LOCAL

Nearly News
Ponca Chapter of Native American Church To Honor Long Time Member Parrish Williams

Nearly News

The big winner of the $4,000 prize at the Chamber give away was Tavia Bojorquez. Thousand dollar winners were Terry Ivers, Janie Lambert and Julie Northcutt. Winning $500 were Julie Vap Shawna Parker, Laurie Clark, Candy Chaney, Mary Ann Hall and Michael Rawlings.

Don’t throw your tickets away as there will be 20 more winners at $100 a throw. These winning numbers are to be listed in the Sunday edition of The News.

Ponca Chapter of Native American Church To Honor Long Time Member Parrish Williams

The Ponca Chapter of the Native American Church will honor one of its long time members with a traditional ceremony and feast.

Parrish Williams, the last remaining elder of the Ponca Native American Church will be honored with a ceremonial church service on Saturday night, and a traditional feast at noon Sunday, Dec. 24.

Parrish Williams, a member of the Ponca Tribe, a first generation Oklahoman, was born during a time when there was much snow on the ground, presumably in 1911 or 1912, to James and Gambler LittleSnake Williams. He celebrates his birthday on Dec. 26. He was born and raised in a two room home on the Ponca Reservation in Oklahoma. He and his late wife, Eunice Cries for Ribs Williams were the natural parents of 12 children, 11 of whom were also raised in that same two room home. Parrish is the proud grandfather to approximately 100 grandchildren and great-grandchildren but he is proudest of the fact that he has lived to see thus far, 3 great-great grandchildren. The first of the fifth generation was born one month after the death of his wife, who passed away three days after the couple celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary.

Mr. Williams has been a long time member of the Ponca Native American Church. This year marks the 65th year as a member. Throughout those years Mr. Williams has served in many capacities within the organization, both on the local and state level. He has been the cornerstone for so many years for the local chapter and has served as past President of the State Chapter. One of the greatest accomplishments made by Mr. Williams was his part in securing the use of the sacred sacrament, Peyote, to be used in religious ceremonies of the Native American Church. He testified before a Congressional Committee on hearings to strengthen the Freedom of Religion Act. In 1994, Congress passed the new version of the Native American Freedom of Religion Act, which included the use of the sacrament Peyote for religious purposes.

During his younger days, Mr. Williams served his people as well. He has been a past member of the Ponca Tribal Council who was instrumental in developing the first Tribal Constitution and Corporate Charter of the Ponca Tribe. He also has served admirably on many committees and boards throughout the years, and is still very active in tribal community affairs, most notably, language preservation and land preservation.

The members of the local Ponca Chapter are inviting all relatives and friends of the family to come and celebrate with a ceremonial feast this Sunday, Dec. 24, 2000, at noon, at the Ponca Tribal Cultural Center. Bring your dishes and chairs, and help us celebrate the birthday of Parrish Williams, one of the last few remaining elders of the Ponca Tribe.

DEATHS

Agnes Simpkins
Forrest R. Rickman
Yvonne Goad Kelley
Dorothy Mackey Bragg

Agnes Simpkins

NEWKIRK — Agnes Simpkins, resident of Newkirk, died Wednesday evening, Dec. 20, 2000, in the Newkirk Nursing Center. She was 92.

The funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 23, in Miller-Stahl Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Jerry Albright, minister of the Newkirk First Christian Church, officiating. Burial will follow in Newkirk Cemetery. There will be no service at the cemetery. The casket will be open the day of the service.

Agnes Simpkins was born Feb. 8, 1908, near Newkirk, the daughter of Edmun Earl and Mary Adeline (Jackson) Simpkins. She received her education in Newkirk where she graduated from high school with the class of 1927. After graduation she attended college and eventually received her master’s degree. She lived in the Oklahoma City area and taught school there for many years. She was also a member of Crown Heights Christian Church in Oklahoma City. She returned to Newkirk in her later years.

She is survived by two nephews, Don Holinsworth of Calistoga, Calif., and Ed Holinsworth of Amarillo; three great-nephews and two great-nieces. She was preceded in death by her parents and one sister.

Forrest R. Rickman

Forrest R. Rickman, Ponca City resident, died Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2000, at his home. He was 48.

The traditional Indian feast will be held at noon Saturday, Dec. 23, 2000, at the Otoe-Missouria Tribal Cultural Center. Burial will follow at the Otoe-Missouria Tribal Cemetery under the direction of Trout Funeral Home.

Forrest R. Rickman was born on May 5, 1952, in Ponca City, the son of Charles E. and Clarice (DeRoin) Rickman. He attended school in Oak Ridge, Tenn., San Jose, Calif., Pawnee, Ponca City High School, and Chilocco Indian School. He served in the U.S. Army and was a contract laborer for most of his life. He enjoyed beadworking and woodworking.

He is survived by his parents; two daughters, LaRenda Morgan of Oklahoma City and Summer Rickman of White Eagle; two sisters, Coeweene Murie of Ponca City and Karen Rickman of Tonkawa; one brother, Pat Metcalf of Dallas; one granddaughter; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Ponca City, 1904 N. Union, Suite 103, Ponca City, Okla. 74601.

Obituaries

Yvonne Goad Kelley

FAIRFAX — Yvonne “Von” Kelley, longtime resident of the Ralston and Fairfax communities, died Wednesday afternoon, Dec. 20, 2000, at St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa. She was 58.

The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 23, at the First Christian Church of Fairfax with the Rev. George Weston officiating, assisted by the Rev. Roy Emmons. Burial will be on the family ranch north of Fairfax. Arrangements are under the direction of the Hunsaker-Wooten Funeral Home of Fairfax.

Yvonne Goad Kelley was born June 4, 1942, in the big bend area, west of Ralston. She was the daughter of George Woodrow Goad and Hazel Marie (Rice) Goad. She grew up in the big bend area and attended the big bend Woodland grade school and Ralston High School, graduating in 1960. She was married to Robert Leon Kelly on March 4, 1961, at Fairfax. He preceded her in death on Sept. 26, 1973. She was married to Dale Kelley on Sept. 17, 1975, at Shidler.

Von was employed for many years in the banking business with her last employment as branch manager of the First State Bank — Ralston. She was also involved with the family farming and ranching. She attended the First Christian Church of Fairfax. Her enjoyments included helping out on the farm, gardening, sewing, helping others and especially spending time with her family.

She is survived by her husband, Dale, of the home; her mother, Hazel Guthrie of Fairfax; two daughters, Carrie Lynn Wilson and husband, John, of Ponca City and Rae Ann Smith and husband, Ted, of Fairfax; two sons, Robert Todd Kelly and wife, April Dawn, of Fairfax and Dale Kelley II and wife, Raylene, of Mannford; one sister, Rosemary Dilbeck of Ralston; two brothers, Ed Goad and wife, Kelli, of Fairfax and Sam Goad and wife, Janice, of Pawnee; two grandchildren, Harley Smith and Joseph Smith; several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father, George Goad, on Oct. 25, 1976, and one granddaughter on Feb. 6. 1998, the daughter of Robert Todd and April Dawn Kelly.

Casket bearers will be Mike Burgess, Joe Rice, George Pease, Gary Kliesen, Ronnie Rogers and Bill Brown. Honorary bearers will be Kenny Soutter, Gary Smith, Dr. James Graham, Roy Lee Wilson, Bob Clark and Larry Dooley.

It has been requested by family that memorial contributions be made to any church of choice in Fairfax.

The family will be at the home north of Fairfax.

paid obituary

Dorothy Mackey Bragg

Dorothy Mackey Bragg, longtime Ponca City resident, died early Thursday morning, Dec. 21, 2000, at the St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. She was 93.

The funeral will be Saturday, 10 a.m. in the First Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Dr. Bill Guilford, pastor, officiating. Burial will follow in Odd Fellows Cemetery under the direction of the Trout Funeral Home.

Born Jan. 28, 1907, in Alva, she was the daughter of George Franklin and Olive Littleton Mackey. At an early age she moved with her family by covered wagon to Ponca City where she attended schools.

On May 5, 1924 she married Alva Ray Bragg.

Dorothy was lifelong homemaker. She was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church where she taught Sunday School and was a past president of the Women’s Association. In earlier years, she had served as president of the PTA and the Delphian Study Club. She volunteered her time to the Opportunity Center for over 25 years.

Mrs. Bragg was a staunch member of the Democratic party and had worked for the Kay County Election Board for many years. She enjoyed sewing and entertaining and cooking for family and friends.

Surviving are three daughters, DeWayne Bragg Younger and husband John L. of Lawton, Linda Bragg Fansler and husband Everett of Stillwater, and Barbara Bragg Ware and husband Jerry of Ponca City; a son, D.L. Bragg and wife Beverly of Harrison, Ark.; a sister-in-law, Gladys Mackey, Kansas City, Mo.; two brothers, Frank Mackey of Kansas City, Kan., and Bill Mackey of Gainesville, Fla.; nine grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband who died Feb. 3, 1960, she was preceded in death by her parents, a granddaughter, two sisters, and three brothers.

Memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 1442, Ponca City, OK 74602.

The family will be at the home, 1090 N. Rock Cliff Road.

paid obituary

NEWS BRIEFS

Sullivan Graduates From AIT — Army National Guard Pfc. Louise A. Sullivan has graduated from the automated logistical specialist advanced individual training (AIT) course at Fort Lee, Va. She is the daughter of Marjorie L. Botone of Tawakoni Ave., Anadarko. Her husband, National Guard Sgt. Kenneth L. Sullivan, is the son of Bobby G. and Trelma L. Sullivan of Melrose Drive, Ponca City. Sullivan is a 1990 graduate of Binger High School.

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

Hasselbring Earns Medal — Timothy B. Hasselbring, son of Martha E. and Elmer E. Hasselbring of Newkirk, recently received the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal. The medal recognizes the service member’s honest and faithful service during a three-year period. To earn it, Hasselbring achieved and maintained a satisfactory level of performance and an unblemished conduct record for the entire period. Hasselbring is currently assigned with Headquarters, Marine Aircraft Group 12, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, Okinawa, Japan. Hasselbring joined the Marine Corps in June 1997.

Wright Masonry for all your masonry needs. Call Raymond or Doug 1-580-765-1901. adv.

Holiday for Commissioners — The Kay County Board of Commissioners will not hold a meeting the last week in December. The next official meeting will be Jan. 2, 2001.

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.

Burglary — A man in the 400 block of South Birch Street reported an attempted burglary of a residence to Ponca City police at 11:11 a.m. Thursday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Last Chance for Gayla pictures. December 29th Creative Photography. 767-1433. adv.

Domestic — The Communications Center received a 911 call reported a man was intoxicated and causing problems at a residence in the 300 block of North Elm Street at 12:08 a.m. Friday. Three officers responded to the scene. A 48-year-old man was taken into custody for driving under intoxication and driving under suspension. A vehicle was towed from the scene.

Sheep Producers — There will be a Kay County Sheep Producers meeting with a pot luck supper in the Blackwell AG Building at 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 8. The speaker for the meeting will be Max Purdy. All membership dues are payable at this time.

Head Country Saturday night special. All you can eat beef brisket with beans, potato salad and coleslaw, $7.49. All day. 1217 East Prospect. adv.

Theft — A man in the 100 block of North Third Street reported to Ponca City police at 12:31 p.m. Thursday a nail gun that had been stolen from him had been pawned at a local pawn shop. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Cut Christmas trees, wreaths, roping, poinsettias and all decorations 1/2 price. Keathly Nursery, 2448 Bridge Avenue. adv.

Theft — A man in the 1500 block of South Seventh Street reported his antique snow sled had been stolen to Ponca City police at 1:35 p.m. Thursday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Jim Bowen Construction­ Custom homes, room additions and remodeling. Call 762-3077. adv.

Burglary — A woman in the 400 block of North Elm Street reported the back door of her residence had been kicked in and her T.V. had been stolen to Ponca City police at 2:13 p.m. Thursday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Court Allen Construction. Brick, flagstone, concrete, walkway’s, patios and planters. Call 765-2720. adv.

Subject Held — A Ponca City booking officer reported a 45-year-old man had been court committed into police custody on a city warrant for failure to pay at 2:30 p.m. Thursday.

Pioneer Woman Afghans the perfect gift. Colors are light blue, navy, dark green, burgundy. $40 multi colored $50. First United Methodist Woman’s Mission Project. We deliver. 762-1429 or 762-1681. adv.

Accident — A minor backing accident in the 1600 block of Donahoe Drive was reported to Ponca City police at 2:34 p.m. Thursday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

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.

Subject Held — An officer in the 700 block of West Highland Avenue reported a man had been taken into custody on one city warrant and three Kay County warrants at 3:21 p.m. Thursday.

Fireworks Christmas special. 14th and South Avenue. Buy one get one free. Hometown Thunderbird fireworks. adv.

Burglary — A man in the 100 block of Virginia Avenue reported to Ponca City police at 6:09 p.m. Thursday some items had been stolen out of his vehicle while it was parked in his garage. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Burglary — A man in the 100 block of Hillside Avenue reported to Ponca City police at 6:31 p.m. Thursday someone had stolen his cell phone and several tapes while his vehicle was parked in front of his residence overnight. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Theft — An associate at Wal-Mart, 1101 East Prospect Avenue, reported a 16-year-old girl was being held for shoplifting at 6:58 p.m. Thursday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken. The girl was taken into police custody.

Accident — A man in the 3500 block of Springwood Drive reported an accident to Ponca City police at 9:48 p.m. Thursday. The man told police someone had run his son off the road. An officer was assigned and a state accident report was taken.

Fight — A resident reported to Ponca City police at 9:57 p.m. Thursday subjects were fighting in the front yard of a residence in the 800 block of South Third Street. Two officers responded to the scene. A 20-year-old man was taken into custody for public intoxication.

Subject Held — An officer at the intersection of North Ash Street and West Broadway Avenue reported a 21-year-old man was taken into custody after a traffic stop for driving under intoxication, driving under suspension, transporting an open container and bribery of an officer at 10:17 p.m. Thursday. A vehicle was towed from the scene.

Theft — A clerk at Conoco Convenience Mart No. 17, 3305 North Fourteenth Street, reported to Ponca City police at 2:08 a.m. Friday a man had taken a 30-pack of beer and fled the store. A description of the man and his vehicle was given to police. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Fire Run — A resident in the 1800 block of Princeton Avenue reported to the Communications Center at 5:41 a.m. Friday that sparks were coming from his dishwasher. Power to the residence had been shut off at the breaker box. Engine four with the Ponca City Fire Department handled the call.

LIFESTYLES

Little News
Walk for Exercise On Regular Basis

Little News

Eddie and Toni (Pontius) Eckart of Hurst, Texas, announce the birth of a son at 11:21 p.m. Dec. 11, 2000, in Harris Methodist Medical Center in Bedford, Texas. Jacob William Eckart weighed 8 pounds, 4 ounces, and measured 21 1/2 inches long.

Maternal grandparents are Dale and Londa Pontius of Ponca City, and great-grandmothers are Opal Reese and Blanche Pontius, both of Blackwell. Paternal grandparents are Jerry and Sheila Eckart of Bedford, Texas.

Walk for Exercise On Regular Basis

Q: Does walking provide enough exercise for health, or do I need to do more?

A: In terms of heart disease and weight control, most studies that compare walking to more vigorous exercise find no difference in benefits. Several studies have shown, however, that walkers need to put in more time (three hours a week at a brisk pace - at least three miles an hour) to get the same benefits as those who exercise vigorously (about one and one-half hours per week).

The key, according to some recent studies, is to do it regularly. Those who exercise in a haphazard fashion get less benefit than those who follow a consistent routine. In addition to helping to prevent heart disease and manage weight, exercise also seems to lower the risk of several types of cancer.

RELIGION

First Lutherans’ Christmas Eve
Customs Observed Make Christmas
FaithHome Course Offered by St. Paul’s
Federal Judges Mull Christmas as a Holiday, Ohio’s God Motto
St. Paul’s Methodist Announces Christmas Evening Services
Church Briefs
Church Officer

First Lutherans’ Christmas Eve

Sunday, Dec. 24, is unique in that it is both the last Sunday in Advent and also Christmas Eve. At both the 8:30 and 11 a.m. services at First Lutheran Church, the focus will be on the Advent, the “coming” of Christ at Christmas as well as the last day. The Rev. Tom Ramsey’s sermon will be “Made Beautiful in God’s Time.” The Senior Choir will sing the anthem “Candles of Advent” at both services.

At 6:30 p.m., the service will be the Festival of Lessons and Carols. During this service, various families will be reading the lessons with many Christmas carols interspersed among the lessons. Ramsey’s sermon will be “What’s YOUR Final Answer?” The Senior Choir will sing “Who Would Send a Baby?” The 11 p.m. service will be the candlelight communion. In this service, many carols will be sung. The sermon for this service will be “Have Yourself a Merry ‘Little CHRISTmas.’” The Senior Choir will sing “Away in a Manger.”

The service will conclude with the candlelighting ceremony and the singing of “Silent Night.”

Members of the community are invited to attend any of these services.

Customs Observed Make Christmas

By George R. Plagenz

If you think it is interesting to learn how people in other countries celebrate Christmas, you might find it even more interesting to learn how people in your own neighborhood observe the holiday.

A woman at a church Christmas party I once attended said that at her house they always have bananas and cream before they open their gifts on Christmas morning. There is no reason for it, she said. It’s just the way they have always done it.

One Christmas, however, something happened so that the gift-giving began without the bananas-and-cream ritual. Nobody remarked on the omission or even seemed aware of it.

But then the mother noticed that the boy in the house was walking around with a sad face. She asked him what the trouble was.

“It just doesn’t seem like Christmas,” he said. His mother couldn’t understand. They had a tree and plenty of gifts. Puzzled, she asked him, “Why, whatever do you mean, Freddie?”

“We didn’t have our bananas and cream this morning,” he said.

Ann Landers has pointed out that how you celebrate Christmas at your house isn’t as important as celebrating it exactly the same way each year.

Christmas customs take on hallowed associations with most of us. That is why, Ann Landers says, the first Christmas after marriage is usually the most difficult.

The wife brings her sacred set of Christmas customs, while her husband remembers with fondness how they celebrated at his house while he was growing up.

It can be a touchy situation if his mother gave him bananas and cream before they opened the presents and his new bride offers him bacon and eggs on Christmas morning. It may not seem like Christmas to him at all.

Christmas can raise other problems, too — such as, what do you tell your children when they ask why Santa Claus always leaves more presents at the Gottrocks’ house than at your house?

One of my neighbors says her family was relatively poor when she was a child. That could have created a serious problem at Christmas time, for how do you tell a youngster that because his parents do not have much money, Santa Claus won’t leave many presents?

That wouldn’t make much sense to a child. What difference would it make to Santa how much money a family has? A child would reason that Santa would leave poor children more — not less — than he left others.

“My parents figured out an ingenious answer to this dilemma,” my neighbor said. “They told us that Santa filled only the stockings by the chimney on Christmas Eve. The other gifts, we were told, came from parents or relatives or friends. It was a good solution, for no matter how poor my family was, they were always able to fill the stockings to overflowing. The rich kids might get more presents then we would because their parents had more money. Santa Claus, though, didn’t do any better by them than he did by us. For us kids, that was important.”

FaithHome Course Offered by St. Paul’s

St. Paul’s United Methodist Church is excited to begin a new family study “FaithHome,” in which families of all kinds come together to learn about God, the Christian faith and how to be a “faith home,” a home in which talking about God and talking to God are a natural and comfortable part of everyday family life.

The FaithHome experience is to designed to help families discover their part in the larger “faith home,” the church, where they both receive and give love, guidance, support, security, and encouragement as they seek to be faithful families in today’s world.

It is a nine-week experience beginning on Jan. 3 from 6:15 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.

FaithHome is primarily for families with children ages four to 12; however, teenage siblings are invited and can join with the adults or as a helper with the children’s activities. Any adult can sponsor child/children., parents (both or one), foster parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, primary caregivers and others.

The only requirement is that every child who participates has at least one caregiver who commits to attend each session with him or her.

Sessions include video segments, opening group activity, separate children and adult activities, closing activity and worship. During the week, the family uses a family guide filled with daily activities to supplement the course.

The cost will be $10 for materials. Scholarships are available. For information, call 765-7512 or pick up a registration form at St. Paul’s, 1904 N. Pecan.

Federal Judges Mull Christmas as a Holiday, Ohio’s God Motto

CINCINNATI (AP) — Christmas as a legal holiday was challenged at a hearing in the 6th U.S Circuit Court of Appeals, which also heard arguments against Ohio’s state motto, “With God All Things Are Possible.”

In the Christmas case, Richard Ganulin, a city attorney filing as a private citizen, contended the national holiday violates the constitutional separation of church and state by giving government approval to a “sectarian celebration.”

Boyce Martin Jr., one of three judges hearing the case, told Ganulin he must show how nonbelievers are harmed. “You don’t have to celebrate Christmas. You can ignore it,” Martin told Ganulin, who had a Jewish upbringing.

A U.S. Justice Department lawyer urged the judges to uphold a lower court decision that threw out Ganulin’s suit.

In the state motto case, the full panel of judges is reviewing a three-judge decision last April that outlawed the God motto on church-state grounds.

St. Paul’s Methodist Announces Christmas Evening Services

Christmas Eve Communions at St. Paul’s United Methodist are set for 7 and 11 Sunday night. The congregation has moved into their new sanctuary at Pecan and Hartford.

Highlighting the service are the 13 new stained glass windows from IHS Stained Glass in Fredricksburg, Texas. The windows tell of six covenants of the Old Testament and six key scenes that introduce the new covenant in Christ. An eight-foot diameter, rose window facing the intersection of Pecan and Hartford bears the theme of the project, On Eagle's Wings.

Molly and Meagan Baugh will play a violin duet, and Cynthia Thompson will sing at the 7 service. Robert Maril will be sing “O Holy Night” in the 11 service. The Vibration bells will also ring at the 11 service. The Rev. Ed Coy Light will speak on Luke’s nativity in a sermon titled, “Do Not Be Afraid.”

The communion table of the United Methodist Church is open to all who wish to share in the Lord’s Supper. The United Methodist Churches of Ponca City invite all to attend their services.

Church Briefs

Kaw City Methodists

Christmas Eve Service

Continuing the long-standing community tradition begun when the church was relocated, the Methodist Church of Kaw City will host its Christmas Eve candlelight service at 6:30 p.m. The service will be followed by refreshments. Open communion is offered to all who wish to partake. Christmas service will be held at the regular Sunday morning service at 9 a.m. with a continental breakfast served prior to Sunday school.

“Silent Night” at

Ponca Indian Methodist

A narrative version of the birth of Christ will be presented at 7 p.m. Sunday by the children of the Ponca Indian United Methodist Church. All cast members should take note of the dress rehearsal Saturday at 6:30 p.m. All are welcome to attend.

Christmas Eve Services

Prince of Peace

Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, ELCA, at 2800 Turner Road will celebrate the fourth Sunday in Advent and Christmas Eve. The story of Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist, and Mary, the mother of Jesus, as told in the first chapter of Luke will be the topic at the 10 a.m. service. Sunday school is at 9 a.m. The theme for the Christmas Eve Candlelight service at 7 p.m. will be “Coming Full Circle” and will include Holy Communion. All are invited to attend any of the services. Visit the website at www.princeofpeacechurch.net.

Church Officer

Ponca Indian Methodist

Along with the previously mentioned elected officers at Ponca Indian United Methodist Church, Sarah E. Primeaux will act as the Sunday school superintendent for the year 2001.

International Gospel Hour

The Newkirk Church of Christ is sponsoring the International Gospel Hour each Sunday at 8:30 a.m. on KSOK 95.9 FM. Winford Claiborne is speaker, and the program is heard each week on many stations across the country. The church also helps sponsor the Search television program which can be seen each Sunday morning at 7 a.m. from Wichita and 8 a.m. from Oklahoma City; Mac Lyon is the speaker.

Christmas Eve

At Woodlands Christian

Woodlands Christian Church, 14th and Hartford, will offer two Christmas Eve services — Communion service at 6:30 p.m. led by the Rev. Paul Krueger and Candlelight Communion at 10:30 p.m. led by the Rev. Marilyn Merle. Chancel choir will sing at both services as well as Sunday morning worship at 10:30 a.m., following the 9:15 Sunday school hour.

CWU Board Meeting

Church Women United board meeting will be held on Jan. 5 at 9:30 a.m. at St. John Baptist Church, 1009 South Eleventh Street.

Hartford Avenue

Church of Christ

Members of the Hartford Avenue Church of Christ, 1905 Joe Street, invite the public to share God’s Word each week. Sunday Bible classes are at 9:30 a.m. followed by worship service at 10:30 a.m. Sunday evening worship is at 6 o’clock and Wednesday worship is at 7 p.m. There are classes for all ages. Watch the Search program Sunday at 8 a.m. on Channels 5 or 8; this week’s topic is “If Christ Had Not Come.” Bible thought for the week is from Luke 2:10-11 — “And the angel to them (the shepherds), Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior who is Christ the Lord.”

First Christian

First Christian Church will hold a Christmas Eve Candlelighting service at 6 p.m. Sunday. A drama entitled “Joseph on Christmas” will be presented, and an original composition by Neva Balduff will be sung along with traditional Christmas carols.

Community Christian Church

The Christmas Eve service at Community Christian will be held at 6 p.m. Sunday. Holy Communion will be served.

EDUCATION

Regents Discuss High Enrollment Numbers
Superintendent’s Corner
COC Discusses Lincoln School Construction
ACT Registration Deadline Nears
PC Schools Committed to Technology

Regents Discuss High Enrollment Numbers

TONKAWA — Enrollment for the spring semester is up, State Regents for Higher Education have approved three new degree programs and the Greater Gifts Drive is off to a good start at Northern Oklahoma College.

The Northern Board of Regents heard reports from Northern administrators on the state of the college during their final meeting for the fall semester.

Regents Bill O’Connor and Bill Bridwell, Ponca City, added that Summit Group participants were “really impressed” with their recent tour of the Tonkawa campus. Northern hosted the event as a status report and a means of obtaining information for planning programs and courses that will enhance career preparation and economic development in the Kay County area.

Figures provided by Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Roger Stacy showed that to date 1,952 students had enrolled in 14,936 credit hours for the spring semester, a significant increase for both campuses compared to this time a year ago.

Dr. Ed Vineyard, director of the Enid campus, added that at Enid the average of 11 credit hours per student indicates a sizable increase of full-time enrollment on that campus.

Degree programs approved by the State Regents include the Engineering Technology-Marine Propulsion option and the Radiography and Surgical Technology degree programs. Responding to a Summit perceived need for communicating in Spanish, Northern instructor Mary Allan has agreed to teach a community service class in conversational Spanish.

Reporting as Vice President for Development, Vineyard stated that responses to the Greater Gifts Drive are beginning to arrive. “The campaign for book scholarships is off to a good start,” he said.

Marion Tucker, vice president for computer information systems, reported that Ditch Witch had completed the boring for fibre optic conduits and for the replacement of a gas line on the Enid campus and had put in electricity to the new sign there.

Vice President for Student Affairs Mick Weiberg said readying the residence halls for the spring semester would be an easy task and predicted that he three men’ residence halls on the Tonkawa campus would be fully occupied. He noted that the Wellness Center would be open from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. during the Christmas Break, Dec. 26-30.

Following the performance evaluation of the president in executive session, the Regents commended Kinzer for an outstanding job leading the Tonkawa and Enid campuses.

In other business, the Regents accepted the resignations of Kyle Turner, athletic trainer, and of Judy Kirk, nursing instructor, effective Dec. 31. They approved employment of Jason Dodd as athletic trainer effective Jan. 2.

The Regents approved their 2001 meeting schedule with the provision that they would meet once each quarter on the Enid campus. They also approved the academic calendar for 2001-2002 with the notation that no classes will meet on Friday during the summer session.

Financial reports given by Vice President for Financial Affairs Anita Simpson and Section 13 allocation requests for projects, including instructional furniture and equipment, computers and networking for a presentation classroom, and renovation and furniture for the Enid residence hall were approved. December purchases of a wood floor for the aerobics room in the Wellness Center, lab top computers and computer upgrades for faculty and a boiler for Harmon Science Hall on the Enid campus were approved.

Superintendent’s Corner

by Dr. Bill White

Ponca City Superintendent

A long debated issue is once again a hot topic before the Ponca City School Board and the State Legislature.

How many days should students attend in one school year? One proposal under consideration is to require a minimum of 180 days of classes for each student. State law now requires the school calendar to be at least 180 days, with no more than five days for excused professional development and up to four days excused for parent/teacher conferences. For some districts, this would leave as few as 171 days for students to be in the classroom.

The Ponca City Schools’ schedule calls for 174 days of instruction, two parent/teacher conference days and five professional days. Schools are required to offer 1050 hours of instruction (175 days times 6 hours/per day). If the school exceeds six hours, the minimum hours can be reached in less than 175 days.

Ponca City elementary students are in class six hours and 20 minutes, while the high school day consists of six hours and 40 minutes.

All but three states in America require at least 180 days of instruction, and most nations that America is compared to on academic achievement exceeds 200 days of school per year. Some nations require 235 days for their students. Research supports the correlation between higher test scores with the greater number of days in school.

The actual number of days of school a student attends is reduced by days lost to inclement weather (snow days), illness, and student activities. State regulations limit a student to 10 absences per semester for activities such as sports and band contests. However, so many exceptions are granted for travel and play-off competition that many students miss far more than 10 days of school for student activities.

An emerging trend is to extend the school year for students who do not reach the academic standards for their grade.

This past summer nearly 700 Ponca City students were in summer school to raise their reading and mathematics level. Even with the 20 additional days of summer classes, many of these students regress in their reading level by August and face a new grade with skills far below their peers.

Additional time in school may be the only hope these children have of becoming successful readers able to manage their rigorous curriculum of a modern school.

Nearly one-third of Ponca City students do not read well enough to be considered near grade level and would benefit from a longer school year targeted at improving their reading and math skills. The cost to extend the school year may only be exceeded by the cost of an under-educated student.

COC Discusses Lincoln School Construction

Members of the Ponca City Chamber of Commerce Education Committee met Dec. 5 at the Ponca City Tomorrow office.

Members present were Diane Anderson, Ann Bandy, Lisa Coy, Laura Hellem, Lana Jones, Pat Keast, Patricia Ladd, Pat Morris, Don Nuzum, Perry Pederson, Tom Quillin and Keni Ray.

Patti Ladd reported that the school board has approved construction at Lincoln Elementary. This project will add rooms for the Lincoln Early Childhood Center which is currently located at the old Lincoln school. They are looking at adding five classrooms and a cafeteria expansion.

The second trimester has started out well. The only problem that have encountered is the shortage of textbooks.

It was mentioned that Craig Myers is running for school board and Norris Frederick filed for reelection. Don Nuzum reminded the committee of the millage levy change at the state level. If there is no opposition it would only need to go through the district. There would not need to be a vote of the people. The chamber voted to support the levy.

Perry Pederson reported that sometime around March they are looking at scheduling the next PIE Partner meeting.

ACT Registration Deadline Nears

College-bound high school students can take the ACT Assessment on Feb. 10, 2001, the next nationwide test date. The registration postmark deadline is Jan. 5. Late registration postmark deadline is Jan. 19 (an additional fee is required for late registration).

ACT scores are accepted by virtually all colleges and universities in the nation. The test fee is $23. Colleges use ACT scores, along with a student’s high school GPA and other information to help determine admissions and the appropriate course placement for new students.

For more information, contact your high school counselor or register online at www.act.org.

PC Schools Committed to Technology

As a result of Ponca City Public Schools’ commitment to the “infusion” of technology into curriculum and instruction as well as administrative responsibilities, a new technology training plan is being developed for all certified staff.

During the early months of 2001, the District Instructional Inservice Committee, consisting of principals and administrative staff, will participate in a pilot of this new program.

Ponca City Public Schools’ plan is curriculum rather than application based. The primary goal is to connect technology with education in order to develop relevance to daily work and administrative duties.

The primary component of this plan is the ITEP, Individualized Technology Educational Program. Just as student IEPs address present levels of educational performance and annual goals, a staff ITEP will specify current skills and desired outcome.

Final projects will be used to assess the program. In addition, each department will be able to develop a “tech library” of ITEP projects, which can be used for future instruction.

Pilot participants will be surveyed to assess current proficiency and to determine personal goals. In accordance with each technology skill set, course work will be developed into modules tied to the specific topics of PC Skills, Communication, Curriculum and Project Development. Training resources will eventually become available online for all staff and interested patrons.

As a result of this new Technology Plan, the administration and community will have a measurable tool for assessing the district’s mission to empower and educate students, teachers and administration using communication strategies, to become life long learners possessing technology skills to handle a rapidly changing global community.

SPORTS

Sooners Edge Out San Diego

Sooners Edge Out San Diego

SAN DIEGO (AP) — LaNeishea Caufield scored 17 points, including the go-ahead free throws, as No. 20 Oklahoma beat San Diego 65-63 in double overtime Thursday night.

Caufield scored all six of the Sooners’ points in the second overtime and broke a 63-63 tie with two free throws with 1:12 remaining.

Oklahoma (7-3) rebounded after Robyn Fortney’s 3-pointer and a free throw by Amber Jansen gave San Diego (3-4) a 63-59 lead 1 1/2 minutes into the second overtime.

Stacey Dales scored 16 points for Oklahoma, including a driving basket at the buzzer in regulation to force the first overtime. Canton Hill added 14 points and 11 rebounds.

San Diego’s Melissa Glazebrook hit a 3-pointer with nine seconds left in the first overtime to tie it at 59.

Jansen scored 18 points to lead San Diego, which trailed 31-18 at halftime after shooting just 21 percent (5-for-24) from the field.

No. 20 OKLAHOMA 65,

SAN DIEGO 63, 2OT

OKLAHOMA (7-3)

Hill 7-16 0-1 14, Cunningham 2-7 0-0 4, Hardeman 1-3 0-0 3, Caufield 5-12 7-7 17, Dales 5-18 4-9 15, Taylor 1-3 1-2 3, Luce 0-0 0-0 0, Seeley 1-3 0-0 2, Ross 2-5 0-0 5, Selmon 0-0 0-0 0, Talbert 1-4 0-0 2. Totals 25-71 12-19 65.

SAN DIEGO (3-4)

Jansen 6-11 6-12 18, Fortney 2-10 4-4 10, Lucia 2-2 3-3 7, Nakamoto 2-11 0-0 5, Glazebrook 1-5 1-2 4, Bishop 3-11 0-1 8, Padgett 0-4 4-4 4, Menuez 0-2 0-0 0, Malich 3-4 1-6 7. Totals 19-60 19-32 63.

Halftime—Oklahoma 31, San Diego 18. End of Regulation—Oklahoma 50, San Diego 50. End of First Overtime—Oklahoma 59, San Diego 59. 3-Point goals—Oklahoma 3-10 (Ross 1-1, Hardeman 1-2, Dales 1-3, Hill 0-1, Caufield 0-3), San Diego 6-20 (Fortney 2-3, Bishop 2-7, Glazebrook 1-4, Nakamoto 1-6). Fouled out—Cunningham. Rebounds—Oklahoma 54 (Cunningham 14), San Diego 39 (Jansen, Malich 8). Assists—Oklahoma 11 (Dales, Hardeman 4), San Diego 15 (Jansen, Fortney, Bishop 3). Total fouls—Oklahoma 24, San Diego 21. A-359.