From The Pages Of The Ponca City News, Tuesday, October
29, 1996
LOCAL
Homes on Jane To Lose Water
Nearly News
Courthouse Birthday Officially on Monday
Police Chief Lauds Area Law Agencies
Braden Gets City OK on Water Line
Chamber Search Committee Continues Quest for New CEO
Sheriff's Race Highlights Osage County Election
Conoco's Archie Dunham Saluted During Standing Bear Ceremonies
Harvest Festival Being Sponsored During Halloween
Board Approves Contract With Lewis Associates
Emergency Loans Available To Some Kay Family Farmers
County Sets Five-Year Road Plan
Osage President Urges Members Vote on Nov. 5
BUSINESS
EDF Board Ready To Regroup Following Defeat of Sales Tax
Reception Honors New Doctors
Area Counties Added To Relending Program
Evart's Body Shop Has New Owner
Jensen Named New Chairman Of Westminster Village Board
Breakfast of Champions Covers Customer Service
Hancock Heads Bethany Chamber
DEATHS
Vera Inez Grubbs
Joseph John Kennedy
Marian B. Scott
Services Pending
Venus Rippee Dunn
NEWS BRIEFS
FAMILY LIVING
Little News
SPORTS
Soccer Standings
LOCAL
Homes on Jane To Lose Water
Residents in the 1900 block of Jane Street will be without water Wednesday,
according to Charlie Hargraves of the Ponca City Water Division.
Water will be off for approximately two hours, while city crews complete
a water line replacement project.
Nearly News
Check out today's Anne and Nan column on the Family Living page for a letter
written by Ponca Citian Willard Smith. Smith joins a list of several local
citizens whose names have appeared in the national column in the past couple
of years.
Courthouse Birthday Officially on Monday
NEWKIRK - The Kay County Courthouse's official 70th birthday was Monday,
and at least nine of the birthday-goers were on hand both this time and
70 years earlier, when the community landmark building was originally dedicated
on Oct. 28, 1926.
"A perfect day and a wonderful crowd," said Newkirk Community
Historical Society president Karen Dye, describing the Oct. 20 open house
where all county officers gave office tours and served refreshments to the
visitors.
Dye said retired Conoco carpenter Howard Ames of Newkirk and retired farmer
Earl Trenary of Peckham were children at the first dedication, as was retired
school teacher Elaine Fulton, who lives near Peckham.
Others who fondly remembered the first day, she said, were Frank Walker
of Ponca City, Newkirk's Ruth Dewey, who retired from Albright Title &
Trust, retired Arkansas City saleslady Evelyn Miller of Newkirk, retired
real estate/insurance man G.N. "Mickey" Walker, and retired rancher
Harold Cline and his wife Lucille Cline of Newkirk.
The courthouse birthday attracted more than 150 people, some as far as Florida
and California. The historical society and Newkirk Main Street Authority
teamed together to greet visitors and set up displays of historic building
photographs and clippings.
Of all organizations joining the celebration, the historical society seems
to have made the most of the event.
During its annual meeting, the society elected six board members to serve
two-year terms. Those elected were Joe Anderson, Dollie Testerman, Phyllis
Clark, Linnae Colson, Ava Pulley and Kathie Hartley.
President Dye introduced all county officers, including those officers running
for reelection and their opponents, who all attended.
The event's guest speaker Dr. William Corbett also described the efforts
of Oklahoma men and women to secure the right for women to vote. Corbett
said Oklahoma was the 21st of the then-48 states in the union to give women
the right to vote.
Although the state legislature approved the measure in 1917, the issue had
to be approved by a vote of the people, which meant the men had to approve
the women, he said. The question was passed when put on the ballot a year
and a half later.
Except for school elections, where women already had been able to vote,
an elderly woman in Chickasha voting in a mayoral election was the very
first woman to cast a vote in Oklahoma.
Police Chief Lauds Area Law Agencies
Area law enforcement agencies received accolades for their assistance in
providing security during the Standing Bear Celebration last weekend, according
to Ponca City Police Chief Raymond E. Ham.
"I would like to convey thanks to the agencies for their help during
the dedication and celebration of Standing Bear," Ham said. "The
entire weekend should be called a success. There were no disruptions or
incidents reported to the police in relation to the activities."
The Kay County Sheriff's Office, Kay County Sheriff's Office Reserve, White
Eagle Police, Otoe Tribal Police and the Bureau of Indian Affairs assisted
the Ponca City Police Department with security before, during and following
the dedication at the Standing Bear site and at the Hutchins Memorial.
Conoco Security, Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Pawnee Tribal Police and the Kaw
Tribal Police were also involved in the planning and scheduling of the event.
"Captains Clayton Johnson and Jerry Neville did an outstanding job
coordinating our officers with area officers. I appreciate the effort of
all involved," Ham concluded.
Braden Gets City OK on Water Line
By LAURA TREADWAY
News Staff Writer
The Braden Water District received authorization from the Ponca City Board
of Commissioners to build a water line to the city during Monday's meeting.
The Osage Rural Water, Sewer and Waste Management District No. 3 requested
a 10 foot pipe line right-of-way and a 10 foot temporary construction easement
for a treated water line from the Water Treatment Plant, east along Central
Avenue extension to Pecan Road.
In other new business, the board rezoned property at 545 North Ninth Street
so that Jim Lee could add parking for employees and customers. The business
owner confirmed that a privacy fence will be built.
In addition, the board approved the final payment to Sober Brothers, Inc.
in the amount of $35,979.10 for an additional water line on the Fifth Street
Water Line Project.
Also, the Parks and Recreation Department's recommendation to discontinue
renting picnic tables and benches was accepted. The department plans to
continue to provide tables and benches to organizations and events held
in Ponca City. Commissioner Dick Bird asked the department to consider charging
to use the items.
Furthermore, authorization to sign a formal agreement with CP&G Inc.
in the amount of $37,080 for engineering and administrative services for
the industrial pretreatment program was granted. The commissioners also
approved payment of city claims totaling $1,058,952.66.
Items on the consent agenda include the purchase of a hand-propelled airless
paint stripper from Paving Maintenance Supply, Inc. in the amount of $4,822
for Traffic Engineering. In addition, various operating funds were amended
for the 1996-97 budget.
Also, the board designated certain city employees to purchase against the
city and municipal trust appropriations, before reconvening to the Ponca
City Utility Authority.
In new business, PCUA authorized the refinancing of $4.8 million of Series
1994 Direct SRF Interim Construction Promissory Notes to the Oklahoma Water
Resources Board.
Additionally, the board authorized the city manager to contact the Oklahoma
Municipal Power Authority to request indemnification on municipal power
plant operations. Also, payment to FHC Inc. for engineering services performed
for the east side sewer system evaluation study in the amount of $56,369.50
was approved. The commissioners will receive an update of the study at their
Nov. 4, work session.
Furthermore, the board approved submission of the monthly payment to the
city for work on the Virginia Avenue Sewer Line repair work in the amount
of $7,485.50. In addition, payment to FHC Inc. for design services performed
on the procurement of sludge handling and disposal equipment in the amount
of $187.32 was approved.
On the consent agenda, PCUA allowed the Electric Department to purchase
power poles from Weyerhaeuser totaling $5,834.
Chamber Search Committee Continues Quest for New CEO
By LAURA TREADWAY
News Staff Writer
The Chamber of Commerce search committee continues its quest for a new CEO.
Chamber Chair Tim Burg reported Friday that the committee plans to interview
two or three additional applications. No one has been eliminated from the
running, according to Burg.
On infrastructure affairs, Chamber Chair-elect Larry Felix noted that the
construction on the Fifth Street Project will begin within 60 days. Additionally,
the board received notice that the Friday Forum would not be held in November,
due to the workers compensation panel on Nov. 22.
From the Business and Community Development Division, Scott Dean reported
that 87 tickets had been sold for the "Breakfast of Champions"
scheduled Friday at the Ponca City Country Club at 7:30 a.m. Seats are still
available; admission for the program and breakfast is $5.
The breakfast meeting includes a panel from the Two Rivers Quality Improvement
Network that will discuss customer service. To make reservations call 765-4400.
In addition, Jim Holt, chairman of Poncans for More Jobs, commented that
he would suggest expanding membership of the Economic Development Foundation
and recommend broadening EDF's scope to improve the citizens perception
of the foundation.
In new business, the board agreed to help the city in the upcoming campaign
for its general obligation bond project to renovate City Hall and the Public
Safety Center as well as build a new fire station. Two additional propositions,
included in the project would provide emergency response equipment and renovations
and repairs to the Lake Ponca Spillway.
Members did not determine how much money to allocate for the campaign. They
chose to see what needs the campaign committee expects to have.
Burg stated that 100 businesses were contacted on Goodwill Day.
Sheriff's Race Highlights Osage County Election
PAWHUSKA - The big county election for Osage County voters this year is
the sheriff's race, where Democrat Russell E. Cottle faces Republican Tom
Trumbly.
Osage County election board secretary Renee Weyl advises voters to go to
the polls as early as possible on Tuesday. The polls will open at 7 a.m.
and will close at 7 p.m., but any voter who is in line at closing time will
still be able to vote, she said.
She encouraged voters to bring their voter identification cards because
in case of an administrative error, "it will guarantee your right to
vote."
Weyl said a sample of a valid ballot mark - a filled-in arrow - is shown
on posters at the polling place and inside the voting booths, and an illustration
of a valid marking is printed at the top of the ballot card.
"If you make a mistake marking your ballot, take the ballot back to
the precinct officials and they will destroy it and give you a new one,"
she said. "If you have any questions about how to mark your ballot
correctly, ask the precinct officials."
Special assistance will be offered to voters in several categories:
Physically disabled persons who cannot enter the polling place or need help
marking ballots, those who are blind or visually disabled, and illiterate
voters may all be assisted by a person the individual voter chooses.
In all cases, the person chosen to provide assistance may not be the voter's
employer or an agent of the employer, nor an officer or agent of the voter's
union. Persons providing assistance also must swear or affirm that the voter's
ballots will be marked according to the voter's wishes.
Registered voters who become physically incapacitated after 5 p.m. Tuesday
won't have to miss the election either, Weyl said.
State law permits those voters who become incapacitated after 5 p.m., for
reasons such as injury, illness and childbirth, to vote on an emergency
basis if they can't get to the polls. In this situation, voters should contact
the election board office at 918-287-3036.
Voters who have moved since the last election, but who have not transferred
their registration, may vote on election day by going to the polling place
where their registration has been in the past.
Weyl said it's too late to apply for an absentee ballot to be mailed, but
registered voters can still vote in-person absentee by going to the county
election board on Thursday, Friday, or Monday.
Between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on each of those three days, a two-member bipartisan
Absentee Voting Board will be on duty to verify the voter's registration
information and issue the correct ballots. Voters are not required to state
a reason they want to vote in-person absentee, but they must complete an
application, and are required to swear that they have not voted a regular
mail absentee ballot and that they will not vote at their polling place
on election day.
It is unlawful to electioneer within 300 feet of a ballot box, and election
law violations will be reported to proper law enforcement authorities, she
said.
Other election law violations include disclosing how one voted while within
the election enclosure, removing a ballot from or taking a ballot into a
polling place, or taking intoxicating liquors within half a mile of a polling
place. It is also unlawful for anyone other than voters waiting to vote
and election officials to be within 50 feet of a ballot box during the election.
Conoco's Archie Dunham Saluted During Standing Bear Ceremonies
By KATHY ZEHR
News Staff Writer
"Archie W. Dunham, president and chief executive officer of Conoco
Inc., and his wife Nancy, have played a significant role in the creation
of the Chief Standing Bear Monument and Standing Bear Native American Park
project in Ponca City," said Carl Renfro, president of the Native American
Foundation during a reception Friday evening at the Marland Mansion.
Mr. and Mrs. Dunham were saluted and presented with special remembrances
of their interest and involvement with Phase I of the Standing Bear Native
American Park and Chief Standing Bear Monument project in Ponca City, during
the two day celebration to dedicate the monument.
Renfro said, "Conoco's involvement and support, under the leadership
of Archie Dunham, was responsible for the rapid culmination of the Native
American Foundation's dream for a monument of Chief Standing Bear and the
acquisition of Standing Bear Native American Park.
"Mr. Dunham has supported our goal and purpose to honor our Native
American citizens and to promote historic and cultural understanding between
all cultures, and we are most grateful for his and Conoco's generosity and
support."
Renfro then presented Dunham and his wife Nancy with special remembrances
of the project. Dunham received a silver eagle belt buckle and an Indian
blanket and Mrs. Dunham received a beautiful fringed shawl. Renfro also
presented Dunham with a 32-inch bronze collector's edition maquette of
the Chief Standing Bear Monument for placement at Conoco Executive Headquarters
in Houston.
Dunham was also a featured speaker at the Chief Standing Bear Monument unveiling
celebration Saturday, at Standing Bear Native American Park, located at
U.S. 60 and U.S. 177, in Ponca City.
Speaking to a crowd of approximately 5,000, Dunham said, "One of the
strengths of America is the diversity of its people, creating a patchwork
of talents and values that impact everything we do. America's dynamic, diverse
society is admired around the world.
"Today, we stand on sacred ground to celebrate the achievements of
a great Indian leader. When Chief Standing Bear succeeded, against all odds,
in persuading the establishment that Indian rights were protected under
the U.S. Constitution, he changed American history."
He continued, "Our celebration today honors Chief Standing Bear, the
Poncas - and countless other Native American leaders and tribes who have
fought so hard during the past 150 years for American Indian equality and
economic opportunity.
"We also celebrate the manner in which this project has been brought
to life - by many different people working together, across cultural lines.
"Leaders of the north central Oklahoma tribes did an outstanding job
of motivating their six tribes - as well as other members of the community,
including Conoco - to create this beautiful monument."
Dunham said, "Conoco's heritage is deeply rooted in the red earth of
this area - since the days of E.W. Marland and the beneficial partnerships
he developed with Chief White Eagle and the Ponca tribe over 80 years ago.
Conoco has valued our relationships with all the tribes of Oklahoma, and
we're proud of the contributions we've made to the Native American economic
development.
"The Memorial being dedicated today will document the dramatic history
of Native Americans and the important contributions they have made to our
country - and in so doing, will increase communication and understanding
across the cultures."
Dunham concluded, "Conoco is proud to be a part of this historic celebration."
Harvest Festival Being Sponsored During Halloween
St. Luke's Church of the Nazarene Caravan (a scouting type group for children
from preschool to sixth grade) will be sponsoring a Harvest Festival on
Oct. 31 (Halloween), according to Bob Duckwall, Caravan director for St.
Luke's Church of the Nazarene.
Purpose of the Festival is to have an alternative function to Halloween
for the children of Ponca City.
This evening will be for kids from preschool through sixth grade. There
will be game booths, clowns, KLVV's rainbow bouncer, a live DJ playing contemporary
Christian music, and a concession stand.
This festival will be held on the church grounds at Prospect and Kingston,
with plenty of adult supervision.
Boys and girls from all over Ponca City are invited to come and participate
in this event, Duckwall invited.
Board Approves Contract With Lewis Associates
By KRISTI GRABEAL
News Education Editor
A contract was approved with Troy Lewis of Lewis Associates Architects Monday
night when the Ponca City Board of Education met during a special meeting.
Troy Lewis spoke first at the meeting to give a brief description of how
much the new Weight Training Room at the high school was going to cost.
The firm set the amount at approximately $150,000. Dr. Bill White, superintendent,
said that the athletic department has risen approximately $85,000 and they
feel sure that they will be able to raise the remainder of the money. Lewis
also told the board that his fee would not exceed $8,000 for bids, drawings
and supervision of construction. The board decided to approve a contract
with Lewis Associates to begin drawing up plans for the new weight room,
which will be used by all athletic groups. The money to pay Lewis will be
taken from the Gifts Endowment Fund.
The board went into executive session at 7 p.m. and returned at 9:30. The
board approved all new personnel changes which include Kim Hollis, school
nurse; Carolyn Berry, Judy Friess, Sharla Lambring, Pat Morris and Ellen
Pruitt, tutors and coordinators; Mark Huster, David Parker and Jane Rupard
were certified as having extra duty; Billy McDaniel and Kevin Stanton turned
in their resignations. The following people were also approved to substitute
in the school system: Jason Abel, Donna Bickle, Bobbie Drapp, Brenda Fell,
Silvia Gallegos, Matt Nida, Kari Row and Monty Wright.
The board adjourned at 9:45 p.m. and set their next board meeting for Nov.
11 at 6:30 p.m.
Emergency Loans Available To Some Kay Family Farmers
Eligible family farmers in Kay and Grant counties may qualify for emergency
loans for physical and production losses suffered since September 1995,
said Farm Service Agency executive director Terry Peach in Stillwater.
Effective Sept. 19, 1996, the two counties have been designated as contiguous
counties to a natural disaster designation in the State of Kansas, which
means the emergency loans will be made to assist farmers to recover from
damages and losses caused by drought, freeze, excessive winds and wildfires,
which occurred from Sept. 1, 1995 through April 30, 1996, and continuing,
Peach said.
Applications for assistance will be accepted until May 19, 1997, and the
emergency loan funds can be used to purchase seed, fertilizer, fuel, and
repairs.
"A farmer can use the money for the most essential operating and living
costs," Peach said. To be eligible for a loan, an applicant must have
suffered losses as a direct result of the disaster and must be unable to
get credit from other sources. Loans covering actual losses are at an interest
rate of 3.75 percent per annum.
The amount of a loan is determined by actual certification of loss less
any compensation received, repayment capacity of the borrower, and availability
of security.
Farmers and ranchers who believe they can qualify can contact the County
FSA office in Enid.
County Sets Five-Year Road Plan
By MARK GALVIN
News Staff Writer
NEWKIRK - The Kay County board of commissioners stretched money into the
21st century this week, approving a five-year plan for road and bridge projects
during its regular meeting here.
The board members unanimously agreed to spend a total of $280,000 during
fiscal year 1997 on three projects - a $50,000 repair job to a bridge
three miles south of the Bois D'Arc community, a $280,000 overhaul of a
bridge six miles east and 2.5 miles north of Newkirk, and a $20,400 engineering
project to upgrade 5.5 miles of Hubbard Road west of U.S. 77 (North Fourteenth
Street).
For fiscal year 1998, the board plans $600,000 for two projects - a $300,000
overhaul of a bridge on Highland Road west of the Ponca City city limits
and $300,000 for construction of the Hubbard Road project.
For fiscal year 1999, the plan is to spend $275,000 to overhaul a bridge
across Bitter Creek a mile north and a mile east of Blackwell, and $41,000
for engineering to overhaul a bridge crossing the Chikaskia River southeast
of Tonkawa.
For fiscal year 2000, the board plans to spend $520,000 to overhaul the
bridge southeast of Tonkawa, and another $20,000 for engineering for a bridge
northeast of Newkirk. And in fiscal year 2001, the plan is for $220,000
in construction for the bridge northeast of Newkirk.
In other business, the commissioners met with silence after assembling the
county officers into the meeting to discuss the tightness of the 1996-97
county budget approved last week.
The commissioners also approved a transfer of $1,092 from District One maintenance
to lease purchase, and approved a request for permanent and temporary easements
for water pipeline for Osage County Rural Water, Sewer and Solid Waste Management
District Three southeast of Ponca City. The easements are for an area just
south of the old river bridge.
Osage President Urges Members Vote on Nov. 5
PAWHUSKA - Osage Nation president George E. Tallchief this week urged Osage
tribal members and other Indians to vote in the Nov. 5 general election,
anticipating their votes to be "a decisive factor" in many state
office and congressional races.
Tallchief cited recent changes in various federal policies affecting Osages
and other Indians as important reasons to become involved in the political
system by voting and registering their opinions.
Osages are residents of the Osage Reservation in Oklahoma and are included
in the Oklahoma legislative districts. The Osage nation and reservation
are included in the Second and Fifth U.S. Congressional Districts in Oklahoma.
Osages are also residents in other states, especially California, Texas,
and Kansas.
BUSINESS
EDF Board Ready To Regroup Following Defeat of Sales Tax
By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE
News Business Editor
Ponca City Economic Development Foundation (EDF) gathered together to regroup
Monday during the first scheduled meeting after the defeat of the five-year,
half-cent sales tax on Oct. 8.
At the suggestion of board member Barry Bickle, Pat Mulligan, EDF chairman,
appointed a "post audit" committee to study the results and the
issues of that election.
Serving on the committee are Bickle, Linda Brown, George Paczkowski and
Brian Harpster from the EDF, City Commissioner, Dick Stone, and former City
Commissioner Bill McCann.
In regard to a "spec" building, which had been a part of the package
for the EDF tax, Gary Martin, city manager, indicated that the Utility Authority
could build a spec building in the Industrial Park. He said the building
could not be "given away," but could be sold to an industry.
This information came after a report by Don Wood, EDF executive director,
who told about the state's spec building program. It appeared it would be
more cost effective as far as the community was concerned to "do it
ourselves."
Wood and Martin are to report back to the EDF board next meeting on the
possibility.
On action items, the Conflict of Interest Policies item was withdrawn from
the agenda as the document had not been returned by the attorney. In other
action the board voted not to expend $10,000 for a labor survey at this
time.
Approval was given to calling on local industry for information about retention
and expansion. The board members will be doing a day somewhat like the "Handshake
Day," of the Chamber of Commerce asking abut the needs of established
industry, Wood explained.
Mission of the survey will be to identify the needs and wants of local businesses;
to learn the future plans of the community's firms with respect to relocation,
expansion and other; and to identify common sources for new materials used
by various companies within the community; to identify common markets for
goods and services produced in the community and to determine needs of the
labor force and determine area wage scale.
All individual responses are to be kept confidential by the EDF, however
the composite data will be shared with the community, Wood said.
The board agreed to prepare a "letter of understanding" for SLX
in regard to future jobs developed by the company. This will be reviewed
by the board before signing.
Wood was given the go ahead to sit on the board of the Kaw Enterprise Development
Authority, if the city attorney deems it is all right and not a conflict.
Tom Quillin, board member, was out of the room when the vote was taken otherwise
the measure passed unanimously.
During Wood's report he told there had been six leads on the R&D space
at Conoco. He said it might be wise to spend another $3,500 in marketing
that space.
Wood also told that he had a major prospect looking at locating here. He
said one decision that needs to be made is to whether these are the type
of jobs the community wants.
Commissioner Stone stated that Ponca City Tomorrow is planning to revisit
the vision of Ponca City and that would be a good time for citizen input
on what citizen's ideas are for the future of the town.
Tax Result Discussion
About an hour of discussion on the results of the defeat of the tax issue
ensued. Jim Holt, who chaired the campaign with Donna Jeffries White, told
the board that he or members of the board should take heat the defeat not
Wood or Martin.
Holt also talked in favor of expanding the EDF board. A separate advisory
board to the EDF Board, which is itself an advisory board to the City Commission,
was discussed as a way of broadening the citizens input to the board.
McCann said he resented retirees being blamed for the defeat of the tax
- that a number had voted for the measure and retirees should not be "lumped"
together for blame.
The evaluation of the election by political consultant Larry Wood based
on a post mortem survey concluded the measure did not pass in part because
the citizens didn't like the plan, that they wanted specific industry with
high wages; hiring outsiders - the "Hispanic issue"; taxes are
too high; bad publicity the EDF had received and failure of Thorn Apple
Valley to pay off contractors.
"In short, according to Larry Wood, "the average voter had lost
faith in the program. The expectations did not (and could not) keep pace
with the reality of the situation."
The half cent sales tax measure was defeated by about a 60 to 40 percent
margin.
Reception Honors New Doctors
Hospital and community members, including Ponca City's mayor, joined together
Sunday afternoon, in welcoming five new physicians to the area and to St.
Joseph Regional Medical Center.
The reception in the SJRMC lobby provided the guests an opportunity to meet
and visit with the new physicians.
Five new physicians have relocated to the Ponca City area and joined the
physician staff in the past year. "I speak on behalf of all the new
physicians when I say we're very pleased to be here, serving Ponca City
and the surrounding communities," said William Graham, M.D.
Dr. Graham specializes in Radiation/Oncology and has been on the staff since
January. He and his wife Allison are originally from Glasgow, Scotland,
and he has served on the SJRMC staff as consultant for the past 20 years.
Community members enjoyed visiting with Harry Tate, M.D. and his wife Carole
during the reception. Dr. Tate opened his practice in Ponca City in August
1995, specializing in Neurosurgery. He began his neurosurgical practice
in the U.S. Air Force in 1968, achieving the rank of lieutenant colonel.
Following his military service, he practices in Oklahoma City.
A native of Ponca City, Michele Moyer, M.D., returned to the community in
April to establish a practice in Emergency Medicine, Dr. Moyer's family
members who reside in Ponca City attended the reception with her.
Sara Jane McGee, M.D., established her practice in Hematology/Oncology in
May. She is originally from Woodbridge, N.J. Her practice is located at
415 Fairview in the Northern Oklahoma Regional Center.
Although he could not attend the reception because of a family emergency,
J. Kent Davidson, M.D., is happy to be practicing family medicine in the
community he opened his practice in July.
"We have an outstanding group of physicians that has recently joined
our medical staff," said Garry England, president of SJRMC. "We
appreciate the community's involvement in welcoming them to Ponca City."
Area Counties Added To Relending Program
Kay, Noble and Pawnee counties are among 15 additional counties that have
been added to the Intermediary Relending Program loan services of Rural
Enterprises of Oklahoma, according to Sherry Harlin, financial service director.
Approval for territorial expansion was granted by Rural Development to include
McLain, Grady, Stephens, Jefferson, Comanche, Caddo, Tillman, Kingfisher,
Garfield, McIntosh, Okmulgee and Cotton, as well as Kay, Noble and Pawnee.
Eligible borrowers include businesses with a net worth not exceeding $6
million and operating profit after taxes not exceeding the average $2 million
over the last two years and located within a rural population of 25,000
or less of REI's service area. Ineligible borrowers include non-profit organizations
and speculative ventures.
Business owners may borrow up to $150,000 and a minimum of $20,000. the
monies can be loaned up to 15 years based upon the need of the capital at
a fixed rate of interest and less than or comparable to market rate.
The IRP lending program is designed for the borrower who is unable to obtain
financing at reasonable rates and terms from private sources or other federal,
state or local program.
Evart's Body Shop Has New Owner
The new owner of Evart's Reliable Body Shop at 904 East South Avenue is
Bill Correll. The name of the business has been changed to Bill Correll
Body and Paint.
The firm does compete auto body repairing and painting and also does insurance
claims. The business is a DuPont certified repair center.
A graduate of Ponca City High School, Correll also graduated from Wichita
Auto and Body Institute. He has had 22 years of experience in the business.
Correll has won numerous awards for paint work and special interest cars
he has worked on have been featured in automobile magazines.
He and his wife, Jennifer, have two children, Bambi and Kyle.
Jensen Named New Chairman Of Westminster Village Board
New officers of Westminster Village were officially installed at the recent
board meeting. Warren Jensen, past vice president of Conoco Inc., is the
new chairman.
Cheryl Fletcher, state director for U. S. Sen. Don Nickles, is the retiring
chairman. She was honored by the group for her services as chairman for
1995-1996.
Others honored included two members going off the board. Larry Stephenson
has served for a total of 12 years. He served as chairman in 1987, 1993,
1994 and 1995.
Stephenson is one of the founders of Westminster Village and was on the
original board in 1982. He is president of Cullen Corporation and retired
chairman and CEO of Security Bank.
Larry Murphy retires with six years on the board and was chairman in 1994-1995.
He is president of Larry Murphy Insurance.
New board members replacing Stephenson and Murphy are Bill Rodgers, CEO
of Boatmen's Bank National Bank of Oklahoma, and Pat Mulligan, vice president
manufacturing of Smith Tool of Smith International.
Other members of the board are Warren Jensen, Jerry Corbin, David Cummings,
Agnes Hatfield, Garry England, Robert Harvey, Sister Patricia Ann Regan,
Sister Martinette Schappler, Sister Maureen Daugherty, Cheryl Fletcher,
Howard "Nick" Nicolaysen, and PauLa Bakke. Roy Garten is an honorary
member of the board.
Breakfast of Champions Covers Customer Service
Ponca city Area Chamber of Commerce is scheduled to present a "Breakfast
of Champions" program entitled "Customer Service - How Do You
Measure It?' on Nov. 1.
The event will begin at 7:30 a.m. at the Ponca City Country Club. Breakfast
is to be served starting at 7:15 a.m. The cost is $5.
The breakfast meeting will feature a panel from the Two Rivers Quality Improvement
Network.
Members of the panel are Bev Black, Cowley County Community College Instructor;
Ed and Karen Zeller, Zeller Motors, Arkansas City; Marvin Hafenstein, coordinator
of Southwestern College Degree Completion Program, and Wayne Short, Cowley
County Community College Instructor.
Attendance is limited. Reservations are required and will be taken on a
first come basis. Call 765-4400 to make reservations.
Hancock Heads Bethany Chamber
BETHANY - Recent Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director
Bill Hancock is the new executive director of Bethany Chamber of Commerce.
Hancock has five years of experience in chamber management, including three
years as executive director of the Weatherford Area Chamber of Commerce
before coming to Ponca City.
DEATHS
Vera Inez Grubbs
Vera Inez Grubbs, mother of the late Mable Prather died Thursday, Oct. 24,
1996, in the Ponca City Nursing Home. She was 87.
The funeral and burial will be held Wednesday in Culley's Meadow Wood Funeral
Home and Memorial Park, Riggins Road Chapel in Tallahassee, Fla. Local arrangements
were under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.
Vera Inez (West) Grubbs was married to J.D. Grubbs and the couple had made
their home in Tallahassee, Fla. Mrs. Grubbs had been a homemaker and a member
of the Tallahassee, Fla., Church of God. She moved to Ponca City after the
death of her husband to live near her daughter.
Survivors include three sons, Dale of Anderson, Ind., David of Newport Beach,
Calif., and Larry of Indianapolis, Ind.; two brothers, Edwin West and Robert
West of Tallahassee, Fla.; four sisters, Essie Sheffield, Esther Goodwin,
Marie Horton and Bobbie Riggins, all of Tallahassee, Fla.; and 17 grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, J.D.; one daughter, Mrs. Gale
(Mable) Prather; her parents; and one brother.
Joseph John Kennedy
Joseph John "Jack" Kennedy, Ponca City resident, died Sunday,
Oct. 27, 1996, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Ponca City. He was
77.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday at the St.
Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Enid. Burial will be in the Calvary Cemetery,
under the direction of Henninger-Allen Funeral Home, Enid.
Joseph John "Jack" Kennedy was born Dec. 25, 1918, in El Paso,
Texas, the son of William and Helen (Dempsey) Kennedy. He graduated from
St. Joseph's Catholic School in Enid in 1939. Kennedy served with the U.S.
Army in the 340th Engineers during World War II.
On Dec. 20, 1941, he was married to Mary Louise Howland in Enid. After the
war, the couple moved to Ponca City, where Kennedy was employed as a foreman
at Conoco until his retirement in 1981. He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic
Church.
Survivors include his wife, Mary, of the home in Ponca City; three daughters,
Francis Marie Wittmer of San Jose, Calif., Mary Jo Lacey of Albuquerque,
N.M., and Patricia Ann Lawson of Cottage Grove, Ore.; one son, Thomas of
Ponca City; one brother, William of Tulsa; two half-sisters, Rita Kennedy
of Enid, and Maureen Steele of Ardmore; 10 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; four sisters and one brother.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Kennedy's name to Hospice of Ponca
City, 1904 North Union, Suite 103 , Ponca City, OK 74601.
Marian B. Scott
NEWKIRK - Marian B. Scott, Newkirk resident, died late Sunday afternoon
Oct. 27, 1996, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Ponca City. She was
88.
The funeral will be held at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Miller-Stahl Funeral
Service Chapel in Newkirk with Mr. Danny W. Cornish minister of Newkirk
Church of Christ, officiating. Burial will follow in the Newkirk Cemetery.
Friends may call at the funeral home until 9 p.m. today and on Wednesday
until service time. The casket will remain closed after the service.
Marian B. (Hudelson) Scott was born Sept. 28, 1908, at Decatur, Ill., the
daughter of William Robert and Goldie Mae (Gleason) Hudelson. She moved
with her family to Newkirk at age 2-months, and grew up and received her
education there. After graduating from Newkirk High School in 1926, she
attended Southwestern College in Winfield, Kan., and graduated from Oklahoma
State University. After graduation, she taught school in Kay County - the
last four years as a commercial teacher at Newkirk High School.
She was married to Ross Berwyn Scott on June 3, 1939, in Waynoka and the
couple established their first home in the Middleton Community northwest
of Newkirk. Mr. Scott died March 7, 1976, and Mrs. Scott moved into Newkirk
in 1979. She was a member of the Newkirk First Presbyterian Church and the
Retired Teachers Association. Mrs. Scott enjoyed flowers, traveling, sports,
and spending time with her dog.
Survivors include one son, Bruce, of Kildare; two daughters, Wilna Coleman
of Broken Arrow; and Cheryle Bandy of Denver, Colo.; one brother, William
Carl Hudelson of Annapolis, Md.; one sister, Berna Dean Price of Arnett;
and five grandchildren. In addition to her husband and parents, she was
preceded in death by one brother.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Scott's name to the Ponca City
Humane Society, c/o Eastman National Bank, Box 461, Newkirk, OK 74647 or
to Bank of Oklahoma, 110 South Main, Newkirk, OK 74647.
Services Pending
Venus Rippee Dunn
Venus Rippee Dunn, Ponca City resident, died Monday evening, Oct. 28, 1996,
at Highland Nursing Center in Ponca City. She was 84. Arrangements are pending
with Grace Memorial Chapel.
NEWS BRIEFS
Aqua Fit - This high intensity coed workout applies techniques to increase
the water's resistance for a more effective workout. Aquatic steps are used
to enhance cardiovascular and muscle toning. The class meets Monday, Tuesday
and Thursday at 6 p.m. at Community Pool, Seventh and Grand. Contact the
YMCA for details, 765-5417.
McCord Arts and Crafts - The 15th Annual McCord Arts and Crafts Festival
will be held Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the school. Booths will
be inside and outside, weather permitting. More than 80 exhibitors will
feature hand-blown glass, herbal crafts, ceramics, needlework, wood crafts,
holiday items and other items. A concession stand will feature the "famous
cinnamon rolls." Admission is free. The Festival is sponsored by the
Parents and Teachers of McCord (PTM). The school is located three miles
east of Ponca City on US 60. and one mile south on McCord Road.
Accident - A Ponca City police officer took a report of an accident at South
Ash Street and West South Avenue at 7:13 a.m. Monday.
Vandalism - An employee of Motor City of Quality Cars, 401 West Grand Avenue,
requested extra patrol from the Ponca City Police Department at 7:22 a.m.
Monday. Windows were broken out of several vehicles. An officer took a report.
Burglary - An employee of 101 Beverage, 800 North First Street, contacted
the Ponca City Police Department at 10:39 a.m. Monday to report a railroad
car had been broken into. An officer took a report.
Burglary - The Ponca City Police Department received notice from an employee
of Ponca Bowl, 2000 Lake Road, that a vending machine was burglarized. An
officer responded at 10:54 a.m. Monday and took a report.
Arrested - A 20-year-old man was arrested by a Ponca City police officer
at 12:13 p.m. Monday on a city warrant for failure to appear and several
county warrants.
Subject Held - A Ponca City police officer arrested a 12-year-old boy at
the police department at 6:31 p.m. Monday for grand larceny.
BB Gun - A resident in the 2600 block of Canterbury Avenue contacted the
Ponca City Police Department at 7:33 p.m. Monday to report damage to the
front window of the home. The resident recovered a BB at the scene. A second
report of vandalism possibly caused by a BB occurred in the 2100 block of
Berkshire Drive. In addition, an officer responded at 8:20 p.m. to the 2500
block of Mockingbird Drive where a vehicle had possibly received damage
from a BB. Reports were taken.
Tires Slashed - A Ponca City police officer took a report at Albertson's,
2500 Industrial Blvd., at 9:13 p.m. Monday. An employee reported that his
tires were slashed.
Attempted Burglary - Three Ponca City police officers responded to Ponca
Pawn, 212 South Pine Street, at 10:39 p.m. Monday after receiving a phone
in alarm. Apparently, large rocks were thrown through the front door, however,
no entry was gained. An officer took a report for attempted burglary.
FAMILY LIVING
Little News
Russ and Tracy (Horinek) Didlake of Ponca City announce the birth of a daughter,
Blair Nicole, at 3:30 p.m., Oct. 10, 1996. She weighed 7 pounds and 7 ounces,
and was 20 inches long. She joins a brother, Jacob Cole Didlake.
Grandparents are Fred and Joanne Horinek of Newkirk, and Carole Didlake
of Ponca City and the late Jim Didlake. Great-grandparents are Margaret
Horinek, Newkirk, and the late Bernard Horinek; Howard and Lelah Morgan,
Perry, and Blanche Didlake, Ponca City.
SPORTS
Soccer Standings
Cherokee Strip Adult Soccer
Team W L T Pts.
Zamorra 7 1 0 21
Dynamo 6 1 1 19
Cobras 5 2 1 16
PC United 3 5 0 9
Los Halcones 1 7 0 3
NKSC 1 7 0 3
Last Week's Games
Zamorra 4, PC United 0
NKSC d. Los Halcones
Dynamo 3, Cobras 3
Post-Season Tournament
Saturday
1 p.m. - Zamorra vs. PC United
3 p.m. - Dynamo vs. Cobras
Sunday
1 p.m. - Winners play for championship
3 p.m. - Losers play for third place
Copyright ©1996 - The Ponca City News