LOCAL

Telecommunications Department a Reality
Fire Salaries, Mayor To Be on Ballot
Oklahomans Shivering In Pre-Winter Cold Snap
Nearly News
P.C. Area Literacy Council Receives Golf Event Funds
Motivational Speaker Will Speak At Otoe-Missouria Culture Center

Telecommunications Department a Reality

By JEFF POLITTE

News Staff Writer

“This is a key step in achieving our (the city’s) vision of our community becoming globally connected,” said Mayor Tom Leonard, of Ponca City’s newly established Telecommunications Department.

City commissioners established the department, which was first conceptualized in October of 1998, by a unanimous vote at Monday night’s regular session.

As part of the amendment added to city ordinance regarding this decision, a seven-member telecommunications advisory board was also created. Commissioners voted to fill six of these seven seats at the meeting.

According to city officials, the department will not only benefit city industry, education, medical care and business, but the individual as well, by providing instant access to information on a global level.

“We’ve had a group of volunteers to put in a lot of hours to put this thing together,” noted Commissioner Dick Stone. “This will be a tremendous boon for the city.”

Leonard agreed, citing the department could not have been established without a collaborative team effort from those hard-working individuals. “This is the work of an ad hoc committee composed of representatives from Conoco, the Economic Development board, Oklahoma Regents for Higher Education, city staff and other key members of our community.”

“During the process (of establishing the department), we developed a special appreciation for our congressional delegation … in particular Congressman Ernest Istook and Sen. Don Nickles,” he added.

Leonard suggested Carl Renfro, president of Pioneer Bank and Trust and member of the OSRHE, deserved special recognition. “Carl was the guiding influence in putting this project together,” he stressed. “He not only coordinated with the regents, but also provided an invaluable link with our congressional delegation.”

Now that the department has finally been established, Leonard indicated there was still plenty of work left to be done while getting it up and running. “There are some steps we have to go through as with any new business,” he said. These include developing a business plan, designing and engineering the system and created a marketing strategy.

The advisory board members nominated by Leonard were Patrick Nickles, representing small business; Ricky Flak, representing the economic advisory board; John Lines, the Rocky Mountain director for telecommunications at Conoco, representing major business; Dr. Joe Kinzer, president of Northern Oklahoma College, representing higher education; and Stan Kistler and Robin Riley, members at large. The mayor’s nomination to the remaining board position should be announced sometime in the next few weeks.

According to Leonard, the conceptual idea of the project started in October of 1998. “Through various meetings with sister cities, telecommunications leaders, local businesses and community leaders, the idea of establishing high-speed telecommunications access in Ponca City was developed,” he said.

Leonard explained an ad hoc committee was established early this year with the goal of bringing this concept into a reality. “The primary result of the ad hoc committee’s efforts was achieving the federal funding to establish this project,” he said.

Leonard also explained the main purpose of the Telecommunications Department was to provide high-speed data access to all potential users, adding healthy competition would likely be the natural result. “This will bring competition in a lot of areas — cable TV, telephone, internet and business data transfer,” he said.

Fire Salaries, Mayor To Be on Ballot

By JEFF POLITTE

News Staff Writer

Two additional items were also highlighted at Monday night’s city commission meeting.

One of the items was to call for an election for the purpose of electing a mayor in 2001 and establishing a filing period and date of election.

City commissioners voted to set the election date for March 6, and, if needed, a runoff election on April 3. The three-day filing period for this election is Jan. 22-24.

The board also entered into executive session for the purpose of determining what to do about a recent arbitration panel’s decision which ruled in favor of the International Association of Firefighters Local Union 2479.

Negotiations between the city of Ponca City and the local union began in February and became deadlocked in June when both parties came to Appendix A dealing with the department’s wage scale for the 2000-2001 fiscal year.

State statute provide that rather than have an outside arbitrator make a binding decision on the citizens of a community, cities may take the final decision to a vote of the people.

Commissioners, after over an hour of deliberations, came back to a large group of awaiting firefighters with the decision to accept this option and send the decision to a public vote.

Commissioners will meet at 9 a.m. on Thursday in the Public Safety Center’s commission chambers, 200 East Oklahoma Avenue, to call an election for this issue and to put it on the March 6 ballot.

Oklahomans Shivering In Pre-Winter Cold Snap

From Staff and AP Reports

Oklahomans shivered through another day of sub-freezing temperatures Tuesday and winced at the inevitable result of trying to stay warm — higher heating bills.

As an arctic wave pushed overnight temperatures into the teens and single digits across the state, Oklahoma Natural Gas Co. said customers were expected to consume more than 1 billion cubic feet of gas during the 24-hour period ending at 9 a.m.

ONG officials said that’s more than twice as much gas than is normally consumed this time of year — 450 million cubic feet. ONG spokesman Don Sherry said the company’s transmission system was equipped to handle the extra load.

The price of western Oklahoma natural gas under month-long “spot” contracts jumped Monday by $2.07, or 26 percent, to $10 per thousand cubic feet — a record high.

The cold front that brought a winter mix of rain, sleet and snow stranded passengers at airports, forced some schools to close, sent the homeless running for shelter and created treacherous driving conditions.

So far North Central Oklahoma just had to put up with cold temperatures and ferocious winds Monday. The wind peaked out at 34 miles an hour Monday, but had been considerably calmer today. Meanwhile, after a high of 16 degrees Monday, this morning’s low was 6 degrees.

From 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Tulsa police reported nearly 100 reports of traffic accidents.

“It was a busy morning and early afternoon,” said Officer Lucky Lamons. “There were 15 accidents without injuries, 41 where we had to respond because of possible injuries, 27 that had injuries, and 13 hit-and-runs.”

Oklahoma Highway Patrol Lt. Stan Roberts said dozens of accidents — most of them single-car crashes — were reported on state and county roads.

Ice and fog were listed as possible causes for a head-on collision that killed four people Sunday afternoon in the Oklahoma Panhandle, the highway patrol said.

Dead were Gerhard Rempel, 36, and Agetha Rempel, 35, both of Montezuma, Kan. Also killed were Daniel Paul Kearn, 35, and Crystal Anne Williams, 33, both of Prescott, Ariz.

Brief electrical outages were reported in several Oklahoma communities, the result of freezing rain and blowing wind.

OG&E Electric Services reported that about 80 people were affected by power outages in Fairmont in Garfield County on Sunday and Monday, while Breckinridge went without power for about two hours on Sunday.

Some power line problems also were reported in the Medford area in northcentral Oklahoma on Sunday, said OG&E spokesman Jim Rives.

Some schools in northeast Oklahoma canceled classes or let out early because of slick streets and roads. Tulsa held school but buses ran late, said spokesman John Hamill.

Although the Tulsa International Airport didn’t experience direct delays, many airlines had flight cancellations and delays in other cities, including Chicago and Denver. Those problems affected the flow of air traffic in Tulsa, said David Ryan, senior safety officer at the airport.

American Airlines spokesman Marty Heires said the blizzard in the Chicago area Monday forced American to cancel about 60 percent of its flights into and out of O’Hare. Snow continued to accumulate at the rate of 1 inch an hour late Monday in Chicago, causing some concern about flights Tuesday.

The Salvation Army in Tulsa witnessed its largest overnight stay in years, said Tracey Redmon, director of social services.

“Last night we had 293 stay at our shelter. We have been having a lot of visitors lately — averaging around 250 — but last night topped everything,” she said Monday.

The 350-bed facility is equipped to host more people if needed, Redmon said.

Sandra Holden of the Day Center for the Homeless also saw more people.

“The weather is part of what brought most of our guests to us,” she said.

Serving 500 people, including families, Holden said the numbers are an increase of about 100 people.

“The best thing to know is, they are safe and we are here for them if they need us,” she said.

Nearly News

While out driving around and viewing the lights on Wednesday night, don’t forget to pass by Ponca City High School where the Po-Hi Student Council will have the front lawn of the high school marked off with the annual luminaries display from dark until 9 p.m.

P.C. Area Literacy Council Receives Golf Event Funds

Two thousand dollars has been awarded to the Ponca City Area Literacy Council from funds raised by the annual Literacy Golf Tournament. The August event was sponsored by the Ponca City Rotary Club with community leaders financially supporting the event.

Approximately $10,000 was generated by the tournament. Around $8,000 has been awarded to Ponca City elementary school libraries. In addition to these funds, Rotary provides 14 reading tutors to Woodlands School.

An effort is being made throughout America to improve literacy. The Ponca City Area Literacy Council has dozens of volunteers serving as tutors for fellow citizens who desire to improve their reading and writing skills. There is no age limit on those receiving individual tutoring.

Anyone desiring free tutoring should call the literacy office in the Ponca City Library. The number is 767-0351.

Motivational Speaker Will Speak At Otoe-Missouria Culture Center

Byron Jackson, a motivational speaker, will be at the Otoe-Missouria Culture Center on Dec. 15 at 1 p.m. Mr. Jackson began his career as a counselor with youth and their families with substance abuse problems.

He implemented a Student Assistance Program that is still going strong in Shawnee Public Schools and served on a team of substance abuse preventionists that began the first of eight Area Prevention Resource Centers in Oklahoma funded by the State Department of Mental Health/Substance Abuse Services.

In 1996, he started his own consulting group, In the Can Productions, and works with close to 10.000 people a year — from Chamber of Commerce leaders to Native American Tribes, from University heads to gang members. What Byron does best is to model and teach relationship building and treating one another with respect.

He provides team building, effective communication, working with diversity, handling conflict, developing mission statements, and managerial tutoring. His greatest accomplishment with groups is that most say they can’t believe how much fun they had getting so much accomplished.

Some of the groups Mr. Jackson has worked with are: Leadership Oklahoma, Episcopal Church of Oklahoma, Phillips Petroleum, Cherokee Tribe, Department of Rehabilitation, YMCA, University of Oklahoma, Rogers State University, Vo-Techs of Oklahoma, Latino Agency of OKC, Kids of Nation, Peer Helping Program of Oklahoma, Girl Power Youth Group, Church Community Coalition, Ardmore Chamber of Commerce, Oklahoma Education Association.

The Otoe-Missouria Culture Center is located on U.S. 177, 13 miles south of Ponca City and admission is free. Please call toll free, 877-692-6863 for more information.

BUSINESS

EDAB Plans To Discuss City Property
Resilient Floor Care Class Is ‘Overwhelming Success’
Wave of Education for Future Under Way at ULC Through NWSU
Hunan Owners Break Ground for New Restaurant

EDAB Plans To Discuss City Property

By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE

News Business Editor

Thursday at the 7:30 a.m., meeting of the Economic Development Advisory Board (EDAB), that body will be voting on a recommendation to sell property of the City to Mid America Door.

EDAB is a recommending body to the City Commission and the meeting will be at the Public Safety Center.

The property Mid America Door is interested in is to the south and west of the company’s present location at Ash and Hartford. The southwest portion is along Hartford north to the company’s north lot line at 2100 Ash. This would be used for a parking lot for employees and for tractor trailers.

The other portion being considered is 100 feet west of the current facility and is needed for future expansion of the plant.

Another action item is to discuss and vote on additional funding to assist the start-up of Ponca City Technology Accelerator First Year Budget Funding.

Other items include a presentation by Cimarron Transit by William Corff; a report on the bandwidth progress; reports on Project “M”; Gas-to-Liquids; PCTA Contacts/Prospects; Carbon Fibers spinoff marketing.

Resilient Floor Care Class Is ‘Overwhelming Success’

Pioneer Technology Center’s (PTC) very first Resilient Floor Care and Maintenance class was recently held at both the PTC campus and Saint Joseph’s Regional Medical Center (SJRMC).

The two-day course covered topics on recognizing different types of resilient floor coverings, proper and safe operation of different types of floor maintenance equipment. Also an overview of the different types of scrubbing and buffing equipment, troubleshooting common problems in floor care maintenance, and an overview of the three main resilient floor care maintenance programs.

According to Management Development Coordinator, David Payne, “The classes were an overwhelming success. The attendance was great as well as the topics that were covered.” He also stated that being able to hold this type of training at the SJRMC facility was very beneficial to this class.

Participants attending the class included Tammy Todd, Ponca City Public Schools; Scott Burdett, Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center; Bill Lamarr, Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center; Gerrie Tipton, ITC; Keith Chesser, Shidler Schools; Larry Clinton, Cleaning Specialties; Robin March, Cleaning Specialties; John Caldwell, Pioneer Technology Center; Pat Marlar, Ponca City Public Schools; Cathy Swenson, Ponca City Public Schools; Billy McDaniel, Ponca City Public Schools; Jeremy Runyon, Ponca City Public Schools; and Tony Smith Ponca City Public Schools.

For more information on future Resilient Floor Care classes, please call David Payne at (580) 762-8336, ext. 312.

Wave of Education for Future Under Way at ULC Through NWSU

By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE

News Business Editor

A wave of education for the future is currently under way at the University Learning Center, with a new bachelor’s degree in E-commerce being offered here for the public at the Conoco Complex. The degreed program is being offered by Northwestern State University at Alva and is one of the first in the nation.

Dr. Allen Smith of NWSU told the ULC Advisory Council about the degree at the recent meeting here. He said that NWSU had 35 enrolled in the first semester and expects 70 for next semester. Currently NWSU is the only higher education entity offering the degree.

The introduction to the course says it is designed to provide introduction to computers, Internet and business transactions over the Internet. The course focuses are on technology based interactions between customers and businesses over the Internet.

Included are terminology, applications, and contest sources for E-commerces. Also there is an emphasis on Internet tools such as browsers, search engines and E-mail. Also application of E-commerce, hand held devices and mobile commuting is to be discussed.

For more information on E-commerce, it may be found on www.nwalva.educ/

Courses include, Introduction to E-commerce; HTML I; HTML II; Survey of E-commerce; Internet Programming I; Internet Programming laboratory I; Telecommunications; Network Management; Operating systems; Website Design and development.

Also, Internet Programming II; 3-I Internet Programming Laboratory II; Social changes and the Internet; E-commerce Technology System Design; E-commerce Law, Policy and Regulations; Internet Programming III, and Internet laboratory III.

Hunan Owners Break Ground for New Restaurant

After serving the area since 1982, Charlie, George, Grace and Mei-Fen Chao, owners of the Hunan and Hunan Garden restaurants broke ground recently for their new location. Along with the new location comes a new name Hunan Family Restaurant.

According to George Chao, “We decided on this move so we can keep giving both our long time and new customers exceptional service, while they enjoy a one stop location for their Chinese dining experience.

“They can choose a formal setting for a leisurely meal of oriental offerings with full service, a buffet for variety, reserve banquet and meeting facilities for large groups and private parties as well as the convenience of a pick-up drive-thru for those in a rush. It will help us reduce our overhead to keep competitive pricing,” he said.

Featuring Mandarin cuisine the Hunan Family Restaurant will be housed in a 6,000 square foot facility with seating for about 200 and the parking lot will hold 100 vehicles.

With easy access the new restaurant will be located on Fifth Street off Prospect, just south of Mazzio’s.

While the groundbreaking ceremonies were held this week, the Chao family is planning a grand opening in May 2001. Meanwhile, customers can continue to enjoy fine Chinese cuisine by visiting George and Mei at their Prospect location just south of Wal-Mart in North Park Plaza or Charlie and Grace at their location in Ponca Plaza.

DEATHS

Frank Donald Johns
Elizabeth Ann Boxley
Paul Edward Bohon
James Ireland Sr.
Bonnie McElroy
Ruby Dean Johnson
Phillip Edward McCune

Frank Donald Johns

BLACKWELL — Frank Donald Johns, resident of Blackwell, died Monday morning, Dec. 11, 2000, in the Blackwell Regional Hospital. He was 73.

The funeral is scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 13, in the St. John’s Lutheran Church in Blackwell with the Rev. Ernest Quillen officiating. Burial will follow in the Blackwell Cemetery under the direction of Roberts and Son Funeral Home.

Frank Donald Johns was born on Nov. 3, 1927, in Raddley, Kan., the son of Arthur Eugene and Louise I. Jameson Johns. He moved with his family as a baby to Blackwell, where he grew up and attended Blackwell public schools, graduating in 1946. While in high school, he worked for the Santa Fe Railroad in Enid and was crowned state high school wrestling champion at the 103-pound weight class. Following graduation, he attending Northern Oklahoma Junior College in Tonkawa for a year.

He married Beulah Mae Jeffries on March 19, 1947, in Winfield, Kan., and they settled in Blackwell. He then owned and operated the Conoco service station in Blackwell for two years. In 1949, he began employment at the Blackwell Zinc Company as well as beginning his own farming operation in the Peckham area. He also worked as a carpenter and drove a school bus for Independence and New Bethel school districts. He retired from Blackwell Zinc Company in 1974 but continued his farming operation.

He was a member of the St. John’s Lutheran Church, the Dale Rural Water District 5, and the Kay County Fair board. He also served as an active member of the Kay County Democratic Party and adult leader of the Oklahoma State 4-H.

Survivors include his wife of the home; a daughter, Deanna Sheets of Blackwell; seven sons, Frankie Johns, Daryl Johns and Lonnie Johns, all of Peckham, Steve Johns of Newkirk, Les Johns of Oklahoma City, Donnie Johns of Owasso and Curtis Johns of Arkansas City, Kan.; three sisters, Marguerite Clark and Georgia Mae Farrington, both of Blackwell, and Anna Coleman of Braman; two brothers, David Johns of Blackwell and Edward Johns of Bison; 21 grandchildren; and 6 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Ruth Fearmonti; and a brother, Eugene Johns.

Casket bearers will be Deanna Sheets, Frankie Johns, Daryl Johns, Les Johns, Lonnie Johns, Steve Johns, Donnie Johns and Curtis Johns. Honorary bearers will be Ron Kahle, Bill Eckert, Don Klein, Keith Jeffries, Bill Brown, the grandchildren and the St. John’s Lutheran Church Men’s Club.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church Maintenance Fund, c/o Roberts Funeral Home, 120 W. Padon, Blackwell, Okla. 74631.

Elizabeth Ann Boxley

Elizabeth Ann Boxley, resident of Ponca City, died Saturday afternoon, Dec. 9, 2000, in the St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. She was 84.

A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2000, at 10 a.m. in the Odd Fellows Cemetery under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.

Elizabeth Ann Boxley was born March 2, 1916, in Pawnee, the daughter of William Venters and Iva Edna (Shirley) Venters. She attended schools in Kansas. She married Emmett Allen Boxley on Feb. 2, 1935, and she was a homemaker. She attended the Methodist Church in Webb City.

Survivors include a daughter, Nellie Ann McClead of Tucson, Ariz.; a son, Darrell Gene Boxley of Ponca City; and a sister, Grace Wacker of Derby, Kan.

She was preceded in death by her husband; a son, William Allen Boxley; three brothers; and three sisters.

Obituaries

Paul Edward Bohon

Paul Edward Bohon, longtime Ponca City resident, went to be with his Lord on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2000, at Integris Baptist Medical Center. He was 45.

The funeral will be held Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2000, at 2 p.m. at Faith Tabernacle with the Rev. Don Stanton, pastor, officiating. Burial will follow at Burbank Cemetery under the direction of Trout Funeral Home.

Paul Edward Bohon was born Dec. 15, 1954, in Wichita, Kan. He was the son of the late George P. Bohon and Dean and Dorene Bohon-Stolhand. He attended Ponca City schools, graduating from Ponca City High School.

On Aug. 24, 1984, he and Laura Ann Mackie were married at Faith Tabernacle in Ponca City. At the time of his death, Paul was employed as a qualifying repairman at Airgas.

Paul was a member of Faith Tabernacle and served on the Praise and Worship Team. During praise and worship practice, Paul connected with the other members and often assisted them with the music. He loved music and played the guitar. He also loved to write songs and poetry.

Paul was a great cook, too. He could usually be found in his kitchen at home in the evenings and most always helped in the kitchen at church on Wednesday nights or when needed. Paul also enjoyed fishing and camping with his boys. He helped with the Boy Scouts and served as assistant scout master for a short time. He coached his son’s baseball team for several years as well.

He is survived by his wife, Laura of the home, and two sons, Joshua “J.P.” and Richard, both of the home. Additional survivors include his parents, Dean and Dorene Stolhand of Ponca City; six brothers and sisters, Georgia Mae Singletary and her husband, Neal, of Depew, Jimmy Bohon and David Lee Bohon and his wife, Paula “C.J.”, both of Ponca City and Terry Stolhand and his wife, Jane, of Newkirk; Christina Brown and her husband, Larry, of Ponca City, and Brenda Pinkerton of Lake Jackson, Texas; and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. In addition to his father, a brother, Lew Allen Stolhand, preceded him in death.

Casket bearers will be Leramy Kizziar, Sean Stanton, David Carnes, Chuck Crane, Gary Gillespie, Joe Gillespie, Mike Riggs and Fabron Porter. Honorary bearers will be Gary Jackson, Donna “Maggie” Mobbley, Don Hinkle and the Praise and Worship Team.

Contributions may be made in his memory to Faith Tabernacle Building Fund, 501 S. Fifth, Ponca City, Okla. 74601.

paid obituary

James Ireland Sr.

James “Jim” Ireland Sr., Ponca City resident, died Saturday, Dec. 9, 2000, at Shawn Manor Nursing Home. He was 72.

A graveside service will be held 1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15, 2000, at Chewelah Memorial Park Cemetery in Chewelah, Wash., under the direction of Schanzebach Funeral Home. Local arrangements are with Trout Funeral Home.

James was born Nov. 29, 1928, in Cooperstown, N.Y., to Calvin Ireland and Musa (Miner) Ireland. He graduated high school and, at age 18, moved to a farm in California, where he met his future wife. James and Allene Rogers were married on Jan. 15, 1950. They had five children, which they raised in San Joaquin Valley, Calif. In 1994, he and Allene moved to Washington, where he resided until this year, when he moved to Ponca City. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and was especially fond of his dog Fritz.

Survivors include five children; daughter, Sandra Meadows and her husband Terry Meadows of Ponca City, son, Mike Ireland of Bodfish, Calif., son, James Ireland Jr. of Chewelah, Wash., daughter, Jeannette Ireland of Tulare, Calif., daughter, Mary Anne Peeler of Chewelah, Wash.; one sister, Betty Luke of New York; six grandchildren, Tina Shoemaker of Winfield, Kan., Steven Vaughn of Winfield, Kan., David Vaughn of Winfield, Kan., Amanda and John Yeager of Chewelah, Wash., Laurie and Rod Ireland of California, Aaron Ireland of Bodfish, Calif.; 10 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

James was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, three sisters, one brother and two great-grandchildren.

The family will be at 1208 E. Furgeson, Ponca City, Okla. 74601.

paid obituary

Services Pending

Bonnie McElroy

Bonnie McElroy, longtime Ponca City resident, died Monday morning, Dec. 11, 2000, in the Baptist Medical Center in Oklahoma City. She was 68. An evening prayer service will be held at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Ponca Indian United Methodist Church. Other arrangements are pending with Grace Memorial Chapel.

Ruby Dean Johnson

FAIRFAX — Ruby Dean Johnson, resident of Fairfax, died Monday, Dec. 11, 2000, in the Fairfax Memorial Hospital. She was 85. Survivors include a daughter, Barbara Tallchief. Arrangements are pending with Hunsaker-Wooten Funeral Home of Fairfax.

Funerals

Wednesday

Phillip Edward McCune

Phillip Edward McCune — Funeral at 5 p.m. in the chapel of Kingwood Funeral Home in Kingwood, Texas.

NEWS BRIEFS

Minor Accident — A minor accident was reported in the 1900 block of North Fourteenth at 8:51 a.m. Monday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Free Pregnancy test. Birth Choice cares. Confidential. Hours: Monday 1-3 p.m., Tuesday, 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, 1-3 p.m. and Thursday, 6-8 p.m. 700 West Broadway. 765-9689. adv.

Fire Run — A Marland resident advised a trailer house was on fire at 9:57 a.m. Monday. The Marland Fire Department handled the call.

Attention! The Caboose Thrift shop is still very much in business. Our hours are Monday through Saturday, 9am to 4:30pm except for holidays. We are located at First and Central. adv.

Arrest Made — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department arrested a 32-year-old female at 10:35 a.m. Monday on a Pawnee County warrant.

Mels Clothing & Shoes now has 25% off entire store. 2008 North 14th. adv.

Shoplifting — A business in the 1400 block of West Highland reported to Ponca City police at 11:38 a.m. Monday of a juvenile shoplifter in custody. The stolen items were obtained and no report was taken.

M&M Family Flowers. For all your holiday floral needs. 1-580-765-3335. adv.

Burglary Investigation — A resident in the 400 block of Virginia reported to police at 12:13 p.m. Monday that a vehicle had been burglarized. An officer of the Ponca City Police Department responded and a report was taken.

“Turkey time”, check out our huge selection of ranges. Copeland’s 315 East Grand. 762-6896. adv.

Accident — A two-vehicle non-injury accident was reported to Ponca City police at 2:46 p.m. Monday at Bradley and Fourteenth Street. An officer responded and a report was taken.

Arrest Made — A 22-year-old female was arrested in the 3300 block of North Fourteenth on a city warrant for failure to appear at 3:36 p.m. Monday.

Domestic Problems — At 6:14 p.m. Monday, the Ponca City Police Department was advised of a possible domestic dispute in the 3300 block of North fourteenth. An officer responded and advised the subjects were gone on arrival.

OU & OSU pewter frames, Pistol Pete dolls & more! Now at Carla’s Hallmark, Downtown.

adv.

Burglary — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department took a burglary report in the 1900 block of East Hartford at 6:44 p.m. Monday.

$1.00 Off outfits with any beanie kid purchase. Carla’s Hallmark, Downtown. 765-3094. adv.

Drive Off — A clerk in the 200 block of West Hartford reported to Ponca City police of a $22.14 gas drive off. The clerk then called to report the subject had returned and paid for the gas. No report was taken.

Every Wednesday ð price clothes and shoes, except priced items. Check our daily specials. Caboose Thrift Shoppe, First and Central. adv.

Fire Run — A resident in the 200 block of East Detroit reported a grass fire in a vacant lot. Engine 3 and Rescue 1 responded at 10:09 p.m. Monday.

Santa For hire. 762-7825 adv.

Disturbance — A resident in the 3500 block of Springwood reported loud music from a neighbor at 4:31 a.m. Tuesday. An officer of the Ponca City Police Department responded and advised the residents to turn the music down.

Stormescape Shelters, perfect for garage, under vehicle. Installed, $2,395. 765-2633. adv.

Crossing Arms Down — At 5:09 a.m. Tuesday, the crossing arms were reported down in the 400 block of East Prospect. The railroads were advised of the problem.

Christmas Trees- Cut and live for planting after Christmas. Florist quality poinsettias. Keathly Nursery, 2448 Bridge Avenue.

adv.

News Briefs — A perfect spot to announce a special event or tell about an upcoming special sale of goods. Call 765-3311.

LIFESTYLES

The Neighborhood Chef

The Neighborhood Chef

by Sherry Muchmore

Pumpkin Treats, Sweet and Spicy

When the winds blow cold and trees begin to turn to brilliant shades of rust, orange and yellow, our inner time-clocks turn to comfort foods such as baked goods made with spices, nuts and fruit. Pumpkin becoming ripe for picking this time of year is a favorite for mixing with spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and ginger.

What a wonderful smell, how pumpkin bread brings back memories of our youth, waiting patiently in grandmother’s or mom’s kitchen until the bread finishes baking and we get a sweet-spicy slice of hot pumpkin bread slathered with sweet creamy butter with a big glass of ice-cold milk. Verlee makes Sheri Flegler’s deliciously moist pumpkin bread. The extra treat to this recipe is the added flavor of dates.

Pumpkin Date Bread Verlee Gardner, Newkirk, OK from Sheri Flegler, PC, OK

3-1/3 cups all-purpose flour

3 cups granulated sugar

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

2 teaspoons baking soda

2 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon ground cloves

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon nutmeg

1 cup vegetable oil (Verlee uses Wesson)

1 cup water

1 15-ounce can pumpkin

4 eggs

10 ounces chopped pecans

1 box chopped dates

Mix dry ingredients together in one bowl. In a large mixing bowl, combine oil, water, pumpkin and eggs and beat on low until blended. Add dry ingredients gradually blend on slow until all ingredients are mixed. Fold in nuts and dates.

Bake in 2-large (9-1/2x5-1/4x2-3/4 inch) greased and floured loaf pans at 325 degrees for 1-1/2 hours or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Cool in pans for one-half hour. Remove from pan and cool. Wrap in foil and store in the refrigerator.

Note: Verlee says she only uses 1 teaspoon salt and it works just fine. So if you want to cut back on salt, make the cut here.

Here is a good recipe for a your Bundt pan. Carol makes a wonderful pumpkin cake that is simply delicious. Perfect for the holidays.

Pumpkin Streusel

Carol Bouldin, PC, OK

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon cinnamon

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

2 cups granulated sugar

1 cup butter or margarine, room temperature (2 sticks)

4 large eggs

1 15-ounce can pumpkin

1 cup sour cream

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Combine flour, cinnamon, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside. Beat sugar and butter in a large bowl with mixer until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition. Add pumpkin, sour cream and vanilla. Mix well. Gradually beat in the flour mixture.

Pour half the batter into a greased and floured 12-cup Bundt pan. Sprinkle the streusel mixture over the batter. Pour remaining batter over the streusel mix making sure batter touches edges. Bake at 350 degrees for 55 to 60 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted into the cake.

Streusel:

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon allspice

2 teaspoons butter or margarine

Combine brown sugar, cinnamon and allspice. Cut in

butter till crumbly.

Glaze:

1-1/2 cups sifted powdered sugar

2 to 3 tablespoons orange juice or milk

When the cake has finished baking, place pan on a wire rack for 30 minutes to cool. Turn cake onto the wire rack to finish cooling. Cool completely and ice with glaze. Serves 16

I’ve been hearing a lot this season about Pumpkin Cake Bars. Whether served for brunch or dessert, these light and spicy cakes go well during the holidays. They’re not too heavy and provide just the right amount of sweetness to satisfy our seasonal cravings. The following recipe is a good example provided by Zenna Wright who says she can hardly wait until this time of year so she can make them.

Pumpkin Orange Squares

Zenna Wright, PC, OK

1-1/2 cups brown sugar

1/2 cup margarine, room temperature

1 cup canned pumpkin

2 eggs

1/3 cup frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed

1-2/3 cups all purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

3/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground allspice

1/2 teaspoon grated orange peel

1/2 teaspoon ground

cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/2 cup chopped pecans

Whipped Cream

Cream together sugar and margarine. Beat in pumpkin, eggs and orange juice concentrate.

Combine flour, baking powder, soda, salt, orange peel and spices. Beat into pumpkin mixture. Turn into a greased and floured 13x9x2 inch baking pan or jelly roll pan. Sprinkle pecans over the top. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes. Serve with whipped cream if desired.

Note: For the holidays, I added 1-cup of dried cranberries to my banana-nut bread batter. I was pleased how well the combination of bananas and cranberries complimented each other. Try it, I think you’ll really like the flavor.

Request: Jill wrote in the following: “Back in the 60’s, Ponca City had a drive-in Bar-B-Que place called The Pig Stand. They had the most wonderful pig sandwiches. I would love to have the recipe for their Bar-B-Que. Surely there is still someone in Ponca City that knows how those wonderful sandwiches were made. Thanks, Jill” If anyone knows, please send your comments to the address below.

Send your recipes to: The Neighborhood Chef, c/o The Ponca City News, P.O. Box 191, Ponca City, OK 74602, or e-mail me at: chef@poncacitynews.com (All recipes become property of The Ponca City News.)

SPORTS

Cats Starting Stretch Run To Holidays
Freshmen Take 5th In Tourney
Eighth Grade Blue Boys Third
Eighth Red Girls Lose to Jenks

Cats Starting Stretch Run To Holidays

Braving the cold weather Ponca City’s Wildcats head down the home stretch before the Christmas break.

The Cat and Lady Cat cagers play host to Tulsa Union tonight in Robson Field House, starting at 6:30 and 8 p.m.

This will be the first second-meeting for the Po-Hi roundballers. Union swept the Poncans in the second games of he season, winning the boys’ game, 76-67, and taking the girls’ contest, 50-42.

Both Ponca City teams finished tournament play over the weekend with 1-2 records. The Lady Cats took fourth place at Harrah with a 54-39 loss to Beaver.

The Wildcat wrestlers return to dual action tonight at Enid. The varsity matches start at 7.

The Cat matmen placed four in the Perry Tournament over the weekend. MiMi Miller placed third at 125 pounds while Shaw Lee (130 pounds), Steven Windler (135) and Roman RedLeaf (152) each placed sixth.

The Po-Hi wrestlers are scheduled to play host to Jenks Friday and then travel to Del City on Saturday.

The basketballers are slated to wrap up the first segment of their season with trips to Sand Springs Friday and Broken Arrow on Monday.

Freshmen Take 5th In Tourney

The freshmen boys came home with fifth place from the Sand Springs Invitational Tournament. The tournament field included Tulsa Union, Bishop Kelley, Jenks, Muskogee, Sapulpa, Sand Springs Central, Sand Springs Boyd and Ponca City.

“We played three big schools like our high school and feel pretty good coming out 2-1 in the tournament,” Parent said. “We beat Sapulpa 42-25 to finish in fifth place, but felt we should have won, or at least, finished in second.”

The boys improved in free throw shooting during the tournament.

“If we can hit our free throws the rest of the year, we have a chance to be good,” Parent said. “In Ark City, we were eight of 25. That’s terrible.”

In the first tournament game, Ponca City lost to Tulsa Union 42-37.

The local ninth graders fell behind 17-5 within the first three minutes, then pulled to within five points at halftime.

Again, the team’s inability to make free throws hurt. But, there was improvement. In Ark City the team only shot 32 percent from the line.

“I was proud of the fact that we didn’t give up when we got down early,” Parent said. “We still have a lot to work on.”

Ponca City beat Sand Spring Central 58-36 in the second round.

“After a slow start, we played pretty weil,” Parent said.

Matt Droughad scored 13 against Tulsa Union, and 3 against Sand Springs Central and three points against Salulpa.

Erek Stone scored 9, 6 and 3; Antoine English, 6, 7, 5; Scott Hartman, 4,3, 0; Moore, 0, 2, 0; Matt Drouhard 3, 13, 13; Brett Springer, 3, 5, 0; Jonathan Waterloo, 2, 9, 5; Todd Gingerich, 1, 4, 0; Whit Theobald, 0, 2, 3

Eighth Grade Blue Boys Third

SAND SPRINGS — The eighth grade boys’ Blue varsity deafeated Tulsa Union 45-40 Saturday to take third place in the Sand Springs Invitational Tournament and imrpve their record to 4-1.

Ponca City Blue led all four quarters 14-9, 25-17, 31-27 and outscored Union 14-13 in the fourth.

Matt Brown led in scoring with 16 points. He was followed by Michael Detten with 10. Wes Badley had 7; Jon Furnas, 4; Matt Hartman, 4; Skylar Skaggs and Rod Lancaster each put in two points.

Eighth Red Girls Lose to Jenks

SAND SPRINGS — The eighth grade varsity girls’ red team lost another close game Thursday for their second loss in the Sand Springs Tournament. Jenks Gray beat Ponca City 34-30.

The Red team was behind the entire game and trailed 27-17 at the end of the third quarter. Ponca City made a valiant effort in the fourth by scoring 13 points, while holding Jenks to only 7 points.

Laci Starnes led the scoring with 13 points. She was followed by Savanah Morin with 6; then Crystal Beattie with 5; Erin Pickering, 4 and Dara Moyer, 2.

The Ponca City girls lost two tournament games by a total of seven points. The local girls lost to Tulsa Union 20-17, then lost to Jenks Gray last Thursday.

The Red team record 1-2.