LOCAL

Texas Couple Die in Crash On Slick Interstate 35
Korean Conflict Veteran Recalls Days of Serving
Veterans Day Parade Starts After WWII Reenactors Land
Retired Educators of Kay County Will Meet Nov. 14
Community Concert Hosts Third in Series on Sunday
Hospice Volunteers Feted During Appreciation Event
Nearly News
Marriage Licenses and Divorce Petitions

Texas Couple Die in Crash On Slick Interstate 35

By JEFF POLITTE

News Staff Writer

Police are blaming slick and hazardous conditions for the deaths of a Texas couple on I-35 near Tonkawa and several other accidents on Wednesday morning.

Snow and ice that swept through the region in the morning hours as the first winter storm of the season passed through the state made driving conditions hazardous on area roads.

According to Oklahoma Highway Patrol information, Bobby G. Baker, 66, and his wife Ruby J. Baker, 41, from Hillsboro, Texas, were killed when Baker, heading northbound, lost control of his vehicle on a patch of slick and slushy asphalt and slid across the center median into oncoming traffic at 11:15 a.m.

His vehicle struck a second vehicle, driven by 41-year-old Peggy J. Chatila from Wichita, Kan. Chatila was taken to Integris Blackwell Regional Hospital, then transferred by ambulance to Via Christi Regional Medical Center-St. Francis Campus, where she is listed in fair condition.

Seat belts were being used in both vehicles.

Trooper Kirby Logan said many accidents could be prevented if drivers wouldn’t use unsafe speeds in inclement weather conditions. “When the weather gets bad, you need to slow down,” he warned.

“Usually with the first batch of ice and snow we get for the season there are a lot of accidents. This is because people forget to slow down,” he explained.

A second accident located 5.5 miles south of Ponca City on U.S. 177 was reported to the OHP at 9:22 a.m. An ambulance from the Ponca City Fire Department responded to the scene.

According to fire department information, a vehicle driven by Joel Rouse, 24, and a vehicle driven by 38-year-old Carol Plumley collided head-on.

Plumley was transported to St. Joseph Regional Medical Center where she was treated for minor back and neck injuries. Rouse was not injured during the accident.

Other local accidents are listed in city briefs.

Korean Conflict Veteran Recalls Days of Serving

By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE

News Staff Writer

The Korean Conflict invokes memories for some, while others choose not to remember, according to Korean veteran Gilbert Schwarz of Ponca City.

This year the Veteran’s Day parade on Saturday will honor the Korean veterans, who served during that conflict that lasted 1950 to 1953.

Entering the military as a 22-year-old private in June 1951, Schwarz, ended his tour of duty as a sergeant a year later.

Prior to entering military service, Schwarz , who was from Braman, had gone to work temporarily at Boeing Aircraft. Although he had been called up previously his induction date was delayed eight months because the number of Americans who were already in service in Korea was limited because of the nature of the “Conflict.”

Like a lot of other young Americans, Schwarz began his military experience at Fort Chaffee, Ark., where he did two different six week training hitches.

Shortly afterwards his 25th Infantry Division of the 90th Field Artillery, was deployed by troop ship to Japan on the first leg of his journey to military service in Korea.

The troops were bound for South Korea as a replacement company. “When you went to Korea you were supposed to serve one year, but they lost more people than anticipated so some of them served longer. The guy that I replaced had been there 16 months,” Gilbert said.

After the troops arrived in South Korea they went into replacement units for various outfits in the 24th or 25th infantry.

“We were in a support group. We supported with howitzers for infantry groups that needed support,” Schwarz explained.

During Schwarz’s service the 38th Parallel was formed and then the conflict became more of an “occupation” than a war.

“So we stayed there and helped them get their training and established the 38th Parallel,” he said. The U.S. troops were not allowed to go beyond the 38th Parallel. His feelings are he would have felt better about his military service “if we could have won.”

He told that the enemy could sit up in the hills and drop napalm on us and the other troops and “we couldn’t touch them.” There were few U.S. planes involved. These were used for reconnaissance or direct fire. “There were no strafing like in Dessert Storm,” he said.

“We did not go down into villages, as with World War II or Vietnam,” he said.

After military duty, Gilbert returned to the states on a ship that was designed to hold 1,350 and was loaded with 3,700.

There hasn’t been much ado made over the soldiers in the Korean War, “but they did give us a parade, when we came back into port,” he said.

In his memory Korea wasn’t a country with attractive scenery as there was little contrast in the terrain. Schwarz noted that the terrain was hilly and the country was just about 135 to 140 miles side in the area he stationed.

The Koreans lived basically on vegetables and fruits they grew on the hill sides. “They had beautiful orchards,” Schwarz said. “Livestock was kind of sacred and these were used to pull plows and plant rice.” Schwarz said “We weren’t allowed to eat from the gardens because of fertilizers. They had no septic tanks and they carried ‘honey buckets.’ We took the Japan beetle shots, so we could eat the food, but I didn’t.”

The thing he remembers most vividly is that it was “cold.” “The coldest temperature I remember was 47 degrees below zero and we were living in tents,” he said. The sides of the tents were buried for warmth and protection. “We had warm clothing and we adapted to the cold.”

Their sleeping bags were aired out regularly. In addition to Americans there were Republic of Korea soldiers and they were the labor crew for the soldiers. He noted that some of the support groups had other nations represented for instance the Turks were part of his support group.

Talking about other wars and other times. Schwarz noted that the U.S. units were segregated and the blacks had a unit of their own. He noted this wouldn’t be the case today.

Schwarz did not come home with any medals, but like a lot of other veterans, he did his patriotic duty when called on by his country to serve in the military. “As we saw it there was nothing to gain,” Schwarz said about the war.

After Schwarz returned to the states he went to work in Oklahoma City for a drafting company. He decided he didn’t like being in an office so he went to look for a farmer at Caldwell, Kan.

Next he met a girl in Ponca City (Betty Sue his future wife) and quit the farming endeavor to go to work for Smith-Gruner. Next he would go to work for OG&E as an instrument technician and stayed with the company for 32 years. He worked at the old OG&E plant south of Ponca City for several years. Later he would become plant superintendent and operation superintendent and retired at the Sooner OG&E plant.

Schwarz and his wife Betty Sue travel a lot and usually spend July in Red River, N.M., and then go to the gulf in the fall.

Veterans Day Parade Starts After WWII Reenactors Land

The Veterans Day will start with coffee and donuts for all veterans at 7:30 a.m. and continuing until 9:30 a.m. at the American Legion.

The World War II airborne reenactors will make their first jump at 10 a.m. landing near the intersection of North Waverly Street and West Grand Avenue, and a second jump will be made at 1:30 p.m. at the airport.

A flyover of a B-1 bomber from Kansas Air National Guard, occurring at 10:27 a.m., will signal the start of the parade. Two Army Air National Guard Blackhawk helicopters will make a pass around 11 a.m., and all the World War II planes, including a B-25 Mitchell bomber, P-51 Mustang, four T-61s, 2 T-28s and some Stearman biplanes, will make their passes shortly after 11 a.m. and will be on static display at the airport after the parade.

The parade marshals will be the Korean War era veterans. There bill be a tram dedicated on which they will ride. All veterans, including Reserve and National Guard forces of all branches of service, are encouraged to be in the parade, walking or riding. Veterans will line up at 10 a.m. at West Grand Avenue and Pine Street.

A number of color guards will be leading the parade followed by the Ponca City Marching Wildcat Band. Numerous veteran floats will be in the parade with the elementary school poster contest and Mid-High essay contest winners riding on the American Legion float.

The Gold Star parents are invited to be on the American Legion’s Auxiliary float, and the Vietnam Veterans of America float will show a model of the POW/MIA Memorial to be built at Resthaven Cemetery.

The Army National Guard will have a number of their vehicles in the parade with all kinds of weapon systems mounted and ready for action. They will be joined by the Military Police Company from Stillwater and a group of antique military vehicles from the OK motor pool, Tulsa members of the Military Vehicle Preservation Association. These vehicles will be escorted by Roger Hudgins WW II commemorative squad, the World War II Airborne reenactor unit and Company G of the 45th Infantry Division living historians from Oklahoma City and Tulsa all in full World War II combat uniforms.

A World War II Army encampment will be set up west of the American Legion for people to view, walk through and talk with these reenactors. Bunkers and World War II era weapons will be set up in the encampment.

Other attractions include a bagpipe and drum corps from Wichita, Indian children carrying the flags of the different Indian nations of Oklahoma, Ponca City high-steppers, cheerleaders, pep club, junior varsity and Jr. High cheerleaders, Scouts, schools, civic clubs, Shriners, cars, motorcycles, skateboarders, horses, wagons, and more. Any last-minute entries should meet at 10 a.m. at the intersection of West Grand Avenue and Peachtree Street for placement.

Maj. Gen. Steven Cortright, a Ponca City native, and adjutant general of the State of Oklahoma, will be the keynote speaker at the noon luncheon for veterans. Maj. Gen. Cortright will make a medal presentation to James Kirk, the son of a Vietnam veteran killed during the Vietnam War. All veterans are invited to the luncheon at the American Legion immediately following the parade.

The Vietnam Veterans of America will have the “Tree of Remembrance” in front of the City Hall during and after the parade, and the Celebration of Freedom balloon release in honor of World War II veterans will take place at Resthaven Cemetery at 2 p.m. with all proceeds going to the World War II Memorial to be built in Washington D.C. Also being dedicated will be a veterans feature in the Garden of Remembrance with several keynote speakers.

VCR tapes of this year’s parade may be purchased at the American Legion with all profits going to the World War II Memorial Fund.

Retired Educators of Kay County Will Meet Nov. 14

The Retired Educators of Kay County will meet Nov. 14 at 11:30 a.m., at the Methodist Church in Blackwell. All retired educators and support personnel are encouraged to attend.

American Education is set for Nov. 12-18 and it is a time when the nation honors America’s public schools and the contributions educators have made and are continuing to make to the nation.

In a proclamation, Gov. Frank Keating has proclaimed Nov. 15 as Retired Educator Day. The proclamation says in part “Retired Educators have traditionally maintained a continuing interest in the public schools by volunteering and substituting for active teacher, by tutoring children needing help with reading, mathematics and other curriculum requirements.

The proclamation says future that retired educators use their teaching talents to participate in educational projects and donate numerous hours of service to school and community activities throughout the state.

The Kay County association, at the September meeting in Newkirk, honored member Dr. E.E. Vineyard, a member of the organization, who has worked tirelessly at the state level with OREA to increase the groups insurance allocation and benefits and to ensure a cost of living increase.

The organization’s news release says about Dr. Vineyard “We wish him well in his retirement.”

Community Concert Hosts Third in Series on Sunday

Community Concerts will host its third concert of the 2000-2001 series on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. at the Hutchins Memorial Auditorium.

Milo Batista, formerly musical director of Khanany and popular entertainer for 15 years, has organized a family entertainment that tours the world. Alborada means, in Spanish, “the early light in the morning.” For many Latin American cultures, the sun was the most important deity, and Alborada signaled the beginning of a new day.

The Batistas, from Ciudad Obragon, Sonora, Mexico, have begun a new venture, fulfilling Milo’s long-time dream of performing the folk music of Central and South America with his family.

A composer and musician, Batista leads his family through a diverse litany of traditional Andean music plus an international repertoire. His background includes a lifetime career as a music teacher of traditional music and instruments as well as the European classics. He is a virtuoso on the Andean flutes and has mastered man folk instruments and styles.

Born in Durango, Mexico, Batista was one of the founding members of Khanany and its musical director for over 10 years. With them, he performed at the Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall and noted halls and theaters throughout the Americas. His work as composer and multi-instrumentalist has been stimulated by his travels and by meeting people from several South American countries while he collected original folk tunes and expanded his appreciation of diverse regional styles. He has also recorded the soundtrack for a National Geographic Society production. His professional goal is to keep alive the music of the Andean culture, performing it with his family and passing it on from generation to generation.

Alborada includes, besides Batista, his wife Lordes, son Paul, daughter Johanna and nephew Jose Serrano. He has arranged most of Alborada’s tunes and songs. The family’s music combines modern and traditional sounds from the Andean culture. They released their first album in 1999, consciously setting out to sustain an Andean musical revival. They compose and arrange music based upon folkloric tradition from many countries, including Bolivia, Peru, Paraguay, Colombia, Chile and Mexico. They also include some “surprises” in their concert program with medleys of American and classical folk music.

Often mistakenly called “Inca Music,” present day Andean folk music is the product of centuries of cultural and ethnic blending. The wind and percussion instruments indigenous to the Andean world existed in pre-Colombian America hundred of years prior to the Incas (c 1200-1500 AD). Archeological studies show that certain musical instruments in the Andean highlands were played well before the birth of Christ. The Incans, however, were responsible for the highest development of pre-Colombian Andean music.

The highland music from Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador forms the backbone of Andean folk music. Since they had no written language, the Incans recounted events and stories through their music. They use music as a medium to celebrate their history. That tradition allowed the Incans to preserve both their history and also the music and instruments played in their huge festivals.

The Andean regions and villages differ widely in terms of instruments, tuning, dance and rhythms. The richness and variety are seemingly without end. Andean music is today recognized worldwide as an integral element of the beauty of South American culture.

Alborada plays over 30 different instruments in the performances. They include nine stringed instruments, 10 wind instruments, and 13 percussion instruments.

Community Concerts is a subscription series with membership renewal each spring. Any new Ponca City resident who was unable to purchase a season membership last spring may do so now by calling Leslie Rardin at 765-3971 or Mary Lois Nield at 762-5156. Season ticket prices are adult $30, student $15, family $75, single parent family $45. Tax-deductible contributions are also accepted to support the season.

Hospice Volunteers Feted During Appreciation Event

“There are no volunteers like our volunteers...” sang the staff of Hospice of Ponca City at the volunteer appreciation banquet held Tuesday night.

Under the direction of nurse Trudy Fowler-Smith, the staff performed several numbers to thank the volunteers for their help during the past year.

One-hundred eighty-one volunteers were recognized for their service to Hospice of Ponca City during the past year. Volunteer coordinator Tamie Barnes says Hospice is fortunate to have so many people with many different talents helping.

“The range of jobs done by volunteers is incredible,” she says. “Volunteers help with patients, bereavement, moving equipment, fund raising, in the office, with Raindrops, and for our thrift shop, My Favorite Things.

Barnes says each volunteer is special and has a unique and important contribution to aid Hospice in helping the terminally ill. Although the choice is difficult, each year the staff chooses several volunteers for special awards. This year’s winners include:

•Office Volunteer — Sharon Peavler; answers phones and performs other clerical duties.

•Bereavement Volunteer — Mary Kleinmann; involved in the bereavement program; involved with phones and mailings to many bereaved families.

•Patient Volunteer — Rose Paddock.; has worked, sometimes on a last minute assignment, with 10 patients this year.

•DME Volunteers — the “ONG Crew” includes Jim Roland, Cecil Koehn, Clayton Gillock, Bob Duckwall, Rick Sump, Greg Sebor, Reggie Sargent, Dale Otto, Don Kleinmann, Jack Ryan and Jim Perry; picks up and delivers medical equipment.

•Friend of Hospice — the employees of Oklahoma Natural Gas; make deliveries, cover for those making deliveries, and helped with the barbecue and Chili Cook-off.

•Volunteer of the Year — Toni Hollingsworth (an ONG employee); organized the ONG staff to deliver medical equipment, involved in Chili Cook-off, and will work weekends when others cannot.

Volunteers who received awards this year are as follows.

•16 years — Ruth Ritter

•15 years — Rose Marie Boggus and Mary Buxton

•14 years — Audrey Lee Hall, Marilyn Krepps and Eileen Spellman

•13 years — Veatrice Harris and Aladayne McConaghy

•12 years — Harold Goodman

•11 years — LaVonne McConnico

•10 years — Majir Kornblit, Dee Miller, Rose Paddock and Roy Rogers

•9 years — Alice Bland, Joe Forcum, Cindy Larmer, Glenda Locke, Sue Lunsford, Robbie Powell, Margareta Rains and Dona Veal

•8 years — Debbie Brock, Bayard Casey, Sheila Gregory, Ernestine Overholt, Joyce Psikal and Emilie Scott

•7 years — Edna Brown, Mary Fischaber, Marybeth Glass, Nick Larchey, Ramona Muegge, Dave Mueller, Bill Murphy, Larry Murphy, Merlynn Perdue, Veva Joe Spore and Ray Stevenson

•6 years — Betty Crosson, Joe Fowler, Sandy Gearheart, Daisy Gilbert, Phyllis Kennedy, Betsy Keyes, Kevin Lewis, Lisa Lewis, Wayne Majors, Estaleen Maxwell, Gertrude Murphy, Ray Ramsey, Mary Lou Reichert, Dick Robinson, Wes Schneider, Phil Turney and LaVone Vap.

•5 years — Irene Ackerson, Gayle Atkins, Donna Atkins, Dennis Brock, Elaine Davis, Kim Fristoe, John Gardner, Maxine Griggs, Donna McCoy, Lester McDonagh, Tony Molluzzo, Ellen Morris, Marcia Nelson, Mickey Oulds, Lisa Phelan, Rozann Sebor, Mildred Treiber, Wanda Voegele, Terri Ward.

•4 years — Guy Anderson, Sandy Foster, Judy Lewis, Karen Shiflet, Brenda Vasquez, Linda Ward

•3 years — Clara Heldenbrand, Bill McCann, Ji Moore, Max Payne, Pixie Rowland, Roxanne Waddell, Evelyn Whitsitt.

•2 years — Doris Cline, Lindee DeRoin, Pat Dobbs, Brenda Duren, Viola Edmonds, Doris Fields, Jerye Gauger, Gail Harper, Sean Harper, Toni Hollingsworth, Lana Jones, Heather Kelle, Linda Kelle, Susie Kirkpatrick, Brenda Lewis, Rick Lewis, Sara Lewis, Altha Martin, Paul Martin, Ro Mayse, Jay Dee Meek, Ron Mersman, Margie Mitchell, Gail Mueller, Charlotte Parsons, Charles Peavler, Sharon Peavler, Rosemary Ramsey, Jerry Ridgway, Sharon Ridgway, Dan Smith, Reva Suggs, Kelle Waddell, Matt Waddell Rick Waddell, Mark Welborn, Richard Welborn, Stan Wheeler, Deb Whitener, Paul Wittmer.

•1 year — Terry Blevins, Patti Braden, Sue Braden, Maxcine Bussey, Darla Church, Shirley Cross, Bob Duckwall, Pam Dunster, Frances Fusselman, Pat Gates, Susan Gates, Kathy George, Clayton Gillock, Catherine Haynes, Lynda Johnson, Irvaline Kennedy, Tammy Kennedy, Dolores Kimmel, Don Kleinmann, Mary Kleinmann, Cecil Koehn, Rachel Knox, Patsy Lane, Pat Leonard, Bonnie Lesemann, Lisa Lieb, Loyd Mitchell, Cleda Oertle, Dr. Akin Ogundipe, Dale Otto, Golda Perkins, Jack Ryan, Mavis Robison, Jim Roland, Dolly Rolland, Shawna Rolland, Raul Salcedo, Reggie Sargent, Eva Sayles, Greg Sebor, Shelly Sherer, Evelyn Smith, Janet Smith, Tom Suggs, Rick Sump, Joy Testerman, Lynda Theilen, Neva Thompson, Joanne Ward, Stephanie Welborn, Johnnie Wilda, Jean Whittington, Betty Wright.

A candle was lighted in memory of volunteer Ellen Morris who died recently.

Claudia Barnes was awarded a staff certificate for 18 years of service. Melody Lahann was awarded for 11 years. Herb Rains received a staff certificate for nine years of service. For eight years of service, Tamie Barnes was awarded a staff certificate. Trudy Fowler-Smith, for seven years of service, was awarded a staff certificate.

A staff certificate was awarded to Jo Clipson for her service of five years. Lori Lewis received a staff certificate for four years of service. Becky Lafferty and Joanne Kaplan both received awards for their service of three years. Those receiving awards for two years were Kelly Talbert and Beverly Taylor. Vicki Blevins, Christi Caldwell, Cindy Comer, Gerry Correll, Beth Lewis, Mia Sweetman and Mike Sweetman all received an award for one year.

Nearly News

For all you party animals who have waited to get your Holiday Gala tickets for the Dec. 2 event at the Marland Mansion — you need to make other plans as the tickets sold out in less than a week. By calling the Marland Estate at 767-0420 you can be put on a waiting list in case there are cancellations. Also workers are needed for that evening — but must be 21 years old. Also volunteers are needed to decorate the Mansion on Nov. 17 and 18. Volunteers can call the Marland Estate to sign up.

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Veterans are reminded that trams rides from the American Legion will be provided Saturday for those who would like to ride to the parade. These trams will stop in front of the city office building so the veterans can see the parade go by before returning to the Legion for lunch. Veterans will meet for coffee and doughnuts prior to the parade at Post 14 of the American Legion, 407 West South Avenue, from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. Veterans will then depart the Legion at 9:30 a.m. on trams to watch the paratroopers make their jump and landing near the intersection of Waverly Street and Grand Avenue. These trams will stop in front of the city office building so the veterans can see the parade go by before returning to the Legion for lunch.

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David Strah reminds all swimmers that the YMCA Community Pool will be closed Monday (Nov. 13) through Sunday (Nov. 19) while city crews install new heaters. The pool will reopen Monday, Nov. 20, for regular activities.

Marriage Licenses and Divorce Petitions

NEWKIRK — Thirty marriage licenses and 22 divorce petitions were issued by the Kay County Court Clerk's office in Newkirk for October 2000.

Marriage licenses listed herein are for Kay County residents only, but the complete record of marriages may be viewed by the public at the Kay County Courthouse at Newkirk, during regular business hours.

MARRIAGE LICENSES

Jimmy Paul Akers and Jean Ann Seymour Gentry, both of Ponca City.

Randall Scott Curry and Kelly Louise Wood, both of Ponca City.

Jaughn Asley Morris and Carley Ann Bennett, both of Blackwell.

Tracy Eugene Meyer and Amanda Renee Miller, both of Ponca City.

Leon Robert Faber Sr. and Karen Sue Corle, both of Ponca City.

John William Davis and Teresa Lynn Johnson, both of Ponca City.

Joshua Mark Walcher and Chassie Dawn McMillen, both of Tonkawa.

Darryk Dominic Barton and Marsheka Lanece Davis, both of Ponca City.

Kear John Fuller of Brook Farm, Hinton in the Hedges, England and Shirley Lee Minor of Blackwell.

Troy Scott Crowell and Billie Joe Arnold, both of Ponca City.

Luis Rodolfo Mireles Salas and Susan Rae Snow, both of Blackwell.

Bennett Crazybear Jr. and Tammy Jo Hewitt, both of Ponca City.

Cesar Alejandro Avila-Montanez and Danyette Leigh McIntosh, both of Blackwell.

Lonnie Lee Aaron and Brenna Rene Powell, both of Ponca City.

Paul Saliz Gomez and Jeanine Renee Howe, both of Ponca City.

Michael Lee Rainwater and Lisa Rene Lamach, both of Ponca City.

William S. Emert and Jessica Lynn Boutwell, both of Ponca City.

Terrance E. Weigle of Blackwell and Mary Ruth Harris of Ponca City.

Gary Lee Shepherd and Nancy Jane Moore, both of Ponca City.

Dustin Bridgers Houk and Heather LeAnn Richardson, both of Ponca City.

Rickey Gib Smith and Tammy Lynne Bagby, both of Blackwell.

Chad Ray Koehn of Ponca City and Kasandra Ann Vaughn of Henryetta.

Thaddeus Jay Stucky and Susan Ann Neal, both of Braman.

DIVORCE PETITIONS

Raymond Lee Adams verses Lori Dawn Adams.

Toby Ryan Baugus verses Stephanie Jo Baugus.

Margaret Elizabeth Barber verses Donald DeWayne Barber.

Catherine Sue Brewer verses Jerry Lee Brewer.

Randy Dean Bowman verses Joyce Ellen White.

Cassie Lynn Carson verses Corey Urcona White.

Thomas Victor Crouch verses Tina Rebecca Crouch.

Charles Andrew Dorsey verses Lori Ann Dorsey.

Paul D. Fusselman verses Shawney L. Fusselman.

Richard E. Grell verses Catherine M. Grell.

Lisa Renee Giles aka Thompson verses Larry Giles.

Mark Freeman Hill verses Cheryle Lee Hill.

Ronnie Jackson verses Michelle Jackson.

Niles S. Kretchman verses Paula A. Kretchman.

Robert A. Moffett verses Shelly D. Moffett.

Steven William Meyers verses Terri Pameticky.

Nerissa Dionne Minnie verses Bobby Jon Minnie.

Glowkus Eugene Murphy verses Tricia Luree Murphy.

Robin Sue Moore verses Alynn M. Moore II.

Linda Ruth McAbee verses Eric Brian McAbee.

Steven L. McHenry verses Kimberly J. McHenry.

David Overman verses Cheryle Overman.

Dale Andrew Payne Sr. verses Cricket Lynn Payne.

John Wallace Palmer verses Karen Sue Palmer aka Jones.

Millard LaVerne Primmer verses Angele Ilene Primmer.

Billy Joe Robbins verses Debra Ruth Robbins.

Brandon L. Rich verses Amber A. Rich.

Bobbye Jean Spurlock verses Jack C. Spurlock.

Brian Stafford verses Carol Stafford.

Lisa Renee Stiles Thompson verses Larry T. Thompson.

Joe Lynn Vogele verses Jennifer Vogele.

Melvyn Bruce Williams verses Leesa Rae Williams.

Haskell O. Walls Sr. verses Loretta Santos Walls.

DEATHS

Judy Beth Peters
Trula Thomas

Obituaries

Judy Beth Peters

MERRIAM, Kan. — Judy Beth Peters of Merriam, Kan., passed away Nov. 3, 2000 at the Shawnee Gardens Nursing Home in Shawnee, Kan. She was 55.

Visitation will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 10, followed immediately by a memorial service at the Johnson County Funeral Chapel in Overland Park. Burial will be in the Howard Family Plot at the Grand View Cemetery in Kaw City on Nov. 18 at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Dr. Sheila Cobs-Francis, Pastor of the Albright United Methodist Church officiating.

Judy, formerly employed by the Kansas City Jewish Community Center, was this year’s honorary auction chairperson for the annual “A Night of Hope” auction for the ALS Association.

As the honorary chairperson of the ALS auction she wrote an article about hr experience of living with ALS and of the people with whom she came in contact. She wrote: “If all of us had a visible fatal disease, all of us would be more kind to one another. A silly statement? Yes, indeed! But it’s true... I’ve met so many nice people since October 1999. My heart has been filled by all of the goodness that has come my way. I just wish we could all be nice to everyone everyday, disabled or not. All of us need to say please, thank you and give a smile to everyone. We need to slow down and look around, be a little more forgiving, take the focus off ourselves, be thankful for what we have and be more caring toward others. That’s why I say, ‘If we all had a visible disease, we would be more gentle, more loving, and more decent human beings.’ I am happy that I have been fortunate enough to witness people at their very best, and I will take this with me on my journey.”

Judy, is survived by her loving parents, Marge and Walker Howard of Ponca City, her daughter Mandy of Lawrence, her sister Nancy Parness of Prairie Village, her brother John Howard of Memphis, Tenn., and many other close family members and friends, including her faithful assistance dog and companion Rusty. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to the Keith Worthington Chapter of the ALS Association.

paid obituary

Services Pending

Trula Thomas

Trula Thomas, resident of Ponca City, died Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2000, in St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. She was 74. Local survivors include her husband, Price Robert Thomas.

NEWS BRIEFS

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Trout Dance — Trout Elementary PTA will sponsor a 50’s dance Friday from 7 to 10 p.m. Concessions will be available from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Items available include pizza, nachos, pop, candy and root beer floats. Pictures will be taken and bingo is available. Adults are $3 and children are $2.

Free Pregnancy test. Birth Choice cares. Confidential.

Hours: Monday 1-3 p.m., Tuesday, 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, 1-3 p.m. and Thursday, 6-8 p.m. 700 West Broadway. 765-9689. adv.

Bean Supper — VFW Post 1201 and Auxiliary will hold a Veterans Day bean feed on Nov. 10 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Post Home on East Prospect. All Veterans and their families are invited.

Paulines Steak and shrimp dinner. $11.95, Friday 10th. For reservations call 765-5460. Now taking reservations for Chistmas Parties. adv.

Royal Neighbors Meeting — The Royal Neighbors of America will hold its monthly luncheon and business meeting on Monday, Nov. 13 at noon at Western Sizzlin.

Theft — A sales associate at Wal-mart, 1101 East Prospect Avenue, reported an 18-year-old man was being held for shoplifting to Ponca City police at 4:59 p.m. Wednesday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken. The man was taken into police custody for petit larceny.

Historic Moment — Groundbreaking for the National World War II Memorial will take place on Veterans Day, Saturday, Nov. 11, 2000. The event will take place at 1 p.m. at The Mall, Rainbow Pool Site in Washington, D.C.

Head Country all day Friday special­ All you can eat, smoked

BBQ ribs, beans, potato salad, and coleslaw, only $7.49, all day. 1217 East Prospect. 767-8304. adv.

Native American Church — A business meeting of the Native American Church will be held at 6 p.m. Friday in the Ponca Tribal Building at White Eagle.

Stormescape Shelters, perfect for garage, under vehicle. Installed, $2,395. 765-2633. adv.

Marland Round-Up Club — The Marland Round-up Club will meet at 7 p.m. Friday at the residence of John Pulliam, 18650 Badlands in Marland.

King Alfred Jumbo Daffodils regular 99˘, sale 59˘ each. Keathly Nursery, 2448 Bridge Avenue, Ponca City. adv.

Burglary — A man in the 300 block of South Perry Street reported to Ponca City police at 7:14 a.m. Wednesday his vehicle was burglarized overnight and several items taken. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Dougan's Bar-B-Q Friday special from 4-8 p.m., all you can eat

ribs with beans, potato salad and coleslaw, $7.49. 215 South 14th, 765-7979. adv.

Accident — A one-vehicle accident at the intersection of Hubbard Road and North Union Street was reported to Ponca City police at 8:12 a.m. Wednesday. The caller advised the driver of the vehicle was trying to get the vehicle out of the ditch and was cause a traffic problem. An officer was assigned and the vehicle was towed from the scene.

Fire Run — Someone reported a vehicle was on fire at the intersection of Oklahoma 11 and Washunga Bay Road to the Communications Center at 9:39 a.m. Wednesday. The Kaw City Fire Department was advised.

Fraud — An employee of a business in the 1400 block of West South Avenue reported to Ponca City police at 10:44 a.m. Wednesday a customer failed to return some rental property. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Accident — An accident at the intersection of Fairview Avenue and East Hartford Avenue was reported to Ponca City police at 1:20 p.m. Wednesday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Gas Drive-Off — A clerk at a business in the 700 block of South Waverly Street reported a $23 gas drive-off to Ponca City police at 2:57 p.m. Wednesday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Accident — A minor accident in the 900 block of North Fifth Street was reported to Ponca City police at 3:15 p.m. Wednesday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Subject Held — A booking officer at the Ponca City Police Department, 200 East Oklahoma Avenue, reported a 43-year-old man was transferred in from the Kay County Sheriff’s Office on a city warrant for failure to pay at 3:59 p.m. Wednesday.

Subject Held — An officer in the 400 block of South Oak Street reported a 52-year-old man was taken into custody on a city warrant for failure to pay and a Kay County warrant for failure to pay at 5:38 p.m. Wednesday.

Theft — A woman in the 900 block of North Osage Street reported a stolen bicycle to Ponca City police at 9:54 p.m. Wednesday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Subject Held — An officer at the intersection of Lake Street and West Grand Avenue reported an 18-year-old man was taken into custody on a city warrant and possession of marijuana at 1:23 a.m. Thursday.

Theft — A man in the 800 block of North Osage Street reported his bow and several other items were taken from his vehicle overnight to Ponca City police at 5:55 a.m. Thursday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

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GARDENING

Diggin’ In the Dirt
Oklahoma Garden Festival Seeking Booth Applications

Diggin’ In the Dirt

By Kathy Zehr

Most Ponca City gardeners are amazed at the beautiful green lawns growing in our yards here in November. We have hauled out the mower to cut grass at our house twice recently! It sure is pretty ... but also a little frustrating just when you thought you were going to get a rest!

Many of us, especially right now, will agree with the unknown writer of today’s story that grass lawns have become one of the stupidest things we’ve invented. We constantly battle dandelions, Queen Anne’s lace, thistle, violets, chicory and clover that thrive naturally, so we can grow grass that must be nursed through a four-step chemical dependency program each year.

Today, just for fun and to give all you frustrated lawn caregivers a boost, I’d like to send along this humorous story sent to The News by a local gardener.

I hope the following story gives you a chuckle!

The Grass is Always Greener ...!

Just imagine a conversation between The Creator and St. Francis...

“Frank, you know all about gardens of nature. What in the world is going on down there in the Midwest? What happened to the dandelions, violets, thistle and stuff I started eons ago?

I had a perfect, no-maintenance garden plan. Those plants grow in any type of soil, withstand drought and multiply with abandon. The nectar from the long-lasting blossoms attracted butterflies, honey bees and flocks of songbirds. I expected to see a vast garden of color by now, but all I can see are these green rectangles.

“It’s the tribes that settled there, Lord. The Suburbanites. They started calling your flowers ‘weeds’ and went to great extent to kill them and replace them with grass.”

“Grass? But it’s so boring! It’s not colorful. It doesn’t attract butterflies, birds and bees, only grubs and sod worms. It’s temperamental with temperatures. Do these Suburbanites really want all that grass there?”

“Apparently so — they go to great pains to grow it and keep it green. They begin each spring by fertilizing grass and poisoning any other plant that crops up in the lawn.”

“The spring rains and cool weather probably makes that grass grow really fast. That must make the Suburbanites happy!”

“Apparently not — just as soon as it grows a little, they cut it — sometimes twice a week.”

“They cut it? Do they bale it like hay?”

“Not exactly — most of them rake it up and put in bags.”

“They bag it? Why? Is it a cash crop? Do they sell it?

“No sir — just the opposite. They pay to throw it away.”

“Now let me get this straight. They fertilize grass so it will grow. An when it does grow, they cut it off and pay to throw it away?”

“Yes sir.”

“These Suburbanites must be relieved in the summer when we cut back on the rain and turn up the heat. That surely slows the growth and saves them a lot of work.”

“You aren’t going to believe this Sir — when the grass stops growing so fast they drag out hoses and pay more money to water it so they can continue to mow it and pay to get rid of it.”

“What nonsense! At least they kept some of the trees. That was a sheer stroke of genius, if I do say so myself. The trees grow leaves in the spring to provide beauty and shade in the summer. In the autumn they fall to the ground to form a natural blanket to keep moisture in the soil and protect the trees and bushes. Plus, as they rot, the leaves form compost to enhance the soil. It’s a natural circle of life.”

“You’d better sit down Lord. The Suburbanites have drawn a new circle. As soon as the leaves fall, they rake them into great piles and have them hauled away.”

“No! What do they do to protect the shrub and tree roots in the winter and keep the soil moist and loose?”

“After throwing away your leaves, they go out and buy something they call mulch. They haul it home and spread it around in place of the leaves.”

“And where do they get this mulch?”

“They cut down trees and grind them up.”

“Enough! I don’t want to think about this anymore. What is the movie we have scheduled for tonight?

“‘Dumb and Dumber,’ Sir. It’s a real stupid movie about ...”

Never mind, I think I just heard the whole story!”

Oklahoma Garden Festival Seeking Booth Applications

Applications available for competitive, non-competitive, educational and

retail booth space floral and horticultural divisions, educational booths and retail vendor applications are currently being accepted for the Oklahoma Garden Festival, set for Feb. 1 - 4.

Over 100,000 square feet in the newly refurbished Myriad Convention Center

will come alive with the splendor of spring at the first-ever Oklahoma Garden

Festival. Highlights of the event will include landscape gardens by some of

Oklahoma's finest landscape professionals, artistic and horticultural

competitions, educational gardens and exhibits, seminars by local and

national gardening authorities.

Professional florists are encouraged to enter and compete for prizes and

awards given by American Floral Services (AFS). Entries are due Jan. 15,

2001. In addition, the Oklahoma Garden Festival is seeking professionals in

design and horticulture to create 10 x 10 patio garden designs.

For the novice gardener and designer, categories include non-professional

floral and horticultural competitions.

There are seven classes in non-professional floral, including table decor and pedestals, with each class limited to six entries. Competitive horticultural areas for individuals includes cactus, container gardens, herbs, bromeliads, tropical, and dish gardens. Ribbons and awards will be given in each class. Entries are due Jan. 15, 2001.

Environmental and beautification organizations are also invited to participate in the Oklahoma Garden Festival with an educational booth. Booth prices are $50, $75 and $100 for booths sizes of 10 x 10, 10 x 20 and 10 x 30, respectively. Applications are due by Dec. 15.

The Oklahoma Garden Festival is also seeking retail vendors to showcase innovative gardening products, decor and other items. Proceeds from the Oklahoma Garden Festival benefit the Myriad Gardens Foundation and Oklahoma City Beautiful. For applications and additional entry information, please contact the Oklahoma Garden Festival at 405-528-2996.

SPORTS

Tonkawa Will Host Afton
PC Hoops Festival Set for Saturday
Blackwell Tackles Clinton
Mavs Stumble To Pratt Kansas Fall to 1 to 3
Winter Sports Season Tickets Now on Sale
Lady Mavs End Season at 11 7 and 1

Tonkawa Will Host Afton

By DAVID DAVIS

News Sports Writer

Afton travels to Tonkawa Friday night after making the playoffs for the first time since 1990 by winning their final two games to finish 4-3, good enough for third place in District 2A-8. Tonkawa is the 1999 Class A state champion. The Bucs only conference loss was to Hominy. It is possible for Hominy and Tonkawa to meet again for the state championship.

Afton coach Jerry Springer said his team does not have Tonkawa’s history of winning.

“I know this doesn’t sound very good, but I don’t know what we’re going to do against them,” he said. “What do you do against a team that has no weaknesses?

“They surely won’t change anything they’ve been doing because of us,” he said. “We’ll just keep doing the same things we’ve been doing.”

Tonkawa coach Steve Love said Wednesday that the interesting part of the playoffs is that upsets occur ever year. If the No. 10 ranked Buccaneers lost to Afton, it would be an upset.

“But, you never know what can happen with the weather being the way that it is,” Love said. “Sometimes weather can be an equalizer.”

Afton starts three seniors. Brad Jones is a linebacker and Sam Irvin is a defensive tackle. Tight end Austin Jarvis is the only senior starter on offense.

His team is not very fast, but senior wide out Daniel Plain, is the state champion in the 100 meter dash.

“He’s a senior, but he’s not a starter. We only start three seniors,” he said after it was pointed out that Plain made four seniors.

They aren’t very big, but they try to run at other teams from Offset l and Single Back formations.

“We try to mix it up and keep teams off balance,” he said. “We ‘re too slow to run around them.”

To hear Springer, playing Tonkawa is kind of like being caught in a rip tide. Don’t fight them and hope for survival.

“What we do depends on the situation and who we’re playing,” he said. “We will just try to take what they give us.”

Springer attended the Tonkawa-Drumright game last Friday and said the outcome was about what he expected.

“There are some teams you can prepare for, but I don’t know how to prepare for Tonkawa. They aren’t just fast, but they’re athletic,” he said.

Love said his team is healthy and they’ve practiced good this week. An added plus he likes is home field advantage.

“Home field should provide some kind of edge,” Love said. “Afton is a scrappy team. Both teams are about the same size and I’m sure they’re excited about playing us.

“If our guys are still hungry and if they want to continue, then we should win.”

He said the eight Buccaneer seniors have lost only two regular season games in four years. They’ve won three district championships and one state title.

“We have a couple who are borderline, but when they were freshman, they saw the example the seniors set for them,” Love said. “They play with class. They play with pride and they play with good sportsmanship.

“They play to win and don’t play to taunt the other teams.

“I think taunting hurts a team because it brings out individualism.

“Of course Simpson scores most of our touchdowns, and Fath at quarterback, these guys’ shoes are going to be hard to fill next year.”

But, in Tonkawa, there always seems to be cobbler.

PC Hoops Festival Set for Saturday

The Ponca City Hoops Festival begins at 10 a.m., Saturday morning at Robson Field House (RFH), Boys’ Gym (BG), Girls’ Gym (GG)and Lincoln Elementary (LE).

High school teams from Ponca City, Newkirk, Noble, Miami, Sperry, Enid, Guthrie and Blackwell are scheduled to play each other in a preseason round-robin format. Each scrimmage game lasts one hour.

The girls are scheduled to play at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. The boys will play at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

Girls

10 a.m. — Newkirk-Noble (RFH), Ponca-Guthrie (BG), Enid-Sperry (GG), Miami-Blackwell (LE).

Noon — Miami-Sperry (RFH), Enid-Blackwell (BG), Miami-Guthrie (GG), Newkirk-Sperry (LE).

2 p.m. — Ponca City-Enid (RFH), Noble-Blackwell (BG), Miami-Guthrie (GG), Newkirk-Sperry (LE).

Boys

11 a.m. — Pryor-Miami (RFH), Ponca-Cleveland (BG), Enid-Gruthrie (GG), Bartlesville-Metro Christian (LE)

1 p.m. — Metro-Guthrie (RFH), Enid-Bartlesville (BG), Ponca-Miami(GG), Cleveland-Pryor LE)

3 p.m. — Ponca-Enid (RFH), Bartlesville-Cleveland (BG), Pryo-Metro, (GG) Guthrie-Miami (LE).

Blackwell Tackles Clinton

By DAVID DAVIS

News Sports Writer

The Blackwell Maroons finished 2-8 last season. This year, they are 5-5 and in the playoffs. The Maroons finished fourth in District 4A-2 by defeating Mannford in their final game.

Conversely, the Clinton Red Tonadoes finished the season 12-1 after losing to Fort Gibson in the state semifinals. Don’t weep for Clinton. That was the first time since 1991 the team hasn’t ended the season in the state finals.

Blackwell coach Steve Langdon said, “I’m just stupid enough to believe we can play with them (Clinton).

“I’ve told my guys all during the season that the main difference between us and Clinton is they know they are going to win before they step onto the field.

“They have a tradition of winning.”

Coach Mike Lee confirmed the winning tradition in Clinton.

“This has been a special place for football over the past 50 years,” Lee said.

“We’ve got to believe we can win, too,” Langdon said.

He said there are only 16 teams still playing in Class 4A and Blackwell is one of them. Alot of the other teams that are staying home would like to go to Clinton.

“Are kids are excited. They’re pumped sky-high,” Langdon said.

Statistically, it seems hard to believe that any team would want to play a team that scored 48 points a game and allowed only 28 points all year.

“Of course we’re worried about Blackwell,” Lee said. “We worry about everybody we play. Not only do we have to prepare for them, but we have to make sure that we get better also.”

Blackwell has a pretty good defense even though it has given up one hundred points more than Clinton. But, consider that the Maroons are under acheivers that should be 7-1 in their district instead of 4-3. The only game Blackwell should have lost was Tecusmseh — and they did — 28-0. But, they also lost to Cushing and Glenpool. And, they tried with all their might to lose to Mannford by giving up the ball four times in the third quarter inside their own 30-yard line. Mannford reached the end zone once. Mannford scored another touchdown that was the result of a blocked punt.

“I’ve said all along to them that if they would play up to their capabilities to bring on Clinton,” Langdon said. “Lo and behold, look who we’ve got.”

So, now that Blackwell has Clinton, what do they do with them.

“We have a pretty good defense that runs to the ball well,” Lee said. “We have good size up front, which is unusual.

Clinton has some weapons on offense. The line is small but very active. Lee said they will continue to do just as they have all year.

“We’ll run the ball and throw it when we want to just to keep them off balance,” he said.

Senior running back Ross Hines (5-10, 172) has rushed for about 900 yards.

“He would have more but he doesn’t play much in the second half,” Lee said. “We have a good quarterback and good receivers.”

Senior quarterback Rodney Skinner (6-0, 170) passed for about 1,300 yards, but he too, did not play in the second half of most games. His favorite receiver is another senior, Brandon Barker (6-2, 171).

Langdon believes the only thing left to do now is just go to Clinton and win. Next week, there will be eight teams left. Maybe Blackwell will be one of them.

Mavs Stumble To Pratt Kansas Fall to 1 to 3

PRATT, Kan . — The Northern Oklahoma College Maverick basketball team traveled to the Beaverdome in Pratt, Kan., Wednesday to face Pratt Community College to renew a past rivalry. The Maverick record dropped to 1-3 after they suffered a 71-66 loss following a one-point NOC halftime lead.

Northern coach Mick Weiberg said his team couldn't find the basket all night long and failed at the free-throw line which has been good to the team up to this point.

"We aren't a bad ball team, we just can't score right now," he said.

The Mavericks have averaged 74 percent from the charity stripe but dropped to 60 percent Wednesday, shooting only 18-of-30.

Weiberg also said a statistic that tells the tale about the season thus far is the fact that his team has given up 96 points from three-point range and only managed to net 36 for themselves.

"You just can't do that and expect to win."

The young Maverick team, with only two returning starters, lacks leadership on the floor according to Weiberg.

"We're looking for someone to lead this team on a consistent basis for us at this point," he said. "Sophomores Scott Prater and Richie Myers have to give us some leadership and bring our young freshman into the realm of college basketball."

Myers scored 15 points and brought down 10 rebounds against Pratt but Weiberg wasn't happy with his game. Prater was only able to garner 10 points and 4 rebounds for the night, and went 0-2 from three-point range.

Freshman J.R. Regnier was 3-of-5 from three-point range and freshman Merrill Andrews netted one three but Weiberg expects more.

"We're missing some open shots from three-point range and some easy shots from the paint. We're at the crossroads of our game and we have to step it up."

The Mavericks will head out for yet another road trip this weekend as they move on to the Neosho County Shootout.

"We have to have the determination to scratch out a couple of wins in Neosho. We're going to have to dig and claw to get what we want."

The Mavericks will play their first home game of the season Nov. 15 when Pratt visits Northern in Tonkawa for a men's game at 7:30 pm in Foster-Piper Fieldhouse. The Lady Mavericks open their home season tonight in Tonkawa at 6 pm when they host Oklahoma Christian.

Winter Sports Season Tickets Now on Sale

Season tickets for the Ponca City High School winter sports are now on sale and fans can get more this year.

Adult season tickets for basketball are $25. Which will include admission to the eight varsity, JV and sophomore home dates.

New this year is a basketball pass which will entitle fans to see all of the high school and junior high games. It is $40.

Season tickets for wrestling are $15 which includes all six home matches. The junior high athletes will wrestles the same nights as the senior high wrestlers.

Student tickets for all senior high and junior high basketball games and wrestling matches are $20.

Season tickets and the basketball pass are on sale at the Athletic Director’s office at Robson Field House and at the first couple of home games.

Lady Mavs End Season at 11 7 and 1

By TED ATCHLEY

NOC Sports Information

TONKAWA — The Northern Oklahoma College Lady Maverick soccer team ended its season in district playoffs last weekend in St. Louis, MO, with a 5-0 loss to nationally ranked No. 9 Johnson County Community College.

The Lady Mavs finished the season 11-7-1, the most wins in a single season for the team.

“I'm very proud of my girls,” said Lady Maverick soccer coach Mike Riley. “They were crowned Region II Champions this year, the third time in our four-year history. That's something to be proud of.”

Riley said the game against Johnson County in St. Louis was a tough one and he feels his players showed a true passion for the game. "They went out and played hard and never gave up," he said. "There were a few tears after the game but we had a fantastic season. We played an excellent second half and they have nothing to be ashamed of."

In the last regular season poll the Lady Mavs were ranked No. 17 in the nation.

“I don't like to end on a losing mark, but I think we showed this year that we can definitely compete with the teams on our level. It was the last game for some of my players. We have some great memories from the season and are looking forward to next year already.”

The Lady Mavericks established themselves this year as a defensive presence on the field, holding several teams averaging nearly 10 points a game scoreless. The team earned themselves a perfect conference record, garnering nine shutouts in 20 games, a new Lady Maverick soccer record. The team amassed nearly 40 goals on the season, close to 10 goals more than Riley's pre-season desire to break the 30-goal mark.

‘We had a good year,” Riley said. “Anytime you can finish with a perfect conference record you have to be happy.”