LOCAL

Leonid Meteor Shower Keeps World Awed
Watts Makes Leadership Team With Upset Win Over Boehner
Dunham To Be Inducted Into State Hall of Fame
Nearly News
Conference Center Profitability Still Questionable
Kay County Among List To Get Loans
‘Little People’ Compilation of Stories From Native American Storytellers
Local Carpenter Staying Busy With Inventions
Area Calendar

Leonid Meteor Shower Keeps World Awed

KADENA AIR BASE, Okinawa (AP) — Stargazers across Asia huddled in the pre-dawn chill today, admiring the flares of red and white that streaked through the night sky during the greatest meteor shower in decades.

NASA sent up research planes from this U.S. Air Force base in southern Japan in an attempt to glean hints into the origins of life on Earth and the planet’s relationship to the cosmos.

From Thailand’s highest peak to the neon-drenched streets of Tokyo, people in Asia — where meteors burned bright against the sky — lifted their eyes to a magnificent spectacle when the storm reached its climax in the direction of the constellation Leo.

‘‘It’s wonderful,’’ said Toshiaki Kogai, one of hundreds of Japanese who watched from a park south of Tokyo. ‘‘I never imagined it would be like this.’’

The Leonid shower, so named because the meteors appear to come from the direction of Leo, is caused by Earth’s passage through the long tail of the Comet Tempel-Tuttle. Leonid showers occur each November, but are spectacular only every 33 years when the comet speeds through the inner solar system and sheds swarms of particles as it nears the sun.

Fears that the comet dust speeding along at 155,000 mph would damage some of the world’s 600-plus satellites and disrupt communications did not appear to bear out.

‘‘We passed the peak and the peak was actually less intense than predicted, and there are no incidents related to the storm,’’ said Gregory Hughes, spokesman for The Aerospace Corporation, in El Segundo, Calif.

The crew of the space station Mir spent the peak of the storm inside the Soyuz escape capsule and neither saw nor heard the shower, Mission Control said, according to Russia’s ITAR-Tass news agency. All of the station’s systems were functioning normally, it said.

None of Russia’s 137 military and civilian satellites in orbit has been damaged by the shower, the Russian strategic forces said in a statement, according to the ITAR-Tass.

In Tokyo and many other Japanese cities, businesses heeded a government plea to dim their lights to enhance viewing.

Although the night remained bright in the capital area, meteors could be seen every two or three minutes at the height of t House GOP. Dunn appealed for unity, saying it was important to ‘‘sweep up the residue’’ from the leadership contest.

Rep. Tom DeLay of Texas had no opposition for another term as party whip, the third-ranking leadership post.

Livingston, who chairs the House Appropriations Committee, was chosen by voice vote in a closed-door meeting of the 223 House Republicans who will serve in the 106th Congress. With the backing of the majority party, the Louisiana lawmaker is assured election to the job when the new House convenes Jan. 6.

Livingston was unopposed in his bid to become leader of the chamber’s Republicans and No. 2 in the constitutional line of succession to President Clinton, behind Vice President Al Gore.

Challenging Armey were Largent, Dunn, and J. Dennis Hastert of Illinois, who dropped out after finishing fourth on the first ballot.

The leadership elections followed two weeks of intense behind-the-scenes campaigning by candidates for the jobs, and in some cases months of preparation.

‘‘The recent election did not mark a turning away from the Republican Party,’’ Livingston said in accepting the nomination. ‘‘But we did falter. ... We didn’t run out of ideas. We simply neglected to run on our ideas.’’

He said House Republicans will not betray their philosophy, but ‘‘lose nothing by reaching out to the other side, to talk and listen and work in tandem with those who may share some of our goals and dreams.’’

The 55-year-old Livingston will succeed Gingrich, a Georgian who astonished his colleagues Nov. 6 by announcing that he would retire from his post and from Congress. Three days earlier, Election Day saw the GOP lose five House seats, dashing hopes for big Republican pickups and leaving GOP lawmakers blaming their leaders.

Rep. Ray LaHood of Illinois said Gingrich spoke briefly at the start of today’s meeting and called Livingston to the podium, handed him a gavel and said, ‘‘Your success as speaker will in large measure be whether people in this room stand together and stand united.’’

After speaking, Gingrich departed on a vacation trip to Florida.

Livingston, a 21-year House veteran, is a conservative known less for ideology than for pragmatism and has already vowed to be a manager who will work with Democrats. His ascension comes as Republicans search for a way to broaden their appeal to voters and heal rifts between the party’s ideological social conservatives and its more pragmatic moderates.

Dunn was a favorite of Republicans who believe the party needs to moderate its message and appeal to women voters, while Largent was backed by conservatives eager for a sharper, more aggressive approach. Hastert, seen as a possible bridge for moderates and conservatives, has been the GOP’s chief deputy whip.

Dunham To Be Inducted Into State Hall of Fame

By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE

News Staff Writer

Conoco President and Chief Executive Officer Archie Dunham of Houston is slated to be inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame this evening at the Performing Arts Center in Tulsa.

The event is sponsored by the Oklahoma Heritage Association.

A native of Ada, Dunham is recognized as an international leader in the energy industry. He serves on the board of the American Petroleum Institute, Energy Institute of the Americas, the Smithsonian Institution, the George Bush Presidential Library Foundation, the U.S. Russian Business Council, the United States Energy Association and the Bretton Woods Committee.

A graduate of the University of Oklahoma, he has been a major leader in the university’s Reach for Excellence Campaign.

Presenting Dunham for induction will be General Charles E. Yaeger, Cedar Ridge, Calif. Yaeger is one of America’s most highly respected aviators and test pilots.

Another presenter of interest to Ponca Citians is Mary Young second year so there is considerable improvement. The elder Myers had absorbed the los the Trail of Tears.

On Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m., Perry will tell his stories and autograph his book. “Life with the Little People” is considered a valuable addition to any Native American collection.

There are little people stories that reach from mid 16th century England to Central America to Siberia. But the little people stories related in “Life with the Little People” comes from the oral stories of a number of American Indian cultures, particularly the Muscogea Creek tribe. Realizing that these stories are typical of stories of other tribes, Perry is hoping to expand awareness to the extent that other tribes will be willing to speak up and tell their stories as well.

Storytelling for Robert Perry began after his father died. He realized that he had heard stories for 25 years from his father and many of the elders, but they were not written.

“By my own experience, it was clear that future generations needed to hear their stories. Before my lifetime, two past generations had been discouraged from their culture. Much information was being lost. Who would tell these stories?” explained Perry.

Perry began talking with the elders of the tribes and gathering information about the Little People. He ran into Chester Scott who was “willing to tell as much as my ears could hear.” He realized that much could be lost if not written down; he also realized that by the writing, the words themselves would be limiting. He explains that “a book would be useful to preserve culture and tell people far beyond the tribal boundary, ... Both a book and asking an elder returns respect to the tribe by joining a child with generational knowledge that teaches integrity and morals.”

But the storytelling itself is important to Perry.

“The storytelling audience comes, and they’re almost in a trance when they’re looking at a storyteller,” noted Perry. “It’s almost like you’re communicating soul to soul, and you can’t get that from a TV.”

“Basically storytelling is an exchange of information where a storyteller gives some understanding, and there’s an opportunity to even ask questions of a storyteller that you can’t from a TV,“ he explains.

Midweek

Local Carpenter Staying Busy With Inventions

By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE

News Business Editor

An 85-year-old carpenter with a good work ethic and a sharp mind, John Clarke, 1301 El Camino, is marketing his invention — the Clarke Construction Caddy — on the World Wide Web.

During his 60 years in the business, John has had variety of construction experiences. For years he had envisioned a better and easier way of hanging a door by himself.

After several years of experimenting, John came up with a prototype for the Clarke Construction Caddy, which allows the carpenter or amateur to manage a door alone.

This stainless steel device can adjust for ordinary sized doors or extra tall or wider than usual doors. The small caddy sits on four dual coasters that can be retracted to set the door on the floor. Each caster can support 75 pounds and four casters hold a total poundage of 300. Also the caddy is equipped with brakes that stabilize the contraption.

Another neat thing about the Construction Caddy is that it allows one man to handle a panel of sheet rock. With two caddys on a full sheet the carpenter can score and cut part of the sheet and each piece stays steady on a caddy. The sheet rock can be erected on end or handled width-wise.

The patent is pending on the versatile caddy that makes it possible for one person to manipulate a door and work with the unwieldy construction objects with a minimum of effort, according to Clarke’s web site.

Another of John’s inventions advertised on the web involves the plans for a Tilting Carpenter Work Bench. When constructed this device folds up flat, is easy to haul and provides a stable work table, eliminating the need for saw horses.

Joins Carpenter Union

At the age of 21 John became a member of the Carpenters Union as an apprentice and this has led to travel in 12 foreign countries and all of the states.

His first experience as a carpenter’s foreman came during World War II. He joined the Navy’s Construction Battalion and because of his longtime Union membership was accepted with a chief carpenter’s rating. He saw service in Guadalcanal and Okinawa.

After military service he and his wife Marcelle and family lived in Oklahoma City and later moved to Ponca City and he did a stint at remodeling the Old Marland Stable into a home. In the meantime he and Marcelle reared five daughters.

Then the wander bug bit him again and he went to Juneau and began work in April 1959. The sixties provided John’s family time to develop 23 building lots in Ponca City, while he continued to work as a carpenter’s foreman at a church site.

Over the years Clarke has worked on numerous projects including the Fine Arts Building at the High School. He was a maintenance carpenter for the school system for years.

Door hanging was one of his specialities. He said, “It was during this time that one of those ‘carpenter’s better ideas’ hit me. It would be great to have a device to assist when hanging doors and to move other flat awkward materials such as sheet rock, plywood and glass.”

John said, “Once the girls were off to their respective colleges, married and raising their own families, and between my jobs, Marcelle and I travel in our Air Stream Trailer. My carpenter tools are always hand.

“Visiting relatives and friends I have been called upon to fix their doors. Again the door device idea kept surfacing. Finally I decided I would build a prototype of a Construction Caddy. Over the past three years I have perfected its style and have a patent pending. Using my lifetime experience as a union carpenter, I believe I have invented a product which allows carpenters to handle doors and sheet rock without a helper.”

Already those who have used the Construction Caddy know that the invention saves strain on the back and probably costly medical bills.

Several members of Clarke’s family have been involved in helping with the patenting process and getting on the web.

For those who want to learn more about the Construction Caddy they can check on Clarke’s web site at http://home.pacbell.net/cg-sc or call him at 580-762-4719.

Area Calendar

November 19

Hospice of Ponca City Grief Support Group, 10 a.m., First Presbyterian Church, Blackwell.

November 20

Kaw Reservoir Authority, 10 a.m., Perkins Restaurant, Ponca City.

RSVP of Kay County Trivia, Music and Games, 1:30 p.m., Senior Center, 319 West Grand Avenue, Ponca City.

“That’s No Bull Revue,” 7:30 p.m., Northern Oklahoma College Performing Arts Center, Tonkawa, free admission.

November 20-21

Ponca Playhouse production “Our Town,” 8 p.m., Poncan Theatre, 104 East Grand Avenue.

November 21

Kildare School Craft Show, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Kildare School.

Xi Alpha Upsilon’s 22nd Annual Craft Fair, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Agri-Business Building, 712 West Washington, Arkansas City, more information call Debbie McNulty 316-442-7414.

Northern Oklahoma College Routsabouts Homecoming Show, 8 p.m., Northern Performing Arts Center.

November 24

RSVP of Kay County Senior Birthday Bash, 1:30 p.m., Senior Center, 319 West Grand Avenue, Ponca City.

November 26

Pioneer Woman 10K and 2K Fun Run, 9 a.m., Pioneer Woman Statue.

November 27

Festival of Angels Opening Night.

Downtown Christmas Tree Lighting and Caroling, 6 p.m., Centennial Plaza.

November 27-December 27

Festival of Angels, Holiday Lighting Celebration, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. nightly.

December 1

ne Clack officiating under the direction of Greenfield Funeral Chapel.

Truman Gass was born Nov. 5, 1920, in Greenfield, to Charles and Minnie Mae (Meyers) Gass. He was married to Aldora Dickerson on Oct. 11, 1941. While employed by J.J. Cook Construction Co., he lived 14 years in Ponca City and 21 years in Yukon, Okla. He returned to Greenfield in the spring of 1986. Mr. Gass was a member of the Greenfield First Christian Church and was an accomplished woodworker and gardener.

Survivors include his wife, Aldora, of Greenfield; one daughter, Kay Johnson of Yukon; four brothers, Everett of Carthage, Mo., Floyd of Greenfield, Edwin of Arkansas City, Kan., and Ernest of Santa Monica, Calif.; two sisters-in-law including Maye Gass of Ponca City; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Fulton and Howard.

Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Gass’ name to Greenfield First Christian Church or the Southwest Covenant School of Yukon, c/o Greenfield Funeral Chapel, 61 North Allison, Greenfield, Mo. 65661.

Obituaries

Cecil Ray Fleharty

KAW CITY — Cecil Ray Fleharty, longtime Kaw City resident, died Monday Nov. 16, 1998 at his home. He was 70.

The funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 19, 1998 at the Kaw City Methodist Church with the Rev. Troy Pults officiating. Burial will follow in the Grandview Cemetery under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel, Ponca City.

Born March 12, 1928 in Washunga, he was the son of John Raymond and Mary Anita (Bowker) Fleharty. He attended school in the Kaw City schools and graduated from Kaw City High School. Mr. Fleharty worked for the Santa Fe Railroad before enlisting in the U.S. Navy in 1946. Following his discharge from the U.S. Navy he was employed by Phillips Oil Co. He later went to work for the Cities Service refinery in Ponca City in January 1961 and retired from the Conoco refinery in January of 1981. He also worked with his brother Fred in building several homes in Ponca City.

On June 3, 1949 he was married to Bobby Jean Cassity at the Baptist Parsonage in Newkirk. The couple made their home in Kaw City until moving to Ponca City in 1962. He returned to Kaw City in 1977 and made his home on a part of his family’s Cherokee Strip homestead.

He was married to Jueletta Sue Overbey on March 10, 1990 in the Kaw City Methodist Church and they have made their home west of Kaw City. He was a member of the Kaw City Methodist Church, the American Legion and the VFW. He enjoyed collecting and working on antique tractors, hunting, fishing. A devoted father and husband, especially enjoyed spending time with his family.

Surviving are his wife, Sue, of the home; four children and their spouses, Karen Lee and Jon Yocam, Timothy Dale and Dorothy Fleharty, Sharon Ann Price, and Mary Kay and Joe Colby Jr., all of Ponca City; step-children, Michael Shane Overbey, of Shidler, and Valorie Jean and John Jones, of Grainola; four sisters, Florence Williams, of Kaw City, Hazel Heck and Lois Long, both of Ponca City, and Shirley Weir, of Carter Lake, Iowa; two brothers, Wayne Fleharty, of Kaw City, and Gene Fleharty, of Cushing.

Also eight grandchildren, Tracy Fleharty, Jason Yocam, Jeff Yocam, Christy Jones, Miranda Hill, Jamie Price, Beth Ann Fleharty, and Mathew Price; and five great-grandchildren, Brooke, Tori, and Tyler Fleharty, Melanie Jones, and Dalton Jones. He was preceded in death by his parents, a beloved brother, Fred Fleharty, and a son-in-law, Marty Hill.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Kaw City Methodist Church, c/o BancFirst, P.O. Box 220, Kaw City, OK 74641.

Friends may call at the funeral home until 9 p.m. Wednesday.

The family will be at the home in Kaw City.

paid obituary

Dale Pickens

Dale Pickens, 538 Virginia Avenue, died Monday evening Nov. 16, 1998, at his home. He was 73.

A graveside servnny Hook and the Rev. Jesse Mannering, officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.

Dale Pickens was born on May 1, 1925 at Boswell, Okla., the oldest son of Hugh and Ruth (Baxter) Pickens. He attended school at Boswell graduating from High School in 1942. After serving in the Merchant Marines during World War II, he attended Northern Oklahoma Junior College at Tonkawa.

Dale went to work for Rock Island Railroad in 1945, and served as station master and telegraph operator in Oklahoma, Kansas, and Arkansas before his assignment to Ponca City in 1947. He was employed by Rock Island for 25 years before the railroad went out of business and shut down their line into Ponca City serving the Continental Oil Company.

Later, Dale was a private school bus contractor for the Ponca City Schools and retired as Transportation Director in 1991. Dale was a member of the First United Methodist Church and the Elks Lodge. His hobbies were hunting, fishing, and collecting antique sewing machines. He was known throughout the United States as an expert on the Singer 221 Featherweight sewing machine.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Hugh Pickens and Ruth Baxter Pickens.

He is survived by his wife Deloris of the home; one son, Hugh of Baltimore, Md., and a daughter, Gail Pickens-Barger, of Victoria, Texas; five grandchildren, Caroline Pickens-Jahnke and Daniel Pickens both of Lima, Peru, South America, Amber Barger, Rachel Barger, and Derek Barger all of Victoria, Texas; sisters, Lelda Roberts of Oklahoma City, Shirley Wahlman of Portales, N.M. and one brother Gene Pickens, of Ponca City.

Honorary casket bearers will be, Floyd Pomeroy, Joe and Jody Surber, Jerry and Bonnie Runyan, Allen Teten, Clarence “Bake” Baker, Al Mattiessen, Jerry Dale Pickens, Brady Pickens, Craig Pickens, Larita Taylor, Dr. Gene Arrendell, Roy Crisp, Art Kirchenbauer, Keith Burge, Larry Estes, and Stony Jones.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Ponca City Inc., 1904 North Union, Suite 103, Ponca City, OK 74601.

The family will be greeting friends at the funeral home from 6 to 8:30 p.m. today.

paid obituary

Frank B. Davis

Frank B. Davis, 2709 Rice, died early Tuesday morning, Nov. 17, 1998, at his home. He was 90.

The funeral service will be Thursday, 2 p.m. at the Albright United Methodist Church with the Rev. Dr. Kip Wright, pastor, officiating. Burial will follow in the Odd Fellows Cemetery under the direction of the Trout Funeral Home.

Frank was born March 16, 1908, on a farm near Belle Plaine, Kan., the son of Jesse and Maude Greene Davis. When he was a small boy, the family moved to Winfield where he attended school and graduated from high school in 1927. He attended junior college at Arkansas City and worked for Keefe Packing Plant as a meat cutter.

On Feb. 13, 1937, he was married to Ruth Otey and the couple moved to Los Angeles where he opened and operated a meat market until 1940. From 1940 to 1945 he was employed by Lockheed Aircraft as a welder. After World War II, the family moved back to Oklahoma and opened an auto repair and welding shop at Ponca City in Pleasant View. By 1950, Triumph and B.S.A. motorcycles became the main source of income. In 1958 Davis became the 110th Honda dealer in the U.S. In 1966, Toyota automobiles were added, making Davis the 2nd Toyota dealer in Oklahoma. Frank was active in the dealership until his retirement in 1974.

Frank was a member of the Pleasant View School Board for many years. He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge, a Life Member of the Ponca City Ambucs and the American Motorcycle Association. He attended Albright United Methodist Church and was a member of the Progressive Sunday School Class. He was an avid bowler and loved to garden.

He is survived by his wife, Ruth Davis of the home; a daughter Merle Heinz of Rose Hill, Kan.; a son and daughter-in-law Ted and Sandra Davis of Macomb, Okla.; four grandchildren, Bill Heinz and wife Nancyyboys Band.

Head Country, One half bar-b-q chicken with choice of vegeta-

bles, $3.95, Thursday, 4-? p.m. 1217 East Prospect. 767-8304. adv.

Robbery — At 11:48 p.m. Tuesday police were called to Sonic, 2603 North Fourteenth Street, after being advised that the manager had been robbed.

Citation Issued — A juvenile was cited for a curfew violation at 2:17 a.m. Wednesday at Second Street and East Grand Avenue.

Overstock Sweatshirt Sale — Need a sweatshirt? We have overstocked large sweatshirts at Village Green Print Shop, located in Opportunity Village. Come by and see our large stock, now on sale from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

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

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

Twice As Good — Clothing and household merchandise (some items excluded) will be discounted 50 percent until Christmas at the Twice As Good Thrift Shop.

Jueschke Carpet Cleaners. For professional carpet cleaning, call

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

Accident — An accident at South Seventh Street and East South Avenue was reported to police at 7:47 a.m. Tuesday.

Trisha Yearwood: A magical night in concert. Grammy win-

ning performer only on pay per view. Friday, November 29th at 8:00 p.m. for just $19.95. For advance ordering call Cable ONE at 762-6684. adv.

Break-In — A man in the 100 block of North Ash Street contacted police at 8:25 a.m. Tuesday reporting that his van had been broken into. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Court Allen Construction. Concrete and flagstone walkways, patios and yard curbing. Call 765-2720. adv.

Burglary — A burglary at storage units in the 300 block of North Union Street was reported to police at 9:37 a.m. Tuesday. An officer was assigned.

Tales Of the Old 101 Ranch booklet available at Cultural

Center, Marland Mansion, Pioneer Woman Museum and Brace

Book Store, $8. adv.

Stolen Bike — At 12:26 p.m. Tuesday police were notified of a bike stolen from the 1000 block of North Sunset Street.

Windshield Chips repaired professionally. Guaranteed and

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

Arrest — A 37-year-old man was arrested at 2:24 p.m. Tuesday from the 300 block of North Elm Street for possession of marijuana.

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

765-4348. adv.

Prowler — At 3:12 p.m. Tuesday police took a report of a prowler who was found in the basement of a home in the 800 block of Poplar Avenue.

Being Relocated, or in town for a short time? We have homes available by the month or longer. All homes are full furnished with appliances, furniture, linens, pots and pans. Inclusive of cable, local phone, and utilities. Please call 580-762-7980 or 580-718-0681. adv.

Missing Tag — Pemberton, 3330 North Fourteenth Street, reported a missing dealer tag at 3:35 p.m. Tuesday.

Veteran’s Dance to benefit the Veteran’s Home. Elks Lodge, Friday, November 20th, 8:00 p.m. to 12:00 p.m.. Entertainment provided by Main Street Station from Winfield. Cost-$5.00 or bring a new package of men’s undergarments and get in FREE!! 765-4045. adv.

Accident — A two- vehicle accident at Second Street and East Grand Avenue was reported at 3:46 p.m. Tuesday.

Domestic — Police were called to the scene of a domestic at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, 1900 North Fourteenth Street, at 10:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Accidental Shooting — At 9:22 p.m. Tuesday polr an accidental gunshot wound. Because the incident occurred in the county the call was transferred to Kay County Sheriff’s office.

Jim Bowen Construction‚ Custom homes, room additions and

remodeling. Call 762-3077. adv.

Vehicle Vandalism — A woman advised police at 4:53 p.m. Tuesday that the windshield of her vehicle had been broken with a baseball bat at East Cherry Avenue and South Ninth Street.

Accident — At 5:26 p.m. Tuesday a man reported to police that a juvenile on a bike ran into his vehicle while it was parked in the 3000 block North Fourteenth Street.

Accident — A three-vehicle, non-injury accident at Hartford Avenue and North Union Street was reported at 5:26 p.m. Tuesday.

Accident — Police were called to the scene of a two-vehicle accident at South Fourteenth Street and U.S. 60/77/177 at 6:37 p.m. Tuesday.

1999 101 Ranch Old Timers calenders $10. Linda Rennie, Pio-

neer Bank, 762-5651. adv.

Break-In — At 2:36 a.m. Wednesday police took a report at the Union Mini Storage, 800 block of North Union Street, after the locks of a unit had been cut and someone had reportedly gone through the contents.

LIFESTYLES

Xi Gamma Sigma Pledge Ritual For Pam Sober
Engagement Is Announced
Time for Elk Falls Annual Open House
Chapter Makes Thanksgiving Dinner Plans

Xi Gamma Sigma Pledge Ritual For Pam Sober

Members of Xi Gamma Sigma Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi sorority met on Nov. 10 in the home of Catherine Horner. A candlelight pledge ritual was conducted for new member Pam Sober by Juni Parks. The ritual table was set with the traditional yellow roses and candles, and Ms. Sober was presented with a yellow rose bouquet.

After the pledge ritual, President Darlene VanDeburgh conducted the business meeting with 14 members standing for the Opening Ritual. The minutes were approved with one correction, that the couples’ Christmas party will be held at the Marland Mansion restaurant, E.W.’s.

President VanDeburgh read a card from Teena Robbins requesting a leave of absence. Ms. VanDeburgh also announced that an executive board meeting will be scheduled in the near future.

LaRannah Bartlett read from the “Book of Beta Sigma Phi”, that the “Torch” is the official monthly publication of Beta Sigma Phi, sent to each member. “Invitation to Life” is the official pledge training outline.

Donna Ross, scrapbook chairman, gave a report and announced a meeting of the committee on Nov. 17. Service committee report was given by Peggy Cookson, who requested members not bringing their canned goods to this meeting should take them to Sue Waggerman’s home by Nov. 20 so that she can deliver the food basket to the family adopted by the chapter.

Ms. VanDeburgh gave the City Council report and announced that Xi Gamma Sigma Chapter has the responsibility for the rehearsal and queen’s resume, M.C., photographs and publicity for the City Council Valentine Dance at the Elks Club on Feb. 13. The M.C. and disc jockey will be Dave May. City Council will invite the Blackwell chapters to Founder’s Day April 20 at the Ponca City Country Club.

The Nov. 14 meeting was at the home of Pam Sober, with Pam and Juni Parks giving the program. Secret Sister thank yous were given, and Glenda Brown distributed tickets to the Golden Villa fundraiser dinner. It was announced that eight members would be going to the Beta Sigma Phi Branson weekend.

Engagement Is Announced

e results of the Oktoberfest project. A special thank you will be presented to Danny Johnstone, John Kifiak, and Bill Beagley for their last minute special work in repairing the Coke trailer for the concession stand and to Bob and Carol Goulden for the cooking tent and electrical set up assistance.

Beta Sigma Phi cookbook orders were also finalized. Dottie Johnstone won the traveling basket. The program was presented by Lila Logan on “Personal Christmas Gift Wishes.” The next meeting will be Nov. 19 at the home of Francie James.

SPORTS

Mavs Rock Connors
Lady Mavs One Quarter Short
Junior High Basketball

Mavs Rock Connors

By MATTHEW KOENIG

News Sports Writer

TONKAWA — Only time will tell if the Mavericks of NOC can equal the greatness achieved by last year’s record-setting, 28-8 team.

But so-far, they’re off to a pretty good start.

Tuesday, the Mavs staged an amazing, second-half comeback to pull ahead of Connors State, and held on in the final three minutes to rock the No. 3 nationally-ranked and undefeated Cowboys, 76-70.

The Mavs improve to 6-1 on the season — just off the 7-0 pace set by last year’s team.

Though there were a number of heroic plays in the game, former Midwest City standout Ryan Williams had perhaps the two biggest. Up 66-65 with one minute left in regulation, the 6-5 freshman nailed a 3-pointer to put the Mavs up by four. A few real-time minutes later — following a Connors’ time-out and a protracted argument about where the ball should be in-bounded — Williams pinned a half-court violation on the Cowboys after a near-steal and a mad a scramble for the ball.

The Mavs then buried 7-of-8 from the free throw line to ice the upset victory.

“It would have been easy to quit, to say ‘well, we’re not going to get it done,’ but they didn’t do it,” said coach Mick Weiberg. “They found a way to hang in there.”

Indeed, a miserable, 2-point shooting effort in the first half (6-of-26), sent the Mavs into a 35-26 halftime hole. To Weiberg, that deficit could have been much wider.

“I’m thinking we’re playing about as bad as we can, and we should be down by 20, but I look up and we’re only down by five,” he said. “They owned us for the first five minutes, and our 2-point shooting was terrible for the first 25 minutes. But we picked up a little rhythm there.

“I went from being disappointed as heck for 25 minutes to pretty proud for 15.”

The Cowboys rattled off two straight buckets to stretch their lead to 13 in the second half. But in a sudden scoring rampage, the Mavs ripped off 12 unanswered points to go ahead. With the crowd putting up a deafening roar, Williams drove the baseline to pull the Mavs within four. Banks then picked up a steal and lofted the ball to Regnier, who got the bucket and the 3-point play. Shere-Khan Jones then completed the run with a put-back slam dunk that had the student section pounding the bleachers.

“That crowd bothered Connors,” said Weiberg. “I don’t think we could have come back without them. That was also the first time I’ve looked up and seen three guys with N-O-C painted on their chests. That tells me there’s some pride in this institution.”

Though the Cowboys responded with a 12-5 run of their own, it was the Mavs getting the final push down the stretch.

Down by four, 57-53, the Mavs went on a 7-0 run to take the lead with 4:35 left to play. Sophomore Josh Regnier completed a three-point play after spinning a shot off the backboard and drawing a foul. Garrett Pelton then got a put-back, point guard Larry Reid came up with a steal, and after dishing off to Reginer for a layup, the Mavs went on top, 60-57. Despite the upset, Weiberg says the Mavs won’t likely be heading up the Juco charts any time soon.

“It’s still too early, and we have a lot more tough games this year,” he says.

“But people will take notice.”

Regnier led the Mavs with 19 points, including 15 in the second half. The 5-9 guard was also the Mavs’ second-leading rebounder, with five, and had four assists.

Banks was second with 16, followed by Williams with 15, and Reid with 11. Pelton had 8, Nathan Gregory had 4, while Jones had 2.

The Cowboys were led by preseason All-American Kenny Dye, with 21.

The Mavs also had 14 turnovers, versus 20 for the Cowboys.

The Mavs are at home again on Saturday, taking on NEO. Tip off for the homecoming match up is at 4 p.m.

Lady Mavs One Quarter Short

By MATTHEW KOENIG

News Sports Writer

TONKAWA — Buddy, can you spare a quarter?

For three quarters Tuesday night, the Lady Mavericks of NOC (2-4) held their own against the Top 20-ranked Connors State Cowgirls.

But the Cowgirls — using an industrial strength press — exploded in the fourth quarter for 29 points while limiting the Lady Mavs to just seven, winning 97-73.

The Cowgirls were led by 5-10 freshman Siovhan Hill, who finished with 19 points. A good fourth quarter production from Athena McCoy and Nakea Mitchell also cost the Lady Mavs, as that duo combined for 13 of the Cowgirls’ fourth quarter output, and 32 in the game.

“I would say it was part fatigue and part mental,” said Lady Mavs’ coach Greg Krause, of his team’s waning effort in the final period. “We were tired, but we have to learn to get over that mental hump — we have to learn to disregard the pain and fatigue.

“They (Connors) created some turnovers, but we also gave them a lot of gifts. We made a number of foolish passes.”

Though they hung within a bucket through most of the first half, a 12-4 run in the final three minutes sent the Lady Mavs into the locker room trailing, 46-37. That run included a foul way beyond the three point line on McCoy in the last second — with McCoy converting all three shots at the charity stripe.

Still, considering the plethora of turnovers by the Lady Mavs — which Krause says could be as high as 35 — there was a lot to look at, offensively and defensively.

“We made some improvement from Saturday (a 101-79 loss to Westark),” he said. “There’s no question.”

After falling behind by 11 in the first four minutes of the second half, the Lady Mavs shifted gears and went on a 14-3 tear to take the lead by two, 59-57.

In that rally, six unanswered points led to a 3-pointer at the top of the key by Chenise Robinson. LaTonya Douglas then went coast-to-coast for a layup, and moments later, Kacey Whitworth nailed another 3-pointer to give the Lady Mavs the momentary, 2-point advantage.

That was as close as it would get, however, as a pair of turnovers led to five unanswered points for the Cowgirls.

“We have to learn to assert ourselves in situations like that,” said Krause. “And that just comes from hard work, taking them to places they haven’t been before.”

“But it will come around — this team likes to work hard. And we’re playing three extremely tough teams in a row right now.”

Whitworth led the Lady Mavs with 13 points, including a trio of 3-pointers. Douglas, Lyndsey Warrior and Jennifer Williams each had 11, Robinson had 10, Jessica Garner had 6, Suzi Eisenhauer had 4, Shaneta Lewis had 3, while Erica Metcalf had 2.

The Lady Mavs go back into action Saturday, hosting NEO in a homecoming match up. Tip off is scheduled for 2.

Junior High Basketball

8th Grade Girls’ Red 25, Broken Arrow Haskell 21

ursday, taking on Broken Arrow Central.