From The Pages Of The Ponca City News, Sunday, December
15, 1996
LOCAL
PSO Seeks Chance To Provide Power Here
Newport Lands Key Positions
New Water Line Work Downtown
Ponca Citians Now Serving State Boards
Developing Alternative Solutions on Agenda Of City Work Session
County Farmers Union Retains Jeans President
City Calendar
Letters to Santa
Ponca Tribe Announces Certification
School Lunch Menus
School Calendar
Annual Ponca Pazazz Set For Hutchins Friday Night
Two Pumper Trucks Authorized for City
Fifteen County Residents Nabbed on Drug Charges
'Hometown Christmas Show' Set For Poncan Theatre on Saturday
Letters Say:
Annual Ponca Pazazz Set For Hutchins Friday Night
Multiple Sclerosis Support Group Meeting Monday
Rural Economic Area Seeking Fund Assistance
Automation Will Soon Replace Eight P.C. Weather Observers
Holiday Blood Donor Days Set by American Red Cross
DEATHS
Stefan Iwanowycz Hercyk
Levi Tillman King
NEWS BRIEFS
LIFESTYLES
Gingerbread House Built For Red Rose Club
Holiday Collage Featured For Piano Workshop Group
RSVP Honors Volunteers
Little News
Singles Network Sets December Meetings
Reception To Honor Couple
PrimeTimers Are Planning Trips
Book Club Meeting
Chapter Plans Party
Kerri Arrington Engaged
Tulsan Featured Speaker For CWC Holiday Lunch
Couple Exchanges Vows In Oklahoma City Church
Paula Denson Will Present 'Christmas Past' Program
Couple Married 50 Years
Garden Council Hosts Tea Party
Engagement Is Announced
Wheatheart Nutrition Menus Set for December
Ponca City Happenings
SPORTS
Wildcats No Match For Foes
Lady Cats Hang Hats On Rally
Half-Point Costly For Wrestlers
Wildcat Matmen Roll
Lady Mavs See Skein End 85-53
Slow Start Hurts JVs
8th Blue Boys Lose to Waller
Alumni Event Is Upcoming
By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE
News Business Editor
A powerful meeting Friday morning at the Fourth Street Club House generated a lot of interest in providing future electricity to Ponca City.
The presenter was Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO), based in Tulsa. The packed house included business and industry representatives, Ponca City officials, and agents from Oklahoma Municipal Power Authority, Edmond, (OMPA); Oklahoma Gas and Electric (OG&E), Oklahoma City; KAMO, Vinita, and rural electric cooperatives Kay Electric, Blackwell, and Indian Electric, Cleveland.
PSO
PSO's presentation was made by Bob Bitting, PSO Project Manager/Business Development, to provide electricity for Ponca City. The sales efforts included offers of individual household or industry energy evaluations. The presentation included cost comparisons and a video tagged at the end by Pete Churchwell, chief executive officer of parent company of PSO, making a personal pitch to come into the community.
Bitting said PSO wants the privilege to come to the community and to earn that privilege by providing low cost electric service.
Open Access
With the deregulation of the energy industry in 1992 eventually will come "open access." Currently Oklahoma Senate Bill 1000 addresses the subject of open access. One of the concerns in Oklahoma is that if the state has open access before other states the low cost power in this region could be purchased and shipped out of state, causing power costs in Oklahoma to rise.
On the other side of the coin, some folks want to see Oklahoma be a leader and have open access so it can take the limelight, according to one power person.
A power executive explained open access to The News this way. "You get a call at your house from Duke Power Company to sell you electricity. You ask 'how much is it going to be?' and they tell you the cost and if you like the price you call up the City of Ponca City and say 'I want to start buying my power from Duke Power.'
"The City would say 'All right' and they have to 'wheel' that power to you. You will pay them (the city) a bill because they own the wires to your house. You would pay Duke Power for the actual electricity. And you would have to pay someone to transmit that power from where ever it is generated to Ponca City.
"So the charges would be on use of the wire, transmission, right of way and electricity. All these things are in the patron's electric bill now but they are not identified."
Just like the phone company there will be only one set of lines running to a house, business or industry.
He told that in an eight state area PSO was the third lowest since they started buying power and energy. Since that time in 1985 PSO has been recognized nationally as having low rates. The Tulsa World in a survey recognized that PSO's rate was the third lowest average residence rates. The average residential price was 5.9 cents per kw, while OG&E's was 6.9 cents and Ponca City was 9 plus cents. He said this relates to a household in this manner. Using a 100 watt light bulb for 2,000 hours it would cost the household $11.78 with PSO, $13.74 with OG&E and $18.48 for Ponca City power.
Bitting did note that Ponca City had reduced rates last December and again in June 1996. On an annual basis PSO is about 20 percent cheaper, according to Bitting.
The annual residential price comparisons listed in the PSO hand out tells that the average residential in Ponca City would save about 14.87 percent with PSO annually. He said PSO is about 17 percent cheaper than Ponca City for industrial customers. He projected that Ponca City customers collectively would save $4 million a year with PSO.
City Commissioner Dick Stone asked the PSO official if that company got the contract if it would compensate the city for power plant here? Bitting said that would be part of the negotiations and couldn't be discussed in the presence of other power companies.
The diesel plant and Steam Unit No. 2 systems is owned outright by the city and Steam Unit No. 1 was a joint venture with OMPA, which repowered the plant. Also the city has a long-term contract with OMPA.
OMPA
Currently OMPA is the wholesale power supplier to the Ponca City Municipal Authority. Drake N. Rice, director of members services, explained its connection to the city, "The way we fit into it is that as long as the city of Ponca City owns and operates their electric utility we want to be the wholesale power provider to them.
"We believe that local control and local ownership is the best way. When you own and operate and set your rates locally that is a lot better than having a commission in Oklahoma City or somewhere in Washington D.C."
A City Commissioner sits on the OMPA board, as representatives from ten other cities that OMPA serves.
Ponca Rates to Be Lowered
After the meeting, City Manager Gary Martin, said, "We want everyone (residents of Ponca city) to remember they are stake holders in an electricity system that is a hot item right now. These companies want to control the power lines and poles and it is for many uses other than electricity."
Martin said what the outside companies want is "a connection to your home for cable, telecommunications, telephone and other purposes."
"We are looking at our rates and are going to make some rate adjustments and we feel like that we are doing exactly what the owners (citizens) of our company want us to do. We have said that we were going to have a consultant come in and make recommendations and it is premature for us to jump out and tell those recommendations at this time."
Martin added, "We know that we have competition because this is a very much sought after system that Ponca City owns. There are many, many other people that are interested besides PSO."
During the meeting both City Commissioners Stone and Dick Bird, commented that they want to hear presentations from other firms before any recommendation is made.
It was brought out by Commissioner Stone and confirmed by PSO personnel that the firm had a local consultant in the community who had been providing them information for the past couple of years.
Martin said that all presentations should be heard and that PSO might not be the low cost provider in the future. He noted that "OG&E is getting ready to have a rate roll-back and they could very well be the low cost provider. Everyone is jockeying for position at this point."
Another comment Martin made was, "For 80 years we have built equity into a system that the stockholders (citizens) of Ponca City own. It has provided the city well in services, as well as support in this community. And before we give that up we need to take a very careful look at it."
The Utility Authority provides $4 million to the City of Ponca City for fire and police protection and streets. Also provided by the electrical service are street lights and intersection signalization. PSO did not make any promises in that area as to whether there would be a charge for these services.
Annually the city provides about $300,000 in kind services to such organizations as the domestic violence program. An example of contributions to Bartlesville by PSO of in kind services was about $25,000.
By MARK GALVIN
News Staff Writer
Newly elected Jim Newport has already experienced something as a state representative that few freshman legislators can claim.
Speaking to a crowd at the Kay County Farmers Union's year-end banquet, Newport mentioned he has been appointed to all four of the major legislative committees he had asked to join since he was sworn in four weeks ago.
Describing where freshman legislators fit in at the state capital, he explained, "You have the bottom of the totem pole, and then there's the dirt underneath it, and that's where the freshmen are."
As a result, freshmen representatives usually are happy to get appointments to one or two of the major committees they request, he said.
Therefore it's "something for our district to be proud of," he said, that he is now a member of the commerce, industry and labor committee, the energy, environment and natural resources committee, and the education and transportation committees.
Newport said he also was appointed to a fifth committee, a brand-new one for small businesses. He and his wife operate a small business in Ponca City.
The month of January will be entirely committee work, he said, and the legislative session will start the first Monday in February.
He said to expect changes to issues such as welfare reform and prison overcrowding, and he encouraged residents to contact him with their ideas.
Ponca City motorists will realize closings on Union Street and Central Avenue on Monday, and should be prepared to avoid the areas.
Union Street from Grand Avenue to Central Avenue and Central Avenue from Pine Street to Union Street will be closed due to the installation of a water line under the railroad. RAM Engineering and Construction, Inc. will work on Phase 2 of the Northwest Water Transmission Pipeline Project. The streets will remain closed throughout the week, according to Public Works.
In addition, city crews will work on Central Avenue, between Lincoln Street and Perry Street, on Monday and Tuesday. However, the area will be closed to traffic only on Tuesday.
A new board of directors was recently elected for the Oklahoma Easter Seal Society and the Oklahoma Society for Crippled Children and included some Ponca City citizens.
Added to the statewide board from Ponca City were Larry T. Hughes, and as an honorary member Allan Muchmore was named to the board. John Crawford is listed as a founding member of the President's Council.
David Vance, is the newly elected chairman of the board of directors for the OESS and OSCC. Other officers elected at the meeting were David P. Thompson, Muskogee, Doug Nix of Duncan, Ken Starks of Stillwater, and Stephen P. Garrett of Oklahoma City, who is past chairman.
Recently announced by the group was the participation of the Oklahoma Easter Seal Society in a project with Baptist Integris Medical Center. The project is the establishment of a family centered care research project and the establishment of a new infant development clinic in Oklahoma City. The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit now at Integris BMC has 22 beds and admits high risk, critically-ill premature infants.
Monitoring the overall development of high risk, premature infants meets our Society's mission which is to seek, identify and assist children with all types of disabilities reach their maximum level of independence and potential said a story in a recent Oklahoma Report newsletter.
Another project now ongoing with the group is the search for old cars to be donated by citizens to help the Easter Seal Society. Cars, vans or trucks are accepted as donations and will be sold to raise proceeds for services for children. The donations are tax deductible and the Society provides pickup and towing. For more details call (405) 848-2525.
Ponca City's Board of Commissioners will determine what happens next, since voters defeated their proposed bond project in Tuesday's election. The work session will be held Monday in the city manager's office, 516 East Grand Avenue, at 8 a.m.
Plans to review bond issue results are included on the board's agenda. In addition, members will discuss developing alternative solutions to problems which were addressed in the bond proposal.
Bill Jeans is good for another year, union members decided Friday night.
Jeans, president of the Kay County Farmers Union, was reelected by acclamation during the union's year-end business meeting, along with vice president Dick Denton of Ponca City and secretary Pauline Thomas of Blackwell.
The farmers union is gearing up for its three-day state convention during February in Oklahoma City, and the county group agreed on resolutions to be submitted to the state union, such as the fight to keep references to God and the freedom to pray in schools.
The county resolutions, among other issues, also emphasized higher standards for basic education in schools, and ways to limit attorneys' "nit-picking" points of law and wasting money.
Local union spokesman Ray Schiltz submitted 13 resolutions to state secretary Ray Wulf of Oklahoma City for consideration by the state group.
Wulf said Oklahoma's say in the national farmers union is formidable because of the 270,000 members nationwide, 110,000 (or roughly 40 percent) are from Oklahoma.
The county group decided Jeans should be delegate to the convention, with Elmo Bathhurst of Blackwell as alternate.
Items for the City Calendar should be brought in or telephoned (765-3311) to Bob Patterson, at the Ponca City News, by Thursday noon.
Anytime
FOLOBS (Friends of Library Ongoing Book Sale), anytime the Ponca City Library is open, North of Multimedia Room (downstairs).
November 29-December 31
Festival of Angels. 6-10 p.m. nightly.
November 29-January 4
Hospice Tree of Life, Woodlands Christian Church, East Hartford Avenue and North Fourth Street, and Ponca City Library, Fifth Street and East Grand Avenue.
December 3-19
(Tuesday, Thursday noon-1 p.m.)
Angels on Assignment, brown bag, video and discussion, First Christian Church, Fifth Street and Cleveland Avenue.
December 8-29
Christmas Tree Collage Exhibit and Christmas Dolls, Ponca City Art Center, 819 East Central, free admission.
December 11-31
Christmas Tree Collage, and Christmas Dolls by Rhonda Waters, Wed.-Sun., 1-5 p.m., Ponca City Art Center.
Today
Ponca Playhouse Christmas Theatre, By and For Children, 2 p.m. Poncan Theatre.
Kids Inc. Annual Membership Meeting, 3 p.m., OCAW Hall.
First Baptist Church Adult Choir and Orchestra, presents "The Music of Christmas," a new musical and multi-media presentation, 6:30 p.m., First Baptist Church.
Monday
Ponca City Board of Commissioners Work Session, 8 a.m., Marland Estate Conference Center.
Living Nativity Christmas Pageant, 7-9 p.m., First Church of God, 1101 West Grand Avenue.
Tuesday
Ponca City Main Street Authority Promotion Committee, 7:45 a.m., Main Street Office, 206 North Third Street.
Marland Estate Commission, 4:30 p.m., Marland Estate Conference Center.
Living Nativity Christmas Pageant, 7-9 p.m., First Church of God, 1101 West Grand Avenue.
Wednesday
Ponca City Tourism Authority, 2 p.m., Conference Room, Chamber of Commerce.
Living Nativity Christmas Pageant, 7-9 p.m., First Church of God, 1101 West Grand Avenue.
Thursday
Economic Development Foundation Inc., 7:30 a.m., Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce.
Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, 6 p.m., Public Safety Center, 200 East Oklahoma Avenue.
Downtown Merchants Christmas Cash Giveaway, 7 p.m., Centennial Plaza.
Friday
Ponca City Traffic Commission, 1:15 p.m., Municipal Courtroom, Public Safety Center, 200 East Oklahoma Avenue.
"Santa Got Lost in Texas," Ponca Pizazz Musical Theatre, 7 p.m., Hutchins Auditorium, Fifth Street and Overbrook Avenue.
Cowboy Coffee Time with Les Gilliam, the "Oklahoma Balladeer," performing at the Coffee Bar, 7-8 p.m., Brace Books and More, North Fourteenth Street.
Saturday
Third Annual "Ponca City Hometown Christmas," Talent Revue, 7:30 p.m., Poncan Theatre, adults $6, 12 and under $4, advanced tickets at $5 and $3 available at The Master's Touch Christian Book Store.
December 23
Ponca City Board of Commissioners, Ponca City Utility Authority, Ponca City Development Authority, 5:30 p.m., Public Safety Center, 200 East Oklahoma Avenue.
High Plains Food Coop Ordering Meeting, 6 p.m., 700 West Liberty, for more information call Jeanette 762-3648.
December 25
Christmas
December 31
Bluestem Girl Scout Council's "New Year's Eve Fitness Fair," 762-9616.
January 1
New Year's Day
January 7
Ponca City Art Association, Registration for Membership Show, Ponca City Art Center, 819 East Central Avenue.
January 12-26
Ponca City Art Association Membership Show, 1-5 p.m., Wednesday-Sunday, Ponca City Art Center, 819 East Central Avenue.
January 19
Community Concert "Black Mountain Mail Choir of Wales," 2:30 p.m., Hutchins Memorial, Fifth Street at Overbrook Avenue.
January 20
Ponca City-Stillwater Ostomy Meeting, program by Vera Rogers, 7:30 p.m., Ponca City St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Conference Room B.
January 25
"2 x 4 Productions," 7:30 p.m., Poncan Theatre, free.
January 29-February 22
Exhibit "Touchable Sculpture," Ponca City Art Association.
February 1
Bluestem Girl Scout Council's Cookie Crunch Off, noon, Ponca Plaza.
February 1-March 2
Girl Scout Cookie Sale, 762-9616.
February 8
"The Ambassador Choir," 7:30 p.m., Poncan Theatre, free.
Ronnie Kaye Sock Hop, benefit Kay County Council for Opportunity Center, tickets $12.50 each, from 765-6782, time and place to be announced.
February 10
Kay County Retired Educators Association, 11:30 a.m., Program, Mrs. Mac Bradley "Travel Tours for Seniors,", First United Methodist Church, Sixth and Coolidge, Blackwell.
Dear Santa, I want a barbie doll for Chrismus and easy bac oven and clos and that is what I want for Chrismus and my dog wants treats and I want a TV VCR for Chrismus.
Camille
Dear Santa, How are you? How is Rudolph? I have been very good boy this year. I would like to have a good Christmas. Thank you. I love you.
No name
Dear Santa, I wish for a Take Care of Me Twins Set, happy face purce, a Nike Coat, and everything from Nike. And wish al my favorite cassettes. And to win 10,000,000 million dollars. And be a lucky person. I live, if you come, in Ponca City. I hope I have ben a good person. I wish a boy in Mrs. Topper's class be my boy friend. The one that lives on my street. I really would like it if he ask me today on the date. And if he does I would like to brake up with my boy friend. I love you, and I am drawing you some pictures, Santa.
Denisse
Dear Santa, For Christmas I would like to have a Pet Doctor Barbie, a Barbie Mini Van, Barbie's Garden Set Furniture, and a Disney Travel Seat for my dolls. Thank you, Santa. I really hope you have a good year this year. I love you.
Bailee
Dear Santa, I want a Gliterator and The Fantastic Nail Saloon and a waterbaby. I want a lot of Tweety stuff. Bye-Bye, sincerely.
Heather
Dear Santa, I want a Mr. Potato Head and a Slinky Dog and Buzz and Woody. I'm five years old. My sister wrote this for me. Sincerely,
Tayler
Dear Santa Claus, I have tried to be a good girl this year. I would like My Size Barbie doll, Twister (the movie) and some Lego building pieces. I hope you have a safe trip. I will leave some cookies and hot chocolate out for you and I will leave some carrots out for your reindeer. I love you.
Jill
Dear Santa Claus, I have tried to be a good girl this year. I would like a movie "The Toy Story" and some puzzles. My sister and I will leave you some goodies. I love you.d
Keri
Dear Sants, I whant the movie Goffie, 104, Henary, Startreck, Enterprise. Thank you, Santa don't forget your milk and cookies. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Andy
Dear Santa, I want a race car and a cool Jeep and a real talking BuBu and a cool moving car. I love you.
Bernerd
Dear Santa, My name is Nicota. Please bring me lots and lots of presents because I was extra good this year. This is what I want for Christmas; horses stampe, zoo toys, a stuftd boxer, a Noah's Ark, T-shirt, Teddy Bear, a Bernard dog, a Looney Tunes cap, telescope and a telephone. Thank you Santa and Merry Christmas. I love you.
Nicota
Dear Santa, This is David's list, Veta games, racing car, feat of snow, water gun, skats, To See You, Leve A Sighn and snow mobel.
No name
Dear Santa, My name is Taryn. Please bring me lots and lots of presents because I was extra good this year. This is what I want for Christmas: Tweety and Sylvester hat, high chair, roller blads, beagle, There's no business like kids business, Lets play shool, Paent Bank, one classy convertible. Thank you Santa and Merry Christmas, I love you!
Taryn
Dear Claus, What I want for Christmas is a Miami Dolphins helmet and a Miami dolphins jersy, helmet and a Miami dolphins football. My own TV, my own alarm clock, viedo games and a chemistry set. Miss Fields baking factory. Scenceroly,
Anthony
Dear Sants, I've been good and bad. But I would like a lot of presents if I am good this month can I have some present. I have been good most of the time. I hope you know I would like Barbie mermaid, some tapes, radio and a Walkman, some roler blade and clothes and some shoes, a coloring nook, clue and monopoly playing computer, some neckless, a bedroom and a TV. Oh, some more games like card and candyland and Twister, the game and Guess who, a Chicago Bulls jacket. Happy Christmas.
Colleen
Dear Santa, I been good. I hope you have a Happy Christmas. I would like a big shredder, punchi, goodsilla, green batman, guess who, twister game, mousetrap, mortal combat, twister game and sonic super saturn. I love you.
Mark
Dear Santa, I have been good and bad. I have been good most of the time. I hope I have a good Christmas time. I hope you have a good Christmas time. I would like Candyland and Monopoly and a Walkman and roller skats and Tumble Baby, Mousetrap and Barbie mermaid. I am drawing you some pictures, Santa.
Keli
Dear Santa, I weant a bike for Christmas. It's name is New Style. I've made some pretty good desions this year like at first I doubled Mrs. Bracken, but when I got to know her, we became real good friends. I moved to another house, right next door to my old house . I am your friend. Have a Merry Christmas.
Chelsy
Dear Santa, Here is my Christmas list - saddle and Bryer horses.
Kathryn
Dear Santa, I've been really super good. Please bring me a Cool Tools Race Car, Power Ranger weapons, new glasses for my mom, Doodle Bear, puppy (Dalmation), Super Van City, earrings for mom, speakers for Dad - Bose 901 please, Boombox. I am five years old, so Mom wrote this for me. I love you.
Jordan
Dear Santa, I have tried to be good. My Christmas list is motor sykel, racecar track or art kit or electric getare or new pocket knife or Sony play stashen or real drum set orbean bag or new football. I am drawing you a picture of a Christmas tree.
No name
The Social Development Center, which operates under the authority of the Ponca Tribe of Oklahoma, announces that a second certified counselor has been approved.
The center notes that Curtis P. Primeaux was notified Nov. 11, that certification had been accomplished by the Oklahoma Drug and Alcohol Professional Counselor Certification Board as an International Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor.
Primeaux is only the second male certified counselor within the Ponca Tribe.
Director of the Social Development Center Leland Pappan notes that both of the two certified counselors are employed by the center. The announcement makes the Ponca Tribe as one of the very few Native American programs within the nation that has a certified counseling staff.
Primeaux expressed his gratitude to the Ponca Tribe for allowing him the opportunity to gain his accreditation as an International Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor.
Primeaux has been employed at the center for seven years and has had the opportunity to counsel numerous individuals, both Ponca and other Native Americans, and has gained much satisfaction in knowing that he has had the opportunity to enhance others quality of life and to gain knowledge of other tribal cultures and customs.
Elementary Breakfast
Monday - Honey bun, graham crackers, assorted cold cereal, fruit, milk.
Tuesday - Biscuit and sausage gravy, blueberry muffins, honey buns, assorted cold cereal, fruit, milk.
Wednesday - Graham crackers, honey buns, assorted cold cereal, fruit, milk.
Thursday - Breakfast pizza, honey buns, assorted cold cereal, fruit, milk.
Friday - Honey bun, graham crackers, assorted cold cereal, fruit, milk.
Elementary Lunch
Monday - Pepperoni calzone, spaghetti, green beans, assorted cold sandwiches, salads, fresh fruit, juice and milk.
Tuesday - Chicken strips, macaroni and cheese, whipped potatoes and gravy, assorted cold sandwiches, salads, fresh fruit, juice and milk.
Wednesday - Corn dog, soft taco, cowboy beans, assorted cold sandwiches, salads, fresh fruit, juice and milk.
Thursday - Turkey alfredo, hamburger, french fries, assorted cold sandwiches, salads, fresh fruit, juice and milk.
Friday - Mesquite chicken sandwich, frito chili pie, corn, assorted cold sandwiches, salads, fresh fruit, juice and milk.
Middle School and Mid High
Breakfast
Monday - Jelly donuts, assorted cold cereal, fruit, juice and milk.
Tuesday - Pancakes, assorted cold cereal, fruit, juice and milk.
Wednesday- Biscuits and gravy, assorted cold cereal, fruit, juice and milk.
Thursday - French toast, assorted cold cereal, fruit, juice and milk.
Friday - Ham and cheese biscuit, assorted cold cereal, fruit, juice and milk.
Middle School and Mid High
Lunch
Monday- Pepperoni calzone, spaghetti, green beans, chef salads or cold sandwiches, Domino's Pizza, Taco Bell burritos or Taco Mayo, assorted fruit, milk.
Tuesday - Chicken strips, macaroni and cheese, whipped potatoes and gravy, chef salads or cold sandwiches, Domino's pizza, Taco Bell burritos or Taco Mayo, assorted fruit, milk.
Wednesday - Corn dog, soft taco, cowboy beans, chef salads or cold sandwiches, Domino's pizza, Taco Bell burritos or Taco Mayo, assorted fruit, milk.
Thursday - Turkey alfredo, hamburger, french fries, chef salads or cold sandwiches, Domino's Pizza, Taco Bell burritos or Taco Mayo, assorted fruit, milk.
Friday - Mesquite chicken sandwich, frito chili pie, corn, Domino's pizza or Taco Mayo, assorted fruit, milk.
High School Lunch
Available every day in the high school cafeteria, the Training Table Deli offers pasta with sauce, assorted sandwiches, salads and fresh fruit; the Ala Carte Wildcat line offers Pizza Inn, Taco Bell burritos, Taco Mayo, Hardees items, French fries, onion rings, cheeseburgers, enchiladas, hot pockets, chicken wings, hot shots and more. A baked potato bar will be featured on a regular basis at the Training Table.
All American
Monday - Salisbury steak, potatoes and gravy, corn, fresh fruit.
Tuesday - Cafe amigo burrito, mexican rice, fresh fruit.
Wednesday - Cheeseburger, french fries, fresh fruit.
Thursday - Chicken strips, whipped potatoes and gravy, green beans, fresh fruit.
Friday - Beef ravioli, mixed vegetables, fresh fruit.
Training Table
Monday - Chicken fajitas, mexican rice, fresh fruit.
Tuesday - Pasta bar, potato bar, fresh fruit.
Wednesday - Sliced roast beef, whipped potatoes and gravy, green beans, fresh fruit.
Thursday - Pasta bar, potato bar, fresh fruit.
Friday - Stromboli, mixed vegetables, fresh fruit.
McCord Breakfast
Monday - Oatmeal, toast, juice and milk.
Tuesday - Ham patties, toast, juice and milk.
Wednesday - Cereal, toast, juice and milk.
Thursday - Rice, toast, juice and milk.
Friday - Scrambled eggs, toast and milk.
McCord Lunch
Monday - Turkey noodles, potatoes, peas, pineapple, hot roll and milk.
Tuesday - Hot dogs, tator tots, cheese sticks, pineapple and milk.
Wednesday - Baked ham, baked potato, green beans, cake, hot roll and milk.
Thursday - Fish, hash browns, mixed vegetables, pineapple, cornbread and milk.
Friday - Chicken sandwich, french fries, pineapple, brownie and milk.
Pioneer Technology Center
Tuesday - Cafeteria closed
Wednesday - Cafeteria closed
Thursday - Cafeteria closed
Po-Hi
Monday, Dec. 16 - A committee meeting will be held in Room 210 at 3:45 p.m., chamber orchestra will begin at 7 p.m., and Po-Hi luminaries will meet at 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 17 - Baseball booster club will meet in Room F103 at 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 18 - Semester exams will be held and a B.L.T. meeting will be held in Room 210 from 3:30-5:30 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 19 - Semester exams will be held throughout the day.
Friday, Dec. 20 - Semester exams will be taken, JV/V Basketball will play Jenks and V. Wrestling will travel to Shawnee.
Saturday, Dec. 21 - No activities
Sunday, Dec. 22 - No activities.
By KATHY ZEHR
News Staff Writer
The annual Ponca Pizzazz Christmas Show, written and directed by Suzanne Kem will be presented at Hutchins Memorial Friday at 7 p.m. Tickets will be available at the door.
Billed as the "hottest holiday ticket in town," the rip-roaring, singing-dancing, musical show will include 50 local singing, dancing, cart wheeling elfs, Santa Claus, and American Kid Talent winners as featured performers. A champion trick rope artist, Joel Faulk, straight from the Royal Hanneford circus will also make an appearance.
The entertaining story, "Santa Got Lost in Texas" written by Kem, is about two of Santa's head elves, Merri (played by Elayne Cotton) and Berri (played by Marta Maril) who have come to Ponca City to help with the annual Children's Christmas Show.
During the performance, they track Santa's trip to Ponca City by radar - and disaster strikes! Santa's sleigh crashes, the radar quits working, and even with a top scientist (Tracy Patterson) brought in to help, Santa is lost!
To find out how the performers find Santa and get him back to Ponca City, attend the one-time performance Friday at 7 p.m. Tickets are $5 at the door.
Elfs who will be performing in the musical show are Shastina Abernathy, Alicia Allen, Lacy Allen, Kaitlyn Amos, Emily Beier, Sherri Beier, Amanda Bohon, Kimberly Campbell, Casey Cashon, Eric Chambray, Aubry Clark, Brittany Cook, Tiffani Cotton, and Vanessa Donaldson.
Also Carey Eggen, Tyler Fender, Lauren Fleck, Abby Fruits, Stephanie Garino, Rachel Harris, Chelsey Hill, Kandas Horinek, Megan Isenberg, Mandy Jones, Stephanie Kline, Katrina Kirsch, Kristina Kirsch, Paula Krueger, Cassidy Ladd, Katy McNew, Victoria Mansfield, Lindsey Mayse, Jennie Miller, Jessica Hisey, Ashely Nanni, Brynn Nulik, and Patrick Powers.
Also Caitlin Robertson, Stacy Schauvliege, Catherine Sonnichsen, Amber Stolhand, Jennifer Stone, Brooke Taylor, Kari Taylor, Molly Tomek, Tatum Turney, Lara Upshaw, Meghan Williams, Kristin Wittmer, Daniel Quinn, and Maggie Hartman.
In addition to the elfs, special acts will be performed by several groups and some solos by Blair Turney as the "Annie" doll, Cara Kem as "Barbie Doll," Melissa Backer as "Baby Doll," and Kimberly Evans and Daniel Quinn in "Leader of the Pack." Also a "Super Duper Christmas" featuring Audrey Euband, Kara Hardy and Becky McReynolds and "Santa's Gonna Rockit in a Boogie Woogie Choo Choo Train," featuring several other performers.
The Christmas Elfs and others will also perform in various scenes and acts titled "Sleigh Ride," "Sleigh Ride Dancers," "Fabulous Fifties Singers,", and the Annie Medley featuring the "Little Christmas Orphans."
Also featured on the program will be the special Christmas saxophone music by Mark Love.
By LAURA TREADWAY
News Staff Writer
Ponca City Commissioners authorized the Ponca City Utility Authority to incur debt to buy two pumper trucks for the fire department, during Friday's special session.
Bond Counsel, Allan Brooks, with Fagin, Brown, Bush, Tinney & Kiser, informed the board that the debt will be structured as a note obligation. Further, the fee quotes were less than those available in the lease obligation, discussed earlier in the year.
The debt of $440,000 will be repaid over eight years, with a $65,000 down payment. Brooks confirmed that the note would be secured by the fire trucks. According to Fire Chief Larry Mullikin, the trucks will take six months to build.
In other new business, members agreed to pay appraised value of property condemned for the Fifth Street Improvements project. Also, property purchased by the Engster's for the Centerline facility was transferred from city ownership to the Ponca City Development Authority.
Additionally, commissioners reconvened as the PCUA to approved the purchase of a pump to replace the 40-year-old pump, since repairs more than a new one. The pump will be obtained from Automatic Engineering, Inc., Tulsa, in the amount of $3,096.
Furthermore, PCUA reconvened as the PCDA to pass a subordination agreement with Pioneer Bank and Trust.
NEWKIRK - Fifteen Kay County residents were nabbed this week in the third major drug raid of the year, the District Attorney's office confirmed. Two 17-year-old, girls included among the arrests, will be charged as adults under reverse certification, for delivery of marijuana.
The Major Crimes Unit, under D.A. John G. Maddox, began the investigation approximately three months ago. A tip from a private citizen assisted MCU members, Freddie Garza, Jim Miller and Randy Empting, with setting up drug buys as well as helping to clear at least four burglary investigations. A substantial amount of stolen property was recovered, noted a spokesperson from the D.A.'s Office.
Law enforcement officers from the Ponca City Police Department, Blackwell Police Department and the Kay County Sheriff's Office assisted in the raid which confiscated cocaine, marijuana, various pharmaceutical drugs, two vehicles and a small amount of cash.
Suspects arrested include: Vinson Eugene Brown, 20, for delivery of marijuana; Larry Calvert, 41, for delivery of marijuana; Jeffrey Blane Duncan, 30, for delivery of marijuana and Toni Annette Vap, 33, on charges of possession of marijuana and knowingly concealing stolen property.
Also, taken into custody are: Shane Christopher Coley, 24, for two counts of delivery of marijuana; Daniel Largent Jr., 18, for delivery of marijuana; Paul David Doepel, 29, delivery of controlled dangerous substance, and Mark J. Getto, 41, and David Aguilar Jr., for possession of marijuana.
In addition, Michael Gene Sherron, 33, and Darla C. Sherron, 33, were arrested for possession of marijuana. Donald Marrion Olmstead, 18, was arrested on of possession of a controlled dangerous substance with the intent to distribute and Terry Dale Wrolstad, 26, was arrested with possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute.
Officials verified the investigation continues and more arrests are expected.
By KATHY ZEHR
News Staff Writer
A Branson-style, "Hometown Christmas Show" for all family members will be presented Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at the Poncan Theater. More than 100 years of entertaining experience is rolled into this third annual show.
Scheduled to sing in their last performance together is the Local Vocals, who have performed in the Ponca City area for several years. Members of that group are Mark Brooks, Randy McDaniels, Larry East, James Payne, and Mark Yeakley.
All members of the Conoco Computer Department, the Local Vocals began as a singing group in 1987 and have added and changed various singing members from time to time. The current members began singing together in 1991 to perform a 1950s doowop medley for the United Way show. Since that successful beginning, they have added additional doowop numbers and expanded their repertoire to include gospel, light rock, country, and of course, Christmas.
Mark Brooks sings the first-tenor part, Larry East sings tenor-lead, Mark Yeakley sings lead-baritone-bass, James Payne sings baritone-bass and Randy McDaniel sings bass in the group.
Other acts performing with the Hometown Christmas Show include a trio titled "Sweet Harmony," with Donita Cooper, Becky Dye and Rhonda Walker. The "Kids Medley" features Shannon Love, Kimberly Evans, Blair Turney, Melissa Bacher and Derek Love.
Other performers and acts include Sean Love, Anna Heagy, Tim Muniz, Dana (Poulson) Nesselrode, Robert Nesselrode, Vickie Poulson, Mark Love, Chris Holroyd, Kevin Goldman, Rick Whiting, Cara Kem, Patty Curl, Keith Lessert, Annette and John Hunt, Melissa Whitington and the Fran's Dancers Senior Company.
Some performers will appear in multiple acts as well as in solo performances.
Tickets for the third annual Hometown Christmas Show will be available at the Master's Touch Christian Book Store or by calling 765-0169. Advance tickets are $5 for adults, $3 for ages 12 and under. Tickets at the box office will be $6 for adults and $4 for 12 and under.
John Taylor will emcee the show, which is produced and directed by Mark Love.
Editor, The News:
I am writing this letter to you out of fear and concern for anyone who relies on accurate weather reports.
The National Weather Service is installing all over the country Automated Surface Observing Systems (ASOS). This system is supposedly designed to report weather, unmonitored, replacing manual (human) weather observers. The Federal Aviation Administration is to use this system for their weather information. At larger airports ASOS is being monitored by FAA personnel such as air traffic controllers (tower), and Flight Service Station people. After having worked as a Flight Service Station journeyman, I would think FAA personnel have enough to do helping assure flight safety without having to monitor the ASOS equipment and the reports it produces.
Currently, I am supervisor of the Ponca City Federal Weather Observation Station. I have witnessed the "accuracy" of ASOS for about four years. It really frightens me to think this system will be the only weather information Ponca City and other unmonitored stations will be receiving. ASOS is OK for National Weather Service gathering data, BUT, it doesn't report thunderstorm activity, freezing precipitation, hail, and, when cloud cover and/or visibility is extremely critical to aviation, the reports are NOT reliable. ASOS evaluates a 3-foot section directly overhead of the sensors. It has reported clear skies when it was actually overcast and/or unrestricted visibility when the visibility was very low. It has reported snow in July, wind shifts that didn't occur, non-existent pressure changes, and, if there's a power failure (which happens often during thunderstorms) the ASOS equipment is totally useless.
A lot of money has been spent installing this system and if it must stay in operation, I would never leave it unmonitored. Even National Weather Service technicians maintaining ASOS equipment state that it isn't a good system by itself, it is only a tool. The local commuter airline, Lone Star Airlines, has expressed many times that they would hate to have to rely on ASOS for their weather reports.
The ASOS system at Ponca City is real close to being commissioned. After a short trial period, the contract weather observers will be eliminated. This isn't happening only at Ponca City, but nationwide. Apparently there's reason for great concern because articles have appeared in the Ponca City News and the Oklahoma City newspapers, plus, a couple of months ago, Channel 4 TV, out of Oklahoma City, made a special trip to Ponca City to interview me on how dangerous the ASOS system is. Published articles by the National Weather Service concerning ASOS discuss how great it records weather data - never flight safety. In addition, since the data produced by ASOS is as unreliable as ours, how accurate can the data be that the National Weather Service collects?
If the Federal Contract Weather Observation Station is closed down in Ponca City, the city will lose, totally, a service vital to many in the area. For example, the newspaper office calls us every day for weather data, Conoco has several research departments needing weather information, several local teachers use our weather information for their classes, also, we are used as a teaching tool (field trips) for science classes, scouting groups and preschool children. Others calling are crop sprayers, concrete layers, landscapers, city workers spraying for weed and mosquito control, the Department of Agriculture requires wind data occasionally, the police department needs weather conditions on a particular crime night and the local radio and television stations call daily for weather information. NONE of this will be available if we're eliminated. There would be no more weather history accumulated for Ponca City.
The system continues to report misleading information that could and will be critical to the flying public. I would like to see a halt to eliminating the human factor concerning weather observing. We can observe a 360 degree area, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, whereas, ASOS evaluates a 3-foot section straight up, inaccurately most of the time.
We are the last manual station in Oklahoma. We are the only accurate and dependable weather reporting station between Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Enid and Wichita, a 100-mile radius. A whole variety of weather can occur in a 100-mile radius.
I have never been one to resist change and I think modernization is great, but, at what cost? I understand that cutbacks need to be made, however, what price do we put on the safety of human lives? I would rather put out the expense to guarantee accurate and dependable weather reports than pay out airline insurance claims or law suits against the government because modernization produced an erroneous weather report.
I would like to encourage those who rely on accurate weather for Ponca City to contact the U.S. Department of Commerce, N.O.A.A., 819 Taylor Street, Room 10A26, Fort Worth, Texas 76102 or ASOS Program Office Wx23, 8455 Colevelle Road, Suite 705, Silver Springs, Maryland, 20910 or Federal Aviation Administration, Southwest Region Office, 2601 Meacham Boulevard, Fort Worth, Texas 76137, Senator Don Nickles, Senator James Inhofe and Congressman Ernest Istook.
If you have any questions or if further information is needed, please don't hesitate to call me at 765-9702, or drop by the Ponca City Airport Terminal Building. We are located on the second floor.
Kay S. Simerly
Supervisor
Federal Contract
Weather Office
By KATHY ZEHR
News Staff Writer
The annual Ponca Pizzazz Christmas Show, written and directed by Suzanne Kem will be presented at Hutchins Memorial Friday at 7 p.m. Tickets will be available at the door.
Billed as the "hottest holiday ticket in town," the rip-roaring, singing-dancing, musical show will include 50 local singing, dancing, cart wheeling elfs, Santa Claus, and American Kid Talent winners as featured performers. A champion trick rope artist, Joel Faulk, straight from the Royal Hanneford circus will also make an appearance.
The entertaining story, "Santa Got Lost in Texas" written by Kem, is about two of Santa's head elves, Merri (played by Elayne Cotton) and Berri (played by Marta Maril) who have come to Ponca City to help with the annual Children's Christmas Show.
During the performance, they track Santa's trip to Ponca City by radar - and disaster strikes! Santa's sleigh crashes, the radar quits working, and even with a top scientist (Tracy Patterson) brought in to help, Santa is lost!
To find out how the performers find Santa and get him back to Ponca City, attend the one-time performance Friday at 7 p.m. Tickets are $5 at the door.
Elfs who will be performing in the musical show are Shastina Abernathy, Alicia Allen, Lacy Allen, Kaitlyn Amos, Emily Beier, Sherri Beier, Amanda Bohon, Kimberly Campbell, Casey Cashon, Eric Chambray, Aubry Clark, Brittany Cook, Tiffani Cotton, and Vanessa Donaldson.
Also Carey Eggen, Tyler Fender, Lauren Fleck, Abby Fruits, Stephanie Garino, Rachel Harris, Chelsey Hill, Kandas Horinek, Megan Isenberg, Mandy Jones, Stephanie Kline, Katrina Kirsch, Kristina Kirsch, Paula Krueger, Cassidy Ladd, Katy McNew, Victoria Mansfield, Lindsey Mayse, Jennie Miller, Jessica Hisey, Ashely Nanni, Brynn Nulik, and Patrick Powers.
Also Caitlin Robertson, Stacy Schauvliege, Catherine Sonnichsen, Amber Stolhand, Jennifer Stone, Brooke Taylor, Kari Taylor, Molly Tomek, Tatum Turney, Lara Upshaw, Meghan Williams, Kristin Wittmer, Daniel Quinn, and Maggie Hartman.
In addition to the elfs, special acts will be performed by several groups and some solos by Blair Turney as the "Annie" doll, Cara Kem as "Barbie Doll," Melissa Backer as "Baby Doll," and Kimberly Evans and Daniel Quinn in "Leader of the Pack." Also a "Super Duper Christmas" featuring Audrey Euband, Kara Hardy and Becky McReynolds and "Santa's Gonna Rockit in a Boogie Woogie Choo Choo Train," featuring several other performers.
The Christmas Elfs and others will also perform in various scenes and acts titled "Sleigh Ride," "Sleigh Ride Dancers," "Fabulous Fifties Singers,", and the Annie Medley featuring the "Little Christmas Orphans."
Also featured on the program will be the special Christmas saxophone music by Mark Love.
The Ponca City Area Multiple Sclerosis Support Group will meet Monday at 6:30 p.m. at Albright United Methodist Church, 128 South Palm. Dr. Bruce Lutz, psychologist, will lead a conversation on giving and receiving support. All persons whose lives are effected by multiple sclerosis are welcome to attend. Patients, caregivers, and health professionals are all cordially invited.
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic illness of the central nervous system. Its symptoms can be anywhere from hardly noticeable to totally disabling. MS can bring on fatigue, loss of muscle control, tremors, blindness, and often, depression. Because of the stress caused by MS, it places great strain on personal coping, as well as relationships with others. As a result, participation in a support group can be a vital part of living successfully with MS.
The Ponca City group is affiliated with the Oklahoma Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. For information, please call Beth Wright, 765-6738.
NEWKIRK - The Kay County Board of County Commissioners on Monday will consider a resolution to authorize application for financial assistance for the Lake Blackwell area from Rural Economic Action Plan fund.
The matter will be part of the board's regular weekly meeting at 9 a.m. Monday on the first floor of the county courthouse.
In other action, the commissioners will award six-month bids for commonly used items, discuss storage space and consider a road crossing permit for water line installation northwest of Kaw City for Nut E Service.
By LAURA TREADWAY
News Staff Writer
Even in Ponca City, people lose jobs to so-called technological advances. Eight weather observers at Ponca City's airport will soon be replaced by Automated Surface Observing Systems (ASOS), according to the National Weather Service.
Installed throughout the United States, ASOS will serve as the nation's primary surface weather observing network. The Federal Aviation Administration and the Department of Defense have joined together with NWS for this program.
Designed to support weather forecast activities and aviation operations as well as supporting meteorological, hydrological and climatological research communities, the equipment expands the data currently available.
Proponents of ASOS, indicate the technology works non-stop, updating observations every minute, 24-hours a day, every day of the year, similar to efforts by weather observers.
The basic strength of ASOS is that critical aviation weather parameters are measured at airport runway touchdown zones. The system reports sky conditions (cloud height) up to 12,000 feet, presents weather information, obstructions, pressure, surrounding temperature, dew point condition, wind direction, wind speed and amount of rain.
However, ASOS does not report thunderstorms. The FAA plans to establish a national network cloud-to-ground lightning data to provide thunderstorm details for ASOS and other automatic weather observing systems by mid-1997.
Beverly Reese, Data Acquisitions manager for NWS, recently confirmed the plans to engage ASOS at the Ponca City Airport. Once the FAA determines the commissioning date, the process to document and verify that the system is communicating to all user communities will begin. Once a location becomes commissioned, the FAA issues a notice to airmen of the new site status.
Replacement of manual surface aviation observation began in early 1990s, stated Reese.
"The contract observers are a wonderful group of people. It's difficult to know we are losing the human factor," Reese said. "I think they have done an excellent job. They are conscientious and enthusiastic about getting the information out."
Gage was the most recent system commissioned in Oklahoma, in October. The manager reported minor outages, however, no problems had been reported.
Commissioned systems located in Oklahoma include: Tulsa, McAlester, Muskogee, Hobart, Wiley Post, Lawton, Stillwater, Clinton-Sherman and Gage. They are monitored at the Norman forecast office. In addition, the national center also receives notice of any problems.
One full time technician services the system on a priority basis, with one backup technician. Should a system go down, Reese stated that pilots have alternate routes if they cannot reach their destination or if ASOS fails and they cannot get the information needed. Reese also noted that numerous FAA flight service stations communicate data to air radios as a backup to ASOS.
"Pilots flying visually, can land without ASOS," she confirmed.
A few more ASOS are installed in the state, but no dates have been set for commissioning. Six sites have been commissioned between Aug. 1, and Oct. 31.
"In addition to the NEXRAD Doppler radar system, the ASOS is another component of a long-term effort to modernize and improve the accuracy of our weather forecasting system," U.S. Senator Don Nickles commented. "Each system operating in Oklahoma had to undergo an extensive testing period to ensure the equipment was operating properly and the Ponca City system will be tested in the same manner," he continued.
Howard L. Johnson, of the Oklahoma Climatological Survey, raised concerns about losing objectivity and understanding currently obtained from the human description. "Weather observers know what they are looking for. Observations provide more information and ASOS cannot estimate what is on the horizon," he noted. "From an interpretive perspective overall, I think it is not an improvement," Johnson commented.
ASOS is a tool available to the weather forecaster and the pilot briefer, however, it cannot correctly measure the percentage of sky covered by clouds. The equipment can make accurate height measurements when the laser beam intercepts clouds, remarked Johnson, and the system does a very good job with wind measurement.
"We need accurate weather and I don't feel ASOS is always accurate," remarked Janice Loftis, part time weather observer and manager of Loan Star Airlines. "As an airline, I hope we don't have to depend on it. I feel the equipment needs someone to keep an eye on it for when it does mess up."
Officials with the FAA were contacted early in the week regarding the start-up date of Ponca City's system, however, no information has yet been provided.
Every year during holiday time, there's a special need to increase awareness of blood donation. People often forget to give blood, but the need continues, says Patsy Bray, Donor Recruitment Representative.
"Someone in this country needs blood every two seconds. That's why giving blood through the American Red Cross may be the most important and noble thing you can do this holiday season."
Bray says, "Al donors are invited to come and give blood during Holiday Donor Days at the American Red Cross Center, 525 Monument (Fourteenth Street and Lake Road). A tree in the donor room is available and donors are encouraged to hang a blood drop on the tree in honor of a loved one this holiday season."
Special holiday pens will be given to donors Dec. 16 through Jan. 4.
Volunteer blood donors always receive a "mini physical" before giving. Red Cross nurses will check your blood pressure, temperature, pulse rate and blood iron level. In addition, your total cholesterol level will be tested and the results will be mailed to you a few weeks after donation, says Bray.
Volunteer blood donors must be 17 years of age or older, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in general good health. They cannot have a history of viral hepatitis after age 10, and individuals with behavior patterns and activities that place them "at risk" for AIDS will be deferred.
The Red Cross Blood Center is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Thursdays from noon until 7 p.m. as well as 9 to noon the first Saturday of each month.
Christmas Eve and New Years Eve the Center will be open from 10 a.m.
to 2 p.m. Donors can make an appointment by calling 765-6605 and of course
walk-ins are always welcome.
DEATHS
Stefan Iwanowycz Hercyk, resident of Ponca City since 1950, died Wednesday evening, Dec. 11, 1996 at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center of heart failure. He was 73.
A wake service was held Friday evening at the Trout Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. John J. Michalicka presiding. Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Saturday, Dec. 14, 1996 at 9:30 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church, with the Rev. John J. Michalicka, pastor, as celebrant. His grandchildren served as Lectors and in bringing up the gifts at Communion. Burial followed in St. Mary's Cemetery under direction of the Trout Funeral Home.
Born March 20, 1923 in Werchniaczka, Ukraine, Stefan Hercyk was the son of Ivan and Afija Szekmar Hercyk. When he was 16 he left school to enlist in his country's army, hoping to become a doctor. In 1940, Russian soldiers captured him and sent him to a Russian Labor Camp, from which he escaped a year later, just as World War II began. He was captured by Germans, managed to escape again and by the war's end was alone in Germany.
He entered the International Relief Organization, became a camp photographer and met the woman who became his wife, Kateryna Makaruk, also from the Urkraine. The couple was married in Tiibingen, Germany on Nov. 24, 1945.
The couple was imprisoned by Russian officers and French troops, later escaped and fled to Ludwigsburg, Germany. He worked as a carpenter for the U.S. Army while in displaced persons camp in Ludwigsburg, and later joined the International Police Force in Zufenhausen, Germany where he, his wife and daughter, Anna, born in 1946, remained until their departure for America.
Stefan first worked on Bob Donaldson's ranch near Burbank, Okla. after coming to this country. In 1950, he went to work for Gonterman's Dairy and Pioneer Service Station in Ponca City. He purchased his first 40 acres and a farm house in this area in 1954 and went to work for Nickles Machine Corp., retiring in 1988. He later worked full-time farming and ranching 875 acres with his sons.
He became a Naturalized U.S. citizen in 1965. He was an active member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, a 4th Degree Knight in the Knights of Columbus and a board member of Rural Water District 3.
Surviving are his wife, Kateryna of the home; two daughters, Anna Henley of Oklahoma City and Mary Smith of Ponca City; two sons, John Hercyk and Steve Hercyk, both of Ponca City; three sisters, Maria Melnychuk of Braford, England, Kalyna Palko and Anna Lupacij, both of Ukraine; three brothers, Mychajlo Szikmar, Fedor Hercyk and Wasyl Hercyk, all of Ukraine; and eight grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary's Catholic School Foundation, P.O. Box 1330, Ponca City, OK 74602.
Levi Tillman King
Levi Tillman King, resident of Marland, died at his home on Thursday evening, Dec. 12, 1996. He was 55.
A prayer service was to be held at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, 1996 at the Ponca Indian Baptist Church. The Traditional Indian Feast will be held at noon on Monday at the church, followed by funeral services at 2 p.m. The Rev. Ted Freeman, pastor, will officiate. Burial will follow in the Ponca Indian Cemetery under direction of the Trout Funeral Home.
Levi Tillman King was born Dec. 28, 1940, in Pawnee, Okla., the son of Funston B. and Bertha (Clark) King. He attended Pawnee Indian School, Chilocco Indian School, Haskell Institute in Lawrence, Kan., and Bacone College in Muskogee.
Tillman worked as a roofer most of his working life, working in several states, including California, Texas and Oklahoma. He was active in sports, especially football, while at Haskell Institute. He enjoyed fishing and Indian Fancy Dancing. Ill health forced his retirement in the mid-1980s.
Survivors include his wife, Barbara King of Tulsa; three sons, Brian of Tulsa, Randy and Donald, both of Lawton; two daughters, Nikki King of Texas and Cindy King of Lawton; eight brothers, George Woodrow King, John W. King, Philmore H. King, Chester Cline Haines, Douglas King, Francis King, Fred King and Robert LeClair King; five sisters, Pauline Warrior, Elizabeth King Switch, Nellie King, Cora King and Laura King. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one son, Alton, and a brother, Francis Roy King.
Casket bearers will be John K. King, David W. King, Indian Brown, Dwayne
Williams, Victor Sakiestewa, and Emery Roy. Honorary bearers will be Craig
Lewis, Les Williams, Jasper Clark, Kelly Clark, Clarkson Little Cook and
Dallas Kent.
NEWS BRIEFS
Christmas Open House - A warm invitation is extended to all community members to the Ponca City Library Christmas Open House, hosted by Friends of the Ponca City Library. The Christmas Open House will be in operation and serve refreshments from 6:30 to 8 p.m., Monday and from 9 to 11 a.m. Tuesday.
Legion Collecting Non-Perishables - The American Legion Post members are collecting non-perishable canned goods for distribution at Christmas. Ponca Citians who would like to donate canned goods are asked to bring their items to the Legion building on West South Avenue between now and Dec. 23.
Kids Special Time - Enrollment for the next semester of "Kids Special Time" at St. Pauls United Methodist Church is now open. The current classes will closed Dec. 20 through Jan. 8. Parents of children 2 months through kindergarten who are interested in the program or want to re-enroll their children may call 765-4810 or 765-7512.
School Evacuated - McCord Fire Department investigated a call at McCord School at 11:07 a.m. Friday. The building was evacuated after school officials reported smelling something in the south building. Apparently, a light overheated, but no smoke or fire resulted.
Collision - The Ponca City Police Department received notice of a non-injury accident one mile south of U.S. 60 on U.S. 177 at 12:29 p.m. Friday. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol was notified.
Accident - A Ponca City police officer took a report of a minor accident in the 2900 block of North Fourteenth Street at 4:02 p.m. Friday.
Narcotics Found - A resident in the 200 block of North Oak Street requested assistance from the Ponca City Police Department at 6:01 p.m. Friday. While at the residence, an officer found a small amount of narcotics, which he brought to the department to be destroyed.
Wreck - A Ponca City police officer took a report of an accident in the 2100 block of North Union Street at 6:15 p.m. Friday.
In Custody - A 45-year-old woman was taken into custody by a Ponca City police officer in the 1900 block of North Ash Street at 7:57 p.m. Friday for driving under suspension. At 8:08 p.m., an officer arrested a 22-year-old man in the 2600 block of Canterbury Avenue for an expired tag, driving under suspension, speeding and a Kay County warrant.
Citation Issued - A Ponca City police officer issued a citation at 8:36 p.m. Friday to a juvenile who had been banned from the Ponca Bowl, 2000 Lake Road.
Caught - A resident in the 1100 block of North Sunset Street notified the Ponca City Police Department at 10:17 p.m. Friday that a neighbor caught two juveniles breaking into a vehicle. An officer responded and confirmed that nothing was missing from the vehicle. The juveniles apologized to the resident.
Accident - A Ponca City police officer took a report of a minor injury accident in the 500 block of North Birch Street at 12:54 a.m. Saturday.
Burglary - A resident in the 3500 block of North Union Street advised the Ponca City Police Department at 2:04 a.m. Saturday that the residence had been broken into. An officer took a report.
Vandalism - A Ponca City police officer took a report of vandalism
to the First Baptist Church, 218 South Sixth Street, at 3:52 a.m. Saturday.
The officer noticed windows broken out on two buildings. The officer also
took a report of Christmas lights cut at the First Methodist Church, Sixth
Street and East Grand Avenue.
LIFESTYES
The Red Rose Garden Club met at the home of Mrs. Jim Ross, 402 North Sixth, December 9. The Ross home is one of several featured in the "Parade of Homes" and was decorated for the holiday. Co-hostess for the meeting was Mrs. Harold Younger.The silver appointed dining table was decorated with "faux food" and centered with a large faux chocolate cake flanked by maroon candles in silver candlesticks. Large flower garlands were positioned over the doorways.
Following dessert, Mrs. Younger and Mrs. Ross demonstrated the building of a gingerbread house, complete with shutters, chimney and a yard with evergreens. The house was made from gingerbread put together with powdered sugar icing. The shutters and chimney were decorated with miniature strawberries and hearts and the trees were inverted ice cream cones covered with green icing. The cobbled walks were created from red hots and the entire scene was covered with falling snow simulated with powdered sugar.
Mrs. Younger conducted the business meeting that followed the program. She also gave a garden council report, telling about the open house at the Cann Garden Center.
Mrs. Mary Coffee was introduced as a new member and guest for the event was Mrs. Mary Ann Avery. Announcement was made that Mrs. Ross would serve as garden club representative on the Ponca City Tomorrow Environmental and Beautification steering committee for 1997.
During the meeting Mrs. Ross spoke of the history of many of the objects decorating her home. She said many were collected from travel trips, particularly in Norway.
The next meeting of the Red Rose Garden club will be January 13 at the home of Mrs. John Strickland, 2606 Bluestem. Co-hostess will be Mrs. M. D. Timberlake. The program will be given by Susan Hill on flower arranging.
The Piano Workshop of Ponca City Federated Music Club met December 10 at the home of Kay Anthony for a Christmas meeting. Co-hostesses were Marge Howard and Diane Norris.
Following refreshments Helen Brakebill, program chairman, conducted a brief business session. Plans for the program to be given at the general meeting March 7 were discussed.
Mrs. Brakebill introduced Mrs. Anthony who was in charge of the program entitled "Christmas Collage," which consisted of volunteer holiday presentations.
Kay Anthony sang "I Love Christmas" with lyrics by Sue Lippert and "Sleigh Ride" by Leroy Anderson was presented by Becky Dye and Carolyn Hook. Other presentations were "Christmas Memory From the Depression Days," Alice Crowder; "Lo How a Rose E'er Blooming," arranged by Fred Bock and presented by Marge Howard; Barbara Manering with "Carol of the Bells", arranged by Bisharat.
Also "The Twelve Days of Christmas," (Oklahoma Style) with words by Barbara Brown and performance by Elma Robson and the group. A letter from Colene Round George about her visit with Jo Jane Ware, Javene Black and Patricia Dowling was shared by Cornelia Timberlake. The program closed with "Christmas Is Love," by Rhoda Young and performed by Mrs. Young and group.
The Retired Senior Volunteer Program members met for a Christmas luncheon December 10 at the Conoco Fourth Street Clubhouse. Outstanding volunteerism was recognized and "Santa Claus" made a surprise appearance in the form of Johnny Heinze who gave out door prizes and led the group in singing Christmas carols.
Project director Deanne Faw Faw-Fogleman states "our RSVP volunteers give the greatest gift of all-themselves. They give their skills, experience and spirit to our community of Ponca City and Kay County 365 days a year." The group includes 225 retired and senior volunteers who serve with United Way of Ponca City.
Among the areas RSVP assists with are the Wheatheart Nutrition, Ponca City Public Schools, nursing homes, literacy council,and hospital. One such volunteer, Carlena Jackson, says "I've been helping make Christmas baskets for shut-ins at church and it is such a joy and blessing to help others."
RSVP volunteers are men and women age 55 and older who participate in a vast range of community projects in more than 700 such programs nationwide. RSVP is part of the National Senior Service Corps which also includes the Foster Grandparent and Senior Companion programs. The Senior Corps is administered by the Corporation for National Service.
Bennie and Janet Warner, Route 1, announce the birth of a son, Benjamin Thomas Warner, at 10:31 p.m. November 4, at St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center. He weighed 5 pounds, 14 ounces and was 20 inches long.
Grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. Floyd T. Allen of Ponca City and the late Bennie L. Warner.
Bret Wade Keeler is the name chosen by Bill and Susan Keeler of Pawnee for their son who was born November 12 at 3:28 p.m. at Stillwater Medical Center. He weighed 8-pounds, 1-ounce and was 19 1/2 inches long.
Grandparents are Don and Pat Keeler of Ponca City and Ray and Ellen Mueller of Big Stone City, South Dakota.
Members of the Singles Network have announced December meeting dates. The organization is open to anyone divorced, widowed or never married.
A discussion group is planned for this evening at First Presbyterian church at 6:30 p.m. and December 16 there will be a birthday dinner at 6 p.m. at Pauline's.
December 18 a VCR party at Jay's at 7 p.m. is scheduled. Those attending are asked to bring snacks. Further information may be obtained by calling 765-7883.
Members are asked to attend the board meeting December 19 at 6 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church when the January calendar of events is being planned. The meeting has been scheduled earlier for those wanting to participate in the Merchant's drawing that evening. The group will eat at Blimpies December 20 at 6 p.m.
Mr. and Mrs. James I. Mullennax, 949 Riviera Drive, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary with a reception December 21, 2-4 p.m., at Sunset Baptist Church, Ash and Greenwood. The couple requests that there be no gifts. The reception will be hosted by the couple's children and grandchildren.
Mr. Mullennax and the former Wilma Marrs were married Dec. 21, 1946 in Sedan, Ks. They have resided in Ponca City since 1950.
Mr. Mullennax served in the U. S. Army for four years in the south Pacific and was employed at Conoco for 33 years, retiring in 1983. Both are active members of the Sunset Baptist Church.
PrimeTimers have been enjoying the season with trips to the Ozarks. Two separate groups took tours to Branson, Mo. to see the Christmas shows and enjoy the lighting displays. They also attended Silver Dollar City, the Lennon Brothers Breakfast Show and the Pump Boys and Dinette shows. The second group also attended similar shows, including the Lawrence Welk Christmas show, Wayne Newton and Shoji Tabuchi.
Previously the PrimeTimers group has attended shows by Van Cliburn, Carol Burnett and the World Champion Gymnasts. They also attended the OU-OSU football game, Remington Park, and the annual Birthday Bash.
Upcoming events include the Sound of Music performance at the Oklahoma City Civic Center, Stars on Ice, a trip to Tunica, Ms., the musical "Grease" at the Tulsa Performing Art Center, and a Spring trip to Branson. Other plans are for trips to the 89er PRCA Rodeo at the Lazy E arena, the Jewel Box theater, Pollard theater and "Thanks for the Memories" at the Crown theater. Further information may be obtained by contacting Kate Morton at Pioneer Bank & Trust.
The Tuesday Review Book Club will meet December 17 at noon at the home of Margaret Yeakley. Reviewer will be Virginia Huth and members are reminded of the gift exchange. Those attending the luncheon are asked to bring a salad, vegetable or dessert dish.
Fanchon Chapter 53, Order of the Eastern Star, will meet December 17 at 7:30 p.m. Announcement has been made by the Worthy Matron that women are to wear white and there will be an "Obligation" night as well as a Christmas party. Those attending are asked to bring a favorite snack or finger food for the party.
Miss Kerri Dawn Arrington and Lester Erik Stuckey have selected February 8 as the date for their wedding at Eastern Heights Christian Church.
The future bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Cris Klinger, 1317 South Eighth, and Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Arrington, 25 North Oaken Gate. Miss Arrington is the granddaughter of Vernon and Earlene Arrington and Lewis Murray of Ponca City and the late Thelma Murray.
The prospective bridegroom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Stuckey, 2 Rustic Road, and the grandson of Mrs. Ruth Wilson of Cherokee and the late Glen Wilson, and the late Lester and Ruby Stuckey.
Miss Arrington is a 1992 graduate of Ponca City High School and is co-owner of Oklahoma's Best View in Tulsa. Stuckey, a 1990 PCHS graduate, is employed as a computer technician at Sykes.
A "T'was the Night Before Christmas" luncheon will be held Wednesday from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. at the Ponca City Country Club by members of the Ponca City Christian Women's Club. All area women are invited to attend. Cost for the luncheon is $8.25 per person.
Presenting "The Stockings Were Hung" special feature will be Gaytha Sebor, a "Stampin'up" demonstrator. She will be showing how to stamp on an envelope and then make the envelope a gift sack as well as demonstrating embossing and how to make your own stationary.
Born in Fort Chaffee, Ark., Mrs. Sebor was reared in Ponca City and became a "Stampin'up" demonstrator in 1995. Crafts and rubber stamping are her hobbies. Mrs. Sebor and her husband, Greg, own and operate a family farm northwest of Ponca City. Also featured at the luncheon will be "Out on the Lawn-A Song," which will be shared by Kelly Mayer.
Guest speaker for the day will be Cathy Estes of Tulsa who will present "From the Chimney to the Heart." Born in Ohio, and a graduate of New Delhi, India high school, she will receive a master's degree in Human Relations this month from the University of Oklahoma.
She is in the process of preparing for state exams in order to be a licensed professional counselor and a licensed marriage and family therapist. Mrs. Estes, and her husband, Frank, who is a therapist, work with developmentally disabled individuals. They are the parents of two grown children.
Currently chairperson of the Developmental Disabilities Service Division Area II of the Department of Human Services, Mrs. Estes is Tulsa's CWC area representative. Arts, crafts and decorating are among her hobbies and she "loves nature and its beauty," according to a spokesperson.
As guest speaker she will be sharing "how her perspective is not always correct" and will illustrate it with a personal oil painting as well as tell how to overcome stress "in our lives due to change. Our five senses don't always give us an accurate account of what is going on in our lives and she suggests that we need to develop a sixth sense."
Each woman attending will receive a Christmas ornament. Reservations for the luncheon and child care can be made by contacting Cindy, 762-2151 or Karen, 765-9835 by Tuesday. Reservations must be honored, cancelled or used by a friend.
Asbury United Methodist Church in Oklahoma City was the setting November 30 for the 7 p.m. wedding ceremony joining Christle Lee Thomas of Wewoka and Jimmy Dale Burris of Blackwell. The sanctuary was decorated with greenery, baby's breath, gold ribbon and white tulle for the candlelight ceremony. Officiating was the Rev. Gale Izard.
The musical program included "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring", "Canon in D Major," and "Trumpet Voluntary." Melissa Martich sang "Grow Old With Me." Candlelighter was Brett Newman, cousin of the bride.
Escorted to the altar by her grandfather, C. Wayne Hil, the bride wore a designer sheath dress by Demetrios with cap sleeves and a jewel neckline. The floor length satin dress was embellished with Venice lace medallions. The back featured a bow at the waist with a detachable Italian satin crystal pleat train. Her fingertip veil was secured by a pearled crown. Her ensemble was completed with elbow length gloves, rhinestone and pearl earrings and a Venice lace garter. She carried a bouquet of Calla lilies trimmed with white and gold ribbons.
Following the exchange of vows and rings the couple knelt on a pillow handmade by the bride's mother and "The Lord's Prayer" was played on the piano by the bride's sister, Rebekah Thomas. Soloist Melissa Martich sang "Your Love Amazes Me" as the couple lit a family heirloom unity candle made from candles from the wedding of the bride's grandparents, C. W. Hill and the late Rosene Hill.
Maids of honor were Melissa Thomas of Norman and Rebekah Thomas of Miami. Serving as bridesmaids were Rita Gantt of Watertown, Ma., and Tasha Jackson of Oklahoma City. Their floor length, black sheath dresses were accentuated with individual short, chiffon trains. They wore opera length gloves.
Attendants for the bridegroom were Joey Handy of Oklahoma City, best man; Jeff Thompson of Copan, Chon Chitanvong of Wichita, Ks. and Mark Mitchell of Blackwell, groomsmen. Serving as ushers were Erik Thomas, Phil Burris, Steve Burris and Tracy Coltharp.
Guest book attendant was Liz Wilkerson and assisting with the reception at the Hilton Inn Northwest were Michelle Scorsone, Chris Carter and Beth Hollars. The reception featured a dinner bufet, champagne toast, and dancing for 150 guests. The bride's cake ws a four tier, split level, with a topper of fresh flowers. The bridegroom's cake of German chocolate was bordered with chocolate-dipped strawberries.
The bride is the daughter of Christine Hill Haris of Wewoka, and the bridegoom is the son of Lois Burris of Blackwell. Among the guests attending the ceremony and reception were Beverly Thomas of Shawnee, the bride's paternal grandmother; Margaret Roberts of Blackwell, maternal grandmother of the bridegroom; Mark and Elaine Hill of Hollywood, Ca., uncle and aunt of the bride; and Joan Ingram of Roswell, N.M., great-aunt of the bride.
Using information from the book, "North Central Oklahoma: Rooted in the Past, Growing for the Future", Mrs. Robert (Paula) Denson, president of the North Central Oklahoma Historical Association, Inc., will present the program, "Ponca City Christmas Past and Other Early Day Stories" at the December 20 meeting of the Ponca City Daughters of the American Revolution at 1 p. m. at the Cultural Center.
Special guests will be Andy Parsons, DAR Good Citizen, and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Parsons. He will be presented a Good Citizen's pin and certificate at the meeting. He will receive a monetary award at Ponca City High School's award assembly in the spring.
Before the program meeting there will be a board meeting at 12: l 5 according to the regent, Mrs. Virginia Mair.
Mrs. Denson, a new member of the Ponca City DAR Chapter, and a life-long member of the Ponca City community, has been active in her profession as a registered dental hygienist. Although she is currently retired from dental hygiene, she maintains her membership in the American Dental Hygiene Association, the Oklahoma Dental Hygienists Association and the Kay County Dental Hygienists Society, where she is currently president. In her role as a professional oral health care provider, she has donated many hours of her own time speaking in schools and other organizations about her profession, and teaching preventive oral health care.
As president of the North Central Oklahoma Historical Association, Inc., which she formed as a non-profit organization, she guided the publication of a history book for north central Oklahoma. The book won a national certificate of commendation from the American Association for State and Local History in September. Mrs. Denson has also served as president of the Pioneer Genealogical Society. She has researched family history extensively, traveling to Salt Lake City, Kentucky, Tennessee, Kansas, Arkansas and Texas.
A lifetime member of the First Presbyterian Church, Mrs. Denson is serving her second term as an active elder. She has been involved in Valley View Family, Community and Education Group and has served various officer roles in PTA, instrumental band parents, as well as Finley 4-H. She was honored as Woman of the Year for the Camp Fire organization in l993. She is well known as a local seamstress and crafts person and has taught basic sewing at Pioneer Area Tech Center. In 1994 she opened her own home-based business titled "Affairs to Remember," where she rents special event items such as wedding candelabra and reception skirts.
She is married to Robert Denson, a petroleum research technologist at Conoco, and the couple has two daughters, Kathy and Kelly.
Chairman of the hostess committee tor the meeting is Mrs. Ralph Beaty. Assisting her will be Mrs. K. C. Anderson, Mrs. Douglas Flink, Mrs. P. J. Ruckel, Mrs. Harold Taylor, Mrs. William C. Ziegenhain, Mrs. Ralph Brenneman, Mrs. J. T. Riggs, Mrs. John Strickland, Mrs. Sally Bolene Williams, and Mrs. William Martin.
Mr. and Mrs. Sam Haynes are observing their 50th wedding anniversary. Sam Haynes and the former Patricia Younger were united in marriage Dec. 14, 1946 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Clinton.
They made their first home in Okmulgee, moving to Ponca City in 1951. They have resided at 908 North Ash for the past 43 years. Both are members of St. Mary's Catholic Church, where they belong to the Pioneer Club.
Mr. and Mrs. Haynes are members of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 120l and Ladies Auxiliary; PrimeTimers at Pioneer Bank, and Heritage Club at First National Bank.
Mr. Haynes was employed at T. R. Boggess Lumber Company for 13 years before its closing. He then was employed at First Baptist Church for 18 years, retiring in 1985. Mrs. Haynes has been employed for 20 years in the nursery-childcare area of First Baptist Church.
The couple celebrated their golden anniversary with a dinner at the Western Sizzlin' restaurant. Children of the couple are Wes and Patty (Haynes) Schneider of Ponca City, Leon and Sandra (Haynes) Whittaker of Wichita, Ks. Grandchildren are Andy and Traci (Schneider) Krider of Oklahoma City, James Schneider of Ponca City, Michael Whittaker and Cynthia Whittaker of Wichita.
A Holiday "tea party" complete with English tea from London, teapots with cozies, scones with strawberry jam and clotted cream, as well as cranberry shortbread was a special occasion for 22 members who attended a December meeting of the Ponca City Council of Garden Club.
In keeping with the tea party and tradition members of the Iris Garden Club wore hats and gloves to complete their ensembles for the event.
The holiday-decorated Cann Garden Home was the setting for the party. Marlene Roth read an excerpt from a book by Emilie Barnes entitled "If Teacups Could Talk."
The next Council meeting will be January 8 and the program will be presented by F. G. Williams about "Legumes and Tomatoes."Further information may be obtained by calling Rebecca Barker, Council president, 765-1689.
Announcement is being made of the engagement and approaching marriage of Mendy L. Hollingsworth and David W. Fraley. The couple plans a December 28 wedding at Longwood Baptist Church.
Miss Hollingsworth is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Russell Hollingsworth and Mr. and Mrs. John McFarland, all of Ponca City. Fraley is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Gary Fraley of Ponca City.
The engaged couple attends Ponca City High School where they are seniors. The future bride is also studying cosmetology at Pioneer Technology and Fraley is an electronics student there.
The Wheatheart Nutrition menus for December 16-31 have been announced. The menu is subject to change, but meal plans are expected to be as follows.
December 16: Pizza burger, tomato rice soup, oven-fried potatoes, bun with butter, peach crisp.
December 17: Cheeseburger pie, scalloped potatoes, seasoned green beans, orange juice, frosted cherry dessert.
December 18: Sliced turkey with gravy, mashed potatoes, carrots-raisin salad, whole wheat roll with butter, cook's choice desert.
December 19: Lasagna, tossed salad, sliced peaches, french bread with butter, sugar cookie.
December 20: chicken and noodles, buttered broccoli, mixed fruit, biscuit with butter, cherry fluff.
December 23: Enchilada casserole, chips (in entree), tossed salad, Mexican cornbread with butter, mixed fruit.
December 24-25: Holiday/no menu.
December 26: Creamed chicken, mashed potatoes with gravy, tomato juice, seasoned green beans, cheese biscuit with butter, apple crisp.
December 27: Ham, beans, tomato relish, cornbread with butter, pear halves.
December 30: BBQ sandwich, orange juice, baked beans, bun with butter, sliced peaches.
December 31: Oven fried chicken, mashed potatoes with cream gravy, buttered mixed vegetables, biscuit with butter, applesauce cake.
SUNDAY
Ponca City Art Center, 819 East Central. Wednesday through Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m.
Marland Mansion and Estate, 901 Monument Rd., open daily May-September, 10 to 5 p.m. Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. Daily guided tours, 1:30 weekdays. Petroleum Museum and Marland Memorabilia Museum, 1 to 4 p.m. daily. For mansion guided tours, 767-0420.
Ponca City Cultural Center and Museum, 1000 East Grand. Includes Bryant Baker Studio, 101 Ranch and DAR Rooms. Open 1-5 p.m. Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays, closed Tuesday.
Singles Network discussion group, 6:30 p.m. Sunday, First Presbyterian Church. All single adults welcome.
Narcotics Anonymous, 8 p.m. Sunday, Harmony House, 212 South Third, basement (use south entrance by parking lot).
MONDAY
Road to Hope Al-Anon, 11:30 a.m. Monday. Call Linda at 765-7045, home, 767-5328, work; or Carol at 765-2390, home, 767-6192, work, for location.
Ponca City Rotary Club, noon Monday, Marland Mansion Chapel.
Alcoholics Anonymous, noon Monday, for those with desire to stop drinking. information, call Sue 765-256.
Fibromyalgia Support Group, December 16, 7 p.m. Williamsburg Parlor, First Baptist Church. Those with questions may call Lilly Freeman, 762-9027; Vivian Cross, 765-8871, or Martha Long, 762-5572.
TOPS OK 308, 6:15 p.m. Monday weigh-in. Meeting starts at 7 p.m. For more information, call Delpha Clemens, 762-2844 or Betty Flower, 765-5448.
Freedom Group of AA open meeting 12 and 12 study, 6:30 p.m. Monday, Woodlands Christian Church, Fourteenth and Hartford. Smoke-free meeting and building. Call 762-3345 for more information.
Senior Citizens' Dance every Monday, 7 to 10 p.m. at the American Legion, Ponca City. Everyone welcome. "Hayriders Band."
Al-Anon meeting, 8 to 9 p.m. Monday, upstairs in the Harmony house, 212 South Third.
Principles Before Personalities, Narcotics Anonymous, 8 p.m. Monday, Harmony House basement, 212 South Third. Use south entrance by parking lot.
TUESDAY
Preschool Storytime for 4, 5, and 6 year olds, Ponca City Library, 10 and 11:30 a.m.
Kiwanis Club, 11 noon Tuesday, American Legion.
Parent Support Group, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Northern Oklahoma Youth Services Center. Focus on parental concerns and frustrations, as well as ways to increase understanding and communications between parent and child. Support, education, coping techniques, and introduction to non-punitive parenting styles.
Domestic Violence Group, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays. Programs for women children of family violence. Baby sitter provided. For info, call 76A-BUSE.
Weight Watchers meeting, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, St. Paul's United Methodist Church. Weigh-in begins at 6 p.m.
Kay County Wheatheart Sweet Adelines, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Room 110, Wilkin Hall, Northern Oklahoma College, Tonkawa. All welcome. For information, call 765-1172 or 363-0469.
Overeaters Anonymous, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Woodlands Christian Church. For information, call 762-2965.
Fanchon Chapter No. 53, Order of the Eastern Star, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, regular meeting at the Masonic Temple, 1200 West Grand. Obligation night and Christmas party. Women wear white. Bring snack or fingerfood.
New Hope AA at 8 p.m. Tuesday, at DAV, 401 South Lincoln.
New-Found Freedom Co-dependents Anonymous, 8 p.m. Tuesday, Harmony House (upstairs library).
Principles Before Personalities, Narcotics Anonymous, 8 p.m. Tuesday, Harmony House, 212 South Third, basement (use south entrance by parking lot).
Tuesday Review Book Club meets at noon December 17 at Margaret Yeakley's home. Reviewer will be Virginia Huth. A gift exchange is planned and those attending are asked to bring salad, vegetable or dessert.
WEDNESDAY
Storytime for 2 & 3 year-olds, Ponca City Library, 515 East Grand, 10 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Short stories, songs, use of flannel board. Lasts about 15 minutes. For information, contact the library.
New Hope Group of Alcoholics Anonymous, 8 p.m. Wednesday, DAV, 401 South Lincoln.
Lilac Garden Club will meet at 10 a.m. Wednesday for a Christmas brunch at the Cann Garden Center.
THURSDAY
Story Hour for school-aged children at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the Ponca City Library.
Deadline for Happenings and items for Sunday's edition of Lifestyles, noon Thursday. For Happenings, include name of club, day of week, time, place and hostess.
Parent Support Group, 9:30 to 11 a.m. Thursday, at Northern Oklahoma Youth Services Center. Focus on parental concerns, frustrations as well as ways to increase understanding and communications between parent and child. Support, education, coping techniques, and introduction to non-punitive parenting styles.
Jaycees, 7 p.m. first and third Thursday, Chamber of Commerce meeting room. Interested persons welcome to attend any meeting.
Model Railroad Club, 7 to 10 p.m. Thursday, Stevens Building 113 North Third. For info, call 765-6486 or 765-7996.
Ponca City Bahai Community Discussion Group, 7:15 p.m. Thursday, for location, call 765-3178 or 762-5 529.
New-Found Freedom Co-dependents Anonymous, 8 p.m. Thursday, Harmony House (upstairs library.).
Freedom Group of AA; open meeting at 8 p.m. Thursdays, Woodlands Christian Church (Room 202), Fourteenth and Hartford. Smoke-free meeting and building. Call 762-3345 for more info.
Principles Before Personalities, Narcotics Anonymous, 8 p.m. Thursday, Harmony House basement, (use south entrance by parking lot).
FRIDAY
Pioneer Rotary Club, 11:45 a.m. Friday, Crown and Rose English Pub.
Principles Before Personalities, Narcotics Anonymous, 8 p.m. Friday, Harmony House, 212 South Third, basement (use south entrance by Smoke Free building. For more information call 762-3345 or 765-9459.
New Hope Group of Alcoholics Anonymous, 8 p.m. Friday, at DAV, 401 South Lincoln.
7-8 p.m. December 20, Brace Books & More on North Fourteenth: Cowboy Coffee Time with Les Gilliam, the Oklahoma Balladeer performing at the coffee bar.
SATURDAY
Overeaters Anonymous, 10 a.m. Saturday, Woodland Christian Church. For information, call 762-2965.
New Found Freedom Co-dependents Anonymous, 8 p.m. Saturday, Harmony House
(upstairs library). Smoke-free.
SPORTS
By DAVID BROWN
News Associate Sports Editor
After playing so well in a pair of close road losses to highly regarded opponents, the Ponca City Wildcats were soundly beaten at home by a Sapulpa team that has everything but depth.
Although the final score of 46-33 doesn't seem all that bad, Sapulpa led 44-24 with just over two minutes left in the contest before removing all its starters. Ponca City made just one late addition to its lineup - sophomore Tom Engle - and closed with a flurry behind four consecutive layups by its front line players.
Sapulpa used a blend of size, quickness and good shooting to slowly pull away from the Cats. The size was supplied by 6-7 players Brian Cardwell and Joe Russell and 6-4 Eric Hall. The quickness from guards Dee Marshall, Kory Williams and Mario Johnson and the shooting from just about everyone but Russell.
Cardwell finished with 10 points to lead the balanced Chieftain attack. Hall and Johnson scored 8 each, Marshall had 7, Kyle Baker 6 and Williams 5.
Ponca City was led by Andy Parsons, who finished with 11 points. Ryan Meyer hit two late layups to close with 7, Sawyer Blackburn and Jason Shelton had 6 each and Micha Alexander had 3 points.
The Wildcats shot just 35 percent from the field (14 of 40) while Sapulpa was 18-for-33, 54.5 percent. Sapulpa was also 7-for-11 from the free throw line while Ponca City was 2-for-3.
"That was pretty much the key to the game," head coach Ken Chronister said of the shooting statistics. "They just backed in there and we didn't shoot well from the outside. and they are the kind of team that's hard to catch up on because they are so deliberate with the basketball. But if we hit our shots like we had been we're in the game."
Ponca City led just twice in the contest and both times came early, at 1-0 and 3-2. Sapulpa went on a 9-0 run to take an 11-3 lead but the Poncans reeled them back as Parsons and Meyer closed out the period with back-to-back treys, making the score 11-9.
Sapulpa's Marshall opened the second quarter with a running baseline shot that was answered by Parsons on the other end. Cardwell of the Chieftains used his heighth to hit a nice turnaround jump shot and Blackburn followed with a jumper of his own to keep the Cats within two at 15-13.
Ponca City then went cold, making just one of its final eight field goal attempts over the last five minutes. Sapulpa, meanwhile, converted on 4 of 8 shots in the final 4:26 to build a 23-15 halftime lead.
Sapulpa scored first a minute and a half into the third period and then Ponca City scored as Shelton muscled his way inside for two points. The Cats immediately applied a full-court press and picked up a quick steal that turned into a Blackburn basket and Po-Hi trailed by just six, 25-19.
Sapulpa called time at the 5:41 mark and the Ponca City press wasn't a factor again.
"We had planned to use that press because we thought it would give them some problems. But if you don't score you can't get into it," said Chronister.
And the Cats quit scoring. The Chieftains went on a 6-0 run to go back up by 11 before Blackburn scored again with 26 seconds left.
That shot looked like it might give the Poncans a little spark going into the fourth but Marshall dashed those hopes as he buried a trey at the buzzer to put Sapulpa up 34-21 after three.
A 10-3 Sapulpa run over the first six minutes of the fourth quarter put the Chieftains up 20 and they closed out with JV players on the court.
Prior to the insertion of those Chieftains, the Cats had managed to make just 10 of 35 field goal attempts (28.6 percent).
The Poncans will try to get back their shooting touch at eighth-ranked Jenks next Friday. The Trojans were upset by unranked Owasso Friday 46-40.
By DAVID BROWN
News Associate Sports Editor
Granted, No. 1 ranked Sapulpa didn't have a lot of intensity the second half after building a 46-16 halftime lead over the Ponca City Lady Wildcats here Friday night. But the Lady Cats still put together a performance to be proud of by outscoring Sapulpa 35-18 in the second half and closing within 11 points before losing by 13, 64-51.
"We've got something to hang our hats on with that second half," said head coach Larry Rehl afterwards. "But they are a heck of a ball team. They are just so quick it's hard to make adjustments. But we played a lot more relaxed that second half."
Sapulpa (3-0) was all over Ponca City in the first quarter. The Chieftains forced nine Po-Hi turnovers and got the Lady Cats in early foul trouble by driving to the basket on nearly every possession.
Sapulpa, which was 12 of 16 from the free throw line in the opening stanza alone, led 28-9 at the end of the period and Ponca City guards Desiree Cries For Ribs and Tee West both had three fouls while starting post Tiffani Essary had two.
The second quarter featured more of the same as Sapulpa outscored Ponca City 18-7 and ended the stanza on a 12-1 run.
The Lady Cats went into the locker down 30 on 6-for-17 shooting from the field (35.3 percent) and 3-for-8 shooting from the line with 16 turnovers. On the offensive glass, Sapulpa owned a 10-1 edge. The Chieftains were also 16 of 24 from the line.
The lead swelled to 33 points in the early stages of the third quarter and was still at 31, 55-24, with three minutes left. Ponca City then kicked it in gear.
Junior guard Natasha Anderson hit a jumper at the 2:39 mark and that started a 9-0 run to close out the period. Lyndsey Warrior followed with a nice driving bucket, Anderson swished a leaner and the 6-3 Warrior, who led Po-Hi with a career-high 20 points, closed the period with a three-point play.
Keesha West, a 5-8 junior, kept the surge going into the fourth as she rebounded a missed shot and made the putback. West ended up with three offensive rebounds in the period and scored all 7 of her points in the fourth.
After West's bucket, Cries For Ribs scored down low to cut the Sapulpa lead to 55-37.
Reserve Becky Gowdy ended Po-Hi's 13-0 run with a jump shot but the Poncans outscored Sapulpa 7-1 over the next three minutes to make the score 58-44.
After another Chieftain basket, West made a three-point play and had a chance at a second but missed the free throw with Po-Hi down 60-49 with 1:30 to play.
Mandy Nightingale scored Sapulpa's final four points from the free throw line and the Chieftains claimed the 64-51 win to send Ponca City to 0-3 on the season.
In addition to 20 points from Warrior, Anderson had 9, Keesha West 7, Essary 6, Cries For Ribs 5 and Tee West 4.
Nightingale, who had an amazing seven offensive rebounds despite being just 5-5, led Sapulpa with 15 points. Kara Faulk had 13 and Misty Bruner 12 for last year's state runnerup.
Ponca City ended up making 16 of 27 second half field goal attempts (59.3) and finished 22 of 44 for the game (50 percent). But the free throw shooting never improved as the Lady Cats ended 6-for-15 from the line (40 percent).
On the turnover front, Po-Hi had 21 but only 5 in the second half.
Sapulpa shot 39.2 percent from the field (20 of 51) and 66.7 percent from the line (22 of 33) with 10 turnovers - seven coming in the second half.
The Lady Cats will play their final first semester ball game Friday, Dec. 20, at Jenks, a 59-31 loser to fourth-ranked Owasso Friday.
By FRED HILTON
News Sports Editor
TULSA - Half a point. Half a measly point.
That was the margin Class 4A's No. 2 Tulsa East Central edged out Ponca City in the closest race in memory for the Tulsa Union Wrestling Classic title.
East Central, which had five wrestlers in the finals, got slightly better production from its consolation grapplers to nudge the Poncans, who had six finalist. The Cardinals scored 197.5 points to 197 for the Wildcats
The Cats crowned three champions, Mark and Matt Dodgen at 125 and 130 pounds, respectively, and Stockton Graves at 171.
Mark Dodgen was named the tournament's Outstanding Wrestler.
Jacob Beck at 140 pounds took second as did Jay Bentley at 189 and Cory Burkett at heavyweight.
The Poncans managed to get just two wrestlers into the consolation finals. Phillip Gelino and Toby Redleaf finished fourth at 103 and 152 pounds.
Josh Bailey (112), Doug Scott (135) and Marciano Villarruel (160) all placed sixth as the Wildcats placed 11 of the 13 wrestlers the took to the tournament.
"We led it to the very end," a disappointed coach Pat Young said. "It just wasn't enough. We had a very good day of wrestling yesterday (Friday). We didn't have such a good day today. We gave up too many back points in important matches.
"But overall it was a good tournament for us. We're disappointed, but second place out of 14 teams here is not bad."
The Wildcats will get a bit of a breather before journeying to Shawnee Friday in their final dual before the holidays.
Team Scoring
Tulsa East Central 197.5, Ponca City 197, Claremore 171.5, Tahlequah 162.6, Coweta 1569, Tulsa Union 145, Putnam City West 115, Jenks 113, Wagoner 92, McAlester 41, Tulsa McLain 31, Tulsa Hale 30, Tulsa Memorial 7, Tulsa Rogers 0.
By FRED HILTON
News Sports Editor
TULSA - "We just got on a roll," Wildcat wrestling coach Pat Young grinned as the Wildcats rolled over the field of the Tulsa Union Wrestling Classic Friday.
"It happens," Young said as the Cats won six of seven semifinal bouts and five of six consolation matches in the night session to grab first place in the team standings after the first day of the tournament.
"I don't know what will happen tomorrow (Saturday), but tonight we were rolling," Young said.
Ponca City had 155 points and all but one wrestler still alive going into the final day of the tournament Saturday. Tulsa East Central was second with 137.5 with Claremore third at 132,5 and Tahlequah a surprising fourth at 111 in the 14-team field.
East Central is the No. 2 ranked team in Class 4A and Claremore is No. 7. The Wildcats entered the tournament unranked.
Tahlequah had a big lead after the first session Friday but stumbled Saturday night.
Prior to Saturday night's semifinals, Young was hoping to get four Wildcats into the finals. He got six thanks to major upsets by unseeded heavyweight Cory Burkett and third seeded 189-pounder Jay Bentley.
Burkett upset top seeded Downing of East Central in the first round Friday when the Cardinal injury-defaulted with about a minute left in the match. Burkett was leading 3-1 at the time.
In the semifinals, Burkett held off No. 4 seed Tsoodle of Tahlequah, 3-2 in sudden death.
Burkett sandwiched a takedown between two escapes by Tsoodle in the second period for all of the scoring in regulation and the overtime period. Winning the coin toss to start the sudden death period, Burkett took the down position and escaped in 10 seconds.
Bentley decisioned Miller of Coweta in the first round, 4-3, to set up the semifinal match with No. 2 seed Garcia of Wagoner.
The Wildcat had little trouble with the higher seed, scoring a takedown and near fall in the first period en route to a major 9-1 decision.
The other four Poncans - Mark Dodgen, top seeded at 125; Matt Dodgen, second seed at 130; Jacob Beck, second seed at 140; and Stockton Graves, top seed at 171 - all followed form, but in most cases added important points.
Mark Dodgen majored Hargrave of Tulsa McLain, 17-2 and pinned Caruthers of Jenks in 3:53, building a 4-0 lead before flattening the Trojan.
Matt Dodgen collected a technical fall over Ming of Jenks and pinned Brown of Coweta in 3:32. He had a 7-1 lead before the end.
Beck pinned King of East Central in 5:25 and the majored Holt of Union 18-10, gaining a pair of near falls in the process.
Graves fell his way into the finals, pinning Williams of Rogers in 4:20 and Thompson of Putnam City West in 5:42.
The only loss suffered by the Poncans in the semifinals was by No. 3 seed Phillip Gelino at 103 pounds. Gelino pinned Caves of Jenks in 1:47 in the first round, but lost a 10-3 decision to No. 2 seed Mayes of Claremore.
Even the early losers for the Cats came back strong.
At 112 pounds, Josh Bailey lost a technical fall to third seed Bruner of Claremore in the first round, but then stopped Shipley of McLain, 6-4, in the consolations.
Doug Scott (135 pounds) fell 5-0 to second seed Hammer of Tahlequah, but stormed to a 10-2 major decision over Moore of McLain in the consolations.
Newcomer Justin Hall (145) lost 8-4 to No. 3 Lunsford of Union but then collected a second period fall over Benally of Coweta.
Second seed Toby Redleaf (152) was upset by Kruczynsky of Coweta but rallied in the consolation round, reversing Seabolt of Jenks to his back in the second period for a fall.
Marciano Villarruel (160) also came from behind in the consolation to pin Noviski of Claremore in the consolations after losing a major decision to No. 2 Dolina of Jenks in the opener.
The only wrestler lost in the first day's action was 215-pounder Nick Steichen, who is still trying to shake off the rust after being away from wrestling for a couple of years.
The Poncans were void at 119 after Willie Ivie came down ill Thursday,
LIBERAL, Kan. - Northern Oklahoma's Lady Mavericks saw their four-game winning streak snapped by 21st-ranked Seward Community College here Friday night, 85-53, in the Pizza Hut Classic.
Seward, the host school of the tournament, used a powerful inside-outside attack to build a 41-28 halftime advantage of the Lady Mavs and continued its fine play in the second half to keep pulling away.
Part of Northern's downfall was cold shooting. The Lady Mavs were just 19 of 69 from the field (27.5 percent) and 12 of 22 from the line (54.5).
"You can't beat anyone shooting like that," said head coach Greg Krause. "Our post players missed a lot of inside shots and we were just 3 of 17 on our three-point attempts."
Michelle Brown topped NOC with 14 points and 12 rebounds. She was the only Lady Mav in double figures in either category. Lynetta Geter was next with 8 points and 9 rebounds.
Also scoring for Northern were Annie Thornton, 8; Jill Kliewer, 6; Sherry Butts, 6; T. J. Humphries, 6; Brandi McClellan, 3, Chanda Myers, 1; and Mandy Perkins, 1.
Northern (5-7) closed out the first semester against Dodge City Saturday afternoon.
Ponca City's JV boys worked their way out of a first period hole but ended up dropping a 36-33 decision to Sapulpa here Friday night.
"We started out real flat," said coach Larry Degan. "Then we stepped it up and played hard the rest of the way. We took the lead in the third but then they came back on us in the fourth for the win."
Sapulpa led 10-6 at the end of the first period and 17-13 at the half. The Poncans came back in the third to go in front but the game was tied at 25-all entering the fourth.
Brad Brewer led Ponca City with 7 points. Scott Larrison and Matt Bolin scored 6 each, Nathan Zimmerman had 5, Mat Stewart and Gabriel Maciel added 4 each and Tom Engle scored 1 point.
"One area that really hurt us was our free throws," commented Degan. "We made just 7 of 16. So that's something we can work on. And these kids will work on that and they'll get better."
The JVs will take their 1-2 record to Jenks Friday.
Ponca City's eighth grade Blue boys ended the first semester with a 4-2 record after a 38-34 loss at Enid Waller Thursday.
Prior to that game, the Poncans swept Enid Longfellow, winning 40-24 in Enid Dec. 3 and 41-19 at Ponca City Dec. 10.
Against Waller, Ponca City trailed 12-8 at the end of the first quarter and 21-15 at the half. But the Blues fought back by outscoring Waller 9-6 in the third to pull within 27-24.
Enid withstood the charge in the fourth, though, and took the four-point win, 38-34.
"Jeremy Miller topped the Blues with 16 points. Biby was next with 4 points, James Anno, Kyle Henderson and Travis Delaney all had 3 points, Josh Pitts and Michael Martin scored 2 apiece and Jared Brashears had 1 point.
Dec. 3 against Longfellow, the Blues led 14-0 at the end of the first and never looked back in winning by 16, 40-24.
Miller had 8 points, Biby 6, Pitts, Martin and Jeff Hand 4, Anno and Delay 3 and Matt Bond, Brashears and Mark Parsons all had 2 points.
The second Longfellow game was much the same as the first with the Blues breaking out to a 12-2 first quarter lead and a 25-7 halftime lead.
Biby topped the Blues with 12 points while Miller and Brashears had 6 apiece. Also scoring for Ponca City were Parsons and Henderson with 4 each, Hand, Delaney, Bond and Matt Caine with 2 apiece and Anno with 1 point.
The Blues are now off until playing in the Edmond-Sequoyah Tournament Jan. 9-11.
Plans are underway for the third annual Ponca City High School Alumni Association's alumni basketball games. The games are scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 21 at Robson Fieldhouse.
In addition to former Po-Hi players, former cheerleaders and hi-steppers are also invited to attend the event as are former members of the Big Blue band.
The women's game is scheduled to tip off at 6:30 p.m. with the men to follow at 8. Admission is free.
Those alumni wishing to participate in the event should contact the following people:
Men's Basketball - Norris Frederick (762-2679); Women's Basketball
- Mark Lechtenberg (765-3841); Cheerleader, Hi-Stepper - Sheryl
Kincaid (762-4346); Band - Stan Long (765-7387).