting, 7:30 p.m., Enterprise School on Lake Road. September 9 Health Fair, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Place to be announced. Cultural Affairs Commission, 11:30 a.m., Cultural Center Sun Room, 1000 East Grand Avenue. Rural Water District No. 3 (Braden) Board of Directors, 7 p.m., Braden Community Center. September 10 Ponca City Housing Authority, 10 a.m., 201 East Broadway Avenue. September 11-12 The Land of Country Antique and Craft Festival, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Hutchins Memorial Building, North Seventh Street and Overbrook Avenue, Ponca City, admission $2 donation, lunch both days from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., $5. September 12 1998 United Way Campaign Kick-Off Celebration 5K walk/run 8:30 a.m.; parade 10 a.m., games, food booths, other activities, Centennial Plaza following parade, more information 765-2476. Heritage Day, Cultural Center Grounds, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Falderal String Band free concert, 1:15 p.m., Second Concert after dinner, 6:30 p.m., Kaw City Community Center, after dinner speaker, Dr. Danny Goble, “The Rest of Oklahoma’s Story,” sponsored by Friends of the Cultural Center Museum Foundation Inc., North Central Historical Association, Pioneer Genealogy Society, Kaw City Museum, Kaw City Chamber of Commerce, admission charged. More Than 400 Entries for 101 RodeoBy BOB PATTERSON News Staff Writer The big show for rodeo fans in Ponca City gets under way this week! And, the 101 Wild West Rodeo is getting bigger and better every year. The Ponca City Rodeo Foundation is bent on proving that 1998 will be no different as the final plans begin to take shape for quite a show. To prove that the 101 Wild West Rodeo is getting bigger and better, is the number of entries that have been approved. Rodeo Foundation officials have been informed that more than 400 entries are slated to appear in the rodeo here during the week’s performances. There will be rodeoing from Wednesday through Saturday at the 101 Ranch rodeo arena located at the southwest portion of West Prospect Avenue and North Ash Street, with performances set for 8 p.m. each night. But if the true, every-night attendee doesn’t want to miss out on any of the action, there will be some on Tuesday also. That will be when steer roping will be held, scheduled to start at 7 p.m. There will be slack for calf roping, team roping and steer wrestling, plus some girls barrel racing Tuesday also, with those activities beginning at 4 p.m. and taking up again after the steer roping event. All the shows and specialty acts of the rodeo are set to be in the arena during the four regular nights, Aug. 12-15, with the Rafter H Rodeo Company of Dell Hall, located in Tahlequah supplying the stock and producing the show. Prior to the Saturday night performances Ponca City and area residents will line Grand Avenue for the annual 101 Wild West Rodeo parade, which has been set for 10 a.m. And if you haven’t guessed it by now, the week always is designated as rodeo week, with residents encouraged to dress western throughout the week in promotion of the rodeo. The 101 Wild West Rodeo dates back to 1905, but the rodeo this year will be the 39th annual event as a result of some years when it couldn’t be held for some reason or another. On that 1905 date in June, the 101 Ranch gave the world its first professionally staged “round-up” as entertainment for the National Editorial Association meeting — round-up better known today as rodeo. And that was even before Oklahoma statehood! The activity really picks up on Tuesday next week, when Business After Hours will be held at Cassie’s County. That’s a meeting of local businesses to kick off the rodeo and promote the rodeo. Prior to each Grand Entry during the four regular nights of rodeo, there will be a Stick Horse Grand Entry, for youngsters aged three through seven. Each night, the first 101 children at the rodeo will receive a free stick horse to ride in the stick horse grand entry. That will take place promptly at 7:30 p.m. And there will be two family nights, on Wednesday and Thursday, with youngsters under 12 getting in free. Also, on Wednesday, it will be KPNC night, with the local radio station sponsoring ticket vouchers and remote broadcast. Friday will be Wrangler night. There will be two highlights during the day and early evening on Thursday. There is a Rodeo Foundation golf tournament set for Lew Wentz Golf Course, and Head Country Bar-B-Q Restaurant sponsors a free meal prior to the rodeo on Thursday night to rodeo ticket holders with donations accepted for Domestic Violence. The dinner is held outside the Moose Lodge parking lot. Friday’s specialty includes a rodeo dance at Cassie’s County at 10 p.m., which is usually right after the final rider has either been thrown or goes the full eight seconds on the final bull. The 101 Wild West Rodeo Queen Coronation will be held on Saturday during the rodeo, and the rodeo dance will again be held starting around 10 p.m. The Rodeo Foundation has acquired the popular Dr. Lynn Phillips of Enid again as the rodeo announcer. Rodeo Contractor Hall is located at Tahlequah and has been in the stock contracting business for the past 35 years, the last 22 as a member of the PRCA. Rafter H Rodeo is a family-run operation on a 1,420-acre ranch 10 miles outside of Tahlequah. Hall’s wife Betty is a PRCA timer and his daughter Shelley a PRCA secretary. Son Justin aids with sorting and flanking of the livestock. Hall had stock at the National Finals Rodeo in 1997, including Lost Trails and John Doe for bareback riders, and four bulls in the bull riding event, Skoal’s Swamp Rat, Skoal’s Friendly Freddie, Skoal’s King Kong and School Teacher. He topped off his stock contracting with a Bucking Stock of the Year in saddle bronc with Alibi in 1983. Five Vie for 101 Wild West Rodeo QueenThere are five contestants vying for this year’s 101 Wild West Rodeo Queen title. The reigning queen is Lacey Dale Cully, daughter of Bob and Debbie Payne of Shidler. Following her being crowned last year, she went on to be crowned the 1998 “Miss rodeo Oklahoma Teen” at Guthrie’s Lazy E Arena last October. Queen contestants include Tracey S. Bossert, 3505 Nottingham Drive, Ponca City. The Tonkawa High School graduate also completed two years at Northeastern Oklahoma College in Miami, Okla. Bossert, 20, is the daughter of Art and Sue Bossert and plans to continue her education as a junior at Oklahoma State University. Hobbies of Bossert include collecting various items, and going horseback riding, learning to rope and being with her dogs, Cheyenne and Mesquite. Another contestant is Stormi Guidry, daughter of Sharon Crissey and a 14-year-old student of Yale High School, Yale, Okla. Guidry likes rodeos, horse shows, cross country running, track and field, and drawing. Tara Banks, a 19-year-old daughter of Richard and Gaye Banks of Sapulpa, is a graduate of Faith Central Christian Academy and plans to attend Tulsa University for a degree in Mass Communications and Marketing. Banks includes in her accomplishments as being Beggs Frontier Days Rodeo Queen and Horsemanship winner, 101 Ambassador and horsemanship winner, Colcord IPRA Rodeo queen, horsemanship and Miss Congeniality. Banks says she likes horseback riding, camping, reading, and being active in several community service groups. Courtney Marie Burns is 18 and the daughter of Jamie Burns of Calumet and John Burns of Geary. The 1998 graduate of El Reno High School is currently attending Redlands Community College. Burns lists hobbies as riding in drill team, playing volleyball, and spending time with friends and family. Rebecca Cherry is the daughter of Elzie and Ann Cherry. She is attending Northeastern State University. At age 19, she enjoys competing in queen contests, riding horses and going to rodeos. Reigning 101 Queen Became ‘Miss Teen’Appearing for numerous PRCA rodeos and events throughout the state of Oklahoma this year is Ponca City’s own “Miss 101 Wild West Rodeo,” Lacey Dale Cully. The daughter of Bob and Debbie Payne of Shidler, Lacey Dale went on to be crowned the 1998 “Miss Rodeo Oklahoma Teen” at Guthrie’s Lazy E Arena last October. Throughout her lifetime she has been extensively involved with horses and music. Showing in 4-H and the Kansas Quarter Horse Association, as well as a variety of project efforts, contributed to her earning the 4-H Gold Achievement Award. Having competed in the goat tying, barrel racing, and pole bending events in junior and high school rodeos, she became first runnerup as a freshman, claimed the title of “Miss Kansas High School Rodeo” as a sophomore, and won the contest’s speech award both years. Lacey Dale has played the fiddle and violin since the age of 4; performed as concert mistress of her middle and high school orchestras in Arkansas City and McPherson, Kan., and sang in high school symphonic and show choirs. She has earned numerous superior ratings in regional and state music competition and was the youngest contestant in Winfield’s Walnut Valley Fiddle Contest. At the 1994 American Junior Quarter Horse Association World Championship Show in Fort Worth, Lacey Dale placed third in talent and 21st in stake race. She, along with her mother and brother, were named the “1994 Kansas Music Family of the Year.” A member of the Shidler United Methodist Church, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, KAYS, and honor roll, Lacey Dale was nominated for both the Hugh O’Brien Youth Scholarship and “Who’s Who Among American High School Students.” The granddaughter of Holton and Jayne Payne of Shidler, Lloyd and Lucille White of Colby, Kan., and Cloyd and Lea Cully of South Haven, Kan., Lacey Dale plans to major in Communication Arts and minor in music as a freshman at Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford this fall. Rodeo Clown Gary ParliRodeo clown Gary Parli of Morrison, Okla., was selected by the top 20 bullriders in the PRCA to serve as barrelman for the National Finals Rodeo in Oklahoma City. He was twice selected as alternate barrelman for the NFR. Parli, a former college agribusiness instructor and rodeo team coach finds the clowning business an exciting summer activity. He started competing in rodeos while in high school, and in college he discovered a demand for clowns and bullfighters. He needed entry fee money and decided to try his hand at the risky profession. As with many clowns who continue in the sport, it just “got in his blood.” He was tutored by another great rodeo clown, Buck LeGrand, and started clowning regularly in the summer of 1967. One of Parli’s routines involves a pair of newlyweds who travel to the rodeo in a red 1926 Model T Ford. The jalopy goes through a “bunch of comical mechanical flub-ups” inducing a give-and-take between the bride and groom. Having performed at rodeos in 30 states and three Canadian provinces, he has been featured at many of the top contests in North America, including the Elks Helldorado Days in Las Vegas, Nev.; Days of 47 in Salt Lake City, Utah; the College National Finals Rodeo; the Days of ‘’76 in Deadwood, S.D.; the Central States Fair and Rodeo in Rapid City, S.D.; and the celebrated Calgary Stampede. He was also selected by the Top 15 Circuit bullriders to work the Prairie Circuit Finals three times and the Great Lakes Circuit Finals once. In October 1992 Parli was able to obtain one of his professional goals, by clowning the Madison Square Garden rodeo in New York City. In addition, Parli maintains a ranching operation in Morrison, and operates an Allstate Insurance Agency in Ponca City. 101 Rodeo Parade Set SaturdayFinal arrangements for the 1998 101 Wild West Rodeo parade are falling into place, according to Rodeo Foundation officials. The parade will start promptly at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, beginning at West Grand Avenue and Oak Street and heading east along Grand Avenue ending at Sixth Street. The parade marshals this year will be members of the Pickett family, in honor of the legendary Bill Pickett, a 101 Ranch hand who originated biting a steer on the lip in wrestling it to the ground, a unique form of “bulldogging.” Pre-entry is not necessary for the parade this year, according to Chris Short and Stan Long, who are in charge of sending entries on their way as the parade heads east. However, they ask that participants be ready for the lineup at 9:30 a.m. Prior to the parade in that immediate area, will be a pancake breakfast offered by the Masons at the Masonic Lodge on West Grand Avenue, starting at 6:30 a.m. The public is invited. Floats are requested to meet on the side streets in front of West Grand Church of Christ and progress east. Those riding horses and having horse or animal-drawn wagons and carriages should meet in the grassy area south of the church, and be able to produce a Coggins test on request. Classic car entries are to meet on North Peachtree and North Birch, but are requested not to block driveways of residences. Political candidates and participants should be gathering on side streets and in the Lake Street area, and parade officials have asked that for the safety of the youngsters, that participants do not throw candy. For additional information concerning the parade, contact Short at 762-9649 or Long at 765-7387. Rodeo Announcer PopularFor the past several years, the Ponca City Rodeo Foundation has had one of the more popular rodeo announcers take the microphone at the start of each night’s performance and keep rodeo fans informed no matter whether it be rough stock, timed events or even the clown acts. Things will be no different this year, with the return of the popular Dr. Lynn Phillips of Enid, Okla., who calls the shots in the tense, sterile arena of a hospital operating room as his normal duties. Medicine can’t match his weekend rodeo hobby for excitement. “I still get butterflies before I start announcing,” Phillips smiles, “but unlike years ago, now they fly in formation.” As long as this announcer is behind the microphone, you will probably never have to hear the question, “Is there a doctor in the house?” Trick-Roper Will Thrill Fans This WeekA trick-roping cowboy will be one of the specialty acts for 101 Wild West Rodeo fans to see this week, when Brice Chapman of Lubbock, Texas, brings his act to the arena. Chapman, who started his career at the age of five, does trick roping that will include trick roping on and off a horse, and horse tricks and dog tricks, plus blacklight shows and kickoff tee retrieval. The 28-year-old roper says, “You got to have your hat way back and your foot way forward,” as his personal motto. A member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, TTU Former Students Association, and USCRA and USTRA, Chapman received his college education in Ag Economics at Texas Tech University. Besides being a professional trick roper, Chapman is a horseshoer (farrier) and a professional team roper and calf roper in rodeos. His interests besides roping and horses include football, music, dancing, hunting, fishing, Bible study, chess and a number of other activities. He place God, family and friends as his top priorities and is alcohol free, drug free, and promotes the cowboy image. Girl Scouts Strive To Be Their Best In Every MissionEditor’s Note: This is the eighth in a series of articles explaining the services available to the community of Ponca City through United Way’s 17 member agencies. “To inspire girls with the highest ideals of character, conduct, patriotism, and service that they may become happy and resourceful citizens. Girl Scouting seeks to accomplish this by providing girls opportunities to develop their potential and have fun with their peers in a supportive, all-girl setting.” — Girl Scout Mission. Girl Scouts throughout Bluestem Girl Scout Council strive to be their best by following the above Girl Scout mission. The Girl Scout program encourages girls to be their best by providing them opportunities to do traditional Girl Scout activities as well as nontraditional Girl Scout activities. “The program offers girls so much more than camping and selling cookies,” stated Kim Lynch of Bluestem Girl Scout Council. “Girls are able to experience once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, develop a healthy respect for themselves and others, and learn life skills for the future such as CPR, how to fix cars, and how to run a business.” Bluestem Girl Scout Council was incorporated in 1941 to serve girls in northeast Oklahoma. The council provides a four-program emphasis to help each girl reach her full potential — to develop self potential to achieve her full individual potential, to develop values to give meaning and direction to her life, to relate to others with increasing skill and maturity, and to contribute to society through her own talents and in cooperation with others. Through the Contemporary Issues Program, Girl Scouts learn about issues concerning the world around them by focusing on topics such as teen pregnancy, literacy, drug abuse, and career choices. The Patch Programs teach Girls Scouts about community service. Girl Scouting is open to all girls who are ready to broaden their horizons, have fun, and learn new life skills. Membership is open to girls in kindergarten through 12th grade, regardless of race, color, ethnicity, creed, national origin, or socioeconomic status; and to adults, 18 years of age and older, both male and female, who accept the Girl Scout Promise and Law. Girl Scouting is offered through five program levels — Daisy Girl Scouts for kindergarten through first graders; Brownie Girl Scouts, first through third grade; Junior Girl Scouts, fourth through sixth grade; Cadette Girl Scouts, seventh through ninth grade; and Senior Girl Scouts, 10th through 12th grade. United Way of Ponca City serves 17 agencies within the community, including American Red Cross, Arthritis Foundation, Bluestem Girl Scout Council, Boy Scouts of America, Bridgeway, Child Development Center, Domestic Violence Program, Golden Villa Adult Day Care Services, Helpline Inc., Hospice of Ponca City, New Emergency Resource Agency, Northern Oklahoma Youth Services, Peachtree Landing, ProTeens, Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), The Salvation Army and YMCA. Five Teens Held After Crash ReportA vehicle reportedly involved in a hit and run accident at the intersection of West Highland Avenue and North Palm Street Friday was later found with five juveniles who were held on suspicion of possession of stolen property. Police got the first call from a person in the 600 block of North Palm at 6:53 p.m., that the vehicle had left the scene of the accident and headed south on Palm street with extensive front end damage. Two officers from the Ponca City Police Department were assigned, and information was relayed to Newkirk and the Kay County Sheriff’s Office. Not quite six hours later at 12:43 a.m. Saturday, officers were advised that a vehicle had been stolen from Blackwell and the damaged vehicle left in its place. That vehicle was located at Pioneer Park at East Highland Avenue and North Fifth Street, with five juveniles. Upon further investigation, four officers of the police department took into custody, a 14-year-old boy for possession of stolen property, curfew violation and possession of drug paraphernalia. Four other juveniles, all males, were also taken into custody, including a 13-year-old, 14-year-old, 15-year-old and a 17-year-old for possession of stolen property and curfew violations. All juvenile subjects were released to parents later on a promise to appear in court. Educator To Present ProgramDr. James Sutton will present a program entitled “Today’s Kids — Today Challenges,” a program for parents, Wednesday, 7-8 p.m., at the Family Resource Center, 700 West Broadway Avenue. As an educator, Sutton has taught everything from grade school to graduate school. Today, he addresses the needs of young people as a consulting psychologist, an author, and an accomplished speaker. Recently, he was awarded the status of Certified Speaking Professional, the highest earned designation possible in the speaking profession. Sutton has authored many books, guides and cassette training programs for child service professionals. His latest book, written for parents, teachers, and counselors, is entitled “If My Kid’s So Nice… Why’s He Driving ME Crazy?” The book was named “Editor’s Choice” by Learning magazine. This book will be available and there will be a book signing following Wednesday night’s program. Local Artist’s ‘Starry Night’ To W&M ExhibitNeo Kirby’s pastel drawing “Starry Night” was recently accepted for exhibition in the American Drawing Biennial at the Muscarelle Museum of Art at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Va. The national show was juried by Ann Phillips, executive director of the Drawing Center in New York City. The Drawing Center, a nonprofit organization, specializes exclusively in unique works on paper and exhibits high quality historical and contemporary drawings. The Drawing Biennial exhibition will be on display during the holiday season at Williamsburg from the first of October through the middle of January 1999. Kirby, local artist and graduate of Ponca City High School, specializes in drawing. She previously taught at the University of Oklahoma where she received a bachelor of fine arts degree in painting and masters in fine arts in drawing. Kirby is currently teaching drawing, painting and design at Northern Oklahoma College in Tonkawa. Poncan Theatre Celebrates Its Volunteers This WeekVolunteer Appreciation Night is a big deal for the Poncan Theatre. “Every year we like to reward our volunteers,” says Kenn Wessel, director of the theater. “They are the life-blood of our operations,” he says. The Poncan even has volunteers who coordinate the volunteers, Bayard Casey and Carol Bouldin, both members of the Poncan Theatre board. The 1998 Volunteer Appreciation Night is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday at the theater. “In the past year, we’ve grown so much,” says Wessel. Just over a year ago the Poncan restored daily operations for the first time in over a decade. “We have a small staff of employees and some other contracted help, but they can’t do everything. What makes us viable as a business is the contribution of our volunteers.” Without them, the operations and maintenance of the historic building would nearly be impossible. Volunteers help with ticket sales, with box office, and with concessions. Volunteers run the sound system, the lights, and all technical aspects of the theater. They’ve helped clean the theater, helped in the front office, helped with everything. “Good grief, they’ve played in the pit band and tolerated public humiliation on stage in ‘Taste and Tasteless,’” Wessel laughs. He adds that “for almost anything we need, a volunteer is willing to help.” He added, “Whenever we need someone to keep the Poncan afloat, there’s a volunteer with a paddle.” As a not-for-profit organization, the Poncan places volunteers at the center of operations. Corporate sponsors help bring expensive entertainments to the theater at reduced cost. And the Poncan benefits from many kindnesses of Ponca City professionals who contribute whenever they can. “Many specialists help us out, from publishing to electronics to interior decor,” Wessel says. Wessel estimates that a couple of hundred volunteers are active at the Poncan. The Poncan board, an all volunteer group, is extremely active behind the scenes and on site. The board develops the vision of the Poncan and plans the season. They organize the marketing, find corporate sponsors, and oversee all operations. They handle the accounting, the legal chores, and oversee the concessions area. Board volunteers repaint the interior, repair broken dimmers, refinish counter tops, and plunge the plumbing. The board is involved year-round, even though some activities of the theater, such as the “Taste and Tasteless” fund-raiser, are seasonal. “I’m truly impressed with the depth of community support for the theater,” Wessel says. “This is such a beautiful and prestigious place, and the people of Ponca City have proud memories of the Poncan.” Those memories begin deep in childhood and then boom throughout the years as Ponca Citians grow to adulthood. The Poncan is literally a part of the coming of age. It has been for 70 years. “Our volunteers support the Poncan as they would an aging god-parent,” Wessel says. “The lives of the theater and her volunteers are intertwined.” To honor this extensive group, the Poncan Board invites anyone who has volunteered at the Poncan Theatre to come to a free film Tuesday. Popcorn and beverages will also be free to volunteers. For more information, the Poncan Theatre office is open 1-5 p.m., Monday through Friday at 104 East Grand. The phone is 580-765-0943. Literacy Council Sets Long-Term GoalsTrustees for the Ponca City Area Literacy Council’s Endowment Fund met recently to discuss and plan the long-term goals and objectives for the fund. Trustees are Larry Buck, Jean Brace, Barbara Brown, Charles Godsey, Enloe Baumert, Lynda Fox, Virginia Starks and Pat Scott. Larry Buck was appointed chairman. The fund was established to insure the long-tern financing for the Literacy Council’s on-going programs for this area. Basic goals include providing tutoring in reading, writing, math, and English as a second language. The Literacy Council was established in 1985. Since that time, over 1,500 residents have taken advantage of the literacy programs. The council has trained over 1,000 tutors who volunteer their time to accomplish its goals. These tutors include engineers, business people, homemakers, retirees, and high school and college students. Studies show that 20 percent of area residents are functionally illiterate and cannot fill out a form, write a check, or read to their children. The Endowment Fund will help perpetuate the Literacy Council’s goals to assist those in need. Area residents are being asked to consider making donations to the fund in their wills or other financial activities. The fund will accept restricted as well as unrestricted endowments in any amount to help us insure the future of this service. Brochures have been prepared and are being distributed. Anyone who wishes to review this program or who has questions about the fund or activities of the council should call the council office at 767-0351. DEATHSDr. Paul Leroy Masters Dr. Paul Leroy MastersMIDWEST CITY — Dr. Paul Leroy Masters, former Ponca City resident, died Aug. 6, 1998, at his home in Midwest City. He was 73. The funeral will be held at Eisenhour Funeral Home Chapel, 5005 S.E. 29th Street in Midwest City at 1 p.m. Monday, Aug. 10. Burial will be at Arlington Memory Gardens in Oklahoma City. Paul Leroy Masters was born April 30, 1925 to L.B. and Edna Masters. He grew up in Ponca City at the American Legion Children’s Home and was a 1943 graduate of Ponca City High School. He attended Northern Oklahoma College and during World War II served in the U.S. Army Air Corps as a navigator on B-24 bombers. Dr. Masters graduated from OU Medical School in 1953 and served his residency at Mercy General Hospital in Oklahoma. He began family practice in 1955 in Del City, where he practiced for 43 years. He was a charter member of Midwest City Memorial Hospital where he served as Chief of Staff in 1976 and Chief of Surgery in 1980. He also served as president of the Mid-Del Clinical Society in 1980. Dr. Masters was a member of the Oklahoma Medical Association and the American Medical Association. His hobbies included playing cards and golf, and he enjoyed animals, especially dogs. Survivors include his wife of 27 years, Wanda Masters of Midwest City; five children, Ben Masters and Terry Masters of Oklahoma City, Karen Dorr of Edmond, Jeff Masters of Ponca City and Virginia Burrows of Kingwood, Texas; one sister, Jewel Brown of Ponca City; 10 grandchildren; and numerous extended family members. He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Jesse Keller; and one brother, Porter Masters. Memorial contributions in Dr. Masters’ name may be made to the American Legion Children’s Home, attention Dwayne McCormack, 1300 Summer’s Place, Ponca City, OK 74604. Richard Leon MeyerRALSTON — Richard Leon Meyer, Ralston resident, died Thursday, Aug. 6, 1998, at his home. He was 47. A graveside service is set for 2 p.m. Monday, Aug. 10, at the Fairfax (Okla.) Cemetery with the Rev. Don Stanton, pastor of Faith Tabernacle Church, officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Hunsaker-Wooten Funeral Home, Fairfax. Richard Leon Meyer was born June 16, 1951, in Peoria, Ill., the son of George August and Geraldine (Thacker) Meyer. On Dec. 3, 1988, he was married to Loretta Jane Combs in Ponca City and the couple made their home in the Fairfax-Ralston area. Meyer was employed by farmers in the Big Bend area of Osage County as a farm hand. He enjoyed woodworking, mechanics and working with his hands. Surviving are his wife, Loretta, of the home; a son, Richard Meyer Jr. of Pekin, Ill.; two daughters, Dawnita Lee of Garland, Texas, and Pennie Lee of Wisconsin; four stepsons, Harold Rutherford Jr., Charles Rutherford, Joe Rutherford and Jerry Rutherford, all of Ralston; a stepdaughter, Brandy Williams of Ralston; one brother, John Meyer of Pekin, Ill.; six sisters, Wanda Henry of St. James, Mo., Brenda Swords of Washington, Ill., Sandy Vehle of Bloomington, Ind.; and Linda Holmes, Belinda Bollinger and Bonita Shipp, all of Pekin, Ill.; and two grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers. Alvin O. NoltePERRY — Alvin O. Nolte, brother to Selma Luedeman of Ponca City, died Friday afternoon, Aug. 7, 1998, at Perry Memorial Hospital. He was 83. The funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Aug. 10, at Christ Lutheran Church in Perry with the Rev. Myron Maltz officiating. Burial will be in Grace Hill Cemetery in Perry under the direction of Brown Funeral Home. Alvin O. Nolte was born Feb. 23, 1915, in Lahoma, the son of Otto Fred and Maria Theresa (Schmidt) Nolte. He attended Christ Lutheran School and graduated from eighth grade in Perry. During World War II he served in the U.S. Navy and also served during the Korean War. After his military service, he returned to Perry where he was employed at a filling station and the Farmer’s Co-op. He was a member of Christ Lutheran Church, where he served as a church elder, in the Men’s Club and sang in the choir. Survivors include two brothers, Henry Nolte of Perry, and John Nolte of Olney, Texas; two sisters, Selma Luedeman of Ponca City and Viola Huepplesheuser of Enid; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; five brothers and two sisters. Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Nolte’s name to Christ Lutheran Church New Property Fund, c/o Brown Funeral Home, 1010 Seventh Street, Perry, OK 73077. Jessie Fay MiltonJessie Fay Milton, Ponca City resident, died Thursday, Aug. 6, 1998, at Westminster Village. She was 85. No funeral services are planned at this time. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home. Jessie Fay (Murray) Milton was born on Aug. 13, 1912, in Runge, Texas to Jefferson and Martha (Lutenbacher) Murray. She moved to Ponca City as a child in 1925 and graduated from Ponca City Schools in 1930. She married Charles Ivan Shepard on March 27, 1933 in Blackwell . He preceded her in death in June 1946. After his death, she worked for Continental Oil Company until 1948 then began employment with Cities Service Oil Co. She married Fairfax “Bud” Milton on Nov. 22, 1963 in Ponca City. He preceded her in death in 1970. Mrs. Milton retired from Cities Service/Sequoia in 1965. She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. She enjoyed dogs, antiques, and cooking. She is survived by two sons, Richard Shepard of Ponca City, and Charles Shepard of San Jose, Calif.; four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to both husbands and her parents, she was preceded in death by one sister, and four brothers. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Ponca City, 1904 North Union Street, Suite 103, Ponca City, OK 74601. ObituariesAlta Law WilsonAlta Law Wilson, lifelong resident of Kay County, died Wednesday Aug. 5, 1998, in the Tender Heart Nursing Home in Ponca City. The daughter of H.J. and Nancy (Hubbard) Goodno, she was born on the family farm northwest of Newkirk on Aug. 17, 1900. She graduated from Grant Rural School in 1914. She married Dewey Law on May 8, 1918, in Newkirk. They made their home in Newkirk and Ponca City. Mr. Law died Oct. 18, 1964. She owned and operated Alta’s Help Your Self Laundry in Newkirk for 15 years. After she sold the business, she moved to Ponca City. She and Lee Wilson were married on March 20, 1965. Mr. Wilson died in 1972. In 1992 she moved to Newkirk where she resided until she became a resident of Shawn Manor and then Tender Heart Nursing Home. She had been a member of the First Christian Church in Newkirk since 1929. She was also a member of the Royal Neighbors, and had received her 50-year pin in 1992. She is survived by two daughters, Dorothy Engelking of Newkirk and Maxine Bailey of Ponca City; two sons, Clyde Law of Cape Coral, Fla., and Gene Law, of Lewisville, Texas; 26 grandchildren; 61 great-grandchildren; and 20 great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her two husbands; one son, Norman; her parents, three brothers, two sisters, and two great-grandsons. The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Monday in the Newkirk First Christian Church with the Rev. Jerry Albright, pastor, officiating. Burial will follow in the Newkirk Cemetery under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel, Ponca City. Casket bearers will be grandsons of Mrs. Wilson. Honorary casket bearers will be Merle Leseman, Wayne Birdsong, and Paul Backhaus. Memorial contributions may be made to the Newkirk First Christian Church. c/o Eastman National Bank P.O. Box 468 Newkirk, OK 74647. The family will be 201 North Apple in Newkirk. paid obituary FuneralsTuesday Warren HendersonFuneral to be held at 10 a.m. at the Trout Funeral Home Chapel in Ponca City. Other arrangements will be announced later. NEWS BRIEFSCarrier Community Reunion — The 36th Annual Carrier Community Picnic and Reunion will be held Saturday at the Hoover Building on the Garfield County Fairgrounds. Registration begins at 5 p.m. and a pot luck supper will follow at 6 p.m. The event is open to all people associated with the Carrier Community or school, past or present. Honored guests will be the Carrier High School class of 1948. Prevent Fire Meeting — The Fire Prevention Advisory Council will meet 11:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Golden Corral. The public is invited to attend. Call 762-7296 for additional information. Concert Tickets — Tickets are available at the Master’s Touch Christian bookstore or by calling 767-1400 for the Point of Grace concert Oct. 11. Radio station KLVV is sponsoring the concert. Point of Grace has had more consecutive number one songs that any other Christian artist. Women’s Bowling Meeting — The PCWBA (Ponca City Women’s Bowling Association) fall meeting will be held Monday at 7 p.m. at Ponca Bowl, for all association members. Legion Post To Meet — The American Legion Buffalo Post 38 will meet Tuesday, Aug. 11, at 6:30 p.m. at the Tribal Affairs Building. George White Eagle, Commander, urges all members to attend as there will be important business concerning the upcoming tribal powwow. Vehicle Stolen — A man from the 200 block of East Broadway Avenue reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 6:36 a.m. Friday that someone had stolen his vehicle. Two officers were assigned and a report was taken that the vehicle has rear fender damage and that the keys were not left in the vehicle. Suspicious Activity — An Animal Control officer requested assistance from the Ponca City Police Department at 9:57 a.m. Friday in the 500 block of North Thirteenth Street reporting that a man had a dog tied up to a tree and was beating the dog. An officer was assigned and a report was taken. Accident — The Communications Center received a 911 call at 10:54 a.m. Friday that a two-vehicle accident had occurred in the 400 block of East Grand Avenue. Two officers of the Ponca City Police Department were assigned and a report was taken. Gas Drive-Off — A clerk from Triple T, 720 South Waverly Street, reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 11:34 a.m. Friday that a red pickup pulling a boat had left north bound without paying for gas. The information was logged. Subject Held — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported at 2:06 p.m. Friday that a 33-year-old man was being held on a city warrant for failure to pay. Accident — The Communications Center received a call at 2:16 p.m. Friday that a minor accident had occurred in the 700 block of Dalewood involving a tree trimming firm. An officer of the Ponca City Police Department responded and took a report. Forged Checks — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported at 2:35 p.m. Friday that some checks had been forged at Albertson’s, 2005 North Fourth Street. The activity was logged. Injury Accident — The Communications Center received a 911 call at 3:11 p.m. Friday that a two-vehicle accident had occurred in the 3100 block of East U.S. 60 and that one of the vehicles was leaking gas. Four units from the Ponca City Fire Department responded and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol was notified. One person was taken by ambulance to St. Joseph Regional Medical Center for treatment of injuries. Gas Spill — The Communications Center received a call from Conoco Convenience at North Fourteenth Street and East Highland Avenue at 4:45 p.m. Friday that a gas spill had occurred. A unit from the Ponca City Fire Department responded to the scene and handled the situation. Abandoned Vehicle — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported at 4:47 p.m. Friday that an abandoned vehicle at the intersection of North Ash Street and West Broadway Avenue was being towed from the scene. Accident — A two-vehicle accident in a parking lot of Miller Market, South Fourth Street and East South Avenue, was reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 5:18 p.m. Friday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken. Vehicle Towed — A two-vehicle accident in the 400 block of North Fourteenth Street was reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 5:43 p.m. Friday. Two officers were assigned and a report was taken that one vehicle was towed from the scene. Vehicle Towed — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported from the intersection of North Thirteenth Street and East Highland Avenue at 6:09 p.m. Friday that a vehicle with an expired tag was being towed from the scene. Jewelry Missing — A woman from the 200 block of East Chestnut Avenue reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 7:50 p.m. Friday that some jewelry had been stolen from her room. An officer was assigned and a report was taken. Item Missing — A person from the 200 block of West Emporia Avenue reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 8:48 p.m. Friday that a large rock with an address on it had been stolen from the residence. An officer was assigned and a report was taken. Assault — A clerk at Conoco in the 700 block of South Waverly Street reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 2:12 a.m. Saturday that an assault victim was there. An officer was assigned and information was logged that the incident had occurred in Kay County. The victim was taken by private vehicle to the emergency room of St. Joseph Regional Medical Center for treatment of injuries and the Kay County Sheriff’s Office was notified. Item Missing — A man from the 700 block of North First Street reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 2:31 a.m. Saturday that upon returning home from work he found the residence had been entered and a computer was missing. An officer was assigned and a report was taken. Suspicious Activity — The Communications Center received a 911 call from the 300 block of West Hartford Avenue at 4:22 a.m. Saturday that a disturbance had occurred. Two officers of the Ponca City Police Department responded and found that several windows had been broken with glass out all over the area. A man was contacted and information was logged that he and a girl friend had had a dispute and the windows would get fixed later in the day. A report was taken. LIFESTYLES1930-1989 Classes At Marland Alumni Reunion 1930-1989 Classes At Marland Alumni ReunionThe Marland Alumni Association reunion was held July 25 at Frontier School. Don Selvey served as Master of Ceremonies and the flag presentation was by Alan Case. Neil Blubaugh gave the invocation and officers were introduced. They are Don Selvey, president; Catherine Evans Robinson, vice president; Sharon Wright Luis, secretary, and Marilyn Kelly Balcer, treasurer. A catered dinner was served and later that evening a dance was held at the Moose Lodge in Ponca City. Committee chairmen and members helping with the event included Registration, Marilyn Kelly Balcer and Sharon Wright Luis; Nominating, Lynda Kelly Wilson, Linda Spangler Rennie and Cheryl Boyer Bennett; Refreshments, Jan Ratliff Burk and Carolyn Schultz Ingmire; Scrapbook, Linda Williams Short and Janell Wilkerson Harmon. Also Decorating, Sondra Kodesh, Arleta Evans Pulliam and Patsy McAlister Smithheisler; Auditing, Linda Spangler Rennie and Joan Luis Otto; Guest Book, Jean Selvey Vasek, Sharon Tucker Selvey and Sharon Selvey Yost; Alumni Dance, Kenneth Evans; Alumni program design, Cheryl Boyer Bennett. Owen Hawzipta was in charge of the photography background. Pictures from the reunion are now available for viewing at PhotoPro in Ponca City. Former teachers attending this year’s reunion were Pam Regnier, Mr. and Mrs. Wesley Jarman and Pearl Beck Matthieson. Special recognition was given to those donating to Calvin Case Park in Marland. They were Bill Case, Calvin Case and Robert Case. Recognition awards were also presented to Maxine White Tautfest, Community Service; Neil and Betty Blubaugh from the Bressie Community, Agriculture award, and Bob Regnier, Business and Professional award. Class members were introduced by the year they graduated. Attending this year were: 1930, Gladys Gray Ellstrom; 1931, Wendell Wilkins; 1934, Winifred Farrant Mills and Charles Beck; 1935, Richard Ritthaler and Pearl Beck Matthieson; 1937, Henry Sanders; 1938, Virginia Smithheisler Thompson, Maxine White Tautfest, Florine McAllister Rice and Warren Case; 1939, Leo D. Case. Also 1940, Clara Butterfield Case; 1941, Jewell Shultz Payne; 1942, Neil Blubaugh; 1943, Virginia Melvin Hansen, Leo Jueschke, Jack Murray and Albert Cherry; 1944, Wayne Selvey, Billy Case, Cora Smithheisler Selvey, Betty Anderson Blubaugh, Vera Hejtmanek Watchous; 1945, Jay Sanders, Maryann Jueschke Murray and Charles Holick. Also 1946, Calvin Case, Lola Butterfield Cain; 1947, Betty Walker Case, Carl Arnold, Earline McAllister Condit, Robert Case and Bettie Sanders Brown; 1948, Dolores Ingmire Wyckoff, Dannie Ingmire, Fredonna Selvey Lee; 1949, Wallace Lee, Luther Teachman and Bonnie Sanders Bamberg. Also 1950, Beverly Herber Tubbs, Clifford Sanders and George Wilkinson; 1952, Fred Balduff, Neva Wilkins Balduff, Nila Lee Gilmore and Lillian Hejtmanek Otto; 1953, Shirley Sanders Jefferson, Edward Gammon and Franklin Sanders; 1954, Dwight Beck; 1955, Alan Case, Gerald Sanders and Thomas Jefferson; 1956, Dell Sanders and Gerald Fisher; 1957, Larry Ellis; 1958, Marilyn Jefferson Levings, Mickey Robinson, Wilbur Ingmire, Patricia Kelly Gammon, Norma Kelly West and Norma Domeny Bertrem; 1959, Louie Levings and Kenneth Evans. Also 1960, Kay Sanders Clinton, Catherine Evans Robinson, Linda Lentz Love and Theo Tautfest Hanson; 1961, Marilyn Kelly Balcer, E. J. Wilson, Sondra Kodesh and Bobby Regnier; 1962, Arleta Evans Pulliam and Patsy McAlister Smithheisler; 1963, Lynda Kelly Wilson and Leona Tautfest Baum; 1964, Sharon Selvey Yost and Jo Vaughn Taylor Spraker; 1965, Robert Luis, Joan Luis Otto, Linda Spangler Rennie, Susan Brunton May and Vicki Love Case. Also 1966, Jean Selvey Vasek, Jimmie Herron, Sharon Wright Luis and Chris Holmes; 1967, Sharon Tucker Selvey, Jimmy Rhoades, Jan Tautfest Smith and Marsha Selvey Murray; 1968, Perry Stout, Leon Dyess, Bernita Sanders King, Randy Herron, Larry Regnier and Don Selvey; 1969, Mary Williamson Dyess. Also 1972, Jean Tautfest Bowhay and Rick Bowhay; 1974, Mary Wyckoff Partee; 1980, Sid Ingmire, Carlyn Shultz Ingmire and Karen Evans Buxton; 1981, Jamie Tucker Zetterberg, DeeDee Pulliam Carlile and Jan Ratliff Burk; 1987, Carl Evans; 1988, Michael Rhoades; 1989, Peggy Edmonds Evans. TOPS Chapter Members MeetTOPS OK 308 chapter members met Monday evening with Donna McCoy presiding. The devotional entitled “The Things We May Do” was given by Natalie McCoy. The TOPS Pledge was led by Edith Smith and the KOPS Kreed by Robert Oldham. Natalie McCoy called the roll and the weight report was given by Betty Flower. Best loser was Loretta Riley and the “Ha Ha” pot was won by Donna McCoy. A brief discussion was held on the fun workshop scheduled for Aug. 22 in Perkins. Chapter members were reminded that entry deadline was soon. The program “Your Perfect Weight” was presented by Donna McCoy. Take Off Pounds Sensibly is a non-profit organization whose members desire to lose or maintain weight. Members are encouraged to develop individual exercise programs and contests are used to encourage weight loss. Brief programs are presented each week. Weigh-in time is 6:15-6:55 p.m. For more information contact Betty Flower, 765-5448 or Natalie McCoy, 767-1429. Wheatheart NutritionVolunteers are needed to deliver meals to the home bound participating in the Wheatheart Nutrition Project. For more information call 767-1620. Wheatheart Nutrition Menus for this week are as follows: Monday, Aug. 10: Southern barbecue meatloaf sandwich; oven fried potatoes; coleslaw; hamburger bun; cinnamon apples. Tuesday, Aug. 11: Chicken and noodles; tossed salad with dressing; Harvard beets; crackers with butter; cantaloupe. Wednesday, Aug. 12: Oven baked chicken; mashed potatoes with gravy; California mixed vegetables; biscuit with butter; frosted strawberry dessert. Thursday, Aug. 13: Chili dogs; tator wedges; watermelon; bun; ice cream. Friday, Aug. 14: Chicken fried steak; mashed potatoes with gravy; Perfection salad; cornbread with butter; fresh fruit in season. Shannon Rutledge Marries Michael Goff In Dallas VowsShannon Rene Rutledge, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. Grant Rutledge, formerly of Ponca City, became the bride of Michael Mathew Goff in a double ring ceremony solemnized at July 11, 1998 in the Worship Center at Hillcrest Church of Dallas, Texas. The bride is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bill Rutledge of Pharr, Texas, formerly of Ponca City, and Mr. and Mrs. Charles Pittman of Ponca City and the late Robert W. Cline. Great-grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. Glen G. Conklin, also of Ponca City. The bridegroom is the son of Doris Ann Goff and Mr. and Mrs. Pete Goff of Beaver Creek, Ohio. Grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. Carol Gibson of Beaver Creek, Ohio. The Rev. Ken Janke officiated the marriage vows. Four brass candelabra flanked the center archway which served as a backdrop for a large arrangement of yellow and periwinkle-colored summer flowers. Six brass flower stands held arrangements of carnations, baby’s breath and greenery. On each side of the grouping stood a heart-shaped candelabra and still another tier of candelabra. The prie-dieu, the Unity candle, the archway and each candelabra were entwined with greenery, white carnations and baby’s breath accented by white satin and tulle bows. The pews of the center aisle were draped with tulle and each pew was adorned with a white satin and tulle bow centered with small white roses. Kentia palms marked the altar and decorated the sanctuary. The musical program included traditional wedding selections. Serving as organist was Helen Bryant and pianists were Lori Janke and Glen Packiam, and the guitarist was Jay Pilkington. A duet, “When I Fall In Love” was sung by Hillary Bachman and Dorian Gammons. “Canon in D” was played for the prelude and the “The Wedding March” by Wagner was played for the processional. Soloists were Steve Gibson, the bridegroom’s uncle, who sang “To Me”, Andy Day, who sang “I Will Always Be Right There”, Mandi Romanelli, who sang “The Lord’s Prayer”, and the bridegroom who wrote and sang “Shannon’s Song.” Hillary Backman sang “Ode To Joy” for the recessional. The bride, escorted to the altar by her father, wore a full length white bridal satin gown. The gown was styled with puffed sleeves and a heart-shaped neckline. The fitted bodice was accentuated by a Basque waistline and adorned with extensive beadwork. Re-embroidered lace with hand-beaded seed pearls and iridescent sequins embellished the sleeves and bodice. A large, double-tiered satin bustle bow topped the cathedral length train, which was inlaid and edged with matching lace motifs, seed pearls and iridescent sequins. Fashioned by her mother, the bride’s triple-layered English bridal illusion veil was secured by a white beaded wreath trimmed in white tulle and beaded blossoms. Her cascading bridal bouquet was comprised of yellow roses, stephanotis, and yellow lilies accented with small periwinkle-colored blossoms and ivy. Serving as Maid of Honor and Matron of Honor were the bride’s sisters, Rebecca Anne Rutledge and Gwendolyn Marie Ray of Plano, Texas. Bridesmaids were Julie Yanez of Richardson, Texas, Sophie Yockey of Denver, Colo., Mandi Romanelli of Dallas, Texas, and Melanie Parker of Richmond Va. They wore periwinkle-colored floor length, off the shoulder sleeveless gowns. Each dress featured a vee-neckline with fabric covered buttons in front. The fitted bodice flared at the waist with a peplum. They carried bouquets of yellow roses, periwinkle-colored iris and greenery. The flower girl, Megan Lawson of Kettering, Ohio, wore a white satin floor length gown which was a miniature version of the bride’s gown. She carried a white, lace-covered wicker basket with white streamers, filled with yellow rose petals. Ringbearer Caleb Ray, the bride’s nephew, wore a black tuxedo and carried a white, heart-shaped, satin and lace ring pillow. Josh Campbell of Dayton, Ohio served as Best Man. Groomsmen were Steve Gibson of Garland, Texas; Robert Gibson of Dayton, Ohio; Dorian Gammons of Nashville, Tenn.; Bill Burchit of Tulsa, Ryan Gammons of Rochester, N. Y. ; the bride’s brother, Drew Rutledge of Plano, Texas; and the bridegroom’s brother, Christopher Goff of Beaver Creek, Ohio. The men of the wedding were attired in black, double-breasted tuxedos. A buffet dinner reception at the church followed the ceremony. The serving table featured a heart-shaped ice sculpture with cherubim and flowers. The bridal bouquet lay at the base of the sculpture. Silver candelabras and strings of pearls were interspersed among the trays of food. English ivy and flowers entwined in a white lattice, served as a backdrop for the bride’s cake. The four tiered cake, adorned with white and periwinkle blossoms, tulle and satin ribbons, was atop a lighted three tiered yellow fountain. Four flower and ribbon-bedecked cakes surrounded the base. The bridegroom’s cake was a two tiered chocolate cake. The tables were skirted with net and decorated with yellow and blue satin ribbons. During the reception four large video screens suspended from the ceiling showed pictures of the bride and bridegroom from birth to the present time. Mr. and Mrs. Goff will reside at 2045-3 Bernard Circle, Nashville, TN 37212, where she will attend Belmont University and he will pursue a career in the field of music. The couple met while attending college at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa. Laura Gray Bride-To-BeA Sept. 5 wedding at Evans Park is being planned by Laura Lynn Gray and Kyle Sanborn Hellem. The bride-elect is the daughter of Mike Gray, 1301 North Oak, and the late Debra Gray. The prospective bridegroom is the son of Keith and Kay Hellem, 171 Kay Drive. Miss Gray is a 1994 graduate of Ponca City High School and is employed with the Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce. Hellem, a 1995 Po-Hi graduate, is serving a tour of duty with the United States Navy. He is an Airman Apprentice and recently completed Aircraft Mainframe and Structure schooling in Pensacola, Fla. Michelle Meyer EngagedMr. and Mrs. Curtis Meyer, 2216 Chapel Hill, are announcing the engagement of their daughter, Michelle Lynn, to James Michael Perry, son of Beverley Marsee of Billings, Mont. and Jim Perry of Ponca City. An Oct. 10 wedding at St. Mary’s Catholic Church is planned. Miss Meyer is a 1993 graduate of Ponca City High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in finance in 1997 from the University of Central Oklahoma. She is employed at Conoco as a financial analyst. The prospective bridegroom, also a 1993 Po-Hi graduate, has attended UCO. He is currently employed in the marketing technology department at Conoco as an EPOS analyst. Engagement Is AnnouncedThe engagement of Kodel LeAnn Heglin to Andrew William Cunningham has been announced by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Heglin of Gate. The prospective bridegroom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Bill Cunningham of Tonkawa. The wedding will be at 6 p.m. Sept. 12 at Cedar Grove Church, northwest of Alva, followed by a reception and dance at 7:30 p.m. at the Merchants Building at the Alva Fairgrounds. An open invitation is extended to friends and relatives to attend. Miss Heglin is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Heglin of Gate, Bill and Lois Lamb of Dalhart, Texas and the late Barbara Heglin. Cunningham is the grandson of Enid Cunningham of Blackwell, Shirley Cross of Wetmore, Colo., the late Jack Cunningham and the late Mansel Cross. The bride-elect is a 1994 graduate of Laverne High School and has attended Northwestern Oklahoma State University and plans to graduate next spring with a degree in Animal Science Business from Oklahoma State University. Currently she is employed as circulation sales representative for the High Plains Journal in Dodge City, Kan. Cunningham is a 1993 graduate of Tonkawa High School and a 1997 graduate of OSU. He is self-employed as a horse trainer in Tonkawa. Couple Will Wed Sept. 19The Marland Mansion will be the setting Sept. 19 for the 6 p.m. ceremony uniting Amy Colleen Lodes and Clinton Wayne Crownover, both of Oklahoma City, in marriage. Parents of the couple are Mr. and Mrs. Don Lodes of Perry and Mr. and Mrs. Harold Crownover of Edmond. Grandparents of the bride-elect are Mr. and Mrs. F. J. Lodes and Mrs. Marian Psikal of Ponca City and the late Raymond Psikal. Miss Lodes is a 1994 graduate of Northern Oklahoma College and earned a degree in elementary education from the University of Central Oklahoma in 1997. Crownover, a graduate of Shawnee College, is employed with MRL Land Survey in El Reno. Kristen Bair Is Bride-ElectDr. and Mrs. Lon E. Bair II, 14 Woodcrest, and Mrs. Bari Read of Tempe, Ariz., announce the engagement of their daughter, Kristen Miguel, to Joseph F. Mahan, son of Frank and Jasonna Mahan and Carol and Johnny Ross, all of Oklahoma City. A Sept. 6 wedding is planned at the Mayflower Congregational Church in Oklahoma City. Miss Bair is a 1989 graduate of Pomona High School in Denver, Colo. and earned a bachelor degree in accounting from the University of Central Oklahoma. She is employed with MicroAge of Oklahoma City. Mahan graduated in 1986 from Fountain Valley High School in Colorado Springs, Colo., and received a bachelor of arts degree in theater from Rollins College in Winter Park, Fla. He is a singer/songwriter. Wedding Plans AnnouncedThe engagement and approaching marriage of Kimberly Ann Schoonover to Aaron Lee Robinson is being announced by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Elvin Schoonover, 205 South Pal. Robinson is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Robinson of Shidler. A Sept. 12 wedding at The Wesleyan Church, Third and Brookfield, is planned. Miss Schoonover is a 1988 graduate of Ponca City High School and is employed in the Automotive Department at Wal-Mart. Robinson, a 1988 graduate of Shidler High School, is employed as a delivery driver with Lowe’s. Pair Plans September VowsAnnouncement has been made of the engagement of Jill Christine Chambless and Stephen Lance Thomas. The couple plans a Sept. 4 wedding at 7:30 p.m. at The Lamp Post Hall in Oklahoma City. Parents of the bride-to-be are Douglas and Carol Chambless of Oklahoma City and parents of the future bridegroom are Linda S. Snead of Ponca City and James P. Thomas of Blackwell. Miss Chambless is a junior student at the University of Central Oklahoma where she is majoring in sociology. Thomas is a graduate of Oklahoma State University with a bachelor’s degree in physiology. He is employed as a sales representative for TOSA Corporation. Kristin Leigh Smith Bride Of Donald Merle Bohon IINuptial vows for Kristin Leigh Smith and Donald Merle Bohon II were solemnized in a double ring ceremony at 7:30 p.m., July 11, 1998 in St. Mary’s Catholic Church. The Rev. John Michalicka officiated. The church sanctuary was decorated with urns of white stock, white Stargazer lilies and white snapdragons with sword fern and ivy accented with black, white and silver sheer ribbon. The Unity candle and two globe candelabras were adorned with fresh ivy accented with black, white and silver sheer ribbon. White Peace lilies complemented the side altars and lectern. The bride is the daughter of Leland and Beverly Smith of Ponca City and the bridegroom is the son of Don Bohon of Ponca City and the late Rose Mary Bohon. Grandparents of the bride are Arthur and Mildred Kirchmeyer of Ponca City and the late Otis and Bertha Smith. Grandparents of the bridegroom are Leota Bohon of Ponca City, the late George Bohon, and the late Edward and Frances Hall. Pachelbel’s “Canon in D” and Bach’s “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” were played as guests were seated. Preceding the ceremony, Cathy Brewer sang Schubert’s “Ave Maria” as the bridegroom’s father and sister and the bride’s parents lit the unity candle and were seated. Connie Van Ausdall, organist, played “Trumpet Tune” by Clarke as the attendants entered. Ms. Ausdall then accompanied Trumpeter Mike Moore playing “Prince of Denmark March” by Clark as the bride was escorted to the altar by her father. Lori Thomas gave the first reading followed by Cathy Brewer singing “God is Love” as the responsorial psalm. Lee Ann Cavener delivered the second reading followed by the “Celtic Alleluia” gospel acclamation led by Cathy Brewer. Ms. Ausdall sang “Sabbath Prayer” from Fiddler on the Roof as the couple lit the unity candle. The recessional, “Rondeau” by Mouret, was also an organ-trumpet duet. The bride’s designer sheath gown of Venice lace was heavily beaded with white pearls and opalescent sequins. Alternating rows of pearls and opalescent sequins trimmed the halter neckline and sleeveless bodice. The detachable, cathedral-length train of white satin was detailed at the waistline by three white satin rosettes. Her triple-tiered fingertip veil of illusion was secured by a pearl encrusted tiara. She wore pearl drop earrings and the traditional something old, new, borrowed, blue and a sixpence in her shoe. The bride carried a cascading bouquet of white Stargazer lilies, white roses and stephanotis accented with variegated pittisporum and ivy with sword fern tied with white and silver sheer ribbon. She also carried her Grandmother Kirchmeyer’s ivory rosary brought from Africa by her grandfather. Honor attendant was Leanne Smith Parr of Ponca City, sister of the bride. Bridesmaids were Julie Poole of Kansas City, Mo., Stacey Lundeen of Austin, Texas, Janet Taber and Betsy Easley, both of Ponca City. They wore floor-length, sleeveless, fitted gowns of black crepe. Each featured a Bateau neckline trimmed with silver beads and black sequins. Each attendant carried arch bouquets of white roses, white Stargazer lilies, ivy and sword fern accented with white sheer ribbon. The men in the wedding party wore black tuxedos with black and silver striped vests. Serving as Best Man was Sean Stanton of Stillwater. Groomsmen were Dallas Tatum of Colorado Springs, Colo., Chris DuRoy of Oklahoma City, Grant Pouland of Ponca City, and Mike Rich of Baton Rouge, La. Ushers were Jim Armstrong and Gregg Wooters, both of Ponca City, and Derek Wright of Dallas, Texas. The bridegroom’s boutonniere was a white rose, accented with stephanotis and fresh ivy and the groomsmen and ushers each wore a white rose accented with fresh ivy. Caitlin Knott, niece of the bridegroom, attended the guest book. Immediately following the ceremony, the bride’s parents hosted a reception and dance at the Marland Mansion with music provided by Complete Music of Oklahoma City. Each tier of the bride’s four-tiered wedding cake was accented with white roses, white alstromeria, stephanotis, sword fern and fresh ivy. The bridegroom’s table featured a two-tiered, chocolate frosted, chocolate cake decorated with chocolate-dipped strawberries and frosted grapes. Assisting with the reception were Brooke Boyd, Carrie Evans, Mary Beth McNeese, Michaela Cavener and Lindsay Giddens. Following a wedding trip to Cozumel, Mexico, the couple now resides in Ponca City. The bride is an English teacher and coach of the Po Hi-Steppers at Ponca City High School and the bridegroom is a police officer for the City of Ponca City. Special and out-of-town guests attending the wedding were Arthur and Mildred Kirchmeyer, grandparents of the bride, and Leota Bohon, grandmother of the bridegroom, all of Ponca City; Gary Kirchmeyer of Kansas City, Mo., uncle of the bride; Maurice and Lana Smith and Eric of St. Louis, Mo., uncle and aunt of the bride; Jerry and Lurline Hall of Ewa Beach, Hawaii, uncle and aunt of the bridegroom; Katie and Tony Rateiri of South Haven, Miss., aunt and uncle of the bridegroom. Also, Rita McIntyre and Sean Stanton of Stillwater; Rick and Lori Thomas, Ethan, Reba and Oma of Ellinwood, Kan.; Lance and Jackie Bohon, Mark and Jamie Bohon, all of Newalla; LeRoy and Bobby Welch of Fairbury, Neb.; Glenn and Renee Lanoue, Elizabeth and Evan, Kevin and Jennifer Hurley, Sarah White, Jorge and Anne De La Chapa and Julian, all of Tulsa; Joe and Stacey Lundeen of Austin, Texas; William and Julie Poole of Kansas City, Mo.; Mike and Kristal Rich of Baton Rouge, La; Derek and Brandi Wright of Dallas, Texas; Chris and Dana DuRoy, Ray and Pauline Blotz, Arlene Schnack, Steve and Kelly Smith, Tanner, Trent and Lindsey, all of Oklahoma City; Verna Lee Swart of Perry; Thomas Maloney, Rick and Kathy Maloney, all of Cushing; Dr. and Mrs. Peter Kierl, Kevin, Brian and Jessie of Edmond; Margaret Anne Ditmore of El Paso, Texas; Deborah Cahill, Jennifer and Catherine, Veronica Fine, and Lisa Barnett, all of Piano, Texas. Pre-nuptial parties for the couple included a “Faculty Shower” hosted by Irene Baird, Penny Brownfield, Lee Ann Cavener, Ginger DuVal, Betsy Easley, Denys Golay, Gay Kincaid, Pam Lessert, Paige Marsh, Janet Paynter, Janet Silkey, Leanne Smith Parr and Betty Tatum; a “Couples Shower” hosted by Dean and Martha Horner, Richard and Deanna Nicholas and Basil and Rachel Taylor; a “Pampered Chef Shower” hosted by Dawn Knott and Renee Lanoue; a “Drill Team Shower” hosted by Brenda Boyd, Connie Evans, Donna Harrison, Kim Walling and Cynthia Winterrowd; and a “Personal Shower” hosted by Lee Ann Cavener, Betsy Easley and Leanne Smith Parr. The rehearsal dinner, hosted by Don Bohon, was held at the Ponca City Country Club on July 10. A Bridesmaids luncheon, hosted by Goldie Brandt and Julie Poole, was held at the Ponca City Country Club on July 11. Shelly Marie Powell Weds Robert Sherer In Stillwater Mr. and Mrs. Robert LeRoy Sherer have established a home in Ponca City following their early July outdoor wedding at the Yost Lake Country Club in Stillwater. Their double ring vows were officiated in an 8 p.m. ceremony by the bride’s aunt, the Rev. Sally Greiner Roach from the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Gaithersburg, Md. The bride, the former Shelly Marie Powell, is the owner of Perfect Paging, located in Ponca City and Stillwater, and the bridegroom is a Certified Public Accountant with an office in Ponca City. Parents of the couple are Dr. and Mrs. Dick Powell of Stillwater and Mr. and Mrs. Richard Sherer of Kismet, Kan. The processional was taped music “From This Moment” with Shania Twain and Brian White. The bride’s cousin, Larry Pierce of Edmond, sang “I Will Be Here” and the processional was the “Hallelujah Chorus” by Handel. A special ceremony was held with a brick engraved with the couple’s names and that of his son, Ryan, placed in the pathway to celebrate the joining of families. Attending the couple were six-year-old nieces of the bride, Tracia and Kylie Boswell of Corpus Christi, Texas; nine-year-old Ryan Sherer of Ponca City, son of the bridegroom, and nine-year-old Jayson Boswell of Corpus Christi, Texas, nephew of the bride. Attending a “Friendship Cloth” were Joni Bilyeu, Cindy Williams, Chris Howard and Cheryl Carpenter Martin. The bride’s parents hosted the reception, assisted by Emily Cummins, the bride’s cousin; Katie and Nikki McCollum and Erin Palmer. Among the guests present were the bridegroom’s parents, Richard and Sharil Sherer; his grandmother, Wilma Means; his sister and nephews, Kim Warren, Tanner and Conner; his brother and family, Richie and Brenda Sherer and Lane, all of Kismet, Kan. Also the bride’s grandmother, Billie Kannady of Tulsa and Nadine and Charlie Evans of Stillwater. Also Sally and Tom Roach of Gaithersburg, Md., Terri Hull and Tony Latiolais of Breaux Bridge, La., Malinda and Jay Boswell of Corpus Christi, Texas, the bride’s sister; Sue Cummins and Emily of Sugarloaf Key, Fla., Dave Greiner, Ken and Lutner Greiner of Oklahoma City. Ponca City HappeningsSUNDAY Marland Estate Mansion, 901 Monument Road, open daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, 1-5 p.m. Guided tours Monday-Friday, 1:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 1:30 and 3 p.m. Special tour information, 767-0420. 11th Step AA meeting — open, 11 a.m.; AA Discussion meeting, 8 p.m. Harmony House, 212 South Third. Ponca City Art Center, 819 East Central. Wednesday through Sunday, 1-5 p.m. Ponca City Cultural Center and Museum, 10th and Grand. Home of Ponca City Indian Museum, Bryant Baker Studio, 101 Ranch Museum and DAR Museum. Available for receptions, teas, bridge parties, etc. Open daily 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday 1-5 p.m. 767-0427. Ponca City Tourism Office, 10th and Grand. Information about all tourist attractions and events in Ponca City and the surrounding area. Open daily 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, 1-5 p.m. 763-8067. Janice Graham will be autographing “Firebird” from 2-4 p.m. Aug. 16 at Brace Books & More on North Fourteenth. MONDAY Al-Anon meeting, 8-9 p.m. Monday, upstairs in the Harmony House, 212 South Third. Domestic Violence Group, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Mondays. Programs for women and children of family violence. Babysitter provided. For information call 76A-BUSE. Fibromyalgia Support Group meets on the first and third Monday of each month at 7 p.m. in the parlor of the First Baptist Church. More information may be obtained by calling Vivian Cross, 765-8871; Lily Freeman, 762-9027; Martha Long, 762-5572. Multiple Sclerosis Support Group meets the third Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at Albright United Methodist Church, 128 South Palm. Call Beth Wright, 765-6738, for additional information. New Hope Group of Alcoholics Anonymous, 8 p.m., Monday. Salvation Army Community Support Center, 711 South Third. Ponca City Rotary Club, noon Monday, Marland Mansion Chapel. Senior Citizen dance every Monday, 7-10 p.m. at the American Legion, Ponca City. Everyone is welcome. “Hayriders Band” plays. Simple Steps AA — closed, noon; AA Step Study — closed, 8 p.m.; Harmony House, 212 South Third. TOPS OK 308, 6:15 p.m. Monday weigh-in. Meeting starts at 7 p.m. For more information call Betty Flower, 765-5448. Principles Before Personalities, Narcotics Anonymous, 8 p.m. Monday, Harmony House basement (use south entrance by parking lot). TUESDAY The American Family Support Group will meet 7-9 p.m. Tuesdays at 1105 West Highland. The topic will be Child Welfare Services and child abuse. Kay County Wheatheart Sweet Adelines, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Performing Arts Building (south entrance) Northern Oklahoma College, Tonkawa. All women welcome. For information call 765-6829, 363-1643 or 762-2885. Kiwanis Club, noon Tuesday, Marland Mansion Conference Center. New-Found Freedom Co-dependents Anonymous, 8 p.m., Tuesday, Harmony House (upstairs library). AA Discussion meeting at noon; AA Big Book Study — closed, 8 p.m. Harmony House, 212 South Third. Parent Support Group, 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Northern Oklahoma Youth Services Center. Focus on parental concerns and frustrations, as well as ways to increase understanding and communications between parent and child. Support, education, coping techniques, and introduction to non-punitive parenting styles. Pioneer Water Garden Society meets the third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Cann Gardens. Anyone interested in water gardens, fish, plants or starting your own pond is welcome to attend. For more information contact Mike Welch, 765-3271, or Ray Moreland, 762-7806. Preschool storytime for 4-, 5- and 6-year-olds, 10 and 11:30 a.m. Tuesdays at the Ponca City Library. Weight Watchers meeting, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, St. Paul’s United Methodist Church. Weigh-in begins at 6 p.m. Fanchon Chapter 53, Order of the Eastern Star, meets the first and third Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. at the Masonic Temple, 1200 West Grand. Free pregnancy test is kept confidential at Birth Choice, 205 West Hartford. Hours are 6-8 p.m. Tuesday; 1-3 p.m. Wednesday; 6-8 p.m. Thursday. WEDNESDAY New Hope Group of Alcoholics Anonymous, 8 p.m. Wednesday, Salvation Army Support Center, 711 South Third. Pioneer Toastmasters Club, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Wednesday, East Auditorium, Conoco Complex, 1000 South Pine. Guests welcome to come discover what Toastmasters is about. Ponca City Bahai Community Discussion Group, 7:15 p.m. Wednesday. For location call 765-5695 or 762-5529. Simple Steps AA meeting; Step Study — closed, noon. AA Discussion meeting, 8 p.m. Harmony House, 212 South Third. Storytime for 2 and 3-year-olds, Ponca City Library, 515 East Grand, 10 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Short stories, songs, use of flannel board. Lasts about 15 minutes. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) support group aids veterans of the Vietnam and Gulf Wars. The group is confidential and meets at the DAV, 401 South Lincoln, Wednesdays, 7-8:30 p.m. If you are a veteran suffering with PTSD or know someone who could use help, contact 762-3851 or Steve Mallory, 762-7561. Principles Before Personalities, Narcotics Anonymous, 8 p.m. Wednesday, Harmony House basement (use south entrance by parking lot). The Ponca City Council of Garden Clubs will meet Sept. 2 at 9:30 a.m. at the Cann Garden Center. The program will feature Tom Bergey, owner of the Golden Trowel Herb Farm in Newalla, who will show how to cook with herbs and provide samples of the dishes. Seating is limited so reservations should be made by calling 762-8008 or 762-4887. This meeting is also open to the public. THURSDAY Al-Anon at Conoco, TBTV 50 on Mezzanine between North and South Towers, 11:30 p.m. Thursday. Call Linda, 765-7045, 767-5328. AA Discussion meeting, noon; AA discussion meeting, 8 p.m., Harmony House, 212 South Third. Freedom Group of AA; closed Big Book Study at 8 p.m. Thursdays, Woodlands Christian Church (Room 202), Fourteenth and Hartford. Smoke-free meeting and building. We study and practice tradition. Open meeting the last Thursday of each month for birthdays. Call 762-3345 for more information. Jaycees, 7 p.m., first and third Thursday, Chamber of Commerce meeting room. Interested persons welcome to attend any meeting. Model Railroad Club, 7-10 p.m. Thursday, Stephenson Building, 113 North Third. For information call 762-8687 or 765-7996. Parent Support Group, 9:30-11 a.m., Thursday, Northern Oklahoma Youth Services Center. Focus on parental concerns, frustrations, as well as ways to increase understanding and communications between parent and child. Support, education, coping techniques and introduction to non-punitive parenting styles. Ponca City Newcomers Club meets the third Thursday of each month at the Marland Mansion. For more information contact Joyce Fox, 762-9578. Story hour for school-aged children Thursday at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the Ponca City Library. Young-At-Heart Dance is held every Thursday at the Elks Lodge, 1301 Bradley, 7-10 p.m. A Snack and Hillbilly night is held the first Thursday of each month. Ken Wilson and the Sunshine Playboys Band play. Agrarian Club meeting, 6 p.m. Aug. 13 at Evans Park, Southeast of City off Riverview Road. All former and present members and agribusiness people are urged to attend this social event. A family basket picnic is planned. Beverages and entertainment will be provided. Principles Before Personalities, Narcotics Anonymous, 8 p.m. Thursday, Harmony House basement (use south entrance by parking lot). Mary R. Bundred will share 101 educational travel tips for families from 1-3 p.m. Aug. 27 at Brace Books and More. FRIDAY Simple Steps AA — open, noon; AA speaker meeting — open, 8 p.m. Harmony House, 212 South Third. New Hope Group of Alcoholics Anonymous, 8 p.m. Friday, Salvation Army Community Support Center, 711 South Third. Pioneer Rotary Club, 11:45 a.m. Friday, Marland Mansion. Principles Before Personalities, Narcotics Anonymous, 8 p.m. Friday, Harmony House, 212 South Third, basement (use south entrance). Smoke-free building. For more information call 762-3345 or 765-9459. Land of Country Antiques and Craft Festival Friday, Sept. 11, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Hutchins Memorial, Fifth and Overbrook. SATURDAY AA Discussion meeting at noon Saturday. AA Discussion meeting at 8 p.m., Harmony House, 212 South Third. New Found Freedom Co-dependents Anonymous, 8 p.m. Saturday, Harmony House (upstairs library). Smoke-free. Order of the Amaranth meets the first and third Saturdays of each month at 7:30 p.m. at the Masonic Temple. Reorganized Overeaters Anonymous group meets 11-12 Saturday mornings at Woodlands Christian Church. The meetings are open to “anyone who desires to stop eating compulsively.” For more information call 762-2161 or 765-5958. Recipe sampling and cookbook signing with Mary Anne Potter is scheduled 2-4 p.m. Aug. 29 at Brace Books & More on North Fourteenth. SPORTSVolleyball Leaving the Left Coast Volleyball Leaving the Left CoastBy MATTHEW KOENIG News Sports Writer Though it was invented in Massachusetts and ranks as the second most popular team sport in the world (behind soccer), volleyball — for many years — was the de facto proprietary sport of California. And though west coast schools still dominate the volleyball scene, consider: 1 — Nebraska’s womens’ team, which won a national championship in 1996 — now has a larger fan base than their basketball team. Over the last four years, the average attendance for Lady Huskers games is second only to Hawaii among Div. I schools. Overall attendance for womens’ volleyball has skyrocketed from 1 million in 1991 to 4.3 million in 1997. 2 — Only 4 of the top 10 women’s teams in the final NCAA Div. I poll last year were from California. In 1990, only one non-California school (Nebraska) broke the top 10. 3 — 1996 marked the first time in the history of women’s college volleyball that a non-California school has won a title. This year, Michigan, Texas and Tennessee — along with Nebraska — are all strong national contenders. Unfortunately, while a shift in the volleyball frontier has been good to college athletics, it has been slow to filter down to the high school level. While the Po-Hi program has held on despite the cancellation of boys volleyball by the OSSAA in 1985, it has yet to enjoy the popularity of many other high school sports. To head coach Steve McKay, heading into his 22nd year as a coach at Po-Hi, that could all change. “In the last two years, Oklahoma has gained 25 new high school teams,” he says. “They’re getting ready to add a third class (3A). In Ponca, there’s been a real rise in the popularity of the sport over the last three years. A lot of that has to do with the success of college programs and beach volleyball being on TV so much.” As far as numbers go, volleyball is a strong contender as THE most popular sport with Ponca City high school athletes. While football and golf draw between 55-65 kids every year, nearly 80 girls in grades 8-12 signed up for volleyball this season. Monday, notes McKay, that mass of humanity will descend upon the old boys and girls gyms (at 7 p.m. — for those returning from vacation today) for a giant, combined practice. With plenty of athletes to choose from, however, two things conspire against McKay’s team this year. Number one is inexperience — the Lady Cats are young. Outside hitter and returning starter Megan Tomek is the lone senior on the squad. Junior Ashley Mott will return as starting setter, while four other juniors — Jessica Bushaw, Billie Kiser, Stacie Schneeberger and Courtney Hill — are also competing for a place in the starting lineup. Those are the upperclassmen. As far as Sophomores, McKay is enthusiastic about Missouri transfer Abbie Gehlert, while Candice Moses will also see some varsity playing time. From there, McKay will have to sift through a pool of freshmen candidates to round out his varsity team. Making an impression on the coaches at present are Jamie Neal, Jenna Wedd, Amanda Ingram, Niki Sells and Malory Hodge. Also competing for spots are Jamie Duckett, Jessica Jorgensen, Kathrine Kennedy, Jamie Leach, Michelle Quick, and Amanda Summers. Coming up behind the freshmen are 35-40 candidates for the eighth grade team. Counting the girls who have yet to report to practice, McKay estimates his talent pool to be about 65-80 kids deep. While that gives McKay a lot to look at, few have the experience needed to dominate in the Frontier Conference. “I don’t have a starting six right now,” says McKay. “We’re going to be moving a lot of people in and out for awhile. I usually only had 7-8 kids on varsity in the past, but this year we’ll expand that and take at least 12 kids everywhere we go.” Still, McKay likes his young team’s enthusiasm. Though they’ll probably take their lumps early on, he says, the learning curve is quick to climb. “In two or three weeks we’re going to have some kids who can play some ball. If they continue to improve and work like they have been, volleyball will take care of itself. And the thing with this team is that there’s always going to be someone on the bench pushing to get on the team.” The other thing that could wreck the Lady Cats chances this season is a immensely talented Frontier Conference. Jenks (who else?) and Broken Arrow have finished 1-2 in the state the last two years. Union will likely be in the top 5 in the state, McKay says, and Owasso has four 6-footers. So while McKay knows a berth in the state tournament will be difficult, at best, he’s ready to give it a try. “For a lot of kids this is completely new stuff. And we’re changing our offense around completely from last year. “But we’re having a lot of fun. And with the athletes we’ve got we can be really good, especially in a couple of years. The assistant coaches and I are really looking forward to the next three years.” As is the entire sport of volleyball. Lady Wildcat Volleyball Schedule Home Games in All Caps August 15 — PONCA CITY INVITATIONAL, 8:30 a.m. 17 — Union Freshman Tournament, 21 — Union JV Tournament, 22 — Union Varsity Tournament, 24 — Bishop Kelley Freshman Tourn., 25 — BARTLESVILLE (9/JV/V), 5 p.m. 27 — Owasso (8/9/JV/V), 5:30 p.m. 29 — Glenpool JV Tournament, 31 — Br. Arrow JV Tournament, September 1 — Union (9/JV/V), 3 — Bartlesville (9/JV/V), 10 — Stillwater (V/JV/9), 4 p.m. 12 — Bartlesville Varsity Tourn., 14 — Jenks Freshman Tournament, 19 — Br. Arrow Varsity Tourn., 22 — JENKS (9/JV/V), 5:30 p.m. 24 — OWASSO (8/9/JV/V), 5:30 p.m. 25 — Jenks JV Tournament, 26 — Jenks Varsity Tournament, 28 — Br. Arrow Fresh. Tourn., 29 — Jenks (9/JV/V), 5 p.m. October 1 — Enid Triangular, 2 — Frontier Conference, 5 — Bishop Kelley JV Tourn., 6 — PONCA CITY TRIANGULAR, 8-10 — Regionals, TBA 16-17 — State, TBA At Lew Wentz Championship Hole Number One Makes DifferenceBy FRED HILTON News Sports Editor What a difference one hole can make in a golf tournament. Defending champion Phil Carey birdied the very first hole in the first round of the Wentz Club championship Saturday and went on to shoot a one-under-par 70 to take a three stroke lead into today’s final round. That three-stroke difference was established when second-place Monte Keating double bogeyed that No. 1 hole. With an additional bogey on No. 3, Keating was down three shots to par after the first three holes. He recovered enough to finish with a two-over 73 and stay within striking distance. Also looking for a chance to close the gap on Carey was Po-Hi golf coach Dan McGregor, who posted a 75 to hold on to third place, one stroke ahead of John Clark. The anticipated battle of champions, between Carey and Country Club champion Wade Lessert — who won the Wentz title two years ago, never got out of the blocks as Lessert struggled early and was four strokes over par after the first nine. He finished with 77. Ron Colberg, who lost a playoff to Carey for the Wentz Stroke Play tournament title two weeks ago, had most of his problems on the back nine and joined Lessert and Phil Knight at 77. Admitting that first birdie gave him a boost, Carey played even par for the rest of the front nine, then picked up his second birdie on No. 10. However, even the best golfers can run into a bad stretch. “I picked up bogeys on 12 and 14 ad all of a sudden was back even,” Carey noted. “But then I got my third birdie on No. 18 to finish one-under.” Keating fell even further behind with a bogey on No. 5 before getting his game back together with birdies on 7 and 9 to make the turn at just two over. He lost a stroke with a bogey on No. 11, but finished with a birdie on 18 to stay in contention. The back nine was also troublesome for McGregor. After picking up his only birdie of the first round on No. 9 to make the turn at one over, McGregor ran into bogies on 10, 13 and 16 to finish four-over for the day. Steve Kenzie topped A Flight with a 74 Saturday for a two-stroke lead over Dale Beall. Roger Pappan led B Flight with an 81, three strokes in front of Kyle Parks and Don Simns. The C Flight leader was Clint Kirchenbauer with an 81. Tom Delaney was second with an 85. Terry Burns led D Flight with an 89, one stroke ahead of Dan Fore. In the Senior Championship (which includes handicap), Beall led with a 64 while Kirchenbauer had 65 and Burns 67 Championship Flight Phil Carey 35-35—70 Monte Keating 38-35—73 Dan McGregor 37-38—75 John Clark 40-36—76 Phil Knight 38-39—76 Wade Lessert 40-37—77 Ron Colberg 37-40—77 Pete Peterson 41-38—79 Aaron Gard 43-36—79 John Bowlin 45-35—80 Jake Ewing 40-41—81 (Leaders) A Flight Steve McKenzie 37-37—74 Dale Beall 38-38—76 Pete Robyler 42-38—80 Kelley Kay 40-41—81 John Maddox 42-41—83 Mitch Casey 40-43—83 Junior Dixon 41-42—83 B Flight Roger Pappan 44-37—81 Kyle Parks 40-44—84 Dan Sims 43-41—84 Joe Hager 42-43—85 Monte Rozell 44-41—85 Loren Rucker 45-41—86 Ollie White 43-43—86 C Flight Clint Kirchenbauer 38-43—81 Tom Delaney 42-43—85 Jim Armstrong 43-44—87 Gary Wood 43-45—88 Mike Lewis 49-40—89 D Flight Terry Burns 42-47—89 Dan Fore 47-43—90 Jim McSmith 48-43—91 Steve McConnell 48-46—94 Joe4 Carder 48-47—95 Carl Reutter 50-45—95 Senior Championship (with handicap) Dale Beall 64 Clint Kirchenbauer 65 Terry Burns 67 Junior Dixon 71 Monte Rozell 71 Mike Keating 72 Joe Hager 72 John Maddox 74 Cliff Poet 75 - CC Team to Start Practice MondayIn a severe test of lungs and legs, seven members of the Po-Hi cross country team, along with coach Kelly Chaney, attended a high altitude training camp in Frasier, Colorado (north of Winter Park), Monday through Thursday. This was the fourth straight year the cross country team has attended the camp. According to Chaney, the running was done on mountain trails, most of which started at altitudes of 10,500 feet and went anywhere from 12-13,000 feet. “We had a really good time and the kids learned a lot,” he said. “One run was ten miles long, and we actually had three kids from our team make it up and back in the time allowed.” Cross Country practice will begin Monday at 4 p.m. Runners will meet in the cross country room at the old gym, and Chaney would like to remind everyone to have their physicals done. Sports NotesThe Kay County Oklahoma State University Alumni Association is sponsoring a bus to the OSU-Tulsa game on Sept. 12. The cost of the trip is $12 per person. For further information and for reservations, contact Larry Williams (762-5846) Bowling NotesThe Ponca City Women’s Bowling Asociation will hold its fall meeting Monday at 7 p.m. in the Snack Bar at Ponca Bowl on Lake Road. Rules for the 1998-99 PCWBA City Tournament, to be held the first two weekends in February 1999, will be discussed and voted on. Also on the agenda will be the selection of delegates and alternates to attend the state meeting in 1999. The association will also hold a Memorial Service for WIBC members who have passed away this past bowling year. One of the highlights of the evening will be the recognition of three bowlers for their outstanding performance in 1997-98. Awards will be given for the highest scratch series, the highest scratch game and the most improved average during the past bowling season. Connie Barnett, City Association Secretary, will pass out the new materials to all league secretaries which will help leagues get organized for the upcoming bowling season. All team captains have been called and alerted to their league’s meeting night. The Metro Classic Bowling League will meet Tuesday at 6 p.m. in the Ponca Bowl. YMCA to Offer Football ProgramsThe Ponca City YMCA has announced three separate football programs for kids in grades 1-7. Kids in grades 1-3 will play a game called “NFL Ultimate.” This is a 5-on-5 game which is a combination of football, soccer, basketball and ultimate Frisbee. There are no set plays or downs, rather, the ball is passed around the field in any direction, making for continuous, exciting action. Kids in grades 4-5 will play “NFL Flag,” an 8-on-8 game which resembles regular football. Running and passing plays are allowed, with the offensive team playing for a first down at midfield and a touchdown in the end zone. According to program director Bill Kenney both programs were very popular last year. “One parent wrote that this was the best sports experience their child had every had,” he says. “We hope that everyone will be come and be a part of the NFL through our program.” Both programs will use the Kansas City Chiefs logo on all apparel and promotional materials. Registration will begin the week of Aug. 25. Cost is $25 for YMCA Youth and Family members and $35 for community participants. For 6-7 grade kids, tackle football will be offered. Players may sign up anytime between Aug. 15-18, and “combine” workouts will be held Aug. 18, 20, and 22. Players will be evaluated from there and placed on teams. For more info |