From The Pages Of The Ponca City News, Sunday, October
19, 1997
LOCAL
Two City Projects May Slow Traffic
Nearly News
Letters
School Menu
Southwestern College Rep At Po-Hi on Wednesday
Conoco Inc. Makes $1 Million Gift To OU Student Leadership Initiatives
Veterans Day Parade Set Nov. 8 Downtown
Max Berry Elected New Board Member of Red Cross Region
Flu Vaccines Available Here Thursday, Friday
Ponca Area Chamber Orchestra in Concert
Free Spaying Of Female Dogs Now Available
Upcoming NRA Banquet Here Features Yale Senior
Fund Raiser for Bressie Center Friday
Obstetrician/Gynecologist Joins Blackwell Hospital
Methodist Canyon Camp Pollution Threat Revealed
City Calendar
AmeriCorps Trainees At Summit
'Games People Play' Workshop Set Nov. 1
Multiple Sclerosis Group Meets Monday
UPDATE
Chamber of Commerce Builds On Century of Service to Area
Bliss Industries Grows To Worldwide Supplier
LMI Continues Diversification Into New Areas
Chandler Materials Provides Concrete Supplies for Area
The Emporium Carries Many Collectibles
Personnel Staffing Inc. Supplies Temporaries for Many Needs
Customer, Community Service Pioneer Bank's Commitment
Commercial Federal Grows, Expands
Smith Tool Supports Mining Industries
Trout Funeral Home Locally Owned Firm
Pelton Growth Continues As World Seeks More Oil
405 Area Code Users Preparing For Big Split Into Two Call Zones
Signature Landscapes Expands Operations
Take Ten's 10th Anniversary In November
Bed and Breakfast Operators Expand With Hotel Purchase
KLVV Plans Stronger Station
Mertz Develops New Products To Replace OlderTechnologies
Precision Tool & Die Stable, Growing
Sun 'n Fun Has Been Entertaining Visitors of All Ages Since 1979
Quality Water Services Continues To Grow and Serve Area Needs
Hancock & Associates Full-Service Ad Agency
Transforming Downtown Main Street Authority Aim
Graphic Center Remains 'Unknown' in Community
Troop Propane Provides Many Services to Area
Sykes Enterprises Providing Outsource Support for Clients
Monumental Enterprises Enjoys Past Year
Istook Targets Top Legislative Actions
ONG Faces More Changes as Utility Business Evolves
First-Term Legislator Believes There Was More Cooperation
Veteran Legislator Backs Internet Funding
Cherokee Strip Credit Union Full Service, State Chartered|
Travel Agency Sees Increase in Cruises Although Young People Take Shorter
Trips
Ratliff Inc. One of Fastest Growing Companies Here
WBBZ on Air 70 Years; Carries Wildcat Games 50 Years
Steins, Ponca Glass Celebrate 30th Anniversary in Business
Resthaven Cemetery Established in 1930
Curves for Women Takes Off Pounds
Ponca City's Churches Enjoy Year of Spiritual Development
Westminster Village For Independent Living
Gatehouse Comes Full Circle To Become Offices Once More
Cable One Emphasizing Same-Day Repair Service
Albright History Goes Back To 1899 Beginning
J.C. Penney Enjoys Successful Year
Renaissance a Dream That Became Reality
Health World Has Full Inventory Of Vitamins, Herbs, Herbal Teas
PTC Provides Education,Training
OBI Sole Provider Of Blood for SJRMC
A 'Continuum of Care' Provided by SJRMC
Clinics Provide Many Healthcare Services
Poncan Theatre Restoration Provides Performing Arts Center
ADPC Does Accounting for Schools, Cities
History of the Ponca City Indian Museum Detailed
Multiple City Projects Under Way
Elementary Schools Striving for Excellence
Ponca City's Private Schools Advance Education
Nickles Industrial Records Good '97
Graham Photo Offers Many Photography-Related Services
Braudrick Printery First Established In 1923 by News
Edwin Fair Building Apartment Complex
Godfrey's Restaurant Continues With Changes
McCord School Serves Students In Osage Area
Outpatient Surgical Clinic Serves Area for 13 Years
Golden Villa Gives Day Care For Older Folks
Northern Oklahoma Cancer Center Provides Cancer Chemotherapy
St. Joseph Cancer Center A State-of-the Art Facility
Parker Pest Control Has Bird Specialist
Ponca City's Sen. Nickles Says Congress Just Getting Started on Overhauling
IRS
Rainbow International Cleans Water Damage
LIFESTYLES
Reception To Honor Coates
Adams Celebrate 50 Years
Cultural Center
Reception Will Honor Heins
Chapter Plans 'Mystery Party'
ABWA Meeting Set
Former Residents Honored
Pair Celebrates Anniversary
Pair Plans November Vows
Couple Marks Anniversary
Lilac Garden Club Begins 51st Year
TOPS Chapter Members Meet
Fitness Classes Begin Sessions At Body Masters
Marriage Plans Announced
Union School District 98 Holds Reunion
Little News
Imogene Brock To Celebrate 90th Birthday
Singles Network Lists Calendar
Former Military Group Holds Reunion
Sloans Celebrate 50 Years
Wheatheart Nutrition
Ponca City Happenings
Lt. Gov. Mary Fallin Guest Speaker at Luncheon Here
Red Rose Garden Club Members Hear About Council Plans
Party Fetes Pair on 40th Anniversary
Couple Wed In Minnesota
Arts and Crafts Festival at McCord School
Cook-Off Proceeds Benefit Hospice
Xi Gamma Sigma Plans Halloween Party
SPORTS
Chieftains Making It Tough
Headed for Regional
Tonkawa Keeps Rolling
Maroons Tame Savages
PC 7th Grade Footballers 5-0
Where Are They Now? Graves Wins All-Around
Y Basketball Grade School Leagues Set
Toy Bowl Slated
Golf Notes
DEATHS
Margie M. Rath Goatley
Cleo Pierce
Hartzell Lane Bryan
Maj. Benjamin Harrison Rush Jr.
Services Pending
Emma Lee Moseley
Floy (Coe) Abbott
Funerals
David Roy Martin Sr.
Cleo Pierce
NEWS BRIEFS
Motorists should be aware of two city projects that will affect traffic Sunday and Monday.
B & R Painting will begin painting light poles on Sunday along Fourteenth Street between South Avenue and Prospect Avenue. Motorists traveling north or south on Fourteenth Street should use caution, as the right lane will be closed in the work areas until the project is completed.
On Monday, North Union Street between Westbury Road and Lansbrook Road, will be closed from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Continental Concrete will be working in the area as part of the North Union Street water line construction project.
Traffic along that area north and south on North Union Street, will be temporarily detoured east onto Westbury Road and Lansbrook Road.
The main part of the newspaper today is a bit thicker, since it is the annual Ponca City News Update edition. Two special sections are noted as "Update '97" and carry a number of articles about some of the progress that has gone on within the city and area the past year.
----
A resident in the Highland Avenue-Osage Street area has found a husky female with no collar and no tag that may be pregnant. The dog was found Saturday morning near Sav-A-Trip, along West Highland Avenue. Anyone missing a female husky, should call 762-8105 or go by 715 North Palm Street. The resident said, "the only reward that I would like, would be to have one of the puppies."
Mansion No. 1 in State
I'm confident that all Ponca Citians are basking in the glory of our Marland Mansion's being declared Oklahoma's number one tourist attraction! I am being asked what contributed most to this distinctive honor. There are many factors.
First, I would say the outstanding support by the city commissioners and staff. Of course, having an innovative estate director, Kathy Adams, and her excellent staff assures tourists of an interesting tour when they pay a visit. Kathy for some time has promoted tourism. That background is helpful. The expertise of our guides who contribute their time and energy to guiding visitors through the mansion adds greatly. Ponca City's park department has created and maintains the grounds in a professional manner. The flowers are great. Visitors appreciate the beauty.
Obviously the nationally aired TV show "America's Castles" featuring the Marland Mansion was great publicity. During this past year, approximately 53,000 people visited the mansion. This is an increase of 51 percent over the year before. Those visitors came from 48 states and 21 foreign countries.
Mayor Andrews and the city commissioners have been careful in their selection of Marland Estate commissioners. All have backgrounds as community leaders. They are devoted to the mansion and not only help direct the activities and form policies for the mansion, but also work diligently on fund raising activities to support it.
This past year, the city commission made an outstanding decision in separating the conference center from the mansion. Under the private enterprise operation by Monumental Enterprises Inc., occupancy of the hotel has had phenomenal growth. A recent Rotary group from six south central states spent four days at the hotel. They had nothing but praise for the hotel and food service furnished by Applecart Catering.
It was generally agreed that prices make our facility one of the most affordable convention centers in the southwest. For future success, I hope that all Ponca Citians who are in a position to help select conventions sites will acquaint their friends with the mansion and conference center.
I think to be selected as number one in the state as a tourist attraction is a really big deal! We thank all who helped make this possible.
Larry E. Stephenson
Chairman
E.W. Marland Estate
Commission
Support Renovations
A proposal is finally on the table for the desperately needed fire station addition and renovation. While this proposal will only renovate and repair the west wing of the Civic Center Complex, it is a very good first step toward the restoration and renovation of the entire complex.
We congratulate the mayor and city commissioners for supporting this proposal. Future Ponca Citians will also be grateful for this plan to give Ponca City a functional fire station in our historic Civic Center Complex. We encourage the city commissioners and mayor not to neglect the rest of the Civic Center Complex. They, hopefully, will take every effort to ensure that those buildings are protected from the elements and leakage while they are empty. This is very important because, when they are renovated in the future, we do not want to have to pay to repair damage that could have been prevented.
Also, a word of thanks to the architects, Troy Lewis and Associates, for their design proposal. The remodeling of the existing building and the proposed addition are both in keeping with the goals of the Citizens for the Civic Center Complex and other residents who support historic preservation. The proposal will not detract from the appearance of the buildings, but will enhance the heritage of our city.
Now that the mayor and city commissioners have resolved to support this first step in the eventual renovation of the entire Civic Center Complex, we, the people, must vote to approve it. The half-cent sales tax for two years, which will pay for a new and updated fire station, is not too heavy a burden considering what it will buy. In addition, residents need to realize that they do not carry that burden alone. Everyone who shops in Ponca City helps, even if they do not live here. That money will pay for a new, larger fire station where it always has been, give the fire department an enhanced ability to respond and better living and working conditions. It also gets us a third of the way toward a completely renovated Civic Center Complex.
Your job is simple; please support this proposal. Vote "yes" on Nov. 18. Support a new fire station and support the first step in the preservation of the historic Civic Center Complex.
David Keathly
Chairman
Ponca City Landmark Conservancy
Citizens for the Civic Center Complex
Elementary Breakfast
Elementary Lunch
Middle School and Mid-High
Breakfast
Middle School and Mid-High
Lunch
Available on Monday through Friday at the Middle School is Pizza Hut. Available at the Mid-High Monday through Friday are Domino's, Carl's Jr. and Subway Sandwiches.
High School Lunch
Available every day at Campus Mart, the Training Table Deli offers a Pasta Bar, Baked Potato Bar, lean items and fresh fruit. The Ala Carte Wildcat line offers Pizza Hut and Subway Sandwiches.
All American
Training Table
McCord Elementary
Breakfast
Lunch
Pioneer Technology Center
The cafeteria will be open to the public on Tuesday and Wednesday from 11:15 a.m. to noon.
School Schedule
Mid-High
Oct. 20
Oct. 23
Oct. 25
Po-Hi
Oct. 20
Oct. 21
An orchestra concert will be held in the Howell Auditorium at 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 22
Oct. 23
Oct. 24
Oct. 25
Oct. 26
A representative of Southwestern College in Winfield will visit students at Ponca City High School Wednesday at 2 p.m.
Recently named 36 on the list of 100 best American colleges for your money by Money magazine, Southwestern is a private, liberal arts college related by covenant to the United Methodist Church. It was founded in 1885 and has established a distinct presence in education in the Midwest.
In addition to the major academic areas of study, Southwestern offers three four-year academic and extracurricular programs which help fulfill the vision of Southwestern to develop servant leadership in a world without boundaries. Leadership Southwestern, named best in the nation by the Association of Leadership Educators, concentrates on developing students' leadership skills. The Institute for Discipleship puts emphasis on Christian discipleship in any or all fields of study, and SHARE is an intergenerational volunteer development program.
A $4.2 million science building, due to be completed in January 1998, confirms Southwestern's commitment to the sciences, and teacher education and nursing education programs have established sound reputations. Fiber optic cable links the entire campus including internet hookups in every residence hall room.
Southwestern college also enjoys the work of active theater, music, and mass communications departments, a nationally-ranked cross country team, debate, football, volleyball, basketball, tennis, golf, track and field, and soccer, in addition to many other clubs and organizations.
Students interested to learn more about Southwestern's visit to the high school should contact their high school counselor.
NORMAN - Conoco Inc. has made a $1 million gift to student leadership facilities and programs at the University of Oklahoma according to OU President David L. Boren and Conoco President and Chief Executive Officer Archie W. Dunham.
The presentation, which was made during OU's homecoming banquet Friday, brings the university's $250 million Reach for Excellence Campaign to $186 million.
Conoco's gift, together with the approximately $200,000 in support the corporation provides annually to a wide range of OU academic programs, ranks Conoco as the largest corporate donor to OU's Reach for Excellence Campaign. The campaign began in September 1995 and continues through September 2000.
The gift will help build the Conoco Student Leadership Center, a 15,000-square-foot addition to Oklahoma Memorial Union. The addition will house the university's student government and major student groups, which represent the more than 20,000 students on OU's Norman campus.
The gift also will support three leadership programs: the Conoco Leadership Enrichment Series, the Conoco Student Leadership Retreats and the Conoco Resource Center.
"Our nation desperately needs leaders who can help pull us together to solve problems," said Boren. "The University of Oklahoma provides student opportunities and programs to develop leaders capable of building community and working together."
"Conoco's generous and exceptional gift will greatly enhance these programs and enable us to add to our student union a wonderful new wing that will unite our student organizations This project is particularly special because it was our student leaders themselves who asked us to provide a place where they could work together and help one another."
Dunham said, "Conoco is very proud to support OU's visionary leadership initiatives as we prepare the state of Oklahoma and our great nation to enter the 21st century.
"It is incumbent upon OU to provide the facilities and infrastructure necessary to prepare its students of today to be our leaders of tomorrow. This is a memorable day for Conoco as we help OU's dream of new leadership facilities and programs become a reality."
Conoco, the energy subsidiary of DuPont, is an integrated, international energy company employing some 15,000 people and operating in more than 30 countries. Nearly 2,500 of those employees are based in Oklahoma, about 2,000 in Ponca City.
Dunham, who holds a bachelor's degree in geological engineering and a master's degree in business from OU, was named Conoco's president and CEO in January 1996. A longtime adviser and supporter of the university and its College of Engineering, he is currently a cabinet member of the Reach for Excellence National Campaign Committee.
The idea for the Conoco Student Leadership Center emerged during a student leadership retreat in fall 1996. In discussing ways to promote cooperation and understanding, the leaders envisioned a central space that would unite the offices of OU's student government and major student organizations, now housed in numerous buildings throughout the campus.
Boren point out that locating the Student Leadership Center in Oklahoma Memorial Union is particularly appropriate because renovations and additions are revitalizing the Union as the popular hub of student activity.
With the Conoco gift in place, together with university revenue bond funding, OU will move forward on architectural planning for the Student Leadership Center, with completion anticipated in fall 1999.
Plans for the Center call for 60 student work spaces with shared work areas and small conference rooms planned for each floor. At the request of the students, much of the space will be open - divided by partitions instead of walls - to encourage interaction and community.
Among the groups that will occupy the Conoco Student Leadership Center are OU's student government association, American Indian Student Association, Black Student Association, Campus Activities Council, Commuter Student Association, Disabled Student Association, Hispanic Student Association, Interfraternity Council, Panhellenic Association, National Panhellenic Council, and the International Advisory Committee.
Like the central food dining hall addition to the Union, now under construction, the Student Leadership Center's exterior walls will be designed with special care to harmonize with the original building's Collegiate Gothic-style brick and cast stone architecture. The new addition also will create a special new exterior courtyard for the Union.
A portion of the Conoco gift will be set aside to establish an endowment to provide enduring support for the three special leadership programs, each of which will go into effect in the 1999-2000 school year.
The Conoco Leadership Enrichment Series will bring dynamic, nationally known guests to OU for visits of at least two days. These guests would be expected to participate in both large public events and smaller interchanges in classroom or special gatherings. The scope of this enrichment series is envisioned as quite broad, including well-known leadership and business speakers and prominent performance artists.
The Conoco Student Leadership Retreats will draw Norman campus student leaders, along with University administrators, for two-day retreats considered central to developing and maintaining strong community bonds.
The Conoco Resource Center will offer a variety of materials, including a video library, leadership and current issues books, pamphlets and printed materials, leadership exercise kits, and facilitator training materials. Resources will be accessible to all campus departments and student organizations.
Plans are under way for a Veterans Day Parade in downtown Ponca City on Nov. 8 at 10 a.m., it was announced this week by members of the American Legion Huff-Minor Post 14.
This year the Legion, in conjunction with the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Vietnam Veterans of America and the Disabled American Veterans will be sponsoring the parade. Special honor will be given former POWs (Prisoners of War), who will be the Parade Marshals, and special tribute and recognition will be given to Grenada, Lebanon, Panama and Persian Gulf veterans.
According to Chuck Gregg, American Legion Commander, the Veterans groups are searching for all former POWs in the area, so they can be contacted to be invited to a seat of honor in the Veterans Day Parade.
"Veterans Day is a day to honor all Veterans," says Gregg. "Veterans should be very proud they served their country and the citizens are very proud of them. We are asking each one to participate in this years parade," he continued.
If you are a former POW or if you know of a former POW, please contact the American Legion at (405) 765-9073 so they can provide details regarding the parade. Special transportation will be provided for all POWs in the Parade and a short POW/MIA Ceremony will be held at the Centennial Plaza immediately following the parade.
Veterans Day is a day of honor all veterans, and the service organizations in Ponca City are endeavoring to make it a special day in Ponca City. Transportation in the parade will be available for veterans.
Parade meetings are being held Wednesdays at 7 p.m. at the American Legion Post, 407 West South Avenue and any interested parties are invited to attend.
Max Berry, local attorney, was recently elected as a new board member to the American Red Cross Central Plains Blood Services Region, with headquarters in Wichita, Kan.
Berry was elected to a three-year term on the board during the region's annual meeting Oct. 8, in Wichita.
Berry has served as chairman of the Ponca City Red Cross Chapter for three years. His accomplishments as chapter chairman include chapter recertification, a chapter-initiated merger with chapters in Osage County, and securing a new chapter headquarters. He also initiated an onsite blood donor program.
"Max has made significant contributions to the Red Cross blood program," said Nancy Bacon, regional chief administrator. "We are honored to now have his input as a member of our board of directors. He will be a great asset."
Berry is an attorney in Ponca City as well as a municipal judge. He is also a member of Rotary and Ponca City Chamber of Commerce.
The Red Cross Central Plains Regional serves patients in 110 hospitals throughout Oklahoma and Kansas.
Flu season is just around the corner and the Kay County Health Department will be providing annual flu vaccines for persons in special risk groups. Shots will be offered Thursday and Friday at the St. Luke's Church of the Nazarene, 1715 East Prospect.
Typical influenza illness is characterized by abrupt onset of fever, aches and pains, sore throat, and nonproductive cough and a feeling of general unrest. More severe cases may result in primary influenza pneumonia or secondary bacterial pneumonia. Elderly persons and those with underlying health problems are at increased risk for complications of influenza, said a spokesman for the health department.
Vaccinating persons at high risk before the influenza season is the most effective measure for reducing the impact of influenza.
Groups targeted this special vaccine project include persons ages 65 and over; residents of nursing homes and other chronic care facilities; and adults and children who have had required regular medical follow-up or hospitalization during the preceding year because of chronic metabolic diseases.
Also physicians and nurses and other personnel in both hospital and outpatient-care settings; employees of nursing homes and chronic-care facilities who have contact with patients or residents.; providers of home care to persons at high-risk; and household members of persons in high risk groups.
The vaccinations will be given from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday and from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday. For more information call 762-1641.
The Ponca Area Chamber Orchestra, under the direction of Dineo Heilmann will play in concert at 8 p.m. Monday at the NOC Performing Arts Center on the Northern Oklahoma College Campus, Tonkawa.
The program will include "Radetzky March" by Strauss; "Concerto for Two Violincello in G Minor" by Vivaldi with Mary Lindsay and Anne Marie Webster featured on violincello; the march from "Love For Thee Oranges" by Prokofieff; "Carnival of Venice" by Clarke with Mike Moore featured on coronet.
The second half of the program will include "Night on the Bare Mountain" with Mussorgsky; "Meditation from 'Thais'" by Massenet featuring David Kazmirzah on violin; and "Jupiter-Bringer of Jollity" from "The Planets" by Holst.
The concert is free but donations are received at the door from those who want to contribute.
Musicians playing for the concert include violinist Barbara Gordy Fox who will act as concertmaster; and as first violins, John Barrett, Mark Oblad, Amanda Rose, Joshua Milligan and Robert Hwang.
Playing second violin will be Molly Baugh, Catherine Paschal, Andra Nuzum and Helen Ivie; viola players will be Landra Gukeisen, Maria Simpson, and Jennifer Caldron; and at cello will be Mary Lindsay, Candice Burton, Mark Evans, Shara Long, Ginger Skaggs, Kitty McNamara and Nicholas Burton.
Bass players will be John Fowler and John Friese; at flute are Kati Salmons and Alicia Luebcke; on clarinet are Mary Grace Lebeda and Rebecca Perry; on French Horn is James Barraclough, Kim Ghylin and B.J. O'Shea; on percussion is Rick Edgington, and Carter Robertson; on trumpet Connie Ausland, Stanley Barraclough and Fred Beyer; on trombone Tom Danielson and Albert Buchholz Jr.; and Denise Jones will play bassoon.
As the result of a recent survey, the Ponca City Humane Society in conjunction with the Oklahoma State University Veterinary School, Stillwater, will offer free spaying for some female dogs in the Ponca City area.
To be eligible for the free service, the female dog must have current vaccinations for rabies and DHLPIF/PARVO. She should not be pregnant nor in heat. In addition, the owner will be responsible for getting the dog to the Humane Society Shelter at a predetermined time on a Friday. Owners will then pick up their dogs the following Friday. Deadline for acceptance for the free service is Oct. 24.
The female dogs will be transported to the OSU Vet school where third year vet students will be performing the surgeries under close supervision of veterinary professors. Because there is always a risk involved in surgery, waiver forms releasing OSU and Ponca City Humane Society from any loss incurred will be required from owners prior to the dog's acceptance in the program.
Dogs will be kept one week at the OSU Vet School to insure that no complications result from the surgeries.
Selection of dogs for the free service will be on a first come-first served basis for Ponca City area residents, said Jean Barnes, PCHS Executive Director. Applications must be received by 4 p.m. Oct. 24.
Interested citizens may enroll in the program by either calling the Humane Society Shelter office at 767-8877 or visiting the shelter at 900 West Prospect during normal business hours. A limited number of dogs will be accepted so early reservation is advised.
For more information call 767-8877.
Amy Tull, one of 30 students selected from across the U.S. to represent Oklahoma at the National Rifle Association Youth Education Summit in Washington, D.C. in July, will be guest speaker at the upcoming NRA banquet at the Elks Lodge on Oct. 23.
Amy, a senior at Yale High School says the group learned about the importance of the second amendment, our rights as U.S. citizens, how not to be a victim of violent crime, the understanding of firearm safety and much more about the United States government, while at the YES summit.
The 30 selected participants also met with members of Congress, and Amy talked with Representative Wes Watkins from the third district of Oklahoma. She also watched debates on the floors of the House of Representatives and the Senate. In addition, she met with NRA President Marion P. Hammer and NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre.
In an essay written after her return, Amy says, "Many people think that the National Rifle Association is only about guns. Even the summit participants had that thought, but now they know otherwise. The NRA is about so much more.
"Without the NRA, people would not be able to protect themselves with the use of firearms. The NRA makes sure that the government does not try to cross the line on the 'right of the people to keep and bear arms.'
"Children would be in more danger, because the NRA is trying to educate parents and their children through the Eddie Eagle program about gun safety and the proper way to handle a firearm."
Amy also said, "I and the other students feel very privileged to have participated in the second annual Youth Education Summit." She say it has changed her life and the way she looks at her government forever.
"It also gave me an opportunity to form lasting friendships with other students just like myself throughout the nation. It has bettered my understanding of the NRA and the Second Amendment."
In conclusion, she asks "What does the 'right of the people to bear arms' mean to you?"
The Bressie Community will be hosting a fund raiser supper and card party Friday at 6:30 p.m. at the Bressie Community Center. Proceeds will be used for repairs and maintenance of the Bressie Community Building.
"We are asking all our friends and citizens to support the Bressie Community Center by attending the fund supper and the regular card parties to be held during the winter and spring months," said Betty Blubaugh, card party chairman.
Blubaugh explained that nine new stationery windows for the east side of the Center and materials to redo the rest of the windows had been recently donated by the Indian Electric Coop of Cleveland.
"However, donations are needed to pay for the installation of the new windows and for repairing and painting the rest of the windows," said Blubaugh. Three new outside doors also need to be purchased she said. She went on to explain that the large metal screens that protect the windows will also need to be sandblasted and Charles Hanger has donated his time to hang them. Blubaugh also expressed thanks to Oliver Wilson, who has kept the lawn mowed during the summer months.
Bressie area residents and former residents who are unable to attend the fund raising supper and card party on Oct. 24, but want to help with the renovation of the Bressie Community Center may mail donations to Betty Blubaugh, Route 1, Box 59A, Red Rock, OK 74651. For more information call (405) 723 4331.
BLACKWELL - Greg Martin, CEO at Blackwell Regional Hospital, is pleased to announce an obstetrician/gynecologist has joined the hospital as a full-time, active member of the medical staff. Manuel Hensley, MD is now seeing patients and will be sharing a clinic and working closely with Dr. Shuart, Dr. Bush, Dr. Dunnington and Parnell Adams, P.A., at 1009 West Ferguson in Blackwell.
"Dr. Hensley will be specializing in obstetrics and gynecology, giving us a specialty that has not been available to our community in the past," said Martin. Blackwell Regional Hospital can now offer expanded services for the women in our area which includes both inpatient and outpatient procedures performed here at home."
Hensley grew up in Arkansas and came to Oklahoma to attend school at Southern Nazarene University and eventually graduated from medical school at the University of Oklahoma. His post graduate training consists of an internship at Wesley Hospital in Wichita and a residency at Maricopa County General Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona. For 23 years he operated the Women's Clinic of Enid and since 1995 has been at the OB/GYN Clinic at Tinker Air Force Base in Midwest City.
Dr. Hensley holds a specialty board certification with the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. He is a member of Garfield County Medical Society, Oklahoma State Medical Association, the American Medical Association and of the Fellow American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Dr. Hensley and his wife, Shirley enjoy farming and raise Angus cattle. They have two boys, John and Michael. John is in a family practice residency in Enid and Michael is in his last year of medical school at OU in Tulsa as an OB/GYN. "My wife and I are very excited about coming to Blackwell. We have just recently purchased a house in town and are looking forward to being part of this community," said Hensley.
Dr. Kip Wright, pastor of Albright United Methodist Church, has brought a situation to the attention of Ponca Citians concerning the pollution of the Methodist Canyon Camp, west of Oklahoma City.
Dr. Wright says he has received a letter of concern for the pollution of the Methodist Canyon Camp, west of Oklahoma City, from Bishop Blake of the United Methodist Church. It seems Land O'Lakes Corporation has applied for some 20 licenses to build massive pig farms, or factories, near the Methodist campsite.
As Dr. Wright explains, the threat to the camp of water, air and ground pollution is immediate if the pig farms are okayed. Dr. Wright suggests the writing of letters to the governor and other authorities now to protest this threat.
As he points out, there are many reasons to be concerned about the pig operations. The camp is totally dependent on wells for the camp water supply. The pig factories use large amounts of water, which can use up the existing aquifer and leave the camp without water.
Dr. Wright points out that the odor, which will fill the camp, will drive people away and they will not come back. There is also the potential that water and ground pollution would simply render this historic camp unusable.
Those who are interested in joining this effort to prohibit the pig farms should write Gov. Keating, Lt. Gov. Fallin, Senate President Straffon Taylor, and House Speaker Loyd Benson, and address these concerns. The Governor's address is: Gov. Frank Keating, State Capitol Building, 2300 North Lincoln, Room 212, Oklahoma City, OK 73105, Phone (405) 521-2342.
In his letter to the churches, Bishop Blake writes, "We are aware that Oklahoma needs economic development, and this industry is currently providing jobs to many people. Our concern is certainly not to oppose development as such, but development that threatens the well being of people, and the ministry of our church in camping."
Pastor Wright points out that Canyon Camp includes over 700 acres of beautiful red cliffs and hundreds of plants and trees unique to the area. Parts of the camp are designated as a National Natural Landmark. The camp was purchased and developed over the years as a spiritual resource for generations of camper of all ages.
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
October 17-26
Today
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
October 27
October 28
October 29
October 31-November 8
November
November 1
November 1-30
November 3
November 4
November 6
November 7
November 8
November 10
November 11
November 12
November 13
November 14-15
November 15
November 16
November 17
November 18
November 19
November 20
November 21
November 21-22
November 22
November 24
November 26
November 27
November 28
November 28-December 28
November 28-January 5
December 1
December 2
December 4
December 5
December 6
December 7
December 8
December 9
December 10
December 11
December 12
December 13
December 14
December 15
December 16
December 17
December 18
December 19
December 20
December 21
December 22
December 31
January 9
January 31
Seventeen Ponca City AmeriCorps members serving with Partners Building a Stronger Tomorrow will be sworn in at the Central Oklahoma Summit on Youth in Oklahoma City, Thursday.
According to Ruslyn Hermanson, program director, the Summit is central Oklahoma's response to the challenge of America's Promise - The Alliance for Youth, begun at the Presidents' Summit for Children and Youth held in Philadelphia last April.
AmeriCorps is the national service program through which young people out of high school commit to a year of community service in exchange for financial assistance for college or to pay back student loans.
Hermanson says membership with Partners Building a Stronger Tomorrow service includes tutoring, mentoring, counseling, enrichment and training for youth and families at risk.
After the swearing-in ceremony, members will attend training provided by the Oklahoma Community Service Commission according to Melinda Points, assistant director. The training will include sessions on the Ethics of Service, healthy lifestyles, financial management, leadership, public speaking, conflict resolution and problem solving, and goal setting.
AmeriCorps members attending the training from Ponca City are Nakisha Abernathy, Diana Beall, Donna Gamblin, Christy Gonterman, Melissa Harger, Rejina James, Samual Landis, Lisa Schallert, Jill Smith, Tera Story, Joe Thompson, Geraldine Tipton, Terri Wehr, Jami Wesbrook, Jeanie Wilson, Barbara Wimberley and Morgan Yandell.
AmeriCorps/Partners Building a Stronger Tomorrow is a program sponsored by United Way of Ponca City. For more information contact Ruslyn Hermanson at (405) 718-0288.
By KATHY ZEHR
News Staff Writer
A workshop for teachers and others who want to teach people how to have fun while learning various life skills is being offered on Nov. 1, 1997 at Camp McFadden. The workshop is titled "Games People Play."
Counselors, teachers, child care workers, mental health professionals, youth ministers, and all area citizens who work with others are encouraged to take advantage of this unique workshop.
The workshop is to be held from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and participants are asked to bring a picnic lunch and wear comfortable clothing (jeans, athletic shoes, T-shirts or other appropriate clothes) (use caution with jewelry) and be ready to play. Cost of the workshop if registered before Oct. 24 is $25. Drinks and snacks will be provided.
The workshop titled "New Games," will teach games of acceptance, cooperation and sharing that bring people together. Everybody cooperates - everybody wins. The games provide challenge, stimulation, success and sheer fun, say Byron Tribble, and Terri Wilson, workshop facilitators.
"These games will challenge us as a group, or as an individual to achieve a goal," says Wilson. "They emphasize challenge rather than competition."
Tribble added, "The games we teach are designed and played primarily to create and communicate trust. They provide us with the opportunity to express aggressive or even hostile behavior in a safe context."
Purpose of the games is to help teachers and others to teach teamwork, self-confidence, problem solving, trust, goal setting, self-awareness, self-esteem, communication skills, leadership skills, and decision making skills - and to have fun!"
Registration for the workshop is $25 if submitted before Oct. 24 and $35 after that date. Registration information submitted with payment should include name, address, phone, employer and phone, allergies, medication, and list any health problems or disabilities. Mail all to Byron Tribble, Northern Oklahoma Youth Shelter, 415 West Grand, Ponca City, OK 74601. For more information call 762-8341.
Multiple Sclerosis Support Group will meet at 6:30 p.m. Monday at Albright United Methodist Church. Access is available from the west entry.
Speaker will be Iris Wehrle, a senior vocational rehabilitation counselor with the Department of Rehab Services. She will talk about retraining for employment for disabled persons and rights and responsibilities of persons with disabilities in the workplace.
For more information, call Beth Wright at 765-6738.
For more than 100 years, the Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce has worked in cooperation with community, business and industry leaders to position Ponca City as a progressive, forward-moving community.
This year, the Chamber has been involved in a reorganization process that was implemented to help meet the ever-changing needs of the business community and the community at large.
Perhaps the most significant change was the consolidation and coordination of efforts and resources in the areas of Chamber and economic development.
A new structure and partnership was formed whereby the two functions are addressed by a common chief executive officer-president. Named to this position in August, Jan Jarrett has been busy attending meetings and planning sessions to become familiar with his new responsibilities.
Since Jarrett's position is partially funded through an agreement with the City of Ponca City and the Chamber, this provides some cost savings as well as an avenue of continuity for the work of the Economic Development Advisory Board and the chamber.
Committee Activities
"Our committees have really stepped up their efforts this past year," said Larry Felix, 1997 chairperson. "The Chamber is very fortunate to have an excellent group of volunteers and staff who care about Ponca City. They are very important in the continued growth of our community."
Although all Chamber committees have accomplished much over the past year, the "Give Ponca the Business" Committee has been especially busy. Committee Chairperson Paula Coppock heads up the group, and their purpose is to help bring continuous quality improvement to the products and services offered in the Ponca City area.
The committee has tried to enhance regional shopping through advertisement and promotion in surrounding communities. Free business seminars have been implemented for chamber members.
Special focus was given to small businesses in several of these seminars. The highly successful "Breakfast of Champions" sessions have continued, with special emphasis on quality products and service, and a "customer is king" attitude.
The successful and popular "Chamber Bucks" program has continued to grow with the help of the committee. The committee also sponsored a successful holiday preview with 20 exhibitors, held at Conoco in October 1996.
Legislative Review
The Legislative Review committee has also been busy this year. Dave Mueller serves as committee chairperson. The committee has sponsored the monthly Second Friday Forums held at Pioneer Technology Center. These forums feature local, state and national political representatives, who discuss timely topics affecting area residents. The committee has also lobbied in support of the Fallin Commission workers' compensation reform which recently became law.
Infrastructure Committee Chairperson Stuart Powell and committee members successfully lobbied in favor of continued improvements to Oklahoma Highway 177 south. The committee has also continued communication with city officials regarding the city's infrastructure needs, plans and time lines.
The 10th Leadership Ponca City class was completed earlier this year. Fifteen participants completed the training, gaining insight in the workings of various community programs and businesses. The Leadership Ponca City class of 1998 was selected in August, with 16 members representing a variety of area businesses and industry.
The Ambassadors committee has been very active this year. Connie McAbee, chairperson, has worked with committee members to conduct a successful membership drive earlier this year. Over 120 new members joined the Chamber after the drive. In conjunction with the membership drive, the annual chamber social was a great success. This year's event was held on the Marland Mansion grounds with live music provided by the band "The Imposters" and barbecue provided by Head Country Catering. New Chamber members were provided free tickets to the event and T-shirts with a sailing theme were a big hit.
The Ambassadors also sponsored the monthly "Business After Hours" events, with an average attendance of more than 100 business and community leaders at each event.
Other committees have contributed to the success of the Chamber during the past year, with chairpersons and committee members using new ideas and activities to provide information to the community.
Bliss Industries Inc., which began a limited production of hammermills in a tin machine shed near Peckham, will be celebrating 17 years in the business which now has an international market.
Started in 1981 by Bill, Rick and Alan Bliss, the company moved to Ponca City in 1990. The firm has rapidly grown and continues to expand its global market as well as developing new products. Currently Bliss employs 68.
"We consider we are a team here and of course our customers, vendors and employees are part of the team," Bliss said.
New products now manufactured by Bliss include pellet mills. The firm manufactures pellet machines for everything from kitty litter to coffee. Many of the pellet mills are used for livestock feed. Bliss also manufactures pellet coolers, dryers and crumblers.
From the manufacturing facility here in Ponca City, Bliss has produced equipment that is now located in 35 foreign countries and all inhabited continents.
The products are advertised through grade magazines and trade shows. Greg Alles is the vice president of marketing and sales and has been with the company five years. The company has factory salesmen, regional sales managers and more than 30 manufacturer representatives domestically and internationally.
The hammermills range from one horsepower to 600 horsepower. The mills are used to grind meat and bone meal cereal grains, pet food, fish food, bakery waste, pine bark, wood chips, paper, spices, carpet and many more products. Broyhill furniture has a particle board plant that uses the Ponca City-manufactured mills.
The hammermills are used extensively by soybean processors for soybean by-product from the production of cooking oils and margarines. Pet food and wood processing has come to overshadow the feed industry in terms of the market for hammermills.
Another new product is a crumbler that is used for taking the pellets back to crumbs. The company also has a large shredder that will shred paper, cardboard, pallets and bales of hay.
The current plant is about 40,000 square feet and plans are to add more manufacturing facilities in the near future.
This year the firm will build about 150-200 hammermills, 40-50 coolers and 12-20 pellet mills. The firm also does testing for companies' research and development.
The customer base consists of companies such as ADM, Ralston Purina, Quaker Oats, General Mills, DuPont, Weyerhaeuser, IAMS, 0Cargill, Broyhill, Bunge, Tysons, Con Agra, Heinz, Temple Inland and many more, in the feed industry.
Lindsay Manufacturing Inc. (LMI) was originally formed in 1956 as Thermodynamics Inc., a manufacturer of heat exchangers. In 1960 it became Vacu-Maid Inc., reflecting its diversification into the manufacture of central vacuum systems.
Throughout the 1960s and 1970s the company helped to pioneer the central vacuum industry, expanding its sales and product range under the trade names Vacu-Maid and Astro-Vac.
From its facility in Ponca City, the company developed strong sales along the eastern seaboard and began to sell products into Canada. By the late 1970s the company had expanded its operation with a solid distributor network in the United States and sales into several European countries and Australia.
The manufacturing base was continually expanded and improved. The company is a true manufacturer - processing coiled steel into the familiar central vacuum cans; washing, drying, painting and baking the cans before assembling with electrical motors and components, prior to boxing.
Today the company is among the worlds largest producers of central vacuum systems. Operating from 150,000 square feet of manufacturing, warehouse and administrative space on the Darr Industrial Park, the company also has a small distribution warehouse in Salem/Roanoke, Va.
Now over 40 percent of the company's sales are exported to more than 20 countries worldwide. Strongest overseas markets are Europe, Canada and Australia with smaller customers as far flung as Chile, Korea and the Middle East.
In 1987 the company added Valet Radio Intercom System to its product range and changed the corporate name to Lindsay Manufacturing Inc., to accurately reflect its role as a manufacturer.
In 1990 the company further diversified into the manufacture of metal bathroom or medicine cabinets, under the trade name Permabilt
Constantly improving and developing new products, the company aims to become the world leader in the central vacuum field by increasing exports sales and opening new markets for its products in the United States.
Chandler Materials Company has been a part of the business community since 1945, when it was known as Lawrence Concrete. The plant was purchased by Chandler Materials of Tulsa in 1962, according to The News files.
Until 1988 the plant made concrete building blocks at the plant here. They were used primarily in construction. The Chandlers opted to consolidate production at the Tulsa manufacturing plant and the products are now made in Tulsa and trucked to Ponca City.
Jim Lewis, manager and sales representative, says the firm is more than a concrete block supplier. The firm sells to local contractors and to the public as well. Both Wal-Mart and Lowe's stores were constructed with blocks supplied by Chandler Material.
Additionally, the firm handles precast steps for residential entryways, bonding cements, fireplace flu tile and other supplies that are connected with concrete. Also the company handles paving stones used for patios, driveways and other similar applications.
The customer can pick up the blocks or Chandler will deliver. The firm makes a run to Tulsa for supplies on a daily basis . The company's market area includes Winfield and Arkansas City in Kansas and south to Stillwater and about a 40 or 50 mile radius otherwise.
The firm employees three and the volume of business is about $150,00 to about $200,000 a year.
Glen and Verona Mair, owners of the The Emporium, have been in business since 1981. Recently they have added antique furniture, when they acquired the store next door and have added many interesting foods, coffees and decorating accessories.
The Mairs now have 10,000 square feet and they are premiere dealers for collectible lines. Their East Grand addresses are 301-303-305.
Some of the major collectible lines the store carries include, Cherished Teddies, Hummels, Boyds Harbour Lights, All Gods Children, Pocket Dragons, Madam Alexander, Calico Kitty, Seraphim Angels, Pooh, Dreamsicles, Disney Classics, Armani, Dept. Villages, Precious Moments, Tom Clark Gnomes, Emmett Kelly Jr., Lowell Davis, Figures, Charming Tails and Fontanini.
The Emporium also carries housewares, bath and gifts. This includes bakeware, cookware, kitchen gadgets and brand name dinnerware and flatware. The bath department carries such items as rugs, towels and other accessories.
Personnel Staffing Inc. is the only locally owned temporary agency in Ponca City. Operated by Jeanne Fanning, owner, and Mary Robson, branch manager, it continues to grow and expand.
The company's Ponca City office is located at 1312 North Seventh Street. The Ponca City office serves as the corporate headquarters for the company's four other offices in Oklahoma City, Tulsa and Shawnee, operating under the name of Freedom Personnel and Freedom Career Learning Center LLC.
Ms. Fanning started the business in 1974 and has witnessed many changes in the personnel industry since then. Many smaller businesses cannot provide benefits to their employees and this causes a turnover.
Personnel Staffing Inc. has put a benefit package for its long term employees. Companies now can have Personnel Staffing Inc. staff their workers and provide benefits. Dan Sims or Mary Robson can be contacted for further information.
When today's businesses seek temporary or permanent office help, skill is a primary requirement. Office workers must have the ability and proficiency to do a job immediately. Businesses do not have the luxury of waiting weeks for an employee to "get up to speed."
Personnel Staffing understands the need to identify skilled workers. The firm uses the most technologically advanced skill's assessment system available to prove that the people can do the job before the assignment begins.
Using assessment skills and experience in the employment industry, Personnel Staffing can provide the best person for the employers needs.
"Personnel Staffing takes great pride in the testing to fill clerical positions. We test applicants on speed typing, 10-key, business letter format, data entry: Alpha-numeric-Standard & Inverted, statistical typing, shorthand/speed writing, transcription; computer software: Access, PowerPoint, WordPerfect, Excel, Windows 95, Windows 3.1, Lotus 1-2-3 Quattro Pro, World, Freelance, Harvard Graphics. The Primary Sills Test includes PC-based business skills test for language, numerical reasoning and perceptual skills and abilities," according to Robson.
Other testing includes categorizing and classifying, math, editing and proofing, math word problems, filing names, reasoning, filing numbers, sorting and coding, following written instructions, visual speed and accuracy forms checking.
Personnel Staffing can test using companies' existing tests, forms, formats, or they can customize tests for needed requirements.
PSI can identify job candidates who match those requirements and ensure that the person PSI sends can do the job.
Robson says, "Through our investment in skills assessment's technology and our experience in the industry, we can deliver a qualified person who can and will do the job."
Personnel Staffing services including placing temporaries, temp to perm, permanent placements, outsourcing, payrolling and drug testing.
Brown bag lunches, a Community Day celebration, soft drinks at the drive-through on hot summer days! These are a few of the many things one thinks about upon hearing the name Pioneer Bank and Trust. These, in addition to full-service banking, the convenience of multiple locations, three ATMs and top quality customer service are how one defines community banking at its best.
Pioneer Bank and Trust entered its 96th year of operation with a dedication to providing the finest service possible to its customers. "We have watched the trend turn toward hometown community banking as evidenced by the many new customers we've served in the last few months," said Carl R. Renfro, chairman of the board and chief executive officer. "People want to bank where they feel cared about and can develop personal relationships."
Known as the "warm-hearted" bank that is "locally owned, locally operated and locally active," the underlying message is sterling quality service. That not only includes offering a full range of banking services, but encompasses a strong dedication to participation in the community.
"We believe the people of this community see Pioneer Bank as committee to community involvement," said Thomas A. Quillin, president. "Our board members, officers and employees are involved in many different volunteer and civic organizations throughout the community."
Board members are Cory Bowker, E. Lee Brown, Charles Casey, Clement Collogan, Gale McArthur, William O'Connor and Phyllis Worley, who currently serve with Renfro and Quillin.
Activities and Events
Always known for active community involvement, the bank continued its popular Summer Brown Bag Lunch Series and September Medicine Bag Lunch and Dinner Series, which preceded the annual Standing Bear Celebration. Also planned for later in the year will be the Christmas treasure hunt. Details will be released in November.
New this year was the Pioneer Community Day Celebration held at Wentz Camp. The entire community was invited to attend an evening of old-fashioned fun, food and entertainment, spotlighting local talent in an all-American setting. Special guests of honor were Gov. and Mrs. Frank Keating. The event was so well received it has been scheduled to take place again next year.
Also new was the Outrageous Customer Service concept. In order to demonstrate appreciation to customers, ice-cold drinks were served at all three locations several times this summer. "It was super to observe the surprised smiles we received from our drive-through customers as they waited their turn in the line with a cool refreshing drink served to them by our employees," commented Renfro. "A little thought and concern goes a long way in this business."
The ever popular PrimeTimer Program continues to offer a variety of fully escorted trips to its membership. In order to take advantage of this hassle-free travel, a new or current bank customer need only be 50 years of age or older and have a savings or checking account.
New and Upgraded Services
With the main focus on customer service satisfaction this year, the bank introduced check imaging for customer convenience in personal record keeping. Pioneer Bank offers a variety of full service accounts in order to offer customers the account that best serves their individual needs. The popular Pioneer Club account was given a face lift this year making it more customer specific.
Once again the 767-Easy line was activated for ease in opening a new account by telephone. Also continued is the 767-7777, 24-hour service access number. This may be conveniently used at any time to check account balances and to make money transfers. Both of these services are aimed at ease of banking for customers.
The trust department offers a variety of investment options, estate planning and IRA opportunities with a certified financial planner. Currently being planned are seminars on tax laws and financial options for retirees.
With emphasis on customer satisfaction, Pioneer Bank became the first Certified Business and Industry Lender in the state. This certification streamlines paperwork processing beyond the normal scope, which equates to a better turn around loan approval time for customers.
Convenient Service Locations
This year an ATM location was added at the new Conoco Convenience Center at 3305 North Fourteenth. This convenient service center and the other two ATMs at the main bank action center at Fourteenth and Highland and the Conoco Convenience Center, located at Waverly and South Avenue, offer account access with geographical ease. The action location also offers two glass-enclosed showcases which may be used by any business or civic group in Ponca City, free of charge.
The motor bank located on Lake Road has commercial lane and night depository availability. The community room at this location is a fully equipped meeting room. It is available for use at no charge to civic and non-profit organizations, and for a small fee, may be used by individuals and other organizations.
Pioneer Bank of the Osage at U.S. Highway 60 and Bridge Road offers customers full service banking with drive-up facilities and complete U.S. Postal services.
Services Outside Ponca City
While the bank's main presence is in the Ponca City area, there are four additional loan production offices in Blackwell, Stillwater, Bartlesville and Wichita. These offices continue to grow and offer specific services to the surrounding areas. The Wichita office is a leading commercial and residential lender in that market.
The Bank of Nichols Hills, chartered in the Oklahoma City area in May 1996, has grown to over $32 million in assets and 15 employees in less than 18 months.
Pioneer Bank and Trust is a company that has traveled quite a distance in 96 years - not only physically from Kaw City but in size and involvement. It is the mark of a truly strong and prosperous company. Through the involvement and education of its officers and employees, Pioneer Bank and Trust continues to grow and strives with dedication to serve the needs of its customers and the community.
Beginning in October, Commercial Federal Bank expanded its office hours in Ponca City to accommodate its growing number of customers. All three of the bank's locations will now have Saturday hours from 9 a.m. to noon.
The bank has branch locations at 400 East Central and 1417 East Hartford, and a drive up location at Fifth and Oklahoma.
"We have been experiencing a great amount of growth in our customer base, and we felt that the Saturday hours were necessary to continue providing our high level of customer service," said Glenda Phillips, branch manager of the Ponca Main location.
Driving the growth has been an emphasis on mortgage products and the introduction of new products such as Home Banking by computer, said Phillips.
Commercial Federal has attracted mortgage customers through innovative product offerings such as the Power Loan application which allows home buyers to be preapproved, and the Cost Cutter Advantage loan program where Commercial Federal pays for the borrowers' closing costs.
"For 110 years Commercial Federal has been helping people realize the dream of home ownership, and our employees take pride in carrying on this tradition in Ponca," said Phillips.
Commercial Federal has experienced tremendous growth as a company over the last few years. The bank currently has 107 branches in five states and recently announced acquisitions that will increase Commercial Federal's offices to more than 160 in six states: Oklahoma, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Colorado and Arizona. The bank has 19 branch offices in Oklahoma.
Commercial Federal is not only larger than ever, Phillips said it is more responsive to customer needs than ever - approving consumer loans in an hour, approving mortgage loans in 48 hours providing busy customers with computer banking and telephone banking, and participating in a wide range of civic activities that build stronger communities.
"Customer service is definitely a hallmark at Commercial Federal," said Phillips.
In Ponca City the Commercial Federal's 16 employees take an active role in the community. At Christmas time, the Ponca branches take part in the Giving Tree program,. collecting clothing and food for the city's needy.
Also, 1997 marked the beginning of a new tradition. Commercial Federal held the first edition of its volleyball tournament which attracted teams and donations from many area businesses with more than $500 raised for the Oklahoma Committee for the Prevention of Child Abuse.
Commercial Federal Corporation, the parent company of Commercial Federal Bank, has a total of 1,600 employees and assets of approximately $7.1 billion.
The Smith name is well known as a leading supplier of down hole tools and services to the petroleum and mining industries.
Smith Tool, a business unit of Smith International Inc., responsible for the production of premium lines of three-cone roller rock bits, is currently operating for the 47th years as a Ponca City manufacturing facility.
Many people living in this area for several years still refer to Smith Tool as Smith Gruner, or simply Gruner's. The original Ponca City business was begun in 1950 by Hans Gruner, a German emigrant. He established Gruner and Company at the intersection of Waverly and Hartford, which is still the location for Smith Tool. The facility has expanded significantly since becoming a business unit of Smith International in 1970.
The history of Smith goes back to 1936 when Herman C. Smith purchased the Allen Brothers Tool Company located in Compton, Calif. He developed the cross section type rock bit which was a new concept in drilling tool design and contributed greatly to the growth of the company.
Bits Developed
In the early 1950s, the Hydro-jet and three cutter series of rock bits were developed. Progress continued during the 1960s with expanding facilities and development of sealed bearing bits. Smith Tool's growth and expansion made it necessary to move the company to Irvine, Calif., in 1974. In March 1987, the decision was made to consolidate all Smith International domestic operations into one company. Under the one company concept the name was changed to Smith International Inc., Ponca City.
Moves Bit Line to Ponca
In October 1988, Smith International Inc., made the decision to close its Irvine, Calif., plant and move its drill bit product lines to Ponca City Some 100 major pieces of equipment were transferred to the Ponca City plant, 34,000 additional square feet were added and 50 employees transferred from Irvine in 1989. All domestic rock bit manufacturing is now located in Ponca City.
Currently, Smith Tool employs 506, most of whom are Ponca Citians. Employees also commute from several surrounding communities. The plant covers about 206,000 square feet and houses more than 850 pieces of equipment. Of those about 112 are CNC (Computer Numerical Controlled) lathes, mills and machining centers.
Employees in the manufacturing areas - manufacturing technicians - perform such jobs as machine operation, welding, hardfacing, assembling, heat treatment, warehouse and shipping. Other jobs in them manufacturing area are performed by support department employees such as quality assurance, maintenance and tooling.
Of course there are many others who support manufacturing operations from areas such as design and manufacturing engineering, customer service and sales, purchasing, production control, information systems, accounting and human resources. An efficient operation takes a coordinated effort by all.
Other Locations
Other Smith International locations include Houston, which is the site of corporate headquarters, M-I Drilling Fluids, Geodiamond, Smith Drilling and Completions, and Swaco; Bologna, Italy, manufacturing facility for rock bits similar to the Ponca City operation; and Provo Utah, home of Smith-Megadiamond, manufacturer of poly-crystalline diamond enhanced tungsten carbide inserts. Smith International employs over 2,000 world wide.
Sii's quality policy is to establish a relentless focus on satisfying customer needs and expectations. Quality objectives are: To provide customers with quality products and services; to make these products and services available when and where our customers want them; to develop a cost structure that enables competitive pricing; and to build and maintain a reputation for absolute trustworthiness.
Skilled employees are critical to Smith's success. To attract and retain employees with required skills, Smith Tool recently increased the wage scale for technicians building bits at the Ponca City plant.
Bit Features
The company offers 900 sizes and types of drill bits under the Smith Tool, Smith Diamond, and Smith Mining product lines. Smith Tool Ponca City manufactures three-cone roller rock bits ranging in size from two and 15/16 inches to 17 and a half inches in diameter.
The "cutting structure" of the bits is an integral part of the product performance, and is comprised of two main types. The two types are Milled Tooth , and Tungsten Carbide Insert (TCI) bits. Milled tooth bits have teeth machined into the metal for the cutting structure. Tungsten carbide hardmetal is then applied to the surface for the purpose of longer life and better penetration rates. TCI bits have inserts, made of tungsten carbide, pressed into drilled holes to form the cutting structure.
The other feature that is critical to drill bit performance is the bearing structure. Bearing structure can be one of two basic designs. One is an air cooled, open bearing bit, used primarily to drill shallow holes for the placement of explosives used during blasting in open pit mining. These bits will find their way to the gold, silver, cooper, iron ore and coal mines throughout the world. Others will be utilized in industrial and construction settings.
The second the sealed friction bearing but which is used in drilling for oil and natural gas. The engineering technology used in this type of bit truly exemplifies the phrase "drill bit performance." These, too, can be found world-wide.
Quality is Goal
At Smith Tool, quality is the goal and responsibility of each employee. Each work area is equipped with the precision measuring instruments necessary to ensure a particular operation is in accordance with manufacturing systems. Strict quality procedures created through the ISO 9000 certification are used to ensure product integrity from mechanical and metallurgical testing to scanning electron microscope analysis, stress analysis and ultrasonic testing.
Smith Tool has enjoyed a trend of growth over many years and has gained a reputation for product innovation and quality products. In order to continue as a world leader continuous improvement and innovation are essential, and the employees of Smith are dedicated to this strategy.
During the past year the Trout Funeral Home has continued to build on its reputation as "the only choice for local ownership, service, and value."
A complete new funeral fleet of hearses and limousines was purchased in November of 1996.
"Family safety has always been a concern," said owner Steve Huston. "The new fleet insures reliability and better passenger comfort and protection. Plus, we wanted to show the community we're reinvesting in our future."
Many hours went into the concept and design of the totally new memorial register books, memorial folders, and acknowledgement cards. These are unique to Trout Funeral Home and enable a family to include favorite pictures, poems, quotes, or verses on both the register book and the service folders.
"This is just another way that we can meet the needs of the families we serve, Huston commented. "Families really appreciate being able to personalize this special tribute to their loved one."
Since more and more families are trusting their funeral needs to the Trout Funeral Home it was of great concern that they receive the personal attention to detail that residents have to come to expect.
Joel Franks, originally from Hennessey, has joined licensed funeral directors and embalmers, Steve Huston, M.G. Lessert, Darren Medders, and Rick Osborn.
Terry Huston continues as office manager with Martha Robinson as secretary. John Krider and Jack Trout both assist with funerals and funeral preplanning. Betty Whetstone and Susan Ladner are present in the evenings for visitation. Jeremy Ross, a junior at Po-Hi, recently joined the staff as a part time employee.
Steve Huston continued, "These past several years I've watched many of my colleagues sell their long standing family-owned funeral homes to the massive acquisition companies only to feel remorse later. I continue to maintain that I would rather answer to the needs of a grieving family than the demands of a corporate board. Trout Funeral Home has been an important part of this community for over 60 years. I feel we are continuing this proud heritage by maintaining local ownership, reinvesting in the community, and staffing our facility with a dedicated family-oriented staff."
Pelton Growth Continues As World Seeks More Oil
By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE
News Business Editor
"The world is searching for oil," according to Joe Cornelson, vice president of Pelton Company Inc. This exploration accounts for the good times that the manufacturing company is experiencing, as it manufactures 85 percent of the world's electronics used for exploration.
The firm employs 44 with a payroll ballpark figure of $2 million. Pelton is described by Cornelson as a "niche" industry and is successful due to its research and development and training programs.
International headquarters of Pelton Company is located at 1500 Waverly. The firm was formed in 1969 by C.R. "Dick" Pelton, formerly of Ponca City. After resigning from Conoco in 1968, Pelton manufactured a product which improved the control of vibrators used in oil and gas exploration.
When Pelton moved to Puerto Rico to head up the operations there, H.A. Wakefield headed up the company. Wakefield is now a consultant and serves on the board of directors. The Puerto Rico operation ceased in 1985 due to the downturn in the oil business.
Jim Mitchell, who was the former head of research and development, is now president and chairman of the board.
A conservative estimate is that the Pelton Company has manufactured and sold 85 percent of the vibrator control systems used in the world today. Pelton instruments are used virtually everywhere in the world that onshore seismic exploration is done.
Pelton Company has sold electronics to more than 25 private companies or government enterprises. This includes the United States, Canada, Mexico, Russia, China, Japan, Bulgaria, Iraq, Syria, France, Germany, Algeria, Venezuela, Pakistan and England. There are many other countries where the products have been used by geophysical contractors in search of oil.
Cornelson, vice president/administration, John Giles, vice president/research and development and Leonard Epperson, vice president/manufacturing, make up part of the management team and are officers of the company.
Cornelson explained that the firm manufactures electronics for the Vibrosis industry and seismic world. The firm supplies vibrator electronics and other devices that go along with them for the Global Positioning System.
Before Global Positioning, maps were necessary. Recently electronics have been applied to the dynamite side. Vibrosis was developed by Conoco and the electronics for this equipment and has been the primary product.
The dynamite side of exploration had always been there, but Vibrosis, which uses electronic signals, is more friendly to the environment. However, about 50 percent of the seismic work is still done with dynamite, so this year Pelton has come up with a product called Shot Pro that has been well accepted, according to Cornelson.
Another market niche that has been developed by Pelton is software. "Our electronics has become software driven so we've become a software company," Cornelson said.
Pelton has such a reputation that the customers come to them. In addition to manufacturing the product here, Pelton trains customers and personnel of companies using the product.
The company had its beginnings in a small building on Pine and in early 1969. Next the firm constructed the first 5,000-square-foot manufacturing building at the headquarters site. Next another building and garage was added and then the north building, which is devoted to research, development and training.
Most of Pelton's employees are "electronics engineers." Much of the success of Pelton is training for customers. The training facility here in Ponca City trains about 120 people annually from all over the world in the skills needed to operate and care for the electronics. Currently three Russian engineers are here working for the company.
At the time of this interview, Mitchell was in Moscow attending a geophysical conference, where the wares are displayed. Cornelson noted this could be a virtual market since Russia's Vibrosis equipment is aging.
Cornelson says sometimes communication is a bit of a problem because some of the trainees can't speak English. He noted the reception by Ponca City hotels and motels of these nationalities has been good. He noted Marland Mansion Hotel personnel have been particularly helpful.
Besides training here in Ponca City, Pelton instructors go to Canada, Europe and other locations in the states to do on-site training for the oil companies.
OKLAHOMA CITY - Oklahoma's telecommunications providers are reminding residents that the five-month transitional dialing period for the new 580 area code will begin Nov. 1.
The transitional dialing period provides a five-month window in which callers should begin using 580 to familiarize themselves with it. The transitional dialing period ends at midnight on March 31, 1998.
The new 580 code will serve Oklahomans in the Panhandle and the northwestern and southern parts of the state. The 405 code will continue to serve residents throughout Central Oklahoma, including Oklahoma City.
The new code will not affect 911 services, long-distance charges or local service rates.
Remember: If the call was a local call before the new code, it will continue to be a local call. If it was a long distance call, it will still be a long distance call. Local calls within the same area code can still be made using the traditional seven-digit dialing pattern. Long distance calls will continue to require an "O" or a "1" plus the area code and seven-digit number.
The transitional dialing period was designed to provide a sufficient amount of time for customers to become accustomed to the 580 code.
During the transitional dialing period, Oklahoma telecommunications service providers will be conducting an educational campaign to inform consumers about the new code.
The campaign includes a variety of customer mailings, bill inserts, bill messages, news announcements and other communications.
During the transitional period, customers dialing local or long distance can use either the 405 or 580 code and their calls will be completed. However, after the transitional dialing period ends next March, callers who mistakenly dial the wrong code will hear a recorded message that asks the caller to hang up and dial again using the correct code.
All business customers throughout the state ware being urged to contact their private branch exchange (PBX) vendor to ensure that their PBX systems are programmed to send and receive calls using the new generation of area codes, which do not have a "1" or "0" as the middle digit.
Additionally, Oklahoma businesses can begin making the necessary changes to the company letterhead, advertising, promotional materials and business cards to reflect the new code. It also is important for businesses within the new 580 region to advise their customers of the change to ensure that they will be able to send and receive calls to and from the new code.
Telephone customers are being encouraged to reprogram residential and business speed dial and auto dial services on telephones an fax machines.
The 580 code was assigned by Bellcore, the administrator of codes throughout North America, after the Oklahoma Corporation Commission's June 26 ruling in favor of implementing a new code through a geographic split of the current 405 code.
Signature Landscapes, 3612 Lake Road, has completed four years in business at its lawn and garden center and office building. Another expansion on Lake Road is a tree lot for displaying large trees.
Owned and operated by Jeff Clark, the firm specializes in residential and commercial landscaping irrigation and construction.
Clark's goal is to be a total landscape company which provides professional advise. The company offers landscape design and installation, sprinkler system installation and maintenance, large selection of shrubs, trees, perennials and annuals, construction of retaining walls, stone and brick walkways and patios, wooden fences and decks.
Constructing greenhouses throughout the state is a growing expansion of Signature Landscapes.
A qualified horticulturist, Lesa Lewis, has joined the staff at Signature Landscapes this year. She is a graduate of Kansas State University with nine year of experience at Lambert's Arboretum in Dallas.
Customers can call for free consultations and Lesa or Jeff will assist them with a landscape plan that fits their landscaping needs.
As a member of the American Landscape contractors Association, Clark has a degree in horticulture and landscape construction form the College of Agriculture at Oklahoma State University.
During the fall, Signature Landscapes is open to the public Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Take Ten, 3015 North Fourteenth, will be celebrating its 10th anniversary next month .
In July 1987, the Robbins family started construction on a 10-minute oil change - a totally new concept for Ponca City and one in which many said, "it will never go over." The following November work was completed and the new 10-minute oil change opened for business. Well thanks to the great people in this town, it took off, according to the Robbins.
In 1990, Take Ten expanded, building an auto repair facility, and in July 1991 was involved in forming a corporation to take over the Conoco distributorship for the Ponca City area - Pioneer Petroleum Inc.
After an expansion in Kansas of the quick lube, 1994 saw the "Return of Firestone" to Ponca City. The old corporate store had closed eight years earlier. Take Ten Firestone is the authorized Bridgestone-Firestone Affiliated Dealer for Ponca City and surrounding area.
This year they joined two other entrepreneurs in Ponca City, forming another corporation, American Risk Underwriters, to finance automobiles purchased from new and used car dealers in the local area, as well as Oklahoma City and Tulsa.
Today, Robbins Take Ten Inc., employs 12 Ponca Citians, gives Ponca the business for many of its supplies and supports more than 40 local charities and organizations.
The future of Ponca City is dependent on the strengths of small business of the community according to the community Take Ten plans on strategic future expansions as opportunities open.
A 10th anniversary celebration in November. Take Ten is owned by Bob and Rosalie Robbins.
The owners of Rose Stone Inn, David and Shirley Zimmerman, recently purchased the former Landmark Hotel, now known as Pioneer Woman Guesthouse.
The inns of the Zimmermans began with a bad nights sleep. Vacationing in 1987, they decided to stay at a bed and breakfast. They were given house keys to a vacant house, fed cold pancakes in the morning and were presented with an enormous bill. Thereafter the couple vowed that they could do better.
Soon the Zimmermans acquired the historic Mooney-Hampton house that was once the house at the end of Grand Avenue in west Ponca City. Shirley became the innkeeper and charter member of the Oklahoma Bed & Breakfast Association. Soon their three-bedroom Davarnathey Inn became one of the most successful B&B's in the states.
Unlike many other B&B's, theirs was often frequented by business travelers. So in 1993, Dave quit his job with Conoco, and they began renovation of the building at Third an d Central turning it into the 25-room Rose Stone Inn.
The inn features a European decor, a hometown ambiance and of course the many amenities of a B&B. It is in essence a B&B or small luxury hotel that either a business or causal traveler can enjoy.
Close to downtown shops and historic walks, the inn also houses a small conference facility and restaurant that does catering and group events by appointment. In 1994, the inn purchased a stretch limousine for airport pickup. While that was the intended purpose, the Zimmermans soon discovered that there was good business to be had running a limousine service, not only in Ponca City, but also to Stillwater and Arkansas City. The limo is also used for tours.
In 1995, an oil tour called "Petroleum from the Ground to the Glamour," was started to explain the oil business from top to bottom to the outsider. Entertaining seniors' tour business from as far away as Oregon, this tour will be featured in an upcoming issue of Southern Living magazine.
In 1996, another tour, "This Land is Ours!" commenced - a Tall Grace Prairie and local gardens tour. In 1998, the Zimmermans will be teaching an elder hostel course on the two tour topics and a third, local history of the 1920s and 193's. The course is to be sponsored by the Northern Oklahoma Historical Association
This year brought expansion into another inn by the Zimmermans. The Pioneer Inn adjacent to the Pioneer Woman Memorial was purchased and remodeled with antiques and new soft goods. This inn has answered the question, "Is it possible to revive an old motel and build an inexpensive version of B&B without breakfast?" (Just a "B"?)
Plans call for integrating the property into the tourism effort of the state-operated park with pioneer gardens and a face lift. Rooms are being themed and named after famous and somewhat local pioneer women - Carrie Nation, Amelia Earhart, Susette LaFlesche. Meanwhile the historic Davarnathey Inn has been closed and is for sale at this writing.
The total enterprise employs nine locals and is part of the burgeoning tourism industry that has quietly added over 250 jobs in Ponca City. Zimmerman is chairman of the Ponca City Tourism Authority.
For KLVV, a nonprofit Christian radio station, 1997 has been a year of anticipation. Although day-to-day operations and special events have kept the staff busy, the future for KLVV looks to take the station in many new directions.
The Love Station Inc., the nonprofit organization that owns KLVV, has applied for a new 100,000-watt station whose signal would come from a 1,000-foot tower in southern Grant County. Studios would remain in Ponca City. KLVV's current format of adult contemporary Christian music would move to this stronger station. A new format of inspirational music with some talk programming would take over the 11,500-watt signal currently heard at 88.7 FM.
With the increase in power, an increase in coverage area would come as well, including parts of the Oklahoma City Metro. According to KLVV Program Director Tony Weir, "Oklahoma City's adult contemporary station changed formats during the summer of 1996 and many people in the city have contacted us to see if we could get our signal into the area. The signal would also meet a need expressed to us in the western part of the state for our type of programming." Engineering designs show that Alva and probably Woodward would be able to receive the new station.
The timetable for this new venture is currently in the wait period for final approval from the FCC. The FAA has already given approval for the building of the 1,000-foot tower.
KLVV Station Manager Doyle Brewer says, "We are raising money now so we will be ready when we receive FCC approval. Already, nearly $350,000 has been donated to the expansion fund. Another $200,000 will be needed to complete the project. Our expansion fund will also provide for the building of translator stations in other areas that can't receive our station."
Currently, LEAVE has applied for two translators in the Oklahoma City area that have the potential of being on the air before the new 100,000-watt station. One translator is located in Guthrie and the other downtown Oklahoma City.
While waiting, KLVV continues to produce concert events in the area. During September, they welcomed the Christian band Petra, celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, to the Stillwater Gallagher-Iba Arena. In October, singer Michael English will be at the Mark Price Arena in Enid and Nov. 8 West King will perform at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Enid. KLVV is already planning for two more events next year including one at Ponca City's Hutchins Auditorium.
The Love Station has also just launched an update to the web site. Located at www.lovestation.org, KLVV's site includes station updates, a program schedule, and links to other Christian sites. KLVV plans to continue to build up its web presence in the future to remain in closer contact with their listeners.
KLVV is located just west of Ponca City on U.S. 60. Mailing address is P.O. Box 14, Ponca City, OK, 74602. Fax number is 405-765-1700. The station can be reached by e-mail at mail@lovestation.org.
Mertz Inc., a Ponca City-based company, has achieved worldwide recognition for the manufacturing of seismic vibrators. Mertz has shipped seismic vibrators to more than 28 countries, including China, Russia and Algeria.
In recent years the company has diversified and now manufactures equipment and products for several national companies.
The manufacturing company, located on North Waverly, currently employs more than 200 with a peak employment of 480 reached in 1982.
The family-owned business began in a downtown shop many years ago. The company was purchased from Roy Mertz in 1948 by his grandsons Forrest and Don Mertz. In 1948 the business constructed television antennas. There are still some of those antennas in town today. In 1996 Forrest purchased 100 percent interest in the company.
From the downtown Ponca City location, the firm eventually moved to the Ponca City Airport Industrial park in 1966 and dealt primarily in seismic vibrators, large agricultural vehicles and large dump beds used in the mining industry.
Mertz has continued efforts to develop new product lines since the early 1980s when the oil industry dropped off drastically and now designs and manufactures equipment for fast attack fire fighting situations.
Engineers, staff, accounting and general office personnel account for about 38 employees with welders, machinists, foremen, supervisors, assembly mechanics, industrial painters and maintenance personnel accounting for the rest.
Mertz often has customer service representatives traveling throughout the world assisting customers.
The same quality that goes into the Mertz product lines are available for specialized manufacturing. Custom-manufactured products are designed and built to exact customer specifications.
Hi-tech engineering and design, combined with the finest metal fabrication and machining, have made Mertz custom-manufactured products the choice of businesses in a variety of industries throughout the world.
Most of the machine tools in the manufacturing plant are state-of-the-art and controlled by computers.
Mertz welcomes scheduled visitors to the production plant. Civic organizations and service clubs have been frequent visitors as well as other organizations.
Precision Tool & Die, 2200 North Ash, has been a stable and growing industry for nearly 20 years. The work force has grown from three, when the firm opened in Building 14 at Darr School, to the present 24 employees.
The company moved its tool and die operation from Darr to North Ash in 1980. At that time production was conducted in a 7,500-square-foot building. As the market demanded and the company's reputation was recognized, Precision continued to grow. The firm now is now housed in 20,000 square feet of building space.
Major customers include large and small manufacturing companies located in the southern part of the United States that utilize metal stamping dies in their manufacturing process. These include companies in the appliance, automotive and commercial product industries. Precision builds metal stamping dies and do custom metal stamping for other manufacturers.
Greg Neisen is the president and general manager. Lee Brown, chief executive officer, said, "Metal stamping dies are built by highly-skilled tool-and-die makers utilizing state-of-the-art equipment, such as computer controlled milling machines, wire EDM (electrical discharge machining) machines, and precision grinding machines."
Brown also commented they could use more employees, but there is a shortage of skilled employees for the type of work needed in the tool and die operation.
The stamping dies that Precision Tool and Die makes are shipped to other manufacturers or are operated in Precision's modern stamping shop consisting of punch presses from 25 to 168 tons in size.
Say "Sun 'n Fun" and most people think of the waterpark. However, Sun 'n Fun Family Recreation near Kaw Lake is more than just a waterpark.
Since its humble beginnings with the River Coaster Wild Water Ride built in 1979, water attractions have been and continue to be the major reason most folks guests visit. Water activities have grown to include the Challenge, the Blue Banana, the Lazy River, the Twister, the Tanning Bay and activity pool in addition to the original River Coaster waterslide. There is also a children's activity pool and mini-waterslide. But there are non-water fun options, too.
Landlubbers can enjoy the 18-hole miniature golf course and its unique blend of trees, natural vegetation, water effects and moving obstacles. With the sloping terrain and unusual layout it is also challenging.
The batting cages and go-karts, now operated by lessees, offer other entertainment opportunities. The batting cages can be used by all ages and stay particularly busy during baseball and softball season. The go-karts provide a thrilling experience for many. Riders must be at least 8 years old and 52 inches tall to ride.
Inside Sun 'n Fun's main building, guests will find a variety of video games, foosball, skee ball, air h hockey and a pool table available for their enjoyment. A snack bar serves a selection of reasonably priced cold drinks and food from candy bars and ice cream to full meals. The gift shop has water toys and supplies as well as souvenir items. And just outside the building are the kiddie rides - horses, cars, train and airplanes for children 6 and younger.
A new 12-by-20 foot covered stage area was built this year so more entertainment could be offered. The stage is located between the Lazy Rive and Blue Banana slide so guests using those water rides can view onstage entertainers. Five canopy-covered picnic tables were also added in front of the stage area. The stage hosted several local bands, a magic show, radio D.J's and Back-To-School Bash activities this year. Sun 'n Fun hopes to increase usage of the state next year by locating activities and entertainment.
The year 1997 also brought an increase in picnic shelter usage, especially by corporate groups. Company picnics ranged in size from 20 to over 1, 000 persons.
The three picnic pavilions can seat 30 to 200 each inside with additional outside seating if needed. Two sand volleyball courts, basketball, shuffleboard, horseshoes and children's play areas offer something for everyone. The shelters are available free of charge by reservation. The only charges are for waterpark and other attraction admission which many companies opt to pay for their employees.
Church groups, family reunions, team parties and various other groups also use the picnic areas. When the shelters are not reserved for groups, they are available on a first come, first serve basis to park patrons.
A new venture for Sun 'n Fun is the management of the Lakeview RV Campground which adjoins the south side of the waterpark. Fourteen RV spots complete with water, sewer and electricity are there for overnight, weekly or monthly stays. Tent camping is also available.
Sun 'n Fun employs approximately 20 American Red Cross certified lifeguards. With regard for safety of both the customers and employees, drug screening was required of all lifeguards in 1997. Management and the lifeguards were equally proud of their status as a "drug-fee" business. Therefore, this valuable program will be continued for coming seasons.
Bill and Betty Rutz, owners, try to keep in touch with new developments by attending trade shows and seminars each year. They are charter members of the World Waterpark Association.
The Rutzes attend and participate in many other tourism activities. As members of the Kaw Lake Association and Red Carpet Country, they help staff booths at fairs and travel shows each year and actively participate in planning and implementing "Kawfest" at Kaw Lake each Summer. Sun 'n Fun is a member of the Chambers of Commerce at Ponca City, Enid and Kaw City. Betty is on the Board of Directors of the Ponca City Tourism Authority.
Softwater Services was founded in 1945 by J.D. "Jack" Johnson, at 213 South First Street, representing Servi-Soft of Rockford, Ill. The firm serviced the Kay County area with exchange tank softeners.
In 1946, the firm added Elgin Commercial units, selling to laundries. In 1947 Lindsay Units were added. Currently Quality Water Services is the oldest Ecowater Systems dealer in the United States.
The company was incorporated in the name of Softwater Services Inc. Servi-Soft was discontinued in 1968, but their equipment was used until 1985, when automatic units were installed.
A name change came in 1988, when the company became known as Quality Water Services, which is a division of Softwater Service Inc. The name change was made to better fit the products and services provided to customers. Today only 60 percent of the business is directly related to water softening.
In the mid 1980s , Quality Water started distributing bottled water. At one point the company was purchasing applications, water coolers, distillers, demineralized water treatment "DI," iron and sediment filtration, well chlorination, reverse osmosis, ice and beverage filtration and accessories. The company is currently selling water treatment equipment to a national chain of Photo Labs in over 45 states throughout the country. "This has been exciting growth for the company over the last three years.
The firm recently adopted a new image throughout the business and signing the trucks, letterhead and phone answering with Ecowater Systems. This a national effort by the primary vendor to achieve a more unified identification throughout the country.
In 1975, Quality Water started selling pool chemicals at the store located on South Third Street. The business progressed and in 1981, Pool Services was opened at 207 South Second Street handling pool and spa chemicals, pool supplies and services.
Another name change came in 1991 to Quality Pools & Spas, which is a division of Softwater Services Inc. In addition to pool supplies and service, the store now handles above ground pools, Sundance Spas, Holland Grills, Cookshack Smokers, patio and backyard furniture.
In December 1993, Downing Johnson, president, purchased the present location at 115 East Highland and remodeling of the building began in June. This move was made to better serve the current customer base and to expand the business with facilities that were needed for that purpose.
was there. They moved into the building in January 1995.
In May 1994, a sales and delivery office was opened in Stillwater. This office was recently relocated because of the need for inventory storage and growth planned for the future. Sales are continuing to improve as the firm learns more about the market served.
Today the company employs a total of 25 at all three locations and has over the last three years increased the gross revenue by 72 percent. "As we continue to improve our customer service levels we stay focused on our mission statement 'Serve customers with the best possible water conditioning equipment, bottled water, pool chemicals and supplies and to serve our customers in the most expedient and courteous possible way,'" said J. Kelly Johnson, vice president/business manager.
What? A full-fledged, full-service advertising agency in Ponca City? How long has it been here? Who started it? What do they do?
In late 1993, Gael Hancock expanded her freelance writing business to include professional advertising and public relations services. With 18 years of experience and an eye for business, Hancock recognized a need for these services in the Ponca City area.
Using the name, Hancock & Associates, a carryover from her similar business in Houston, she sought local clients to add to her already significant list of out-of-state customers. Soon, several video production opportunities, the marketing for a local bank and other projects came her way.
"It didn't take long before I was getting local referrals and my phone was ringing." said Hancock. "My business is booming, and I can only predict more new clients and projects as Ponca City continues to grow and attracts new companies to the area."
To help with sales, Hancock has recently added a new associate, Judy Trice. Trice is a former high school English teacher with experience in public relations for non-profit organizations. She will be responsible for generating new business and will serve as an account executive.
Ponca City has been good to Hancock & Associates in another way. The Ponca City Tourism brochure, "Ponca City - Where the '20s Still Roar," was designed, written and art directed by Hancock and won the 1996 Governors award for best tourism brochure in the state. Her video, "Ponca City - From Workboots to Wingtips," won an award from the American Economic Development Council. In addition, several of her television commercials for Pioneer Bank and Trust won MIDIs and Tellys, national television advertising awards.
The offices of Hancock & Associates are not the fancy digs of New York advertising agencies. Many of Hancock's award-winging ideas have been put to paper at the breakfast table and her desk and computer look out over her backyard with bird feeders, children's toys and trees.
"I've considered moving into an office suite several times," said Hancock. "But the convenience of having the office in my home and being able to pass along the cost savings to my clients of having virtually no overhead, always sends me back to my living room-turned-office.
The services provided by Hancock & Associates range from a simple reprint of stationary to a full-blown image updated with new or updated logo, new photographs for brochures, a crisp new paper for letterhead and a new theme for brochures and advertising. Other services include video script writing and production, action-oriented advertising campaign development, public relations services, event coordination and web sit design and development.
"I can't imagine a better job," said Hancock. "Where else can you climb to the top of Continental Carbon's highest tower while shooting video and survey the world, learn about growing crystals to be used as audio chips or take a company from beginning to success with marketing and advertising assistance. Every project is new and exciting," she concluded.
Ponca City Main Street Authority's Board of Directors is continuing its efforts to transform the downtown area into a thriving, competitive business area. The board has adopted "Ponca City's Main Street is 'Grand'" as the theme for the 19