LOCAL

Apron Specialist To Lecture At Marland Mansion Thursday
Salute to the Workers

Apron Specialist To Lecture At Marland Mansion Thursday

When Dr. Eleanor Patton toured the exhibit “Apron Strings” at the Marland Mansion, her eyes lit up. “This is a wonderful exhibit,” she beamed. She should know. She’s currently researching a book on the subject of aprons. The exhibit is brought to Ponca City by ExhibitsUSA in collaboration with the Ponca City Arts and Humanities Council and Conoco. It will continue through Oct. 3, and Dr. Patton will deliver remarks about aprons in a free lecture at the Mansion at 7 p.m. Thursday.

Dr. Patton has been a free-lance designer in theater and film for many years. She has been a visiting lecturer and artist-in-residence at universities from Louisiana to Sidney, Australia. She has also been an active contributor on convention panels around the nation. Recently she has been in Los Angeles as a costumer on film projects with such artists as Robert Altman, Dabney Coleman, Linda Hamilton, Richard Thomas, Meg Tilly, Corbin Bernsen, Pam Dauber, Lee Horsley, and others. She was Wardrobe Supervisor for “Hart to Hart” with Stephanie Powers and Robert Wagner, for “The Empty Cradle” with Kate Jackson, and others. She also has considerable experience in museum work as a docent, lecturer and volunteer. Dr. Patton is the president of the Wichita Historical Society.

Dr. Patton’s interest stems from a life-long interest in clothing. Her Ph.D. from the Department of Theatre at the University of Kansas is a study of the symbolic nature of clothing. She is particularly interested in the ways garments denote something about the wearer. Aprons, she explains, traditionally had a practical function, which was to provide pockets or a cover for some other garment when the wearer was working. “But in various periods they also make a social statement about the wearer,” she says.

Many aprons show the social standing of the wearer. A classic maid’s apron will be black or white depending on her status in the household hierarchy. Over the Twentieth Century, the function of aprons in the home changes as technology improves. As kitchen tools become more effective in the 1930s, aprons began to reflect that. Particularly after World War II, home makers sought an image of freedom from housework drudgery. Improvements in technology provided some of the freedom, but the changing style of aprons symbolized it. Aprons became more frilly or more decorative and diminished in practical value. They were sometimes only worn for show.

As Dr. Patton looks over the exhibit, she points out some special occasion aprons. “Some are only for one single festive event,” such as holiday or party aprons. Others have broader use. “For many years, aprons were a favored gift between women in America,” she said. “And there were so many specialized uses that you could never have too many.” “The handkerchief apron was very popular,” she said. Ladies could fashion aprons out of a collection of handkerchiefs. “Some of these in the exhibit are very clever uses of handkerchiefs to form pockets or trim,” she notes.

The kinds of fabric used in the collection are particularly interesting to her. “You know, the fabrics from the beginning of the century just aren’t available any more,” she said. “They just aren’t made.” The designs may have changed, or the color values are different, or in some cases the fabric itself is no longer manufactured. “Some of these aprons are increasingly rare.”

The lecture on aprons is open to the public. The exhibit “Apron Strings: Ties to the Past” is free to residents of Ponca City. For more information, interested parties may call the Marland Mansion at 580-767-0420 or the Arts and Humanities Council at 580-765-0943.

Salute to the Workers

Today is the unofficial “end” to summer. Labor Day has long been set aside as the way to wrap up summer vacations, head back to school and prepare for the long “winter” grind of work.

Many of us think of the day as “No Labor Day,” since it is a national holiday.

Actually, Labor Day was originally set aside to salute the American worker.

We live in interesting times. Nation-wide employment is high while in Kay County, unemployment is above the national average. There has been scaling back at some of our major industries and new jobs created by newcomers to the area. The exchange in opportunities haven’t exactly been equal, but opportunities to work have been given to a different level of job skills, offering a whole new world of workers a chance to jump into the work force.

Experience tells us we do not live in a perfect world. Not everything is fair. Everyone is not treated equally. Some jobs pay more than others and offer more opportunities for career advancement while other jobs offer an opportunity to prove reliability and build a base of experience to draw on in later years.

Congratulations to Kay County’s work force. May it grow and may opportunities grow with it.

FJ

DEATHS

Melba Darlene Briggs
Marion Greenwood Johnson
Harold Whitlow
George Bell
Lenora Sneed

Melba Darlene Briggs

NEWKIRK — Melba Darlene Briggs, longtime Newkirk resident, died Saturday night, Sept. 5, 1998, at her home. She was 58.

Funeral services have been scheduled for Sept. 9, 1998, at 10 a.m. in the Newkirk First United Methodist Church with Danny W. Cornish, minister of the Newkirk Church of Christ, officiating. He will be assisted by the Rev. Bob Ramsey, minister of the Arkansas City Abundant Life Church. Burial will follow in the Grandview Cemetery, Kaw City, under the direction of Miller-Stahl Funeral Service.

Melba Darlene Briggs was born in Arkansas City on March 17, 1940, to Aldridge “Pat” and Clara (Mills) Harper. She attended schools in Hugoton, Kan., Consolidated 106 rural school, and Newkirk High School where she completed her education with the class of 1958. That same year she and Basil Loverl Bell were married, and they established their first home in Bixby, Okla., returning later to Newkirk.

In 1973 she and Huston Dale Briggs were married in Tahlequah and they made their home in Newkirk where she lived until her death. She was employed for a time at Cessna in Wichita. She later worked as the activities director for the Senior Citizens Center and drove the nutrition center bus. She has also worked at the Kaw Smoke Shop.

She was a member of the Abundant Life Church in Arkansas City. She enjoyed bowling, gardening, collecting antiques, doing crafts, playing cards, bingo, spending time with her children and grandchildren and watching them participate in sports.

Survivors include her husband, Huston Dale Briggs of the Home; two sons, Russell Briggs of the home and Rustin Briggs of Newkirk; three daughters, Renita (Bell) Adwan and Regina (Briggs) Ball, both of Newkirk; and Rebecca (Bell) Schluter of Golden, Colo.; four brothers, Raymond Harper of Braman, Charles “Butch” Harper of Bossier City, La., Victor Harper of Newton, Kan., and Paul Harper of Lawton; two sisters, Gracie Frick of Newkirk and Kathy Fulmer of Cabot, Ariz.; eight grandchildren, several nephews and nieces, great nephews and great nieces.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one brother, Billy Joe Harper, and one infant sister, Della Yvonne Harper.

Casket bearers will be David Byrd, Vic Harper, Joe Goddard, Marvin Nuckolls, Troy Harper and Zac Byrd. Honorary bearers are Butch Colclasure, Quid Colclasure, Nathan McCoy, Tom Cooper, Bo Scott, Vance Pratt and Bob Harviston.

A memorial fund has been established with Hospice of Ponca City. Contributions may be made through Eastman National Bank, Box. 468, Newkirk, Okla. 74647.

Marion Greenwood Johnson

TONKAWA — Marion Greenwood Johnson died Sept. 5, 1998, at the Willow Haven Nursing Home in Tonkawa. She was 93.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, Sept. 8, 1998, at the First Christian Church of Tonkawa at 10 a.m. with Dr. John Bartlett officiating. Burial will follow in the I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Tonkawa under the direction of Roberts Funeral Home of Blackwell.

Marion Greenwood Johnson was born in Pueblo, Colo. on Oct. 20, 1904, to Dillard and Lillie Greenwood. Her family moved to Boise, Idaho, when she was four years of age. After a year she, her mother, and her sister, Thelma, came to live in Tonkawa. She attended the Tonkawa Public Schools and graduated from the UPS in 1923. She was cashier for Kennedy’s Grocery and Drygoods Store and later worked at Pardew’s Variety Store in Tonkawa.

She began teaching Sunday School at the age of 14 and this labor of love was continued for the rest of her active life. For a time she worked with Child Evangelism in different churches in a number of cities. Her large collection of Flannel-Graph Bible stories were told many, many times and enjoyed by countless children.

On Nov. 18, 1947, she married Theodore L. Johnson of Salina, Kan. and went there to live. Mr. Johnson passed away Dec. 17, 1961, and she moved back to Tonkawa.

Her hobbies included sending Birthday cards, Get Well cards and letters. In 1984 she sent a total of 965 cards.

Survivors include her nephew, Gary Shawver of Broken Arrow, Okla.; her niece, Karen Lazarus of Wellesley Hills, Mass.; their families and several cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Thelma Greenwood Welch; her half-brother, George Shawver; step-brothers, John Shawver, Will Shawver and Everett Shawver and a step-sister, Ethel Allen.

Service Notice

Harold Whitlow

Harold “T.Y.” Whitlow, longtime Ponca City resident, died Friday, Sept. 4, 1998, at his home. He was 76. The funeral service will be held Wednesday, Sept. 9, 1998, at 2 p.m. at the First Lutheran Church. Other arrangements are pending with Trout Funeral Home and will be announced later.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Ponca City, 1904 N. Union, Suite 103, Ponca City, Okla. 74601.

Services Pending

George Bell

FAIRFAX — George Bell, longtime Fairfax resident, died Saturday morning, Sept. 5, 1998, in the Fairfax Memorial Hospital. He was 72. Survivors include his wife Everlian of the home. Services are pending with Hunsaker-Wooten Funeral Home of Fairfax.

Lenora Sneed

Lenora B. Sneed, Ponca City resident, died Sunday evening, Sept. 6, 1998, at St. Joseph Medical Center. She was 75. Survivors include her husband, Virgil, of the home. Arrangements are pending and will be announced later by Grace Memorial.

NEWS BRIEFS

Title IX Meeting — The Title IX Indian Education Parent Committee of Ponca City schools will be meeting Tuesday from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Administration Building. All parents or legal guardians of Native American students are invited to attend. For further information call 762-5509 or 767-0500, ext. 128.

Free Pregnancy test. Birth Choice cares. Confidential. Hours: Tuesday 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, 1-3 p.m. and Thursday 6-8 p.m. 205 West Hartford. adv.

Windshield Shattered — A caller in the 1500 block of South Fifth reported at 2:45 p.m., Sunday that the windshield in her vehicle had been broken. An officer was assigned and a report taken.

City Wide Garage Sale, September 12, 1998. 8a.m.- 4p.m. Kaw City. adv.

Bike Stolen — At 2:47 p.m., Saturday a bicycle was reported stolen from North First Street and Highland Avenue.

Instant Passport Pictures. Graham Photo, 201 North First, 765-4348. adv.

Grass Fire — A fire rescue unit responded at 3:22 p.m., Saturday to a grass fire two miles south of town on U.S. 177 and then east on Baptist Road.

Bridge Problem — The bridge at West Highland Avenue and Irving Street was closed Saturday at 3:52 p.m., after it was reported to be unsafe for traffic. The Street department was contacted and Highland was closed between Stephens and Irving for a short time until the bridge was checked for traffic safety. The bridge was reopened about 5:20 p.m., and the Street Department was to keep checking it through the weekend.

No Occupancy Permit — A woman caller in the 600 block of South Twelfth reported Saturday at 5:30 p.m., that her mother owned a house next door and people were living there without permission. An officer was assigned to contact the owner.

Truck Window Shot — A male resident in the 800 block of North Osage advised the Police Department at 6:47 p.m. Saturday that someone had shot the back window out of his truck with a BB gun. An officer was assigned and a report taken on destroying private property.

Attempted Break-In — A 911 caller reported at 6:56 p.m., Saturday there were four subjects trying to break-in his residence. An officer was assigned and the would-be intruders had already left.

Vehicle Window Broken — An employee of Wal-Mart reported at 8:17 p.m., Saturday a window had been broken out of her vehicle. An officer was assigned.

Car Window Broken — At 8:45 p.m., Saturday A caller in the 1000 block of North Second advised the Police Department that a window had been broken out of her vehicle. An officer was assigned and a report taken.

Auto Accident — Two patrol cars responded to a two car accident with injury in the 1800 block of West Highland at 10:31 p.m., Saturday, along with an ambulance. A driver was ticketed with following too closely and driving under the influence.

Hit and Run — A caller reported a hit and run accident in the Taco Bell parking lot at 10:51 p.m. Saturday. An officer was assigned and a report taken.

Hole in Bridge — A 911 caller reported at 6:48 p.m. Sunday that a large hole has developed in the middle of the bridge one mile west of Waverly on Industrial Road. The Kay County Sheriff’s Office was advised.

Window Shot Out — A caller reported at 10:43 p.m., Saturday that he had a window shot out of his vehicle. An officer was assigned and report taken.

Van Window Broken — A 911 caller in the 1500 block of North Union reported at 4:34 p.m., Sunday that a window had been broken out of his van. An officer was assigned a report taken.

Rooted in the Past — “North Central Oklahoma: Rooted in the Past — Growing for the Future” books will be available Saturday at Grounds of Cultural Center, at Kaw Museum, and at dinner at Kaw City Community Center. Also available is “Homestead Laws” and notepaper.

Broken Windows — An officer was called to 900 block of South Fourth at 11:20 a.m. Sunday, in reference to vehicle windows being broken. A report was taken.

Golf Flags Stolen — Flags on the Wentz Municipal golf course were reported stolen by an 8:18 a.m., Sunday call.

Burglary in Process — At 12:06 a.m., Sunday six patrol units answered responded to a business in the 1300 block of East South Avenue, and found two subjects inside and was advised that two more subjects were running away. An officer went into foot pursuit and took one subject into custody. The subject was arrested for second degree burglary and was released to a parent.

More Windows Broken — A woman caller in the 1600 block of North First, at 1:31 a.m., Sunday, advised that windows had been broken out of her residence. An officer took a vandalism report.

Pauline's Every Monday Night Special. Fried Chicken Only- all white meat. All you can eat, $6.50. For reservations call 765-5460. adv.

Fight Reported — At 1:42 a.m., Sunday a large fight was reported in progress in front of El Rey De Copas, 601 West Highland. Two officers responded. The subjects were reported to be intoxicated. They were given safe rides home.

Need Your carpet cleaned? Top of the line equipment, latest technology factory trained technician, introductory price. Call Floorcraft, 762-8381 adv.

More Fighting — Two officers responded to a large fight in the 200 block of West Grand at 2:03 a.m., Sunday. Subjects were intoxicated and found rides home.

Restyling Your old jewelry is our business. Downey Designs International- While you wait. Call for appointment today, 765-7222, Friedman’s Jewelers. adv.

Motel Break-in — A caller at Guest Inn, 407 South Fourteenth, at 4:29 a.m., Sunday advised that someone was trying to break into his room. Four officers responded and a subject was apprehended as he attempted to get away.

Glass Broken — At 5:34 a.m., Sunday, a woman caller in the 300 block of South Birch advised that a window had been broken out of her vehicle. An officer took a vandalism report.

Tires Slashed — At 3:53 p.m. Sunday, a 911 caller from the 2200 block of North Fourteenth advised that four tires had been slashed on his vehicle. An officer was assigned and a report taken.

Throwing Rocks — A subject standing in the middle of the street and throwing rocks in the 3500 block of North Union was reported by a 911 call at 5:03 p.m. The subject was advised by an officer to stop.

Tree Falls on Meter — At 6:22 p.m., Sunday a 911 call advised that a tree had fallen on a gas meter in the 1600 block of Meadowbrook and the meter was spewing gas. Emergency units responded and Oklahoma Natural Gas was advised.

No Trash Pickup — There will be no trash pickup in the residential areas on Labor Day, but service will return as usual on Tuesday.

LIFESTYLES

Anna Riddle Celebrates 85th Birthday
RSVP Food Share Successful

Anna Riddle Celebrates 85th Birthday

Anna Riddle of Tonkawa celebrated her 85th birthday Aug. 23 with a “come and go party” at the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Elaine and Gary Hughes, 1801 Christmas Tree Lane. Also hosting the event was her son, Ted Riddle of Tonkawa.

Serving cake and punch were her great-granddaughters, Jamie and Antra Hartness of Norman. Granddaughters providing entertainment were Debra Keil of Inola and Donna Hoffman of Enid, who sang “Today” and “When The Moon Comes Over The Mountain.”

Guests were present from Kansas City, Mo., Wichita, Kan., Arkansas, Norman, Drummond, Tulsa, Perry, the Ceres community, Tonkawa and Ponca City.

RSVP Food Share Successful

Retired Senior Volunteer Program brings the Heartland Food Share program to Ponca City. Heartland Shares encourages volunteerism by offering discounted food for volunteer service. There are no age limits or income guidelines.

Orders are placed at the RSVP office on Thursdays and Fridays and are distributed monthly by the RSVP volunteers. Sept. 14 is the last order deadline for September.

Recently several junior volunteers entered a national contest with a 500-word essay on how they felt about volunteering. Josh and Zac Engle of Ponca City received Heartland T-shirts for their entry.

Marie Trenary, RSVP director, says the work begins when the semi pulls up. After the food is unloaded it is distributed; last month 170 shares were distributed. The distribution gathering seems to be a community event — everyone pitches in and things come together.

RSVP volunteers are committed to “Getting Things Done,” and it is evident in the Food Share program. The Heartland volunteer service statement is “anything you do outside your immediate family and you don’t receive payment.”

Two hours of volunteer service in the community are needed to purchase a share. Heartland Food Share informational classes are held at 10 a.m. on the first Friday of the month at the RSVP office, 110 North 4th Street.

For further information call 762-9412. RSVP is a United Way Agency.