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From the pages of The Ponca City News, Tuesday, December 8, 1998 LOCAL DEATHS NEWS BRIEFS LIFESTYLES SPORTS BUSINESS LOCALNearly News Nearly NewsAce crossword solver Paul Holcomb was pleasantly surprised when he reached 15 across in the Oct. 21 Chicago Tribune Crossword puzzle. The clue was for a five-letter word for (blank) City, OK. He believes this to be the first time that “Ponca” was the correct answer to a crossword clue. It has been brought to the attention of Nearly News that the ticket prices for Hometown Christmas, to be held 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, are $6. Advance tickets can be purchased from Masters Touch Christian Book Store, or from the Poncan Theatre box office the evening of the show. The Ponca City Post Office has informed Nearly News that Saturday hours have been extended two hours from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 12 and 19, for the convenience of Ponca City citizens. NN receives new information about Christmas projects every day — the latest is to remind Ponca Citians that toys for the Toys for Kids project can be dropped off at Dwyer’s Hallmark in Ponca Plaza any weekday 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 12:30 to 6 p.m. Come Christmas Eve, the local firemen will distribute the goodies to Ponca City’s children who would otherwise not have toys for Christmas. Hospice also reports their tree in the atrium in front of the Tag Office is doing great and keep up the good work. NN figures Christmas for the small fry in Ponca City is in “good hands.” The article regarding Ponca City’s Lighted Christmas Parade, which appeared in Monday’s newspaper, incorrectly listed the day of the parade. The parade was held Friday. Area Legislators Pay Visit To Edwin Fair Center HereBy LOUISE ABERCROMBIE News Staff Writer Oklahoma Legislators from across the five-county area that Edwin Fair Community Mental Health Center serves where here recently to learn of the services, finances and to tour the facility. Edwin Fair serves Kay, Payne, Osage, Noble and Pawnee counties. Legislators in attendance were Senators Paul Muegge, Tonkawa, Mike Morris, Stillwater, and J. Berry Harrison, Fairfax, and Rep. Joe Sweeden, of Osage County. Rep. Jim Newport, Ponca City, who was out of town had sent regrets. The legislative forum began with Patrick Gearhart, Stillwater, president of the board, making introductions and then turned it over to Bob Hefley, who explained the work load and financing of the operation. Hefley explained that the funding for Edwin Fair, which is a non-profit organization’s budget had dropped from $4,571,040 in FY 1996 to $3,846,500 for FY 1999. Employees have been cut from 126 in 1997 to 101 for FY 1999. The payroll has dropped from $2,201,050 to $2,066,580. Projected FY99 - hours of treatment to patients are: day care, 47,370 hours; outpatient therapy, 16,335, hours; case management/rehabilitation, 8,877, hours and residential/inpatient, 4,044 days. Due to the funding cut in the client base has dropped from 1,750 to 1,385 on a monthly basis, but the total of clients needing help has not declined and this leaves a gap in service, Hefley said responding to a question by Senator Morris. Day treatment is for the seriously mentally ill who have schizophrenia and mania depressive illness and major depressive illness. Outpatients are for people who have disorders but not as serious. Case management is for those who are seriously mentally ill and this field work by the people who go out to patient’s home and make sure they are doing all right and taking their medication, trying to make sure they don’t have to go to the state hospital. Residential care is primarily for those with serious disorders who are going back and forth to the state hospital. The Center provides about $400,000 in medication for patients each year. The center gets about $135,000 from the state and the indigent medication programs of the pharmaceutical houses to provide a certain amount of charity assistance. So the center identifies those patients, who meet the criteria and match them to the medication needs. The results of not being able to treat patients because of the budget is that more people are using the hospital emergency room for treatment. Hefley said there is a major group of people that are indigent that need served but there is no funding sources. They meet the agency criteria, but are not eligible for Medicaid. He said the center continues to try to serve by being creative such as meeting in groups. What Hefley and Gearhart were asking the legislators to do was to support equalization of funding to community mental health centers per capita so the center can serve the population they are mandated to serve by the statutes. Four state centers and 14 not for profit centers were shown on a chart. The state centers are being funding at $23.20 per capita, while the Edwin Fair Center is funded at $8.50 per capita. Hefley concluded “This is just not fair.” In a chart showing other mental health facilities in Oklahoma, Edwin Fair ranked 17th out of 18 facilities in funding. Afterwards the group went to the therapeutic nursery program located on the campus of Opportunity Center, and later toured the Edwin Fair Center. District CourtNewkirk Marriage Licenses Jacob Philip Cervantes, 18, and Stephanie Vail Smith, 19, both of Ponca City. Daniel Lawrence Dost, 27, and Michelle Diann Countryman, 27, both of Ponca City. Patrick Dale Lindner, 36, and Kristin Dawn Mathia, 27, both of Wichita. Jason Ashley Malcolm, 25, and Dina Lee Hobbs, 21, both of Ponca City. Casey Patrick McFaden, 27, Annapolis, Md., and Gwen Marie Vickery, 31, Muncie, Ind. Franklin Wayne McLain Jr., 25, and Tryna Marie Tononi, 28, both of Blackwell. Jackie Kyle Denny, 25, and Tracea Marlene Pascoe, 22, both of Fairfax. William Don Curfman, 21, and Melissa Ann Lambert, 19, both of Ponca City. Marco Antonio Gutierrez, 28, and Marianne Rence, 31, both of Ponca City. Cody Chance Easley, 23, and Lesley Ann Sheets, 23, both of Blackwell. Mikel Lewis Skaggs, 30, and Sacha Vanessa Himes, 20, both of Ponca City. Dale Anthony Michael Creekmore, 18, and Josi Lashelle Misak, 15, both of Wichita. Divorces Sought Leroy L. Vernon vs. Danelle E. Vernon. Julie Ann Fahs vs. Rodney Tyrone Fahs. Ronald W. Backhaus vs. Paula Jean Backhaus. David Patrick Baldwin vs. Jennifer Renee Baldwin. Civil Petitions Eastman National Bank vs. Paul L. Kelle and Emma Lou Kelle; plaintiff seeking judgment for $27,958.28. Amber Anderson vs. Greg Pryor and Mindy Osborne; plaintiff seeking judgment in excess of $10,000. Greenwood Trust/Discover Card vs. Juliana Faulk; plaintiff seeking judgment for $5,564.09. Ford Motor Credit Company vs. Jeffery Littlewalker and Brenda S. Begay; plaintiff seeking judgment for $4,478.33. Ford Motor Credit Company vs. Nathan R. Brown; plaintiff seeking judgment for $6,444.03. Blackwell Divorces Sought Elsa Blair vs. Franklin Lloyd Blair. Divorces Granted Maria Lynn Johnson vs. Robin Lee Johnson. Cynthia D. Betz vs. Earl R. Betz. Linda P. Hillman vs. William H. Hillman; plaintiff restored to former name Linda P. McCulley. Karla S. Owens vs. Donald Owens; plaintiff restored to former name Karla Sue Hughes. Ponca City Divorces Sought Bobbie Jo Mederos vs. Steve Ramon Mederos. Kevin B. Herren vs. Tina F. Herren. Cyd J. Stoner vs. Ken B. Stoner. Bob Wayne Kirkley vs. Jewell Marie Kirkley. Michael Moulton vs. Amanda Moulton. Edgar Charles Vincent vs. Rebecca Cherrice Vincent. Bonnie Ruth Ramsey vs. Lewis T. Ramsey Jr. Divorces Granted Florence Elizabeth Mills vs. George Chesley Mills III. James C. Hines vs. Denise K. Hines. Kelly S. Thomas vs. Jeffrey L. Thomas. Robert E. Patton vs. Deanna Kay Patton. Rhonda Smith vs. Larry Lee Smith; plaintiff restored to former name Rhonda Jean Alexander. Eunice L. McGavock vs. Bill L. McGavock. Marilyn Jean Grayson vs. Jerry Lee Grayson. Mary Ann Tole vs. Raymond Tole. Celestina Louise Jennings vs. William Jennings Jr.; plaintiff restored to former name Celestina Louise Givens. Nancy Sue Ellis vs. Vernon James Ellis; plaintiff restored to former name Zimmerman. Shelly J. Enderud vs. Ronnie L. Enderud; plaintiff restored to former name Shelly J. Scott. Todd Alan Coats vs. Nichole Lynn Coats. Patricia L. Allen-Arnold vs. Henry Dean Arnold; plaintiff restored to former name Patricia L. Allen. Civil Petitions Tim Mayse vs. Shannon Boyd Ebert, et al.; plaintiff seeking judgment in excess of $10,000. Bette Lee vs. Roy Greer, et al.; plaintiff seeking judgment for $15,637.85. Associate Financial Services Company vs. Russell Clinton, et al.; plaintiff seeking judgment for $20,890.53. Helen M. Bunney vs. Doctors’ Park of Ponca City, L.L.C.; plaintiff seeking judgment in excess of $10,000. Randy Hamilton vs. Eric Vandermeer; plaintiff seeking judgment in excess of $10,000. Tommy G. Thompson vs. Paula K. Grimley and Doyle A. Grimley; plaintiff seeking judgment in excess of $20,000. April Carson, et al., and Marceal Foreman; plaintiffs seeking judgment in excess of $10,000. Natalie M. Ross vs. Lilan Ren, Nicole Tureaud and Felicia Gertken; plaintiff seeking judgment in excess of $50,000. DEATHSKatherine Eva James Katherine Eva JamesMORRISON — Katherine Eva James, longtime Morrison resident, died Monday, Dec. 7, 1998, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Ponca City. She was 92. The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Strode Funeral Chapel in Stillwater with Dr. Bill Chace and the Rev. Albert Quick officiating. Burial will be at the Sumner (Okla.) Cemetery. Katherine Eva (Frank) James was born May 28, 1906, to Christ and Minnie (Sphar) Frank in Morrison. She grew up in the Morrison area, attending school at Oak Grove and Windy Center. She was married to Clarence James on July 19, 1925, in Perry, and the couple moved to Missouri to establish their first home. They returned to Morrison in 1935 where they continued to live until their deaths. Mrs. James was a homemaker and enjoyed home interior decorating. She also was a caregiver for senior citizens and enjoyed working on the family farm. She was a member of the Sumner Baptist Church and the American Legion Auxiliary of Morrison. Mrs. James is survived by three sons, Clarence F. James and Collins E. James, both of Ponca City and Lenard F. James of Stillwater; one brother, Frederick W. Frank of Stillwater; one sister, Rose Cain of Perry; four grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren and two step-granddaughters. She was preceded in death by her husband on Dec. 31, 1973; her parents; three brothers and two sisters. Casket bearers will be Wayne Reed, Ray Eberle, C.R. Frank, Loyal D. Frank, Mike Frank, and Elmer Frank. Memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. James’ name to Sumner Baptist Church, c/o Strode Funeral Home, 610 South Duncan, Stillwater, OK 74074. Kathryn May WhiteTONKAWA — Kathryn May White, longtime Tonkawa resident, died Sunday, Dec. 6, 1998, at St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center in Ponca City. She was 99. The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 10, at McCafferty-Bolick Funeral Home Chapel in Tonkawa. Burial will be in the Tonkawa IOOF Cemetery. Kathryn May (Johnson) White was born April 17, 1899, in Enid, to Joseph Jerome and Susie Elena (Francis) Johnson. She moved to Tonkawa in 1910, where she attended University Preparatory School. After graduation, she was employed at the school, and worked there until retirement. She was married to James Dewey White on Jan. 14, 1920, in Winfield, Kan. Mrs. White was a member of the Eastern Star, Business and Professional Women, American Legion Ladies Auxiliary. Her hobbies included sewing, making clothes and cooking. Survivors include one son, Joseph Mack of Gretna, La.; one daughter, Betty Sue Morgan of Tucson, Ariz.; 10 grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, two brothers, and three sisters. Memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. White’s name to the Alzheimer Research Center, c/o McCafferty-Bolick Funeral Home, 400 East Grand, Tonkawa, OK 74653. Florence Irene JonesBLACKWELL — Florence Irene Jones, Blackwell resident, died Monday afternoon, Dec. 7, 1998, at the Blackwell Regional Hospital. She was 90. The funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 10, at Roberts Funeral Home Chapel in Blackwell with the Rev. Daryl Donovan, Blackwell First Christian Church, officiating. Burial will be in the Union Cemetery in Winfield, Kan. Florence Irene Jones was born Jan. 25, 1908, in Winfield, Kan., to John Riley and Rillie Jane (Hill) Mitchell. She grew up in Winfield, where she graduated from high school, and attended Southwestern College. After receiving her bachelor of science degree she began teaching in a rural school north of Winfield. She also taught in other rural schools and in Wichita, Kan. On July 23, 1951, she married Clarence E. Jones in Pawhuska and the couple made their first home in Blackwell. Mrs. Jones taught at Bethel School until 1954, then taught in the Blackwell School System until 1962. The couple moved to Covington in 1962 then back to Blackwell in 1981. Mrs. Jones was a member of the American Education Association, National Education Association, National Retired Teachers Association, Oklahoma Retired Teachers Association, Kay County Retired Teachers Association and the Blackwell First Christian Church. Survivors include two sisters, Ruth Ash of Ellinwood, Kan., and Gladys Lahti of Fresno, Calif.; She was preceded in death by her husband on Nov. 28, 1994; her parents; and four brothers, Will, Rue, Albert and Delbert Mitchell. Casket bearers will be Lonnie Atnip, Kenneth Evans, Leon Evans and Eb Bright. Memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Jones’ name to the First Christian Church, 306 East Coolidge, Blackwell, OK 74631. Alma Miriam RasconBLACKWELL — Alma Miriam Rascon, Blackwell resident, died Monday morning, Dec. 7, 1998, in the Children’s Memorial Hospital in Oklahoma City. She was 16. A prayer service will be held at 7 p.m. followed by the funeral mass at 7:45 p.m. today, Dec. 8, 1998, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Blackwell, with The Rev. Joe Burger officiating. Burial will be in Mexico. Alma Miriam Rascon was born Aug. 2, 1982, in Chihuahua, Mexico, to Alvaro and Alma (Saldna) Rascon. She grew up and attended school in Chihuahua until March 1998, when she moved to Blackwell. Survivors include her parents, Alvaro and Patricia Rascon of Blackwell and Alma Saldna of Chihuahua, Mexico; three sisters, Adriana of Chihuahua, and Cassandra and Patricia M. both of Blackwell; three brothers, Alvaro Jr., and Alvin, both of Blackwell and Aaron Rascon, Chihuahua, Mexico; and paternal grandmother Manuela Rascon of Chihuahua, Mexico. She was preceded in death by her grandfather, Manuel Rascon. Dollie Genevieve HonickBRAMAN — Dollie Genevieve Honick, longtime Braman resident, died Monday morning, Dec. 7, 1998, in Braman. She was 83. The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, at the Roberts Funeral Home Chapel in Blackwell with the Rev. Wayne Bookout officiating. Burial will be in the Newkirk (Okla.) Cemetery. Dollie Genevieve Honick was born Dec. 9, 1914, in Golden, Colo., to George A. and Laura (Zavits) Babcock. As a small girl she moved with her parents to the Dilworth Oil Field, where she grew up. She attended Mount Pleasant School and Dilworth High School. While in high school she was a member of the basketball team. She married Ray Walter Honick on April 9, 1932, in Winfield, Kan., and the couple had celebrated 66 years of marriage this year. The couple made their home on a farm southeast of Braman, where they continued to live to present. Mrs. Honick worked side by side with her husband in the family farming operation. Her hobbies included outdoor activities and she especially enjoyed fishing. She was a member of the Peckham First Christian Church. Survivors include her husband, Ray, of the home in Braman; one daughter, Lura White of Blackwell; one son, Clifford L. Honick of Newkirk; three sisters, Alice Craig of Perry, Laura Allen of Blackwell, and Hazel Dixon of Oklahoma City; one brother, Harold Babcock of Blackwell; eight grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; and one sister-in-law. She was preceded in death by a son, Wesley W. Honick; her parents; one sister, Doris Taton and one brother, George Junior Babcock. Casket bearers will be Mike Honick, Dennis White, Tony White, Craig Ortwein, Jim Kelly and Hugh Jackson. Memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Honick’s name to the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Cancer Research or to Hospice of Ponca City. All memorials may be sent or left at Roberts Funeral Home, 120 West Padon, Blackwell, OK 74631. ObituariesFlorence E. BeguinFlorence E. Beguin, our precious loving mother who loved and cared for one and all has gone home to be with Jesus. Mrs. Beguin died Sunday Dec. 6, 1998, at her home in Ponca City. She was 86. The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday Dec. 9, 1998, at the Asbury United Methodist Church with the Rev. Steve Bredesen, pastor, officiating. Burial will follow in the Resthaven Memorial Park under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel. Florence Beguin was born March 12, 1912 in Sioux City, Iowa the daughter of Ralph and Esther (Adamson) Scurlock. She grew up in Sioux City and graduated from Central High School there. On February 2, 1931 she was united in marriage to Philip Beguin and they made their home in Sioux City until moving to Pea Ridge, Ark., in 1948. The couple operated Florence’s Cafe in Pea Ridge until November 1954 when they moved to Ponca City. The couple owned and operated Philips TV Service in Ponca City until her husband’s death in 1975. Mrs. Beguin was a member of the Asbury United Methodist Church, the Women of the Moose and AARP. She enjoyed bowling and was active in bowling leagues for many years. She also enjoyed crocheting, raising flowers, painting and embroidery. Surviving are four sons, James Philip Beguin, Jerrold Palmer Beguin and Jack Parker Beguin, all of Ponca City and John Paul Beguin of Danville, Iowa; three daughters, Julaine Phylis Ogden of Ponca City, Janita Pauline Prophet of Pea Ridge, Ark., and Joanne Patricia Yarbrough, of Tulsa.; one sister, Frances Bauer of Crofton, Neb.; 17 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; and 15 great-great-grandchildren; one honorary great-grandchild, Amy Otto and a great host of friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and one sister, Fern Anderson. Casket bearers will be her grandsons, Jeff Beguin, Anthony Beguin, Jerry Beguin, David Beguin, Brett McGinnis, and Randy Prophet. Honorary casket bearers will be grandchildren and great-grandchildren of Mrs. Beguin. Memorial contributions may be made to the Asbury United Methodist Church, 700 West Liberty, Ponca City, OK 74601. The family will be at the Jerrold Beguin home, 901 East Chestnut. paid obituary FuneralsWednesdayLucia M. SchiltzMass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Ponca City. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery under the direction of Trout Funeral Home. A vigil service will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Ray Duane ShrinerMass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Blackwell. Burial will follow in Blackwell Cemetery under direction of Roberts Funeral Home. An evening prayer service will be held Tuesday evening at the funeral home. SaturdayVirginia May PavlikA memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. at Grace Memorial Chapel, Ponca City. NEWS BRIEFSGarden Club — Sage, Rosemary and Thyme Garden Club members will meet at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the home of Jannie Ross, 402 North Sixth. Co-hostess will be Cheryl Smith. Those attending are asked to bring a favorite dish for the luncheon as well as a gift created from dried herbs, flowers, etc. to exchange for Christmas. There will not be a Serendipity table in December. Every Wednesday ð price clothes, shoes except priced items. Check our daily specials. Caboose Thrift Shoppe, First and Central. adv. Bright World — Among the places where Cultural Center ornaments and notecards, and Tales of the Old 101 Ranch, are being sold is Bright World, located in the Ponca Plaza. The Gift they remember forever! Now reordering Whirley-Pop corn poppers in time for Christmas. $21.95 and $29.95. Graphic Center, 104 N. Third. adv. Kay Democrats To Meet — The Kay County Democrats will meet Thursday, Dec. 10, at 7:30 p.m. in the Kaw Tribal Offices, Kaw City, following the observing of Kaw City court at 7 p.m. All Democrats are invited. Bring a snack to share and items for the Christmas Basket. For more information contact County Chair Andrea Morriss, 765-6260. WWF Rock Bottom: In your home. Coming to pay per view. Sunday, December 13th at 7:00 p.m., $29.95. Watch your favorite wrestling star in your house!! Call 762-6684 to order Cable One! adv. Vandalism — At 8:20 a.m. Monday vandalism in the 500 block of South Pine Street was reported to police. 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. Stolen Angel — A woman in the 10 block of Stoneridge Road called police at 8:38 a.m. Monday reporting that a 9 foot angel had been stolen from her yard. Instant Passport pictures. Graham Photo, 201 North First, 765-4348. adv. Theft — At 8:59 a.m. Monday a man notified police of a coat and handicap sticker, stolen from his vehicle while it was parked in the 2000 block of North Fourteenth Street. 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. Brake Fire — Fire units responded at 10:56 a.m. Monday to a report of semi tractor trailer whose brakes were on fire, 1.5 miles north of Hubbard Road on U.S. 77. The fire was extinguished. Arrest — Police arrested a 29-year-old woman at 11:45 a.m. Monday on a city warrant. Hit and Run — Police were notified at 3:34 p.m. Monday of a hit-and-run at West Grand Avenue and Peachtree Street involving a child. However, neither the child nor the vehicle could be located. Hit and Run — A hit-and-run in the 1000 block of North Oak Street was reported to police at 1:48 a.m. Tuesday. An officer was assigned. Attempted Break-In — At 10:13 p.m. Monday a woman in the 100 block of West Albany Avenue contacted police reporting an attempted break-in. Attempted Break-In — Police were called to the 1700 block of South Ninth Street at 10:32 p.m. Monday after receiving a report of an attempted break-in. Arrest — A 28-year-old woman was arrested at 4:30 p.m. Monday on a city warrant for failure to pay. Arrest — Police arrested a 32-year-old man at 5:08 p.m. Monday from the 2000 of North Fifth Street on a Greer County warrant for failure to pay. Hit and Run — At 8:02 p.m. Monday police responded to a report of a hit-and-run accident that occurred in the 1100 block of East Prospect Avenue. Fireworks — At 8:07 p.m. Monday police were notified of possible gun fire in the 1900 block of North Sixth Street. It was determined to be fireworks. House Hit — A 16-year-old boy was arrested from the 800 block of North Elm Street for driving under the influence, driving under suspension, no insurance, reckless driving and leaving the scene of property damage accident after he reportedly ran his vehicle into a residence in the 2900 block of North Union Street at 10:07 p.m. Monday. Gas Drive-Off — At 10:55 p.m. Monday a clerk at the Sav-A-Trip, 207 East Highland Avenue advised police of a gas drive-off. Fence Cut — At 11:45 p.m. Monday police were alerted that a hole had been cut in a fence at Gregg’s Mini Storage, 905 North Union Street. Rock Throwing — At 3:55 p.m. Monday a woman in the 400 block of North Eighth Street contacted police regarding someone in an alley throwing rocks at his house. Cpl. Clifton Receives Commendation — Cpl. Adam G. Clifton, son of Coy and Mona Clifton of Ponca City, recently received a U.S. Marine Corps commendation for exceptional performance while serving as an Aviation Electrical Technician, Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 312 on Nov. 8 this year. Serving aboard the USS Enterprise, Cpl. Clifton assisted in emergency efforts on the flight deck of USS Enterprise, responding to the alarming call of fire on the flight deck caused by an aircraft mishap. His actions enabled a blazing fire to be extinguished without any serious injury to flight deck personnel, and in the aftermath, he served as a stretcher bearer for Lt. (jg) Brendan Duffy. Cpl. Clifton received a certificate of. commendation from the U.S. Marine Corps. LIFESTYLESBequest Benefits Opportunity Center Bequest Benefits Opportunity CenterBy LOUISE ABERCROMBIE News Staff Writer Opportunity Center has received a bequest of $100,000 from the Estate of Vera Pfeffer, former executive secretary to Lew Wentz. Mrs. Pfeffer resided in Ponca City for a number of years prior to moving to Arkansas, where she died in September. She was 97. Trustees of the Pfeffer Estate, Ruth Eleanor Northcutt of Ponca City and JoAnn Mascaro of Bentonville, Ark., were on hand recently to present the trust check to Barry Bickle, President of Opportunity Center Foundation. Also present for the event were Paul and C.D. Northcutt and Bill Bridwell, treasurer of Opportunity Foundation, and clients of Opportunity Center. Paul Northcutt had been Mrs. Pfeffer’s attorney for a number of years. Mrs. Pfeffer was the last surviving member of the Wentz organization and was first employed as a typist in the office of Wentz. During her 38 years with the company she advanced to executive secretary to Wentz. She and her husband, E.A. Pfeffer, both retired from the Wentz organization after 28 years. They moved from Ponca City to Beaver Lake near Rogers, Ark., in 1966, While they resided in Ponca City the Pfeffers were active in the Presbyterian Church, and later belonged to the Presbyterian Church in Rogers. The couple supported the University of the Ozarks in Clarksville, Ark., and for many years she was a member of the Board of Trustees and was granted a Doctor of Humanities in 1987. The Pfeffers’ also donated a large collection of Moser art glass to the University’s Pfeffer Museum in the Walton Fine Arts Center on campus. Health Department Gives Holiday Food Safety HintsThe holiday season reminds us of family, fun and food. The Oklahoma State Department of Health wishes everyone a safe, healthy holiday season by providing some food safety tips. Consider the 1-2-3-day approach when purchasing foods and preparing meals. On the first day buy most of your foods. The second day, do as much preparation as possible. The third day, complete the final cooking and enjoy your meal. The food safety tips listed below will help you keep holiday foods safe: Wash your hands for 20 seconds in warm water using soap before and after handling food. The ten most common causes of spreading disease are your fingers! Don’t give bacteria a place at your holiday table. To keep food looking and tasting good during a holiday buffet, set out the number of servings you anticipate will be eaten in a half-hour. As a general rule-of-thumb, purchase fresh raw meat, poultry or fish no more than one to two days before your holiday meal. Freeze for longer storage. These foods taste best if cooked the day of the meal. If you have frozen your meat, poultry or fish plan time for safe thawing in your refrigerator. Allow approximately 24 hours for each five pounds of weight. Prevent cross-contamination. Thaw or store raw meat, poultry or fish on the lower shelf of your refrigerator to prevent juices from dripping on other foods. Do not leave perishable foods out more than two hours in the temperature danger zone of 40 F to 140 F. This is the temperature range in which bacteria that cause foodborne infections grow the most rapidly. Perishable foods include meat, poultry, fish, dairy products, pasta, rice and cooked vegetables. Refrigerate fresh, peeled or cut fruits and vegetables within a couple of hours. Keep hot foods hot with chafing dishes, slow cookers and warming trays. Keep cold foods cold by nesting dishes in bowls of ice. Avoid adding fresh foods to foods that have been sitting out. When assigning foods to family members, consider the type of food and distance to travel. Avoid leaving perishable foods at room temperature longer than two hours. The two hours includes preparation time for foods that aren’t cooked or need more preparation after cooking. When traveling with food, keep HOT foods hot (140 F or higher) by wrapping them in foil, and then in heavy towels. Or, carry them in insulated wrappers or containers designed to keep food hot. Place COLD foods in a cooler with ice or freezer packs so they remain at 40 F or lower. If you are too busy or your kitchen is too small, prepare the main dish and invite guests to bring the salad and desert. Or, make reservations at a restaurant and avoid cooking entirely! Party Honors Tiffany SimsTiffany Sims, bride-elect of Steven Blake, was honored with a bridal shower Dec. 5 in the Williamsburg Parlor of First Baptist Church. Special guests were Jill Sims, mother of the bride-to-be; Paula Blake, mother of the future bridegroom; Wanda Hogan, grandmother of the bride-elect; Frances Blake of Shidler, grandmother of the future bridegroom; Evelyn Wright, great-aunt of the bride-to-be; and Barbara and Sam Gonzales of Dallas, Texas, aunt and uncle of the future bridegroom. The serving table was covered with a lace cloth and accented with an arrangement of silk magnolias. Crystal and silver serving pieces complemented the table. Hostesses were Kathy Butler, Jana Clynch, Cathy Ferguson, Penny Frick, Jackie Hall, Sandra Harrison, Jan Hogan, Cassandra Kifiak, Pat Kiker, Chris Schiltz, Ronda Williams, and Sue Witteman. The engaged couple’s wedding will be Feb. 20,1999, at First Baptist Church. BUSINESSUnemployment Rate Increases Unemployment Rate IncreasesKay County’s preliminary unemployment rate for October was seven percent, according to the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission. This is down one-tenth of a percent from September but up for the same period in 1997. Total estimated unemployed is 1,600. The preliminary unemployed rate for the state remained at 4.2 percent, which is also the national percentage of unemployed. Payne County’s 1.8 percent unemployment rate was the lowest in the state among the 77 counties in Oklahoma for the seventh straight month. Other area counties and unemployment rates include, Grant, 2.6 percent for both October and September and 2.1 percent for October 1997; Noble County shows 3.6 percent compared to 3.4 in October and 3.1 a year ago; Osage was listed at 3.7 compared to 3.5 for both September and 1997; Pawnee shows 5.8 percent unemployment compared with 4.4 percent in September and 5.6 a year ago. New Staples Store Third in OklahomaThe new Staples store opened here Saturday. The Office Superstore is the third store Staples store to be located in Oklahoma. In 1986, “What do you spend on office supplies?” was the question asked of countless small businesses by Tom Stemberg, Staples founder, as he proceeded with market research to make his dream of a chain of office products superstores a reality. Today, as chairman and chief executive officer, he still asks that question, but the opportunity for substantial savings exists for small businesses and home office operators, due to Staples’ revolutionary office superstore concept — a concept that has changed the way people buy office products nationwide. The new 24,049 square foot superstore on North Fourteenth carries general office supplies, office furniture, computers and business machines, and assorted software. Like all Staples, the store features faxing, photocopying and binding services, as well as FedEx services to complete all. one-stop shopping needs. The newest Oklahoma Staples also offers a larger, expanded-services copycenter. The Staples Copy Center provides commercial-grade high speed and color copiers. And two self-serve copiers that staple and collate at twice normal speed with customer work space provided. Staples also offers finishing capabilities, such as folding, laminating and binding services. The new Staples also offers a technology center with expanded computer services, including in-house tech support for computer upgrades and enhancements. Staples has the ability to add memory and upgrade your current computer in-store with a guaranteed turn around time of 72 hours or less. There is also a larger software department, improved floor plan, more signage for clearer identification of product, and color coded departments to aid customers in finding the products they want. J.C. McCaskey, general manager of the new superstore, remarked, “Our goal is to provide our quality office products and savings to small businesses, residents and students throughout the area. We’re proud to continue Staples’ reputation for great selection, price and service in the state of Oklahoma.” Building Permits Come to a HaltNew building came to a halt in November in Ponca City with zero building permits being issued in single-family, multi-family and commercial areas. Five remodel addition permits were issued with total valuation of $30,00 and five miscellaneous permits accounted for valuations of $13,850. There were 44 building inspections conducted. A total of 25 electrical permits were issued by Earl Whittaker’s electrical department and 96 inspections. Thirty-two plumbing permits were issued and 49 inspections make by Plumbing inspector Buddy R. Osborn, plumbing inspector. Osborn, also mechanical inspector, issued 25 permits and 37 inspections were made. Total building inspection revenue was $1,733. Dunham Reveals Views On Strategy and GrowthEditor’s Note: The following story is a reprint from the Conoco Quarterly Shareholders News published in the third quarter, in which CEO Archie Dunham shared his views on strategy and growth for the company. The questions are followed by Dunham's response. What can the company’s new shareholders expect from Conoco? We’ve set some very clear and ambitious goals, and we’re committed to delivering on our objectives. With 1995 as a base, we’re working to double the total enterprise value of the company from $15 billion to $30 billion by 2003. To accomplish this, we’ll need to earn an average rate of return that’s at least two percentage points above the industry’s cost of capital and increase earnings by an average of 10 percent per year. We’ve also committed to increase crude oil and natural gas production by about 30 percent between 1997 and 2000, assuming that we will have favorable oil and gas prices. How is Conoco dealing with low oil prices, and do you expect this difficult market environment to continue? We’ve structured Conoco to be competitive and profitable with crude oil prices in the $12-to $14 per-barrel range. Low oil prices make it very difficult for some producing countries to repay debt and fund their social programs, so there’s a great incentive for these countries to constrain production to encourage oil prices to move upward. Hopefully, this will occur during the next 18 months. Historically, natural gas prices have been more stable than oil. By 2003, Conoco’s portfolio is expected to be about 55 percent gas, 45 percent oil on a barrel-of-oil-equivalent (BOE) basis. Today, we’re closer to 35 percent gas and 65 percent oil. Conoco’s debt-to-total-capitalization ratio will be about 55 percent, while the industry average is in the mid-40 percent range. How do you plan to manage debt? Long-term, we want our debt-to-capitalization ratio to be in the 40-to 45-percent range. But there will be times when we’ll increase the ratio to the 55-percent level to capture highly profitable growth opportunities. Conoco has always managed cash well. I’m confident that we’ll reduce the current debt-to capitalization ratio toward the 45-percent level during the next two years with the excess cash that we plan to generate. But we’ll not pass up outstanding investment opportunities if they will significantly increase shareholder value. As a medium-size, integrated energy company, how will Conoco compete in this age of mega-mergers in the oil industry? Conoco is already a Fortune 100 company, and we plan to grow substantially in the future. Today, we have two core areas-North America and Western Europe. Our objective is to establish two additional core areas over the next several years. We’re considering opportunities around the world, but the most advanced are in the northern tier of South America, where we have the joint-venture Petrozuata heavy oil project in Venezuela, and in the Asia Pacific region, where we have a new joint-venture refinery in Malaysia and growing upstream operations. While we plan to grow, we’ve positioned Conoco to be highly competitive at our current size. We’ve drastically restructured the portfolio — buying, selling or trading $5 billion worth of properties during the last six years — and we’ve reduced costs by $700 million since 1991. Conoco has had some ground breaking successes at our current size. We were the first U.S.-based energy company to develop a new field in Russia, the first to have an integrated heavy oil project in Venezuela, and the first to negotiate a deal in Iran, laying the groundwork for future operations there if U.S. sanctions are lifted. We achieved those “firsts” because we’re a swift, nimble, focused, aggressive competitor, and we’re going to retain those leadership attributes as we grow. Conoco expects to be at the top of the industry in percentage growth of oil and natural gas production through 2000. What accounts for this positive outlook, and what do you expect beyond the turn of the century? Three major projects will account for 90 percent of our volume growth through 2000 — Petrozuata, our heavy-oil alliance in Venezuela; Lobo, our large natural gas acquisition in South Texas; and Britannia, a major natural gas/condensate field in the U.K. North Sea. These projects are onstream today, so we’re confident that Conoco’s volume growth will significantly outperform the industry over the next three years. Post-2000, we’d like to expand in Venezuela and we should be enjoying increased production from our deepwater plays in the Gulf of Mexico and the North Sea. We’re pursuing an aggressive exploration program worldwide, so I would expect to achieve significant production growth from these activities over the long term. I’m also optimistic that we’ll have increased production in Russia by 2005 and be active in the Middle East. Refining, marketing and transportation are tough business segments that are getting even more competitive as companies merge their operations. Are you looking for a downstream joint venture? We continue to be open to joint ventures, not only in Downstream but in any part of our business where an alliance will increase shareholder value. However, joint ventures must be viewed very critically to ensure that they increase shareholder value. There are many issues that come into play, including the value of assets, corporate governance and environmental concerns. So, while we’re open to new alliances, we must be convinced that the opportunity will create significant shareholder value. Conoco has been a DuPont subsidiary for 17 years. Does Conoco have the corporate culture it needs to succeed as a separate, public company? We’ve worked very hard to position Conoco to stand on its own as a leader in the energy industry. Today, we have an excellent portfolio of assets, a competitive cost structure, a focused, disciplined approach to business, and a corporate culture in which there’s an absolute commitment to deliver on the promises we’ve made to shareholders. That commitment can be seen at all levels of the company. In my 33-year career, I’ve never seen Conoco employees more energized, positive and motivated than they are right now. When you have 15,000 people marching in the same direction, determined to build shareholder value, you have a tremendous advantage. More than any other strength, our people will enable Conoco to achieve its ambitious business goals. Conoco Achieves Its Goal for Double-Hulled BargesHOUSTON -- After achieving its goal of operating a 100-percent double-hulled crude oil tanker fleet in U.S. waters ahead of schedule, Conoco this month began operating an entirely double-hulled fleet of petroleum tank barges as well. Both achievements precede by more than a decade a legislative mandate that only double-hulled crude oil vessels serve U.S. ports by 2015. “If we had not begun our journey to operate double-hulled tankers years ago, we would not be this far ahead of U.S. regulations for both double-hulled tankers and tank barges,” said Antonio Valdes, manager of Conoco’s worldwide marine group. "With double-hulled vessels and our safety-management system, we are doing everything possible to prevent oil spills, better protect the environment and enhance our crews’ safety.” Conoco’s vision for utilizing double-hulled vessels began in 1990, when the company became the first in the petroleum industry to voluntarily commit to building only double-hulled crude oil tankers that operate on the high seas. Expanding that commitment, Conoco pledged to operate a100-percent, double-hulled oil tanker fleet in U.S. waters by 2000, a goal the company achieved well ahead of schedule last August with four such vessels. Two new double-hulled tankers are scheduled to arrive for U.S. service in late 1999. Last week, Conoco completed the conversion of its U.S. barge fleet when it received its fourth new double-hulled tank barge in three months and began operating a 100-percent, double-hulled fleet of 14, unmanned tank barges along the Gulf Coast from Brownsville, Texas, to Mobile, Ala. Powered by seven push boats, the barge fleet operates 24 hours a day, delivering approximately 20 million barrels a year of crude oil and such “hot oil” products as asphalt. Double hulls offer an additional measure of protection against costly oil spills from collisions that can occur in fairly confined intracoastal waterways, where marine traffic is sometimes heavy. Besides double hulls, Conoco’s new crude oil tank barges have reinforced bows with thicker steel plating, providing a further precaution against potential damage from groundings in shallow waters. Conoco’s crude oil tank barges also are equipped with electronic vapor-recovery systems to contain volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions when loading and unloading crude oil cargoes. VOCs have been found to contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone, the main component of urban smog. In addition, the average age of a double-hulled tank barge operated by Conoco is six years, more than three times younger than the industry average of 21 years for a crude oil barge working in U.S. waters. Conoco is a major, integrated energy company based in Houston and active in 40 countries. Conoco Sells Natural Gas PropertiesHOUSTON (Dec. 2, 1998) — Conoco has announced the sale to North Central Oil Corporation of some producing natural gas properties in South Texas that were not compatible with recent major acquisitions made by Conoco in the same area. The sale closed on Nov. 3 for $73 million, and had an effective date of Sept. 1, 1998. It involved the Hundido Field in Zapata County and the Vaquillas Ranch/Mujeres Creek Field in Webb County. The properties cover about 7,600 net acres, or 2 percent of Conoco’s holdings in the area. North Central will take over operations of 58 producing wells with current daily net production of approximately 22 million cubic feet of gas per day. “Acquisitions and sales are a normal part of Conoco’s strategic effort to upgrade our Lobo Trend portfolio while continuing to grow the asset. The cumulative effect is strong growth,” said Rob McKee, Conoco executive vice president, exploration production. “We remain the area’s largest producer and one of the three biggest gas producers in Texas.” So far this year, Conoco has augmented its holdings in the Lobo Trend by 17 percent, or 85,000 acres. Current daily gas production from Conoco’s Lobo operations is about 725 million cubic feet — more than triple what it was 18 months ago. Under the five-year, $1 billion project, which was begun in 1997, Conoco will further develop its natural gas leases in the Lobo Trend. The company’s holdings in the Lobo Trend include more than 460,000 net acres and more than 1,000 producing wells. “Technology has been at the heart of Lobo’s development success,” said McKee. “Conoco’s expertise in the area of 3-D seismic imaging has improved the drilling success from 20 percent to an 85 percent success rate. And, our efforts to centralize and automate operations have improved efficiency and significantly reduced our per-unit production costs.” Charles Machine Works CEO Wins Inventor PrizePERRY — Ed Malzahn of Perry has been named 1998 Inventor of the Year by the Oklahoma Bar Association. Malzahn was selected for the honor from entries submitted to the OBA’s Patent, Trademark, and Copyright Section. An important consideration in the judging process is the effect of nominees inventions for Oklahomans. Malzahn is president of The Charles Machine Works Inc., the world’s leading manufacturer of equipment to install underground electrical and telecommunications cable, water distribution and service lines, sewer laterals, and natural gas pipe. Judges recognized Malzahn for six patents: *A variable-speed gear reduction unit for small trenching machines. *Heated rollers of a portable asphalt compaction system. *A quickly-detachable backfill blade for trenching machines. *Two patents for a directional rod pusher. The first provides a method of making an underground borehole without digging trench; the second is an improvement to the earlier patent. *A trencher attachment for cleaning loose soil from bottoms of trenches. Malzahn invented the world’s first compact trenching machine shortly after World War II, a development that helped change the way the world’s utility infrastructure is constructed. The patent for the gear reduction unit is credited with helping build the success of Malzahn’s company and for the growth of the emerging underground construction industry. During 1990s, trenchless equipment patents revolutionized underground utility construction, making possible the installation of underground lines when conditions make excavation impractical or impossible. The Charles Machine Works, Inc. has become the largest manufacturing company in Northern Oklahoma. The Oklahoma company has built and sold more than half the world’s trenching machines, and the Ditch Witch trencher has twice been recognized by Fortune magazine as one of the 100 best products built in America. Malzahn is the recipient of numerous engineering, business, and civic awards, including being named by the Equipment Manufacturers Institute as one of the 100 most significant contributors to the mechanization and productivity in construction during the previous 100 years. SPORTSMatmen Face No. 6 Tigers Matmen Face No. 6 TigersBy FRED HILTON News Sports Editor Former Ponca City wrestler Joe Hall will lead a relatively inexperienced Broken Arrow wrestling team onto the mat at Broken Arrow High School tonight. Of course, with Broken Arrow, inexperience is a relative term. As one of the top high school programs in the state and country, the Tigers have set a high standard. As the defending state Class 5A champion, the Tigers were ranked No. 1 in the preseason polls. That ranking has slipped some following early dual losses to resurgent Midwest City, 28-22, and Muskogee, 30-28. The Tigers came back to blast Tulsa Webster 53-9 last week and will take on Ponca City tonight at 7:30. “I have a lot of respect for coach (Todd) Steidley,” Broken Arrow coach Steve Dunlap said today. “I know he will have his team ready and this is always a tough match.” Like the Wildcats, the Tigers were a little slow getting out of the gate this season, and for the same reason. “We graduated 10 seniors,” Dunlap notes. “So a lot of our kids will have to gain experience along the way.” But Broken Arrow still has a strong base this season. The returnees include defending state 135-pound champion Branson Phillips, who will be at 145 tonight. Also back are USA Junior National runner-up Eric Hopkins (at 103 tonight), state placer Mark Gibson (160) along with state qualifiers Rafael Maturino (140) and Daniel Smith (171). The rest of the Broken Arrow lineup, has junior Marc Cline at 112 pounds, senior Donnie Warluft at 119, senior Danny Haas at 125, sophomore Josh Pulsifer at 130, junior Hall — who is from Ponca City by way of Minnesota — at 135, senior Joey Fleming at 159, senior Justin Snyder at 189, sophomore Jake Frazier at 215 and sophomore Neal Phillips at heavyweight. Cat Cagers Seek Sweep of TigersBy MATTHEW KOENIG News Sports Writer It was an evening of euphoria and sadness last Friday for the Po-Hi cagers, as the Cats pulled out a thrilling, 1-point victory over Stillwater to follow up a depressing, 61-40 loss for the Lady Cats. Tonight, they’ll go for euphoria, followed by euphoria, with a sweep of Broken Arrow. The Lady Tigers (2-2) are picked to finish third in the Frontier Conference, while the Tigers (1-0) are picked fourth. For those who missed the Tulsa World’s basketball spectacular on Sunday, there were few surprises. Both Po-Hi teams were picked — due to last season’s records and starters lost — to finish last in the nine-team conference. Senior Lady Cat Desiree Cries For Ribs was chosen as a preseason All-conference player, however, and last Friday’s foe for the Poncans, Stillwater, is picked to finish fourth on both the boys’ and girls’ sides. So does that officially makes Friday’s Wildcat win an “upset?” The boys’ game will tip off tonight at 6:15, with the girls’ game starting at 7:45. Lady Tigers (2-2) at P.C. Lady Cats (0-2) Proving that beneath her warm, motherly exterior is the still-beating heart of a Ponca City All-stater and former collegiate competitor, Lady Cat coach Dana Pulley had some sharp words after Friday night’s live burial. “That’s probably the worst I’ve seen us play,” she said, bluntly, teeth clenched, after the game. And that was the nice stuff. “My gosh, she sounded like me,” said Wildcat coach Ron Arthur. Which means it wasn’t exactly a rampage — it was more like Straight Talk with Coach Pulley. “I told it like it was,” Pulley said, Monday. “I was in the into-the-game mode. I’m usually pretty subdued, and positive. . .” Still, if Pulley ever needs justification for going crazy, Friday’s game tape would be a good place to start. The Lady Cats were butchered by Stillwater’s press, giving up 27 turnovers, and shot just 28 percent from the field. Lady Pioneer Shelby Hutchens, despite a box-and-one coverage, hammered the Poncans for 31 points. And while the Lady Cats may have been caught off-guard by the Lady Pioneers, they should have a pretty good idea of what’s coming to town tonight. The Lady Cats saw a lot of the Lady Tigers last season — so much, in fact, that they’ve come up with endearing nicknames for some of their players. After playing twice in the regular season, the two teams met again in the first round of the playoffs. And though the Lady Tigers’ swept the Lady Cats back then — by an average score of 53-39 — en route to a 21-7 record, they also graduated a number of key players off that team. Most notable among them was All-stater Kristin Brady, who was the conference scoring leader at over 22 points per game. This season, the Lady Tigers are led by preseason All-conference player and 6-0 senior post Christie Baugess, who upped her 10 ppg average against the Poncans last year by averaging 16 ppg through both regular season match ups. Senior guard Kelli Braitsch (5-6, 4.9 ppg), the Lady Tigers’ other preseason All-conference player, is also a proven threat, as is 5-9 junior Octavia Holmes, who had a field day against the Poncans in the post season, with 29 points. Braitsch averaged six points against the Poncans last season. “Those names really stick out,” said Pulley. “They’re still a good team. “But I think we learned from Friday’s game. We’re back to hard work, hard work will pay off, and this is a hard working team.” Broken Arrow Tigers (1-0) at P.C. Wildcats (1-1) With Friday’s win, the Cats have now won three straight against Stillwater. They’d like to get something like that going tonight, against the Tigers. Though the Tigers were the 6A state champs two years ago, they finished fourth in the conference last year, at 9-7. This year, due to the return of just one starter, they’re picked to finish sixth, ahead of Owasso, Sand Springs and Ponca City. That one starter is 6-4 senior Rassan Hines, who averaged 8.4 ppg last year, and 7 through two games with the Cats. Another recognizable threat to the Poncans will be 6-2 junior Mickey Nichol, who had 10 points in the Cats second encounter with the Tigers. To beat the Tigers, according to assistant coach Joe Matlock, the Wildcats will have to put in another showing like they had against Stillwater — with one exception. “We have to hit our free throws,” he says. “But if we play like we did Friday, they’re beatable.” The Cats’ win on Friday was tainted somewhat by miserable, 15-of-32 shooting from the free throw line. On the bright side, coach Ron Arthur was pleased with the improvement his team made in rebounding — a test point in the preseason. “We weren’t just rebounding,” says Arthur. “We were blocking out. We were executing the fundamentals.” Mavericks Fall To Bacone AgainMUSKOGEE — The Mavericks of NOC have proven they can beat nationally ranked teams. Now if they could just beat unranked Bacone. The Mavs (12-3) dropped their second game of the season to the Warriors, falling 80-68 in their last game before Christmas break, Monday. Up by four, 66-62 at the 4:40 mark of the second half, the Mavs’ attack faltered. Four straight turnovers led to a dearth of buckets as the Mavs could manage just two free throws for the rest of the game. The Warriors, meanwhile, ran away with the game. “We just stalled,” said coach Mick Weiberg. “We got nothing, absolutely nothing, on the inside.” Down 14-3 in the early going, the Mavs came back to tie things up at 16-all. A back-and-forth battle ensued from there, with neither team taking more than a 5-point lead until the end. The Mavs, however, shot just 30 percent (14-of-47) from 2-point range, while the Warriors hit on 62 percent (27-of-43). The Warriors’ attack was led by Michael Hicks, with 21 points, most of those coming from underneath the basket. “I counted, and at one time we missed something like 10 unmolested shots — the same thing as layups,” sighed Weiberg. “It almost looked like we were trying to miss.” Weiberg also noted that except for a nice performance from Latarvis Norman, who finished with five points off the bench, most of the Mavs’ key players had off nights. “That might be from trying to do too much,” he said. “You can have (off nights), but you don’t want them as widespread.” Still, despite the off-nights and poor shooting, the Mavs did better the opposition in a number of areas. The Mavs won on turnovers, 14-10, and made 8-of-20 from 3-point land — compared to just 4-of-16 for the Warriors. “The really pitiful thing is that we should have won that game,” Weiberg concluded. “The last four minutes is where leadership shows, and that’s the one thing that worries me with this team. “Leadership is so vital, and someone has got to step up.” Larry Reid led the Mavs with 15 points, followed by Nathan Gregory with 13, Ryan Williams with 12, Jeff Newby and Sherman Rochell with 6 each, Josh Regnier with 5, Tyler Barnard with 3, Ron Banks with 2 and Shere-Khan Jones with 1. The Mavs, after an extensive holiday break, will return on January 7, to host Westark. Lady Mavs Lose in OTMUSKOGEE — The Lady Mavericks of NOC lost yet another heartbreaker on Monday, falling in overtime to the Lady Warriors of Bacone, 67-63, in overtime. After a lackluster, 74-62 loss to the Lady Warriors (10-2) on November 23, the Lady Mavs (4-7) were ready to rumble on Monday, tying the game up in the final seconds to force the overtime. After knocking down two straight buckets to pull within two points, Suzi Eisenhauer grabbed a defensive rebound for the Lady Mavs. On the other end, Kacey Whitworth missed, but sophomore Jessica Garner grabbed the rebound and made the shot with four seconds left on the clock to tie the game at 57-all. In overtime, however, the Lady Mavs turned the ball over on their first two possessions, and were outscored 10-6 in the 5-minute period to suffer the loss. “We showed signs of life,” said coach Greg Krause. “We had our chances.” The Lady Mavs held a 28-21 lead at halftime, and were outscored 36-29 in the second period. Once again, it was the Brazil Connection making things happen for the Lady Warriors. Erica Vincente and Erika Rante — both natives of Sao Paulo, Brazil — had 19 and 18 points, respectively, to lead the Lady Warriors. Whitworth led the Lady Mavs with 19 points, followed by Garner with 12, LaTonya Douglas had 11, Ritha Moro had 7, Jennifer Williams had 5, Eisenhauer had 4, Shaneta Lewis had 3, while Ranada Collins had 2. The Lady Mavericks now travel to Kansas for two games in the Pepsi Classic, Friday and Saturday. The Lady Mavs will then be off for Christmas holidays until January 7, when they host Westark.
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