LOCAL

6 Osage County Homes Burn
9 Shoplifters Arrested In 2 Wal-Mart Incidents
First Football Weekend Set To Kick Off Friday Night
Auditions Scheduled Next Week for Winfield Theatre

6 Osage County Homes Burn

By The Associated Press

At least six homes were destroyed Thursday as wildfires flared up across Oklahoma’s parched landscape.

A brush fire that charred parts of Osage County was brought under control by firefighters about 6 p.m.

The fire between the town of Osage and Hominy burned about 100 acres in the Frontier Shores area and consumed four trailer homes, several sheds and some abandoned vehicles.

Kurt Atkinson, assistant director of the state Forestry Division, said firefighters got help from a National Guard helicopter.

A fire east of Stilwell in northeastern Oklahoma destroyed at least one home, Atkinson said.

Ray Dobbins, a Stilwell firefighter, said three other homes were threatened but the fire was under control by about 4 p.m.

A blaze earlier in the day destroyed at least one home in Albion in far southeastern Oklahoma.

A blaze that burned 150 acres near Edmond threatened two or three homes east of Arcadia Lake Thursday afternoon before it was brought under control.

Atkinson said firefighters were holding the line on a blaze that destroyed 3,100 acres along McGee Creek in Atoka County on Thursday.

Atkinson said a National Guard Chinook helicopter that helped on that blaze ‘‘pulled back to McAlester waiting for us to see where we need to send him.’’

‘‘Until we get rain it’s going to be this way every day some place in the state,’’ Atkinson said.

‘‘If people aren’t careful with fire, it’s going to cause many problems.’’

Gov. Frank Keating has ordered an outside burning ban on all but Cimarron County in the Panhandle. Some areas of the state haven’t had rain in two months. Many are at 30 days and counting.

Atkinson said conditions are so dry that even parking a car on grass could cause a fire from the catalytic converter.

‘‘People just have to really be careful,’’ he said.

9 Shoplifters Arrested In 2 Wal-Mart Incidents

By JEFF POLITTE

News Staff Writer

Ponca City police were busy Thursday making an abnormally high total of 15 arrests.

Nine of the arrests were made at one local retail store, while the other six were for various other crimes across the city.

According to Sherry Bowers, police information officer, nine people were arrested for stealing in two separate incidents after receiving complaint calls from Wal-Mart.

At one point, Wal-Mart personnel had six people in custody for shoplifting — all Kansas residents. The call came into the department Thursday just after 7 p.m.

“I know the names, but I’ve never dealt with them doing this (type of crime before),” commented Sgt. Brian Dutton of the Winfield, Kan., police department. He added that most of the names were familiar to him because of past run-ins with the law.

Two of the subjects arrested were juvenile girls, ages 15 and 16. Both were later released.

Also arrested in connection with the same call were a 20-year-old man, a 19-year-old man, an 18-year-old man and a 21-year-old woman. All were arrested for grand larceny and conspiracy to commit grand larceny. A total of $370 in merchandise was stolen from the store.

An earlier complaint at Wal-Mart resulted in the arrests of a 31-year-old man, an 18-year-old man and a 20-year-old man. They were taken into custody for grand larceny for stealing 21 used tires from the store.

In the second shoplifting spree, Wal-Mart personnel reported seeing the six separate after they entered the store, Bowers cited from police documents. The group met again near the dressing room area where they allegedly concealed several items under clothing worn into the store.

In the tire incident, loss prevention workers originally reported a suspicious-looking man near the used tire storage area. The subject left in a flatbed pickup and drove through the parking lot.

Bowers said the vehicle was stopped by police soon after and three men were arrested.

“The truck had 18 used tires on the back of it,” she said. “Three other tires were found, and it is believed they fell off the back of the pickup....”

A total of $110 in tires were taken from the store.

In a related incident, a 21-year-old man was arrested at 3 a.m. Thursday after the theft of two 30 packs of beer. The beer was stolen from Triple T No. 4, 201 West Hartford Avenue.

A clerk reported seeing a man enter the store, pick up the beer and leave without paying. “A helpful customer obtained the license plate number and notified police,” said Bowers.

Bowers also said police located the vehicle and initiated a traffic stop. “The four occupants of the vehicle jumped out and ran,” she said.

“One of the suspects was found lying under a pickup truck which was parked in the 100 block of Warwick Road,” Bowers said.

First Football Weekend Set To Kick Off Friday Night

A new head coach making his Ponca City debut and the renewing of an old Kay County rivalry headline the first Friday night of high school football games.

Frank Piccirillo becomes the Wildcats’ fourth coach in the past four seasons. He’ll get his introduction to local fans when the ‘Cats host Tahlequah, 7:30 p.m., in Sullins Stadium.

Fifteen miles due east on Highway 60, Newkirk and Tonkawa will meet for the 71st time. The Buccaneers are defending Class A state champions.

In other local games, Woodland hosts Pawnee, Shidler takes on White Oak and Blackwell welcomes Watonga. All are slated for 7:30 p.m. kickoffs.

On the college scene, Oklahoma opens its second season Saturday under head coach Bob Stoops by hosting the University of Texas-El Paso. Game time at Owen Field is 6:30 p.m.

Former Arkansas assistant Keith Burns is the new head man at Tulsa. The Golden Hurricane visit North Carolina in their opener. Oklahoma State is idle, but hosts Tulsa next Saturday.

Piccirillo intends for the Ponca City coaching carousel to quit spinning with him.

“I came here to win,” the veteran mentor flatly states. A pair of Class 2A state titles in his previous stint in Watonga back up his boast.

The Wildcats are coming off a disappointing 1-9 season, but return eight starters.

Tahlequah, a playoff squad in 1999, was 7-4 last season.

Auditions Scheduled Next Week for Winfield Theatre

WINFIELD, Kan. — Auditions will be held soon for a collaborative effort between Southwestern College and Winfield Community Theatre.

Schoolhouse Rock Live is a musical taken from the animated school lessons interjected into Saturday morning cartoons during the '70s and early '80s. It will be shown in Richardson Auditorium in Southwestern's Christy Administration Building Thursday through Sunday, Nov. 2-5.

Auditions for all parts-ranging from classroom children to scientific characters to the technical crew-are open to the community. They will be in Richardson Auditorium Wednesday and Thursday, Sept. 6 and 7, at 6:30 p.m. A read- and sing-through to familiarize those interested will precede auditions on Tuesday, Sept. 5, at 6:30 p.m., also in Richardson Auditorium.

School House Rock came into the television scene in the early '70s when the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) pressured the networks to do more educational programming. An advertising executive for ABC (whose own children were struggling with multiplication tables) envisioned an animated math lesson. Jazz musicians, a composer, and artists collaborated on his ideas and came up with the educational music videos for “Multiplication Rock.”

Saturday morning cartoons were cut three minutes short, and the cartoon musical clips were aired between regular programming. Later, other subjects were added.

Grammar Rock, for instance, included such songs as Interjections and Conjunction Junction (What's Your Function?). Children saw an animated train “hookin' up words and phrases and clauses.”

History lessons were added and children learned, to song, such things as the Preamble to the Constitution of the United States. Even science was put to animated music.

Schoolhouse Rock Live is a compilation of the songs and characters from the Schoolhouse Rock series. It tells the story of a new teacher fearful of his first day of school. The characters from the various Schoolhouse Rock vignettes remind him that learning is an adventure, thus giving him confidence to face his eager students.

Allyson Moon, associate professor of theatre, is directing “Schoolhouse Rock Live.” David Andreas of the Winfield Community Theatre is assistant director. Southwestern's new instructor in theatre design, Dan Williams, is design and technical director.

Those interested in auditioning for acting or technical parts should attend either Wednesday or Thursday (Sept. 6 or 7) audition, and bring a schedule of conflicts. Those interested in knowing more about the musical can attend the read and sing through Tuesday, Sept. 5.

For more information, call the Southwestern College performing arts office at (316) 229-6272.

LIFESTYLES

Bliss Homemakers Discuss Noble County Free Fair
Laureate Phi Chapter Receives Sorority Rating Certificate
Students Working Against Tobacco Program Offered
Xi Zeta Lambda Holds Meeting
Miriam Class Members Honor Fay Johnson
Tulsa Fair Contest Seeks Best Cookie Recipe in State
Little News

Bliss Homemakers Discuss Noble County Free Fair

The Bliss Homemakers meeting was called to order on Aug. 25, at the home of Mickey and Catherine Robinson. This was the annual Bliss family meeting with husbands attending also. Each member brought food while the hostesses Catherine Robinson and Arleta Pulliam furnished the meat, drinks and table service.

Burdettya Linn gave the devotion and shared with the group Longaberger pewter bookmarks and DOW cards reminding each to “Take charge of your life, and resolve to live for those you love. They’re counting on you, so educate yourself about breast cancer prevention and have mammograms. Discuss breast cancer and early detection with a relative before she schedules her annual physical, or with a friend who seems to take time for everyone but herself. If you encourage even one other person in your life to schedule a mammogram, you are a hero.”

The Noble County Free Fair, Sept. 12-15 was the main subject of discussion. Members volunteered to cook, work, and take pies. Members will meet Sept. 9, at 1 p.m. at the Marland Methodist-Christian Church to label exhibits and get all things ready for the fair. Decor for the fair booth was also discussed. Cancer Awareness will be the subject of the Educational Booth, using literature provided by the American Cancer Society and Kay and Noble County Health Departments. Burdettya Linn donated a Longaberger company’s 2000 “Horizon of Hope” basket for a drawing.

President Short told the members the Oklahoma Home and Community Education Noble County Meeting will be Oct. 12 at 10 a.m. and Dec. 7, a morning meeting and covered dish luncheon is planned.

Attending were Linda and Chris Short, Janell and “Hat” Harman, Burdettya and John Aaron Linn, Patsy and Jimmy Smithheisler, Mae and Richard Cockrell, Bonnie and Paul Green, Arleta and John Pulliam, Catherine and Mickey Robinson, Clara Jane Case, and Maxine Tautfest, Guests were Kaye Tipton, Noble County Extension Educator, Katherine Tipton, and May Evans.

The hostess gift was won by Mae Cockrell. Bonnie Norman and Paul Green’s recent marriage was honored with a money card. The next meeting will be Sept. 20 at the Marland Methodist-Christian Church with Marsha Dunham and Denise Kienholz as hostesses. Melanie Williams will be the program leader.

Laureate Phi Chapter Receives Sorority Rating Certificate

Roberta Streeter, president, presided during a short business session when Laureate Phi chapter of Beta Sigma Phi sorority met recently in the home of Alice Beman with seven members present.

New yearbooks were distributed by Meire K. Harris, and committees were reviewed as follows: membership, Lillian Williams, chair, Erma Rusch, program, Virginia Starks, chair, Ms. Harris, social, Velma Case, chair, Elsie Rosenbaum and Ms. Harris, ways and means, Pat Hill, chair, Ms. Beman, Mrs. Case, service, Ms. Beman, chair, Erma Rusch, yearbook, Ms. Harris, scrapbook, Fran Smith, chair, Mrs. Williams, publicity, Ms. Harris, telephone, Fran Smith, chair, Mrs. Williams.

Ms. Streeter reported that she had received a 3-Star rating certificate from BSP International for the 1999-2000 year’s activities. Ms. Harris discussed the program theme “How to Live Longer, Happier and Healthier,” and said members should come to the September program meeting prepared to tell why they would (not) like to live to 100.

Ms. Harris will be hostess for the Sept. 11 meeting in the home of Ms. Beman, co-hostess. The program will be a review of Fountain of Youth by Peter Kelder.

Students Working Against Tobacco Program Offered

SWAT (Students Working Against Tobacco) is a statewide effort to create a tobacco-free generation in Oklahoma. Friday, Sept. 8, 7-9 p.m., in the gym at the YMCA, recruitment for the program will be conducted. For more information about the process, call Allison Horner, 765-0592.

Food, fun and activities will be offered during the local event. Young people, ages 12-17, will have an opportunity to learn leadership skills, meet people with similar interests, and enhance verbal and written communication skills. This national program needs 10-15 people to participate in the development of telephone skills, design and creation of materials, and solicitation of community support for ideas.

SWAT students will use factual evidence that “smoking is not cool” in an effort to reduce and prevent tobacco addiction among teens. The SQUADS process through SWAT covers about two hours per week for nine sessions, said Horner.

Xi Zeta Lambda Holds Meeting

Xi Zeta Lambda chapter of Beta Sigma Phi sorority held their “Beginning Day” on Aug. 25 in the home of Phyllis Pledger. Each member brought a salad for the supper.

Following the meal, a brief meeting was held with Doretta Jackson, president, presiding. Jeannine Gemmill discussed plans for the group to attend Affair of the Heart in Oklahoma City in October.

After the meeting, the games were played, with Francie James, Carmie Childers, and Terri Whiting winning prizes. The next meeting will be Sept. 7 in the home of Dottie Johnstone.

Miriam Class Members Honor Fay Johnson

Sixteen members of the Miriam Class of the First Baptist Church met at the Ponca City Country Club recently for a luncheon honoring their Sunday School class teacher, Mrs. Fay Johnson. Gifts were presented to her.

The next meeting will be Sept. 18 at the Williamsburg Parlor at First Baptist Church. All members are urged to attend and bring a guest.

Tulsa Fair Contest Seeks Best Cookie Recipe in State

The contest for the best cookie at the fair continues to grow in popularity at fairs across America, including the Tulsa State Fair, Sept. 28-Oct. 6. Offering big rewards at both local and national levels, the Land O’Lakes Butter Best Cookie Contest saw a 33 percent increase in the number of entrants at the 1999 fairs.

Strawberry Rhubarb Dessert Bars, Browned Butter Cream Sandwich Cookies and Chunky Chocolate Toffee Cookies are a few of the scrumptious winners and can be found with other award winning recipes at www.landolakes.com. All ages are welcome to enter the 2000 competition.

Judging is based on taste (40 percent), originality/creativity (30 percent), appearance (20 percent), and simplicity/ease of preparation (10 percent). There are no restrictions regarding size, form, type or decoration, and any cookie will qualify, as long as it is made with Land O’Lakes Butter.

Check out the Land O’Lakes website at www.landolakes.com for further information on all 29 participating fairs. A brochure with a sampling of blue ribbon winners, including the 1999 national winner Carmel Pecan Fudge Bars, is available to be downloaded. To enter the contest, call the Tulsa State Fair entry department.

Caramel Pecan Fudge Bars

Bar

2 cups sugar

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup Land O’Lakes Butter, melted

3 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla

36 pecan halves

Topping

1/3 cup caramel ice cream topping or caramel apple dip

1/3 cup chopped pecans

3 tablespoons hot fudge ice cream topping

Heat oven to 350 F. Combine sugar, flour, cocoa and salt in medium bowl. Stir in butter, eggs and vanilla; mix well. Spread batter into greased 130-inch baking pan. Arrange pecan halves evenly on batter (6 rows across and 6 rows lengthwise).

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Place caramel topping in small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high until hot and bubbly (1 to 2 minutes). Stir chopped pecans into caramel dip and spread evenly over hot bars. Place fudge topping in another small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high until hot (about 1 minute). Drizzle fudge topping over caramel-pecan mixture. Cool completely. Cut into bars. 36 bars

Little News

Derrick Jermaine and Christina Gail Johnson, 920 North Second, announce the birth of a daughter at 10:29 p.m. Aug. 13, 2000, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. Kya Tené Johnson weighed 5 pounds, 14 ounces, and measured 17 3/4 inches long.

Maternal grandparents are David Edward and Kathy June Helm, and paternal grandparents are Timothy Lee and Seamona Loraine Johnson.

Great-grandparents are Betty and Warren Melson of Davenport, Naomi and Al Langwell of Chandler, James and Cathrine Johnson, and Georgia Parker, all of Ponca City.

EDUCATION

Education Committee Receives Updates on Mentoring Projects
NOC Instructor Earns Professional Degree
ACT Assessment Scheduled Oct. 28
Two Former Ponca City Grads Chosen to Leadership Class
Enrollment, ACT Scores Up

Education Committee Receives Updates on Mentoring Projects

The Ponca City Chamber of Commerce Education Committee met Aug. 1 to discuss mentoring updates and future plans.

Helene Schwartz, director of United Way of Ponca City, told members that the Vista volunteers have completed their project. The group tutored 200 children this summer and had an end of summer party which 150 children attended. Each child in attendance received a book and certificate.

Schwartz also said the mentors didn’t receive the mentoring grant and that the committee met to look at a path forward.

Dr. John Scroggins, deputy superintendent of Ponca City, noted that Dr. E. Smith, a representative from Juvenile Affairs, was in Ponca City recently. The Juvenile Affairs division has the money and resources to conduct a pilot study. Dr. Smith is interested in involving the Ponca City schools due to the fact that they have so much groundwork done.

Keni Ray reported that Conoco Inc. has grants that are available in the area of environmental studies. This grant money is available to all of the local schools. In the past, the grants have been awarded to each school instead of individual projects. It was also noted that with the changes in the Boy Scouts structure, there would be no money funneled through that particular organization.

Schwartz introduced Katina Combes, Alliance for Youth Promise Fellow. Combes outlined all the projects that she was currently working on with the Ponca City Alliance for Youth.

— The Juvenile Crime and Substance Abuse Prevention committee had a very successful Safe Night USA in June at Kids Kastle.

— The Drug Store 2000 will be held on Oct. 23-27. This is a very successful drug awareness program for sixth through ninth grade students. The kickoff will be on Oct. 23 with the Governor and First Lady Cathy Keating as guest speakers. This will be held at 10 a.m. at the Hutchins Auditorium. In conjunction with Drug Store 2000, the Teen Pregnancy Prevention committee is sponsoring Gordon H. Deekert, M.D., F.A.C.P. a member of the State Board of Health. He will be talking about Answers to Adolescent Behavior as it pertains to drugs and sexual behavior.

— The Youth Empowerment Services (YES) is another program which focuses on bringing caring adults and youths together to result in a raised awareness of community and caring.

— The Race Relations committee is helping plan a Martin Luther King celebration in cooperation with Conoco.

— A Multi-Cultural Celebration is being investigated for next spring.

Perry Pederson reported on the PIE representatives. He stated that they may be adding new partners and that he will have firm numbers for this month’s meeting. There will also be a kickoff for the program with the teachers involved.

The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 5.

NOC Instructor Earns Professional Degree

TONKAWA — Dr. Glenn M. Cope, instructor at Northern Oklahoma College and co-owner of Cope Photography of Tonkawa, has earned the Photographic Craftsman degree from the Professional Photographers of America.

PPA President Donald C. Mitchell presented the degree to Cope at the association's annual convention, Imaging USA, held July 28 to Aug. 2 in Las Vegas, Nev.

The Photographic Craftsman degree is awarded in recognition of service as a teacher, speaker, and mentor to fellow professional photographers who have met the PPA's standards of excellence. Barbara Cope placed the Craftsman ribbon and medallion around her husband's neck when the couple were called to the stage at the black-tie awards banquet on Tuesday evening. Then Mitchell presented Cope with his certificate designating the award.

“This is the PPA's highest award for teaching which is especially important for me to receive,” Cope said. “Not only do I teach students here at Northern, I spend considerable time in teaching my fellow professionals how to be better professionals and how to be better at their chosen profession.”

Cope, a member of the Professional Photographers of Oklahoma, serves on the PPO board and is the liaison from the PPO to the PPA for professional certification. He was appointed to the PPA's Education Committee by PPA incoming President Dominic Iodice.

This past year Cope worked in the PPA's efforts to begin a new student photographic organization. He was appointed to the advisory board of the new Student Photographic Society, which will provide educational benefits for current students and valuable assistance for students to make the transition to professional careers in photography. Dr. Glenn Cope and Northern Oklahoma College were the first charter members of the SPS.

At the PPA international convention, Dr. Cope displayed two photographs that were accepted into the international photographic exhibition this year.

He was honored by being invited to join the prestigious American Society of Photographers, an association of many of the top photographers in the world. Membership in the ASP is by invitation only. Dr. and Mrs. Cope attended the Monday evening ASP banquet.

ACT Assessment Scheduled Oct. 28

College-bound high school students who want to apply to colleges early can take the ACT Assessment on Oct. 28, the next nationwide test date.

The registration postmark deadline is Sept. 22. Late registration postmark deadline is Oct. 6 (an additional fee is required for late registration). Students can also register at www.act.org.

ACT scores are accepted by virtually all colleges in the nation, including all Ivy League schools. The test fee is $23. A student’s ACT scores are considered by colleges for admissions and course placement, along with several other important factors including high school GPA, college prep courses taken in high school, extracurricular activities, personal background and other information.

To learn more about the ACT Assessment, including registration forms and test locations, contact your high school counselor or go to the ACT website.

Two Former Ponca City Grads Chosen to Leadership Class

NORMAN — Two Ponca City High School graduates — Shawna Rolland and Ashley VanHoesen were among the 101 incoming freshman selected as members of the 2000-2001 University of Oklahoma President's Leadership Class.

The program, established in 1961 to attract outstanding student leaders to OU, has become one of the most dynamic scholarship programs in the country. More than 2,000 candidates from across the nation applied to the program.

“Selection in the class is based on the student's national, state, school, class or club service, church or community volunteer activities, honors and awards and his or her written statement regarding leadership,” said Karen Renfroe, executive director of Recruitment Services.

In conjunction with a one-year $1,000 tuition fee waiver and a $750 cash award, PLC students have many opportunities to meet with OU President David Boren and university administrators and faculty as well as local, state and national leaders. The class meets weekly and is involved in planning campus activities and outreach programs.

“PLC involvement establishes a strong foundation for student leadership experiences and serves as a spring board for future professional development,” said Becky Barker, assistant dean of students. “The skills the students gain from this scholarship opportunity are priceless.”

Enrollment, ACT Scores Up

Student enrollment this fall has taken an unexpected jump that reverses a recent trend of decline.

Only the addition of new classes for four-year-olds has kept the enrollment from dropping for the past eight years. On Oct. 1, 1992, the district student count was at a record high of 5,945 for kindergarten through 12th grade. Last year the number was down to 5,503 plus additional 228 pre-kindergartners. This year the K-12 enrollment is up to 5,539 and increasing daily.

The jump is 65 more than expected and is due in large measure to the high enrollment in kindergarten where 413 students are attending class. This is an increase of 54 over this time last year.

The eighth grade class is also much larger than projected. The larger enrollment causes some classes to be larger than we like and will cause some reallocation of classrooms and staff in future plans.

The district average test scores on the AT were up slightly over the previous year to 21.6. The ACT is the test that is required for college admission in Oklahoma. Last spring, Ponca City graduates showed an increase composite of 0.2 with the greatest gain of 0.6 in science reasoning. The increase reverses a two-year drop in the score from the 1997 high when Ponca City graduates recorded a 22.1. Ponca City schools had 229 seniors who took the ACT last year, which is the largest number since the class of 1995.

The State of Oklahoma is also celebrating the increase in the ACT score. Oklahoma’s average of 20.8 is slightly below the national average of 21 and is the highest average of the 17 southern states.

Oklahoma has enjoyed the greatest gain in average score of any state in the nation since 1991. Minority students who took additional classes recorded the largest improvements. Better preparation results in higher test scores. Students who took more math and science classes scored 3.5 points better than students who only took the minimum course loads. New graduation requirements that we have implemented at the high school should result in students being better prepared to take this exam.

RELIGION

Sermons on Marriage Slated for September
First United Methodist Begins Fall Activities
Christian Churches Ordain Niki Jorgenson Saturday
First Assembly Holds Women’s Bible Study
Tittsworth in Concert
KLVV Website Logs 40,000th Visitor
Church of Christ Announces Fall Bible Classes
Church Briefs

Sermons on Marriage Slated for September

Don Huddleston, minister for the Hartford Avenue Church of Christ, announces a special series of lessons on marriage during the month of September.

The sermon series, “Can This Marriage Be Saved,” focuses on issues that are at the heart of troubled marriages today and how the word of God speaks to each of those issues.

“”Marriages are in trouble everywhere,” says Huddleston, “even among those professing to be Christians.”

During the series, Huddleston will be looking at The Stressed-Out Marriage,” “The Self-Centered Marriage,” “The Broken-Vow Marriage” and “The Substance-Abuse Marriage.”

“Regardless of the problem,” says Huddleston, “God’s word offers people clear direction for dealing with their problems, and rewards them with peace of mind, hope and joy.

Everyone is invited to share in these lessons, which will be offered during the morning worship service at 10:30 each Sunday. Couples experiencing marital stress may also contact the church office at 765-3610 for free Biblical counseling.

The church is located at the corner of Hartford and Joe.

First United Methodist Begins Fall Activities

“Encounters With Jesus” will be the focus of this fall’s Prayer and Praise activities at FUMC beginning 5:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Members and guests will be served an evening meal followed by the singing of favorite hymns. The Rev. Dr. J.D. Ward’s spiritual message will complete the time of worship. The evening fellowship is a casual event for the whole family, and a nursery is available for children.

Music ministries resume Wednesday as well. FUMC has 10 choirs (vocal and handbell) that include children as young as three years of age to senior adults. At 5 p.m. on Wednesday, rehearsals begin for children rom three years of age to sixth grade.

At 7:15 p.m. on Wednesdays, the adult choir rehearses for their upcoming performances. In addition, the handbell choirs begin rehearsal as well. Wesley Handbells, children third through sixth grades, practice at 4:20 p.m. prior to the vocal choirs. The Carillon Handbells, an adult group, will begin rehearsals also on Wednesday at 6:15 p.m. The Silver Bells, which is a senior adult group, begins rehearsals on Sept. 12 at 9:30 a.m. Lastly, handbell and vocal choirs for seven through 12th grades rehearse on Sundays at 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. beginning Sept. 17.

FUMC offers a Weigh Down Workshop that will begin its sessions on Wednesday at 1 p.m. and on Monday, Sept. 11, at 7 p.m. The group will meet in the church parlor and encourages anyone interested to come. Many have lost weight and kept it off, but more importantly, they have grown in their relationship with God, said a spokesperson.

On Sept. 10 at 4 p.m., an orientation will be held on the study of The Christian Believer. This study brings together doctrine (a way of living) with the Bible as source and vision for church renewal. The hope of this study is to know God with heart and mind. The study officially begins on Sept. 17 with the Rev. Gail Daugherty Smith.

This is the last Sunday for the summer schedule. Currently, Christian classes begin at 8:45 a.m. with worship at 10 a.m. Beginning Sept. 10, Sunday services will be at 8:30 and 11 a.m. with Christian classes at 9:45 a.m.

For additional information, upcoming events or questions, contact the church at 762-1681 or log on to its website at www.fumcponca.org.

Christian Churches Ordain Niki Jorgenson Saturday

First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Oklahoma will ordain Niki Jorgenson to the ministry of the church on Saturday. The Service of Ordination at 2 p.m. will include representatives of First Christian Church, the Rev. Marsha Bishop, associate regional pastor of the Christian Church in Oklahoma, and Dr. Stephen Sprinkle, Brite Divinity School director of field education.

Members of Jorgenson’s family and several of her friends will also participate in the service. The Rev. Sondra Tilsley, associate minister of the First Christian Church in Arlington, Texas, and former youth minister of the First Christian Church in Ponca City, will preach the ordination sermon on “Expecting the Unexpected.”

Jorgenson, daughter of Bob and Claudia Jorgenson and granddaughter of Ethel Jorgenson and Jim and Wilma Waugh, is a life-long member of First Christian Church. Her service of ordination will be in the sanctuary where as a young Christian she was baptized and where she participated in many youth Sunday services. She was active in First Christian youth programs for fellowship, education and service. She was a youth member of the organizing committee for Friendship Feast. She attended numerous regional youth camps and conferences of the Christian Church while growing up and has been an adult leader in numerous camping events since.

Jorgenson is a 1990 graduate of Ponca City High School. She received the bachelor of science degree in psychology from Phillips University in 1994, the master of education in community counseling from the University of Central Oklahoma in 1996, and graduated in August from Brite Divinity School at Texas Christian University with a master of divinity degree.

Jorgenson has been called to ministries of compassion and peace through ministries at St. Columbkille Catholic Church in south central Los Angeles and at Camino de Paz Christian Church in Fort Worth, Texas, during her seminary studies. She has also participated in cross-border ministries between the United States and Mexico.

The 2 p.m. service of ordination on Saturday will be followed by a reception in the First Christian Church Fellowship Hall. All are welcome to attend.

First Assembly Holds Women’s Bible Study

First Assembly of God and Beth Moore invite all women to a Bible study, “A Woman’s Heart God’s Dwelling Place.”

This in-depth, biblical study explores the account of the building of the tabernacle, the significance of its intricate design, its pivotal role in God’s eternal plan, and its variety of meanings for a walk with God. This study is a guide to a more intimate relationship with God and about His will for one’s life.

The 10-week study begins Thursday from 9 to 11 a.m. There is a session at 7 p.m. Thursday and on Saturday, 3 p.m. Child care is provided for the morning sessions. For more information, contact the church office at 762-2401 or Dana Hines at 765-7549.

Tittsworth in Concert

First Christian Church, Fifth and Cleveland, is sponsoring George Tittsworth in concert at 6 p.m. Sunday.

Tittsworth is a pianist and musician holding a master’s degree in piano from Wichita State University. In addition, he has 35 years of service as a choral director.

His piano concert will include a variety of music styles, ranging from gospel to classical and some congregational singing.

The concert will be held in the sanctuary and is free and open to the public. A reception will follow.

KLVV Website Logs 40,000th Visitor

KLVV’s website, www.klvv.com, recorded 10,000 visitors over the last four months and passed the 40,000 mark on Aug. 28. Stillwater listener Taleri Wright was the 40,000th visitor and received an autographed CD from the group FFH.

Highlights at the website include the Impossible Trivia from the morning show, Brent’s Joke of the Day featured evenings at KLVV, and a listener comments page.

There are links to Christian websites, a Bible study search, current weather conditions, forecasts, and a new daily allergy alert. The site also provides listeners with the top 20 songs played and a find-a-song tab to find your current favorites.

A new feature at the site is a page that lists the on-air play list so visitors can see what songs are coming up on the air. Visitors can e-mail KLVV, sign the guest book, register for a monthly anniversary giveaway, and read about the history of the station.

KLVV is a nonprofit radio station broadcasting on 88.7 FM northern Oklahoma and southern Kansas with translator stations at 98.3 FM in Enid, 106.7 FM in Stillwater and 97.3 FM in Guthrie.

Church of Christ Announces Fall Bible Classes

Hartford Avenue Church of Christ announces its fall Bible Classes which will run from September through November. Classes start at 9:30 a.m. followed by worship at 10:30 a.m.

“Growing Kids God’s Way” will be taught by Dennis Betterton and is designed to help parents train the hearts of children to God’s moral standard. “Love,” with Paul Priba teaching, will discuss the first commandment to love the Lord. John Summers, in the class “Revelation,” will discuss Revelations 1:3, “Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it.”

The theme of the ladies class, 7 p.m. Wednesday, will be “Women in God’s Service,” Judges and Ruth, taught by Walt Beam. “Recovering From the Losses of Life” will be taught by Steve Hamm, and “God’s Amazing Grace,” taught by Don Huddleston, will be a study of the book of Romans.

The theme of this week’s Search program, 8 a.m. Sunday on Channels 5 and 8, will be “Not Ashamed of the Gospel.”

Church Briefs

Good Shepherd Lutheran

Gives Away Bibles

Engraved Bibles will be given to third through 12th grade students who have attended Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. The NIV hard cover Bibles will be presented to the students during the 9 a.m. service on Sept. 10. A pot luck will follow Sunday School and everyone is invited to attend.

Search TV

The Newkirk Church of Christ is sponsoring the Search TV program Sundays at 8 a.m. The congregation also sponsors the International Gospel Hour Sundays at 8:30 a.m. on KSOK FM 95.9.

New Mount Olive Baptist

New Mount Olive Baptist Church, 520 North Pine in Newkirk, will sponsor its first Sunday fellowship worship service Sunday beginning with Sunday school at 10 a.m. followed by the worship service at 11:15 a.m. The speaker will be the Rev. Irvin J. Bobb, pastor. An extended invitation is given to all.

Going Is Guest Speaker

At Wesleyan Bible Church

The Rev. Terry Going will be the guest speaker at the 6 p.m. Sunday service at the Wesleyan Bible Church, 410 Fairview. Going, a native of the Ponca City area, chaired the ministerial department of Hobe Sound Bible College for several years before accepting the pastorate of Breezewood Community Church in Summerfield, Fla. He invites his friends and family to attend the service. For more information, call the Rev. David Hamer at 762-1982.

Prince of Peace Lutheran

Prince of Peace Lutheran, ELCA at 2800 Turner Road will celebrate the 12th Sunday after Pentecost with holy Communion. “In this supper, Christ forgives us and strengthens us to be communal witnesses to His love,” said The Rev. Bruce Keck. Adult Sunday school class is at 9 a.m. followed by worship service at 10 a.m. The evening class at 7 p.m. Wednesday will explore nine different types of prayer. On Sept. 10, the fall Sunday school classes for all ages will begin at 9 a.m.

DEATHS

Velma Ruth Flood
Iva Glendora Bowen Garner
Opal M. Russell Doing
Joe A. Coffee
John A. Bond

Velma Ruth Flood

BLACKWELL — Velma Ruth Flood, resident of Blackwell, died Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2000, in the Manor Care Center in Bethany. She was 84.

The funeral will be 1:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 1, in the chapel of the Roberts and Son Funeral Home in Blackwell with the Revs. Bill Hane and Johan Tradauz of the Metroplex Church of the Nazarene officiating. Burial will follow in the Blackwell Cemetery.

Velma Ruth Flood was born June 28, 1916, in Watonga, the daughter of John Sherman and Francis Pearl (Moore) Tyson. As a young girl, she moved with her family to Blackwell, where she grew up and attended Blackwell public schools, graduating from Blackwell High School in 1935. She then moved to Wichita, Kan., and began employment with the Beechcraft Air Corporation.

She married Mervin Flood on Sept. 3, 1944, in Wichita, Kan., and they settled in Wichita. In 1945, they moved to Caldwell, Kan., for two years. At the end of World War II, they moved with their family to Blackwell to make their home. She was employed with the Hazel-Atlas Glass Plant in Blackwell for many years. After various moves due to employment, they retired in 1980 and moved to Enid. In 1998, they moved to Oklahoma City. She enjoyed various types of crafts and was a lifetime member of the Church of the Nazarene.

Survivors include her husband of the home; a daughter, Charlene Lewis of Oklahoma City; two sons, Larry Flood of Glendale Springs, N.C., and Don Flood of Fort Worth, Texas; a sister, Dorothy Pendleton of Blackwell; a brother, Don Tyson of Albuquerque, N.M.; 10 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; three sisters, Martha Anderson, Mary Geiger and Ila Walker; one brother, Charles Tyson; and a grandson.

Casket bearers will be Chuck Lewis, David Lewis, Austin Lewis, Brian Flood, Russell Pendleton and Ron Funk.

Memorial contributions may be made in her name to the First church of the Nazarene in Enid, c/o Roberts and Son Funeral Home, 120 West Padon, Blackwell, Okla. 74631.

Iva Glendora Bowen Garner

PAWNEE — Iva Glendora Bowen Garner, resident of Pawnee, died Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2000, in her home. She was 70.

The funeral will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 2, in the First Baptist Church in Pawnee with the Rev. Bob Copeland officiating. Burial will follow in the Highland Cemetery under the direction of Poteet Funeral Home of Pawnee.

Iva Glendora Bowen Garner was born Nov. 10, 1929, in Blackburn, the daughter of William Lester and Clara Georgia (Bond) Bowen. On Feb. 14, 1946, she married Raymond Harold Garner in Pawnee. She lived in Pawnee most of her married life. She was employed as a cook with the Pawnee Public School for 26 years, retiring in 1992.

She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Pawnee. She enjoyed crafts, visiting with people, and going to Branson and Grove with church groups.

She is survived by her husband of the home; one daughter, Doris Benes of Morrison; three sisters, Nettie Strain of Cushing, Alma Huston of Enid, and Mary Webster of South Coffeyville; foue grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and many other relatives.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Iva Irene Swanson; a brother, Luther Bowen; and three sisters, Mattie Lytle, Iola Cooper and Flora Cloud.

Services Pending

Opal M. Russell Doing

Opal M. Russell Doing, longtime resident of Ponca City, died Friday morning, Sept. 1, 2000, at the Tender Heart Nursing Home. She was 90. Survivors include daughters, Carol Sue Brown and Leta Marie Jones, both of Ponca City. Arrangements are pending with Grace Memorial Chapel.

Joe A. Coffee

Joe A. Coffee, longtime resident of Ponca City, died Friday morning, Sept. 1, 2000, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. He was 76. Survivors include his wife, Ira, of the home. Arrangements are pending with Grace Memorial Chapel.

John A. Bond

John A. Bond, Ponca City resident, died Friday morning, Sept. 1, 2000, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. He was 47. Survivors include a son, Chris Bond of Ponca City. Arrangements are pending with Grace Memorial Chapel.

NEWS BRIEFS

Accident — A two-vehicle accident at the intersection of Highland Avenue and Waverly Street was reported to Ponca City police at 7:40 a.m. Thursday. One officer was assigned and a second officer assisted. A report was taken and a vehicle was towed from the scene.

Dougan's Bar-B-Q Friday special from 4-8 p.m., all you can eat ribs with beans, potato salad and coleslaw, $7.49. 215 South 14th, 765-7979. adv.

Fraud — Someone came to the front lobby of the Ponca City Police Department to report a forged check at 8:59 a.m. Thursday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Fraud — A man from the 1200 block of Princeton Avenue came to the front lobby of the Ponca City Police Department at 10:01 a.m. Thursday to report he sold some tools to a subject who hadn’t completely paid for them yet, but who had pawned them. An officer was assigned, but no report was taken.

“Back-To-School” Party at Ponca Bowl, 2000 Lake Rd. 762-3333. Saturday September second, 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. For all area students ages 5-21. $1.00 per game, $1.00 per rental. adv.

Accident — A minor hit-and-run backing accident that occurred overnight in the 200 block of South Lincoln Street was reported to Ponca City police at 10:37 a.m. Thursday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Fight — Someone reported a fight at a business in the 900 block of North Brookfield Avenue to Ponca City police at 11:21 a.m. Thursday. Two officers handled the call.

Jim Bowen Construction­ Custom homes, room additions and remodeling. Call 762-3077. adv.

Theft — Someone in the 300 block of South Osage Avenue reported a stolen cell phone to Ponca City police at 2:39 a.m. Thursday. An officer was assigned, but no report was taken.

Accident — A motorist reported a pickup had rolled out of a driveway and hit a street sign to Ponca City police at 3:51 p.m. Thursday. The motorist said the vehicle owner had been advised. An officer was assigned, but the vehicle was gone on arrival.

Stormescape Shelters, perfect for garage, under vehicle, installation. $1,695. 765-2633. adv.

Burglary — A man in the 500 block of West Broadway Avenue reported finding evidence of someone trying to break into his residence through windows to Ponca City police at 5:48 p.m. Thursday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Ready For fall? Country Harvest Festival, September 8th & 9th, Hutchins Memorial. adv.

Gas Drive-Off — A clerk at a business in the 200 block of East Highland Avenue reported a $12 gas drive-off to Ponca City police at 5:58 p.m. Thursday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Free Pregnancy test. Birth Choice cares. Confidential. Hours: Monday 1-3 p.m., Tuesday, 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, 1-3 p.m. and Thursday, 6-8 p.m. 700 West Broadway. 765-9689. adv.

Drinking Water R/O 25 cents/gallon. Distilled, 50 cents/gallon. Processed fresh dai-

ly. Pure Water Wagon. 1717 North Fifth, Ponca City adv.

RSVP — Congratulations go to September RSVP Volunteers of the month: Bill and Betty Wright. He is an instructor with the Senior center computer classes and she is a Hospice volunteer.

Kids Review now accepting childrens fall/ winter consignments. adv.

Gas Drive-Off — A clerk at a business in the 400 block of South Fourteenth Street reported an $18.52 gas drive-off to Ponca City police at 6:57 p.m. Thursday. An officer was assigned. The customer later came back and paid for the gas.

Soccer- We are still taking sign-ups for fall soccer. Sign-up at Quantum Computer. 762-9056. 762-9056. adv.

Theft — A woman in the 900 block of Riviera Drive reported the theft of a washer and dryer from her back yard to Ponca City police at 8:22 p.m. Thursday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

D&S Pool/Spa Service. Pool maintenance and closings. Now taking appointments for Fall closings. Call 762-1868 or 762-3289. adv.

Accident — Someone reported hitting a deer near the intersection of Mockingbird Lane and Pecan Road to Ponca City police at 2:20 a.m. Thursday. An officer was assigned and a report taken. The animal had to be put down by the officer.

Head Country Saturday night special. All you can eat beef brisket with beans, potato salad and coleslaw, $7.49. All day. 1217 East Prospect. adv.

Accident — A Ponca City police officer reported a dog had been hit in the 200 block of Lake Road at 2:30 a.m. Friday and was still alive. The animal was picked up by the humane society. No report was taken.

Court Allen Construction. Brick, flagstone, concrete, walkway’s, patios and planters. Call 765-2720. adv.

Accident — A two-vehicle non-injury accident at the intersection of Lake Road and Pecan Road to Ponca City police at 6:42 a.m. Friday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

No School — There will be no school in Ponca City on Monday, Sept. 4 for Labor Day.

SPORTS

Ailing Wildcats Host Tahlequah
Sooner Coach Understands Team Chemistry
OU Football Odds and Ends
UCO Bronchos Lose Season Opener in OT
Questions Abound In TU-UNC Game

Ailing Wildcats Host Tahlequah

By FRED HILTON

News Sports Editor

Now its for real.

After three weeks of practice — most of it in suffocating heat — and two scrimmages, the 2000 Ponca City Wildcats take to the field in a game that counts tonight, hosting Tahlequah in Sullins Stadium. The kickoff is set for 7:30.

It’s not an easy opener for the Wildcats. In addition to learning a new system under new coach Frank Piccirillo, the Cats suddenly find themselfs short on experience players.

The Poncans lost two starters early in practice and two more — running back Micah Johnson and receiver Jimmo Ozment — are doubtful for tonight’s game.

That will put even more pressure on the remaining starters. At least six Wildcats will be going both ways for most of the game.

It’s not what coach Piccirillo would prefer, but he expected it.

“Jenks won a state championship with five players going both ways,” he notes. “We have had these players going both ways in practice and scrimmages. Besides most high school kids would rather be on the field.”

The heat will be a factor tonight and Piccirillo says the Cats will substitute freely.

“But both teams will have to play in the same conditions and at least it won’t be as hot during the game as it has been in practice this week,” the coach said.

Tonight’s starters on offense will include Kyle Henderson (5-11, 174 senior) at quarterback and Matt Littleton (5-8, 167 senior) at tailback. The wide receivers will be Joe Ozwald (5-8, 150 junior) and J. Michael Sharon (5-9, 154 senior)

The tight ends are Michael Martin (6-4, 206 senior) and Jacob Biby (6-2, 224 senior). The interior line will include left tackle Thomas Buffalohead (6-1, 235 junior), left guard Cameron Moore (5-11, 209 junior), center Josh Kirkpatrick (5-10, 215 senior), right guard Mike Hudson (5-11, 209 junior) and right tackle Casey Badley (6-2, 284).

On defense, the guards will be Martin and Biby. The tackles are Badley and Brandon Nash (5-9, 180 junior). The inside linebackers are Michael Duroy (5-9, 199 senior) and Jeremy Moore (5-7, 145 junior) the outside backers are Littleton and Luke Gray (6-4, 185 junior). The cornerbacks are Sharon and Henderson with Chase Kelly (6-0,160 junior) at free safety.

Oswald will be the kicker and Henderson the punter.

Littleton and Sharon will return punts and kickoffs.

Not surprisingly, the Wildcats have a tough opener to a tough schedule.

Tahlequah, in only its third season in Class 6A, has something to prove.

The Tigers finished 7-4 last season after reaching the playoffs. They are battling for another playoff spot in the rugged District 6A-4.

Tahlequah has truly reloaded.

Gone is quarterback Jason Sutherland who completed 14 of 30 pass attempts in a 12-0 win over the Wildcats last season.

But in his place is Brett Bynum, a 6-3, 180 senior who backed Southerland last season.

Back are receivers Clint Roundtree, who had 41 catches for 519 yards and seven touchdowns in 1999, and Chris Polson, 26 receptions for 587 yards and four scores.

Piccirillo figures the only way to slow that high powered offense is to keep it off the field.

But the lighter weight Wildcats will unveil, a one-back, two-tight end offense of its own.

“We have to spread people out,’ Piccirillo has said, noting the Cats may throw the ball 60 percent of the time.

While an upset of Tahlequah would be much welcomed as a confidence builder for the Wildcats, Piccirillo said the main thing he is looking for is execution and getting better.

“Our kids were feeling real good after our second scrimmage about how much we had improved over the first scrimmage,” the coach said. “Now we want to see how much we have improved this week.”

Piccirillo is stressing the need for the Wildcats to improve each week as they head into District 6A-3 play in the fourth week of the season.

“Those are the games that really count,” he said.

But the coach doesn’t put much store in moral victories, either.

“We go out there to win,’ Piccirillo said.

Sooner Coach Understands Team Chemistry

NORMAN. (AP) — Any nervous anticipation that Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops may have felt before last year’s opening game has been replaced by eagerness this time around.

A year ago, Stoops was preparing for his first game as a head coach. He wasn’t sure how his players would perform in a real game. He didn’t know how well the new offense would click, how the defense would hold up or how smoothly the coaching staff would mesh.

Those aren’t mysteries anymore. Stoops and the 19th-ranked Sooners, coming off a 7-5 season and their first bowl trip since 1994, are confident and much more comfortable as the opener Saturday night against Texas-El Paso approaches.

‘‘Knowing our team’s chemistry better as a staff makes a big difference,’’ Stoops said. ‘‘There’s so much more familiarity with each other, better relationships with each other. I think we’re a closer team and we understand how our players react in competitive situations.

‘‘There’s some comfort to a degree in the work our players have put in leading into the season. Outside of that, I don’t know if a coach is ever comfortable.’’

Saturday’s game is the first of four at home in September, all against teams that should allow the Sooners to build momentum heading into a rugged October.

UTEP was 5-7 a year ago and hasn’t had a winning season in 11 years. The Sooners also play Arkansas State (4-7 last year), Rice (5-6) and Kansas (5-7) during the month.

Stoops, however, said neither he nor his players are looking past this week.

‘‘We’ve got great respect for UTEP,’’ he said. ‘‘Anyone we play that comes in here, we’re going to respect and be prepared to play.

‘‘We want to make sure when we get on the field that we play hard, we play smart, and regardless of who we’re playing we play the very best we’re capable of playing.’’

If that happens, then it could be a long opening night for first-year UTEP coach Gary Nord. Nord is familiar with Oklahoma, having spent the 1995 season as offensive coordinator at OU under Howard Schnellenberger.

‘‘I think it might be one of THE toughest places to open up,’’ he said. ‘‘I think this can make us a better football team in the long run.’’

Both teams figure to throw the ball the majority of the time. Josh Heupel set several Oklahoma and conference passing records last year, including 3,460 yards passing and 30 touchdowns. UTEP had two 1,000-yard passers a year ago, and one of them, Mike Perez, is back this year.

The Miners have restructured their scheme in an effort to improve their defense against the run. Opponents averaged 5 yards per carry a year ago, and now the Miners will use an eight-man front instead of a 4-3 alignment.

‘‘Obviously, opening up against a team and a quarterback that threw for about 3,500 yards last year is not the ideal situation you would want after putting this scheme in to stop the run,’’ Nord said.

Nord has eight starters back on offense and six on defense, and said he expects the Miners to contend for the Western Athletic Conference title even though they were picked by league coaches to finish sixth.

They haven’t won a season-opening road game since 1982, and have lost nine straight games against teams now in the Big 12.

‘‘With the distractions we’re going to see here this Saturday and the atmosphere we’re going to be in, it will educate our kids,’’ he said. ‘‘And the speed we will see on the field, it will give us a chance to play against a very top team in the country, and I think it will pay dividends for us down the road.’’

OU Football Odds and Ends

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — By kickoff at 6:38 p.m. Saturday, the sun will be headed behind the press box on the west side of Memorial Stadium. Coach Bob Stoops says the resulting shade will benefit the fans and the players, although he said the lingering heat wave hasn’t affected his team.

‘‘We haven’t noticed. It hasn’t bothered us a whole lot,’’ he said.

Stoops said many suffered from dehydration and cramps when two-a-days began. So the Sooners began an hour earlier than planned in the morning and an hour later in the afternoon, ‘‘and that took care of that.’’

Since the start of school, practices have begun at 4 p.m. Stoops said there have been no problems.

‘‘We had a strong camp in that we were in full pads a great number of practices,’’ he said. ‘‘Very few were without being in full pads, and our players have held up to it really well.’’

WOOLFOLK BUSY: Andre Woolfolk could be busy Saturday night when Oklahoma opens its season against Texas-El Paso.

Woolfolk, a sophomore, is listed No 1 on the depth chart at flanker. But he also will spend time in the defensive secondary.

‘‘We’re going to use him (at) both,’’ coach Bob Stoops said. ‘‘Defensively, I’m hoping the he could play close to half the game.’’

That could wind up being as many as 75 or 80 snaps.

‘‘Possibly,’’ Stoops said. ‘‘We’ll have to find out what he’s capable of handling and work from there. But we don’t want to take away from what he’s able to do on either side of the ball by giving him too much.’’

Woolfolk played defensive back in high school. He had 10 interceptions his senior season.

MIMIMIZE MISTAKES: The first weekend of the college football season provided Bob Stoops with plenty of examples to show his team as it prepared for its opener.

‘‘You watch all the early games, you notice turnovers, you notice penalties, you notice busted assignments,’’ Stoops said. ‘‘Those are the biggest factors you see in all those games that make a difference.

‘‘It’s usually that way throughout the year, but early on you need to be polished up and making sure you’re good in those areas.’’

LESSONS LEARNED: UTEP coach Gary Nord says he may have learned more in his one season at Oklahoma than he has in any other year as a coach. And the lessons weren’t just about watching what you say.

Nord got into trouble early in the 1995 season when, in a newspaper article, he called Oklahomans ‘‘hicks’’ and joked about their dental hygiene.

‘‘I learned about football as much as I did about the off-the-field things,’’ said Nord, who was offensive coordinator that year. ‘‘I learned that you just can’t win with talent, because we had a lot of talent on that football team. But we didn’t have the camaraderie of the football team, with the team or with the coaches and the team.

‘‘It taught me that you better get a very tight-knit group of people, both players and staff, for you to have a chance to be successful at this level.’’

THROWBACK: UTEP tight end Brian Natkin is a two-time All-Western Athletic Conference selection. He caught 59 passes for 648 yards a year ago.

Coach Gary Nord said Natkin’s biggest contribution may come simply through the way he plays.

‘‘His demeanor and mentality adds so much to this football team,’’ Nord said. ‘‘He’s a throwback kid. He’s as hard-nosed and tough as any individual I’ve ever coached. Then he has enough ability to go along with that to be very, very successful.’’

UCO Bronchos Lose Season Opener in OT

NACOGDOCHES, Texas (AP) — Travis Fallon tossed an 8-yard touchdown pass to Freddy Lyons in overtime to defeat Central Oklahoma 38-31 Thursday.

With the game tied at 31-all at the end of regulation, Fallon came in for injured Lumberjack quarterback Wes Pate in the overtime period and completed two passes for a total of 25 yards, including the TD.

Stephen F. Austin had 352 total net yards, including 243 passing yards. UCO managed 289 total yards, including 184 yards rushing.

Lumberjack running back Derrick Blaylock rushed for 107 yards in 23 carries. Blaylock scored on 1-yard run in the fourth quarter.

Justin Matthews rushed for 117 yards and scored three touchdowns for the Bronchos. He had 21 carries.

Questions Abound In TU-UNC Game

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina head coach Carl Torbush doesn’t know exactly what to expect but says the Tar Heels are prepared for Saturday’s game against Tulsa.

The Golden Hurricane plays its first game under new head coach Keith Burns. Tulsa might not have much of a ground game, considering none of its top three tailbacks have a single carry or rushing yard in the college ranks.

The question marks aren’t confined solely to Tulsa, which finished 2-9 last year.

The Tar Heels are also green in the backfield, especially if freshman starter Willie Parker can’t play due to a back injury. Torbush has yet to see how quarterback Ronald Curry and linebacker Brandon Spoon will perform after season-ending injuries last year.

Torbush also has never won a season-opener as a head coach, losing his first two on last-second field goals.

The Tar Heels know that Tulsa will rely on sophomore quarterback Josh Blankenship, the 1999 Western Athletic Conference freshman of the year.

‘‘I think all the offense believes our best chance of winning pretty much rides on his shoulders and I think Josh Blankenship really wouldn’t want it any other way,’’ Burns said.

Blankenship completed 50.6 percent of his passes for 1,416 yards and seven touchdowns.

Tulsa will need to establish a running game to take pressure off of Blankenship. That burden falls on fullback Ken Bohanon, who had 299 rushing yards in 1999, and true freshman tailback Donte’ Hart.