LOCAL

Third Wave of Strikes Hits Iraq
Wakita Church Ready To Occupy New Home
Nearly News

Third Wave of Strikes Hits Iraq

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. and British warplanes launched a third wave of strikes on Iraqi military installations today as the list of targets widened to include television transmitters and oil facilities.

‘‘The United States and British forces are continuing to attack a wide range of military targets,’’ Defense Secretary William Cohen said at a Pentagon news conference. ‘‘We have ongoing operations.’’

Working against relatively light Iraqi resistance, U.S. and British forces were, for the most part, hitting their intended targets, although Gen. Henry H. Shelton, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said there have been some glitches in what is now a three-night series of air strikes.

‘‘Not all have gone as planned,’’ Shelton said.

The third wave of strikes was going on in darkness over Iraq as the House debated whether Clinton should be impeached and senior military officials held a noontime news conference to discuss the previous days’ attacks on Iraqi targets.

Addressing his people for the first time since the airstrikes began early Thursday, Baghdad time, Iraqi President Saddam Hussein said: ‘‘Continue your resistance and, by God’s will, you will be victorious. You are representing justice and all the great characteristics against injustice.’’

Saddam’s rhetoric contrasted with the light resistance being put up by Iraqi forces in the face of thunderous airstrikes.

Meanwhile, anti-American protests erupted today in half a dozen Arab capitals, with many asserting the attacks were Clinton’s way of squirming out of the consequences of his affair with Monica Lewinsky.

In an echo of the Persian Gulf War, U.S. officials showed aircraft videotape showing laser-guided bombs slamming into an array of targets, including radar stations, a missile storage facility, and a missile production plant.

As the third wave of strikes continued today, Cohen said there had been no U.S. or British casualties.

Rear Adm. Thomas Wilson, a senior official on the Pentagon’s Joint Staff, said Iraq has yet to fire any surface-to-air missiles at the attacking aircraft. One reason is Iraqi reluctance to expose hard-to-replace military equipment to attack; another is the destruction of air defense radar systems during the first phases of the strike.

‘‘The southern Iraq air defense system has been degraded,’’ Wilson said. ‘‘It has not been completely destroyed.’’

U.S. aircraft drop leaflets over Iraqi forces stationed in southern Iraq imploring them to stay in their bases and not threaten neighboring Kuwait or Saudi Arabia. The messages in Arabic said the forces would be attacked if they mobilized but spared if they stayed put, Shelton said.

In a reflection of the difficulty of precision airstrikes even against light resistance, Wilson showed charts indicating only a handful of targets were judged to have been destroyed, with some misses and some moderate damage.

For example, of 27 Iraqi surface-to-air missile facilities attacked, eight suffered no damage, two had light to moderate damage, two had severe damage and one was destroyed. Damage to the remaining 14 was still being assessed using reconnaissance photographs. Of 18 command and control facilities, five were destroyed and five severely damaged; two sustained no damage; two had moderate damage; and four were being assessed.

One of the targets included a radio-television transmitting facility. Cohen said it was regarded as a military target because Saddam used it to spread propaganda to his people.

B-1B bombers, a weapons system that dates back to the 1970s, were used for the first time in combat missions, dropping gravity bombs on a variety of targets.

Wakita Church Ready To Occupy New Home

fBy BOB PATTERSON

News City Editor

WAKITA — It has been 13 months and three weeks since a Nov. 2, 1997, fire completely destroyed the wood-frame building of the Wakita Christian Church.

The congregation however, has not missed a Sunday morning worship, thanks to St. Mary’s Catholic Church at Wakita making their sanctuary available for services. The congregation even met there that fateful Sunday morning, less than 10 hours after fire had destroyed the 93-year-old structure.

Sunday dawns a new challenge for the congregation, as it steps into an entirely new building, a block south and across the street from the previous building.

“We’ll continue with the 9 a.m. worship service and Sunday School at 10 a.m., but will all be together again for the first time since the fire,” pastor Barry Worcester said. “We’ll have a special dedication later in the spring.”

Whether the service times will change to the former times will be announced at a later date, according to church board chairman Gene Lacy. “It’s been a challenge for all of us to accomplish the building of this new church. We’re certainly ready for it, but we’ve had quite a helping hand from a lot of people in Wakita and elsewhere,” Lacy said as he took a break from continuing his task of overseeing some of the work that was going on inside the new structure earlier this week.

While the fire consumed everything, one charred cross at the communion table was saved, to become a memorial in the new church. It was presented to the congregation that Nov. 2 morning, by one of the firemen who had fought the blaze.

Right from the first service in the St. Mary’s sanctuary, the congregation said “we’ll rebuild.” Unity prevailed and the task began with the congregation looking at whether to rebuild on the site, or a new place. The decision was to make the church all one level, and that sent them across the street one-half block south in Wakita for the new building and room for possible expansion.

(Continued From Front)

Plans were drawn up by Quinn Schipper, a brother-in-law of Worcester, who had studied architecture at Taliesin West, a Frank Loyd Wright School of Architecture in Scottsdale, Ariz.

“We’ve modified them only slightly,” Worcester said.

The building committee was headed by Carl Shaum, who is a carpenter by trade and in the construction business. He has spent countless hours on the site, particularly after the beginning of the building going up. Morton Buildings, of Winfield, Kan., was contracted to do the work.

Shaum and the building committee, along with the finance committee, were instrumental in turning the first ground for the foundation on a ground breaking day, Feb. 22, 1998.

But the project hit a snag about that time. Mother Nature kept making the congregation wait while spring and summer rains kept the ground too wet for anything to be done.

Once the foundation was poured however, the Morton company did what it was supposed to do, and the church began to take shape.

“We’ve had a lot of community help in this effort to rebuild,” said banker Alvin Jones, an elder and board member. “It has been amazing that we were able to get the work done and it’s almost all paid for. If we’d have had to wait to start construction after the funds were made available, we’d still be waiting.”

Shaum and many other members of the congregation, and some that weren’t but just interested in seeing it get done, have been helping with some of the inside work as a result. “We’ve had excellent efforts of everyone, even though it seems to have been slow. We’ve got it done right, and with a little more help in the next day or so with a few minor tasks, we’ll be done,” Shaum said.

The church faces the east, with entrance under a canopy on the south, with a concrete drive. The parking area presently is rock base, “but we look forward to having it paved in the future,” Worcester said.

Worcester said the Wakita Methodist Church had provided a place for the women to hold at least two fund raising events. Ironically, the Christian Church women had planned an arts, crafts and food sale that fateful week and lost all of their items that had been stored at the church to the fire. “They went ahead with the event, by feverously taking the task at hand and were quite successful,” Worcester said.

A second one was held a month ago at the Methodist church.

The Wakita Baptist Church, according to Worcester, had been without a pastor for some time, and allowed the Christian church to utilize the parsonage as an office and meeting area for Bible studies and other situations.

The senior citizens building was made available on Sunday mornings the past 13 months for an adult Sunday School class.

Significantly, while a heater for the baptistry was the cause of the fire, in preparation for a baptism on that Nov. 2 date, the Wakita School System made the indoor pool available for such an event.

The new church sanctuary itself, with step-up stage, will seat well over 100. New bright blue padded chairs will be used in the sanctuary, with a folding wall available between it and the fellowship hall that will allow additional seating that could swell the seating capacity to around 300, according to Worcester.

A kitchen is off to the left of the new main entrance. “We have a little more work to do on it, but nothing to keep us from getting into the building on Sunday,” Worcester said.

The structure has seven classrooms with entrances into the fellowship hall, restrooms, and an office area for the pastor and secretary work area. A state-of-the-art sound system has been installed and two pianos and an organ have been donated. One of the pianos, a baby grand, is being refurbished.

“We received immediately from the state regional office of the Disciples of Christ, a communion set for use. We’ve been using it each Sunday and it will continue to be used. A communion table has come from the Jefferson Christian Church, after it disbanded,” Worcester said.

He also said the Methodist church had a kitchen shower that provided utensils, towels, cleaning materials and small appliances.

The Oakwood and Nash Christian Churches have provided educational materials, all sorts of needs for the Sunday School classes, and the youth at Pond Creek did a house-to-house Bible drive to come up with donations of Bibles, Worcester said.

Willow Road Christian Church of Enid donated choir robes.

“We have purchased new hymnals, although there were offers of donated hymnals,” Worcester said.

Other furnishings have been purchased, besides the 115 blue comfort chairs in the sanctuary. They include 100 metal folding chairs with padded seats, 25 maroon chairs, 15 sit-down tables. The First United Methodist Church of Enid did provide the children’s department with chairs and nursery tables.

So, while the fire destroyed the wood-frame building a theme of “From Ashes Comes New Life,” has been used throughout the more than 13 months by the church as suggested by Worcester in his hurriedly put-together sermon on that Nov. 2 morning after the fire.

Nearly News

It has come to the attention of Nearly News that a group of boys representing themselves as Presbyterian Church youth are knocking on doors in the community as asking for donations for the homeless. The Presbyterian Church disavows any affiliation with this effort and the group does not represent the church. If citizens have any question or concerns, contact the local Presbyterian Church at 762-2431.

Still Christmas shopping? Ponca City residents should be aware that a purchase of membership in the Oklahoma Historical Society allows free entry into any of the 33 OHS sites and museums. When you show your membership card, not only will you get in free to the Pioneer Woman Museum; but, you will receive a discount in the gift shop here. This is true for the other OHS sites also. Visit the museum or call 765-6108 for a membership brochure.

DEATHS

Effie Mae Allred
R. E. Enoch Roberts
Grace B. Cindle
Darline Ruth LeValley
Leo Daniel Case

Effie Mae Allred

TONKAWA — Effie Mae Allred, longtime Tonkawa resident, died Thursday, Dec. 17, 1998, at her home. She was 94.

Arrangements are under the direction of McCafferty-Bolick Funeral Home and no services have been planned.

Effie Mae Allred was born June 4, 1904, in Stone County, Ark., to William and Vollie (Kyrkendall) Harness. She completed her education Stone County, Ark.

In 1922 she was married to Willis Allred. The couple lived in the Shidler area for several years and Mrs. Allred moved to Tonkawa in the 1960s. She enjoyed gardening.

Survivors include two sons, Ray Allred of Tulsa and Dale Allred of Tonkawa; two daughters, Bernice Dollarhide of Tonkawa and Willie Lorene Nelson of Wichita, Kan.; one brother, Offie Harness of California and one sister, Edna Lay of San Bernardino, Calif.; 11 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and seven great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, three sons and one daughter.

Services Pending

R. E. Enoch Roberts

SHIDLER — R.E. Enoch Roberts, Shidler resident, died at his home, Thursday afternoon, Dec. 17, 1998. He was 87. Survivors include his wife, Delphia Roberts of the home. The funeral will be held at Grace Baptist Church in Shidler at 2 p.m. Monday, Dec. 21. Other arrangements are pending with Hunsaker-Wooten Funeral Home in Fairfax and will be announced later.

Grace B. Cindle

FAIRFAX — Grace B. Cindle, longtime Fairfax resident, died Thursday night, Dec. 17, 1998 at the Fairfax Manor Nursing Home. She was 88. A rosary will be said at 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 20, at the Hunsaker-Wooten Funeral Home Chapel. The funeral will be held at 10 a.m., Monday, Dec. 21, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Fairfax. Other arrangements will be announced later by the Hunsaker-Wooten Funeral Home, Fairfax.

Funerals

Saturday

Darline Ruth LeValley

Funeral at 10:30 a.m. at the Braman United Methodist Church. Burial will be in the Braman Cemetery under the direction of Roberts Funeral Home, Blackwell.

Leo Daniel Case

Memorial service at 2 p.m. at the Tonkawa First Baptist church. Arrangements are under the direction of McCafferty-Bolick Funeral Home, Tonkawa.

NEWS BRIEFS

Now Open! Rockin’ Horse Country Dance Club, Tuesday

thru Saturday, 7 p.m. till 2 a.m. Must be 21 years old. 1/2 mile East of 77 on Hiway 11, Ponca City, 762-6797. adv.

Have Yourself a Bravo Brass Christmas — Give your family the gift of music this Christmas! Plan to attend a free holiday concert at the Poncan Theatre 2 p.m. on Sunday. Bravo Brass, a professional quintet from Tulsa’s Philharmonic will entertain, amuse and lift your spirits during this busy season.

2 Bears Indian Territory Gifts, downtown Blackwell, open every afternoon including Sunday! adv.

Share Christmas Dinner — For those cooking Christmas dinner and willing to share with a needy person, call Helpline, 765-5551.

Moving Sale Back on the Rack.adv.

Arrest — Police arrested a 22-year-old man at 9:59 p.m. Thursday from the 400 block of West Gary Avenue on a Kay County warrant.

Whipping Wind — At 12:23 a.m. Friday a woman in the 200 block of West Gary Avenue called police reporting that someone was trying to break in to her home. However, police found it to merely be the “whipping” wind.

Alone at Christmas? — Those who will be alone on Christmas Day and would like a home-cooked meal are urged to call Helpline, 765-5551.

Christmas Shopping? No time to cook? Let Snyder’s Grocery help. We can cook the chicken.

Order your meat and cheese trays for the office parties. Snyder’s Grocery, 762-4686. adv.

Fraud — At 3:45 p.m. Thursday police were called to J.C. Penney, 2005 North Fourteenth Street for a possible diamond switch. A report was taken.

Now Open! Rockin’ Horse Country Dance Club, Tuesday

thru Saturday, 7 p.m. till 2 a.m. Must be 21 years old. 1/2 mile East of 77 on Hiway 11, Ponca City, 762-6797. adv.

Stolen Phone — At 9:52 a.m. Thursday a man in the 2600 block of North Fifth Street notified police that his phone had been stolen from his car. An officer was assigned.

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.

Otoe Eloska Christmas Dance — The annual Otoe Eloska Christmas dance will be held Saturday at the Otoe-Missouria Cultural Center building. The Otoe Eloska tail dancing will commence at 2 p.m.; supper will be at 5 p.m.; Santa Claus arrives at 6 p.m.; and war dancing begins at 7 p.m.

Dougan's Bar-B-Q Friday special from 4-8 p.m., all you can eat ribs with beans, potato salad and

coleslaw, $7.49. 215 South 14th, 765-7979. adv.

Burglary — At 8:28 p.m. Thursday a vehicle burglary in the 200 block of North Second Street was reported.

Total Close-Out. Prices reduced near cost. Graham Photo.

201 No. First. adv.

Arrest — Police arrested a 25-year-old man at 8:55 p.m. Thursday from the 800 block of South Fourth Street on a Kay County warrant for failure to appear.

Santa House will be at Jack Bowker Ford tomorrow from 1 to 3 p.m. Bring the kids! 2415 North

14th. adv.

Worrisome Wind — At 1:58 a.m. Friday police were called to the 800 block of North Fourth Street for a report of a possible break-in. However officers determined that the wind was making sounds.

Our Location at 3006 N. 14th will be closing Jan. 1, 1999.

Please come and visit us at 118 N. 3rd or 5th and Hartford. Thanks for your business. Daylight Do-

nuts, Jerry & Brady Pickens. adv.

Stolen Purse — At 11:28 a.m. Thursday a woman in the 1700 block of Clarke Street reported the theft of her purse.

Free Hallmark gift with purchases over $75! (Limited supply) Carla’s Hallmark, downtown. adv.

Break-In — At 6:30 a.m. Thursday a man in the 1600 block of Richway Drive contacted police reporting that his vehicle had been broken into. An officer was assigned.

Jueschke Carpet Cleaners. For professional carpet cleaning, call the professionals. Jueschke Car-

pet Cleaners. 765-3421. adv.

Fraud — At 4:08 p.m. Thursday police were called to First Presbyterian Church, Fourteenth Street and East Grand Avenue, for fraud involving fake donations being collected.

Contract Services. New construction, remodeling, roofing,

concrete. 580-624-2515. adv.

Van Vandalism — Police were advised at 8:09 a.m. Thursday that the Oklahoma Blood Institute van had been vandalized. A report was taken.

Jim Bowen Construction - Custom homes, room additions and remodeling. Call 762-3077. adv.

Dumped Brush —ƯAt 1:20 p.m. Thursday police received a report of a pile of brush being dumped near the 2500 block of East Central Avenue. An officer was assigned and report was taken.

Dougan's Bar-B-Q Saturday special 4-8 p.m. All you can eat beef brisket with beans, potato salad and coleslaw, $7.49. 215 South 14th, 765-7979. adv.

Refund Fraud — Police were called to Dollar General, 801 West Grand Avenue, at 3:11 p.m. Thursday for a refund fraud.

Need A gift idea? How about tickets to the New Year’s Eve

celebration! They can be bought at the Master’s Touch. Comedian Russ Reeves, One Light and Damascus Road Praise Band will be there for an evening of fun. adv.

Accident — An accident at North Fifth Street and East Hartford Avenue was reported to police at 10:48 a.m. Thursday.

Dart Tournament at the Blue Lite Lounge, Saturday, December 19, 3:30 p.m. Big Christmas percentage added. Check us out! adv.

Accident — An accident at England Avenue and South Fifth Street was reported at 3:54 p.m. Thursday.

Head Country Saturday night special. All you can eat beef brisket with beans, potato salad and coleslaw, $6.95. 4-8 p.m. 1217 East Prospect. adv.

Arrest — A 38-year-old man was arrested at 9:17 p.m. Thursday from the 1200 block of South Fourth Street for domestic assault and battery.

Hurry! Time is running out! Santa’s Forest Christmas tree

farm, 3-1/2 miles west of Ponca City on Highway 60. Closing December 21 for the season! Weekends 10 a.m.-6 p.m. 765-9441. adv.

Arrest — At 11:07 p.m. Thursday a 52-year-old man was arrested from the 900 block of South Twelfth Street for driving under the influence.

Taco Stop will be closed Thurs., Dec. 24th and Fri., Dec. 25th for Christmas. adv.

Arrest — A 33-year-old man was arrested at 1:33 a.m. Friday from the 2000 block of Oriole Street for domestic assault.

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 1100 block of East Hartford Avenue was reported to police at 5:43 p.m. Thursday.

Cut Christmas trees, wreaths and roping, half price. Keathly Nursery, 2448 Bridge Avenue.

Mon.-Sat. 8-5, Sunday 1-5. adv.

Rocks Thrown — At 3:04 a.m. Friday a man in the 700 block of North Fourth Street called police advising them a rock had been thrown through his front glass window. He called back later to report that something else had been thrown at his house. An officer was assigned and a report on destruction of private property was taken.

LIFESTYLES

NODA Agency Looking for Area Oldest Worker
Presbyterians Bestow Life Membership Pin
Albright Church Women Gather
Eta Delta Chapter Announces PLans For Holiday Events
Holiday Concert Slated Saturday
Holiday Open House Event Slated Saturday

NODA Agency Looking for Area Oldest Worker

NODA Area Agency on Aging has launched a search for the Oldest Worker in the NODA AAA area which includes Alfalfa, Blaine, Garfield, Grant, Kay, Kingfisher, Major and Noble counties, The winner of the 1999 search will be recognized during Older American’s Month, May 1999. This is the first year for the NODA AAA search. The only criteria for entering the contest is that individuals must be employed a minimum of 20 hours a week, The oldest worker in the NODA AAA area will receive an award. Workers who wish to enter should provide the following information:

1. name,

2. date of birth,

3. home telephone number, name and address of employer,

4. position or title, business telephone number, name of supervisor

5. number of hours worked each week,

Workers may enter themselves or be nominated by their employer, family or friends, Send information to Beverly Summers, NODA-AAA, 2901 North Van Buren, Enid, OK 73763. For further information contact Beverly Summers, 800-749-1149 Or 580-2372236.

The NODA AAA winner will be entered in the Green Thumb, Inc, 1999 Search for America’s Oldest Worker, The U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Aging are sponsoring this national event. The winner of the 1999 national title and the outstanding worker from each state will be announced in March 1999 at the Green Thumb Prime Time Awards Gala in Washington, DC. The deadline for entries is Dec. 28.

Locally, you can contact the Retired Senior Volunteer Program staff, 110 North Fourth, 762-9412.

Presbyterians Bestow Life Membership Pin

Joan Fuller was awarded an Honorary Life Membership for 1998 in Presbyterian Women USA at the Dec. 10 luncheon meeting at First Presbyterian Church. A longtime member of Presbyterian Women, Mrs. Fuller has served as elder, deacon and on the Christian Education Committee of First Presbyterian Church, as well as chair of the Elizabeth Reynolds Circle.

During the presentation, Billie Wright read a poem she had written about Joan, and Joan Jones presented the HLM certificate and pin.

The program for the luncheon meeting was “Sounds of Christmas” presented by the Ladies Bell Ensemble under the direction of Ann Salmons. Members of the ensemble are Jolene Ebbert, Susan Ernst, Pearl Farris, Shirley Hile, Marian Hudson, Bonita James, Bernice Walker and Ann Salmons. Their program included Christmas Favorites — Carol of the Bells, Jingle Bells, Deck The Hall and Gentle Mary; a special trio, composed of Jolene Ebbert, Ann Salmons and Mary Sunshine at the piano, entertaining with A Quiet Christmas and O Come Little Children. The program closed with Christmas Carols.

A shower for Tulsa Emergency Infant Services was held with donations of money and clothing for children, ages birth to six years.

The luncheon was prepared and served by members of the Elizabeth Reynolds Circle with Frances Waldron, Virginia Brown and Marcia Black as chairpersons. Frances Waldron asked the blessing.

The devotional thoughts were given by Iris Peterson. Frances Waldron read a “minute for mission” concerning the dangers of land mines.

Albright Church Women Gather

The Albright United Methodist Women’s group gathered Dec. 8 for their annual Christmas Salad Supper and program. The event was held in Albright Fellowship Hall with 25 members and the Rev. Kip Wright attending.

After a time of fellowship and sampling salads, Joyce Appleman, UMW Vice-President, welcomed the group and President Lynnita Jarrell led a short business meeting. Loraine Crockett, spiritual growth coordinator, conducted a memorial service in remembrance of UMW member Roberta Chambers.

Joyce Appleman presented a program entitled, “God the Greatest Giver - Jesus the Greatest Gift.” Group singing was accompanied by pianist, Marge Howard. Mrs. Appleman concluded the program with a reading entitled, “The Secret of the Gift,” by Paul Flucke.

Eta Delta Chapter Announces PLans For Holiday Events

Paula Harryman hosted the Dec. 14 Christmas meeting of Eta Delta Chapter, Beta Sigma Phi sorority with 15 members in attendance. Wanda Sheehan presided at the meeting.

Seventeen members and/or guests attended the December dinner social held at the American Legion on Dec. 10. Several couples then attended the Letterman show at the Poncan Theater.

Christmas gifts will be delivered to a local nursing home the week of Dec. 20. The annual Beer, Bowling, and Pizza social will be held at 7 p.m. on Jan. 9. Betty Wyatt will host the Jan. 11 meeting and the Jan. 25 meeting will be a dinner meeting at Amarillo Grill.

Paula Harryman received the Beta Bud Basket and Carla McGregor won the door prize. Chapter members enjoyed a holiday dinner and Secret Sister Christmas Gift Exchange.

Holiday Concert Slated Saturday

Students of Cathy Byard will present a holiday concert at 2:30 p.m. Dec. 20 at the First Presbyterian Church. There is no admission charge for the event. Ann Salmons will be pianist for the event.

Participating from the Homeschool Boys Ensemble will be Paul Walcher, Josh Walcher, Micah Perkins, Andrew Kellert, Nathan Kellert and Jaron Hudgins.

Members of the Homeschool Girls Ensemble participating will be Leah Bolay, Kelsie Powell, April Harden, Bethany Harden, Mandy Hudgins, Lindsay Fahrney, Shannon Perkins, Katie Sapp, Amanda Lewis, Emily Lewis, Elisa Massey, Sharon Lindsay, Bethany Bowen, Sarah Bowen and Michaela Logan.

Holiday Open House Event Slated Saturday

Oklahoma City ‚ First Lady Cathy Keating announced today the second holiday open house at Lite Oklahoma Governor’s Mansion to be held Saturday from 11 a.m.‚5 p.m. The mansion is located at 820 NE 23rd Street and admission is free.

“Frank and I have tried to make the Governor’s Mansion a home for all Oklahomans to enjoy and that is the primary reason we hold periodic open houses, especially during the holiday season. The Oklahoma Governor’s Mansion is really an historic home with lots of culture and I hope those who have not had an opportunity to visit before will take advantage of Saturday’s open house,” Cathy Keating said.

Visitors are asked to park in the cast Capitol lot and enter the mansion grounds through the west gate on Phillips Avenue.

EDUCATION

Area Students Included in ‘Who’s Who’
Kilpatrick Wins Roosevelt Geography Bee
Student To Compete In National Award Program
OSU Scholarship Winners
Bond Receives Certification
Callihan Graduates
Presidential Scholarships
White Graduates
Ponca City Students Awarded OSU Research Scholarships
OSU Students Teach Art to Elementary School

Area Students Included in ‘Who’s Who’

Several area students from Kay County are included in the 32nd Annual Edition of “Who’s Who Among American High School Students, 1997-98.”

“Who’s Who,” published by Educational Communications, Inc., Lake Forest, Illinois, is the largest recognition program and publication in the nation honoring high achieving high school students. Students are nominated by high school principals and guidance counselors, national youth groups, churches and educational organizations based upon students’ academic achievement and involvement in extracurricular activities. Traditionally, 99 percent of “Who’s Who” students have a grade point average of ‘B’ or better and 97 percent are college bound.

“Who’s Who” students also compete for $200,000 in scholarship awards and participate in the publication’s Annual Survey of High Achievers, an annual opinion poll of teen attitudes. The book is distributed to up to 15,000 high schools, colleges, universities and public libraries throughout the country.

Ponca City students include Jennifer Adams, Rae Shauna Anderson, Krista Arnold, Tamra Banks, Rachel Beguin, Shawn Clark, Robbi Coffelt, Casey Crosson, Sarah Dorsey, Amy Dressen, Danny Edwards, Carrie Evans, Cherie Fry, Rachel Garlett, Kimberly Ghylin, Lacey Goodger, Travis Hager, Toni Hannum, Mathew Harrison, Cathryn Jackmna, Kari Keating, Kari Koch, Joe Kruk, Raymond Lahann, Sam Landis, Cynthia Lanham, Aaron Laughlin, Erin Love, Marcus McCloud, Maria Mendoza, Kim Moore, Don Nuzum, Paul Paschal, Shawna Rolland, Raina Rush, Mindy Sattre, Jared Sindelar, Jeremy Stillwell, Leigh Ashley Turvey, Melissa Whitney, Jamal Williams and Jason Winters.

Also Dondi Alley, Sarah Armstrong, Benjamin Todd Bales, Casey Barnard, Cassandra Bereman, Amanda Cobb, Zack Coutre, Jonathan Danek, Brian Dove, Elizabeth Dunn, Lucas Elmer, Becky Fisher, Melissa Fuhrman, Kristal Gauger, Kevin Goldman, Markesha Guess, Katie Hampton, Holly Harrison, Christina Hassell, Katie Johnson, Chris Keim, Mika Kruck, Holly Landner, Lindsey Lamm, Scott Larrison, Shara Long, Michelle Macioge, Melissa McCoy, Mary Metzger, Tarina Morris, Gayle Otto, Krista Phipps, Justin Ross, Aaron Sattre, Allyson Shafer, Erin Slater, Collen Talbot, Becky Ware, Mark Whitt III, Lindsey Williams, Sharon Winters, Paul Wood, Mindy Worley and Nathan Zimmerman.

Other Ponca City students include Kellie Anderson, James Barraclough, Cinda Bridges, Melissa Bryant, Jacob Bull, Owen Bullard, Jason Bussey, Aubry Clark, Bryanna Cobb, Stephen Collins, Jared Colvin, Shea Conner, Andy Cooper, Kristi Copeland, Desiree Cries For Ribs, Terah Dancey, Jennifer Davis, Clair Didlake, David Donald, Kyle Duren, Cassie Ellenwood, Dick Engle, Romi Foreman, Steling Foy, Brian Geubelle, Michael Goddard, Matthew Gray, Crystal Griffith, Mandy Grover, DeeAnn Harrison, Jennifer Heidlage, Heather Herard, Michel Hereford, Brianna Hermanson, Regina Hile, Sarah Hodge, Robert Hwang, Andrea Johnson, Lance Johnson, Sean Jones, Chris Kana, Devin King, Scott King, Melissa Kirchner, Alex Kolliopoulous, Nick Kruckeberg, James Lindsay III, Natalie Lindsay, Jeremy Marzuola, Jarod Merle, Shannon Mersman, Ryan Meyer, Eric Michael, Joshua Milligan, Robert Monroe, Erin Morris, Kathryn Mulligan, T.J. Murray, Jennifer Niemann, Jennifer Nimmo, Candy Norman, Luke Northcutt, Britney Parker, Jeremiah Payne, Emily Phillips, Charles Pollman, Grant Potter, Megan Potter, Annette Priba, Teresa Purkaple, Tanner Ray, Justin Rosebeary, Ashley Roussel, Jennifer Runyan, Mohammad Salama, Sarah Scott, Bobbi Simmons, Alana Smith, Ryan Smith, Jill Snyder, Claire Sonnichsen, Nicholas Steichen, Amber Stolhand, Matthew Szabo, Scott Szabo, Andrea Thomas, Paul Thomas, Ryan Treadway, Ryan Trout, Patrick Tucker, Ashley VanHoesen, Kyle Vincent, Emily Wheeler, Stacie Wolf and Amy Ziegenhain.

Students from Blackwell include Sara Arnold, Amber Backus, John Baldwin, Amy Blacketer, Bex Boyd, Whitney Brittain, Jessica Buesing, Lisa Buesing, Lindsay Burkhalter, Charity Chandler, Wayne Childers, Justin Cline, Tonya Clonts, Jeremy Combs, Dawn Cook, Jill Courtney, Jennifer Daly, Crystal Daniels, Emily DeBoard, Ashley Evans, Sue Faussett, Jordan Field, Dan Garwood, Vanessa Gingerich, Brandon Glenny, Tonny Grace Jr., Tara Greer, Tyke Greer, Craig Grossardt, Amber Hankla, Derek Harmon, Annilyn Hetrick, Amy Hoogendoorn, Lindsay Hudson, Lori Hutchins, Erick Ireland, Ryan Ireland, Rachel Jackson, Kori Jeffries, Mindy Johnson, Susan Johnston, Amber Jones-Howard, Edgar Jones, Brandon Kahle, Brian Kindred, Ellen Lam, Todd Lawhon, Cindy Lichti, Natasha Magana, Jordan Marquardt, Shanna McClarnon, Miranda McCurry, Tyler McNamara, Christiaan Mitchell, Alexis Morrison, Shaundra North, Megan Nutt, Karen Patel, Kyle Pennington, Nathan Pennington, Amanda Peterson, Katrina Poindexter, Matt Quirey, Tiffany Richmond, Angelina Ross, Connie Ross, Haley Rowe, Sara Ryser, Cady Sandy, Andrea Sewell, Cindy Sewell, Dayna Sheets, Kristen Shepherd, Anthony Short, Adam Smith, Kasha Smith, Alicia Stone, Dessa Teer, Kirby Tickel, Jay Wagner, Jerald Wagner, Holly Waycaster, Amanda Webb, Sally Webb, Rebekah Weeden, Ryan Whaylen, Jessica Williams, Jesse Wood, Jessica Williams, Ashlee Young and Meloday Wynn.

Braman students include Haley Dark, Jared Grell, Kasie Head, Kyle McCulloch, Kevin Miller and Amanda Ray. Red Rock students were Amy Castillo, Brenda Kodesh, Linda Kodesh, Oliver Plumley, Jennifer Prucha and Jackie Tennies. Also Kristie Alkire, Lacey Cully, Cody Golay and Frank Mains, all of Shidler, and Chris Bilyeu, Ashley Cavin, Jacob Duroy, Erin Hill, Shane Randall, Zac Swords and Yona Wade, all of Tonkawa.

Students from Newkirk include Robin Aupperle, Craig Barnes, Jamey Bennett, Charlie Brandon, Kaycee Brandon, Curtis Conner, Jay Dobson, Thalia Douglas, Dustin Eisenhauer, Justin Eisenhauer, Suzanne Eisenhauer, Shannon Estes, Jacob Free, Sam Free, Spencer Grace, Amy Harris, Daniel Hill, Phillip Hill, Jesse Houser, Phillip Hudnall, Jerrilyn Kahle, Ted Kaspar, Nathanael Klein, Jill Lathers, Leslee Layton, Keith LeBaron, Adam Leaming, Calla Lockwood, Kendra Loughridge, Ryan Martin, Kelli Merhoff, Dustin Mills, Joseph Nellis, Stephanie Peace, Christine Ramey, Desiree Randol, Cora Roe, Sarah Ross, Bethany Scott, Barrett Shupe, Christina Smith, Syndi Smith, Bob Tull and Jessica Wiersig.

Kilpatrick Wins Roosevelt Geography Bee

Ian Kilpatrick, a sixth grade student at Roosevelt Elementary, won the school competition of the National Geography Bee. The school-level Bee, at which students answered oral questions on geography, and the first round in the 11th annual National Geography Bee. The Bee is sponsored by the National Geographic Society and Bank One, which operates more than 1,500 banking centers in 12 states and is the largest credit card issuer in the nation. This year, Bank One is giving each school that registers for the Bee a one-year membership in the National Geographic Society, which includes a subscription to “National Geographic” magazine.

The kickoff for this year’s Bee was the week of Nov. 30, with thousands of schools around the United States and in the five U.S. territories participating. The school winners, including Ian Kilpatrick, will now take a written test; up to 100 of the top scorers in each state and territory will be eligible to compete in their state Bee April 9.

The National Geographic Society and Bank One will provide an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., for state champions and their teacher-escorts to participate in the National Geography Bee national championship on May 25 and 26. The first-place national winner will receive a $25,000 college scholarship.

Alex Trebek, host of “Jeopardy!”, will moderate the national finals on May 26. The program will be produced by Maryland Public Television and will air on PBS stations. Check local listings for dates and times.

The National Geographic Society developed the National Geography Bee in response to a growing concern about the lack of geographic knowledge among young people in the United States. A 10-country Gallup survey conducted for the Society in 1988 and 1989 found that people in the U.S. ages 18 to 24, the youngest group surveyed, knew less about geography than young people in any of the other countries in the survey.

The National Geographic Society, with 9 million members, has as its mission the “increase and diffusion of geographic knowledge.” In addition to the National Geography Bee, the Society sponsors a number of other geography education initiatives, including summer geography institutes for teachers and the Geographic Alliance Network, which is currently working in every state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Canada.

Student To Compete In National Award Program

David Donald, a senior at Po-Hi, has been nominated to compete in the national Principal’s Leadership Award Scholarship Program, sponsored by the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP). The program is funded by Herff-Jones, Inc.

He has been very active in student government during high school, having been in student council every year. He is currently serving as president of the student council and has previously been elected as a class president. Other student activities include National Honor Society, Foreign Language Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Youth and Government.

Donald, who is the son of Russell and Peggy Donald of Ponca City, has volunteered as a basketball coach at St. Mary’s School, has been involved in blood drives and food drives and also served as a volunteer worker at Cherokee Strip activities.

School News

OSU Scholarship Winners

Stuart Snyder, son of Richard and Edith Snyder of Ponca City, and Angela Barker, daughter of Craig and Maurine Barker, have been awarded a $300 General Undergraduate Scholarship for the spring semester.

Bond Receives Certification

Katy Bond, preschool teacher at Pioneer Technology Center, received her Child Development Associate Credential (CDA) from the Council for Early Childhood Professionals.

Callihan Graduates

Brian Callihan, son of Dan and Ellen Callihan of Henderson, Nevada, and grandson of Doris Stanley of Ponca City, graduated from OSU on Dec. 12 with a degree in Chemical Engineering. Brian and two other students won a team title in the American Institute of Chemical Engineers National Student Design Competition.

Presidential Scholarships

Jennifer Frantz and Carol Stauffer, both 1998 Po-Hi graduates, have been awarded President’s Distinguished Scholarships at OSU. These $8,000 four-year scholarships will be awarded at $2,000 per academic year.

White Graduates

Tim White, son of Eulele Two Babies of Stillwater and former Ponca City resident, recently graduated from Meridian Technology Center in Stillwater.

Ponca City Students Awarded OSU Research Scholarships

STILLWATER — Two Ponca City students have been awarded research scholarships by the Oklahoma Partners for Biological Sciences for this semester at Oklahoma State University.

Tonja Pappan, a senior cell and molecular biology major, has been awarded a $1,500 scholarship to carry out an independent research project in the laboratory of Dr. Rolf Prade, assistant professor in the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Grants. She is the daughter of Roger and Kathy Pappan, and is a 1995 Po-Hi graduate.

Chadwick Ross, a senior biological sciences major, has been awarded a $1,500 scholarship to carry out an independent research project in the laboratory of Dr. Stephen Wikel, professor in the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology. He is the son of Mike and Joyce Ross, and is a 1995 Po-Hi graduate.

OPBS is funded by a grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. According to Dr. James Blair, program director and head of the OSU Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. OPBS provides enhanced research opportunities for students who transfer into biological sciences at OSU from two-year Oklahoma colleges.

A major goal of the program is to increase the number of community college transfer students, especially women and under-represented minorities, who successfully complete a biological science degree at OSU.

Scholarships are awarded on the basis of scholastic achievement, with students competing from eight partner two-year colleges. Participating colleges are Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College, Northern Oklahoma College, Oklahoma City Community College, OSU-Oklahoma City, OSU-Okmulgee, Redlands Community College, Rose State College, and Tulsa Community College.

OSU Students Teach Art to Elementary School

STILLWATER — Amber Long and Tina Moore of Ponca City, both elementary education majors at Oklahoma State University, have been teaching art this semester at Richmond Elementary School in Stillwater.

They are taking part in a field experience in their visual arts methods class, a class required for all elementary and art teachers in order to be certified by the State of Oklahoma.

Long, a 1995 Po-Hi graduate, has been teaching art in a second grade class. She is the daughter of Terry and Phyllis Long.

Moore, a 1986 Po-Hi graduate, taught art in a third grade class. She is the daughter of Kathy Hayes of Ponca City and Marvin Day of Gotha, Florida.

As one of the components of the course, students go into the field to teach art to children so that they get a first-hand opportunity to see how children behave with visual art materials and ideas, and the kinds of things the children are capable of doing.

Students were placed in groups of two, and each classroom teacher had two different teams in class on Friday for a total of two hours of lessons.

RELIGION

First Lutherans Set Services
St. Mary’s Honors Our Lady of Guadalupe Dec. 13
Noted Pianist, Recording Artist Playing Here Sunday
St. Paul’s Choirs To Sing Cantata At Both Services
Grace Episcopal Tells Services
First Baptist Music Ministry Presents “A Light Still Shines”
First Methodists Plan New Sunday School Class
Kildare Baptists Host Community Christmas Meal
‘Christmas, Sing Noel!’ at Albright UMC Sunday
‘Come Let Us Reason Together’
Celebrate the Season at Sunset Baptist
First Nazarene Set Play on Sunday

First Lutherans Set Services

The fourth Sunday in Advent will be celebrated at First Lutheran Church on Dec. 20 at both the 8:30 a.m. and the 11 a.m. services. The service will focus on our preparations for the coming of Jesus at Christmas and also His second coming at the end of time. The last Advent candle will be lighted as the Senior Choir sings the entire anthem “Candles of Advent” accompanied by Heidi Hurd on the flute. The scripture readings and hymns all point to the birth of Christ. Pastor Ramsey’s sermon is entitled “Marveling at the Miracle.” The Senior Choir will extend this theme with the beautiful anthem “Whoever Seeks the Christ.” Holy Communion will be celebrated at both services.

The Sunday evening service at 6:30 p.m. will be under the direction of the Sunday School. The children will present the program “Jesus LIghts the Way.” The program will be introduced by special music provided by two youth of the congregation. Meg McDaniel will play the flute with organ accompaniment on “An Advent Prelude” by Charles Callahan. Stephanie Beier will present a vocal solo “Can You Imagine?”

There will be two services held at First Lutheran on Christmas Eve. The service at 7 p.m. will be a family service of Lessons and Carols in which various families have been asked to read the Lessons as a family. The service will conclude with a candlelighting ceremony. The service at 11 p.m. will be a joyous service of praise with communion. The service will also include a candlelighting ceremony.

The members of First Lutheran eagerly invite anyone to join them in the worship of the Christ Child at any of these festive services.

St. Mary’s Honors Our Lady of Guadalupe Dec. 13

The Hispanic community of the Church of Saint Mary honored Our Lady of Guadalupe, Dec. 13 with a Mass of Holy Eucharist followed by a traditional Mexican luncheon. According to Barbara Hay of the church, troops of dancers traveled from St. Peter’s Church in Guymon, as well as St. Joseph’s in Blackwell, and St. Joseph’s, Tonkawa, to perform traditional Aztec dances. Archbishop Eusebius Beltran, Archbishop of Oklahoma City, con-celebrated the Mass with Fr. Bosco Pudhota, assistant pastor of St. Mary’s, Fr. Joseph Burger, pastor of both St. Joseph’s in Blackwell and St. Joseph’s in Tonkawa, and Deacon Jerry Rutherford of St. Mary’s.

When Columbus discovered the New World in 1492, the flagship on that historic voyage was the Santa Maria. Thirty-nine year later, Dec. 9, 1531, the Blessed Virgin appeared to Juan Diego, an Aztec Indian, four times at Tepeyac, a hilltop just northeast of Mexico City, before there were any boundaries dividing the Americas into separate nations such as Mexico, Brazil, Canada, or the United States. She requested that a temple be built in her honor. She left her image on Juan Diego’s cloak as a sign to the bishop who was reluctant to carry out instructions from this humble man. The bishop needed no more convincing.

A church was built on the sight where she appeared and since that time Catholics worldwide have flocked to pay homage to Our Lady of Guadalupe. Juan Diego’s tilma, or cloak, is preserved in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe which was first dedicated as a shrine church in 1709 and later enlarged and elevated to a basilica.

Our Lady of Guadalupe was declared the patroness of New Spain in 1754 and extended to the Americas in 1945. In 1988, Pope John Paul II raised the liturgical celebration on Dec. 12 to a feast for all dioceses of the United States. It has become one of the most celebrated feast days of the church year for all Catholics, Hispanic or not.

Noted Pianist, Recording Artist Playing Here Sunday

Max Lyall, a pianist and recording artist based in San Francisco will present a service entitled “Celebrating Christmas with Max Lyall” at the First United Methodist Church on Sunday, Dec. 20 at 11 a.m.

Lyall, professor of church music at Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary’s Bill and Pat Dixon School of Music, has been on the seminary faculty since 1974. He came to Golden Gate from Belmont College in Nashville, where he was associate professor of music for eight years. From 1963 to 1966 he was assistant music editor for the church music department of the Baptist Sunday School Board in Nashville, Tenn.

Max has a bachelor of music degree from Oklahoma Baptist University, the master of music degree from the University of Oklahoma, and the doctor of musical arts degree in piano from Peabody Conservatory of Music *John Hopkins University). He has also studied at Teachers College of Columbia University and at Juilliard School of Music.

In 1996, Word Music produced a collection of piano arrangements and original compositions, recorded on compact disc and cassette, titled “Keyboard Legends”, featuring the work of Max Lyall, Fred Bock, Kurt Kaiser and Don Wyrtyzen. Lyall’s previous recordings of hymn-tune improvisations include “Authentic Original’ and “Max, Rhythm and Song”. Lyall has been pianist for meetings of the Southern Baptist Convention, Baptist World Alliance, and has performed as pianist, organist and singer for the recording activities of Broadman Press and Buryl Red Productions. He has appeared as accompanist for concerts and recordings by Robert Hale, Dean Wilder, Cynthia Clawson and Henrietta Davis.

He has been on the faculty for church music conferences at Glorieta and Ridgecrest Conference Centers. He was accompanist and piano soloist for the Baptist Festival Singers’ concert tours of Europe, and accompanist for the Baptist Youth World Conference in Argentina in 1984. He has been visiting professor of church music and c concert performer at Baptist seminaries in Brazil, Argentina, Hong Kong and Zambia.

In addition, Dr. Lyall has been piano and harpsichord soloist with the Nashville Symphony and Chamber Orchestras. He has been piano and tenor soloist with the Nashville Pro Musica Chorus and Orchestra, as well as tenor soloist with the Nashville Chamber Singers, the oratorio choruses of Golden Gate, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Ky, and California Baptist College, Riverside, Calif. He was honored by Oklahoma Baptist University with a Profiles in Excellence award in 1987. He is a member of ASCAP, and is accompanist for the Centurymen of the Southern Baptist Radio and Television Commission. He toured China with the Centurymen in 1983 and 1988. He served on the Hymnal Committee for the 1991 edition of Baptist Hymnal. The Southern Baptist Church Music Conference awarded him Honorary Life Membership in 1992.

Max has written and arranged a number of works appearing in Southern Baptist publications, including Music From Way Back When, Klassics for Kids, and Symphony of Song for Triune Music Company. His hymn arrangements are also included in A Heritage in Hymns, published by the Lorenz Corporation.

A native of Tonkawa, Max is a member and deacon at Tiburon Baptist Church in Tiburon, Calif. and is the brother of Guy Lyall of Tonkawa, who is director of the Sunshiners at First Baptist Church in Ponca City and a member of the Singing Churchmen of Oklahoma.

St. Paul’s Choirs To Sing Cantata At Both Services

The Wesley and Chancel Choirs of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, under the direction of William Harrison, will be singing the Christmas Cantata “The Majesty and Glory of Christmas” during both the 8:30 and 10:50 morning services this Sunday. This Cantata created by Billy Ray Hearn and Tom Fettke contains many favorite hymns and carols of Christmas. Selections from the Cantata include “O Come, All Ye Faithful,” “He Is Born,” “O Come, O Come Emmanuel,” “Good Christians All Rejoice,” “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” “O Holy Night,” “Joy to the World,” “Angels from the Realms of Glory,” “Away in a Manger,” and the ‘Hallelujah Chorus.”

The program will also feature several solos. Soloists for the event include Linda Dyer, Steffi Cowan, Lisa Harrison, who will also sign, JoAnn Hintergardt, Sam Downs, Tracy Schumpert, Bill Hadley and Donna Clark.

There are many stories inside the one big story of the birth of the Christ child in a manger. For centuries these little stories have been chronicled by carols written by both famous and unknown composers. Not only do these carols remind us of the sacred event, but also of the many wonderful and warm feelings the season brings with its family gatherings and exchanging of gifts. Hopefully this collection of hymns and carols will bring to your mind and heart the nostalgia of the season as well as the reason.

The public is invited to come and share in the glory and majesty of Christ’s birth.

Grace Episcopal Tells Services

Christmas week at Grace Church has been told by the rector, the Rev. Kenneth Armstrong.

Regular 8 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. services of Holy Eucharist will be held this Sunday, Dec. 20, The Adult Vocal Choir will sing ‘O Very God” by Smith during the offertory. A nursery is provided for infants and toddlers in the Christian Education Center. Sound systems for the hearing impaired are now available, the Rev. Mr. Armstrong pointed out.

Wednesday’s services at 10 a.m. and 5:30 will remain the same — Holy Eucharist, and at 5:30 Holy Eucharist and Unction. Christmas Eve the office will be closed. The Family Holy Eucharist is scheduled at 4 p.m. The Children’s Christmas party is also scheduled for Thursday afternoon, directed by Susie Bivin and Jane Simmons. The Christmas Eve service beginning with Christmas Music at 10:30 p.m. and the Festival Holy Eucharist at 11 p.m.

The church office will be closed on Christmas Day. It was also announced that the Annual Congregational Meeting is scheduled for Feb. 7, 1999.

First Baptist Music Ministry Presents “A Light Still Shines”

The Music Ministry of First Baptist Church warmly invites the greater Ponca City, Kay County, Northern Oklahoma, and Southern Kansas areas to attend the Christmas spectacular entitled “A Light Still Shines” this Sunday evening, Dec. 20 at 6:30 p.m. This festive presentation features the 80-voice Adult Choir with a 30-piece orchestra blending their talents in tribute to the birthday of the King of kings, Jesus Christ.

“A Light Still Shines”, written by Randy Vader, Jay Rouse and Camp Kirkland, is a sterling collection of great Christmas music woven together with profound and elegant narratives presented by Pastor Hance Dilbeck and wife, Julie. According to Larry Masters, Minister of Music, those in attendance will be in for a most enjoyable and inspirational program. The music is energized and brilliant, yet, at times touching and poignant.

Christmas is a modern day miracle with ancient origin. Two thousand year of human history has not diminished the importance nor the implications of the Incarnation and the joy of that event. Through “A Light Still Shines” we will celebrate the antiquity of the Christmas story and look mindfully at the significance it has for our lives today.

Soloists in order of appearance are: Ginger Larimer, Debora Gooch, Terry Driesel, Doug Thompson, Doyle Brewer, Shannon Mair, Judy Burnette, Susan Smith, Craig Myers, Bill Justice, Charlotte Smith, Guy Lyall, Lois Lyall and Mary Jane Barraclough.

The FBC Orchestra includes: Violins — Elizabeth Heslip, Karen Stokke, Christopher Johnson, Lance Johnson, Robert Hwang, Jamie McGugan, Cindy Jones, Holly Dailey; Violas, Dan Larson, Jenny Davis, Rachel Gilliland, Erin Land, Stacy Sherman; Cello — Corbin Grimsley, Shara Long, Terese Purkaple, Pam Yost, Andrea Land, Stephanie Council; Flute — Sara Day, Kati Salmons; Oboe — Shannon Gackstatter; Bassoon — Denise Jones; Clarinet — Al Summerfield; Bass Claret — Sarah Round; French Horn — James Barraclough; Trumpet — Dan Brodt, Marie Beyer, Stan Barraclough; Trombone — Gary Gackstatter, Stephen Heslip;, Wade Tisdale, Jordan Davis; Percussion — Rhonda Johnson, Kara Long, Drew Hopkins; Drum Set — Kyle Enevoldsen; Piano — Carol Green and Marcella John on organ and synthesizer.

Following “A Light Still Shines:, everyone is invited to the Assembly Center as the FBC Singers entertain with “Holiday Classics” by David Clydesdale. This will be an informal time of fun, secular music, food and fellowship. You’ll hear “Winter Wonderland”, “Let It Snow”, “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year”, “I’ll Be Home for Christmas”, “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”< and a comedy arrangements of “The Dozen Daze of Christmas”.

Remember, it’s at First Baptist Church, 5th and Central in Ponca City for “A Light Still Shines”. Admission is free.

Church Briefs

First Methodists Plan New Sunday School Class

A new Sunday School class, initially led by Senior Minister Denny Hook, will begin at First United Methodist Church on Jan 10, meeting in the Education building of the church facility. The class will be for those who would like to learn the basis of the Christian faith — those new to the faith or those who feel they really know very little about the Methodist faith are encouraged to come.

The class will be using a workbook entitled “Get Acquainted With Your Christian Faith’ by Kent Millard. This is a seven week course and will be followed by other courses of Christian study.

If interested in the class, call the church at 762-1681.

Kildare Baptists Host Community Christmas Meal

Kildare Baptist Church will host their Annual Christmas meal at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 19, it was announced this week. The church family invites all to join with them as they express thanks to the Lord for this wonderful time of the year.

We need a time of focusing upon the greatest gift of all, the life of God’s Son to be our Savior, the pastor noted. Please bring a covered dish. The church will provide the meat, bread and refreshments.

The church is located at 800 Church Street in Kildare - sic miles north of Ponca City and one mile east of Highway 77 and north Highway 11 junction.

‘Christmas, Sing Noel!’ at Albright UMC Sunday

A musical celebration of His coming, will be presented by y the Albright United Methodist Church Sanctuary Choir during the 10:30 a.m. worship service, Sunday, Dec. 20. The community is invited to come and celebrate the joyous event of Christ’s birth with the cantata, ‘Christmas, Sing Noel!”. The choir, under the direction of Pat Purkey, will help you see and hear the Christmas story with new insight and deeper joy.

Choir members participating in the cantata are: Don Appleman, Joy Asbury, Mitch Bradley, Julie Brown Jeanne Burge, Kathy Caldron, Mary Cantrell, Alan Crockett, Jennifer Douglas, Donna Evans, Calvin Golliver, Frieda Hill, Marge Howard, Wendell and Norma Hurd, Lynnita Jarrell, Phyllis Lansdowne, Pat Lutz, Charlie Miller, Eric Peeples, Andy and Carolyn Stewart, Floyd and Gerry Stewart, Marlene Wittmer and Kip Wright. Narrators are Paula Coppock and Bruce Lutz.

Albright United Methodist Church is located at 128 South Palm. An elevator is available for all levels of the church.

‘Come Let Us Reason Together’

The Hartford Avenue Church of Christ invites you to share God’s word with them every week. Sunday Bible classes 9:30 a.m., worship 10:30 a.m. Sunday evening service 6 p.m. and Wednesday service 7 p.m. They have classes for all age levels — nursery through adult.

“For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.” I Corinthians 15:3 and 4.

Christmas pageants remind us of Jesus’ humble birth. We enjoy the thought of angels, shepherds, and wise men visiting Mary and Joseph. More remarkable than the lowly birth of the Son of God is the death He died for us. Jesus came into the world to save sinners. No one can be saved from the eternal consequences of their sins apart from the death of Jesus on the cross. Jesus lived and died according to the Scriptures. After He fulfilled God’s plan for Him on earth. God raised Him from the dead and He ascended into heaven. What must you do to live “according to the Scriptures?”

Celebrate the Season at Sunset Baptist

On Sunday, Dec. 20, during the 10:40 a.m. worship service at Sunset Baptist Church, 915 Greenwood Ave., the adult choir will present the musical “Celebrate The Season”. This musical will feature some favorite Christmas songs and carols for the whole family. From “Walkin’ in a Winter Wonderland” to “O Holy Night” there is something for everyone as we “Celebrate the Season” at Sunset Baptist.

First Nazarene Set Play on Sunday

Who is this baby whose birth we celebrate at Christmas? Why did angels sing his praises? Why do wise men and women bring him their treasures? Why did he wear a crown? Why did shepherds leave their field to go and worship him? Who was this baby: a child or a king? These questions will be answered in the choral reflection and celebration of Christmas entitled, “Heaven’s Child” to be performed at the morning worship service Sunday, Dec. 20 at First Church of the Nazarene. Cindy Poling is directing.

Solos and duets are to be sung by Don Morgan, Jennifer Poling, Travis Robertson, Faye Hunt, Betty Morgan, Monica Sawyers, and Jamie Key. Chris and Crystal Noel and infant son, Joshua play Jesus and his parents. Harold Mullins narrates.

The public is invited to attend.

SPORTS

Tis The Season To Be Ruthless On Hard Court
Po-Hi Matmen Start Drop
Four Wildcats All-District Picks

Tis The Season To Be Ruthless On Hard Court

By MATTHEW KOENIG

News Sports Writer

It’s that time of year again. A time of giving, of sharing, of hope, and — most of all — a time to demolish one last opponent on the hard court.

The Po-Hi Wildcats and Lady Cats will try to give themselves an early Christmas present tonight, traveling to take on the Charles Page (Sand Springs) Sandites.

The Cats, at 2-2, are looking to head into the holidays over the .500 mark for the first time in three years, while the 0-4 Lady Cats are still looking for that elusive first win. Happily, tonight’s foes just happen to be at the top of the Poncans’ wish-lists. Both Sandite teams are struggling and sit at 1-2 in conference play. Both fell on Tuesday to Stillwater.

The boys will tip off at 6:15, while the girls will start at 7:45. WBBZ will be on hand for the play by play.

P.C. Cats (2-2) at Sand Springs (1-2)

It’s a battle of the preseason also-rans, No. 8 Sand Springs versus No. 9 Ponca City. And, while the television crews may not be there, at least one team is out to prove the preseason pundits wrong.

With two, spirited wins lying safely in the W-column, visions of knocking off several more higher-ranked foes are dancing in the Cats’ heads. Though the Sandites are barely a notch higher, they’re still on the hit list.

“It (a win) would be a great way to go into the break,” says Wildcat coach Ron Arthur. “It’ll make those Christmas practices go that much better.”

And, if there is a winable game in the Frontier Conference, this is it. Last week, the Sandites fell miserably to Stillwater, scoring just 15 points in the first half and falling down by as much as 64-24 in the middle of the fourth quarter. Part of the Sandites’ early-season woes are due to the loss of two scoring leaders from last season, Pedro Negron and Keith Hooks. Though still roaming the hallways at Charles Page, both opted out of basketball this season.

Still, the Sandites still boast some power, and aside from the Stillwater debacle, have had some impressive showings.

“Actually, I’m scared to death,” says Arthur. “They shot 70 percent against Owasso (for their one win), then Stillwater shot 70 percent against them. They also played Sapulpa to 15 points.

“I’m not sure what to expect.”

Marc Brown, a 6-1 senior — who started as a freshman — is likely the Sandites’ best player, and put out against the Cats last season with an average of 14 points through two games. Zac Trimble, a 6-2 senior, averaged 5.9 ppg last year, and poses a formidable 3-point threat. Point guard Ryan Brumbaugh, a 5-8 junior who averaged 3.1 ppg, is also back.

“That’s their 1-2-3 punch,” says Arthur. “And no one knows who our 1-2-3 punch is.”

Which is true. So far, the Cats have had a different scoring leader in three of their four games. Paul Broome and Tom Engle are averaging 10.3 and 10.0 ppg, respectively, while five others average between five and 10 ppg. It’s the element of surprise, of not knowing who to stop, that Arthur likes.

“We’ll have to start out fast, get out on top,” he says of tonight’s game. “We have to force them to doubt themselves, and that frustration could energize us. Then again, they’re going to make us hit our shots.”

Hopefully, a wealth of baskets will help regain some confidence lost after a paltry, 24 percent showing last week against Sapulpa. Could the Cats shoot, say, 70 percent?

“That would be nice,” says Arthur. “We’re overdue.”

Also, Arthur says the week-long break could have mixed results on his team.

“It’s hard to get back into the flow,” he says. “If we come out a little flat I’d say that’s why. Then again, we got a lot done this week. We’ve had some really good practices and added some things.”

P.C. Lady Cats (0-4) at Sand Springs Lady Sandites (1-2)

Like the Lady Cats, the Lady Sandites finished 7-16 last year. The two teams split in a 2-game series, each winning on their home floor — the Lady Cats squeaking by in a 1-point thriller, 43-42, in their 21st game of the season.

The Lady Sandites are led by 5-8 senior Amanda Kelin, who averaged 10.4 ppg last year and had — appropriately — 10.5 ppg through two contests with the Lady Cats. Jeanna Kelly, a 5-10 junior, averaged 5.8 ppg last year, and seven against the Lady Cats, while 5-7 junior Kyla Davis rounds out the Lady Sandites 1-2-3 punch. Davis averaged 3.7 ppg last year, but didn’t score against the Lady Cats.

Po-Hi Matmen Start Drop

By FRED HILTON

News Sports Editor

The drop has started.

Wildcat wrestling coach Todd Steidley has indicated he expected several wrestlers to drop a weight over the Christmas break.

But at least three Po-Hi grapplers will be down a weight for tonight’s dual against Jenks.

“I don’t really like to have wrestlers drop very much weight,” Steidley said. “But some of them wanted to test the waters before Christmas.”

Tonight’s dual is scheduled to start in Robson Fieldhouse at 7 p.m., preceded by several JV matches.

Josh Bailey has dropped from 125 to 119. He and Shawn Lee are scheduled to weigh in there.

Clint Stafford followed Bailey down, going to 125. That left room for Cody Grogan to go to 130.

Blaine Empting will move down to 152 and will weigh in there along with Michael Osborn.

The moves have left several “either-or” in the Cats’ lineup for tonight,

Phillip Brotherton dropped to 103 prior to the Union Tournament last week. He will weigh in at that weight along with Demont Swindall.

Coach Steidley also said Jeff Strong will weigh in at 189 along with Jeremy Leavitt.

Newcomer Anthony Arbona will weigh in at 112, Jacob Bailey is scheduled to fill in the 135-pound slot while Jonathon Schmauch will be at 160.

The rest of the lineup will be pretty much the same.

Scott Steichen will go at 140 pounds and Matt Littleton at 145, Tony RedLeaf is at 171, Jason Neurenberg at 215 and Justin Burns at heavyweight.

Steidley sees tonight’s dual as a close one.

“On paper we are favored at six weights, Jenks is favored at six and two are toss ups,” he said. “The home crowd could make the difference.”

Bonus points could also be the difference, according to the coach.

“If we get one of their wrestlers on his back, we are going to have to finish him off and get the pin,” Steidley said. “On the other hand, if we get on our back, we are going to have to fight to get out of it.”

Steidley noted that Jenks finished ahead of the Wildcats in five weights during the Union Tournament over the weekend.

The only head-to-head match came in the semifinals at 125 where Trojan David Weller edged out Josh Bailey, 9-7 in overtime.

Jenks placed five in the top four but finished behind Ponca City in the team scoring. The Wildcats were fifth with 144 points, the Trojans seventh with 122.

Weller and Caruthers (135 pounds) both finished second while Lance Engles (189) was third. Karleshint (119) and Zugelder (heavyweight) were both fourth.

Tonight will be the final dual for the Cats before the holidays. They resume action Jan. 5 at Enid.

Four Wildcats All-District Picks

TULSA — Four Wildcat players have been named to the All-District 6A-5 football team and six others received Honorable Mention notice.

The Po-Hi players on the first team were offensive lineman Matt Gray, defensive back Joe Roland, quarterback Eric Michael and kicker Jared Sindelar.

Honorable Mention awards went to offensive lineman Josh Ozment, linebacker Thomas Terry, defensive back Kris Shores, defensive lineman Justin Burns, split end Wes Murrie and running back Toby RedLeaf.

District champion Tulsa Union placed 11 players on the All-Star team including Player of the Year quarterback Josh Blankenship and Offensive Player of the Year running back Danny Morris. The district Coach of the Year was Union’s Bill Blankenship.

Stillwater linebacker Clay Howerton was the league’s Defensive Player of the Year. The Pioneers had 13 players on the All-District team, including four offensive linemen.