LOCAL

Pioneer Tech Asking For Millage Increase
Dwaine Vincent Attending FBI Training Session
Labor Force Analysis Indicates Some Feel Underemployed
Technology Plan at PTC Gets Approval
City Planning Attack On Y2K Before 2000
Author Loves Greek Myths and Storytelling
Parade is a ‘Go’
Land Judging, Plant ID Contests Keep Area Students Thinking

Pioneer Tech Asking For Millage Increase

By KRISTI HAYES

News Education Editor

On Feb. 9, 1999, area residents will be asked to approve two building mills to expand and offer new programs at Pioneer Technology Center. If approved the mills would generate about $415,000.

Cost of the mills would mean about $.30 more per month in property taxes for a $25,000 home. The money would not be generated to PTC until the year 2000.

In 1990, residents passed a $5.5 million bond issue to remodel PTC. That bond will be paid off in May of 2000. Dr. Sally Downey, superintendent, said that residents don’t vote on the building mills and that by approving these two mills the vo-tech would still be below the state average (3.28 building mills). “We have no way with our existing income to build anything,” Downey commented.

The proposed bond issue would mean building on to the existing school to offer new programs. One of the programs is called a 1+1 program, which means awarding an associate degree in physical therapy and occupational therapy. Students would attend PTC for one year and then attend Northern Oklahoma College for another year. The program would be a collaborative effort between the two schools.

Downey also said that talk has been made about bringing a Math and Science School to PTC. She said that area legislators, superintendents and principals are to attend a meeting today on the issue. Students that would be eligible to attend the school would not have to go to Oklahoma City to attend the existing school.

Enrollment numbers continue to climb at PTC leaving little room for growth. “Our enrollment has more than doubled over the last five years. There is also a tremendous demand for students in the health fields,” said Downey.

“In the Ponca City Tomorrow vision, as educators, we were told that this community puts education as a top priority. We have taken that message and plan to go forward with it.”

Also on the ballot Feb. 9 for PTC will be the annual election of a board member in Zone 2, currently held by Larry Cannon.

The filing period for candidates will open at 8 a.m. on Dec. 7 and close at 5 p.m. on Dec. 9. All filings must be made at the Kay County Election Board in Newkirk.

Dwaine Vincent Attending FBI Training Session

One of Ponca City’s finest, Detective Captain Dwaine Vincent, has been chosen to attend the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s 195th session of the National Academy. Graduation from the three month training session being held in Quantico, Va., is scheduled for December 11.

Vincent is not the first Ponca City Police Officer to attend the academy. He will become part of the local alumni which consists of fellow FBI National Academy graduates Police Chief Raymond Ham and Assistant Police Chief Clayton Johnson.

Detective Vincent began his employment with the Ponca City Police Department in May of 1984. Prior to moving to Ponca City, he was employed by the Oklahoma City Police Department for five years.

“We are very pleased that Captain Vincent has been selected to attend the Academy,” Ham stated. “This is an educational opportunity unequaled in law enforcement and the experiences the Captain receives will benefit our entire community.”

Labor Force Analysis Indicates Some Feel Underemployed

By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE

News Business Editor

About 14.2 percent of the workers in the Ponca City area are underemployed, according to a labor force analysis, performed by Center for Economic and Management Research from the OU College of business.

David A. Penn of OU presented a summary program on the recent analysis at the Tuesday meeting of the Economic Development Advisory Board (EDAB). The report was commission by EDAB and the Oklahoma Department of Commerce.

The survey performed with data collected by telephone from randomly selected adults in September and October. Results of the survey was based on 1,000 targeted residents of Kay County and areas in neighboring Osage, and Pawnee counties, as well as Sumner and Cowley counties in Kansas. The residents of Ponca City make up 48 percent of the analysis.

According to Penn, the study demonstrates that a pool of labor exists among workers who are employed but do not fully utilize their education and skills. These workers are defined as underemployed.

Penn explained there are three conditions for underemployed workers, they feel they are underutilized in their present employment; they have training or education that is not required by their current job and they would change jobs in order to better use their skills and education.

Results of the study shows that many of those are searching for improved job situations. Those workers exhibit a variety of occupations and skills. The results show that the median underemployed worker is willing to commute 21 miles or more for a job that pays ten to 15 percent more than current wages.

Small Pool Willing To Work

The study indicates further that a small pool of labor exists among those who are without work but who want to work. These persons include retirees, who wish to return to work for a variety of reasons. In general, those who want to work are less skilled and have less education than does the average worker in the area.

About 3,909 people in the target area are looking for work that better utilizes their skills And education. Another 3,203 are currently not working but want to work.

Fewer underemployed workers have four-year degrees than do other workers. Persons who are not working and want to work have much less education.

Underemployed workers are younger while persons without a job but who want to work are older. Most of the underemployed are male. Those who are without work but want to work are mostly female.

An employment opportunity that pays from $8 to $10 per hour is viewed as desirable by 57 percent of the underemployed and by 57 percent of the underemployed and 33 percent of the rest of employed. About 68 percent of persons who are without work but want to work view such a job as desirable.

According to the survey an estimated 12,152 people living in the Ponca City area are interested in a job that pays from $8 to $10 an hour.

The underemployed work in a variety of occupations and skills, from executives and other professionals to craftsmen and clerks. Estimated workers available show executive, administrative and managerial, 518; professional speciality, 236; technicians and related support, 141; sales, 236; administrative supports, including clerical, 471; service occupations, 659; farming, forestry and fishing, 47; precision production, craft and repair, 659; machine operators, assemblers and inspectors, 471; transportation and material moving, 424, and military, 47.

Forty-eight percent of workers in the study lived in Ponca City, while 52 percent live elsewhere in Kay County or in one of the surrounding counties.

Regarding education, a significant percentage of both Ponca City residents and area residents have completed at least an associates’s degree: 28 percent of Ponca City residents and 25 percent of area residents. Also, workers who live in Ponca City have a slightly higher proportion of bachelor’s degrees.

Favor Private Sector Firms

According to the analysis, the majority of Ponca City residents and area residents work for private sector companies. Residents of Ponca City are less likely to work for government and less likely to be self-employed than those who live outside Ponca City.

Ponca City residents earn about the same as area residents with median earnings for both between $20,000 and $30,000. A higher percentage of Ponca City residents earn $50,000 to $75,000 but a greater percentage of area residents earn between $75,000 and $100,000.

The report says a substantial difference exists regarding willingness to commute. Workers living outside Ponca City are more willing to commute than are Ponca City residents.

Little difference exists between Ponca City residents and area residents in their willingness to change jobs: 33 percent of Ponca City residents would change jobs for a pay increase of 15 percent or less, compared with about 30 percent for area residents. Also, 24 percent of area residents and 22 percent of Ponca City resident are not interested in changing jobs at an increase in pay.

Distribution of occupations is similar. However, Ponca City residents tend more towards administrative support jobs while area residents tend more towards executive, administrative, managerial and professional jobs. Compared with area residents, a higher proportion of Ponca City residents receives benefits with their jobs.

More data is contained in the report, which is on file at the Ponca City Library.

Technology Plan at PTC Gets Approval

By KRISTI HAYES

News Education Editor

A technology plan for Pioneer Technology Center was unanimously approved Tuesday night at the regular board meeting of the Pioneer Technology Center Board of Education. The commitment to technology dedicates 2.5 percent of the annual operating budget for implementation and maintenance of technology.

Since its inception a few years ago, Pioneer Technology Center has recognized the importance of using technology to enhance the learning experience of its students.

Currently, Pioneer Tech serves more than 600 full-time and 2,000 part-time students enrolled in a multitude of vocational classes, and provides educational and training services to citizens in the Kay County area. Students have access to networked computers and the Internet in each classroom. An interactive video conferencing system provides students with the opportunity to learn without geographic limitations.

Employment contracts for Ginny Veal, instructor in medical assisting; and Cheryl Feazle, child care coordinator; were approved. The resignation of John Strecker, instructor for industrial electronics; was also accepted.

The Christmas party for PTC employees is scheduled for Dec. 18, and the next regular board meeting is Dec. 15.

City Planning Attack On Y2K Before 2000

By PATTI PFEIFFER

News Staff Writer

While many are planning parties to celebrate the arrival of the new millennium, the City of Ponca City is planning how to prevent a disaster at midnight New Year’s Eve 1999.

The closer the new century becomes the more familiar the term “Y2K” is becoming. Y2K, also known as the “millennium bug,” refers to possible problems associated with computer chips unable to adapt to the date of the new century. And although it sounds like a call at a bingo hall, Y2K is the term that city, county, state and other officials have learned of and are preparing for.

According to City Information Systems Manager Rick Myers the potential for a problem arises because computer chips, which store only two digits, will be unable to differentiate between the year 2000 and 1900 at the turn of the century.

It may seem harmless enough, but it’s estimated that nationwide 25 billion of those micro chips may control everything from electricity, to water and wastewater treatment plants, traffic signals, banking systems and even vehicles.

“The problem is much more huge than just computer programs. It is as big as you want to dream,” Myers says.

However the City is taking to steps to ensure that New Year’s Eve 1999 is nothing more than the celebration of a new century.

“Efforts have been under way for quite sometime here in the city to make certain the city Y2K compliant,” Myers says. “There are six steps in our plan among which include identifying any problems and correcting them. We have teams in place working on the solution.”

In the year ahead the City is planning public hearings to the keep citizens apprised of the situation and what steps have been and are being taken.

“We have placed a high priority on ensuring that the public health and safety are not compromised,” City Manager Gary Martin said. “We have been and will continue to work on the Y2K situation.”

In the meantime Myers offers some advice — don’t panic.

“People are calling saying they are stashing food, buying generators, bikes and warm slippers,” he says. “Panic will get worse as time goes on. If we overact we will have a problem. The biggest enemy is our self.”

Author Loves Greek Myths and Storytelling

By SALLY HODGES

News Staff Writer

Growing up in Waco, Texas, and a love of Greek myths may not seem a likely combination, but for Barbara McBride-Smith, author of “Greek Myths, Western Style; Toga Tales with an Attitude,” the connection was simple. She saw the same universal character traits and human failings that propelled the ancient Greeks in the people she grew up with in Waco.

She will be telling her stories Friday from 3 to 5 p.m. at Brace Books and More in what should prove to be a delightful two hours. She is an accomplished and acclaimed storyteller as well as an author.

“These were stories told to me as I grew up and I just thought they were wonderful adventure stories that happened long ago in Texas. I realized these were characters that still inhabited my hometown. Those gods and goddesses were just the cheerleaders, the football jocks, the redneck mamas and the good old boys. They were family to me,” says McBride-Smith.

“I recognized the Metheus brothers, Pro and Epi, high school all-state football heroes who never got over their glory days. I dated Theseus, who was so dumb he couldn’t drink beer out of a boot if the instructions were printed on the heel,” she continues.

McBride-Smith grew up listening to her father tell stories at the dinner table and in the passenger seat of his pickup truck. “I was born into a storytelling family. I guess I thought everyone learned everything they needed to know about life through storytelling. It wasn’t until I grew up and moved away from home that I learned that wasn’t so,” she relates.

She makes a modern day connection to the Greek time, pointing out that people are just people, no matter what age they live in. The feelings and emotions and wants and desires are the same.

“My contribution is Texas humor, a down-home touch, as well as a strong women’s view,” she explains. “The Greeks were very patriarchal, so I try to turn the story around and say what a woman would’ve said.”

According to McBride-Smith, Cupid was a thirty-something mama’s boy with a very jealous mother, the Trojan War was the result of one boy whose hormones got out of control, and Medusa was just a woman who was having a bad hair day. Her favorite god is Bacchus the god of wine. She see him as having a drinking problem but was a lot of fun, never hurting anyone. Plus, he was the only god who married only once and was faithful to his wife.

“I take anachronisms that are out of place historically, but it makes the story relevant to listeners of today,” she notes. She tells the story with an attitude or from the point of view of a minor character of the story, giving the reader a different slant at the same old Greek myth.

But in all of her storytelling, she relates truths about life. She relates the universal truths of the ages, but with a sense of humor, never forgetting to balance the serious with the silly.

“My purpose in telling Greek myths is three fold — to explain, to teach, and to entertain. It seems to me that there may be a corollary between our perception of a myth (or any story, for that matter) and our own unique set of life experiences,” she says. She also explains that she wants to give a “contemporary voice and form to classical mythology and traditional folklore, to release the spirit of the story through my own colloquialisms and humor.”

“My own early life experiences unfolded in Texas — a land of mythical proportions! So I tell the myths as I view them through my own culture and its people. The personalities and the language may not be the same as yours. For me, Zeus is a thunder-totin’ Big Daddy, Pandora got framed by a bunch of good ol’ boys, Jason is a jerk, and Aphrodite rhymes with nightie. These characters are magnifications of my fellow Texans. And yet, I respect the characters, the stories and universal truths as they were recorded centuries ago by the likes of Homer, Hesiod, Aristophanes, and Euripides,” she explains.

McBride-Smith is currently a full-time elementary school librarian in Stillwater. Previously, while an elementary and middle school librarian, she began telling stories in her libraries. Storytelling became a tool she used to motivate her students to read, integrating folklore, literary tales, mythology, historical narrative, and her own life experiences into the classroom curriculum.

Besides being a full time librarian, she does workshops, festivals, readings and literary conferences, and concerts. She has served on the board of directors of the National Storytelling Association as well as the Oklahoma and Texas storytelling associations. She is the recipient of the prestigious John Henry Faulk Award for Outstanding Contributions to Storytelling and teaches a course on storytelling at Phillips Theological Seminary. She has recorded five cassette tapes of stories, published stories in four anthologies, and written another book entitled “New Testament Women.”

McBride-Smith lives in Stillwater with her husband, Dr. Dennis E. Smith, a professor of New Testament and Greek at Phillips Theological Seminary in Tulsa, and her son, Adam, a student at Oklahoma State University.

Midweek

Parade is a ‘Go’

What’s a little bad weather when it’s a once-in-a-year tribute? On the faces of this year’s Veterans Day paraders, it never showed.

Ponca City didn’t hesitate Saturday to carry on with its salute to our veteran service men and women.

Ponca City’s Ron Campbell, himself a veteran, stood curbside for the entire parade, squinting against the chilly rain but smiling.

“Rain or shine, a Veterans Day Parade needs your support,” he said.

“If they can stand in the rain, so can I.”

Land Judging, Plant ID Contests Keep Area Students Thinking

Area youth made some impressive showings this year during the Kay County Conservation District’s annual land-judging and plant identification contest.

With teams representing Blackwell, Newkirk, Ponca City and Tonkawa, the students from the western side of the county emerged most knowledgeable about land judging in senior-division competition, with teams from Tonkawa taking first and second place. Third place went to Blackwell.

The first-place team — with a total score of 560 points — went to the Tonkawa team of Rhiannon Davis, Ronnie Shroyer, Kenny Mahon and Shane Randall.

The second-place team, scoring 550 points, was the Tonkawa team of McCain Brown, Megan Esch, Erin Hill and Christa Ditmore, and the third-place team, scoring 547 points, was the Blackwell team of William Merchant, John Baldwin, Ty Corneil and Nathan Mayer.

In senior-division individual scoring, first place went to Ty Corneil of Blackwell with 205 points, second place was Rebecca Nida of Tonkawa with 202 points and third was Megan Esch of Tonkawa with 201 points.

In senior-division plant identification, Newkirk’s Charlie Brandon was the first-place individual with a score of 170 points. Jared Grell of Blackwell placed second with a score of 148.5, and Brandon Kahle of Blackwell placed third with a score of 121.

In junior-division land judging, the first-place team was Tonkawa’s John Robinson, Jay Smith, Shayne Martin and Zach Balantsis with a team score of 550 points. Second-place team was the Tonkawa team of Jeremy Love, Taylor Evans, Justin McMurtrie and Cody Robinson with a team score of 519 points, and third with a team score of 473 points was the Tonkawa team of Nikki Case, Briana Biaggi, Cara Linton and Sarah Coates.

In junior-division individual scoring, Jay Smith of Tonkawa took first place with a score of 206 points, followed by Justin McMurtrie of Tonkawa in second place with 197 points and Taylor Evans of Tonkawa in third place with 188 points.

And with an individual score of 126 points, Jared McGuire of Ponca City placed first with 126 points, followed by Ponca City eighth-grader Jerrod Sharp in second place with 120 points and by eighth-grader Lisa Norris, also of Ponca City, in third place with 110 points.

DEATHS

Oleita L. Simmons
Frances Reva Price
Charles G. Long
Lawrence Limke
Myrtle K. Browning
Taylor Christian Belmear

Oleita L. Simmons

TONKAWA — Oleita L. (Pinkard) Simmons, longtime Tonkawa resident, died Tuesday, Nov. 10, 1998, at St. John’s Hospital in Tulsa. She was 78.

The funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 13, at the Tonkawa Bible Church. Burial will be at Riverview Cemetery, southwest of Tonkawa, under the direction of McCafferty-Bolick Funeral Home.

Oleita L. (Pinkard) Simmons was born June 26, 1920, in Alma, Ark., to Tom and Eura (Cothren) Pinkard. She grew up in Alma. She was married to Hugh Simmons on Oct. 20, 1940 in Waynoka, Okla. They moved to Tonkawa in the 1940s. Mrs. Simmons had been a homemaker.

Survivors include her husband Hugh Simmons; two sons, Dr. Terrill Simmons of Tulsa and Tim Simmons of Worthington, Okla.; one daughter, Tina Vassar of Houston, Texas; one brother, Jesse Pinkard of Port Aransas, Texas; two sisters, Odessa Cue and Eloise Stowe, both of Fort Worth, Texas; nine grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents.

Memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Simmons’ name to the Child Evangelism Fellowship or the American Heart Association, c/o McCafferty-Bolick Funeral Home, 400 East Grand, Tonkawa, OK 74653.

Frances Reva Price

Frances Reva Price, longtime Ponca City resident, died early Monday Nov. 9, 1998 at the Ponca City Nursing Home. She was 84.

The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at Trinity Church of the Nazarene with the Rev. John Garnica and the Rev. David K. Powers officiating. Burial will follow in the Longwood Cemetery under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.

Frances Reva Price was born Sept. 17, 1914 in Mountain View, Ark., the daughter of Oscar and Anna (Province) Warren. She grew up in Mountain View and Heber Springs, Ark., and received her education there.

She was married to Robert Dennis Price in Heber Springs on June 6, 1936. The couple moved to Ponca City in the early 1940s. Mr. Price was killed in action in World War II. Mrs. Price was employed as a flower arranger for Ponca Floral for more than 20 years. She was a charter member of the Trinity Church of the Nazarene. Her hobbies included painting, crafts and handwork, gardening, playing the piano and guitar, and writing poetry. For many years she and her mother made memorial wreaths for families for Memorial Day.

Surviving are a sister, Maye Jensen, of Ponca City; a brother A.F. Warren, of Sand Springs, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, three brothers, one sister, and an infant son.

Casket bearers will be Forrest Hicks, Chris Keeler, Eugene Keeler, Gary Duane Jordan, Jim Neil, and Gary Jordan.

Memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Price’s name to the Trinity Church of the Nazarene, 401 Perry Street, Ponca City, OK 74601.

The family will be at 730 North Birch on Friday.

Charles G. Long

OKLAHOMA CITY — Charles G. Long, former Ponca City resident, died Tuesday morning, Nov. 10, 1998, in Oklahoma City. He was 80.

Arrangements and cremation were under the direction of Demuth Funeral Home of Oklahoma City. No funeral services were held.

Charles G. Long was born Nov. 4, 1918, in Augusta, Kan., to Orville Charles Long and Mary (Glenn) Storky. He lived in Ponca City for more than 35 years where he was employed with Conoco Inc., until his retirement in 1980.

Survivors include two sons, Steven W. Long and Jim Long, both of Oklahoma City.

Lawrence Limke

Lawrence “Joe” Limke, former Ponca City resident, died Wednesday, Oct. 21, 1998 in Oklahoma City. He was 83.

A wake service was held at 7 p.m., Oct. 23, at the Choice Funeral Care Chapel in Yukon. Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ponca City with Fr. Bosco Pudhota officiating, assisted by Deacon Dick Robinson. Burial followed in the Ponca City IOOF Cemetery. Friends visited at the St. Mary’s Parish Center Chapel, from 9 a.m. to service time on Oct. 24.

Lawrence “Joe” Limke was born April 5, 1915, in Trousdale, Okla., to Henry and Elizabeth (Schumaker) Limke. He entered the oil business with the Great Lakes Pipe Line company and in 1940 was employed in the Continental Refinery in Ponca City as an operator in the combination unit. During World War II, he was granted a military leave for three years and served as a Cavalryman in the U.S. Army in China, Burma and India. He saw 41 days of combat on the Burma Road.

On July 12, 1941, he was married to Bernice Doughty at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ponca City. Limke retired from Conoco in 1977, after 36 years of service. He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Modern Wagoneers Club and VFW Post 1201. In later years the couple moved to Lexington, then moved to the Oklahoma City area about six years ago. He enjoyed traveling, deer hunting and working on his 20-acre tract near Shawnee.

Survivors include his wife, Bernice, of the home; three sons, Lawrence, Michael and Jeffery; one daughter, Judith Zimmerman of Ponca City; one sister, Beulah Hart; 10 grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one daughter, Varita Katherine; his parents; and 10 brothers and sisters.

Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Limke’s name to Yukon Sharing, Box 850944, 528 West Main, Yukon, OK 73099.

Obituaries

Myrtle K. Browning

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Myrtle K. Wolfe Browning, 86, passed from this life Sunday, Nov. 8, 1998, at 4:58 a.m. in Walnut Lawn Cox from complications from surgery.

Myrtle was born Jan. 23, 1912, in Florence, Ala., to David Wolfe and Velma Swinea Wolfe. Born a twin, her sister Myrle Wolfe Shull preceded her in death in 1981. A homemaker, Myrtle lived all of her adult life in Springfield, Mo. She married W. Arlo Browning in 1937 and three children were born of this union.

Myrtle was an active member for many years of Sorosis Club, Women’s Auxiliary of American Postal Workers and the Springfield Art Museum, Chapter of Home Beautiful. She loved her family, her home, garden, and all children. Forever kind to pets, they thrived in her care. She was of the Methodist Faith.

In addition to her sister, she was preceded in death by her husband, Arlo Browning, her parents, and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Myrtle is survived by her son, David Browning and his wife Janice of Ponca City; her daughters, Arlene Hunt and Joyce Browning, both of Springfield, Mo.; grandchildren, Chris Browning and his wife, Karen of Houston, Texas, Dr. M. Michelle Browning of Iowa City, Iowa, Lisa Hunt, Brian Hunt and Matthew Browning, and a great-grandchild, Emma Bagley, all of Springfield.

A vivacious strong lady, Myrtle was an 18 year cancer survivor. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her. A loving Christian, mom and grandma.

The funeral service will be at 3 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, at Greenlawn North Funeral Home in Springfield, with the Rev. Greg Esselman officiating. Burial will follow with eulogy at Greenlawn Cemetery North. Visitors may also call at the funeral home at their convenience after 8 a.m. Wednesday. Family visitation will be from 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society or the American Heart Association, c/o Greenlawn Funeral Home, 3605 North National Boulevard, Springfield, MO. 65803.

paid obituary

Taylor Christian Belmear

OWASSO — Taylor Christian Belmear, infant son of Steve and Alicia Belmear of Owasso, was called home by his Heavenly Father on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 1998 in Tulsa. He was born in Tulsa on Nov. 3, 1998.

A graveside service was held at Graceland Memorial Park Cemetery in Owasso on Nov. 6, 1998, with the Rev. Jim Wheeler, pastor of Bethel Baptist Church officiating. Arrangements were under the direction of Mowery Funeral Service, Owasso.

Taylor is survived by his parents, Steve and Alicia Belmear of Owasso; grandparents, Clint and Caroll Belmear of Ponca City and Jack and Rachel Bess of Tulsa; great-grandmother, Edna Belmear of Tulsa; uncles and aunts, Todd and Christie Belmear, Mark and Meredith Bess and Tim and Kami Bess.

paid obituary

NEWS BRIEFS

Sertomans Meet — Ponca City members of Sertoma met Tuesday at noon at Western Sizzlin’ for lunch and brief meeting. Attending were Mike Quirey, Clark and Glenda Brown, Mark and Sherri Kremeier, and Marge Decker. Two plaques — one of the Bill of Rights and the other of the Declaration of Independence, scheduled for the Lutheran School, were displayed. In other business, the group discussed the upcoming fund-raising dinner at El Chico’s.

Shed Broken Into — A woman from the 1400 block of South Seventh Street reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 7:26 a.m. Tuesday that a shed had been broken into. The information was logged and a request was made for an extra patrol of the area.

Volunteer Orientation Set — There will be a New Volunteer Orientation at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center Nov. 18 from 2 to 3 p.m. in Conference Room C. Anyone interested in learning about volunteering at SJRMC is invited to attend. Questions can be answered by calling Kathy Turner, SJRMC Volunteer Services Coordinator, 765-0508.

Pure Water wagon. 1717 North 5th. Reverse osmosis water. 25 cents a gallon. adv.

Accident — The Communications Center received several 911 calls at 4:37 p.m. Tuesday that a two-vehicle accident had occurred at the intersection of Elm Street and West Grand Avenue. Two officers were assigned and a report was taken.

Benefit Sale — St. Mary’s Benefit Sale will be Nov. 13-14, 8 a.m.-2 p.m., at 121 West Central. Among the items offered for sale are Christmas decorations, trees, collectibles, piano, doors, lamps, toys, books, winter clothes, exercise equipment, housewares, furniture, beds, mattresses, bedding hardware, free-standing fireplaces and lots of miscellaneous.

You Are invited to the 5th Annual BBQ and Auction at the

First Lutheran School on Friday, November 13, 1998 at 6:00 p.m.

Tickets available at the door for $12. Advance tickets are $10. Call

the school office, 762-4243 for more information. adv.

Window Shot — A woman at a business in the 3000 block of North Fourteenth Street reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 4:21 p.m. Tuesday that a window had been shot with a BB-gun. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Jueschke Carpet Cleaners. For professional carpet cleaning, call

the professionals. Jueschke Carpet Cleaners. 765-3421. adv.

Abandoned Vehicle — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported from the 700 block of South Fifth Street at 9:37 a.m. Tuesday that an abandoned vehicle was being towed away.

Court Allen Construction. Concrete and flagstone walkways,

patios and yard curbing. Call 765-2720. adv.

Vehicle Hits Deer — A motorist reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 8:31 p.m. Tuesday that a deer had been hit by a vehicle one-half mile east of Pecan Road on Lake Road. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol was notified.

1999 101 Ranch Old Timers calenders $10. Linda Rennie, Pioneer Bank, 762-5651. adv.Subject Held — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported from the 300 block of West Hartford Avenue at 8:41 p.m. Tuesday that assistance was needed with a motorist. Two officers were assigned and a 53-year-old woman was held for DUI.

Check for Smoke — A woman from the 1300 block of Bradbary Lane reported to the Communications Center at 9:06 p.m. Tuesday that there was an odor of smoke coming from a garage. A unit from the Ponca City Fire Department responded and handled the situation.

Fried Turkey! Order now for Thanksgiving at Snyder’s Grocery. 762-4686. adv.

Purse Stolen — A woman was at the Ponca City Police Department at 10:57 a.m. Tuesday to report that her purse had been stolen while at a business in the 500 block of West Highland Avenue. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Call Don Sawyer, your full time chimney sweep since 1975.

Efficient and no mess. Call 1-800-974-8698, in Ponca 762-8883. adv.

Accident — An accident at the intersection of East South Avenue and South Eleventh Street was reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 11:03 a.m. Tuesday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Pure Water Wagon, reverse osmosis water, $0.25 a gallon, distilled $0.50. Call 765-4116 or 765-6464 for delivery. 1717 North 5th, Ponca City. adv.

Vehicle Towed — The Ponca City Police Department received a report at 10:24 a.m. Tuesday that an accident had occurred at the intersection of U.S. 60 and U.S. 77. An officer was assigned and a report was taken. A vehicle was towed from the scene.

Local Sailor Receives Medal — Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Mark E. Cook, son of Shirley A. Slaton, 93 Sherwin Avenue and husband of the former Lori Wyckoff, whose parents are Tom and Tina Wyckoff of 402 S. Public in Tonkawa, recently received the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal. Cook was cited for superior performance of duty while serving with Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron 14, Naval Air Station in Norfolk, Va. He was singled out for a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal because of his initiative in making a significant contribution to the accomplishment of the command’s mission. The 1987 graduate of Ponca City High School joined the Navy in August 1987.

Camera Repairs. Graham Photo, 201 North First, downtown.

765-4348. adv.

Butter Braids: Seven flavors, rise and bake, home made flavor,

great gifts. Grand Central Station, 114 South Fifth, 767-8336. adv.

Subject Held — An employee at Wal-Mart reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 8:19 p.m. Tuesday that a shoplifter was in custody. An officer was assigned and a 21-year-old man weld for petit larceny.

WWF Survivor Series...Only the strong will survive this series! Only on Pay Per View, Sunday, November 15th at 7:00 p.m., $29.95. Cable ONE 762-6684.

adv.

Head Country, One half bar-b-q chicken with choice of vegetables, $3.95, Thursday, 4-? p.m. 1217 East Prospect. 767-8304. adv.

Collision — A two-vehicle, non-injury accident in the 400 block of East South Avenue was reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 3:40 p.m. Tuesday. Two officers were assigned and a report was taken.

Injured Deer — A motorist reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 10:37 p.m. Tuesday that an injured deer had been located on the north side of the road at East Hartford Avenue and Pecan Road. An officer was assigned and a Game Ranger was contacted to handle the situation.

Book House going out of business sale. Huge discounts on all

books, fixtures, and shelving. All used paper backs .50, Thursday,

Saturday, 9-4, 114 North 3rd Street. adv.

Free Pregnancy test. Birth Choice cares. Confidential.

Hours: Tuesday 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, 1-3 p.m. and Thursday, 6-8

p.m. 700 West Broadway. adv.

Vehicle Vandalized — A man from the 1200 block of West Summit Avenue reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 4:07 p.m. Tuesday that a vehicle had been vandalized. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Windshield Chips repaired professionally. Guaranteed and

insurance approved. Ponca Glass, 762-6522, 762-7957. adv.

Jim Bowen Construction ­ Custom homes, room additions and

remodeling. Call 762-3077. adv.

LIFESTYLES

Baptist Women Hold Meeting
Eta Delta Planning Progressive Dinner
Little News

Baptist Women Hold Meeting

The Baptist Women from the First Baptist Church met Nov. 5 in the church parlor for the general meeting. Maisie Russell gave the opening prayer and members enjoyed refreshments and fellowship.

Viola Reynolds presented the missionary report and offered prayer. The Rev. Hance Dilbeck was the guest speaker, explaining the mission project. He showed a video of his trip to Malawi and spoke about the partnership with the Malawi Baptist Seminary.

Imogene Vineyard presided at the business session and Jerry Boyer reported on the Friendship Feast scheduled Nov. 30. Bea Perry reminded the group of the BSU dinner for college students on Nov. 12. Martha Christensen gave the Mission study and offered prayer. The Bible Study Group will meet Nov. 19 at the home of Fran Smith. The next general meeting will be at 9:30 a.m. Dec. 3.

Eta Delta Planning Progressive Dinner

Wanda Sheehan hosted the Nov. 9 meeting of Eta Delta Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi at Angel Central with 13 members in attendance.

The November chapter social will be a progressive dinner on Nov. 20 with Marilyn Jouret and Linda Paulson as hosts before and after the main course, which will be at Dugan’s Bar B Q. The December social has tentatively been set for the 10th of the month to coincide with the Letterman’s performance at the Poncan Theater.

The November service project is the Friendship Feast and the December project will be to give gifts to nursing home residents.

Marilyn Jouret received the Beta Bud Basket.

Wanda Sheehan gave an interesting history of Ponca City’s Festival of Lights and Angel Central and invited everyone to browse the store. The next meeting will be Nov. 23 in the home of Marilyn Jouret.

Little News

Alexxys Naomi Daily is the name chosen by Heather Dawn Thornbrugh of Ponca City and Billy Allen Daily of Kaw City for their daughter born at 6:20 p.m. Oct. 21, 1998 at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. The baby weighed 6-pounds, 3-ounces and was 22-inches long.

Grandparents are Curtis and Francita Thornbrugh of Ponca City and Carol Sue and D. B. Daily of Kaw City. Maternal great-grandparents are Clarence and Gwen Swopes of Ponca City and Mary J. Thornbrugh of Oklahoma City. Great-great-grandmother is Jewell Stiner of Ponca City.

SPORTS

Mavs, Lady Mavs Win in Blowouts
Cowboys’ Showtime Nets Win
Blake Needs More Time
No Go-To Guy for Sooners This Season

Mavs, Lady Mavs Win in Blowouts

By MATTHEW KOENIG

News Sports Writer

TONKAWA — No one can really blame a number of NOC students for getting up and leaving mid-way through the Mavericks’ Tuesday night match up with the Oklahoma Baptist University junior varsity.

They likely had accounting homework — and frankly, accounting may rival Tuesday’s game in terms of gripping suspense and thrilling finishes.

This was a blowout.

Actually, it took some rapid-fire accounting to keep track of the score, as the Mavs raced ahead by 17 in the first ten minutes, went up by 34 at halftime and went on to win by a gluttonous 67-point margin, 118-51.

Not surprisingly, everyone on the Mavs’ roster posted points, with all but four in double figures.

The OBU youth squad did little to help their cause, making just 13 field goals, including eight 3-pointers. In all, they hurled the ball at the hoop 61 times, for 21 percent. They also had 25 turnovers and lost the ball to steals 23 times.

NOC coach Mick Weiberg — rarely at a loss for words — struggled for some constructive post-game analysis.

“I’m not sure what to say,” he said. “There are certain things to learn from any game, and the biggest test we had there was just to stay in it, mentally.”

The Bison did hang within a point until mid-way through the first quarter, going down by just one, 9-8. Six minutes into the game, however, the Mavs went on a rampage, outscoring their foes 33-4 over the next ten minutes of regulation.

Highlighting that outburst was a pair of almost back-to-back alley-oops, with point guard Larry Reid lofting the ball up to 6-6 jumpmeister Latarvis Norman — By MATTHEW KOENIG

News Sports Writer

TONKAWA — A good offense can usually make up for a less-than-perfect defense. Then again, a good offense can do wonders against a team built around one player.

Ingra Duncan dumped in 27 points for Labette Community College, but it wasn’t enough to overcome an all-out barrage from the Lady Mavericks of NOC. The Lady Mavs got scoring from 10 different players on Tuesday night to blast the Lady Cardinals, 95-72.

“Our offense had a good ball game,” said NOC coach Greg Krause. “We had good ball movement, we created good shots. But we’ve really been focusing on offense. Our defense isn’t there yet, we didn’t cover for each other, but that will come with time.

The Lady Cardinals aren’t the only team with an ace, however. After a 27-point output in the Lady Mavs’ last game of the Lady Texas Tour, Saturday, freshman guard LaTonya Douglas had another fine outing, with 23 points — including a trio of 3-pointers.

Douglas has also come off the bench in the last two games.

“I think she’ll continue to be our sixth player,” said Krause. “We start out pretty big and get smaller, and that lets us shift gears a little, it gives us a different style.

“But LaTonya has got a nose for the ball, she really smells it out. She’s just very composed.”

Though the Lady Mavs opened up several, 6-to-8 point leads in the first half, Duncan answered with five 3-pointers (six in the game) to continually drag the Lady Cardinals back into the game.

Duncan also buried a shot from long range to pull her team back to within 10, with just 40 seconds left in the half. But a quick bucket by Newkirk’s Kacey Whitworth, followed by a Douglas steal and a buzzer-beating shot by Chenise Robinson vaulted the Lady Mavs to a comfortable, 46-32 lead at intermission.

Though Duncan again poured it on in the second half, the Lady Mavs went to their big guns to stave off the one-girl assault.

Whitworth, who finished with 19, scored 13 in the second half. Shaneta Lewis had eight in the second period, while Jennifer Williams and Douglas each posted nine.

The Lady Cardinals did match the Lady Mavs in the early going of the second half, but a 17-8 run to close the third quarter put the game out of reach for good. Douglas got that run with a 3-pointer, and after a pair of nice inside shots by sophomore Jessica Garner, Whitworth closed it out by drilling back-to-back shots from long range.

Ponca City’s Lyndsey Warrior finished with just two points, but was a menace under the basket, blocking eight shots.

Robinson and Williams finished the game with 13 points each, Lewis had eight, Garner and Suzi Eisenhauer each had 6, Erica Metcalf had 3, while Stacie Scott and Warrior each had 2.

The Lady Mavs, now 2-2 on the season, start conference play on Saturday, traveling to Westark.

proud possessor of a 42-inch vertical leap.

“That’s just good coaching,” Weiberg said, grinning. “Norman’s got this little problem. He’s got this little leaping problem.”

Weiberg and the Mavs smiled their way through the game from there, and barely broke a sweat in the second half as the long-range — and mostly uncontested — buckets started to fall.

Jeff Newby led the 3-point assault, with five, followed by Tyler Barnard with four. Josh Regnier and Nathan Gregory each had three. In all, the Mavs buried 16-of-30 from the arc (11 in the second half) and 30-of-61 from 2-point range.

“We did shoot the three better,” concluded Weiberg, whose team has struggled a bit from long distance. “We didn’t need an ultra-tough game after the New Mexico trip, so this was a good chance to just get out there and relax a little.”

Newby led the Mavs with 17, Barnard had 16, Norman had 14, Gregory had 11, Josh Nichols and Reid each had 12, Regnier and Ron Banks had 10, Ryan Williams had 7, Shere-Khan Jones had 6, Garrett Pelton had 2, while Philip Rodgers had 1.

Regnier, the smallest guy on the court at 5-9, led the Mavs with 9 rebounds, followed by Banks with 8. Rogers, 6-3, was third with 7.

The Mavs, now 4-1 on the season, start in on the conference part of their schedule on Saturday, traveling to Westark.

Cowboys’ Showtime Nets Win

By FRED HILTON

News Sports Editor

STILLWATER — It was showtime for the Oklahoma State Cowboys Tuesday night in the first exhibition basketball game of the season.

Swingman Desmond Mason brought the house down with two NBA-type dunks as he led OSU past the California East All-Stars, 104-86, in Gallagher-Iba Arena.

The 6-6 Mason scored 19 points, had 14 rebounds and blocked four shots.

The Cowboys also showed they may not be as weak as first thought on the inside.

Brian Montonati, John Gilmore and Scott Robisch all put in about equal time in the paint and came out with about equal results. Montonati had 12 points and five rebounds in 14 minutes, Gilmore posted up for 15 points and five rebounds in 17 minutes and Robisch had eight points and five rebounds in 19 minutes.

OSU showed it was a deep as expected in the back court as Adrian Peterson, Joe Adkins and Doug Gottlieb combined for 44 points to join Mason in the scoring parade.

Peterson, the preseason pick for Big 12 Player of the Year, popped through 18 points despite struggling from the field. He was 6-of-16 for the night, missing all four of his three-point attempts.

Adkins, 5-of-12 from the field, had 16 points and Gottlieb 10.

If there was a downside to the Cowboys’ first outing of the season, it was poor play on the defensive end of the court.

“Our players, especially inside, became hackers instead of holding their arms up straight,” coach Eddie Sutton said after watching the Pokes commit 26 fouls, sending California to the free throw line 31 times.

But Mason proved how well he can take control of a game. With the All-Stars up 11-4 early, Mason hit on four straight trips down the floor to give the Cowboys a 13-11 lead.

Later, apparently angered by a non-call on the offensive end of the court, Mason went impossibly high to block a shot by the offending California player 6-8 Brian Mills.

In the final minutes, with the Cowboys comfortably in front, Mason decided to have some fun with a pair of athletic dunks.

Taking a perfect feed from Gottlieb, Mason used a windmill dunk to emphasis his point. A few minutes late he shocked even ex-cowboy-now-NBA player Brooks Thompson, a volunteer coach during the NBA lockout, with a behind his head dunk — again off a just-right lead from Gottlieb.

“Doug and I do a lot of fooling around after practice,” Mason said of the spectacular dunks. “We try out a lot of these shots. If they hadn’t gone in coach would probably been mad. But they did, so we won’t think about what would have happened if they hadn’t.”

The Cowboys have one more exhibition game, Friday at Gallagher-Iba against Athletes First. The regular season starts for OSU next Monday against Northwestern Louisiana.

Blake Needs More Time

By OWEN CANFIELD

AP Sports Writer

NORMAN (AP) — John Blake says the positive things going on within his Oklahoma football program outweigh any negatives ‘‘by a long shot.’’

He points to promising play by several freshmen. Inspired play by everyone, despite a disappointing season. A solid image of the program.

But will those be enough to allow him to stay on the job after this season, one in which the Sooners are 3-6 and assured of their third straight losing record under Blake?

‘‘You know, really, my steps have been ordered,’’ Blake said Tuesday. ‘‘That’s probably hard to understand, but God put me here for a purpose. My steps are already ordered.

‘‘There is a destiny for this program and I’m going to run the race. I’m going to do exactly what I’m supposed to do and I’m going put the rest in God’s hands and my coaches and my players. That’s all I can do.’’

Blake’s future has been the subject of widespread media speculation. The general feeling is that he won’t be back on the sideline next year. OU administrators have consistently said no decision will be made until after this season.

Blake, with a record of 10-22, repeated Tuesday what he has said many times — that he needs more time to turn things around.

‘‘The plan here is for me to build this program in four or five years, not to do it overnight,’’ he said.

It takes that much time, he said, to build a team that is experienced enough and deep enough to overcome injuries and other obstacles.

Blake said his No. 1 priority has been to uphold the image of the program, and then to take care of his players.

‘‘The games will come,’’ he said. ‘‘I know they will come because when you build a foundation, they will come. That’s the only course I’m going to take.

‘‘Now, if I don’t have enough time to get that done and the people in charge have got to make that decision, than that’s their decision. That’s the way I’m going to approach it.’’

He said he has heard nothing from administrators that would lead him to believe he won’t be back next season. Athletic director Joe Castiglione, the regents and university President David Boren have all been supportive, he said.

Oklahoma has beaten North Texas, Texas Christian and Iowa State this season. The Sooners needed to make big plays in the closing minutes to beat TCU and Iowa State, something Blake said underscores how much the players believe in him and in themselves.

‘‘The only credit I take for is staying the course of continuing to instill confidence in kids, who don’t ever give up,’’ he said. ‘‘And there’s a lot of people who do believe in you, not the ones who have a voice, and that’s what it’s all about.’’

Blake said a few more good recruiting classes will have the program in good shape. Despite all the speculation, he said prospective recruits remain interested in OU ‘‘because they see what’s going on inside our program with me.’’

‘‘I’m not going to change the course,’’ he said. ‘‘There’s ADs, there’s regents, there’s officials who are the judge of this program. They’re the ones that make the decisions and that’s their job to do. My job is to stay on course and do what I know is best for the football team, and I will.’’

No Go-To Guy for Sooners This Season

By OWEN CANFIELD

AP Sports Writer

NORMAN (AP) — In his first two years at Oklahoma, coach Kelvin Sampson got the ball to Ryan Minor when the Sooners needed a basket. In year three, the go-to player was Nate Erdmann. Last year, it was Corey Brewer.

The Sooners don’t appear to have a scorer like those three this year, although Sampson expects Oklahoma to be able to get its points, somehow.

‘‘Prior to coming here, throughout my coaching career I never really coached that way,’’ he said. ‘‘At Washington State, we always had balanced scoring. By balanced, I’m talking about somewhere between 7-8 and 15-16, and think this team will be similar.’’

The Sooners (22-11 last year, 11-5 in the Big 12) felt they had a scorer in Kelley Newton, a junior-college transfer who was scheduled to start at one of the guard spots. But Newton suffered a season-ending knee injury during a scrimmage.

His position will be filled by Tim Heskett, who missed most of last year with a back injury, and Alex Spaulding, who saw limited playing time a year ago and left the team for a short time this fall.

Despite that shuffling, Sampson believes Oklahoma is more game-ready now than at the same time last year because of the play of point guard Michael Johnson.

‘‘He’s been a constant for us,’’ Sampson said. ‘‘He’s played well since the first day of practice. He’s doing a nice job of running our offense.’’

Johnson looks to pass first and shoot later, although he can shoot. His 42-percent mark from 3-point range last year was a team high.

With Brewer graduated and Newton out, Oklahoma will have to get production from its frontcourt and Sampson believes that can happen.

Eduardo Najera averaged 10.5 points and 5.4 rebounds per game last season, when he was slowed by a foot injury. Ryan Humphrey worked through a bout with anemia to lead the team with 6.5 rebounds per game. Eric Martin missed the final 11 games due to a back injury, but has a perimeter shooting touch to go with inside muscle. Renzi Stone and junior-college transfer Victor Avila round out the frontcourt.

The 6-foot-10, 255-pound Avila recently had a screw placed in one foot in an effort to prevent a stress fracture from occurring down the road. He averaged 23 points and 15 rebounds in junior college last year, and is expected to provide scoring punch when he rounds into form.

Humphrey’s development could be crucial for Oklahoma. He showed last season that he knows how to rebound, but he was tentative on offense. Sampson expects that to change this year.

‘‘I think the first thing you notice is he’s more sure of himself,’’ he said. ‘‘He’s not looking around and wondering can I do this? He knows he can.’’

If Najera, Humphrey and Martin stay healthy, and if Avila can get healthy, the Sooners think they’ll pose problems in the Big 12.

‘‘I don’t think teams can see us as predictably,’’ Stone said. ‘‘Even though last year teams knew Corey was going to get the ball and we still scored, I think this year we’ll be able to go inside more and work a lot more team basketball on offense.’’

The Sooners open their season Nov. 14 at home against Northwestern State, La. Their nonconference schedule includes Arkansas and a road game with Cincinnati.

The league coaches picked Oklahoma to finish fourth in the Big 12, behind Oklahoma State, Kansas and Missouri. Sampson may have agreed with that if Newton had not gotten hurt.

‘‘That’s probably a little bit high for us right now,’’ he said. ‘‘Maybe we can be that as we go through season, but this is a setback for us.’’