From The Pages Of The Ponca City News, Monday, September
29, 1997
LOCAL
Long-Range Rivalry
Nearly News
Letters
Jewish New Year Begins Wednesday
Po-Hi Begins Week Long Homecoming Festivities
Po-Hi Burglary Suspects' Ages Alarming Police
Cardiologist Presents Program for Noon Lions
Edwin Fair Center Requesting $25 Million From State Funds
DEATHS
Bob Brookhart
Micah Elijah Reeves
Services Pending
Harold W. Layton
Dale Rice
NEWS BRIEFS
LIFESTYLES
Wilkerson Family Reunion Held Here September 21
Citian Celebrates 86th Birthday
Parks & Recreation Dept. Presents 'Fit for Life' Exercise Program
YMCA Aquatic Instructors Learn Aquatic Interval Art
Delaney-House Engagement Told
Atwater-Maxson Marriage Vows Said in Perryville, Texas Aug. 9
SPORTS
Harriers Test Hill In Tulsa
HOMETOWN FANS of the Medford Fighting Cardinals support their players Saturday night during a special matchup billed by state and national media as "The Super Bowl of Eight-Man Football." With both teams nationally ranked, the game fulfilled Medford coach Chuck Goodner's request to face the toughest team possible - the Cruisers from Powers, Ore., who were last year's Oregon state champions. The final score: Powers, 18, Medford, 14. (News Photo by Mark Galvin)
Pixie Rowland, manager of the Oklahoma Blood Institute, has been appointed by Gov. Keating to serve on the Oklahoma Criminal Justice System Task Force. Congratulations!
Against School-to-Work
On Sept. 23 this paper once again carried a pro school to work article, this time in the business section.
"School to Work" is not just a vocational training element of the public school system. STW is a federal program governed by federal legislation and enabled in Oklahoma by state law. The federal legislation was created during the Bush administration by a committee that included the soon to become prominent Hilary Rodham Clinton and Ira Magaziner, both with very liberal credentials. STW is based on the German polytechnic apprenticeship program. It is a program that encompasses more elements of social planning than most of my friends would knowingly want for their children and grandchildren.
School to work is a comprehensive program with aspects that reduce freedom of choice for public school attendees and appears to set de facto standards for private schools. STW proponents always say or imply that participation is voluntary but STW literature states the program is all inclusive and will cover all students. Unlike many of STW's supporters I have read the federal and state legislation. The only aspect of STW that I can find that is "voluntary" is whether the student will work in a paid STW job or a non-paid STW job.
Under the STW system each student will be evaluated before the ninth grade and put on a track appropriate for that student. What is deemed appropriate for each student will be based on job needs as determined by federal government forecasts and local job demands combined with test results, educators evaluations and the desires of the students and their parents. In the vo-tech STW model only 20 percent of high school graduates will be targeted for higher education, 65 percent will go into vo-tech and 15 percent go straight to work. Currently 40-50 percent of high school graduates go on to higher education. Under STW many students will be redirected toward lower expectations.
In Oklahoma the public school system includes the common schools (K-12), higher education, and the vo-tech schools. Before STW the three existed with a great degree of autonomy. Under STW this autonomy is eroded and the vo-tech is given authority over curriculum for grades K-14. Locally the vo-tech is a large employer, with some employed solely to sell the school to work program. The vo-tech also pays a "stipend" to some public school employees to serve as STW coordinators, this is in addition to their regular pay. This and the great economic power of the vo-tech locally creates a lot of STW cheerleaders.
The vo-tech is fighting hard to consolidate this outrageous power grab. In the past when I spoke out against STW I immediately became the focus of a name calling article in the Oklahoma Observer and I know I am inviting such attacks again, but school to work is not right. It is designed to supply employees to the factories, not citizens capable of participation in our self governing republic. It is not right for America or for Oklahoma. It is not right for your children or mine. We have paid such a high price for freedom over the years, to trade it for the purported security of a factory job would be unfortunate.
This letter is not an attack on our vocational education system or the employees who do such a fine job here locally. I am speaking out only against the federal STW program and its corrosive impact on individual freedom of choice. If my daughter decides her path includes vo-tech training I will support her decision, but I hope her goals include higher education just as did most of the vo-tech leaders'. I want our children to set their own goals and find their own limits, not shoehorned into an appropriate job as determined by faceless government bureaucrats. Those of us critical of STW haven't any financial incentive for doing so. We do so out of informed and sincere concern for our country's future.
Less government is better government, STW is a lot more government.
Brian Harpster
The Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, begins at sundown on Oct. 1 and inaugurates a ten-day period of repentance that will end with Yom Kippur. During this period, called The Days of Awe, it is common for Jews to give charity, to visit the graves of their loved ones, and to ask forgiveness from friends and family for any wrongdoing.
The Hebrew word for repentance, t'shuvah means turning and implies a turning away from sin and toward renewal. Jews look inward to do a cheshbon hanefesh, literally an account of the soul that mirrors one's sinfulness and worthiness. Sin is understood as falling short of the mark, not living up to one's potential, or not fulfilling one's rightful obligations.
This soul-searching is accompanied by a mood that is joyous and hopeful as is evident by the Rosh Hashanah meal that brings family and friends together. Food is abundant, tasty, and frequently symbolic. Life's endless circle is introduced through the many round foods. Instead of braided challah (a rich egg bread), the Holiday challah is round and often studded with raisins for extra sweetness. A blessing, "May it be a good and sweet year," is repeated over various treats. Challah and apples are dipped into honey. Honey cake serves as dessert in almost every Jewish household. In some homes, the meal includes a traditional European holiday stew, tzimmes, made with carrots, sweet potatoes, dried fruit, meat, wine, and of course, honey. To help usher in the new season, a pomegranate, or any other seasonal fruit which has not yet been tasted, is also eaten. Fish is often served as a sign of fertility.
The communal prayers support the introspective and optimistic mood balancing human weakness and vulnerability with God's power and mercy. The rabbi's sermon focuses on the profound meaning of the day. The high point of the service is the blowing of the shofar, typically a ram's horn, as mandated in the Bible: "Ye shall have a holy convocation; ye shall do no manner of work; it is a day of blowing the horn unto you." (Numbers 29:1) One hundred notes are blown, alternating sounds of wailing and supplication.
The process of repentance continues over the next ten days until Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, a day that is expected to end in an "at-one-ment," that is, with a more unified self, and a more harmonious bond with God and others. Since biblical times, Yom Kippur has been considered the holiest day of the year. "Ye shall afflict your souls, and shall do no manner of work, the home-born, or the stranger that sojourneth among you. For this day shall atonement be made for you, to cleanse you; from all your sins shall ye be clean before the Lord." (Leviticus 16:30-31)
A 24-hour prohibition of food and liquids is required on Yom Kippur. This fast is not based on the idea that deprivation has an intrinsic religious value; it is merely a technique to enhance the concentration on spiritual matters. Some Jews refrain from wearing leather shoes. Others wear white clothing and even the Torah is draped in white. The stirring Yom Kippur prayers begin in the evening with the chanting of Kol Nidre, a legal formula asking forgiveness for breaking any religious vows made specifically to God. Prayers continue throughout the next day until sundown. During the afternoon, Yizkor, a memorial service honoring deceased relatives and friends, is held. A break-fast is enjoyed after sundown, hosted by the Temple Sisterhood.
Services will be conducted by Dr. Perry Gethner, lay rabbi. Dr. Gethner is a professor at OSU in Stillwater. J.C. Smith, President of Temple Emanuel, announced that services for Rosh Hashanah evening, Wednesday, Oct. 1, will be held at 8 p.m. The Rosh Hashannah morning service, on Oct. 2, will commence at 10 a.m.
Kol Nidre service for Yom Kippur eve will be held Friday, Oct. 10 at 8 p.m. The Yom Kippur morning service will commence at 10 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 11. Temple Emanuel is located at 1209 East Highland. Please call J.C. Smith at 765-2500 or 765-8990, or Cindy Wigley at 765-2552 for further details.
Homecoming festivities are under way in Ponca City this week. Activities have been scheduled from Monday through Friday. All Ponca City residents are encouraged to support Po-Hi.
The traditional dress-up days at the high school will take place until Friday. They are: Pajama Day, Monday; Army Day, Tuesday; Twinkle Day, Wednesday; Mourn the Plainsmen Day, Thursday; and Spirit T-shirt Day, Friday.
A Homecoming parade and pep rally will kick off downtown this year on Thursday at 5:30 p.m.
The ever-popular lawn games will get started at 9:10 a.m. Friday on the lawn in front of the high school. A dinner will be held in the cafeteria at 4 p.m. and the football game will start at 7:30 p.m. when Ponca City will take on Enid.
A Homecoming dance will start at 10 p.m. at the old girl's gymnasium.
Come out and support the Wildcats.
A late night burglary netted more than police expected Saturday. At 9:31 p.m. Saturday police received a call reporting the alarm at Ponca City High School Anderson Building was sounding.
When police arrived at the scene an arrest was made. However, it was not the crime itself but the ages of those involved that disturb police officers the most. A 12-year-old boy was arrested for second degree burglary and a 4-year-old boy was also involved in burglary. Because of his age, the 4-year-old cannot be charged with any criminal activity and was released to his parents.
"We were surprised of the young ages of the offenders involved," Detective Capt. Carl Porter said. "It was obvious that the 4-year-old was mislead by the 'older' children involved."
One other juvenile involved managed to elude police.
By KATHY ZEHR
News Staff Writer
The Ponca City Noon Lions met Sept. 24 at the American Legion and began the weekly program by singing "Happy Birthday" to Lion President Vic Andrews.
New member Mark Craddox, with the Salvation Army was introduced and student Lions, Justin Lewis and Carrie Koch gave brief reports about Po-Hi.
The Noon Lions was invited to attend the Standing Bear Donors Recognition Program at Standing Bear Park on Sept. 25, and members were encouraged to attend.
The program was presented by Dr. Paul Riha, cardiologist, who was introduced by program chairman Lion Bill Steuver. Dr. Riha told the group he was currently practicing in Ponca City two days per week, and considering setting up a fulltime regional cardiology service clinic here.
Riha was born in Czechoslovakia and at age 13 moved to Germany where he attended college. He than served in research in a New Jersey Medical College for four years and served his residency with New York Medical College in the Spanish-Harlem district. He trained in Morgantown, Vt., in cardiovascular surgery and served in Oklahoma City as an associate in a clinic there before establishing his own practice two years ago.
Ponca City has no full-time cardiology doctors and the closest diagnostic clinics are in Wichita, Oklahoma City or Tulsa.
If Riha establishes a clinic here it would be a referral center for the region with a full diagnostic system, but not a full-treatment center, he said. Studies show the population and median age in Ponca City would more than support such a clinic but further studies are being made.
Dr. Riha fielded questions from Noon Lion members who voiced their welcome to his services now being practiced at 415 Fairview, two days per week. Several said it would save them trips out of town for check ups for family members with heart problems.
A new membership drive program is to begin Oct. 1, and the Noon Lions were divided into five teams. The team with the most points for attendance, guests, and bringing in new members during the next five weeks would be honored with a special prize.
Other announcements included information for Lions manning the Oktoberfest Booth at the Marland Estate on Oct. 4, and the mystery membership contest conducted by rookie Lion Art Ball.
Edwin Fair Center has joined with other community mental health centers around the state to develop an initiative to make 1998 The Year of Mental Health and request $25 million in additional funding from the legislature for community health services.
"This additional funding and a much needed increase in Medicaid rates for children's services would go a long way toward restoring some of the services we've had to reduce over the past year," said Bob Hefley, executive director of the center.
Edwin Fair Center is a private non-profit community mental health center with a 40-year history of providing a wide range of mental health services to people in Kay, Noble, Pawnee, Payne and Osage counties.
The center receives limited state funding to provide treatment to patients on an ability-to-pay basis. Thirty percent of the Center's budget comes from the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, but these funds are earmarked primarily for severely mentally ill adults and children. The center itself must fund services for those with less severe problems.
"Reductions in Medicaid rates for children's services which took effect last August and years of stand-still state funding make it necessary to reduce services," stated Hefley.
"For the first time in five years the center ended the year in the red," he reported. "When your expenses exceed your income, you've got to make some changes, and we started by cutting out of our budget as much administrative expense as possible. Our goal was to keep cuts in client services to a minimum," explained Hefley.
The center has cut three quarters of a million dollars in expense from its budget. It has had to close three day treatment programs for youngsters with emotional and behavior problems, close one satellite office, reduce the amount of sliding scale treatment it provides and increase fees charged to clients.
The demand for low cost treatment is greater than the available funding, and the center has had to set priorities for treatment to insure that those with the greatest need are seen first. Waiting lists for reduced-fee counseling, which were discontinued five years ago may have to be reinstituted.
"The communities we serve have always been generous in their support
of Edwin Fair Center. We're grateful for that strong support, and we will
continue to do everything in our power to keep the level of service as high
as possible," said Hefley. "The future of mental health services
in our area lie largely in the hands of legislators and the Health Care
Authority which sets Medicaid rates," he added.
DEATHS
TONKAWA - Bob Brookhart, longtime Tonkawa businessman, died Thursday, Sept. 25, 1997, at his home after a long illness. He was 84.
A memorial service is set at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Tonkawa First Methodist Church with Dr. Brian Kovacs officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of McCafferty-Bolick Funeral Home, Tonkawa.
Bob Brookhart was born Nov. 18, 1912, in Apache, the son of Bill and Maude (Spears) Brookhart. He attended Tonkawa schools and graduated from University Preparatory School.
He was married to Clara Cook in 1938 and the couple established their home in Tonkawa. He served three years in the 8th Air Force during World War II. Brookhart was a licensed pilot and former Piper Aircraft dealer. He had also been owner of the Brookhart Motor Co. in Tonkawa.
Brookhart had served on the Tonkawa City Council and as president of the Lions Club and the Tonkawa Chamber of Commerce. He had served as a director for the Oklahoma Automobile Dealers Association and received "Dealer of the Year Award" from that association in 1966. Brookhart was also a member of the First United Methodist Church, the Tonkawa American Legion Post, the VFW Post and was a 32nd degree Mason.
Survivors include two nephews, Lloyd Wright and John Armstrong; and two nieces, Shirley Hughes and Verna Mae Williams.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Clara, in October 1982; his parents; three sisters and one brother.
Micah Elijah Reeves, infant son of Deborah Jordan Reeves, died Friday, Sept. 26, 1997, in Children's Hospital in Oklahoma City.
Graveside service was to be 2 p.m. today in Resthaven Cemetery, Ponca City, under direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.
Grandparents of the infant, Robert and Willie Jordan of Ponca City, also survive.
NEWKIRK - Harold W. Layton, longtime Newkirk resident died early this morning, Sept. 29, 1997, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Ponca City. He was 81. Survivors include his wife, Marjorie, of Newkirk. Arrangements are under the direction of Miller-Stahl Funeral Service, Newkirk.
FAIRFAX - Dale Rice, Fairfax resident, died Sunday evening, Sept. 28,
1997, at Hillcrest Medical Center, Tulsa. He was 69. Survivors include his
wife, Helen, of the home. Arrangements are pending with Hunsaker-Wooten
Funeral Home, Fairfax.
NEWS BRIEFS
Potato Bake Tonight - A Potato Bake is scheduled tonight from 5 to 8 p.m. at Faith Tabernacle, 501 South Fifth in Fellowship Hall. The event is by donation to raise funds for the church's mission trip to Zimbabwe. Everyone welcome.
Arthritis Aquatics - Conoco Arthritis Aquatics will be held on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 8:30 a.m. at the Conoco pool. These classes are sponsored by the Arthritis Foundation. Conoco retirees and affiliates pay $6 a month for the classes that start Oct. 6. For more information call June Foreman at 762-0035.
Theft - At 9:26 a.m. Saturday police received a report from a man in the 200 block of North Ninth Street reporting the theft of a stereo from his vehicle. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Hit and Run - At 12:14 p.m. Saturday a resident in the 1600 block of Trio Lane reported his vehicle was hit during the night. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Vandalism - At 2:06 p.m. Saturday a resident in the 1700 block of Rose Lane reported to police that his yard had been vandalized. A destruction of property report was taken.
Arrest - Police arrested a 39-year-old man at 7:08 p.m. Saturday from the 200 block of West Grand Avenue on a city warrant for failure to appear on public intoxication.
Accident - Police responded to an accident in the 2600 block of North Fourteenth Street at 9:37 p.m. Saturday. A report was taken.
Arrest - A 35-year-old woman was arrested at 10:38 p.m. Saturday at South First Street and Oklahoma Avenue on a Kay County warrant for failure to pay and public intoxication.
Stolen Vehicle - A resident reported at 11:20 p.m. Saturday that a pickup had been stolen from the 2700 block of North Fifth Street. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Arrest - Police arrested a 40-year-old man at 11:29 p.m. Saturday from West Grand Avenue and Oak Street on petit larceny charges.
Vehicle Fire - Police and fire units responded at 11:43 p.m. Saturday to a vehicle fire in the 1300 block of West Grand Avenue. The fire was extinguished, and the vehicle was towed from the scene.
Auto Burglary - Police took an auto burglary report when they received a 911 call at 3:48 a.m. Sunday from a woman in the 2000 block of Turner Street reporting that the window of her vehicle had been broken.
Arrest - A 48-year-old man was arrested at 6:49 a.m. Sunday from the 400 block of South Osage Street for unlawful entry.
Arrest - Police arrested a 23-year-old man at 1:38 p.m. Sunday from the 1400 block of West Highland Avenue for domestic assault and battery.
Theft - A man in the 800 block of North Elm Street reported to police at 3:25 p.m. Sunday that a cellular phone had been stolen from his vehicle. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Arrest - At 4:45 p.m. Sunday police arrested a 19-year-old man at North Ninth Street and East Hazel Avenue for expired inspection, possession of marijuana and possession of paraphernalia.
Child Hit - At 5:10 p.m. Sunday police received a report that a vehicle had hit a child in the 500 block of South Eleventh Street and then left the scene. The child was not injured. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Hit-and-Run - Police received a report at 12:18 a.m. Monday that a hit and run accident had occurred at Waverly Street and South Avenue. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Burglary - A burglary report was taken at 1:30 a.m. Monday when
the front window of Barnett's Liquor, 718 South First Street, was broken
out.
LIFESTYLES
The Wilkerson Family Reunion was held on Sunday, Sept. 21, 1997 from noon until 5 p.m. at Lake Ponca Shelter House No. 2. A covered dish dinner was available at noon and the afternoon was spent mostly by visiting and taking photographs. Seventy-three were gathered for the event.
Attending were John and Jean Struble, Mike and Joyce Ross and children, Mike and Chad Ross, Brandy Westerman and friend, Vincent Perez, Lorene Griffin, Dottie Kliewer and children, Karry and Matt Kliewer, Juane Steele, Maxine Ross and son, Bryan Ross, Susie and Dillynn Ball (Bryan Ross' friend and her son), all of Ponca City.
Bill and Doris Wilkerson, Bill and Mary Ramsey and children, Corey, Ryan, Kristoffer and Kimberly Ramsey, Sarah Wilkerson, all of Ripley; Billy Wilkerson (father of Sarah Wilkerson) of Midland, Texas; Becky Ross (daughter of Maxine Ross) and friend, Kathy Moore, Lori and Jaime Olson and children, Cameron, Levi and Makya Olson, Eric and Destiny Vaughan, all of Oklahoma City. Also Larry and Kelly Wilkerson and children, Mandy, Matthew, Jeffrey, and Jamie Wilkerson of Stillwater; John and Donna Gwin, Eugina Gwin Zuber and daughter, Alesha Zuber, Scott and Deann Payton and children, Sammy and Brian Payton, Johnathon and Jennifer Struble and daughter, Janelle Struble, all of Tulsa; Aaron and Amy Vaughan and daughter, Hailey Vaughan of Perry; Buddy and Sheryl Vaughan of Cushing; John and Mandy Studebaker and son, Jonathan Studebaker of Oilton; John and Shirley Studebaker and son, Johnny Studebaker of Drumright; Greg and Ellen McKnight and children, Nick, Megan, Adam and Kirsten McKnight of Mahan; Macy Wilkerson of Perkins; Manard and Barbara Wilkerson of Okmulgee, and Ricky Wilkerson.
Family and friends gathered at the home of Erma Johnson, 2212 Oriole recently to celebrate her 86th birthday. A pizza dinner was served on Friday evening, and a hamburger fry was enjoyed by the pool on Saturday evening. Visiting, swimming, games and watching old videos served as entertainment for those gathered for the occasion.
Attending the two-day event were Delbert and Mauna Johnson, Bobby Johnson, Bill Johnson and friend, Cheryl from Dallas, Texas; Debbie and Lane Stephenson from McKinney, Texas; Gerald, Linda and Scott Johnson from Rockwall and Dallas, Texas.
Also Bob and Yvette Walter, Di Ann Walter, Carlyn Walter and Emmalee Walter from Plainfield, Ill.; Ellis and Jill Nuckolls, Gerald Nuckolls and Gaylin Nuckolls from Stillwater; Steve and Angela Correll, Cory Correll, Molly Correll, Junior and Jerry Correll, Bill and Bambie Correll and Kyle and Audrey Lee Hall, all of Ponca City.
The Parks and Recreation Department will be offering a co-educational exercise program at the Unity Gym, 1908 East Woodlands. Classes will be held on Monday-Wednesday-Friday starting at 9:30 a.m. Cost of the program is $21.00 or $35.00 for couples. Classes will begin Wednesday, Oct. 1.
"Fit for Life" is a unique exercise program for those with special needs, or the "young at heart". The routines are choreographed and set to motivating music using exercise physiology and aerobic concepts. The easy follow-the-leader format is fun yet challenging. The class consists of a warm-up, 30 minute segment plus a toning segment. The low-impact class is a good choice for exercise beginners. During class participants will use low-poundage weights and x-ertubes for toning, and a chair workout incorporated during toning routines. Stretching exercises are also an important part of this class.
Participants can expect benefits of improved flexibility, agility, coordination, strength and improved metabolism to burn calories for weight control. A strong heart, body, and mind are benefits of this program. Those attending should wear tennis shoes and comfortable clothing. The Parks and Recreation Department will provide the x-ertubes. Participants are asked to bring their own low-poundage weights. For more information contact the Parks and Recreation Department or Yolanda Trant at 762-7243. Minimum enrollment is required.
YMCA Aquatic Exercise instructors, Amy Allen and Susan Henning, recently attended an eight hour training offered at Oklahoma City Community college. The workshop was instructed by Terri Mitchell, a nationally certified instructor trainer with the Aquatic Exercise Association.
Morning sessions included classroom and pool practicals in Aquatic Interval and Strength Training. Aquatic Interval Training alternates between segments of high intensity (work) and low to moderate intensity (recovery) cycles. Although interval training in water was first used to "recondition" injured athletes, it can benefit the general population by shortening the work cycle and decreasing the intensity. The most important gains are in cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular endurance, flexibility, and body composition. As compared to land exercise, workouts in the water continue to offer multidirectional resistance for muscle balance, lessened impact to joints, cooling effect, and improved venous blood return to the heart due to the massaging effect of the water. Aquatic Strength Training involves the resistance of the water as weight bearing exercise or the use of specially designed aquatic equipment to increase muscular strength and endurance. Side benefits are improved body posture and alignment, stress release, appearance, and flexibility. By increasing muscle mass, we also increase the potential for calorie consumption even at rest. Beginners should incorporate strength training at least two times a week and progress to be at least three times a week to maintain their current fitness level.
The afternoon session concluded with Deep Water Training, a non-impact aquatic fitness program performed in at least 7-feet deep water. Participants wear flotation belts keeping them floating about shoulder level. This fitness program is very adaptable to varying fitness levels from post-operative to pre-natal to average and advanced participants. Proper vertical body alignment may be the most important aspect of deep water training, but is often difficult to achieve. Ears, shoulders, hips, and knees should stay in a straight vertical line to increase frontal surface area and to encourage abdominal muscle control to protect lower back and maintain spine safety.
Ms. Allen is a certified exercise instructor through the Arthritis Foundation and the Cooper Institute. Ms. Henning is certified through the YMCA, Arthritis Foundation, and U.S. Water Fitness Association. Both are certified lifeguards. A variety of water fitness classes are currently being offered at the YMCA, including Water Walking, Women's Water Exercise, Arthritis Water Exercise, Aqua Jog (a deep water class) and Aqua Fit. For more information call the YMCA at 765-5417.
Mark Aaron Delaney and Stephanie Marie House are announcing plans for a family wedding ceremony to be held Oct. 3 at the First Church of the Nazarene. The Rev. Steve Bierly, pastor, will officiate.
Parents of the bride are Diana D. Rhoden and Billy A. House, both of Ponca City. Barbara and Jack R. Delaney of Stillwater and Everett L. Delaney of Ponca City are parents of the groom.
A reception will be held for family and friends to honor the couple at a later date.
Mr. Delaney is employed at Smith International.
Brandi Marie Atwater and Tucker James Maxson, both of Lewisville, Texas, were united in marriage Aug. 9, 1997, at the United Methodist Church in Perryville, Texas with the Rev. Blake Bledsoe officiating.
The bride is the daughter of Linda Atwater of Plano, Texas and Warren Atwater of Dallas.
The bridegroom is the son of Vicki and Mike Maxson of Hawkins, formerly of Ponca City. Grandparents of the groom are Jim and Phyllis Maxson of Ponca City and Julia Clark of Apache Junction, Ariz. and the late Gary Clark of Ponca City.
Maid of honor was Natali Zanders, sister of the bride. Another sister, Audrey Atwater, served as bridesmaid.
Justin Tucker, cousin of the bridegroom, served as best man. Groomsman was Tyler Maxson, brother of the groom.
A reception was held in the couple's honor at Millcreek Glen following the ceremony. After a honeymoon trip to Tyler, Texas, the couple will make their home in Hawkins.
The bride is a graduate of Lewisville High School, and was named Rodeo queen and served as a member of the Lewisville Rodeo Team. She played soccer and belonged to Future Farmers of America.
The groom is a graduate of Lewisille High School where he was a member
of the Future Farmers of America. Both he and the bride are employed by
Millcreek Glen Tree Farm.
SPORTS
For a team which lost five of its top seven runners to graduation, the Wildcat cross country runners have hardly missed a step this season.
In addition, the Lady Wildcat harriers are making strides toward joining their male counterparts, who are ranked 10th in the state.
The harriers took part in the Holland Hall Invitational Friday, challenging one of toughest hills among the high school courses.
"It is quite a hill," Ponca City coach Kelly Chaney said of the steep incline at the start of the run. "It's a lot like the Pecan (Road) Hill by the country club here."
The hill forced the Wildcats' top runner, Paul Paschal, to change stradigies. He went out slowly up the hill to save his energy.
"Paul was about 50th after the first mile," Chaney recalled. "But then he started passing people."
Paschal finished fourth to win an individual medal and lead the Cats to a fourth place finish in the large field,"
"This is was a really big meet," Chaney said of the 14-team field, "with a lot of quality runners.
The Wildcats finished with 130 points to trail Jenks (44), Bartlesville (59) and Owasso (105).
Paschal was timed in 17:29. Following him across the finish line for the Poncans were Nathan Zimmerman (19:11), Jared Colvin (19:18), Chris Buck (19:21), Eddie Mora (20:04), Murat Ozdemit (21:20) and Squire Lawrence (22:58).
Robert Scott paced the Ponca City JV team and took a sixth place medal in 19:53. Following him were top finishers Justin Rosebeary (21:11), Kris Upchurch (21:28), Brian Connelly (21:58), John Chamberlain (22:18), Thomas Tucker (22:44), Joshua Bailey (22:46), Jeremy Ross (23:04) and Daniel Wages (23:08).
In the junior high division, Trevor Viljoen was fifth in the mile-run in 5:54. Chad Patterson and Aaron Jones each finished in 6:13 while Patrick Wheeler was timed in 6:18, Aaron Lewis 6:36 and Kyle Newlin 8:04).
In the girls' 2-mile run, Amanda Cobb paced the Lady Cats, finishing in 14:38. Jane Koster was timed in 15:26, Laura Chaney in 15:44, Mary Metzger in 15:59, Kate Emig in 16:42, Amanda Miller in 17:41 and Heather Staires in 18:05.
"The girls have really improved their times and their placements," Chaney said.
The Lady Cats finished 10th with 272 points.
Carol Stangeland medaled for the JV girls, finishing 11th in 16:58.
In the junior high division, sixth grader Chelsey Baldwin led the Ponca
City contingent over the one-mile course, finishing in 6:36. Krystal Stephens
finished in 6:59, Nancy Taylor 8:20, Trista Hannon 8:25 and Caroline Buck
10:28.