From The Pages Of The Ponca City News, Sunday, November
9, 1997
LOCAL
City Calendar
Letters
Great American Smokeout Educates Americans Cost of Tobacco on Society
Mental Health Awareness Workshop Set
Good Biblical Advice Available Tuesday
School Menu
School Calendar
Poncan Theatre Announces New Christmas Ornament
Veterans Day Memorabilia Exhibit at Blackwell Tuesday
Half Cent Sales Tax Would Rebuild No. 1 Fire Station
'Grease' On NOC Stage
Festival of Angels Attracting 'Bus' Visitors From Four States
Local Artist Receives Oklahoma City Invite
District Court
Frenchman Finds Pen Pal's Hometown Worth Staying
Railroad Crossings On City's Agenda
Pianists Here Next Sunday For Community Concert
City's Colorful Past Appears Wednesday
New T-Shirts Are Available As Red Cross Blood Donor
Editorial
Bond Election Items On School Agenda
Entrepreneur Speaker For Volunteer Dinner Thursday
Conoco Replacing Pipeline Across State
Legislators Deciding Truth-in-Sentencing Law Needs Repealing
Two Positions Up in School Election While Voters Also Decide on SQ 672
DEATHS
J. Wayne Bourne
Lorene Jane Miner
Dana Lee Briggs
James Elmer Sharp
NEWS BRIEFS
LIFESTYLES
Cathy Keating Will Present 20th Century Club Program
Little News
Cultural Center Flag Ceremony Marks Oklahoma's 90th Birthday
Presbyterian Women Plan Luncheon Meet
Holiday Traditions for Conference
Busy Bee Club Donates to Groups
Bits and Pieces
Plans Are Made For Conference
Singles Network Names Calendar
National Hospice Month Program Emphasis on Bereavement Help
Alpha Gamma Mother's Club Planning Party
Santa Fe Garden Setting For Hanson-Collins Vows
Wendy L. Mabry Marries Mike Owings in Las Vegas
Melissa Myers-Fred Birkett Wed in Chapel Ceremony
Bobbi Golay Award Winner From Oklahoma
Traci Lyn Bixler Bride-Elect
Oklahoma Scottish Clans Set Benefit
Wheatheart Nutrition
Ponca City Happenings
SPORTS
Lady Cat All-Stater
Frustrating Year Ends For Cats
Frontier Holds Off Lomega
Mavericks Rally Past Ranger 73-62
Lady Mavs Lose
Schiltz Nabs All-State Nod
Soccer Standings
Bucs Head for Playoffs After Routing Liberty
Area Games
Tigers Claw Union, 35-6
State High School Football
Volleyball Standings
Anytime
November
November 1-30
Today
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Friday-Saturday
Saturday
November 16
November 17
November 18
November 19
November 20
November 21
November 21-22
November 22
November 24
November 26
November 27
November 28
November 28-December 28
November 28-January 5
November 30
December 1
December 2
December 4
December 5
December 6
December 6-7
December 7
December 7-31
Preserve History
With the current prominence of the Civic Center Complex and No. 1 fire station issue, the larger issue of historic preservation in Ponca City needs to be addressed.
Disregard of our local historic structures, buildings, and sites is a wasteful path to follow. Allowing the loss of such pieces of our past is a crime to the past and a crime to our future. It is like tearing out a part of our history.
Old buildings are not just a collection of concrete, steel, wood and glass. They are the solid remnants of past generations. They were built with the sweat of their brow, the money from their pocket, the dreams of their hearts, and the aspirations of their souls. They are mansions, stores, churches, statues, and shotgun houses. They represent lives of luxury, and lives of "just barely getting by." They are schools for the segregated, churches for the believers, and the Civic Center for everyone. They are the pictures we need to tell our story to visitors and our children. The story cannot be told and understood without them.
We know how valuable the Capitol in Washington is to us as Americans. Within it's "hallowed halls" our country's most important events have occurred. The Civic Center Complex is its local equal. It has stood a quiet sentinel on East Grand for 80 years. Within, events have occurred that affected every resident of the city. The Civic Center Auditorium is our Broadway - and on it's stage the likes of Will Rogers have stood. What the Statue of Liberty represents to every American with immigrant ancestors, the Pioneer Woman represents to every descendant of Cherokee Strip Land- runners, commemorating those who forged a new future in the valley of the Arkansas River. Our Wall Street is Grand Avenue, with it handsome old buildings. Financial dealings made here affected us all, and we have shopped there, watched parades and people, and worked there for 100 years. The Cultural Center and the Marland Mansion are our Mount Vernon. Who can really weigh the impact of their builder on our lives today? Who can put a price on their beauty? But we cannot judge our old buildings and monuments based on beauty or tourism value alone; their historic value goes beyond these things, and historic merit is very difficult to define. The buildings, sites, monuments, and structures that have played a role in our past are many; but we need to consider their impact and value in every decision we make as a community. While every historic building cannot be saved, we must do our utmost to properly preserve the ones that can.
The preservation of our local history is not a political issue, and it is not a personal issue. It is an economical, educational, and cultural issue, and it is an important issue to us as a community. The Mansion and the bungalow, the train station and the bus station, the humble little church on Dixie Hill and the Chapel up the street; these are the pictures that illustrate our past.
We have the right to choose to preserve our past. Even more important, we have the moral responsibility to save our history and all the important buildings that illustrate it to the best of our ability.
Support our rich local heritage in all it's various forms, just as you support our nation's heritage.
Support local groups with historic preservation agendas, such as the Landmark Conservancy, the Historic Preservation Advisory Panel of Ponca City, the Main Street Authority, the Friends of the Cultural Center, The Attucks Association, the Marland Mansion Commission, Ponca City Tomorrow, and many others I can't list here. Support community leaders who have a vision of the value of preserving our legacy for future Ponca City citizens. Learn more about historic preservation, what it is and how it is done. But most important right now, Support the Civic Center Complex by voting YES on the No. 1 Fire Station Proposal.
Bret A. Carter
The American Cancer Society is educating the public about the cost of tobacco on society during the Great American Smokeout, Nov. 20, 1997.
The cost of tobacco to society is best measured by the number of people who die or suffer illness because of its use. One in five Americans die each year from tobacco use. The annual American death toll from tobacco is estimated at 419,000.
Tobacco use also drains the U.S. economy of more than $100 billion in health care costs and lost productivity. Health care expenditures caused directly by smoking totaled $50 billion in 1993, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Forty-three percent of these costs were paid by government funds, including Medicaid and Medicare.
Lost economic productivity caused by smoking cost the U.S. economy $47.2 billion in 1990, according to the Office of Technology Assessment. Adjusted for inflation, the total economic cost of smoking is more than $100 billion per year. This does not include costs associated with diseases caused by environmental tobacco smoke, burn care resulting from cigarette smoking-related fires, or prenatal care for low-birthweight infants of mothers who smoke.
Even though smokers die younger than the average American, over the course of their lives current and former smokers generate an estimated $501 billion in excess health care costs. Tobacco costs Medicare more than $15 billion per year.
The American Cancer Society is the nationwide community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy, and service.
For more information about the Great American Smokeout, contact your local American Cancer Society at 1-800-733-9888 or visit us on the World Wide Web (http://www.cancer.org)
NODA-Area Agency on Aging will host free Mental Health Awareness Workshop, Nov. 18, 1997, at the Cherokee Strip Conference Center, 123 West Main in Enid. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. Workshop is from 9 a.m. until noon and 1 p.m. until 3 p.m.
Topics include: Developmental Stages of Aging, Sydney Kriter, Wheatland Mental Health; Sexuality and Aging, Sharon Pendergast, Cimarron Psychiatric Services; Humor, Joe Kreger, author of "Lookin' at Life"; Seniors and Medications, J. Patrick Farrell, Scheffe Prescription Shop; Depression, Dr. James M. Thomas, Clinical Psychologist, and Music, Faye Bensch, Ms. Senior Oklahoma 1997.
Free information booths provided by Integris Bass Baptist Hospital, Wheatland Mental Health Center, AARP, and Joe Kreger.
For reservations call Judy Rupp, NODA-AAA, 580-237-2236 or 800-749-1149.
Radio stations are here to serve the community, and KLVV 88.7 FM is providing a free service Tuesday afternoon. From 5 to 6 p.m., KLVV will be opening its phone lines for anyone who needs some good biblical advice or answers to questions of faith.
Pastor John Bartlett of the First Christian Church in Tonkawa will be available to answer phone calls off the air during that time at (580) 767-1400. All calls are kept confidential.
KLVV 88.7 FM is a non-profit Christian Radio station that has operated in Northern Oklahoma since 1992.
Elementary Breakfast
Monday - Cereal or honey bun, assorted juices and milk.
Tuesday - Sausage, egg and cheese biscuit or cereal or honey bun, assorted juices and milk.
Wednesday - Cereal or honey bun, assorted juices and milk.
Thursday - Ham and cheese roll up or cereal or honey bun, assorted juices and milk.
Friday - Cereal or honey bun, assorted juices and milk.
Elementary Lunch
Monday - Hamburger on a bun or pretzel with marinara sauce, lettuce salad, french fries, dill spears, chocolate pudding, graham bears or assorted cold sandwiches, salads or diet plate, juice and milk.
Tuesday - Chicken nuggets with hot roll or bean burrito, mixed fruit, potatoes and gravy, dill spears, cherry turnovers, sunflower nuts or assorted cold sandwiches, salads or diet plate, juice and milk.
Wednesday - Barbecue pork with hot roll or chili with crackers, potato rounds, green beans, dill spears, peanut butter bars or assorted cold sandwiches, salads or diet plate, juice and milk.
Thursday - Lasagna with garlic bread or mini corn dogs, sliced peaches, green salad, rainbow cake, saltine crackers or assorted cold sandwiches, salads or diet plate, juice and milk.
Friday - Chicken ringers with hot roll or philly steak sandwich, mashed potatoes and gravy, sliced pears, dill spears, brownies or assorted cold sandwiches, salads or diet place, juice and milk.
Middle School and Mid-High
Breakfast
Monday - Egg biscuits and gravy or cereal, assorted juices and milk.
Tuesday - Blueberry muffin squares with eggs and sausage or cereal, assorted juices and milk.
Wednesday - Cheese roll ups or cereal, assorted juices and milk.
Thursday - Waffles with syrup and sausage or eggs and sausage or cereal, assorted juices and milk.
Friday - Bagel with cream cheese and jelly or bagel with sausage and cheese or cereal, assorted juices and milk.
Middle School and Mid-High
Lunch
Available on Monday through Friday at the Middle School is Pizza Inn, Subway, Carl's Jr., Taco Bell Burritos. Available at the Mid-High Monday through Friday are Domino's, Subway, Carl's Jr., Taco Bell Burritos.
Monday - Hamburger on a bun, french fries, lettuce/tomato, fresh fruit, chocolate pudding, dill spears or assorted cold sandwiches, salads, diet plate or pasta bar, juice and milk.
Tuesday - Chicken strips with hot roll, green salad, mashed potatoes and gravy, cherry crisp, dill spears or assorted cold sandwiches, salads, diet plate or potato bar, juice and milk.
Wednesday - Pizza burritos, broccoli salad, sliced pears, dill spears or assorted cold sandwiches, salads, diet plate or taco bar, juice and milk.
Thursday - Lasagna with garlic bread, tossed salad, fresh fruit, dill spears, cookies or assorted cold sandwiches, salads, diet plate or pasta bar, juice and milk.
Friday - Chicken ringers with hot roll, mashed potatoes and gravy, carrots, dill spears, brownies or assorted cold sandwiches, salads, diet place or potato bar, juice and milk.
High School Lunch
Available every day at Campus Mart, the Training Table Deli offers a Pasta Bar, Baked Potato Bar, lean items and fresh fruit. The Ala Carte Wildcat line offers Pizza Hut and Subway Sandwiches.
All American
Monday - Cheeseburger, french fries, lettuce/tomato, seasonal fruit.
Tuesday - Burrito with chili, tossed salad, jello, seasonal fruit.
Wednesday - Turkey with hot roll, turkey dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, seasonal fruit.
Thursday - Beef ravioli with garlic bread, mixed vegetables, veggie dippers, seasonal fruit.
Friday - Chicken strips with hot roll, whipped potatoes and gravy, seasonal fruit.
Training Table
Monday - Friday - Pasta bar, potato bar, deli sandwiches and salads, seasonal fruit.
McCord Elementary
Breakfast
Monday - Cereal, toast, juice and milk.
Tuesday - Apple muffins, juice and milk.
Wednesday - Doughnuts, juice and milk.
Thursday - Rice, toast, juice and milk.
Friday - Pancake and sausage, juice and milk.
Lunch
Monday - Salisbury steak, potatoes and gravy, green peas, hot roll and milk.
Tuesday - Soft tacos, refried beans, salad, pineapple rings and milk.
Wednesday - Pigs in a blanket, scalloped potatoes, blackeye peas, applesauce and milk.
Thursday - Fish sandwich, hash browns, corn, peaches and milk.
Friday - Ham and cheese sandwich, french fries, lettuce leaf, dill spear, orange wedge, cookie and milk.
Pioneer Technology Center
Tuesday - Beef stew, chicken cordon bleu, barbecue ribs, assorted vegetables, breads and desserts.
Wednesday - Beef enchiladas, chef's grilled chicken, pasta prima vera, assorted vegetables, breads and desserts.
Thursday - Grilled steak, fettuccine alfredo, pork stiry fry, assorted vegetables, breads and desserts.
The cafeteria will be open to the public on Tuesday and Wednesday from 11:15 a.m. to noon.
Mid-High
Nov. 13
An Academic Awards assembly will be held at 7:30 p.m.
Po-Hi
Nov. 10
Junior varsity cheerleading practice at 5:30 p.m. in the old girls gym.
Panic rehearsal at 6 p.m. in the Howell Auditorium.
Chamber orchestra will play in room F-105 at 7:30 p.m.
Parent Europe trip meeting at 7 p.m. in room 4.
Nov. 11
P.A.C. meeting at 10:30 a.m. in room 210.
Panic rehearsal at 6 p.m. in the Howell Auditorium.
Goal Kick Club meeting in the cafeteria at 7 p.m.
Nov. 12
Panic rehearsal at 6 p.m.
Nov. 13
Course on American sign language and deaf culture will be held in room 103 at 5 p.m.
Junior varsity cheerleading practice at 5:30 p.m.
Cross Country banquet in the cafeteria at 6 p.m.
Panic rehearsal at 6 p.m.
Nov. 14
Drama/Debate Charles Page Tournament with the time and place announced later.
Youth Alive meeting in room 125 at 7:30 a.m.
Panic rehearsal at 6 p.m.
Nov. 15
Charles Page Tournament continues.
Invitational swimming competition.
Nov. 16
Junior varsity cheerleading practice with the time announced later.
Just in time for the holidays, the Poncan Theatre Company has announced a new 1997 ornament. The new ornament features the Ponca City Civic Center. This is the second in a series of ornaments commissioned by the theater.
The new ornament features the Civic Center viewed from Grand Avenue, including the twin towers east and west of the landmark auditorium. The first ornament, which was released last year, was an image of the front of the Poncan Theatre itself. The new ornament will be available today.
Both ornaments are the work of Tonkawa artist Audrey Schmitz. Schmitz works in clay, with multiple firings of the clay to produce a quality product that is both beautiful and durable. She personally crafts each ornament, and each ornament is signed by the artist. The new Civic Center ornament is approximately 3-1/4 inches wide by 2-1/4 inches tall. Schmitz has given dimension to the surface so the Civic Center and towers stand out against the flat background of the Oklahoma sky.
The first Poncan Theatre ornament will continue to be available. This year, patrons can purchase the original ornament in the same earth tone that was available last year. Or they may purchase a selection of colors also. The original Poncan Theatre image is also available in a shadowbox.
Patrons can purchase either the 1997 Civic Center ornament or last year's Poncan Theatre ornament at the theater or at Christy's Gift Shop. Last year when the first ornament went on sale, the vendors sold out of the ornament on the first day and had to begin a waiting list.
Proceeds of the sale of ornaments help provide for operations and maintenance of the not-for-profit, historic theater.
A rich part of North Central Oklahoma's history will be on display at the Blackwell Chamber of Commerce office on Tuesday - Veterans Day.
The public and all veterans are encouraged to visit the Chamber from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., sit down, and view the many items provided by the Cherokee Strip Chapter of the American Red Cross. Visitors are also encouraged to view the Blackwell Veterans Parade starting at 11 a.m.
Many area families will find names and memorabilia of parents, grandmothers and grandfathers and other friends and relatives in these records.
Some of the most treasured records to be on exhibit are the "Production Records" from World War II. These are hand-written records of the people and the hours they spend producing helmet liners, bandages and other items for the war effort.
Also treasured is a 1918 Christmas Roll Call, where Red Cross volunteers solicited donations in order to pay for the materials used to make many items, including bandages.
Among the displays will also be a kit, made by the Cherokee Strip Red Cross Chapter, and given to soldiers leaving for Europe. letters from soldiers, telegrams received in the stormy months before our country was drawn into conflict, and the telegram received after the bombing of Pearl Harbor are also exhibited.
Other contributions include memorabilia from the Veterans and families involved in the Korean and Vietnam wars.
A special feature will be the Prisoner of War Bulletins published by the Red Cross to help keep families and the public informed of the activity during World War II.
"We encourage everyone to come by the Chamber and share remembrances or learn a bit of history," said Kathy Hawkins, Cherokee Strip Red Cross Chapter Executive Director. "We want to honor our Veterans and their contributions and want to also recognize the many civilians here at home who worked so hard to support those fighting for our country."
By PATTI PFEIFFER
News Staff Writer
On Nov. 18 voters will be asked to go to the polls and vote to pass a temporary one half cent sales tax, the proceeds of which will be used to rebuild, renovate and remodel the No. 1 Fire Station at it's original location at the Ponca City Civic Center on East Grand Avenue.
With little more than a week until the election, efforts are under way to promote passage of the sales tax and a special committee has been formed to do just that. "We are trying to get the information out about the election and what the new station will mean to our city," Committee Co-Chairman Larry Buck explained.
The committee is very simply named the Committee for the Renovation of Fire Station No. 1 and was formed to promote the election by raising funds for radio and newspaper advertising. "We are a citizens' group working in conjunction with the Landmark Conversancy, which is a historic preservation group dedicated to preserving the historical buildings throughout downtown, one of which is the original fire station," Buck added.
"We as citizens have an obligation to ensure the preservation of certain icons in Ponca City and the No. 1 Fire Station is one such icon," Committee Co-Chairman Mike Mott stated. "The downtown location of the fire station is critical because it is where most of the city's older buildings are located."
While the committee has paid for the ad campaign, the "vote yes" signs that are beginning to pop up all over town have been donated by the Landmark Conservancy. "The Landmark Conservancy recognizes the importance of the historical aspect of that building and we became involved because we felt it was endangered," Landmark Conservancy Vice-Chairman Bret Carter said.
From a local TV talk show to a radio talk show to civic and social organizations around town, Tom Leonard can be seen and heard spreading his message in support of the passage of the sales tax. "With this proposition, people outside our community who shop in our community will be helping to pay for the fire station as well," Leonard said.
According to Leonard several large area retail businesses in Ponca City have over 45 percent, and as high as 65 percent, of their sales from out of town customers. "People are pleased with the prospects that passage of the sales tax will bring, the beginning of the renovations to the civic center."
It is the embarrassment of not having a presentable city hall facility that concerns Leonard. "This building was originally built as a community center for all political, social and governmental functions and we want it to be returned to that." Leonard says as he sadly tells the story of First Lady Keating recently being received at the Chamber of Commerce instead of City Hall due to the poor conditions of the building.
City Commissioner Dick Stone is optimistic of the passage of the sales tax. "I have had absolutely no negative feedback on the election. I think it is how and where the citizen's want it and I am thrilled with the possibilities that passage of the sales tax will bring," Stone said. "Without exception all commissioners are in agreement that the course of action is to proceed with renovating the entire city civic center complex and this is the first step. The timing may change but the citizen's have made it clear that this is what they want and plans are in place to have that done," Stone added referring to the preliminary plans that have been drawn for the renovation and remodeling of the entire civic center.
The special election is Nov. 18, and if passed, the tax will begin being levied Dec. 1 and end Nov. 30, 1999. The tax would add an additional five cents to a $10 grocery bill.
According to figures released from the City Finance Director Marc LaBossiere the sales tax is predicted to generate slightly over $3 million. If passed a separate fund will be established for revenues generated from the sales tax.
The estimated costs of the 21,450 square feet of renovation and remodeling of the fire station is currently $2.7. The excess of revenues (if any) will be held in the special fund and used strictly for capital improvements for the fire department.
Currently the sales tax is 7.5 percent with 4.5 percent being the state's portion, two percent going to the city, one half of a percent dedicated to city street improvements and the other one half to economical development.
The 21,450 square feet fire station remodeling and renovation includes five newly constructed vehicle bays, remodeled living quarters, kitchen, game room and not one but three sliding poles for the firemen.
The largest cost involved in the proposed project is the cost involved with the construction of the vehicle bays, living quarters and remodeling the first floor. At 10,088 square feet it will cost over $700,000 to construct the five bays. Another $135,000 is earmarked for a vehicle exhaust system and almost $160,000 for exterior stabilization which, according to project architect Troy Lewis, includes costs associated with repairing the stucco, windows and adding a new roof.
TONKAWA - Several Ponca City area students are playing lead roles in the current Northern Oklahoma College fall musical "Grease." The production opened Nov. 7 and will play again Nov. 13, 14, and 15 at 8 p.m. A matinee performance will be at 2 p.m. today in the new Performing Arts Center on the NOC Campus.
The classic 1950s rock and roll musical by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey and is about a romance between a teen-age 'greaser-gang' leader and a naive high school girl.
Dana Nesselrode, Ponca City, shares the lead role of Sandy Dumbrowski with Christy Kelley of Tulsa. James Davis of Shidler has the starring role of Danny Zuko one of the "Burger Palace Boys."
Other Ponca City cast members include Trisha Challis as "Frenchy," the would be beautician, alternating with Leia Sigler of Perry; Carrie Cooley alternates with Sarah Fiscus of Blackwell as the compulsive overeater "Jan."
Appearing as wheeler-dealer "Sonny LaTierri" is Kevin Goldman. Clayton Keys plays Frenchy's Guardian "Teen Angel;" with Emily Martin and Erin Sylvester as part of the angel chorus.
Shara Long shares the role of cheerleader "Patty Simcox" with Rebecca Perry of Cleveland; and Kitty McNamara plays psuedo-sophisticated "Marty," alternating with Dru Heffington of Tulsa.
Tim Muniz is the guitar-playing "Doody" and Robert Nesselrode plays a rock and roll band leader. Vicki Poulson portrays "Miss Lynch," and old maid English teacher.
Mariann Priboy, director of musical theater, directs the play. Dineo Heilmann conducts the orchestra.
Tickets at the door are $5 for adults and $2 for students.
By KATHY ZEHR
News Staff Writer
Twenty-seven busses from four states are already scheduled to tour the Festival of Angels in Ponca City, said Missy Morland, Ponca City Tourism Director.
The reservations we have to date are scheduled from Dec. 2-20, says Morland and we have at least nine coaches staying overnight, which means more revenue for the local motels and restaurants.
Morland also said, "Some of the scheduled visitors are tourists returning for the second time to Ponca City. They came with tours in the summer or spring and wanted to come back to see the Festival of Angels lighting and to see the Marland Mansion in her elegant Holiday dress."
In addition to touring the "Festival of Angels" lighted exhibits, the coaches will take the visitors to visit the Poncan Theatre, the Christmas Tree Collage at the Ponca City Art Center, the Marland Mansion and Estate, Standing Bear Park, the Cultural Center, and Angel Central.
Coaches are scheduled from Texas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma and the schedules reflect that five groups will be here on Gala night, Dec. 6; five groups on Dec. 9; and three groups (totaling more than 150 people) will be here on Dec. 16. Other singles and smaller groups are scheduled on other dates.
Visitors to the Festival will be first greeted by the majestic 30-foot Angel Host at the Pioneer Woman Statue. Signs will lead the busses to Lake Ponca Park, where a drive-through area featuring a "Kids Delight," theme will sparkle and glitter before their eyes. Luminaries will be placed around the park where angels will fly through the clouds, ride the train, skate on the pond and help Santa deliver his packages.
Other outside lighted exhibits will include "Southern Hospitality" at the Ponca City Cultural Center, Tenth Street and East Grand Avenue. There, southern gentlemen and their ladies will be adding final touches to the tree, guests arrive in carriages loaded down with lighted gifts; and all will be serenaded by a group of sparkling lighted carolers. Lighted angels will also watch from the clouds.
Another main attraction on the Festival of Angels tour is "Fantasy Garden" at the Cann Garden Center, Fourteenth Street at East Grand Avenue. Many lighted flowers, a large butterfly, a sunbonnet girl watering her growing flowers, and a special angel offers a bouquet to the visitors.
Hundred of private homes and numerous theme neighborhoods, lighted businesses, and other attractions are also a part of the Festival of Angels tour.
More information is available at Angel Central, 413 North Fourteenth Street or the Ponca City Tourism office at 1-800-475-4400.
Ruth Loucks, award-winning local artist, has received a special invitation to be a guest artist at the 50 Penn Place Gallery in Oklahoma City for November and December.
Her painting will hang in the Gallery along with a special Miniatures Show already in progress.
Loucks has been invited, for the second year, to participate in the 27th Annual Bouquet of Art to be held on Nov. 22 at the Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club.
Sponsored by the Oklahoma members of the Delta Delta Delta Sorority, the Bouquet of Art project benefits the health and welfare of children and/or pediatric medical research.
Newkirk
Marriage Licenses
John Elvin Fisher Jr., 26, and Susan Delaine Warrior, 30, both of Arkansas City.
Joseph Edward Segura, 33, and Katherine Lynn Thomas, 37, both of Ponca City.
Richard Steven Rhynard, 18, and Janell Lea Hawkins, 18, both of Ponca City.
Leonard Ray Seward, 25, and Tiffany Shea Turner, 25, both of Ponca City.
Oscar Ruben Macias, 33, and Carrie Jean Gentry, 26, both of Arkansas City.
Ponca City
Divorces Sought
Ruth Arden Lyhane vs. Daniel Eugene Lyhane.
Randal B. Hand vs. Deanna Mae Hand.
Zackery J. Waddell vs. Kristin L. Waddell.
Angela L. Thiele vs. Glenn R. Thiele.
Civil Proceedings
Alice Payne and Phyllis Payne vs. Kenneth J. Moss; plaintiffs seeking judgment in excess of $10,000.
Phillip Johnston vs. Opal Beloney; plaintiff seeking judgment for $8,916.
Nicole Dunaway vs. Hidee Jo McCurtain, Wayne W. Livesay and Wayne L. Dickison; plaintiff seeking judgment in excess of $10,000.
Pioneer Bank and Trust vs. Marsha Mauk; plaintiff seeking judgment for $52,563.48.
Janice Knight vs. Thomas R. Webb; plaintiff seeking judgment in excess of $10,000.
Blackwell
Divorces Sought
Dary Lee Smith vs. Leona Carol Smith.
Tracy Tebow vs. Noel Tebow.
James Lee Gillespie vs. Kathy Jane Gillespie.
Civil Proceedings
Elizabeth Kling Looper vs. Randy Crow; plaintiff seeking judgment for $7,425.
By KRISTI HAYES
News Education Editor
An acclaimed French writer moving to Ponca City? It's true. Novelist Luc Baranger, Trelaze, France, plans to move not only to the United States, but to Ponca City early next year.
Baranger, his wife, Marie, and their daughter, Laura, will relocate here in hopes of fitting in the best way they can. Speaking with a slight French accent, Baranger said, "Everything is more expensive in France. We first thought we would move to New Mexico, but thanks to my pen pal, Jo Lucas, Ponca City, we decided to move here."
"Jo and I have been pen pals for over 18 years and we just had the chance to meet last week. Our passion for music kept us writing over those 18 years."
Baranger has visited Kaw Lake, Lake Ponca, Marland Mansion, Cultural Center, Standing Bear, and other tourist attractions. The most important thing according to Baranger was to go to Stillwater and get an Eskimo Joe's T-shirt for his daughter.
Baranger plans to take a certification test when he moves to the United States so that he will be able to teach French in the public schools. He hopes that some local school would benefit from a native Frenchman teaching French.
"The other thing I would like to do when I arrive is buy a Harley Davidson. I currently have a Japanese motorcycle, but I don't think I could live in the United States and not drive a Harley."
What does Baranger write in France? "I have been writing all my life, but I think it's important to live first before you begin to write. The novels I write are fiction books about rock-and-roll and country music. Gallinard of Paris publishes my books. Everyone knows that in France, they are the best publishing company around."
When asked about knowing someone famous, Baranger said that he has been friends with writer Jim Harrison for the last five years. "I think Americans know him best for writing the book, 'Legends of the Fall.'"
By PATTI PFEIFFER
News Staff Writer
Help may soon be on the way for railroad crossings throughout Ponca City. Monday night, during their regular scheduled commission meeting, the city commissioners will be considering a recommendation for railroad crossing improvements wherein the funding would be a joint effort between the City and the railroad.
The Traffic Commission is recommending that the city participate in a program with Burlington Northern/Santa Fe in which the city will pay for the materials and the railroad would pay to have them installed.
"We have received many calls about the condition of crossings in Ponca City and this program will be the most timely way to get improvements done," Mike Lane Traffic Engineer Manger wrote in a summary to the commissioners.
The location of the crossings are Hartford Avenue, Prospect Avenue, Union Street at Albany Avenue, Union Street at Brookfield Avenue, Waverly Street, Grand Avenue, Ash Street, Broadway Avenue, Cleveland Avenue, both the mainline and the spur at Brookfield and also at Albany Avenue, Emporia Avenue and Detroit Avenue.
Preliminary cost estimates for the installation of the concrete crossings is over $375,000 and the materials alone are estimated at over $177,000. Funding for the city's share of the costs would come from the street sales tax.
The recommendation is to start with Prospect Avenue and Grand Avenue. According to Lane's summary, Hartford Avenue has already been scheduled for permanent concrete repairs by the end of the year.
The Commissioners will also be considering two other recommendations from the Traffic Commission. One involves the installation of a 20 mph school zone at Waverly Street and Grand Avenue. Concerned parents prompted the Traffic Commission to unanimously approve the request for the school zone at their October meeting.
Flashing school speed limit signs will be used if commissioners approve the school zone. According to Lane the flashing lights provide better compliance because of their visibility.
Traffic commission is also asking the commissioners to approve an engineering agreement with Chapman, Gill and Associates for services required in preparing plans for the re-aligment and signalization at the intersection of Ash Street and Hartford Avenue.
According to the agenda item summary, proposals were sent to four consulting firms for submittals of qualifications, experience, their proposed approach to the job, expected time frame for completion of the plans, etc. and the firm of Chapman, Gill and Associates was chosen on their qualifications.
Representatives from ODOT and Evans and Associates will also be in attendance at the commission meeting to make a presentation regarding the status of the Fifth Street project.
The City Commission, as the Ponca City Utility Authority (PCUA), will be asked to approve $350,000 in repairs for the No. 2 steam unit at the Ponca City Municipal Steam Plant in order for the City to continue receiving over $600,000 in annual payments from OMPA.
Currently OMPA pays the City for it's reserve capacity the unit is designed to meet and if not made operable OMPA will discontinue their monthly payments. According to General Manager Electric Rusty Edwards the unit No. 2 boiler is unsafe to operate at this time and the overall condition of the boiler is "not good."
The PCUA will also be asked to award a contract to MediaDigital to facilitate a business and financial plan for the Electric Utility System. The cost would not exceed $6,000 without the authorization of the City Commission and Energy Advisory Board.
Ralph Markham and Kenneth Broadway, duo-pianists present more than 30 recitals each year, highlighted recently by European appearances in London, Berlin, Glasgow and Belfast in addition to New York, Los Angeles, St. Louis and Vancouver, closer to home.
Markham and Broadway will present their magnificent musical talent Nov. 16, at 2:30 p.m. at the Hutchins Memorial Auditorium for members of the Ponca City Community Concert Association.
In addition to local recitals, they appeared this season on tour with the Hungarian Festival Virtuosi in 60 performances of "Carnival of the Animals" in which they both played and narrated.
They have performed with the San Francisco Symphony, Vienna Chamber Orchestra, Yehudi Menuhin, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Atlanta Symphony, Vancouver Symphony and the Pacific Symphony Orchestra to name a few.
Ralph Markham was born in Vancouver, Canada, and Kenneth Broadway is a native of Cleveland, Ohio. The men met while students of Vronsky and Babin at the Cleveland Institute of Music and continued advanced studies in Europe with Rafael de Siva, teaching associate of Claudio Arrau. The artists now maintain homes for their pianos in Manhattan, Venice and Vancouver.
Markham and Broadway will present "Gershwin and Friends," a special salute featuring George Gershwin's three major influences - Bach, Debussy and Liszt. Other Gershwin works will include "Porgy and Bess," "An American in Paris," and two Gershwin Preludes.
Ponca City's rich heritage and history will come alive Wednesday in Ponca City as 14 characters from the city's colorful past appear in various locations in the area.
The educational event is sponsored by the Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce as a history refreshment course for the 1997 Leadership Ponca City Class. The day-long educational event will begin at 10:30 a.m. at Centennial Plaza, with B.S. Barns (Phil Bandy) acting as host for the tour. The public is encouraged to observe the event.
The Leadership Class will spend the day taking a bus trip to points of historical interest where actors portraying figures from the city's historical past will speak to the participants about his part in the building of Ponca City.
Project director, JoAnn Muchmore said, "The goal is to make history come to life. We want to show people that Ponca City has an interesting past filled with interesting people."
Project coordinator Sue Boettcher added, "Only by understanding our city's history can we appreciate all that we have."
Several of the characters will be at the Centennial Plaza at 10:30 a.m. to speak and other historical figures at various sites include and actor portraying Zack Miller (John Raley) who will talk about the 101 Ranch at Standing Bear Monument and E.W. Marland (Tom Cowley) who will give a personal tour at the Marland Mansion to the Leadership Class.
Other historical figures and actors who will portray them include Arthur Honneld (Matt Cowley), Barkeep (Larry Bittman), A Vaudeville Performer (Dave May), Nellie Cooper Atkins (Bayard Casey), Anna Robinson (Janelle Eichor), a Circuit Rider (Denny Hook), Ellen Burns (JoAnn Muchmore), Bill McFadden (Don Bishop), Lew Wentz (Steve Huston); and a British Fly Boy (Dave Guinn).
Colorful New T-shirts are now available at the Red Cross Donor Recruitment Center for blood donors, says Patsy Bray, donor recruitment representative.
"November is a time to reflect upon our blessings and that's just what we want to do," says Bray. "We want to thank our donors who have helped save the lives of so many over the years. All donors who give blood through the month of November will receive a free T-shirt - and the new one is very special.
"Hand prints exhibited across the front of the shirt represent the many children who have been helped by the generosity of those who give the gift of life," says Bray. Also emblazoned in colorful letters is the slogan "Give Blood for all the Little Reasons."
The American Red Cross Blood Center, 525 Monument, is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Thursdays from noon to 7 p.m., as well as the first Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. to noon. Donors are welcome to 'walk-in' or call 765-6605 for an appointment.
The Red Cross is the largest supplier of blood in the nation and will celebrate its 50th anniversary as a blood bank in 1998.
For more information about the many services of the Red Cross, call 765-6605 or stop by the Red Cross Center at 525 Monument.
Parade Inspirational
From the first color guard to the final 21-gun salute for POWs and MIAs, it was an exhilarating experience. Patriotism and community spirit are alive and well in Ponca City and north central Oklahoma as evidenced by Saturday's Veterans Day parade.
Blessed by mild autumn temperatures and mostly sunny skies, Saturday was the perfect day and Grand Avenue the perfect setting for the resurrection of the Veterans Day parade tradition.
Spearheaded by the efforts of Chuck Gregg, American Legion commander, the parade came off without any apparent hitches and was an inspiration to all who attended.
The wonderful mix of ages, organizations, modes of transportation and cultural frames of reference blended into an effective salute to those who have defended our country's freedom throughout the world and reaffirmed our commitment to keep those freedoms alive.
Thanks to all who fought and died for our country; thanks to all of those who fought and came back to us; thanks to all of those who stand ready to defend and protect.
Ponca City is proud of you and proud of those who participated in the parade Saturday to remind us of the freedoms we enjoy.
By KRISTI HAYES
News Education Editor
Several issues stemming from the recent passage of the $3.5 million bond election will be voted on Monday night at the Ponca City Board of Education regular meeting at the Administration Building.
The board will vote on the following:
- Discussion of bids to be received from the bond sale,
- Awarding the building bonds to the successful purchaser,
- A resolution authorizing the issuance of the $3.3 million general obligation building bonds,
- Awarding the transportation bonds to the successful purchasers,
- A resolution authorizing the issuance of the $200,000 general obligation transportation bonds, and
- A resolution designating the bonds as "qualified tax exempt obligations."
The final operating budget for the 1997-98 school year will be voted on. A public budget hearing was held on Oct. 13, 1997, and board members received copies of the budget at that time. The Estimate of Needs was approved by the board on Sept. 29, 1997, and by the County Excise Board on Oct. 9, 1997.
Canopy Project
The board will vote to accept the bid for the Fine Arts Canopy Project. Bids were received recently for the project to provide a covering for the canopy from the Howell Building to the Fine Arts Building at the high school. A pre-bid meeting was held Oct. 28, 1997, and six contractors attended.
This canopy project is part of the Howell building remodeling project, but is being separated out in order to provide the protection for the students at an earlier date. The design of the canopy was developed to continue the Math/Science/Business addition exterior design and tie-in the various campus buildings.
Troy Lewis, Lewis Associates Architects, will name the bid winner. The projected cost of the new canopy is $35,000.
Gifts to the District
Several gifts have been donated to the district.
- Kathleen Wimberly has donated $250 to the Teen-Pep Program.
- Pioneer Bank and Trust has donated $1,000 to Roosevelt Elementary as their PIE Partner.
- The Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics Foundation of Oklahoma City has donated $4,000 to the Ponca City Public Schools Discovery Program at the middle school.
- James M. Bailey has donated a Hewlett Packard Laser Jet Printer, IBM 5160, 2 IBM Monitors, IBM Keyboard and anti-glare screen for monitors. The total estimated value is $400.
- Peggy Krider has donated: Apple II E with two disk drives, an Apple Monitor and an Epson Printer. Total estimated value is $350.
- Jean and Stan Hoffmeyer have donated the following: Goldstar Monitor, laser keyboard and a Star Printer. Total estimated value is $350.
Employees of the Month
Linda Wilson, second grade teacher at Woodlands Elementary, will receive the Certified Award. LeeAnn Allyn, Title I Teacher Assistant at Liberty Elementary will receive the Support Award, and The Friends of Education chaired by Carl Renfro will receive the Friend of Education Award.
Reports to be heard Monday include discussion topics from Troy Lewis, architect; Dr. John Scroggins, curriculum and instruction; Steve Stalcup, finance committee; and Gary Bracken, board attorney; on the Special Education Legal Conference.
Keynote speaker for the St. Joseph Regional Medical Center volunteer recognition dinner to be held on Thursday is Jim Stovall. Stovall has been a national champion Olympic weight lifter, a successful investment broker and entrepreneur.
He is also co-founder and President of the Narrative Television Network (NTN), which makes movies and television accessible for the nation's 13 million blind and visually impaired people and their families. Although originally designed for the blind and visually impaired, over 60 percent of NTN's nationwide audience is made up of full-sighted people who simply enjoy the programming.
Stovall hosts the Network's talk show, "NTN Showcase." His guests have included Katharine Hepburn, Jack Lemmon, Carol Channing, Steve Allen and Eddie Albert, as well as many others. The Narrative Television Network has received an Emmy Award and an International Film and Video Award among its industry honors.
NTN has grown to include over 1,200 cable systems and broadcast stations, reaching over 35 million homes in the United States, and NTN is shown in 11 foreign countries.
Stovall joined the ranks of John F. Kennedy, Orson Welles, Walt Disney and Bill Clinton when he was selected as one of the "Ten Outstanding Young Americans" by the U.S. Junior Chamber of Commerce. He has appeared on "Good Morning America" and CNN, and has been featured in Reader's Digest, TV Guide and Time magazines. He is the author of two new books entitled "You Don't Have to be Blind to See" and "Success Secrets of Super Achievers." The President's Committee on Equal Opportunity selected Stovall as the 1997 Entrepreneur of the Year.
The theme of this year's SJRMC volunteer recognition dinner is "Thanks for Giving." Assisted by teen volunteers, hospital department supervisors will express their thanks to volunteers by serving them at the sit-down dinner. Volunteers include over 200 active and inactive volunteers who have contributed their time and abilities to serve their community hospital.
Conoco Pipe Line Co. will begin work this month on a $6 million project to replace a 53-mile segment of a petroleum products pipeline.
The segment being replaced runs from the Conoco refinery in Ponca City to the Cimarron River in Oklahoma City.
Work is expected to be completed by the end of the year and will increase the daily capacity of the line from 36,000 barrels to more than 40,000 barrels. Gasoline, diesel fuel and jet fuel are transported along the 89-mile pipeline.
Joe Rothbauer, transportation manager for the Mid-Continent business unit based in Ponca City, said the pipeline project is needed to meet increased demand in the Oklahoma City area market.
The project will cost about $6 million. Coated steel pipe will replace pipe installed in 1924.
By Mark Galvin
News Staff Writer
Maybe it required enough people to read the huge bill, but state lawmakers are beginning to join law enforcement officials across the state in seeking repeal of Oklahoma's new "truth-in-sentencing" criminal-justice reform law.
Many officials have criticized House Bill 1213 - which was the Truth-in-Sentencing proposal with the previously rejected Community Corrections Act tacked onto it - for its "decriminalization" of crimes such as drug possession, burglary, embezzlement and worse.
Yet the bill, promoted heavily by the Governor and sponsored by the Speaker of the House and the Senate President Pro Tempore, was one vote short of unanimous approval last May from the entire State Legislature.
While some lawmakers are still staunch defenders of the new law, the 389-page bill that was hastily assembled and voted upon in May hasn't held up so well under scrutiny.
In Southeastern Oklahoma
One of the earliest officials to research the new bill and speak out against it was Ponca City graduate Willard Driesel, who now is District Judge for the three southeasternmost counties in the state.
After Driesel's determination that the law needed repealing, he campaigned for support via letters-to-editors and phone calls, and State Rep. Randall Erwin last month became one of the first legislators to break ranks and join in the criticism.
In an interview with The McCurtain Gazette, Erwin said he reassessed his position on House Bill 1213 when his scheduled appearances to discuss certain issues with the public always turned instead to Truth-in-Sentencing and Community Corrections.
He was upset once he learned the implications of the bill and says he would have never voted for it, he said.
Driesel also told reporters he now understands why it was impossible to get a copy of the bill while it was being considered by the Legislature.
The judge actually is much more tolerant of the Truth-in-Sentencing portion of the new law than the Community Corrections portion, which dictates how many times offenders can commit the same offenses before they risk jail-time.
In an article distributed Friday by the State House News Service, Rep. Larry Ferguson of Cleveland, who is the House Republican Leader, said the new law's sentencing matrixes from the Community Corrections portion of the bill are "ridiculous."
Jail Sentences Eliminated
As of July 1, when the new law is scheduled to go into effect, judges no longer have the option of a jail sentence for many offenses, and only fines remain according to the amended statutes.
Ferguson said, "They touted this bill as a 'get-tough' measure against criminals.
"If anything, though, the state raised a white flag of surrender to the criminal element."
Also in a wire-service story Friday, a metro-area legislator announced he will file a measure soon to scrap the controversial "truth-in-sentencing" law.
"I think we should repeal it lock, stock and barrel and start all over again," said Rep. Leonard Sullivan, R-Oklahoma City. "Contrary to what we were told when the Legislature passed this bill, evidently it doesn't do what it's supposed to do."
The truth-in-sentencing legislation was intended to ensure that, upon conviction, criminals would have to serve the bulk of their sentences behind bars before they could even be considered for parole.
Instead, Sullivan noted, it appears that many criminals will not be sent to prison until they have been convicted numerous times of the same offense.
The new stand is a turnabout for Sullivan, who was one of 38 state representatives and senators, Democrats and Republicans alike, who signed on as co-authors of the legislation.
Once the principal bill passed the Legislature in April, a follow-up 34-page "trailer" bill which was passed in May was supposed to clarify the Act and correct its shortcomings.
However, Sullivan said, "Despite what the lawyers told us, I've heard nothing but complaints from sheriffs, judges and prosecutors ever since we passed truth-in-sentencing.
"Since the new law does not go into effect until July 1, 1998," he added, "let's just start over and rewrite the whole thing."
Repeal Could Be Difficult
Kay County Undersheriff Sid Cookerly in Newkirk says rewriting or repealing the bill will be complicated - unless Oklahomans get angry enough - because the issue lies much deeper with the state Department of Corrections.
Cookerly argues the DOC deliberately authored the new law, influenced the lawmakers to pass it and would like to keep it the way it now stands.
The law has left the DOC controlling the money, he said, while it transfers an estimated 60 percent of its former responsibility but none of its $300 million budget to the 77 individual counties.
The DOC announced earlier it planned to provide an estimated $11.5 million that would be divided among the 77 counties to fund new community corrections programs. Critics however say $11.5 million would be swallowed up by the larger metropolitan counties before much of it ever reached Kay-sized counties.
And Cookerly said individual counties will suddenly be responsible for prisoners' medical bills, educational expenses, and other costs now borne by the DOC.
The undersheriff also defended the lawmakers who voted almost unanimously last May for House Bill 1213 because, considering the bill's backing by all the top state leaders, voting against it would have meant "political suicide" for other members of the House or Senate.
"The bill was called 'Truth-in-Sentencing' and that's what the lawmakers voted for. It just happens though that the Truth-in-Sentencing Act as it was passed is an outright lie," he said.
Citizens can contact their representatives before the new legislative session starts next year. Area representatives include State Reps. Jim Reese and Jim Newport and State Sens. Paul Muegge and J. Berry Harrison.
By KRISTI HAYES
News Education Editor
Ponca City residents will go to the polls again on Feb. 10, 1998, for the annual election of Ponca City Board of Education members, local support levy, emergency levy, building fund levy and State Question 672.
The 1998 annual school election resolution is due no later than Nov. 14, 1997, to the Kay County Election Board. This resolution is calling for the annual election of two Board of Education seats, Ward No. 2, currently held by Mike Kruck, and Ward No. 4, currently held by Janet Goll.
Filing Period in December
The filing period for Board of Education candidates will open at 8 a.m., Dec. 1, 1997, and will close at 5 p.m., Dec. 3. All filings must be made at the Kay County Election Board in Newkirk.
Any contest of candidacy petition may be filed until 5 p.m., Dec. 5, 1997. The County Election board will conduct contest of candidacy hearings the following week.
The term of office of the newly elected board member shall commence on the first regular, special or emergency school board meeting after the date of the annual school election and after the member has been certified as elected by the County Election Board.
Annual School Millage Levies
As citizens may recall, Kay County levies increased last year due to the loss of personal property taxes. When Kay County residents voted to eliminate personal property taxes, it was to be revenue neutral for the school district; therefore, the levies have increased to off-set the loss of personal property tax.
School millages are distinct to each local school district. These millages are renewed each year by a vote of the patrons of each local district and make up a significant portion of the operating budget for local schools.
The levies for Kay County are 10.22 for local, 5.11 for emergency and 5.11 for building. Both Noble and Osage County have 10.00 local levies, 5.00 emergency levies and 5.00 building levies.
State Question 672
Gov. Frank Keating has also called a special election for State Question 672 to be on the same ballot with all of Oklahoma's annual school elections.
Question 672 is a measure that would legalize casino gambling in limited locations in Oklahoma.
The items that will be on this school election are distinct and separate issues that are not related in any way, and none of them will involve a tax increase.
The Governor has asked the school district to provide information to the public letting them know that local millages support local schools, and any vote on State Question 672 is separate and distinct from the votes on the mill levies.
Since the Governor has called this special election on the State Question, the state will pay most of the costs of this election. The school district will be responsible only for those expenses directly attributable to its own elections, primarily the cost of its ballots.
Dates and Times
The annual school election will be held at all regular voting places on Feb. 10, 1998, and the second election, if needed, on April 7, 1998, beginning at 7 a.m. and closing at 7 p.m.
Since the special state question election was announced, many Ponca City
school officials have been concerned about the possibility that mill levies
will fail on Feb. 10. They would like to remind all citizens that if the
levies fail, the law allows a special election to be called on the date
of the annual school runoff election with only 45 days notice.
DEATHS
WINFIELD, Kan. - J. Wayne Bourne, former Kay County resident, died Thursday, Nov. 5, 1997, at Via Christi/St. Francis Medical Center in Wichita, Kan. He was 72.
The funeral will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Nov. 10, at Miles Funeral Service in Winfield, Kan. Burial will be in the Wilmot, Kan., Cemetery. Friends may visit at the funeral home from noon to 9 p.m. today.
J. Wayne Bourne, was born Feb. 22, 1925, on a farm in Kay County, one of eight children born to Wiley and Mina (Evans) Bourne. He received his early education in Kay County, moving with his parents to Burden, Kan., in 1936. As a young man, Bourne was employed with Levin Lewis Trucking company in Burden, then served in the U.S. Army during World War II.
In 1945, he was married to Betty Powers in the Burden Community, where they established their home. Bourne was employed at both the Lewis and Parrish Chevrolet agencies in Burden. He moved to Winfield in 1965, where he was employed as a mechanic for D&D Farm Equipment.
He was married to Betty Lewis Tucker on Jan. 6, 1969, at Winfield First United Methodist Church. He retired from the equipment company in 1989, after 25 years of service. Bourne was a member of the Grandview United Methodist Church and affiliated with the Cherokee Camping Club. He enjoyed farming, tractors, machinery and spending time with his children and grandchildren.
Survivors include his wife, Betty, of the home; one son, Richard of Austin, Texas; two daughters, Carol Scott of Austin, Texas, and Jan Drennan of Winfield, Kan.; two step-daughters, Sheryl Clower of Winfield, Kan., and Dena Youle of Winfield, Kan.; six sisters, Audrey Graham of Sand Springs, Betty Rayan of Guthrie, Lula McMinn of Burden, Kan., Wanda Olmstead, Roseville, Calif., Alice Powell of Wrens, Ga., and Pat Gregory of Lake Havasu, Ariz.; eight grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. In addition to his first wife and his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Boyd Bourne.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Bourne's name to the Grandview United Methodist Church or to Hospice Inc., c/o Miles Funeral Service, 4001, East Ninth Street, Winfield, KS 67156.
Lorene Jane Miner, Ponca City resident, died early Friday, Nov. 7, 1997 at the St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. She was 73.
A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Monday in the Odd Fellows Cemetery with the Rev. Buddy Bolin, pastor, Asbury United Methodist Church, officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.
Lorene Miner was born Jan. 3, 1924 in Grainola, Okla., the daughter of George and Jo Adkinson. She received her education in the Ponca City schools and graduated from Ponca City High School. She went on to attend Northern Oklahoma College in Tonkawa and earned an associate degree in nursing.
Mrs. Miner worked as a nurse for the Ponca City hospital and for many years as a private duty nurse.
She was married to Tyler Epperson on April 7, 1943. She was later married to C.T. Hess in 1965 and then to Bill Miner on Oct. 2, 1992.
She was a member of the Asbury United Methodist Church and the American Legion Auxiliary, of which she had been president at one time.
Her hobbies were fishing, traveling and playing cards.
Surviving are her husband, Bill of the home; a daughter, Patricia Dobbs of Ponca City; a sister, Faylene Barker of Ponca City, five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents.
Friends may call at the funeral home until 1 p.m. Monday. The family will be at 736 North Palm.
BLACKWELL - Dana Lee Briggs, resident of Blackwell, died in the Hillcrest Manor Nursing Home Friday, Nov. 7, 1997 at 10:10 p.m. She was 68.
The funeral service will be Monday, Nov. 10, 1997 at 2 p.m. in Roberts Chapel, Blackwell with the Rev. Steve Reeves of the First Free Will Baptist Church, Blackwell, officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Olive Cemetery at Nardin, Okla., under direction of Roberts and Son Funeral Home, Blackwell.
Casket bearers will be Erik Waldie, Jack Bookout, Dereck Cassady, Richard Moses, Keven Criner and John Waycaster.
Dana Lee Briggs was born March 13, 1929 in Briartown, Okla., the daughter of Gilford and Bessie (Wheeler) Hiten. She grew up in Briartown, attending schools there until 1942 when she moved to Blackwell with her parents and finished her schooling.
She and Boyd Odell Briggs were married Dec. 27, 1945 in Wellington, Kan., and settled in Blackwell. She began working at the Hazel Atlas Glass Plant and worked there until the plant was destroyed in 1955. She later moved to Enid, where she resided until ill health forced her to retire and move into the Hillcrest Manor Nursing Home in August, 1997.
She was a member of the First Free Will Baptist Church and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary.
Surviving are her husband, Boyd O. Briggs of the Blackwell home; one daughter, Dianna Waldie of Enid; two sons, Jim and Dan Briggs, both of Blackwell; a sister, Betty Jo McCurry of Checotah; three brothers, A.K. Hiten of Alex, Okla., Larry Hiten of Langley, Okla. and Gary Hiten of Colorado Springs, Colo.; also six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Memorials may be made in Mrs. Briggs' memory to the First Free Will Baptist Church in Blackwell.
MEDFORD - James Elmer Sharp, brother of Nick Sharp of Ponca City, died Friday evening, Nov. 7, 1997. He was 69 and a resident of Medford.
Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 10, 1997, in the Hills-Ely Funeral Chapel in Medford, with the Rev. John Flemmons officiating. Burial will be at 3 p.m. in the Highland Cemetery at Pawnee, Okla. under direction of Hills-Ely Funeral Home, Medford.
James Elmer "Jim" Sharp was born July 11, 1928 in Pawnee, the son of James Leonard and Bessie Victoria Richardson Sharp. He attended school in Pawnee and later moved to Blackwell. On Aug. 5, 1961, he and Nancy Sue Leiblie were married in Blackwell. They moved to Medford in 1962 and Jim was a butcher for Warren's IGA and then went to work for Koch Hydrocarbon Plant, retiring in 1989, after 17 years with them.
Jim was baptized into the Lutheran faith as a young man. He enjoyed being outdoors, gardening, hunting, fishing and camping. He played the guitar and sang all of his life, but enjoyed most spending time with his family.
Surviving are his wife, Nancy Sue of the Medford home; one son, Danny James of Yukon; three daughters, Kathy Ann McCannon of Elk City, Brenda Sue Stamp of Butler, Pa., and Kimberley Kay Schuermann of Sand Springs; four brothers, Robert Sharp of El Paso, Texas, Cecil Sharp of Perkins, Nick Sharp of Ponca City and Jack Sharp of Stillwater; five sisters, Doris Nichols of Pawnee, Norma Rhoades of Midwest City, Leota Garner of Pawnee, Kaye Bullard of Stillwater and Kathryn Scott of Magnolia, Ark.; also 11 grandchildren, one great-grandchild and other relatives and friends.
The casket will be open at the funeral home from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. Sunday and 8 a.m. until 9:45 a.m. on Monday. The casket will not be opened after the service.
Memorials may be made to the Integris Medford Home Service with Hills-Ely
Funeral Home, P.O. Box 280, Medford, OK 73759-0280 serving as custodian.
NEWS BRIEFS
Support Group Will Meet - St. Joseph Regional Medical Center's Better Breathers Club will meet Tuesday at noon in Conference Room C. All interested parties are invited to attend, and lunch will be provided.
Christmas Bazaar - Members of the Kildare PTO are sponsoring a Country Christmas Bazaar 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Nov. 22 at the Kildare School gym, one mile east of the junction of highways 77 and 11 west. Booth reservations are available now through Nov. 15 at a cost of $20. For more information contact Carol Branson, 762-0705 or LeeAnn Smith, 765-1452. The public is invited to attend the event. A variety of crafts, gifts, baked goods and handmade items will be available for sale.
Ministers to Meet - The Ponca City Ministerial Alliance will meet Thursday at noon in Conference Room C, St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. Lunch will be Dutch treat, followed by a presentation by Janice Bell with the CASA program, according to the Rev. Leland Petersen, secretary-treasurer of the Alliance. All local ministers are invited to be present.
Veterans' Day Celebration - First Lutheran School will hold the Second Annual Veterans' Day Celebration Nov. 11. The festivities will start with a school assembly at 9:30 a.m. and continue until 3 p.m. A B-1 will also fly over the school at 10:25 a.m. The community is invited to attend.
Royal Neighbors to Meet - The Royal Neighbors of America will meet at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday at the Community Christian Church for a regular meeting. All members are urged to be present.
Meeting Rescheduled - A meeting of the Ponca Indians for Democracy has been rescheduled for Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Pioneer Motor Bank. The meeting had originally been set for Nov. 6.
Stolen Tag - A resident in the 3200 block of North Fourteenth Street reported to police at 10:44 a.m. Friday that their vehicle tag had been stolen.
Arrest - Police arrested a 22-year-old woman at 12:14 p.m. Friday from the 200 block of West Hartford Avenue for disorderly conduct.
Vehicle Hit - A woman in the 2600 block of Turner Street reported to police at 1:53 p.m. Friday that her car had been hit sometime during the day.
Hit and Run - Police received a report of a hit and run accident at Ponca City High School at 2:26 p.m. Friday involving a pedestrian. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Arrest - A 27-year-old man was arrested at 4:52 p.m. Friday from the 2100 block of North Fourteenth Street for driving under suspension, expired tag and no insurance.
Vandalism - At 4:57 p.m. Friday police received a report of a city vehicle that had been damaged while parked in the 500 block of East Grand Avenue. An officer was assigned and a destruction of city property report was taken.
Theft - A man in the 1000 block of Knight Blvd. reported the theft of his daughter's coat to police at 9:18 p.m. Friday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Bike Stolen - At 9:31 p.m. Friday a resident in the 300 block of North Pine Street reported that a bike had been stolen from their front porch. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Assault - An ambulance was called to the 300 block of South Oak Street at 11:10 p.m. Friday. However no one was transported to the hospital. A assault and battery report was taken.
Break-In - At 12:40 a.m. Saturday a resident in the 1000 block of South Fifth Street reported that their home had been broken into. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Arrest - Police arrested a 32-year-old at 1:05 a.m. Saturday from the 3200 block of North Fourteenth Street for driving under the influence.
Arrest - A 49-year-old man was arrested at 3:04 a.m. Saturday in the 200 block of South Third Street for actual physical control.
Honoring Veterans - The U.S.D.A. Farm Service Agency office in Newkirk will be closed Tuesday, in observance of the Veterans Day federal holiday, according to county executive director J.D. Elwood.
Veterans Invited - The American Legion will host a coffee and
doughnut get-together on Veterans Day, Tuesday, from 8 to 10 a.m. at the
Legion building on South Avenue. Special invitation is extended to members
of the Legion, Auxiliary, SAL, and all other veterans in the Ponca City
area.
LIFESTYLES
Cathy Keating, wife of the Governor of Oklahoma, will present a program entitled "Our Governors' Mansions" when members of Twentieth Century Club and their guests meet Nov. 14 at the Ponca City Country Club.
Mrs. Keating supervised a major, privately-funded restoration of the historic Governor's Mansion in Oklahoma City shortly after Governor Keating's inauguration. As a result of that effort, she worked with Harry N. Abrams of New York to develop and publish "Our Governors' Mansion", a photo and text tour of the executive residence of the state.
The book was published in 1997 with proceeds dedicated to Friends of the Mansion, Inc. In addition, she has been appointed to the National Trust for Historic Preservation Board of Advisors.
In her program, Mrs. Keating will be discussing not only the Oklahoma Governor's Mansion, but those of other states as well.
The 12:30 p.m. luncheon meeting will be conducted by Twentieth Century Club President, Mrs. A. P. Whipple. Greeters will be Mrs. Jack Bowker, Mrs. Graydon Brown, Mrs. Thomas Carter, Mrs. Bill Bridwell, Mrs. James Buttram and Mrs. Charles Casey.
Members should call Mrs. W. E. Kirkpatrick at 762-3818 or Mrs. Fred Taylor at 762-9321 for reservations for themselves and their guests.
Lawrence L. and Sue Fleck, 1013 Brentwood, announce the birth of a daughter at 3:57 p.m. Oct. 22, 1997 at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. The baby weighed 6-pounds, 15-ounces and was 19 1/2-inches long. She has been named Katherine Caroline Fleck. The baby has a brother, Joseph, 14-years-old, and a sister, Lauren, 7-years-old.
Maternal grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. James DeBord of Marietta and paternal grandparents are Dr. Joseph William and Nancy Caroline Fleck of East Wakefield, N. H.
Virginia May Seal is the name selected by Ricke and Elizabeth Seal, 3804 Tapp Road, for their daughter born at 1:17 a.m. Nov. 2, 1997 in Ponca City. The baby weighed 7-pounds, 11-ounces and was 20 1/2-inches long. She has two brothers, Christopher, 10, and Nicholas, 6, and one sister, Emily, 18-months-old.
David and Judith Kennedy of California are the maternal grandparents and paternal grandparents are Clyde Seal of Ponca City, Raymond and Jimmy Jacobson of Alva. Great-grandparents are Chuck and Vee Haas of Kansas and Dorsey and Imogene Young of Ponca City.
Announcing the birth of a son are Lori and Steve Randall of Tulsa. Jacob Craig Randall was born at 11:30 a.m. Oct. 27, 1997 at St. John's Hospital in Tulsa. He weighed 7-pounds, 7-ounces and was 20-inches long. His sister, Kylee Jordan, is 3-years-old.
John and Mary Stanley of Ponca City are the maternal grandparents and Richard and Elaine Randall of Perry and Orlan and Mildred Lemler of Hominy are the paternal grandparents. Great-grandparents are Clara Stanley, Erving and Henrietta Mengel, all of Fon du Lac, Wis.
1st Lt. and Mrs. Brian K. Cockriel, Okinawa, Japan, announce the birth of a son at 2:08 a.m. Oct. 1, 1997 in Japan. The 7-pound, 1-ounce baby measured 21 1/2-inches long and has been named Jacksen Knox Cockriel.
Gary and Joan Hallack of Ponca City are the maternal grandparents and Gene and Beverly Cockriel, also of Ponca City, are the paternal grandparents.
Oklahoma's 90th birthday will be celebrated Nov. 15 in Ponca City. Oklahoma was admitted to the union on Nov. 16, 1907.
Locally, a ceremony will begin at 1:30 p.m. at the Ponca City Cultural Center sponsored by the Friends of the Cultural Center Foundation, Inc. The pledge passed by the state legislature in 1982 will be given. For those who would like to join in repeating the pledge it is: "I salute the flag of the state of Oklahoma. Its symbols of peace unite all people."
The public is invited to the ceremony. Yona Wade of Tonkawa will sing a medley of Oklahoma songs. Boy Scout Troop 5, headed by Fred Spellman, scoutmaster, will present each of the 14 flags that have flown over Oklahoma and give a brief history of each flag. The flags have been mended by Doris Stanley, chairman of the event.
Following is a description of the flags according to research done by Dr. Muriel H. Wright, editor of the "Chronicles of Oklahoma:"
During the years since Columbus' discovery of America opened our country to conquest and settlement by Europeans, 14 flags have flown over Oklahoma. They are:
1. The Royal Standard of Spain. This flag, the first to fly over Oklahoma, was brought by Coronado in1541. It is a red and white flag with a castle and a lion. The castle represents Castile and the lion, Leon. These were the two royal houses from which Isabella, Queen of Spain, descended. She is the same queen who sponsored the first voyage of Columbus to the new world.
2. The next flag, flown in 1663, was the Great Union of Great Britain. King Charles II gave a large parcel of land to his friends; it was called Carolina, and extended from the Atlantic to the Pacific. The flag was blue and on it were the white cross of St. Andrew and the red cross of St. George, representing the union of Scotland and England.
3. The third flag to fly over Oklahoma was the Royal Standard of France. In 1682 LaSalle explored the Mississippi River and claimed all the land drained by this river for France. In 1719 Bernard de la Harpe came to Oklahoma and planted this flag on our soil. It is a white flag with golden fleur de lis, the emblem of the French Monarchy.
4. In 1763 a Spanish flag again flew over Oklahoma. At the "Treaty of Paris" France gave all the land west of the Mississippi River to Spain. The red and gold on this flag represent the Spanish navy while the castle and lion are on the gold stripe.
5. France again won control of Oklahoma during the Napoleonic era. Spain returned the Province of Louisiana to France and the flag that flew over Oklahoma was the red, white and blue flag of the French Republic. The colors are reversed from the one now used in France.
6. In 1803 the United States purchased the Louisiana Territory from France and for the first time the American flag flew over Oklahoma. This 1803 flag had fifteen stripes and fifteen stars, one stripe and one star for each state in the Union.
7. In April 1818 the flag was changed and from that time on our flag has had thirteen alternating red and white stripes for the thirteen original states and one star for each state. We follow the same law today, but now have 50 stars. In 1818 there were only twenty stars. Thirty states have been added since 1818.
8. From 1821 to 1836 the flag of Mexico flew over the Oklahoma Panhandle. This flag has three horizontal stripes, red, white and green, with the ancient Aztec emblem, an eagle with a serpent in its talons.
9. The flag of the Republic of Texas flew over the Oklahoma Panhandle from 1836 to 1839. This first Texas flag is azure blue with a five-pointed gold star in the center.
10. In 1839 Texas adopted a new flag. This one has a wide blue perpendicular stripe centered by a five-pointed white star near the pole with two horizontal stripes, red above and white below. This is the present state flag of Texas.
11. During the Civil War, 1861-1865, the Choctaw flag was carried by the Choctaw Confederate troops. It was a blue flag with the seal of the Choctaw Nation in the center. The Choctaw Nation was an independent government in southeastern Oklahoma until 1907 and was the only Indian Nation to use a flag of its own at any time.
12. The Confederate Battle Flag was adopted by the Confederacy during 1861-1865. It has a red field with St. Andrew's cross in blue on white and the blue showing thirteen white stars for the thirteen states that formed the Confederate Government.
13. The first Oklahoma flag, adopted by the State Legislature in 1911 shows a red field centered by a five-pointed star bordered with blue and the figures "46" in blue at the center because Oklahoma was the 46th state to be admitted to the Union.
14. The present Oklahoma State Flag was adopted by the Oklahoma State Legislature in 1925. It has a sky blue field with a central device of an Indian war shield of tan buckskin showing small crosses on the face (Indian designs for stars) with seven eagle feathers pendant from the edge of the shield. An Indian Calumet (peace pipe) with a tassel at the end of the pipestem lies across the shield with an olive branch above the peace pipe (a white man's emblem of peace). This flag was designed by Mrs. George Fluke who was a resident of Ponca City for many years and who won the contest for a new state flag.
The November luncheon of the Presbyterian Women will be Thursday at noon. The program will be presented by Bernice Baxter, chairman of Celebration Giving and Mission Interpretation.
Hostesses for the luncheon are members of the Lily Jackson Circle with Billie Wright and Ginny Cagley as chairpersons. Lorell Penoi will offer the blessing and the devotions will be given by Cecil Nanni. A Minute for Mission on Brazil will be given by Jo Garten.
The program presented by Mrs. Baxter is entitled "Faith and Giving Thanks" and will include the dedication of the Thank Offering given by local Presbyterian Women.
The Thank Offering is a continuing offering for mission causes by United Presbyterian Women (USA). This offering project was begun in 1888 and still continues today. Last year the Thank Offering amounted to more than a million dollars. Seventy-three projects received support from these funds. These included support for hospitals, child care, the elderly, and the needy. Programs to present violence and injustice also received money from the fund. "The Thank Offering gives Presbyterian women the opportunity to give thanks for God's many blessings to us and to help others with our donations," Mrs. Baxter pointed out.
Guests are always welcome at the luncheons. For reservation call Billie Wright, 765-7638 or Ginny Cagley at 765-5936. The cost for the luncheon is $2.
"Creating Holiday Traditions and Memories" is the theme for the First Baptist Women's Conference scheduled Nov. 15 at the church chapel.
Speakers for the event include Judi Boyer and Julie Dilbeck. Reservations for the conference must be made by Nov. 12. Conference cost is $15 and more information may be obtained by calling the church office, 765-4427.
Ms. Boyer serves as an Association Regional Director of East Asia with Campus Crusade for Christ, giving leadership to ministry teams, counseling and training fellow missionaries.
Mrs. Dilbeck holds a degree in nursing from Oklahoma Baptist University. She is the wife of Hance Dilbeck, pastor of First Baptist Church. The couple has three sons, D. H., age 9, Dax, age 7, and Leighton, age 5.
Vivian Davis, 1043 North Third, was the hostess when the Busy Bee Club met Nov. 5, Ms. Davis conducted the meeting and Louise Womack led the group in the salute to the flag and "The Lord's Prayer." Viola Haley read "Climb More Mountains" by Robert Hastings for the devotional.
Roll call was answered by five members with "something to share." Ms. Davis showed the group her "air" potatoes. Helen Hiskett read an informative article about "Diabetes" and Josephine Rice read an article on healing burns with whole milk. Louise Womack read some humorous riddles.
Ms. Hiskett gave the treasurer's report and told the group about articles collected for the Thanksgiving basket for the Mission. She also reported on taking nine sacks of material to the Child Development Center and two packages of plastic bags to the Caboose. Ms. Rice reported on taking magazines to the hospital and Shawn Manor Nursing Home where she visited family and friends.
Games were played with prizes going to Viola Haley and Josephine Rice. Louise Womack received the Mystery Bowl gift. The next meeting will be Nov. 19 with Ruby Harvey and the Dec. 17 meeting will be hosted by Ms. Haley. Roll call will pertain to Christmas.
Fibromyalgia Support Group will meet at 7 p.m. Nov. 17 at the Williamsburg Parlor of the First Baptist Church. Speaker will be Dr. Donald Potter from Potter Chiropractic. For more information about the group contact Vivian Cross, 765-8871, Martha Long, 765-5572, or Lilly Freeman, 762-9027.
Betty Hildreth will be featured speaker for the Women of Excellence Conference scheduled here Jan. 23 and 24, 1998.
Lynn and Betty Hildreth have actively pastored since January of 1974. Their ministry has included pioneering three churches and pastoring two more, and they presently reside in Longview, Texas.
Betty is considered a gifted speaker, speaking with simplicity and power. Her humor, knowledge and personality enable her to communicate with all kinds of people, and her pastoral experience gives her insight into the church and its people.
The public in invited to hear Betty at the Women of Excellence Conference scheduled here Jan. 23 and 24, 1998 at the Marland Mansion Conference Center.
For registration forms or more information, call Debra Lockwood at 762-9523 or E-mail her at w/ock@poncacity-net. Deadline for registration is Dec. 1, 1997 and space is limited - early registration is recommended.
The Singles Network is a social and support organization for single adults who are divorced, widowed or never married. A monthly calendar is mailed to all members and dues are $10 per year. Members wish to emphasize that the group is not a dating service. Interested persons may call Betty, 762-9776, or Dorothy, 765-1403, for more information.
Plans this week include:
Sunday, Nov. 9: 6:30 p.m., discussion group meets at First Presbyterian Church, Go for snacks after 8 p.m.
Tuesday, Nov. 11: 6 p.m., eat out at Mazzios.
Thursday, Nov. 13: 6:30 p.m. Hobo soup supper at the Pecan Place Clubhouse. Those attending should bring vegetables, pasta, etc. to add to the soup pot. Call Dorothy at 765-1403.
Friday, Nov. 14: Ponca Playhouse. Tickets should be purchased early for "Plaza Suite."
Saturday, Nov. 15: Country Music Show at Shidler. Call 765-1403 by Nov. 10 for reservations.
Serious illness or the death of a co-worker can shock a workplace; and when a death occurs, managers and employees alike often need help dealing with the loss. During November, National Hospice Month, Melody Lahann, Director of Hospice of Ponca City, urges managers to learn about the bereavement services it provides.
Grief is painful, and at times can seem unbearable. It is a combination of emotions that come and go, sometimes without warning. Because grief is so painful, some people try to "get over" a loss by denying the pain. Studies show that when people don't deal with the emotions of grief, the pain does not go away. It remains with them, and can turn up in unrecognizable and sometimes destructive ways. Understanding the emotions of grief and its feelings and symptoms are important steps in healing and in helping others who may be grieving.
Managers can facilitate their employees' grief process when a loved one or co-worker dies by taking such steps as:
* Attending the funeral or memorial service
* Creating a memorial board
* Creating a book of memories
* Conducting a workplace-only event
Hospice of Ponca City, like the 2,800 hospice programs across the country, can help with the feelings and symptoms of grief through its bereavement services. Short-term counseling, support groups, telephone follow-up, monthly newsletters, and educational materials are among the many tools used to assist in the grieving process. These services are provided by members of the hospice interdisciplinary team which includes social workers, counselors, spiritual care providers, nurses, and volunteers. Hospice of Ponca City has brochures available to help managers with what to say, what to expect, and what to do for a grieving employee. For more information on the bereavement services provided by Hospice of Ponca City, call 762-9102.
Members of the Alpha Gamma Mother's Club met Oct. 27 at the home of Pat Koehler. Carol O'Rear led the group in the Collect and Aims. Roll call response was each member naming her idea of the "scariest" Halloween character.
Jean Hess, Chaplain, read a devotional from "Daily Guideposts." Mrs. O'Rear read the minutes and the treasurer's report was given by Ms. Koehler. Plans were finalized for the club's craft fair and a discussion was held on the upcoming state officer's Christmas party which will be Dec. 8 at 6:30 p.m. at the Conoco Fourth Street Clubhouse. Each local member will bring two silent auction items.
Karen Yost won the Friendship basket and the program for the evening was making Christmas Tree angels for state officer gifts. The next meeting will be Nov. 10 at the home of Mary Spears.
The Santa Fe, N. M. garden of retired New Mexico Supreme Court Justice John T. Watson was the setting for the Oct. 4 nuptials of Karoline Hanson and Robert Edward Collins. The double ring vows were solemnized by Judge Thomas Donnely of the New Mexico Court of Appeals.
Parents of the bride are Mirth Hanson of Santa Fe and Dr. Peter and Mary Hanson of Madison, Wis. Collins is the son of Carolyn and Roger Smith of Ponca City and Robert V. Collins of Prairie Village, Kan.
Attendants were Theresa Tombers of Milwaukee, Wis. and Jennifer Terry of New York City, N. Y. Recorded music by Willie Nelson was played and the bridal couple purchased new shoes for their wedding.
Following a wedding trip to Bisbee, Ariz. the pair will make their home in San Francisco's historic Mission district. The couple tours the world with various bands. The bride is a 1988 graduate of Madison West High School in Madison, Wis. and has attended Milwaukee Area Technical College. She is employed by Vanarky, Inc. The bridegroom was employed at radio station KLOR before graduating from Ponca City High School in 1990. He has attended Oklahoma State University.
Wendy L. Mabry and Michael R. Owings were married recently at the Little Chapel of the Flowers in Las Vegas, Nev. The double ring vows were officiated by the Rev. David E. Lee and recorded music included traditional selections. Chapel decorations included Boston Ferns and arrangements of silk Magnolia blooms, lilies and cornflowers.
The bride is the daughter of Harold and Rita Brown of Newkirk and the late Betty J. Brown. The bridegroom is the son of Jim and Barbara Owings of Morrison. The newlywed couple has five children, Clifton, Kiesha, Caleb, Brandon and Cady.
For her wedding the bride selected an ivory brocade suit with fitted bodice, scalloped neckline and short, belled sleeves. The tea length straight skirt was complemented by a peplum in back. She carried a long-stemmed red Sweetheart rose accented with baby's breath, greenery and dark red ribbon streamers tied in love knots.
The pair resides at 215 South Ash. The bride is a charge nurse for the American Red Cross, Central Plains Region, Ponca City Donor Center. The bridegroom is the owner of Mr. Mike's Transmission.
Mr. and Mrs. Fred A. Birkett have established a home in Belton, Mo. following their recent marriage and a cruise to the Caribbean. The bride is an occupational therapist and the bridegroom is employed as an electrician.
Birkett and the former Melissa S. Myers were married at the Whitney Mountain Chapel in Garfield, Ark. with the Rev. Kenneth Duncan officiating. Musical selections included "I Cross My Heart," "It's Your Love" and "I Swear."
The bride is the daughter of Betty A. Myers, 133 Victory and the late Tex Myers. The bridegroom is the son of Leona Birkett of Peculiar, Mo. and David Birkett of Chicago, Ill.
For her wedding the bride selected a full length sleeveless gown of ivory bridal satin designed with a straight skirt and scalloped vee-neckline. The bodice was enhanced with beaded brocade lace. She carried a cascade of Rubrum lilies, stargazers and white roses accented with fern and ivory ribbon.
Ladonna Munday, Maid of Honor, wore an eggplant-colored dress of bridal satin styled with Empire waist marked in back with satin roses. The short-sleeved bodice featured a scooped neckline. She carried a hand-tied bouquet of Rubrum lilies and white roses. Haley Simpson was flower girl. Serving as Best Man was Matt Ferrari. Assisting with the reception were nieces of the bride, Monica Eckler and Terra Burns.
Bobbi Golay of Perry has just returned from a three-day weekend at Disney World in Orlando, Fla. While there she performed at the Circle of Life Theater located at Epcot Center, playing gospel and country tunes on her fiddle. While there Bobbie was recognized as "One of the Very Best in Youth" by Nestlé. Miss Golay was the only youth chosen from the state of Oklahoma for this honor.
The 12-year-old is the daughter of Ronny and Michelle Golay of Perry and has numerous relatives in Ponca City and the area. She began playing the fiddle at age 10 and has appeared at various events including "Fiddle Bobbi Golay Show" on the Enid cable channel; "The Lord's Opry," The Kickin' Kountry show, Pawnee Bill's Wild West pre-show, a year on KOKC Radio Morning Country Jamboree and numerous fairs and arts and crafts festivals.
She was selected from a pool of 400 finalists for outstanding academic achievement, citizenship and community service. Her picture and biography is included in the "Nestlé Very Best in Youth Book" with 29 other winners.
Miss Golay also received letters and autographed pictures from United States President Bill Clinton, Oklahoma Governor Frank Keating and a letter from Senator Istook.
The 284-year-old fiddle used by Bobbi has been handed down through generations of Golay men until Bobbi started playing it. Her first music cassette was released in 1996.
Announcement has been made of the engagement of Traci Lyn Bixler and Joe Bayne Kreger. The couple plans a Dec. 20 wedding at the First Baptist Church in Woodward. Miss Bixler currently teaches high school English in Tonkawa and Kreger is pursuing a master of business administration degree at Oklahoma State University.
Parents of the couple are Lee and Lyndia Bixler of Woodward and Joe and Patricia Kreger of Tonkawa. The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Dean and Marvel Bixler of Waynoka, Mrs. Agness Bray of Tonkawa and the late Lonnie Bray. The prospective bridegroom is the grandson of Mrs. Gladys Kreger-Scott of Tonkawa, Mrs. Pauline Johnson of Russellville, Ark., the late Dr. Glenn Kreger of Tonkawa and the late Lloyd Johnson.
Miss Bixler is a 1993 graduate of Woodward High School and a 1997 graduate of OSU where she was a member of Pi Beta Phi, Mortar Board National Honorary and was executive director for OSU Homecoming.
Kreger is a 1990 graduate of Tonkawa High School and a 1994 graduate of OSU. He is affiliated with FarmHouse fraternity and served as national vice president of Jr. Beefmaster Breeders Association. Currently he is a member of Beefmasters Breeders United and has served on Breed Improvement and Executive Sales committees.
MIDWEST CITY - The United Scottish Clans of Oklahoma will hold a benefit concert Nov. 14 from 7:30-10 p.m. at the Hardeman Auditorium on the campus of Oklahoma Christian University, 2501 E. Memorial Road, Oklahoma City.
Red McWilliams will headline the event. Recently, McWilliams was honored with the "Celtic Entertainer of the Year" by the Celtic Heritage Society of East Texas.
Other entertainers include Zoe Alexander, singer/songwriter of new and traditional Scottish folk music and author of Rhyme and Reason, a book of original poems, songs and stories.
Also entertaining will be Oklahoma's Red Lion Pipe Band, St. Gregory's Irish Dancers, the Heartland Highland Dancers, Banish Misfortune, and other local performers such as Roger Graham, Jill Justice, Scott Rankin and Bob Kinniburgh.
Advance tickets are $10 and can be purchased from Canterbury British Imports, 3421 N. Classen Blvd. (528-7125); Celtic Connection, 49th and N. Western (843-1180); and all AAA Oklahoma locations in Edmond, Del City and Oklahoma City.
All proceeds from the concert will help defer the costs of the 1998 Scottish Heritage Festival to be held Saturday, March 21, at Joe B. Barnes Regional Park in Midwest City. For concert and festival information, please call 737-3330.
Volunteers are needed to deliver meals to the home bound participating in the Wheatheart Nutrition Project. For more information call 767-1620. Wheatheart Nutrition Menus for this week are as follows:
Monday, Nov. 10: Spaghetti and meat sauce; buttered broccoli/cauliflower; cinnamon apples; garlic bread with butter; sugar cookie.
Tuesday, Nov. 11: Holiday
Wednesday, Nov. 12: Goldwater beans; mixed fruit with citrus; crackers with butter; applesauce cake.
Thursday, Nov. 13: Hamburger patty with BBQ sauce; red gelatin with mixed fruit; orange juice; baked beans; bun with butter; Ranger cookie.
Friday, Nov. 14: Sliced turkey; mashed potatoes with cream gravy; buttered peas; whole wheat roll with butter; Tropical fruit mix.
SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
LADY WILDCAT pitcher Julie Schiltz has been selected to the All-State Softball team by the state girls' softball coaches. Schiltz had a 15-5 record en route to setting a new record for career wins for the Ponca City team. See story Page 3B (News Photo by Michael Kennedy)
By FRED HILTON
News Sports Editor
It was a frustrating loss to put a frustrating end to a frustrating season for Ponca City's Wildcats.
Friday night's 28-23 loss to 2-8 Shawnee left Ponca City with a 3-7 record, 1-6 in District 6A-5. Only a 24-23 win over Tulsa Washington four weeks ago kept the Cats out of the district cellar.
The Wildcats had their most productive offensive game of the season, accumulating 464 yards in total offense while Shawnee had 259.
There were some outstanding individual performances by the Cats. Quarterback Eric Michael had a career night completing 11-of-24 passes for 241 yards and a touchdown and he also ran for a touchdown. Tailback Joe Roland ran for 117 yards on 19 carries. Wide receiver Wes Swygert had three catches for 99 yards and a touchdown.
But it all came up short as Shawnee got more big plays while the Cats had more turnovers and more crippling penalties.
The one thing the coaches and players all said prior to the game was the Cats couldn't afford to let Shawnee "hang around" and make the game close.
What the Cats did do is spot Shawnee a 14-0 lead and never quite caught up.
Ponca City fumbled a pitch out on the second play of the game, but the Poncans blocked a Shawnee field goal try to dodge one bullet.
But when the Wildcats came up short on a fourth-and-one play at their own 19, the Wolves were successful on their second shot, a 19-yard pass from quarterback Dennis Jones to wide out Greg Simons.
Then on the fifth play of the second quarter, Shawnee's G.W. Hawkins returned a punt 40 yards for a second TD.
That got the attention of the Wildcats, who drove to a first down at the Shawnee 8 behind the "won't-go-down" runs of Roland. But the drive bogged down there and Ponca City settled for Jared Sindelar's 35-yard field goal.
Shawnee answered quickly - as they were to do for the rest of the game - with a 55-yard TD run by Brandon Bolen on the first play from scrimmage following the kickoff.
The game turned into a shootout when, one play later, Michael connected with tight end Ryan Treadway on a 58-yard pass play that carried to the Shawnee 11. Tailback Toby Redleaf scored on the next play to close the gap to 21-10 with 6:53 left in the first half.
Shawnee threatened again midway through the third period, returning an interception to the Wildcat 13. But the Po-Hi defense came through and the Wolves missed on 28-yard field goal tried.
Ponca City made Shawnee pay for the miss. On the second play from scrimmage, Roland broke loose for 28 yards to the Shawnee 43.
On the next play, Michael faded right, shook off a Shawnee defender's grab of his face mask, found a lane down the sideline and sped 43 yards to bring the Poncans to within 21-17.
But that only started the shootout up again.
On Shawnee's first play from scrimmage Jones and Simon teamed again on a 64-yard touchdown pass.
But the Poncans also needed just one play to score again as Michael threw long to Swygert,
The tall Wildcat receiver wrestled the ball out of a defender's grasp at the Shawnee 40, put moves on two more Wolves and strolled into the end zone to complete the 80-yard play.
The Wildcats missed the extra point try but were again within striking distance, 28-23, with 3:16 left in the third quarter.
But it was not to be.
The Wildcat got to midfield early in the fourth quarter but fumbled on a reverse with Shawnee recovering.
With time running out, Michael got loose on a fourth-down scramble and raced 45 yards to the Shawnee 35. But the Cats were called for clipping and the ball brought back to a point where the Cats faced a fourth-and-one at their own 30. The fourth-down pass fell incomplete and the Cats gave the ball over with 1:33 remaining.
But Shawnee couldn't quite run out the clock and gave the ball back with six seconds remaining at midfield.
Michael's final pass was caught by Wes Murrie at the Shawnee 23, but he was quickly surrounded by Shawnee defenders and brought down there.
Shawnee 28, Ponca City 23
Shawnee 7 14 7 0 - 28
Ponca City 0 10 13 0 - 23
Scoring
Shawnee - Simon, 19 pass fron Jones; Thomas kick
Shawnee - Hawkins, 40 punt return; Thomas kick
Ponca - Sindelar, 35 field goal
Shawnee - Bolin, 45 run; Thomas kick
Ponca - Redleaf, 11 run; Sindelar kick
Ponca - Michael, 43 run; indelar kick
Shawnee - Simon, 64 pass from Jones; Thomas kick
Ponca - Swygert, 80 paa from Michael; kick failed
Statistics
Ponca Shawnee
First Downs 16 8
Rushing, yards 45-226 33-144
Passing yards 241 115
Comp-attempts 11-24-1 6-16-0
Punts-Avg 5-33 4-34
Fumbles-lost 2-2 0
Penalties-yards 4-50 2-25
Individual Statistics
Rushing
Ponca - Roland 19-117, Michael 7-62, Harrison 4-22, Shores 9-14, Redleaf 5-19, Dewberry 1-(-8). Shawnee - Bolen 18-114, Shaw 3-17, Gallina 2-14, Simon 1-9, Spain 3-5, Jones 6- (-15)
Passing
Ponca - Michael 11-24-1 241, Shawnee - Jones 6-16-0 115
Receiving
Ponca - Swygert 9-99, Treadway 3-78, Murrie 2-33, Shores 2-26, Lewis 1-5
RED ROCK - Frontier's basketball teams continued their early runs of victories Friday by beating Lomega.
The Mustangs withstood an early challenge to take a 70-57 decision while the Lady Mustangs had to rally in the second half to nab a 70-61 win.
The Frontier boys led 39-30 at halftime, but started to pull away in the third quarter, outscoring the visitors 13-7.
Allen Plumley and Jess Regnier paced the Mustangs with 16 points apiece. Zack Clouse had 13 and Dee Buxton finished with 10.
Boydd Romero added 4 points while Martin Sanders had 3, Justin Petty 2 and Charlie Sanders 2.
The Lady Mustangs trailed 42-38 at halftime but found the range in the third period to forge a 53-53 tie and then outscored Lomega 17-8 down the stretch.
Carolee Bible poured in 21 points while Denise Lake had 19 and Stephanie Romero 16.
Elizabeth Sober had 6 points, Sarah Jake 3, Jennifer Miller 2 and Kaley Dunham 2.
The NOC Mavericks overcame a slow start, poor shooting and an eight point deficit in the second half to prevail over the Ranger Junior College Rangers of Ranger, Texas, 73-62, at the New Mexico Juco Classic Friday.
The Mavs went the first seven minutes without a score, and when they did start, it was intermittant at best, hitting just 4-of-17 three pointers and 20-of-43 from the field.
But the Mavs hit when they needed to down the stretch, creeping back slowly, then opening it up in the final three minutes for the win. Head coach Mick Weiberg - while not happy with his team's offensive anemia - was sympathetic.
"We were playing on the road in an empty arena at four in the afternoon," he says, "these guys need to learn that sometimes you just have to play for yourself."
The Mavericks' two biggest offensive threats, Marlon Towns and Zack Cazzelle both had off nights. Towns, who was averaging 19.5 points over two games, shot just 3-for-11 for nine points in Friday's matchup. Cazzelle, who had hit 8-of-11 three-pointers coming in, was 0-for-4 on the perimeter.
Fortunately, the Mavericks have a team full of players ready and willing to step up. Joe Patmon, who had yet to assert himself in either of the Mavs' first two games, went 7-of-13 for 16 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, seven offensive. Patmon was the spark, says Weiberg, that kept the team alive in the early going.
"Joe gave us the opportunity to stay in. He was really the only one getting buckets early on. He had a great game for us."
Deshawn Denson also stepped up to lead the Mavs with 17 points, and Weiberg praised the clutch three point shooting of Jared Weiberg and Josh Regnier. "They hit when we were down, when we needed them the most."
And despite all the offensive woes, Weiberg liked his team's defense, the biggest reason the Mavs were able to pull out the win. "They weren't scoring a lot on us, without our D we could have been down by 15, or more, at half. Defense is the only way you can win when your shooting is off. I thought we showed a lot of heart to stay in there."
The Mavericks are now 3-0 on the season and played in the final game of the Juco tournament Saturday afternoon, taking on the New Mexico Military Acadamy.
The NOC Lady Mavericks dropped their first game of the season Friday, losing 78-48 to the highly talented and perennial top 10 Howard College Hawks of Big Spring, Texas in the Lady Texan Tournament in Levelland, Texas.
The Lady Mavs were down by a reasonable 13 at half, but the Hawks went on a five minute run in the second to take a 20 point lead that blew the game out. Credit the loss to the obvious advantage of superior talent, head coach Greg Krause says.
"They're an outstanding team, better than last year. They put big pressure on us and we didn't handle it well."
Krause says his team did play tough defense - holding the Hawks to under 80 points - but they didn't shoot well and had 43 turnovers.
"We have to handle the ball better," Krause says. "We have to get shots off instead of getting turnovers. And we have to use these games to get better."
Cathy Rogers led the Lady Mavs point count with 12, followed by Michelle Brown, Brandi McClellan and Jessica Garner with six apiece. Shannon Hands and Mandy Perkins each had five.
The Lady Mavs finished the Lady Texan Tournament Saturday, playing Panola College.
OKLAHOMA CITY - Lady Wildcat pitcher Julie Schiltz became Ponca City's first All-Stater of the school year when she was selected to the All-State softball team.
Another Lad