|
From the pages of The Ponca City News, Tuesday, October 26, 1999 LOCAL DEATHS NEWS BRIEFS LIFESTYLES SPORTS BUSINESS LOCALPolice Info Helped Decide Homicide Ruling, Doc Says Police Info Helped Decide Homicide Ruling, Doc SaysNEWKIRK — Whether slices of bread were fed or force-fed to a toddler was a primary issue this morning as the state’s case against first-degree murder suspect James Clinton Parker of Ponca City continued for the fourth day in District Court here. Parker, 21, is charged with the asphyxiation death of 13-month-old Adam Allie, who choked on bread while in Parker’s care at their apartment in north Ponca City. The child, who was the son of Parker’s then-fiancee Linda Allie, choked on July 27, 1998, and died three days later at an Oklahoma City hospital. Medical examiner Dr. Larry Balding testified this morning he conducted an autopsy and determined the child’s death was caused by food blocking his windpipe. He also said he determined the manner of death was homicide, which he said was based partly on statements Parker made to police investigators following the incident. Balding testified he had been told by Ponca City police investigators that the defendant told them he fed bread to the child in an effort to quiet him. Ponca City Police Det. Jimmie Sherron testified Monday that Parker told them he wasn’t feeling well when the child was left in his care. Linda Allie had testified last week she had left her son in a high chair with dry cereal as she left to run an errand with her father. Sherron said that Parker told him he hadn’t wanted to babysit the child, who was acting fussy, and he began feeding him approximately two slices of bread. OSBI criminologist Melvin Hett testified today he conducted saliva tests and blood tests on “doughy” clumps of bread that were found by investigators in three rooms at the apartment and determined the quantities of bread had been in the child’s mouth. Defense attorney Billy Bock of Oklahoma City argued that asphyxiation could have been caused during Parker’s attempts to remove bread from the child’s throat and resuscitate him. Parker called emergency 911 for help and tried to follow a dispatcher’s instructions to help the child as emergency workers were en route, according to testimony. The child’s mother testified last week that she had learned of evidence alleging abuse toward Adam by Parker, but she said she had never witnessed maltreatment toward her son by the defendant. Parker accompanied family members to the Oklahoma City hospital during the incident and was questioned later by police. The murder charge came several days later. The state’s case against Parker is being presented by Assistant Dist. Atty. Elizabeth Hocker and First Assistant Phil Ross in the courtroom of Associate Dist. Judge Leslie D. Page. City Will Begin Leaf CollectionFor most prompt collection of leaves, residents should containerize and place leaves next to the area of normal refuse collection. This will allow twice a week collection. Residents are encouraged to back yard compost to have rich soil for their garden next spring. If residents choose not to containerize their leaves, they must place them directly behind the curb, not in the street or curbs and call 767-0411 for collection service. Call-ins should prepare to wait at least two weeks for collection due to large volume and demand. No uncontainerized leaves will be collected in alley ways. Residents are reminded not to rake or blow leaves into street so as not to clog the storm drains. Leaves found blown or raked into street may result in a citation, as directed by ordinance 4980 section 16-22. Virtual Prairie on Drawing BoardPAWHUSKA (AP) — A fund-raising drive planned by the Pawhuska Community Foundation would help create an interpretive center for the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve. Foundation members hope to have the center open within three to four years, replete with the feel of stampeding buffaloes and the sights and smells of a swirling prairie fire. ‘‘We want the hair to stand up on the back of the neck,’’ said David Keathly, director of the Pawhuska Chamber of Commerce and a foundation member. Initially, the foundation wants to raise operating money to continue developing the idea. It would present a final design to private donors in hopes of getting almost $2 million for the center within a year, Keathly said. Under current plans, the center would be housed in a two-story building formerly used as a Chevrolet dealership. The Pawhuska Chamber of Commerce and an information center are now located in the building. The center would offer visitors a virtual prairie, including rooms in which the floor shakes from a buffalo stampede. Another would include the smell of a prairie fire. ‘‘It will be an adventure in itself,’’ said Harvey Payne, a Pawhuska attorney who is director of the 38,000-acre Tallgrass Prairie Preserve in northern Oklahoma. ‘‘It will help people visit the prairie. If you see the prairie without education or preparation, the prairie is not inspiring.’’ However, the center could include a room in which visitors experience the prairie at night and hear prairie sounds. Although most visitors arrive on the prairie at midday, the best time to visit is at first and last light, when creatures are stirring and the sun light is most impressive, Payne said. Foundation members plan to visit other centers to get ideas, Keathly said. Nearly NewsNN has a reminder from Jerry Cathey that the deadline (Nov. 1) is fast approaching for artists to hand in designs for Y2K Iris Festival postmark and T-shirt. Artwork should be submitted to the Main Street office, 117 North Third. Flu Shots AvailableThis is a reminder for anyone who has not received their flu shot. The Kay County Health Department will be conducting its annual Flu immunization clinic on Oct. 28 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Oct. 29 from 8 a.m. to noon at the Grand Avenue Church of Christ at 1300 West Grand Avenue. This clinic is for persons in the following groups: •65 years of age and older. •anatomic or functional asplenia, including sickle cell disease. •nephrotic syndrome. •chronic metabolic diseases. •immunosuppression. The vaccine prepared for the 1999-2000 season includes A/Sydney, Beijing and B/Beijing antigens. If you have any questions about the flu clinics please call 762-1641. DEATHSAlma Mae Yerby Alma Mae YerbyWEBB CITY — Alma Mae Yerby, resident of Webb City, died Sunday, Oct. 24, 1999, at her home. She was 57. The funeral will be held 2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 27, 1999, in the Webb City Church of God with the Rev. Charley Richey officiating. Burial will be in the Burbank Cemetery under the direction of the Hunsaker-Wooten Funeral Home of Fairfax. Alma Mae Yerby was born Nov. 16, 1941, in Augusta, Ky., the daughter of Roscoe and Lena Applegate Cottey. She attended school in Maysville, Ky., and Vevay, Ind. She married Donald Yerby on Oct. 1, 1960, in Reno, Nev. She was employed as a courier with Roche Biomedical Lab in Little Rock, Ark. She enjoyed her children, being a housewife, traveling and reading. She is survived by her husband of the home; four sons, David Wesley Yerby of Shidler, Michael Dale Yerby of Lexington, Jeffery Lee Yerby of Tulsa, and Christopher Dale Yerby of Webb City; one daughter, Pamela Fisher of Webb City; one brother, William Roscoe Cottey of Hamilton, Ohio; three sisters, Loucetta Rathgen of Hamilton, Ohio, Vicky Dwelly of Maysville, Ky., and Marjorie Perry of Madison, Ind.; seven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and numerous other relatives. She was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Donald Keith Yerby Jr; and an infant sister. The family will be at the Yerby home to receive friends and relatives. Walter W. LotzSHIDLER — Walter W. Lotz, longtime resident of the Shidler community, died Monday, Oct. 25, 1999, at the St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. He was 87. A graveside service will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 28, 1999, at the Resthaven Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery of Ponca City with the Rev. Ruth Tipps officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel. Visitation hours at the Shidler Chapel are 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday. Walter W. Lotz was born Jan. 20, 1912, in Bartlesville, the son of H.A. and Ethel (Kelly) Lotz. He attended the Bartlesville public schools, graduating from Bartlesville High School in 1930. He was named as a Oklahoma all-state football center his senior year. He married Margaret Dixon on Sept. 11, 1937, in Bartlesville, and the couple moved to the Shidler area in 1940. They were married 56 years before she died in 1994. He worked 38 years with the Phillips Petroleum Company, retiring in 1972. At the time of his retirement, he was an electrician for Phillips in the Burbank field. He was a member of the Shidler United Methodist Church and the Masonic Lodge of Shidler. He enjoyed quail hunting and fishing. He is survived by two sons, Craig Lotz of Crescent and Bill Lotz of Independence, Iowa; one sister, Anna Mae Thurman of Florida; seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and a niece and nephew. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, a brother and a sister. Helen Louise WorkmanSHIDLER — Helen Louise Workman, longtime Shidler resident, died Sunday, Oct. 24, 1999, at the Hillcrest Specialty Hospital in Tulsa. She was 82. A graveside service will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27, 1999, in the Grandview Cemetery in Kaw City with the Rev. Ruth Tipps, pastor of United Methodist Church of Shidler, officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Grace Memorial Shidler Chapel. Friends may call at the Shidler Chapel until 1 p.m. Thursday. Helen Workman was born Nov. 19, 1916, in Wichita, Kan., the daughter of Edgar Phallie and Mary (McElhaney) Coleman. She grew up in Seminole and Whizbang and graduated from the Shidler High School. On March 1, 1938, she married Wilford Leon Workman in Denoya, where they made their first home. She worked in the Shidler Cafe for many years. She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Shidler and enjoyed embroidery and crossword puzzles. Surviving are a daughter, Susan Wickham of Hobbs, N.M.; a son, Charles Leon Workman of Houston, Texas; a brother, James Coleman of Selah, Wash.; three grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and one sister, Claudine Simmons. Honorary casket bearers will be Johnny Mayberry, Gary Workman, Jeremy Workman, Jason Workman, Jim Wickham, Bill Wickham, Marvin Wickham, and Alvin Rollins. Memorial contributions may be made to the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation for heart research, 825 NE 13th Street. Oklahoma City, Okla. 73104. Elmer Lee KellyGRAINOLA — Elmer Lee Kelly, resident of Grainola, died Monday, Oct. 25, 1999, at the Fairfax Memorial Hospital in Fairfax. He was 94. A graveside service will be held 2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 27, 1999, at the Cedar Vale City Cemetery with the Rev. Ruth Tipps of the Grainola United Methodist Church officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Graves Funeral Home Chapel of Coffeyville, Kan. Visitation hours are 1 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Elmer Lee Kelly was born Dec. 30, 1904, in Otto, Kan., the son of William E. and Jenny Irene (Custer) Kelly. He was a rancher and lived in Harmon from 1906 to 1929 and in Grainola from 1929 to 1999. He attended school in Harmon. He was a member of the Grainola United Methodist Church. He married Eva Katherine Jackson in Perry on June 30, 1930; she preceded him in death on Sept. 21, 1997. He is survived by four sons, Earl Eugene Kelly of Severy, Kan., Charles Lee Kelly of Grainola; Carl James Kelly of Hewins, Kan., and Paul Wayne Kelly of Grainola; one brother, Earl Kelly of Cedar Vale, Kan.; three sisters, Ava Bryant of Carmargo, Dora Hamilton of Woodward and Evelyn Lake of San Leandro, Calif.; 11 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife; his parents; one son, Robert Kelly; two brothers, Bert Kelly and Claude Kelly; and one sister, Nellie Cook. Memorial contributions may be made in his name to the Grainola United Methodist Church, c/o Graves Funeral Home, 1117 West 8th Street, Coffeyville, Kan. 67337. ObituariesBobbie Vance LittlewalkerBobbie Vance Littlewalker, 1712 East Prospect, died Sunday, Oct. 24, 1999, at the St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. He was 69. At the time of his death, he was loved and cared for by his niece, Shirley Moore Turner, and her husband George Turner. The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the Kaw Tribal Center in Kaw City with the Rev. Tom Roughface officiating. Burial will follow in the Washunga Cemetery in Newkirk under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel. Born July 20, 1930, in Ponca City, he was the son of Newman Sr. and Clara (Mehojah) Littlewalker. He grew up in the Washunga area and graduated from Kaw City High School in 1948. Mr. Littlewalker served in the U.S. Navy from December 1955 to November 1959. He worked as a barber in the Eastgate Barber Shop in Tulsa from 1964 to 1975 with his best friend, Charlie Brown. In 1976, he returned to the Ponca City area and was employed as a drug and alcohol counselor for the St. Joseph Medical Center until his retirement. Mr. Littlewalker was a member of the Kaw Tribe and the Masonic Lodge. Vance dedicated his time in helping the people at Harmony House in Ponca City and became very special to all the people with whom he came in contact. Surviving are two sons, Richard Allen Littlewalker of Salina, Kan., and Edward Vance Littlewalker of Tulsa; a sister, Mary Butler of Oolagah; one brother, Morgan LeClair of Belle Plaine, Kan.; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Marietta Hampton and Julia Anne Moore; and three brothers, Archie Littlewalker, Edward Littlewalker, and Newman Littlewalker Jr. Military graveside rites will be presented by members of the American Legion Post 38. Casket bearers will be Charlie Brown, Ivan Deffner, John Lucas, Ted Rowe, Larry Jones, and Keith Slavin. Honorary casket bearers will be John Michaels, John Rainey, J.R. Walker, Chet Jeffries, and Ken Vogt. Mr. Littlewalker will lie in state at the Kaw Tribal Center in Kaw City from 10 a.m. Wednesday until time of service. paid obituary NEWS BRIEFSSuspicious Activity — The Communications Center received a 911 call at 11:39 a.m. Monday from a man in the 3600 block of Bellflower that a subject with a knife at the door was demanding return of stolen property. Two officers were assigned and the subject was brought to the police department. McCord School’s 18th annual Arts and Crafts Festival, Saturday, October 30, 1999. 9:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. Over 70 exhibitors. Concessions available. Free admission. adv. Fall Salad Luncheon Set — The United Methodist Women at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, Hartford and Pecan, are sponsoring their Annual Fall Salad Luncheon, craft and bake sale on Friday, Oct. 29, from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Cost is $5 for adults and $2 for children. 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. 765-9689. adv. Title IX Parent Meeting — The Title IX Indian Education Parent Committee of Ponca City Schools will meet tonight from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Golden Corral. Business to be discussed will include the Title IX Community-wide meeting. All interested parents of Native American students are invited to attend. For further information contact Sylvia Willey, 765-2687, or Jo A. Keating, 767-9500, ext. 128. 20% Off all Halloween items. Mrs. Brown’s Attic, down town Ponca City. adv. Buffalo Post — American Legion Buffalo Post No. 38 will be providing military funeral rites at the Kaw Tribal cemetery in Newkirk at the service of Tyrone Poore. American Legion members are reminded to attend. For further information contact Delbert Cole at 762-3314. Every Wednesday - price clothes and shoes, except priced items. Check our daily specials. Caboose Thrift Shoppe, First and Central. adv. Veteran’s Parade — A planning meeting for the upcoming Veteran’s Day Parade will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the VFW post on East Prospect. All interested persons, school and church groups are invited to attend the meeting. Vandalism — A person at the Grand Avenue Church of Christ reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 8:16 a.m. Monday that some vandalism had been done at the church. An officer took a report. Items Missing — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported from East Middle School at 10:24 a.m. Monday that a student reported items had been stolen from her locker. Injured in Fight. — The Communications Center received a 911 call from Ponca City School Transportation 3:31 p.m. Monday requesting an ambulance for a boy hurt in a fight on a school bus. An ambulance responded and took the victim to the emergency room of St. Joseph Regional Medical Center for treatment. Two officers of the Ponca City Police Department were assigned and a 13-year-old boy was held for assault. Subject Held — A woman from the 400 block of South Peachtree Street requested assistance with a subject at 12:26 a.m. Tuesday. Two officers were assigned and a 43-year-old man was held for second degree burglary. Accident — An accident at the intersection of North Fourteenth Street and East Hartford Avenue was reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 4:42 p.m. Monday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken. Subject Held — An employee at Wal-Mart reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 11:36 a.m. Monday that a woman was being held in custody for shoplifting. An officer was assigned and an 18-year-old woman was held for petit larceny. Subject Held — An employee of Miller Market, 904 South Fourth Street, requested assistance with a subject attempting to cash a stolen check. Two officers of the Ponca City Police Department responded and an 18-year-old man was held for uttering a forged instrument. Vehicle Damaged — A woman at Roosevelt School reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 3:22 p.m. Monday that her vehicle had been damaged while in the parking lot of the school. An officer was assigned and a report was taken. Gas Drive-Off — A clerk at Citgo, 400 East South Avenue reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 4:51 p.m. Monday that a subject had left southbound in a vehicle without paying for $15.48 worth of gas. An officer was assigned and a report was taken. Abandoned Bicycle — A woman from the 600 block of North Lake Street reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 1 p.m. Monday that a bicycle had been left in the front yard. Animal Control was contacted to pick up the bicycle. Tire Vandalized — A man in the 400 block of South Fourteenth Street reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 10:48 a.m. Monday that a tire had been vandalized. An officer was assigned and a report was taken. Subject Held — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported at 3:29 p.m. Monday that a 17-year-old man was being held for grand larceny. Hit and Run — A hit and run accident at the intersection of North Fifth Street and East Prospect Avenue was reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 4:08 p.m. Monday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken. Suspicious Activity — A woman from the 1600 block of Dover requested assistance at 2:25 p.m. Monday upon finding a marijuana pipe in the house. An officer was assigned and a report was taken. Accident — A minor accident in a parking lot at Ponca City High School on North Seventh Street was reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 3:15 p.m. Monday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken. Requests Assistance — An employee at Albertson’s Warehouse reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 3:19 p.m. Monday that a truck driver had thrown a book and hit an employee in the head. An officer was assigned and a report was taken. LIFESTYLESThe Neighborhood Chef The Neighborhood ChefTreats for the Tricksterby: Sherry Muchmore As children ready themselves for their night of indulgent fantasy, mothers and fathers prepare to make this night a memorable and safe one for their little tricksters. Good memories and fun times which they will remember while preparing for Halloween with their own children. Memories, as tangible as the tastes that trigger them. Just think, for this night you can pretend to be anything or anybody you want and you can eat all the sweets you dream about. Why wouldn’t a child love Halloween (or an adult for that matter). Imagination and dreams refresh and stretch the mind’s perception of self. Safe outlets are provided through organized public get-togethers, private parties, etc. However you celebrate, taste temptations are high on the list of indulgent fantasies. Here are several treats for your special tricksters. Chocolate Peanut Butter BarsCrust: 1 box chocolate cake mix 1 large egg 1/3 cup vegetable oil Combine the above ingredients in mixer bowl until thoroughly moistened. Press into a greased 9 x 13 pan. Bake at 325 degrees for 15 minutes. Filling: 3 large eggs 1/2 pound cream cheese (8 oz. package) (at room temperature) 1 cup crunchy peanut butter 1/2 cup sugar 1/4 cup milk 1/2 cup mini-chocolate chips (there are 2 cups in a 12 oz. bag) Combine the above 5 ingredients in mixing bowl and beat until smooth. Pour over baked chocolate crust. Sprinkle with mini-chocolate chips. Bake at 325 degrees for 25 to 35 minutes. Cool and slice into bars. Enjoy! Patti writes: I first ate these cookies at my mother-in-law’s house. She raised four boys, and always had cookies on hand. Now I make them whenever I need something quick. They are always requested by teenagers! Corn Flake CookiesPatti Lundeen Ponca City, OK 1/2 c. sugar 1/2 c. white corn syrup Melt over heat, and remove when sugar mixture boils. Stir in: 2/3 cup peanut butter 1 tsp. Vanilla Pour over 5 cups corn flakes, and working quickly, form into loose balls, place on waxed paper to cool. Ruth said this cake’s name comes from the cake falling - normally you’d be “SAD” if a cake fell - but not with this one - that’s when it’s best. Very good and very chewy. The flavor resembles something like a caramel macaroon. Sad CakeRuth Bennett Shidler, OK 4 eggs - beaten 1 lb. box of dark brown sugar 2 cups Bisquick 1 3.5 oz. can coconut (approx. 1 1/3 cups) 1 teaspoon vanilla Combine the above ingredients and stir until all is moistened. Batter will be stiff. Spread in an 8 x 8 inch or 9 x 9 inch greased pan. (Use baking spray) Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes. Cake should fall in the middle when it is done. That is the secret of it being moist and chewy. DO NOT over bake. Serve warm with a dollop of whipped cream or scoop of ice cream. “Just like grandma made.” These plump little cookies are perfect with a glass of cold milk as a special treat on a cool autumn day. They have a soft, almost sponge cake-like texture. We thought they actually had a more intense flavor a day or so later. Pumpkin CookiesMary Goldsmith Ponca City, OK Beat together: 2cups packed brown sugar 1 15-oz. can pumpkin (2 cups) 1 cup vegetable oil 2 teaspoons vanilla Sift together and add to pumpkin mixture: 4 cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking soda 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1 teaspoon salt Stir until smooth. Blend in raisins and nuts (We tried pecans in half the batter and walnuts in the other half. We preferred the pecans with the pumpkin flavorings.) 2 cups raisins 1 cup chopped pecans Drop by spoonfuls onto greased cookie sheet and bake in a 350 degree oven for 12 to 15 minutes. Makes approx. 7 dozen cookies. Sometimes I just want things to taste the way I remember them as a child and sometimes the old way tastes the best to me (whether it really does or not). However, there are shortcuts.... Old Time Caramel Apples (Microwave)1 14-oz. bag of Caramels (approx. 49 caramels per bag) 2 Tablespoons water 5 medium apples (Delicious, Braeburn) Wooden sticks inserted into stem end of apple In the microwave, melt caramels in a glass bowl covered with Saran Wrap on medium in the microwave for 3 minutes. Stir and continue on medium for 3 more minutes. Remove from microwave when completely melted. Stir until smooth. Dip apple into hot caramel, scrape off excess from bottom of apple. Place on greased waxed paper to cool. Store in refrigerator. Treat yourself to a great Halloween... Send your recipes to: The Neighborhood Chef, c/o The Ponca City News, P.O. Box 191, Ponca City, OK 74602, or e-mail me at: chef@poncacitynews.com (All recipes become property of The Ponca City News.) Cook With the Kids, Enjoy The Cookbooks As Well(AP) — There’s cooler weather ahead, more time to spend indoors. How about parents and children mulling over a charming book and ending up with a tasty recipe for soup that’s easy enough for anyone of any age to make? First ingredient: the book. “Blue Moon Soup” (Little, Brown) has straightforward recipes by Gary Goss, set among illustrations of singular charm painted by Jane Dyer that recall the whimsy and wonder of nursery rhymes. In spite of the book’s title, there are soups here for every season, not just once in a blue moon, plus muffin recipes and other extras to eat with your soup. The soups are given playful names: for winter, there’s Ch-Ch-Chili; a spring suggestion is Mary Had a Little Lamb Stew, and for summer there’s Believe It or Not! (ice cream soup). One of the recipes for fall is tagged Peter, Peter, Pumpkin Eater (Corn and Pumpkin Chowder). Corn and Pumpkin Chowder1 medium potato, peeled and chopped 2 tablespoons butter 1 small leek, chopped (1 to 1 1/2 cups) 1 tablespoon cooking sherry or dry white wine (optional) 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard 1/4 teaspoon saffron (optional) 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon pepper 1 cup canned pumpkin 1/2 carrot, chopped 1 1/4 cups canned creamed corn 2 1/2 cups milk Garnish: 1 1/2 cups shredded Muenster cheese Parsley sprigs Boil the potato in 2 cups of water until tender, about 15 minutes. Drain, save the broth, and set the potato aside. Melt the butter in a soup pot on medium heat. Add the leek, cooking sherry if using, mustard, saffron if using, salt and pepper. Saute for 5 minutes, stirring with a wooden spoon. Add the potato, its broth, the pumpkin, carrot, half of the corn, and 2 cups of water, and stir. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 15 minutes. In a blender or a bowl, blend or mash half the soup with the milk until thick and silky smooth. Return the blended soup to the pot, and stir. Add the remaining corn and stir. Ladle into bowls and garnish with cheese and parsley. OR: Ladle into crocks or baked pumpkins or squash shells, garnish, place on a cookie sheet, and bake at 400 F until bubbling and lightly browned on top. Makes 4 to 6 servings. More Family Cookbooks Also of interest for families: “Honest Pretzels” (Tricycle Press) is written and illustrated by Mollie Katzen, who addresses it to children in her foreword: “Hi, Kids! This cookbook is for you.” The subtitle promises “64 other amazing recipes for cooks ages 8 and up.” She stresses that an adult must always be there, aware of what’s going on — but the kids are meant to read the recipes, decide which to make and take part in carrying out the instructions. The language is very simple, the layout is clean and decorated with lots of nice little illustrations. Recipes cover all meals, from breakfast through main meals to a variety of snacks. “Cooking Time Is Family Time” (Morrow) is written by Lynn Fredericks, who says she invited her children into the kitchen to help her with the cooking — and found they all had a whole lot of fun. So they have gone on doing it, which has given rise to the advice, comments and recipes in the book. This is not baby food by any means — there are recipes for Coriander-Scented Crab Ravioli and Basic Crepes With Ricotta, Apple and Pumpkin Seed Filling. But all the recipes make it clear which parts of the making the children can help with. Xi Zeta Lambda Chapter Attends Halloween PartyThere were 14 members present when Xi Zeta Lambda chapter of Beta Sigma Phi sorority met Oct. 21 at Phyllis Pledger’s shop. Judy Watts, hostess, gave the program about “Halloween Customs of Today.” Cassandra Kifiak, president, conducted a brief business meeting, and Jill Sims called the roll and read the minutes. Doretta Jackson gave the treasurer’s report. Following the meeting a Halloween Party was held with members dressed us as “television commercials.” Terri Whiting was the winner for best costume. Food was provided by members of the social committee: Judy Watt, Dottie Johnstone, Lila Logan, Francie James, Doretta Jackson, Melva Keen and Jill Sims. Winning prizes for games were Judy Mallory, Lila Logan and Cassandra Kifiak. The Nov. 11 meeting will be at the home of Jackie Hall. The next social event will be a Thanksgiving dinner and “white elephant bingo” Nov. 20 hosted by Nida Austin. BUSINESSDeregulation of Electricity Industry Big Issue Deregulation of Electricity Industry Big IssueEDITOR’s Note: By 2002 the electricity industry is to be deregulated. At that time the City of Ponca City will be facing some tough decisions. In light of this issue, a recent informational Friday Forum, sponsored by the Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce, featured speakers David Myers, chairman of the City’s Energy Committee, and Max Speegle, General Counsel for the Oklahoma Municipal Power Authority, which is the City’s power supply. The following contains information from that forum. By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE News Business Editor In two years the City of Ponca City will have to “opt in, or opt out” of at least part of the electricity business. Currently the Municipal owned system supplies the power for the city and beyond the City Limits as far as Kildare, Kaw City and a few miles south. One of the problems is that for the last several years the City’s general fund has been supplemented by about $2.5 million from the Utility Authority. However Gary Martin, City Manager, told The News that the City has been preparing for this for several years and adjustments for the loss of revenue are being considered. Deregulation of the electrical industry will give both residential and industrial customers the opportunity to subscribe for electricity from other sources besides the City of Ponca City. There are three aspects involved, according to Max Speegle, general counsel for the Oklahoma Municipal Power Authority (OMPA). These are generation, which is power plants that generates the electricity; transmission, which are the lines that attach one line to another and to the central power plants and the third is distribution, which involves the lines that are in the streets and alleys and serve the meters on the houses or industries. According to Speegle the deregulation of the electric industry refers to the deregulation of the generation aspect of it. There will still be only one transmission system because it would be difficult and expensive to build the transmission systems and an area doesn’t need more than one. Speegle said that it is not desirable to have duplicate lines going down streets and alleys so that will stay the same. Senate Bill 500 allows a choice in generators. There are about 400 power marketers, which have been licensed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to sell electricity. Not all of these power marketers generate the electricity. They purchase it in big wholesale blocks and resell it. Speegle noted, “When you are talking about electricity prices you need to remember electricity is generated instantaneously. When you plug into the wall socket you are hooked directly to an electric generator someplace that is generation at that second. “Electricity can not be stored so the prices may vary at 3 o’clock in the morning. They maybe a lot cheaper than at 3 p.m., on a hot summer day. “In the next couple of years Ponca City will have to decided if it continues as it is now with electric service coming from the City of Ponca City, its power supply is Oklahoma Municipal Power Authority, or will the City allow its customers to choose. “The lines will still be there. They will still be The Ponca City lines so whoever supplies electricity to the customer it will be over the lines of Ponca City. So there will be a Ponca City Electric System no matter what happens. But the City must decide whether customers will be allowed to chose suppliers. This could be good or bad.” Loss of Local ControlAccording to Speegle, “The constitution written at the time of statehood allowed for local choice for such things as how the electric service shall be provided. The law now provides that for an electric supplier to serve the customers they must have the voters in a City to provide a franchise to use the streets and alleys to serve electricity because Senate Bill 500 seems to say all decisions will be made at the state capital and are going to leave the local voters out of this picture.” What Speegle was getting at is the loss of local control with the Legislature deciding who will get a license to serve the community. Myers’ CommentsChairman of the Ponca City Energy Committee David Myers serves on the advisory board with Mark Detten, Hubert Watts, Danny Thompson, Stuart Powell, ex-officio member is City Commissioner Lyn Boyer and several from the staff of City Manager Gary Martin. Myers told that the Energy Board was established in 1997 by City Ordinance for the purpose of strategic planning as it relates to the energy facilities, electric facilities in Ponca City. Some of the goals was to update and improve the physical facilities and services; to look at rate studies to see how the City compared to other electric providers in Oklahoma; to track financials and to ensure that the City remain competitive as a municipal supplier of electricity. Myers said, “We on the energy board have developed a lot of things over the last several years. A lot of it has been education because it is a very complicated issue as to whether we remain a municipal supplier or whether we give that up. We helped the electrical department develop a business and financial plan. “We established some financial and operating ratios and some benchmarking for the municipal electric supplier here. We helped with some strategic planning. We did this so we ensure that we are a competitive supplier of electricity in Ponca City municipal system. Right now we compare very favorably with OG&E as a supplier. PSO is a little bit better than the Ponca City electrical rate. we’re much better than the co-ops in the area that we supply electricity. Electricity Competitive“So our electricity is competitive. There is about $2.5 million which you can consider a tax or whatever that goes into the city government coffers to provide for police and fire protection and necessary services in the city. The electrical supply in Ponca City provides a competitive electricity and also provides some monies that we would have to dig up out of our pockets as citizens.” Myers noted that “OMPA was formed several years ago to make sure we as cities were not tromped on by large corporations and its been I believe very effective. There maybe some questions raised in the 1990s and going into the new millennium is it still the best plan? “We as an energy board along with OMPA are looking at that in detail to find out if that is really the way we want to go. Ponca City is supplied by OMPA per a long term contract. Now there are ways to get out of that contract. It comes in at a very good rate to us right now. One thing you need to understand if you’re looking at this system what is the value of the system? In our studies over the last few years we decided we need to look at that. So we hired a contractor to come in and develop a fair and reasonable value for this system. “The electrical system includes the customer base, which is probably the most important part of the system, the electrical distribution lines that bring it to your homes and the generation facilities we have here. We wanted to know what the value of that was and the rate of return the city is getting on that.” Myers continued, “You can look at the value in several different ways. You can look at the actual that is there and to do that you need to know how much it cost in the first place and how much it has been depreciated over the years. “There has been a constant change in the facilities there has been a constant change at the way we look at things in the city government. Depreciated values are not just a very easy way to get that figure. We asked this consultant to give an idea of how to evaluate this. There was a law suit several years ago the city of Stilwell versus a co-op that there was the augment as to who would be in charge of the electricity rates. “A judge ordered the city of Stilwell and this co-op to settle this law suit by allowing a group of arbitrators to set the value. They decided the way you set the value is to ascertain how many customers and how much of all of those factors and they arrived at a value for the Stilwell system. We used those basics to value the Ponca City system. “If you take those numbers the Ponca City customer base is probably worth in round numbers around $45 million, value of the distribution electrical lines, about $22 million valued at $66 million based on the Stilwell case. The only thing that gives you hard dollars and that you can reap taxes on is the distribution system and the generation facilities. “The customer base is pie in the sky, if you look at the tax base, you are probably looking at $22 million distribution lines, we do have some generation facilities that we still own, there are some old diesel facilities. You can hear or see them as we still use them in the summer. The steam generating plant is really old, total value of these is about $6 million. So the total value is about $30 million is all you could count as iron on the ground. I say all of that because there are some options that are going to come forward for the City of Ponca City as a result of deregulation. “In my opinion deregulation is probably not going to provide cheaper electricity to Ponca City. The reason that a lot of people push deregulation is their electricity costs are high. But you look at the east and west coast and they are almost double what we pay in Ponca City. If deregulation helps them how is it going to help us? The thing that is going to happen is it is going to average out and our electricity cost is going to go up. First of all deregulation costs everybody because we will start sharing it with the high population centers on the east coast.” Myers added that on the bill, “You’re going to see a break down of electricity costs. You’ll see what it costs to get the electricity over the distribution lines, what it costs for the purchase of the electricity what is costs to pay off some of the debt that is incurred in all this and you are going to see a breakdown of your electric cost on your bill. “We’ll try to explain the bill in the future. The City of Ponca City will be able to maintain the income for transferring the electricity. We may not be able to control the price of electricity coming in. We believe the city would be pretty nearsighted to “opt” out because if you take large users like Wal-Mart or Smith Tool which have some capability to buy electricity out on the open market, they are going to be very angry with us if we say you’ve got to buy it only from Ponca City. Wal-Mart is probably thinking they can go buy electricity for all of their stores and get it in here at a very cheap price. “We probably will not even consider opting out and we’ll opt in and allow people to buy their electricity where ever as long as they send it over our distribution lines and we’ll charge for that. There are some other options. Do we keep the system? We could lease it to OMPA and we are going to look at the options. “I don’t think we are going to make any moves until we know the facts. The bottom line is that we have a valuable asset in the municipal system. It is good for the citizens and is getting more and more reliable and we are in control to a certain extent. In the near future we need to maintain the system.” Conoco Running Extremely Well While Producing Increase in CrudeBy LOUISE ABERCROMBIE News Business Editor Conoco’s Ponca City Refinery has been running extremely well this year and is currently producing 188,000 barrels of crude per day, according to Nicholas “Nick” Spencer manager. The refinery is going through a turnaround process that will mean an additional $1.25 million spent within the community in the next six weeks in lodging, meals and other. About 300 extra personnel will be coming in to do the turnaround, according to Spencer. Also it will mean about $2.5 million capital investment in the refinery. Spencer, who has been on board here for a few months, said about the record production, “The refinery has been running extremely well this year and that has been a testimony to all of the work force here, I’m really proud of the work that they have done.” The refinery employees 550. Spencer added, “We’ve got to the point where we’ve got mechanical availability. That is really the best in the industry and that is really good. That is not just by chance but has come by a tremendous lot of hard work to improve the reliability of the refinery through a lot of different things, through improved pump maintenance and improved compressor maintenance.” Spencer added that a lot of improvements have been made around how the units are operated. Those improvements have been going on for several years. This has resulted in being able to get better utilization of the asset that is really a key part in running a successful refinery. “This is getting the most out of the assets that we’ve got so that has allowed us to slowly raise the amount of raw materials that we are able to process therefore raise the amount of product we are able to make from the same asset increasing our profit. We have slowly been raising the crude rate now being able to produce 188,000 barrels a day of crude through the refinery which is really excellent,” Spencer said. Safety Second to NoneSpencer said, “The safety performance with our Conoco employees continues to be very good. Our goal is to get to zero injuries and occupational illnesses. We’ve done a good job with this refinery in the last few years driving it down to close to zero, but we are not at zero. We had three incidents but no lost time this year. Our goal is to get to the point where people can have a whole career with us without any fear of an accident or occupational illness. That is the goal we are going to be shooting for, really driving that to the next level.” Spencer added, “Conoco is ranked number one in safety in the petroleum industry. Conoco is significantly better than the rest of the industry, but that doesn’t mean that we should not get ourselves to the point where we don’t have any accidents at all. “A few years ago if we had thought that we would only have three recordables in one year that was pretty hard to achieve, but we have been at that level for a couple of years now. “Although it may seem a long way off to go year after year without any accidents I think it is really possible. Some heavy industries have proven that they can do this and have run 10 or 15 years without an accident. So a lot of it is in the mind, a lot of it is around leadership, and a lot of it is around behaviors and expectations. It is just a matter of continuing to push in that direction.” Talking about contractor safety, Spencer said it was a bit of a disappointment this year. “Last year our contractors did really well and performed about the same as Conoco employees. But this year has been a disappointing year and we’ve had several recordable injuries to our contractors.” Spencer said although these were minor in nature and no lost day cases recorded that never-the-less he thinks everyone would agree these were preventable. “We want to think of our contracts just as our own employees. We want to provide them as safe a place to work here as any place. We have a gap to close there.” Environmental PerformanceSpencer commenting on environmental performance, said, “The refinery has been doing well, we’ve not had any category A or Category B releases, which are the most serious releases, for a couple of years now. I think generally we are in good shape. The citizens’ advisory council is pretty positive about the refinery. We do internal audits on an on going basis and we don’t find too much and we deal with what we find. “We are trying to drive our refinery to the next level where we minimize our flaring so people don’t worry about flaring. If we are going to have flares we do our best to communicate with our neighbors that are going to be most affected and we try to put an article in the newspaper. We still have an opportunity to improve and understand that ultimately we want to be invisible to our neighbors so we don’t cause any sort of nuisances to them.” Turnaround TimeExplaining what a turnaround is Spencer said, “The refinery is split up into a number of different units same as a car. Periodically we have to take units down and make sure they are still in good shape and that there is nothing going on inside those vessels that we don’t know about.” He continued “One of the reasons is from a safety point of view to make sure we don’t have some corrosion that we don’t know about or thinning of the vessels. So we do a lot of checking the thickness of the metal and the condition of the equipment to make sure that it is satisfactory to run for the next period.” The turnaround here includes two units. Spencer explained that depending on what unit it is — some are shut down every three years and some every four or five years. Another reason to do a turnaround is to install capital projects when making modifications. The refinery manager said, “We are doing that in both units to operate more affectively. The unit shut down Monday was the number two reformer which is a gasoline producing unit, which produces some of the material that is blended into our gasoline pool and we are going to be doing some modifications to the number two crude unit.” Conoco dispenses products to a number of the surrounding cities by pipeline. Kansas is a big market also. Jet fuel is delivered by tanker. Spencer concluded the interview with, “I want everyone in the community to know how proud I am of the work force and what a great job they have done really ensuring the competitiveness of the refinery and we are continuing to improve.” Environmental Stewardship Award to OG&EOKLAHOMA CITY — OGE Energy Corp. has announced that its largest subsidiary, Oklahoma Gas and Electric Company, has been recognized for its environmental stewardship by the University of Oklahoma. At the fourth annual Public Health Excellence Awards Dinner Friday night, OG&E accepted the Dan J. Macer Environmental Award from the College of Public Health at the OU Health Sciences Center. The award recognizes OG&E’s work to increase public awareness of environmental issues in Oklahoma. “We are pleased and proud to accept this award,” said Steven E. Moore, chairman, president, and CEO of OGE Energy. “We take our environmental responsibilities very seriously, and we will continue to look for ways to promote good environmental stewardship.” The Dan J. Macer Award recognizes OG&E for the work of its Green Team, which leads a variety of initiatives and partnerships involving organizations such as the Forestry Services division of the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture. “Good Things Come From Trees, Our Renewable Natural Resource,” an OG&E/Forestry Services program, has provided conservation education — along with 40,000 pine tree seedlings — to Oklahomans over the last two years. Sales Tax Return Up Slightly During AugustPonca City sales tax return from the Oklahoma Tax Commission for business conducted during August shows an increase over the same period of the prior year of .86 percent, according to Marc LaBossiere, City of Ponca City financial officer. The October sales tax return to the City from the Oklahoma Tax Commission for August business shows $889,717 compared to $882,126 a year ago. Statewide the August distribution of city sales tax collections totaled $71,382,841. The disbursement to 490 cities and towns showed an decrease of $6, 265,061 from the return of $77,647,902 distributed to 487 cities and towns in October one year ago. Use Tax The Use Tax return to Ponca City shows an increase with $47,852 being collected in August compared to $44,415 a year ago. For those who do not know what the Use Tax involves the following contains excerpts from a publication of the Oklahoma Tax Commission. In 1937, Oklahoma adopted a Use Tax that levied an excise tax on the storage, use or other consumption of tangible personal property purchased or brought into this state from another state. Whereas sales tax is levied on transactions that occur within Oklahoma, use tax is levied on tangible personal property purchased in another state and subsequently brought into Oklahoma. In general, one can think of use tax as the payment of an excise tax on tangible personal property that would have been subject to sales tax if that tangible personal property had been purchased in Oklahoma. As with sales tax use tax is not due on tangible personal property brought into this state for resale. The most common example is when an individual or business orders tangible personal property from an out-of-state mail order company If that Mail Order Company does not collect use tax from its customers, Oklahoma residents are responsible for reporting and remitting use tax on those purchases. In addition to the cost of the item, use tax is also due on any prepaid transportation charges from the place where the item was purchased to the person using the item in this state. Transportation charges paid by the consumer directly to a common carrier are not included in the tax base. Please note that effective Nov. 1, 1998, prepaid transportation charges are no longer subject to use tax. A less common example of use tax is when an Oklahoma resident purchases an item while in another country and brings the item home. Use tax is also due on this item. From time to time the U.S. Customs Service provides the various state taxing agencies information on items brought into this country. The state and city use tax rates are the same rates as sales tax. As of January 1 HB 2754 made it possible for counties to begin collecting a use tax also. Persons with questions about use taxes can call (405) 521-3160. City August 99 August 98 Barnsdall $10,973 $12,878 Bartlesville 1,045,873 1,032,961 Billings 14,007 10,672 Blackwell 89,358 94,647 Braman 1,660 1,995 Burbank 432 483 Deer Creek 599 250 Enid 1,412,060 1,345,628 Fairfax 13,920 13,950 Kaw City 2,973 3,689 Lamont 2,040 2,926 Marland 1,397 1,179 Medford 22,152 26,143 Morrison 5,759 5,901 Newkirk 23,147 23,202 Pawhuska 60,853 56,126 Pawnee 46,941 34,583 Perry 81,260 81,764 Pond Creek 7,427 6,573 Ralston 923 1,576 Red Rock 1,306 1,015 Shidler 2,229 2,632 Stillwater 1,271,501 1,209,867 Tonkawa 40,886 46,865 Utility Services Project Continuing Throughout CityThis notice serves as a reminder to citizens of the on-going GIS survey project in Ponca City. The City of Ponca City has entered into a contract with Electrical Systems Consultants Inc., of Fort Collins, Colo., to perform surveying and mapping of the city’s electric, water and wastewater improvements. The project was started in August and is expected to take approximately one year to complete. Presently, there are several personnel working throughout the city collecting data utilizing GPS surveying equipment. The type of data being collected includes the location of power poles, manholes, water valves, fire hydrants, water meters and electric meters. The field personnel will be required to access water meter and electric meter locations at all the residences throughout Ponca City. Also, city crews are assisting the field personnel by locating and exposing various improvements that may be buried. The field personnel are carrying GPS survey equipment on their backs and hand held data collecting devices. they also are carrying City of Ponca City identification cards designating them as a contractor for the City of Ponca City. the vehicles they drive will display City of Ponca City emblems. Citizens having any concerns or questions regarding this project are asked to contact the city engineering department at 763-8046 or 767-0333. SPORTSRader No Longer ‘Best Fit’ at TU Rader No Longer ‘Best Fit’ at TUBy KELLY KURT Associated Press Writer TULSA (AP) — Last season, Tulsa athletic director Judy MacLeod called football coach Dave Rader the ‘‘best fit’’ for the job. On Monday, she called and told him he was fired. Throughout the Western Athletic Conference the news was met with the same response: It happens in this business and too bad it happened to a guy like Rader. ‘‘If there’s a better man to do a better job in Tulsa, in America, I don’t know who he is,’’ said Rice coach Ken Hatfield, whose team leads the WAC and beat the Golden Hurricane 20-10 earlier this month. ‘‘Nobody’s given more love, blood, sweat and tears to that program than Dave Rader.’’ MacLeod said the decision to fire Rader came after the Golden Hurricane’s 35-21 loss to Hawaii on Saturday ensured the school’s eighth-straight losing season. Tulsa is 1-6, 0-4 in the WAC. The mid-season announcement gives the university time to launch a national search and find a replacement as soon as the season ends, she said. MacLeod said the decision, which came a year after she recommended a contract extension, resulted from losses and ‘‘not seeing the improvement we needed to see.’’ Texas Christian coach Dennis Franchione said he didn’t understand the need to fire Rader before the season’s end, especially after 12 years as coach and his two years as Tulsa’s starting quarterback. ‘‘We’re talking about four more games, maybe a month. Golly, I just don’t see why a guy can’t be able to finish with his team,’’ he said. Players were stunned by the news. ‘‘As a team, we believe in coach Rader,’’ said freshman quarterback Josh Blankenship, a highly touted recruit under Rader who made his first collegiate start against Hawaii. ‘‘I’m completely numb right now.’’ Senior wide receiver Damon Savage predicted the news would shake up the team. For good or bad, he couldn’t say. ‘‘I know how coach Rader is. He’s able to find positive in everything,’’ Savage said. ‘‘I know he wants to coach us. I know he wants to be here in Tulsa. That sort of thing is going to hurt more than anything but he’s always told us to press on. He wouldn’t tell us that if he didn’t live by it.’’ Senior defensive back Spencer Braggs said the change might ‘‘put a little spark’’ in the team. ‘‘This is very unfortunate,’’ Braggs said. ‘‘Coach Rader is the greatest guy you’ll ever meet, but this is a business and wins account for more than losses.’’ The dismissal came after weekend discussions involving MacLeod, University President Bob Lawless and the private school’s board of trustees. MacLeod declined to say if Rader was given a chance to resign, but said he had no interest in another position with the university. Rader’s last winning season came in 1991, the year Tulsa won the Freedom Bowl. Tulsa, with its enrollment of 4,246, demanding academic programs and a nearly 70-year-old football stadium, has long struggled against better-funded Division I-A opponents. MacLeod named defensive coordinator Pat Henderson as Rader’s interim replacement. Fresno State coach Pat Hill said the coaching changes would not affect the way his team prepares for this week’s game at Skelly Stadium. ‘‘It’s going to be a very difficult game for us,’’ said Hill, who called Rader’s firing ‘‘a shame.’’ ‘‘We’re a team that has to scratch and bite and claw and play very, very hard to be successful.’’ Lindsay’s Return Gain for CowboysBy OWEN CANFIELD AP Sports Writer STILLWATER (AP) — In getting beat by Kansas State, Oklahoma State’s football team lost the momentum it had gained from a victory in its previous game and lost ground in the Big 12 South Division. But coach Bob Simmons said the Cowboys gained something in the return of quarterback Tony Lindsay, who hadn’t played since the first game of the season. Lindsay was 9-of-19 for 130 yards on Saturday, including a touchdown pass and two short TD runs, although Simmons said the biggest impact has nothing to do with statistics. ‘‘What you really don’t realize unless you’re around the program every day is his importance, his experience factor — just running the huddle and making sure everybody gets lined up, and just having some form of being organized,’’ Simmons said Monday. ‘‘Plus he’s a great athlete. ‘‘That means a lot to your offense. You can’t be in a situation where you’re always trying to teach, teach, teach.’’ That had been the case in the previous four games. Lindsay, a three-year starter, injured a knee in the season opener and didn’t take another snap until he trotted out for the opening series Saturday against Kansas State. He threw a couple of balls poorly and, with a brace on the left knee, didn’t appear as quick as he was before the injury. But he came through the game without any trouble and will be in the lineup Saturday when the Cowboys visit Texas A&M. ‘‘Could he have made a couple of (more) good throws? Yeah, he could have,’’ Simmons said. ‘‘But you have a guy back there that’s got a lot of experience and has played in big ball games before, and I see that as an added big advantage.’’ The Cowboys (3-3, 1-2 Big 12) will take any advantage they can find in the next two weeks. After traveling to College Station this week, they return home to play No. 12 Texas. No. 22 Texas A&M (5-2, 2-2) is coming off the third-worst loss in its history, 51-6 to No. 24 Oklahoma. The Aggies have beaten Oklahoma State three straight times, although each has been a good game. The Cowboys led 13-0 at halftime in 1996 but three second-half turnovers helped lead to a 38-19 loss. In ’97 at College Station, the Cowboys led 22-7 in the fourth quarter before losing 28-25 in overtime. Last year, A&M won 17-6. ‘‘We’ve pretty much had some success every year we’ve played ’em, we just have not finished the whole thing off,’’ Simmons said. ‘‘What we have to do is play a complete game against that football team.’’ Linebacker Kenyatta Wright said it’s a must-win game if the Cowboys are to have any shot at winning the Big 12 South title. ‘‘All of our goals are in front of us,’’ he said. ‘‘To get a win at Texas A&M in a hostile environment, that would really give another confidence boost. ‘‘I keep on saying confidence because after a loss like that, you kind of search for what’s wrong. It’s hard to put it behind you, but somehow we’ve got to rebound.’’ COWBOY NOTES: Saturday’s game begins at 2:30 p.m. and is not televised. ... Oklahoma State is 1-3 in its past four games. Those four opponents have a combined record of 24-4.. JVs Fall in OTIn a game which saw defenses dominate. it took just two plays in overtime to decided Monday night’s game between the Wildcat JVs and Sand Springs in Sullins Stadium. Sand Springs scored on the first play of the overtime and then intercepted Ponca City’s first attempt to get even as the Sandites took a 13-7 decision. For the most part the game was a slugfest with both teams scoring once in the first half. The second half was scoreless with each team missing opportunities to score. Late in the third period Sand Springs was driving in Wildcat territory when the Sandites fumbled on a big hit by Wes Day and Tony Arbona recovered. The Poncans gave the ball back a few plays later on a fumble. but the Cats took it back on an interception by Bobby Trant. Late in the fourth quarter, Sand Springs drove to the Ponca City 15. But the Cats’ defense stiffened and the Sandites set up for a field goal. The kick was blocked by the middle of the Wildcat line. Mark Keller picked up the loose ball and returned it to the Sand Springs, The Ponca Citians couldn’t advance and had to punt. But Sand Springs fumbled the return and Matt Moore recovered at the Sand Springs 30. With just 30 seconds left in regulation, a Chase Kelly pass to Matt Caine carried to the 17. The Wildcats could get no closer and lined up for a field goal try with just seconds left. It was a fake, but Sand Springs wasn’t fooled and intercepted the pass to send the game into overtime. Sand Springs had first crack at the end zone from the 10 and scored in just one play. Ponca City’s blocked the extra point try, but the Poncans attempt to tie the score again ended with an interception. The Wildcat had scored first on an 8-yard pass from Kelly to Arbona in the second quarter. But Sand Springs came back to tie the score just before halftime. “That young offensive line is starting to jell,” said Po-Hi assistant coach Terry Henderson, spotlighting Stan Gaylord. Moore, Michael Duroy, Mike Keen and Ryan Lawson. “They really, really played well, opening some big holes for the backs. Josh Kelle received praise for his play at tight end as did fullbacks Fabron Porter, Brandon Dilbeck and Nathan Kellert. The defense also got stars for the play of ends Mark Keller, Cameron Moore and Kelle along with down linemen Brandon Nash and Thomas Buffalohead. The coaches also lauded defensive backs Jason Jump, Trant and Jasper Lockett. The JVs are scheduled to end their season next Monday at Jenks. PC Golfers Play in Fall TourneysSeveral Ponca City golfers took advantage of the Fall Break to pay in several Fall Tournaments and had more than a little success. Matt Ellis won the Guthrie Fall Invitational at Cedar Valley, shooting a four-under-par 66. Meanwhile, at Edmond’s Kickingbird course, Michaela Cavener was winning the 13-year-old division of that tournament with a 9-hole score of 37. Another Ponca Citian, Haley Schauvliege, came in second with a 44. Joining Ellis at Guthrie, Andy Romine and Louie Girardi each shot 72, Nathan Coats and David Maddox had 76s, Keil McCall a 77, Ben Dickey 80 and Stephen Wolff 84. Matt Waddell elected to test the Jimmy Austin course in Norman, where the state tournament will be held. He posted a two-day total of 84-79—163 just two days after firing a 78 at Edmond. Po-Hi coach Casey Orr, who will be coaching the boys’ team this season, went along with the group to Guthrie and was pleased with the results. “In these fall tournaments, you can only participate as individuals and not as a team,” her said. “If we were playing as a team, a 290 (the score of the top four finishers at Cedar Valley) would win a lot of tournaments.”
Copyright© Ponca City News, 1998 |