From The Pages Of The Ponca City News, Friday, December
6, 1996
LOCAL
Sheriff Releases Identity of Body
Correction
Nearly News
Emergency Vehicles, Spillway To Lake Ponca, on Bond Issue
Community Pool Sets Family Night
Several Area Schools Get State Development Funds
Area Red Cross Officials Attend Disaster Institute
Woman Injured In Pickup Crash
Letters Say:
New FSA Director Anxious About Job
Newkirk's Historic Home Tour Sunday
DEATHS
Fern B. Weber
Alice Mae Rains
Ellsworth Kemble
Wynona F. Brinson
Funerals
Hubert Lee Moulton
Harold R. Jones
NEWS BRIEFS
EDUCATION
Rutherford Elected into Office
Koehn Graduates at OSU-Okmulgee
Oklahoma City University Students
Maddox Receives Honor
Lindly Named to Honor Society at WSU
Jenkins Named Vice President
Nihart Receives Scholarship
New Exchange Program in PC
PC Teacher Awarded Grant
Santa's Super Center
P.C. Students in Honor Orchestra
Soroptimist International of PC
Washington Christmas Play
RELIGION
First UMC Bell Ringers Schedule Annual Concert
Assembly Group Treats Shut-Ins
First Lutheran to Perform Cantata
St. Paul's Choirs To Sing Cantata
Local Group Returns from Romania
St. Paul's Youth Plan Dinner Theater
Community Christian Youth to Present Christmas Musical
Woodlands Christians Schedule Busy Sunday
Good Shepherd Lutherans Announce Events
First Baptist Choirs Plan Musical Programs Sunday
Pastor's Notes
LIFESTYLES
Piano Students Present Recital
TOPS Chapter Planning Party
Rho Chapter Plans Gift Exchange
SPORTS
Ponca City Wrestlers Pin Loss on Owasso
YMCA Is Badly In Need of Coaches
Pro Wrestling Event Set Here
The sheriff's office today confirmed the identity of a body found Monday at the Washunga primitive area near Kaw Lake.
County Undersheriff Sid Cookerly said the body was that of John Lindsey, 44, Ponca City. Hunters contacted the highway patrol Monday morning after finding the body about 75 yards from the campgrounds, Cookerly said.
He said a medical examination showed the death was apparently self-inflicted and the matter is still under investigation by Capt. Rod Meeks and Deputy Craig Countryman of the sheriff's office.
The name of a candidate for the Frontier School Board of Education was misspelled in Thursday's News. Deborah Kihega Jake will be in the race against Alice Kelly and Rexford Tautfest for Office No. 3, an unexpired term on the board.
The News regrets any confusion or inconvenience caused by the misspelling.
For the convenience of the folks who thought they might be out of town or forgot to get their tickets for Saturday's Marland Mansion Gala - the tickets will be on sale Saturday at the Marland Mansion Hotel and Conference Center on the Marland Estate as well as at a number of financial institutions. The event begins at 7:30 p.m. and continues until midnight, although Maya will play until 1 a.m. The price of the ticket covers all food and beverages plus entertainment, dancing and holiday cheer.
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Her grandmother's wedding turned out well for granddaughter Emily Wilkerson, 12-year-old 7th grader at Frontier School. At the reception following the wedding of Kenny and Jeanette Vassar, 137 Cann Drive, NN understands Emily released some balloons carrying her name and address. Emily tells NN she has heard from Travis Reed, who lives in Carroll County, Mo., who found one of the balloons and got in touch. NN thinks it could be the start of a beautiful friendship.
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Tyris Williams, son of James and Karen Williams of Ponca City, has been named head drum major for the 1997 marching band at Oklahoma State University. He is a 1996 graduate of Po-Hi. This was learned Thursday and is being announced by Steve Workman, Instrumental Music supervisor and director of bands at Po-Hi.
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This evening's Fourth Annual Lighted Christmas Parade will begin at Oak Street and West Grand Avenue at 6 p.m. More than 50 entries have been received. Come celebrate the Christmas spirit downtown!
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Children who plan to tour the "Festival of Angels" exhibit tonight at Lake Ponca Park and were planning to chat with Santa, may want to postpone their tour until Saturday or Sunday evening from 6 to 9 p.m. Santa will be leading the Lighted Christmas Parade in downtown Ponca City and obviously can't be in two places at once.
Editors note: This is the final in a series of articles related to the city's proposed $8.75 million bond issue.
By LAURA TREADWAY
News Staff Writer
Two of three parts of the city's upcoming bond election relate to emergency response equipment and the Lake Ponca spillway.
The citizens of Ponca City are being asked permission to borrow money from investors, which would cost property owners an average $3.12 per month in estimated property tax.
Proposition 2, in the amount of $1.37 million, refers to the purchase of 18 fully-equipped police vehicles, three replacement ambulances and a new pumper/platform ladder truck for fire fighting emergencies. This would continue the police department's take-home car program. The police department confirms police visibility in the community has been a successful crime deterrent.
Six fully-equipped police units would also be purchased per year, for three years, equipping the department with first response vehicles with low mileage and modern equipment. The department stated that with the passage of this proposition, at least 12 police vehicles, with recording more than 100,000 miles, would be gradually retired.
In addition, the purchase of one ambulance per year for three years for the fire department would provide rescue personnel with quality, dependable vehicles for emergency responses. Also, higher-mileage ambulances could be used for transfer rather than emergency runs.
Another necessity includes one Class A fire response truck known as a "Quint" to replace the current uncertifiable ladder truck. This vehicle has pumper capacity of 1,500 gallons per minute, a 70 foot extension heavy duty platform for rescue and fire fighting operations and transport and storage of ground ladders, hoses and other equipment. Further, one firefighter can setup the "Quint" at an emergency scene within 60 seconds.
"Ponca City does not have the aerial or rescue capability needed," stated Fire Chief Larry Mullikin. "Additionally, the firefighters need to have confidence in the equipment."
"Our response to you is important," Police Chief Raymond Ham commented. "We serve you and will continue to serve you. We ask you to consider our needs," he said.
Proposition 3, of the upcoming election, consists of renovations and repairs to the concrete spillway and stilling basin at Lake Ponca. Originally built in the 1930s, the spillway needs repairs totaling $765,000 to protect the spillway from further erosion at the bottom of the spillway and the downstream channel, according to the city.
Concrete baffle piers need renovation due to severe chipping of the stone. The gabion installation, cylinders used in constructing dams, has been severely damaged and needs to be renovated or replaced. Further, there is no scour protection south of the center of the stilling basin. Lastly, the city indicates an overall need for erosion control along the spillway.
If this issue passes, the city could insure the safety for downstream residents, preserve recreational activities and provide for continued integrity of the spillway. The city confirms that several of the slabs north of the stairway at the south end of the east spillway dike are displaced, indicating voids under the slabs.
Citizens may vote on these propositions Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Youngsters are encouraged to invite parents and friends to the Community Pool Friday from 6 to 8:30 p.m. for super soaker night. Bring water guns from home and have a splashing good time!
"Mark it on your calendars," said Deena Marazas, YMCA Aquatic Director. Friday evenings, at the Community Pool, are designated for families to spend some quality time together.
Every Friday night from 6 to 8:30 p.m., the YMCA hosts a family swim, to meet the needs of community families. Cost is $3 per family and is free to YMCA members. For additional information, contact Marazas at 765-5417.
OKLAHOMA CITY - State Superintendent Sandy Garrett has announced that $4.3 million in staff development funding, which had been held up by a veto from the Governor, is now being distributed to schools statewide. Some of the schools receiving money include several schools in Kay County.
Peckham School will receive $573, Kildare will receive $581, Kaw City, $366.; Braman, $1,129; Newkirk will receive $5,083, Blackwell, $12,017 and Ponca City will receive a total of $39,066.
Earlier this month in response to a request by Garrett, the attorney general's office said that the State Board of Education may expend money to fund an existing program, even though amendments to the program were vetoed by the governor.
Garrett said that staff development funds are being distributed to schools in three payments based on average daily attendance. Schools will receive the first installment of staff development shortly.
"We are happy to be providing schools with funds to help their teachers learn more about their specialty areas," Garrett said. "Professional development is important for the continued progress we're making in education in Oklahoma."
Last June, the governor vetoed Senate Bill 1100, which included a designation of $4.3 million for teacher staff development funds. The actual appropriation for this staff development item already had been approved in another bill, Senate Bill 800. Garrett asked the attorney general for a legal opinion on the matter after the governor's veto.
Another $1.65 million in staff development for arts, stipends and the Great Expectations program was included in Senate Bill 1100. According to the attorney general's opinion, the $1.65 million cannot be distributed because the money was to be used for programs not yet established, which Garrett said is "unfortunate" for schools.
BLACKWELL - Four members of the Cherokee Strip Chapter of Red Cross located in Blackwell attended the Sooner State Disaster Institute in Norman recently, where they received advanced and supervisory disaster training.
Attending and receiving various levels of training, from Blackwell were Greg Schuette, Roger Hawkins and Kathy Hawkins. Marla Cline from Pond Creek also attended.
Schuette and Cline were certified as disaster instructors at the Red Cross Institute as well as Kathy Hawkins, supervisor of the Blackwell office, who completed the family service supervision training and Roger Hawkins completed training as a damage assessment supervisor.
Schuette has been affiliated with the chapter since 1990 and served as disaster volunteer, director and CPR/First Aid instructor.
Cline is starting her second year with the chapter as an American Red Cross Americorps member and volunteer. She is also an instructor in CPR/First Aid, Community Disaster Education and HIV/AIDS.
Both can instruct basic disaster courses and individuals or organizations interested in disaster training are encouraged to contact the Cherokee Strip Chapter at 1313 West Ferguson, Blackwell 74631 or call at (405) 363-1738.
The Sooner Disaster Institute is held in the fall and the Tulsa Disaster Institute is in the spring. Advance and supervisory training for volunteers and staff are offered. Basic disaster training is usually offered by chapters. The Oklahoma institutes are attended by Red Cross personnel from across the nation and members of other government agencies.
A 20-year-old woman received serious injuries in an accident four miles east and three miles south of Newkirk on a county road at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.
Angie Wright, of Newkirk, was southbound when she apparently lost control of the 1993 Ford Ranger pickup. OHP Trooper Bob Deitrick, who investigated the accident reported that the truck rolled one and a half times before the victim was ejected through the passenger window.
Wright was admitted to St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in guarded condition with head and trunk internal injuries. A hospital spokesperson confirmed the victim remains in serious condition.
Editor, The News,
In reading your paper I find I am not the only one concerned about the upcoming City Bond election.
I have been of the opinion for a long time that the Ad Valorem Tax Law is an unfair tax. The majority of those voting in the last election must have thought so too.
Apparently the City Administration is not aware of this. It is my opinion they were aware of it but didn't care. They saw the half-cent sales tax go down to defeat and decided not to go that route.
In my opinion the half cent sales tax went down to defeat because the EDF handled the money they were given very poorly.
My children knew how to budget their money better than EDF one year after we started giving them an allowance and they were only four and five years old.
As Mr. Balcer commented in his letter, maintenance and upkeep for building and equipment as well as replacement costs are or should be in the annual budget.
If they haven't been we need to replace the people in charge of making up the budget. If they have been in the budget we either have that money or someone should be prosecuted for misappropriation of those funds.
How much do we have of the $100,000 per year set aside for the replacement of the fire truck? If this money is gone then the prosecution of the responsible party is in order.
I have read the discussion on parties taking cars and there are some good points as well as bad points on this practice. Granted those which are on call numerous times should have their assigned car at home but I don't feel we are justified in furnishing every policeman a car.
If three or four are called out on an average basis then set up a rotation system and three or four takes a car home and they are considered to be on standby. Otherwise, if there is an unusual situation and more is called out pay them mileage for using their own transportation.
I also believe if you benefit from a service then you should help pay for that service. Also if you don't pay the tax you should not be able to vote on that tax issue.
Also if you work for the City and benefit from pay or better working conditions then you should be required to live within the city limits and help pay for those improvements, and some don't. In fact they changed one man's title, so he wouldn't be affected, and he lives in Newkirk.
They used a low evaluation of $50,000 for a house as an example in order to make it look as though the cost was very small.
This is for 20 years too. That length of time puts us in hock for way too long but it makes the cost seem small.
By now most people should be aware of how much their taxes have gone up due to the recently passed bond issue. Mine went up 11.8 percent and that's enough to suit me.
I think it's about time the city make up their budget and live within that budget just like my family has to do.
Dean Horner
NEWKIRK - J.D. Elwood, new head of Kay County's Farm Service Agency office, is only the fifth county executive director here since the 1930s and he's already thinking of longevity.
Elwood was selected by the Kay County Farm Service Agency Committee to replace the retiring Garry Bilger, who spent more than 30 years in that office, administering USDA farm programs to the county's 2,000 farms and 3,200 producers.
An OSU graduate with a bachelor's degree in agricultural economics, Elwood moves here from Norman, where he spent the last two years as county executive director in Cleveland County. He previously was in Marietta for three years as county executive director of Love County.
He said he is excited about the move here because Kay County is a step up for him, having a larger proportion of production agriculture than Cleveland County. He's also happy because he grew up nearby, in the Morrison area.
He said the differences are noticeable here because much of Cleveland County is metropolitan area now, along with large areas of grassland, brush, and other land unsuitable for farming.
"What is being farmed right now (in Cleveland County) is the better land, and that's the land they're trying to develop," he said.
Kay County "is agriculture," he said, and for an FSA office, that means a bigger workload.
"It's going to be more of a challenge than I'm used to because the volume of work is going to be larger, but we have an excellent office staff here," he said.
In the meantime, though, Elwood is house-hunting, looking for an apartment to move his wife, Natalie, and their one-year-old son, Trey, who are still back in Norman.
He said Newkirk "seems like a nice community where a family can retire. We're ready to settle in and make a home, and that's what we're planning on doing," he said.
Since the 1930s, when the government initiated farm programs, Kay County has had only three executive directors before Bilger, who went to work here in 1968 and retired last month. In between, he also served as Newkirk's mayor.
Elwood, now working his third week in the office, said only, "I'd like to be here a long time."
NEWKIRK - The 1996 historic home tour on Sunday afternoon, sponsored by the Newkirk Community Historical Society and Newkirk Main Street, will feature three historic home and three upper-story tours of historic Main Street buildings, all dating from the 1890s to the 1920s.
Opening their doors for the tour are two couples on South Maple and another couple on South Walnut, and ticket holders will also visit the Hotel Endicott, the Masonic Temple and the old Farmer's National Bank buildings.
The home of Larry and Sandra Manor at 501 South Maple, which dates perhaps as early as 1895. The Manors completely restored the National-Folk architectural-style home, now in pristine condition from its limestone walk to the wavy glass in double-hung windows.
The home of Jim and Dawn Mills at 400 South Maple, built circa 1908, is a two-story Colonial-Revival style built by early-day Newkirk banker Philip S. Mason. The living room features a wood-burning fireplace and bookcases with leaded glass doors.
Les and Dorothy Leaming's home at 231 South Walnut was built circa 1926. It is a one-story Bungalow/Craftsman home with a pyramidal roof and a wrap-around recessed porch.
The upper-story tour includes the Hotel Endicott, 129 North Main, built in 1894. Endicott stuccoed the hotel and converted it to a Spanish-style in the oil boom era of the 1920s. The upper floor contains 20 rooms, and a large lobby that once had a skylight and gas lights.
Two rooms had bathtubs and many rooms had sinks, and restrooms were near the back of the hotel. Five rooms have been set up and furnished as early-day hotel rooms.
The hotel has been closed since the 1970s although it was the home of Minnie June Endicott and Geneva Turner until both passed away this past spring.
The Farmer's National Bank, 115 North Main, was built in 1906. Larry Baker, who has his antique shop on the first floor, and his wife, Julia, have transformed the second floor into a spacious living space complete with stained-glass windows. Larry designed and had custom-built movable closets which are used as room dividers.
Larry Baker Antiques will serve refreshments during the tour.
The Masonic Temple, 112 South Main, a red-brick building built by J.F. Rankin of Ponca City in 1925 at a cost of $26,500, is the only building in downtown Newkirk that is currently home to a business.
In October, Charles Richards opened the Scoreboard Sports Club and Grill in the building and has been careful not to alter any of the original woodwork or flooring.
The tour is scheduled from 1:30 to 4 p.m. this Sunday.
Tickets are $5 each, and are available now at the Newkirk Main Street office, Eastman National Bank, Bank of Oklahoma, Albrights, and R&G Style Shoppe. On the day of the tour, tickets will be available at the Hotel Endicott.
Funds from the tour will be for Newkirk Main Street's design grants and
the historical society's Save-Our-Buildings fund. For more information,
call Karen Dye at 762-8222.
DEATHS
TONKAWA - Fern B. Weber, lifelong Tonkawa resident, died Wednesday afternoon, Dec. 4, 1996, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Ponca City. She was 83.
The funeral will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the Tonkawa First United Methodist Church with Dr. Robert Kanary, pastor, and Dr. Eldon Moelling, minister of the Duncan First United Methodist Church officiating. Burial will be in the Tonkawa IOOF Cemetery under the direction of McCafferty-Bolick Funeral Home.
Fern B. (Leffler) Weber was born Nov. 24, 1913 in Blackwell, the daughter of Benjamin and Sarah (Stover) Leffler. She grew up and attended schools in Tonkawa, graduating from University Prepatory School (Now NOC). In 1930, she began her teaching career at Richland Rural School and later taught in other rural schools. During the summers she attended Central Oklahoma State Teacher College at Edmond.
On Jan. 12, 1946, she was married to Edward R. Weber at Kingfisher. Mrs. Weber taught in Tonkawa Public Schools at the elementary level and retired as principal of Washington Elementary School in the spring of 1980, completing a 50-year career. Mrs. Weber had been a member of the Tonkawa First United Methodist Church, where she was active in the United Methodist Women. Other memberships included the National and Oklahoma Educational Associations, Retired Teachers Association, National English Teachers Association and she had served on the Tonkawa Library board for many years.
Survivors include one sister, Helen Pickard, and one brother, Kenneth Leffler, both of Tonkawa; two nieces; two nephews; eight great-nieces and nephews; and three great-great-nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband on March 8, 1984; her parents; and one brother, Dean Leffler.
Casket bearers will be Ron Hodges, Vernray Humphries, John Baum, John McIntyre, Brandt Harris and Mike Owen. Honorary bearers will be Will Miller, Gib Mason, Bill Robinson, Gene LaFitte, Dr. Gerald O'Mealey and Dr. Paul K. Davis.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Weber's name to the Tonkawa First United Methodist Church; c/o McCafferty-Bolick Funeral Home, 400 East Grand, Tonkawa, OK 74637.
BLACKWELL - Alice Mae Rains, Blackwell resident, died Thursday morning, Dec. 5, 1996, in the Blackwell Regional Hospital. She was 90.
The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Monday in the Hackler Funeral Home Memory Chapel in Blackwell. The Rev. Bill Kalfas, pastor of the Blackwell First Church of the Nazarene, will officiate. Burial will be in the Blackwell IOOF Cemetery.
Alice Mae (Fisher) Rains was born Jan. 4, 1906, in southwestern Texas, one of nine children born to William and Martha (Moody) Fisher. She moved to Oklahoma at the age of 15 with her family and settled in the Pawnee area.
On June 17, 1925, she was married to the Rev. Jess Leo Rains at Pawnee, and the couple shared in the Nazarene Church ministry in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, New Mexico and Colorado. After her husband's retirement in 1976, the couple resided in Amarillo, Texas, until moving to Blackwell in 1983. Mrs. Rains was a member of the Blackwell First Church of the Nazarene.
Survivors include nieces Kathryn Maxey of Bethany, Joyce Jones of Decatur, Texas, and Marian Rhoane of Lakeland, Fla.; nephews Earl Rains of Chelmsford, Mass, Bill Crites of Oklahoma City, and Everett Fisher of Hope, Ark.; and numerous great-nieces and nephews. Mrs. Rains was preceded in death by her husband, the Rev. Jess Leo Rains, on Aug. 20, 1993; four sisters; four brothers; one niece and one nephew.
Casket bearers will be Bill Wente, Bob Jernigan, A.C. Pratt, Tom Spence, Ryan Martin, and Colbey Chittenden.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First Church of The Nazarene or the Blackwell Nutrition Center, c/o Hackler Funeral Home, 301 West Blackwell, Blackwell, OK. 74631.
Ellsworth "Chick" Kemble, Ponca City resident, died Thursday morning, Dec. 5, 1996, at the Blackwell Regional Hospital. He was 72.
A prayer service will be held at 7 p.m. today and Saturday at the Ponca Indian Cultural Center at White Eagle. The traditional Indian feast will begin at noon Sunday, at the Center, and the funeral will be held at 2 p.m. The Rev. Thomas Roughface will officiate. Burial will be in the Ponca Indian Cemetery under the direction of Trout Funeral Home, Ponca City.
Ellsworth "Chick" Kemble was born Feb. 20, 1924, in White Eagle, the son of Willie and Mary Horsechief (Eagle) Kemble. He attended Ponca City schools, White Eagle School, and graduated from Chilocco High School. Kemble served in the U.S. Army during World War II.
On July 23, 1947, he was married to Lucy Cornell in Newkirk. Kemble was employed at Boeing and the Coleman Company in Wichita, Kan., and later retired from the U.S. Postal Service after 25 years of service. He was a member of the United Indian Methodist Church of Wichita and a past member of the Ponca Indian Tribal Council.
Survivors include his wife, Lucy, of the home; two sons, Kirby of Wichita, Kan., and James of Ponca City; two daughters, Sue Kemble and Terri Kemble, both of Ponca City; two brothers, Sylvester and Drew, both of Ponca City; one sister, Dawn Marie Sloss of Wichita, Kan.; five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers, Lansing and Edmond.
Casket bearers will be John Kemble, Sylvester Kemble, Kirby Kemble, James Kemble, James Kemble Jr., and Joseph R. Feathers.
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Wynona F. Brinson, former Ponca City resident, died Tuesday morning, Nov. 26, 1996, in a Bloomington, Ind., hospital. She was 84.
The funeral was held graveside in the Rose Hill Cemetery, in Bloomington, on Nov. 30. Arrangements were under the direction of Deremiah-Frye Mortuary Inc., Bloomington.
Wynona F. (Woodall) Brinson was born Sept. 11, 1912, in Bloomington, Ind., the daughter of Noble and Jenny (Billmeyer) Woodall.
She was married to LeRoy Brinson Sr. and he preceded her in death in 1978. Mrs. Brinson had been employed as a registered nurse in Riverside, Calif., where she retired. She was a member of the Stanford Baptist Church, the American Legion Auxiliary Post 18, VFW Auxiliary 604, Eagles Auxiliary 1085 and Moose Auxiliary 1082. While living in Ponca City she was a member of the Southside Baptist Church.
Survivors include one daughter, Kathryn E. Manning of Ponca City; three sons, LeRoy A. Brinson of Barstow, Calif., Donald E. Brinson of Riverside, Calif., and William Brinson of Bloomfield, Ind.; 10 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren. In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Helen Harrison and Katie Palmer.
Saturday
Hubert Lee Moulton - The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. at Ranch Drive Baptist Church, Ponca City. Burial will be in Longwood Cemetery under the direction of Lawson Funeral Home of Meridian, Texas.
Harold R. Jones - Funeral at 1 p.m. at the Morrison (Okla.) Christian
Church. Burial will be in the Resthaven Memorial Cemetery in Ponca City
at 3 p.m., under the direction of Strode Funeral Home, Stillwater.
NEWS BRIEFS
Benefit Bingo Set - On Monday, a benefit bingo is scheduled to help raise funds for the Children's Christmas. The benefit will be held at the Tonkawa Tribal Bingo Hall, beginning at 6:30 for (50/50) Minis and at 7:30 for the Main Session to play for prizes. The public is welcome.
Benefit Dance Success - The benefit dance held Nov. 23 at the Tonkawa Tribal building was a huge success and Mickael and Melissa wish to thank everyone for their support and donations. A total of $415 was raised for the Children's Christmas Fund, it was announced.
Accident - The Ponca City Police Department received notice of an accident a half mile west of North Waverly Avenue on Hubbard Road at 8:04 a.m. Thursday. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol was advised.
Theft - An employee of United Supermarket, 2800 North Fourteenth Street, notified the Ponca City Police Department at 10:35 a.m. Thursday of a man who allegedly stole cigarettes and left southbound on Fourteenth Street in a Ryder rental truck. Two officers responded and located a vehicle at North Union Street and Gary Avenue. A 41-year-old man was taken into custody for petit larceny.
Accident - A resident in the 300 block of South Thirteenth Street advised the Ponca City Police Department at 10:56 a.m. Thursday of a vehicle struck during the night. An officer took a report.
Truants - An employee of Roosevelt School noticed two boys inside the school asking directions. Two officers responded and located the boys at North First Street and Albany Avenue. The officer reported the boys were truants.
Stolen - A clerk at EZ Mart, 2225 North Fourteenth Street, contacted the Ponca City Police Department at 7:19 p.m. Thursday to report a subject in a green GMC Sonoma pickup allegedly drove off without paying for $16.50 in gas. An officer took an advised report.
Fire - The Ponca City Fire Department responded to the report of a kitchen fire in the 500 block of Greenbriar Road at 7:33 p.m. Thursday. Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire upon arrival.
Shoplifter - An employee of Hastings, 2101 North Fourteenth Street, notified the Ponca City Police Department at 8:16 p.m. Thursday of a boy in custody for shoplifting. An officer took the boy home and released him to a parent on the promise to appear in juvenile court.
Arrested - A Ponca City police officer arrested a 22-year-old man at
Pleasantview Road and East Hubbard Road at 12:08 a.m. Friday on a city warrant
for failure to obey.
EDUCATION
Paul Rutherford, son of Mr. and Mrs. Gerard Rutherford of Ponca City, was recently elected as Senator of the freshman class at Benedictine College. Rutherford will serve a one year term.
Chad Koehn from Ponca City is among 102 students scheduled to graduate Dec. 10 during OSU-Okmulgee's 145th commencement. Commencement begins at 7:30 p.m. in Covelle Hall on the campus. Koehn will graduate in diesel and heavy equipment technology.
Danielle Torres and Regan Strickland, both of Ponca City, were recently inducted into Alpha Chi Omega at Oklahoma City University. The two girls also participated in a lip sink contest for the entire Greek system. Torres is the daughter of Fran Clark and Strickland is the daughter of Gary and Lilly Strickland.
Kristin Maddox, a sophomore music education major at Ouchita Baptist University recently placed as a semi-finalist in the sophomore women music category. Maddox traveled to Mississippi to compete in a prestigious music competition. She is from Ponca City.
Kristine Lindly, a Tonkawa High School graduate, was inducted into the Golden Key National Honor Society chapter at Wichita State University. Lindly, daughter of Jean Jones of Ponca City and Vernon Lively of Blackwell and wife of Ron Lindly, is a graduate student majoring in curriculum and instruction.
Ronnie Jenkins of Winfield has been named vice president for development at Southwestern College. Jenkins will be responsible for the overall fund-raising efforts of the college, including the continuing emphasis on planned giving. This will include a renewed emphasis on phone solicitation beginning in the spring.
Leigh Ann Neihart of Winfield, a senior elementary education major at Southwestern College, is the recipient of a UPS scholarship for the 1996-97 academic year. UPS scholarships are sponsored by the UPS Foundation, the charitable branch of the United Parcel Service.
International Student Educational and Travel Services has announced a new program being implemented in Ponca City. The new program is called practical application.
Practical application is a program aimed at individuals 20 years of age and over or in their last year of college, or graduated from a university who are interested in receiving practical experience in the area of their field. The program runs for 3 months with an option for an additional 3 months.
A number of high ranking international companies have been interested in having the Practical Application program become an important part of their businesses. The Practical Applicants (PA) will learn about a profession and be exposed to American culture in a way which will support all of their future endeavors. Some of the professions available include mechanical engineer, secretarial services, computer skills, business management and personnel relations. Residents are very excited for this new program.
The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality has awarded Gary Gallagher, technology instructor at Ponca City Middle School, a $500 grant for Phase One of five phases of the Eco-Court Project. This project will convert a 7000 square foot area of unused courtyard space into a recycling and composting demonstration site while improving the aesthetics of the courtyard. Phase One is concerned with the placement and building of the composting portion of the master project and the Middle School Gifted and Talented Program has already completed a study of the quantity and variety of waste produced by the school in an average day. The Kay County Extension Service has performed soil analysis of the site in order to establish the soil needs and to provide a starting point for students to understand the effects of composting. Jackie Bufton, Career Education Teacher at the Middle School and Master Composter, will oversee the construction and maintenance of Phase One.
The grant award was one of 25 granted across the state as part of the 1996 Environmental Education Grant awards. The purpose of these grants is to encourage teachers and youth leaders to develop effective environmental programs or strategies in the schools.
THE BUSINESS MANAGEMENT students from Ponca City High School help these elementary students decide what they want to order from Santa's Super Center. The business management class organized the store and helped throughout the week. (News Photo by Kristi Grabeal)
The Ponca City Orchestra Program was well represented in the North Central Honors Orchestra held recently at Oklahoma City University. Schools trying out for positions in this prestigious orchestra in addition to Ponca City included Stillwater, Enid, Edmond, Oklahoma City and Bethany Schools. Ponca City Jr. High students made up 31 percent of the North Central Jr. High Honors Orchestra and Ponca City Sr. High students made up 34 percent of the Senior High North Central Honors Orchestra. The Jr. High Honor group was directed by Dr. John Schimek professor of String Bass at the University and the Sr. High Honor group was directed by Mark Edward Parker Dean of Fine Arts. The Ponca City Orchestra Staff has been sponsoring the event for ten years.
Students making the prestigious orchestra from the junior high included: Robert Hwang, Katerine Paschal, Brianna Hermanson, Jacque Salmons, Holly Dailey, Lacey Goodger, Andra Nuzum, Emily Jack, Joanna Lee, Kara Bayless, Maria Simpson, Susan Taylor, Jessica Hurd, Nicholas Burton, Sterling Foy, Nick Kruckeber, Brandi Combes, Jennifer Arner, James Barraclough, Aaron Jones, and Kevin Stauffer.
Members of the senior high orchestra are Lance Johnson, Will Oldfield, Jill Brien, Molly Baugh, Nikki Hanson, Jamie McGugan, Mark Oblad, Jessica Wilson, C.J. Oster, Cindy Jones, Annette Priba, Joshua Milligan, Heidi Rahn, Jennifer Adams, Scott Norris, Jenny Frantz, Stacie Wolf, Corey Roussel, Matt Szabo, Sarah Armstrong, Casey Luis, Reona Walling, Becky Kirchenbauer, Mindy Jones, Robert Maril, Shara Long, Shelley Branum, Melissa Boelens, Ginger Skaggs and Pam Yost. Congratulations to those students who attended.
The weekend of February 28th through March 2, 1997 may see area high school juniors attending a leadership conference, sponsored by Rotary Club. High school juniors should contact their high school counselors or principals, or their local Rotary Club, for information and applications by Dec. 20.
The Rotary Youth Leadership Awards conference will be held at Oklahoma State University during the first weekend in March.
More than 120 high school juniors from Western, Central and North Oklahoma are expected to attend. Costs of the conference are paid by donations from businesses and individuals in the community, in conjunction with the challenge grants by the Phillips Petroleum Foundation and by Conoco, Inc.
Soroptimist International of Ponca City is now taking applications for their Youth Citizen Award (YCA). The YCA award was established to recognize outstanding contributions made by young women to their homes, schools, communities, countries and the world. YCA is a merit award and is not based on academic achievement. Applicants are evaluated on citizenship, merit, service, dependability, leadership and a clear sense of purpose. High school seniors in both public and private schools are eligible. The local merit award is $250 and the local winner is eligible to compete for the District Award of $500 and the Regional Awards of $1,250. Application forms are available at local high schools or by calling Kathy Tippin at 765-8043. Completed applications must be returned by Dec. 16.
Soroptimist International of Ponca City is an international organization for professional women whose purposes are to support the community through service and to advance the status of women. Soroptimist International is the world's largest classified service organization for executive and professional women.
Washington School 6th grade students will be presenting, "Scrooge" on Dec. 10. The program will begin at 7 p.m. in the school gymnasium. A performance for the entire school will begin at 12:40 p.m.
Main characters are: Tyler Fezer as Scrooge, Gracin Dorsey as Fred, Gavan Jenkinson as Marley, Lindsey Mersman as 1st Spirit, Brittany Cook as 2nd Spirit and Daxton Nichols as the 3rd Spirit. Also participating are Mark Stahl at Cratchit, Stephanie Powers will be Mrs. Cratchit, Hilary McKay as Martha, Kayla Mills as Belinda, Josh Duckwall will portray Peter and Jeremy Beguin will perform the part of Tiny Tim.
Other students with parts are: Susan Wells, Christie Riordan, Corey Shafer, Dean Utsler, Bradly King, Brad Dexter, Mandy Jones, Joshua McCullough, Kristina Huddleston, Lee Duke, Brady Ramsey, Sean Cain and Dustin Norris. The narrator for the play will be Brittany Rasor.
Angles during the play include Felicia Gifford, Liz Stark, Lacey Broadwater, Pam Snow, Cassie Adams, Jennifer Hambleton, Calinda Lee, Susan Wells, Erica White, Lindsay Stafford, Tenessa Sturgeon, Mandy Waldron, Lisa Robinson, Carlie Ruff, Cassie Rowe and Molli Thompson.
Students helpers during the play are Nick Harrison, Ryan Clark, Casey
McClaskey, Mark Bookout, Cory Bryant and Matt Dexter.
RELIGION
The annual Handbell Concert at First United Methodist Church, featuring the ringing in of holiday music by the handbell choirs and ensembles of the Music Ministry will be Sunday evening, Dec. 8, at 7 o'clock.
According to Dolan Bayless, minister of music, the choirs featured on the program include the Wesley Chimers, Wesley Handbell Choir, Ann Yeary Handbell Choir, Jubilate Bells, Carillon Handbell Choir, and Silver Bells. Small ensembles that will be performing include two handbell quartets.
Many sacred and secular Christmas pieces will be presented by the ringers, Bayless said. The program will emphasize the variety of timbres or tones that can be produced on handbells and Choirchimes. Instrumentalists will accompany on some of the pieces.
Pieces to be performed by the Wesley Chimers are "Away in a Manger" and "Jingle Bells" with flute. The Ann Yeary Handbell Choir, youth choir, will perform a Christmas carol medley, an arrangement of the French-Canadian "'Twas in the Moon of Wintertime," and the familiar "Do You Hear What I Hear." Jubilate Bells will perform an extended carol medley with piano accompaniment; Carillon Handbell Choir, an arrangement of "Angels We Have Heard on High," which was performed at the Ponca City Area Handbell Festival, "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear," and "On Christmas Day in the Morn", a carol fantasy on three carols. The Silver Bells will perform several non-Christmas selections and "Infant Holy."
Wesley Handbells have something very special to perform. Mary, Joseph, and the Baby will be presented with characters and narration in addition to handbell ringing. The composer, Tammy Waldrop says, "Have you ever wondered what the animals in the stable were thinking the night Jesus was born? I thought it might be fun and enlightening to see this special birth through the eyes of the donkey, and the sheep..." The donkey and sheep narrators will be Nicholas Clements and Madeleine Braden. The Wesley Handbells are directed by Marta Sullivan.
Small ensembles that are performing include two quartets: Marta Sullivan, Claire Ware, Steve Workman, and Dolan Bayless; Donna Cannon, Pam Oster, Vicki Stokke, and Robin McGlynn. Special ringing techniques and unique sounds will be presented. The Ann Yeary Handbell Choir of youth will lead the bell processional as the concert begins. And to hold to tradition, Bayless said, the finale will be "Gloria," this year performed by the Carillon Handbell Choir.
Those participating will be: Wesley Chimers, Vanessa Copple, Heather Fulkerson, Meghan Liles, and Austin Wentroth ; also Nicholas Clements, Megan Dickey, Tia Doppenberg, Derek Fowler, Maria Hester, Erika Martin, Megan Benyshek, Madeleine Braden, Monica Cardwell, Elizabeth Webster, Hilary Wright, Katie Blake, Trevor Copple, Matt Dickey, Darbi Kinkaid, Mark Stahl, Susan Wells and Kyle Wentroth, Wesley Handbells, directed by Marta Sullivan.
Members of the Ann Yeary Handbell Choir are Kara Bayless, Melissa Boelens, Laura Chaney, Natashia Copple, Ben Dickey, Missy Howard, Kathleen Larrison, Scott Larrison, Anne OLenhart, Jill Marks, Andra Nuzum, C.J. Oster, Ginger Skaggs and Chris Wells. Carillon Handbell Choir consists of Donna Cannon, Betsy Carter, Mary Lou Ferguson, Faith Kalback, Walt Kalback, Rod Kutz, Robin McGlynn, Ann Powell, Vicki Stokke, Marta Sullivan, Claire Ware, Kathleen Workman and Steve Workman.
Silver Bells are Mary Cavett, Owen Cavett, Verna House, Reba Keller, Laverne Kreger, Cletus Ledbetter, Dorothy Ledbetter, Carol Martin, Eva Sayles, Eleanor Smith, Norman Smith, Dorotha Wells, and JoAnn Wolfson. Jubilate Bells include Joy Asbury, Robin McGlynn, Pam Oster, Connie Van Ausdall, Michelle Roberts and Simona Ouzounova.
In addition, there are two handbell quartets, composed of Marta Sullivan, Claire Ware, Steve Workman and Dolan Bayless, and Donna Cannon, Pam Oster, Vicki Stokke and Robin McGlynn.
Ponca Citians are encouraged to ring in the holiday spirit Sunday evening by attending the Handbell Concert at First United Methodist.
Dr. Bracy Hill, pastor of First Assembly of God, said a special treat will be in store for the participants of the Sunday School class conducted at Ponca Nursing Home.
"The church has sponsored the class each Sunday morning for over 30 years and Christmastime is always celebrated in fine fashion," Pastor Hill pointed out.
This year, Laura Taylor has crocheted over 45 Christmas stockings for the women of the church to fill with small gifts and goodies. The stockings will be presented to members of the nursing home class on Dec. 8 and the youth of the church will present a special service for the nursing home residents.
The pastor noted that Laura Taylor also uses her talent in making favors for other occasions, provides shawls for the elderly, and also makes infants' clothing from time to time to give away.
The cantata "Sing Gloria" by Lani Smith will be presented by the Senior Class of First Lutheran Church during the worship services this Sunday.
This cantata captures the spirit of singing and rejoicing with new settings of old favorite carols, as well as bright, new and original selections. The joyous finale offers a group of twelve carols woven into one exuberant anthem of praise.
Stan Hoffmeyer, music director for the church, will direct the performance. Jean Hoffmeyer will serve as accompanist. Members of the choir are Charles Austin, Joe Bates, John Bley, Thelma Bley, Bob Deitrick, Bill Doering, Judy Fu, Gary Heintz, Jean Hoffmeyer, Edith Hunt, Danny Hurd, Earl Krieg, Gina Laramy, Marilyn Laramy, Randy McDaniel, Carla McGregor, Carolyn Miller, Fern Smith, Trudi Stigge, Judy Volz, Karen Wells, Alice Wiederrich, and Codie Wolf.
The community is cordially invited to join the congregation for this service of praise to the Christ Child.
The third annual Hanging of the Greens service will be held at the church at 7 p.m. Sunday evening. This beautiful service involves over 100 participants leading the congregation in readings, carols, decorating, and candlelighting.
The service relates much historical information about the symbols and customs used at Christmas. One special addition to this year's service is the displaying of two large banners which were created under the direction of Susan Brunkow. Stan Hoffmeyer, Music Director, is the coordinator of this program.
The service begins with the concert by the Handbell Choir. The evening will end with everyone proceeding to the Fellowship Hall for the traditional Tasting Fair.
The community is invited to join with the congregation in preparing for Christmas in this festive event.
St. Paul's United Methodist Church Adult Choirs will be performing the Christmas Cantata, "The Coming of the Savior" on Sunday, Dec. 15. The Wesley Choir and Chancel Choir at St. Paul's will present this work by Eugene Englert at both the 8:30 a.m. and 10:50 a.m. services.
This delightful cantata includes both traditional Christmas selections and original compositions with some solo sections, according to William Harrison, Director of Music Ministries.
The music is interspersed with readings from the Gospel of Luke which provide a backdrop of reverent reflection on the events surrounding the nativity, Harrison pointed out.
Priscilla Mullenax and Bobbie Motz will accompany the cantata. Soloists are Steffi Cowan, Jackie Dyer, Jo Ann Hintergardt, Michelle Hintergardt, and Wilson Van Tine. The narrator is the Rev. Craig Dietert
The public is invited to share in this Christmas celebration with St. Paul's UMC members.
Back home and full of enthusiasm following their mission trip to Romania, a dedicated group of Ponca City Christians have a heart-warming experience to share.
Pastor Blaine Herron of Foursquare Gospel reports the group distributed 24,000 Bibles during their stay in Romania where they talked with school children, as well as adults - visiting in schools and orphanages.
The group from Ponca City spent 12 days in Romania and report the response to their preaching and teaching "was good". They report they were able to touch from 5 to 10,000 kids during this brief stay, meeting them in schools, parks, on the street, and receiving a good response wherever they were able to meet with the Romanian people.
Jeff Denton led the group on the trip, which included his wife, Camille. This was Jeff's fourth trip to the area where he says "the people are ready to hear the Word." He feels there is a great deal of follow up work there to be done.
Herron reports Jeff's leadership was inspiring. Herron served as the team pastor and his wife, Debbie took care of the music. The group, which included Marty Haub, Rick Lewis, Mark Russell, Denton and his wife, Camille, Herron and his wife, Debbie, Roseann Gomez, Holly Alcott, Coy Chrisman and Jean Dunaway from Ponca City, along with two from Ohio and two from Chelsea, flew out of Detroit to Amsterdam and took the train to Bucharest.
During their stay in Romania the group distributed 24,000 books which included the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, called the "Book of Hope".
Camille Denton reports the group witnessed to over 10,000 people while in Romania. She mentioned a Teachers' Tea which they held, witnessing to some 183 women at that time.
The group was financially responsible for their own travel expenses, and undertook numerous money-making projects during the time they were preparing. One of the projects was the "Angel" signs for front yards, and these may be seen around Ponca City.
Herron thanked Ponca Citians for their good work in helping the group get the money it took to make the trip and for prayers during their stay in Romania.
This is the second trip a group from Ponca City has made to Romania to preach the gospel, and many of those who made this trip are already thinking about the next witnessing trip.
This year the Junior and Senior High Youth of St. Paul's United Methodist Church will be putting on a dinner theater Dec. 15 beginning at 6 p.m. at the church, 1904 North Pecan (corner of Hartford and Pecan) in Ponca City. The musical is under the direction of the Rev. Brad Meredith, Minister of Education and Youth, and the music is being directed by William Harrison, Music Director at St. Paul's.
The evening begins with dinner being served by the youth. The menu includes Smothered Steak, Baked Potato, Green Beans, Gelatin salad, Roll, Cherry covered cake, and coffee, tea or water. The meal will be followed by a performance of the Christmas Musical "Surprised by God" written by Miriam Overholt of Wichita.
It is the story of a family (the Bradleys) who upon returning home after a children's Christmas Program get stuck in a snow storm. While they are in the car they begin to replay the Christmas Story and come up with some very interesting visions of what it may have been like for the angels, shepherds and wise men as they all came together in the Christmas Story. The music is wonderful and the characters are just that, characters, Meredith pointed out.
If you would like to come and share in the fun and celebration of the season with the youth of St. Paul's, you can call the church office at 765-7512 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. to make your reservation. Tickets are $3.50 for children under 12, $7 for adults, and a special Family Pak which covers the entire immediate family, for $25.00.
St. Paul's sends a greeting from all of them to all of you, may this holiday season be filled with the Spirit of Hope, Love, Peace and Joy.
The Candy Cane Kids at Community Christian Church will present the musical "Candy Cane Lane A Recipe for Life" on Sunday at 6 p.m.
Both the Praise Patrol and Friendship Company have combined to form the Candy Cane Kids, according to the Pastor Wayne Majors.
Joining them will be Krista Hembree who plays Candy Cane Jane. In a dream sequence, Candy Cane Jane takes the kids down Candy Cane Lane to bake a special cake. Once there they learn the "Recipe for Life" from Ginger played by Ruslyn Hermanson and Robert played by Joe Thornburgh teaches them to "grow up" in the Lord. Playing the kids are Taryn Bradford, Michael Martin and Katie Andrews. Brian Webster plays the train engineer.
This performance may be "the" event of the Advent Christmas season, so don't miss it.
The Rev. Paul Krueger, pastor of Woodlands Christian Church, will bring a message entitled "Ready or Not ... The Messiah Comes!" on Sunday morning. The Hosman Family will be lighting the Advent Candles.
God Squad Christmas Party is set for 3 p.m. and Dayspring Singers will meet at 5 p.m.
The Holiday Dinner, a favorite event at Woodlands will be held at 5:30 p.m. at the church - a time for friends, food, music and fellowship. The Small Blessings Choir will sing prior to dinner. A brief congregational Meeting will be held following the meal, and the Dayspring Singers and Chancel Choir will sing to end the evening.
John and Marilyn Merle and Leland and Faye Petersen are providing decorated Christmas cakes for dessert, it was announced.
On Sunday, Dec. 8, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Pastor David Kuchta's sermon will be "Double Comfort" based on Isaiah 40:1-11, concerning the coming of John the Baptist and Jesus Christ. The Fellowship Committee has planned a Christmas party which will begin at 6:30 p.m. Sunday evening. Members are encouraged to bring their favorite Christmas snack.
Good Shepherd will celebrate Lenten services on Wednesday, Dec. 11 at 7 p.m. with the sermon based on Simeon.
Sunday School children are planning a Christmas Eve program with rehearsals set for Dec. 7 from 10 to 11 a.m., Dec. 15, 1-2 p.m. and Dec. 22, 1-2:30 p.m. The Christmas Eve program will begin at 7 p.m.
Church services begin at 9 a.m., followed by Sunday School at 10:15 a.m. The church is located at 3109 North Union and guests are always welcome.
The First Baptist Church of Ponca City cordially invites the community to attend the final two portions of a trilogy of special Christmas productions being offered Sunday evening Dec. 8 and 15 at 6:30 p.m. These reproductions are being offered free of charge by the First Baptist Music Ministry and will be held at the Church Worship Center, located at the corner of Fifth and Central streets in downtown Ponca City.
Scheduled for this Sunday evening, Dec. 8 is the annual "Sing We Now of Christmas" concert by the Elementary choirs of First Baptist Church. The grades one and two choir will be under the direction of Barbara Masters and accompanied by Sara Myers in singing selected Christmas pieces.
Assisting the choir are workers Janet Barker, Patti Gilliland and Louisa Williams.
The third grade choir will be directed by Mary Jane Barraclough and accompanied by Teresa Clark in singing traditional Christmas favorites. Workers for this choir include Margaret Price, Kelly Ricketson and Shelley Weems. The combined choirs of grades one, two and three will also sing one selection together.
The musical, "Prime Time Christmas" will be presented by the Sonshiners (Grades 4-6 Choir) under the direction of Guy Lyall and assisted by workers Pat White, Phyllis Long, Lois Lyall, Pam Veal, Coburn Veal and Bill Justice. Shelley Weems will be assisting with choreography and Dianne Clark with staging. "Prime Time Christmas" is a creative way of telling the exciting story of Jesus coming to be born as our Savior. Author Karen Dean uses the modern-day Celestial News Network's Prime Time News to announced the historic, breaking news of Christ's birth like it perhaps would have been handled if Jesus had been born in 1996.
The lead roles will be Josh Gilliland as Rush Rather, the co-anchor; Angela Skaggs as Bonnie Chum, the co-anchor; Lindsey Weems as Kay Sera, the meteorologist; Kortny Rhodes a the News Director; Drew McCumberr as the Announcer; Noah England as the Tech Director and Jonathan Trout, Aaron Worley, Tiffany Myers, Amanda Stone as the Foreign Correspondents. Soloists are Victoria Jenkins, Heather Orr, April Forcum, Hayden Watkins, Lindsey Weems, Angela Skaggs and Charles Barraclough. Don't miss this hilarious, entertaining and inspirational production about the first Christmas, Lyall said in making the announcement.
Then, on Sunday evening, Dec. 15, the Adult Choir of First Baptist Church will present a brand-new contemporary Christmas musical entitled "The Music of Christmas - listen with your heart". It will feature full orchestra, soloists, testimonies, a congregational carol medley and a full-length multi-media slide presentation.
Dr. Larry Masters, director of the music ministry at First Baptist, said "We hope you will attend the remaining two portions of the First Baptist Christmas trilogy on Dec. 8 and 15 at 6:30 p.m. each day."
"When you were young, you used to get ready and go anywhere you wanted to; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will tie you up and take you where you don't want to go." John 21:18 (TEV)
Let us say that every life is a story in search of a happy ending. Advent has become the happy beginning to a cultural story that has no real life beyond the used and wasted dreams of insignificant consumption. "No song unsung, no winee untasted." I don't want this to be one of those 'Grinch that stole Christmas' sort of commentaries; how about just a pastor's attempt to recover Advent!
What seems lost in our culture today is a sense of destiny. How can be begin out a hope of knowing where it is going? Realistically, how can God take us there if we keep being distracted by the lesser dreams of self-indulgent lifestyles?
Advent, for the record, is not period of twenty-four shopping days that remain between the Thanksgiving weekend and Christmas. You already knew that. It is a time of expecting and waiting for the coming or the arrival of Christ, meaning the anniversary of his birth, the renewal of his covenant, and his eschatological return. Those first two aspects of Advent have not been all that neglected. Christmas remains a reasonable, it not over done birthday party for Jesus. Some may be able to sense a renewal of Christ's covenant in their life. Few if any at all, however, see any eschatological themes in either the Advent preparation or the Christmas celebration.
Eschatology is the discourse of last things. Normally spoken of as the second coming of Christ, or the parousia, it emphasizes the final judgment and the end of humanity. I have found that to be a fatalistic and flawed understanding of what the scripture offers us in the Christian time line. What we look towards is the recovery of the human condition as God desires it and the completion of history as God seeks it. From the perspective of Wall Street and the retail trade, the culmination of history is a no win scenario. From the view of the church universal and God's sovereignty, it is the win/win marriage of heaven and earth, a new Jerusalem's happy ever after ending for a new beginning. This is not necessarily a bad thing, unless you're fairly comfortable with the status quo and uncertain as to how you might fair in the new order. That's where all the negative press for the second coming comes. 'The good news is that Jesus is coming. The bad news is that he's not at all happy."
The time we call Advent is really best experienced from the perspective of those for whom the tiger has already come in the night. The dream that is lost, the hope that is broken, the discouraged and forgotten are those for whom the Advent story is told. Advent seeks the recovery of hope, the lifting of heads to again search the stars, and to dream the dreams of the young with the wisdom and vision of the old. Ultimately it is about letting go and knowing that God may well ask of us that which will take us where we do not want to go. Like Peter we may wish to point to another and ask for their fate, but Jesus instead calls us to our own that we might serve the greater cause of God's glory. It is after all, not our dream, but God's dream; Christ has faced our shame, and the ransom is already paid.
The Rev. Ed Coy Light,
Pastor, St. Paul's UMC
LIFESTYLES
The piano students of Kathy Wimberley will present a Christmas Piano Ensemble Recital Sunday at 2 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church. The public is invited to attend this special event.
The Ponca City Piano Quartet will conclude the program with two selections. Members of that group are Roberta Motz, Frances Thompson, Katy Tucker and Kathleen Wimberley.
Students participating in the recital are Kathy Cripps, Shara Long, Maria Hester, Kristin Jennings, Kami Fleck, Brent Purkaple, Emily Hays, Caitlin Owens, Meg McDaniel, Kyla Lewis, Peter Rench, Devin King, Cassie Ellenwood, Michael Yancy and Adam Joosten.
Others participating are Mick Kruckeberg, Emily Day, Stacy Murray, Allison Ford, Sarah Yancey, Nikki Hansen, Sharon Lindsay, Elizabeth Newman, Claire Winterrowd, Nicholas Burton, Jamie Rench, Terese Purkaple, Jamie McGugan and Angela Kana.
Tops 308 Chapter met Monday evening with Ann McCool calling the meeting to order. Linda Copeland gave a devotional entitled "Lord Help Us to Pray." Giving the group pledge was Carole Palmer and Ruth Garroutte have the "Kreed."
Presenting reports were Delpha Clemens and Betty Flower. Juanita Rich was named "best loser," and Natalie McCoy won the "haha" pot. Betty Flower rad a poem "There's a Place in Heaven for Volunteers." Daphine Robertson received three additional roses for a total of nine weeks in "K.I.W."
The chapter will meet for a Christmas party December 9 at 7 p.m. at the Albright United Methodist Church, 120 S. Palm.
Take Off Pounds Sensibly is a non-profit organization and is a support group for people who desire to maintain or lose weight. Meetings begin at 7 p.m. on Mondays with weigh-in times scheduled for 6:15-6:55 p.m. Further information may be obtained by calling Delpha Clemens, 762-2844, or Betty Flower, 765-5448.
There were 14 members of Rho Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi present at a recent meeting in the home of Kris Hanna. The meeting was called to order by Dawn Pruitt, president, with Kim Youngblood, recording secretary, giving a report.
Ms. Pruitt gave details about a needy family who will receive Christmas gifts from the members. Following the meeting a Thanksgiving dinner was served.
During a previous meeting the chapter members heard a treasury report by Debbie McClaskey and discussed the City Council meeting. Rho chapter was scheduled to take care of desserts for the event.
Announcement was made of the Founder's Day celebration slated for 6:30 p.m. April 22, 1997 at the Marland Mansion.
The Rho Chapter Christmas party is planned for 6:30 p.m., December 18,
at the home of Jan Leach. A Secret Sister gift exchange will also be held.
SPORTS
By FRED HILTON
News Sports Editor
It was not exactly the kind of performance Wildcat wrestling coach Pat Young was looking for, but he'll take it."
"A win is a win and right now we'll take it anyway we can get it," Young said after his Wildcats topped Owasso 43-24 before a sparse crowd in Robson Fieldhouse Thursday night.
The Wildcats got five falls and one major decision in winning nine of the 14 matches, but at least one Ponca City matman suffered an upset loss and a couple more struggled.
"We're not in shape right now and I really don't want us to be," Young said. "Teams that peak in their shape now are in trouble in February.
"But we're making too many mistakes."
That wasn't evident early as Phillip Gelino and Josh Bailey got pins at 103 and 112 pounds to get the Poncans off to a quick start.
Mark Dodgen made his first run at repeating as a state champion with a first-period fall at 125 pounds, Marciano Villarruel made his varsity debut memorable with a 1:29 pin at 160 pounds and Jay Bentley finished off the pin parade with another first-period fall at 189.
But a one-point decision and a loss were two of the more important matches of the night.
Matt Dodgen moved up to 130 pounds for the second dual of the season and came face-to-face with Owasso's Ryan Zellmer, who was a fourth-place finisher in the state tournament last year at 125 pounds.
Zellmer got the first points on a takedown with just 40 seconds left in the first period. But "Big" Dodgen collected a reverse at the buzzer to tie the score.
With Zellmer taking the down position to start the second period, Dodgen held on to ride out the period and the score remained tied at 2-2 entering the third stanza.
Dodgen broke free with 54 seconds remaining in the match for an escape to post a 3-2 upset.
That made the team score 21-6 and the Wildcats were well on their way to their second straight dual win.
But the dual ended on a slightly sour note when senior heavyweight Cory Burkett was pinned by Owasso sophomore Ben Dresher.
Burkett took Dresher down early in the first period and turned the Ram to his back. It looked like a quick end to the match and the dual.
But Burkett got too high on his pin hold and Dresher rolled him over to gain the fall in 1:07.
"If those two wrestle 100 times, Burkett will pin him 99," Young said. "But this was that one time."
Burkett hasn't had a chance to spend much time in the wrestling room and the rustiness showed.
"But, he'll be okay, he'll be back," Young said.
After the strong Ponca City start, Owasso made a brief run at the Wildcats, winning decisions at 135 and 140 pounds to cut the margin to 21-12.
But Darrin Smith stopped the rally and made sure the Rams would get no closer with a 6-3 decision at 145. Toby Redleaf followed with a major 9-1 decision over Rick Zamor at 152 and Villarruel started to nail the door shut when he reversed Joe Pace to his back in the first period.
Stockton Graves put the match out of reach with a 9-2 win at 171 pounds over Travis Stephens and Bentley capped off the win with a whip-over move to pin Ram Shawn McConnell in 1:25.
Owasso got falls in the two final matches to make the score closer than it should have been.
But the Poncans will take another step toward getting in proper shape by taking part in the Ark City Tournament Saturday.
The eight teams in the tournament include Ponca City, Blackwell, Newkirk and Stillwater from Oklahoma with Ark City, Garden City, Wichita West and Wichita Northwest carrying the Kansas banner.
"This will be a tough tournament," Young said, "Blackwell has a good team and Ark City is always tough. We finished fourth there last year."
The Cats get their first big dual test Tuesday, Dec. 10, when they play host to powerful Broken Arrow. The JV matches are scheduled to start at 6 p.m. with the varsity match-up at 7 in Robson Fieldhouse.
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JV Matches - There were just three JV matches Thursday night with Ponca City winning all three.
Chris Hunt pinned Owasso's Ben Fisher in 5:47, Matt Noonan majored Chris Loftin 13-4 and Charles Scholey flattened Brandon Bence in 3:13.
RESULTS
Ponca City 43, Owasso 24
103 - Gelino (PC) p. Keirsley, 5:25
112 - Bailey (PC) p. Stevens, 3:17
119 - Wyatt (O) p. Ivie, 1:54
125 - Dodgen (PC) p. Anderson, 1:05
130 - Dodgen (PC) d. Zellmer, 3-2
135 - Keller (O) d. Scott, 8-6
140 - Rowan (O) d. Beck, 6-0
145 - Smith (PC) d. Yancy, 6-3
152 - Redleaf (PC) md. Zamor, 9-1
160 - Villarruel (PC) p. Pace, 1:29
171 - Graves (PC) d. Stevens, 9-2
189 - Bentley (PC) p. McConnell, 1:25
215 - Banks (O) p. Steichen, 5:47
Hwt - Dresher (O) p. Burkett, 1:07
Statistics
Takedowns - Ponca City 16, Owasso 8. Escapes - Ponca City 4, Owasso 9. Reverses - Ponca City 10, Owasso 3. Penalty Points - Ponca City 34, Owasso 1. 2-Near Falls - Ponca City 2, Owasso 1. 3-Near Falls - Ponca City 1, Owasso 0
Falls - Ponca City 5, Owasso 3. Major Decisions - Ponca City 1, Owasso 0. Decisions - Ponca City 3, Owasso 2
The YMCA Youth Basketball Program is in dire need of coaches.
Three coaches are needed at Garfield for boys in fourth, fifth and sixth grade. Three coaches are also needed for three seventh grade girls teams.
Teams practice two hours per week and all games are played on Saturday afternoons.
An NYSCA (National Youth Sports Coaches Association) Basic Level coaches clinic will be held Dec. 16 and 17 at the Ponca City Library at 6 p.m. Anyone interested is urged to contact YMCA program director Bill Kenney at 765-5417.
The Ponca City After Five Lions will sponsor a professional wrestling event Sunday at the National Guard Armory, 1015 West South Ave., starting at 3 p.m.
The event features several professional wrestlers with the World Wrestling Empire. Scheduled to appear are The Prince of Darkness, Devin Blanchard; one-half of Generation X, Zane D'Maestro. Shane Cortez, Wichita wrestler Eric Awesome, Bernard Funk and Rocco Valentino.
The main event will be a giant tag team match as The Mighty Nation, 6-8 Red Eagle and The Original Renegade, taking on 852 pounds in total weight. the Guatemalan Assassins, Pierre and the Great Bolo.
Tickets are $5 and available at the door. The proceeds will go to the
After Five Lions' eyeglasses program.