LOCAL

Wichita Childrens Theatre Comes To Poncan Saturday
Walt Andrus Performs Around The Calendar
Blackwell Man Defends Self, Gets 10 Years
Nearly News
Religion in Oklahoma Feature of Magazine
Singles Connection Starts New Group
Veterans Day Parade Lineup Ready
Main Street Authority, Downtown Merchants Set Thursday Halloween
Effort Being Made To Reach United Way Goal
Benefit Bake Auction Set To Assist Shanley Kelly
Halloween Exciting, However Danger Remains Possibility
Golden Villa Dinner Annual Fund Raiser
Area Handbell Festival Set Here Saturday
Markets

Wichita Childrens Theatre Comes To Poncan Saturday

The Wichita Children’s Theatre Professional Touring Company will present “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” at 2 p.m., this Saturday at the Poncan Theatre. The play promises to be true to the original story by Washington Irving, America’s first successful, internationally known author, best remembered for this ghostly tale and for “Rip Van Winkle,” both of which are permanent landmarks in American literature, culture, and folklore.

The wonderfully “spooky story” of “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” is replete with all the thrills, chills, and laughs that keep audiences on the edge of their seats. The tale revolves around the bumbling, awkward school teacher Ichabod Crane, the coquettish Katrina, and the brutish rival, Brom Bones. The play is fast-paced and full of action, saving the best for last: the ride of the headless horseman! Expertly weaving suspense with comedy, this delightful show is exciting family entertainment. It is particularly appropriate as a big Halloween event for the entire family.

The Wichita Children’s Theatre Professional Touring Company performs from September through February in Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. The company is professional in every area, complete with storybook sets, costumes, and props appropriate for each production.

In addition to the performance at 2 o’clock, the company will conduct two simultaneous workshops for children in creative dramatics. One will aim at children aged Kindergarten through the third grade. The other will aim at the fourth through the sixth grades. The workshops will be conducted by trained instructors and will last approximately one hour each. They begin at 10:30 a.m., on Saturday at the Poncan Theatre. The workshops have a limited number of spaces, so patrons are encouraged to register by calling the Poncan Theatre between 1 and 5 p.m. daily.

The workshops and the performance are free to the public. These events are sponsored by the Ponca City Arts and Humanities Council and by Conoco. For more information, patrons may call the Arts and Humanities Council at the Poncan Theatre. The Poncan is located at 104 East Grand, and the phone is 580-765-0943.

Walt Andrus Performs Around The Calendar

Walt Andrus, lead singer with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, has huge shoes to fill. Singers named Frank Sinatra, Dick Haymes, and Joe Stafford have preceded him with the legendary orchestra. And some of his audience will have seen the original singers, because five different generations of swing lovers usually come to their concerts. Andrus takes it all in stride. He performs some 45 weeks a year, most of the time on tour. It’s a grueling schedule. The great orchestra performs at the Poncan Theatre on Thursday at 7:30 pm.

Andrus, a relative newcomer to the orchestra, has been a part of its legend since 1988. “To people my age, this is new music,” he says. The music “still sounds like the ink is wet. To us the music is fresh and challenging.” Since swing is the hottest dance craze in the country, the Dorsey Orchestra has seen a kind of revival. It’s enjoying a comeback as young people across the U.S. are listening and dancing to new swing groups that play the rhythms and spacious orchestrations of the great 40’s groups.

Walt Andrus joined the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra after a stint with the Pied Pipers. He has been playing with big and small bands since the age of twelve. He played piano and organ, saxophone and trumpet, finally settling on singing after high school.

Andrus likes and listens to a wide variety of music. But when it comes to performing, he prefers the music of the great singers of the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s, or new material that fits his style and range. To this end, Walt’s album “Loves a Song” features some great standards as well as several new songs, disproving the saying “they don’t write ’em like that any more.”

Walt has starred at the Waldorf-Astoria in New Your, the Blue Room in New Orleans, the Moulin Rouge Room in Chicago and other notable night clubs. He has toured the United States, Canada, Japan, and Europe. In Sweden, there is an international Walt Andrus Society.

Musically, these are exciting times and Walt is quick to point out a growing number of young artists performing his kind of music. A young audience is coming out in force, discovering music which to them is new. The older audience reminisces, glad to see their favorite songs are in the capable hands of Walt Andrus.

Andrus joins the legendary band leader Buddy Morrow on stage at the Poncan Theatre on Thursday night. Tickets are still available by calling the Poncan office between 1 and 5 p.m., at 580-765-0943. The theatre office is at 104 East Grand in downtown Ponca City.

Blackwell Man Defends Self, Gets 10 Years

NEWKIRK — Jurors here took hardly 30 minutes Tuesday afternoon to recommend a maximum 10-year prison sentence against a Blackwell man who tried to defend himself in District Court on a firearms charge.

Kenneth Kerstein, 24, who had fired his public defender Chiles Townsend a few weeks prior to Tuesday’s jury trial, had been charged with possession of firearms after a former felony conviction.

Blackwell police had arrested Kerstein in April 1997 after responding to a report that a suspicious person wearing a long trenchcoat was hanging around near a convenience store.

When police asked him if he was carrying weapons, he reportedly handed them a pair of brass knuckles and took off the trenchcoat and put it on the ground. When police searched the coat, they reportedly found a loaded 9mm pistol and a loaded spare clip.

After a previous grand larceny conviction in 1994, Kerstein faced a sentence of from one to 10 years.

When he appeared representing himself Tuesday in Associate District Judge Leslie Page’s court, he took the witness stand and told the jury he carried the 9mm pistol for protection because he had a lot of enemies in Blackwell.

After closing arguments, the jurors deliberated approximately 30 minutes before returning their recommendation, emphasizing it with the handwritten word, “Maximum.”

Assistant District Attorney Brian Surber, who prosecuted the case, said he was “proud of what the jury did.”

Surber explained, during the jury selection process, potential jurors “were asked if they could assess punishment within that sentence range based upon the evidence alone,” and to be able to disregard that Kerstein was his own attorney.

He said the trial “was the first one I’ve had where the defendant represented himself.”

The entire jury trial was completed within two hours.

Nearly News

NN gives readers of The News credit for having sense enough to know when a recipe reads incorrectly and to make the proper adjustment, but in case someone missed it — the recipe for chili on the front page of Sunday’s Lifestyles section should be 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon sugar and NOT 112 of each. Seems the slash mark for the fraction was replaced with a 1. Apologies to those cooks who follow the recipe exactly.

Religion in Oklahoma Feature of Magazine

Religion in Oklahoma is front and center in the November/December issue of Oklahoma Today. The cover features Mater Dolorosa, a 17th century Spanish painting from the Mark Allen Everett Collection currently on exhibit at the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art in Norman. The lead story, a compilation of first-person accounts from ten different religious leaders reported by Kelly Crow, demonstrates the mosaic of faith flourishing in the state.

Faith is also a key element in the story about a popular food festival held each year at the St. Elijah Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church. The festival celebrates Lebanese cuisine in a newly constructed church located at 15000 N. May Avenue in Oklahoma City. “Faith, Family, and Food” by Robert Henry provides an intimate glimpse of the festival and the Lebanese community.

In stark contrast to the religious elements of the issue, “The Most Dangerous Gun” tells the story of Jelly Bryce, Oklahoma’s legendary FBI man.

“In his prime, Bryce was possibly the world’s deadliest gun. During his thirty-two years of service, he killed nineteen men in gunfights,” says Kym Chaffin, who wrote the piece. The story tells how a young boy began shooting before the age of six and later drew a gun faster than the human eye could follow.

This year marks the fiftieth anniversary of former Langston University law professor Ada Lois Sipuel’s admission into the University of Oklahoma College of Law. “Breaking the Color Barrier: The Life and Legacy of Dr. Ada Lois Sipuel Fisher,” was written by Melvin Hall, chairman of the OU Board of Regents and a former student of Ada Lois. The story takes the reader on a historical civil rights journey culminating in a United States Supreme Court ruling that led to desegregation of OU and ultimately at universities nationwide. Ada Lois was represented in “Sipuel vs. Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma” by Amos T. Hall of Oklahoma and NAACP General Counsel Thurgood Marshall.

Also in the issue, senior editor Nancy Woodard demonstrates the value of handmade gifts for the holidays and other occasions all year long in “Rarer Than Gold.”

Oklahoma Today is available on newsstands in Oklahoma and at selected bookstores nationwide. To subscribe, call (405) 521-2496 or (800) 777-1793, or refer to www.oklahomatoday.com.

Singles Connection Starts New Group

Singles Connection is a new area-wide fellowship for single adults who are 55 and younger. The purpose of this fellowship is to provide a safe Christian environment where singles — whether by choice, by divorce, or by the death of a spouse — can gather for fellowship and support.

Northeast Baptist Church hosted a wiener roast on Oct. 17 for the group’s first gathering. Each month a different church will be the host church for the event. The October event was attended by 28 individuals.

First United Methodist Church is hosting the next Singles Connection event on Nov. 14. Watch for details to come.

For more information about this event call Becky at 765-5164.

Veterans Day Parade Lineup Ready

This year’s Veterans Day Parade, to be held Saturday, Nov. 7, is already 25 percent ahead of last year’s parade. The parade commences at 10:30 a.m. and will proceed to downtown Ponca City to the Centennial Plaza where a special dedication ceremony will be held to honor all who gave their lives in the Vietnam War.

Any group, organization or individual who would like to participate in the parade, if not listed below, may call Chuck Gregg at 765-1367 or Steve Guy at 765-9894. Late entries who have not been assigned will fall in between Peachtree and Sunset Streets.

The following entries are already committed and the parade schedule is as follows.

Getting veterans from the Legion to parade — Marvin Rider, Mike Daugherty, Glen Adkins and Ollie Heady.

Parade line up coordinators — Steve Guy, Chuck Gregg, Joe Day and Stan Long.

Block 1 between Union and Oak streets — color guards only, walking; In charge, Sgt. Woolsey and Richard Killblane.

1. Army Color Guard.

2. Marine Color Guard.

3. Navy Color Guard.

4. Air Force Color Guard.

5. Army Reserves Color Guards.

6. National Guard Color Guard, Ponca City.

7. National Guard, Cushing.

8. OSU ROTC Color Guard, Army.

9. OU ROTC Color Guard, Air Force

10. VFW Color Guard.

11. Legion Color Guard.

12. VVA Color Guard.

13. Purple Heart Color Guard.

14. POW Color Guard.

15. Co. C 22nd Arkansas Infantry CSA; 8th Kansas, Union.

16. Scouts.

17. Other walking color guards.

18. Walking veterans.

19. 95th Division Band, Oklahoma City.

Block 2 between Oak and Elm streets — Floats and cars, veterans related; In charge, Ollie Heady and Glen Adkins.

1. Two rolls of American Flags.

2. Trams with veterans.

3. Military Order of the Purple Heart.

4. POW float.

5. DAV float.

6. Legion float.

7. Legion Auxiliary float.

8. Other veteran floats.

9. VFW State Commander.

10. American Legion State Commander.

11. VA officials, War Veterans Council, Veterans Council.

12. VIP’s, senators, representatives.

Block 3, between Elm and Osage streets — In charge, Sgt. Stevens, Sgt. Metzger, Sgt. Morris.

1. Military walking units.

2. Military units & equipment, Ponca City Army National Guard.

3. Antique military equipment.

4. Mountain men on foot.

5. Tonkawa Scalpe Society.

6. Indian Nations walking groups.

Block 4, between Osage and Palm streets — In charge, Girl Scouts, Suzi Lenhart.

1. 145th Army Band, Army National Guard.

2. Po-Hi Cheer Leaders.

3. Po-Hi High Steppers.

4. Po-Hi Dynamiters.

5. Jr. Varsity Cheer Leaders.

6. Scouts.

7. Grade schools.

8. Other walking groups.

Block 5, between Palm and Lake streets — In charge, Stan Long and Jerry Stein.

1. Woodlands Band, Fairfax.

2. Lawn Chair Brigade.

3. Miss Ponca City.

4. Gray Horse Chapter of American Indian War Mothers.

5. Salvation Army unit.

6. Salvation Army unit.

7. Conoco fuel truck.

8. Conoco fire trucks.

9. Classic cars.

10. Cherokee Strip Bike Club.

Block 6, between Lake and Ash Streets — in charge, Ponca Police Department.

1. Shidler Marching Band.

2. Police, Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Sheriff units.

3. Ponca City Fire Department, two fire trucks and one ambulance.

4. Citizen Police Academy.

5. AMBUC float.

6. Lions float.

7 Cars.

8. PAWS.

9. Northern Oklahoma Youth Services.

Block 7, between Ash and Birch Streets — In charge, J. R. McDonald.

1. Christian Motor Cycle Club.

2. J.C.’s float.

3. Lowe’s float.

4. Wal-Mart float.

5. Osage Cove fire trucks.

6. Humane Society.

7. Leadership Class.

8. Other rural fire departments.

9. HOG Harley Cycle Club.

Block 8, between Birch and Peachtree streets — In charge, Jim Sindelar.

1. KIXR mobile.

2. Blacksmith’s Shop float.

3. United Way float.

4. Oklahoma Natural Gas float.

5. GOOFS.

6. Pioneer Technology Center.

7. Other motorcycles.

Block 9, between Peachtree and Sunset streets — In Charge, Frank Kennedy and Scott Wilson.

1. Stillwater Harley Club.

2. Cars.

3. Golden Villa Van.

4. Child Development Center.

5. Late floats.

6. Late entries.

Block 10, between Sunset and Franklin streets — In charge, Ron Carr.

1. Shriners Color Guard.

2. Shriners Akdar Shrine Temple, Tulsa.

3. Shriners India Shrine Temple, Oklahoma City.

Block 11, between Franklin and Waverly streets on west — In charge, Chris Short, Brad Beaty, Fred Collins and Terry Martin.

1. Horse color guard.

2. City officials in wagon.

3. Horses, wagons, etc.

There will be flyovers of World War II “War Birds,” F-16’s and a B-1 Bomber starting at 10:40 a.m.

Main Street Authority, Downtown Merchants Set Thursday Halloween

Ponca City Main Street Authority and downtown merchants have combined efforts to make Halloween a real treat for youngsters on Thursday.

Events begin with Steve Crawford presenting a terrifying Treat of Magic and Mystery at the Ponca City Library at 4:14 p.m.

The Main Street Halloween Parade is set for 5:30 p.m., and starts at Fifth Street and Grand and parades down Grand Avenue to First Street. The Downtown Safe Trick or Treat Night follows the parade and will last until 7 p.m. Halloween sacks will be furnished by the Ponca City Utility Billing Office, 516 East Grand.

Ponca City Library is sponsoring a pumpkin decorating display prize drawing. Entries are to be turned in at the library.

The YMCA Halloween Carnival and Haunted House is open from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Included for this event is a concession stand featuring soda pop, candy, hot dogs, and cotton candy.

Games include spider toss, pumpkin throw, fortune teller, face painting, the dungeon, cake walk and more. Tickets are 25 cents and available at the door. The Haunted House and the cake walk require two tickets and all other games are one ticket.

There is a costume contest for the funniest family and the scariest family. Other contests will be by grade/age for the funniest, scariest and most creative.

The Jaycee’s Kid Art Gallery at Fifth and Grand will feature art, plus a police patrol car and fire truck displays.

At the First Christian Church, Fifth and Cleveland is hosting a Harvest Festival. This event features trunk treats from 6 to 7 p.m., and popcorn, pie and cookies in the gym. There are prizes for the best adult and child costume and the best decorated trunk.

Effort Being Made To Reach United Way Goal

With over 98 percent of the goal reached in its drive, the United Way is confident that the citizens of Ponca City will open their hearts and make a pledge and help it reach the 100 percent mark.

“Between now and the first of November, there will be an all-out effort to secure the remaining funds needed to support the 17 member agencies in the United Way family,” says Larry Bittman, chairman of the United Way’s 1998-99 campaign. It works because all work together. United Way is asking all to be generous when the volunteer calls. For those who still have their packets, call the campaign worker or the United Way office to pick up the packet.

Where do the contributions go? It goes to assist neighbors, family and friends.

Several months ago an explosion rocked the East Terrace Apartments. The United Way agencies were out in full force. The American Red Cross was the first agency on the scene helping families with immediate needs. Peachtree Landing housed several families with nowhere to go, while New Emergency Resource Agency distributed food. Several working women needed clothing for work and were helped by the Domestic Violence Shelter clothes closet, and the Salvation Army provided household items and furniture for families in need.

United Way works because all work together. However, not only United Way agencies helped these families in crisis. The Sterling House housed several elderly residents, and Edwin Fair set up a crisis management team on the scene and provided counseling to families. With everyone working together, a horrible situation was made a little easier to bear.

Other agencies supported by United Way contributions include Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, where a child can learn leadership skills and make lifelong friends. At Golden Villa Adult Day Services, families can leave an elderly parent and be assured of a safe, happy and healthy environment. ProTeens (Grand Central Station) offers a fun, safe environment of supervised activities and socializing for teens of all ages. The YMCA has a long time commitment to Ponca City to help build strong kids, strong families and strong communities. A Hospice nurse may visit a terminally ill friend or family member throughout their long battle with devastating illness. The whole community is affected by the services provided by the 17 United Way agencies.

United Way supported agencies provide services for many of life’s unexpected situations. Financial circumstances can change overnight and an individual may need subsidized child care from the Child Development Center. A teenager may show up on the doorstep in need of shelter and counseling after having problems at home and Northern Oklahoma Youth Services would be the place to go for help. Anyone can develop some form of arthritis since it strikes one in seven Americans. A friend or relative may require treatment from Bridgeway for a substance abuse problem. For an individual or family who has just moved to Ponca City and has no friends or family and no idea what services are available, Helpline is there 24 hours a day for information and referral and telephone crisis intervention.

These and many other services are available because of the generous donations from our community.

To be part of this family of services to the community, call the United Way office at 765-2476.

Benefit Bake Auction Set To Assist Shanley Kelly

The Aid Association for Lutherans is sponsoring a Benefit Bake Auction Saturday, Oct. 31 from 1 to 3 p.m. to assist Shanley Kelly who was born with congenital heart defect, and needs extensive surgeries and frequent hospitalizations. They will also be serving a meal.

Shanley is the daughter of Jamie and Chad Kelly of Ponca City.

The three Lutheran churches in Ponca City — Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, First Lutheran Church, and Good Shepherd Lutheran Church — will hold the bake auction, beginning at 2 p.m. Saturday. They will also have live entertainment and there will be a few Beanie Babies auctioned off at this time.

The event is scheduled for Pioneer Park at Highland and North Fifth Street. In case of rain the event will be held at the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 2800 Turner Road.

A meal consisting of hotdogs, potato salad, baked beans, cookies and drinks will be served for $5 to adults and $3 to children, 9 to 16. Children 8 and under will be served free of charge.

Everyone is invited.

Halloween Exciting, However Danger Remains Possibility

Halloween is an exciting time for children, but with the excitement comes danger, and a few simple safety steps are a necessity when trick-or-treating.

“Halloween could be one of the most dangerous nights of the year for young children,” said Martha Collar, director of the Oklahoma SAFE KIDS Coalition. “It is important for parents and caregivers to not only outfit children in safe costumes, but to review important safety tips with children before they go out trick-or-treating.”

Pedestrian injuries, burns and falls account for the majority of injuries on Halloween. To help make sure your child’s Halloween is safe, SAFE KIDS recommends the following tips.

Falls

• Applying face paint or cosmetics directly to the face is safer than a loose-fitting mask that can obstruct a child’s vision. If a mask is worn, be certain the mask fits securely, and cut eye holes large enough for full vision.

• Give trick-or-treaters flashlights.

• Make costumes short enough to avoid tripping.

• Secure hats so they will not slip over children’s eyes.

• Dress children in shoes that fit. Adult shoes are not a good idea for trick-or-treaters.

• Allow children to carry only flexible knives, swords or other props.

• Teach children not to cut across yards. Lawns can have hidden hazards in the dark. Children should stay on the sidewalk when possible.

Pedestrian Injuries

During the excitement of trick-or-treating, children often scurry to visit as many houses as possible — often darting between parked and oncoming cars.

• Decorate costumes, bags and sacks with retroreflective tape. Use Halloween costumes that are light or bright enough to make kids more visible at night.

• Walk, do not run, while trick-or-treating.

• Stop at all corners.

• Cross the street only at intersections and crosswalks.

• Look left, right and left again before crossing.

• Never dart out from between parked cars.

• Exit and enter the car on the curb side, away from traffic.

• Children under age 10 should not go trick-or-treating without the supervision of an adult or older sibling.

Motorists should remember to:

• Slow down in residential neighborhoods.

• Obey all traffic signs and signals.

• Watch for children walking in the street or on medians and curbs.

• Enter and exit driveways and alleyways carefully.

Burns

When choosing a child’s costume, SAFE KIDS recommends the following.

• Look for “flame-resistant” labels on costumes, masks, beards and wigs.

• Use fire-resistant material when making costumes.

• Avoid costumes made of flimsy material and outfits with big, baggy sleeves or billowing skirts that could contact an open flame.

Other Tips

• Accompany young children on their trick-or-treat rounds.

• Attach the name, address and phone number of children under age 12 to their clothes.

• Teach your child his or her phone number.

• Instruct children to travel only in familiar areas and along a pre-established route.

• Instruct children never to enter a home or an apartment building unless accompanied by an adult.

• Set a time for children to return home.

• Restrict children’s trick-or-treating visits to homes with porch or outside lights illuminated, and ideally, to homes where you know the residents.

• Tell children to bring their treats home before eating them. Parents should check treats to ensure that items have not been tampered with and are safely sealed.

By following these safety rules, Halloween night will be a real treat for the whole family.

Golden Villa Dinner Annual Fund Raiser

By KATHY ZEHR

News Staff Writer

The Eighth Annual Golden Villa Bean Dinner fund raiser is set for Nov. 13, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Woodlands Christian Church. In addition to beans, the menu will include cornbread, beef stew, a drink and homemade pies and cakes.

Tickets at $5 each are available at several churches in the community including Woodlands Christian, Church of Christ, Grace Episcopal, First Baptist, and First Presbyterian. Tickets are also available at Golden Villa Center, 615 West Grand. Children six and under are free.

All proceeds go to Golden Villa Day Care Center, an adult care facility for seniors and others who need care during the day but can go home and be with family at night.

Don Parsons, top ticket seller for several years, says, “We hope to sell 600 or more tickets to help fund Golden Villa for the next year.” Other funding for the adult day care center is provided by United Way and other donors.

The first Golden Villa Ham and Bean Dinner in 1990 was also held at Woodlands Christian, and sponsors say they are glad to hold this eighth year dinner at the original location.

According to John Knight, cook for the event, all of “stew and bean makins” except the meat is donated by United Grocery Store. All paper goods are donated again this year by Leach Paper Co.

The Golden Villa day care center, has been in operation for 10 years. It is staffed with trained personnel to care for the needs of elderly or disabled. In a pleasant atmosphere, the group enjoys numerous activities suited to clients abilities and interests. Hours of operation run from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. weekdays.

Breakfast is served to those who cannot or prefer not to eat at home. A hot noon meal, and morning and afternoon snacks are also provided. Special diets are also arranged.

The Center assists care givers by providing them with periods of relief, enabling them to continue caring for an impaired person as home, rather than moving him or her into a nursing facility or to other care. Some clients could stay alone but are happier in the company of other adults, and prefer to spend their days at the Center, where health issues, parties, good food, and participation in other social activities take place. A van furnishes transportation for clients if needed.

For more information about Golden Villa or the bean dinner, call Judy Zimmerman at 762-0264.

Area Handbell Festival Set Here Saturday

The Ponca City Area Handbell Festival will be held at First Lutheran School Gym on Saturday, Oct. 31, with choirs from nine area churches working with Beth Watson, handbell clinician from Dallas.

Ms. Watson has been conducting handbell choirs since 1968. She has been guest clinician and conductor for workshops and conference throughout the United States. She holds a Bachelor of Music in voice from the Manhattan School of Music in New York City, and a Masters Degree in Music Education from the University of Oklahoma. She has held many local, state, and national offices in several handbell associations including the National Music Chair for the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers. Those planning the Festival say it is a great privilege and honor to have Beth Watson in Ponca City.

The public is invited to attend the concert and showcase of choirs in the Lutheran gym at 1:45 p.m. on Saturday. At that time the massed choir will play five numbers they have been rehearsing individually and during the day with Ms. Watson. Also three choirs will perform pieces as a solo group.

Ponca Citians are urged to attend the concert in which they will hear approximately 120 ringers play some of the most exciting new handbell music written today, according to Stan Hoffmeyer of First Lutheran Church and School.

P.C. Foursquare Church Hosting ‘Hell of a Choice’

Ponca City’s Foursquare Church at Lincoln Center is hosting a play entitled “Hell of a Choice” as a family alternative to traditional Halloween activities. An active cast of 40 will present this realistic production which is intended to be an outreach to all of Ponca City.

Play times are Thursday, Oct. 29, 7 to 9 p.m.; Friday, Oct. 30, 7 to 10 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 31, 7 to 10 p.m. Admission is free and tours will run at 15 minute intervals each evening. According to the Rev. Blaine Herron, pastor, they are asking that those attending be at least 13 years of age.

At the same time, a children’s Journey Through The Bible will take place in the southwest wing of the building. Tour times are the same.

For more information, please call the Ponca City Foursquare Church at Lincoln Center, 762-2729. The church is located at 700 West Broadway in Ponca City.

Markets

Prices as of 11 a.m. Today

Jay’s Farm and Ranch Supply

Large Eggs 75

Medium Eggs 50

Light Hens 42

Heavy Hens 37

Farmer’s Co-op Assn.

Wheat 2.89

Milo 3.04

Soybeans 4.94

DEATHS

Ida Stewart
Esther B. Johns
Cecil L. Lesemann
James Albert "Jim" Miller
Ida LeClair

Ida Stewart

Ida Stewart, Ponca City resident, died early this morning, Oct. 28, 1998 at the Specialty Hospital in Tulsa. She was 70. Arrangements are pending with Trout Funeral Home, Ponca City.

Esther B. Johns

Esther B. Johns, Ponca City resident, died Tuesday, Oct. 27, 1998, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. She was 77. Arrangements are pending with Trout Funeral Home, Ponca City.

Cecil L. Lesemann

Cecil L. Lesemann, longtime Newkirk resident, died Tuesday evening, Oct. 27, 1998, at Shawn Manor Nursing Home in Ponca City. He was 72. A graveside service is set for 3 p.m. Friday at the Newkirk Cemetery. Other arrangements will be announced later by Miller-Stahl Funeral Service, Newkirk.

James Albert "Jim" Miller

James Albert “Jim” Miller, Ponca City resident, died Tuesday, Oct. 27, 1998, at St. Francis Hospital in Wichita, Kan. He was 87. Arrangements are pending with Trout Funeral Home, Ponca City.

Ida LeClair

Ida LeClair, Ponca City resident, died Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 27, 1998, at Shawn Manor Nursing Home. She was 81. Evening prayer services will be held tonight and Thursday evening at the Ponca Indian Methodist Church at White Eagle. Other arrangements will be announced later by Grace Memorial Chapel, Ponca City.

NEWS BRIEFS

Young-at-Heart Dance Set — The Young-at-Heart Dance is held every Thursday at the Elks Lodge, 1301 Bradley from 7 to 10 p.m. Snack and Hillbilly Night is held the first Thursday of each month. Music by Ken Wilson and the Sunshine Playboys Band.

Call Don Sawyer, your full time chimney sweep since 1975.

Efficient and no mess. Call 1-800-974-8698, in Ponca 762-8883. adv.

Annual Fund Raiser — The Golden Villa’s 8th annual “All You Can Eat” fund raiser is set for Nov. 13, 5-8 p.m., at Woodlands Christian Church. $5 adults, free to children 6 and under.

Free Pregnancy test. Birth Choice cares. Confidential.

Hours: Tuesday 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, 1-3 p.m. and Thursday, 6-8

p.m. 700 West Broadway. adv.

55 and Older — The 55 and Older Club will host a Halloween party at noon Oct. 29 at 700 West Broadway. Stew, chili, homemade pies and cakes will be served and those 55 and older are invited to attend and join in fun and games. The group meets on Tuesdays and Thursday from 12 until 4 p.m.

Court Allen Construction. Concrete and Flagstone walkways,

patios and yard curbing. Call 765-2720. adv.

Donkey Dance — The Chikaskia Valley Square Dance Club is holding a Donkey Dance Friday in the VFW Ballroom, 2900 East Prospect, Ponca City. Cuer will be Bob Collyar and caller, Mike Huddleston. Activities begin 7:30 p.m. with pre-rounds. Participate in the Sacred Initiation of the Ancient Society of Donkey Dancers; members bring finger foods.

Open House Oct. 24th, Sat. 1-5 Creative Photography, 2015 North

Ash 580-767-1433. adv.

Special Event — Eldercare Program, Kay County Health Department, will be serving punch and cookies at the Wheatheart Nutrition Center, 319 West Grand Avenue, Ponca City, Nov. 3, beginning at 1:30 p.m. The event will be kicking off the new Ponca City Senior Center and also the “International Year of the Older Person.” For more information call 1-888-577-0844, ext. 235.

Pure Water Wagon, reverse osmosis water, $0.25 a gallon, distilled $0.50. Call 765-4116 or 765-6464 for delivery. 1717 North 5th,

Ponca City. adv.

Vehicles Vandalized — A woman from the 2400 block of Juanito reported at 6:04 a.m. Tuesday that two vehicles had been ransacked during the night. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Items Missing — A man from the 300 block of East Fresno Avenue reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 11:57 a.m. Tuesday that some Halloween decorations had been taken. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Vandalism To Mailbox — A woman from the 1600 block of North Fourth Street reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 9:27 a.m. Tuesday that some vandalism had been done to her mailbox. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

1999 101 Ranch Old Timers Calenders $10. Linda Rennie,

Pioneer Bank, 762-5651. adv.

Accident — A two-vehicle non-injury accident at the intersection of West Broadway Avenue and North Sunset Street was reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 9:54 a.m. Tuesday. Two officers were assigned and a report was taken.

Butter Braids: Seven flavors, rise and bake, home made flavor,

great gifts. Grand Central Station, 114 South Fifth, 767-8336. adv.

Decorations Stolen — A woman from the 500 block of West Emporia Avenue reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 8:04 p.m. Tuesday that three juveniles had stolen Halloween decorations off her front porch. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Book House going out of business sale. Huge discounts on all

books, fixtures, and shelving. All used paper backs .50, Thursday,

Saturday, 9-4, 114 North 3rd Street. adv.

Accident — A two-vehicle accident at the intersection of East South Avenue and South Fourth Street was reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 1:33 p.m. Tuesday. Two officers were assigned and a report was taken.

State Certified DUI School Bridgeway, Inc. is Kay Co.'s only

local non-profit organization that offers both mid week and weekend DUI Schools and Assessments. Next school scheduled Friday, October 30th and Satur-

day, October 31st, starting at 5:00 p.m. We now offer the 24 hr. DUI

School. Call 762-1462 for reservations and information. adv.

Items Missing — A woman from the 700 block of West Chestnut Avenue was at the Ponca City Police Department at 2:15 p.m. Tuesday to report that some items were missing from the residence. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Winterize Your vehicle before the cold weather sets in. $55

Flush ‘N Fill special at Grand Ave. Auto Repair. 210 West

Grand. No appointments necessary. Good through November 15th.

adv.

Shoplifter Gets Away — An employee at Wal-Mart reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 3:52 p.m. Tuesday that a shoplifter had gotten away from officials at the store and headed west on Prospect Avenue. An officer was assigned and a report was taken on identity of the vehicle driven by the suspect.

Residence Burglarized — The Communications Center received a 911 call at 8:06 p.m. Tuesday from a woman in the 400 block of South Perry that upon returning home she found the back door kicked in. An officer was assigned and a burglary report was taken.

Accident — The Ponca City Police Department received a report at 2:10 a.m. Wednesday that a one vehicle accident had occurred at Juanito and Pecan Road. Two officers were assigned and a vehicle was towed from the scene. A 26-year-old woman was held for DUI, operating a motor vehicle at a speed not reasonable or proper, and three other females, ages 33, 28 and 35, were held for public intoxication.

Windshield Chips repaired professionally. Guaranteed and

insurance approved. Ponca Glass, 762-6522, 762-7957. adv.

Bicycles Stolen — A woman from the 600 block of West Otoe Avenue reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 3:51 p.m. Tuesday that two bicycles had been stolen. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Jim Bowen Construction ­ Custom homes, room additions and

remodeling. Call 762-3077. adv.

Subject Held — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported from the 800 block of East Miller Avenue at 4:16 p.m. Tuesday that a 40-year-old man was being held for possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.

Camera Repairs. Graham Photo, 201 North First, Downtown.

765-4348. adv.

Vandalism — A woman from the 400 block of South Lake Street reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 6:32 p.m. Tuesday that some youngsters had taken a pumpkin off the porch and smashed it. The information was logged.

Head Country, One half Bar-B-Q chicken with choice of vegetables, $3.95, Thursday, 4-? p.m. 1217 East Prospect. 767-8304. adv.

Subject Held — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported from the intersection of East Albany Avenue and Virginia Avenue at 3:16 p.m. that a 39-year-old woman was being held for driving under suspension, having an expired tag, having no insurance and not wearing a seat belt.

Cruise Special deeply discounted. Circle the cape of South

America, visit penguins on Falkland Island, ride with the gauchos across the steppes of Patagonia plus much more. Norwegian Cruise Line sailing January

2, 1999 for 14 days. Call Beth Masters 1-800-329-2556. adv.

Subject Held — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported at 12:20 a.m. Wednesday that a 26-year-old man was being held for possession of marijuana.

Vehicle Damaged — A man from the 3600 block of Mistletoe reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 6:42 p.m. that while driving on Kygar Road the vehicle was hit by a pellet near the west entrance to Lake Ponca. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

McCord School’s 17th annual Arts and Crafts Festival, Saturday, October 31, 1998, 9:00 a.m.4:30 p.m. Over 70 exhibitors. Concessions available. Free admis-

sion. adv.

Money Missing — An employee at Waste Management Industrial Services, 704 East Hubbard Road, reported to the Communications Center at 8:52 a.m. Tuesday that it was discovered some money missing from the safe. An officer of the Ponca City Police Department was assigned and a report was taken.

Carpet Cleaning most modern method of cleaning. Recommended by major carpet manufacturers, most completely trained personal and finest service. Reason-

able prices, references. Call Floorcraft 762-8381. adv.

LIFESTYLES

Mindy Lynn Gray Engaged
Prather-Campbell Reunion in Blackwell
Arts and Crafts at McCord
Rho Chapter Sets Halloween Theme Party for Tonight
Busy Bee Club Holds Meeting
Little News

Mindy Lynn Gray Engaged

Harold and Pamela Gray of Ponca City announce the engagement and approaching marriage of their daughter, Mindy Lynn, to Michael Jason Carr, son of Thurman and Carmen Carr of Bixby. The couple will marry in a 3 p.m. ceremony Nov. 7 at Foursquare Church.

Grandparents of the bride-elect are Mr. Billy Storm and Bob and Joan Marsh, all of Newkirk; Maxine Metcalf of Arkansas City, Kan. and Ahwilda Gray of Winfield, Kan.

Miss Gray is a graduate of Ponca City High School and is presently attending Careerpoint and Tulsa Community College. The prospective bridegroom is employed by Gunnebo-Johnson in Tulsa.

Prather-Campbell Reunion in Blackwell

The 14th annual Prather-Campbell Family Reunion was held Oct. 18 in the club rooms of the Top of Oklahoma Historical Society in Blackwell.

Bob and Jonna Gardine brought their computer, printer and scanner and were able to add more names, dates, places and photos to family groups. They set up a display of printouts showing family groups with photos they already had.

Bob welcomed everyone and held a drawing for four framed Prather Family Crests which he had printed and framed. Prize winners were Cody Everett, Johnnie Davis, Josh Johnson, and Connor Gardine.

The oldest person attending was Harold Prather of Blackwell, born Sept. 17, 1907. The one traveling the longest distance to attend was Gordon Prather of Amarillo, Texas. Both of them received a framed Prather Family Crest. A moment of silent prayer was held in memory of Paul L. Prather who died at age 79 on August 28, 1998.

Doris Ann Leeper gave the prayer before the covered dish noon meal. Among those attending were David and Doris Ann Leeper of Protection, Kan., Johnnie and Moylene Davis of Goodwell; Martin Kingery of Enid; Linda Holmes Bray of Del City; Kris Bray Graves, Michelle Bray Johnson and Josh of Sand Springs; Chris and Jamie Bray Glass and Jacob of Blackwell; Mark and Robin Bray Price of Oklahoma City.

Also Harold and Lois Prather of Blackwell; Gordon Prather of Amarillo, Texas; Mrs. John (Betty Vollmer) Prather, Steve and Cindy Prather Black and Rebecca, all of Pryor; Heather Black of Tahlequah; Scott and Trissona Prather and Kiara of Claremore; Robert and Jonna Prather Gardine of Chouteau; John and Penny Gardine, Rob, Haleigh and Connor of Wichita, Kan.; Anna Lee Prather Thornton, Anga Lee Thornton Everett and Cody all of Vian, and Mrs. Paul (Maxine Vollmer) Prather of Ponca City. The date set for the 1999 Reunion is Oct. 3.

Arts and Crafts at McCord

McCord School’s 17th arts and crafts festival will be held Oct. 31, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., at the school. The school is located three miles east of Ponca City on U. S. 60 and one mile south on McCord Road. Admission is free to the public.

The festival will feature 70 exhibitors, including local crafters and those from Kansas and other towns in Oklahoma. Attractions will include ceramics, needlework, holiday items, wood crafts, herbal crafts and other gift items.

The concession will feature McCord’s “famous” cinnamon rolls, drinks and a lunch menu of chili, nachos, hot dogs and baked potatoes. The festival is sponsored by the Parents and Teachers of McCord (PTM).

Rho Chapter Sets Halloween Theme Party for Tonight

There were nine members present when Rho Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi sorority met recently at the home of Dawn Pruitt. Bambi Correll, vice president, presided at the business meeting, Jan Leach read the minutes and Debbie McClaskey gave the treasurer’s report. A collection was also taken for a memorial fund for Bob Austin.

Diana McKinnis gave the City Council report and announcement made that Rho chapter would be responsible for paper goods for the sorority Preferential Tea Nov. 1, 3-5 p.m., at the Conoco Fourth Street Clubhouse. Each chapter will also pay $5 and bring a door prize.

Terri Fry was voted in as a new member of the chapter. The Oct. 28 meeting will begin at 7 p.m. and will be a Halloween party at the home of Trish Dilbeck. Dawn Pruitt won the Traveling basket and Diana McKinnis won the mystery gift.

During an earlier meeting at Debbie McClaskey’s home Diana McKinnis was named as Rho Chapter’s Valentine Queen. The Traveling basket was won by Jan Leach and the mystery gift by Trish Dilbeck. On Oct. 25 a family social was held at the home of Bambi Correll. A cookout was followed by a hayride and tour of a “haunted barn.”

Busy Bee Club Holds Meeting

The Busy Bee Club met Oct. 21 at the home of Helen Taylor, 1308 Donahoe. Beulah McCartney was in charge of the business meeting and there were seven members present. Louise Womack led the group in the salute to the flag and “The Lord’s Prayer.”

Helen Taylor gave the devotion “Be Satisfied” by Beverly J. Anderson. Members answered roll call with “something funny.” Helen Hiskett gave the treasurer’s report and reminded members to collect food for the Mission for Thanksgiving.

Helen Hiskett reported taking soup labels and coupons to the Lutheran school and turning in green stamps. Game prizes were won by Helen Hiskett and Beulah McCartney. The mystery bowl gift went to Vivian Davis. The Nov. 4 meeting will be hosted by Ruby Harvey, 1309 West Chestnut.

Little News

Rodney and Kathryn Godfrey of Ponca City announce the birth of their son at 7:44 a.m. Oct. 19, 1998. Tyler Dean Godfrey weighed 6-pounds, 7-ounces and measured 20 1/2-inches long. He has a sister, Courtney Marie, 3-years-old. Grandparents are Charlotte Godfrey and Dennis and Debra Mathews of Ponca City.

SPORTS

Blake Not Ready To Quit Believing
Sooners Scaring No One Anymore
Murrie Likes Position As Special Teams Specialist
Cat JV Fall to Sandites
8th Grade Cougars Smash Enid
Registration for YMCA Basketball Under Way

Blake Not Ready To Quit Believing

By OWEN CANFIELD

AP Sports Writer

NORMAN (AP) — John Blake intends to make the buzzards that are circling over Norman stay in the air a good long while.

Blake, the target of continuing speculation about his future at Oklahoma, said Tuesday he won’t resign and that he expects to be running the program again next year.

‘‘I just feel that way because I have faith,’’ said Blake, in the third year of a five-year deal. ‘‘I walk by faith and not by sight. I don’t walk by what people say. I have faith in God, and if God wants me here and I keep doing the right things, I’ll be back here. And if not, I won’t be back here.

‘‘But right now he wants me to keep working hard, doing what I’m doing, and let him handle the rest.’’

The Sooners are 2-5 overall, 0-4 in the Big 12 after last weekend’s 41-26 loss to Oklahoma State. Blake has a record of 9-21 and his teams have been swept by Oklahoma State and Texas in each of the past two seasons.

On Monday, it became known that a group of student leaders had delivered a letter to athletic director Joe Castiglione saying, among other things, that Blake shouldn’t be coach any longer. The University of Oklahoma Student Association later reversed its course and said it supports Blake.

Castiglione and university President David Boren have said any decision on a possible coaching change would be made after the season.

‘‘John Blake staying at Oklahoma is the best thing for these kids,’’ Blake said. ‘‘Now, it might not be for some people who are not truly supportive of this program or me, but that’s irrelevant.

‘‘I’m going to be here for the kids as long as I can because that’s my purpose. I know we’re doing the right thing to get it done, and I’m going to continue to do that.’’

He said he appreciates the support he has received from fans and said he feels most of them want him to continue on the job.

‘‘I know a lot of Sooner fans who would love me to still be here, for what I stand for,’’ Blake said. ‘‘I know winning is very important, but also winning off the field is important, so we have something to stand by in the future.

‘‘Whether John Blake is here or whether another coach is here somewhere in the late future — because I’m going to be here — I think it’s important we all just support the university, support our kids who are playing hard, support what we’re trying to do, especially if it’s right.’’

The Sooners again this season have been hurt by penalties, injuries and inconsistent play at quarterback. Eric Moore became the third person to start at quarterback this season when he got the nod against Oklahoma State, but he suffered a concussion late in the first quarter.

Blake said he doesn’t expect Moore to be able to play Saturday against Iowa State. Redshirt freshman Jake Sills, who replaced Moore last week, ‘‘will have an excellent chance to start’’ against the Cyclones, Blake said.

The Sooners used a different look against Oklahoma State than they had in previous games, which Blake said was borne of necessity.

‘‘I’d rather be in one offense, but I don’t have it,’’ he said. ‘‘I’m going to do whatever it takes to put some points on the board.’’

Sooners Scaring No One Anymore

By CHUCK SCHOFFNER

AP Sports Writer

AMES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa State is getting ready to play an opponent it has beaten only five times in 68 tries, so why aren’t the Cyclones nervous?

Because Oklahoma, a name once feared across the land, a school that has dominated Iowa State like no other, isn’t scaring anyone these days.

The Sooners are 2-5 overall and 0-4 in the Big 12, just like Iowa State, and they’re having so many problems that coach John Blake is in danger of losing his job.

After taking on Big 12 heavyweights such as Missouri and Kansas State, the Cyclones feel the playing field will be a little more level in Norman on Saturday.

‘‘We’ve got a real good chance this week,’’ nose guard Ryan Harklau said Tuesday. ‘‘I’m excited to play. I think this one’s a very winnable game and we’re all looking forward to it.’’

Iowa State hasn’t won since beating Ball State 38-0 on Sept. 19. The Cyclones then lost to Texas Tech, Texas and Missouri before getting thumped at Kansas State 52-7 last week.

Oklahoma has lost five straight after starting the season with victories over North Texas and TCU. The Sooners’ 10-9 victory over TCU came one week after TCU beat Iowa State 31-21.

‘‘I think it’s a little more evenly matched this week,’’ Iowa State strong safety Dustin Avey said. ‘‘Oklahoma, we can match up with their team at every position. It’s a team we can definitely beat and hopefully we can go down there and get a victory.’’

It would be a milestone if the Cyclones do win. They’ve beaten Oklahoma only once since 1961 and they haven’t won a league game on the road since a 23-22 victory at Missouri on Nov. 2, 1991. That had been the Cyclones’ last road win of any kind until they won at Iowa on Sept. 12 of this year.

Beating Iowa was a big deal at the time because it was Iowa State’s first victory over the Hawkeyes in 16 years. But now it seems like it happened a long, long time ago.

‘‘I don’t even like to think about the Iowa game any more to tell you the truth,’’ Avey said. ‘‘It was so long ago. So many things have happened since then. I’ve kind of put that behind me. It’s history, basically.’’

The Cyclones have done the same thing with the Kansas State game. The Wildcats thrashed Iowa State so thoroughly that coach Dan McCarney saw no need to rehash it. Kansas State is ranked fourth nationally in The Associated Press poll and third in the coaches’ poll.

‘‘We put the Kansas State game behind us as fast as I’ve ever put a game behind us,’’ McCarney said. ‘‘I think that’s the way to handle it. Don’t duck responsibilities or make excuses, but put it behind us as quick as we can.

‘‘That’s a national caliber team,’’ he said. ‘‘They dominated us. Let’s get it over and let’s get moving on to the next one. I think that’s what the kids did.’’

Besides, it’s a little easier to move on to the next one when you know you have a chance to win it.

‘‘Spiritually, emotionally, mentally, all of those things coming out of a real, real tough weekend, I think our kids feel pretty good right now,’’ McCarney said. ‘‘They know (Oklahoma) is not the third-ranked team in the country.

‘‘Although they have a lot of good players and it’s a very, very tough environment down there in Norman, I think they feel like we’re going to have a real good shot this week,’’ the ISU coach said.

McCarney would feel even better if 300-pound nose guard Clyde Sanders could play more than he has in recent weeks. Sanders has a sore knee and lasted only eight plays at Kansas State.

‘‘On a couple of plays he looked full speed. He looked like the Iowa game and then it started bothering him again and he just wasn’t very effective,’’ McCarney said. ‘‘We’ve just got to try to continue to rest it, rehab and hope he can give us more than eight plays this week.’’

Murrie Likes Position As Special Teams Specialist

By FRED HILTON

News Sports Editor

Wes Murrie suddenly has the best per-carry average of any offensive player on the Wildcat football team.

His 23-yard run off a fake punt against Sand Springs Friday was his first carry of the season. Murrie gained a first down at the Sand Springs 18. Unfortunately, the Cats fumbled three plays later to waste that scoring opportunity in the 19-7 loss.

While Murrie doesn’t appear in the Cats’ statistical columns often, it isn’t because of lack of playing time. Murrie is the starting split end for the Poncans, plays some safety on defense and is on four special team units — kickoff, punt, punt return and field goal.

“I like it,’ the senior says of special teams play. “It gives you a change to go down and hit someone or throw a good block.”

So Murrie knows what a good block looks like. It looks like the one that Toby Red Leaf threw to get Murrie started on his long run.

“But all of the guys blocked really well,” he said of the play.

Murrie says the fake punt is relatively new in the Wildcat play book.

“We put it in in the fourth or fifth week of the season,” he said.

“Wes gets the job done,” special teams coach Larry Degan said. “He does everything right. He’s one of our most dependable players.”

The Wildcat coaches put a lot of stock in special teams play and except for a couple of glitches against Tahlequah in the second game of the season, the Cats’ special teams have played well.

The Poncans’ practice almost every day on special teams play.

“We work on special teams the first thing in each practice,’ Murrie reports. “It take up about 15 minutes of each practice.”

Being such an integral part of this year’s team, Murrie has seen first hand some of the problems the Cats have had in recording a 1-7 record.

He admits that too often the Poncans have gotten off to a slow start in the first half of a game, rallied in the second half, but come up short.

“It seems we have more of a will to play well in the second half,” Murrie says. “For some reason we don’t play that well in the first half.”

Murrie says it’s not just the adjustment the Poncans make at halftime.

“We usually don’t make that many adjustments unless the coaches see something or the players tell them something they see,” Murray notes. “Against Sand Springs, the only adjustment we made was to run more of our 50 series (getting outside the tackles), instead of our 30 series.”

Murrie hopes the Wildcats can break the slow-start syndrome at Sapulpa this week.

“We haven’t seen Sapulpa on film, yet,” he said Tuesday. “But I understand they’re pretty good.

“Still, I think we have a pretty good chance to win.”

Murrie says the players and coaches don’t pay too much attention to an opponent’s won-loss record. Sapulpa is 2-3 in District 6A-3, 4-4 overall.

“We just look at how they play and what adjustments we can make to defeat what they’re doing.”

Cat JV Fall to Sandites

Sand Springs, using the same quarterback the Sandites had in the varsity game Friday, scored 15 points in the first five minutes of the game and held on to beat the Wildcat JVs, 15-0, Monday in Sand Springs.

“We just got off to a bad start,” Ponca City coach Larry Degan said. “We played much better defense for the test of the game. But we couldn’t get anything going offensively. We had trouble sustaining drives.”

The loss, following a 14-10 win over Enid last week, left the Cat JVs 2-4 on the season.

The JVs close out the season this Monday against Newkirk. That game is scheduled for Sullins Stadium, starting at 6:30 p.m.

It was the Poncans who struck early at Enid.

Quarterback Grant Potter hit Greg Dewberry with a 25-yard scoring pass in the second quarter. Matt Cook kicked the extra point to give the Cats a 7-0 lead.

Enid tied the score just before halftime and took a 10-7 lead on a third-quarter field goal.

But with 2:30 left in the game, Potter found Scott Steichen on a 16-yard TD pass to reclaim the led.

“The defense played great,” Degan said, noting that J. Michael Sharon had a crucial pass interception in the game.

8th Grade Cougars Smash Enid

The 8th grade Mid-High footballers upped their season record to a stellar 6-2, Tuesday, flattening Enid Longfellow, 33-0.

On the first play of the game, MiMi Miller blasted 65 yards up field to get the Cougars on the board. After the defense finally put an end to a long Enid drive, Kyle Megenity got a 65 yard scoring run of his own, and kicked the point after to put the Poncans up, 13-0. In the second quarter, Cody Pappan gave the Cougars six more, bounding in from a yard out after a 60-yard drive.

In the second half, after a sack and a fumble by the Enid quarterback, Steven Morris recovered and scampered 15 yards for yet another Ponca City score. Nate Macy added the two point run to put the Cougars up, 27-0.

The Cougars then put an exclamation on the game, with Macy scoring again from 12 yards out in the fourth quarter.

“We didn’t have much fight at the beginning of the season,” said coach Brad Parent. “But we’ve been coming on lately. It’s been fun to see these guys progress. I almost wish the season wasn’t ending already.”

The Cougars close out their season on Thursday against Woodward, in Sullins Stadium. Game time is at 4. That game will be followed by the final freshman game of the season, which starts at 5:30.

Registration for YMCA Basketball Under Way

The YMCA registration is underway for the kindergarden through third grade basketball program. The deadline for all participants is Saturday, October 31

Each kid gets to play one-half of each game, and score or standings are not kept. All goals will be set at 81/2 foot high and teams will be formed by school and neighborhood.

Bill Kenney, YMCA Program Director said, “We will try to keep kids who have played together in the past on the same team again. Since all elementary schools experience turnover, we always have to make a few adjustments to keep the rosters full, but we try to be as flexible as possible.”

The Y has made a few minor changes in the program format this year. First, the Y has renovated its gymnasium to include an extra set of cross-court goals and they have replaced the fixed wooden bleachers with portable aluminum ones. This will allow the kids to play a “full-court” game instead of half-court as in the past. Secondly, during the games, colored wristbands will pair players from opposite teams. Players will know who to guard by looking at their wristbands. The third change in the program involves the separation of the second and third graders into separate boys and girls divisions. Past seasons had them together in a co-ed format.

Coaches are needed in all grades. Head coaches must be at least 18 years of age and are subject to a local background check. National Youth Sports Coaches Association certification is available to potential coaches that feel that they need additional training in the key areas of youth sports psychology, first aid, child abuse, parental communication, and basketball skills and fundamentals. There will be a meeting for coaches on Monday, Nov. 1 st at 6:30 p.m. at the YMCA. All past and potential coaches are strongly encouraged to attend.

The cost for the program is $10 for YMCA Youth and Family Members and $20 for all Community Participants. There is also a one-time jersey fee that is $10. Players who have their jerseys from previous seasons are not subject to this charge unless they are getting new ones. The price will increase by $5 after the October 31 registration deadline. Kids registering after the deadline will be placed on teams that need players — possibly not with the kids that they go to school with.