From The Pages Of The Ponca City News, Tuesday, December
31, 1996
LOCAL
Nearly News
How About 'Like Son Like Mother?'
Selection of Own Power Firm Could Be Within Near Future
Rex Purdy Named Commission Chair
Ponca City Teen Candidate For Miss Teenage America
DEATHS
William S. Carlisle
Nell Ethridge
Doyle Wesley Warren
Obituaries
The Rev. Leonard Carl Anderson
C.L. "Loyd" Ward
Funerals
Arden C. Finch
NEWS BRIEFS
BUSINESS
Change, Regrouping Noted In Area Business, Industry
City Sales Tax Collections Up During October
Tonkawa Chamber Names Guest Speaker
County Jobless Shows Increase
SCORE Workshops
Paralegal Seminar
Establishes Foundation
Health Directory
LIFESTYLES
Mr. and Mrs. Serriere Wed For 65 Years
Unit III Members Attend Luncheon
Muchmore Gives Unit II Program
Group Selects Lynda Smith
Nearly News has it from a very reliable source that Gini Carey is looking for a pickup truck heading to Austin after Jan. 1, that would be available to take a large toy to that area. Please contact a very concerned grandmother Jan. 2 at 762-7907.
NN is excited about a story which appeared in the Tulsa World on the 27th which concerned a former Ponca Citian and daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Vernon Merrifield. Their daughter, Janet Merrifield has been instrumental in helping Ellen Barker, who is quadriplegic and on a respirator, find a computer and lap top printer. Barker uses a tongue depressor to type on the computer keyboard and hopes to move on to college soon - planning to enter OSU next year. She is interested in studying business management and tele-communications with dreams of one day running her own business. She writes stories and one day hopes to see one of her stories made into a movie, Janet said. NN says "hats off" to Janet for offering a helping hand.
At one time or another we have all probably heard the saying "like father like son," but how about "like son like mother?" For Carol and Michael Orr this definitely seems to be more appropriate.
Michael graduated from the nursing program at Northern Oklahoma College and is working as a registered nurse at the Meadowlake Treatment Center in Enid. After thirty-five years, his mother, Carol seems to be following in his footsteps. She has returned to school to study in the health care field also.
Carol is currently enrolled in Sallie Williams' medical office assisting programs at Pioneer Technology Center. Orr is learning skills like minor surgical set-ups, injections, appointment scheduling, vital signs, EKG's, accounting, transcription and a broad area of computer usage. "It is never too late to return to school," said Orr. "Things are a little different, especially the computers! Yet that happens to be one of the areas in which I enjoy working."
Well, you might be wondering just what is so unique about this, but remember, like son like mother. While Michael was attending school at NOC his instructor was also Sally Williams. "The neat thing about having taught Michael and Carol is that it was my first year at NOC when I taught Michael and this is my first year at Pioneer Tech when I started teaching Carol," said Williams. "This is really a unique situation. It makes me feel like I am at home."
Carol just recently went to work part-time as a nurse's aide at the Blackwell Hospital. Orr is also learning some functions of a hospital by working as a ward clerk. The time spent working at the hospital will also apply toward the clinical experience required in the MOA course.
By LAURA TREADWAY
News Staff Writer
Nationwide, customers may soon be selecting their electric company just as they pick their long distance provider. Many state legislators and regulatory commissions are currently debating and negotiating new rules for a deregulated, competitive electric market.
Deregulation will replace the last monopoly industry in America. In the long run, deregulation promises reduced electricity costs for industrial, commercial and residential users. In the short term, promises of reduced electricity bills appear to be extended to only industrial or large commercial facilities.
Retail wheeling, the utility jargon for moving power across a transmission or distribution system, has a goal to provide customers with better service at lower prices.
Charges are essentially transportation charges. Residential and small commercial customers would be able to acquire power from an outside supplier and the local utility would deliver it. For example, Ponca City acquires power from the Oklahoma Municipal Power Authority and delivers it to local residents.
"Feasibility of open competition goes beyond politics and regulation. It depends on changes in technologies and markets for bulk power and vice versa," according to Karl Stahlkopf, vice president of Power Delivery Group, Electric Power Research Institute, Palo Alto, Calif.
"If advanced technologies are used to improve both the physical control of electrical transmission and distribution systems - retail wheeling is indeed feasible. Most likely, it will work for proactive power providers taking advantage of revolutionary technologies that are transforming the industry," he said.
At the federal level, Rep. Daniel Schaefer, R-Colo., unveiled a bill considered the first effort by a Republican to deregulate the electric industry, the Electric Consumers' Power to Choose Act. The bill would give public power utilities an opportunity to determine how to implement retail choice for customers, with minimal requirements and guidance from legislation.
States, public power and other utilities would have six months from the date the bill is enacted to decide whether to implement retail wheeling. Schaefer indicated customer choice should be available by 2000.
According to Margaret Kriz, in the National Journal, Aug. 3, 1996, debate issues include reliability of the electric system and whether states or federal government will have control. Additionally, unpaid bills that utilities ran up for investment in projects, referred to as stranded costs, must also be addressed.
Furthermore, market power resulting from mergers concern some utility and consumer groups. These groups also worry that residential and small-business customers will end up paying higher rates. In addition, there is an environmental debate over accusations that the energy regulators' proposals could result in dirtier air.
The state legislature as well as regulators of the electric industry are looking at deregulation in Oklahoma. Action at the state level has increased pressure on Congress to establish federal ground rules for competition throughout the nation.
By MARK GALVIN
News Staff Writer
NEWKIRK - District Three County Commissioner Rex Purdy - by the unanimous vote of the other two commissioners - is the new chairman of the county commission board.
District Two's Wayne Leven takes over Purdy's role as vice chairman. The positions are actually on a rotation basis, with a new chairman and vice chairman each year.
Dee Schieber, commissioner of District One, described his year as 1996 chairman as a "smooth run," although he acted happy it was over.
Purdy said, "That's a pretty big accomplishment if you can keep it running halfway smoothly during the year."
He projected that a few of the big county issues for 1997 will be possible approval to build a juvenile detention facility here and a way to redo the Blackwell Health Department facility. Schieber said another goal is to get the county budget down to 90 percent of expected revenue.
In Monday's regular weekly board meeting, the commissioners rejected a $72,105 bid from Lambert Co. of Stillwater to remodel the Kay County Health Department building in Ponca City. Lambert was the only construction company to submit a bid.
Leven said the health department rejected the bid because the cost of the project turned out to be twice as high as what they expected. The commissioner board is required to open and approve such bids for the health department.
The remodeling project may be readvertised for bids, Leven said.
In another move, the courthouse's fourth floor was again an issue, as the commissioners agreed to apply for a state NODA grant totaling $33,075 to add a stairway to the top floor and remodel two upstairs areas for office space.
The fourth floor, which once was the old county jail, is used now as mostly storage space, such as for court clerk archives and old election ballots. Storage space - or the lack of it - has been part of the conversation at the last several commissioner meetings.
Leven said the move to remodel the fourth floor, if approved, will do nothing for storage, but the county should try for the NODA money while it's available.
"Storage will be a lot cheaper than office space," he said.
The board also applied for an $11,734 NODA grant to get emergency communications equipment for the Dale Township volunteer fire department.
The grant, if approved, will provide 10 pagers and pager answering service, mobile radios for vehicles and a radio tower antenna for the fire department, which serves the area northeast of Newkirk.
The board also voted to shop for bids for cleaning services inside and maintenance outside the county courthouse, since the current contract has been in effect for three years.
Leven, who initiated the motion, explained, "We don't want to get into a rut here, and get people complaining." Purdy seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.
The board also decided, at the request of Pat Zehr of the county safety/civil defense office, to begin CPR recertification for county employees.
County Clerk Pam Goodno's office said the county currently employs 162 people, each of whom are required to know CPR. Districts one and three have 21 employees each and district two has 18. Other than the 36 people in the sheriff's office, the remaining county employees work in the courthouse.
Cara Kem of Ponca City is one of 200 candidates to make it to Level I of TEEN Magazine's 1997 Miss Teenage America Program. She is now under consideration to reach Level II and be one of the 40 semifinalists.
The 200 candidates, selected from the 10,000 entries received, were chosen based on their scholastic achievement, general awareness, individual accomplishments, community service, poise and personality. The 40 semifinalists will be selected based on their responses to questions relating to home and school life, goals and current affairs.
The Miss Teenage America Program, administered by TEEN Magazine is the most prestigious of its kind. Established in 1961, the program is designed to recognize outstanding young women between the ages of 13 and 18.
The twelve finalists will be flown to New York City for a full week of activities including judging, sightseeing, modeling and media appearances. Miss Teenage America 1997 will be announced at a press party held in New York in March 1996.
Miss Teenage America 1997 will travel as a spokesperson for the programs sponsors Redmond and Caboodles.
Coverage of the 1997 Miss Teenage America program will appear in the
July 1997 issue of TEEN Magazine.
DEATHS
GRAINOLA - William S. "Bill" Carlisle, longtime resident of Grainola, died Monday, Dec. 30, 1996 at his home. He was 63.
The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 2, 1997 in the Grainola Methodist Church with the Rev. Bill Long officiating. Burial will follow in the Maple City Cemetery in Maple City, Kan. under the direction of Grace Memorial Shidler Chapel.
Bill Carlisle was born June 28, 1933 in Grainola, Okla., the son of Straud Franklin and Alice Marie (Helms) Carlisle. He grew up and received his education in the Grainola schools.
Mr. Carlisle served overseas in Korea in the United States Army from 1956 to 1958. Following his discharge he worked as an oilfield pumper, roustabout, welder and also as a ranch hand.
On May 27, 1963 he was united in marriage to Doris Christine Anderson in Miami, Okla. They have made their home in Grainola since that time. He worked as a fencing contractor for several years before going to work for Osage County in the road maintenance division. He retired in June of 1996.
He was a member of the Methodist Church and enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren.
Surviving are his wife, Christine of the home; two sons, William S. Carlisle Jr. and Herman Wayne Carlisle, both of Shidler; one daughter, Debbie Jackson of Grainola; one brother, John V. Carlisle of Shidler; three sisters, Mrs. Paul (Frankie) Fulsom of Cedar Vale, Kan., Mrs. Jerry (Arley) McNeil of Argonia, Kan., and Mrs. Jay (Hazel) Pontious, of Lincolnville, Kan.; 10 grandchildren, 31 nieces, 43 nephews, five aunts and two uncles. He was preceded in death by his parents, one granddaughter, Montana Anderson Carlisle, and six nephews.
The family will be at the home in Grainola.
NEWKIRK - Nell Ethridge, resident of Newkirk, died early Monday morning, Dec. 30, 1996 in the Newkirk Nursing Center. She was 82.
The funeral service has been scheduled for 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 1, in Miller-Stahl Funeral Chapel with Danny W. Cornish, minister of the Newkirk Church of Christ, officiating. Burial is to be in Park Hill Cemetery in Columbus, Ga.
Nell Ethridge was born Nov. 5, 1914 at Phoenix City, Ala., the daughter of John Wesley and Sara Fletcher (Skinner) Osteen. She grew up and received her education in Columbus, Ga., where she graduated from high school.
On Dec. 24, 1934 she and James Wesley Ethridge were married at Phoenix City. They established their home in Columbus, and she worked for a number of years for a chiropractic doctor there. Mr. Ethridge died in 1970.
In 1985 she moved to Newkirk and made her home with her son and his family until she entered the nursing center.
She was a member of the Calvary Baptist Church in Columbus, and enjoyed crocheting and reading.
Mrs. Ethridge is survived by two sons, James Ethridge of Enterprise, Ala., and John Ethridge of Ponca City; five grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, five brothers, and a sister.
Doyle Wesley Warren, resident of Portland, Ore. and nephew of Velma Falconer and Opal Neal of Ponca City, died Thursday, Dec. 26 while helping saw limbs that had fallen during one of the recent storms on the west coast.
His body was to be cremated.
Doyle was born Feb. 10, 1938 in Billings, Okla., the son of Albert Lee and Iva (Bozworth) Warren. He attended schools in Tonkawa, Elk City and Weatherford. He and Lenora Mae Sanders were married May 26, 1962.
Doyle was a pharmacist at one time on the Indian Reservation in Poplar, Mont. and later worked in Walla Walla, Wash, before moving to Portland, Ore.
He is survived by his wife, Lenora of the Portland home; one son, Brandon Warren of Atlanta, Ga.; two brothers, Farrell Warren of Lawton and Earl Warren of Wetumka. He was preceded in death by his father, Albert Lee Warren.
BLACKWELL - Leonard Carl "Pete" Anderson of Blackwell, Okla., died Sunday morning, Dec. 29, 1996, at the Blackwell Regional Hospital at the age of 84 years.
Leonard Carl "Pete" Anderson was born on April 3, 1912, in Berry County, Mo., to William and Salesta (Yates) Anderson. He grew up and attended school near Aurora, Missouri. Following his schooling he began working for a highway construction company until he was twenty years old at which time he moved to Blackwell, Oklahoma. He began working for Acme Foundry Company in 1932. He married Opal V. Wood on January 24, 1936, in Blackwell and they settled in Blackwell. He then went to work for the Blackwell Zinc Company in 1938, and in 1942 they moved to a farm located south of Blackwell. In 1946, they moved to Washington State to work in a foundry there. Acme Foundry Company called him back to Blackwell to work and he returned later that same year, working for Acme until his retirement in 1977. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Blackwell, and was ordained as a deacon on November 25, 1962. He later surrendered to preach in 1969, and was ordained into the ministry in the First Baptist Church of Blackwell on September 17, 1969. His first pastorate was in the First Baptist Church in Burbank, Oklahoma, where he served for eight years. He then served as an interim pastor for Longwood First Baptist Church. His second pastorate was with the First Baptist Church in Lamont, Oklahoma, serving there for a few years. He then accepted the call to the First Baptist Church of Marland, Oklahoma, in 1991, and he ministered there for three years before he retired. He had also served as Senior Minister for the First Baptist Church in Blackwell for a number of years. He operated the Anderson Electric Shop at his home since 1954. He was an avid bird hunter and loved his dogs, looking forward to each quail season. He was also a member of the Blackwell Ministerial Alliance.
Survivors include his wife, Opal V. Anderson of Blackwell, Oklahoma; one daughter, Janet Haymaker of Blackwell; a son, Max Anderson of Leesburg, Florida, five grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents, five brothers, Tom, Heairl, Ross, and Charles Anderson and an infant brother; three sisters, Lucille Sapp and two infant sisters.
The funeral service will be 10 a.m. Thursday, January 2, 1997 in the First Baptist Church of Blackwell, Oklahoma. The Rev. Gregg Engle, First Baptist Church, Blackwell, will officiate. Burial will follow in Blackwell Cemetery.
Honorary casket bearers will be Jim Liles, Dan Kennedy, Cliff Fite, Jackie Crafton, Dennis Wideman, Chester Ward, Warren Case, Russell May, Roland Briggs and Phillip Lieber.
Casket bearers will be Same Cauthon, David Haney, John Selvey, Olen Riley, Roger Clark and Bob Landis.
Memorial contributions may be made in the Rev. Mr. Anderson's name to the First Baptist Church of Blackwell, Okla.
The family will be at the funeral home on Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. to meet friends.
paid obituary
Loyd Ward was born March 4, 1914 at Sulphur, Okla. He was the son of Henry Clay Ward and Cora Moss Ward. Loyd passed away at Ponca City, Oklahoma on Sunday, December 29, 1996. He was 82.
The funeral service for C.L. "Loyd" Ward will be 2 p.m. Tuesday, December 31, 1996 in the First Baptist Church, Bixby, Oklahoma with interment in Bixby Cemetery, Bixby, Oklahoma. Dr. Odell Carpenter and the Rev. Garnett Cole will officiate under the direction of Jack Selby, Bixby Funeral Service.
Loyd served in the U.S. Army during WWII and enjoyed reminiscing about some of his experiences in the service. Loyd and Ethel Bradford were united in marriage on February 5, 1936 at Tulsa, Okla. He was a retired independent contractor and bail bondsman and had resided in Bixby since 1968.
Loyd was a member of First Baptist Church of Bixby and was an avid golfer until his health failed. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Ulys and sister, Opal; son, Gary Ward and grandson, Robert Allen Ward.
Loyd is survived by his loving wife, Ethel, of the home; one son, Lester Ward and his wife, Rhonda of Ponca City, Oklahoma; one brother, Bill Powell of Yuma Arizona; two sisters, Leona Pasley of Corpus Christi, Texas and Anna Mae Plank of Lafayette, Indiana; grandsons, Mike and Greg Ward of Ward's Air Conditioning Co.; four grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews.
Casket bearers for the service were Tom Bradford, Johnny Lee Bradford, David Bradford, Jacky Grimes, Steve Ward, Terry Ward and Sid Ward. Honorary casket bearers were Orville Blevins, Marvin Williams, Ira Smithee, Jack Selby, Fred Burnley, Ted Swingle, Ray Linebarger, Virgil Cox, Paul Earp, Luther Metcalf, Jr. Baker, Jerry Ezell and Ernest Crocker. Music for the service was provided by vocalist, Leonard Crockett and pianist, Brenda Evans.
In lieu of flowers, friends are asked to donate to the Hospice of Ponca City, c/o First Baptist Church, Bixby, Oklahoma.
paid obituary
Thursday
Arden C. Finch - Funeral service at 11 a.m. in the First United Methodist
Church, Blackwell. Burial in Blackwell IOOF Cemetery under direction of
Hackler Funeral Home.
NEWS BRIEFS
Pickers and Fiddlers New Year's - The Walnut Valley Chapter of Kansas Old-Time Pickers, Fiddlers and Singers will have a New Year's Eve meeting and dance from 8 to 12 Tuesday at the Senior Citizens' Center in Arkansas City. A spokesman said "Bring cookies, crackers or chips and join us." Everyone is welcome.
City Holiday - The City of Ponca City will observe Wednesday as an official holiday. As a result, there will be no residential refuse service. In addition, the Recycling Dropoff Center and the landfill will be closed. These departments will resume normal operations on Thursday, according to Ken Wilson, Solid Waste superintendent.
Shoplifter - The Ponca City Police Department contacted parents of a juvenile caught shoplifting in the 300 block of West Grand Avenue at 11:19 a.m. Monday. An officer took an information report.
No Insurance - A man was arrested by a Ponca City police officer at First Street and Grand Avenue at 11:55 a.m. Monday for driving under suspension and no insurance.
Collision - A Ponca City police officer took a report of an accident at West Broadway Avenue and North Union Street at 2:20 p.m. Monday. No injuries were reported.
Vandalism - A resident in the 100 block of North Olympia Street advised the Ponca City Police Department at 2:58 p.m. Monday of vandalism to yard ornaments. An officer took a report.
Accident - A Ponca City police officer took a report of an accident in the 900 block of East Bradley Avenue at 3:36 p.m. Monday. No injuries were reported.
Collision - A non-injury accident occurred at North Fifth Street and East Emporia Avenue at 5:08 p.m., according to the Ponca City Police Department. An officer took a report.
Trespassing -An employee at Citgo, 320 West Grand Avenue, informed the Ponca City Police Department that a boy who had been banned from the business was causing problems. An officer responded and issued a citation to the juvenile for trespassing.
In Custody - A Ponca City police officer arrested an 18-year-old woman in the 600 block of South Fifth Street at 6:41 p.m. Monday on a local warrant for failure to pay.
Subject Held - A 20-year-old man was arrested by a Ponca City police officer at England Avenue and North Seventh Street at 7:47 p.m. Monday on a local warrant for failure to pay.
Arrested - A Ponca City police officer arrested a 32-year-old
man at North Fourteenth Street and East Highland Avenue at 1:35 a.m. Tuesday
for driving under the influence, failure to stop for a red light and no
drivers' license. A 53-year-old man was also arrested for public intoxication.
BUSINESS
By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE
News Business Editor
The year 1996 was one of change and regrouping for Ponca City business and industry.
A cloud with a silver lining turned out to be DuPont's announcement that two of it's support services here had been out-sourced. But the good news was that Information Technology and Information Systems would both continue to be located in Ponca City.
Additionally, according to the announcement, these two firms, Computer Services Corporation (CSC) and Andersen Consulting, could put Ponca City in the picture as a global information provider. The out-sourced services included computer, infrastructure and applications.
New industries, Sykes Enterprises Incorporated, Thorn Apple Valley, Encompass Mold, Unitherm, and Center Line continue to grow.
There have been some positive changes in veteran industries such as Nickles Machine, Smith International, Mertz and Air Systems Components. Bliss Industry had an open house and celebrated the manufacturing of the 1,000th hammer mill. Also hosting a major open house was Smith International.
A new proposed business is USA Bottling, which will bottle flavored drinks and distribute them regionally. The proposal approved by the Economic Development Foundation is to locate the company in the small industry area of the new Airport Industrial Park on Industrial Boulevard.
Relocating
In the retail business arena, more new businesses and established businesses have been moving toward the northeast quadrant.
Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse built a huge facility in the 3600 block of North Fourteenth and Boatmen's Bank (soon to be Nation's Bank) completed a new facility at Fourteenth and Prospect.
Currently under construction in the north are a Conoco Service Station and convenience store and a second O'Reilly's shop. Western Sizzlin' on Prospect had a considerable overhaul of facilities and also on Prospect, Wal-Mart added a lawn and garden facility.
The Homeland Store closed in Ponca Plaza, but Albertsons came in and remodeled the store and is operating in the same location.
Some shifting from the downtown area to Ponca Plaza on North Fourteenth, came when Moore's Clothing, Brown's Shoe Fit and the Honey Tree moved to the plaza. The closing of Grave's Drug on Grand Avenue was the end of an era.
Downtown Renovation
A major improvement downtown was the renovation of the old bus station and the relocation of John's Apparel to that building. Glenn and Verona Mair, who own several buildings on Grand, moved one of their businesses into the Brown Shoe Fit Building, and also maintained the Deli-icious Diner.
The Amazin' Hair People relocated on North Fifth. Grand Cafe changed ownership, when Dennis Kinkaid bought the restaurant. Little Stitchery opened on Grand.
North Fourteenth
Jack Bowker Ford did a large expansion project and also acquired Auto Mall across the street on North Fourteenth. Burger King did a $100,000 renovation and added an indoor playground for youngsters. Family Dollar Store opened next to Country General at Fourteenth and Prospect.
The Cotton Patch restaurant became the Amarillo Mesquite Grill at 2605 North Fourteenth. Pemberton's Automobile agency, 3330 North Fourteenth, acquired the Chevrolet, Oldsmobile, Cadillac dealership as part of the GM 2000 plan.
On North Fourteenth Street the Harpsters are building a large retail building next to the Crown and Rose Pub. On South Fourteenth, Just Yesterday, an antique and speciality store, opened in the 300 Block.
East and West Improvements
A new Blimpies Subs and Salads opened on Hartford. Also on Hartford Gary Parli opened his insurance office. First National Bank located an extended facility at Westminster Village and added an ATMs in the downtown area.
Westminster completed a new wing with one, two and three bedroom retirement apartments on Academy Road. The American Legion Children's Home began a new building project on Summers Place.
A new Conoco service station and convenience store was opened at Lake Road and Pecan. Also on Lake Road Signature Landscapes built a new building and Ponca Bowl invested $150,000 in new equipment and improvements. Pioneer Bank upgraded landscaping at the main bank at Fourteenth and Highland.
Jim Lee relocated to East Highland, and Curves for Women also opened a facility on East Highland. On First Street Roger A. Smith Plumbing underwent an extensive remodeling.
Health Care
In the field of health care there was a ribbon cutting for the new critical care unit at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. Also opening was an urgent care center on Prospect. Construction has started on a St. Joseph Cancer Care Center at Fourteenth and Hartford. A ribbon cutting was held for Dr. William Corff at 3004 Turner. The Oklahoma Blood Institute opened a facility at 518 North Fourteenth.
New Facilities and Businesses
Peter Pan Cleaners built a new dry cleaning facility on East Prospect. Currently under construction on North Ash is a building for Leach Paper. At Pioneer Technology Center, a new business Multiphase Solutions began operation in the Business Incubator. Pioneer Technology received the Oklahoma Incubator of the Year Award.
Pioneer Technology, Economic Development Foundation and the Chamber of Commerce teamed up for the Industry Appreciation Day saluting employees and industry in December.
The Cherokee Strip Credit Union added another facility opening a branch at Hartford and Waverly.
Religion and Education
A number of churches have made major improvements including Northeast Baptist, Grace Episcopal, First Baptist, Central Baptist, Woodlands Christian and Longwood Baptist. A new Domestic Violence Shelter is in the process of being built. This location has not been disclosed.
In the education field a new Lincoln elementary school is under construction on West Grand and another new building is being built at the high school.
On The Outskirts
South of town a ground breaking was held for the Throop Lawn and Garden Equipment building. Circle C Arena on Highway 60 has been leased and rodeo events are planned there regularly. Roadwork on a hook up of U.S. 177 with Highway 60 and Fourteenth is in progress.
And the new Standing Bear Memorial Park completed Phase I and the erection of the Standing Bear statue on Highway 60. The Ranch House club and restaurant north of Ponca City has been sold and is open.
Various other small businesses were started during 1996, some of them were the result of downsizing at Conoco and the investment of individuals in new careers.
Ponca City sales tax return from the Oklahoma Tax Commission for business conducted during October shows that Ponca City coffers will receive a total of $667,304 up from $639,103 for the same time frame in October 1995.
Statewide, the August distribution of city sales tax collections totaled $63,946,010. The disbursement to 481 cities and towns showed an increase of $4,556,877 from the return of $59,389,133 distributed 480 cities and towns in December one year ago.
City Oct. 96 Oct. 95
Barnsdall $10,473 $19,807
Bartlesville 1,000,490 858,165
Billings 8,069 4,237
Blackwell 83,483 118,789
Braman 1,414 1,579
Burbank 347 292
Deer Creek 542 523
Enid 1,119,758 1,071,670
Fairfax 16,492 12,087
Kaw City 2,068 2,231
Lamont 1,678 1,835
Marland 768 771
Medford 10,519 9,773
Morrison 2,840 3,499
Newkirk 27,939 23.187
Pawhuska 49,491 54,156
Pawnee 29,689 32,961
Pond Creek 4,123 5,527
Ralston 1,192 1,067
Red Rock 1,440 776
Shidler 2,057 2,149
Stillwater 884,030 876,851
Tonkawa 40,528 37,135
TONKAWA - Guest speaker for the Tonkawa Chamber of Commerce's 81st Annual Banquet, set for 7 p.m., Jan. 9, will be Kimberly Brasher, Mrs. America, according to Chamber President Charles Conaghan. Mrs. Brasher is an attorney in Edmond and the mother of four children.
The banquet will be staged at Northern Oklahoma College Cafeteria. Tickets are $15 and may be obtained from the Chamber office. For reservations call (405) 628-2220.
Kay County's unemployment rate rose slightly in October to 6.9 percent, compared to October 1995, which was 6.7 percent. However it was improved from September 1996, which registered 7.2 percent, according to the Oklahoma Labor Force statistics.
The work force is shown at 21,970 with 1,510 listed as unemployed.
Other area counties and unemployment rates are Pawnee, 6.4 percent compared to 6.7 in September and 7.3 a year ago; Osage, 3.6 percent compared to 3.5 in September and 2.6 in 1995; Grant, 3.6 percent compared to 3.5 in September and 2.6 a year ago; Noble, 3.1 percent, same as September and compared to 3.6 in 1995.
TULSA - The Service Corps of Retired Executives will hold three Small Business Seminars during January. On Jan. 8 the Pre-Business Workshop will be held at the Tulsa Technology Center, Career Services Center 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The cost is $20.
Two free financial briefings will be held for those seeking information on how to qualify for business loans and what sources of money are available. The mornings session will be on Jan. 6 from 9:30 to 11 a.m., and the evening session is slated for 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Jan. 15. For more information call (918) 581-7462.
NORMAN - The University of Oklahoma College of Law will offer a free seminar for those interested in a career as a paralegal. The seminar, sponsored by the Legal Assistant Education program, will be held Jan. 4 from 9 to 11:30 a.m., at the Law Center in Norman.
The OU Legal Assistant Education (LAE) Program is currently enrolling students for classes that will begin in January 1997. The program is designed to train individuals as paralegals for careers in private, corporate and government law-related activities. For more information call (405) 325-1726.
Melody M. Myers, manager of Security Finance Corp., 101 East Grand, announced that its parent company established a private charitable foundation, Security's Lending Hand Foundation, to allow each of its offices to give something back to the local community.
The amount of this contribution is based on the number of new customers who chose to do business with Security Finance during 1996. The local contribution was to the Domestic Violence Program.
The Health Services Directory of Ponca City will soon be completed. However,
there is time for businesses to be included. This directory is a product
of the Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce Health and Medical Committee
and area health care providers. The fee for the inclusion is $25 a year.
Chamber membership is not necessary to participate, but Chamber members
will be identified in the promotion. For further information call Sandy
Gearhart at 765-0301.
LIFESTYLES
James Edward and Lorene (Williams) Serriere of Ponca City celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary with a gathering November 26.
The couple was united in marriage Nov. 25, 1931 in Wellington, Kan. and spent most of their married life as residents of Blackwell.
Attending the event honoring Mr. and Mrs. Serriere were their daughters and son-in-law, Ethel and Dwayne Hagin of Tulsa, and Carol Jean Thompson of Skiatook. Also attending were Mr. Serriere's sister, Esther Allen of Salina, Kan., and Leon Mitchell of Skiatook.
The couple has a granddaughter, Arleen Garrison, and two great-grandchildren, Ben and Matt Garrison, all of Tulsa.
The Ponca City Mother's Club Unit III met Dec. 20 at the home of Mrs. Ken Miles for the annual Taste and Tell luncheon with 23 members present.
Serving as co-hostesses were Mrs. Robert Heinen and Mrs. William McCann. The recipes for the dishes brought for the luncheon will be printed and added to each member's Mother's Club cookbook.
Following the luncheon an exchange of gifts related to Christmas was held. A letter of appreciation was read from the Salvation Army for the contribution by Unit III members of $140 for gifts for children.
Unit II of Ponca City Mother's Club met Dec. 6 at the home of Sue Ziegenhain for a Taste and Tell luncheon. Roberta Ford served as co-hostess and there were three guests.
JoAnn Muchmore gave a Christmas program with readings from "It Was On Fire When I Laid Down On It," "The Christmas Pageant," a poem from Milne's "Now We Are Six" and "The Real Story From Luke II."
In addition to Ms. Muchmore, guests were Shirley Williams and Mildred Perry. Martha Stover was introduced as a new member.
A thank you note was read from the local youth shelter concerning paper goods donated by members of the group. Patti Lundeen won the door prize and the meeting concluded with an ornament exchange.
Jerry Boyer, president, announced that the next meeting would be Jan.10 at the home of Zofia Bohon.
Members of Xi Delta chapter of Beta Sigma Phi sorority met in December and elected Lynda Smith as the chapter's 1997 Valentine Queen. Mrs. Smith has been a member of Xi Delta chapter for four years and has served as president of the group. She is presently serving as vice president of the sorority's city council. She will be honored at a special Valentine dance scheduled at the Moose Lodge in February.
Other events for the Xi Delta chapter members have included a surprise "grandmother" shower for Debbie Kirtley at the home of Sue May. Special guests were new granddaughter Kersten, and daughter-in-law, Brandy Kirtley.