LOCAL

New Ponca City Fire Chief Coming Here From Wichita
Helping Embattled Oil Industry Top Priority for Governor, State
Ponca City Man Found in Garage
Nearly News
Low Bid Awarded Once Again
School Board Offers Option For All-Day Kindergarten
Local Talent Will Perform On Thursday
DARE Graduation Ceremonies Begin

New Ponca City Fire Chief Coming Here From Wichita

By PATTI PFEIFFER

News Staff Writer

Ponca City has a new fire chief and for the second time in a row he is a Sedgwick County, Kan., firefighter.

Beginning Jan. 18, Gary Denny of the Sedgwick County Fire Department will take the helm as the No. 1 man in the fire department. Former Fire Chief Larry Mullikin was hired from the Wichita Fire Department, also located in Sedgwick County.

“I think it is coincidental that both of the fire chiefs have come from Sedgwick County,” City Manager Gary Martin said. “We conducted a nation-wide search and the assessment center is the fairest way to select a fire chief because it is conducted by various Oklahoma fire chiefs. That takes away the possibility for any politics or any incidental issues to enter into the selection process.”

There were six applicants for the position including three members of the Ponca City Fire Department. All applicants were rated in the OSU assessment process which consisted of a two-day process.

Denny was ranked first by the assessment team. He has more than 21 years experience in fire fighting, all in the Sedgwick County Fire Department where he climbed the ranks from firefighter to fire prevention captain and ultimately to the position of division chief of operations.

He has extensive and special hazardous material training as well as special management training. In addition, Denny was the initial incident commander at the DeBruce Grain Elevator explosion on June 8, 1998, in Sedgwick County.

“I’m very impressed with the way that the city has opened their arms to both me and my family,” Denny said. “I see this as a brand new challenge and an opportunity to use my abilities in a new position. I’m very much a people person and focus on those around me, including my co-workers and those in the community.”

At age 42 Denny views his youth as a positive in his new position.

“I am a fairly young person and feel I have innovative, new ideas that I can offer the department,” he says. “I’m a team player and hope my abilities will enhance the team work within the department.”

The vacancy in the top fire department position was created six week ago when Mullikin resigned to accept the position of fire chief in Stillwater.

The new chief was nominated by Mayor Tom Leonard and then unanimously approved by the city commission Monday night.

“We are very pleased to have such a qualified and enthusiastic addition to our fire department and also happy to have him in place so quickly,” Leonard said. “I interviewed him personally and believe he is committed to a team building approach in our fire department.”

Helping Embattled Oil Industry Top Priority for Governor, State

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Gov. Frank Keating says helping the state’s energy industry through current tough times is top priority, perhaps worthy of a special legislative session.

Following a meeting with industry leaders and Oklahoma congressmen Monday, Keating said he is awaiting recommendations from energy officials before discussing with legislative leaders whether to call a special session in January or take up the issue first thing when the scheduled session begins in February.

‘‘We must address the crisis in the oil patch immediately. We simply cannot permit the layoffs and downsizing in the state’s oil industry,’’ he said. ‘‘That would be simply calamitous to our economy.’’

Keating and others fear jobs in Oklahoma’s $5 billion yearly energy industry will be lost after the holidays as a result of oil prices dipping as low as $8 a barrel.

Keating said he expects specific recommendations soon from state Energy Secretary Mike Smith and Corporation Commission member Denise Bode. He earlier named the pair to head up efforts to find ways to help the oil industry.

Keating said he also plans to invite governors from 36 other energy producing states to attend a summit next month to come up with a coordinated effort to shore up the oil industry on the state and national levels.

U.S. Reps. Frank Lucas, Wes Watkins, Steve Largent and Ernest Istook, all R-Okla., attended Monday’s meeting. Oklahoma’s other congressional delegates sent staff members.

The congressional members said aside from the impact on local economies, a weak national energy production industry could make the nation vulnerable.

‘‘With every day that passes we become more and more enslaved and dependent on foreign oil and that’s not just a problem in oil producing states like Oklahoma, it’s a national security issue,’’ Largent said.

The congressmen said they would push for changes in federal law and policy to protect national energy production in times of crises.

Ponca City Man Found in Garage

The body of a 25-year-old Ponca City man was found Monday night in the garage of his home in the 100 block of Warwick Road.

According to police the body of Josh Rodgers was found after they received a call from a woman at 9 p.m. stating that she had found a man unconscious on the floor of his garage.

Preliminary police investigation reports state Rodgers apparently died from carbon monoxide poisoning.

Nearly News

Nearly News has been getting several reports about donations received by Ponca City non-profit organizations from persons across the U.S. who are reading The Ponca City News on the internet. Marquetta Brown, a volunteer with Friends of the Cultural Center, reported a call from William Thompson, Atlanta, Ga., a former Po-Hi Student (1950s) who ordered several copies of “Tales of the 101 Ranch.” The story in The News explained that the group is selling the booklet as a fund raiser to pay for upkeep and renovations on the Cultural Center.

Carmalita Wesbrook, Peachtree Landing homeless shelter director, also reported receiving a generous donation for Peachtree from a man in Long Beach, Calif., after he read a story about the success and need of the Ponca City shelter on the net.

Low Bid Awarded Once Again

By PATTI PFEIFFER

News Staff Writer

The more things change the more they seem to stay the same and Monday night’s city commission was no exception. Once again the never-ending debate over the bid process was rehashed, debated and argued in a lengthy discussion involving commissioners, citizens and contractors alike.

At issue this time was the award of a sizable contract for concrete patching repairs of streets throughout the city. The low bid, in the amount of $266,043, was submitted by Stillwater contractor Cowboy Concrete and Construction Company.

The next lowest bid was 8 percent higher and submitted by local contractor Chitwood Construction Company. Local contractor Throop Construction Company also submitted a bid. All three bids were below the engineer’s estimated costs.

Although staff had recommended the low bid it also included a memorandum which stated if Cowboy was awarded the contract they would require more supervision by city staff “… to ensure that the project is completed in a timely manner and that the end product is of an acceptable quality.”

City Commissioner Chris Hand — an outspoken critic of Cowboy Concrete — lead the argument against awarding it to the low bidder and opting for the second highest bidder.

“I remember the sidewalk project and Phase II of Hartford Street, the other contracts that Cowboy Concrete was awarded. There were problems and there was a real lack of supervision on the construction site,” Hand said. “And I feel real adamant about awarding this contract to the second lowest bidder.”

However Commissioner Lyn Boyer argued the point.

“Why ask for competitive bids if don’t take the lowest bid,” he questioned. “The guidelines say to award the contract to the lowest bid unless they are otherwise disqualified. Besides there was a professional staff that knows more about constructing streets that anyone else I know and they agonized over this and have made a recommendation.”

Comments were then taken from citizens.

“I believe the bid process should rule on this and I would like to see the city stay with the bid process the way it was designed,” Charles Kelly told commissioners. “Cowboy Concrete is ODOT qualified and I haven’t seen any facts which state why they shouldn’t be awarded the contract. They gave a good price and a competitive one and one that is good for the city. I think you should take the recommendation to award it to the low bidder.”

It was City Attorney Kevin Murphy that then, once again, explained the city bid process.

“The last time the city commission discussed giving preference to the local bidder it was a pretty slippery slope. If our contractors can go to other towns and bid that is okay,” he said. “If you reject a low bid you do have to set forth a reason for doing so.”

Besides Commissioner Hand there were a couple others who spoke against the idea of awarding the contract to Cowboy Concrete.

“I don’t think you are comparing apples to apples,” said Don Niemann. “You are penalizing a local contractor that wants to do a good job and at the same time sending taxpayer’s dollars out of town.”

Finally the mayor argued his side of the case.

“If we quit accepting the lowest bid because they are from out of town it will significantly damage the bid process,” Mayor Tom Leonard added. “I won’t say that we won’t ever turn down the lowest bid because it does say the lowest and ‘best’ bid. I will vote to allow Cowboy Concrete to step up to the plate for the third time. But, as mayor, I do expect the boss to be on the job.”

When all was said and done and the dust settled, Cowboy Concrete was awarded the contract by a 4-1 vote, with Hand opposing the motion.

In other action taken by the commission a street curb and gutter repair contract was awarded to the low and only bidder Chitwood Construction Company in the amount of $49,695.

City commissioners will also approved a lease agreement between the City and AMBUC regarding the Jack Blevins Motocross Track. The new agreement allows for the track to be subleased.

A grant application for funds for the construction of a street which would connect Sykes Boulevard to Thorn Apple Valley Drive and create a “truck traffic loop” in the Ponca City Airport Industrial Park was also approved.

All items on the consent agenda were approved including the purchase of seven city vehicles including six police patrol vehicles in the amount of $121,389, a contract between the Oklahoma Department of Libraries and the Ponca City Library for Fiscal Year 1999 State Aid Allotment, proposal from the Western Center for the Conservation of Fine Arts, Denver, Colo., (WCCFA) to furnish labor and materials to restore art work owned by the Marland Mansion, the Pool Committee’s recommendation to accept the bid for the Swimming Pool Filter Tank Replacement for the Community Pool in the amount of $50,721 and the purchase of 80 Rearload Containers in the amount of $26,214 for the Solid Waste Department.

A proposed Oklahoma Municipal Power Authority contract amendment regarding the power sales contract relative to the pending electric deregulation was postponed.

And although there were those present to speak in favor of the proposal, the matter of the city supplying “in-kind service” funding for the proposed new transit system was also postponed and will be discussed at a later date.

School Board Offers Option For All-Day Kindergarten

By KRISTI HAYES

News Education Editor

Students entering the four-year-old and kindergarten programs next year will have the option of attending school all-day. The decision was made after the Ponca City Board of Education voted to offer the programs, pending more information on curriculum, at a regular board meeting Monday night.

The pre-kindergarten proposal will consist of seven teachers, each teaching half-day sessions of 20 students per session for a total of 280 students. The contract with Head Start at White Eagle will serve an additional 20 students. Transportation will be provided for Garfield, Lincoln, Washington and Woodlands students to one of the other sites.

According to the school district, the full-day kindergarten program will be available in all eight schools with two sections of 20-24 students each. Due to space issues, Lincoln would offer one half-day class. All students would have the option of attending half-day or full-day kindergarten.

The district says the additional four-year-olds would generate enough state aid to pay for the additional classes provided that the surplus teaching positions at Garfield, Roosevelt, Trout and Union are used.

Architectural Services

Two agreements with Lewis Associates Architects for architectural services for the girls softball lighting and improvements to the Anderson Building at Po-Hi were made.

The agreement for the renovation of the Anderson Building will be the standard AIA contract as revised by Gary Bracken, board attorney, i.e., eight percent of the project costs, with the eight percent fee to include all engineering fees and other costs as outlined in the AIA document.

The second agreement is similar to the first agreement with the architect for the lighting contract. This agreement with the architect is for his actual labor costs, printing costs, and engineering fees to initiate the plans and oversee the softball lighting project, not to exceed six percent of the project cost.

Other Agenda Items

Change order 7 to the Commons Addition and Howell Building remodel projects at Po-Hi were approved for $4,532. The new contract amount is $2,819,136. Change order 3 for several additions to the remodeling of Liberty, Woodlands and Trout School were accepted for $3,636.

Other items approved on the agenda include:

— The renewal of insurance agreement with Simpson Insurance Agency of Ponca City for life insurance for district support personnel.

— Agreement with Green Tree Vendor Service to lease to own two phases of software and hardware for the Campus Mart Child Nutrition Services.

— Approval of 1999 school board meeting dates.

— Vote to temporarily suspending board policy concerning the employment of teachers in attempt to resolve objections of the Ponca City Association of Classroom Teachers.

Discussion Topics

Mike Kruck, board member, reported on the Board Curriculum Committee. He said the Po-Hi Academic Council is considering two requests; reducing the academic units needed for graduation and giving a certificate of distinction (as provided for in HB 1406). The council will propose that the school align with the state guidelines (21 units for graduation) for the class of 2000. This will not effect required courses, but reduce the number of elective units (from 10 to 8) required to graduate.

John Young, board president, reported on the Board Property Committee. He said the group met on Dec. 9 to discuss various construction projects, proposed costs and the softball lighting project. The lighting project has been put out to bid, with the bid opening to be Dec. 29 at 2 p.m.

Dr. Bill White, superintendent, told board members that Dec. 18 is the last day of school and Jan. 11 is the date for the next board meeting. He also gave an update on the dropout rate for the first quarter. A total of 108 students (90 at Po-Hi, 16 at Mid-High, and two at Middle School) have dropped out so far this year. That number is up 14 from last year.

People addressed the board during public comment regarding Todd Kimrey, head football coach.

Local Talent Will Perform On Thursday

Patty Curl and Tim Muniz will present a live musical performance Thursday at the Master’s Touch Bookstore starting at 5 p.m. and ending 7 p.m. Muniz will perform from 5 to 6 p.m., and Curl will take the stage from 6 to 7 p.m.

Both entertainers also are scheduled to perform Saturday at the Hometown Christmas show at the Poncan Theatre beginning at 7 p.m. and featuring local talent.

Curl has been singing since the age of six, and she has been speaking and performing at women’s conferences across the country, including Branson, Mo., as well as additional appearances in other cities in Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, Oklahoma.

Chairman of Christian Women’s Club, Curl also serves on the board of Birth Choices, is a member of Singing Church Women and is a soloist on their current recording. Motivational speaking is a specialty of Curl, and she has spoken at schools in Arkansas City and Ponca City, on top of her many other engagements.

Muniz, a Ponca City High School graduate, is a singer, songwriter and recording artist. He kicked off 1998 by performing in “Fiddler on the Roof” at Northern Oklahoma College. In May of this year, he moved to Branson, Mo. While there he wrote for, and with, artists in the area. He also was part of a nationwide tour, spreading the gospel with his music and ministry.

Muniz returned to Ponca City in October. He plans to open a professional vocal coaching studio where new voices will have the opportunity to work with professional singers, songwriters and actors. Muniz also works with talent searches throughout the area and the nation.

The public is invited to join both Muniz and Curl to celebrate the Christmas season at Master’s Touch Thursday, and the Hometown Christmas show on Saturday.

DARE Graduation Ceremonies Begin

Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) Graduation ceremonies began last week and will continue through this week. Over 250 sixth grade students graduated from the 17-week anti-drug and anti-gang educational program this semester which is taught to area students.

“The DARE program is financially supported by the Ponca City Schools, the private schools and through individual donations,” says DARE Instructor Sgt. Regeneia VanArsdale. “We want to thank the generous businesses who have donated funds to purchase 600 DARE t-shirts, one for each sixth grader participating in the program this year. Those that donated were Bill Bunch, owner of Kentucky Fried Chicken; Larry Smith, co-owner of Smith Home Furnishings; Craig Archer, store manager representing United Supermarkets and Peter Pan Cleaners owner Baloo Subramaniarn.”

Last week Roosevelt sixth graders received their certificates of achievement for having satisfactorily completed the DARE course curriculum. This week students from Lutheran School, Washington Elementary, Kildare School and the sixth graders attending the Ponca City Middle School will be graduating.

DARE courses will began at Woodlands Elementary, St Mary’s School, Trout Elementary, Gar-field Academy, Liberty Elementary, Union Elementary and McCord School after the holiday school break.

DEATHS

Charles G. Sanders
W. D. Simmons
Edward Leon Green
Retha McPherson
James A. Stringer
Leo Daniel Case
Josh Rodgers
Pearl V. Smith

Charles G. Sanders

Charles G. Sanders, longtime Ponca City area resident, died Sunday, Dec. 13, 1998, at his home. He was 67.

A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday Dec. 6, 1998, at Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery with the Rev. Larry Heslip, Minister of Education, First Baptist Church, officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel. Friends may visit at the funeral home until 1 p.m. Wednesday.

Charles Sanders was born July 30, 1931, in Marland, the son of Gordon Francis and Daisy Pauline (Welch) Sanders. He grew up and attended schools in Marland.

Charles was married to Margaret Eaton in Perry, on Oct. 28, 1948. The couple made their home in Enid, Tonkawa, and most recently on a farm south of Ponca City. Sanders worked as a firemen at Vance Air Force Base in Enid for a number of years before joining the Tonkawa Fire Department in March 1966. He worked his way up through the ranks and was named fire chief in 1971. He served as chief until June of 1973. He returned to the department in August 1973 and served as captain until forced to retire due to ill health in February 1975. He was a member of the Marland First Baptist Church. He enjoyed fishing.

Surviving are his wife, Margaret, of the home; his mother, Daisy Sanders, of Ponca City; three daughters, Glenda Darlene Sanders, Brenda Sanders Green, and Juanite DeHart, all of Ponca City; two sons, Gordon David Sanders and David Benham, both of Ponca City; brother, Noel Sanders and sister, Noella Harman, both of Ponca City; and six grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father and one sister, Lois Thompson.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Ponca City, Inc. 1904 North Union, Suite 103, Ponca City, OK 74601 or to the Marland Volunteer Fire Department, North Antelope Street, Marland, OK 74644.

Honorary casket bearers will be Bert Adams, Capper Newton, Jerry Boyer, Randy Rudd, Donald Gonzalez, Noel Sanders, and Fred Knief.

The family will be at the home.

W. D. Simmons

W.D. “Bill” Simmons, longtime Ponca City resident, died Monday, Dec. 14, 1998, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. He was 95.

The funeral will be held graveside at 11 a.m. Wednesday, at Longwood Cemetery, east of Ponca City. The Rev. Charles Heyer, associate pastor of First Christian Church will officiate. Arrangements are under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.

W.D. Simmons was born Aug. 28, 1903, in Woodward, the son of William Franklin and Sarah Elizabeth (Jones) Simmons. The family moved to the Ponca City area when he was age one, and he received his education in the Maple Grove rural school.

On June 4, 1934, he married Thelma Gist in Pawhuska and the couple made their home in Ponca City. Simmons was employed by the United Salvage and Glass Shop for many years before retiring in 1971. He was a member of the First Christian Church and enjoyed fishing, boating, and gardening.

Survivors include his wife Thelma “Bobbie” Simmons of the home; one daughter, Dorothy McFarland of Oklahoma City; two brothers, Lester Simmons of Ponca City and Jasper Simmons of Missouri; five grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers and five sisters.

The family will be at the home.

Funerals

Wednesday

Edward Leon Green

Funeral to be at 10 a.m. at the West Funeral Home in Carlsbad, N.M. Burial will follow in Sunset Garden Memorial Park in Carlsbad.

Retha McPherson

Funeral to be at the Tonkawa IOOF Cemetery at 10 a.m. under the direction of McCafferty-Bolick Funeral Home.

Services Pending

James A. Stringer

James A. Stringer, former Ponca City resident, died Monday, Dec. 14, 1998, in Benton, Ark. Survivors include his wife, Peggy June. Arrangements are pending with the Trout Funeral Home, Ponca City, and will be announced later.

Leo Daniel Case

TONKAWA — Leo Daniel “Danny” Case, Tonkawa resident, died Monday, Dec. 14, 1998, at St. Francis Hospital in Wichita, Kan. He was 76. Arrangements are pending with McCafferty-Bolick Funeral Home, Tonkawa.

Josh Rodgers

Josh Rodgers, Ponca City resident, died at his home, Monday evening, Dec. 14, 1998. He was 25. Survivors include his wife Rochelle of the home. Arrangements are pending with Grace Memorial Chapel.

Pearl V. Smith

Pearl V. Smith, longtime Ponca City resident, died Monday, Dec. 14, 1998, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. She was 90. The funeral will be held Thursday, Dec. 17, 1998, at 2 p.m. at Trout Funeral Home Chapel. Other arrangements are pending with Trout Funeral Home and will be announced later.

NEWS BRIEFS

Need a Homemade Treat? — Do you need a special homemade treat for home or office? If so, don’t miss Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Fellowship’s Cookie Sale on Thursday, Dec. 17 from 9 a.m. until noon at K-Mart. But wait, in case you can’t make it in the morning, the cookie elves will be in front of Betty’s Boutique, Fourth Street and East Grand Avenue in downtown Ponca City from 1 p.m. until goodies are gone!

Two Velour apricot Queen Ann chairs. Off white sofa with apricot and blue floral print. 762-8713.adv.

Accident — A minor accident at First Street and Highland Avenue was reported to police at 7:37 a.m. Monday.

Every Wednesday š price clothes, shoes except priced

items. Check our daily specials. Caboose Thrift Shoppe, First and

Central. adv.

Vandalism — At 9:15 a.m. Monday playground equipment at Head Start, 407 South Ash Street, was reported vandalized. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Peppermint Pins; sign your Christmas cards with them. And

the fragrance will be an added greeting! Just $1.99. Christy’s,

3005 North 14th. adv.

Attempted Break-In — Extra police patrol was requested at 11:52 a.m. Monday at Miss Nan’s Day Care, 1519 North Union Street, after someone reportedly attempted to break through a window.

2 Bears Indian Territory Gifts, downtown Blackwell, open every

afternoon including Sunday! adv.

Rocks Thrown — At 12:32 p.m. Monday a man in the 500 block of South Lincoln Street called police complaining of rocks being thrown at his residence. An officer was assigned.

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.

Accident — An accident at West Liberty Avenue and North Ash Street was reported to police at 1:19 p.m. Monday.

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.

Accident — A two-vehicle accident in the 900 block of East Prospect Avenue was reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 7:19 p.m. Monday. Two officers were assigned and a report was taken.

Total Close-out. Prices reduced near cost. Graham Photo. 201 No. First. adv.

Accident — A two-vehicle accident at the intersection of North Fourteenth Street and East Hartford Avenue was reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 5:39 a.m. Tuesday. Two officers were assigned and two vehicles were towed from the scene. A report was taken.

Vandalism — A woman reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 4:12 p.m. Monday that some juveniles had been vandalizing a residence at North Union Street and Gary Avenue. An officer was assigned to handle the situation and contacted juveniles and their parents.

Bicycle Stolen — A woman from the 300 block of West Hartford Avenue reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 4:03 a.m. Tuesday that a bicycle had been stolen. An officer was assigned and the information was logged.

Window Broken — A man from the 500 block of South Lincoln Street reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 5:38 p.m. Monday that a window had been shot out of a residence. An officer was assigned and information was logged that the window had not been shot out, but had been broken.

Donate A new toy and get the Best of HBO package activated

free! Save $10! Great entertainment for these cold winter nights.

Call Cable ONE at 762-6684 for details. adv.

Abandoned Vehicle — A woman from the 200 block of South Perry Street reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 9:35 p.m. Monday that someone had left a vehicle in a driveway and no one was around. An officer was assigned and the vehicle was towed from the scene.

Accident — Police were advised of a non-injury accident in the 300 block of North Third Street at 1:50 p.m. Monday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Moving Sale Back on the Rack. adv.

Bicycle Abandoned — A person reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 10:42 p.m. Monday that someone had abandoned a bicycle in the 2200 block of East Prospect Avenue. Information was left for Animal Control to handle the situation.

LIFESTYLES

Holiday Hearts Touched by Holiday Lights
Little News
Christmas Decorations Discussed by Xi Zeta Lambda
Hometown Christmas Show

Holiday Hearts Touched by Holiday Lights

By PATTI PFEIFFER

News Staff Writer

I did it again! One more time my hand went up to volunteer. Only this time it was during the Christmas holiday rush. Only this time I’d volunteered for a Sunday night. Only this time it was to stand in the cold for several hours to be an “Angel Host” at Lake Ponca for the Festival of Angels.

Well, a commitment is a commitment. Late Sunday afternoon I hurried and — with record speed — threw together and cooked a Sunday meal which my husband and I wolfed down also in record time.

I had managed to coerce my husband into joining me as a host. “It will be fun to be together. Just you and me, under the stars — think how romantic that will be,” I pleaded with that pathetic look in my eyes and that sad tone in my voice. And then I thought to myself “... with no where to run and no where to escape.” He would be a captive audience!!!

We arrived at Lake Ponca just in time to slip into our fancy angel smocks and take our positions at the exit gate so that we could personally greet all those who had come to the park.

It was time for the show to begin. I was not, however, expecting what happened when the gates to the park opened.

They came — the old and young alike. They came alone and they came in groups. They came in cars, pickup trucks, vans, and buses. They came in vehicles with license plates from Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas and Louisiana. They came and they lined up headlight to taillight. All night long they came in a steady stream.

And they came to see the twinkle of the magical lights, and marvel at the masterpieces that adorn the trees and displays throughout the park.

I had seen the lights every year I had lived here. I had driven through the park with my family so it was not new to me. What was new to me were the reactions, comments and impact the Festival of Angels has on its visitors.

“It is the best light display that I have ever seen,” one woman said.

“Whoa! That was fantastic. It keeps getting better and better every year,” another visitor said.

“It’s beautiful and such a wonderful sight to see,” a man said as he exited.

“It was spectacular,” an elderly woman exclaimed.

Each vehicle (all 1260 of them) carried visitors and most visitors conveyed a different comment although they all had a common theme — sheer joy and delight all due to the lights.

The comments were made in gratitude. The smiles told all there was to tell. One eight-year-old boy, determined to make his “own” donation, dropped coins into the donation box, wanting to show his appreciation, separate from his parents.

It was amazing to be a part of such an event. An event that touches so many in such a wonderful way. To drive through a park and have children enjoy being children and have the elderly become children again, is a gift in itself.

Some may question the importance of the lighted “Christmas show.” Some may consider the whole thing frivolous. However, you need only to see the sparkle of the lights reflecting in the eyes of those that pass through the gates to realize how many hearts are warmed with the colorful scenes of the holiday show.

Little News

Gary and Larisa Ridenour announce the birth of their son, Jack William “J.W.” Ridenour. J.W. was born in McAlester on Nov. 29, 1998, weighing 5 pounds, nine ounces and was 17 1/2 inches long. He has two brothers, Nicholas, 7 years of age, and Lane, 2.

Maternal grandparents are Jane and Frank Koehler of Ponca City, and Bill White of Blackwell; paternal grandparents are Pat and Derald McNutt of McAlester, and Jack and Gloria Ridenour of Sapulpa. Great-grandparents are Helen and Lester Barr of Blackwell, and Mrs. Willie Ridenour of McAlester.

Christmas Decorations Discussed by Xi Zeta Lambda

The Dec. 3rd meeting of Xi Zeta Lambda was held in the home of Carmelita Childers. There were 11 members who stood for the opening ritual led by Dottie Johnstone, president. Doretta Jackson read the minutes of the last meeting, and Cassandra Kifiak gave the treasurer’s report. Johnstone reported the executive board would be meeting after the closing ritual and mizpah.

Melva Keen, service chairman, stated the angels had been delivered to Meals on Wheels. Johnstone said she had received several phone calls of thanks and appreciation for the angels. Also, a thank you card was received from the Mission.

Terri Whiting and Childers, social co-chairmen, announced the next meeting will be the Girls Christmas party Dec. 17 at Terri Whiting's home, and on Dec. 19 the annual Christmas cocktail party will be held in the home of Dottie Johnstone.

The traveling basket was won by Carmelita Childers.

After the closing ritual and mizpah, a program on Christmas decorations was given by Childers.

Hometown Christmas Show

The Hometown Christmas show is Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Poncan Theatre. All entertainers are local Ponca City residents, and this is the fifth year for this production. Tickets are $6 and may be purchased at the door.

The production is a family-style form of entertainment and has delighted audiences in the past.

BUSINESS

Conoco, Chevron in Joint Venture To Provide Natural Gas for Britain
Crain Retiring From Nickles
ONEOK Announces Southwest Merger

Conoco, Chevron in Joint Venture To Provide Natural Gas for Britain

Teesside, England — The Britannia gas condensate field, a major contributor to Britain’s daily gas supply, has been inaugurated by the Peter Mandelson, MP, U.K. secretary of state for Trade and Industry.

Britannia is operated jointly by Conoco and Chevron through Britannia Operator Limited, a joint venture company established under an agreement unique in the UK oil and gas industry. One of the country’s largest known remaining gas fields Britannia’s estimated reserves of about three trillion cubic feet, to be produced during a 30-year lifespan, will meet about eight per cent of the country’s gas requirement.

The field is located in the North Sea 130 miles north east of Aberdeen. It was named by Mandelson in a ceremony at the Port Clarence fabrication yard of Kvaerner Oil and Gas in Teesside, England — one of the many sites where the production platform was built.

The platform crew participated in the ceremony by a live satellite television link.

Britannia entered production on time, in August this year, with an exemplary safety and environmental record and well under budget.

Savings of 20 per cent were achieved to reduce the forecast total cost of the development to about $2.05 billion.

“This is a significant achievement,” Mr Mandelson told his onshore and offshore audience of more than 400 guests. “The prospect called Britannia became the reality of Britannia largely because joint government-oil industry cost reduction initiatives were applied by the co-venturers and their key contractors. I offer my congratulations, and those of the Government, to all the companies and individuals who joined forces so effectively in very difficult circumstances.”

The respective managing directors of both Chevron and Conoco in the UK, Bob Connon and George Watkins, congratulated the development team on bringing the field onstream with a safety and environmental performance of which the entire industry can be proud.

“The exceptionally high standards of quality, reliability, safety, environmental protection and cost effectiveness achieved during development have been carried over into field operations,’ they said.

‘Everyone involved deserves the highest praise for that accomplishment.’

Britannia’s gas and condensate (a light oil) are produced from a steel platform and subsea facilities located nine miles) to the west. Gas is exported via a new 115 mile pipeline to St. Fergus, Scotland, for processing at the SAGE (Scottish Area Gas Evacuation) terminal. Condensate is exported via a new 27-mile pipeline to the Unity Platform where it enters the Forties Pipeline System.

The field is moving towards its peak production rate of 740 million standard cubic feet of sales gas and more than 50,000 barrels of condensate per day. Much of its gas production has been pre-sold to five buyers under long-term contracts.

Conoco (U.K.) Limited is the British exploration and production subsidiary of Conoco Inc., a major, integrated energy company based in Houston, Texas, and active in 40 countries.

Chevron U.K. Limited is a subsidiary of San Francisco-based Chevron Corp., a leading worldwide energy and chemical company operating in about 90 countries.

Co-venturers in Britannia are: Conoco (U.K.) Limited, (joint operator) 42.41 per cent; Chevron U.K. Limited, (joint operator) 30.20 per cent; Union Texas (A subsidiary of Atlantic Richfield Company) 09.42 per cent; Saga Petroleum Company UK Limited 09.01 per cent; Phillips Petroleum Company UK Limited 06.78 per cent; Texaco North Sea UK Company 02.18 per cent.

Crain Retiring From Nickles

Nickles Industrial Manufacturing Corporation has announced the retirement of Dewey Crain.

Crain worked for Nickles in Ponca City from 1956 to 1970 and from 1977 to 1998, serving a total of 35 years in numerous rolls as a skilled conventional and CNC machinist.

Crain is the last person to retire from Nickles with the distinction of working with the company’s founder C.A. Nickles, and the last person to have worked with all four generations of the Nickles family.

“Dewey has been a valued part of our family business for many years and will be missed by everyone,” said Bob Nickles vice president and general manager.

ONEOK Announces Southwest Merger

TULSA (AP) — ONEOK Inc. intends to create the nation’s largest stand-alone gas distribution company, serving 2.6 million customers in five states, by merging with Southwest Gas Corp.

The deal announced Monday calls for ONEOK to pay $28.50 a share for Southwest Gas, which is valued at $1.8 billion.

Larry Brummett, chairman and chief executive officer of Tulsa-based ONEOK, said the merger is not expected to result in layoffs for the 2,500 employees of Southwest Gas or the 3,211 employees of ONEOK.

Southwest Gas spokesman Roger Buehrer said his company stands to benefit from ONEOK’s experience and cash infusion.

‘‘We think that this is going to be a wonderful opportunity for both Southwest Gas and our customers because we will become the largest natural gas company in the country,’’ Buehrer said from headquarters in Las Vegas. ‘‘That will make us a major player in this new competitive environment that we face.’’

The deal is subject to approval from state regulators, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and Southwest Gas shareholders, who will decide in May. ONEOK said it expects to complete the merger in the fall of 1999.

Southwest Gas will operate as a division of ONEOK, the corporate parent of Oklahoma Natural Gas Co. It also will retain its name in the markets it serves in Arizona, California and Nevada.

‘‘They have a very strong standing with their customer base out there,’’ Brummett said. ‘‘That name is important.’’

The fast growth of Southwest Gas’ business will allow ONEOK to increase efficiency and reduce costs for all customers, he said.

‘‘We believe the expertise of ONEOK as a fully integrated gas distribution company with gas production, marketing and processing will create new opportunities at Southwest Gas,’’ Brummett said.

He said ONEOK had been working on this deal for 14 months as part of the company’s strategy to grow by acquisition and merger. ONEOK merged last year with Western Resources Inc., Kansas’ largest energy utility.

‘‘We do not anticipate that this will be our last deal, although it will certainly take us awhile to digest it,’’ Brummett said.

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