From the pages of The Ponca City News, Thursday, November 18, 1999

LOCAL

DEATHS

NEWS BRIEFS

SPORTS

GARDENING


LOCAL



Marland Mansion Officially A Property of Treasures
Newspapers Seeking Change In Deferred Prosecution Law
Area Oil and Gas Report
Momma’s Enchanted Supper
Survey Indicates Health Care Needs Of Older Mothers Differ Significantly
Kaw Lake Group Reviews Upcoming Holiday Events
Former Ponca City Teacher Here Saturday To Sign Book
Rockfest 1999 Set Saturday
Eagle Watch At Kaw Lake Set Jan. 22
Women and Men in 999 Not a Bed of Roses
Letter - No One Bothered To Explain Situation
Letter - Band Controversy Not New At All
Letter - Seeks Dr. Bob's License Reinstated



Marland Mansion Officially A Property of Treasures

By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE

News Staff Writer

The Marland Mansion has been designated as an official project of Save America’s Treasure’s, Kathy Adams reported at the Marland Estate Commission meeting. She said the Mansion has been put on the list and at this point there is no mention of funds available for the project but there may be in the future.

Reporting on other promotional efforts she told that recently the Mansion has been featured on the television programs of Discover Oklahoma and Oklahoma Living. She said that Cspan had been here filming that will eventually be used on the air.

December is slated to be a busy month as the Estate with 25 special tours scheduled and 14 events have been planned before the end of the month.

Special tours this were for the OSU horticulture class of Dr. Anella and the First Ladies Luncheon.

The gift shop now has a new Christmas ornament in stock as well as other holiday items. Adams said there are a few of last years ornaments for those who might be interested in collecting them.

Telling about projects, Adams said there is a new finish on the Mansion doors and this was funded with the Paul Prather Memorial. A new phone system has been installed and plans are going forward with the security systems.

Painting of the walls in the breakfast room has been finished. The walls include the hand painted “Tree of Life.” Adams reported that the gold framed Raphael painting is now hanging in the South Salon.

Other building maintenance includes new handles being installed on the lower and gallery level and new acrylite has been placed on the screen doors and these could be ready in time for the Christmas Gala, set for Dec. 4.

A guide reception was held recently and five new guides have signed up, plus station guides for the Artist Studio and Lydie’s Cottage.

New guided tours of the Mansion which have been added are to be held at 11 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. Lydie’s Cottage and the Artist Studio will be open with station guides on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Adams reported she had made four promotional speeches last month for the Ponca City Rotary, Frank Philips Friends, AAUW and Delta Kappa Gamma.



Newspapers Seeking Change In Deferred Prosecution Law

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The Oklahoma Press Association is urging state lawmakers to amend a state law that makes it a crime to talk about the facts of deferred prosecutions.

OPA Executive Vice President Mark Thomas said Wednesday that the OPA is cooperating with the District Attorneys Council. The DA’s group has assured the OPA, which represents state newspapers, that it does not plan to oppose the proposed changes.

‘‘We appreciate their help and their attitude,’’ Thomas said.

Deferred prosecutions are used by district attorneys throughout the state in cases such as fraud, domestic violence, misuse of public funds, burglary, child abuse and rape. The law allowing deferred prosecutions was passed in 1979 with the intent of rehabilitating qualified defendants and relieving prison crowding.

In deferred prosecutions, the accused waives the right to a speedy trial and signs an agreement with the district attorney to abide by certain conditions for a period of from a few weeks to two years.

Records of the case are sealed. The person usually has some supervision, community service or restitution to take care of.

If the person stays out of trouble, charges are never filed and essentially, as far as the public knows, the crime never occurred.

The OPA plans to ask the Legislature next year to eliminate confidentiality provisions in the 20-year-old state law. A person who reveals the facts in a deferred prosecution case can be fined up to $1,000 and sent to jail for up to six months on a misdemeanor charge.

‘‘It’s too secret,’’ Thomas said. ‘‘Not even the governor or the Legislature can find out.’’

‘‘OPA doesn’t want to deny our district attorneys access to any tool which can be used to fight crime or change lives,’’ Thomas said. ‘‘We are simply asking that the confidentiality requirements be taken out of the law.’’

Thomas said some district attorneys sidestep the confidentiality requirement by asking deferred prosecution participants to sign a waiver.

Suzanne McClain Atwood, executive coordinator for the District Attorneys Council, said some DAs told her the confidentiality mandate sometimes creates a credibility hardship.

‘‘The consensus is that we are going to look at your proposal on confidentiality and we are not going to oppose it,’’ she told the OPA.

Unlike deferred sentencing, deferred prosecution doesn’t require court approval. The district attorney has sole discretion to make an agreement and see that it is carried out.

The OPA began studying the deferred prosecution law and its effects after The Poteau Daily News & Sun found two instances where deferred prosecution was used in cases involving public officials.

An OPA task force studied news accounts and talked to district attorneys about the deferred prosecutions.

The study found that 251 people were granted deferred prosecutions in Tulsa County in 1998, about 2.5 percent of the total accused of felonies and misdemeanors.

District Attorney Tim Harris expects that number to be topped this year. He said the secrecy with the program is a necessary incentive.

‘‘If we are going to make this thing public, what purpose would it serve?’’ he asked.

As a first assistant district attorney, Harris wrote guidelines that limit the program to non-violent crime involving first-time offenders who are likely to qualify for deferred sentencing.

Tulsa County district attorney investigator Herb Reed said he believes less than 1 percent of participants in the program commit a new offense during the probationary period.

Oklahoma County has done only 543 deferred prosecutions since 1979. District Attorney Bob Macy said he finds insufficient accountability and potential for abuse in the secrecy aspect and usually includes a waiver of confidentiality.

District Attorney Cathy Stocker said nine deferred prosecution agreements were handled in her five counties in the past five years. She said she couldn’t envision a circumstance in which a public official would be offered such a deal.

‘‘I feel very strongly that public officials need to be held to a higher standard on the performance in their jobs,’’ she said.

District Attorney Robert Schulte of Lawton said he won’t do deferred prosecutions.

‘‘If a violation is serious enough, if there is enough evidence to take some action, then action should be taken in court,’’ he said. ‘‘Any time you start keeping things hidden from the public, even if it’s with the best of intentions, you raise suspicions.’’



Area Oil and Gas Report

First production data has been posted for a new producer in the Tonkawa Field, Kay County, about one-eighth miles east-northeast of Three Sands.

Designated as the No. 6 Memaha, the well flowed at the rate of 500,000 CF gas per day on an undisclosed choke opening.

With Hegco Canada Inc. as the operator, the well bottomed at 2,550 feet and will produce from perforations 2,292 to 2,304 feet into the hole.

Section 35-township 25n-range 1w-sw-sw.

Drilling is nearing projected total depth of the No. 1 E.S. Crow, a Kay County wildcat located 2.8 miles west-northwest of Braman. Total depth is projected to 4,500 feet with R.D. Bunner Exploration Inc. as the operator. Drilling operations commenced on Aug. 6 of this year.

Section 2-township 28n-range 2w-nw-sw.

The No. 1 Test Hole has been classified as a dry hole at a location inside the city limits of Ponca City. Drilling started on Sept. 23 and progressed to an undisclosed depth. The Warren Corp. is the operator.

Section 27-township 26n-range 2e-sw-ne.

Production in the Herrington Formation will be the goal when a shallow Noble County wildcat is spudded 5.4 miles northwest of Ceres. It will be known as the No. 2 David with M.H. Williams as the operator.

Section 25-township 24n-range 2w-se-sw.

Flowing 35 barrels of oil per day, a shallow producer has been brought on line in a wildcat drillsite 5.6 miles southwest of Ceres, Noble County.

It is designated as the No. 2 White with Three Sands Oil Co. as the operator.

Bottomed at 750-ft. TD, it will produce from 676 to 686 feet into the wellbore.

Section 1-township 22n-range 2w-ne-ne.

The Southeast Perry Field will see some developmental action when a recompletion is conducted at the No. 1 Kemnitz a little over three miles southwest of Perry. Originally bottomed at 5,246 feet, it now will see new production in the Big Lime Formation.

American Energy Recovery Inc. is the operator.

Section 1-township 20n-range 2w-se-sw.

Modest production prospects were indicated when an 18-year-old well was recompleted for extended production life in Noble County’s Polo field. BMW Group is the operator.

Designated as the No. 1 Delva, the well showed ability to pump six barrels of oil per day from new perforations 3,896 to 3,904 feet into the hole.

Located a little over seven miles northeast of Perry, the well originally was drilled to total depth of 4,991 feet.

Extended production in the Skinner Sand will be the target when a recompletion is conducted at the No. 7 Nelson in Noble County’s Orlando Field. Currently bottomed at 5,075 feet, it is in a lease a little less than six miles south of Perry. Keener Oil and Gas Co. is the operator.

Section 30-township 20n-range 1w-se-ne.

A paid of shallow developmental wells is scheduled to be drilled southeast of Billings, Noble County, in the Whiterock Field.

The wells include the No. 2 Gumm, 3.5 miles southeast of Billings, and the No. 3 Streetman, 3.7 miles southeast of Billings. Total drilling depths are projected to 650 and 630 feet, respectively.

Spectra Energy Inc. is the operator.

Section 2-township 23n-range 2w-ne-nw and nw-sw.



Momma’s Enchanted Supper

By Marjorie Decker

Religion Editor

The long evenings of Advent will be richer by far for those who opt to read “Momma’s Enchanted Supper” — a memoir written by Carol DeChant. It is truly a “must” for Advent. The book tells true stories of six generations of one Midwestern family and introduces the reader to the indomitable Momma — just one of the many fascinating characters in this stirring memoir. Gangsters and grandparents, nuns and bullies are all present in these oft times weird, but always honest tales.

These wonderful stories put the emphasis on food, family, and humor and each corresponds to an Advent reading. As the author remarks, “We are our stories, even when they’re about others. We are the stories we cherish, the ones we repeat as well as the ones we fear.”

These great stories — like the author points out, only emphasize how we all bring our own histories to the Bible. Biblical tales cover exile, returning home, scorned or empowered women, sibling rivalries, parental favoritism, the mistreatment of or compassion for the afflicted — all of us have similar stories in our backgrounds, and these are the types of stories that bring Advent home to us.

I have selected one of the stories from “Momma’s Enchanted Supper” to tell you about, and hopefully tease you into reading the book — you’ll enjoy it every bit as much as this reviewer.

As the writer opens her story, “families are comprised of those who leave and those who stay.” And Aunt Harriett, a striking redhead with blue-green Irish eyes, couldn’t leave Iowa, so the world came to her.

The writer points out that at the time of the story, Aunt Harriett was a young girl and thought leaving home was romantic, and those who stayed at home had no courage. As she found out, her conclusion was wrong ... and Aunt Harriett proved it.

Aunt Harriett and her widowed sister, Martha, lived well ... they acquired boxer dogs, wore the styles of the 40’s well, wore open-toed platform shoes, big shoulders on their dresses, big picture hats over long hair with an upsweep ... and really enjoyed life. In fact, Harriett took dancing lessons from Arthur Murray, turned their third floor into a ballroom, smoked cigarettes from long, slender holders, and, in fact, lived confidently that the world would come to her ... and it did.

She married, and Uncle Mac moved into the family home. And then, Nikita Khrushchev came into the picture. He almost visited in Harriett’s home ... but, not quite. It seems, on a visit to the United States, Khrushchev wanted to see a typical U.S. farm, so he came to Harriett’s town, Perry, to visit the Roswell Garst farm, just outside town. The farm was extraordinary, and Khrushchev figured he was being played the fool ... everything was too impressive. He sent his envoy to check around town, and Harriett’s house was on the list. Her house was turned down because when the envoy visited to check it out he found her husband cooked — the wife made business deals and folks danced in a ballroom on the third floor. So, something good did come out of Perry, Iowa — the Soviet secret service found midwestern values there.

Aunt Harriet died in 1989 with Uncle Mac at her side. The gathering at her funeral sang “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling” as she was buried in that little Iowa town where she had never been bored ... or boring.

That’s just one of the downright entertaining and spiritually uplifting stories in this wonderful book of Advent tales about a Midwestern family ... stories to bring the Christmas message of hope closer as you work your way toward Christmas this year.

The writer, Carol DeChant, is a native of Iowa, founder of DeChant-Hughes Associates, a national PR firm, and gives memoir-writing workshops throughout the Midwest. She lives in Chicago with her husband and they are parents of six grown children.

In talking about her book, DeChant points out, “We are all trying to get to the stable. We wish not only to ask the Child, ‘Who are you?’ but also ‘Who am I?’ and ‘Why am I here?’” Her stories in “Momma’s Enchanted Supper” will help those who read them.

Each story links to a Scripture reading for Advent, the four weeks prior to Christmas.

Check the local bookstores, and if not available, you may call 800-621-1008 and order a copy for yourself.



Survey Indicates Health Care Needs Of Older Mothers Differ Significantly

The health care needs of Oklahoma’s older mothers, age 35 and up, differ significantly depending on whether the older mother is primaparous (a first-time mother) or multiparous (has had previous live births), say officials at the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH). Their findings are based on the Oklahoma Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) survey conducted by the OSDH.

In Oklahoma, according to the survey, older first-time moms are 2.4 times more likely to have an intended pregnancy and tend to be better educated than mothers with four or more previous births. Fifty-eight percent of births to older women, age 35 and up with one or more previous live births, are intended compared to 83 percent of births to first-time older mothers.

Some other significant findings about older mothers age 35 and up include:

*57 percent of older mothers with one or more previous live births have some college education, compared to 75 percent of first-time older moms.

*83 percent of older mothers with one of more previous live births get into prenatal care during their first trimester, compared to 96 percent of first-time older mothers.

*Older mothers with one or more previous live births are less likely to get prenatal care, get it as early and as much as desired, compared to first-time older mothers.

*Only 25 percent of older mothers with one or more previous live births have a Caesarean section, compared to 46 percent of older first-time mothers.

*Older mothers with one or more previous live births are more likely to have multiple births but are less likely to deliver a low weight baby, compared to first-time mothers.

“The PRAMS survey findings show that health care providers should recognize the differences in complications which may occur in older pregnant women. Older women who have given birth before may need as much or more information and counseling than first-time mothers,” said J.R. Nida, MD, commissioner of health. “Health providers should recognize that older women need special attention and information about the most current improvements in health care and technology since their last delivery.”

Some of the pregnancy complications listed in the survey’s findings include:

*Older moms with more than one child who gave birth at age 35 or older are at increased risk of vaginal bleeding and multiple birth delivery compared to first-time older moms.

*Also, first-time older moms are at increased risk of Caesarean section and low birth weight babies.

Other survey data on older moms found the number of mothers age 35 and over increased 62 percent in Oklahoma between 1987 and 1996.

“Oklahoma policy makers and health care providers should be aware that the numbers of older mothers in our state is increasing. Maternity services and programs should be considered to meet their special health care needs,” Nida added.



Kaw Lake Group Reviews Upcoming Holiday Events

Upcoming holiday events and status of the Kaw Lake Magazine 2000 issue were discussed at the monthly meeting of the Kaw Lake Association held this week at the Golden Corral in Ponca City.

Ponca City’s “Festival of Angels” and Blackwell’s “Bells and Bows” lighting festivals will begin Thanksgiving week and continue through the Christmas holidays. Parades will be held in Ponca City, Blackwell, Tonkawa, Newkirk, Shidler, Pawhuska, and Pawnee. In addition, Ponca City Tourism Director Missy Morland reported on the Millennium Celebration plans including performances at the Poncan Theatre and in downtown Ponca City.

Keith Fruits of Kaw City reported on the recent Wild West Tours meeting held in Ponca City and plans for the group to meet with a reporter from the Tulsa World at the January meeting in Cleveland. Reporting for Land Run tours, Rich Cantillon of Blackwell reported that 4,000 flyers listing area events had been printed. Fruits also reported the Kaw City Chamber is planning a Chili Supper/Silent Auction for Dec. 10. Also Grammy Award Winning singer Jody Miller will be performing in a Gospel Concert Thursday, Dec. 16 at the Kaw City Community Center.

Cantillon reviewed the KawFest 2000 plans and Kaw Lake Association Executive Director Kathy Tippin reported the Ponca City News had put the Kaw Lake Magazine on the internet at www.poncacitynews.com/kawlake. She encouraged everyone to look at it and give her feedback on any changes.

Discussion was held on rescheduling the Long Range Planning Retreat for either Jan. 8 or 15.

Tippin also reported for Magazine Chairman Betty Rutz stating the association is within approximately $500 of its goal on magazine advertising sales. She reminded everyone that only enough is sold to cover the cost of producing the annual publication and thanked all the volunteers for their efforts. The magazine will be completed prior to the Christmas holidays. The first Eagle Watch committee meeting was held recently and the date set for Jan. 22 at Kaw Lake.

Tippin reminded everyone all board members are to be members of the association and that if they haven’t joined, now is the time. She asked for any donations of items for gift baskets for silent auctions in Kaw City, Blackwell and Ponca City. Wes Barton announced Ducks Unlimited is having an annual meeting and Silent Auction on Dec. 2 at the American Legion.



Former Ponca City Teacher Here Saturday To Sign Book

Lynn Wendelbo, former Ponca City teacher, will be at Brace Books & More from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday for story time and autographing.

Currently, Wendelbo is a play therapist in private practice in Norman, where she also does contract therapy for several agencies which provide services to children.

She has written a book entitled “Looking Through Grandmother’s Glasses - A Journey Into a Child’s Heart” which is a collection of stories for children. She uses animals to symbolize children’s experiences, allowing them to view their own concerns in a non-threatening manner.

As a mother and grandmother who has worked with and enjoyed knowing children in many capacities, both personally and professionally, her stories reflect the wealth of those experiences and her love of children.

During the 19 years that Wendelbo and her husband, Chuck, lived in Ponca City, she taught at Woodlands, Washington and Lincoln Elementary schools. He worked in the telecommunications department of Conoco.

The couple has two sons. Chris, a 1982 graduate of Po-Hi is now an attorney working for the Army in Washington, D.C. Eric, class of 1984, is part owner of an Internet company in Tulsa.

The illustrated paperback contains twenty-five stories with names such as “Buddy: The Bear Who Couldn’t Sleep”, which is about taking naps; “Trevor the Turtle Comes Out of His Shell,” which is about overcoming fears; and “Josh Says Goodbye To His Monsters.”

Each story has a black and white illustration suitable for coloring. The illustrator, Kari Blanton, was born in Seoul, Korea, and now makes her home in Noble.

Although written to help children know their own hearts and feelings through the world of animals, the adults who read to children can journey Into their own childhoods through these stories.

The author says, “This book will provide hours of enjoyable reading as it helps the little ones (and maybe the big ones, too!) to see and value the experiences in their own lives. This is a book for parents and other adults to share with children, either by reading aloud or by retelling the stories at the level appropriate for the specific child.”



Rockfest 1999 Set Saturday

By THOMAS TRUE

News Staff Writer

Four area bands will be performing in concert Saturday evening at the Hutchins Memorial Auditorium. The concert is being billed as Hutchins Rockfest ’99 and will showcase the talents of the four bands with a portion of the proceeds going to benefit the Po-Hi band and orchestra. The show begins at 7 p.m.

Headlining the show is local favorite Shuga Daddy. Though recently formed, the band has been a big hit in the area since their premier show in the Poncan Theatre for Ponca Rock II. Since then Shuga Daddy has developed a loyal following of their own and drawn more and more fans with their versions of well known rock covers and their own originals.

Lead guitarist Michael Boxley says the band is working on a CD demo and they are taking the next month or so after the Rockfest to work on getting their sound ready to record the new tracks. In addition to the practice, bassist Chris Johnson says they need to devote the time to make sure their fans get the sound they are used to, however he wants to take advantage of the studio to make their debut CD is hot for the fans.

Shuga Daddy style is a mix of Metalica to Pink Floyd and even Santana. While the members of the band have only been together for a short time, as separate musicians they have been performing for years. Since they have been performing together the band has been providing audiences with not only good rock and roll, but also a great stage performance.

Johnson says, “If people just want to hear music they can listen to a CD, but if they come to see us they get a show.”

The members of Shuga Daddy are lead vocal and bassist Johnson, lead guitarist Boxley, rhythm guitarist Dylan Vowel and drummer Rod Marler

The second headline band is Over-Drive and they describe themselves as an alternative rock band. They have just finished with their debut CD and it is available in several of the local music stores such as Hastings Books & Records and Brace Books. This band is made up mostly of high school students and they have been playing for local fans for awhile now.

Over-Drive guitarist Mark Strange says that playing at the Hutchins is a great opportunity for the band to be able to be in front of many of their fans at one time. “There are not many venues in the area that are large enough to support a show like this and it is a great opportunity to mix in with our fans more.”

Over-Drive is Mark Strange, Ryan Strange, Timmy Dancey and Jeff Strange. The band covers many currently popular songs plus will be playing songs from their new CD in the show as well.

The stage is larger than any other stage the bands have played before and that will allow for more movement of the musicians. In addition to this they will be able to interact more with the audience.

The two other bands will be CenterCeed, a high school band of Blackwell and The Vibe. CenterCeed covers Creed music and plays in a similar style.

The show is being sponsored by Mazzio’s Pizza, Davis Moore auto group and KIXR radio. For tickets contact any band member or go by Brace Books, or call 765-7055 to find out more about where tickets are on sale. The cost is $7 per person.



Eagle Watch At Kaw Lake Set Jan. 22

KAW LAKE — The annual Eagle Watch at Kaw Lake in north central Oklahoma has been scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 22. The decision was made recently at a planning meeting at the Ponca City Tourism Authority office.

Members of the organizing committee attending the meeting represented the Kaw Lake Association, Oklahoma Municipal Power Authority (OMPA), City of Kaw City, Ponca City Tourism Authority and the Payne County Audubon Society.

The annual Eagle Watch titled “Freedom in Flight” will include an educational program by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife, an appearance by Sequoyah from the Sutton Avian Research Center, displays, an eagle video and assisted viewing of the eagles in their native habitats at Kaw Lake.

At the meeting, plans were made for advertising and promotion of the annual event. Flyers will be produced and distributed through area elementary schools. These will include a list of the day’s events and map showing locations for eagle viewing. The Kaw Lake Association will handle advertising and OMPA will assist with a statement stuffer.

In addition, organizations signed up to have booths both at the Kaw City Community Building and the Kaw Hydroelectric Plant at Fishermen’s Bend at Kaw Dam. Members of the Payne County Audubon Society volunteer to assist with promotion in the Stillwater area and to provide volunteers for the viewing.

Refreshments will be served at both the Kaw City Community Building early morning and the Hydroelectric plant late morning.

Duties were assigned and plans made for a final wrap-up meeting Jan. 6 at the Ponca City Tourism Authority office in the Cultural Center.

Individuals interested in being involved or needing more information should contact either Kathy Tippin at the Kaw Lake Association office 580-762-9494, 1-888-291-4995, pin 2920, or email at kawlake@kskc.net or Bruce Ackerman at the Oklahoma Municipal Power Authority (OMPA), 405-340-5047.



Women and Men in 999 Not a Bed of Roses

By KENNIS WESSEL, Ph.D.

Special to The News

Editor’s Note: The Ponca City Millennium Committee has commissioned a series of articles on the subject of “Life in the Year 999.” The articles are researched and written by Dr. Kennis Wessel, Executive Director of the Poncan Theatre. Twelve articles will appear during the year 1999, anticipating the Second Millennium. This article is the ninth of the series.

Adricus and Waldrada wanted to be together. The year was 999. They wanted to do the things that couples do. And they did them, or you and I wouldn’t be here today. Some things are eternal in the human species. We make families and we find ways to support them. The song is right: “You must remember this, a kiss is still a kiss. The fundamental things apply as time goes by.” But as you might expect, in 999 some parts of the equation were different.

In 999, the social customs of Europe were changing. The Catholic Church in particular was working vigorously to create change. Although marriage and weddings were not quite as they are today, our modern marriages are largely a medieval invention of the church. But women and men were not equal in the eyes of the church, and some of the most advanced laws protecting the rights of women came from countries that were slowest to spread the new religion.

Weddings and Marriage in 999

Adricus and Waldrada, a couple of youngsters in England, are getting married. Their marriage certainly might be consecrated by a priest, but that is not the norm. They certainly might be in love, but that’s no sure thing either. As husband and wife, it’s possible that they could be together in private, but likely they were not. In England in 999, the laws and customs of the Anglo-Saxon people prevail, and those customs are the rule of the “sippe,” or clan.

The betrothal of Adricus and Waldrada may follow a long custom. Ancient Latin terms are used for various stages of the betrothal. The “petitio” or petition is a request for the bride’s hand. The “desponsatio” is a bond is the agreement or contract. The “nuptiae” is the wedding ceremony.

In 999, many marriages are arranged by parents, and the “desponsatio” is an agreement between two families. They have likely arranged the marriage of their children. One ninth century agreement is likely spoken by Adricus at a formal meeting between the families. It begins, “May it be known herewith to all and everybody that, with the approval of my parents, I am taking your daughter named Waldrada for my wife.” The contract has several implications. In some areas of Europe, the young woman is legally part of the “Munt,” which means she is under the authority of the man of the house, her father. The wedding bond will transfer her as a bride from her parent’s “Munt” to her husband’s.

The bond also implies a dowry which is given by the groom to the bride. Before the wedding, the groom might give a significant gift to his bride’s clan. Among the wealthy, this gift might include land, a house, animals, even serfs. It provides a kind of insurance in case the husband dies first, so that the widow will be protected.

In Anglo-Saxon England, the dowry is called a “Morgengifu,” which literally means “the morning gift.” It is so-called because the dowry won’t be paid until after the couple has spent the night together. Assuming things go well through the night, the groom completes the contract on “the morning after,” presenting the “Morgengifu” to the bride. Since there are legal matters and money involved, family members, usually the mothers, sometimes stay with the bridal couple through the night to make sure contracts are fulfilled. A “morning gift” may sound romantic, but poetry it isn’t.

Before the “nuptiae” or wedding can take place, a town crier has to “cry the banns.” Of course, in 999 the circle of acquaintances is very limited. Since travel is painfully difficult and ninety percent of the population is rural, the pool of eligible spouses is extremely small. In one person’s entire life, he or she may only know a few hundred people. In fact, the gene pool is so limited that there’s a chance of accidental incest. A young person’s parentage might not always be clear. So the practice of “crying the banns” develops, in which a public announcement of the proposed marriage is given out. It is hoped that any inappropriate blood relationships might be avoided, and canon law requires that banns be spoken three times, once a week over three weeks. Our modern ceremonies still echo the banns with the words “if any of you knows why these persons may not be joined in matrimony, let him speak now or forever hold his peace.”

Some of our other current wedding practices date back to the harsh centuries before the first millennium. Since the fall of the Roman Empire, Europe has been a rough and lawless place. Many would-be grooms find the choices too limited at home, and sometimes slip into a nearby village to take a mate by force. In case the family tries to recapture the hapless bride, abductors invent the custom of placing the bride to the left in a wedding ceremony. This gives the groom quick access to his strong right hand for a weapon. The custom of selecting a “best man” means the strongest and the best defender. The best man may also stand vigil outside the nuptial room, protecting his friend until the “marriage” is consummated. By 999, abductions are fewer, but they still occur.

By 999, the Church has begun to influence marriage. Traditionally, when the Church absorbs ancient customs, they offer new explanations. According to an eleventh century wedding ritual, the man stands to the right because woman was created from a rib on Adam’s left side. By the first millennium, the Church often takes some part in weddings. In England, the couple will exchange vows in a family ceremony, and then probably process with other family members to the church. The clergyman will meet the couple outside the church door, giving blessing there. But the practice of actually exchanging marriage vows inside the church, making a vow to God, won’t be a widespread custom for another two centuries.

In 999, the Church is certainly interested in becoming a more active influence on marriage. But old customs change slowly. In 999, the couple’s mutual vow is sufficient to make the marriage binding. Not even the laws of the Church require the presence of a priest, nor even witnesses. Wedding rituals are secular, pagan and ancient. But rituals aren’t even a necessary part. The ritual may be, in fact, a kiss and a promise.

In some parts of Europe, ancient pagan practices are very strong. Since the primary reason for marriage is building a family and raising children, the ability to bear children is essential. Even in 999, pre-marital sexual activity was not uncommon. If the partnering produces pregnancy, each partner has demonstrated the ability to bear children. Since life expectancy is extremely low, and since death rate is extremely high, the ability to bear means something important to the individual as well as the community. In the different moral climate of the modern world, it may be difficult for us to understand the drives that led our distant forebears. Those drives literally meant survival.

Men, Women and Law

In 999, many laws govern the relationships of men and women. In Anglo-Saxon England, one consideration in law is the “wergeld,” a kind of personal assessment. Our friends Adricus and Waldrada each have a wergeld. The principle of the wergeld assigns a monetary worth to every person. It is a part of many different negotiations. When crimes are committed, the wergeld of the victim affects the penalty on the perpetrator. In marriage, wergeld affects the dowry.

Some laws apply to sexual conduct. In Anglo-Saxon England, there is a sliding scale of public morality, and it is very specific. It applies to sexual relations outside marriage, even if they are consensual. Fifty shillings is the fine for a man who lays with a virgin slave, provided that she is a slave in the royal household. But the wergeld of a slave in a royal flower mill is less, so the fine for laying with her is only half as much. It’s even less if she’s not royal property.

Some laws also apply to sexual misconduct. If a woman is groped against her will, the fine is five shillings. Physical abuse may incur a ten shilling fine, assuming she is not violated. But if a woman is raped, the assailant can be penalized harshly. The degree of punishment varies by the social status of the woman. If the woman is a serf, the rapist may be fined a sum of money. If the woman is a noble, he may be put to death. In England, the money is paid to the victim.

In Anglo-Saxon England, adultery is handled in a matter-of-fact way. If a man has relations with another man’s wife, he must first pay the husband a sum equal to her “wergeld,” and then replace the wife, who is thrown out of her house and family. The adulterer is responsible to find the husband another wife, even to the point of bringing the new wife to the wronged man’s door.

But in England, laws governing extramarital sex became much more severe in 1003, when the Danish King Canute overthrew the Anglo-Saxons. Influenced by the Church, Canute invoked a brutal penalty on an adulteress. His law said “If a woman during her husband’s life commits adultery with another man, her legal husband is to have all her property, and she is to lose her nose and her ears.” But defacing a human being was too brutal even then, and Canute’s law was in effect for only a few decades.

In 999, laws governing marriage are almost always about property. In England, women are more likely to own and dispose property than anywhere in Europe. Today, about seventy Anglo-Saxon wills still remain, many of which were made by women.

When Wynflaed, a wealthy widow, died in 950, she bequeathed property to family and church. To the church, she gave silver and gold. To her daughter Aethelflaed, she gave jewelry and land, a gift that also included buildings, livestock, and slaves. To her son Eadmaer, she gave other estates. To her slave Wulfwaru, she gave freedom “to serve whom she pleases.” Another slave, Wulfflaed, was given freedom on the condition that she served one of Wynflaed’s children. The extensive will includes a long list of property, all of which is thoughtfully disposed. It’s worth noting that a woman had the right to assign ownership as she wished. Perhaps the most remarkable point is that Wynflaed could bequeath property to her daughter Aethelflaed and also grant Aethelflaed the right to “dispose of the inheritance as she pleases.”

Later in the Middle Ages, women generally lose the right to bequeath land and other wealth. For a time, they will lose the right to bequeath any property other than their clothing and some personal belongings. But at the first millennium, some women give generously and carefully. In 999, a woman outside England usually doesn’t actually own property, because across most of Europe only a male can inherit. But the property will be managed for her, perhaps by her brother-in-law or even by her eldest son. Part of the reason has to do with the growing Christian attitude toward women.

Sex and Christianity

In 999, the Church had come to a severe view of sex, and was therefore severely divided in its view of women. For the Church, the two role models for women were Mary, the mother of Jesus, and Eve. One was pure, undefiled and holy. The other was the source of Original Sin.

The Church view of sex developed slowly over several centuries. In the first century, St. Paul wrote that since Adam was created in God’s image, woman must be inferior. He also extolled the virtues of celibacy. Trained as a rabbi, he swore off sex and hoped that other Christians might follow his lead. Conceding that some may engage in sexual activity, he taught that it was better to be married than to burn in Hell.

In the fourth century, St. Jerome continued the Church’s austere view of sexuality. He argued that the natural condition of humans was virginity. Marriage and sexual relations, he said, came after The Fall, so they were an unholy state.

The most significant development in the Church’s view of sex came about from Saint Augustine. Augustine lived a sexually active youth which he later regretted. In his “Confessions,” possibly the first autobiography in history, Augustine described his intense guilt. In “The City of God,” he expiated his guilt by a passionate treatise against sexual intercourse. Augustine’s attack repudiated intercourse both in and out of marriage, even labeling intercourse as unnatural since God formed his son by immaculate conception. He advocated that humans should procreate without passion, for passion was sin.

By 999, Augustine’s views were the accepted model across Christendom. Where Catholicism prevailed, the culture took a generally deprecating view of women, for women seemed to be a cause of sin. The view that women were inferior was regarded as natural and obvious. Generally across Europe, women were unlikely to hold positions of authority in any civil or religious order. Often it was forbidden by law. And in such cultures, women tended to be judged inequitably for crimes of passion. For instance, the crime of adultery might be punishable by a long penance for the male, but by death for the female.

Over the next several centuries, marriages came to resemble what we might call “traditional marriages.” The Church grew in influence, and the Church labored toward stablilizing marriages. First, the Church was motivated by its own self-interest. As wealthy Christians began to bequeath huge sums to the Church, the Church worked to influence laws of inheritance. Second, the effort to stabilize marriage was motivated by Augustine’s moral code. As the Church grew in power, it worked to stamp out behaviors that it believed came from unwholesome forces. Finally, the Church was motivated by the survival motive. Family meant survival of the race, and adultery was a crime against the family. When the Church attacked adultery, it was protecting the people.

The Cult of Mary developed over the next two hundred years, and with it came a changed view of women. Mary presented a healthy model for women, a significant alternative to Eve. Mary was pure, and she was a mother. With Mary as the standard, motherhood was held to be an ideal. The view of women continued to be severely conflicted, but the future was brighter.

In following articles, we will look at daily life in the year 999. The articles will touch on such subjects as Language, Clothing, Health, and others. Next, we will look at Arts and Entertainment at the first millennium.

Copyright 1999 by Kennis Wessel



Letter - No One Bothered To Explain Situation

My recent letter questioning the lack of participation by Ponca City School musical organizations in the Veterans Day Parade was designed to call attention to a problem. After several veterans parades had marched by with no Ponca City Public School bands, many citizens had begun to perceive it as a snub. No one ever bothered to explain why our bands did not participate. A simple scheduling conflict seems to be the problem.

Part of the problem solving process involves defining the problem. Now that we have done that, we should work toward solutions. Perhaps parade organizers and the directors of the Ponca City School musical organizations can work together to schedule a date when our bands can participate.

No one wishes to deny any music student an opportunity to become a member of an honor band or deny them the opportunity to become a member of the All State Band. Since it appears that these auditions occur on the first Saturday in November, maybe the veterans parade organizers can change the date for the parade to the second Saturday in November. By the way, the second Saturday in November of the year 2000 occurs on November 11, Veterans Day. Maybe both bands and fans can celebrate it together.

Loyd Bishop



Letter - Band Controversy Not New At All

Mr. Loyd Bishop’s letter regarding the absence of the marching band from the Veteran’s Day parade begs for a reply. My children have been involved in the music program since 1990 and this has been an ongoing controversy. The fact is that this past Saturday the instrumental music faculty and many of the school’s most talented students were involved in auditions for the North Central District Association honor band. These auditions are required for participation in All-State Band. These auditions are of the utmost importance, and they are held each year at the same time. In fact, many of the activities in which the band and orchestra are involved are district and state-wide events, the dates for which are known well in advance. I know for a fact that Mr. Larson, as did Mr. Goodwin and Mr. Workman before him, explained this situation to planners of city-wide events and asked to be included in setting times for these events so that scheduling conflicts can be resolved before they become problems. Communication, once again, would seem to be the answer.

Patricia J. Day

Treasurer

Instrumental Music



Letter - Seeks Dr. Bob's License Reinstated

Wake up, America! Keep your eyes on what the medical ‘top dogs’, the Oklahoma State Medical Licensing Board, are doing.

On Friday, November 5, 1999, this Board revoked the medical license of one of the finest, most dedicated, brilliant physicians ever to practice, Dr. R. W. (Bob) Gibson of Ponca City. He is the most caring, compassionate doctor you will ever find. He has always taken care of his patients with no regard as to their ability to pay. His fees were fair, and he did not make a habit of requiring a lot of tests unless he deemed them to be necessary.

Maybe it is true the Board had some reason for some type of reprimand, but they revoked his license immediately. He asked that he be allowed to go home and place his many patients with other doctors, but they would not even allow him this courtesy — he could have no contact with his patients.

In my opinion, this Board committed a far greater crime by not allowing him to see that his patients were placed with other doctors and to help them through this time. Many, many of his patients are elderly, and they were terrified to hear that, at the discretion of a few people, they no longer have a doctor.

There were many witnesses in court for Dr. Bob, plus hundreds of signatures on petitions supporting him, and a busload of his patients who went to Oklahoma City to support him. You cannot imagine the outpouring of support for him.

To me, the prosecution did not put on a very good case — in no court would a person have been able to present testimony in such general terms. The most prominent witness for the prosecution — when asked how many a certain activity happened, said, ‘several.’ When asked again, she said she could not give an exact number — just several! She was asked if certain allegations were true, she said, ‘to the best of my recollection’ or ‘I think that is correct.’ Pardon Me! I though in court you are expected to answer better than this, especially something this serious.

Also, this Board asked the doctor his age. I thought in the United States it was against the law to discriminate because of age.

We know of doctors who have had similar cases come before the Board, and they have either been reprimanded or given some sort of temporary suspension, but I have never heard of a case where such a distinguished physician was treated so unfairly. No doctor, especially one who has given 50 years of his life to his profession, should be treated so shabbily. I thought the Board was very unkind to him.

It appears this Board has no one to answer to for their actions, but the laymen on this board are appointed by the governor and I believe we should make some contact with him and maybe make some changes.

The least we, the patients and supporters of Dr. Bob should be able to do is to get his license restored — maybe with some sanctions or restrictions if the board deems it feasible, but he should have his license returned to him.

In closing, I would like to remind everyone, that if you are one of those who are fortunate enough to have a good, old-fashioned, up-to-date doctor such as ours — beware! You doctor, because of his age, may soon get the same treatment. And if you live in the rural areas, this will mean you better get ready to go to the big cities for treatment. This is serious.

Verna M. Peterson



DEATHS



Celia Schmitt
Mark Kevin Shawn
Berneice Henrietta Young
Creta Marie Mercer Crawford
Art N. Hemple



Celia Schmitt

Celia Schmitt, longtime Ponca City resident, died Tuesday, Nov. 16, 1999, in Broken Arrow. She was 97.

A graveside service will be held 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 19, 1999, at Odd Fellows Cemetery with the Rev. Paul Graham, pastor of Second Baptist Church, officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home.

Celia Schmitt was born on April 28, 1902, in Ponca City, the daughter of Robert Allen and Martha (Funk) Hedrick. She was raised in the Ponca City area. She married Roy Schmitt in 1920 in Blackwell. He preceded her in death in 1948. The couple made their home in the Ponca City area where they farmed and ranched. She later worked as a packer for Midwest Creamery.

She enjoyed crocheting, working with ceramics and yard work.

She is survived by one son, Roy Dean Schmitt from Converse, Texas; one brother, Ray Hedrick from Ponca City; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, four brothers, and one sister.



Mark Kevin Shawn

BLACKWELL — Mark Kevin Shawn, resident of Deer Creek, died Monday, Nov. 15, 1999, at the Tooele Valley Medical Center in Tooele, Utah. He was 36.

The funeral is scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 19, 1999, in the First Presbyterian Church in Blackwell with the Rev. Geoffrey Pfaff officiating. Burial will be in the Blackwell Cemetery under the direction of Roberts and Son Funeral Home.

Mark Kevin Shawn was born April 29, 1963, in Purcell, the son of Homer Edward and Louise (Harper) Shawn. He moved with his family from Purcell to Drumwright where he attended school. He married Connie Sue Grogg on April 21, 1984, in Drumwright, and they settled there until 1991 when they moved to Deer Creek, living there since. He worked in the oil fields for a number of years and drove a truck for JB Oilfield out of Blackwell for about 10 years. He was recently employed by Covenant Transport and presently was driving a truck for J-Mar Trucking.

He is survived by his wife of the home; his mother of Peggs; three daughters, Marsha Marie Shawn, Miranda Louise Shawn and Melissa Sue Shawn of the home; four sisters, Phyllis Anderson of Blackwell, Sonja Putman of Burden, Kan., Sue Herrin of Wayne, and Pat Moore of Moore; and a brother, Tom Shawn of Pryor. He was preceded in death by his father.

Casket bearers will be Terry Anderson, James VanZant, Kenny Moore, Ronnie Strader, Larry Herrin and John Holden.



Berneice Henrietta Young

Berneice Henrietta Young, Ponca City area resident, died Tuesday, Nov. 16, 1999, at the Willowhaven Nursing Home in Tonkawa. She was 86.

The funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 19, 1999, at Grace Memorial Chapel with the Rev. John Waterloo officiating. Burial will follow in the Longwood Cemetery.

Born Nov. 11, 1913, in Vinita, she was the daughter of Lawrence Henry and Ora May Wolke. The family moved to Coffeyville, Kan., and then to Ponca City. She was a graduate of Ponca City High School.

On April 26, 1932, she married Thomas Lynn Young in Winfield, Kan. The couple made their home in Ponca City and Kildare. She was employed at the Snack Shack in Ponca City and the laundromat in Newkirk for many years. She enjoyed getting together with her family and coordinated many family reunions through the years. She was a member of the Pythian Sisters and the Women’s Relief Corps. She also enjoyed playing bingo, cards and working puzzles.

Surviving are two sons, Larry Young of Tonkawa and Jim Young of Lansing, Kan.; four grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, one brother, one grandson and one granddaughter.

Casket bearers will be Steve Keller, Kurt Sattre, Dusty Jones, Stony Jones, Travis Young and Ronnie Wardlow.

The family will be at the Larry Young home at 3350 County Road No. 110.



Creta Marie Mercer Crawford

BLACKWELL — Creta Marie Mercer Crawford, resident of Blackwell, died Tuesday, Nov. 16, 1999, at the Blackwell Regional Hospital. He was 85.

The funeral is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 20, 1999, in the Roberts and Son Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Daryl Donovan of the First Christian Church in Blackwell officiating. Burial will follow in the Blackwell Cemetery.

Creta Marie Mercer Crawford was born Oct. 15, 1914, in rural Nardin, the daughter of Stanton Edward Mercer and Ethel Marie Diemer Mercer. She grew up on a farm south of Nardin. Her schooling was at rural schools, Blackwell, and Nardin, graduating from Nardin in 1932. On May 14, 1935, she married Doyice Sumner Crawford in Stilwell. The couple made their first home at the Bill Glenny farm southwest of Blackwell and later on the Raymond Denton farm. Striking out on their own, they went to the Diemer farm west of Blackwell and then to the Mercer farm nearby. They remained farming on the Mercer farm for 43 years. They moved into Blackwell in 1964 and retired from farming in 1970. She was active with the farm and in home demonstration clubs.

She was a member of the Cresent Club, Excelsior Club, Alko Club, the Eastern Star, and the First Christian Church where she was a member of the XL Sunday school class and the Christian Women’s Fellowship.

Survivors include her husband of the home; four daughters, Carolyn S. Corbitt and Colleen K. Shepherd, both of Blackwell, Shirley J. Bringham of Enid, and Sharon A. Sayre of Sand Springs; four sisters, Clella Leen, Velma Barker and Myrna Hardiman, all of Blackwell, and Rotha Howard of Idaho Falls, Idaho; two brothers, Stanton Mercer Jr. and Doug Mercer, both of Blackwell; 11 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Kenneth Mercer; one sister, Almeta Morris; and two great-grandchildren.

Casket bearers will be Terry Bringham, Darrell Mayden, Allen Currier, Chad Shepherd, Robbie Potts and Tim Corbitt.

Memorial contributions may be made in her name to the First Christian Church, 306 East Coolidge, Blackwell, Okla. 74631.



Art N. Hemple

BLACKWELL — Art. N. Hemple, resident of Blackwell, died Monday, Nov. 15, 1999, at his home northeast of Blackwell. He was 81.

The funeral will be 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 19, 1999, in the First Baptist Church in Blackwell with the Rev. Rick Longcrier officiating. Burial will be in the Blackwell Cemetery under the direction of Roberts and Son Funeral Home.

Art N. Hemple was born March 15, 1918, in Southard, the son of John and Janie (Gundy) Hemple. They moved to Watonga where he grew up and attended schools. He was employed with Davis Truck Lines in Enid and married Verna Ruth Worthington on May 4, 1941, in Enid. They settled in Enid for two years before moving to Blackwell in 1943. He was employed with Blackwell Zinc Company for 32 years, retiring in 1974. He and his wife bought their first travel trailer in 1969, and they began spending their summers in Colorado and their winters in south Texas. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Blackwell, a charter member of the Blackwell Camping Club and had served on the Independence District school board.

He is survived by his wife of the home; a son, Jerry Hemple of Blackwell; a brother, Leroy Hemple of La Grange, Calif.; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Ina Duggan; and one brother, Paul Hemple.

Casket bearers will be Martin Smith, Tim Maner, Morgan Bergman, Rob Dean, Rusty Dean, and Tandy Dean. Honorary casket bearers will be Garry Whitman Sr., Myron Smith, Jim Frazier, Herb Ritter, David Carruth, and Bill Threlkeld.

Memorial contributions may be made in his name to Hospice of Ponca City, 1904 North Union, Suite 103, Ponca City, Okla. 74601.



NEWS BRIEFS

-By Yourself? — Will you be by yourself or not able to cook on Thanksgiving Day? Would you like a hot meal? Call Helpline at 765-5551.

Pauline’s Shrimp Peel, All you can eat. $11.95, Friday, November 19th. For reservations call 765-5460. adv.



Shoplifter Fighting Employee — An employee of Wal-Mart requested assistance from the Ponca City Police Department at 12:02 p.m. Wednesday stating a juvenile shoplifter was fighting with an employee. Two officers responded and a 15-year-old boy was held for petit larceny and later released to a parent on a promise to appear.



Lincoln PTA Food Pickup — Redwheel frozen food fund raiser pickup will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday in the gymnasium of Lincoln Elementary School. For additional information or for questions, contact Debora Gooch at 762-9577.



Book Your holiday, wedding, bachelor, etc. parties with the Hide out 580-362-9905 or 762-0835. adv.



Need Clothing? — Covenant Community Church, 519 East Emporia, has free clothing to anyone having a need. Saturday, Nov. 20 from 8 a.m. until 12 noon.



Dougan's Bar-B-Q Friday special from 4-8 p.m., all you can eat ribs with beans, potato salad and coleslaw, $7.49. 215 South 14th, 765-7979. adv.



Centennial Plaza Vandalized — An official with the Park and Recreation Department requested an officer of the Ponca City Police Department at the Centennial Plaza at 11:22 a.m. Wednesday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken that benches of the plaza had been vandalized.



Accident — An accident at the intersection of South Fourteenth Street and U.S. 60 was reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 12:55 p.m. Wednesday. Two officers were assigned and a report was taken.



Concert Scheduled — The Oklahoma State University Symphony Orchestra will present its winter concert on Nov. 30, 1999 at 8 p.m. in the Seretean Center Concert Hall. The program will include works by Arvo Paert, Maurice Ravel, Benjamin Britten and Antonin Dvorak. Admission is $3 for students and senior citizens; $5 for the general public. For more information, please contact the OSU music department at 744-6133.



Open Thanksgiving Day for your fresh fried Turkeys. Snyder’s Grocery. 762-4686. adv.



Windows Broken — A man from the 1600 block of Crawford Avenue reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 8:49 a.m. Wednesday that some windows of the residence had been broken. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.



Supporters Of Dr. Bob Gibson can ask that his license be reinstated by State Senator Muegge, 405-521-5628 or Senator Harrison at 405-521-5581 asking for their support. adv.



Residence Vandalized — A woman from the 1500 block of West Oklahoma Avenue reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 10:38 a.m. Wednesday that her residence had been vandalized. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.



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. 765-9689. adv.



Subject Held — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported from the 400 block of South Perry Street at 11:02 a.m. Wednesday that a 21-year-old man was being held on a city warrant for failure to pay.



Dougan's Bar-B-Q Thursday special from 4-? 1/2 BBQ chicken with 2 vegetables. $4.25. 215

South 14th. 765-7979. adv.



Construction Equipment on Fire — An official with Evans and Associates called the Communications Center at 1:36 p.m. Wednesday to report some construction equipment on fire in the 2500 block of Industrial Boulevard. Two units from the Ponca City Fire Department responded and handled the situation.



Head Country all day Friday special­ All you can eat, smoked BBQ ribs, beans, potato salad, and coleslaw, only $7.49, all day. 1217 East Prospect. 767-8304. adv.



Suspicious Activity — The Communications Center received a 911 call at 1:49 p.m. Wednesday from a woman in the 800 block of South Sixth Street stating that someone had used her Social Security number to get a driver’s license. An officer of the Ponca City Police Department was assigned and a report was taken.



Grass Fire — The Communications Center received a 911 call at 2:03 p.m. Wednesday that a grass fire was burning in the 1100 block of L.A. Cann. Three units from the Ponca City Fire Department responded to the scene and handled the situation.



Forgery — An employee of Wal-Mart requested an officer of the Ponca City Police Department at 2:34 p.m. Wednesday concerning a forgery. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.



Subject Held — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported at 3:09 p.m. Wednesday that a 43-year-old woman was being held on a city warrant for failure to pay.



Subject Held — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported at 3:24 p.m. Wednesday that a 42-year-old man was being held on five counts of a Kay County warrant for application to revoke.



Shoplifters — An employee of Wal-Mart reported to the Ponca City Police Department that two women were in custody for shoplifting, and that one has a baby. An officer was assigned and an 18-year-old woman was held for grand larceny and a 19-year-old woman was held for grand larceny. The youngster was picked up by his grandmother.



Vehicle Blocking Roadway — An employee of the Ponca City School Transportation reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 3:34 p.m. Wednesday that a vehicle in the roadway was possibly on fire. An officer responded and reported that the vehicle had blown a muffler off, and a Ponca City Fire Department unit responded. There was no fire however, and it was reported help was on the way.



Set Fire To Vacant Lot — The Communications Center received a call at 3:51 p.m. Wednesday that some fire department officials should talk to some juveniles who had set a fire to a vacant lot. The Ponca City Fire Department reported it would handle the situation.



Hit and Run — A woman from the 1500 block of North Osage Street reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 5:06 p.m. Wednesday that her vehicle had been hit Tuesday night at Buy For Less. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.



Accident — A person reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 5:52 p.m. Wednesday that an accident had occurred in the Buy For Less parking lot earlier in the day and the driver’s had exchanged information. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.



Deer Hit — The Communications Center received a report at 6:14 p.m. Wednesday that a deer had been hit in the 2000 block of Lake Road and that traffic was backed up. Two officers of the Ponca City Police Department responded but were unable to locate any problem.



Subject Held — An employee of Wal-Mart reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 6:25 p.m. that a juvenile was in custody as a shoplifter. An officer was assigned, a citation issued to the juvenile for petit larceny, and the juvenile was released to a father.



Citation Issued — A man from the 1000 block of North Sunset Street reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 6:31 p.m. Wednesday that a vehicle had been taken. An officer was assigned and a man was issued a citation for not having a driver’s license.



Vehicle Vandalized — A woman from the 800 block of East Overbrook reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 7:05 p.m. Wednesday that her vehicle had been vandalized while at the YMCA Tuesday night. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.



Gas Drive-Off — A clerk at Triple T, 425 South Fourteenth Street, reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 8:33 p.m. Wednesday that a subject had driven off without paying for $25.74 worth of gas. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.



Subject Held — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported from the intersection of West Highland Avenue and North Waverly Street at 10:27 p.m. Wednesday that a 25-year-old man was being held for DUI, transporting an open container, and driving left of center. A vehicle was towed from the scene.



GARDENING



Pyracantha Bush Bright in Fall and Winter
Felling and Removing Trees Not Easy for Homeowners
What Season Is This
Country Living Dangerous When Wildfire Threatens Rangelands



Pyracantha Bush Bright in Fall and Winter

By GEORGE BRIA

POUND RIDGE, N.Y. (AP) Its the berries! you could say of this outstanding plant and you’d be right on. It’s a bush that achieves its glory in late summer and autumn and holds its beauty even into winter. And it also sports a name, pyracantha, that translates directly from the Greek into the vivid common name of firethorn.

My pyracantha is dazzling as I write this on a mid-October day. Cluster after cluster of bright orange-scarlet berries sprout from its thorny branches amid glossy dark green leaves. The bush adorns a sunny end of my house where I trained it over the years. The plant gives two shows: the fiery one as the year draws to a close, and a different one in early summer. Then clusters of white flowers catch the eye. That's quite a performance from a single plant, so it’s no wonder that pyracantha ranks as one of the most prized of ornamentals.

The variety I have, Pyracantha coccinea lalandei, is the hardiest, but only just hardy enough to have a chance of withstanding winters in southern New York, where the temperature sometimes drops below zero. Its listed as hardy in Zones 5-9, but, on the northern end, that ultimately depends on your microclimate or how cold it gets in your own particular garden.

The fact that I trained it against the south side of the house, getting full sun and protection from the wind, helped. One tough winter I thought I had lost it, but the wasted-looking limbs eventually sprouted new leaves. If the winter is not too severe, the leaves may stay alive on the branches, giving you an evergreen as well as a berry display. The berries will last a long time provided birds don’t turn to them when their other food resources are exhausted. Because of its thorny branches, it is recommended as one of the plants to grow in deer country. They leave it alone.

I first saw pyracantha in full orange-scarlet brilliance trained against the wall of a bank building. This was a big plant, or plants, their spread along the wall reaching about 15 feet in height, and I liked the sight so much that I went out and bought a plant. Mine was a small one, however, and it took years for it to grow to its present height of over 6 feet and to sprout berries in profusion. This variety can grow as tall as 20 feet. As it grew taller I trained its limbs with cords so that it would spread against the house rather than outward.

Pyracantha is regarded as a difficult plant to transplant successfully. You should do it earth ball and all, so you're likely better off buying relatively small ones. A 3-foot-tall pyracantha retails for about $50 nowadays. Spring is the best time to plant pyracantha. One thing to remember about ornamental shrubs or bushes: It takes a while for them to produce the blooms that originally attracted you. Even if you want to spend the money for large plants and plant them successfully, they have to get used to their new location before they will perform well. This may take several years and even longer to have something really worth looking at.

As well as cultivating the plant, you have to cultivate your patience. Sometimes berries are scant, and this may stem from the fact that most berried shrubs alternate in their bearing years. You could try a fertilizer rich in superphosphate to stimulate production. Also, the more sunlight the plant gets the better, so check the site for any encroaching shade. Besides the pyracantha coccinea, another firethorn that bears similar flowers and berries, but is less cold-hardy is named koidzumii. Its safe farther south, in Zone 7. It reaches heights of 5 feet to 10 feet and is recommended for hedges and large shrub borders rather than for training or espaliering against a building.



Felling and Removing Trees Not Easy for Homeowners

By POPULAR MECHANICS

A Hearst Magazine

For AP Special Features

When Joyce Kilmer wrote that he’d “never see a poem lovely as a tree,” he didn’t have in mind a tall pine raining sappy needles all over his car, raking mountains of leaves in the fall or listening to a snow-laden elm creak in a high wind as it threatens to crash through the roof of his house.

Your own yard may have problem trees that present a hazard to property and personal safety, and would be better off removed. Should you attempt the job yourself? Felling a tree in your yard is not the same as it is in the forest. A tall tree may have to be removed in sections and felled in a precise manner to avoid crashing down on power lines, roadways and nearby homes.

Once the tree is down, you’ll have to contend with cutting up the trunk and branches and disposing of all the waste wood — not to mention removing the stump. Of course, you can rent the equipment that a pro would use to handle the job. However, it’s likely that you’ll find the rental costs, specialized knowledge and hard work required make hiring an expert a real bargain.

Getting the right people for the job also takes some know-how. First, make sure the company carries liability insurance. Without this, personal injury to anyone (including those hired to do the work), or damage to nearby property, can open you up to a serious personal lawsuit. And, don’t just take the company’s word on insurance — ask to see a copy of their insurance certificate.

While costs can vary depending on location, you’re better off paying a flat rate for the entire job rather than paying on a time-and-materials basis. this way, you know the total cost before you start and can shop around to find the best deal. As a rule, you can expect to pay about $500 to $600 per 8-hour day, which includes the crew and equipment. You shouldn’t have to pay anything before the work starts, and it’s a good idea to look for a company that’s been in business for a while and has references you can check.

Where a tall tree can’t easily be felled due to potential damage to property, it’s removed in sections. The first step is to remove the branches — working from the bottom up to avoid getting the upper branches entangled in the lower ones. A cherry picker and a chain saw are standard tools for this work. Alternatively, some pros use a rope and climbing saddle, and cut the branches with a handsaw. Large branches are best lowered to the ground with a rope rather than letting them fall. Once the trunk is cleared, sections are cut off starting at the top.

Stump removal is best handled with a stump cutter or grinder. This powerful machine (at least 30 horsepower) has a large wheel that’s fitted with carbide teeth. The cutting wheel is positioned hydraulically, and is moved back and forth over the stump until the wood is ground away to the desired depth. If you want to plant grass over the area, the grinder should work down to about 6-8 inches. Increase the depth to about 1 foot for a paved driveway.



What Season Is This

By Kathy Zehr

This unusually warm, balmy autumn has prompted a lot of flowering shrubs to blossom and several Ponca Citians have called The News about iris plants in bloom. The shrubs are probably a little confused, but not the iris.

According to Carolyn Goldsberry, former Ponca City Iris Society president and judge for the American Iris Society, some species of iris (and some daylilies) are known as rebloomers and are genetically predisposed to bloom more than once a year.

“In addition to their genetics, however, their reblooming is contingent on cultural practices and weather conditions,” says Goldsberry. Some Oklahoma growers and especially members of iris societies in California devote their growing only to the reblooming species, she added. Interested growers may call Carolyn at 765-2390 for more information.

Propagation by Layering

In the last few weeks, this column has carried more than most growers want to know about simple, inexpensive seed and plant propagation for the average gardener. As promised, today’s column will touch on tip layering and root division as a method to multiply many of your favorite plants. Then I promise to give it a rest!

Layering is very easy and highly successful because plant runners or stems are not severed but stay attached to the mother plant where they receive nourishment until they are established.

Raspberries, blackberries and certain roses are some of the easiest to propagate in the fall by bending a branch over and inserting the tip in a 3- to 4-inch hole. Cover the tip and hole with soil (if the branch pulls loose or wind loosens it, you may have to devise a way to keep the tip in the ground through the winter). The tip first grows downward then bends upward with roots forming at the bend. The new plant can be severed from the mother plant after new shoots and leaves form in the spring.

Another simple method and my favorite is making a wound on one side of the stem near the end of an attached branch, then bending or twisting it at the wound and placing that wounded area on the soil. I cover it with an inch of soil and place a brick or rock on it to hold the branch in place. In addition to blackberries, rhododendron and honeysuckle respond well to this method.

Plants with light, flexible stems can be used for multiple layering by wounding and burying several points along the stem. The wounded areas are buried and the rest of the branch is left unburied alternately. Lay rocks on the buried points. My efforts usually result in about 75 percent success with this method.

Root Cuttings

Multiplying your plants with root cuttings can be handled in two ways. Cut a 4- to 6-inch section from a two to three year plant during its dormant season. Sever it straight across the top and slant it at the bottom to tell which end is to be planted “up” later. Store the root in peat moss or sand at 40 degrees for three weeks, then plant it vertically outdoors in soil (straight end up and level with the top of the soil).

Small roots may be propagated by taking one- to two-inch cuttings and burying them horizontally about 12 inches below the surface of the planting medium. Use this method in a hotbed or indoors.

Little Sprouts

Young gardeners may enjoy tip or stem layering since it is an easy and rewarding growing procedure for budding gardeners. They can do it “all by myself” including replanting their new little plants in a special place next spring.

P.S. Be sure to keep your new fall plantings watered.



Country Living Dangerous When Wildfire Threatens Rangelands

STILLWATER - While living in the country is peaceful, it can be dangerous when wildfires sweep across the Southern Plains states.

A safety zone, or defensible space, is needed between all houses and wildlands, said Terry Bidwell, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension rangeland and ecology specialist.

“Homeowners should maintain a firebreak of at least one hundred feet around all buildings or structures by clearing away all wildland fuels that can support fire in any season,” Bidwell said.

The effectiveness of the safety zone depends on the steepness of the slope and what direction the slope faces, he said. “Homeowners should remove dead fuel, including trees, shrubs, leaves and herbaceous plants within the safety zone,” Bidwell said.

He said homeowners should break up large plots of live vegetation that could act as fuel by creating patches of trees, shrubs and grasses. All volatile fuels such as Eastern red cedar also should be removed.

“Some oaks, such as blackjack oaks, retain dead leaves during the winter and should be kept away from structures,” Bidwell said.

Within the safety zone, all “ladder fuels” also should be removed, he said. “Ladder fuels are plants that allow a fire to move from dead leaves, shrubs or grasses to tree canopies and create crown fires,” Bidwell said.

He recommended removing all lower tree branches at least five feet in height when no underbrush is present. The removal of lower branches should not exceed 1/3 of the tree’s total height.

Lower branches should be removed at least one foot from the ground on shrubs that are more than three feet high, Bidwell said.

“Surface fuels like shrubs, grasses and wildflowers can become ladder fuels if they are taller than 18 inches high and less than 30 feet from the structure within the safety zone,” he said.

Homeowners should thin crowded groups of trees, leaving a variety of age, classes and sizes of small trees and a mixture of different native species, Bidwell said.

“Do not remove all small trees,” Bidwell said. “They represent the next generation of mature trees for the forest.”

Thinning trees is recommended because it reduces the “horizontal continuity” of the native forest and minimizes the risk of crown fires, he said.

“This practice promotes forest health, improves habitat for most native wildlife species and reduces the impact of drought-related stress to the forest,” Bidwell said.

Homeowners also should make sure there are no agricultural or residential fences within the safety zone that could block emergency vehicle access, he said.

Bidwell said homeowners can make their homes and property safe from wildfire threats by following the guidelines.

“The purpose of the guidelines is to reduce the potential for natural resource, property and human life losses caused by wildfire,” Bidwell said.



SPORTS



Cowgirls Fall, 77-62 To Illinois
Suttons Top Classic Field
Adkins, Mason Lead OSU Win
Frontier Wins Despite Faults
PC Blue Boys in BA Finals
NOC Soccer Season Ends
Rodeo Watch



Cowgirls Fall, 77-62 To Illinois

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — Susan Blauser scored 25 points to lead No. 13 Illinois to a 77-62 victory over Oklahoma State in the quarterfinals of the Women’s Preseason NIT.

Illinois (2-0) advanced to Sunday’s semifinals where it will play No. 15 Cal Santa Barbara, which beat Texas Christian 86-61 Wednesday night.

Allison Curtin added 18 points and four assists for Illinois, which took the lead early and was ahead 42-30 at halftime.

Tari Cummings was 3-of-4 from 3-point range and scored 17 points to lead Oklahoma State (1-1), while Jennifer Crow added 13 and Jessica Spinner had 11.

A 3-pointer by Spinner with 3:40 remaining in the game cut the lead to 70-59. But the Illini scored the next 5 points before Spinner could muster two free throws with 39 seconds left.

Oklahoma State finished 8-of-20 from beyond the 3-point line, while Illinois was 1-of-8.

The Cowgirls (1-1) will host Lamar College on Friday at 4 p.m. in Gallagher-Iba Arena

No. 13 ILLINOIS 77, OKLAHOMA ST. 62

OKLAHOMA ST.(1-1) 

Cummings 5-11 4-4 17, Faulk 3-6 2-4 8, Releford 1-3 0-0 2, Hawkins 2-10 0-1 5, Crow 4-15 3-4 13, Spinner 3-7 3-3 11, Bates 3-8 0-0 6, Hutchens 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 21-62 12-16 62.

ILLINOIS (2-0) 

Catchings 3-9 0-1 6, Blauser 9-16 7-10 25, Martin 3-8 0-0 6, Curtin 7-17 3-3 18, Parker 3-8 0-0 6, Hunter 3-7 3-4 9, Faulkner 2-3 0-0 4, Hagberg 0-1 3-4 3. Totals 30-69 16-22 77.

Halftime—Illinois 42, Oklahoma St. 30. 3-Point goals—Oklahoma St. 8-20 (Cummings 3-4, Spinner 2-4, Crow 2-8, Hawkins 1-3, Hutchens 0-1), Illinois 1-8 (Curtin 1-2, Martin 0-2, Parker 0-4). Fouled Out—Cummings, Curtin. Rebounds—Oklahoma St. 37 (Faulk 8), Illinois 47 (Catchings 8). Assists—Oklahoma St. 15 (Crow 6), Illinois 11 (Curtin 4). Total fouls—Oklahoma St. 22, Illinois 18. A—1,868.



Suttons Top Classic Field

By OWEN CANFIELD

AP Sports Writer

STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) — The America’s Youth Classic that gets under way Friday night could just as easily be called the Sutton Family Reunion.

Eddie Sutton will lead the 23rd-ranked Oklahoma State basketball team against Appalachian State. At his side will be his son, Sean, who has been a Cowboy assistant the past six years.

Another of Sutton’s sons, Scott, will make his regular-season debut as coach of Oral Roberts University, which plays Idaho in the first game of the classic.

Eddie Sutton’s wife, Patsy, is sure to be on hand, hoping for the best for all involved.

‘‘I think I’ll have butterflies, because I have great love for Scott and I want him to do well,’’ Eddie Sutton said. ‘‘But it will be kind of fun, too, to watch him sit on that bench and watch him sweat when it comes time to make a tough decision there at the end.

‘‘He may be young, but he’s been around the game a long time and I think he knows the buttons you have to push in certain situations.

‘‘I think it would be harder on his mother than it will be on me. Always has been.’’

Scott Sutton, just 29, was hired this year to replace Barry Hinson, who left to become head coach at Southwest Missouri State. The Golden Eagles have struggled so far, losing both their exhibition games.

The Golden Eagles (17-11 last year) lack height and their most talented player, Derrick Taylor, is returning from major knee surgery.

‘‘Up front, it’s very thin, and we’re not very tall,’’ Scott Sutton said. ‘‘We’re going to have to play an up-tempo style. We’re going to have to pressure all over the floor.’’

Oklahoma State, which won both its exhibition games, has six seniors back from a team that went 23-11 a year ago. Eddie Sutton said the Cowboys will miss the lone starter gone from last year, Adrian Peterson, but that he expects his team to play well early in the season.

Appalachian State has been picked to win the North Division title in the Southern Conference for the third straight year. The Mountaineers were 21-8 a year ago and lost to College of Charleston in the tournament title game.

Idaho was 16-11 a year ago and went 11-5 in the Big West Conference, losing in the first round of the conference tournament to Long Beach State. The Vandals have a good guard in Gordon Scott, but also have several newcomers.

Sutton said he is proud of the field assembled for this weekend’s event in Stillwater.

‘‘The teams we are playing are outstanding ballclubs, and I think our fans who aren’t able to get season tickets will enjoy all four games,’’ he said.

———

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) — A four-game basketball series between Arkansas and Oklahoma State University should begin next year, Razorback coach Nolan Richardson says.

‘‘All we’ve got to do is iron out some dates, but it is going to happen,’’ Richardson said Wednesday.

He said the fans should enjoy the series.

Richardson is beginning his 15th year at Arkansas, where he has a 337-129 record. Eddie Sutton, now the OSU coach, was at Arkansas for the 11 years before Richardson arrived. Sutton’s Razorbacks were 260-75.

Richardson said Sutton was very receptive to the series, which probably will begin in Oklahoma. ‘‘He thought it was a great idea,’’ he said.

The OSU-Arkansas games could be played off-campus — at Tulsa and North Little Rock.



Adkins, Mason Lead OSU Win

STILLWATER (AP) — Joe Adkins and Desmond Mason scored 17 points each to lead No. 23 Oklahoma State to a 91-63 exhibition win over Global Sports Wednesday.

The Cowboys trailed 11-3 early in the game, but Adkins scored 12 first-half points to help OSU to a 12-point halftime lead.

Oklahoma State put the game away with an 18-6 run early in the second half. Mason scored eight points during that span.

Glendon Jackson tallied 14 times for the Cowboys, and Fredrik Jonzen scored 12 points — four better than his career high. Doug Gottlieb, the nation’s assist leader a year ago, had 11 assists and scored nine points.

Jeron Roberts recorded game highs of 21 points and 11 rebounds to lead Global Sports. Also scoring in double figures for Global Sports were Ray Thompson, 13, and Rodney Odom, 10.

The victory was OSU’s 22nd straight in exhibition play. OSU opens its regular season Friday when it hosts Appalachian State in the America’s Youth Classic.

Oklahoma St. 91, Global Sports 63

Global Sports (5-7) 

Thompson 5-10 3-4 7, Coleman 2-4 0-0 4, Odom 4-9 2-3 10, Cook 0-8 0-0 0, Roberts 6-15 6-6 21, McCollum 1-3 0-0 2, McBroom 2-5 2-2 7, Simpson 0-1 1-2 1, Meyer 2-4 1-2 5, Harris 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 22-59 15-19 63.

Oklahoma St. (2-0) 

Montonati 3-5 2-2 8, Mason 7-11 0-0 17, Webber 2-5 4-4 8, Adkins 7-11 1-2 17, Gottlieb 3-6 2-2 9. Lawson 0-2 0-0 0, Alexander 6-9 0-0 14, Fleming 0-0 0-0 0, Jonzen 6-8 0-2 12, Sooter 0-1 0-0 0, Williams 1-1 0-1 2, Cazzelle 1-2 0-0 2, Keep 1-2 0-0 2. Totals 37-63 9-13 91.

Halftime—Oklahoma St. 43, Global Sports 31. 3-point goals—Global Sports 4-16 (Thompson 0-1, Coleman 0-1, Cook 0-2, Roberts 3-6, McCollum 0-1, McBroom 1-4, Meyer, 0-1), Oklahoma St. 8-16 (Mason 3-5, Adkins 2-4, Gottlieg 1-3, Lawson 0-1, Alexander 2-2, Sooter 0-1). Rebounds—Global Sports 37 (Roberts 11), Oklahoma St. 30 (Mason 6, Webber 6, Jonzen 6). Assists—Global Sports 11 (Cook 3, Roberts 3), Oklahoma St. 30 (Gottlieb 11). Total fouls—Global Sports 15, Oklahoma St. 19. A—4,859.



Frontier Wins Despite Faults

RED ROCK — Frontier’s Lady Mustangs may be 3-0 on the season but that doesn’t make Greg Jackson a happy coach.

“I may be sounding like a broken record, but our third game went like our first two game,” Jackson said following his team’s 47-33 win at Mulhall-Orlando Tuesday. “We are making the same mistakes. We must start getting better in certain areas, or we will really take it on the chin when we play a very good team. Our free throw shooting (12-of-29 Tuesday) is atrocious and that is going to catch up with us.”

However, Jackson does see some bright spots in the play of his young team.

“Heather Bennett is shooting a higher percentage from the three,” the coach said. “Robin Pratt, our post, is progressing well. Lacey Kelly continues to handle the ball for us without many turnovers. Sara Buffalohead is starting to play with more confidence.

“We must keep working and improving and not be satisfied until we get it right.”

Pratt paced Tuesday’s win with 15 points while Courtney Burgess had 9, Kaley Dunham had 8, Bennett 6, Buffalohead 4, Kelly 3 and Jene Miller 2.

The Mustangs are at home Friday against Drummond.



PC Blue Boys in BA Finals

BROKEN ARROW — Ponca City’s eighth grade Blue boys advanced to today’s finals of the Broken Arrow Junior High Tournament with a 59-23 win over Broken Arrow Haskell Tuesday.

The Reds led, 25-19 at halftime before pulling away in the second half behind Antoine English and Matt Dronhard, who had 18 and 17 points respectively. Devin Anderson was also in double figures with 10 points.

Charles Alexander had 8 points, Kevin Bradley 3, Whit Theobald 2 and Brian Ward 2.

Tonight’s boys finals are set for 7:15. 



NOC Soccer Season Ends

The Northern Oklahoma College Maverick soccer team's season came to an end Friday in the District Playoffs in Meridian, Mississippi. Tyler Junior College scored two goals early in the match and held on to beat Northern 3-2.

Northern started the game strong, controlling much of the early play. Jonathon Scace stole the ball from a Tyler defender, dribbled towards the goal, and shot just over the goal post. Tyler then came back with a long throw-in that flew into the goal just past the outstretched hand of Northern goalkeeper Robbie Vanwyngaarden. Tyler then scored off an indirect kick to

go up 2 to 0.

Northern got on the scoreboard just before the first half ended when a corner kick taken by Tariq Amaireh was cleared out of the penalty area by the Tyler defense onto the waiting foot of Dusty Stejskal. Stejskal shot the ball low and hard to the near post beating the Tyler goalkeeper.

"Tariq wasn't supposed to take the corner," noted NOC coach Mike DuRoy, "and I don't think anyone was where they were supposed to be except for Dusty, but it worked out all right. It was one of those plays where as a coach you say no, no, no, yes, just like we drew it up."

Tyler came out playing well in the second half, scoring an early goal to extend their lead to 3-1. They missed a golden opportunity minutes later to put the Mavericks away when a Tyler forward was fouled in the penalty area and awarded a penalty kick. The kick sailed wide right and the Mavericks dodged a bullet.

Northern took control of the game midway through the second half. Finally, after several chances, the Mavericks were able to get their second goal. Dusty Stejskal played a long ball over the top of the Tyler defense to Ponca City Freshman Paul Broome who beat two Tyler defenders to the ball and chipped the goalkeeper.

Shortly after Northern's second goal, Maverick defender Tariq Amaireh was sent off with his second yellow card of the game. Playing a man down the final fifteen minutes, Northern controlled play but couldn't get the equalizer.

DuRoy praised the play of Westmoore sophomore Dusty Stejskal, Tulsa East Central freshman Yer Yang, Bixby sophomore Tanner Clark, and Ponca City freshman Paul Broome.

"Dusty probably saved his best game for his last as a Maverick. Tanner Clark really played hard. It won't show up in the stats, but he gave the Tyler defense fits all day, and Paul Broome came off the bench and gave us a spark," DuRoy said.

The Mavericks end their season as Region II Champions and fell just two games short of the national tournament. The loss ended the careers at Northern for sophomores Tariq Amaireh, Rusty Baxter, Tanner Clark, David Hummel, Justin Lowder, Dusty Stejskal, Chris Wilkinson, and Robbie Vanwyngaarden.

"This is far and away the best sophomore class we have ever had atNorthern," DuRoy said. "They all have bright futures, and we will be allright next year with some good freshman returning."



Rodeo Watch

CALF ROPING

1, Fred Whitfield, Hockley, Texas, $126,247. 2, Blair Burk, Durant, Okla., $120,542. 3, Cody Ohl, Stephenville, Texas, $101,116. 4, Ricky Hyde, Conway, Ark., $74,485. 5, Jerome Schneeberger, Ponca City, Okla., $74,334. 6, Ty Hays, Weatherford, Okla., $70,994. 7, Stran Smith, Tell, Texas, $70,829. 8, Herbert Theriot, Poplarville, Miss, , $69,943. 9, Justin Maass, Giddings, Texas, $68,787. 10, Brent Lewis, Pinon, N.M., $65,129. 11, Jeff Chapman, Athens, Texas, $64,286. 12, Clay Cerny, Eagle Lake, Texas, $64,138. 13, Tony Reina, Brazoria, Texas, $62,868. 14, Trevor Brazile, Childress, Texas, $62,547. 15, Jeff Coelho, Long Creek, Ore., $61,034. 16, Jim Bob Mayes, Elgin, Texas, $59,866. 17, Brad Goodrich, Hermiston, Ore., $58,721. 18, Roy Cooper, Childress, Texas, $56,677. 19, Neal Felton, Mountain Home, Texas, $54,331. 20, Marty Becker, Manyberries, Alberta, $53,943.

STEER ROPING

1, Guy Allen, Lovington, N.M., $74,566. 2, Rocky Patterson, Pratt, Kan., $56,975. 3, Trevor Brazile, Childress, Texas, $48,171. 4, Jim Davis, Abilene, Texas, $40,634. 5, Buster Record Jr, Buffalo, Okla., $38,986. 6, Marty Jones, Hobbs, N.M., $34,806. 7, De Lynn Jones, Hobbs, N.M., $31,158. 8, J.B. Whatley, Gardendale, Texas, $33,339. 9, Roy Cooper, Childress, Texas, $32,854. 10, Arnold Felts, Sonora, Texas, $31,784. 11, Colby Goodwin, Channing, Texas, $31,219. 12, Cody Ohl, Stephenville, Texas, $28,818. 13, Tee Woolman, Llano, Texas, $28,051. 14, J Paul Williams, Ponca City, Okla., $26,479. 15, Bucky Hefner, Chelsea, Okla., $24,164.


Copyright© Ponca City News, 1998