From The Pages Of The Ponca City News, Sunday, October
6, 1996
LOCAL
Dunham Urges Long-Term Thinking on Outsourcing
Ponca City Voters Facing Big Decision Tuesday on Sales Tax
What a Beautiful Day
Nearly News
Mayor of the Year
School Calendar
District Court
County Agenda Includes Health, Bridge Project
County Democrat Women Sponsor Ham, Bean Feed
Staton Presents Picture Of Traditional Osage Dance
Three Po-Hi Students Named Merit Commended Students
Young Singles Meet Tuesday
Singles Network Activities Set
'No Frills Revue' Opening at NOC Center
September Rains Hiked '96 Figures
Local Churches Prepare For Annual CROP Walk
Salvation Army Provides Many Services to Help Individuals
'96-97 OoKeeHee Officers Elected
School Lunch Menu
Behavior, Guidance Program Scheduled
SJRMC Offers Suggestions For SIDS Awareness Month
Argument Over Grocery Money May Have Led to Knife Attack
All Indian AL Post 38 Formed After WWI
ONG Employees Have 'Fun Day' To Complete United Way Drive
Otoe Baptist Church Revival This Week
Where To Vote
Clinical Depression Often Misunderstood
Community Concert Cards Sent to Members
Genealogocial Society Meets Monday Night
Northern Seeking Entries For 'Salt Fork Anthology'
Letters Say:
PC Tomorrow Schedules 'Make a Difference Day'
Immunization Clinics Set For Flu Shots
Conoco Adding Contribution To Scholarships
Reception Scheduled For New Physicians
CITY CALENDAR
DEATHS
Ada Olive Thomas Butcher
Rosemary J. Mavis
Lilly Frances Clendennen
NEWS BRIEFS
FAMILY LIVING
Chapter Wins National Awards
Red Rose Garden Club Celebrating 65th Anniversary
Marland Mansion Wedding Unites Collins, Womack
September Nuptial Vows Join Graham and Nelson
Community Christian Setting For Dulick-Williams Wedding
Haskell Indian School Planning October Reunion
20th Century Club Slates First Meeting
Little News
Council Learns About Fall Plantings, Bird Songs
Beguin, Hudson Are Wed At First Presbyterian Church
Party To Honor Mrs. Ruby Allen
Duff, Schuyler Repeat Vows At Christ's Church in Newkirk
Wedding Plans Announced
'Oil Prices' Will Be Topic Of Desk & Derrick Speaker
Parsons, Junkens Engaged
Old Family Recipe Results In Thriving Pickle Business
Citian Pledges Fraternity
Douglas, Ackerson To Wed
Couple Are Wed 50 Years
Former Missionary To Korea Will Be Speaker at Presbyterian Luncheon
Dr. Corff Slated as Speaker
Wheatheart Menu
Jane Bryant Quinn Slated To Speak in Oklahoma City
Anniversary Reception Slated
Speaker Says 'Read Labels'
Delta Kappa Gamma Chapter Meets Thursday
Union School District 98 Has Third Reunion
Reception Scheduled For New Physicians
PONCA CITY HAPPENINGS
SPORTS
Against Enid Plainsmen
Woodland Mauls Oklahoma Union
Morrison Suffers Shutout Loss As Dynasty Crumbles Further
Kicking Game Foils Shidler
Pawnee Snaps Jinx, Tops Hominy 29-15
Owasso Crowned Regional Champion
Tonkawa Uses Its Opportunities, 14-6
Pawnee Shatters Hominy Jinx 29-15
Softball Scramble Set Saturday
Ladies Golf
Golf Results
LOCAL
Dunham Urges Long-Term Thinking on Outsourcing
By FOSTER JOHNSON
News Managing Editor
In what may be interpreted by some as a reprieve from extensive outsourcing,
the president of Conoco has urged senior managers to make sure any outsourcing
be done with an eye toward long-term impact rather than short-term gains.
In a memo to Conoco's Senior Management Committee, Archie Dunham, president
and chief executive officer, said, "The CMC has a crucial responsibility
to always think long-term - to consider the strategic implications of every
decision and its effect on our employees, customers and communities - not
just about the immediate impact on earnings."
He said a decision that "appears financially attractive today could
become unattractive in the future in a different business environment."
Dunham's memo, dated Oct. 2 and widely circulated around the Ponca City
facility, was in response to questions raised during a Creative Sourcing
Alternatives (CSA) meeting held Sept. 28 in Houston. Objective of the meeting
was to update senior managers on outsourcing efforts by DuPont for its Information
Technology function. Conoco officials approved the release of the internal
memo to The News.
Outsourcing Not Over
A Conoco official emphasized that Dunham's statements were not to be construed
as meaning that outsourcing efforts were ending for various areas of Conoco.
Those studying outsourcing efforts were told by Dunham to structure agreements
so that "our employees genuinely believe that the outsourced opportunity
represents the best alternative for Conoco, and the best opportunity for
our employees, customers and the community."
Richard Severance, general manager of the Mid-Continent Business Unit, which
includes the Ponca City facilities, had expressed concern to Dunham and
the CMC about implementation of the CSA in Ponca City and its effect of
the community.
Dunham responded, " ... CSA has brought into focus our commitment to
Ponca City. Conoco created Ponca City; I believe that we have a responsibility
to sustain and improve the quality of life for our employees and their families
in Ponca City by continuing to be a major employer, taxpayer and participant
in community activities."
Dunham said he concurred with Severance's concerns that if CSA were to be
implemented in its current configuration, Ponca City could be pushed into
a downward spiral from which it might never recover. "That is unacceptable,"
he said. "Technology and R&D are critical to Conoco's future; we
cannot shut down a modern, effective research facility in Oklahoma and build
a new one in Houston. It wouldn't be a good business decision and it wouldn't
be a good employee or community decision."
He went on to say that he would like to maintain the employment level in
Ponca City at the "highest level possible, hopefully near the current
level, recognizing that we will necessarily see some fluctuations due to
ongoing productivity improvements."
On the topic of outsourcing Information Services, Dunham said, "We
cannot succeed without an ability to process and quickly transmit information.
A sourcing decision that places Conoco's information management capabilities
in the hands of an outside entity with no inherent loyalty to Conoco is
a high-risk alternative and should not be taken unless it is clearly a superior
alternative."
Staying Competitive
Clarifying his attitude toward outsourcing, he said, "I recognize that
in some functions we may never be as efficient as larger competitors that
are able to achieve greater economies of scale. But a truly focused, motivated
and flexible workforce will more than compensate for those cost disadvantages
through superior customer service, speed and loyalty to the company. In
my view, outsourced providers will never be able to match those qualities."
He added, "Conoco, like the rest of DuPont, has served our shareholders
extremely well during the last six years by greatly improving our cost-competitiveness.
We must continue to be cost-effective, but we must also serve our other
stakeholders - employees, customers and communities - equally well. We cannot
expect employees to perform at their full potential if they are continually
questioning whether their jobs are going to be outsourced. Let's concentrate
our energy and attention on making the valuable skills and capabilities
we have in this company better, not on outsourcing them."
Ponca City Voters Facing Big Decision Tuesday on Sales Tax
By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE
News Staff Writer
Two days and counting - before Ponca Citians decide whether to launch another
one half cents sales tax for economic development. This tax would expire
in five years.
On Tuesday voters will have the opportunity to go to the polls to determine
if they think creating more jobs is important enough to add half a penny
sales tax. This would bring the total tax on a dollar to eight cents.
Four and a half cents of the current seven and a half cents goes to the
state, two cents to the city's general fund, half cent to street improvement
and half cent to economic development.
Poncans For More Jobs
Champaign chairman for the Poncans For More Jobs is long-time state representative
Jim Holt, who is retiring this year.
Holt said, "Whether we are able to end up having another half cent
sales tax for more jobs here in Ponca City really depends on the people
of Ponca City. Whether they take their destiny in their own hands - make
their own decision.
"About 135 years ago one of our very famous presidents said 'A house
divided against itself can not stand.' We need to join together to try and
make sure that Ponca City remains a viable economic entity. That is very
important for us to look at."
Holt continued, "The ultimate power rests within the hands of the people.
It is really up to them to decide where they want to take Ponca City. I
think that is very important, whether we have a vision of the future and
whether we are able to say to ourselves this is the vision I want to follow."
EDF Chairman
Pat Mulligan, who was a co-chair for the 1994 Poncans For Jobs which passed
a 10-year, half-cent sales tax for economic development incentives, is currently
chairman of the Economic Development Foundation (EDF).
Mulligan said, "I believe the need to do something to bring additional
jobs to our town is well documented and the fact that we've lost a lot of
jobs, lost a significant amount of payroll over the years is well documented.
"We will be successful if five years from now we can look at ourselves
and say we've added another 1,500 jobs to the economy and if we aren't able
to do that, I think we are going to be looking at a much different community
that is not economically viable."
Mulligan added, "The program that we are looking at to be successful,
is what we've done the past two and a half years that has been successful.
The most important thing that we can do as to put the issue in everybody's
hands and for them to go out and vote Tuesday."
Goals for Phase II of the "jobs program," as listed in the campaign
brochure is to hire local people first; emphasize assistance to existing
industry; recruit jobs paying $10 per hour or more plus benefits and to
concentrate on smaller companies with growth potential."
Those who will not be in town Tuesday can vote by absentee ballot by going
to the Kay County Courthouse between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday.
What a Beautiful Day
CROWDS PARADED into the Marland Estate grounds Saturday and are expected
to return today for the Oktoberfest, which has something for everyone. The
grounds open at 11 a.m. and will close at 5 p.m. In between those times,
one can eat, drink, sit, or stroll. Parking is available, at the Presbyterian
Church parking lot, with free shuttle every half hour. (News Photo by Michael
Kennedy)
Nearly News
Daisey E. (Smotone) Johnson, graduate of the 1934 Po-Hi Class has been enjoying
the activities of that group's 62nd reunion held in Ponca City this weekend.
Mrs. Johnson, who was born Oct. 5, 1912, is especially pleased that they
chose to hold it on her 84th birthday.
----
Customers of Graves Drugstore will have an opportunity to say goodbye to
their old friends at the downtown store before it closes its doors for the
last time Friday. Between 10 a.m. and noon Wednesday, there will be a come
and go "party" honoring "longtime and faithful" employees.
Customers who wish to show their appreciation are urged to bring "goodies"
to share, according to Carolyn Hopkins.
Mayor of the Year
Mayor Marilyn Andrews and husband Vic smile proudly after the Oklahoma Conference
of Mayors named Mrs. Andrews the 1996 "Mayor of the Year" for
Oklahoma. The presentation was made in Tulsa Friday during the Oklahoma
Municipal League's annual awards breakfast. Andrews was selected from a
field of 12 finalists.
School Calendar
Po-Hi
Monday - D.E.C.A. will be leaving to go to Oklahoma City at 8 a.m., a representative
from Bethany College will be in Room 210 at 10 a.m. and JV Football will
be playing Enid at 6 at Sullins Stadium.
Tuesday - Senior pictures will be retaken all day and at 10:30 a.m., P.A.C.
will have a meeting in Room 210. Also at 3:45, A.C.T. Club will hold its
meeting in Room A102.
Wednesday - Goal Kick Club will be meeting at 7 p.m. in Room 111.
Thursday - Festivities begin at 4 with a Pep Rally being held downtown,
at 5:30, Rehearsal and Pep Rally will be held in the band room and at 6:30,
a Night For Education will be held at the Poncan Theatre. JV Football will
also be traveling to Tonkawa. The time of the game has not been set.
Friday - Youth Alive will meet at 7:30 a.m. in Room 203 and Po-Hi Steppers
will have their Homecoming Dinner in the Cafeteria at 5 p.m. Varsity Football
will play that night with the team taking on Bartlesville at Sullins Stadium
at 7:30 p.m. At 10 p.m. a Homecoming Dance will be held at O.G.G.
Saturday - SAT Testing will begin in the Anderson Building at 7:30 a.m.
A Regional March Contest will be at Tulsa Union at 8 a.m. and also at 8,
N.C.H.O. will hold tryouts at Po-Hi.
Sunday - No Activities
Mid-High
Thursday - Eighth grade Blue Football will play in Enid starting at 5 with
the JV Blue following at 6:30. Also, Eighth grade Red Football will be playing
at home starting at 5, with the JV Red following the game.
District Court
Ponca City
Civil Proceedings
Nickles Industrial Manufacturing Corporation vs. Baker/MO Services, Inc.
and Panhandle Eastern Pipe Line Company. Plaintiff seeking judgment in the
sum of $81,988.77.
Pamela Miller, Sabrina Hamilton, Dortheia Pugh and Christina Davis vs. Timothy
Jay Eddinger. Plaintiffs seek judgment in the amount of $10,000 each.
Clara Jean West vs. Michael Wade Henderson and Dub Richardson Ford, Inc.
Plaintiff seeking judgment in the amount of $10,000.
Commerce Bank of Kansas City vs. Chris W. Glass. Plaintiff granted judgment
in the sum of $2,668.04.
Newkirk
Divorces Granted
Teresa Taylor Dotson vs. James David Goza. Plaintiff granted divorce.
Criminal Proceedings
Not Guilty - Allison Brooke Armstrong of Blackwell, charged with obtaining
cash and/or merchandise by false pretenses. The alleged incident occurred
on May 8. Defendant pled not guilty and court set matter for Nov. 20, at
2 p.m.
Plea Entered - Brian Scott Phillips pled guilty to amended charge of petit
larceny. Defendant is sentenced to six months, concurrent with any time
ordered to be served in Payne County. If no time is assessed out of defendant's
Payne County case, then defendant is to serve the six months in Kay County.
Judge D.W. Boyd presided and Assistant District Attorney, Rob Galbraith
appeared for the state. Defendant appeared with counsel, Craig Franseen.
Guilty Plea - Derrick Eugene Veasey aka Derrick Davis of Ponca City, charged
with larceny of automobile on March 24, 1995. Defendant pled guilty and
sentenced to seven years, however, execution of sentence is suspended upon
the condition that no further law violations occur. Defendant is also placed
on supervision. The defendant is to obtain GED within six months and pay
restitution of $155. Judge Boyd presided, Ed Goodman, Assistant District
Attorney, represented the state, and Thomas Salisbury appeared for the defendant.
Plea Entered - Brent Michael Uhl of Port Aransas, Texas, charged with felony
count of possession of narcotic with intent to distribute (cocaine) and
a misdemeanor count of unlawful possession of marijuana on Sept. 14, 1994.
The defendant pled guilty and was sentenced to five years, serving 90 days
in CSSP, balance suspended upon the condition the defendant commit no further
law violation. The defendant was ordered to pay $5,000 in fines, with $4,500
suspended. Judge Leslie D. Page presided. Assistant District Attorney Lee
Turner appeared for the state and Doug Parr represented the defendant.
Guilty Plea - Shirley Elizabeth Eubank of Port Aransas, Texas, charged with
a felony count of possession of narcotic with intent to distribute (cocaine)
and a misdemeanor count of unlawful possession of marijuana on Sept. 14,
1994. Defendant pled guilty and received sentence of five years, balance
to be suspended upon the condition the defendant commit no further law violations.
Defendant fined $5,000 with $4,500 suspended. As to the second count, defendant
sentenced to one year, term suspended upon the condition the defendant commit
no further law violations.
Civil Proceedings
Rusty & Vanessa Hagar vs. Steve Breedlove. Plaintiff awarded judgment
in the amount of $61,000.
Midwest Thermal Products, Inc. vs. Insulation specialties, Inc. Plaintiff
granted judgment in the sum of $10,358.51.
Commerce Bank of Kansas City, N.A. vs. Earl E. and Leona A. Koch. Plaintiff
granted judgment in the amount of $5,300,700.
County Agenda Includes Health, Bridge Project
NEWKIRK - An agreement with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation concerning
the underwriting of right-of-way on a bridge project three miles west of
U.S. 177 and 1.5 miles north of U.S. 60B will be on the Kay County Commission
agenda Monday.
Commissioners will begin the meeting at 9 a.m., taking care of unfinished
business that may be necessary. That would include items concerning juvenile
detention, capital expenditures, contamination of the Blackwell Health Department
facilities or any other unfinished business.
The commission is also expected to take up any action on the county's fiscal
year 1996-97 budget.
An application requesting permission to install a water line west and south
of Newkirk for the City of Newkirk is another item for the commissioners
to consider.
There are several contracts pending for the health department, concerning
Blackwell public schools for vaccine and immunizations, Newkirk public schools
for psychoeducational assessments and Blackwell regional hospital for WIC
program certifications.
County Democrat Women Sponsor Ham, Bean Feed
Rodney Shelton from Little Rock, Ark., representative for President Bill
Clinton for the state of Oklahoma, will be attending the Ham and Bean Dinner,
sponsored by the Kay County Democrat Women's Club, according to Marjorie
Ames, president. The dinner will be held Monday at 6 p.m. at the OCAW Hall,
1202 West Ponca.
In addition to Attorney General Drew Edmondson, others attending will be
Wanda Jo Peltier, candidate for Corporation Commissioner; James Forsythe,
candidate for Fifth District Congressman, and Bernie Jackson, for State
Representative, as well as all county Democrat candidates.
Tickets for the dinner are $3.50 at the door. All interested citizens are
welcome.
Staton Presents Picture Of Traditional Osage Dance
Tony Staton Osage/Potawatomi dancer will present "Traditional Osage
Tail Dancing" on Tuesday in the third of a series of Medicine Bag Lunch
programs hosted by Pioneer Bank and Trust at the Conoco Fourth Street Clubhouse,
1500 South Fourth Street from noon to 1 p.m.
The series is free and open to the public. Everyone is encouraged to bring
a sack lunch, and Pioneer Bank will provide free drinks for all guests.
Staton has danced for a number of years at the annual Osage gathering in
Greyhorse. Assisted by members of his family, he will present a narrated
demonstration of the intricate process of preparing for the dance, explain
the meaning of the many pieces of ornamentation he will be wearing and then
actually demonstrate and discuss the age-old ritual of the dance itself.
Staton is a Ponca City resident who owns the "T" Parlor, a hair
design studio.
The current series of lunch programs will run through the week of the unveiling
of the Standing Bear Statue on Oct. 26, 1996. The series will feature a
number of performers and special programs for adults of all ages.
Three Po-Hi Students Named Merit Commended Students
By KRISTI GRABEAL
News Education Editor
John Woody of Ponca City High School has announced that David G. Metzger,
Kerri K. White and Jessica D. Wilson have been named Commended Students
in the 1997 National Merit Scholarship Program. A Letter of Commendation
from the school and National Merit Scholarship Corporation, which conducts
the program, will be presented by the principal to these scholastically
talented seniors.
About 35,000 Commended Students throughout the nation are being honored
for their exceptional academic promise. Although they will not continue
in the competition for Merit Scholarship awards to be offered in 1997, Commended
Students placed among the top five percent of more than a million students
who entered the 1997 Merit Program by taking the 1995 Preliminary SAT/National
Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.
A Merit Program spokesperson commented, "The young men and women named
Commended Students have demonstrated outstanding academic potential by their
high performance in the extremely competitive Merit Program. In a nation
that values excellence, it is important to publicly recognize the attainments
of our scholastically talented young people and to credit schools for the
important part they play in their development. We hope this recognition
will help to broaden the educational opportunities of Commended Students
and serve as encouragement to them and other able students to develop their
abilities to the fullest."
Young Singles Meet Tuesday
Young Singles Network will open the week with the Discussion Group, meeting
at the Library in the Program Room at 7 p.m. Tuesday. This is a change for
this week from the usual Monday night meeting.
Wednesday night the Young Singles plan to meet at Braum's at 8 p.m. for
ice cream and "gab fest."
Game Night is scheduled again at the Pecan Place Apartments on Saturday
night. Plan to be there at 8 p.m. for an evening of fun.
Young Singles Network is a support, social, recreational and fellowship
group for all young singles, 20s, 30s and 40s. Membership is open to any
divorced, widowed or never married person, regardless of race or religion.
Dues are $12 a year. The group was organized to provide positive interaction
with others in order to learn and grow as individuals.
Singles Network Activities Set
Singles Network extends a welcome to anyone in the community who is divorced,
widowed or never married, and invites them to join the group for this week's
activities.
The week will open with the Discussion Group on Sunday evening meeting at
the First Presbyterian Church at 6:30. Those who wish will get together
later for snack time.
Tuesday at 6 p.m., members of Singles Network will eat out together at Furr's.
If you plan to attend, call Jerry at 762-7258.
A General Meeting is set for Thursday at 6:45 p.m. Mary Ann Potter will
speak to the group on "Urban Renewal Farms." The meeting is set
for the First United Methodist church.
The week's activities will close on Saturday at 6 p.m. with a wiener roast
at Pioneer Park. Come and bring a covered dish. Call Jerry at 762-7258.
'No Frills Revue' Opening at NOC Center
TONKAWA - Rehearsals are under way for the Northern Oklahoma College "No
Frills Revue," which opens in the new Northern Performing Arts Center
on campus Oct. 10.
The revue was assembled by composer Martin Charnin, noted for his hit musical
"Annie," from previously unused materials submitted by his friends.
According to Mariann Priboy, director of the production, the revue includes
comedic scenes "instead of your usual revue format of song after song."
In "Bud, Lou and Who," a take-off of the famous Abbott and Costello
routine puts the "Who" rock group on first at a concert with various
other rock groups on the program.
"My Reunion Prayer," exposes the anxieties, and lies, of high
school alumni attending their first reunion. "Someone's Got to Do It"
explains how the fly gets into the ointment of everyday life, and "Yes,
We Have the Manuscripts" gives examples of musical hits that would
have bombed had other songwriters composed the scores.
Among the 14 musical numbers are such satires as "A Brand New Hammer,"
"I Know Where The Bodies are Buried" and "We Have to Sing
This Song."
The "No Frills Revue" plays at 8 p.m. Oct. 10-12 and at a 2 p.m.
matinee on Oct. 13. General admission is $2 for students and $5 for adults.
The play contains adult language and situations.
September Rains Hiked '96 Figures
Apparently it takes a certain amount of moisture to raise any kind of grain
or forage crop. Therefore, farmers usually have the welcome mat out when
the rains come.
But sometimes - and this is one of those times - it just isn't convenient
for clouds to roll and showers to fall on area fields. Wheat growers have
been trying to prepare their ground for fall planting, but have been delayed
by the wettest month of 1996.
September rains totaled 6.66 inches at Ponca City's Municipal Airport, Mee-Too-Media
observers report. This followed 5.06 inches in August, the two months combining
for 11.72 inches - more than half of the wet stuff received since the start
of the year in January.
At the end of July, precipitation in 1996 stood at 11.12 inches - 10.56
below normal. After nine months the below-normal figure had shrunk to 5.62
inches.
The harvesting of row crops like soybeans and milo has been slowed by rains
that produced some flooding. Hay balers have also encountered difficulties.
Last month's 6.66 inches of precipitation was 3.11 inches above normal,
and ranked fifth among September totals over the past 28 years. Records
show the wettest September for that period was in 1986 - 9.72 inches. The
gauge showed 8.15 for the ninth month of 1973. Only one hundredth of an
inch separated totals for 1969 (7.13 inches) and 1971 (7.12 inches).
The most rain in a 24-hour period last month was 2.45 inches on Sept. 26,
being preceded by .91-inch on the 25th. Measurable amounts of moisture were
received on nine days, including a 1.46 reading on the 15th. Winds attained
speeds of 47 miles per hour on the 7th and 23rd.
Temperatures ranged from a high of 97 degrees on Sept. 11 to a low of 46
on the 28th. The average daily temperature was 71.9 degrees, two above normal,
the M-T-M observers reported.
Over the past 28 years the hottest September temperature was 106, in 1985.
Close behind was the 105 reading 10 years later, in 1995. In nine of the
past 28 years temperatures reached 100 degrees or hotter.
The lowest September temperature recorded since 1968 was the only one to
fall below freezing (32 degrees). It was 28 degrees, recorded in 1984.
Nearest to it was 35 degrees, registered in both 1974 and 1989.
Local Churches Prepare For Annual CROP Walk
A number of Ponca City congregations are cooperating to make this year's
Ponca City CROP Walk a success. The CROP walk is scheduled for Oct. 13,
from 2 to 4 p.m. Those who are walking will gather at First Presbyterian
Church, according to Dr. Monty Fey, pastor, and will return to the church
at the completion of their route. There will be a six mile route and a shorter
three mile walk.
The CROP Walk is an ecumenical event of local churches to increase awareness
of the needs of third world nations and the plight of the hungry everywhere.
Each year more than three million persons from across the country walk or
sponsor a walker to help stop hunger around the block and around the world.
Those who will be walking in Ponca City will put their hearts and "soles"
in motion with others in one of an estimated two thousand local CROP Walks,
Dr. Fey pointed out.
Many Ponca Citians will be walking to add their support to this nationwide
effort. They will be seeking support for their effort from family, friends,
their church families, and other persons in the community. The funds raised
will be used in grassroots efforts from Somalia to Siberia, from Bangladesh
to Brazil, helping families overcome poverty and powerlessness. Twenty-five
percent of the funds raised will be returned to Ponca City for projects
to help persons in our community, Dr. Fey said.
This year's CROP walk celebrates the cooperative efforts of the churches
who have worked through Church World Service for the past 50 years. This
cooperative effort was born in the aftermath of World War II. At that time,
twenty-nine denominations came together to form an agency, Church World
Service, "to do in partnership what none of us could hope to do as
well alone." Their mission was clear: Feed the hungry, clothe the naked,
heal the sick, comfort the aged, shelter the homeless. That continuing effort
is supported by the many local CROP Walks today.
Salvation Army Provides Many Services to Help Individuals
(Editor's Note: This is the fifteenth in a series of articles describing
the services provided to the community of Ponca City by United Way's 17
member agencies.)
"Established in 1865, the Salvation Army is a world renowned religious
and charitable institution that works 365 days a year to help 'recycle lives'
that have lost their way or been forgotten by society," says Major
Harvey Adams of the Ponca City Salvation Army.
He continued, "Army programs are developed for the whole person - physical,
emotional, spiritual, and social. Through the services received at the Salvation
Army, individuals get on the right track and begin a more productive life."
The Salvation Army provides material assistance of all kinds for those who
are less fortunate. Staple food items are available every day through an
extensive food pantry. The Army has served as the official agent for the
USDA commodities, distributing food to more than 200 families monthly. The
Army meets the needs of those who are hungry, then goes a step further by
providing counseling for recurring clients to help them budget their resources
and prepare meals on that budget.
Individuals can receive utility assistance through the "Lend a Hand"
and "Share the Warmth" programs, and they can receive rent assistance
when resources are available. Other services include fans, heaters, infant
car seats, missing persons bureau assistance.
Two housing areas are available to shelter single men, women, or families.
The Army provides meals, beds, and hope for those who need shelter from
the elements.
Every year, the Salvation Army plays a part in bringing holiday cheer to
hundreds of families. At Thanksgiving and Christmas, food baskets are provided
to those families who otherwise might not have a hot meal. Thousands of
toys are also distributed to children through the Angel Tree program and
cash donations.
The Salvation Army lends medical equipment and helps with prescriptions
of antibiotics. Through the Oklahoma Vision Project, eye examinations and
glasses are provided to those who are financially strained.
The "Thrift Store," a completely self-supporting operation, serves
as a low cost resource for those on tight budgets who want to provide for
themselves. The Salvation Army provides these items to needy individuals
or to clients referred by various local agencies. Money from the Thrift
Store helps provide many of the Army's other social services.
The TASC Van provides transportation for senior citizens, shut-ins, and
disabled persons. Individuals call in and set up a time to be taken to the
grocery store, doctor, shopping, or any place they need. The "League
of Mercy" program provides a cheerful visit or special gift at least
once a month to nursing homes and shut-ins. Volunteers from various religious
groups help bring hope to these individuals.
The "Home League" service group gives women aged 16 and older
a chance to belong and to help themselves as they give to others. This program
meets weekly on Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. The Salvation Army also holds weekly
youth activities Wednesday afternoons at 4 p.m.
The Salvation Army believes in people learning to help themselves. The "New
Beginnings Program" allows men and women the opportunity to volunteer
time to the center, while encouraging them to seek outside employment. In
return, the Army provides shelter and meals until they have saved enough
to make it on their own.
In addition to these services and programs, the Salvation Army serves on
the front lines of almost every disaster in the world. When disaster strikes,
mobile canteens are on the scene immediately with food and comfort for victims
and those serving and protecting victims.
The Salvation Army's outreach in Ponca City began in 1922. Ponca City is
part of the Arkansas/Oklahoma Division, with headquarters in Oklahoma City.
The Southern Territorial Headquarters are based in Atlanta, Ga. The Army
is an organization made up of officers (ordained ministers), soldiers (members)
and adherents who call the Salvation Army their church home. Volunteers
from the community lend their help throughout the year, as well as during
Christmas and disasters. "They are the real army behind the army,"
Major Adams said.
Major Adams said the Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical
part of the universal Christian Church. He went on to say that its message
is based on the Bible, its ministry is motivated by the love of God, and
its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, and to meet human needs
in His name without discrimination.
United Way of Ponca City serves 17 agencies within the community, including
American Red Cross, Arthritis Foundation, Bluestem Girl Scout Council, Boy
Scouts of America, Bridgeway, Child Development Center, Domestic Violence
Program, Golden Villa Adult Day Care Services, Helpline Inc., Hospice, New
Emergency Resource Agency, Northern Oklahoma Youth Services, Peachtree Landing,
ProTeens, RSVP, Salvation Army, and YMCA.
'96-97 OoKeeHee Officers Elected
The OoKeeHee Club recently held an organizational meeting to elect their
1996-97 club officers. They are: Cher Eagle, president; Lillian Smith, vice
president; Melinda Page, secretary; Sunny Hare, treasurer; Summer Rickman,
reporter; Amanda Wamego, historian and Monique Guevara, sargent of arms.
The following students also attended the meeting: Jeana Rush, Emily Smith,
Dennis Buffalohead, Monique Guevara, Melanie Feathers, Rose Lena, Cher Eagle,
Melinda Page, Lillian Smith, Sunny Hare, Amanda Wamego and Summer Rickman.
Club advisors that attended were Jenna Rush, Lucy Kent and Jo Lessert.
Business to be discussed at the next meeting includes: establishing a monthly
schedule of OoKeeHee meetings, fund raisers and future field trips.
The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday at 1018 E. Walnut from 6-7:30
p.m. Any student in grades 7-12 are invited to attend.
For further information please contact Cher Eagle at 765-0971 or one of
the advisors.
School Lunch Menu
Elementary Breakfast
Monday - Honey bun, Graham crackers, assorted cold cereal, fruit, milk.
Tuesday - Blueberry bagels, honey buns, assorted cold cereal, fruit, milk.
Wednesday - Graham crackers, honey buns, assorted cold cereal, fruit, milk.
Thursday - Breakfast pizza, honey buns, assorted cold cereal, fruit, milk.
Friday - Honey buns, Graham crackers, assorted cold cereal, fruit, milk.
Elementary Lunch
Monday - Pizza pocket, Queso and chips, corn, assorted cold sandwiches,
fresh fruit, juice and milk.
Tuesday - Taco salad, hot dog/bun, Mexi beans, assorted cold sandwiches,
fresh fruit, juice and milk.
Wednesday - Chicken ringers, Ravioli, whipped potatoes and gravy, assorted
cold sandwiches, fresh fruit, juice and milk.
Thursday - Pepperoni pizza, Mini corn dogs, tator tots, tossed salad, assorted
cold sandwiches, fresh fruit, juice and milk.
Friday - Taco Bell burritos, rib sandwich, cinnamon apple slices, assorted
cold sandwiches, fresh fruit, juice and milk.
Middle School and Mid High Breakfast
Monday - Honey bun, Graham crackers, assorted cold cereal, fruit, juice
and milk.
Tuesday - Blueberry bagels, honey buns, assorted cold cereal, fruit, juice
and milk.
Wednesday - Honey bun, Graham crackers, assorted cold cereal, fruit, juice
and milk.
Thursday - Breakfast pizza, honey bun, assorted cold cereal, fruit, juice
and milk.
Friday - Honey bun, Graham crackers, assorted cold cereal, fruit, juice
and milk.
Middle School and Mid High Lunch
Monday - Pizza pocket, Queso and chips, corn, chef salads or cold sandwiches,
Domino's Pizza, Taco Bell Burritos, Taco Mayo or Hardees, assorted fruit,
milk.
Tuesday - Taco salad, chili dog/bun, Mexi beans, chef salads or cold sandwiches,
Domino's Pizza, Taco Bell Burritos or Taco Mayo, assorted fruit, milk.
Wednesday - Chicken ringers, Ravioli, whipped potatoes and gravy, Domino's
Pizza, Taco Bell Burritos, Taco Mayo or Hardees, chef salads or cold sandwiches,
assorted fruit, milk.
Thursday - Pepperoni pizza, mini corn dogs, tator tots, Domino's Pizza,
Taco Bell Burritos or Taco Mayo, chef salads, or cold sandwiches, assorted
fruit, milk.
Friday - Taco Bell burrito, rib sandwich, cinnamon apple slices,
Domino's Pizza, Taco Bell Burritos, Taco Mayo or Hardees, chef salads
or cold sandwiches, assorted fruit, milk.
High School Lunch
Available every day in the high school cafeteria, the Training Table Deli
offers pasta with sauce, assorted sandwiches, salads and fresh fruit; the
Ala Carte Wildcat line offers Pizza Inn, Taco Bell Burritos, Taco Mayo,
Hardees items, French fries, onion rings, cheeseburgers, enchiladas, hot
pockets, chicken wings, hot shots and more. A baked potato bar will be featured
on a regular basis at the Training Table.
All American
Monday - Texas steak sandwich, green beans, French fries, assorted fruit.
Tuesday - Frito chili pie, corn, Mexi rice, assorted fruit.
Wednesday - Super corn dogs, French fries, ranch beans, assorted fruit.
Thursday - Steak fingers, whipped potatoes and gravy, green beans, assorted
fruit.
Friday - Salisbury Steak, whipped potatoes and gravy, green peas, assorted
fruit.
Training Table
Monday - Turkey and Swiss on a bagel, Marinara sauce, fresh fruit.
Tuesday - Pasta bar, baked potato bar, fresh fruit.
Wednesday - Sante Fe tacos, Marinara sauce, refried beans, Mexi rice, fresh
fruit.
Thursday - Pasta bar, baked potato bar, fresh fruit.
Friday - Baked fish, cole slaw, corn, fresh fruit.
McCord Breakfast
Monday - Biscuits and gravy, juice and milk.
Tuesday - Cereal, toast, juice and milk.
Wednesday - Rice, toast, juice and milk.
Thursday - Scrambled eggs, juice and milk.
Friday - Pancakes, sausage, juice and milk.
McCord Lunch
Monday - Sloppy joes, French fries, orange wedge, cookie and milk.
Tuesday - Chicken pot pie, apple crisp, green beans and milk.
Wednesday - Spaghetti, buttered corn, French bread, pears and milk.
Thursday - Hamburger, lettuce, pickles, onions, tator tots, sliced peaches
and milk.
Friday - Stromboli, lettuce salad, pineapple and milk.
Pioneer Technology Center
Tuesday - Brisket, honey orange chicken, Lasagna, assorted salads, vegetables,
breads and desserts.
Wednesday - Meat loaf, chicken cordon bleu, baked ham, assorted salads,
vegetables, breads and desserts.
Thursday - Beef stir fry, chicken gumbo, ribs, assorted salads, vegetables,
breads and desserts.
Pioneer Technology Center's cafeteria is now open to the public Tuesday
through Thursday from 11:15 a.m. to noon.
Behavior, Guidance Program Scheduled
Behavior and Guidance will be the title of a program presented by the Northern
Oklahoma Early Childhood Association Monday at Pioneer Technology Center.
The two-hour program, which begins at 7 p.m., is worth two hours of training
credit for those involved in licensed day care centers and family day care
homes.
The program is open to anyone interested in early childhood (infant to 8-year-olds)
care, including parents, grandparents and other caregivers.
There is no charge to attend.
For further information, contact Deanna Barnett, 765-9939 or Carol Scott
762-8336, ext. 269.
SJRMC Offers Suggestions For SIDS Awareness Month
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, SIDS, doesn't happen very often. Still, it
strikes nearly 6,000 babies in the United States every year. October is
SIDS Awareness Month, and St. Joseph Regional Medical Center is offering
suggestions to new parents to help keep their baby safe from the syndrome.
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is defined as "the sudden death of an
infant under one year of age which remains unexplained after a thorough
case investigation."
Also known as crib death, it is the major cause of death in babies from
one month to one year of age. More boys than girls are victims, and most
deaths occur during the fall, winter and early spring months.
There are several precautionary measures parents and child caregivers can
utilize to reduce the risk of SIDS. "Most importantly, we suggest putting
your baby on his or her side to sleep," said Joanne Holman, RN, CBE,
Women's/Children's Educator. "Do this whether your baby is being put
down for a nap or to bed for the night." If you are concerned about
your child being uncomfortable sleeping in this position, or if your baby
has certain health conditions requiring a tummy-down sleeping position,
talk with your doctor about which sleep position to use.
Other measures parents should consider include:
1. Placing your child on a firm mattress or other firm surface to sleep.
Don't use fluffy blankets or comforters under the baby, and don't place
soft stuffed toys or pillows in the crib with him or her.
2. Babies should be kept warm, but not too warm. Keep the temperature in
your baby's room so it feels comfortable to you.
3. Create a smoke-free zone around your baby. Babies and young children
exposed to smoke have more colds and other upper respiratory tract infections,
as well as an increased risk of SIDS.
4. If your baby seems sick, call your doctor of clinic right away. Make
sure your baby receives his or her immunization shots on schedule.
5. If possible, you should consider breastfeeding your baby. Breast milk
contains antibodies and nutrients to help keep your baby healthy.
Above all, enjoy your baby! Most babies are born healthy, and most stay
that way. SIDS is rare, and don't let the fear of SIDS spoil your joy of
having a new baby!
For more information about SIDS Awareness Month, or if you have questions
about SIDS, contact Joanne Holman at SJRMC at (405) 765-3321.
Argument Over Grocery Money May Have Led to Knife Attack
BLACKWELL, Okla. (AP) - A fight over grocery money may have led a man to
stab two Blackwell brothers in their sleep and kidnap the wife of one of
the men, police said.
Jerry Watson, 51, was stabbed three times in the neck and chest while sleeping
in his bedroom Friday. His brother, Fred Watson, 53, was stabbed in the
chest while sleeping in the living room, Police Chief Gene Johnson said.
Jerry Watson's wife, Tina, 30, was held during the knife attack and then
taken with the men.
Authorities are looking for Chet Cook, 36, who occasionally lived with the
family. An arrest warrant charges Cook with two counts of assault with intent
to kill.
The Watsons said the attack stemmed from a Thursday argument over a request
for grocery money. The brothers, who are unemployed because of physically
debilitating conditions, told police they asked Cook for money, but Cook
told them he did not have any.
''They had an argument over grocery money and he left mad,'' Johnson said.
He said another man, whose identity is unknown, helped Cook carry out the
attack on the family about 2 a.m. Friday.
Jerry Watson's pickup truck, which was taken after the stabbings, was found
about 3 p.m. in Ponca City.
Authorities have not found the woman or two suspects. They were last seen
late Friday morning in Emporia, Kan.
Hospital officials wouldn't release the conditions of the brothers, but
Johnson said both men were in good condition. Jerry Watson was recovering
from surgery Friday afternoon.
All Indian AL Post 38 Formed After WWI
In 1927, the All Indian American Legion Post 38 was formed and chartered.
The post was originally named after Alfred Little Standing Buffalo, a Ponca
Indian who saw combat overseas during World War I.
Anthony "Tony" Knight was the first commander of the Buffalo Post,
as it was originally known. The Buffalo Post was unique, as it was the first
post in the nation comprised entirely of American Indians. After World War
I, 30 Ponca Indians became members of the Buffalo Post. Albert Makes Crye
Sr. was the post bugler at that time: he was instrumental in performing
Memorial Day services at the Ponca cemetery every May.
Of the 30 World War I veterans, three were called to serve overseas in combat:
Alfred Little Standing Buffalo, George Calls Him, and Richard (Dick) Hinman.
These Ponca men fought loyally during World War I, long before Congress
granted American Indians citizenship in 1924.
David Buffalohead, the last of the WWI veterans, died in 1989.
During the post World War I era, Nov. 11 (Armistice Day) was always a big
day for Post 38. There was always a big dance on Armistice Day to honor
all the WWI veterans. Much pride and honor was evident at these dances.
In those days, most of the veterans were honored with individual Ponca songs:
today only a few can be remembered. Most are gone and forgotten: the memories
of the war drum grow dim and silent.
Post 38 was quite active during the 1920s and '30s. After WWII broke out
the post became inactive and lost its charter.
In the summer of 1946, the post was reactivated, and organized again as
the All Indian American legion Post 38, in the CCC hall. Morris Zaitshik
was the first commander after the reorganization. At the initial meeting
there were about forty veterans in attendance. During the 1950s and '60s
the post usually had around 60 members. The post is still active in the
Ponca tribal community. The post is most visible during tribal dances, Memorial
Day, Veterans Day, and at grave site rites for a departed veteran. There
are still many WWII veterans alive today, with many having their own individual
Ponca honor song. An honor song describes a veteran's war experiences, with
pride and honor. This is an age-old custom among American Indians.
During the Korean war, 16 young Ponca men went overseas as a group. As
members of the 45th Infantry Division, They stayed together during combat.
During World War II there were 165 Ponca warriors serving in all theaters
of that war. Many saw combat. The casualties were great, some never resumed.
Ponca men and women served in all branches of service, and many were cited
and decorated for distinguished service.
Gilbert Cole, post chaplain, said, "It is worth noting that American
Indians as a whole have fought for the United States in every war, and serve
in the armed forces at a rate six times their percentage in the population,
far greater than any other group."
Today, At nearly 70 years of age, Post 38 is the oldest veterans organization
in the Ponca community. With pride and honor, Post 38 members served in
all theaters of war, and during peacetime. Poncas join the armed services
to serve their country and community, and to protect the rights, lands,
and dignity of their tribe.
Cole said, "With pride and honor, the All Indian American Legion Post
38 pays tribute to all veterans of all wars. It is a hard and honorable
thing to put on a uniform, and go in harms way for your country. The sacrifice
and valor of all veterans should never be forgotten."
Cole added, "Other tribes recognize their veterans in special ways:
a list of names in a prominent place, memorial markers, and/or a building
named after a prominent veteran. The Ponca tribe should do this, too."
ONG Employees Have 'Fun Day' To Complete United Way Drive
The employees of the Ponca City Oklahoma Natural Gas Company office completed
their United Way drive with a special "Fun Day" on Oct. 2.
According to Danny Thompson, spokesman for the local office, "Our local
ONG employees again pledged 100 percent participation and exceeded the goals
established at an employee United Way kick-off breakfast held Sept. 12."
He said, not only did employees' individual pledges exceed 1995 giving levels
by 10 percent, additional funds were also raised for United Way through
various activities held at the Ponca City office.
The special "Fun Day" began with an all-you-can-eat luncheon with
all proceeds going to United Way. Then the local office was closed at 3
p.m. and employees began participation in a number of competitive events.
ONG provided promotional items and prizes for the winners.
The activities included a "closest to the pin" golf shot, a free
throw basketball shooting contest, casting a fishing lure from 30-feet into
a tire, and, perhaps the most interesting event - placing a tennis ball
into a trash can by using a backhoe.
Employees purchased tickets to gain entry into their favorite events with
the proceeds being donated to the Untied Way campaign.
Winners of the competition included Doug McLin with the best golf shot,
Mike Ailey as the most accurate caster, Danny Thompson with the most basketball
free throws, and Esther Ramsey as the fastest backhoe operator.
The final event of the day was a tug-of-war, complete with a muddy pit to
catch the losers. Sixteen employees competed in the long-awaited event which
ultimately ended in a tie.
According to Thompson, the tie occurred when the rope broke, sending most
of the contestants sprawling. All who competed were declared winners and
received a tee shirt for their efforts.
This year's United Way campaign at ONG was led by an employee task force
including Mike Ailey, Terry LaBlue, Fred Collins, Tex Ginger, Doug McLin,
Cathy Osborn and Roy Snodgrass. Snodgrass and Osborn served as co-chairs
for the in-house efforts.
Various incentives were utilized to encourage employees to pledge their
support for United Way. ONG provides a half-day off with pay for all employees
who give their established fair share. Fair share givers were also eligible
for entry in a drawing for a $100 cash prize. For exceeding the employee
donation goal, a steak luncheon will be held at a later date.
Employees were also able to buy $1 tickets for a drawing for a full day
off work, provided by the Enid District office of ONG. An ONG logoed hat
and jacket were also raffled to raise additional United Way funds.
Otoe Baptist Church Revival This Week
The Otoe Baptist Church in Red Rock is announcing its Fall Revival meeting,
which is scheduled to begin Monday and continue through Friday. Services
are planned to begin each night at 7:30 with Evangelist Vern Charette from
Broken Arrow doing the preaching each night.
Brother Van Samuels from Muskogee will be the song leader for the services,
it was announced, and an open invitation is extended to everyone to come
and celebrate the message "Jesus saves" with the folks at Otoe
Baptist Church.
Public Forum Set On Amtrak Issue
On Thursday, the Railfans of Ponca City, interested in Amtrak returning
to Oklahoma, will hold a public forum.
The meeting will be held at the Ponca City Library on the lower level in
the programming room from 6:45 until 8:30 p.m.
A video on the remaining depots along the old Lone Star route will be played,
followed by a question and answer session.
All those interested in the railroads, and/or interested in Amtrak returning
to Oklahoma, are urged to be present for this meeting.
Where To Vote
Ponca City polls will be open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday for the half-cent
city sales tax election for economic development.
Where to vote:
Precinct Locations
503 Central Baptist Church, 618 East Hartford
504 Grace Episcopal Church, Thirteenth and Grand
507 Sunset Baptist Church, 915 West Greenwood
516 Southside Baptist Church, 1518 South Fifth Street
517 St. Mary's Parish Center, 408 South Eighth
523 Church of Christ, West Grand and Peachtree
527 Union School, 2617 North Union
530 Pioneer Technology Center, 2101 North Ash
532 Unity Gym, 1908 East Woodland
533 Trout School 2109 East Prospect
534 Northeast Baptist Church, 2200 North Pecan
Clinical Depression Often Misunderstood
(Editors note: The Edwin Fair Community Mental Health Center in Ponca City
is recognizing Oct. 7-11 as Mental Health Awareness Week and is publishing
a series of articles about mental health during the week. This article about
clinical depression is the first in the series.)
Each year ten million Americans suffer from clinical depression. Many are
in their most productive work years. Depression is often misunderstood.
It is not a passing mood. It is not a personal weakness. Depression is a
major health disorder.
Depression may be treated with medications, with short-term talk therapies,
or with a combination of both. In 80 to 90 percent of cases of depression,
treatment is successful, enabling people with depression to return to satisfactory,
functioning lives. Nearly everyone can get some relief, say doctors.
It has been calculated that the economy loses $10 billion annually because
Americans miss an estimated 156 million days from work due to clinical depression.
An added $4.2 billion in potential earning power is lost each year because
15 percent of people with severe depression eventually commit suicide.
No one has estimated the productive time workers lose while on the job,
but undiagnosed depression saps energy - and alters work habits. Depression
often causes problems with concentration, memory, and decision-making. Costs
escalate if a worker's untreated depression contributes to alcoholism or
drug abuse.
Additional business costs accrue when any worker has a family member suffering
from depression. The depression of a spouse or child can disrupt a worker's
schedule, lead to days absent from work, affect concentration, and decrease
productivity.
Employers Can Help
An employer or manager can alter the impact of depression in the work place,
by letting employees know they understand the seriousness of depression
and attach no stigma to it. They can also make certain the employee assistance
program staff has full knowledge about depression. Make sure the company
health benefit plan covers the cost of treatment.
Symptoms include expressions of helplessness and hopelessness, sadness,
irritability, fear, loss of self-esteem, difficulty concentrating or remembering.
Physical symptoms including headache, backache, or other chronic pain. Loss
of appetite or overeating. Sleeplessness or the desire to oversleep. Decreased
energy, fatigue. Loss of interest in usual activities and responsibilities.
Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts.
Employers should encourage employees who show several symptoms of depression
for two or more weeks to see a physician or mental health professional for
accurate diagnosis and treatment.
They can also work with national or community organizations to obtain, display,
and distribute information about depression at their work place and to provide
employees with referral sources for treatment.
Community Concert Cards Sent to Members
Kay Sahai, publicity chairman for the 1996-97 Community Concert season has
announced that membership cards have been mailed to all citizens who enrolled
in the spring membership drive as a members of the 1996-97 Ponca City Community
Concert Association.
"Any member who has not received a membership card should immediately
call Mary Lois Nield, membership secretary at 762-5156," said Sahai.
Citizens new to the community since the PCCC Spring Drive and those former
members who were unsure what their resident status would be this fall, may
still join. For more information call Mary Lois Nield or Leslie Rardin,
membership chairman at 765-3971.
Sahai also announced that all 1996-97 concerts would be held on Sunday afternoons
at 2:30 p.m. The opening concert for the 1996-97 season is "The Little
Eagles of Siberia," Oct. 13 at the Hutchins Auditorium. Members must
present new season membership cards for admittance.
Genealogocial Society Meets Monday Night
The Pioneer Genealogical Society will meet at 7 p.m. Monday in the programming
room at the Ponca City Library.
Following a short business meeting, Gary Bracken, local attorney, will present
the program "Historical Perspectives Through Territorial Documents."
In the early years of his law practice, Bracken began collecting unusual
letterheads, specializing in those in Oklahoma and the Indian Territory.
His collection has grown extensively and Bracken will exhibit a variety
of these items during the program. He will also relate how the letterheads
put activities of that early-day time-period in a historical perspective.
Bracken is in the law firm of Bracken, Morris, and Powell. He is a graduate
of the University of Kansas School of Law, graduating in 1982.
Guests are welcome.
Northern Seeking Entries For 'Salt Fork Anthology'
TONKAWA - "Salt Fork Anthology," a new literary journal published
by Northern Oklahoma College, is currently seeking poems, short stories,
personal essays and one-act plays for its inaugural issue, slated for spring
publication.
While the journal is affiliated with the college, editor Don Stinson, Northern
English instructor, stresses that all writers are encouraged to submit work.
"We want the 'Salt Fork Anthology' to provide a quality forum for both
beginning and more advanced writers from throughout the northern Oklahoma
regions," Stinson said. "A lot of people are looking for a place
to publish their work and may be somewhat overwhelmed by all the literary
magazines out there. This is one that genuinely wants work by Oklahoma writers
dealing with characters, events, and themes of interest to Oklahoma readers."
Writers whose work is selected for publication in the publication will receive
a free copy of the issue in which their work appears and may buy additional
copies at a discount.
Send manuscripts, with a self-addressed stamped envelope for return, to
Don Stinson, editor, Northern Oklahoma College, P.O. Box 310, Tonkawa, OK
74653-0310. For more information, including submission guidelines, call
Stinson at (405) 628-6431.
Letters Say:
Editor, The News,
As a longtime educator, I want to take this opportunity to urge everyone
concerned about the future of our schools to vote "yes" on Oct.
8.
New industry pays ad valorem taxes to our schools. This is tax dollars our
homeowners don't have to pay.
School districts which have adequate financing usually have strong ad valorem
tax bases.
A "yes" vote helps families, helps our school children, and helps
our taxpayers.
Mark A. Mitchell,
Ph.D., J.D.
Paul Ingersol
Editor, The News,
Fourteen reasons to vote no and against the tax increase:
1) We cannot tax our way to prosperity.
2) Giving taxes to companies is corporate welfare.
3) Though the heavens and the earth pass away, taxes are forever.
4) Bob Dole is campaigning on reduced taxes. Why do Republicans in Ponca
City want to increase them?
5) The members of the EDF told us last time they only needed $13 million.
Why are they back begging for more?
6) When the tax incentives are gone, the companies will move out and find
the next handout.
7) Company decision makers know people in little towns like ours are desperate.
They just pit us one against the other to raise the ante. This is extortion.
8) Raising taxes for a quick fix is a waste of money. We need to make fundamental
improvements to attract permanent businesses.
9) It makes no sense to spend the lifeblood money from a high paying employer
(Conoco) on low paying employers.
10) Nobel Laureate economist Milton Friedman would call this socialism.
11) We raise cigarette taxes to discourage smoking. We raise liquor taxes
to discourage drinking. So we're going to raise sales taxes in Ponca City,
to discourage sales?
12) The states with the fastest growing economies have the lowest taxes
(e.g. NV). The states with the slowest growing or even shrinking economies
have the highest taxes (see front page, Wall Street Journal, Oct. 2, '96).
13) Only working on the fundamentals like educated, competent, hard working
labor force, low taxes, minimal government interference will solve our problem
long term.
14) Archie Dunham said he likes Ponca City after all.
Dr. Hayward B. Oblad
Editor, The News,
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the citizens of Ponca City
for voting "Yes" in the last 1/2 cent sales tax. By doing so you
brought Thorn Apple Valley, Inc. to our town which has enabled me, along
with many others from our community, to acquire higher paying jobs that
have benefits. It is great to be able to get up every morning and look forward
to going to work and working with a group of people who are dedicated to
their jobs and this community. I for one, plan on voting "Yes"
for jobs again so that other people in our community can have the same opportunity
that I had.
Beverly Appleman
Editor, The News,
In the beginning, Ponca City was a community of blue collar workers. Our
forefathers made their living in the oil patch and I am quite certain went
home many evenings with dirt under their fingernails. Our community's early
beginnings did not start with high-rise office towers and high paying jobs.
The strength of our citizens and hard work allowed us to become the community
that we are today. We would all hope that would never change, but reality
tells a different story. We were a community of citizens who had a bright
vision of the future and the dedication to work together. Two years ago
the descendants of those early citizens shared those same visions. They
realized that it was time to diversify and face new economic entities. That
was accomplished and the results are plain and simple for anyone to see.
Our economic climate has improved due to these diversifications.
The first sales tax allowed us to start developing new blue collar jobs.
As promised, that phase was completed. Now is the time to complete phase
II and to further strengthen our community's economy, Many local companies
are waiting for their opportunity to help strengthen Ponca City. Phase II
allows us to pick and chose those jobs that will enhance our employment
to the fullest. Ponca Citians have never shirked from their responsibilities
or their drive. On Tuesday we will have the opportunity to continue to be
a leader in our state. We can only continue if we vote yes.
We can become a community that tears itself apart, we can become a community
that lacks vision and prosperity or we can become a community that establishes
a future for citizens and our children. For my family the choice is simple.
We started our own business in Ponca City because it was a place that felt
like home. We love the people, we love the area and we want to do anything
possible to provide ourselves and our children with a better future. On
Tuesday our family will clean the dirt out from under our fingernails and
vote yes for the future of Ponca City. Won't you join us?
Tim Burg
Editor, The News,
I wanted to take this opportunity to thank the people of Ponca City for
establishing their jobs program back in 1994.
Because of this program, my husband and I have been able to get good-paying
jobs, have been able to buy a new home, and our children now have a brighter
future.
Don't let anyone tell you that new jobs aren't important, because new jobs
have made all the difference to our family. The way I see it, if you have
a good job all the rest falls in place.
Suzie Keith
Thorn Apple Valley
Accountant Dept.
Editor, The Ponca City News,
No, I cannot vote in this election. Recently, I chose to move a couple of
miles out of town. But having been born and raised in Ponca City, living
here most of my 42 years, and spending 90 percent of my income in Ponca
City, I still take an interest in the affairs of my hometown. A person cannot
go through one day without suffering the bombardment of the factions pushing
for the passage of an additional sales tax earmarked "for jobs."
Newspaper and radio advertisements are touting the effectiveness of the
millions of dollars they spent in just two years. Through the simple use
of basic math skills and specific numbers given in one of the "spreads,"
we see 985 new jobs created from six industries. 151 of these jobs pay $30,000
a year or more. More math shows this is only 15 percent of the total jobs
created. Reasoning dictates 85 percent of the new jobs are below that. In
reality, way below that. The over 2,000 jobs lost at Conoco paid, on the
average, way above $30,000 a year. The homes left by people leaving town
to find work or who are transferred are priced considerably above the financial
limits of a person who earns less than $30,000 a year. Also, as far as local
business is concerned, this means that if over 2,000 jobs paying above $30,000
a year (average) are replaced by 985 jobs of which 85 percent pay below
$30,000 a year, simple rules of business relate that purchases are going
to be down.
If the EDF continues to find companies in the same manner as before, the
real estate market will probably remain soft as well as the survivability
of our local established businesses. I personally have been disappointed
with the performance of the EDF in as far as the quality of jobs provided
by the previous sales tax. It seems that politics dictates that as long
as you can tout new jobs, no requisite statement is needed as to the quality
of the jobs. Numbers can lie when taken out of context.
I do believe that we need new, higher paying jobs in our community to replace
those lost. I am willing to support the new tax with my friends and family.
But before we hand over another multi-million dollar spending account to
these folks, I think some promises need to be made and enforced as to the
type of business that is encouraged to come to Ponca City. We do not need
more minimum wage or just above minimum wage jobs. They bought enough of
them with the last tax.
Stephen M. Scott
Editor, The News:
Thorn Apple Valley is extremely pleased to be a partner in progress with
the people of Ponca City.
Since locating our facility in Ponca City in 1994, we have employed a work
force of 496 which we anticipate will grow to 600 in the next few years.
This has meant a current payroll of $10,500,000.00 to the Ponca City community
which will exceed $12,000,000.00 as our expansion continues.
We are proud of the fact that currently the average yearly salary (including
overtime) at Thorn Apple Valley is $21,000.00 plus full benefits.
Of our total work force, 90 percent were Ponca City or Kay County residents
at the time of their hiring.
Several longtime Ponca City residents, who had left Ponca City to find work,
have been able to return, with their families, because of the opening of
the Thorn Apple Valley facility.
As Thorn Apple Valley continues to grow with Ponca City into the 21st Century,
we want you to know how much we appreciate the faith and confidence the
citizens of Ponca City have shown in our company and its future.
To date we have given over 40,000 pounds in food products to various Ponca
City charities to support their food programs. We are also supporters of
the Ponca City United Way and the Poncan Theatre and will do our part to
create a bright future for Ponca City. We will do everything in our power
to live up to your expectations and strive to be an active partner in our
excellent community.
Glenn Perkins
General Manager,
Thorn Apple Valley
Editor, The News,
Economic Development is critical to the growth and stability of our community.
In order to protect the progress and momentum we are presently experiencing,
we need to move forward with the passage of the 1/2-cent sales tax for a
period of five years. The layoffs we are experiencing in our City affect
many businesses and families and could have a devastating effect on our
community's economic base. We need to protect our schools, the investments
in our homes and revenue to support our Fire and Police protection.
Other cities are passing additional taxes to compete with us. Ponca City
needs to be able to offer the same incentives as other Oklahoma communities.
Expenditure of funds are approved by the City Commission after receiving
recommendation by the Economic Development Foundation and citizens during
the regular City Commission meetings. All funds are earmarked for development
and job creation.
Please join with us in assuring future growth for Ponca City.
Marilyn K. Andrews, Mayor
O.E. Gregson, City Commissioner
Lyn Boyer, City Commissioner
Dick Stone, City Commissioner
Dick Bird, City Commissioner
Editor, The News,
Jobs are what has given Ponca City the quality of life we all enjoy.
As downsizing has occurred over the last few years, Conoco has been one
of the strongest supporters of a jobs program that can build up our industrial
base and infuse new income into our community. This is essential if we are
to maintain our high quality of life in Ponca City.
New industry pays taxes to our schools and our city. Maintenance of top
notch education for our children and essential city services depend upon
the revenue generated from new manufacturing jobs.
It is imperative to Ponca City's future that we balance the scales with
new jobs to replace those that have been lost. Diversification of industry
is the key. The future depends upon attracting a wide range of new industries
so we will have some insulation from the bust and boom cycles which may
occur in any one segment of our economy.
We are urging all Ponca City citizens to get out and vote "yes"
on Oct. 8. The future of Ponca City depends upon it.
Richard W. Severance
General Manager
Mid-Continent Business Unit
Editor, The News,
As we approach Oct. 8, the day of decision for the half cent sales tax needed
to create more jobs in Ponca City, I am reminded once again to count my
many blessings. We live in a city that, for the most part is filled with
good, hard working citizens intent on preserving this lifestyle for their
children and grandchildren. We have been blessed with a good corporate citizen
in Conoco, strong community leadership, and most recently with a boost in
employment from our new industries. We have a strong city government led
tirelessly by a lady who freely gives her full time and attention to improving
this place that I call home. And when I am ready to retire, I have available
to me all of the wonderful benefits of a community that continues to provide
and care for their senior citizens. Yes, we are blessed abundantly. However,
I am beginning to realize how very easy it is to take this all for granted.
We go about our individual lives, secure in the knowledge that "someone
- somewhere" is looking after our best interest and "they"
will keep this city growing and improving for our children. It just doesn't
work that way, and I realize that I must continue to do my part.
It is for these reasons that I have recently become a member of the Economic
Development Foundation. Immediately after joining the 11 member board in
July, I was flooded with information regarding the need for an additional
half cent sales tax. Like many citizens, I was unsure about the need for
this tax. I needed time to digest the information and then to satisfy myself
that job incentive packages were really needed. Since that time, I have
become absolutely convinced that if we do not have money available for incentive
packages, this city screeches to a halt for the next five years. I don't
necessarily agree with incentive packages, and I certainly wish that it
was not a necessity, but we didn't make the rules. The rules were made for
us, and if we don't have incentive packages, we WILL NOT be playing the
game for future industry in Ponca City.
Then I realized that we will not screech to a halt - we will begin to move
in reverse as Conoco and other exiting industries continue to analyze their
work force in an effort to remain competitive.
I do believe that we need to realign our focus. We can't continue to depend
on Conoco to preserve our lifestyles. Our City Commission did as we instructed
them and brought more jobs to town. And whether you like the types of jobs
or not, the employment of the unemployed puts food in the mouths of many
and shoes on the children of some less fortunate than you! These jobs were
needed at that time! However, now that we have a base to work from, we need
to be selective in the future about the types of jobs that we bring to Ponca
City. We also need to help ourselves through the establishment of a revolving
loan fund for expansion of existing industry. The issue before you on Oct.
8 will provide the money for this as well as the possibility of a spec building
to entice other industry to locate in our community.
The alternative??? There is not a viable industry who would talk to a community
that does not have incentives to provide, when there are numerous other
communities in the same state with incentive packages in place, waiting
with welcoming arms for industry to knock on their door. We won't be able
to help local industry, so we risk losing them to neighboring communities
who consider them "new industry", and will thus give them incentive
packages to leave Ponca City and move to their town. There will not be any
new people moving to Ponca City; Conoco and other industries will continue
to do what is necessary to compete in a tough market; those people laid
off will leave Ponca City; your house will set empty for lack of buyers;
sales tax revenues will continue to decline thereby providing less and less
money to provide the amenities that we now enjoy; and we will sit by and
wish that "someone - somewhere" would do something about it.
I don't want to pay more of my hard earned money for taxes - and neither
do you. But I AM NOT WILLING to accept the alternative. I don't want to
stand idly by as this community begins a steady decline that will force
my children to seek employment in those communities who had the vision to
"play the game". I am not voting "yes" for more taxes,
I am voting "YES" for Ponca City, for myself, for my children
and for my grandchildren. And I hope that someday they will also be the
"someone - somewhere" who did something about helping this community
to grow and survive.
Linda J. Brown
PC Tomorrow Schedules 'Make a Difference Day'
By LAURA TREADWAY
News Staff Writer
Ponca City Tomorrow needs help to celebrate "Make A Difference Day"
on Oct. 26. The visioning group is unable to locate all the needs in the
community and looks to the citizens of Ponca City to assist in identifying
needs that can be addressed during the "national day of doing good."
"We know there are needs in our community that the township is capable
of satisfying," stated Cathryn Ferguson, executive director of Ponca
City Tomorrow. "Make a Difference Day is one day we are asking people
to give back and anyone can help."
Along this vein, Martin Luther King Jr. said, "Everyone can be great
because anyone can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve.
You don't have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve ... you
only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love."
Last year, more than 700 area citizens participated in Make A Difference
Day activities, according to Benita Graham, chair of the Mutual Respect
and Community Attitude Committee for Ponca City Tomorrow.
"The people of Ponca City showed that they can use a hands-on approach
to caring," stated Graham.
Making a difference in someone else's life is easy, according to Ferguson.
"Don't think we don't want you, we want everyone to become involved,"
she said.
"By doing community service, everyone can make a difference in their
own town," said Po-Hi senior Joey Ferguson. "We can give back
to the community in which we live... There is a feeling of satisfaction
when you help your first child to learn to read or hand out your first plate
of food to the hungry," the teen shared.
Currently, Garfield School, Conoco, United Supermarkets, Washington School,
ONG and Lincoln School, Smith Tool, Mid-High, Union School, Pioneer Technology
Center, First Baptist Church, Pioneer Bank, Roosevelt School, Bank IV, Woodlands
School, First National Bank, Trout School, Albertsons, Middle School, Sykes
Enterprises, Liberty School, and city employees have committed to partake
in Make A Difference Day activities.
Families, organizations and churches who want to be involved in Make A Difference
Day activities or who can identify a need, should contact Ferguson at 767-0823.
Immunization Clinics Set For Flu Shots
In the United States, influenza activity generally peaks between late December
and early March. It is the recommendation of the Advisory Committee on Immunization
Practices that influenza immunizations be given in mid-October this year.
The Kay County Health Department staff will be providing flu shots on Oct.
15 and 16 at St. Luke's Church of the Nazarene, 1715 East Prospect Avenue,
Ponca City.
The hours for the clinics will vary each day. On Oct. 15, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30
p.m., and on Oct. 16, 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. only.
Persons over 65 years of age, healthcare workers, and persons with a chronic
medical condition are recommended to receive the influenza vaccine. The
health department will also have the pneumococcal vaccine available at these
clinics. Anyone with a previous pneumonia vaccination pleas bring that information
when coming to the clinic.
Anyone with questions please call the health department at 762-1641.
Conoco Adding Contribution To Scholarships
TONKAWA - Keni Ray, director of community and government affairs at Conoco,
recently presented a Conoco Scholarship Fund in the amount of $5,000 to
Northern Oklahoma College.
The fund will provide cash scholarships to those students in business administration
that maintain a 3.0 or higher grade-point average.
The first donation occurred in 1989. Since then the business has been a
major contributor to the college. The Conoco Scholarship Fund has awarded
73 scholarships totaling $40,000.
Receiving scholarships this fall are Christopher Adams, Whitney Adams, Karen
Blake and Mildred Rateliff, Ponca City; Tamera Childers and Jan McMahon,
Blackwell; Mark Howrey and Shannon Wanko, Newkirk; Pamela Luthye, Perry;
Joan Rector, Lamont; Amy Toads, Enid and Alla Rozanova, Tonkawa.
Reception Scheduled For New Physicians
St. Joseph Regional Medical Center is planning a reception to honor the
new physicians who have recently joined the medical staff. The reception
will be held Oct. 20, from 1 to 3 p.m. in the lobby of the medical center.
Five new physicians have relocated to the Ponca City area and joined the
medical staff of SJRMC in the past year. The reception gives community members
a chance to meet each of the physicians, welcome them to the area, and talk
with them in an informal setting.
Refreshments will be provided and the public is invited to attend. For more
information, contact Sandy Gearhart at (405) 765-0301.
CITY CALENDAR
Items for the City Calendar should be brought in or telephoned (765-3311)
to Bob Patterson, at the Ponca City News, by Thursday noon.
Anytime
FOLOBS (Friends of Library Ongoing Book Sale), anytime the Ponca City Library
is open, North of Multimedia Room (downstairs).
Today
16th Annual Marland Estate Oktoberfest, Marland Mansion Estate Grounds.
Auditions for "Greetings," Ponca Playhouse, 7 p.m., Poncan Theatre.
October 6-20
Ponca City Art Association 14th Annual Photography Competition, Ponca City
Art Center, 819 East Central Avenue, Ponca City.
Monday
Ponca City Board of Commissioners Work Session, 8 a.m., City Manager's Office,
516 East Grand Avenue.
Auditions for "Greetings," Ponca Playhouse, 7 p.m., Playhouse
Building, 301 South First Street.
Tuesday
Special City Election for half-cent sales tax for economic development.
Ponca City Main Street Authority Inc., Promotion Committee, 7:45 a.m., Main
Street Office, 206 North Third Street.
Ponca City Mid High "Book Fair," 8 a.m. to 3:40 p.m., Ralph Lester
Auditorium.
Cairns Iris Thermal Imaging Helmet Demonstration, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Hutchins
Memorial, donations sought.
Better Breathers Support Group, 6 p.m., Conference Room B, St. Joseph Regional
Medical Center.
Rural Water District No. 1 Regular Board Meeting, 7:30 p.m., Enterprise
School on Lake Road, Ponca City.
McCord Volunteer Fire Department Monthly Board Meeting, 7 p.m., McCord School.
Osage Cove Volunteer Fire Department, 7 p.m., Osage Cove Fire Department
Building, Keeler Road and U.S. 60.
Wednesday
Ponca City Mid High "Book Fair," 8 a.m. to 3:40 p.m., Ralph Lester
Auditorium.
Oklahoma Blood Institute and Pioneer Bank and Trust blood donor drive, 10
a.m. to 3 p.m., OBI Coach in main parking lot of the bank, Fourteenth Street
and East Highland Avenue.
Library Board, 11:30 a.m., Ponca City Library Board Room, 515 East Grand
Avenue.
Kaw Lake Association monthly meeting, 11:30 a.m., Crown and Rose Restaurant
and Pub.
Thursday
Ponca City Mid High "Book Fair," 8 a.m. to 3:40 p.m., Ralph Lester
Auditorium.
Ponca City Main Street Authority Inc., Retail Committee, 8:30 a.m., Main
Street Office, 206 North Third Street.
Friday
Ponca City Mid High "Book Fair," 8 a.m. to 3:40 p.m., Ralph Lester
Auditorium.
Salad Luncheon, Bake Sale, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Albright United Methodist Church,
128 South Palm, luncheon $4, public invited.
Saturday
Fall Workday, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Tallgrass Prairie Preserve, operated
by The Nature Conservancy, just north of Pawhuska.
Friends of NRA Banquet and Auction, 6 p.m., Elks Lodge, 1301 Bradley, tickets
$15, everyone welcome, call 765-4525, 762-6218, 762-7804, 762-9457.
October 14
Ponca City Board of Commissioners, Ponca City Utility Authority, Ponca City
Development Authority, 5:30 p.m., Public Safety Center, 200 East Oklahoma
Avenue.
October 15
Ponca City Main Street Authority Inc., Promotion Committee, 7:45 a.m., Main
Street Office, 206 North Third Street.
Influenza Immunizations from Kay County Health Department, 8:30 a.m.-3:30
p.m., St. Luke's Church of the Nazarene, 1715 East Prospect Avenue.
Marland Estate Commission, 4:30 p.m., Marland Estate Conference Center.
Ponca Area Chamber Orchestra, 8 p.m., Northern Oklahoma Performing Arts
Center, Tonkawa.
October 16
Influenza Immunizations from Kay County Health Department, 8:30 a.m.-11
a.m., St. Luke's Church of the Nazarene, 1715 East Prospect Avenue.
Ponca City Main Street Authority Inc., Design Committee, noon, Main Street
Office, 206 North Third Street.
Convention and Tourism Authority, 2 p.m., Conference Room, Chamber Office.
October 17
Economic Development Foundation Inc., 7:30 a.m., Ponca City Area Chamber
of Commerce.
Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, 6 p.m., Public Safety Center, 200 East
Oklahoma Avenue.
October 18
Ponca City Traffic Commission, 1:15 p.m., Public Safety Center.
Billie Letts, Durant, author "Where The Heart Is," reading and
autographing, 6-8 p.m., Brace Books and More, North Fourteenth Street.
October 19
Betty Rohde, Gore, Okla., author "So Fat Low Fat No Fat," and
"More So Fat Low Fat No Fat," autographing and leading seminar
on Fat Free Cooking, 1-2 p.m., Conference Room C, St. Joseph Regional Medical
Center.
October 21
Ponca City Board of Commissioners Work Session, 8 a.m., City Manager's Office,
516 East Grand Avenue.
October 22
Ponca City Main Street Authority Inc., Promotion Committee, 7:45 a.m., Main
Street Office, 206 North Third Street.
Cultural Affairs Commission, 5:15 p.m., Ponca City Cultural Center, 1000
East Grand Avenue.
Lake Ponca Users Association, 6:30 p.m., Lake Ponca Park Shelter House No.
3, open invitation to anyone interested.
Mahenwahdose Productions - Will Hill, program on Standing Bear, 7 p.m.,
Ponca City Library Programming Room, free.
October 24
"Songs of the Heart - Every People's Native Music," by Dr.
George and Camille Stevenson, accompanied by Lillian McConnel, 8 p.m., Poncan
Theatre, free.
October 27
Romance authors Karen Kay and Heather Cullman, autographing, 3-5 p.m., Brace
Books and More, North Fourteenth Street.
October 28
Ponca City Board of Commissioners, Ponca City Utility Authority, Ponca City
Development Authority, 5:30 p.m., Public Safety Center, 200 East Oklahoma
Avenue.
High Plains Food Coop Ordering Meeting, 6 p.m., 700 West Liberty, for more
information call Jeanette 762-3648.
October 29
Ponca City Main Street Authority Inc., Promotion Committee, 7:45 a.m., Main
Street Office, 206 North Third Street.
Ponca City Main Street Authority Inc., Board Meeting, 11:30 a.m., Main Street
Office, 206 North Third Street.
October 30
Ponca City and Regional Planning Commission Work Session, 7:45 a.m., Commercial
Federal Building, Suite 304.
November 2
25th Annual Arts and Crafts Fair of Alpha Gamma Study Club, 8 a.m. to 4
p.m., Marland Mansion Estate Gym (Unity Gym), information from Karen Yost,
765-4688.
McCord Arts and Crafts Show, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., McCord School.
Carrie Dickerson, author "Aunt Carrie's War Against Black Fox,"
speaking to NOW 10 a.m., Ponca City Library, autographing 1-3 p.m., Brace
Books and More, North Fourteenth Street.
Oklahoma Children's Theatre, "Puff the Magic Tail," 1:30 and 4
p.m., Poncan Theatre, free.
November 5
General election. Polls open 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
Sleep Support Group, for anybody with sleep apnea or family or friends,
7-8 p.m., St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Ponca City.
November 9
Babysitter Basics Class, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., for sitters ages 11-13, St. Joseph
Regional Medical Center.
Fall Workday, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Tallgrass Prairie Preserve, operated
by The Nature Conservancy, just north of Pawhuska.
Lou Dean Jacobs, author "Angels In Disguise," autographing 1-3
p.m., Brace Books and More, North Fourteenth Street.
November 11
Kay County Retired Educators Association, 11:30 a.m., Program, Joe Kreger,
Cowboy Poet, Westminster Village, 1601 Academy Road.
November 16
Carolyn Hart, Oklahoma City author, autographing "Mint Julep Murder,"
1-3 p.m., Brace Books and More, North Fourteenth Street.
November 25
High Plains Food Coop Ordering Meeting, 6 p.m., 700 West Liberty, for more
information call Jeanette 762-3648.
November 28
Thanksgiving
December 2
Sleep Support Group, for anybody with sleep apnea or family or friends,
7-8 p.m., St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Ponca City.
DEATHS
Ada Olive Thomas Butcher
TONKAWA - Ada Olive Thomas Butcher, longtime Tonkawa resident, died Thursday
night, Oct. 3, 1996, at Blackwell Regional Hospital, Blackwell. She was
89.
The funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Monday in the First Baptist Church in
Blackwell with the Rev. Gregg Engle officiating. Burial will follow at the
Tonkawa I.O.O.F. Cemetery under the direction of Roberts and Son Funeral
Home.
Ada Olive Thomas Butcher was born Aug. 14, 1907, in Durant, Okla., the daughter
of William and Anna Maude (Parks) Bray. She grew up in Bokchita, Okla.,
until the early 1920s when she moved with her parents to Tonkawa, where
she attended school.
On Jan. 18, 1926, she was married to Lew Elmer Thomas in Kansas, and the
couple settled in Tonkawa where she worked as a clerk for Rexall Drug. Her
husband died June 30, 1972 and she later married James Orval Butcher April
28, 1990 in St. Louis, Mo. He preceded her in death Aug. 22, 1993 and she
remained in Blackwell.
She was a member of the First Baptist Church and Loyal Women's Sunday School
Class. She was also active in the Eastern Star in Tonkawa and held all of
the offices and was later a Grand Officer in the State of Oklahoma. She
was a member of the Amaranth Shrine of Ponca City, and Past President of
the Beta Sigma Phi and was awarded the Order of the Rose.
Survivors include one daughter, Charnelle Melichar of Tonkawa; four grandchildren;
seven great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
In addition to her two husbands, she was preceded in death by her parents
and one daughter, Ada Elenor Melichar.
Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church Building Fund in Blackwell.
Rosemary J. Mavis
ARKANSAS CITY, Kan. - Rosemary J. Mavis, former Ponca City resident, died
Thursday, Oct. 3, 1996, at South Central Kansas Regional Medical Center,
Arkansas City, Kan. She was 79.
Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday in Riverview Cemetery.
Mrs. Mavis was born Feb. 23, 1917 in Arkansas City to Guy B. and Ella Faye
(Garris) McEwen. She was raised and education in Perry and Ponca City.
On April 14, 1934, she married Paul A. Creveling in Arkansas City, where
they made their home. She later married Glenn Mavis on June 6, 1962 in Miami,
Okla. They made their home in Arkansas City where she was a homemaker and
was the clubhouse manager at Springhill Golf Course. Mrs. Mavis was a member
of the Golden Agers and Arkansas City Senior Citizens Center. She also belonged
to two singing groups the Twilighters and the MeloDears.
Survivors include her daughter, Sylvia Ann Creveling of El Dorado, Kan.;
one stepdaughter, Barbara Jo Congleton of Albuquerque, N.M.; one sister,
Sue Jean Brawdy of Belle Plaine, Kan.; five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by both her husbands, one son, Paul Jo Creveling
and one brother, Joe McEwen.
A memorial has been established with the Cowley County Development Service.
Contributions may be given to Rindt-Erdman Funeral Home in Arkansas City.
Lilly Frances Clendennen
Lilly Frances Clendennen, a Ponca City resident, died Friday morning, Oct.
4, 1996, in her home. She was 56.
Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Blackwell Cemetery
with the Rev. Tom Estes of the Glad Tidings Assembly of God Church.
Lilly Frances Clendennen was born Nov. 9, 1939, in Humboldt, Kan., the daughter
of Henry Oscar and Verna Veleta (Wrestler) Williams. She lived in Humboldt
until 1949 when she moved to Blackwell with her parents and attended Blackwell
schools for one year before moving to Arkansas City, Kan., where she finished
her schooling.
In 1982, she married Tom Clendennen in Ponca City, and the couple made their
home here. She was a member of the Glad Tidings Assembly of God Church of
Ponca City.
Survivors include two sisters, Rosa Mae Jones and Veleta G. Sherrill, both
of Ponca City.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Tom, in July of 1992; her parents;
and one brother, Herbert Oscar Williams.
NEWS BRIEFS
Fraternal Order of Eagles - The Fraternal Order of Eagles will meet
Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at the VFW Clubhouse. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Join now and get your name on their special plaque.
Miller Reunion - The Miller family reunion will be held Oct. 13 from 11
a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Emerald Room at Central National Bank in Blackwell.
The event will honor Wayne and Maybelle Miller and Maxine Miller Hoffman
from California. Bring a covered dish. All friends and family welcome.
Babysitter Basics Class - St. Joseph Regional Medical Center will host another
Babysitter Basics Class on Nov. 9 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The cost is $35
per participant and is open to sitters ages 11-13. For enrollment information,
contact Janet White, coordinator of wellness, at (405) 765-0594. Limited
space is available.
Anthropology Group - The Kay County Chapter of the Oklahoma Anthropological
Society will meet Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Conoco Fourth Street Clubhouse.
Guest speaker will be Dr. Robert Brooks, State Archeologist of the Oklahoma
Archeological survey. His topic will be "New Directions." The
public is welcome to attend.
Window Broken - A person from the 100 block of North Second Street reported
to the Ponca City Police Department at 9:32 a.m. Friday that a window had
been broken out. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Garage Fire - The Communications Center received a report at 10:21
a.m. Friday that a garage was on fire in the 200 block of South Eighth Street.
Nine men and three units of the Ponca City Fire Department responded to
extinguish the blaze. Firemen reported an estimated $500 damage from the
fire.
Accident - A vehicle accident at the intersection of North Fourteenth Street
and East Hartford Avenue was reported to the Ponca City Police Department
at 11:32 a.m. Friday. Two officers were assigned and a report was taken.
Windshield Broken - The Ponca City Police Department received a call at
11:35 a.m. Friday that a windshield had been broken out of a vehicle at
a dealership in the 3100 block of North Fourteenth Street. An officer was
assigned and a report was taken.
Assault - The Communications Center received a 911 call from a resident
in the 2700 block of Avon Avenue at 11:42 a.m. Friday that a problem was
occurring. An officer was assigned and a report was taken. A man came to
the police department to report an assault had occurred.
Subject Held - An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported at
12:23 p.m. Friday that a 50-year-old man was being held on a Kay County
warrant for failure to pay.
Subject Held - An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported at
3:53 p.m. Friday from the intersection of Second Street and Central Avenue
that some assistance was needed. Two other officers responded, and a woman
was held on a Kay County warrant for stalking.
Missing Tag - A person from the 900 block of North Ash Street reported to
the Ponca City Police Department at 3:57 p.m. Friday that a tag had been
stolen. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Vehicle Accident - A person reported to the Ponca City Police Department
at 6:29 p.m. Friday that a vehicle accident had occurred at the intersection
of Turner Street and Melrose Drive. An officer was assigned and a report
was taken.
Collision - The Ponca City Police Department received a report at 9:18 p.m.
Friday that an accident had occurred at the intersection of Sixth Street
and East Grand Avenue. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Parts of Race Car Missing - The Ponca City Police Department received a
call at 10:03 p.m. Friday from a person out of town requesting an officer
to take a report concerning vehicle parts stolen from a race car while in
the 800 block of South Twelfth Street. An officer was assigned and a report
was taken.
Subjects Held - An officer with the Kay County District Attorney's office
reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 12:21 a.m. Saturday from
the intersection of Third Street and Overbrook Avenue that some juveniles
had been involved in a fight and assistance was needed. Seven officers responded,
and a 36-year-old man was held for interfering with an officer. Three juveniles
were also cited and released to parents at 1:20 a.m.
Accident - An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported at 12:31
a.m. Saturday that a hit and run accident had occurred at Burger King, 2908
North Fourteenth Street. A report was taken.
Disturbance - The Communications Center received a call from a woman at
1:56 a.m. Saturday that subjects had been asked to quiet down in the 900
block of East Cherry Street, and then began partying in her yard. Two officers
of the Ponca City Police Department responded, received a signed complaint
on the noise, and a report was taken.
Beer Missing - A clerk at Triple T, 720 South Waverly Street, reported to
the Ponca City Police Department at 2 a.m. Saturday that some subjects had
taken beer from the store without paying. An officer was assigned and a
report was taken.
FAMILY LIVING
Chapter Wins National Awards
Delta Lambda Delta chapter of Alpha Chi Omega held their first meeting of
the new year Sept. 24 in the home of Pauletta Beaty.
Co-hostesses were Teri Nelson of Ponca City and Jan Sewell of Newkirk. Following
a pot luck dinner, Julie Lawrence conducted the business meeting. Reports
were presented by Teri Nelson, Sandy Hudack and Melinda Glasgow.
It was reported Oklahoma State University's Gamma Epsilon chapter of Alpha
Chi Omega will celebrate their 50th anniversary March 8. Several members
conducted workshops or helped with bid house during rush week at Gamma Epsilon.
Assisting were Sandy Hudack, Jayne Detton, Valorie Buss, Doris Stanley,
Verna McKenzie, Jan Sewell, Melinda Glasgow and Pauletta Beaty.
Julie Lawrence reported on the national convention held June 21-25 in San
Diego, Calif. Delta Lambda Delta was honored with awards for their work
throughout the year, including the Shining Star, single achievement award
for excellence in publicity, and the Continuing Excellence Award, the highest
award bestowed by Alpha Chi Omega sorority. The chapter was also a finalist
for long distance outreach, Panhellenic, and programming.
The next chapter meeting will be Oct. 22 in the home of Verna McKenzie,
Braman.
Red Rose Garden Club Celebrating 65th Anniversary
A tea celebrating the 65th anniversary of Red Rose Garden will be held Oct.
14 at 1 p.m. in the home of Mrs. Fred Boettcher, 210 South Tenth Street.
Anyone who has been a member of Red Rose Garden Club or knows someone who
has been a member is asked to call Barbara Younger at 762-3695 or Carolyn
Bourne at 762-8281.
Red Rose Garden Club of Ponca City was organized in 1931 during a tea at
the home of Mrs. H. R. Kidder. The first president elected was Mrs. H. L.
Parker. At the time of its official organization and federation in November
1931, Red Rose Garden Club was one of three garden clubs in Ponca City.
The other two clubs were Ponca City Garden Club, which began in September
1928, and Madonna Lilly Club, its organization being finalized in 1932.
Each year since then, Red Rose Garden Club members have given their time
to offices and chairmanships in the Council of Ponca City Garden Clubs.
Current officers are Mrs. Harold Younger and Mrs. Henry Bourne, co-president;
Mrs. John Strickland, vice president; Mrs. Raj Phansalker, secretary; Mrs.
E.L. Mannering, treasurer; Mrs. Bob Gibson, historian; Mrs. Robert Bolene,
publicity; Mrs. William Majors, parliamentarian, and Mrs. Leslie Ott and
Mrs. Harold Hunt, calling committee.
The club emblem features the red rose as the club flower, the redbud as
the club tree and club colors of red and white. The garden club has as its
purpose "beautification through study, activity, and conservation."
Programs on horticulture, flower arranging, birds, landscape design and
conservation are presented annually.
Marland Mansion Wedding Unites Collins, Womack
A 2 p.m. wedding at the Marland Mansion Sept. 7 joined Brenda Lee Collins
and Michael Howard Womack in marriage. Officiating at the vows was the Rev.
Leland Peterson.
The bride is the daughter of Irl and Carol Collins of Tulsa. Parents of
the bridegroom are Marguerite Womack of Helena, and the late Howard Womack.
The bride is the granddaughter of Veloris Hill of Ponca City and the late
Jerry Hill, and Richard and Velma Collins of Newkirk. The bridegroom is
the grandson of the late Charlie and Ruth Womack and the late Leo and Gertrude
Redman.
The music program included solos of "The Wedding Prayer" and "The
Lord's Prayer," sung by Sonja Ivy.
The bride wore a formal gown of satin with an illusion inset on the front
of the fitted bodice. Both the bodice, which featured a Victorian neckline,
and the long sleeves were adorned with seed pearls and sequins. The sleeves
were embellished with small bows. The skirt front was trimmed with scalloped
lace, and the cathedral train of tulle was trimmed with iridescent sequins.
A large bow accented the back waistline. The three-tiered, fingertip veil
was held by a halo of silk roses, silk leaves and pearls.
The bride carried a cascade bouquet of stargazer lilies and roses, accented
with greenery and baby's breath.
Lori Ann Collins served her sister as maid of honor. Also attending the
bride was Mary Beth Morris, sister of the bridegroom. Each attendant wore
a floor-length dress of antique rose satin. The taffeta bodices were fashioned
with sweetheart necklines and short sleeves. Each carried a cascade bouquet
of stargazer lilies and burgundy carnations.
Flower girls were Katie, Kelsey and Paige Hill, cousins of the bride. Each
wore a white satin gown with an antique rose sash. The sleeves and necklines
of the dresses were trimmed with pearls.
Brian Morris, nephew of the bridegroom, served as best man. Groomsman was
Kevin Morris, also a nephew of the bridegroom.
Guests were seated by Aaron Hill, cousin of the bride, and Miles Redman,
cousin of the bridegroom. The guest book was attended by Amy Morris.
A reception in the lower level of the Marland Mansion followed the ceremony.
Assisting at the event were Frieda, Sherry and Nanette Hill.
After a Caribbean cruise, the couple have established a home in Oklahoma
City. The bride is employed as office manager with Dr. Trina Jones-Hylton,
and the bridegroom is territory manager with Bristol Myers Oncology.
September Nuptial Vows Join Graham and Nelson
Paula Marie Graham and Matthew Shane Nelson were wed in a 4 p.m. ceremony
Sept. 7 at Second Baptist Church. The bride's grandfather, the Rev. Paul
Graham, officiated at the double ring vows.
Parents of the bride are John and Laura Graham, 408 South Birch. The bridegroom
is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Everett Nelson of Morrison, Okla.
Mrs. Delores Hammers played the wedding processional, the traditional "Wedding
March," and the recessional. Taped classical music was played by Gerald
Graham as guests were seated and later during the reception. Ms. Hammers
played "Ave Maria" during the seating of the mothers.
The bride's gown, which she helped create, was a sheath with a slightly
flared hemline. The halter-style bodice featured a scalloped waistline.
The gown was fashioned of French re-embroidered, beaded lace in a floral
design. All edging was trimmed with a pearl-beaded, lace ribbon. The chapel
train was detachable and featured lace appliques. A headband of French re-embroidered
lace, accented with pearls, held the waist-length veil of bridal illusion.
The bride carried a hand-tied bouquet of purple and lavender stock and larkspur,
roses, wax flowers, and pink calcynia.
Lori Ann Allensworth was maid of honor. Bridesmaid was Beth Ann Jones, cousin
of the bride. Each wore a floor-length gown in majestic purple, fashioned
with an A-line, gored skirt and a banded empire bodice with princess seams
and cap sleeves. They also wore pearl necklaces and earrings, gifts from
the bride. Each carried a bouquet of purple and lavender larkspur and pink
calcynia with purple and lavender streamers.
Candlelighters were the bride's cousin, Rachel Jones, who wore a lavender
crepe dress styled similarly to those of the bridal attendants but in a
tea-length, and Kyle Graham, brother of the bride.
Serving as best man was Steven Fields. Groomsman was Mark Nelson, brother
of the bridegroom. Guests were seated by Wes Graham, brother of the bride,
and Scott Nelson, brother of the bridegroom.
Presiding at the guest registry were Rachel Jones and Sarah Graham, cousin
of the bride.
Following the ceremony, a reception was held in Fellowship Hall. Servers
were Julie Groom, Melissa Jones, and Raegene Seely. Assisting at the event
were Marsha Baldridge, Harriet Simpson, Donna McGinty and Jeanette Frazier.
Special guests included Mr. and Mrs. Roy Filbert of Morrison, great-grandparents
of the bridegroom; Mrs. Fred Hoddy of Ponca City, great-grandmother of the
bride; Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Boor of Ponca City, the Rev. and Mrs. Paul Graham,
all grandparents of the bride; Mr. and Mrs. Harold Jones of Morrison, grandparents
of the bridegroom; Mr. and Mrs. Larry Jones of Houston, uncle and aunt of
the bridegroom; Mr. and Mrs. Richard Groom, uncle and aunt of the bridegroom,
Round Rock, Texas; Mark Boor, Phoenix, Ariz.; Mrs. Angie DeShazer, Charlotte,
N.C.; Jay and Janice Cline, Tulsa, Jane Sumner, Perkins, all uncles and
aunts of the bride; and Chris Dubois, Oklahoma City, cousin of the bride.
Following the church reception, a private party was held for the bride and
groom at E.W.'s Restaurant at the Marland Mansion.
The couple left for a wedding trip to Hint Ridge Recreational Resort. For
traveling, the bride wore a street-length, short sleeved dress in a cream
and blue floral design.
The newlyweds have established a home in Ponca City.
Community Christian Setting For Dulick-Williams Wedding
Christy Dulick and Jay Williams were united in marriage in a double ring
ceremony Sept. 7 at 4 p.m. at Community Christian Church. The Rev. Mark
Silkey officiated, with a prayer of blessing by the Rev. John Michalicka.
The bride is the daughter of Sherryl Perry of Ponca City and Arkell Dulick
of Loxahatchee, Fla. Parents of the bridegroom are Bill and Blanche Williams
of Inman, Kan.
Music performed by a string quartet included "Canon in D," "Jesu,
Joy of Man's Desiring," and the processional, "Trumpet Voluntary."
Lori White sang "I Will Be Here." The recessional, "Spring
Season," was also performed by the string quartet.
The bride was attired in a formal gown of ivory in an off-the-shoulder style.
The gown was fashioned with a fitted and beaded bodice and chapel-length
train. The bridal veil, also in a chapel length, was held by a beaded headpiece.
The bride carried a hand-tied bouquet of white roses accented with greenery
and ribbon.
Tami Jacobson of Florida served her sister as matron of honor. Maid of honor
was Lynna Boss of Ponca City. Bridesmaid was Buffy Guzensky. Each wore a
floor-length, sheath gown of navy bridal satin with spaghetti straps, and
carried a smaller version of the bridal bouquet.
Flower girl was Julia Jacobson, niece of the bride. Her tea-length gown
of navy bridal satin was sleeveless.
Joe Shobe of Wichita served as best man. Serving as groomsmen were Marc
Leavell of Ponca City and Lowell Ely of Inman, Kan. Ushers were Ryan Jacobson,
nephew of the bride, and Sam Rhymes of Nashville, Tenn.
The guest book was attended by Lisa Lynn, cousin of the bride.
A reception at the Marland Mansion was held following the ceremony. Carol
McClaren assisted the bride's parents.
The couple left for a wedding trip to Aruba, and are now at home in Ponca
City. The bride is executive director of the Domestic Violence Program,
and the bridegroom is employed in the Geophysical Department at Conoco.
Haskell Indian School Planning October Reunion
The annual reunion of Haskell Indian School, Lawrence, Kan., is scheduled
Oct. 11-13 in Oklahoma City. All alumni and friends are invited.
Events will be held at the Radisson Inn, I-40 and Meridian, starting with
a reception Friday at 7 p.m. On Saturday, a general meeting will be held
from 9-11 a.m. The Saturday evening events will begin with a cocktail hour
at 5 p.m., with dinner and dance following. A picnic is scheduled for Sunday
afternoon at the Ray Trent Park, Del City.
For further information, contact A. D. Partridge (918) 241-6878.
20th Century Club Slates First Meeting
Twentieth Century Club will hold its first meeting of the 1996-97 year at
1 p.m. Friday at the Cultural Center.
The program, "E.W. Marland - The Man, The Dream," will be presented
by T.L. Walker, Craig Myers and Pam Griffith. The musical program will tell
the story of E.W. Marland in song and narration, including music from the
'Roaring Twenties.'
The program will cover the life of Marland from the time he made and lost
his first fortune in West Virginia through the time he lived in Ponca City.
Mrs. Charles Hollar, president, will preside at the meeting. Greeters will
be Mrs. John Strickland, Mrs. Earl Sutton , Mrs. Jim Throop, Mrs. M.D. Timberlake,
Mrs. Ernest Trout and Mrs. Arthur Young. The social committee, chaired by
Mrs. Richard Pitts and Mrs. A.P. Whipple, will serve refreshments after
the meeting.
Little News
Larry and Grace Lake announce the birth of a daughter, Hannah Belle, at
2 p.m., Sept. 11, 1996, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. She weighed
8 pounds and was 21 inches long. She joins a brother, Adam, and sisters
Rachel, Laura and Rebekah.
Maternal grandparents are Don Sanders of Scottsdale, Ariz., and Charleen
Sanders of Trinity, Texas. Paternal grandparents are the late Nathan and
Ruby Belle Lake. Great-grandparents are Lucille Wakefield of Trinity, Texas,
and the late Lloyd Wakefield; the late Edwin Earl and Johnnie Bell Sanders,
William and Mary (Mock) Lake, and Arthur and Sarah Belle Hall.
Danny and Juli Merciez, Route 9, Ponca City, announce the birth of a daughter,
Jocelin Leigh Merciez, at 5:15 a.m., Sept. 26, 1996, at St. Joseph Regional
Medical Center. She weighed 7 pounds and 11 ounces, and was 20 1/2 inches
long. She joins a brother, Zachary Joseph Merciez.
Maternal grandmother is Mary Anne Day of Springfield, Mo. Paternal grandfather
is Jack Merciez of Ponca City.
Council Learns About Fall Plantings, Bird Songs
Mitch Yancy, owner of "The Farm" nursery presented the program
for the October meeting of the Ponca City Council of Garden Clubs.
Rebecca Barker, president, called the meeting to order and led the group
in reciting the Gardener's Creed.
Rita Robbins, vice president, introduced the speaker. Yancy's program dealt
with fall plantings. He displayed numerous fall plants and gave instruction
on their needs. "This is the time of year to plant pansies, chrysanthemums,
peonies, ornamental cabbages and many perennials," he advised.
The shasta daisy is in the mum family and can be planted now, he added.
Yancy also noted that peonies require well-drained soil, and shouldn't be
planted too deeply and require full sun for an abundance of spring blooms.
"To ensure that your chrysanthemums bloom fully in the fall, buds should
be pinched off until the middle of July and then allowed to continue developing,"
he advised.
Helen Spore, bird committee chairman, gave a report entitled "Nature's
Symphonic Mystery." She compared the song traits of birds with that
of humans. "Researchers believe that only male birds in the species
sing," she said. "It appears that even in the bird world there
are dialect differences between the same types of birds living in different
parts of the country, just as humans. Young birds learn to sing by mimicking
elders and, in their first year, their songs are nothing more than babbling
and experimentation with sound much like that of a toddler. They have also
found that birds living in between two distinct dialect regions will become
bilingual."
Rebecca Barker announced that Kay Martin, chairman of the scholarship committee,
has been named to the Vo-Tech advisory committee for the horticulture program.
Marlene Roth reported that Sage, Rosemary and Thyme Garden Club took a pilgrimage
to the Myriad Botanical Gardens and Crystal Bridge in Oklahoma City. After
touring the gardens, the group had lunch at the Bricktown Brewery before
returning to Ponca. Marlene pointed out that anyone is welcome at their
meetings, workshops or pilgrimages, space permitting.
Barbara Younger announced that on Oct. 14 Red Rose Garden Club will host
a Celebration Tea in honor of the club's 65th anniversary. Anyone who is
a past member or knows the names of past members of Red Rose Garden Club
is asked to contact Barbara, 762-3695.
Kay Martin announced that on Oct. 23, Four O'clock Garden Club will host
an Anniversary Guest Day in honor of the club's 50th anniversary. All past
members or those who would like more information may contact Kay, 762-5285.
Jeff Clark of Signature Landscapes will present the program at the Nov.
6 Council meeting.
Beguin, Hudson Are Wed At First Presbyterian Church
Amy Susanne Beguin and Randy Glen Hudson exchanged vows of marriage in a
3 p.m. ceremony Sept. 21 at First Presbyterian Church. The Rev. Dr. Monty
Fey officiated at the double ring vows.
Parents of the bride are Jack and Marcia Beguin, 1920 Jane. The bridegroom
is the son of Marion Hudson, 901 Bradley, and the late Gerald Hudson.
Music selections, played by Suzanne Sumpter, pianist, included "Jesu,
Joy of Man's Desiring." The bride entered to "Canon in D."
Played during the unity candle ceremony was "Right Here Waiting."
The recessional was the traditional "Wedding March."
The bride, escorted to the altar by her father, wore a white satin gown
with beaded bodice. The sleeves and chapel-length train were accented with
Battenberg lace, pearls and sequins. The back waistline was highlighted
with a bow. The bride's headpiece of white silk roses, accented with pearls
and ribbon, was created by her mother.
The bridal bouquet, which she created, was composed of white silk roses
accented with gold silk roses, hunter green silk carnations, pearls and
ribbon.
Wendy Mabry was maid of honor. She wore a floor-length gown of hunter green
gabardine trimmed in white with a white bow at the shoulders. She also wore
white silk roses, accented with pearls, in her hair. She carried a smaller
version of the bridal bouquet, which the bride also created.
Flower girl was Cady Mabry. She wore a knee-length dress of hunter green
cotton, trimmed in white, and carried a white basket accented with hunter
green ribbon. The basket was filled with red rose petals. Ring bearer was
Caleb Mabry.
Best man was Warren Matthews of Atlanta, Ga. Serving as ushers were Anthony
Beguin, brother of the bride; Gary and Jay Hudson, brothers of the bridegroom;
Damon Womble and Clifton Brown.
Presiding at the guest registry was Cheryl Sisco.
A reception in Fellowship Hall followed the ceremony. Assisting at the event
were the Presbyterian Women.
Special guests included Florence Beguin, grandmother of the bride; Gary,
Kalynne, Richard, Joseph and Justin Hudson, Harker Heights, Texas; Gay Hudson,
Englewood, Colo.; Michael, Nancy and Christy Hunt, Lee's Summit, Mo.; Brian,
Lynn and Breanne Greever, Olathe, Kan.; Rex Hudson and Jill Norris, Peoria,
Ill., and Bruce, Karen, Nicole and Aaron Hudson, Lincoln, Neb.
The couple left for a wedding trip to Las Vegas. For traveling, the bride
wore a tan, street-length dress. The newlyweds are now at home in Lenexa,
Kan. The bride is employed with K-mart in Overland Park, Kan., and the bridegroom
is manager of the Lenexa K-mart.
Party To Honor Mrs. Ruby Allen
Ruby Allen of Ponca City will be celebrating her 80th birthday at a party
Oct. 13 from 2-4 p.m. in the lobby at Broadway Plaza, 201 East Broadway.
All friends and family are invited to attend. It is requested there be no
gifts.
Hosting the event are her children: George and Linda Allen of Ponca City
and Juan and Nancy Ponce of Joshua, Texas.
Mrs. Allen was born Oct. 13, 1916. She married Oran Allen, a Newkirk resident,
Dec. 18, 1937. The couple moved to Ponca City in the early 1950s. Mr. Allen
died in November 1971, and Mrs. Allen continued residing here. She has six
grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Cards would be appreciated.
Duff, Schuyler Repeat Vows At Christ's Church in Newkirk
Christ's Church in Newkirk was the setting for the Sept. 7 wedding of Monica
Lynn Duff and Robert William Schuyler III. The Rev. Craig Ortwein officiated
at the double ring vows in a 1 p.m. ceremony.
The bride is the daughter of Mitchell and Becky Orr of Newkirk. Parents
of the bridegroom are Danny and Evelyn Dysart of Ponca City.
The bride was escorted to the altar by her brother, Jonathan Hendricks of
Dallas. The traditional "Wedding March" was played by Mrs. Reed.
The bride's gown of cream satin featured a fitted bodice and an inset of
cream lace which extended from the waistline to the hemline. Gathered lace
extended around the sweetheart neckline and short, puffed sleeves. The bride's
headpiece was a cascade of silk cream hybrid mums, tipped in red, with red
satin ribbons. The bride carried a cascade bouquet of cream silk hybrid
mums and red carnation petals, accented with greenery.
Stacey Smith of Newkirk served her cousin as maid of honor. She was attired
in a red satin and chiffon gown accented with red ribbon. She carried a
bouquet of red carnations accented with red silk ribbons.
Bridesmaid was the bride's daughter, Krystan Duff of Newkirk. Serving as
flower girl was the bride's daughter, Michele Duff, also of Newkirk. Ring
bearer was Lois Bell of Newkirk, cousin of the bride.
The bridesmaid, flower girl and ring bearer wore tea-length dresses in a
cream and red floral, trimmed in cream lace. Their headpieces were hybrid
mums and red carnations. The bridesmaid carried a single hybrid mum, accented
with red ribbon.
Chris North of Ponca City served as best man. Groomsman was Travis Megee,
also of Ponca City. Guests were seated by Josh Reed, cousin of the bride,
Tulsa.
Registering guests was Amber Douglas.
A reception at the church followed the ceremony. Assisting at the reception
were the bride's cousins, Dawauna McBee, Mashauna Wallace, and the bridegroom's
cousin, Talea Douglas.
The four-tiered wedding cake was decorated with lace, hybrid mums, carnations,
and red satin ribbons and bows. It was topped with a glass heart and two
glass doves. The bridegroom's cake was two chocolate hearts decorated with
chocolate leaves and a chocolate carnation. The cake, flowers, decorations,
and the dresses of the bridesmaid, flower girl, and ring bearer were all
created by Becky Orr, mother of the bride.
Special guests included the bride's grandmother, Nell Binkley; the bridegroom's
grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. J.R. Dysart; the bride's grandaunt, Sue Raper
of Stillwater; the bride's cousin, Debbie Mangum of Yale; Jonathan Hendricks,
Dallas, and Velma Fewell, Springfield, Mo.
The couple left for a honeymoon wearing "Just Married" shirts
made for them by Becky Orr. After a wedding trip to Oklahoma City, the couple
established their home in Newkirk. The bride is a pet groomer's assistant
at Canine Design of Newkirk. The bridegroom is a manufacturing technician
with Smith Tool.
Wedding Plans Announced
Mr. and Mrs. Fred L. Archer of Ponca City announce the upcoming marriage
of their daughter, Patricia J. Archer and Carl J. Szafranski, son of Mr.
and Mrs. Ken Piper of Tulsa and Mr. and Mrs. Gary Szafranski of Marlow.
The couple will exchange vows Dec. 21 in a 6 p.m. ceremony at First Presbyterian
Church. A reception will follow at the Marland Mansion.
Miss Archer is a 1993 graduate of Ponca City High School. She continued
her education at Northern Oklahoma College, where she received her associate's
degree in nursing. She is currently a Licensed Registered Nurse.
The prospective bridegroom is a 1992 graduate of Ponca City High School.
He is currently attending Oklahoma State University, where he plans to graduate
with a degree in landscape contracting. Both reside in Stillwater.
'Oil Prices' Will Be Topic Of Desk & Derrick Speaker
Kevin Carpenter, Conoco Inc., Houston, will be guest speaker at the local
Desk and Derrick Club Industry Appreciation Night to be held Thursday at
the American Legion, 407 West South Avenue.
A social will begin at 6 p.m., and dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m. Carpenter,
manager, Commercial Support, Crude Oil Supply and Trading, will speak about
"Domestic and International Oil Prices."
The annual dinner is the time Desk and Derrick members honor their bosses
and the industry. It is also a time to celebrate the 1996 success of the
local club, including programs, and awarding two scholarships to area students.
Desk and Derrick activities have included field trips through Ponca City
and the Electric Plant; a bus tour of the historical oil fields in the surrounding
area, and monthly meetings with speakers.
The guest speaker started with Conoco as a chemist in Ponca City and worked
for three years in Lake Charles. During Carpenter's last nine years in Houston,
he was first a staff assistant, then supply coordinator, and then director
of finance and his current title. He holds a bachelor of science degree
in chemistry, and an MBA.
Reservations are to be made with Margaret Sloan, Conoco, Inc., P.O. Box
1267, 540-5 NT, Ponca City, Ok., 74603. Call (405) 767-2449.
Hospitality coordinators will be Ms. Sloan, Andrea Reutlinger and Christy
Valliere.
Parsons, Junkens Engaged
The engagement of Karen Faye Parsons and Jason Alan Junkens is being announced
by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Bill Parsons of Kingston, Okla. Parents of
the future bridegroom are Kay Junkens, 617 East Detroit, and James Junkens
of Newkirk. The couple are the parents of Josten Junkens. They have selected
a June 7 wedding date. The ceremony will be held at Will Rogers Rose Garden
in Oklahoma City.
Ms. Parsons, a 1990 graduate of Kingston High School, attended Travel Technology
in Tulsa. She is employed at Horizons Unlimited Travel Services, Tulsa.
The future bridegroom is a 1990 graduate of Ponca City High School. He received
a bachelor's degree in business management from Oklahoma State University
in 1995. A member of the Oklahoma Army National Guard, Oklahoma City, he
is employed with Aerotek, Inc., Tulsa, as a technical recruiter.
Old Family Recipe Results In Thriving Pickle Business
Gayle's Sweet Heat (Sweet and Spicy Gourmet Pickles) are making a name
for themselves in the pickle world.
Using an old family recipe, Tina Fausett, sister of Sherry Muchmore, Ponca
City, and Sherry's daughter, Laura Borlabi, began jarring the pickles a
little over a year ago. This year at the State Fair, Gayle's Sweet Heat
Pickles booth proved to be as popular as it was last year, when the made
in Oklahoma gourmet pickle de-buted.
The Sweet Heat pickles were introduced in 1995 at the State Fair. They brought
the products back to the Fair this year for "exposure."
The old family recipe was brought to Oklahoma 50 years ago when Fausett's
mother, Gayle, married and moved to Oklahoma from her native Louisiana.
The pickles are jarred with jalapeno peppers and this makes a Cajun connection.
The pickles come in mild, medium and hot and even extra hot.
Fausett said Sweet Heat's beginnings came as a result of making them for
gifts as she was growing up. So popular were the Sweet Heat gifts for friends
and relatives, that Fausett and Borlabi started the business. They borrowed
the recipe and start-up money from Gayle Fausett and Blaze Foods Inc.,
was born in April 1995.
Using a minimal amount of part-time help, the women prepare, jar, label,
pack and ship the pickles from a commercial kitchen they have in northwest
Oklahoma City.
Bernard Borlabi, husband of Laura, is a food industry broker, and helped
get the product on grocery store shelves across Oklahoma and out of state.
Last year, Sweet Heat sales totaled about $28,000 from April through December.
Already this year the pickles have generated sales in excess of $50,000.
Currently, Blaze Foods Inc., is selling anywhere from 400 to 1,000 cases
a month. The owners are considering merging with Miller Group Inc., which
has national distribution. The next step will be getting automated in the
next few months.
Citian Pledges Fraternity
Bryan Carter, a freshman from Ponca City, has pledged Kappa Sigma fraternity
at Baker University, Baldwin City, Kan.
Douglas, Ackerson To Wed
Jeanne Ann Douglas and Dr. Virgil Lee Ackerson announce their engagement
and approaching marriage. The wedding will take place Dec. 28 in the United
Methodist Church of Tonkawa.
The bride-to be, a graduate of Tonkawa High School, received a bachelor
of science degree from Oklahoma State University and is currently employed
as assessment coordinator for Northern Oklahoma College. The prospective
bridegroom, a graduate of Blackwell High School, received a doctorate in
education from Oklahoma State University and is chairman of the Science
and Mathematics Division of NOC.
Parents of the bride-elect are Mr. and Mrs. Eddie Douglas and Mr. and Mrs.
Merle Leeman, all of Tonkawa. The prospective bridegroom is the son of Mrs.
Grace Ackerson of Tulsa and the late Floyd Ackerson.
Couple Are Wed 50 Years
Mr. and Mrs. Ivan Ross will soon be celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary.
Mr. Ross and the former Violet Keeler were married Oct. 10, 1946, in Winfield,
Kan. They have lived in Ponca City all their married life.
The couple have three children: Mike and Rick Ross of Ponca City and Judy
Taylor of Okemah. They also have five grandsons: Mike Jr., Chad, Jason and
Justin Ross, and Ross Taylor.
They will celebrate their anniversary with a family gathering at a later
date.
Former Missionary To Korea Will Be Speaker at Presbyterian Luncheon
Miss Joanne Poe, former Presbyterian missionary in Korea, will present the
program for the October luncheon of the Presbyterian Women. The luncheon
will be at noon Thursday in Fellowship Hall at First Presbyterian Church.
Miss Poe was a physical therapist at Presbyterian Medical Center in Taegu,
Korea from 1962-92. She was born in Oklahoma City and received her education
in physical therapy at the University of Oklahoma. She also studied music
at Florida State University. Miss Poe is currently on medical retirement
and spends time speaking to groups and visiting other cancer patients. She
serves on the session of First Presbyterian Church in Oklahoma City.
Luncheon hostesses will be members of the Irene Nickles Circle, with Connie
Kanady, Lorene Kinslow, Helen Spore and Anna Shadan as chairpersons. The
blessing will be given by Joan Fuller and Ginny Cagley will present devotions.
All women of the church are invited to attend, and guests are welcome. For
reservatons, call Connie Kanady, 765-8089 or Lorene Kinslow, 765-8455.
Dr. Corff Slated as Speaker
Dr. William Corff will speak to the Ponca City Fibromyalgia Support Group
Monday at 7 p.m. in the First Baptist Church parlor. Dr. Corff is a local
chiropractor. His practice is located at Ponca Chiropractic, 3004 Turner
Road.
Dr. Corff received a bachelor of science degree in psychology from Oklahoma
City University and a doctorate in Chiropractic from Parker College of Chiropractic
in Dallas. He has practiced in Emigrant and Livingston, Mt., as well as
Idabel and Oklahoma City.
He has continued his education in the chiropractic field. His areas of focus
include soft tissue orthopedics, scolosis correction, total body modification,
cranial adjusting, disabilit