From The Pages Of The Ponca City News, Monday, November
3, 1997
LOCAL
Early-Sunday Fire Levels Wakita Church Building
Eleven May 1997 Po-Hi Grads Receive Honors
Lodge Meeting
DEATHS
Harold Ray Pauls
Services Pending
Norman R. Means
Anne M. Lechtenberg
Angela E. Meadows
NEWS BRIEFS
LIFESTYLES
Alumnae Honor 50-Year Members
SPORTS
The Monday Evening Quarterback
Early-Sunday Fire Levels Wakita Church Building
By BOB PATTERSON
News Staff Writer
WAKITA - A devastating early Sunday morning fire destroyed the Wakita Christian Church building, but did not put a damper on the cohesiveness of this little community.
And the congregation held services plus a planned baptism, albeit in two different places, and then joined with the rest of the town in a noon meal that had also been planned prior to the fire.
Pastor Barry Worcester of the church, who is also a volunteer fireman with the Wakita department, found that arrangements could be made while firemen battled the blaze to have "church" in the Wakita Catholic Church. And the expected baptism, was held in the Wakita School swimming pool.
The blaze, which was blamed on a problem with the water heater for the baptismal tank, was discovered about 12:30 a.m. Sunday. Worcester had checked on the heating of the water for the baptismal service some time prior to that and upon returning to the church discovered a malfunction had occurred. A Wakita police officer also was just driving by on patrol, and the two sounded the alarm for the fire department.
Units from Wakita, Manchester, Nescatunga, Nash and Medford, providing some 50 firefighters, converged on the blaze but due to brisk northwest winds they were unable to bring it under control. The fire had destroyed much of the church within a couple of hours and by 5 a.m. some of the units were returning to their communities.
Firemen from Wakita poured water on the hot spots until late afternoon Sunday, when it was finally put out. Heavy machinery had been used earlier Sunday morning to spread some of the hot spots.
The church facility, which was part of the movie "Twister" shown with the Wakita water tower which is located on the lot directly north of the building, had just undergone some recent remodeling of the fellowship hall and kitchen areas. Erected in 1902, the wooden frame structure was the oldest church in Wakita, a town with three other denominations.
Worcester, even helping battle the blaze, found out "the Catholic Church would be available for Sunday morning services," since Mass had been held Saturday night and that congregation would be preparing their annual all-Wakita area turkey dinner during the morning in their own fellowship hall.
Preparations for the church service began with Worcester utilizing another "friend's" computer, and Wakita school copying equipment.
Sure enough, the congregation gathered at 11 a.m. at the Catholic Church. During the prelude, Wakita Fire Chief Steve Lamb, a member of the congregation, walked to the front and placed the blackened communion table cross on the communion table. He had found it among the rubble, standing upright, in a circle of debris.
And sure enough, as Worcester gave the invitation for anyone wishing to join the church to announce their acceptance of Jesus Christ, Brandi Biby made her way to the front. "We'll dismiss in a few moments, and go to the (Wakita) school, for the baptism," Worcester said.
So, most of the congregation motored to the school, on the west side of town from the Catholic Church, on the east side of town for the baptism, and then returned for Sunday dinner where they found companionship from all other Wakita friends. The Catholic women, who annually hold the dinner for their mission projects, found one in Wakita and decided that all funds would go to the Wakita Christian Church in a rebuilding project.
Worcester said replacing the 8,000-plus-square-foot building would cost about $500,000. ''We do not know what we are going to do. We will have a board meeting Wednesday,'' he said.
Later Sunday afternoon, Worcester returned to the scene, where he gathered some items that may be salvageable for mementoes, among them several pages of the communion table Bible. "We'll try to preserve them for the members," he said.
The Wakita Christian Church women's bazaar, scheduled for Wednesday, will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Wakita Methodist Church fellowship hall. "Although they lost all of their crafts made just recently at the church, I'm sure they'll come up with something," Worcester said.
Other items recovered included diplomas of Worcester and his wife, Pam (Patterson) Worcester, from Manhattan Christian College, an MCC graduation class photo and a bulletin of Pastor Worcester's ordination of several years ago at Hill City.
During the fire, the Wakita cafe, opened up during the night and fixed sandwiches and provided different type drinks that were taken to the scene for the firefighters.
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Note: Pam Worcester is the daughter of Bob and Sue Patterson of Ponca City.
Eleven students that graduated in May 1997 from Ponca City High School have been named Advanced Placement (AP) Scholars by the College Board in recognition of their exceptional achievement on the college-level AP Examinations.
Approximately 10 percent of America's graduating seniors have taken one or more AP exams. Only about 13 percent of the more than 581,000 students who took AP exams in May 1997 performed at a sufficiently high level to merit such recognition.
The College Board recognizes several levels of achievement based on the number of year-long courses and exams (or their equivalent semester-long courses and exams). At Po-Hi:
- Scott Norris and Corey Roussel qualified for the AP Scholar with Distinction Award by receiving grades of three or higher on five or more AP exams with an average exam grade of at least 3.5.
- Joe Burns, Nathan Knight, Michael Newman and Glen Simpson qualified for AP Scholar with Honor Award by receiving grades of three or higher on four or more AP exams with an average exam grade of at least 3.25.
- Lane Caitlin, Tony Koster, Mark Oblad, Sam Stalcup and Kerri White qualified for the AP Scholar Award by receiving grades of three or higher on three or more AP exams.
AP examinations are graded on a five-point scale (five is the highest). Most of the nation's colleges and universities award credit and/or placement for grades of three of higher, and more than 1,400 institutions award a year of credit (sophomore standing) to students with a sufficient number of qualifying grades. This year, there were 31 AP exams offered in 17 subject areas, each consisting of multiple-choice and free-response (essay or problem-solving) questions.
The College Board is a national nonprofit association that champions educational excellence for all students through the ongoing collaboration of more than 2,900 member schools, colleges, universities, education systems and organizations.
A business meeting of the Ponca Lodge No. 83, A.F. & A.M. will be held tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the lodge, 1400 West Grand Avenue.
A dinner will be held at 6:30 p.m., according to Charles F. Gillentine,
Senior Worthy Master and Charles L. Stuckey, Secretary. Visiting masons
are welcome.
DEATHS
GLASCO, Kan. - Harold Ray "Babe" Pauls, father of Dennis Pauls of Ponca City, died Saturday, Nov. 1, 1997, at the Republic County Hospital in Belleville, Kan. He was 64.
The funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, at the Glasco, Kan., United Methodist Church with the Rev. Kelly Sipes and the Rev. Steve Unruh officiating. Burial will be in the Glasco (Kan.) Cemetery under the direction of Bachelor-Faulkner-Dart-Surber Funeral Home of Belleville, Kan.
Harold Ray "Babe" Pauls was born Jan. 31, 1933, on a farm southwest of Hooker, the son of Pete G. and Leona (Reiswig) Pauls. He received his education at Adams, where he graduated from high school. He attended Panhandle State College at Goodwell and Iowa State University at Ames, Iowa.
On Aug. 6, 1954, he married Joyce D. Bagshaw at Liberal, Kan., and the couple made their home in Hooker. Pauls was employed with Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America from 1954 until his retirement in 1986. In 1969 the family moved to Glasco, Kan., then to Belleville, Kan. in 1978. Over the years, he was involved with his children and in family activities. He coached Little League and Babe Ruth baseball, and served as a Boy Scout leader. He enjoyed teaching his children and grandchildren to fish, and he also enjoyed hunting, bowling and gardening.
Pauls was a member of the Glasco (Kan.) United Methodist Church, an active member of the American Cancer Society, the Fraternal Order of Eagles of Belleville, Kan., and both the Moose Lodge and the American Legion of Concordia, Kan.
Survivors include his wife, Joyce Pauls of Belleville, Kan.; his father, Pete Pauls of Hooker; one daughter, Catherine Edmonston of Topeka, Kan.; three sons, Mark of Omaha, Neb., Richard of Glasco, Kan., and Dennis of Ponca City; one brother, Jerry of Beaver; 13 grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Pauls' name to the American Cancer Society, Kay County Unit, First National Bank and Trust, P.O. Box 1151, Ponca City, OK 74602.
NEWKIRK - Norman R. Means, longtime Newkirk resident died Saturday, Nov. 1, 1997 in Newton Memorial Hospital, Winfield, Kan. He was 70. The funeral is set for Wednesday in the IXL Baptist Church, Arkansas City, Kan. Friends may make memorial contributions to the Norman Means Memorial Fund, c/o Eastman National Bank, P.O. Box 468, Newkirk, OK 74647. Additional arrangements will be announced later by Miller-Stahl Funeral Service, Newkirk.
Anne Marie Lechtenberg, Ponca City resident, died at her home, Saturday, Nov. 1, 1997. She was 40. Survivors include her husband, Mike, of the home. A prayer service will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday at St. Mary's Catholic Church. Mass of Christian Burial is set for 10 a.m. Wednesday at the church. Other arrangements will be announced later by Grace Memorial Chapel.
Angela E. Meadows, Ponca City resident, died Saturday, Nov. 1, 1997,
at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Ponca City. She was 44. Survivors
include her husband Terry, of the home. Arrangements are pending with Hunsaker-Wooten
Funeral Home, Fairfax.
NEWS BRIEFS
Ponca Tribe LIHEAP - Ponca Tribe LIHEAP program will be taking applications for heating assistance. Priority goes to elderly, disabled, and homes with younger children, but other low income families will also be considered. Applications will be accepted at the Tribal Affairs Building, White Eagle. Call 762-8104 for more information.
Parent Committee Meeting - The Title IX Indian Education Parent Committee of Ponca City Schools will be meeting Nov. 4 at the Administration Building from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. The agenda will include plans for the 1997 community-wide meeting. All members need to attend and interested parents of Native American students are invited to attend. For further information contact Chairman Garland Kent Jr., 762-6861; or Facilitator Jo A. Lessert, 767-9500, ext. 128.
Sleep Disorder Group - A meeting of the St. Joseph Regional Medical Center's Sleep Disorder Support Group will be held Tuesday at 7 p.m. in Conference Room B. The public is invited to attend and refreshments will be served.
Young at Heart Dance Planned - The Sunshine Playboys will be playing for dancing from 7 to 10 p.m. at the VFW in Ponca City every Wednesday. All seniors are invited to come and enjoy.
Break-In - A resident in the 700 block of North Birch Street reported to police at 6:46 a.m. Saturday that someone had broken into a travel trailer. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Tire Theft - At 8:35 a.m. Saturday John's Auto Repair, 1421 North Union Street, reported several tires stolen from the business. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Arrest - Police arrested a 46-year-old man at 9:18 a.m. Saturday from East Albany Avenue and North Second Street on a city warrant for failure to pay.
Vandalism - At 10:28 a.m. Saturday a resident in the 100 block of North Birch Street reported vandalism to a vehicle.
Sign Theft - An employee of Gold Key Realty, 1918 Lake Road, reported the theft of a real estate sign at 2:14 p.m. Saturday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Vandalism - A resident in the 1700 block of North Woodlands reported to police at 6:14 p.m. Saturday that a vehicle had been vandalized. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Arrest - At 6:53 p.m. Saturday police arrested a 37-year-old man at East Oklahoma Avenue and South Second Street for carrying a loaded and concealed gun in a vehicle and for public intoxication.
Arrest - A 19-year-old man was arrested at 8:07 p.m. Saturday from North Oak Street and West Cleveland Avenue on a city warrant for failure to pay.
Arrest - Police arrested a 38-year-old man at 9:33 p.m. Saturday from the 700 block of North Fourteenth Street for driving under the influence and disobeying a traffic device.
Arrest - Police arrested a 41-year-old man at 2:13 a.m. Sunday from the 3000 block of Turner Street for domestic assault and battery.
Vandalism - Police received a report at 7:01 a.m. Sunday regarding a vehicle that had run into a garage in the 2300 block of Chapel Hill Road. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Arrest - A 20-year-old man was arrested at 7:32 a.m. Sunday at the scene of an accident at South Lincoln Street and West Oklahoma Avenue for driving under suspension, failure to yield and no insurance.
Stolen Bike - A man in the 500 block of South Ninth Street reported a stolen bike to police at 12:33 p.m. Sunday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Stolen Beer - An employee of Citgo, 400 East South Avenue, reported the theft of a 12-pack of beer to police at 1:12 p.m. Sunday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Arrest - Police arrested a 23-year-old man at 2:42 p.m. Sunday from North Fourteenth Street and Elmwood Avenue for driving under suspension.
Warrant Arrest - At 3:46 p.m. Sunday a 36-year-old man was arrested from the 300 block of Broadway Avenue on a city warrant for failure to pay.
Arrest - Police arrested a 40-year-old man at 6:08 p.m. Monday from the 2100 block of North Ash Street on a city warrant for failure to appear.
Arrest - A 23-year-old man was arrested at 2:15 a.m. Monday from
the 300 block of South Osage Street for not having a driver's license.
LIFESTYLES
Delta Lambda Delta Alumnae Chapter of Alpha Chi Omega met to celebrate Founders Day and honor 50 year members at a dinner at Godfrey's Restaurant on Oct. 28. Hostesses for the event were Julie Lawrence and Mariann Bryant. The rectangular table was decorated with gold mesh ribbon down the center of the table and a large bouquet of red carnations, the sorority flower was the centerpiece. A carnation was given to each member at the end of the meeting.
Alpha Chi Omega was founded on Oct. 15, 1885 at DePauw University, Greencastle, Indiana. The local alumnae club was founded on Oct. 19,1928.
As a special celebration at the meeting, Virginia Cannon Cronin of Blackwell, was presented her 50 year pin in a ceremony conducted by President Julie Lawrence and Vice-President Pauletta Beaty. All 50 year members of the local chapter were honored. Doris Stanley was the only other 50 year member present. Members unable to attend were Blanche Arnold of Braman, Edna Hoffman Bowman of Kingfisher, and Mildred Clary and Auretta Denton of Blackwell.
Province Alumnae Chairman Sandy Hudack presented the Alumnae Chapter with a copy of the new Alpha Chi Omega songbook which was published this past summer. Mrs. Hudack, Panhellenic Representative, also reported on the Christmas House Tour to be held Dec. 7. Members were asked to sign up to be hostesses for the event. Tickets will be available for the November meeting.
Pauletta Beaty presented the program which consisted of reading from minutes of the club from the first meeting in October, 1928 through some of the meetings from 1929 and the early 1930's. Members had been asked to bring Alpha Chi Omega memorabilia from college or alumnae days and those items were shared with the group.
The next meeting will be November 18 at the home of Fran Mathews and
will be the Annual Bazaar Auction. Members are encouraged to bring guests.
SPORTS
By FRED HILTON
News Sports Editor
Although the Wildcats can't overlook Shawnee in their final game of the season here Friday, coach Rich Sodowky and his staff may be forgiven for looking to next season a little.
According to Sodowsky, things are looking good for the Ponca City football program.
The much-touted sophomore class made an impressive debut this year and should get even better. Several sophomores broke into the varsity lineup.
The sophomore-laden JV team is 3-5 headed into tonight's scheduled finale against Tulsa East Central at Sullins Stadium. Kickoff is set for 6.
The ninth graders finished their season on a winning note last Thursday, edging Woodward 14-13. The freshmen won their last three games to finish 4-4 on the year.
The eighth graders nailed down the conference championship and a perfect 9-0 season with a 7-6 win at Woodward Friday.
Sodowsky indicated his belief in the future for the Wildcats Friday when he quashed the rumor that he would be leaving for another coaching position.
"I'll definitely be here next year," he said. "We have a good group of sophomores coming up, the ninth graders improved with every game and the eighth graders were unbeaten.
"You may see a new offense and a new defense next season as we try to use the personnel we have coming up."
The biggest challenge for Sodowsky and the entire staff will be to keep that talent .
Each year the football program loses a number of players between the eighth and ninth grade and another group drops out before reaching the high school.
The winning attitude the young teams are developing is the key to any success for the Wildcats.
The freshmen showed what a winning attitude means as they held off Woodward on the Goldbugs' home field. The Poncans built a 14-0 lead on touchdowns by Bill Broughton and Steven Michael with a key two-point conversion pass by Kyle Henderson to Jimmo Ozment following the first TD.
Woodward came back with two fourth period scores, but Matt Helmes blocked the Woodward final extra point attempt.
"The defensive play was phenomenal," freshman coach Brad Larimer said. "And the offensive line did a great job of opening holes."
That win was the second for the Poncans in just a few days. They blanked Enid Longfellow 22-0 on Tuesday, again on a foreign field. The Poncans got touchdown runs from Michael and Kyle Henderson and a TD pass from Henderson to J. Michael Sharon.
"There are some good players in this group," Larimer said. "It was a learning process for this group and they learned their lessons well."
Micah Johnson scored the eighth graders' touchdown and Matt Ellis added the all-important extra point in the first period.
Woodward scored in the second period but missed the extra-point try.
Woodward threatened with about four minutes left in the game, but fumbled on the Ponca City 10 with Johnson recovering.
The Poncans had to give the ball back with 58 seconds left, but Ellis intercepted a Woodward pass at the Ponca City 20 to secure the win.
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One of the things that will not get any easier for the Wildcats is their schedule.
The biannual change of district teams will bring the Wildcats a tougher group of opponents for 1998.
The non-district games include the season opener against Tulsa Hale at the East Tulsa Sports complex on Sept. 4. Game Two has the Poncans making the long bus trip to Tahlequah on Sept. 11. The Wildcats finally come home on Sept. 18 against Tulsa Memorial.
The District 6A-3 opening clash pits the Wildcats against Stillwater away on Sept. 25.
The Poncans play host to Edmond Memorial on Oct. 2, travel to Owasso on Oct. 9, begin a two-week home stand with Enid on Oct. 15 and face Sand Springs on Oct. 22.
The Cats travel to Sapulpa on Oct. 30 and play host to Tulsa Union in the regular season finale on Nov. 6.
By comparison, this season's Wildcat foes (led by 9-0, Sand Springs, 8-1 Stillwater and 6-3 Sapulpa) are a combined 39-51.
Next season's foes are currently 54-36. Sand Springs, Stillwater and Sapulpa remain and are joined by 7-2 Tulsa Hale and 7-2 Tulsa Union.
Edmond Memorial and Owasso are just below .500 at 4-5. The only struggling teams on the schedule are 1-8 Tulsa Memorial and 3-6 Tahlequah.
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Question of the Week
Can anyone in Cowboy Land play defense in the fourth quarter?