From The Pages Of The Ponca City News, Tuesday, October
21, 1997
LOCAL
Nearly News
Halloween Observance Set Oct. 30
P.C. Art Association Holding Workshop Thursday, Friday
Wordsmiths in Work Session At Library Thursday Evening
Halloween Time Brings on Rash Of Vandalism
DEATHS
Funerals
Floy Coe Abbott
Emma Lee Moseley
NEWS BRIEFS
BUSINESS
New Firms Stabilizing Tax Figures
New Vo-Tech Program Planned To Cut Into Unemployment Rate
Chamber Promotes Coy To Vice President Position
Where Are They Now? Marland Grad Named Network Services Director
Architects Add Intern to Staff
Unemployment Down Slightly
T-N-T Receives National Design Build Award
LIFESTYLES
Hoyles Honored at Retired Senior Volunteer Luncheon
Schafers Celebrate 50Years
Oct. 26 Event Honors Halls
Little News
Happy Birthday!
McCord School PTM Pie Sale in Progress
SPORTS
Sports Notes
Oops! Looks like NN goofed on the story in Update about Godfrey's in downtown Ponca City. It is unlawful to advertise alcoholic drinks at different prices throughout the week, so the turquoise-colored "Santa Fe" margaritas are the same price every day and not on special on Mondays. Pardon our error, folks - but remember, the Monday Night Football hot dog bar is $2 for all you can eat.
City Commissioners have voted to change the date of Halloween or at least when it will be observed here in Ponca City. The date for observation and trick and treating around the city has been changed to Thursday, Oct. 30.
According to Commissioner Dick Stone the date was changed in an a effort to make the occasion more safe sand enjoyable for children. "With the high school football game being held Friday night there was some concern for the safety of trick or treaters with the added traffic of the football game," Stone explained. "And being held on Thursday it will now coincide with the downtown merchants Halloween celebration."
The downtown merchants will be sponsoring a costume parade and "safe trick or treating" immediately following the parade. According to Tamara Sharp, director of the Main Street Authority, the event has been sponsored for several yeas in an effort to provide both a safe and entertaining environment for the children of Ponca City.
The children are asked to gather for the parade at the Centennial Plaza at 5 p.m. The parade will then begin at 5:30 p.m. and proceed on Grand Avenue to First Street. Afterwards, approximately 7 p.m., the downtown merchants will be handing out "tricks and treats" to the children.
The Ponca City Art Association is sponsoring a workshop with Cletus Smith on Thursday and Friday at the Art Center.
The workshop is scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Cost is $10 and $15.
Smith, a native of rural Oklahoma, has spent most of his life in Oklahoma City where he graduated from Oklahoma City University in 1964 with a major in art. Since that time he has been a commercial artist, illustrator, industrial designer and a watercolor artist. He is currently a professor of art at Central State University and also maintains a studio in Oklahoma City where he works and teaches private classes.
Cletus has been active on the art scene throughout the southwest and involved with several art organizations. He has conducted many lecture/demonstrations, workshops, and judged numerous shows.
He is well represented in many art collections throughout the country, including the State of Oklahoma art collection. He has over 90 awards to his credit and has had 45 one-man shows.
A wide range of subject matter falls under the influence of his brush, and he loves the rural landscape and strives for a "mood" in his paintings. They range from crisp, sparkling snow scenes to interpretations of sedate, misty days.
He has been awarded Best of Show by five different judges and was first in watercolor in the 1997 Fine Arts Festival.
Those wishing more information about the Workshop may contact Shirley Petersen at 765-8777 or Donna Secrest at 765-9746.
Wordsmiths writers' group will meet downstairs at the Ponca City Library Thursday evening, from 6:30 to 8:30. The monthly meeting will be a work session, with no business being conducted. All persons who have an interest in writing are invited to attend.
Members are asked to bring a one to three-page piece of their writing, hopefully in triplicate so these may be taken home by other members for critique and return. The process of new material, critique and return will be repeated for each future session to encourage output. Also, those with assignments for publication in the monthly Newsletter are reminded to prepare and bring this material. Part of the October meeting will be used to consider steps in evaluating a poem, article, essay, short story, or book.
As set forth in the by-laws, "Wordsmiths is a group of writers dedicated to improvement and promotion of writing and marketing through contacts with other writers and publishing professionals."
The work sessions, possibly to be increased to two per month if desired by the membership, will end promptly at 8:30 to comply with the closing of the library. Members and guests are asked to be on hand at 6:30 to insure a full two hours of participation.
For more information, you may contact Brace Books and More, 2205 North Fourteenth, (405) 765-5173; Grace Klinger, (405) 362-3228, or Joanna Gary, (405) 762-8256.
Halloween "tricksters" have started early and the vandalism and thefts associated with the occasion are keeping the Ponca City Police busier than usual.
According to Police Chief Raymond Ham this time of year brings a significant increase in the number of reports of destruction of private property and theft of yard decorations. "These reports are considered serious and we handle them as such," Ham says. "Responsible parties can be prosecuted for this type of criminal activity."
Ham says police officers take information reports when they are called
regarding the theft of Halloween decorations and if they are found the owners
are contacted. He also reminds citizens that anyone having information about
a crime should contact Crime Stoppers. Rewards are given to those having
information that leads to an arrest.
DEATHS
Wednesday
Floy Coe Abbott - 10 a.m. First Baptist Church with the Rev. Hance Dilbeck and the Rev. Larry Heslip officiating. Burial in Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery under direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.
Emma Lee Moseley - 2 p.m. First Baptist Church with the Rev. Hance
Dilbeck and the Rev. Larry Heslip officiating. Burial in Longwood Cemetery
under direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.
NEWS BRIEFS
Games Workshop - 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 at Camp McFadden. The workshop is titled "Games People Play." Registration for the workshop is $25 if submitted before Oct. 24 and $35 after that date. For more information call 762-8341.
Otoe-Missouria Council to Meet - There will be an Otoe-Missouria General Council meeting on Saturday, Nov. 1, 1997, at 9 a.m. in the Cultural Building, at the Otoe Complex, according to Mildred Hudson, Tribal Secretary.
Theft - Police received a 911 call at 7:47 a.m. Monday from the Ponca City Art Center, 819 East Central Avenue, reporting that someone had just taken some items from the flea market. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Vandalism - At 8:36 a.m. Monday a woman in the 300 block of South Twelfth Street reported her vehicle vandalized. An officer was assigned and a destruction on private property report was taken.
Vehicle Burglary - A man reported to police at 10:42 a.m. Monday that his vehicle had been burglarized while parked in the 1400 block of West Highland Avenue. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Business Burglarized - Police received a call at 11:12 a.m. Monday reporting that Play It Again Sam, 215 West Grand Avenue, had been burglarized. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Arrest - Police arrested a 20-year-old man at 4:11 p.m. Monday from the 2000 block of Lake Road on city warrants for failure to pay.
Theft - At 4:58 p.m. Monday a woman in the 2300 block of Skylark reported that a violin had been stolen from her vehicle.
Theft - A man in the 100 block of Ash Street reported at 5:46 p.m. Monday that "dog boxes" were stolen from his pick-up truck. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Accident - A police report was taken at the scene of an accident that occurred at 7:04 p.m. Monday in the 600 block of South Fourteenth Street.
Arrest - Police arrested a 25-year-old man at East Highland Avenue and North Third Street at 10:47 p.m. Monday for driving under suspension and driving under the influence.
Arrest - A 26-year-old woman was arrested at 10:47 p.m. Monday at East Highland Avenue and North Third Street for driving under the influence and no insurance.
Arrest - Police arrested a 33-year-old man at 1:59 a.m. Tuesday
at South Osage Street and West Otoe Avenue for driving under the influence
and driving under restrictions.
BUSINESS
By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE
News Business Editor
Tresa Engle, Kay County Assessor tells that although Conoco has downsized the total assessment for Ponca City has remained stable, due to Thorn Apple Valley, Sykes and other new companies.
There is a five year tax abatement incentive for new companies. However the county is reimbursed by the state for the tax the firms would have paid.
In last Tuesday's business section a story inaccurately quoted a Conoco official as saying Conoco paid one-third of the ad valoreum taxes in the county. What the story should have said was that Conoco pays about one third of the assessment total for School District 71.
Engle says the total county value is $215,902,594. Total Conoco value is $46,958,206, which is 22 percent. Total assessment value for Ponca City is $157,158,941, which is 30 percent.
In an effort to decrease the 6.2 percent unemployment rate for Kay County, a new program is being offered at Pioneer Technology Center for unemployed welfare recipients.
"New Beginning" resulted from a partnership with the Department of Human Services (DHS). The program assesses, counsels and trains Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), formerly AFDC, receivers to be self-reliant and self-supporting. Kay County DHS liaison, Timilyn Crank has worked with the program from its inceptions.
Crank says, "That in all the history of DHS, there has never been a training program that provides such skills and encouragement for our women."
Most clients undertake a five-week program of Life Skills to prepare them to enter vocational training classes and ultimately, become top-notch employees. Topics covered include self-esteem development, parenting, money management and decision making/problem solving.
Clients then enter vocational training programs that closely align with the career plant they have participated in developing. The PTC YSNF program also provides job readiness training and counseling with job placement when the student is ready to go to work.
Another portion of the program assists clients in overcoming employment barriers. For instance, eyesight has become a critical issue for students.
"Approximately 80 percent of our clients have not had their eyes tested or received glasses in the last ten years," said Del Yowell, TANF coordinator. Yowell also added, "It is difficult to learn or work effectively when they cannot see. Another barrier is that most of the clients have not been in school for several years or have had negative experiences with school in the past."
Because of the partnership between DHS and Pioneer Technology Center, DHS involvement is crucial to the success of the program. All clients enter the program through a referral from their county DHS office. Now, the program serves Kay, Osage and Pawnee counties.
Plans are being evaluated to include Payne and Noble County in the service area as well. Nationally and statewide, welfare rolls are being decreased since the TANF programs have been in place.
With welfare reform tightening requirements and placing limitations on the amount of time a person can be on welfare, PTC's TANF program offers a "helping hand" in the transition from welfare to work.
The opportunity of one-year of training is extended to clients who accept the challenges of the program and are willing to open the door to a career that will enable them to provide for their families and themselves, according to the PTC news release.
For more information concerning Pioneer Technology Center's TANF program, contact your DHS caseworker.
Lisa Coy of Ponca City has been promoted to the recently created position of vice president of the Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce. The announcement was made by Jan Jarrett, Chamber President and CEO.
Coy, who for the past six years has been on the Chamber staff, currently holds the position of office manager. During that time, Mrs. Coy has been directly responsible for staff support of all Chamber programs and projects.
In her new duties, Coy will be responsible for Committee Management, the Chamber's Program of Action, Staff Oversight, Membership Services, Record Keeping, Budget Oversight and Staff Training and Development.
Jarrett, in making the announcement said, "It's a real pleasure to provide the opportunity for Lisa Coy to step up to these new responsibilities. Throughout her association with the Chamber, she has shown strong evidence of her ability to very effectively serve the membership and the public in a highly professional manner. Additionally, Lisa has shown a level of personal commitment to her duties which is to be commended."
Jarrett noted that there were a large number of applicants for the vice president position and that, following an extensive interviewing process, Coy stood out among the prospects.
"I believe," Jarrett said, "that Lisa Coy has a strong reputation as a person who gets the job done, both among the members who have seen her work and have worked with her. We are also pleased," Jarrett continued, "that we were able to find such a well qualified candidate right here at home."
Coy, who is married to Kevin Coy, has two children, Jordan and Spencer, five and four.
Former area resident Ben Stout has been promoted to director of Network Services at Superstar Satellite Entertainment in Tulsa.
In his new position, Stout will manage the department that provides PC technical support; net work engineering; local and wide area network support; software training and hardware/software purchasing.
Stout is a 1977 graduate of Marland High School. He is the son of Joyce and Doug Stout, rural Ponca City.
Stout earned an associate of science degree in computer science from Northern Oklahoma College, as well as a bachelor of science in computing and information science from Oklahoma State University. He has acquired 16 years of experience in the support and management of information systems.
In his previous position as Superstar Network manager, Stout created software training programs for employees, streamlined procedures for computer-related purchases and developed guidelines for technical support teams. As director of network service, he plans to continue to expand services offered by the department, while increasing efficiency of operations.
Superstar is a leading provider of C-band satellite programming nationwide.
Lewis and Associates Architects of Ponca City announces that Desmond Alves has joined the firm as an architectural intern.
Alves completed his bachelor of architecture degree from the University of Oklahoma this past summer.
"He is an important addition to our local firm and will be assisting in all phases of the work with an emphasis in construction document preparation," according to Troy Lewis.
A native of Trinidad, Alves enjoys various hobbies including outdoor recreations, cooking and coin collecting.
Kay County's unemployment rate for August is 5.3 percent, down from 6.1 percent in July and 5.9 percent a year ago, according to the Oklahoma Labor Force Statistics.
The number in Kay County's labor force is listed at 23,060, with 21,850 employed and 1,210 unemployed.
The unemployment average for the state is 3.4 percent, and the national average is 4.8 percent.
Area counties, the August unemployment rate, July rate the Aug. 1996 rate are; Grant, 2.6 percent, 2.5 and 3.2; Noble, 2.9, 3.1 and 3.1; Osage, 3.1, 3.2 and 3.2; Osage, 3.1, 3.2 and 3.2; Pawnee, 4.7, 4.7 and 5.5; Payne, 1.6, 1.4, and 1.7.
T-N-T Construction, Ponca City, has received a national Design Build Award from American Buildings Company for design and construction excellence. American is one of the leading domestic and international manufacturers of metal building and roof systems.
T-N-T Construction was honored for the 4,800 square-foot Peter Pan Cleaners located on East Prospect Avenue. The design of the building was a joint effort between owner Baloo Subramaniam and Tim Burg, vice president of T-N-T.
The combination of a metal building systems, a high-pitched metal Long Span Panel roof, and an exterior wall covering of synthetic stucco provided the flexibility needed to meet the design goals.
Measuring 40 feet by 100 feet with a 20 by 40 foot drive-through canopy joined to it by a hip roof, the building uses a metal building system by American, covered with a 4:12 pitched Long Span roof system, also by American. The roof is finished in a teal green color with America's long-life Premium 70 Plus Kynar paint formulation.
T-N-T Construction Company was founded in 1991 and is a full-service
general contractor primarily serving customers throughout Oklahoma. The
firm specializes in industrial construction and renovations of commercial
and residential structures, as well as metal building and roofing systems.
The diversification has allowed T-N-T to grow from a small firm with four
employees to a sizable operation which employs 25 local craftsmen.
LIFESTYLES
The Retired Senior Volunteer Program luncheon was held recently at the Conoco Fourth Street Clubhouse. Volunteer workers were served lunch by the Po-Hi Dynamiters, assisted by Ruth Engle and Martha Acton, RSVP Volunteer coordinator. Entertainment was provided by Rhonda Walker, Becky Dye, Cindy Short and Matt Stolhand.
1997 Retired Senior Volunteer award was presented to Norma and Wallace Hoyle, who volunteered over 1800 hours for the community this year. The couple received a handmade quilt.
Volunteers receiving honorable mention were Dick Jacobson, Lila Kizer, Mary Belle Clark, Charlotte Spencer, Morris and Evelyn Zaitshik, Joe Hoyle, Edith King, Bob Seins and Faye Sackett.
Betty Murray, RSVP Council president, welcomed those attending and Mayor Marilyn Andrews spoke to the group. Marie Trenary, RSVP director, awarded prizes and told humorous stories. Persons 55 years of age and older who are interested in joining RSVP should call 762-9412.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles J. Schafers, 2222 West Grand, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a family dinner Sunday at the Ponca City Country Club.
Charles J. Schafers and the former Jane Ella Ludwick were married Oct. 18, 1947 at Okmulgee. They made their first home in Stillwater and later lived in New Mexico before moving to Ponca City.
Both are 1948 graduates of Oklahoma State University and are affiliated with First Baptist Church. He was employed as a Research Engineer at Conoco before retiring in 1985. His hobbies include golfing and stained glass work.
Mrs. Shafers was a Physical Education teacher at Jefferson Elementary School, retiring in 1981. She is well-known in the community for her oil and watercolor painting and has attended numerous art shows. The couple enjoys traveling and has traveled to Austria and European countries.
They have a daughter and a son and five grandchildren. Their family includes Krista (Schafers) and Tom W. Reed, Amy Susanna Reed, Allison Jane Reed; John Charles and Denise Schafers, Randal Scott Shafers, Alan Charles Schafers and Andrew Michael Schafers.
Mr. and Mrs. Jack Roalton Hall, 105 West Davis, Paoli, will be celebrating their silver wedding anniversary Oct. 27. Friends and family are invited to attend a cookout Oct. 26, 1-3 p.m., at their home. Correspondence may be mailed to them at Post Office Box 355 in Paoli, Okla. 73074.
Jack Roalton Hall and the former Edith Kay McCallick were married Oct. 27, 1972 at the Bible Baptist Church with the Rev. Don Hardin officiating. Attendants were Kay Price and Roy Ferguson.
Mrs. Hall is the daughter of Thomas Lauvelle and Edith Nell (Bottrell) McCallick of Ponca City. Hall is the son of Reesie (Williams) Thomas of Ponca City and the late Jackie Roalton Hall. His stepfather is the late Roy Eugene Osborn.
The Halls have two sons, Jay Roalton Hall of Paoli and Erick Von Hall of Ada, a daughter-in-law, Jody (Johnson) Hall, and a grandson, Chase Roalton Hall of Paoli.
The couple graduated from Ponca City High School and attended Northern Oklahoma College. Mrs. Hall is employed at the Oklahoma Resource Center at Pauls Valley as a Developmental Training instructor and he is employed with Haliburton Logging Services. His hobbies are gardening, fishing, woodcraft and carpentry and hers are craft work, renovating furniture, gardening, and activities with their grandson.
Becky A. Ferguson and Michael Penka of Healy, Kan. announce the birth of a son on Sept. 28, 1997 in Tribune, Kan. The baby weighed 6-pounds, was 19 1/4-inches long and has been named Bryan Michael Penka.
Bob and Cathy Ferguson of Ponca City are grandparents and great-grandparents are Bill and Bertha Hall, Ira and Mary Brown, all of Ponca City, and the late Cecil J. Ferguson.
Jordan Tyler Fleharty is the name selected by Tracy and Jennifer Fleharty, 210 North Eighth, for their son born Sept. 3, 1997 at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. He weighed 7-pounds, 5-ounces and measured 20 1/2-inches. The baby has a sister, Tori Danielle, 19-months.
Maternal grandparents are Jerry and Cathy Haymes of Richmond, Texas and paternal grandparents are Tim and Dorothy Fleharty of Ponca City.
Great-grandparents are Cecil and Sue Fleharty of Kaw City, Bobbye Spurlock of Ponca City, Bob and Peggy Haymes of Colbert, and Bob and Mel Bettes of Dallas, Texas.
Announcing the birth of a son at 3:05 a.m. Sept. 23, 1997 at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center are Christy and Doug Jones, 135 Cann Drive. Dalton Allen Jones weighed 6-pounds, 8-ounces and was 19 1/2-inches long. He has a sister, Melanie Rose, 2-years-old.
Tim and Dorothy Fleharty of Ponca City are maternal grandparents and Freda Klinger, also of Ponca City, is the paternal grandmother. Great-grandparents are Cecil and Sue Fleharty of Kaw City, Bobbye Spurlock and Edna Brown of Ponca City.
Chris and Lori Smith of Madison, Ms. announce the birth of a daughter, Elyse Nichole, at 3:58 p.m. Oct. 14,1997 in the Mississippi Baptist Medical Center in Jackson, Ms.
Maternal grandparents are Bill Leming and Marilyn Leming of Ponca City and paternal grandparents are Charles Smith and Linda Smith of Tyler, Texas.
Happy first birthday Alex Karl Erickson! Dale, Pamela and Elisabeth Erickson are celebrating this special birthday for their son and brother, who has been cancer free for the past three and one-half months. Diagnosed at age three-months with Hepato-mablasta liver cancer, Alex has endured three surgeries and seven months of adult chemotherapy. The family would like to thank all those people who have offered friendship, phone calls, cards, help, food, and most of all, those people who gave so unselfishly of blood, platelets and prayers.
The annual Parents and Teachers of McCord School (PTM) holiday pie sale has begun. The proceeds will go toward projects at the school. The sale will continue through Nov. 7 and orders may be placed with any McCord student or at the school, 765-8806.
Frozen Red Wheel pies, egg rolls, mini tacos and French Braids will be delivered from 3:30-6:30 p.m. on Nov. 24 at the school cafeteria.
"The Red Wheel pies will be delivered just in time for Thanksgiving"
said Barbara Miller, chairperson. For information about PTM contact Ms.
Miller, 765-6276.
SPORTS
Rules Meeting - A state Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association
basketball rules meeting will be held Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the high school
cafeteria.