From The Pages Of The Ponca City News, Wednesday,
October 29, 1997
LOCAL
Heading for No. 49
Letters
Family Fighting for Chunk of South Texas
Area Students Rate In District Contests
Area Calendar
Universal Weather Now Operating Airport Service
Absentee Ballots Available For Special City Election
Emergency Sirens To Sound Thursday
'City Placement Problem' Hits Remaining City Hall Employees
Red Cross Goodies Available Thursday
Tourism Authority Issues Grants
Red Cross Halloween Safety Tips
WIC Program Available For Low-Income Women
DEATHS
SERVICES PENDING
M. D. Perkins
Georgia E. Owens
Marvin J. Selvey
D'Etta G. McAbee
Edna C. Doolin
NEWS BRIEFS
LIFESTYLES
Oletta Demaree Will Lead Pioneer Quilter's Guild 'Angel' Workshop
Cookbook Author Here On Saturday
'Living Will' Topic for AARP Meeting
Little News
Angie Tipton New Member Of 4-H Club
YMCA Plans November Health Fair
SPORTS
Harrison Thinks Cats Learning
Sailfish Open Season
Sports Notes
GO BIG BLUE! The 140 members of the 1997-98 Ponca City High School "Wildcat" Marching Band board buses this morning as they headed to Tulsa where they would be seeking a "superior" rating for the 49th straight year at the Oklahoma Secondary Schools Activities Association Class 5A Regional Marching Contest at the University of Tulsa. The Big Blue is under the direction of Allan Goodwin, Carter Robertson and Mel Arner.
Listen for Warnings
Editor's Note: C.R. Osborn was a regular contributor to The News "Letters to the Editor" column. He passed away Oct. 15, after submitting this letter.
If a rattlesnake wanted to bite more people, there is nothing that would help his cause more than to take away those people's ability to hear. That's exactly what the enemies of freedom have done to the majority of the American people.
I'll guarantee you there was not one honest American citizen who would have considered for one second that "School to work" even might be a good idea before 1900. Why? Because, they had not had their hearing stolen from them yet. Children were still being taught the terrible high price and sacrifice our founding fathers had paid so that we could be free. And they were still being taught the reason they were so willing to shed their blood and put at risk their families and all their worldly possessions to attain that precious freedom. And they were still being taught that those deadly enemies that hate freedom so much are not dead, but are still alive and fighting harder than ever to steal that freedom away from us.
There was no way they could deceive those who were still bleeding from the battle. No, they would have to wait for a generation of people who had forgotten the value of freedom, so they wouldn't fight so hard to hang onto it. There would never have been a generation that had forgotten, if every generation had continued to teach their children the way those first Americans did.
We were lulled to sleep by those days when you could trust the public school system to teach accurate and honest history. Those days are gone, my friend and if you haven't noticed that, you are not asleep, you are dead! Every article I've read about STW has openly called it a "Federal Program." If the term "Federal Program doesn't send at least as many cold chills down your spine as the rattling of a rattle snake, then you don't know anything at all about American History.
Although our constitution gives all sovereignty to "We the people," and almost zero authority to the federal government, many of our founding fathers were so wary of big government that they opposed ratification because of the few duties it was assigned. Because their experiences with big government were so bitter and recent, they wanted absolutely nothing federalized.
If we and our children will learn the cold, hard facts about TRUE American History - and not this lying revisionary garbage that is being slipped in - we will once again be able to hear and recognize that to stand up and shout "Give us another Federal Program" is the exact opposite of "Give me liberty or give me death!"
Big Government is the snake that has stolen our hearing by revising history so that we would forget the terrible price that was paid for our freedom. The price that was paid for anything is what determines its value. Our blood-bought freedom is too high a price to pay for anything STW offers. Every worthwhile benefit it offers - we can do for our own children WITHOUT a federal program.
If you want your hearing back, read "Faith and Freedom" by Benjamin Hart - available at book stores.
C.R. Osborn
New Grocery Needed
First, I would like to commend "the city planners" on the decision to repair and remodel "the city building." It would be a great mistake to lose this lovely historical landmark of Ponca City.
I would like to call attention of our commissioners and planners for the great need of a good grocery store in the northwest part of town. It is a real need for all of this area.
Many people have expressed their desire and need of a good grocery, not a super market, with the convenience of not having to go to suburbs to a grocery store.
It seems a shame for a town the size of Ponca City to only have one small store in the far south of town.
I hope those in charge will take a good look at the situation and consider all of us that have difficulty and don't want to have to travel through the traffic and distance that is necessary to get to a grocery.
Hopefully, others will write and express their need and feelings also.
Mrs. C.G. Crain
Ponca City Man Heads Legal Battle To Reclaim La Barreta Land Taken Years Ago
By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE
News Staff Writer
Trying to regain land that was granted to his family six generations ago by the King of Spain in the early 1800s, has become the quest of Fred Balli, Ponca City.
The Ponca Citian is working on behalf of the Balli family. The original acreage in the La Barreta (tract of land granted) totaled 363,933 acres in what is now Texas. Other relatives residing in Kay County are Fred's brother, Ruben, his sisters Sylvia Mossauer and Yolanda Trant, and a nephew David.
The land was granted by the King of Spain to Jose Francisco Balli Villarreal who was a hero and had saved a lot of people during a flood. The King rewarded him with the ranch land. Another Balli land grant was about 51,000 acres on Padre Island which was granted to Padre Jose Nicholas Balli, Fred's great-great-great uncle.
Balli has taken the lead in forming a group of Balli relatives to regain the property that he feels was wrongfully taken from his ancestors. The King of Spain gave the large track of land, known as La Barreta, just north of the Rio Grande in South Texas to Jose Francisco Balli Villarreal.
The land part of the Spanish empire granted to Balli involved two million acres in nine present-day counties. Under the terms of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which was signed at the end of the Texas/Mexico War, the United States agreed to respect the legality of Spanish and Mexican land grants in Texas, which was at one time a part of Mexico.
But so far this has not happened.
The Ballis are descended from Balli and his wife, Maria Antonia Cavazos de Hinojossa, and the suit claims that the land was stolen by Mifflin Kenedy, who formed the Kenedy Ranch. Kenedy was a powerful rancher who became wealthy not only from cattle, but from oil and gas discovered on the property.
For the past few years, Fred and other members of the Balli family have been meticulously putting together the documentation for a court battle. And it could be the battle of almost two centuries.
Balli Lineage
The lineage from Jose Manuel Balli Villarreal, Fred's great-great-great-grandfather, who had bought La Barreta from his brother Jose Francisco Balli Villarreal, is Ygnacio Cavazos Balli, Fred's great-great-grandfather, born in 1815; Fred's great-grandfather, Nicholas Tijerina Balli, born in 1851; his grandfather, Nicholas Rios Balli, born in 1886, and his father, Nicholas Luis Falcon Balli, born in 1921. Fred was born in 1951.
At the urging of his father, Fred again took up the mantle and besides documents from the past, he began collecting stories from other relatives.
And with the stories has come more evidence that the Ballis may indeed have a good case to reclaim the land, which includes Kenedy County, Texas, and held by the foundation of the powerful Kenedys (not to be confused with the Hyannis Port Kennedys).
How Kenedys Got the Land
How the Kenedys claim they got the property is by purchasing it from Francisco's son Pedro through the power of attorney. The Ballis say they have proof that the land was conveyed to Manuel brother of Francisco in 1804. So the Ballis contend that Pedro could not legally sell the property.
Balli, who had taken up the endeavor once before and became discouraged, began again at the urging of his father before he died.
In 1982, Fred was working with the Ballis on regaining the acreage due them on Padre Island. This acreage was also granted to the Ballis by the King of Spain. The land was claimed by the state of Texas and a group of individuals. A stumbling block was the 25-year adverse possession clause, which Fred has now vowed to change.
Fred told of going through letters and finding correspondence 90 years ago between his grandfather and an 82-year-old cousin.
"I thought I got it bad, but after reading the letter dated 1906, it humbles me quickly. It gives me a better perspective on life and where I am going," Fred said.
The 1949-1999 Lease
New documents surfacing recently give hope for the cause. A lease that was found in the attic of a house of one of the Balli relatives, gives the Kennedys a 50-year lease. That lease is dated 1949 and will soon be up.
The lease was be-tween Sarita Kenedy East, Mifflin Kenedy's granddaughter, and Gustavo Mu-noz, Balli's great-great-grandson. The lease says the Ballis take possession in 1999. The lease has to be "proved up," and part of that will be carbon-dating the paper, Fred says.
Currently the land is held by the John G. and Marie Stella Kenedy Memorial Foundation, a charitable foundation created in 1960 by Sarita Kenedy East.
Other proof to support the Ballis' claims will be through court records, such as wills that say something about La Barreta.
As soon as Fred filed as an heir this time around he was sued by the Kenedy Foundation attorneys saying the lease document was fraudulent and claiming the statue of limitations (25 years in Texas) had run out and that the Kennedys had occupied the land for 100 years.
The Kennedys are claiming the land by both title and adverse possession, the legal principle that conveys ownership to people who occupy and improve abandoned land.
Fred says, "The Kenedys are saying this is a false lease and they are just making false claims and accusations to get us to settle out of court.
"But that is not what we are going to do. We are going to use the lease and go for broke, which is everything, land mineral rights everything."
A story in the Houston Chronicle says the claim by the descendants of Balli is one of several legal challenges for not only ownership of the land, but mineral wealth as well.
High Profile Attorney
In the meantime Fred and his group started seeking a high profile attorney to take the case. He had contacted Gerry Spence, who has been on television a number of times as an authority and particularly during the O.J. Simpson case.
Spence advised him in a letter to get a Texas lawyer who was familiar not only with the law, but the background of the Kenedys. Along with this advise, corporate attorneys in Houston had also told Balli that he needed a high profile lawyer with a lot of resources.
Balli has lived in Ponca City since 1975 and came here to work for Conoco. Presently he is a supervisor with CSC. He is well equipped to do research, but also has had much assistance from others in the family.
Setting his sites high, Fred and other Ballis are in the process of negotiating with attorney Ramon Garcia of Edinburg, Texas, who has a reputation second to none in Texas.
Additionally Garcia has tried cases against the Kenedy clan before. He knows the turf.
After Garcia is under contract the Ballis' intend to go after the land, plus the oil and mineral rights. But more than that to get the statue of limitations repealed in Texas.
Fred says, "I would like to have that law repealed. The law is just a legal way to rob people of property and that's an injustice."
There are three Balli relative family groups working toward regaining the land they feel was unlawfully taken from them by Richard King and Mifflin Kenedy. These men became "rich and famous," by raising cattle, by bringing cotton in from Mexico to sell for soldier's uniforms during the Civil War.
They took a lot of the property while doing this, Balli says. Later they would collect on oil discovered on the land.
Balli says he would prefer the case not be tried in Kenedy County, for obvious reasons.
Recently a state judge in Zapata County, Texas, declared that 587 of Balli's descendants were legal heirs, which is apparently an important step in an effort to reclaim the property said Houston lawyer Eileen Fowler, who is representing one of the other groups of Balli heirs.
BLACKWELL - Students from Tonkawa, Blackwell and Newkirk dominated the competition last week during the Kay County Conservation District's annual land judging and plant identification contests here.
In the senior division, the first-place land-judging winners were the Blackwell team of Kori Jeffries, Daniel Alley, Jared Grell and Tyke Greer with a team score of 545.
Jared Grell of Blackwell was the first-place individual with a 190 score.
Second-place land-judging team was the Blackwell team of Brandon Kahle, Nathan Mayer, Todd Lawhon and Ty Corneil with a team score of 520.
The second-place individual was James Martin of Tonkawa with an individual score of 186.
The third-place land judging team was the Tonkawa team of Rhiannon Davis, Chris Bilyeu, Chad Shultz and Zac Swords with a team score of 511.
Third-place individual was Ty Corneil of Blackwell with a 185 score.
In senior division plant-identification contests, first-place individual was Charlie Brandon of Newkirk with a 168 score, followed by Jeremy Lockwood of Newkirk in second place with a 150 score and by Jay Dobson of Newkirk in third place with a 148 score.
In the junior division, the first-place land-judging winners were the Tonkawa team of Kolby Simpson, Justin Geiser, Mario Ochoa and Brody Lucas with a team score of 481.
John Robison of Tonkawa was the first-place individual with a 186 score.
Second-place land-judging team was the Tonkawa team of Zach Balahtsis, Shayne Marlin, John Robison and Jay Smith with a team score of 461.
The second-place individual was Kolby Simpson of Tonkawa with an individual score of 180.
The third-place land judging team was the Tonkawa team of Brock Wilkins, Tim Primeaux, Matt Slavens and Kyle Hoffer with a team score of 441.
Third-place individual was Matt Slavens of Tonkawa with a 170 score.
In junior division plant-identification contests, first-place individual was Chris Ross of Tonkawa with a 131 score, followed by Drew Lockwood of Newkirk in second place with a 126 score and by Jesse Bain of Newkirk in third place with a 119 score.
October 24-November 2
October 28, 30, 31-November 1
October 31
October 31-November 8
November 1
November 1-30
November 6
November 7
November 8
November 10
November 11
November 14-15
November 15
November 16
November 17
November 20
November 21
November 21-22
November 22
November 27
November 28
November 28-December 28
November 28-January 5
December 2
December 4
December 5
December 6
December 7
December 7-31
December 9
December 12
December 13
December 15
December 18
December 20
December 21
January 9
Weather observers at Municipal Airport are completing their first month as employees of Universal Weather, the new contractor providing information to the National Weather Service. Universal, owned by Gary Wiegand of Oklahoma City, was the successful bidder for the contract with the Federal Aviation Administration.
The owners of Mee-Too Media, which had operated here the past nine years, decided not to submit a bid this time. Wiegand also has teams operating at seven other stations, among them Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Concordia, Kan., Pine Bluff, Ark., and New York City.
Ponca City is now the only manually operated weather station in Oklahoma. Other stations over the state have been automated. The automation equipment has been received here, but putting it in commission has been delayed.
Kay Simerly remains as supervisor of the local station. Also retaining their jobs are staff members Joy Hicks, Corina DeWeese, George Bewley, Cari Hayes, Gerald Motley and Dewayne Simerly. They do hourly readings of instruments, and record and report these data which are used to assist in forecasting the weather.
Absentee ballots for the Ponca City Special Municipal election are now available and voters can either vote absentee by mail or in person.
In order to receive an absentee ballot by mail a written request must be received in the Kay County Election Board Office no later than 5 p.m. Nov. 12. The request must include the voter's name, birth date and the address where the ballot is to be sent.
Voters can also vote absentee in person at the Kay County Election Board Office located at the Kay County Court House in Newkirk on Nov. 13, 14, and 17 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
The special election will be held on Nov. 18 and involves a one half cent sales tax increase to be used for the renovations and remodeling of the Ponca City No. 1 Fire Station at City Hall.
The testing of the Ponca City emergency siren warning system will be held at noon, every Thursday, according to Tom Montgomery, emergency management operations officer.
The test is scheduled throughout the year.
Montgomery said that in case of inclement weather, the test will be postponed, and in this case or if additional tests are planned, the public will be notified by the Ponca City News and the radio stations.
By PATTI PFEIFFER
News Staff Writer
Just a few weeks after firemen finally found a temporary home, the search is under way for a temporary home for city hall employees. An emergency city commission meeting has been called to consider lease agreements in an effort to find a solution to yet another "city placement problem."
The meeting emergency is scheduled for Thursday morning at 8 a.m. at the Municipal Courtroom of the Public Safety Center, 200 East Oklahoma Avenue.
According to City Manager Gary Martin the purpose of the meeting is for city commissioners to discuss, review and vote on lease agreements for office space located at Commercial Federal Bank Building at 400 East Central Avenue. "We have expended a great deal of time and energy determining the most cost effective place to house the remaining city hall employees," Martin explained. "We have been in negotiation with Commercial Federal and it is now up to the commissioners to make a decision."
Three options were considered as alternatives for a "temporary city hall." According to Martin a move to Angela Hall, located at the Marland Mansion, was ruled out due to the huge expense involved in updating both the outdated electrical service and inadequate heating and air conditioning system.
The second option is staying at City Hall and making the necessary repairs to the building. The problems involving the City Hall building were made known during the summer as firefighters were forced from the west wing due to, among other things, leaking sewage.
Now that the summer is over and winter is fast approaching Mother Nature is causing problems of a different type for the remaining city employees utilizing in the east wing of the building.
According to Martin the steam boiler used to heat offices throughout City Hall is old, in need of extensive and costly repairs and may not even be safe. "We can not fire up the boiler until water leaks and gas line repairs are made," Martin said. "It will cost $5,400 to make necessary repairs just to get the unit up and running for an inspection."
Martin estimates it will cost another $5,000-$10,000 to repair the boiler for use this winter. And to add to the problem, if voters approve the sales tax increase intended to rebuild and renovate the fire station at City Hall, the old boiler will be put out of commission completely making any current temporary repairs a waste of taxpayers dollars.
In addition to the current repairs, Martin predicts next year will bring yet another series of costly repairs including installation of a new heater and air conditioning unit and roof replacement. "This building only has duct work for air conditioning only. The cost of the heating and air conditioning units alone could cost between $10,000-$30,000," Martin explains. "It will be costly to stay in this building."
The third option and the one to be voted on Thursday is a temporary move to Commercial Federal Bank Building. The lease involves renting office space for 33 city employees for a period of three years at a cost of $8,000 per month. An increase of only $2,300 per month because Martin says the City currently pays $5,700 in operating costs and building maintenance.
One other agenda item has been set for the meeting, that being consideration of a change order for the water leak repairs at the Marland Mansion.
Time has also been set aside for additional communications from the mayor and commissioners, city manager's report and city attorney's report, plus citizens' comments.
The American Red Cross, 525 Monument Drive, will provide goodies for all trick-or-treaters as well as samples of a witches brew for the adults Thursday evening following the Halloween Parade.
The Red Cross office will be open until 7 p.m. Thursday and the Red Cross Donor Center will also be open to accommodate anyone who is brave enough to give blood on Halloween eve!
Each donor will receive a mini-physical, including blood pressure, pulse, temperature, and iron count. A free cholesterol screening will also be mailed to the donor within a few weeks.
All donors must be at least 17 years old, weigh 110 pounds or more and must not be a member of an AIDS at-risk behavior group.
For those who prefer to donate blood on days other than Halloween eve, the Red Cross Donor Center is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 to 5 p.m. and each Thursday from noon to 7 p.m.
To make an appointment or for more information, call 765-6605 or 1-800-GIVE-LIFE.
The Ponca City Tourism Authority (PCTA) recently made grants to Quail Unlimited and the Kay County Antique Show and Sale.
Quail Unlimited, which had requested $3,000 for the National Dog Trials, is to receive $2,000. The Kay County Antique event sponsored by the Soroptimist International, which was requesting $3,000 was granted $1,000. The request from KLVV for $924 to sponsor a Christian concert was denied.
In other action, the PCTA voted to put a third telephone line in the Cultural Center, where the visitors center is now located.
The Ponca City American Red Cross office has issued a safety reminder to parents and "trick-or-treater's" to insure both safety and fun at Halloween.
Parents should always try to go with children for trick-or-treating fun, but those who cannot should instruct children to only walk, slither and sneak on sidewalks - not in the street; look both ways before crossing the street to check for cars, trucks and low flying brooms; cross the street only at corners; never hide or cross the street between parked cars; give them a flashlight to light their way in dark areas; plan a route so several members of the family will know where children are.
Also instruct children to visit only houses that have the porch light on; accept treats only on the porch - never go into a stranger's home; and be cautious of animals and strangers.
Before the children leave on their trek, parents should also check costumes to make certain they are light-colored or contain reflective-type material so they will be more visible; also put reflective tape on bikes, skateboards and brooms; it is best to use flame resistant materials for costumes and warn children to stay away from open fires and candles; use face paint rather than masks or things that may cover the eyes.
Finally, the Red Cross encourages parents to instruct children not to eat their goodies until they have been inspected at home. Parents should check all treats and throw away anything that looks suspicious, is unsealed or has been previously opened.
Henrietta I. Pratt, WIC director for the Otoe-Missouria Tribe recently announced the WIC (Women, Infants and Children) program is available to all eligible low-income women in the area regardless of race, color, sex, national origin, age or handicap.
The WIC program is funded by a federal grant in this area for supplemental foods, health care referrals and nutrition education for low-income pregnant, breast feeding and non-breastfeeding postpartum women and to infants and children up to age five who are found to be at nutritional risk. The area program is directed through the Otoe-Missouria Tribe.
WIC is designed to improve the health of pregnant women, new mothers and their infants at risk and since its creation, studies have shown that babies linked to the program have higher birth weights and lower mortality rates. About 40 percent of the babies born in the U.S. are served by WIC.
Participants eligibility is based on income which falls below 185 percent of the U.S. Poverty Income Guidelines. Nutritional risk eligibility falls into two categories and includes medically-based and diet-based as judged by a health professional according to federal guidelines.
Eligible participants receive vouchers that allow them to redeem a monthly food package designed to supplement their diets. The foods provided are high in protein, calcium, iron and vitamins A and C - foods frequently lacking in nutrients in the diets of the program's target population. The Otoe-Missouria WIC program also provides vouchers for participants to be used at authorized food stores.
Several issuance and certification WIC sites where the programs are in
operation and more information is available include the Otoe-Missouria Tribal
Headquarters, south of Ponca City; Pawnee Indian Health Center in Pawnee;
at White Eagle, south of Ponca City; at the Kaw Nation in Newkirk; at Oklahoma
State University, Brumley Community Center, Stillwater; and at Booker T.
Washington Community Center in Enid. Interested persons may also call 1-800-228-7942.
DEATHS
SERVICES PENDING
M. D. Perkins
TONKAWA - M.D. "Donald" Perkins, lifelong resident of Tonkawa, died early Wednesday morning at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Ponca City. He was 85. A memorial service will be set at a later date. Arrangements and cremation service is under the direction of McCafferty-Bolick Funeral Home, Tonkawa.
Georgia E. Owens
Georgia E. Owens, longtime Ponca City resident, died Tuesday evening, Oct. 28, 1997, at the Highland Nursing Center. She was 94. Arrangements are pending with Grace Memorial Chapel.
Marvin J. Selvey
Marvin J. Selvey, longtime Ponca City resident, died Tuesday morning, Oct. 28, 1997, at Integris Baptist Health Medical Center, Oklahoma City. He was 58. Local survivors include his wife, Lou, of the home. Arrangements are pending with Trout Funeral Home.
D'Etta G. McAbee
D'Etta G. McAbee, 14 Pecan Place, died Monday morning, Oct. 27, 1997, at University Hospital in Oklahoma City. She was 66. Local survivors include her husband, John, and a daughter Connie. Arrangements are pending with Trout Funeral Home.
Edna C. Doolin
Edna C. Doolin, Ponca City resident, died Tuesday, Oct. 28, 1997, at
Highland Nursing Center. She was 84. Arrangements are pending with Grace
Memorial Chapel.
NEWS BRIEFS
Halloween Hotdog Hoedown - The Annual Hotdog Hoedown at Eastern Heights Christian Church, Friday, will be in the lower parking lot. All area children and their families are invited for free food outside at 5:45 p.m., fun-games-contests-treats inside until 8 p.m. Wear costumes, but not "scary" ones for sake of small children. All free, no donations. Three miles east of Pioneer Woman on Lake Road.
Beans and Cornbread - Members of the 55 and Older Club will have a beans and cornbread dinner Thursday at noon at the old Lincoln School located on West Broadway Avenue. Club members are asked to bring relish and dessert items. Cards and other games will be played after dinner. Members and guests are welcome to attend. Regular meetings of the 55 and Older Club are held 12:30-4 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at the old Lincoln School.
DUI School - Bridgeway Inc., offers both midweek and weekend DUI School and assessments. New classes set for Nov. 5-6 from 5 to 10:30 p.m. The 24-hour DUI school will begin in December. Call 762-1462 for reservations or more information. Bridgeway is Kay County's only non-profit organization offering both midweek and weekend classes..
Parade Meeting - A Veterans Day Parade Meeting will be held tonight at 7 p.m. at the American Legion Building, 407 West South Avenue. For information call 765-9073.
Reception Scheduled - A retirement reception is planned Friday afternoon for Charlene Calkins, who is leaving the USDA Farm Service Agency in Newkirk after serving more than 10 years. County executive director J.D. Elwood Jr. said the reception will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Friday at the FSA office at 115 South Maple.
Halloween Fun - The Tonkawa fire fighters and Chamber of Commerce are sponsoring a fun house at Ninth and Grand in Tonkawa. The fun house will be open Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. Admission is $2 for adults and $1 for children 12 and under. A portion of the proceeds will go for fire fighting equipment.
Scarecrow Missing - A man reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 8:20 a.m. Tuesday that someone had stolen a homemade, handpainted scarecrow. The information was logged.
Cellular Phone Found - A woman reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 9:55 a.m. Tuesday that a cellular telephone had been found while east of the new river bridge. The information was logged.
Door Vandalized - A person at O.C.A.W., 1202 West Ponca Avenue, reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 10:11 a.m. Tuesday that a door had been vandalized. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Vehicle Vandalized - A person from the 1500 block of Bradley Avenue reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 10:13 a.m. Tuesday that her car had been burglarized. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Accident - The Communications Center received a report at 10:47 a.m. Tuesday that a vehicle accident had occurred at the intersection of North Fourteenth Street and East Hartford Avenue. Two officers were assigned and a report was taken.
Subject Held - A person with Ponca City High School reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 10:59 a.m. Tuesday that a student was in possession of marijuana at the school. An officer was assigned and a 16-year-old male was held for possession of marijuana.
Assistance Requested - An officer of the Ponca City Police Department requested assistance at 11:09 a.m. Tuesday with a situation in the 1000 block of Riviera Drive. A 28-year-old man was being held for assault with a deadly weapon.
Flower Pots Missing - A man at a business in the 300 block of North First Street reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 12:38 p.m. Tuesday that six boxes of flower pots had been stolen. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Yard Damaged - A man from the 3000 block of East Hartford Avenue reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 2:26 p.m. Tuesday that someone had driven through the yard. The information was logged.
Subject Held - An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported from the intersection of Tenth Street and East Grand Avenue at 3:24 p.m. Tuesday that a 24-year-old man was being held for driving under suspension.
Arrested - An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported from the 200 block of East Oklahoma Avenue at 3:55 p.m. Tuesday that a 21-year-old man was being held on a city warrant for failure to appear.
Jacket Stolen - A clerk at a business at the intersection of Oak Street and West Grand Avenue reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 5:17 p.m. that someone had stolen a jacket from the store. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Gas Drive-Off - A clerk at a business at the intersection of Oak Street and West Grand Avenue reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 6:40 p.m. Tuesday that someone had left without paying for $10 worth of gas. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Bicycle Stolen - An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported at 7:04 p.m. Tuesday that a bicycle had been stolen from a business at the intersection of Oak Street and West Grand Avenue.
Subject Held - An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported from the intersection of North Fourteenth Street and East Prospect Avenue at 7:36 p.m. Tuesday that a 39-year-old man was being held on a city warrant for failure to pay and two Kay County warrants for failure to pay.
Suspicious Activity - A person reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 9:08 p.m. Tuesday that some youngsters were throwing rocks from an overpass at Highland Avenue and North Union Street. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Subject Held - A clerk at Citgo, 320 West Grand Avenue, reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 2:20 a.m. Wednesday that a vehicle was high-centered over a curb in a parking lot. Three officers were assigned and a 26-year-old man was held for actual physical control.
Mailbox Vandalized - A man from the 400 block of South Flormable
reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 6:10 a.m. Wednesday that
a mailbox had been vandalized. The information was logged.
LIFESTYLES
Members of the Pioneer Quilter's Guild will meet Nov. 3 at Community Christian Church, 2109 West Grand. During the morning Stitch and Assist, 10-11:30 a.m., Oletta Demaree will conduct an Angel ornament workshop. This will be a hand-sewn project and an angel will be donated to a Christmas tree project. Those participating are asked to bring the usual sewing supplies.
Velma Hawkins will be assisting with the project and Mrs. Demaree will conduct the second part of a two-part workshop scheduled 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Nov. 11 at the church. Those participating then will need to bring a sack lunch and there will be a dollar registration fee. Contact Mrs. Demaree for sign-up.
Greeting members during registration Monday, 11:30-12:30, will be Norma Kinzie. Hostesses for the day will be Michiel Landers, Gloria Tucker, Karen Bogadi, Zoe Burge and Betty Schwanke. The business meeting will begin at 12:30 p.m. Further information may be obtained by calling Mrs. Demaree, 765-6964.
Cheryl Pritchett, pattern chairman, asks members to bring the Bow Tie blocks for a drawing in November. Sara Myers, Quilt Show chairman, is asking for volunteers to help with a quilt show scheduled Sept. 18-19, 1998 at the Marland Estate.
Members must have a homemade quilt nametag to be eligible for drawings at the December meeting. The Tablerunner Challenge will be due at the Jan. 5, 1998 meeting. Those wishing to help with table setup for the December luncheon are asked to be there at 8:30 a.m.
Joyce Eagan, Workshop chairman, announced the next workshop will be Jan. 6, 1998 fro 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at the church. It is entitled "Learn What It Takes To Beat Sandee." The cost will be $18.
The program for the November meeting will be presented by Dawn Andrew, home economist for Hancock Fabrics. She will be showing projects for the upcoming holidays. All members are encouraged to bring quilted items to Show-N-Share. Contact Michiel Landers, 765-0184, for baby sitting reservations by Oct. 31. For other information contact Cindy Wilson, PAQG president, 765-6911, or Linda Burg, vice president.
Author Marian Clark takes an eight-state journey down historic Route 66 visiting communities that have taken on new life in the nineties. From restaurants in caves to Victorian mansions, Clark rediscovers the hundreds of small towns where the cuisine changes right along with the scenery and food preferences are as distinctive as the dialect. She will be in Ponca City 1-3 p.m. Nov. 1 at Brace Books & More on North Fourteenth, for an autograph session and recipe sampling.
This state-by-state trek by book emphasizes the uniqueness of each area, the history and the heritage, the climate and the crops as well as the places to see, to stay and to eat.
Among the mouth-watering recipes included are Spinach and Strawberry Salad, Impossible Quesadillo Pie, Pretty Boy's Apple Pie, Orange Glazed Cranberry Pumpkin Bread and Barbara Passmore's Cheesy Green Onion Muffins.
Marion Clark, author of three cookbooks, is an unabashed Route 66 fan. Clark and husband,Ken, reside in Tulsa and are the parents of two children. Her previous cookbooks are "The Route 66 Cookbook" and "Southwestern Heritage Cookbook."
In her new book, The Main Street of America Cookbook, she shares her knowledge of the people and the history of the regions as she guides us along the route as it is today.
Trained as a home economist, Clark has selected traditional recipes from the various locales along the road as well as featuring many creations by talented new chefs from Chicago to Santa Monica.
From her latest book comes this pioneer recipe from Yukon for Uncle "Red" Smith's Favorite Cracklin' Bread. Many Oklahoma pioneers drank buttermilk with this bread for an evening meal. For those people not from this region cracklings are crisply fried pork skin.
Cracklin' Bread
1 cup sweet milk
1 egg
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 tablespoons flour
1 cup cornmeal
1/2 cup crisp-fried cracklings
Mix all together and pour into a hot cast iron skillet in which 1 tablespoon lard has been melted. Bake 30 minutes in 400 degree oven. When done, break chunks of bread into a big goblet of fresh sweet milk and eat. 4-5 servings.
The local Chapter of the American Association of Retired People met at the Wheatheart Nutrition Center on Oct. 7 for their monthly meeting. Vice-President F. G. Williams called the meeting to order in the absence of Dr. Ellis Oster, who was out of town.
Reports were given on the Leadership Training session attended by Ruby Cavanaugh, F.G.Williams and Lottie Etzell in Stillwater at the Meridian Vocational-Technical Center. A number of AARP members worked with the Fire Prevention Committee during Fire Prevention Week.
Speaker for this meeting was Sister Clarita Waner, Chaplain at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. She spoke on the Living Will in use in the State of Oklahoma . She said when a patient has prepared the Living Will well ahead of his death, while of sound mind and body, and leaves a copy with the family doctor it saves a lot of grief and last minute decision making by surviving family members. Many times patients have been kept alive by all medical means known only to survive a little longer when their physical condition is such that their quality of life has no value, said the speaker. All people are urged to become familiar with this document that also covers such provisions as Anatomical Gifts and giving their body to science she said. Sister Clarita's talk covered many of the subjects in a publication available from St Joseph Regional Medical Center entitled "Thoughts For The Future, Your Advance Directive for Health Care".
The November meeting will be at Wheatheart Nutrition Center at 1 p.m. Nov. 4. The program will cover how Shriners in this area work with crippled and ill children and the many programs they have for this work. This Masonic organization has a long history of helping children. The American Association of Retired People is the largest group in the nation of people fifty years and older and the local chapter encourages visitors to attend the monthly meetings.
Beau and Chastity Scott of Newkirk announce the birth of a son, Garrett Paul Scott. He was born at Via Christi St. Francis in Wichita, Kan. at 1:59 a.m. Oct. 3, 1997. The baby weighed 7-pounds, 2-ounces and was 19-inches long. Garrett has a sister, Kayla, 3-years-old.
Grandparents are Clinton and Carol Scott of Newkirk, Deborah and Thomas Howie of Ponca City and Paul Williams of Wichita, Kan. Great-grandmothers are Stella Howie of Ponca City and Wilma Holbrook of Stillwater.
The Oct. 9 meeting of the Kay County Mounties 4-H Club was held at Leader Earla Alley's home. Members repeated the 4-H Ritual and the Pledge of Allegiance. The roll was called at which time each member gave captains' reports.
A list of up-coming events was read and discussed. The list included NW District Leadership Conference with Daniel Alley attending; Nov. 1 Family Fun night at Camp McFadden; Nov. 3 Achievement Banquet at 6:30 p.m. at the Ponca City Moose Lodge; Nov. 15 Share the Fun at NOC; Jan. 3 Bread Show; Feb. 7 County Rally; Jan. 10 Enid Oakwood Mall Days; Jan. 24 District Leader Conference.
Mrs. Alley reported on what had been done during National 4-H Week. There was a display table set up at County General showing projects the 4-H members had made this year. Also a poster telling about the week and plates of sugar cookies were taken to various businesses and a poster was placed in Blackwell.
Mrs. Alley congratulated all those who took projects to the Kay County Fair and also all of those who got to send projects to the state fair in Tulsa.
Members completed new enrollment cards and a new member, Angie Tipton, was introduced. The next meeting will be Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. at the home of the leader.
The Ponca City YMCA is planning its third Annual Senior Health Fair on Nov. 13 according to Susan Henning, event coordinator. The YMCA will celebrate with activities all week, Nov. 10-14.
"We use this opportunity to welcome people to the YMCA, especially those who don't know what our facility has to offer," explained Ms. Henning. All exercise classes will be free of charge the week of Nov. 10-14, both land aerobic and water exercise classes. The YMCA will waive half of the $50 joining fee to become a YMCA member during this week. A YMCA membership entitles the member to attend all exercise classes without any additional charge, plus discounts on other activities offered through the YMCA. With an open house atmosphere, refreshments will be served to all who visit the YMCA during that week.
The week will culminate with the Senior Health Fair on Thursday, Nov. 13. The fair will be held in the YMCA gymnasium at 7th & Grand. "We've had overwhelming community support in bringing this special event to Ponca City," says Ms. Henning.
The day begins at 10 a.m. with booths set up in the gym by various service organizations from the community providing information and pamphlets of interest to senior citizens. Nurses from St. Joseph Regional Medical Center will be giving flu shots. Shots are free to Medicare Part B and $10 for all others. RSVP will provide free blood pressure checks throughout the day. Speakers are scheduled before and after lunch starting at 11 a.m.
Speakers this year include Daniele Dill from the Arthritis Foundation; Cecelia Schieber, nutritionist, speaking on food labels; Attorney, David Cummings with information on Living Trusts and Wills, and Dr. Donald Potter speaking on Chiropractic Care. A free lunch will be served at 12 noon.
Area restaurants have donated lunch items for the health fair. Local merchants have also provided door prizes to be given away during the week during exercise classes and during the health fair itself. Walmart/McDonald's will again provide the popular bingo playing and the day will conclude with a cake walk.
Ms. Henning said "The Ponca City community has generously supported
the YMCA through capital campaigns and the United Way, so it is our turn
to give a service back to the community." If you have questions regarding
the Senior Health Fair contact the YMCA at 765-5417.
SPORTS
By FRED HILTON
News Sports Editor
Last week's loss to Sapulpa was tough on the Wildcats. But they may have learned an important lesson.
"When we play together we realize just how good we can be," Wildcat fullback Mat Harrison said. "We found out we can play with anybody."
With an important game with Sand Springs coming up Friday here, that realization could be a turning point for the Cats.
"Sand Springs is good, but not as good as I though they were," Harrison said after watching film of the Sandites' last two games. "I am not at all intimidated by them. I think this is a chance for us to show we can play with these teams. It just makes me want to practice harder."
A converted linebacker, Harrison is still looking for people to hit. Primarily used as a blocker in the Wildcat I formation, Harrison has been one of the big reasons why the Ponca City offense is starting to look like the group everyone thought it would be.
"I think we're finally coming together," Harrison said. "The line is opening holes so I can get to the linebackers. And Joe (Roland) and Toby (Redleaf) are running hard. Eric (Michael) is also throwing the ball real well."
Harrison doesn't have an envy for the tailbacks who get more notice by carrying the ball.
"That doesn't bother me," he said. "I get the same feeling when I get a good block and know I helped spring a tailback that they get carrying the ball."
While Harrison may not get the notice by the average fan, he certainly has the notice of the coaches and his teammates.
On nights when they have had especially good games, Michael and Roland have quickly pointed to the blocking of the fullback as a big reason for their success.
"I've thanked Joe and Eric for their praise," Harrison said. "I just go out and try to get the job done. I just want to make sure everything else goes well.
"The way we came back to dominate Sapulpa in the second half showed we can be a good team. In the huddle there was no let down although we were behind. We all said, 'we can do it.'
"I just hope we can play the same way against Sand Springs."
The Ponca City Sailfish Swim Team held its first meet of the winter season Saturday at the YMCA Community Pool.
Approximately 150 swimmers from 13 teams participated, including 31 from the Sailfish.
Among the boys, Luke Lusk, Rhett Tannehill, Greg Dunham, Eric Whitebay and DJ Nuzum all turned in excellent multiple performances in the water.
In the 11-12 age group, Lusk took first place in the 50 fly (42.01), 50 breast (47.00), 50 free (35.27) and 100 IM (1:31.34), and placed third in the 50 back (41.26). Tannehill, swimming in the 13-14 age group, placed first in the 100 back (1:22.83), 100 breast (1:41.46), 200 IM (3:08.87), and second in both the 50 free (33.49) and 100 fly (1:34.91).
Dunham, in the senior age group, placed first in the 100 back (1:14.94), 100 breast (1:24.02), and 200 IM (2:45.21), and placed 2nd in the 100 fly (1:16.13). Whitebay, in the senior age group, also had three firsts, in the 100 breast (1:31.41), 50 free (31.26), and 200 IM (2:55.56), and placed third in the 100 back (1:23.25). Nuzum, in the senior age group, placed first in the 100 fly (1:15.73), 100 back (1:17.45) and 50 free (29.38), and second in both the 100 breast (1:28.43) and 200 IM (2:46.01).
Among the girls, Marie Brown, Kayla Harris, Maria Hester, Tiffany Long and Andra Nuzum all had excellent performances.
Brown, in the senior division, placed first in the 100 breast (1:40.59), second in both the 100 fly (1:27.15) and 200 IM (3:01.94), and third in the 50 free (33.65). Harris, in the eight and under girls division, had firsts in both the 25 fly (21.67) and 25 back (21.66). Hester, in the senior division, had firsts in both the 100 fly (1:26.00) and 200 IM (3:00.89), second in the 50 free (34.97) and a third in the 100 breast (1:29.81).
Long, in the senior division, had firsts in the 200 IM (2:50.21) and 100 breast (1:26.31), and placed second in the 100 back (1:23.59) and 50 free (32.56). Nuzum, in the 13-14 age group, had firsts in the 100 fly (1:19.05) and 100 back (1:20.24).
Ninth year Sailfish head coach Dave Strah was pleased with his team's performance. "The kids swam well considering it's still early in the season."
The next meet for the sailfish is Nov. 1-3 in Oklahoma City.
Table Tennis Gold - Local table tennis competitor Jerry Barker took the gold medal in the 12-1400 rating at the Senior World Games, held Oct. 12-17 in St. George, Utah.
Barker, 56, along with Ponca City's Phil Deschner, 78, also took a bronze medal in the 55-59 year old age-group doubles competition.
The Senior World Games attracts 1200 competitors from around the world, including 98 entrants in table tennis alone.
Barker, who owns J&B Heating and Air, has been playing table tennis for the past 17 years. He started during a long tenure with Conoco, and has been competing for the last ten.
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Golf Tournament - The Lew Wentz Municipal Golf Course will be sponsoring a "Last Chance" Golf Tournament Saturday, Nov. 1.
The Tournament will be a four man scramble. There will be a fee of $20 per person, which includes a chili feed and refreshments following the tournament. The fee does not include green fees and cart fees. Deadline to enter is Thursday, October 30 at 6 p.m.
There will two divisions to enter, a net division (handicapped) and a gross division (no handicap).
For additional information, call the Lew Wentz clubhouse at 767-0433.