LOCAL

Great Expectations Topic of Discussion
Commission Ponders Ramifications Of Annexing Area West of Ponca City
Nearly News
Young Soprano Performance Sparkling at Concert Here
Top Fifth-Grade Teams Match Water-Conservation Wits
Area Calendar

Great Expectations Topic of Discussion

By KRISTI HAYES

News Education Editor

A discussion on the impact of Great Expectations was the topic for members of the Ponca City Friends of Education this morning during their regular board meeting at Lincoln Elementary School.

David Shelton, principal of Lincoln, reported on the progress students are making because of Great Expectations. “All of our teachers have gone through the Great Expectations program at least once and we were honored as being a scholarship school last year. I feel that when you have 470 students all focused on one thing it helps tremendously,” he commented. “We appreciate the support the Friends of Education has given our school.”

Loraine O’Neill, counselor, also thanked the group for its continuing support in Great Expectations. “We are in our second year as a Great Expectations school and we can already see a difference in our students. Some kids don’t get a lot of respect and responsibility at home, and they can get it here. We have a common thread throughout the school,” she said. She also commented that the school has a word and phrase for the week. “Kindness” was the word chosen for this week and the phrase was “kindness repays kindness.”

The Treasurer’s Report was accepted. The group had an expense last month of $1,500 to Kent Lashley and has a total cash-on-hand of $58,503.06.

Barry Bickle, committee member, reported on the recent fund raiser. Flyers have been sent to parents asking for a $15 membership. Advertisement will also be made at Cable One and the local radio stations.

The meeting was adjourned so that members could view the Rise and Shine Assembly held at Lincoln once a week.

Commission Ponders Ramifications Of Annexing Area West of Ponca City

By PATTI PFEIFFER

News Staff Writer

If it is not in the city limits it might well soon be as city commissioners prepare and plan for upcoming annexation.

Currently, the commissioners have their sights on an area west of the city which borders the Industrial Park on the east, Prospect Avenue on the north, Highland Avenue to the south and Ranch Drive to the west.

However, the three-mile, 1,920-acre area has problems. According to City Planner Todd Kennemer, over half of the property lies within the 100-year floodplain and is not suitable for industrial expansion.

In addition, with the annexation, the City would also be acquiring approximately eight bridges with a potential estimated maintenance cost of $60,000 per year, an estimate which does not include any repair costs.

Other options were presented to the commissioners Monday afternoon during a work session. One such option would include annexing in a more northerly direction and bypassing not only the floodplain area but also the bridges.

Also presented as another possibility for future industrial expansion was annexing an area south and west of Conoco.

Under state law, any property which is surrounded on three sides by the city limits, can legally be annexed into that city without approval of adjacent property owners.

There are a number of reasons the commission is considering annexation at this time but they all boil down to one thing — money.

According to Mayor Tom Leonard, grant funds are based on population and the bigger the population the better chance for bigger funds.

“One thing that is driving the annexation is the 2000 census,” Leonard said. “At least one of the grants we have received in the past — the Community Development Block Grant — is a person-by-person, dollar-for-dollar type of grant funding.”

The other thing that concerns the commission is the pending electric deregulation with it the threat of possible competition.

According to Electric Utility Manager Rusty Edwards, the current legislation, as is written, states that municipal utilities will have the ability to serve within their corporate city limits but can not make any primary service extensions outside those limits.

That would affect potential revenue sources for the City.

“I don’t want people thinking we are annexing for the purpose of protecting our electrical department,” City Manager Gary Martin told the commissioners. “We are really doing it for our citizens.”

However, some commissioners saw no distinction between the two. “The citizens are the ones that own the electric and the ones that need to be protected,” Commissioner Dick Stone replied.

“If someone is going to wire up at a major site, then that is a concern for our citizens,” Commissioner Lyn Boyer added.

The mayor, however, says that regardless of electric deregulation, the city will still be considering annexation of surrounding areas.

“I think we would be looking at this issue with or without the deregulation issues because of the pending census,” Leonard said. “In the last seven years we have had one half of one percent decrease in the population and while that is a modest decrease, it is still a decrease.

“We need to show Ponca City is not a declining population community as far as economic development.”

Nearly News

Where’s that rubberband ball?

The current location of Tom Davis’ ever-growing rubberband ball, pictured on Page 2-C of today’s Midweek Section, is at Becky Stangeland’s Kids Review shop, 309 East Grand Avenue, and not at Lynda Schnack’s Back on the Rack, 322 East Grand Avenue.

Both of the consignment clothing stores — on opposite sides of the street — have supported the growth of the 95-pound ball, as have many other merchants across the Ponca City downtown (that is, with rubberband donations, etc.).

But if you want to see it, it’s at Kids Review.

NN finds you never know where former Ponca Citians will turn up! Delores Paden has informed NN that a friend of hers in Fort Myers, Fla., sent her a clip about Neil MacDonnell from their local paper, pointing out that he was born in Ponca City in 1957 and is currently the chef at The Hut in Fort Myers. His specialties are seafood and homemade desserts, and he got his start at Rockefeller’s in Oklahoma City. Delores thought perhaps someone in Ponca City would remember Neil or his family.

Young Soprano Performance Sparkling at Concert Here

By KATHY ZEHR

News Staff Writer

Young, slim and beautiful, in an elegant pale pink gown of sequins, N’Kenge Simpson sparkled like a rare jewel on the stage at Hutchins Memorial as she entertained members of the Community Concert group on Nov. 24.

The 23-year old soprano’s program consisted of numerous songs about love. She sang of promised love, unrequited love and spiritual love in a beautiful, light, clear voice, which carried easily to the back of the auditorium. Many of the numbers were sung in Italian from various operas and musical scores with music written by composers like Rossini and Mendelssohn.

With a professional stage presence belying her years, Simpson first walked on stage, introduced pianist Jennifer Walsh and began her short program. Her expressive face and body as well as voice reflected the emotion of the words and her first number “LaPomessa” was light, lilting and exciting to soprano opera fans in the audience. In the second number, “Il Rimprovero,” the pianist became more aggressive and N’Kenge matched the volume, surprising the audience with the sophistication of her range and voice.

Her depth of emotion was carried for several moments as she released the last note of each number, keeping the feeling of the moment alive until the applause broke the spell. I enjoyed the special feeling she gave the Italian numbers with the “rolling of the Rs.” Numbers from the Mendelssohn group included “Suleika,” “Neue Liebe,” “Die Liebende Schreibt,” and “Hexenlied.”

A jazzy, little number, “Nore Amor” was presented with some gutsy phrases and brought out the feisty personality of the performer — pleasing the audience with her versatility. She also sang a couple of familiar spirituals “Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child,” and “Go Ring Dem Bells.”

The sparse audience gave Simpson a hearty round of applause at close of program, calling her back for a curtain call but the artist did not respond with the usual performer’s encore.

A busy evening, just two days before Thanksgiving, kept the audience number to one of the smallest I’ve seen at a Ponca City Community Concert performance in my years of attendance. Numerous community activities, including several church dinners called a large number of concert members away from the evening’s performance.

Those who did attend suggested that Simpson might have been a little more diverse in the presentation of her short program. Perhaps some of the Andre’ Previn numbers listed in her repertoire or another spiritual or two, but all-in-all the program was, as usual, top quality and we appreciate the efforts of the Community Concert volunteers who make the live concerts possible.

The third concert of the season will be on Jan. 20 at Hutchins Memorial and will feature the classical pianist-turned comedian called “Musicomedy.”

Top Fifth-Grade Teams Match Water-Conservation Wits

If you knew that the nation with the most coastline is … Canada.

If you knew that 84 percent of the water used in homes goes … down the drain.

If you knew the ice in the Arctic Ocean is … 7 to 10 feet thick.

And if you were a fifth grader, you may have been ready for this year’s meeting of the conservation-minded during the annual elementary-school squareoff of the Kay County Conservation District’s “H-2-Oklahoma” challenge (known previously as “AquaQuest”).

The contest, which tests area schools’ fifth-grade students’ knowledge of water-related issues, was actually touch-and-go down to the grand finale this year because last year’s returning champions from St. Mary’s School in Ponca City came on strong again, taking the first round of the finals, 37-27, against the team from Ponca City’s First Lutheran School.

However, the First Lutheran squad not only squeaked past the Braman Elementary team, 35-34, in second-round action, the team also came back to out-answer St. Mary’s in the championship round by a score of 42-37.

It was First Lutheran’s first time to participate in the competition, but the entire team (including their teacher, Shelly Schatte) won T-shirts and will receive trophies for winning at the county level, to be presented at the conservation district’s annual meeting in March.

The winning team also gets a special invitation to compete this week in area-level competition at the Vo-Tech in Stillwater.

Winning schools in the area contests will compete in February for the state championship in Oklahoma City, where the state champs will participate in a special water-conservation challenge of knowledge against state legislators.

That’s where it’s guaranteed there’ll be a lot of knowledge flying around.

Area Calendar

Through December 27

Festival of Angels, Holiday Lighting Celebration, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. nightly.

December 2

Larry Hogan autographing “The Osage Indian Murders,” 4-6 p.m., Brace Books and More, North Fourteenth Street, Ponca City.

December 3

Tonkawa’s Olde Tyme Christmas Celebration, 6-8 p.m., Downtown Christmas Tree, Building Lighting and NOC Lighting Ceremony, Parade, Entertainment, Food Booths, First Dollar Day Drawing, Merchants’ Open Houses, Children’s Activities, WBBZ Santa House, sponsored by Tonkawa Chamber of Commerce.

December 3-4

Heartland Food Share Order Deadline, RSVP Office, 110 North Fourth Street, Ponca City, $15.50 plus two hours volunteer service per share.

December 4

Lighted Christmas Parade, 6 p.m., Downtown, Ponca City.

December 5

Hospice of Ponca City Community-Wide Memorial Service, 2 p.m., Woodlands Christian Church, Ponca City.

Come and Go Christmas Open House, Retired Senior Volunteer Program, 2-4 p.m., 110 North Fourth Street, Ponca City, stop in for a cup of cider, music and special surprise.

Janice Woods Windle autographing “Hill Country,” 2-4 p.m., Brace Books and More, North Fourteenth Street, Ponca City.

“Presby Present,” a live, drive-through, Nativity Scene, 5:30-8:30 p.m., front of First Presbyterian Church, Ponca City.

Annual Christmas Parade, sponsored by Newkirk Chamber of Commerce, Kiddies Parade at 2 p.m., followed by crowning ceremony of Snow Princess, visit from Santa Claus, Lighted Night Parade at 6 p.m.

Christmas Gala, 7 p.m., Marland Estate Mansion, Ponca City.

December 5-6

Ninth Anniversary Sale, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Ashby’s Antique Mall, 110 North Main, Blackwell, everything in the store will be 10 to 50 percent off, refreshments served, $50 drawing each day.

December 6

Stillwater-Ponca City Chapter United Ostomy Association Christmas Party, 1:30 p.m., south of Stillwater, Central Rural Electric Cooperative Community Room, 3304 S. Boomer Road.

Ponca City Council of Garden Clubs Holiday Open House, 2-4 p.m., Cann Memorial Home, 1500 East Grand Avenue, see “A Garden of Gifts” boutique, enjoy a cup of hot Wassail and Christmas treats.

“Joyful and Triumphant,” evening of music by Youth and Wesley Children’s Choirs and Bellchoirs of First United Methodist Church, 6 p.m., 200 South Sixth Street, Ponca City.

“The Spirit of Christmas,” by Silvertones (Senior Adult Choir) and Youth Music Ministry of First Baptist Church, 6:30 p.m., First Baptist Church, Ponca City.

Ponca City Panhellenic Christmas Homes Tour, 2-5 p.m., Tickets available at homes, $5.

December 6-31

Christmas Tree Collage, Wednesdays-Sundays, 1-5 p.m., Ponca City Art Center.

December 7

AARP Covered Dish Luncheon, noon, Conoco Fourth Street Clubhouse, Ponca City.

Pioneer Christian Crusaders Motorcycle Association, 6 p.m., Conestoga at I-35 and U.S. 60, west of Tonkawa, more information 765-3164.

December 8

McCord Volunteer Fire Department, 7 p.m., McCord School Library.

Osage Cove Volunteer Fire Department, 7 p.m., Fire Station, Keeler Road and U.S. 60.

Hospice of Ponca City Raindrops Support Group, 7 p.m., St. Paul’s Methodist Church, North Pecan Road at East Hartford.

Rural Water District No. 1 Regular Board Meeting, 7:30 p.m., Enterprise School on Lake Road.

December 9

Rural Water District No. 3 (Braden) Board of Directors, 7 p.m., Braden Community Center.

December 10

Les Gilliam singing songs from his 3 CD’s and cassettes, 7-8 p.m., Brace Books and More, North Fourteenth Street, Ponca City.

The Lettermen, 7:30 p.m., Poncan Theatre.

December 11

Ponca City Historic Homes Holiday Tour, 6-9 p.m., tickets available at homes, $5.

December 12

Alda Ellis autographing her books “Always Friends” and “An Angel in My Garden,” 2-4 p.m., Brace Books and More, North Fourteenth Street, Ponca City.

December 13

Ponca City Holiday Open House, 2-4 p.m., Marland Estate Mansion, Cultural Center, Cann Garden Center.

Christmas program, “Birthday Party for Jesus,” 6 p.m., Albright United Methodist Church, 128 South Palm Street, Ponca City.

“Gloria,” presented by adult choir First United Methodist Church, will celebrate Advent in song, 6 p.m., 200 South Sixth.

“Sing We Now of Christmas,” an evening of music presented by elementary choirs of First Baptist Church including “Christmas in Egypt,” 6:30 p.m., First Baptist Church, Ponca City.

December 14

Hospice of Ponca City Grief Support Group, 10 a.m., 1904 North Union Street, Suite 103; 7 p.m., Westminster Village.

Conoco Retirees Association Christmas Dinner, social at 5 p.m., dinner at 6 p.m., Chapel of Marland Estate, Ponca City, cost $14 per person, tickets from Gerry Morgan 762-0601, Bill Locke 762-5473, Louise Skinner 762-5970, Elmore Johnson 762-5086, Andy Longoria 765-6330.

December 15

Kaw Lake Association Board Meeting, noon, Golden Corral, North Fourteenth Street and Bradley Avenue, Ponca City.

December 17

Hospice of Ponca City Grief Support Group, 10 a.m., First Presbyterian Church, Blackwell.

December 18

William Bernhardt autographing “The Midnight Before Christmas,” 5-7 p.m., Brace Books and More, North Fourteenth Street.

December 19

Hometown Christmas Revue, 7 p.m., Poncan Theatre, advance tickets at Master’s Touch Christian Book Store.

December 20

“Christmas, Sing Noel,” Sanctuary Choir Cantata, 10:30 a.m., Albright United Methodist Church, 128 South Palm Street.

Bravo Brass Concert, 2 p.m., Poncan Theatre, free.

Ponca City Holiday Giveaway, 3 p.m., Sullins Stadium.

Christmas Spectacular “A Light Still Shines” and “Holiday Classics,” 6:30 p.m., presented by adult choir and orchestra of First Baptist Church, Ponca City.

December 21

Multiple Sclerosis Support Group, 6:30 p.m., Albright United Methodist Church, 128 South Palm Street, Ponca City, call Beth Wright 765-6738 for information.

DEATHS

Naomi Belle Bacher
Marjorie Frances Sipe
Gavin Layne Yeary
Aurelia Summerfield

Naomi Belle Bacher

Naomi Belle (Armstrong) Bacher, resident just west of Ponca City, died Monday, Nov. 30, 1998 at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. She was 84 years old.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 3, 1998, at the First Lutheran Church, with pastor Tom Ramsey, officiating. Burial will follow in the Odd Fellows Cemetery under the direction of Trout Funeral Home.

Casket bearers will be, David Bacher, Ted Auwen, Alan Smith, Mike Salley, Ned Jensen and David Saxon. Honorary casket bearers will be, Fred Auwen, Eugene Marrow, Dennis Harriet, Jim Ketchum, Jim Hallisey, Dr. Bob Gibson, and Orville Thompson.

Born on Aug. 8, 1914, at her parent’s home east of Newkirk, she was the daughter of Robert Ernest and Estella Jane (Dwyer) Armstrong. She received her early education at Deer Creek Rural School, and graduated from Newkirk High School in 1934. Mrs. Bacher also completed some classes at NOC in Tonkawa. During World War II, Naomi worked at Beech Aircraft in Wichita, Kan, as a riveter.

On Aug. 9, 1943, she was married to Glenn Lewis Bacher of Uncas, while he was home on leave from the U.S. Navy. After he returned to active duty, she continued working in the defense industry in Ponca City until Mr. Bacher returned from the war in 1945. They farmed just outside Uncas until 1974 when they moved to a farm just west of Ponca City. For many years she and her husband enjoyed raising and selling the well-known Bacher vegetables.

Naomi was baptized as a child and was active at the Uncas Free Methodist Church and Missionary Society. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary. She loved quilting and crocheting. She was a hard worker and a devoted wife and mother.

She is survived by her husband Glenn of the home; two sons, Glenn W. and his wife Marilyn of Ponca City, and Lewis Bacher of Wichita Kan.; one daughter, Genise Hallisey and her husband Jim of Denver, Colo.; four grandchildren; Mandy Bacher, Melissa Bacher, David Bacher and his wife Adelia, and Lori Salley and her husband Mike; four great-grandchildren Daniel, Christopher, Brittany and Sarah; one brother-in-law, four sisters-in-law, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Alpha Smith; and brother, Raymond Armstrong.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Lutheran Church and School, 1101 North Fourth Street, Ponca City, OK 74601.

The family will be at the home at 916 East Overbrook.

paid obituary

Marjorie Frances Sipe

TONKAWA — Marjorie Frances Sipe, longtime Tonkawa resident, died Monday evening, Nov. 30, 1998, at the Blackwell Nursing Home in Blackwell. She was 81.

The funeral will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the Tonkawa United Methodist Church under the direction of McCafferty-Bolick Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Tonkawa IOOF Cemetery.

Marjorie Frances (Jones) Sipe was born Oct. 8, 1917, in Hiawatha, Kan., to Lloyd and Dorothy Jones. She was raised by her grandparents, Theodore and Fannie Jones. Marjorie graduated from Blackwell High School in 1935 then attended University Preparatory School in Tonkawa.

On July 1, 1936, she was married to Fred Dean Sipe in Medford and the couple lived most of their married life in Tonkawa. Mrs. Sipe was instrumental in organizing youth sports programs and Teen Town in Tonkawa. She was also a volunteer for the Red Cross and other service organizations.

Mrs. Sipe was a member of the Builders Sunday School Class at the First United Methodist Church. She enjoyed watching baseball and participated in area bowling leagues for many years.

Survivors include her husband, Dean Sipe of the home; three sons, Fred of Mexico City, Mexico, Ted of Holton, Kan., and Tom of Ponca City; one sister, Betty Dining of Carson City, Nev.; nine grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and one sister, Jean McCartney.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church, c/o McCafferty-Bolick Funeral Home, 400 East Grand, Tonkawa, OK 74653.

The family will be at 101 South Jenkins, Tonkawa, to receive friends and relatives.

Gavin Layne Yeary

NORMAN — Gavin Layne Yeary, grandson of Bob and Nan Huddleston of Ponca City, died peacefully in his sleep Wednesday morning, Nov. 25, 1998, in Norman. He was six.

A memorial service was held on Nov. 28, at McFarlin Memorial Methodist Church in Norman. Burial was in the Warren Cemetery under the direction of Havenbrook Funeral Home of Norman.

Gavin was abandoned in March 1993 on the steps of a church in Songnam, South Korea. He spent his first few years in an orphanage in Ryongteak, South Korea. His greatest dream was to have a family of his own. He was adopted by the James Yeary family of Norman and came to America.

Gavin enjoyed having toys of his own, going to the grocery store, watching paper towel “shoot out” and automatic doors. He loved school and running and playing.

He is survived by his parents, James and Lonna Yeary; brothers William and Collin, and sister Lauren, all of the home; grandparents, Bob and Nan Huddleston of Ponca City and J.R. and Eleanor Yeary of Norman; great-great-grandmother, Effie “G.G.” Huddleston of Norman, and a special great-great aunt of Ponca City.

Memorial contributions may be made in Gavin Yeary’s name to Dillon International Inc., 3530 East 31st Street, Tulsa, OK 73135.

Services Pending

Aurelia Summerfield

Aurelia Summerfield, longtime Ponca City resident, died Tuesday, Dec. 1, 1998 at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. She was 77. A graveside service is set for 2 p.m. Friday at Odd Fellows Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Ponca City, 1904 North Union, Suite 103, Ponca City, OK 74601. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home.

NEWS BRIEFS

Ponca Indian Nazarene Practice — Practice for the Christmas play and recitations has been set for 1 p.m. Saturday. Parents are urged to bring their children to the church at this time. Parents wishing to donate their time are encouraged to attend.

Sandi Gore Evans, 1999 calendar, $10.95. Carla’s Hallmark,

downtown. adv.

Cultural Center Reception — The board members of the Friends of the Cultural Center will hold a Member Appreciation Reception from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Cultural Center. There will be a brief annual progress report at 6:30 p.m. All members are invited and encouraged to attend.

Pure Water Wagon. 1717 North 5th. Reverse osmosis water. 25

cents a gallon. adv.

Books for Sale — “Tales of the Old 101 Ranch” is available for $8 (price going up after the first of the year), at the following places: Cultural Center, Marland Mansion, Pioneer Woman Museum, Brace Books, and Angel Central. These are stories told by George Miller and recorded by Gordon Hines about the 101 Ranch. This is an abridged reprint with proceeds to go to the Friends of the Cultural Center Foundation. Get yours now!

Scottish Antiques just arrived: chest on chest, desk, floor mirror,

fire screen, and three other chests. Use our layaway plan.

Christy’s, 3005 North 14th. adv.

Christmas Ornaments for Sale — Christmas Tree Ornaments are available at the Cultural Center, Christie’s and Angel Central, matching previous ornaments. Ornaments $10, framed $20 (only at Christie’s). Get yours now and maintain the set! Also Cultural Center note cards available for $4 a box.

Metabolise As seen on TV. Natural herbal capsules to loose

weight and provide energy. Northcutt’s & Styles. 1413 East Hartford. adv.

Overstock Sweatshirt Sale — Need a sweatshirt? We have overstocked large sweatshirts at Village Green Print Shop, located in Opportunity Village. Come by and see our large stock, now on sale from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Butter Braids: Seven flavors, rise and bake, home made flavor,

great gifts. Grand Central Station, 114 South Fifth, 767-8336. adv.

Young-at-Heart Dance Set — The Young-at-Heart Dance is held every Thursday at the Elks Lodge, 1301 Bradley from 7 to 10 p.m. Snack and Hillbilly Night is held the first Thursday of each month. Music by Ken Wilson and the Sunshine Playboys Band.

Canes Found — A woman in the 100 block of Stoneridge Road called police at 10:09 a.m. Tuesday reporting that she had found five large candy canes in her yard.

Christmas Dinner and Dance — Chikaskia Valley Square Dance Club will have its annual Christmas Dinner and Dance Friday, starting at 6:30 p.m. at the VFW in Ponca City. Pre-rounds will begin at 7:30 p.m. with the squares at 8 p.m. The club will provide turkey, dressing, gravy, rolls and drinks, and attendees are asked to bring two covered dishes of vegetable, salad or dessert. Randy Stephenson will be calling, and Bob Collyar will cue.

Court Allen Construction. Concrete and flagstone walkways, pa-

tios and yard curbing. Call 765-2720. adv.

RSVP Craft Fair/Exchange — Craft Fair/Exchange held 1:30 p.m. Friday at the Senior Center, 319 West Grand Avenue. Call 762-9412 to reserve a free table.

50% Off till Christmas on all clothing and household items

(some items excluded). Twice as Good Thrift Shop, 209 South 2nd. adv.

Monthly Meeting — The Walnut Valley Chapter of Kansas Oldtime Fiddlers, Pickers and Singers, will be holding its monthly meeting Saturday at the Arkansas City Senior Citizens building. Doors open at 5 p.m., with an election of officers set for 5:30 p.m. Carry-in dinner and dance to follow.

Book House going out of business sale. Huge discounts on all

books, fixtures, and shelving. All used paper backs .50, Thursday,

Friday, Saturday, 9-4, 114 North 3rd Street. adv.

Parade Date Changed — The Newkirk Chamber of Commerce night time Christmas parade date has been changed from Saturday, Dec. 5 to Friday, Dec. 4, at 6 p.m. The change is due to the high school football play-off game. Any questions should be directed to the Chamber office at 362-2155.

Jim Bowen Construction ­ Custom homes, room additions and

remodeling. Call 762-3077. adv.

ABWA Lunch Buffet Set — The American Business Women’s Association will hold their annual Christmas luncheon buffet on Dec. 8 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Cultural Center. Money raised from ticket sales goes to their scholarship fund. Tickets are $5 each and available at the door.

Being Relocated, or in town for a short time? We have homes

available by the month or longer. All homes are full furnished with

appliances, furniture, linens, pots and pans. Inclusive of cable,

local phone, and utilities. Please call 580-762-7980 or 580-718-0681.

adv.

Dishwasher Trouble — At 7:56 a.m. Tuesday fire units responded to a report of a fire at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, 1900 North Fourteenth Street. However the problem was determined to be a dishwasher that had overheated in the kitchen.

Camera Repairs. Graham Photo, 201 North First, downtown.

765-4348. adv.

Stolen Phone — A man in the 1500 block of South Eighth Street advised police at 9:17 a.m. Tuesday of the theft of his mobile phone. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Free Pregnancy test. Birth Choice cares. Confidential.

Hours: Tuesday, 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, 1-3 p.m. and Thursday, 6-

8 p.m. 700 West Broadway. adv.

Injury Accident — Two people were taken by ambulance to St. Joseph Region Medical Center, 1900 North Fourteenth Street, after sustaining injuries in a two-vehicle accident at Blackard Lane and Northeast Woodlands Road at 10:02 a.m. Tuesday.

Windshield Chips repaired professionally. Guaranteed and

insurance approved. Ponca Glass, 762-6522, 762-7957. adv.

Typewriter Found — At 11 a.m. Tuesday it was reported that a man in the 1100 block of North Fourteenth Street found a typewriter in his yard.

Santa’s Forest Christmas tree farm, 3-1/2 miles west of Ponca

City on Highway 60. Hours: Weekdays 5-8 p.m., weekends 10 a.m.-6

p.m. 765-9441. adv.

Accident — An accident at Bradley Avenue and North Fourteenth Street was reported to police at 12:09 p.m. Tuesday.

Jueschke Carpet Cleaners. For professional carpet cleaning, call

the professionals. Jueschke Carpet Cleaners. 765-3421. adv.

Accident — Police were called to the scene of a minor accident in the 500 block of North Irving Street at 3:31 p.m. Tuesday.

Head Country, One half bar-b-q chicken with choice of vegeta-

bles, $3.95, Thursday, 4-? p.m. 1217 East Prospect. 767-8304. adv.

Accident — At 3:47 p.m. Tuesday a two-vehicle accident was reported at Edwards Avenue and South Ninth Street.

Gun Fired — At 6:40 p.m. Tuesday a woman in the 500 block of Glendale Avenue reported that some people in a car had possibly shot off a gun as they drove by her residence. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Call Don Sawyer, your full time chimney sweep since 1975.

Efficient and no mess. Call 1-800-974-8698, in Ponca 762-8883. adv.

Tires Slashed — A woman in the 100 block of South Ash Street contacted police at 4:47 p.m. Tuesday reporting that the tires on her son’s vehicle had been slashed. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Hit and Run — A hit-and-run accident at First Street and Grand Avenue was reported at 4:49 p.m. Tuesday. A report was taken.

Arrests — An 18-year-old woman and a 17-year-old girl were arrested at 5:12 p.m. Tuesday from Wal-Mart, 1101 East Prospect Avenue, for petit larceny.

Juvenile Shoplifters — Two 13-year-old girls were taken into custody at Wal-Mart, 1101 East Prospect Avenue, at 5:55 p.m. Tuesday after reportedly taking a roll of film. They were released to their parents.

Windows Broken — A woman in the 300 block of West Central Avenue contacted police at 7:09 p.m. Tuesday after discovering that the window of her residence had been broken out with a rock.

Destruction — At 7:54 p.m. Tuesday police were called to the 200 block of South Birch Street for a possible altercation. An officer was assigned and a report on destruction of private property was taken.

Phone Harassment — A woman in the 700 block of West Otoe Avenue contacted police at 7:54 p.m. Tuesday regarding phone harassment. An officer was assigned.

Vandalism — Extra police patrol was assigned in the 400 block of Hampton Drive after a report of vandalism to Christmas lights was received at 2:51 a.m. Wednesday.

LIFESTYLES

Busy Bee Club Lists Projects
Laureate Phi Chapter Holds Auction
Democrats to Meet

Busy Bee Club Lists Projects

The Busy Bee Club met Nov. 18 at Vivian Davis’ home, 1043 North Third Street, with six members present. Helen Taylor lead the group in the Flag Salute and the Lord’s Prayer. Viola Haley gave the devotional, The Answer is No, by Clay Harrison. She then read Keep Smiling.

Beulah McCartney gave everyone a Santa’s Helper list for filling stockings for the American Legion Home.

It was reported that staples and money were taken to South Avenue Mission for Thanksgiving. Helen Hiskett gave the treasurer’s report and articles for the Child Development Center were collected. Louise Womack and Helen Taylor won at games, and Viola Haley won the mystery bowl prize.

The next meeting will be Dec. 16 at Viola Haley’s home, 2405 Bradley.

Laureate Phi Chapter Holds Auction

A Christmas Auction was the highlight of the meeting when Laureate Phi chapter of Beta Sigma Phi met in the home of Leanna Adams with 12 members present. The auction is an annual event and offers items suitable for holiday gifts.

Meetings was the topic of review given by Meire K. Harris. Continuing the study, Memory Launchers, Harris used a Christmas gift received in the mid 1940s as her launcher and recalled incidents it brought to her mind.

Elsie Rosenbaum, president, presided during the business session. Roberta Streeter, service, reported that a $50 check had been sent to the Fellowship Dinner. Pat Hill, social, said the annual Christmas Dinner will be held in the home of Fran Smith Sunday, Dec. 6th, at 2:30 p.m. Secret sisters will be revealed, and husbands and friends will be guests. City Council report was read by Rosenbaum advising that Founders’ Day will be held on Tuesday, April 20, at the Ponca City Country Club. Blackwell chapters will be invited to join us. The hostess gift was won by Rosenbaum, and the traveling basket was passed from Erma Rusch to Gwen Higgins.

Rusch, vice-president, led the opening and closing rituals and the Mizpah.

Democrats to Meet

For its regular monthly meeting, the Kay County Democrats will meet in the Kaw Tribal offices, 698 Grand View Drive, Kaw City at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10. Before the meeting, everyone is encouraged to observe city court presided over by Kaw City Judge Lisa Otipoby at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 900 Morgan Square East.

During the brief business meeting, discussion will center around issues the group wants the Silver-Haired Legislature to consider. At the November meeting, J.E. (Ed) Carthel, District 7-1 Silver Senator, invited members to submit concerns to his lobbying group.

Again this year Democrats will bring Christmas basket items for the Displaced Homemakers/Single Parent program at Pioneer Technology Center. Everyone is reminded to bring a snack to share. To complete the evening, Dale Butler will lead the group in a few holiday songs. For more information contact Andrea Morriss, 765-6260.

SPORTS

Lack of Offense Dooms Cats, Lady Cats in Game One
Time Bomb Goes Off on Cowboys
Cougars Basketball

Lack of Offense Dooms Cats, Lady Cats in Game One

Wildcats

By MATTHEW KOENIG

News Sports Writer

JENKS — After one game, the good news is this: the Ponca City Wildcat basketballers have the running part of the Run-and-gun offense down.

Now, they just need the guns.

In a high-energy contest that rarely veered to the sidelines, the Cats were zapped by the No. 9 state-ranked Jenks Trojans, Tuesday, 66-45.

Behind just 34 percent shooting from the field, the Cats dropped back early and never recovered. After falling behind by as much as 18 in the third quarter, the Cats did rip off a 6-point run to open the fourth, pulling to within 10. But the Trojans — led by 6-3 shooting forward Justin Roye who led all scorers with 20 points — outscored the Poncans 13-4 in the final six minutes to pull away for good.

Despite the wobbly, first-game offense, however, the Cats were tenacious. Early foul trouble also led to a nice effort from a number of players off the bench, including eight points from 6-5 senior Scott Larrison.

“These guys showed a lot of pride,” said head coach Ron Arthur. “The bottom line is that they gave it their all, and that’s all you can ask.”

Senior Tom Engle led the Cats with 10 points, including a 3-pointer in the opening seconds of the second quarter to pull the Cats within five, 21-16. But a somewhat out-of-sync offense, combined with 48 percent shooting from the Trojans, and the Cats found themselves down by 11, 38-27, at halftime.

“The tempo was fast,” said Arthur, emphatically. “It was intense, aggressive. . . but a quick pace is what we want. There were times we looked out of control, but those things will work themselves out.”

A 6-point run to open the fourth quarter put a momentary gag on the Jenks crowd, as Larrison started things off with an offensive rebound and an inside basket. Engle then grabbed a steal at half court, made the layup, and followed up by lofting the ball to senior Paul Broome on a fast break bucket.

The Cats were edged in the turnover column, 17-13, and on rebounds, 35-32.

“We had some first game turnovers and the foul trouble made us alter our game plan,” said Arthur. “And if we’re going to be successful, we have to control the boards.

“But we’ll be a better team on Friday with the one game of experience. All these guys played last year, but we only have “one and a half” starters returning, so it’s the first time a lot of them have been in there in the heat of the game.”

Nathan Zimmerman finished with 8 points, Kris Shores had 7, Broome and Jeff Furnas each had 4, while Craig Thilsted and Blake Geubelle each had two.

For the Trojans, Joe Lord had 12, Robert Rademeyer and Brian Frazier had 8 each, Matt Gastel had 6, David Reed and Jesse McNeal had 4 each, Steve Harrington had 3, while Matt Vail had 1.

The Cats will have their home opener on Friday, taking on Stillwater. Last season, the Cats gave Arthur his first win as a head coach against the Pioneers.

Lady Cats

By MATTHEW KOENIG

News Sports Writer

JENKS — Beware of the Ghost of Seasons Past.

That specter definitely came back to haunt the Lady Wildcat basketballers on Tuesday, as a wicked defensive effort got upset by a not very nice offense, dropping the Poncans in their inaugural game of the season, 43-32, to Jenks.

Though the Lady Wildcats held the No. 4 ranked Lady Trojans to a surprisingly low point total, just 29 percent (12-of-41) shooting from the field, combined with 23 turnovers and just 6-of-16 shooting from the from the free throw line led to the Lady Cats’ demise.

“Obviously, our scoring isn’t good,” said head coach Dana Pulley. “It doesn’t matter what our defense is doing, if we can’t put that ball through that little hoop. . .”

The Lady Trojans, led by a 17-point output from 6-0 junior Kim Chiconas, raced to a 14-5 lead in the first quarter. That lead was cut to 19-13 at halftime after a six point output by Lady Cat senior Desiree Cries-For-Ribs.

Defensive impresario Alana Smith then took over in the opening moments of the third quarter, nailing a pair of baseline jumpers to pull the Lady Cats within four, 21-17. Smith led the Poncans with 8 points, including all but one of the Lady Cats’ third quarter output.

The Lady Trojans stampeded from there, however, ripping off a 14-4 run to close the period.

“For us to be down to the No. 4 team by just six at halftime is a definite plus,” said Pulley. “Our style is aggressive, and the refs let us play that way, but the bottom line is that we didn’t get it done offensively.”

The Lady Cats’ defense did force 18 turnovers from the Lady Trojans, and held them to just 18-of-54 shooting, for 33 percent. That defense was still up and humming in the fourth quarter, as the Poncans outscored their foes 11-8 in the final eight minutes.

Senior Jennifer Caughman had four straight points, Gina Hile nailed a 3-pointer, while sophomore Jena Birdsong showed some Lady Cat-like aggressiveness, banging down a 3-pointer and a free throw to close out the game.

“We wanted to go out scratching and clawing,” said Pulley. “We wanted to give 110 percent, and I think these girls did that.”

Cries-For-Ribs and Caughman had 6 each, Hile had 5, Birdsong had 4, Aleena Ames had 2, while Laura Sudbury had 1.

For the Lady Trojans, Laura Maxwell had 8, Kari Rist had 6, Lindsay Forsberg and Lauren Royall had 4 each, while Megan Duncan and Ginny Stone each had 2.

The Lady Cats, in their home opener, will host Stillwater on Friday. Tip off is at 7:45.

Time Bomb Goes Off on Cowboys

By FRED HILTON

News Sports Editor

Under the heading of be careful what you wish for:

When Oklahoma State coach Eddie Sutton looked at his early schedule he probably figured unknown Florida Atlantic would be a good transition game between two big contests, TCU under coach Billy Tubbs and UCLA in the John Wooden Classic in Anaheim, Calif.

What he got was a time bomb waiting to go off and it exploded in the face of the Cowboys’ 80-game non-conference home winning streak Tuesday night, 83-81.

The Cowboys were still settling down after a tough 79-74 win over the Horned Frogs last Saturday and looking forward to a battle with the legendary Bruins this Saturday.

It’s a scary situation for any coach and Sutton knew it could be dangerous.

“We preached to these players three or four times a day on the danger of overlooking a team like Florida Atlantic,” Sutton said. “But sometimes it doesn’t kick in.”

It didn’t kick in Tuesday night until it was too late and the Owls had walked off the court with a shocking win — their biggest win in six years as an NCAA Division I team.

The shocked Cowboys were well aware of their mistake.

“It’s hard to get up for a team like this,” the Pokes’ leading scorer, Adrian Peterson said afterwards. “I’m sure the players and coaches were all looking a little bit ahead to UCLA.

“From the jump we were out of synch.

“This is a wake-up call for us,” Peterson said. “We found out we’re not as good as we thought we were.”

“They embarrassed us,” center Alex Webber chimed in. “We didn’t come out with the fire we needed to. They did what they had to do and we didn’t do what we needed to do.” It was neither all good or all bad for the Cowboy players.

Webber had one of his better nights offensively, scoring a season-high 17 points with nine rebounds in 25 minutes of playing time.

But for some reason Sutton put the 6-10, 257-pound Webber on Florida Atlantic’s athletic 6-5, 230 Gary Durrant, who entered the game averaging 16.5 points a game.

Durrant, who bears a facial resemblance to Michael Jordan, used his quickness to drive around Webber most of the night and then drew the tall Cowboys outside where he shot over him, canning 5-of-6 three-pointers. Durrant was 12-of-22 from all over the floor for 31 points and had 10 rebounds.

Guard Doug Gottlieb had a school record 18 assist, but he also committed five turnovers, most of which the Owls turned into easy baskets.

Guard Joe Adkins banged in 5-of-10 shots from outside the arc, including a 20-footer from the right side that tied the score with 1:06 remaining. He led the Cowboys in scoring with 19 points and added eight rebounds.

But he also had five turnovers, including the final one that led to the winning basket for the Owls.

With the score tied at 81 and with the seconds ticking off the clock, Adkins rebounded a Florida Atlantic miss, but as he started up the court in a crowd, he was stripped of the ball, allowing Durrant to field the loose ball and score the winning points on an uncontested layup with 1.1 second remaining

Desmond Mason, who had 15 points and was the likely pick to be the hero of the game, blew a layup and missed the front end of a one-and-one in the final minutes.

Peterson, a 74 percent free throw shooter, also blew a free throw opportunity down the stretch.

As a team, the Cowboys hit 47 percent (27-of-57) of their shots, to 45 percent (30-of-67) for the Owls.

But the Owls, who had forced an average of 23 turnovers a game in their previous four outings, got the gift of 17 turnovers from the Cowboys while committing just nine.

OSU had a chance to put Florida State away in the first half with a 30-18 lead. But the Cowboys let the scrappy Owls back in the game.

“You can’t let a team like that hang around,” Peterson said. “Pretty soon they get to thinking they can win.”

Cougars Basketball

8th Grade Boys Blue

ENID — The 8th grade boys Blue pounded Enid Longfellow on Tuesday, getting scoring from every one of their players to post a 52-23 blowout.

“It was a good effort, defensively and offensively,” said coach Mike Ratliff. “The kids played well, considering the loss (68-30, to Woodward) the day before.”

David Sikes led the Cougars with 11, followed by Chance Hunt with 7, Kyle Megenity and Jessop LaRue with 6 each, Michael Bales with 5, Steven Morris and Michael Naden with 4 each, Matt Dexter with 3, while Ken Kana, Chance Coldiron and Kenneth White all had 2.

The Blues host Longfellow on December 8. Tip off is at 4.

8th Grade Girls Blue

One half was all it took for the 8th grade girls Red team, Tuesday, as they pounded Enid Longfellow, 38-18. The Reds are now 4-2 on the season.

After holding Enid to just two points in each of the first two quarters, the Poncans ripped to a 23-4 halftime lead. Led by Jamie Prado, who finished with 16 points, the Lady Cougars held on in a close-scoring second half to take the win.

Melissa Fore finished with 9 points, Sarah Adams and Brittany Cook had 4 each, Jerri Garza had 3, while Chelsea Hill and Morgan Meister had 1 each.

Blues will head to Derby, Thursday.