From The Pages Of The Ponca City News, Friday, September
19, 1997
LOCAL
Chili, Barbecue Chefs Invading Ponca City for Annual Cook-off
Nearly News
Kaw Nation Wins Grant From EPA
Heritage Day Activities Inside And Outside at Cultural Center
Remaining Results of Free Fair Include Several Judging Events
New Math Science Business Center Open House Sunday
Radiology Tech Applicant Realizes School-to-Work Program Success
Nursing Scholarships Go To Two Blackwell Students
See You at the Pole Participation Increases by More Than 500,000
Hethuska Autumn Dance Set Oct. 4
DEATHS
Ada Stevens
Rotha McAllister
Max D. Countryman
Rex E. Spangler
Services Pending
Ira Beavers
NEWS BRIEFS
EDUCATION
Class Notes
PC Adopting New Immunization Laws
LIFESTYLES
Little News
Snyder Family Holds Reunion
AAUW State President Will Install Officers
RELIGION
Christian Magician Coming to Northeast Baptist Soon
Seminar Set At Hartford Avenue
Revival Planned At Trinity Church
Church Briefs
SPORTS
Wildcat Try To Restart Tradition Tonight
Tonight's High School Football
Wildcats' Foe Chargers Struggle, Still Up
Area Districts Undergo Change
Lady Cats Gain Split
Area Football
Harriers Improve At OSU
Eighth Grade JVs Blank Longfellow
Freshmen JVs Nip Enid 24-22
Golf Pairings
By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE
News Staff Writer
The Oklahoma State Barbecue championship will be on the line Saturday, when cooks from across the southwest fire up their cookers at the Marland Mansion grounds.
The cook-off has been officially named the state championship by Gov. Frank Keating, according to Donna Morgan, chairman, and Sandy James, co-chairman.
Meanwhile cooks will be vying for CASI points in the chili division. In some cases the cooks are going to be cooking both barbecue and chili. Back by popular demand this year are the showmanship awards.
Dance Tonight
Activities for the event, hosted by Professionals Today and benefiting Hospice, kick off this evening with a public dance at Elk's Lodge, featuring the Poverty's Children band. Admission is $5. The dance begins at 8 p.m. and lasts until midnight. Those unable to come to the cook-off or those just wishing to dance are encouraged to come out and support Hospice, according to Bonnie Wetzel, entertainment chairman for Professionals Today.
Breakfast
There is no admission to Saturday's activities for Hospice which begin at the Marland Estate with a public pancake and sausage breakfast, 7 to 9 a.m. Coffee and doughnuts will be available at Angela Hall for those planning to attend the Marland Estate Garage sale, benefiting the Marland Estate Foundation, which starts at 8 a.m.
Parking and Shuttle Rides
This year the parking will be limited because both the Conference Center and Unity Gym are being used for other events, so those planning to attend the cook-off are encouraged to park at Woodlands Christian Church, Fourteenth and Hartford, and ride the free shuttle to the Marland Estate. Shuttle rides will begin at 10 a.m. and continue throughout the day.
Returning Winners
Past champions returning to compete in the barbecue division are Driveway Barbeque, Joint Effort, Laid Back Barbeque, NDN Bar-B-Q, Walker Smokers, Coach's Bar-B-Que and Brew Crew. Chili winners returning to the competition include Pioneer Bank and Conoco's Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Entertainment
Both KIRX and KPNC radio stations will be doing live remotes from the grounds throughout the day. Live entertainment with Gordon Thompson as master of ceremonies begins at 9:30 a.m., with the award winning Kem's Gym presenting "Hand Jive." From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. the Crystal River Band will be returning by popular demand. From 1 to 3 p.m. Dawn McMillan of El Reno will be performing. The awards will follow at 3 p.m.
Tasting Kits
Tasting kits are to sell for $5 and public tasting is slated from to 2 p.m. All proceeds from the event go to Hospice of Ponca City. Volunteers for Hospice and Professionals Today will be manning the ticket booths set up at various spots on the grounds. Concessions for soda and beer will be available. Other refreshments will be apple cobbler made by Pioneer Area Vo-Tech and ice cream by Vance Johnson.
Kiddie Korner
A variety of youth activities have been planned for the day beginning at 10 a.m., in the area of the gazebo, under the direction of Amanda Howard. These include the popular Moon Walk, clown toss, treasure hunt, pick a duck, and craft activities are beading and creating bookmarks and stamps. Most of these events will require one or two tickets, which are 50 cents a ticket.
Another activity is the YMCA will be selling ducks for the Duck Race slated for the Oktoberfest on Oct. 5.
Major sponsors of the cook-off are Conoco, Pepsi, Thorn Apple Valley, KPNC and Budweiser.
For those wanting to know if the cook-off slated for Saturday at the Marland Estate grounds will be held if it rains, the answer is rain or shine barbecue and chili still tastes good, according to Donna Morgan, chairman. Those who are dubious about the weather - just remember it seldom gets as bad as the predicted forecast. But for those wanting to support the Hospice benefit and are still skeptical of the weather, come on out to the dance this evening at the Elk's Lodge and pay the $5 admission, which goes to Hospice, according to Bonnie Wetzel, entertainment chairman.
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Nearly News wants to remind Ponca Citians that no public parking will be available at Unity Gym Saturday for the Barbecue and Chili Cook-off. The Unity Gym parking will be reserved for exhibitors at the 8th Annual K-9 Dog Training AKC licensed obedience trials being held at the gym. Parking for the Chili Cook-off and other activities at the Marland Estate will be at Woodlands School and Woodlands Christian Church with shuttle service to the Mansion Estate.
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The electronic age has added another possible motion to approving the minutes. The standards have been: "approve the minutes as read," "approve the minutes as corrected" or "approve the minutes as mailed." Today's motion is often approve the minutes as "faxed."
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In today's Anne and Nan column (page 5A Lifestyles) Donna Stolt of Ponca City offers a suggestion on Solar Eclipse Active Wear.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The Kaw Nation in Kaw City has earned a $3,243 grant for an environmental education leadership workshop and Native American Land Ethnic project from the En-vironmental Protection Agency.
The EPA's Region 6 office in Dallas awarded six grants in Oklahoma totaling $37,373. The grants are for environmental education projects.
Students in the Midwest City-Del City Independent School District will study hummingbirds .
The district on Thursday received $3,263 for its ''Find Your Wings'' project to build and maintain an outdoor laboratory to monitor the butterflies' life stages and the hummingbirds' habitat.
The EPA awarded the Tulsa County Independent School District $4,774 for a ozone project.
The Solid Waste Research Institute in Tahlequah received the largest grant, for $16,253, for an abatement of open dumping project. The Fox Public Schools received $4,840 for an earth science project exploring hydrocarbons and the Heart of Oklahoma Council of Camp Fire Inc. in Oklahoma City received a $5,000 grant for an outdoor environmental classroom project.
By KATHY ZEHR
News Staff Writer
Heritage Day activities to be held at the Ponca City Cultural Center Saturday, sponsored by friends of the Cultural Center Museum Foundation Inc. begin at 10 a.m.
Numerous activities, to be presented both inside and out of the historical Cultural Center include musical programs, rides, good food, educational programs, displays, demonstrations, tours, and reenactors.
On the grounds in front of the Museum will be June and Ben Meade's group playing the old fashioned game of croquet; several displays will be at various places, including 1920s cars by J.D. Hanks and Dr. Bob Gibson, two covered wagons by Danny Head two homemade tipis by Jim Robins with activities by the Mountain Men, and a Model-T Ford Truck by Kirk Nesbit, who will also be making rope.
On the front porch, the Valley View Homemakers club will be quilting a "Road to Oklahoma" quilt, using antique quilt frames. Prints by Robert Hardee will also be available on the front porch and the artist will be available in person to autograph his prints.
Everett Van Hoesen will be offering horse and carriage rides on the west side with a portion of the proceeds from tickets donated to the Cultural Center.
Civil War reenactors will be present along the east lawn and elsewhere, homemade apple pie and ice cream will be available on the grounds.
Booths set up on the lawn around the Center including the North Central Oklahoma Historical Association who will have copies of "North Central Oklahoma - Rooted in the Past, Growing for the Future," and other items for sale; garden clubs with herbs and flower cuttings and other items for sale; a membership table by Friends of the Cultural Center; and others.
On the patio, several area entertainers are to present programs beginning at 10 a.m. with Leslie Rardin's "One Hundred Years on Broadway," featuring six or seven high school students; the Wheatheart Adelines at noon; Dr. Sally Downey from Pioneer Technology with a review of Patsy Cline and other selections at 2 p.m.; Native American dancers and other possible performances are planned.
Inside the museum a style show with clothing donated by Scotty Eatherly and Pat Evans will be modeled accompanied by members of the Ponca City Federated Music Club; and the Pioneer Genealogy Club will be in the Museum library with E.W. Marland's genealogy and information for beginner and computer genealogists.
Each museum inside the Cultural Center will also have knowledgeable guides to talk about the DAR exhibit, the 101 exhibit and the Indian artifacts in the various areas throughout the mansion.
All citizens are encouraged to attend the oldtime heritage event and support the efforts of the Friends of the Cultural Center Museum Foundation Inc.
BLACKWELL - Here are the remaining results from last week's judging of entries at the Kay County Free Fair.
Judging Contests
Poultry judging. First place, Jay Bellinghausen; second, Daniel Alley; third, Rusty Crowell; fourth, Jesse Bain, and fifth, Shawn Alley.
Livestock judging (age 9-13). First place, Gayle Buellesfield; second, Jay Bellinghausen; third, Tyler Jeffries; fourth, Page Ballou, and fifth, Jaron Soulek.
Livestock judging (age 14-19). First place, Brandon Kahle; second, Jarod Grell; third, Mindy Luce; fourth, Daniel Alley, and fifth, Brad Meador.
Crop judging. First place, Megan Schneeberger; second, John Helmes; third, Tyler Morton; fourth, John Hartman, and fifth, Richard Douglas.
Adult wheat judging. First place, Rick Jeans; second, Doug Johnson, and third, Don Jeans.
Rabbits - Open
Meat pen, 3 rabbits of same breed, five pounds, 10 weeks of age. First place, Pasia Bohannon; second, Pasia Bohannon, and third, Laura Hoy.
New Zealand White
Junior buck. First place, Pasia Bohannon.
Champion buck. Pasia Bohannon.
Grand champion buck. Pasia Bohannon.
New Zealand Rex
Senior buck. First place, Pasia Bohannon.
Champion buck. Pasia Bohannon.
Grand champion buck. Pasia Bohannon.
Netherland Dwarf
Senior buck. First place, Frances Bohannon, and second, Frances Bohannon.
Senior doe. First place, Frances Bohannon.
Junior buck. First place, Frances Bohannon, and second, Frances Bohannon.
Junior doe. First place, Frances Bohannon, and second, Frances Bohannon.
Champion buck. Frances Bohannon.
Reserve champion buck. Frances Bohannon.
Grand champion buck. Frances Bohannon.
Champion doe. Frances Bohannon.
Reserve champion doe. Frances Bohannon.
Grand champion doe. Frances Bohannon.
Mini Lop
Senior buck. First place, Pasia Bohannon, and second, Terry Randolph.
Senior doe. First place, Pasia Bohannon; second, Pasia Bohannon, and third, Laura Hoy.
Champion buck. Pasia Bohannon.
Reserve champion buck. Terry Randolph.
Champion doe. Pasia Bohannon.
Grand champion buck. Pasia Bohannon.
Grand champion doe. Pasia Bohannon.
French Lop
Senior doe. First place, Laura Hoy.
Champion doe. Laura Hoy.
American Dutch - Black
Senior buck. First place, Frances Bohannon.
Junior buck. First place, Frances Bohannon.
Champion buck. Frances Bohannon.
Reserve champion buck. Frances Bohannon.
American Dutch - Chocolate
Senior buck. First place, Frances Bohannon.
Senior doe. First place, Frances Bohannon, and second, Frances Bohannon.
Junior doe. First place, Frances Bohannon.
Champion buck. Frances Bohannon.
Reserve champion buck. Frances Bohannon.
Reserve champion doe. Frances Bohannon.
American Dutch - Other Colors
Junior doe. First place, Frances Bohannon.
Champion doe. Frances Bohannon.
Grand champion buck. Frances Bohannon.
Grand champion doe. Frances Bohannon.
American Checkered Giants - Blue
Senior doe. First place, Fern Smith.
American Checkered Giants - Black
Senior buck. First place, Fern Smith, and second, Fern Smith.
Senior doe. First place, Fern Smith; second, Fern Smith, and third, Fern Smith.
6-8 buck. First place, Fern Smith, and second, Fern Smith.
6-8 doe. First place, Fern Smith.
Junior buck. First place, Fern Smith; second, Fern Smith, and third, Fern Smith.
Junior doe. First place, Fern Smith, and second, Fern Smith.
Champion buck. Fern Smith.
Reserve champion buck. Fern Smith.
Champion doe. Fern Smith.
Reserve champion doe. Fern Smith.
Grand champion buck. Fern Smith.
Grand champion doe. Fern Smith.
Other ARBA Breeds
Senior buck. First place, Samuel Tracy II.
Senior doe. First place, Zekariah Cochran.
Junior buck. First place, Trevor Feathers, and second, Trevor Feathers.
Champion buck. Trevor Feathers.
Reserve champion buck. Samuel Tracy II.
Champion doe. Zekariah Cochran.
Grand champion buck. Trevor Feathers.
Grand champion doe. Zekariah Cochran.
Editor's Note: This is the second and final story on the finishing of the new Lincoln Elementary School and the Math Science Business Center. The following article is about the open house and ribbon cutting at 3:30 p.m. at the new MSB on Sunday.
By KRISTI GRABEAL
News Education Editor
In September 1995 residents of Ponca City approved a $10 million bond issue to build a new Lincoln Elementary and add an addition to the high school. The passing of this bond issue finally made an addition to bring Ponca City High School into the 21st century possible.
The first major change at the high school occurred in June 1996. The Industrial Arts Building had to be demolished because the new addition, now known as the Math/Science/Business Center, had to be added to the north side of the Howell Building.
Dr. Bill White, superintendent of Ponca City, said, "The building that had to be demolished was getting worn out and we were running out of space to accommodate all of the students. Classes that were held in the Industrial Arts Building were vocational agriculture, welding and wood shop classes."
"The wood shop classes were moved to the lower level in the old boys gym, and a new building was built on Pleasantview Road in the fall of 1996 for vocational agriculture students."
By building this $200,000 new facility White says that the students taking classes at the ag building were not nearly as rushed as they were before. The students are now at the farm for two class periods, which reduces the amount of time driven back and forth to the high school.
White continued, "Unfortunately the enrollment numbers for vocational agriculture have gone down slightly, but I think that is because we went from having seven periods down to six and there is just not enough time for everything."
The Original Howell Building
The year was 1927. Some of you may remember what the original Howell Building at Fifth and Overbrook looked like, and others may have seen the building from pictures.
Smith and Senter Architects, Kansas City, were in charge of designing this 1927 building. "The original building had white windows, Spanish tiles and was absolutely beautiful," Troy Lewis, of Lewis Associates Architect, stated. "As time went on, the city started to grow and another addition to the Howell Building was needed."
In 1957, William Brown, an architect from Ponca City, decided to make some changes to the original Howell Building in order to accommodate his new addition.
"Brown took off some of the Spanish tile along the top of the building on the east and west sides of the building and added a modern covered entry on the west side. The south side of the building remained intact, because it was known as the front door," Lewis stated.
The New Addition
Construction began at the Math/Science/Business Center (MSB) in July 1996. Lewis Associate Architects, Ponca City, was hired by the school board to design this new addition. Lambert Construction, Stillwater, was hired to do all the construction work. The original budget cost was $3 million, and the final cost of the MSB was below budget at $2,685,737.
"The bids for the construction work came in very low. We went out to get bids at a good time," Lewis said.
Some people have asked why the new addition at the school doesn't match exactly. Lewis responded, "There were many."
"First, the MSB was visioned as a building that would stand alone. At one point the new addition was going to be located where the oval used to be. The decision was then made to place the new addition on the north side of the building so that the beauty of the Howell Building could be seen," said Lewis.
"We decided to make the new addition reflect 21st century technology. We also wondered how we could do that when the addition would be next to the beautiful 1927 architecture." Brick was chosen for the exterior of the new MSB Building because brick is lower maintenance; therefore, cheaper.
"We probably saved $100,000 of initial cost by choosing brick and will save more on the life of the building through lower maintenance costs. For example, we would not have to paint the brick, as we do the stucco, every five years," said Lewis.
Dr. White stated, "The colors chosen for the building were blue and white (Wildcat colors). The brightness factor is also great. The students are alert and ready to learn."
Commons Addition
The bond issue passed in 1995 also included remodeling the Commons Addition. There are funds included in the Oct. 14, 1997 bond election to complete the Commons. The architect and the school administration identified and implemented several cost cutting measures, but in order to keep the quality in and still do the things that need to be done, additional funding is needed.
If the bond issue is passed, plans include rebidding and constructing the Howell Building Remodel and Commons Addition sometime in December. The Howell Building should be completed in time for the next school year and the Commons Addition should be completed by Oct. 1, two months later.
For those that may not remember, the Commons Addition will connect the Howell Building with the cafeteria and Anderson Building as well as the boys and girls gymnasiums. This will keep students from having to walk outside on cold or rainy days. The Commons Addition will provide additional dining space to allow the ninth grade to move up to the high school.
Ribbon Cutting
An open house and ribbon cutting ceremony will take place Sept. 21 at 2 p.m. at the new Lincoln Elementary and 3:30 for the new Math/Science/Business Center. The public is invited.
Deanna Ramirez is a prime example of the success of the school-to-work program. She is currently employed at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in the Radiology Department, and has been an employee there since she began her school-to-work training.
As a senior in high school, Deanna was given an opportunity to apply for an apprenticeship in a healthcare career through Pioneer Technology Center's school-to-work program. She was unsure, but the staff at PTC encouraged her to try the program. After completing an application and interview process, Deanna was accepted.
She began working in the Radiology Department at SJRMC as a Radiology Department aide. During this time, Deanna learned that she was pregnant. She moved out of her parent's house, worried that her pregnancy would prohibit her from continuing her education in her field of interest. She soon realized that those concerns were unfounded. "The people in the hospital were a big part of my continuing on in the program," said Deanna. "The doctors, radiology techs and support staff encouraged me to keep going. They were the only support system I had."
She continued to work at SJRMC through her pregnancy and also attended the health sciences technology program at PTC. In 1995, Deanna applied to the radiology program at Meridian Technology Center in Stillwater. She is currently completing her clinical requirements for the program, explaining that the delay in her training was taken for the maternity leave for her second child. "I knew going to school while I was pregnant wasn't going to be easy, but I had gotten through it with my first child, so I knew I could do it again." Deanna will be eligible to take the Radiology Technician Registry in December of this year. She currently serves as an x-ray tech in the Radiology Department of the medical center.
"We are very pleased with the positive role the school-to-work program has played in providing an opportunity for Deanna," said P.J. Hutsey, MD. "She is a model program participant."
When talking about the school-to-work program, Deanna is very positive about her experiences. "The program was very important in that it provided an insight into the career that I wanted to pursue. It gave me an opportunity to be sure that was what I wanted to do," said Deanna. "The first-hand experience helped me make a decision about the healthcare career that was right for me."
Born in Wichita, Kan., Deanna moved to Kaw City in 1993. She now lives in Ponca City with her husband, Jose, a Braum's Ice Cream and Dairy Store assistant manager, and their two children, Veronica, two and Rickey, three months.
Peggy Byers and Tammy Forman, both residents of Blackwell, were two of 226 nursing students recently awarded nursing scholarship loans by the Oklahoma State Physician Manpower Training Commission. St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Ponca City, provided half of the educational assistance for Tammy. Both are pursuing training to become Licensed Practical Nurses from Pioneer Technology Center, Ponca City.
With all the many changes presently occurring in the delivery of health care, the one constant is the need for well-trained nursing personnel. Through educational assistance, the State of Oklahoma is committed to providing enough well-trained nurses for the care of the people of Oklahoma.
The Nursing Student Assistance Program, administered by the Oklahoma Physician Manpower Training Commission, provides educational assistance to a nursing student on an equal basis by the State of Oklahoma and a sponsoring health institution. The student who is co-sponsored by St. Joseph Regional Medical Center will be obligated to work as a nurse for the Ponca City facility upon graduation from the nursing program. If the assistance is only from the State of Oklahoma, the graduating nurse may work at any hospital or nursing home throughout the state. The work obligation will be for the duration of one year for each academic year of financial assistance received.
The Nursing Student Assistance Program was established by the Oklahoma Legislature in 1982 in order to provide assistance to Oklahoma nursing students pursuing LPN, ADN, BSN, or MSN degrees and who are interested in practicing nursing in Oklahoma communities, with emphasis placed on rural or under served communities. A nursing student cannot receive over two years of scholarship funding for any course of study.
More than three million students around the nation turned out Wednesday morning to pray for their school, their friends and their cities. The annual See You at the Pole event witnessed close to a 500,000 participant increase this year according to officials. In the Northern Oklahoma area more than 5,600 students participated according to KLVV Christian radio, which serves as a regional headquarters for See You at the Pole information.
In Ponca City more than 500 students participated at different schools. A rally was held Monday night at Northeast Baptist Church where students gathered to plan the event. Ponca City's Christian radio station KLVV, 88.7 FM, broadcast live reports during their morning program and had all three studio lines full for over a half an hour at one time. Program Director Tony Weir was in charge of answering and preparing the calls. Weir said, "It's really great to hear young people call up who are excited about an event like See You at the Pole. We're often very critical of the next generation but events like See You at the Pole give us great hope."
Numbers elsewhere in the area ranged from one student at an elementary school in Enid to an entire school of around 300 that was let out during first period to participate. Also in Enid, 12 salvations and 58 other decisions were recorded at a See You at the Pole rally held Wednesday night sponsored by area youth ministers. More than 600 were in attendance at that rally. Junior High band members from three different schools in one city had a special joint practice early Wednesday morning but made special arrangements to meet at that location early for See You at the Pole. Around 50 attended. At a school in Arkansas City, students were limited in promotional efforts but by word of mouth three times the number that participated last year attended.
See You at the Pole began as a simple prayer meeting of several high school students in the Spring of 1990. These students gathered around their school flag pole as a rallying point to pray for their friends, their school, their leaders and their country. As the report of the prayer meeting was shared with Texas youth leaders, a vision was birthed to challenge other students to pray at their school flag poles across the state of Texas the following September. This challenge, dubbed See You at the Pole, was shared in June of 1990 at the Youth Evangelism Conference in Dallas. On Sept. 12, 1990, at 7 a.m., more than 45,000 young people met the challenge by praying at their campuses before the start of school.
In 1991, the success of See You at the Pole was shared with youth leaders at a national conference in Colorado. Dozens of ministries, denominations and Christian organizations enthusiastically decided to promote SYATP nationwide. That year an estimated one million students took part in this first national day of student-led prayer on Sept. 1. Since 1991 the list of students, countries, and ministries involved with SYATP continues to increase at an overwhelming pace.
Teenagers in Singapore, Canada, the Philippines, Guatemala, Taiwan, Saipan, Russia, Austria, Albania, Romania, Belgium, the Bahamas and other countries joined those praying in the United States. Together, students are seeking God's direction and asking for His power to make a difference on their campuses.
Prior to the Ponca Hethuska Autumn Dance which is Oct. 4, there will be a mourner's meal on Sunday, Sept. 21. This meal will be held at the Ponca Methodist Church.
Anyone who has lost a loved one, is invited, Indian or non-Indian, especially Ponca Tribal members. All Hethuska members are requested to furnish a covered dish.
This invitation is extended by the head committeeman Damon Roughface
and the Hethuska membership.
DEATHS
BLACKWELL - Ada Stevens, longtime Blackwell area resident, died Wednesday, Sept. 17, 1997, in Blackwell. She was 91.
The funeral will be held graveside at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Blackwell Cemetery with the Rev. Don Bohn, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Hackler Funeral Home.
Ada (Nutter) Stevens was born in a sod shanty outside Ulysses, Kan., to Grace and Orville Nutter on Aug. 24, 1906. She had lived almost all of her life in Blackwell.
She was married to Oliver Lewis "Blackie" Stevens in Blackwell on Jan. 8, 1926. Mrs. Stevens was a custodian and janitor and had been employed at various businesses in Blackwell including Atlas Glass, Blackwell Laundry, Trinity Lutheran Church, Dr. Merle Cliff, J. Menzer Agency, D. Loftis, Rogers and Gurley, Security Bank and Drs. F.F. and Richard Fillrath, DDS.
Survivors include one daughter, Jennie Marie (Stevens) Johnson, 5807 South Broadway Ave., Oklahoma City, OK 73109; one granddaughter; and one great-grandson. She was preceded in death by her husband on Feb. 22, 1984; her parents; two brothers; and one sister.
PERRY - Rotha McAllister, former Ponca City area resident, died Thursday afternoon, Sept. 18, 1997 at Perry Memorial Hospital, Perry. She was 59.
The funeral will be held graveside at 10 a.m. Monday at Grace Hill Cemetery in Perry with Albert Quick officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Brown Funeral Home, Perry.
Rotha (Robinson) McAllister was born Oct. 17, 1937, in Ponca City, the daughter of Arthur A. and Ila Mae (Russell) Robinson. She attended school at Marland.
She was married to Jack B. McAllister Sr. on Nov. 14, 1956, in Billings, Okla., and the couple made their home in the Perry area for many years. Mrs. McAllister was been employed at the Red Rock Public Schools and the Perry Nursing Home. She was a member of the Methodist Church.
Survivors include two sons, Jack Jr., of Harrison, Ark., and Monty of Perry; two daughters, Toni Zemp of Perry and Renae Prucha of Red Rock; two brothers, Mickey Robinson of Marland, and Dennis Hughes of Tulare, Calif.; three sisters, Barbara Hargis, of Pixley, Calif., and Sharon Speer and Pam Hutchinson, both of Tulare, Calif.; and four grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband in 1979; and her parents.
Max D. Countryman, longtime Ponca City resident, died Wednesday, Sept. 17, 1997 at the Ponca City Nursing Home. He was 68.
A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, 1997, at the Longwood Cemetery with Pastor Paul M. Volz, First Lutheran Church, officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel. Visitation will not be held at the funeral home.
Max D. Countryman was born Aug. 25, 1929, in Ponca City, the son of George Washington and Chloe (Hollingsworth) Countryman. He grew up in Ponca City and received his education in the Ponca City schools, graduating from Ponca City High School in 1947.
On July 15, 1950, he was married to the former Peggy L. Reese in Ponca City. The couple has made their home here since that time. Countryman was an electrician and had been employed by Snyder Electric for 15 years and Welborn Electric for 25 years before retiring in 1991.
He was a member of the First Lutheran Church, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, the Ponca City Police Reserve and the Kay County Sheriff's Reserve. He had served as past commander of the Police Reserve and was an active member of the Sheriff's Reserve until his retirement.
Survivors include his wife, Peggy, of Ponca City; two sons, Craig of Kaw City and Mark of St. Louis, Mo.; one daughter, Ressa Swisher of Kansas City, Mo.; one brother George, of Ponca City; one sister, Mary Payne, of Ponca City; five grandchildren; three nieces and three nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Troy and Murl Countryman.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 6600 South Yale, Suite 1310, Tulsa, OK 74136.
MARLAND - Rex E. Spangler, lifelong Marland resident, died Thursday morning, Sept. 18, 1997, at his home. He was 81.
The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Trout Funeral Home Chapel, Ponca City, with Robert L. Ferris, minister of the Marland United Methodist Christian Disciples of Christ Church, officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery.
Rex E. Spangler was born Nov. 11, 1915, in Bliss, the son of James Monroe and Erma M. (Gallaway) Spangler. He grew up in the Bliss Community southwest of Marland and graduated from Marland High School in 1935. He lived and worked on the 101 Ranch for several years.
In June 1941, Spangler entered the U.S. Army as a tank driver. His tank division was one of the few confronted by the German Wolverines during battle. He also served at Normandy and in the European Theater.
On Dec. 22, 1941, he was married to Estella Maude Snodgrass in Perry, and the couple made their home at Marland. Spangler was employed by the City of Ponca City Street Department for 20 years. He was a member of the Marland First Christian Church, the American Legion, a charter member of the Marland Round-up Club, and a member of the 101 Ranch Old Timers. He enjoyed fishing and telling his relatives stories about the 101 Ranch and World War II.
Survivors include his wife, Maude, of the home; one son, Dan Spangler of Newkirk; one daughter, Linda D Rennie of Burbank; one sister, LaVera Cipriano of Riverside, Calif.; one brother, Emmett Spangler of LaJunta, Colo.; nine grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Tony and James.
Casket bearers will be Kenneth Evans, John Pulliam, Pat Snodgrass, Mark Spangler, Mickey Robinson and Roy Snodgrass. Honorary casket bearers will be Walter Evans, Carl Evans, Kevin Pulliam and Carl Shultz.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Spangler's name to the Marland Volunteer Fire Department, Marland, OK 74644 or to the Marland Methodist-Christian Church, Marland, OK 74644.
The family will be at the home, 503 Coyote, Marland.
FAIRFAX - Ira Beavers, died at his home in Fairfax, Thursday, Sept. 18,
1997. He was 93. The funeral will be held graveside at 2 p.m. Monday. Other
arrangements are pending and will be announced later by Hunsaker-Wooten
Funeral Home, Fairfax.
NEWS BRIEFS
VFW Lounge - Pool, darts, shuffle board, juke box, dancing. Karaoke Saturday night, 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Come sing with A-1 Karaoke.
Children's Games - Children's games will be played on the Marland Mansion Estate Grounds from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, during the Cherokee Strip Chili and Barbecue Cook Off. Entertainment, drawings for prizes, homemade ice cream and other activities will be featured.
Anniversary Dance Set - The Otoe War Mothers are sponsoring the 54th Anniversary Dance Saturday at the Otoe-Missouria Cultural Building. Gourd dancing starts at 2 p.m., followed by supper at 5:30 p.m. and war dancing at 7 p.m.
Parade Plans Meeting Set - There will be a Veterans Day Parade organizational meeting on Monday at the VFW Post on East Prospect, at 7 p.m. All veterans, civic clubs and interested individuals are invited to attend. For more information, call Chuck Gregg at 765-1367 of the American Legion at 765-9073.
Dressage Society Meeting - The North Central Chapter of the Oklahoma Dressage Society will hold an organizational meeting Monday at 7 p.m. at Dougan's Barbecue, 215 South Fourteenth. (Dougan's will be closed for dinner, but refreshments will be served.) Dressage is a method of training horses to benefit both rider and horse. Anyone interested is welcome to attend. Call (405) 362-2177 for more information.
Lt. Sanchez Receives Decoration - Army 2nd Lt. Amado Sanchez, has been decorated with the Army Commendation Medal, awarded to those who demonstrate outstanding achievement or meritorious service in performing their Army duties. He is a division cavalry tank platoon leader assigned to the 7th Cavalry, 23nd Infantry Division at Camp Garry Owen, Chunae-Myon, South Korea. His wife, Mindy, is the daughter of Richard and Nancy Severance of 1503 Autumn in Ponca City. His parents live in Corpus Christi and Houston, Texas.
First Place Beginning - "A Christ-centered Health Program" is beginning Monday at 10 a.m. at Northeast Baptist, 2200 Pecan Road. If you have questions, call Sherry Palmer at 762-0947 or Deb Goddard at 767-1398. Cost for first time participants is $60 which includes notebook, Bible study, cookbook, and handouts. Alumni cost is $15 for Bible study and handouts. The Bible study topic is "Pressing Towards the Prize." There will be no children.
No Senior Citizens Dance - There will not be a Senior Citizens Dance Monday at the American Legion Ballroom. The next dance will be Sept. 29 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the same place with music by the Hayriders.
Haircut-a-Thon - Licensed stylists will be cutting hair for donations only, in a haircut-a-thon Sept. 18 at Pro-Cuts, North Fourteenth Street and East Prospect Avenue, from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. All proceeds from the haircut-a-thon will go to Pastor Blaine and Deb Herron's Romania Mission Trip, to distribute Bible literature.
Habitat Golf Tournament - A golf tournament will be held at Lew Wentz Golf Course starting at noon Sept. 27 with proceeds to benefit the local Habitat for Humanity construction projects. Entry fee is $15 plus green fees and must be turned in by 3 p.m. Sept. 23 to Ponca City Area Habitat for Humanity, P.O. Box 2211, Ponca City, 74602. Call Jan Rodd, 767-1924 or Trish Creed, 765-2534 for more information.
Arrest - Police arrested a 31-year-old man at 8:47 p.m. Thursday from the 600 block of North Union Street on a city warrant for failure to appear.
Arrest - A 14-year-old boy was arrested at 9:55 a.m. Thursday on charges of burglary.
Accident - A city vehicle was involved in a minor accident that occurred at the Marland Mansion at 10:10 a.m. Thursday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Arrest - Police arrested a 12-year-old boy at 11:03 a.m. Thursday for burglary.
Hay Fire - Three Ponca City Fire units responded to a hay bale fire on U.S. 60 at 1:15 p.m. Thursday. The fire was extinguished.
Altercation - Police responded to a reported fight in progress in the 500 block of East Grand Avenue at 3:17 p.m. Thursday. Juveniles were cited.
Grass Fire - Engine No. 1 of the Ponca City Fire Department responded to a grass fire in a field in the 1200 block of Prospect Avenue at 4:28 p.m. Thursday.
Arrest - Police arrested an 18-year-old man at 4:48 p.m. Thursday on a city warrant for unlawful entry.
Stolen Vehicle - At 4:57 p.m. Thursday a 1997 truck was reported missing from the parking lot at Jack Bowker Ford.
Vehicle Fire - The fire department responded to a vehicle fire at 5:07 p.m. Thursday in the 2800 block of Temple Place.
Arrest - Police arrested a 27-year-old man in the 1000 block of North Pine Street at 9:39 p.m. Thursday on a city warrant for failure to appear and for public intoxication.
Arrest - A 32-year- man was arrested at 11:23 p.m. Thursday from
the 1500 block of East Bradley Avenue for domestic assault and battery.
EDUCATION
PC Middle School Orchestra
The seventh grade orchestra has 46 members who are already preparing
for performances in November. The group will travel to Oklahoma City to
participate in the first half of an exchange program with Putnam City Central
Middle School This is the first time that the Orchestra will get to travel
out of town. The orchestras first concert for the public is Nov. 4 at 7
p.m. in the Middle School auditorium. The sixth grade orchestra has started
with 12 members. Their first concert will be Dec. 8 at the Hutchins Memorial
at 7 p.m.
Open House
Ponca City Public Schools is proud to invite the community to the new
building dedication and open houses on Sept. 21. The open house at the new
Lincoln Elementary will start at 2 p.m. and the new Math/Science/Business
Addition and new Weight Room Facility will follow at 3:30 p.m.
Senior Parent Meeting
There will be a meeting for senior parents on Sept. 23 at 7 p.m. in the
chorale room at the high school (F-103). The senior counselor, Royce Caldron,
will talk about financial aid, continuing education and other information
important to seniors and their parents. John Woody, senior high assistant
principal, will also be available at the meeting to answer questions.
PTSA Meeting
Ponca City High School PTSA will hold a meeting Sept. 25 at 7 p.m. in the Howell Auditorium. PTSA memberships will be available and plans for the year will be discussed.
A new school immunization requirement was passed last year. Some surrounding school districts required that all seventh graders had to have completed the entire series of Hepatitis B immunizations prior to enrolling this fall.
Due to me large number of Ponca City students who had not completed the six month series, seventh graders were allowed to begin school this fall as long as the student was in the process of receiving the series of immunizations.
However, the school system will be monitoring the students that are in process. If the next dose is past due, letters will be sent home to parents informing them to bring records of completion of the specific dose that is past due.
If the school does not receive the shot record by the specified date,
students will be suspended from school until adequate records are received.
LIFESTYLES
John and Sharon (Wilson) Campbell of Tulsa announce the birth of twin daughters on Aug. 27, 1997 at St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa. Abigail Christine was born at 3:40 p.m. and weighed 7-pounds, 4-ounces and was 19-inches long. Grace Katherine was born at 3:45 p.m. and weighed 6-pounds, 14-ounces and measured 18 1/2-inches long. They have a brother, Collin, three-years-old.
Maternal grandparents are Helen and Duane Wilson of Ponca City and paternal grandparents are John and Donna Campbell of Oklahoma City.
Maternal great-grandmothers are Kathryn Williamson of Skiatook and Edna Wilson of Tulsa.
Ray and Gigi (Russell) Webb, 2502 West Royal Road, Pauls Valley, have brought their daughter, Laura Ashley, home after a three-week hospital stay. She was born at 10 p.m. Aug. 4, 1997 at University Hospital in Oklahoma City. The baby weighed 3-pounds, 3 1/2-ounces and measured 16-inches long.
Maternal grandparents are Nancy Marchbanks of Dallas, Texas and Alan Page-Russell of Antioch, Calif. Paternal grandparents are James and Pauline Webb of Pauls Valley. Great-great-aunts and uncle are Carrie Wilson of Marland, Earnest and Avis Hauser of Ponca City.
Sabrina Lynn Fraley is the name selected by David and Mendy Fraley for their daughter born at 6:13 p.m. July 28, 1997. She weighed 7-pounds, 8-ounces and was 19 3/4-inches long.
Maternal grandparents are Russell and Amy Hollingsworth, John and Janet McFarland, all of Ponca City. Paternal grandparents are Gary and Norma Fraley of Ponca City.
Maternal great-grandparents are Lee and Vonda Hollingsworth of Ponca City, Bert and Deloris Bennett of Prague. Paternal great-grandparents are Kenneth and Gennine Fraley of Langley.
The descendants of John and Mary Elizabeth Snyder met Sept. 7 at Lake Ponca Park shelterhouses. Those attending took pictures, updated family records and visited.
Among those attending were Thelma Snyder of New Hampton, Mo., Relynda and David Peugh, James and Mathew of Martinville, Mo.; Foster Copeland of Great Bend, Kan.; Elsie Willis Murphy of Glencoe; Larry and Debbie Murphy, Caroline, Carlin and Sam of Sands Spring; John and Debbie Willis Dearing, Rusty, Scott, Veronica, Stacy and Ashley of Sapulpa.
Also Frances and Thurmond Smith of Stillwater; Jimmy Willis of Ralston; Jackie and Genie Smith, Alfred and Syrena Willis, Melonie Skidgel and Margaret Bowman, all of Pawnee; Jimmy Spurgeon of Stroud; Patricia Snyder Wyrick of Billings; Stephen and Linda Snyder of Barnsdall.
Others attending were Linda Clark of Edmond; John and Lisa McCall, Brandy, Whitney and Tori of Collinsville; Mary Smith, Joe McCall, David and Barbara Snyder, Robyn Snyder Primeaux, Cody and Rebecca, Bart, Cheryl and Brandon Snyder, Esther Snyder, all of Ponca City. Guest was Cherrie Dickson of Billings.
The American Association of University Women, Ponca City branch, will meet Saturday at 10 a.m. at the Ponca City Country Club. A board meeting is planned for 9 a.m.
Guest speaker will be Lila Hoover of Oklahoma City, president of the Oklahoma AAUW. She will install new officers for the Ponca City Branch and will talk about national and state AAUW goals as well as issues and activities.
To celebrate women's right to vote a branch member will profile a famous American woman each month. For September Rosalie Bolene will provide the profile. Scheduled to give reports are Geraldene Yount Miller, AAUW State Legal Advocate, and Carolyn A. Miller, Oklahoma AAUW Corporate Chair.
Founded in 1881, AAUW is an international organization vitally concerned with the advancement of education said a spokesperson. AAUW seeks a diverse membership to achieve its national goals. Every member is required to be the recipient of a degree from an accredited college or university.
Anyone interested in joining or attending the meeting should call Kathy
Tippin, president, 765-8043, or Bette Lee, Membership vice-president, 762-2000.
RELIGION
Felix Snipes, internationally known professional magician and Christian entertainer from Atlanta, Ga., will entertain and speak at Northeast Baptist Church, 2200 Pecan Road on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 26 through 28.
"These special programs are provided free of charge to the public," said Dr. Larry E. Nigh, pastor, "and we want to invite everyone of every faith - and of no faith, to come be a part of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see this great Christian entertainer."
"What Mr. Snipes does is not supernatural magic which the Bible warns about," said Dr. Nigh, "but are feats of sleight of hand and illusion presented in a fun and entertaining way. He will follow each entertainment program with a message of inspiration and spiritual challenge."
Felix Snipes, a native of Jackson, Miss., now lives in Atlanta, Ga. where he is an active member of Atlanta's First Baptist Church. Snipe's entertainment and inspirational programs have taken him to over 25 countries of the world and have been highly acclaimed by minister, businessmen, scientists, the media and by his fellow professional magicians. He is one of the most sought after Christian entertainers in America, usually staying booked solid three to four years in advance.
Each program during the weekend will be different. Friday evening at 7 p.m. he will do a unique two-hour program of mental magic and Biblical Lecture on "ESP, The New Age and the Occult." This program has been highly acclaimed as one of the most important programs of this nature to be presented on the American stage today. Dr. Charles Stanley, pastor of First Baptist Church in Atlanta, Ga., said, "I highly recommend this program. It is one of the strongest warnings against playing with things satanic you will ever see."
"The Family Magic Show" will be on Saturday night. This is 90 minutes of fun and exciting magical entertainment for the entire family along with a brief inspirational message by Snipes. Bill Pitts, former president of the International Brotherhood of Magicians said, "This is one of the finest and most entertaining acts of its kind I have seen, and I have seen quite a few!"
Sunday morning and evening at the regular worship services, Felix Snipes will be speaking and using some exciting magical illustrations. Sunday night, he is planning to turn "someone important" into a rabbit
The entire community is invited to see and hear this outstanding Christian entertainer. All seats are free - an offering will be received from those who wish to participate. Seats are limited and are on a "first come-first seated basis" so you are urged to come early since no seats are reserved.
Northeast Baptist Church is located at 2200 Pecan Road, in Ponca City. Friday and Saturday, Sept. 26 and 27, the programs begin at 7 p.m. and on Sunday at 10:15 a.m. and 6 p.m. Childcare will be provided through 3 years of age for all programs. For more information, call the church at 765-2404.
On Oct. 10 and 11, all women in the community are invited to attend a weekend seminar hosted by the Hartford Avenue Church of Christ, 1905 Joe Street. A series of lessons entitled "The Love of Christ" will be presented by Pat Scott of Dallas. Mrs. Scott is a frequent speaker at ladies' seminars, retreats, and lectureships.
After her husband of 35 years was murdered in 1994 during a string of violent driveway robberies that terrorized North Dallas residents, Pat authored a book, "Batten Down the Hatches", detailing her experiences of how she dealt with this tragedy, the things that helped her cope through this time of grief, and suggestions on how to prepare for adversity before it strikes.
"Scripture clearly assures us that, 'In this world you will have trouble,'" she wrote in the opening pages of her book. "We have been warned. It's up to us to batten down the hatches and make ready for life's storms. In this life it's not a question of will we face adversity, it's a question of when! People who wait until they are in the midst of crisis to begin preparing will probably find the ordeal overpowering."
The weekend schedule will be: Friday, Oct. 10, 7 to 8:30 p.m. "Every Branch Needs a Little Bend"; Saturday, Oct. 11, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. "What a Man?" and "What is Your Focus?"
Lunch will be provided on Saturday. Please RSVP to the church office, 765-3610, by Monday, Oct. 6.
Child care will not be provided.
Trinity Church of the Nazarene, 401 South Perry will be in revival Sunday through Wednesday, according to an announcement made this week by Pastor John Garnica.
Sunday services will be at 10:45 a.m. and 6 p.m. and Monday through Wednesday at 7 p.m.
The Evangelistic Team will be Mikki Goss and JoAnn Vineyard - the M&J Evangelistic Team. Both are 1995 graduates of Nazarene Bible College with degrees in Biblical Studies.
Mikki is the artist of the team, working with chalk since her youth. She has been in a wheelchair until recently, but is now out of the chair. She loves music and has taken voice lessons. She was called to preach in 1982, she relates.
JoAnn was in the printing industry most of her life, and provides most of the music during the chalk drawings. She was music director at South Daytona Nazarene for more than five years before going to NBC. She alternates preaching assignments with Mikki.
They present the Gospel through music, chalk and the spoken word, Pastor Garnica reports, and plan to do a concert as part of their ministry here.
Pastor Garnica extends an invitation to the public to attend the revival services, relating the team's desire is to see the Church revived and believers filled with the Holy Spirit.
Caravans Plan Back Yard Sale
The Caravans of the First Church of the Nazarene will hold a Back Yard
Sale on Saturday, Sept. 20 from 8 a.m. until "all sold out". The
event is set for 113 South Flormable and everyone is welcome. Donations
will be for the Caravan activities - the church's youth organization.
St. Paul's UMC Hosting Forgiven
The Gospel quartet Forgiven will be at St. Paul's United Methodist Church on this Sunday morning, Sept. 21, for both worship services. They will also be in the sanctuary for the last half of the Sunday School hours from 10:10 to 10:40 a.m.
Also the church will be hold a blood drive with the Oklahoma Blood Institute
on Sunday, Sept. 28 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Oklahoma Blood Institute is
an independent, regional, not for profit blood collection center. and the
exclusive supplies of all blood products for St. Joseph Medical Center,
St. Joseph Cancer Center, and the Outpatient Surgery Center.
POP Lutherans Announce Plans
Happenings this week at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church will include confirmation on Tuesday at 4 p.m. and choir practice at 7 p.m. on Wednesday.
Ponca Citians are invited to visit services on Sunday at 8:30 or 11 a.m. This week Pastor Keck's sermon will be titled "New Leaf or New Life."
Saturday, Sept. 20, the youth of the church will be helping out at the Cherokee Strip Chili Cookoff to benefit Hospice of Ponca City. The event is set for the Marland Mansion. The church kids will be entertaining children in the "Kiddie Korner" from 9 a.m. until noon by playing games and making crafts. Come and eat and bring your children for some fun.
The next church council meeting is set for Tuesday, Sept. 23 at 7 p.m.
Next Sunday, Sept. 28 is "Bring a Friend Sunday" Pastor Keck
has set the fourth Sunday of every month for this special event. Dress is
casual _ wear your Prince of Peace T-shirt, if you wish.
First Christian Kids 'Blasting Off' to Enid
Children and sponsors from First Christian Church will be "blasting off" for Enid and new discoveries of friendship and the wonders of God's creation on Saturday morning, leaving the parking lot at 8:45 a.m. and planning to return to Ponca City at 3 p.m.
Sponsoring the trip are Boyd and Vicki Braden, Regina Bookout, Lois Corbin and Pam Hunter.
It was also announced that the Adopt-a-Grandparents luncheon, sponsored
by the youth and Membership Department of the church, will be Sunday at
noon. This event pairs members of Chi Rho and CYF youth with the older members
of the congregation in order to build relationships between the ages.
SPORTS
FRED HILTON
News Sports Editor
Wildcat coach Rick Sodowsky would like to start at new tradition - or more accurately, restart one.
Sullins Stadium, under any name, used to be an unpopular place for opposing teams to visit because the Wildcats almost always won on their home field. That home field advantage was a powerful step toward winning berths in the state playoffs.
Sodowsky would like for his team to rebuild that tradition, starting tonight.
"If we won all five of our home games, even if we lost on the road, that would probably get us into the playoffs," the coach said.
Sodowsky said one of the more important ingredients is already in place - fan support,
"When I was playing here and we were winning, those fans were in the stands," he recalls, "When we fell on hard times and were struggling, those fans were still here. Ponca City fans are some of the greatest anywhere."
A sign on the equipment room door in the Wildcats' dressing building extorts players to give the 10,000 fans who will be in the stadium tonight their money's worth.
It is doubtful 10,000 fans could fit, but Sodowsky would like to see 7,000 fans in the stands, mostly in the south stands.
There will probably be almost that many in the stands tonight as the Wildcats open the home season against Tulsa Memorial, starting at 7:30.
Sodowsky has told his players tonight would be a good time to start the new tradition of winning at home.
It's not an easy task for the Cats. Memorial is 0-2 and struggling. But Sodowsky says the Chargers have some good athletes, especially in the skill positions. And the Poncans can't afford the "easy-game" attitude that cost them against Edmond North last week.
The home schedule this season gets tougher as it goes along.
Enid is here Oct. 3. That traditional rivalry has seen some classic confrontations in the past and the Cats had won most of those at home. Recently, the pendulum has swung back in favor of the Plainsmen, who have a powerful program.
Next on the home schedule is Tulsa Washington on Oct. 16. The Wildcats have not beaten the Hornets, at home or away, since 1986. This may be the Cats' last chance for a while as Washington drops down to Class 5A next season.
Sand Springs is due to visit Oct. 31. Again, this series has seen some epic games with the Po-Hi "home field advantage" holding up until just a few years ago.
The final regular season game finds Shawnee here Nov. 7, in what may also be a last clash between the Wolves and Wildcats. Shawnee is also playing in Class 5A next season.
All of these are tough games. But all, Sodowsky feels, are winable.
But it all has to start tonight and the coach feels his team is ready to start a tradition.
"These kids are real anxious to play at home," Sodowsky said. "Ponca City hasn't had a home game in over 10 months. We played our last two games last season on the road and the first two this season have been away."
Sodowsky is still at a loss to fully explain the collapse of the Wildcat defense last week in allowing North four touchdowns and over 300 yards in offense. That same defense slammed the door on a potent Tulsa East Central offense a week earlier.
The coach is also puzzled by the offense that looked almost unstoppable in the first half, but could not get close to scoring in the second half.
"And we have to do better in the red zone (inside the 20)," Sodowsky said. "The offense couldn't punch it in and the defense couldn't seem to stop North."
But the Po-Hi coaches have taken some steps they hope will solve some of the problems. Sodowsky said fewer players will be giong both ways tonight in hopes of keeping the team stronger in the third and fourth periods.
Sophomore Wes Crossen (6-0, 226) is set to start at left tackle for the offense and junior Wes Murrie (5-10 164) will start at flanker.
Also on offense, Sodowsky said three players, Holly Toosle (a transfer student from Tahlequah), Jeremy Combrink and Mat Harrison, will also see action at fullback.
On defense, Michael Galbreath will move from anchor end to drop end, freeing Wesley Swygert to play only offense as the split end. Harrison and Ryan Treadway will split time at anchor end. Also tackle Billy Faulk will play only on defense. In the secondary, Jared Sindelar will see considerable action at cornerback.
"If fact you may see two or three people playing a position during the game," Sodowsky said, "with different players coming in in different positions. It's not exactly platooning, but it's close."
Sodowsky said the Wildcats practiced better this week than they did the week before, "but not as good as we need to.
"Our players need to be more consistent, from Monday through Friday."
Tulsa Memorial has the potential to give the Cats problems, Sodowsky warns. They will run mostly a #one-back offense and have thrown the ball a little over 50 percent of the time in film the Wildcats have seen.
"But a lot of the time in those earlier games they were facing second and long or third and long," the coach said.
The Chargers also have a potential game breaker in sophomore receiver Andrew Esau,
"He can make the big catches and the big plays," Sodowsky said.
Memorial will also be bigger in the line. But that is nothing new for the Wildcats.
"Every Friday we will be the small ones out there."
Ponca City at T. East Central
Where: Sullins Stadium
When: Kickoff at 7:30 p.m.
Rankings: Neither team is ranked
Records: Ponca City 1-1, T. Memorial is 0-2
Last Year: Ponca City won, 20-6
Injuries: None new for Wildcats.
Importance: Wildcats want to win first home game, starting a home field advantage tradition
Radio: WBBZ (1230 AM), Ponca City.
Weather: Warm, with temperatures in 80s at kickoff.
Outlook: Ponca City is looking to regroup after being upset last week. Tulsa Memorial is trying to get its program untracked
By FRED HILTON
News Sports Editor
TULSA - At 0-2, Tulsa Memorial's Chargers are struggling but still have have their heads up, according to assistant coach Brandon Coons.
"The kids are still up and we've had some good practices this week," Coon said as the Chargers try to put last week's 58-3 drubbing at the hands of Sand Springs behind them. "Sand Springs has some awfully good players. They can make a lot of teams look bad."
Memorial finished 2-8 last season but return a good portion of that team, including junior quarterback Steve McCoy, who will captain the pro-type offense.
McCoy is 6-1, 170 with good speed and a strong arm.
The Chargers mostly run a one-back set with tailback J.J. Jamison, a 5-10, 165-pound junior. When they go to a two-back set they bring in senior Adam Nunnallee, 6-1, 210, Coon says.
"We do try to throw the ball some," Coon said, indicating the Chargers will test the Wildcat secondary.
The offensive line of the Chargers weights in at an average of 230 pounds, topped by 6-4, 245-pound senior tackle Mike Gray and 6-1, 255 junior guard Cedrick McGee.
The defensive front averages about the same since most of the linemen are on both sides of the ball.
The Chargers list just six seniors on their starting lineups.
"We're mostly juniors and sophomores," Coon said. "But the seniors we do have are good kids, good leaders."
By FRED HILTON
News Sports Editor
Once again the Oklahoma Secondary Schools Activities Association has made wholesale changes in its biannual redistricting.
That is especially true in the districts of area teams.
With Tulsa Washington and Shawnee dropping to Class 5A in enrollment, massive changes were expected in the eastern district of Class 6A.
Edmond Memorial was moved east and will be in the same district with Ponca City, Enid, Stillwater, Sand Springs and Sapulpa. Owasso and Union moved from the other eastern district. Bartlesville went the other way.
For reasons Ponca City officials can's explain, the OSSAA decided to number those teams, five of which were in 6A-4 for the past two season, as 6A-3.
Bartlesville, Broken Arrow, Jenks, Muskogee, Tahlequah, Tulsa Hale, Tulsa Memorial and Tulsa Rogers - most of 6A-3 - will now be 6A-4.
This could affect some playoff teams in the second and subsequent rounds because the home field awards are often given on the basis of odd or even numbered districts.
Blackwell will see some new faces in District 4A-2. The Maroons will now face Cushing, Bishop McGuinness, Glenpool, Mannford, Star Spencer of Oklahoma City, Okmulgee and Tecumseh.
The opponents Blackwell lost were McCloud, Harrah and Cleveland.
Class 2A's Pawnee and Newkirk (which went up in class) are now in the same district, along with Caney Valley, Chelsea, Hominy, Metro Christian, Nowata and Sperry.
Class A's Tonkawa and Woodland will remain district opponents in District 5 along with Drumright, Barnsdall, Davenport, Depew, Kiefer, Luther and Wellston.
Davenport, Depew, Luther and Wellston are new, replacing Newkirk, Mounds, Liberty and Oklahoma Union.
Class B's Morrison better gas up the bus. The Wildcats' new District 3 now includes Bowlegs, Alex, Cashion, Fox, Oklahoma Christian School, Weleetka and Yale.
Yale is the only "old" District B-3 opponent.
In Class C, Shidler rejoins Billings and Deer Creek-Lamont in District 3 along with Kremlin-Hillsdale, Covington-Douglas, Geary. Medford and Wakita.
Most area coaches take the moves philosophically,
"This is probably the best deal for us of all the proposals I saw" Ponca City coach Rick Sodowsky said. "And it does even up the two eastern districts."
Although Jenks apparently disagreed. The top ranked Trojans reportedly asked the association for a tougher district.
Blackwell coach Greg Werner said, "We'll take the teams they give us and just go out and play. I don't think it makes that much difference."
Morrison's Joe Sindelar, although not happy about "traveling clear across the state," sees an upside.
"Oklahoma Christian and Cashion are teams we use to play. It's will nice to renew those rivalries."
Ponca City's Lady Wildcats are feeling a little like Rodney Dangerfield. They aren't getting any respect.
At least not in the state ratings.
The Lady Cats split a pair of 3-2 decisions with top ranked Broken Arrow on the Lady Tigers' home field Thursday.
"That is the second No. 1 team we've beaten," Po-Hi coach Roydon Tilley said. "Yet we can't get into the top 10."
The Lady Cats have apparently mastered some of their hitting and fielding woes.
They were held to three hits in the first game but all three resulted in runs. In the second game, the Poncans collected six hits, including three in a two-run seventh inning as they rallied for a 3-2 win.
The second-game pitching dual saw Broken Arrow open the scoring with a run in the third inning. The Po-Hi girls countered with the tying run in the fourth.
Shawn Feathers led off with a double and later scored on Gena Osborn's ground out.
The Lady Cats broke the deadlock in the top of the seventh. With two outs, Nikki Andrews drew a walk and advanced on Lendsi Boyd's single. Both runners crossed the plate when Chris Hinman doubled.
But Ponca City had to put down a Broken Arrow rally in the bottom of the seventh.
The Lady Tigers loaded the bases with one out. One run scored on a force out at second base. But Ponca City pitcher Ashley Engle got the final Broken Arrow batter to ground out, third to first.
Engle gave up six hits, walked three and struck out one in picking up the win.
Things started well for the Lady Cats in the first game. With one out in the top of the first, Alana Smith singled an advanced to second when Feathers walked. Smith stole third and scored on the overthrow.
Broken Arrow tied the score in the bottom of the first and went ahead 2-1 on a run in the third as Engle escaped a no-out, bases-loaded jam.
Ponca City tied the score again at 2-2 in the top of the sixth. With two outs, Smith singled again, stole second and scored on a double by Feathers.
But Broken Arrow pushed across an unearned run in the bottom of the sixth and held on for the win.
The Lady Cats get a much deserved break in action this weekend as a scheduled tripleheader here was canceled. The Poncans will now play Tuesday at Guthrie. Their final home game is Thursday against Edmond.
Ponca City hosts T. Memorial
Blackwell at Perry, 7:30
Tonkawa hosts Mounds, 7:30
Newkirk at Barnsdall, 7:30
Morrison host Garber., 7:30
Shidler hosts DCLA 7:30
Pawnee hosts Cleveland, 7:30
Woodland hosts Chisholm, 7:30
Ponca City's cross country teams took on the rugged OSU course in Stillwater Thursday and came away with a good showing.
The Wildcats finished fourth with 73 points while the Lady Cats were fifth with 118 points in the girls' division.
Once again Paul Paschal led the Po-Hi boys with a second place finish overall.
"Paul led for most of the race over what one college coach called the third hardest course in the nation," Ponca City coach Kelly Chaney said. " He led for the first two miles and into the third mile before the Enid runner passed him."
Paschal finished in 18:13 with senior Jared Colvin also metaling for the Cats with a 14th place finish in 19:25.
"This is the first time Jared was our second runner," Chaney said. "Usually he's fourth or fifth, so I am very encouraged by that.
"The times were not all that good, but the weather was hot and the course in hilly and windy."
Nathan Zimmerman was third for the Wildcats, 16th overall with a time of 20:02. Chris Buck was 18th in 20:10 and Eddie Mora 23rd in 10:23.
The Lady Cats continue to improve on their times with Amanda Cobb finishing 18th overall in 14:38 for the two-mile division. Jane Koster was 26th in 15:22, Mary Metzger 27th in 15:33, Laura Chaney 30th in 15:38, Sarah Scott 36th in 17:13 and Kate Emig 39th in 17:51.
The JV boys brought home four medalists. Robert Scott was sixth in the time of 21:21, Justin Rosenbury was seventh in 21:25, Murit Ozdemit eighth in 21:29 and Chris Upchurch 15th in 22:26.
The JV girls were led by Amanda Miller, 19th overall in 17:27. Amber Baker finished in 18:56 and Megan Butt in 19:50.
In the junior high ranks, Trevor Viljoen metaled with a 13th place finish in 5:55. Aaron Jones was 24th in 6:02, Patrick Wheeler was 36th in 6:17. Justin Lewis was timed in 6:45 and Chad Patterson in 6:49.
Kristal Stephens metaled for the junior high girls, finishing ninth overall in 6:26. Yvonne Warrior was 24th in 7:03 while Nancy Taylor was timed in 8:58.
The Ponca City eighth grade junior varsity football team remained unbeaten with a second victory of the week by shutting out Enid Longfellow 28-0 here Thursday night.
Ponca City got on the board with but 26 seconds remaining in the first quarter, when Nathan Kellert scored from 6 yards out. Troy Cochran added the two-point conversion for an 8-0 lead into the second period.
Coach Brad Parent's eighth graders then got a second quarter touchdown on a 9-yard pass from Aaron Brooke to James Tapp. However, the 2-point conversion try failed, as Ponca City held a 14-0 lead into the second half.
"We got another score as the clock ran out in the third quarter," Parent said. The score was a 21-yard run by Kellert, with Ponca City also getting the 2-point conversion for a 22-0 lead.
"The defense was really playing well, and got its rewards with a score in the final period," Parent said. Ponca City's J.T. Todd got the score by blocking a Longfellow punt near the 30-yard line and returning it 27 yards for a touchdown to make the final score read 28-0.
"The boys are really playing well. All the coaches are proud of the efforts, and the boys are really feeling good. The coaches want to congratulate all the boys on their efforts last night," Parent said.
The next junior varsity game for the eighth graders will be Sept. 22 at Blackwell at 5 p.m. The varsity team takes on Arkansas City at the middle school field Sept. 23.
Ponca City's freshman JV football team rallied for a fourth period touchdown and converted the two extra points to top Enid Longfellow 24-22 here Thursday,
Enid reach the scoreboard first but the Ponca Citians quickly countered with the bomb as J. Michael Sharon connected with Wes Day on a 70-yard touchdown pass. Sharon ran in the extra points and Ponca City led 8-78.
Enid came back to go in front 16-8, but once again the Poncans had the answer with Sharon carrying for yards for the TD as time ran out in the first half. Steven Michaels ran the extra points for a 16-14 lead.
The game continued to see-saw in the second half as Longfellow scored again to take a 22-16 lead.
But Ponca City had the last word as Michaels bowled over from the 4 with just over 4 minutes to play. Michaels also converted for the winning margin.
It was an offensive night for the Ponca Citians as Day had four catches for 199 yards, Sharon was 5-of-6 passing for 209 yards and Michaels rushed for 86 yards.
The ninth grade varsity is in action again Monday at Blackwell while the freshmen JVs play next against Enid Waller at home next Thursday
Wentz Fall Classic
(Saturday's Pairings)
8:30 - Hager, Hunsaker, Gard, McGregor
8:37 - Mefford, B. Bussey, Peterson, Pappan
8:45 - Courtney, Hadley, Ewing, Cooper
8:52 - Teten, Sims, Roblyer, Bryant
9:00 - Nash, Lampe, Maddox, C. Bussey
9:07 - Casey, Hearon, Delaney, Wright
9:15 - Beall, White, Parks, Kiser
9:22 - Dillon, Lane, Dixon, Gabbert
9:30 - D. Mooney, Senseman, Vidricksen, Stone
9:37 - A. Spore, McCeary, Roller, Kreuger
9:45 - Kirchenbauer, Creed, Lewis, Tompkins
9:52 - Leavell, Geurin, Sober, Underwood
10:00 - Thorsen, Burns, Wilson, McSmith
10:07 - Moore, Walls, B. Spore, Reed
10:22 -M. Mooney. Dick, Woods
10:15 - Carey, Clark, Keating, Frick