From The Pages Of The Ponca City News, Tuesday, November
11, 1997
LOCAL
Salute to Veterans
Sale of Cemetery Draws Objections
Social Security Could Provide Big Protection for Your Family
Wal-Mart Invites Blood Donors
Traffic Items Get Quick Action From City Commission Monday
School Board Sets Election Date
'Seeds of Change' Exhibit On Display at City Library
Editorial
Letters
DEATHS
Doris Elizabeth Martin
Services Pending
Lawrence Bryant
Funerals
Alvie Bray
Cecil K. Jordan
NEWS BRIEFS
BUSINESS
Bank Goes From First to Home With Sign Changes Next Week
Economic Development Board Elects Officers
NationsBank Honored Again
BOK Financial Earnings Up
Smithsonian Institution Names Conoco Executive to Board
Workforce Motivation Topic for Executives
New Location For Peter Pan 2
Where Are They Now? Former PC News Reporter Named to Media Who's Who
Notes and Quotes
LIFESTYLES
Little News
Oklahoma DAR Presents Flag for Women's Memorial
SPORTS
Weary Mavericks Win Again
Wrestlers Get Taste of Success
The Nation pauses today on Veterans Day to honor its brave citizens who have served in uniform throughout the world to fight oppression and protect the American way of life. Photos of Saturday's Veterans Day parade are featured on page 10. (News Photo by Michael Kennedy)
By MARK GALVIN
News Staff Writer
NEWKIRK - Ponca City area citizens and business people tried several ways Monday to persuade the Kay County commissioners to reject the sale of the 100-year-old Odd Fellows cemetery to an out-of-state corporation.
The commissioners held their first public hearing on the matter since the lodge's seven-member cemetery board in July formally accepted a purchase offer from The Loewen Group, an international corporation that buys and operates funeral homes and cemeteries.
Monday's hearing marked the first time IOOF lodge representatives and Loewen spokesmen have been present when opponents of the sale addressed the board.
Dane and Nancy Pryse, owners of the monument company adjacent to the cemetery, were among those expressing worries that the sale is not in the best interest of the community.
Nancy Pryse told the board, "There's a move afoot by large corporations trying to monopolize every bit of this industry - the flower shops, funeral homes, casket companies and cemeteries.
"And at what cost to our community are they going to do this?"
Citing examples of higher prices at Loewen-owned cemeteries, she said, "You're going to see people refusing to use these cemeteries because they can't afford them."
Loewen attorney Marty Ludlum of Norman responded that it's unrealistic to expect the cemetery to become unaffordable.
"If we're not priced competitively, we're going to get run out of business. A cemetery is a business - we have to compete," he said.
Loewen is "not looking to make a quick dollar and leave town, or to take advantage of anybody," Ludlum said.
"Over the next 100 years, we expect to make money back, since a cemetery is a long-range business, but you can only charge what the market will allow," he said.
Hospice social worker Susan Jackson disagreed, telling the board that during times of grief and bereavement, "it's very easy to exploit people at that time."
Jackson said since Loewen "is a for-profit corporation, it is beholden to their stockholders and not to the citizens of Kay County."
Dane Pryse also criticized the tendency for large corporations to buy or be bought out by other corporations.
"I just hate to hear about the county owning a cemetery," he told the board.
County commissioner Wayne Leven told the crowd the board's approval is limited in its scope.
"The only thing the commission can do is determine if the sale will result in substantial change," Leven told the crowd.
Assistant district attorney Chuck Bloeser, who represents the county for district attorney John Maddox, said the county commissioners will have to determine if the purchase by the Loewen Group would substantially alter or modify the cemetery's method or plan of operation.
At its discretion, the board is required by law to issue an order approving or disapproving the purchase. If the purchase is disapproved, the proposed buyer has another 60-day review process to undergo.
Bloeser said the cemetery statute was written "to protect the health and safety of the community and to protect the fiscal integrity of the county taxpayers."
The Loewen Group would purchase only the undeveloped land now owned by the Odd Fellows Lodge and would not affect cemetery lots previously purchased by individuals or families, whether or not the lots are currently empty.
The board continued the hearing until 9 a.m. next Monday at the courthouse.
By Ron Janzen
SSA Field Office Manager
Social Security is commonly thought of as a retirement plan, and it's true that it serves as a basis for your retirement income. But once you become a parent, an even more important aspect of your Social Security protection kicks in: that is, its family protection features.
In fact, the value of the protection Social Security provides your family may far outstrip the value of your retirement protection alone. For example, the Social Security benefits typically replace about 45 percent of the pre-retirement earnings of the average wage earner. But the maximum benefit payable to a family may be as high as 180 percent of the worker's benefit, substantially boosting the earnings replacement rate.
Thus it is vitally important that you are aware of this protection and how to get the most out of it. This means knowing who is covered by your Social Security protection, how to protect your insured status and earnings record over your working life, and how to obtain and use Social Security information in planning family financial security.
Social Security benefits are paid to your minor children when you retire, die or if you become disabled before retirement. Benefits are also payable to your disabled children of any age if they were disabled before age 22.
As a parent of a child receiving benefits on the earnings of a retired, disabled or deceased spouse, you may receive a benefit until the child is age 16. A little known benefit is also payable to you if you are dependent on your children for more than half of your support when they die (or to your parents in such a situation.)
Benefits may also be payable to your grandchildren under certain conditions. Note that a step-child can receive Social Security benefits on a step-parent for at least one-half of his or her financial support. This dependency requirement is the result of a law enacted on March 29, 1996. The new law also requires that the step-child's benefits end if the step-parent becomes divorced from the child's parent after June 30, 1996. The child's benefits terminate in the month following the month the divorce becomes final.
Knowing how much work you need under Social Security for benefits is important. For example, young parents (age 24) need only one and one-half years of work under Social Security for children to get benefits. The most you need to qualify for any Social Security benefit is 10 years.
You should know that you can get Social Security numbers for your children at birth at the hospital where they are born. You need Social Security numbers for your dependents listed on your federal income tax return.
The important thing to remember as a parent is that your Social Security is the program that assures a continuing income to your family if you retire, become disabled or die. That's why you need to stay on top of it.
Wal-Mart employees have invited Ponca City residents to take a break from shopping to help local patients by donating blood with the Oklahoma Blood Institute, Ponca City Center Wednesday. Donors can give blood from noon-6 p.m. at the front of the store in Wal-Mart. All donors will receive a free T-shirt.
Every three seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. By hosting four blood drives each year, Wal-Mart helps the Blood Institute maintain an adequate blood supply for Ponca City patients throughout the year. The Wednesday drive is especially important, because of the increased need for blood during the holiday season.
"We are grateful to Wal-Mart for their outstanding support of the community blood supply, especially as the Thanksgiving holiday approaches," said OBI Ponca City Center Manger Pixie Rowland. "We encourage everyone to take time out this holiday season to donate blood."
"I encourage area residents to join our employees in donating blood to help local patients," said Wal-Mart manager, Gary Gregg. "When you donate blood, you truly give the gift of life to a patient in need."
In addition to help patients, all OBI donors will receive free checks on blood pressure, temperature, iron and cholesterol levels. Written cholesterol test results are mailed within two weeks of the donation. OBI also offers prostate-specific antigen blood testing for men at a fee of $15 for donors and $20 for those unable to donate.
The Oklahoma Blood Institute is a regional, not-for-profit blood center serving more than 65 hospitals across Oklahoma. OBI Ponca City Center currently supplies all blood products for patients at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, St. Joseph Cancer Center of Northern Oklahoma and the Outpatient Surgery Center in Ponca City.
For more information, contact Gary Gregg at Wal-Mart 762-0395 or the Oklahoma Blood Institute, Ponca City Center at 762-9488.
By Patti Pfeiffer
News Staff Writer
City Commissioners approved all three of the Traffic Commissions recommendations during Monday night's city commission meeting. What that means for Ponca City is new railroad crossings, a new school zone and preliminary steps taken towards the signalization and realignment of North Ash Street.
The commissioners approved city participation 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.
Grand, Prospect Top of List
The recommendation is to start with Prospect Avenue and Grand Avenue. According to Lane, Hartford Avenue has already been scheduled for permanent concrete repairs by the end of the year.
The commissioners also approved the installation of a 20 mph school zone at Waverly Street and West Grand Avenue. Concerned parents had 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 because, according to Lane, the flashing lights provide better compliance because of their visibility.
An engineering agreement with Chapman, Gill and Associates for services required in preparing plans for the realignment and signalization at the intersection of North Ash Street and West Hartford Avenue was approved by the commission.
Representatives from ODOT and Evans and Associates were in attendance and reported that the Fifth Street project is on schedule with 82 calendar days left on the contract. However, according to ODOT Division IV Resident Engineer Casey Shell, that number is subject to change due to the weather or contract changes.
"This project is progressing well and as planned and when finished will be one which the City of Ponca City can be proud of."
Fifth Street should be open to local traffic around Christmas "with any luck at all," Shell added.
The City Commission, as the Ponca City Utility Authority (PCUA), approved the expenditure of over $350,000 in order to repair the No. 2 steam unit at the Ponca City Municipal Steam Plant. Approving the expenditure will guarantee that the city will continue receiving over $600,000 in annual capacity payments form OMPA.
Currently OMPA pays the City for it's reserve capacity the unit is designed to meet and if the repairs had not been approved, OMPA would have discontinued their $50,000 monthly payments to the city. According to General Manager Electric Rusty Edwards the unit No. 2 boiler is currently unsafe to operate and the overall condition of the boiler is "not good."
The PCUA awarded a contract to MediaDigital to facilitate a business and financial plan for the Electric Utility System. The cost will not exceed $6,000 without the authorization of the City Commission and Energy Advisory Board.
By KRISTI HAYES
News Education Editor
Unanimous approval was given Monday night at the regular Ponca City Board of Education meeting to set Feb. 10, 1998, as the date that Ponca City residents will go to the polls to elect new Board of Education members, and to vote on the local support levy, emergency levy, building fund levy and State Question 672.
Residents will vote on 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.
The filing period for 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.
Annual School Millage Levies
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.
Kay County's levies are 10.22 for local, 5.11 for emergency and 5.11 for building. 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.
State Question 672
Gov. Frank Keating has also called a special election on Feb. 10, 1998, for State Question 672. It is a measure that would legalize casino gambling in limited locations in Oklahoma.
The two items on the upcoming election are two distinct and separate issues that are not related in any way, and neither will involve a tax increase.
Canopy Project
The board tabled the bids for the Fine Arts canopy project. Five bids were received for the project to provide a covering for the canopy from the Howell Building to the Fine Arts Building at the high school. The lowest bid was received from Didlake, Ponca City, in the amount of $71,834.
The board voted to table this item until bids are received on Dec. 4 for the Howell/Commons renovations. They feel that by tabling this item, they can decide on their investment strategy.
Bond Sale Issues
Issues were approved stemming from the passage of the $3.5 million bond election. They were:
- Awarding the building bonds in the amount of $3.3 million to Pioneer Bank and Bank of Oklahoma.
- Awarding the transportation bonds in the amount of $200,000 to Banc First, Oklahoma City.
- Designating bonds as "Qualified Tax Exempt Obligations."
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, two 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.
The gifts listed above were approved by the board.
Employees of the Month
Linda Wilson, second grade teacher at Woodlands Elementary, received the Certified Award. LeeAnn Allyn, Title I Teacher Assistant at Liberty Elementary received the Support Award, and The Friends of Education chaired by Carl Renfro received the Friend of Education Award. Also present with Renfro at the meeting were Keni Ray and Sue Boettcher, Board of Directors on the Great Expectations Foundation.
The board adjourned at 9:20 p.m. and set the next regular board meeting for Dec. 8.
"Seeds of Change" poster exhibit is currently on display at the Ponca City Library through Nov. 21. The exhibit may be found in two locations on the main floor.
The exhibit studies the history of seeds and vegetation and the impact they have made on the world during a 500 year period in American History - from Columbus' discovery to present.
The interesting exhibit - based on "Seeds of Change," a quincentenary exhibit developed by the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution - is made possible through the Xerox Corporation, Conoco Inc., and the Ponca City Arts and Humanities Council.
Tomatoes, cacao, potatoes, pepper, rubber and corn are just a sampling of the cornucopia of New World crops exported to countries around the world.
Corn and potatoes, now two of the world's staple foods originated in the Americas more than 500 years ago. At that time, corn flourished in a wide area from Chile to southern Canada and hundreds of varieties of potatoes were cultivated.
Since Columbus' discovery of the New World and as a result of exportation of new seeds around the world, more potatoes and corn are grown in the world today than wheat or rice, and those two items have revolutionized the world nutrition and food supplies.
The starches and sugars from these two seeds alone also contribute to thousands of products from soft drinks to paints. Fuel ethanol and starch-based plastics are among the newest uses for these two versatile renewable resources.
Many other avenues of native plants, seeds and natural resources are explored in the exhibit.
Veterans Fought for Freedom
Off we go, into the wild blue yonder
From the Halls of Montezuma
Over hill Over dale
Anchors aweigh
Throughout the world, throughout the history of our nation, our military men and women have gone wherever needed and done whatever has been asked to keep our nation - and other freedom-seeking nations - free from the shackles of tyranny and oppression.
Few gladly give their lives to defend our nation, but thousands have willingly stepped up, placed themselves in harm's way and accepted the role that history places on those who will fight for what is right.
Many have died to defend this nation. Many more have lived to return home, put their weapons away and go on with the everyday life that we all cherish.
Each year, on special days, we trot out our patriotism - Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day and Veterans Day - to say we are proud to be Americans and we are proud of those who have helped keep us free.
War is not a good thing. No one should cherish war. But fighting for principle is important. We must never lose sight of the fact that freedom sometimes comes at a high price. No matter how much we would like to settle everything peacefully, sometimes lives are lost to maintain our way of life.
No words can truly express the debt we owe to our veterans of all wars. We can only say Thank You, and hope they understand our heartfelt appreciation.
Red Cross Says Thanks
Please allow me to express my heartfelt thanks to the citizens of Ponca City for their continued support of the American Red Cross Blood Services. The support comes from several avenues: from the companies, churches and groups who sponsor Red Cross Mobile Blood Drives and from the individuals who take time out of their busy schedules to stop by our Red Cross center and donate.
Regardless of why or where they give, we thank them, as do the patients whose lives they save everyday. The generosity of this group of people is amazing - they give of themselves faithfully every two months and never ask for anything in return. It is generosity demonstrated in its purest form.
I would also like to reassure the citizens of Ponca City that, despite the fact that St. Joseph's Medical Center no longer utilizes the blood services of the American Red Cross, we will continue to host blood drives in Ponca City and our Red Cross center there will continue to welcome donors with open arms.
We are well aware that much of the Ponca City population must seek medical care and surgical care at Stillwater Medical Center and other area hospitals which are served by the American Red Cross. We have a commitment to continue meeting the needs of these patients and are confident the citizens of Ponca City will support us in that effort, as they have done so willingly in the past.
Again, many congratulations to our dedicated blood donors in Ponca City. We look forward to seeing each of you. With your support, the American Red Cross will continue serving our communities and saving lives, as we have for nearly 50 years.
Julie Wenger
Communications Manager
American Red Cross
Blood Services
New Weather Program
For years, Oklahoma has been on the cutting edge of meteorological pursuits. The National Weather Service Severe Storms Laboratory at the University of Oklahoma continues to set the standard for weather forecasting excellence. Thanks to a new cooperative effort, the wealth of information gained by Oklahoma's weather experts is being made available to those officials charged with protecting the public safety. I'm talking about a program called OK-FIRST.
Oklahoma's First-response Information Resource System using Telecommunications is designed to place critical weather information in the hands of local emergency managers and law enforcement. The information is made available by computer links with the Oklahoma Climatological Survey, through the OneNet System.
OK-FIRST provides up-to-the-minute weather data from a combination of 14 NEXRAD Doppler radar located in and around the state, the Oklahoma Mesonet made up of 114 automated weather observing stations, and important details from the latest computer forecast models of the atmosphere Not only can the system provide important weather information, but it can also track and speed responses to impending range fires and hazardous material spills which affect lives and property. This technology being made available to Oklahoma emergency managers is second-to-none worldwide.
The University of Oklahoma is offering workshops to public safety officials interested in becoming a part of this new emergency response system. I would encourage any municipality interested in the program to contact the University of Oklahoma for detailed information and workshop schedules.
Paul Muegge
State Senator
District 20
Mayor Not Happy?
I heard the interview Mayor Andrews gave on KLOR on Nov. 6 regarding the decision not to move city offices to the Commercial Federal building and am confused by her tirade.
Are the "outside forces" and individuals "not in decision making positions" who "think they know better than those in decision making positions" the taxpayers of Ponca City who would be paying for her decisions?
She stated she was "not a happy mayor" because these forces interfered in the City government process. Well, mayor, I don't believe the taxpayers of Ponca City, your constituents, have the responsibility to make you a "happy mayor" - rather it is your responsibility to listen to your constituents, the people who foot the bill for what you want, and act accordingly.
Maybe our mayor needs to rethink her position and decide whether this kind of arrogance in government is good for Ponca City!
BURBANK - Doris Elizabeth Martin, Burbank resident, died Monday morning, Nov. 10, 1997, at Fairfax Manor Nursing Home. She was 77.
The funeral will be held at the Burbank First Baptist Church at 2 p.m. Wednesday with the Rev. James W. Clare, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in the Burbank Cemetery under the direction of Hunsaker-Wooten Funeral Home, Fairfax.
Doris Elizabeth Martin was born March 21, 1920, in Camden, N.J., the daughter of Clarence Wesley and Hannah Remick Townsend Crossley. She graduated from Collingswood, (N.J.) High School and served two years in the U.S. Womens Army Corps (WACS).
She was married to James Curtis Martin on Nov. 27, 1943, in Pine Camp, N.Y., and the couple moved to Burbank, Okla., after she completed her military service. Mrs. Martin earned a LPN Degree from Blackwell General Hospital and worked in Blackwell, Hominy and Fairfax. After 32 years of nursing, Mrs. Martin retired in 1993. She was active in Eastern Star and the Burbank American Legion and was a member of the First Methodist Church of Hominy. She enjoyed reading, crocheting, knitting and gardening - especially raising roses.
Survivors include two sons, James William Martin Sr. and Robert Wesley Martin, both of Burbank; one daughter, Marguerite Frances "Peggy" Collard of Blackburn; one brother, C. Wesley Crossley of Collingswood, N.J.; two sisters, Kathryn Dunlop of Palmesta, Fla., and Frances "Banse" Jackson of Essex Junction, Vt.; 10 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; nine step-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1966; her parents; and one brother, Edward Townsley Crossley.
BLACKWELL - Lawrence Bryant, Blackwell resident, died Monday evening, Nov. 10, 1997, in Blackwell Regional Hospital. He was 72. Arrangements are pending with Hackler Funeral Home, Blackwell.
Wednesday
Alvie Bray - Funeral to be at 10:30 a.m. at the Blackwell Church of Christ. Burial to be in Blackwell Cemetery under the direction of Hackler Funeral Home, Blackwell.
Thursday
Cecil K. Jordan - Funeral to be graveside at Memorial Park Cemetery
in Enid at 2 p.m. Arrangements are under the direction of Brown Funeral
Home, Perry.
NEWS BRIEFS
Marine Completes Basic - Marine Pvt. Joseph D. Schiltz, son of Joseph M. and Jennifer L. Schiltz of Ponca City, recently completed basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego. He successfully completed 12 weeks of training designed to challenge new Marine recruits both physically and mentally, and ended the training phase with The Crucible, a 54-hour team effort, problem solving evolution which culminated with an emotional ceremony in which the recruits were presented the Marine Corps Emblem, and were addressed as "Marines" for the first time.
Navy Airman Completes Cruise - Navy Airman Rickey L. Ryan, son of Jack R. and Louise Ryan of Ponca City, has completed a six-month deployment to the Mediterranean Sea aboard the aircraft carrier USS John R. Kennedy, participating in several multi-national exercises, including Invitex and Dynamic Mix. He had the opportunity to visit several ports of call including Bahrain, France, Greece, Israel, Republic of Slovenia and Spain, and was able to participate in various outreach projects in these host communities. Ryan is a 1993 graduate of Ponca City High School and a 1996 graduate of Northern Oklahoma College. He joined the Navy in July 1996.
Burglary - Police received a report of a burglary at 7:43 a.m. Monday from Ponca Iron and Metal, 105 West Brookfield. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Vandalism - A woman in the 2700 block of North Fifth Street reported to police at 10:04 a.m. Monday that the tires of her daughter's car had been slashed. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Vandalism - At 10:31 a.m. Monday an employee of Motor City, 401 West Grand Avenue, reported that someone had "keyed" some vehicles. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Vandalism - An employee of Honey Bee Floral, 516 East Hartford Avenue, reported to police at 11:21 a.m. Monday that a vehicle had been vandalized. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Theft - A man in the 400 block of South Twelfth Street reported a missing electric meter to police at 11:24 a.m. Monday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Arrest - Police arrested a 25-year-old man at 12:19 p.m. Monday on a city warrant for failure to appear.
Accident - Police received a report of a non-injury accident at 2:56 p.m. Monday in the 1100 block of East Prospect Avenue. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Vehicle Fire - At 4:16 p.m. Monday a van was reported on fire in the 1600 block of North Union Street. Engine 3 responded and extinguished the fire.
Accident - A two vehicle accident was reported at 4:23 p.m. Monday in the 400 block of South Fourteenth Street. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Arrest - Police arrested a 20-year-old man at 4:51 p.m. Monday in Blackwell on a city warrant for failure to obey.
Arrest - A 39-year-old man was arrested at 5:39 p.m. Monday from the 600 block of North Osage Street for driving under restriction, expired tag, expired inspection and no insurance.
Injury Accident - An ambulance responded to an injury accident on U.S. 60 at 6:03 p.m. Monday. One person was taken to St. Joseph Regional Medical Center.
Receives Air Force Commission - Chad A. Steffey has been commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force after having graduated from Officer Training School (OTS) at Maxwell Air Force Base, Montgomery, Ala. The new lieutenant is a band officer and conductor and will be assigned to the Air Force Heartland of America Band at Offutt AFB, Omaha, Neb. He is the son of Gene and Susan Steffey of Arlington, Texas, and the grandson of Oran D. Steffey of Ponca City. His wife, Linda, is the daughter of William J. and Regina Moody of Columbia, S.C. The lieutenant graduated from Ponca City High School in 1987 and received a bachelor's degree in 1991 from Southern Methodist University in Dallas. He earned his master's degree in 1993 from Florida State University, Tallahassee.
Airman Graduates - Air Force Airman William R. Wood has graduated
from the security apprentice course at the Air Force Security Police Academy,
Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. He learned about operations
security systems, tactics and weapons use, and received instruction in procedures
and tactics in the threat spectrum of terrorism and antiterrorism, resources
protection, response force operations, and aerospace systems security. Wood
is the son of Army Major Bill C. Wood of Route 5, Ponca City, and Sue Hand
of 1714 East Ash in Enid. He is a 1996 graduate of Pioneer Vocational-Technical
School in Ponca City.
BUSINESS
In an effort to keep its name in the forefront of the area banking industry, First National Bank will go from "First to Home" next Monday.
David Mills, president and chief executive officer of First National Bank and Trust Co. announced today that on Nov. 17 the bank's name will change to Home National Bank and the bank will open a full service banking facility at 1350 West Doolin in Blackwell.
Mills said, "We do not expect our new name, Home National Bank, will change anytime hereafter."
Mills commented that there were several reasons for the name change but emphasized there will be no other changes except the new services provided in Blackwell.
Mills emphasized that the only change customers and the community will notice will be the name.
He said, the bank has not been sold and the bank's directors, officers and employees will remain the same although employment by the bank is expected to increase.
He said decision making and relationship's with customers will remain the same. Customers can use their existing checks, deposit slips and loan payment tickets and all direct deposits and authorized withdrawals will continue.
"Home National Bank will be devoted to the communities it serves, Ponca City, Stillwater and Blackwell, with no further expansion currently under consideration, " Mills said.
"We expect to change our signage on Nov. 15 and 16," Mills stated. "The main bank in downtown Ponca City is undergoing extensive interior redecorating which will be completed in November."
Mills invited the public to stop in the Bank to view the improvements.
The 94-year-old national bank was Farmers National Bank for its first 30 years and First National Bank & Trust Company for the last 64 years. Assets of the bank exceed $215 million with capital in excess of $19.5 million.
By PATTI PFEIFFER
News Staff Writer
The Economic Development Advisory Board readied itself for action as officers were elected and committee chairpersons were appointed during the Board's regular scheduled meeting early this morning.
Elected as the board's chairperson was Linda Brown. George Paczkowski was elected vice-chairperson and L.J. Chaufty will serve as treasurer.
"I think of this job as being glue that holds everything together," Brown said as she was elected. "There is a lot of experience of this board and I am pleased to be a part of it."
During a work session in October, the board established work committees for the purpose, according to board executive director Jan Jarrett, of establishing "who we are, what we are, where we are and where we want to go."
The following board members were appointed as chairperson to those newly established working committees:
Linda Brown - Set Policy & Operating Structure Committee
L.J. Chaufty - Incentives Committee
Larry Atteberry - Funding Committee
Bill Rodgers - Marketing Committee
David Mills - Regional Activities Committee
Carl Renfro - New Industry Committee
George Ferguson and George Paczkowski - Existing Industry Committee
Tim Burg - Communications Committee
The board is seeking citizens to serve on those committees because as board member Tim Burg said "the best way to communicate what we are doing is to get people in the community involved. We have great players in our community."
Linda Brown agreed with Burg, saying, "At the work session we determined our focus would be to create an advisory board that utilizes citizen participation. As we make our recommendations to the city commission we want those recommendations to reflect what the citizens want for their community."
Anyone interested in serving on one of the committees should contact the Chamber of Commerce at 765-4400.
NationsBank has been named the National Minority Supplier Development Council's (NMSDC) Corporation of the Year for a second consecutive year. NationsBank President Ken Lewis accepted the award recently in New York on behalf of the bank.
NationsBank is the first financial institution to receive the NMSDC distinction. The award is regarded as the most significant honor for companies who conduct business with minority suppliers.
Since 1990 , the NationsBank Minority Business Development group has led corporate efforts to increase minority and women owned business bidding for procurement and professional service contracts awarded by NationsBank. In 1996, the bank conducted business with more than 1,100 minority and women owned business totaling $69 million.
TULSA - BOK Financial Corp. has announced that earning for the third quarter, were $16.4 million, or 67 cents per share. This is up from $13 million during the same quarter last year, a 24.4 percent increase on a per share basis.
Year-to-date earnings are $47.8 million, or $1.95 per share, compared with $39.6 million, or $1.64 per share, for the same period last year - an increase of 19 percent per share. All per share data are fully diluted.
The board of directors also approved a dividend of three percent on the common stock of BOKF, with new shares to be issued shareholders of record as of Nov. 17. Issuance date of the new shares is expected to be Nov. 26.
BOKF is the parent company of Bank of Oklahoma, N.A.; Bank of Arkansas, N.A.; First National bank of Park Cities, Dallas; and First Texas Bank, Dallas.
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Smithsonian Secretary I. Michael Heyman has announced that Houston resident Archie W. Dunham has been appointed by the Smithsonian Board of Regents to the Smithsonian National Board for a three-year term.
Dunham is president and CEO of Conoco. He is also executive vice president of DuPont. Dunham has served on numerous corporate board and energy industry associations, as well as, on cultural boards in Houston and Delaware. Dunham received a bachelor of science degree and a master of business administration degree from the University of Oklahoma and has also attended management programs at Harvard and Stanford.
National Board Chair Jean Mahoney said, "I am exceptionally pleased to welcome Archie to the Smithsonian National Board. His expertise will be invaluable as we meet the challenges of a new century, and strive to maintain the excellence to research and programming for which the Smithsonian is known worldwide."
The Smithsonian National Board has 51 members and meets semi-annually in an advisory capacity to help shape the future of the Smithsonian Institution - the world's largest museum and research complex.
The institution was established in 1846 by the English scientist James Smithson for the "increase and diffusion of knowledge" and currently receives over 23 million visitors per year to its museums on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., and 10 million hits per month on its World Wide Web site.
Workforce Motivation - Part II, will be presented by Jan Jarrett, Ponca City Chamber of Commerce executive, at the noon Wednesday meeting of the Employer Advisory Council.
The event will be held at Crown and Rose Restaurant, 731 North Fourteenth. The lunch buffet will begin at 11:30 a.m., and the meeting will follow at noon.
Peter Pan Two Cleaners has moved to the corner of Fifth and Hartford, from 1800 North Fifth, announces owners Baloo and Maribeth Subramaniam.
The Subramaniams have three dry cleaner locations. The main cleaners is in a recently constructed site at 1504 East Prospect. Another location is at 216 West Grand.
The main cleaners is open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, and on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Grand and Hartford location hours are Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Lew Ferguson, former reporter for The News, was recently included in Who's Who in the Media and Communications. Ferguson is the senior Associated Press statehouse correspondent.
A native of rural Ponca City, Ferguson graduated from Ponca City High School in 1952. He recalls that he earned his first dollar as a professional reporter at The News in the fall of 1950, staffing the Ponca City/Chilocco football game with Bob Dellinger, then the sports editor was on vacation.
Ferguson also worked summers at The News in a variety of news positions during high school and while attending the University of Oklahoma, then returned as sports and wire editor following Army duty and graduate work at OU.
He was at The News for 28 months, February 1958 until June 1960 when he joined The AP in Oklahoma City. Ferguson was hired by Gareth Muchmore, editor.
Ferguson moved with AP from Oklahoma City to Sioux Falls, S.D., in the fall of 1960, then to Minneapolis in 1962. He covered major league sports for AP for nine years and was Big Eight sports editor in Kansas City in 1968-1970 before becoming correspondent in charge of the AP bureau in Topeka in 1970. He has covered the World Series, Super Bowl, nine national political conventions, 27 sessions of the Kansas Legislature and 15 election cycles in Kansas.
In October, Ferguson received the OU Journalism School's Distinguished Alumnus Award. Ferguson was a personal friend of two Kansas historical icons, Alf Landon, the 1936 Republican presidential nominee, and Dr. Karl Menninger, the father of American psychiatry, and served as a pallbearer at both their funerals.
Ferguson's wife, Sue Thomson Ferguson, is also a Ponca City native, who taught school in Midwest City, Oklahoma City, Ponca City, Minneapolis and Topeka before retiring in 1995. The couple reside in Topeka.
The Fergusons' daughter is an internist in Manhattan Beach, Calif., and their son Dr. John M. Ferguson, is an organic chemist who teaches at he University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond.
Ellison to Appear Here
Scott Ellison, one of the most versatile blues guitarists of today, will be performing in Ponca City at Play It Again Sports on Dec. 6. He has played with many blues greats including Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, Corey Stevens, Buddy Guy and others.
His brand new Fishead Records release "Steamin" will be available for the first time at the show. Catch him as he performs the title track "Big Blue Car," "Cadillac Woman," and "Jesus Loves Me."
Attends Convention
James A. Smith, broker/owner with RE/MAX of Ponca City recently attended the Tenth Annual RE/MAX Mid-States Fall Convention at Shangri-La Afton, Okla.
Nearly 350 sales associates, broker/owners and guests attended the convention, which featured notable speakers: Brian Biro & James Ray; real estate experts Howard Brinton, Dave Beson, Craig Proctor RE/MAX's No. 1 agent worldwide.
EPA Hotline
DALLAS - The Environmental Production Agency's office in Dallas has expanded its public information services to include a toll-free hotline. The hotline has been established to serve the public's growing interest in up-to-date and accurate information about the environment.
Weekdays between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., an EPA representative will refer callers to the correct agency and person. After hours and on weekends and holidays, callers may leave a message to receive a reply during hotline hours The number is 1-800-887-6063.
Janes Honored
Kathy Janes, owner-operator of Temporary Personnel Inc., was honored as the outstanding business owner at the "Salute to Women of Achievement" banquet in Enid Friday.
Janes began Temporary Personnel Inc. at her kitchen table in April 1989 and the growth of the business has been such that she opened her first branch office in Ponca City in August 1996. She now has 11 employees in the two offices. Ponca City's branch is at 1722 North Fourth, Suite E.
She was one of 10 women honored in 10 categories out of a field of 78
nominees.
LIFESTYLES
Marcie and Byron Corwin of Edmond announce the birth of a son, Logan Patrick Corwin, at 8:26 a.m. Oct. 9, 1997 at Deaconess Hospital in Oklahoma City. He weighed 7-pounds, 4-ounces and measured 20-inches long.
Maternal grandparents are Carolyn and Ken Yeargin of Ponca City and Larry Schneeberger of Marland. Paternal grandparents are James H. and Mary Kay Corwin of Bethany.
Great-grandparents are Ira and Alma Schneeberger of Ponca City, Sara O'Neill of El Reno, and the late Al O'Neill, the late Don and Clara Corwin and the late Corbett and Etta Mae Smith.
On Oct. 9, in a patriotic ceremony at the new Women in Military Service to America Memorial at Arlington Cemetery, Mrs. John W. Sterling, Oklahoma State Regent of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), was honored to bring forward the Oklahoma State Flag for presentation.
Mrs. Sterling, along with other state regents and officers, presented the Flag of the United States of America and flags from the 50 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. territories, to Memorial Foundation President Wilma L. Vaught, Brigadier General, U.S. Air Force (Retired).
The flags will be displayed in the Memorial Hall of Honor, an area of the memorial that recognizes those women who have served with particular sacrifice and achievement. Honored will be those women who died in service, were prisoners of war or were recipients of this country's highest awards for service and bravery.
The Women in Military Service to America Memorial is the nation's first major memorial to pay tribute to the more than 1.8 million women who have served in the various branches of the U. S. armed services since the American Revolution.
In addition to the Hall of Honor, the Memorial will feature an upper terrace with views of Arlington National Cemetery and the monuments of Washington. Located on the terrace is an arc of large glass panels etched with quotations from servicewomen. At the lower terrace in front of the semi-circular wall are the reflecting pool and Court of Valor.
The Education Center, in which the Hall of Honor is located, also houses a theater and computer register of servicewomen. Visitors using the database may access photos, military histories and information about more than 150,000 registered women.
"The DAR has long been an active supporter of women in the U. S. armed forces, and we are very proud to play a role in honoring them for their important contributions," said Dorla Dean Eaton Kemper, President General of the DAR. "It is with heart-felt pride and deep appreciation that we are able to commemorate their service to our country by providing these flags to this wonderful memorial."
The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution is a national,
not-for-profit, volunteer organization founded in 1890 on the principles
of service in education, patriotism and historic preservation.
SPORTS
MUSKOGEE - The NOC Mavericks and Lady Mavericks overcame post-tournament fatigue Monday, hitting the road to Muskogee to take on the Warriors of Bacone College. The Lady Mavs came out on top, 77-61, followed by the men who also won, 74-65.
It was the fifth game in seven days for both teams.
The Lady Mavs (4-1) came out shooting, led 41-29 going into the second half and were never really threatened. Shannon Hands continued to impress with excellent shooting, posting 18 points including four three-pointers. Michelle Brown and Mandy Perkins also had impressive starts, especially on the boards. Brown had ten points and 12 rebounds, while Perkins chalked up eight points with 11 boards. Point guard Brandi McClellan also performed well, getting eight points with seven assists, while freshman Jessica Garner got a good game off the bench, finishing with eight.
"We won, but we didn't look too sharp," said head coach Greg Krause, "we weren't handling the ball well, catching passes. Our defense wasn't as quick. A lot of that has to do with road travel, but we're going to have nights like that."
The mens' team got a fight from the Warriors, who overcame a two-point first-half deficit (28-26) and led early in the second half. The Mavs kept it close, however, and pulled away at the ten minute mark to lead by ten. The Warriors never got back in the game.
Joe Patmon had his third big performance in a row, scoring 15 points and seven rebounds for the Mavs. Patmon was followed by Deshawn Denson, Kyle Dean and Jared Weiberg, who each had 13 points. Marlon Towns followed up with 11 points, but led the team with 12 rebounds.
Head coach Mick Weiberg was especially pleased by Weiberg's effort, which included two three-pointers and four rebounds.
"It seems that in every game we have someone who steps up for us," Weiberg says, "and last night it was Jared. He just had an excellent game for us."
Weiberg also reiterated that the deciding factor in his teams' 5-0 start is the rotation factor, the talent and enthusiasm he gets off the bench. "We had ten guys playing and they all contributed. They get out there and support each other, and if they keep working it's going to be a fun season to watch."
Both Maverick teams continue play Saturday at home, taking on the Westark Lions of Ft. Smith, Arkansas.
Ponca City's wrestlers got a little preseason action and a taste of success in the Pawhuska Takedown Tournament over the weekend.
Po-Hi coach Pat Young took a group of high school and junior high wrestlers to the warm-up event and placed 13 of 19 entries.
In the high school division, Matt Dodgen placed first at 135 pounds, Darren Smith was first at 152 and Hawley Tsoodle, a transfer from Tahlequah, who placed fourth in the regional tournament last year, was first at 215 pounds,
Mark Dodgen was second at 120 and Matt Noonan was second at 160. Michael Osborne placed third at 152 while Lorenzo Jones was fourth at 140, Josh Bailey fourth at 145 and Marciano Villarruel fourth at 160.
In the junior high division, Jacob Bailey was first at 125 pounds and Matt Littleton won at 135. J. Michael Sharon was second at 125 and Nathan Lane third at 89 pounds.
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Wrestling Note - The season opening dual between Ponca City and Perry,
scheduled for Dec. 2, has been canceled. The Wildcats will now open the
season Dec. 4 at Owasso.