From The Pages Of The Ponca City News, Wednesday,
December 25, 1996
LOCAL
Christmas Eve Traffic Accident Takes One Life
Nearly News
Christmas 'Think Tank'
Christmas Editorial
Christkindlemarkt Historic Celebration
WIC Nutrition Program Helpful to Moms, Kids
Ponca City Has Mural History Preceding Post Office Effort
SJRMC Program Offers Freedom From Smoking
Cable Customers Help Kids
Mandates To Increase City's Landfill Expense
Community Pool Announces Hours For Pool Activity
Recycling Helps Thwart Thieves During Holidays
DEATHS
Services Pending
Martin Blueback Sr.
Johnna Osgood
Roy Pitts
NEW BRIEFS
SPORTS
Wildcats' Linemen Net Honor
BLACKWELL - A Blackwell woman was killed Tuesday evening in a two-vehicle accident on State Highway 11 west of here, the highway patrol reported.
Juanita C. Durbin, 42, was the passenger in a 1990 Mercury traveling west 1.5 miles west of Blackwell when the car was struck from the rear by a 1997 Chevrolet pickup truck at a high rate of speed, OHP Trooper Steve Warlick said in his report.
Durbin was pronounced dead at the scene from a neck injury, the report said. The driver of the car, Daniel Frederick Durbin, 17, of Blackwell, refused treatment at the scene for a neck injury, the trooper said.
The pickup driver, Ronnie Earl Gildhouse Jr., 27, of Nardin, was wearing seatbelts and was not injured in the 6:05 p.m. mishap, the trooper said.
JoAnn Muchmore, director of the Poncan Theatre, reports that Jewel "Juli" Jean Busken, the Norman ballerina who was found murdered at Lake Stanley Draper, danced at the Poncan on at least two occasions - March of this year and in April 1995. JoAnn says her troupe was the "nicest bunch of people." Ponca City ballet fans mourn her death.
THREE-YEAR-OLD Garett Logan watches patiently as his father Kirby (right), of Kildare, and his uncle Rob Barber of Blacitas, N.M., repackage his gift during county officers' holiday celebration Tuesday at the Courthouse in Newkirk. Opening the gift was easy for Garett, but putting it back together required "a think-tank meeting of the minds," his father said. (News Photo by Mark Galvin)
Joy to the World
"Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a savior which is Christ the Lord."
Words spoken by an angel to shepherds in the fields near Bethlehem ring down through the ages to us today. "Good tidings of great joy" - A message of happiness in an unhappy land.
In a skeptical world where we doubt so much - honesty in government, future job security, continued abundance of natural resources; fear so much - terrorist attack, contaminated food, random violence; dread so much - old age, disease, the unknown; there is still the hope of that message from 2,000 years ago.
Those shepherds in the hills near Bethlehem had many of the same fears we have today. Those fears were certainly compounded on that cold winter night when the brilliant light and overwhelming sounds of the angel chorus brought that message of hope and redemption.
But the fear was quickly replaced by the excitement and thrill of a promise fulfilled - the birth of the long-awaited Messiah, the savior who is Christ the Lord.
The story of the birth of Christ is one of the best known in the world. Even though many of us shy away from "organized religion" or fall away from that "faith of our fathers" taught to us as youngsters, we still are familiar with that story from the past that holds so much hope for the future. There is a feeling of comfort and joy throughout the world today because of that simple message.
Certainly, wars have not ended. Crime continues. Children suffer from hunger or from abuse in homes where there seems to be little hope. But that message of joy and hope still resounds. The tidings still offer solace to the afflicted and downtrodden. There is a promise of peace on earth.
We in Ponca City have celebrated the Christmas Season with the Festival of Angels. The multi-colored lights and displays are meant to bring joy and happiness to those who view them. Remember the central theme - the angels - the messengers of God who brought "good tidings of great joy" and the hope of "peace, good will toward men."
Merry Christmas!
Foster Johnson
They come from the four corners of the globe to visit Germany's oldest Christkindlemarkt in Nuremberg each year. More than two million visitors were expected this season.
Christkindlemarkt is held each year from Dec. 1-24. Many towns host an annual Christkindlemarket, each featuring the handcrafts and foods of their region.
The Christkindlemarkt dates to the beginning of the 17th century and was celebrated shortly before Christmas then as it is now. It derives from a custom initiated by Martin Luther where children were given present for Christmas.
For hundreds of years, Nuremberg has been known as the "World's Toy Centre" as well as the site of Germany's most famous Christkindlemarkt.
Today, stand-owners - some 180 in all - continue to offer toys and Christmas decorations in thousands of variations.
The enticing aroma of Nuremberg famed Lebkuchen (gingerbread cookies) and gluhwein (a special hot, mulled wine available only during Christkindlemarkt) drift over the crowds as they browse through the Markt. Shoppers find a variety of stollens, Christmas breads, Nuremberg bratwurst and pretzels to choose from as well.
Familiar Christmas music can be heard across the Markt each day as it is performed by groups of schoolchildren, adult choirs and orchestras. Many visitors gather at the stage to join the singing. To hear English, German, French, Japanese and many other languages joining together to sing favorite Christmas carols is a wonderful experience. You know the wish is the same in any language - for peace on earth, good will toward men.
RED ROCK - Food, nutrition counseling and access to health service are provided to low-income women, infants and children under the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for women, infants and children, popularly known as WIC.
WIC provides a federal grant to the Otoe-Missouria tribe for supplemental foods, health care referrals and nutrition education for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding and non-breastfeeding postpartum women, and to infants and children up to age 5, who are found to be at nutritional risk.
Otoe-Missouria WIC provide vouchers that participants use at authorized food stores.
WIC is effective in improving the health of pregnant women, new mothers and their infants. WIC participation was also linked with longer gestation periods, higher birthweights and lower infant mortality. About 40 percent of the babies born in the U.S. are served by WIC.
Pregnant or postpartum women, infants and children up to age 5 are eligible. They must meet income guidelines, a residency requirement and be individually determined to be at "nutritional risk" by a health professional.
To be eligible on the basis of income, applicants' income must fall below 185 percent of the U.S. poverty income guidelines. That includes family size of 2, annual income $19,166; 3, $24,013; 4, $28, 860; 5, $33,707; 6, $38,554; 7, $43,401; 8, $48,248 and for each additional family member, $4,847.
Two major types of nutritional risk are recognized for WIC eligibility:
* Medically-based risks (high risk designated) such as anemia, underweight, maternal age, history of pregnancy complications or poor pregnancy outcome;
* Diet-based risks such as inadequate diet pattern.
Nutritional risk is determined by a health professional such as a nurse, physician or nutritionist and is based on federal guidelines.
WIC participants receive vouchers that allow them to redeem a monthly food package designed to supplement their diets. The food provided are high in protein, calcium, iron and vitamins A and C. These are the nutrients frequently lacking in the diets of the program's target population. Food packages are for different participants categories.
Otoe-Missouria tribe WIC operates 6 certification and issuance sites. They include Otoe-Missouria Tribe, Red Rock; Pawnee Indian Health, Pawnee; White Eagle, Ponca City; Kaw Nation, Newkirk; Brumley Community Room of OSU, Stillwater; and a new site, Gantz Center of Phillips University, Enid.
Any questions about time and dates may be answered by calling 1-800-228-7942, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except for holidays. You do not have to be a Native American to participate in this program. The WIC program is open to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, sex, national origin, age or handicap, according to Henrietta I. Pratt, WIC director.
Editor's Note: Ponca City's Post Office, with the assistance of a citizen's committee, is launching a mural project for the lobby of the building. Jerry Cathey, Postal Service worker, is heading up the project, with the guidance of Postmaster Jack Weatherford. This is the eighth in a series on Post Office Murals in Oklahoma and Kansas.
By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE
News Staff Writer
Besides the planned Postal Mural, Ponca City has other murals already. Smith Home Furnishing has a large mural depicting Ponca City's Grand Avenue during the 1940s.
The mural, painted by Anne Vandagriff in 1989 is in Smith's building at 417 East Grand. The building was formerly occupied by Montgomery Ward, The Compound Mall and the Grand Galleria.
A veteran muralist, Vandagriff had painted murals from Texas to Alaska. She has done a number of church murals including the Free Will Baptist Church in Blackwell.
She started at the top of the East Grand mural and worked her way downward to the buildings. First she determined the scale she wanted to work with, which was one inch per foot, sketched the mural, then did the painting.
Unknown Muralist
A humorous mural has been discovered in the top of the old Graves Drug on Grand Avenue. The mural, featuring a cow and three monkeys, is on the southeast wall of the top floor.
No one seems to know the origination of the mural or who painted it. According to Realtor J.B. Smith, the building was built in the 1920 era.
Post Office Mural Update
Dec. 31 is the deadline for artists to have their preliminary entries in for the Ponca City postal mural. The judging will be between January 5th and 7th, according to Jerry Cathey.
The canvas panels will be going out to finalist artists on Jan. 15. The Panels are due back by April 1. Next, plans are to get maintenance and engineering involved people involved as to how the murals will be hung on the wall of the lobby.
Cathey said that entry forms have been sent to 20 newspapers, radio stations, former Ponca City artists, 20 colleges and universities and 30 or 40 local artists hoping to get a good representation, Cathey said.
Among those specifically contacted were Joe Parellas in Guthrie and Chas Tullis of Hominy. Interested artist may contact the Post Office for more information.
Do you smoke because of tension and stress? Have you quit before, only to start smoking again when pressure mounts? Was quitting on your own too much of a burden? Have you resolved to become a non-smoker in 1997?
The "Freedom from Smoking" program conducted by St. Joseph Regional Medical Center and the American Lung Association of Oklahoma may be just what you need to become smoke free.
"Quitting involves more than simply eliminating a bad habit," says Martha Denney, RN, program coordinator and American Lung Association certified instructor. "It's a major change in lifestyle which affects a person's self-image and the ways daily stresses are handled. Sometimes you can't eliminate smoking permanently unless you replace it with other coping strategies."
"Freedom from Smoking" gives smokers and opportunity to gain strength from a peer group. "Quitting can be easier for some people when they share the experience," adds Denney.
Developed and tested extensively, the American Lung Association's "Freedom from Smoking" clinic has seven sessions. "Quit Night" is the third session. Although most sessions are held Monday evenings a week apart, the fourth session is held two days after the third to offer support and encouragement within 48 hours of quitting.
"We think smokers need all the help and support they can get when they quit," says Denney. "And that's what we try to provide through the program."
The group program opens with an orientation on Jan. 6 and culminates in a celebration on Feb. 17. All sessions will be held at SJRMC from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in Conference Room D. Enrollment fee for the program is $50.
"We'd like to have room for everyone," said Denney, "But attendance is limited to 15. The sooner smokers call, the better chance they have to join the group and kick the habit!"
Contact Martha Denney with your questions or to register for the sessions at (405) 765-0201.
Post Newsweek Cable customers recently donated more than 200 toys to needy children as a result of a promotional event sponsored by the cable company, titled "Best of Show Time".
According to Post Newsweek Cable General Manger Jerald Stone, "For a new toy or donation, customers were offered the show time package for 30 days, free, plus free installation, which is a total $45.95 value.
"Some of our thoughtful and generous customers who were already signed up on the "Best of Show" cable brought in toys and donated them, too," said Lois Payne, PNC marketing manager.
Tom Short, New Era Resource Agency (welfare agency) manager, received the toys for distribution to needy children whose families received help through that agency.
"We are so thankful to all these many people and to Post Newsweek Cable for making Christmas a happy occasion for the children whose parents are having a hard time right now," said Short.
Short also said the welfare agency had served more than 2,000 families in Ponca City this year.
By LAURA TREADWAY
News Staff Writer
Ponca City's landfill costs will multiply tenfold as a result of new federal mandates.
According to Public Works Director Ken Parr, the department previously spent $15,000 an acre to begin work in a new section of the landfill. With new federal requirements, a phase will run $150,000 an acre. Expansion to the existing site is expected to total approximately $1.6 million.
Final plans will be submitted to the Oklahoma Health Department in January, Parr confirmed. He expects the site to be under construction by May 1997 and the project will be completed within 60-90 days. Part of the project will be financed by a $750,000 grant and a $250,000, 20-year, no interest loan both through the Oklahoma Department of Commerce.
Whereas, just a few decades ago, no solid waste statutes existed across much of the United States, today standards guide performance, design, maintenance and operation, as well closure and post-closure. These standards protect ground water, air quality and surface waters.
In addition, design standards minimize liquids admitted to the active areas of landfills, provide leachate collection systems and install liners. Fencing surrounds each landfill site. Furthermore, maintenance and operating standards require dust control, no open burning of garbage, litter collection compaction and daily cover.
The landfill operation of the Solid Waste Department consists of two attendants, one manager and three heavy equipment operators, who average at least 10 years of employment with the department. They use a compacter, two 23-yard scrapers, a motograder, a dozer, compacter roller and a pull tractor in daily operations.
Revenues from the Solid Waste Department come from actual money generated at the landfill and from rates collected. Transfer of revenues to the city's general fund have increased about $40,000 to $162,000 in 1996, said Parr. however, the transfer varies each year.
The landfill has monitor wells to detect groundwater contamination and is in the process of completing a monitor well to detect methane gas. The installation should be complete by February, the director said.
Additionally, a three-foot clay liner is installed at the base of the landfill site. The liner is compacted every six inches to insure the liner is so dense that if 10-feet of water were sitting on top, it would take 20 years for the water to get through. New standards require not only this three-foot clay liner, but a synthetic liner and a leachate collection system. Parr said these measures are designed for the worst case scenarios and are not necessary in Oklahoma.
According to Parr, the landfill serves a population of 35,000, including Ponca City and surrounding rural areas. The city's landfill is approved by the Environmental Protection Agency and permitted by the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality, he said.
Disposing of solid waste at the current site began in 1989. At today's volume of 110 tons per day, the site will last 17 years, according to Ken Wilson, Solid Waste superintendent.
"We don't run a dump, we run a landfill - we have the training to do the job right. Danny Thompson, the superintendent, does an excellent job," Parr said.
In 1990, the average Oklahoman produced five pounds of solid waste per day, according to Solid Waste Management In Oklahoma, Science and Public Police Program at the University of Oklahoma.
Parr was named the director of Public Works in April of 1994. He received a bachelor degree in civil engineering at Oklahoma State University. A registered land surveyor, Parr also is certified in waste water and water treatment plant operation.
Water is an excellent way for individuals of all ages and fitness levels to achieve injury-free, effective exercise results, according to Deena Marazas, YMCA aquatic director
The Community Pool is open for lap swimming, shallow and deep water walking, family and open swimming at various times for individual needs.
The schedule is as follows:
Monday through Friday morning from 5:30 to 8:15 a. m. (lap swimming, shallow and deep water walking).
Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p. m. (deep water walking): noon to 1 p. m. (lap swim and shallow water walking).
Tuesday and Thursday from noon to 1 p.m. (lap swim, shallow and deep water walking).
Monday through Friday evening 5 to 6 p m (lap swim, shallow and deep water walking)
Friday evening family swim from 6 to 8:30 p m (parents are encouraged to accompany their children).
Saturday 11:30 a m to 1 p. m. (lap swim, shallow and deep water walking).
Saturday 1 to 3 p. m. (open swim).
Sunday 2 to 4 p. m. (open swim).
Ms. Marazas says pool memberships are available by the year for singles and couples or one may come as a walk-in. For more information, contact the YMCA at 765-5417.
Not only is recycling an environmental issue, but it can also help residents avoid holiday burglaries.
Ponca City Police Chief Raymond Ham wants to insure that holiday celebrations are not careless windfalls for criminals.
"It is important to plan holiday festivities with an awareness that goes a long way toward preventing crime," he said.
For example, too many people advertise their favorite Christmas presents by placing the empty boxes in the trash can.
"This can be an immediate opportunity signal for potential burglars," Ham said. "We are so fortunate to have a recycling system in Ponca City that takes our cardboard boxes. The Recycling Center is the safe and smart place to haul our corrugated cardboard boxes."
In addition to cardboard, the center accepts newspaper, all other types
of paper, aluminum and steel cans, metals, glass and vehicle batteries,
said John Meadows, Waste Reduction coordinator. For more information, call
767-0411.
DEATHS
Martin Blueback Sr.
Martin Blueback Sr., Ponca City area resident, died Tuesday, Dec. 24, 1996, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. He was 76.
An evening prayer service will be held at 7:30 tonight at the Ponca Indian Baptist Church.
Other arrangements are pending with Grace Memorial Chapel.
Johnna Osgood
BLACKWELL - Johnna Osgood, 44, died Tuesday, Dec. 24, 1996, at Wesley Hospital in Wichita. Services are pending at Roberts and Son Funeral Home in Blackwell.
Roy Pitts
BLACKWELL - Roy Pitts died Tuesday, Dec. 24, 1996, at Hillcrest Manor
in Blackwell. Services are pending at Roberts and Son Funeral Home.
NEWS BRIEFS
Vehicle Fire - An emergency 911 call at 7:54 a.m. Tuesday reported a vehicle on fire in the parking lot of a department store in the 2600 block of North 14th Street. A unit from the Ponca City Fire Department responded and put out the fire.
Refrigerator Mishap - The Ponca City Police Department contacted police in Perkins to help a man there who had a refrigerator fall on him. The response came after an emergency 911 call at 11:48 a.m. Tuesday from the 1100 block of West Liberty Avenue in which the caller said she was talking to a relative in Perkins when the accident occurred and they asked for an ambulance.
Vandalism Reported - A caller from the 3500 block of Lake Road reported to Ponca City Police Department at 12:47 p.m. Tuesday that two juvenile males in a silver-colored sports car threw a 4-by-4 board through the window of a pickup truck and left eastbound on Lake Road. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Shoplifting Charge - Ponca City police arrested a 36-year-old female at 1:19 p.m. Tuesday on a complaint of petit larceny after an alleged shoplifting incident at a department store in the 1100 block of East Prospect Avenue.
Three-Vehicle Accident - A non-injury three-vehicle accident was reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 2:15 p.m. Tuesday outside a restaurant in the 2500 block of North Fourteenth Street. Emergency workers responded but no transportation to medical facilities was required.
Juvenile Arrested - An officer of the Ponca City Police Department arrested a 16-year-old male at 3:16 p.m. Tuesday on a complaint of grand larceny after store employees in the 2100 block of North Fourteenth Street reportedly chased and subdued a shoplifter leaving the store. The employees returned the suspect to the store and the police had him in custody.
Arrest Made - A Ponca City police officer in the 900 block of North First Street arrested a 26-year-old male at 9:16 p.m. Tuesday on city warrants and out-of-state warrants for failure to appear.
Subject Held - An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported from the 800 block of West Otoe Avenue at 10:44 p.m. Tuesday that a 21-year-old male was arrested for driving under suspension and on a city warrant for failure to appear.
No Heart Attack - An emergency 911 call at 2:02 a.m. today indicated a possible heart attack victim in the 600 block of South Eleventh Street. Police reported the 48-year-old man merely had indigestion and would call back if the medicine didn't work quickly.
Assault Victim - Ponca City Police reported from the 400 block of East South Avenue at 3:05 a.m. today that an unidentified person, reportedly the victim of an assault in White Eagle, was transported by ambulance to the St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center emergency room. The officer notified the White Eagle Police Department.
Tutoring Classes - The the Ponca City Area Literacy Council will be offering a new literacy tutoring class in January. New tutors or those who want to take a refresher course are welcome. Session 1 will be Jan. 16,5:30-8:30 p.m.; session two on Jan. 18, 9:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m., and Jan 23, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Light lunches or snacks will be served during the sessions. Call (405) 767-0351 for more information or to enroll.
Annual Church Women Meeting - The annual meeting of Church Women
United will be held Jan. 3, 1997, at the St. John's Baptist Church, 1009
S. 11th St. at 9:30 a.m. Annual reports will be heard and election and installation
of 1997 officers will be held.
SPORTS
Two Wildcat defensive players have been named to the All-Star-By-Class football team named by the Oklahoma Football Coaches Association.
Defensive linemen Ryan Chapman and David Newland were named to the 13-player defensive squad for the Class 6A All-Star East team.
Tulsa Washington had four members on the 26-player 6A East team. Stillwater and Tulsa Union each had three, Joining Ponca City with two were Sand Springs, Sapulpa, Muskogee, Broken Arrow and Owasso. Shawnee, Tahlequah, Tulsa Memorial and Tulsa Rogers each had one.
Eight area players were named to the all-star teams in three other classes.
In Class 4A, Blackwell quarterback Travis Wilkins was selected.
In Class 2A, Pawnee placed quarterback Barry Bruns and offensive lineman Jason Price.
In Class A, Woodland placed offensive lineman John Damron. linebacker Roan Brazee and J.D. Brumley.
In that same class, Woodland placed running back Kevin Randall and offensive lineman Matthew Flanery.