LOCAL

Reception Tonight Helps Kick Off PC Summit Activities
Relatively Speaking
Kaw Hydroelectric Plant Open House Set Sunday
Restoring a Landmark
Warrant Arrests Made By Ponca City Police
Election Board Notes Registration Deadline
Southwestern’s BuilderDash Part of Homecoming Festivities
Miss Ponca City Contest Set

Reception Tonight Helps Kick Off PC Summit Activities

By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE

News Business Editor

The Ponca City Summit, which begins tonight with a informal reception, is unique according to Dr. Leo Presley, who will be facilitating the work sessions.

“This is the first time in Oklahoma that a community has tried to conduct an event of this nature, and it is a tremendous opportunity to gain insight in to how to make Ponca City even better,” Presley said.

“It could be a benchmark for other communities.”

Presley is well acquainted with the Ponca City community. He conducted leadership training here and has been the guest speaker for the Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce banquet.

This evening at an invitational reception for out-of-town participants and local sponsors in the two-day “think tank,” Presley will give the group information about the sessions slated on Friday and Saturday.

He will facilitate the work sessions, which feature high profile personalities in business, industry, education and the arts from 11 different states.

The Summit is being funding by donations from individuals and corporations. It was planned by the Summit Committee, an extension of the Outstanding Citizens group of the Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce.

Tonight’s reception is at the Marland Mansion, and work sessions are set for the Conoco Atrium on Friday and a Saturday wrap-up at Pioneer Technology Center.

A recreational session is planned for Friday afternoon with a choice of golf or a shooting demonstration at Big Fork Ranch.

Presley is a speaker and consultant in the areas of leadership, organization and community development. One of his most recent accomplishments was the design and implementation of the newly created Educators Leadership Academy.

The Academy, now in its third year of operation, conducts six different leadership programs. They are the Superintendents' Academy, Career-Tech Academy, Higher Ed Academy, Principals' Academy, Outstanding Professors' Academy and the Outstanding Teachers' Academy.

He has a successful and distinguished background that includes work in organizational management, leadership training and community and economic development.

Gov. Frank Keating selected him to serve as executive director of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce in July, 1995. His appointment was confirmed in the Oklahoma Senate by a unanimous vote.

Previously, he served as an assistant state director for Oklahoma's nationally recognized vocational education system.

Presley is highly respected for his work with group process and facilitation techniques. He is frequently requested as a keynote speaker for conferences, seminars, banquets and other special occasions.

Relatively Speaking

Ponca City’s Bill Wetzel family members are big Sooner fans. but they may be changing allegiance on Nov. 18 when Texas Tech visits Norman.

That’s because Tech return specialists Wes Welker is Bill Sr.’s grandson.

Welker is the son of Shelley and Leland Welker of Oklahoma City. Both are Ponca City High School graduates, but Wes grew up in Oklahoma City and attended Heritage Hall High School. He was a standout football player there, playing tailback, wide receiver, defensive back, kicker and kickoff and punt returner.

Welker amassed 8,231 all-purpose yards and scored 80 touchdowns in high school. But at 5-9, 180 pounds, he was overlooked by the state universities.

Welker got the last scholarship to Texas Tech and that move has paid off for the Red Raiders.

The Tech freshmen got a chance to show what he could do as a punt returner. Through the first four games of the season, Wes has eight return for 169 yards, including a 63-yard return for a touchdown against Louisiana-Lafayette two weeks ago.

His 21.1 yards per return ranks him fourth in the nation.

Kaw Hydroelectric Plant Open House Set Sunday

The Ponca City Utility Authority (PCUA) and the Oklahoma Municipal Power Authority (OMPA) will host an Open House on Sunday at the Kaw Hydroelectric Plant, located on Kaw Lake reservoir, just east of Ponca City.

The Open House is being held from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in conjunction with the nationally celebrated Public Power Week that recognizes the approximately 2,200 communities throughout the United states that have locally-owned municipal electric systems.

The PCUA, serving Ponca City since 1914, and OMPA will have displays in the plant’s powerhouse, where free refreshments will be served. Participants will be able to view a video explaining the operation of the hydroelectric plant, owned by it’s 35 members.

The Ponca City Electric Department will demonstrate electrical safety by using the Municipal Electric Systems of Oklahoma’s “Hazard Hamlet.” The department will also have a display of linemen safety equipment, and will demonstrate the operation of a bucket truck.

For more information, including directions, call 767-0405.

Restoring a Landmark

The Marland Estate Foundation launched its fourth annual membership drive recently.

Funds raised from the membership, plus income from the annual Oktoberfest and Christmas Gala, provide support for restoration and preservation projects at the Marland Mansion and other estate buildings.

The local money raised by the foundation also serves as a catalyst to receive grants from various statewide private and government organizations.

“The estate has gradually been returning to its original grandeur, but there are many more goals yet unmet. The Marland Estate is and will be an ongoing project,” stated Jerry Evans, chairman of the foundation.

Projects completed in the last three years have included restoration of Lydie’s Cottage and the Artist Studio and tuck pointing of the mortar and cleaning of the exterior stone. Water leaks that have caused damage to ceilings and walls have also been repaired.

“Thanks to the support of the Marland Estate Foundation, we have received a grant to provide paved walkways on the estate ground, enhanced by a new garden landscape near Lydie’s Cottage,” commented Sherry Muchmore, Marland Estate Commission chairman. “Construction of the walkways will begin this fall.”

Funds have also been provided to complete the Carriage House at Lydie’s Cottage.

Funds raised this year will help support the ceilings restoration project. An art conservator has assessed the damage on the ceilings and has determined the cost of cleaning, repairing and repainting to be approximately $850,000.

“The hand-painted ceilings in the north salon and the two large rooms of the lower level must be cleaned and painted before more disintegration occurs,” noted Kathy Adams, Marland Estate director.

Marland Estate Foundation board members allocated $50,000 toward restoration of the original decorative ceilings in the mansion.

“This pledge, plus money raised from memberships and our events, helps us show the private support that exists here in Ponca city for the Marland Mansion,” said Evans.

Government organizations and granting foundations will now be contacted to help raise the additional funds necessary to bring the ceilings back to their original state.

Additional foundation projects include restoration of the original Italian tile planters, new walkways in front of the mansion, and new air conditioning and plumbing in the lower level of the mansion.

The Marland Mansion was designed by master architect John Duncan Forsyth, and was completed in 1928.

A National Historic landmark, the 55-room “Palace on the Prairie” contains 43,561 square feet distributed over four levels. The 10-acre Marland Estate also includes the Artist Studio and Lydie’s Cottage.

The mission of the Marland Estate is to preserve and restore the historic architectural landmark; to educate the public about E.W. Marland, founder of the Marland Oil Company, and his family; and to create an authentic atmosphere which portrays the Marland lifestyle during the 1920s and 1930s.

The Marland Estate, 901 Monument Road, is open for tours Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. Guided tours are every day at 1:30 p.m. with an additional tour at 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Those interested in contributing to the membership drive can pick up a membership envelope at the mansion or call 767-0420 to have one mailed.

Warrant Arrests Made By Ponca City Police

The Ponca City Police Department made several warrant arrests on Wednesday.

According to Sherry Bowers, police information officer, two subjects were taken into custody on city and county warrants.

A 26-year-old woman was taken into custody on two Kay County warrants for failure to appear and a 26-year-old man was taken into custody on a city warrant for failure to pay.

Election Board Notes Registration Deadline

NEWKIRK — Oct. 13 is the last day to apply for voter registration in order to be eligible to vote in the Nov. 7, General Election, reports Kay County Election Board Secretary Carol Stafford.

Stafford said that persons who are United States citizens, residents of Oklahoma and at least 18 years old may apply to become registered voters. Persons who have never been registered to vote before or who are not currently registered in the county of their residence and persons are registered but need to change their registration information may apply to register or to change name, address, or political affiliation by filling out and mailing an Oklahoma Voter Registration Application form in time for it to be postmarked no later than midnight Oct. 13.

The County Election Board responds in writing to every person who submits an application for voter registration. The response is either a Voter Identification Card listing the new voters precinct number and polling place location or a letter that explains reasons the application for voter registration was not approved. Stafford said that any person who has submitted a voter registration application and who has not received a response within 30 days should contact the County Election Board office.

Oklahoma Voter Registration Application forms are available at the County Election Board office located at the courthouse, 201 South Main in Newkirk and at all post offices in the county. Stafford said that applications also are available at the Blackwell Tag Agency, 111 West Oklahoma, Blackwell; Newkirk Tag Agency, 101 North Main, Newkirk; Ponca City Tag Agency, 2101 North Fourteenth, Ponca City; Tonkawa Tag Agency, 100 East Grand, Tonkawa.

Southwestern’s BuilderDash Part of Homecoming Festivities

WINFIELD, Kan. — Runners and walkers from throughout the area are lacing on their shoes and hitting the road in preparation for the BuilderDash Fun Run/Walk Saturday, Oct. 14. The event is part of the Southwestern College Homecoming festivities and will start and finish at Island Park in Winfield.

Participants may choose to run a 5K (3.1 mile) course, or to walk a mile. Registration deadline is Friday, Oct. 6. Registration forms can be picked up at Southwestern’s Professional Studies site in downtown Winfield, or by calling or e-mailing Bobby Smith at Southwestern College, (316) 229-6284, bsmith@sckans.edu.

In addition to the prizes and medals to be awarded to top finishers in this race, participants have the opportunity to compete for the Wesley Cup.

This award (one each for men and women under 21 and men and women over 21) will go to the person with the best combined times in the 5K BuilderDash and the 5K Run for Horizon Turkey Trot to take place Saturday, Nov. 25. The November race will be run at Camp Horizon near Arkansas City.

Prizes will be awarded in more than 20 age and gender divisions for runners. Entry fee is $15 ($8 for registration and $7 for a T-shirt). Participants may register for the race only (no T-shirt) for $8. Only those pre-registered will be eligible to receive a T-shirt. For more information on the BuilderDash, call (316) 229-6284. For information on the Horizon Turkey Trot, call Camp Horizon, (316) 442-5533.

Miss Ponca City Contest Set

Natashia Lynn Copple

The Miss Ponca City Queen Contest will be held Sunday, Oct. 1, at the Conoco Fourth Street Club House. Tickets are available from the contestants or by contacting Jackie Cutler Ingram, 762-0437, or Vicki Graves, 765-4736.

This year’s contestants are Jennifer Lynn Doughty, Lisa Marie Lechtenberg, Jennifer Ann Nimmo, Crystal Bounds, Jennifer Diane Tippin, Megan Niccole Clark, Natashia Lynn Copple, Heather Rena Brown and Ashly Dawn Sawyers.

The contest begins at 6 p.m., and Master of Ceremonies will be KIXR personality R.J. Masters. The winner of the contest will be awarded the traditional crown and sash, a trophy, a scholarship and many other prizes. She will represent Ponca City as a “Visiting Queen” in the Arkalalah, Arkansas City’s annual Halloween Festival, slated for Oct. 27-28.

Miss Ponca City also acts as a goodwill ambassador, and attends various functions and speaking engagements throughout her year’s reign as her personal schedule allows.

Contestants will be judged on poise, appearance and personality. They will also be judged on a three-to-five minute presentation to include personal resume information, and the answers to the questions of “Why I Want to be Miss Ponca City” and “What Ponca City Means to Me.”

The title of Miss Ponca City is currently held by Halli Kay Huffman, daughter of Darlene and Bill Flegler and Gary and Carmen Huffman.

Contestants appear in the order of a random drawing. Natashia Lynn Copple, daughter of Susan Copple, 1 Donner Place, is a senior at Ponca city High School. Her hobbies include acting, swimming and tennis. She is being sponsored by Ad Spec.

Miss Copple is a representative and secretary for the Christian Council Youth Ministry for the Stillwater district, and is a member of First United Methodist Church. She has been active in the Ponca Playhouse, performing in Carousel, Oliver and Babes on Broadway.

DEATHS

Floyd Dick Maxwell
Ethel June Yunker
Docie West
Freda Maxine Cook Selvey

Floyd Dick Maxwell

TULSA — Floyd Dick Maxwell, resident of Tulsa, died Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2000. He was 77.

The funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 30, at the Tenth and Rockford Church of Christ in Tulsa. A graveside service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the Grandview Cemetery in Kaw City under the direction of Moore Eastlawn Chapel of Tulsa.

He grew up in Webb City.

Survivors include his wife, Wanda of the home; a daughter, Vergie Carter of Scottsdale, Ariz.; a son, Clifford Maxwell of Owasso; two brothers, Howard Maxwell of Colorado Springs, Colo., and John Maxwell of Iowa City, Iowa; six grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his mother, Vergie; a brother, Lois Maxwell; and his twin brother, Chuck Maxwell.

Ethel June Yunker

BLACKWELL — Ethel June Yunker, resident of Blackwell, died Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2000, at the Hillcrest Manor Nursing Home in Blackwell. She was 79.

The mass will be held 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 30, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Blackwell with the Rev. Richard Beckham of St. Francis Catholic Church of Newkirk officiating. A wake will be held 7:30 p.m. Friday in the chapel of Roberts Funeral Home with the Rev. Baburao Batula of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ponca City officiating. Burial will be in the Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Medford.

Ethel June Yunker was born Aug. 29, 1921, in Kansas City, Mo., the daughter of Charles and Ethel Armstrong Ulrey. She moved as a small child to Medford, attending schools there and graduating from Medford High School in 1939. She then attended University Preparatory School in Tonkawa for two years. She married Louis P. Yunker on July 23, 1942, in Medford where they settled. Following his discharge from the Army, they moved to a farm north of South Haven, Kan., where they lived for 36 years. They moved to Blackwell in 1989. She was a member of the South Haven Public Library, the Ladies Auxiliary and St. Martin’s Alter Society, and she was a catechism teacher.

Survivors include two daughters, Rita Creed of Forestburg, Texas, and Carol Smith of Tulsa; six sons, Steve Yunker of Blackwell, Charles Yunker of Derby, Kan., Galen Yunker of Caldwell, Kan., Neal Yunker of Mulvane, Kan., Thane Yunker of Aenta, Kan., and Thomas Yunker of South Haven, Kan.; 23 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband on Dec. 25, 1994; her parents; and two brothers, Larry Ulrey and Ivan Ulrey.

Casket bearers will be Steve Yunker, Charles Yunker, Galen Yunker, Neal Yunker, Thane Yunker and Thomas Yunker. Honorary bearers will be Stephen Yunker, Chris Creed, Cody Creed, Richard Yunker, Jimmy Yunker, Travis Yunker, Andy Ramirez, Derik Yunker, Greg Yunker, Jason Smith, Garrett Yunker and Brandon Yunker.

Memorial contributions made be made in her name to South Haven, Kan., Public Library, c/o Roberts Funeral home. 120 West Padon, Blackwell, Okla. 74631.

Services Pending

Docie West

Docie West, former longtime Ponca City resident, died early this morning, Sept. 28, 2000, in Oklahoma City. She was 93. Services are pending with the Trout Funeral Home.

Funerals

Friday

Freda Maxine Cook Selvey

Freda Maxine Cook Selvey — Memorial service at 10:30 a.m. in the Community Christian Church.

Vernon Hopper — Funeral at 2 p.m. in the First United Methodist Church in Perry. Burial in the Grace Hill Cemetery under the direction of Brown-Sisson Funeral Home in Perry.

NEWS BRIEFS

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Burglary — A woman in the 900 block of South Eighth Street reported to Ponca City police at 7:43 a.m. Wednesday her vehicle had been broken into. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Burglary — Someone in the 800 block of South Sixth Street reported a vehicle had been broken into to Ponca City police at 9:43 p.m. Wednesday. The caller advised this was the their third incident in a month, and requested an extra patrol. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Subject Held — An officer in the 400 block of South Palm Street reported a 35-year-old man was taken into custody on a Kay County warrant for domestic assault and battery and failure to appear at 12:26 p.m. Wednesday.

Subject Held — An officer at the intersection of West Hartford Avenue and North Waverly Street reported a 25-year-old man was taken into custody on a Kay County warrant for domestic assault and battery at 2:15 p.m. Wednesday.

Fight — Someone reported there was a fight where a large group of juveniles had gathered in the 1400 block of West Grand Avenue at 3:29 p.m. Wednesday. One officer was assigned and a second officer assisted. A report was taken.

Intoxicated Subject — Someone reported an intoxicated male in the 100 block of West Grand Avenue to Ponca City police at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday. An officer was assigned. A 30-year-old man was taken into custody for public intoxication.

Theft — A woman in the 1700 block of Holbrook Street reported some credit cards were stolen from her purse to Ponca City police at 5:58 p.m. Wednesday. She said she had notified the credit card companies and just want the information logged.

Theft — Someone in the 1100 block of North Peachtree Street reported to Ponca City police at 9:05 p.m. Wednesday the valve stems had been stolen from his tires. An officer was assigned and a report was taken. An extra patrol was also requested.

Subject Held — An officer at the intersection of South Thirteenth Street and East South Avenue reported a 21-year-old man was taken into custody for driving under intoxication, transporting an open container, transporting a concealed weapon and speeding at 2:24 a.m. Thursday.

Accident — A two vehicle accident one block east of North Waverly Street on Hubbard Road was reported to the Communications Center at 6:43 a.m. Thursday. The Kay County Sheriff’s Office and Oklahoma Highway Patrol were advised. An ambulance and rescue one from the Ponca City Fire Department also responded to the scene.

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GARDENING

OSU To Host Ornamental Plant Materials Conference
Forest Conservation Seedlings Available To Rural Landowners
Diggin in the Dirt

OSU To Host Ornamental Plant Materials Conference

STILLWATER — The 2000 Olympics may be in Australia, but the real “blooming good time” for gardening professionals and enthusiasts will be at the Oklahoma State University Ornamental Plant Materials Conference Oct. 18-19.

“Sessions will be team-taught by industry professionals and academicians from throughout the United States, all of whom work on the cutting edge in making use of woody and herbaceous plant materials,” said Mike Schnelle, OSU Cooperative Extension ornamental/floriculture specialist.

Schnelle said the conference will provide the latest, most up-to-date information on the entire gamut of ornamentals, from trees and shrubs to vines, annuals and perennials.

The multi-state conference will take place at Stillwater’s Best Western

Hotel, 600 E. McElroy Ave., just east of Perkins Rd. (Highway 177). Cost is $50 per participant if registering before Oct. 1, $65 thereafter. Oklahoma Botanical Garden Association members and Cooperative Extension educators may register for $40 prior to Oct. 1. To register, contact Sara Cooper at 405-744-5405 or via e-mail at coopesj@okstate.edu.

“We are requiring pre-registration to assist in the planning of meals and conference materials,” Schnelle said. “The registration fee includes two lunches, a dinner and four refreshment breaks.” Schnelle said a conference of this type usually would cost participants more than $100 each. “Gracious industry sponsors have allowed us to offer conference workshops at rock-bottom prices,” he said.

Formal conference topics scheduled for Oct. 18 will include vegetative propagation of Caddo Sugar Maples; exceptional herbaceous and woody plants; superior flowering shrubs, underused wood plants that grow well in the mid-America region; growing elms in the Southern Great Plains states, with notes on hackberry and zelkova; the value of aboreta and botanical gardens; and innovation in making use of herbaceous and woody plant materials.

“Although we start with formal topics, any ornamental that has merit is fair game for discussion,” Schnelle said. “These workshops will address all areas of ornamental plant materials, from the common to the obscure.”

Educational sessions and dinner will take place the evening of Oct. 18 at the Oklahoma Botanical Gardens and Arboretum, located at OSU’s Stillwater campus.

A behind-the-scenes look at “Oklahoma Gardening,” OSU’s nationally known, award-winning, consumer horticulture television program that airs weekends on the Oklahoma Educational Television Authority, will kick off the Oct. 19 sessions.

Subsequent sessions will focus on perennials, debunking myths about native plants, plants for shade and partially shaded gardens, fast growing conifers and notes on USDA red maple introductions.

OSU horticulturalist Lou Anella will provide information on the Oklahoma Proven program, and how it can be used to promote healthy plant growth and beautify home and community landscapes. “You don’t have to be an expert to benefit from this conference,” Schnelle said. “Horticultural hobbyists to seasoned professionals are welcome, and will all receive practical information they can use by attending.”

Anyone seeking additional information about the Oct. 18-19 OSU Ornamental Plant Materials Conference should contact Schnelle at 405-744-5405.

Forest Conservation Seedlings Available To Rural Landowners

Now is the time for rural landowners to take advantage of one of the best conservation deals in Oklahoma: tree and shrub seedlings from the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture — Forestry Services. According to State Forester Roger Davis, Oklahoma’s planting season extends from December through mid-April, which gives tender roots time to get established.

“These tiny trees often grow very quickly,” Davis said. “They can become substantial windbreaks, as well as provide food and cover for wildlife.” An outstanding example of the program at work is on Monte Matli’s farm outside of Enid. Two years after he planted 1000 eight-to-14- inch seedlings, many of Matli’s trees were five feet or taller. What helped these trees succeed at a 97 percent survival rate on the once highly eroded land? Dan Stidham, the service forester consulting with Dr. Matli, said success was a combination of factors.

“Tree planting is often very challenging in Oklahoma’s harsh climate,” he said. “Most of Forestry Services’ seedlings are grown from improved seed or prime native seed from trees acclimated to our environment. We offer landowners top quality stock to keep their success rates high.”

Dr. Matli’s thousand tree plantings were also successful because he followed the stewardship plan Stidham detailed specifically for the property. “Matli took the plan seriously. He applied weed barrier and mowed between the tree rows to keep down competition. Only during the worst weeks of the drought was supplemental water necessary,” Stidham said.

Because the bare root seedlings are sold on a first-come, first-serve basis, Davis recommends that landowners place their orders as soon as possible to ensure that they get the species they want. The seedlings are available only for rural conservation projects-not for ornamental landscaping. The trees cannot be resold while alive. Minimum orders begin with 200 seedlings.

“When our seedlings are added to the rural landscape, all of Oklahoma benefits,” Davis said. “The additional tree cover improves water quality and wildlife habitat, protects crops and livestock, as well as developing commercial timber stands. Healthy forests also offer recreational advantages.”

Matli and his family are certainly enjoying the many benefits Stidham’s plan has provided. In addition to the trees, lilac and honeysuckle have graced their farm with bright flowers and tantalizing fragrances and provided extensive wildlife cover.

“We also worked to develop wildlife corridors between cultivated fields and permanent vegetation,” Stidham said. “The Matlis now enjoy an abundance of deer, turkey, quail and pheasant.”

Thanks to the extensive windbreaks lacing through the farm, dust no longer dominates when the wind whips through neighboring fallow fields. “Matli converted the rundown farm he bought in 1997 into a showplace,” Stidham concluded. “Now, it is a piece of paradise.”

To create your own forested refuge, place your seedling order as soon as possible at any of the statewide offices of Oklahoma Forestry Services, your local county Conservation District, the Farm Service Agency, NRCS or your county Cooperative Extension Service.

For more information about the seedling program call your local forester, the Department of Agriculture’s Forestry Division at 405-522-6158, or the Forest Regeneration Center at 1-800-517-FOREST (1-800-517-3673).

Diggin in the Dirt

By Kathy Zehr

A Busy Season for Gardeners

September is almost gone and we are well into fall, one of the busiest seasons for gardeners. In addition to planting new trees, shrubs and other plants, we have a ga-zillion other fall chores to do that are important to good growing practices. A few are listed here for the amateur or beginning gardener.

Keep weeding and watering where needed. Sometimes fall is one of the driest seasons we may need to drag the hoses a little longer.

Clean Up

Cleanliness is urgent! Leaves are beginning to fall and many of us placed inexpensive straw and other mulches around plants to retain moisture during the hot months. To discourage the overwintering of insect eggs around plants rake up all mulch and other debris, and shred or grind the leaves, dead plants and straw with your mower, turning them into a good reusable mulch.

Use it AFTER the first good frost to replace the old stuff around the plants. Never re-use material from under diseased plants (ex; roses with black spot). Clean empty beds, and till in organic matter or fertilizer.

Check trees and shrubs for caterpillar nests and destroy. All broken, diseased or unsightly limbs or suckers should be pruned away. Continue planting new woody ornamentals. Stake new young trees loosely to hold them in place during strong winter winds.

Fertilize blooming annuals to prolong healthy fall flowering. Select flawless fall flowers for dried arrangements and keep spent blooms deadheaded and leggy plants cut back. Repot and bring in tender plants for over-wintering before the first light frost.

Divide and Replant

Divide and replant crowded perennials, especially irises and daylilies. Divide herbaceous perennials now and plant new ones. Newly purchased spring blooming bulbs should be planted immediately so they can establish a good root system before winter. Divide mature hosta plants after leaves have died back. New strawberry beds should be planted now.

Plant new bare-rooted roses. Watch for black spot and mildew on established roses and spray with full-strength fungicide if needed. Spray ever-blooming roses with a foliage fertilizer for better blooms, but discontinue other rose fertilizing until spring.

Plant garlic bulbs or seed for overwintering and mulch the bed after the ground freezes. Keep tender veggies in your fall garden productive as long as possible with cold frames, floating row covers or other shelters. Use Bt or other biological sprays on cabbage loopers, which love cool-weather leafy veggies.

Keep the vegetable garden very clean and immediately remove plants that die. Compost or till into the garden area all plant matter that is disease-free. Harvest and store late potatoes (don’t store them with apples).

Delicious fresh tomatoes can be enjoyed until the first heavy frost — sometimes until Thanksgiving Day if plants are cared for properly. Pinch off all new blooms now as they will probably not produce mature fruit by first freeze. You can cover vines with a plastic drop cloth if a light frost is predicted but remove the sheet early the next day before the sun heats up the air.

Harvest

Harvest all green fruit prior to the first hard freeze and store for ripening or make relish or pickles. (I use some for fried green tomatoes - yum!)

Lawns can be reseeded or overseeded with a variety suited to shade or sun. Apply 3-1-2 fertilizer at recommended rates to Bermuda grass. Raise mower to 1/2 inch above normal. Apply broad-leaf weed controls unless you recently overseeded.

Pick fresh herbs now for winter use. Harvest leaves just before they bloom and seeds when they have hardened slightly. Pick only healthly leaves in the morning after the dew has dried.

To preserve the fresh flavor of herbs, I toss 2 cups of firmly packed chopped herb leaves and tender stems in 1/2 cup of vegetable or olive oil, blend to a puree and FREEZE them — they will not “keep” in the fridge!

Small amounts of small leafed herbs may also be dried in a frost-free refrigerator on a plate or larger amounts in single layers on paper towels or a screen in a clean, warm place. Avoid heating herbs — it destroys their delicate oils. Dry small-leafed herbs on the stem, then strip the dried leaves from the stem. Keep dried herbs in small jars with tight lids.

Little Sprouts

Create a hummingbird feeder for grandma by cutting four or five small pie shaped wedges from a small red plastic plate leaving it in the shape of a hibiscus flower. Fill a hamster water bottle with 1/4 sugar and 3/4 water and tint with red food coloring. Insert the feeder tube end of the bottle into a hole in the center of the plate and secure all with duct tape. Use wire or heavy twine to hang your feeder on the patio or in a nearby tree.

SPORTS

First Annual Fall Classic Saturday
Area Teams Put 1 to 0 District Marks on the Line

First Annual Fall Classic Saturday

The Ponca City Fall Classic 5K/10K Run on Sept. 30 is hosted by the St. Joseph Medical Foundation will benefit uninsured cancer patients in the St. Joseph Regional Medical Center service area.

Foundation Director Sandi Gearhart said she is hopeful this will be the first annual race hosted by the foundation that was founded to improve the quality of health and quality of health care to local residents.

“The foundation funds mammograms for women without health coverage and can’t afford to pay,” Gearhart said. “If a problem is found, they won’t have the money for treatment either.”

She said the hospital also performs annual prostate screening for men.

“The foundation helps fund programs and services provided by the hospital,” Gearhart said.

Registration starts at 8:30 a.m. on Lake Ponca at Shelter House 1. The race begins at 9 a.m.. Children under 12 years old are free. Early registration fees are $10 for walkers and $15 for runners.

Race day registration for runners will be $18.

For more information about the race, please contact Bob Kamiller at (580) 765-7855.

Area Teams Put 1 to 0 District Marks on the Line

Three of the five area high school football teams won in the first week of district play. Tonkawa, Newkirk and Woodland all ended last week on a positive note. Blackwell lost to Tecumseh. Shidler was defeated by Prue.

This week, Class 4A Blackwell visits winless Cleveland where the Maroons hope to even their district record at 1-1. Last week, the Blackwell team was over powered by Tecumseh 26-2.

Coach Steve Langdon said the Cleveland Tigers have a new head coach and are learning new offensive and defensive schemes under James Frazier. At this point, the Maroons just hope the Tigers don’t gel as a team until after Friday. Cleveland lost to Cushing 25-0. Cushing is the Maroons’ homecoming opponent the following week.

“We fully expect to win the next four games and go into Glenpool with a 4-1 record,” Langdon said.

He said they plan to get the ground game more involved in the offense and rely less on the passing game.

The Maroons have no injuries. The flu forced two players to miss school earlier in the week.

In Class 2A, Newkirk stays home against Perkins one of the two games that matches undefeated district teams together. Last week, the Tigers took a hard fought10-6 decision away from Mounds while Perkins acted as bad hosts and knocked Pawhuska from No. 3 to No. 8 after a 37-20 win. Running back Luke Spence rushed for 142 yards on 22 carries against the visiting team.

Newkirk coach Sonny Schovanec said Perkins has a good team, but the Tigers will play to win and put themselves in the drivers seat in the district.

“We are going to build on what we did last week,” he said. “But, we have to play well from the beginning and that’s the beauty of it all.

“We haven’t played our best football, yet.”

Woodland takes its brand of Cougar football to Luther in the other game that will pit two 1-0 district teams together.

Coach Curtis Layton has said all along the Cougars can be as good as they want to be. So far, the Cougars have looked very good in district against a mediocre Barnsdall team. Woodlands is the type of team that takes what the other team gives it. Saying “please” and “thank you” might help sustain the ball control game plan against the seventh ranked Lions. .

“They are deserving of the ranking, but we are optimistic about the game,” said coach Curtis Layton. “This is high school football and there’ll be mistakes.

“We have to eliminate our mistakes and capitalize own theirs.”

The Tonkawa Buccaneers drop anchor in their own stadium this week, but have no plans of lowering their sails against Barnsdall, the team mauled 54-6 last week by the Woodland Cougars.

The Bucs pillaged Crescent 48-8 last week but lost wide receiver Shayne Marlin and lineman Austin Tautfest. Marlin is out with a cracked rib and Tautfest is recovering from orthoscopic knee surgery.

“This is our homecoming,” coach Steve Love said. “Sometimes they can be distractions, but you always hope they’re not.”

Shidler has another chance this week to even the won-less ledger in B-3. The Tigers lost 30-6 at Prue. This week Shidler goes to Yale where the Tigers hope to teach the lessons in football. Yale lost to Foyil 36-29 last week.