LOCAL

Castro Loses Final Attempt To Escape Jan. 7 Execution
Nearly News
State Should Receive More Federal Funds for Its Biomedical Research
City Announces Holiday Hours
St. Mary’s Continues Its Celebration With Masses

Castro Loses Final Attempt To Escape Jan. 7 Execution

By PATTI PFEIFFER

News Staff Writer

MCALESTER — The State Parole Board voted unanimously to deny a recommendation of clemency for John Walter Castro Sr., clearing the way for his Jan. 7 execution.

Castro, who killed two Ponca City woman, is sentenced to die for the 1983 murder of Beulah Cox.

In April 1983 Castro shot 31-year-old Beulah Cox in the back of the head after she had offered and given him a ride. Her skeletal remains were found in a remote Noble County location four months later.

Then, only two months later, Castro stabbed 29-year-old Rhonda Pappan to death during an attempted armed robbery at a Ponca City restaurant she managed. He was also sentenced to death for that murder, however the sentence was reversed and remanded by an appellate court.

One by one the four board members voted Monday to deny clemency which may have spared the life of the 37-year-old Ponca City man.

With red puffy eyes and streaming tears, some members of the victim’s families hugged one another as the final vote was cast and the outcome was read aloud.

Both the nephew of Cox and Pappan’s son spoke during the hour long hearing.

“Beulah’s death was devastating to my family and we have had a terrible time dealing with it,” Cox’s nephew, Jay Atkins, told the board. “He should have known all actions have consequences. This execution will be a chance to put it to rest and allow us to go on.”

It was then Pappan’s son who addressed the board. “Castro should not be given mercy, he never gave mercy to those whose

See CASTRO, Page 8A)

Nearly News

Dr. Bob Gibson called NN Monday afternoon urging Ponca Citians to drive by 126 South Lake and enjoy the Santa display on the roof of the Don Kleinmann home. Dr. Bob told NN the display is one of the best he’s ever seen — Santa, helicopter and all … something a little different, Dr. Bob pointed out.

NN has received word that Wednesday night all the Park Place families will have their patriotic Christmas lights on. Residents Steve and Betty Scott will have their llamas decorated in their Christmas attire for the children to see. Weather permitting Santa’s elves will be there to pass out candy to all the children. Park Place is located 2 miles east of Ponca City on Highway 60, and 1/4 of a mile south (across from Kids Inc. ball fields).

With family and friends visiting for the holidays, treat them to the spectacular sights of our lighted Festival of Angels displays at Lake Ponca Park and areas within our city. The lighted displays have delighted a record number of visitors this year, exhibiting the spirit and cooperation of Ponca City citizens, organizations and businesses. Be sure and pick up a map of lighted sites and participating neighborhoods at Angel Central.

State Should Receive More Federal Funds for Its Biomedical Research

Based on population statistics, Oklahoma should be receiving significantly more funding for biomedical research from the National Institutes for Health, which would provide the state’s research institutions with additional dollars to conduct important scientific research as well as a big boost to Oklahoma’s economy, said J. Donald Capra, M.D., president of the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, one of the top private biomedical research facilities in the U.S.

“Oklahoma is far behind its neighbors in the funds it receives for biomedical research from the National Institutes of Health,” said Capra. “As a result, it will take a focused and concentrated effort on the part of business, state government, academia and others to lay the foundation so that the state can receive its equitable share.”

Oklahoma currently receives approximately $31 million in NIH grants each year, most of which goes to the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center and OMRF. This represents only about 24 percent of the state’s “fair share.” Two neighboring states do substantially better — Texas (67 percent) and Colorado (120 percent.)

The figure from the NIH should be closer to $100 million, said Capra.

“New Mexico, for example, with a population of 1.7 million, receives $24.21 NIH funding per capita, while Oklahoma, whose population is three million, receives only $9.43.” New Mexico is ranked 26th in the nation in per capita funding while Oklahoma ranks 41st, falling from 40th since 1993. Growth has occurred in states surrounding Oklahoma, namely, Missouri and Colorado.

A state’s population in itself, however, is not the definitive factor in determining what a state receives in NIH grants, Capra points out.

“Other states with less per capita funding than Oklahoma have substantially fewer people, such as Alaska, Mississippi, Arkansas and Nevada. But New Hampshire, with approximately 550,000 people, ranks third in per capita funding, or $44.64 per person.”

Capra would like to see Oklahoma set a goal to receive $100 million in grants each year from the NIH in the next five years.

“Biomedical research, such as that done at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center and here at OMRF, is spawning the greatest industry growth in the nation. In 1996, biotechnology had a net value of $103 billion; by 2015 it is predicted to grow to $600 billion. Biomedical research is an enormous engine that can fuel Oklahoma’s economy. Research dollars that come into Oklahoma provide high-quality, above-average salaries for our citizens, and will lay the foundation for jobs in the future for our sons and daughters.”

How is Oklahoma positioned as the industry grows?

Not very well, Capra believes. Although there has been momentum building in the biotech industry in Oklahoma over the past decade, “we are not in a position to receive additional funding until we beef up science education efforts in the state, substantially increase state funding for the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST), seek out seed venture capital to stimulate our local biotechnology community, and invest in an infrastructure designed to retain and attract the best scientists in the nation to Oklahoma,” Capra said.

The federal government, he pointed out, is doing its part. Doubling the NIH budget in five years has received strong bipartisan support on Capitol Hill, as indicated by the recent increase of $2 billion.

“Oklahoma needs to be poised to take advantage of this. Based on our population, we should expect to receive more than one percent of that, or approximately twenty million dollars. That would bring us to $50 million in research dollars immediately.”

This can be accomplished, Capra emphasized, by city and state leaders getting behind the effort.

“It will require a consensus from our political leaders — the governor, our congressional delegation, and the state legislature — chambers of commerce, major foundations, and business and community leaders. The University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University, and foundations such as OMRF will need to close ranks and set priorities to achieve this goal.”

City Announces Holiday Hours

The City of Ponca City will be observing Christmas on Thursday and Friday. All city offices will be closed both days. In addition there will be no refuge collection those days. Normal collection will resume Monday.

The Recycling Drop-Off Center, 1001 West Prospect Avenue, will be closed Thursday and Friday but normal hours of operation will resume on Saturday.

The City landfill will be open Thursday but closed on Friday and Saturday and reopen Monday.

St. Mary’s Continues Its Celebration With Masses

St. Mary’s Catholic Church began its celebration of Christ’s birth with a Christmas Vigil Mass on Dec. 14. Violin music was played by Katherine Paschal before and during this Eucharistic Celebration.

A second Vigil Mass began at 6:30 p.m. with the Junior Choir singing. A brass quintet also played before and after this Mass. The quintet was composed of James Barraclough, Tim Connelly, Carrie Cooley, Katie Mulligan, and Mark Oates.

Preceding the Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, the Senior Choir will sing Christmas carols beginning at 11:30 p.m. Lisa Hermes will provide flute music. A Christmas Day Mass is scheduled for 9 a.m.

The Christmas season continues with the Mass of the Holy Family on Saturday, Dec. 26, at 5:15 p.m., and on Sunday, Dec. 27 at 8 a.m., 9:30 a.m., and 11 a.m. Family life is rooted in the unconditional love of God as witnessed by the Holy Family — Joseph, Mary and Jesus. During these Masses, all married couples will be invited to renew their marriage vows.

New Year’s Eve at 5 p.m. and New Year’s Day at 8 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. are the times scheduled for Masses celebrating the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. This is a holy day of obligation for Catholics.

The Christmas season continues with the celebration of Epiphany during the regular Saturday and Sunday Masses on January 2 and 3. Just as the Jewish shepherds were the first to adore Jesus, so on Epiphany the Gentile wise men came as representatives of all the nations. A strong theme of this Eucharistic Celebration is the universal scope of the redemption Christ brings.

On January 9 and 10, the Vigil and Mass of the Baptism of the Lord conclude the liturgical celebration of the Christmas season. It is considered part of the Christmas season because as Christ was manifested at his birth to the shepherds (Christmas) and later to the wise men (Epiphany), so his baptism reveals his presence in the world and the mission he embraces.

DEATHS

Mildred Marjorie Wald
Dorothy Wanda Young
Edna Griffith
Kathleen Kelly
Defford T. Oyebi Jr.
Michael F. Thompson

Mildred Marjorie Wald

LAMONT — Mildred Marjorie Wald, longtime Lamont area resident, died Monday, Dec. 21, 1998, at her home east of Lamont. She was 91.

The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 23, at the Wilson Funeral Chapel in Pond Creek with the Rev. Ruth Tipps officiating. Burial will be in the Pond Creek Cemetery.

Mildred Marjorie Wald was born July 16, 1907, in Goddard, Kan. As a young woman, she moved to the Lamont-Hunter community.

She was married to Johnie LeRoy Wald and the couple farmed and operated a dairy two miles east of Lamont.

Survivors include two sons, James “Jim” Wald of Lamont and Robert R. Davis of Dothan, Ala.; two sisters, Patsy Lea White of Dannebrog, Neb., and Linda Kay Wald of Lamont; six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1968; her parents; three brothers, Earl, Floyd and Virgil; and three sisters, Myrtle Miller, Lea Lawton and Bessie.

Memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Wald’s name to a charity of choice.

Dorothy Wanda Young

NEWKIRK — Dorothy Wanda Young, rural Newkirk resident, died Monday morning, Dec. 21, 1998, at her home near Newkirk. She was 78.

The funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 24, at the Miller-Stahl Funeral Chapel in Newkirk with the Rev. Jerry Albright, minister of the Newkirk First Christian Church, officiating. Burial will follow in the Blackwell (Okla.) Cemetery. Friends may visit at the funeral home from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday and until service time Thursday. The casket will not be opened following the service.

Dorothy Wanda (Estes) Young was born June 12, 1920, in Dewey, the daughter of Burt and Arminda (Nixon) Estes. In 1922, she moved with her family to Jenkins, Mo., where she grew up and received her education.

On Nov. 24, 1937, she was married to Harley Stephen Young in Perry and the couple established their home on the farm where she has since resided. She enjoyed gardening, baking and hosting family reunions at her home.

Survivors include one sister, Dorcas Grigsba of Kildare; and a host of nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband on Feb. 24, 1980; her parents; 10 brothers and sisters; and three nephews.

Edna Griffith

Edna Mae Griffith, longtime Ponca City resident, died Sunday evening Dec. 20, 1998, at her home. She was 77.

The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday Dec. 23, 1998, at Sunset Baptist Church with the Rev. Ron Ledbetter, pastor, officiating. Burial will follow in the Longwood Cemetery under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.

Edna (Wilkins) Griffith was born Jan. 1, 1921, in Ceres, the daughter of Roy and Fannie (Siler) Wilkins. She attended Three Sands and Marland schools.

On May 30, 1941, she was married to Glenn Griffith in Ponca City, where the couple established their home and have since lived. They had celebrated 57 years of marriage. Mrs. Griffith was a homemaker and enjoyed caring for her home and family. She had been an active member of the Sunset Baptist Church for 57 years and was in the Sunset Saints senior adult choir. She enjoyed sewing, crafts, cooking, camping and fishing. She also enjoyed traveling, taking several bus tours across the United States and Canada.

Surviving are her husband Glenn of the home; a daughter, Glenna Kerner of Wichita, Kan.; a son Robert Griffith of Ponca City; a sister Ethel Rupe of Claremore; one brother, Floyd Wilkins of Ada; five grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother Frank Wilkins; and one great-grandchild.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sunset Baptist Church, 915 Greenwood Street, Ponca City, OK 74601.

The family will be at 720 North Palm Street.

Obituaries

Kathleen Kelly

Kathleen “Kay Siobhan” Kelly, local radio personality, died Sunday, December 20,1998. She was 39.

The funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 24, 1998, in the Chapel of the Trout Funeral Home with the Rev. Robert Vaught, pastor, Diamond Valley Community Church of Stillwater, officiating. Services are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home.

Kathleen was born May 15, 1959, in Tulsa. She was the daughter of Don M. and Mary Jane (Sandlin) Kelly. She was raised in Stillwater and Cushing and graduated from Cushing High School. She graduated from Oklahoma State University with a degree in Political Science and Eastern Humanities.

Kathleen came to Ponca City in 1986 and became manager of KLOR Radio Station. Kathleen, better known to her radio listeners as “Kay Siobhan,” was raised in a radio family. Her hobbies included having a love for music, books and fine oriental art. She will be remembered by her daughter as being the No. 1 Mom. Kathleen loved her work and cherished good times with friends and family.

She was a member of the Oklahoma Broadcasters Association and a former longtime member of the Okay AMBUCS. In 1995 she was honored with the Regional AMBUC of the Year and the National AMBUC of the Year award in 1996.

Survivors include her daughter Kayla of the home; fiancee Darren Nichols of Ponca City, whom she was to marry in the Spring of 1999; mother and step-father, Mary Jane and Samir Ahmed of Stillwater; father Don M. Kelly of Stillwater; two sisters, Tracy Leonard and her husband Mike of Houston, Texas, and Dana Stillwell and her husband Bob of Gainesville, Fla.; one brother Sean Kelly and his wife Mary of Stillwater. She was preceded in death by her grandparents and two uncles.

Honorary casket bearers will be John Sutton, John Vaught, Jerry Ford, Roger Enninga, Keith Calicchio Sr., Keith Calicchio Jr., and Robert Schultz.

The family will be at the home of Nancy Nelson at 7879 East Lake Road.

paid obituary

Defford T. Oyebi Jr.

Defford Thomas “D.J.” Oyebi Jr., Otoe-Missouria Tribal Police officer, died Sunday evening, Dec. 20, 1998, from injuries received in a two car accident south of Ponca City. He was on duty when the accident occurred. He was 23.

A prayer service will be held this evening at 7 o’clock at the Otoe-Missouria Cultural Center at Red Rock. The traditional Indian feast will be held at noon Wednesday in the Otoe-Missouria Cultural Center, with burial to follow in the Otoe-Missouria Tribal Cemetery under direction of Trout Funeral Home, Ponca City.

Born Jan. 30, 1975 in Tahlequah, he was the son of Defford Thomas and Mary Elizabeth (Littlecrow) Oyebi Sr. and the grandson of the late Frances K. Littlecrow. He grew up in Tahlequah and Lawton, playing football in junior high school. He was a graduate of Lawton High School in 1996, and a member of JROTC while attending there.

On Aug. 2, 1993, he was married to Tiffany Dawn Felton in Wichita Falls, Texas. The couple lived in Lawton before moving to the Red Rock area in 1996 when he was employed by the Otoe-Missouria Police Force. He attended FLETC (Federal Law Enforcement Training Center) in Artesia, N.M. In April 1997, he graduated from FLETC as a certified Bureau of Indian Affairs officer. He was a conscientious officer dedicated to his duties, always willing to perform his services in the utmost capacity. He had attained his life-long goal when he became active in law enforcement. He was a devoted husband to his wife, Tiffany, and a proud father to his three beautiful children.

Survivors include his wife, Tiffany Dawn Oyebi and three children, Courtney, age 3, Carrie, age 2 and Tyler, age eight months, all of the home in Red Rock. Additional survivors include his mother, Mary Littlecrow Oyebi, his sister, Angela Heim and his nephew, Zachary Heim, age 9, all of Lawton. Also surviving are several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. His father preceded him in death on May 20, 1996.

Casket bearers will be Ted Grant, Ron Haley, John Haley, Sim Warrior, Jim Selby, and James LeClair. Honorary bearers will be Moran “Babe” Bible, Dana Bible, Jeff Littlecrow Jr., Chad Arnold, Ted Collins, Chris Collins, Charles D. Littlecrow, Amos Littlecrow III, and Shawn Littlecrow.

paid obituary

Services Pending

Michael F. Thompson

Michael F. Thompson, Ponca City resident, died Tuesday, Dec. 22, 1998, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. He was 83. Survivors include a son Jim Thompson. Arrangements are pending with Trout Funeral Home.

NEWS BRIEFS

Meeting Canceled — The Royal Neighbors of America have canceled its Wednesday meeting, which was scheduled for 1:30 p.m. at the Community Christian Church.

WCW/NWO Starrcade Coming to pay per view. Sunday, Decem-

ber 27th at 7:00 p.m. Order early. Our office will be closed Friday,

December 25th. Call CABLE ONE at 762-6684. adv.

Pump Struck — At 6:43 a.m. Monday police received a report of a gas pump that had been struck by a vehicle at the Triple T, 425 South Fourteenth Street, causing several thousand dollars in damage.

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

Christmas. adv.

Injury Accident — An injury accident occurred 11 miles south of Ponca City on U.S. 177 at 7:04 a.m. Monday. One person was taken by ambulance to St. Joseph Regional Medical Center.

Pauline’s Supper Club will be closed December 24th, 25th, 26th,

and open Monday 28th. Our staff would like to wish everyone a

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. adv.

Accident — An accident at Lucas Street and U.S. 60 was reported to police at 10:01 a.m. Monday.

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.

Tire Theft — At 8:23 a.m. Monday a man reported the theft of tires from a lot on Lake Ponca. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

R&G Style Shop will close Dec 24th, at 3:00 p.m. and will be

closed thru Dec. 27th. adv.

Extra Patrol — Extra police patrol was requested at 10:17 a.m. Monday at the Village Green Apartments, 2700 North Fifth Street, due to theft and graffiti.

Cross Oil Company will be closed December 25, 26, 27, and

January 1, 2, and 3. So our employees can spend time with

their families. adv.

Accident — At 10:34 a.m. Monday an accident at North Fifth Street and East Hartford Avenue was reported to police.

Cut Christmas trees, wreaths and roping, half price. Keathly

Nursery, 2448 Bridge Avenue. Mon.-Sat. 8-5, Sunday 1-5.adv.

Stolen Money — Police received a report at 10:37 a.m. Monday of money stolen from a vending machine at Wal-Mart, 1101 East Prospect Avenue.

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.

Fire Response — At 1:06 p.m. Monday fire units responded to a report of smoke in a house in the 2200 block of John Street. However the smoke was found to be coming from hot coals in a trash container.

Accident — A non-injury accident in the 300 block of West Hartford Avenue was reported to police at 12:32 p.m. Monday.

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

201 No. First. adv.

Tool Theft — At 10:52 a.m. Monday a man reported the theft of tools from the 400 block of Chestnut Avenue.

Every Wednesday đ price clothes, shoes except priced

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

Central. adv.

Stolen Monday — A man in the 2100 block of North Union Street called police at 11:10 a.m. Monday reporting the theft of money. An officer was assigned.

Accident — A non-injury accident at Bradley Avenue and Joe Street was reported to police at 1:22 p.m. Monday.

Lines Hit — At 1:31 p.m. Monday police were advised that power lines in the 2000 block of North Fourteenth Street had been hit.

Accident — A police report was taken at the scene of an accident at East Broadway Avenue and North Fourth Street at 1:58 p.m. Monday.

Theft — At 2:30 p.m. Monday police were notified of the theft of a car cover from Motor City, 401 West Grand Avenue.

Accident — A two-vehicle accident at Bradley Avenue and Windsor Road was reported to police at 2:55 p.m. Monday.

Accident — Police were called to the scene of a two-vehicle, non-injury accident in the 1100 block of North Fourteenth Street at 3:48 p.m. Monday.

Accident — At 4:18 p.m. Monday a two-vehicle, non-injury accident at North Fifth Street and East Hartford Avenue was reported to police.

Stolen Checkbook — A man in the 2700 block of Meadow Lane contacted police at 5:42 p.m. Monday reporting the theft of a checkbook and a check forgery.

Break-In — At 7:21 p.m. Monday police were contacted by a woman reporting that two men had broken a window at Sharp’s Pawn Shop, 123 North Third Street, and run off with an arm full of items.

LIFESTYLES

French Food Favorite Christmas Fare for English Menu
Xi Zeta Lambda Planning Parties

French Food Favorite Christmas Fare for English Menu

By Lisa Messinger

Copley News Service

The most memorable Christmas ornaments at Hollington House, a delightful Edwardian manor house west of London, are not the 20 spectacularly decorated outdoor Christmas trees placed to be seen from any of the house’s scores of windows.

Nor are they master seamstress/proprietor Penny Guy’s dozens of homemade stuffed snowmen of every shape and size that dot the hearths, doorways and windowsills throughout the 24-bedroom house. Or the festively gift-wrapped toys overflowing from the hand-painted toy box awaiting visiting children that sits at the base of a 20-foot Christmas tree and roaring fire in the foyer.

Rather, it’s chestnuts and green apples that will make the real splash this Christmas — quite specifically in a bowl of head chef Keith Short’s magnificently smooth soup that combines the two. Or the red crispy bacon and fine green beans that, with roasted scallops, surround a sweet potato tower that’s been baked submerged in butter.

As quaint as the decorations are, and as overflowing the Christmas spirit can be at England’s country and manor houses, the food has become more and more the shining star at the top of the tree.

In fact, the best food in all of England can be found in the countryside.

Raymond Blanc, a Frenchman with searing blue eyes and black hair, is the best reviewed chef in England. He owns Le Manoir aux Quat Saisons, a 15th century manor house near Oxford. The restaurant has two Michelin stars and many other accolades, but it is the chef — a previous winner of both United Kingdom and European Chef of the Year awards — who seems to inspire awe.

“Raymond Blanc is the most talented person cooking in this country,” raved the London’s Observer.

“Raymond Blanc is the Leonardo da Vinci of chefs,” swooned London’s ‘Times,’ echoing dozens of other over-the-top reviews.

And yet, although Blanc — also a television star since his BBC cooking series aired a few years ago, and well-known for being sole consultant to Virgin Atlantic Airways — is creative all year-round as he develops his unique seasonal menus, it’s Christmas that’s most close to his heart.

He remembers hunting with his father in his hometown of Besancon for Christmas dinner and finding an ivory king in his grandmother’s Christmas cream galette des rois (a classic tart), which meant that he was king for a day.

Such fond memories are why his fourth and latest book, published last year, is “A Blanc Christmas.” It is filled with joy-inspiring fare such as Baked Apples With Pistachio Caramel and Dried Fruits and Roast Turkey With Stuffed Figs and Watercress Puree.

It is also why you’ll find that elusive partridge you’ve always heard about in a pear tree instead on Blanc’s Christmas menu. He uses only wild game, never farm reared, and this year the partridge makes an appearance in a smooth liver pate that’s veined with the breast of partridge, teal, mallard and fillet of venison. The pate is spiked with hazelnuts and served in a Sauternes jelly. He’s also serving roasted partridge topped with its own jus and accompanied by white pudding.

Also adding both French and English magic to Christmas is Pierre Chevillard, executive chef at Chewton Glen, a country house hotel in New Milton, just outside the stunning and staggering New Forest, which William the Conqueror declared as his hunting grounds in the 10th century. It’s a place where wild ponies (a breed unique to the forest) still roam and often sip champagne and nibble cookies from guests at Chewton Glen, England’s only five-star privately owned hotel.

The restaurant headed by Chevillard, a 19-year veteran, has a Michelin star and a huge and loyal following for its magnificent Christmas luncheons.

Last year, in addition to an over-flowing starter plate of seafood, guests also feasted on a plate of Christmas delicacies before being served a menu that includes traditional turkey and stuffing. The delicacies — meant to be edible Christmas ornaments — that Chevillard created included quail stuffed with wild mushrooms braised in port and a duck confit featuring a dice of golden delicious apples and green peppercorn.

Another stunner he just created is a Duck Torte With Red Wine and Cranberry Sauce.

The beautiful individual puff pastries surrounded by the red sauce and a decorative sprinkling of red cranberries, green Brussels sprouts and sauteed carrots and celery makes quite a splash for Christmas and are not difficult to prepare.

The flavor is phenomenal, especially of the sauce, which makes a festive marriage of the red wine, cranberries and an entire orange grated into zest.

His Chocolate and Chestnut Mille-Feuille With Whiskey Sauce, another recent creation, is a show-stopping dessert that’s easy to duplicate. Chestnut paste whipped with heavy cream and vanilla rests between thin layers of chocolate. The Whiskey Sauce is a wonderful complement.

If it sounds like much of the best food in England is French, there’s reason for that — however, the times are also changing.

“English food really did not have much of a reputation until lately, “ said Chevillard, referring to the recent gourmet dining revolution of “Modern English Cooking” that’s crackling in London. “It’s a tradition of most of the great hotels in Europe to serve French food, which has always been considered the best. But, because of the new explosion of fresh ingredients and fresh ideas in England, you’ll find English entries on our menu and other top spots as well.”

And then you have the kitchens that have always done English fare impeccably.

There’s been a manor house on the grounds at Tylney Hall in Rotherwick since 1561. The present incarnation was built about 1878 and is a breathtaking, 110-bedroom mansion with sweeping views of its massive acreage from virtually every window.

Christmas is a special time at Tylney. A limit of 90 guests — mainly regulars — ride carriages to midnight Mass in local churches and listen as carolers serenade them.

Xi Zeta Lambda Planning Parties

The Dec. 17 meeting of Xi Zeta Lambda chapter of Beta Sigma Phi sorority was called to order by Dottie Johnston, president. There were 17 members present and thank you notes from The Mission and Meals on Wheels were read. Sue Robertson asked for food donations to be given to a needy person in Ponca City.

Terri Whiting, social chairman, announced a Christmas Cocktail party on Dec. 19 with Dottie and Danny Johnstone as hosts. Carmalita and Frank Childers will host a New Year’s Day party at noon.

Lila Logan, program chairman, announced the next meeting would be Jan. 7 in the home of Cassandra Kifiak with Jill Sims in charge of the program. The friendship basket brought by Ms. Childers was won by Ms. Sims.

Following the meeting the chapter Christmas party was held with secret sister gifts exchanged.

BUSINESS

Waterpark Wins Advertising Awards
Alternative Health Care Offered at New Facility
Hutson Completes School
New Emrick’s Manager
Certified by COLA
Local Car Dealers Elected
TAV Managers Complete Course
Board Hears 1998 Wrapup, 1999 Warmup
Former Ponca Citian Works With Space Station Activity
Henley Honored

Waterpark Wins Advertising Awards

Sun ‘n’ Fun owners, Bill and Betty Rutz, recently returned from the World Waterpark Association’s annual symposium and trade show-with two advertising awards.

The first award was for “Best Brochure” designed, written and printed by Gael Hancock of Hancock & Associates of Ponca City.

The second award was for “Best Radio Commercial,” won by a 60-second spot recorded by Rob Johnson, a part-time announcer for KIXR in Ponca City. The spot aired this past summer in Wichita.

The World Waterpark Association, originally the American Waterslide Association, was founded in 1980 with Sun ‘n’ Fun as one of its original members.

The association is now a worldwide organization, as its new name indicates, with more than 850 member waterparks and 400 supplier members. The symposium was held in Orlando, Fla., this year and will be in Santa Clara, Calif., in 1999.

Alternative Health Care Offered at New Facility

A new Alternative Health Care facility, has been established in downtown Ponca City at 202 East Grand. Staffing the new approach to health care will be doctors R. T. Donovan and R.E. Schreiner, and registered nurse E.F. Schreiner.

Darrell Schreiner, M.D., is a graduate of the University of Nebraska with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry.

Dr. Schreiner then enrolled at the Los Angeles College of Chiropractic in California. He recently finished his residency at the University of Kansas Medical School in Wichita.

Donovan M.D., is a graduate of Boston State College in Boston and a recent graduate from the University of Kansas Medical School in Wichita.

Schreiner and Donovan are joined in the practice by Dr. Schreiner’s wife, Evelyn Schreiner, who is a registered nurse with 15 years experience at two different Veteran’s Hospitals in the Midwest.

The office is designed to offer both medical and chiropractic treatment. The system will offer an alternative health approach. Both doctors are skilled in treating back and neck paint problems, natural treatment for allergies, chronic pain, weakness, insomnia and headaches.

The clinic has a special interest in treating senior patients treating such conditions as poor digestion, fatigue, poor circulation and maintaining their mobility and increasing their quality of life. They will be using a blend in utilizing the best from the two different professions using prescription medications whenever necessary.

Notes & Quotes

Hutson Completes School

DRUMRIGHT — Toby Hutson, Ponca City, has graduated from Truck Driving Training at Central Tech in Drumright. The four-week program is designed to give a completed knowledge of federal regulations regarding log book and trip records, motor carrier safety regulations, as well as “hands-on” training in Central Tech’s fleet of trucks. Job placement for graduates of the program has been excellent according to instructor Dave Townsend.

New Emrick’s Manager

ENID — Bob Reed has been named general manager at Emrick’s Van & Storage in Enid. As the newest member of the Emrick’s management team, Reed’s duties include office and warehouse management, local dispatch and local operations.

Emrick’s relocates Conoco Inc. employees so he travels to Ponca City weekly. He brings to Emrick’s years of experience in a supervisor role as well as a background in the trucking industry. Over the past 14 years Reed has been the general manager for a local company in Enid.

Certified by COLA

Northern Oklahoma Regional Pediatric Clinic has met all criteria for Laboratory Accreditation by COLA, a national healthcare accreditation organization

Accreditation is given only to laboratories that apply rigid standards of quality in day-to-day operations, demonstrate continued accuracy in the performance of proficiency testing, and pass a rigorous on-site laboratory survey. Northern Oklahoma Regional Pediatric Clinic has earned COLA accreditation as a result of a long-term commitment to provide quality service to its patients.

COLA is a nonprofit, physician-directed organization promoting quality and excellence in medicine and patient care through programs of voluntary education, achievement, and accreditation.

COLA is approved by the federal government and sponsored American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Medical Association, the American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal Medicine, the College of American Pathologists, and the American Osteopathic Association.

Local Car Dealers Elected

Two Ponca City automobile dealers have been elected to the Oklahoma Automobile Dealers Association’s Board of Directors. Elected to a two-year term to represent the Northwest Zone were Jim Crossland, Jim Crossland Ford, Newkirk, and Jim Crossland Lincoln-Mercury, Ponca City, and Rodney Pemberton of Pemberton Inc.

The Ponca Citians were elected during the annual meeting of the Oklahoma Automobile Dealers Association meeting held in Oklahoma City .

TAV Managers Complete Course

Twenty-two Thorn Apple Valley managers have completed 18 hours of Zenger Miller Frontline Leadership training. The managers completed the nine week training at Pioneer Technology Center under the direction of Teresa Smith.

Smith is a certified Zinger Miller facilitator along with two other Pioneer Tech employees, Pam Dickerson and Helen Hatelid-Hester. The Zenger Miller has more than 100 different seminars covering areas such as performance management, team-leading, influencing and collaborating with others, change management and maximizing individual performance.

The interpersonal, leadership, quality and management skills covered in these seminars is geared toward increasing productivity and performance within an organization.

Seminars can be conducted for both supervisor and employees. For more information, contact Aaron McKinley, Pioneer Tech’s Management Development Coordinator, (580) 762-8336, Extension 312.

Board Hears 1998 Wrapup, 1999 Warmup

By PATTI PFEIFFER

News Staff Writer

It was not business as usual but rather a year end wrapup and a new year warmup at the Chamber of Commerce meeting Friday. As one of his last official acts as Chamber president, Richard Severance gave a summary of the year’s activities and congratulated all on a successful year.

“Our successes happened because of the volunteer core — it doesn’t work without volunteers that have their heart in the community and they’ve laid the foundation for the city to move forward,” Severance said. “They are a true measure of the community so let’s hitch up our pants and go forward.

“We have tough issues in the frame in 1999 that have not been dealt with in the past and we need to support those that are making the tough decisions — our mayor and city commissioners.”

Retiring board members Dave Mueller, Stuart Powell and Howard Wells were recognized for their service and presented with plaques.

New board members filling unexpired two-year terms, Karen Furman and Dr. Joe Kinzer, were present and recognized. And the new three-year directors, Fred Boettcher, Lee Evans, Mike Engster, Wanda Stone and Yolanda Trant, were also introduced.

As his last official duty as president, Severance handed the gavel and the helm to incoming president Craig Myers.

“It will be hard to fill the shoes of Richard Severance who has taken a fresh look at the Chamber and taken the organization outward,” Myers said. “Under him the Chamber was not simply a business support group, but he made it pro-active in the community as well.”

Myers then outlined the main objectives for the Chamber in 1999, which are to co-partnership with City of Ponca City, Ponca City Tomorrow, Main Street, Tourism, Ponca City School Board, and show value to the members of the Chamber. Also, Meyers stated that he wants the Chamber to become proactive rather than reactive.

“I want us to be on the leading edge not just assessing things after they happen,” Myers said.

Also during 1999 Myers seeks to assist the Economic Development Advisory Board in their defined objectives of obtaining new quality employment opportunities for area residents. “We have got to bring new business and vitality into this community,” he said.

Overall, Myers as president hopes to ensure that board attendance is at least 80 percent at every monthly meeting, and that board members assign themselves to at least one sub-committee.

Before the meeting ended Severance took the opportunity to compliment the Board members and wish them all well in the upcoming year.

“As I look out among this board I see one of the strongest boards that represent businesses as well as the diverse elements of the community,” he said. “I know you will all be pushing to leave footprints on the community and we can look forward to great things happening in the future.”

Former Ponca Citian Works With Space Station Activity

Former Ponca Citian Mike Kinslow is now involved in the new space station activity at Kennedy Space Center. He is a 1962 graduate of Ponca City High School.

A graduate of Oklahoma State University in 1968 with a bachelor of science degree in technical education and an associate degree in drafting and design, Kinslow began working for the space program in 1969.

At that time he was employed by McDonnel-Douglas Corporation, Space and Missile Division, Huntington Beach, Calif., and was transferred to Cape Kennedy to work on the third stage of the Apollo spacecrafts in the mechanical and structural division as test and checkout engineer.

He is the son of Lorene Kinslow, 1924 Mary, and the late Karl Kinslow. Kinslow resides at Cape Canaveral, Fla.

Currently Kinslow, who works for Boeing, is manager of the station pieces that will fly on the third and fourth United States Construction flight.

According to the Florida Today publication, Kinslow’s job is to oversee the final stages of preparation, when the pieces are packed inside the shuttle’s cargo bay.

According to the story, Kinslow has worked on NASA programs since the Apollo program, and thinks the space station is a difficult but achievable task.

Kinslow is quoted, “It’s probably one of the greatest challenges of space flight that we’ve had in the last 30 years. It gets to be a very complex process with a very low margin for errors.”

He said further, “The strong point of Kennedy is its ability to take complex payload elements and integrate them into a single shuttle flight or a combination of flights, like we have coming up with space station. I feel like we have the best experts working on this.”

Henley Honored

COLUMBIA, Mo. — Thomas K. Henley, Shelter Insurance agent in Ponca City, has been honored among the company’s top agents, based on overall agency operations.

Henley received a plaque at the firm’s 1998 Conference of Champions.

Shelter Insurance is a mutual, multiple-lines company with 1,300 licensed agents in midwestern and southern states. The firm’s home office is in Columbia.

SPORTS

OSU Change Assistants
Bob Lilly Finds Fullfillment Outside of Football

OSU Change Assistants

STILLWATER (AP) — Former Baylor defensive coordinator Mike Cassity is in line to take over coaching the Oklahoma State secondary, according to The Daily Oklahoman.

Meanwhile, the Cowboys lost running backs coach Tom Lavigne, who has joined the Mississippi staff. Lavigne will coach defensive backs for the Rebels, who play Texas Tech in the Independence Bowl.

The newspaper reported today that Cassity was Cowboys’ coach Bob Simmons’ choice to replace Johnny Burnett. Burnett, who coached the Cowboy defensive backs for three years, was fired last month.

Paperwork is pending on the hiring of Cassity, who was a casualty when Baylor coach Dave Roberts lost his job. Cassity had been at Baylor for two seasons after being secondary coach at Wisconsin for two years. He also has been defensive coordinator at Cincinnati, Georgia Tech, East Carolina, Northeast Louisiana and Western Kentucky.

Current Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan coached with Cassity at Western Kentucky in 1987.

Lavigne said he hated to leave Stillwater and wouldn’t have done it for anyone other than David Cutcliffe, the former Tennessee offensive coordinator, who was hired as Mississippi’s coach.

‘‘The guy had a spirit about him. I was real comfortable, and he really made me feel like I was wanted at Mississippi,’’ Lavigne said.

Lavigne said his whole background as a player and coach is defensive backs.

‘‘That’s a pure natural for me. It makes me feel really good to be able to lend my expertise and my experience in that area,’’ he said.

Bob Lilly Finds Fullfillment Outside of Football

By NICK GHOLSON

Wichita Falls Times Record News

WICHITA FALLS, Texas (AP) — ‘‘Ye shall find the babe dressed in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.’’

To Christians, the real gift of Christmas was born in a Bethlehem manger some 2,000 years ago.

They believe that little baby was the Son of God, come to bring joy to the world and hope for the future. He can turn water into wine and sinners into saints. He can fill the emptiness of a shallow life.

One of those to have a life-changing experience was Bob Lilly, the greatest player to ever wear the uniform of the Dallas Cowboys. As a Christmas present to you, here is that life-changing story.

It was the morning after what was supposed to be the greatest moment of his life.

The monkey that had taken up residence on the backs of the Dallas Cowboys had finally been bucked off. The frustrations of the last five seasons — back-to-back NFL championship game losses to Green Bay, two straight first-round losses to Cleveland and a heartbreaking overtime loss to Baltimore in Super Bowl V — were now faded out by the glitter of a world championship ring.

‘‘Next Year’s Champions’’ were now ‘‘This Year’s Champions.’’ The Cowboys had crushed Miami, 24-3 in Super Bowl VI, and after 11 battle-scarred seasons, Bob Lilly now owned the greatest prize in professional football.

Lilly, the man Tom Landry calls ‘‘the greatest player I ever coached,’’ had made the signature play of that game. With Lilly on one side and Larry Cole on the other, the two defensive tackles had herded down Bob Griese like two cutting horses working on a calf until Lilly sacked the Dolphins quarterback 29 yards behind the line of scrimmage.

‘‘It was the highlight of the day,’’ Landry said.

‘‘When they mention that football game, they don’t mention any of the touchdowns or any of the other plays, they always mention Bob Lilly chasing down Bob Griese,’’ is how longtime Cowboys General Manager Tex Schramm remembers that day.

Yet less than 24 hours after that game, on a day when you would think Bob Lilly’s heart would be filled with great joy, he was experiencing only emptiness. Standing in a hotel parking lot just the night before had been the scene of the Cowboys victory party, Lilly stumbled through the empty beer cans, pon-pons and crepe paper, asking himself, ‘‘Is this all there is?’’

He had been a football player for 20 years. Most of his life had been built around the anticipation of this day, and now the thrill of Super Bowl VI had disappeared almost as quickly as the big white tent that had held the parking lot victory party.

Lilly had set three goals in his life. One was to make All-American, and he had accomplished that at TCU. The second was to be All-Pro, and he did that seven times with the Cowboys. The third was to win a Super Bowl, and now, at age 33, he had attained that.

He played three more seasons with the Cowboys, but it never was the same. Bob Lilly’s football career had ended that Sunday afternoon in New Orleans. Now he was searching for a new goal and eventually decided that money might fill the empty hole in his life.

Just months after his retirement, Lilly was awarded the Coors beer distributorship in Waco, Texas. After never earning more than $80,000 a year as a football player, he now had a business bringing in 10 times that amount. He worked 16-hour days, seven days a week to make the business successful. He was consumed by his work, spending little time with his wife and children. Her husband’s absence caused an emptiness in the life of Ann Lilly.

Ann said she filled the emptiness in her life by ‘‘meeting Jesus.’’ Bob, although he was making lots of money, couldn’t fill the emptiness of his own life.

But the change in Ann got her husband’s attention. Bob had seen the difference in Ann’s life. He knew that she had something that he didn’t have.

At his wife’s insistence (‘‘She almost gave me an ultimatum,’’ he said), Bob agreed to go with Ann to a Valentine sweetheart banquet put on by her Women’s Aglow group, a ‘‘spirit-filled’’ Christian organization. When one couple stood up at the banquet and gave their testimony, Bob Lilly ‘‘weeped.’’ The couple had some of the same problems in their marriage until one, then both ‘‘found the Lord.’’

‘‘I realized how far I had strayed, not just because of the beer business, but just that ever since I had grown up, my life had gone a little off course,’’ said Lilly, who now lives in Georgetown, Texas.

Bob had grown up in a Christian home. He had professed Jesus as his savior when he was a 9-year-old boy attending a Royal Ambassadors’ outing on Elm Creek in between Throckmorton and Elbert, Texas. He was baptized and attended mostly the Baptist church in Throckmorton with his mother and sometimes the Methodist church with his grandmother.

‘‘I went to college and kinda got away from going to church,’’ he said. ‘‘I had never had a drink in my life or smoked a cigarette, but when I got to college, within a year I was smoking and drinking and chasing girls with the best of them. But I never quit praying, and I never quit believing.’’

With the Cowboys, Lilly admits ‘‘chasing around a little bit,’’ but he clung to most of the moral values he had been taught as a boy. He became ‘‘wilder’’ after his first marriage ended in divorce, but it was mild compared to today’s standards. Some of that was because of Tom Landry, whom Lilly considers ‘‘a great example.’’

‘‘He was very honorable, very honest. He had his rules set and that’s the way it was. He didn’t allow a lot of things, but I think it was his personal example that touched me the most. He was almost an idealistic personality. He was by the numbers. His whole life was like that and still is,’’ Lilly said.

The testimony he heard at that sweetheart banquet caused Lilly to realize that his own life was off course. That same night he had a dream that he actually talked to Jesus. ‘‘He was asking me when I was going to follow him and I said as soon as I do all these things I want to do.’’

Ann kept praying for her husband. So did his mother, Margaret. Bob, who began attending Highland Baptist Church in Waco with his wife, also prayed. ‘‘I asked the Lord one night if I died tonight, would I be saved? He didn’t answer me with a direct answer, but I kept getting no. I don’t know if that was the Lord or if it was Satan.’’

‘‘I never doubted that I was born again when I was 9 years old. Baptists say once you’re saved, you’re always saved. I’m not saying that’s not right, maybe it is, but what I’m saying is I’m not sure. I believe a person could walk away or get bitter and maybe lose it possibly, but I don’t know if you could or not. What I do know is, my second experience is, I guess you might call it born again or some people might call it being re-dedicated. I wasn’t unsure that I was saved when I was a young boy, it was just that I was unsure I was still saved and I wanted to be sure. I got baptized and then baptized my whole family,’’ Lilly said.

He kept his beer business and saw no conflict between that and being a Christian until one night in 1982 when driving back home from Dallas on Interstate 35.

‘‘I came upon a wreck just outside of the little town of West. A pickup had turned over, and I pulled over to help,’’ Lilly remembers. ‘‘There were three boys inside, maybe 16 or 17 years old. They weren’t hurt, just cut up pretty bad, but when I opened the door of that pickup, beer cans fell out all over me, and that’s when I was convicted. It was like the Lord said, ’You know, Bob, what you see here is how you’re using your fame, to sell beer to kids.’’’

Lilly soon made arrangements to sell the lucrative business he had been in for the last seven years. ‘‘I do want to say that I have learned enough since that time that I don’t have anything against beer distributors. They were nice to me when I was there, and they’re still nice to me. But it was just the wrong business for me. I had a guilt feeling I could never get rid of,’’ he said.

Being All-American, All-Pro and winning a Super Bowl had not filled the emptiness in Bob Lilly’s life. Neither did money. ‘‘I remember something a man from West Texas once told me,’’ Lilly said. ‘‘Every man has a God hole. You can try to fill it with anything you want, and you just can’t get it satisfied ’til you fill it with Jesus. In fact, the more you try to fill it, the bigger the hole gets until you find Jesus.’’

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Distributed by The Associated Press