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From the pages of The Ponca City News, Thursday, December 9, 1999 LOCAL DEATHS NEWS BRIEFS SPORTS GARDENING LOCALSchool Board Elections Indicate Interest in Posts School Board Elections Indicate Interest in PostsBy KRISTI HAYES News Education Editor With filings complete for school board offices in Kay, Noble and Osage Counties, several incumbents will be facing opponents in the regular school election Feb. 8, 2000. In Ponca City, a race has developed between Vicki Graves and Michael W. Joosten for Office No. 4, a four-year-term. Fred Haub, incumbent, and Robert A. Howard will face off for Pioneer Technology Center Office No. 3, a four-year-term. Incumbent David B. Beck and opponents Cheryl D. Lane and Travis Wade Young will vie for Frontier I-4, Office No. 4, a five-year term. In Blackwell I-87, Richard Zetterberg filed for Office No. 5, a five-year term, to face Rich Cantillon. Keith W. Bowen and Terry Morton will compete for Newkirk I-29 for Office No. 5, a five-year-term. And, Keith W. Bowen and Terry Morton both filed for Newkirk I-29 for Office No. 5, a five-year term. For Woodlands School, Terry Mason Moore filed to run against Rick Rice for Woodland I-90, Office No. 2 (four-year-term). Other candidates who will be unopposed include: — Bill Branson for Kildare C-50 Office No. 1 (three-year-term) — Jeff Spencer for Braman I-18 Office No. 5 (five-year-term) — Shelby Scott Stevens for Kaw City C-84 Office No. 2 (three-year-term) — Don Sherrill for Burbank C-20 Office No. 1 (three-year-term) — Robin Farrow for Kaw City C-84 Office No. 3 (unexpired term) — Mark Cranford for Tonkawa I-87 Office No. 5 (five-year-term) — Guy H. Lewis for McCord C-77, Office No. 1 (three-year-term) — Dee Cooper for Shidler I-11, Office No. 5 (five-year-term) — George W. Pease for Office No. 3, four-year-term — Ron Sheik for Peckham C-27 Office No. 2, three-year-term — Leo Thomas Dolezal for Billings I-2 Office No. 5, five-year-term — Dee Cooper for Shidler I-11 Office No. 5, five-year-term The terms of office of the newly elected board members shall commence on the first regular, special, or emergency board meeting after the date of the annual school election and after the member has been certified by the County Election Board. If no candidate receives more than 50 percent of the total votes cast in the election, the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes will meet in a runoff election scheduled for April 4, 2000. Osage County Collecting TaxesThe County Treasurer’s Office of Osage County will begin collecting taxes Dec. 15, 1999, for the 1999 tax year. New statements will be mailed by Dec. 14. Tax payments should be mailed to Osage County Treasurer, Box 1569, Pawhuska, Okla. 74056. There are new statements which have a stub to be retained by the taxpayer. If you would like a receipt, please enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Also due to new statements and shortage of staff, the office will not be going to banks to collect this year. If taxes are more than $10, they may be made in two payments. The first payment can be made from Dec. 15 until Jan. 15, 2000. The second payment should be paid by March 31, 2000. Taxes for less than $10 must be paid in full by Jan. 15, 2000. The first half of taxes will be delinquent on Jan. 16 and the second half by April 1, 2000. If the first half is not paid on or before Jan. 15, 2000, the full amount becomes delinquent and must be paid in full plus penalty of 1 1/2 percent per month. Also remember that any deed filed after Oct. 1, 1999, will not reflect on the 1999 tax roll. Also delinquent personal tax may result in loss of homestead exemption. Community Invited to Holiday Open HouseOn Sunday, Dec. 12, from 2 to 4 p.m., citizens are invited to a Holiday Open House at the three Historic Houses owned by the city. Visitors can tour the Marland Estate, the L.A. Cann Home, and the Ponca City Cultural Center and enjoy the beautiful Christmas decorations. Admission is free to all Ponca City residents. “Pride in Ponca City and its history continues today as evidenced by the three distinctive historic homes owned by the people of Ponca City,” said Kathy Adams, Historic Buildings Director for the city. “We encourage citizens to come to the Holiday Open House and see how each home is dressed up for Christmas, all decorated by volunteers,” she continued. Marland Estate See the Marland Mansion during its most enchanting season. Guests will enjoy the house decked in all its holiday finery. Glittering ornaments decorate trees, mantels and doors throughout the mansion. The dining table is set with Marland china, sparkling crystal and silver, accented by fruit and greenery in the centerpiece, as well as the mantel and tree. The newly restored breakfast room glows with butter-yellow walls and colorful plaster relief in the corners and on the ceiling. The Gallery level decor reflects the elegance of the ballroom and salons, with the grand tree and wreaths decorated in gold, silver, mirrors, and pearls. The Lounge level is festive in red and gold, ready for holiday parties. Each of the bedrooms on the upper level is adorned with trees and other decorations. Marland’s library has recently been repainted in its original color of soft green, and the poinsettia decor highlights the entire room. Volunteers from the Gala committee and others are responsible for all the mansion decorating. Guided Tours are scheduled at 1:30 and 3:00, and Lydie’s Cottage and the Artist Studio will also be open. The Marland Estate is at 901 Monument Road. L.A. Cann Home The Cann Home has been decorated in a Victorian Garden Angel theme for the holidays. Many of the ornaments are handmade, and fresh greenery and fragrant herbs are arranged throughout the 1907 house. Members of the Ponca City Garden Clubs are responsible for all the holiday finery and will be serving cookies with hot wassail. The Cann Home is at Fourteenth and Grand. Ponca City Cultural Center The 1916 Ponca City Cultural Center, E.W. Marland’s first Ponca City home, is bedecked with lovely arrangements reminiscent of the early 20th century, and highlighted with the foxes and horns of the fox hunts. Visitors will be able to view the “before” of the 1920’s family suite on second floor which is currently being restored. Members of the 20th Century Club decorated this home, and will be serving spiced tea and cookies during the afternoon. The Cultural Center is at Tenth and Grand. Letter - Dr. Bob's Warmth and Compassion for AllI have really been trying to figure out how to put in words to describe the love and compassion and good all-around medical attention that this remarkable man has given, not only to this community but from afar. I can’t believe that so few, that I can’t describe them other than a “lynch mob,” has the ability and the power to take the action that has been taken against this wonderful doctor, that has done nothing, but devote his whole life to his patients. There is no need to get into my personal medical problems, but I will tell you one thing for darned sure, Dr. Bob has shown me more understanding, compassion, and true real caring that I have ever been shown before. There is no way that this town can ever take care of the overload of patients that Dr. Bob has, besides so many of his patients, and just not the elderly, are in a very “stressed” state over this. He was one that would see you anytime, care for you and treat you with knowledge, care, compassion, and a listening ear. And money was not his main reason whatsoever. If you didn’t have it at the time you were not pressured, but he still would see you anyway. All I can say is I certainly hope that the right thing can be done for Dr. Bob. We love him and miss him, and I wish him nothing but the very best from the bottom of my heart. Vickie Crawford Letter - Trimester Will HurtI attended the special school board meeting November 29th when the trimester plan was discussed. Unlike Jerry Winkle, I did not find his "very few" disadvantages with the trimester plan. I saw very clear disadvantages for all of our students. The trimester appears to help students having difficulty passing the new core curriculum by allowing them to retake courses immediately. But, it is more likely to hurt all of them by disrupting the learning process by inserting additional three-month breaks into their required course schedules. It appears that the driving force behind the trimester plan is the State mandated increase in the Oklahoma high school graduation requirements without a corresponding increase in school funding. The presentation by the BLT committee and board pointed out that switching to a trimester plan saved the expense of hiring additional teachers. It also could allow seniors to leave high school early with all the credits needed for graduation, while still retaining the funding for students no longer being taught in our schools. This might be legal, but it this right? The board also noted that the trimester plan could allow expansion of class size to 35-40 students per class. Again, not the best solution for students needing additional educational support. The trimester plan as presented by the school board allows for a three-month summer vacation and a three-month hiatus in the core subjects, math, science, English and social studies within the school year. As a parent, I know just how much a student can forget during summer vacation. Allowing an additional three- month break from math, science, English and social studies during the school year is not in our children's best interests. The board's suggestion for preventing this second hiatus was to take four core curriculum courses each trimester. This means continually taking four units of math, English, science and social studies until the requirements have been completed, at the end of three years of high school. This schedule guarantees three-month summer vacation breaks between the first and the second halves of several core courses. That's a tough schedule for anyone, but for those having difficulty it could be disastrous. The student who could pass given continuity of instruction will now have three months to forget. For college bound students, the availability of honors and advanced placement courses in the third trimester is unlikely. In the current semester system, it is very difficult for students to get into all the honors and advanced placement courses desired. The current plan would only offer AP (advanced placement) courses in the first and second trimesters, significantly limiting AP opportunities. The trimester plan will hurt all of our students, those who need continuity and more teacher contact, and those who desire the challenge of honors and AP level courses. Students currently taking AP courses pursue college level course work for the entire year taking a standardized national test at the end of the second semester. They must pass this test, given only once a year, in order to receive college credit for the extra work they have done. With AP courses only offered only during the first two trimesters, the board proposes the AP students take a "study" course during the third trimester to prepare for the final AP test. This sounds good on paper, but imagine large classes of sophomores, juniors and seniors, all studying for different college level tests, for 75-minute periods, with a teacher who may or may not have taught the subjects. We used to call this a study hall. Realistically, how much studying will be going on while spring beckons outside? The passing rate on the AP tests will plummet. Our kids deserve better. Ponca City deserves better. Ponca City needs to find a better solution for our high school students than the trimester plan. The current optional seventh hour system allows student to take two music courses or a music course and athletics and all the courses needed to graduate high school without attending summer school. The problem the school board appears to have with continuing the current system is that it will force students having difficulty passing the core curriculum to take summer school in order to graduate. The trimester plan has been presented as an economic solution to a funding shortfall. It may appear balance the books, but only if you don't value education. If this trimester idea sounds as bad to you as it does to me, I urge you to call your school board representatives and let them know how you feel. In the absence of your input, the trimester proposal will pass at the December 20th board meeting and our students and community will be poorer for it. Lynn Whitebay DEATHSJoyce RingPERRY — Service for Joyce Ring, 59, Oklahoma City, formerly of the Red Rock community, is scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 10, 1999, at the Red Rock Christian Church. Joe Black will officiate. Burial will be in the Red Rock Cemetery under the direction of Brown-Sisson Funeral Home of Perry. Mrs. Ring died Tuesday, Dec. 7, 1999, at University Hospital in Oklahoma City. The daughter of Marion Arthur and Katharine Clare (Sullins) Veach, Mrs. Ring was born at Red Rock on Oct. 26, 1940. Mrs. Ring worked as a registrar at John Marshall High School. She was a member of Britton Christian Church, the Order of Eastern Star at Red Rock and Amaranth. In addition to her husband, survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Melissa and Donny Boese of Oklahoma City; three grandsons, Brett Boese, Jarod Boese and Matthew Ring; a sister and brother-in-law, June and Sam Snider of Kansas City, Mo.; aunts and uncles, Kenneth and Evelyn Sullins and Darrell and Norma Jean Sullins, all of Red Rock, and Joyce Sullins of Sierra Vista, Ariz.; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins; and one great-niece. She was preceded in death by her parents and two uncles. Memorials may be made to the Red Rock Christian Church, the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation for diabetes or arthritis research or the charity of the donor’s choice, c/o Brown-Sisson Funeral Home, 1010 Seventh Street, Perry, Okla. 73077. paid obituary Services PendingCleo M. StagnerCleo M. Stagner, longtime Ponca City resident, died Wednesday, Dec. 8, 1999, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. She was 80. Local survivors include her husband, Vernon. Arrangements are pending with Trout Funeral Home. NEWS BRIEFSBallroom Dance — The annual Christmas dance sponsored by the Stillwater Ballroom Dance Club will be held 8-10:45 p.m. Dec. 10. The event is open to the public, and will be held at the Starlight Terrace, OSU Student Union. Admission is $10 per person. Corky Gammon Reception — A retirement reception is set for 2 to 4 p.m., Friday at the Marland Mansion for Corky Gammon, who is retiring from the City of Ponca City after 44 years of service. Gammon is the Street Department Supervisor. Public is welcome. Stolen Bike — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department took a report on a stolen bicycle at 7:14 a.m. Wednesday in the 300 block of North Osage. Get Mobile with the help of our lift chairs, wheelchairs and walkers. Sale prices now through Christmas on in stock or special order medical equipment at O’Connor Pharmacy, 1113 East Hartford, 765-3055. As always, free delivery. adv. Minor Accident — A report of a non-injury accident was taken at 7:57 a.m. Wednesday in the 200 block of West Hartford. Big, Big selection of snowmen and ornaments! Mrs. Brown’s Attic. down town Ponca City. adv. Controlled Burn — The Ponca City Police Department was advised at 2:38 p.m. Wednesday of a controlled burn at Old River Road and Highway 60. 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. 765-9689. adv. Man Arrested — A 35-year-old male was arrested at 2:28 p.m. Wednesday by an officer of the Ponca City Police Department at Oak and Oklahoma Street for two city warrants, disturbing the peace. 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. Gas Drive Off — A clerk at Oak and Grand Avenue reported a $6 gas drive off. A report was taken by an officer of the Ponca City Police Department at 2:43 p.m. Wednesday. Mel’s Clothing and Shoe storewide sale! Get 25% off Mel’s prices. Arrest Made — An officer arrested a 26-year-old male at the Ponca City Police Department at 4:05 p.m. Wednesday for failure to pay. Kids Causing Problems — A resident in the 1500 block of East Bradley reported at 4:56 p.m. Wednesday that several juveniles were in the area and causing problems. An officer of the Ponca City Police Department responded and extra patrol was requested. Sciatic Nerve and pain relief in five minutes, Blue Stuff. 580-765-7393. adv. Bike Stolen — At 7:31 p.m. Wednesday an officer of the Ponca City Police Department took a report of a stolen bike in the 800 block of West Grand Avenue. 20% Off sale on Antiques and collectibles. Timeless Antiques. 322 East Grand. adv. Causing Problems — A 911 call was received at 8:10 p.m. Wednesday from the 800 block of South Fourth Street advising someone was at the residence causing problems. An officer of the Ponca City Police Department responded and extra patrol was given. Ponca City Pictorial History Books have arrived! Pick up your copy today! Will make a great Christmas Gift! Ponca City News Business Office, 8:00-5:00, Monday thru Friday. adv. Drug Possession — At 10 p.m. Wednesday a 23-year-old male was arrested at the Ponca City Police Department for grand larceny and possession of drug paraphernalia. Head Country all day Friday special All you can eat, smoked BBQ ribs, beans, potato salad, and coleslaw, only $7.49, all day. 1217 East Prospect. 767-8304. adv. Fight In Progress — A 911 call was received at 11:34 p.m. Wednesday from the 700 block of North Osage reporting a fight in progress. Several officers from the Ponca City Police Department responded and requested an ambulance for a male with severe head trauma. A 39-year-old female was then arrested for public intoxication. Arrest Made — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department arrested a 33-year-old male and a 19-year-old male for public intoxication in the 700 block of North Osage at 12:14 a.m. Thursday. Suspicious Activity — A resident in the 700 block of North Elm advised she heard someone scream in the alley at 3:35 a.m. Thursday. An officer of the Ponca City Police Department responded and was unable to locate anyone. Historic House Tour — Just a reminder that the Historic Homes tour is set for 6 to 9 p.m., Friday. The houses are located at 300 North Sixth, 218 North Sixth, 206 North Sixth and 402 North Sixth. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased at any of the houses. GARDENINGMaples Are Splendid for Color Maples Are Splendid for ColorBy LEE REICH (AP) — Fall is the season when maples put on their best show. Sugar maples are the ones that spell fall color for many of us. Whether wild in the forest or planted in the lawn, the leaves of this native tree turn shades of yellows, oranges and reds that seem afire. Red maple, also called swamp maple, is almost as radiant as sugar maple in the fall. Like sugar maple, red maple becomes a large tree, but grows faster and is more tolerant of adverse soil conditions. If you like your reds also in seasons other than autumn, most red maple leaves are tinged red as they unfurl in spring. The quality of fall color in red maples varies among seed-grown plants, so if you are dead-set on good fall color, plant a variety specifically selected for this quality. RSunset and October Glory are two varieties noted for holding their colorful leaves late into fall. Even after almost all other leaves have fallen from trees, those of Japanese maple still cling. There are many varieties of Japanese maple from which to choose. Whole books have been written about these trees. Bloodgood and Burgundy Lace turn red in fall. Other varieties turn yellow, bronze or purple in this season. Not all maples have good fall color, or are worth planting. Leaves of Norway maple get large splotches of yellow and the tree is considered weedy. Two other weedy maples, also with poor fall color, are boxelder and silver maple. The shallow roving roots and weak branches of these two species are reasons enough not to plant them anyway. When deciding whether to plant a maple, or which one, look beyond this fall season. Consider the eventual size and texture as well as the light and soil requirements of any tree before planting. All the leaves soon will be on the ground, so also consider the shapes and textures of bare stems and bark of these plants the deeply furrowed bark of the mature sugar maple, the smooth gray bark of a young red maple and the layered branches of the Japanese maple. Such subtleties will be appreciated in the months ahead, especially in a tree that can be seen from a window with a comfortable chair nearby or a tree growing near a frequently traveled path. Diggin’ in the DirtBy KATHY ZEHR Winter is really here at last! For the average gardener, these next two months are considered a time to rest and dream of beautiful spring and summer yards and gardens. But we all know that “just dreaming” makes for very few success stories, so winter is assessment and planning time. Good news — much of it can be done from your easy chair! Gardening Journal HandyFirst of all, if you do not already have a gardening journal, dig out an old unused 3-ring binder and start keeping some records and notes. It will be invaluable as the months and years go by and will save many “trying to remember” headaches later. A pencil (with a good eraser), some graph paper, section labels, and notebook paper is needed. To begin, draw a simple map of your yard, house, and gardens to scale on graph paper. If you do not know the exact dimensions, try to come close! Name or label the species of permanent plants, trees and shrubs you already have growing and with dotted lines show about how much space they take at maturity. Also depict problem spots such as electrical lines (to avoid planting tall trees) and hot spots (concrete retaining walls). It is important to date your entries each time you make them. Make changes in your master drawing as they occur. I also draw a separate sketch for each special bed (azalea, vegetable, annuals, bulbs, etc.). These aside drawings are handy for planning future plantings and detail problem solving within a special area. Identify each plant or species already in place, and the names of all new plantings you add to the bed. Don’t forget the dates! Soil Testing Comes FirstNext, think about the gardening problems encountered during the 1999-growing season and make a separate sheet identifying each problem. Most problems can be corrected, and some cures can begin in the winter months — but first plan your strategy on paper. Let’s start with the basics — soil! It is important to make certain you have the proper soil pH balance for the plants growing in the areas with problems. Even us amateur gardeners know some plants require a much higher acidic content than others but can’t tell what we have by looking at the soil. Winter is an excellent time to have the soil pH tested by the Kay County OSU Extension Service. Take 1-2 cups of dry soil from each area you want tested and place each in separate zip-top plastic bags and label which bed the dirt came from. Take them to the office of OSU Kay County extension agent Dale Goodwin located in the basement of the Kay County Court House in Newkirk. Each sample you submit for testing will cost about $10 but is well worth the expense. Do-it-yourself soil testing kits are not usually considered as reliable and range in cost from a $3 one soil test kit to about $20 for a probe that can be reused. Ask The ExpertsTest results from OSU come back in about a week. Ask Goodwin what he recommends and plan accordingly to correct the acidity and/or other properties of your tested area. It usually does not take much effort or expense to correct soils to the pH you need. We often think, “if a little is good, a lot will be better,” — but not with soils! Only use the recommended amount of additives and do not overcompensate! It takes a lot of time to correct a soil that has been over-treated. If you do your own pH testing, you can still call the OSU extension office to ask for the best advice for correcting any problems or to build the proper soil for your needs. They can also advise of other possible problems if your soil tests are okay. That office has numerous excellent brochures and booklets to guide the home gardener in North Central Oklahoma. Most are free, and so is the good advice from Dale and his office staff (your tax dollars pay for this wonderful service). Date and place the soil test report in your notebook, along with a description of your gardening problem and the recommended course of treatment for correction. Date and record each application of corrective treatment. Forester Offers Tips To Select Christmas TreeAs the holiday season begins, many of you may be wondering which Christmas tree to buy and what to do with it after the season is over. This year, Al Myatt, Central and Western Area Forester, would like for you to consider buying your tree from one of Oklahoma’s 30-plus Christmas tree growers. They operate in 21 counties, adding considerable value to the state’s economy. Bill Ross, assistant professor and extension forestry specialist at OSU, reports that approximately 14,000 Oklahoma grown Christmas trees were sold in 1998. Buying from a local grower guarantees you a fresh tree — either as a cut tree to be recycled after the holidays, or a containerized tree to be planted in a suitable area outdoors. If you do buy a living tree from local growers, you will have the added advantage of a tree acclimated to Oklahoma’s challenging environment. According to Melissa Pearson, Oklahoma’s Community Action forester, choose-and-cut tree farms allow customers to go into the field and select their perfect trees. “By cutting your own tree, you’ll be certain it will stay fragrant and green throughout the holiday season,” she recommends. “Handmade wreaths and garlands of greenery are also available from many growers.” Determining FreshnessMany tree farms market their trees to retail outlets throughout the state. If you buy from a lot, you can conduct the following simple tests to determine the freshness of a tree. First, look for a deep green color with a strong evergreen scent. Needles should bend easily without breaking. Your final test should be to tap the cut end of the tree against the ground. Don’t worry if needles closest to the trunk drop, which is natural. However, look at the outside needles. If they fall off in large numbers as you tap, the tree is too dry. The Oklahoma Christmas Tree Growers Association recommends if you buy your tree from a retail lot to make a fresh cut straight across the trunk about an inch up from the original cut when you get your tree home. Immediately afterward, place the tree in a bucket of water or in a tree stand filled with water. Don’t add aspirin, sugar or flame-retardants, but remember to check water levels often. Fresh trees may require as much as a gallon of water daily. As you decorate the tree, test your light cords and connections before hanging them on the tree to make sure they are in good working order. Keep the tree away from heat and draft sources like fireplaces, heater vents, wood stoves, and television sets. When you are out of the room or sleeping, unplug tree lights and other decorations. Recycling Your Christmas TreeWhen you are ready to remove the tree from your home, consider moving it to an area which can benefit wildlife. Tree branches will shelter birds and small animals. If you string popcorn or add fruit peelings or pinecones rolled in peanut butter and black sunflower sees, you will feed our feathered and furry friends for weeks. Many communities have a chipping service to recycle holiday trees. The resulting tree mulch is then offered back to homeowners to use in their gardens. Check with your municipal waste collection office to find out about pick up dates in your area. In some instances, you may be asked to take the tree to a central collection center. Another possibility is to use your discarded tree for fish habitat. If you have a pond or lake, toss your tree in the deeper end. Before you do, weigh the tree down with bricks or concrete blocks to keep it from floating away. Planting a Live TreeMany people are opting to buy live Christmas trees, which can be planted outdoors after the holidays. Balled and burlapped trees are available from growers or retail centers. In order to survive, these living trees must be handled carefully. The damage comes from moving the tree indoors for too long. Here is the secret for keeping your tree healthy: Keep it in an unheated garage or carport until one or two days before Christmas. After three or four days at most, move it back to the garage. Wait another two to three days before planting. Leaving a live tree in a warm house for too long may bring it out of dormancy and lead to severe injury when it is planted. Another key to success is to make certain your rootball is always moist. Do not allow it to dry out or freeze. When you plant your live tree, consider carefully the best location. Though it may fit perfectly in a certain area now, remember the tree will begin to grow. Learn the size your tree will be at maturity. For example, the pine tree you plant next to the driveway this year, will spread it branches out further and further in each succeeding year. The future result may be scratches and scraped car paint. To determine the age of your tree at the time of purchase, keep in mind that growers pamper their trees for five to seven years before they are sold. To plan your perfect planting space, consider the following sizes and forms for three Christmas trees commonly sold in Oklahoma. Scotch pine becomes round-topped and irregularly shaped with age. At 10 years, it will be 10-15 feet high and 8-12 feet wide. Virginia pine is often the preferred tree in Oklahoma, because of its fast growth. At 10 years, it will also be 15-25 feet in height and as much as 20 feet wide. Eastern white pine grows well in northeastern Oklahoma. Its branch whorls will extend to 30-40 feet by age 10 and grow to a height of 50-75 feet at maturity. Also remember these trees need a certain soil type. To make certain your selected area is appropriate, check with your county extension service for a soil test. To visit one of the Christmas tree growers near you, visit their website at www.okchristmastrees.com or call for a directory of members at the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture-Forestry Services at 405-522-6158. If you are interested in developing a Christmas tree farm, Forestry Services can help. They offer a seedling program, as well as advice and training on the best strategies for developing beautiful evergreens. For further guidelines for tree planting, call the forestry office at 584-3351 to learn more. SPORTSMatmen In Action Matmen In ActionPonca City’s Wildcat wrestlers, fresh from an intense dual with top-ranked Broken Arrow, must avoid a letdown as they play host to Edmond Memorial tonight. The dual is schedule to start at 7 p.m. in the Robson Fieldhouse, following the JV matches at 6. There is a revenge factor in the battle of the Wildcats vs. the Bulldogs. Last year, Edmond knocked the Cats out of a trip to Dual State with a controversial decision at Edmond. Some of the intensity of the rivalry has been eliminated as the Oklahoma Secondary Schools Activities Association changed the Class 5A districts again, putting the Cats and Dogs in different districts this season. The Wildcats are now in a district than includes Tulsa East Central, Jenks and Stillwater. However. Edmond Memorial does offer a challenge for the Wildcats, who are tying to gain recognition in the state rankings. Earlier this week, Edmond fought third ranked Midwest City down to the wire before losing 33 -28. The tough Ponca City schedule continues. After tonight’s dual, the Wildcats enter the Perry Tournament of Champions Tournament Friday and Saturday. That tournament annually draws some of the best teams from Oklahoma and Kansas. Wildcat Cagers Play in KansasThe Wildcat basketball team is taking part in the Blue Valley Tournament in Overland Park, Kan., taking on Lawrence, Kan., in the first round at 6:45. The other teams in the tournament include Blue Valley, Olatha, Lee’s Summit, Mo., St. Thomas Aquinas and Overland Park Central. The tournament is scheduled to run through Saturday. PC Roper Placing In FinalsLAS VEGAS, Nev. — Ponca City’s Jerome Schneeberger continued to have his best performances at the National Finals Rodeo this week. Schneeberger has placed in every go-around in the calf roping but has not broken into the top five in the average. The Ponca City roper placed second in Wednesday’s sixth go-around, tying his calf in 8 seconds flat. That earned him $10, 202 on the day. Schneeberger was third in Tuesday’s go-around in 8.1 seconds, earning $7, 704. He qualified for the National finals by finishing fourth in earnings on the season in calf roping. Wednesday’s Results Calf Roping Sixth round —1, Clay Cerny, Eagle Lake, Texas, 7.9 seconds, $12,909. 2, Jerome Schneeberger, Ponca City, Okla., 8.0, $10,202. 3, (tie), Herbert Theriot, Poplarville, Miss., and Jeff Coelho, Long Creek, Ore., 8.4, $6,558 each. 5, (tie), Jeff Chapman, Athens, Texas; Tony Reina, Brazoria, Texas; and Cody Ohl, Stephenville, Texas, 8.7, $1,084 each. Average leaders—1, Fred Whitfield, Hockley, Texas, 50.5 seconds on six head. 2, Jeff Chapman, Athens, Texas, 53.8. 3, Brent Lewis, Eloy, Ariz., 54.9. World standings—1, Fred Whitfield, Hockley, Texas, $151,128. 2, Blair Burk, Durant, Okla., $140,009. 3, Cody Ohl, Stephenville, Texas, $135,955. Freshmen Win EasilyPonca City’s freshmen girls advanced to the semifinals of the Sand Springs Tournament with a 33-11 win over Tulsa Union Tuesday. The Wildcats will play either Tulsa Bishop Kelley or Sand Springs Central Friday. Ponca City blanked Union in the first quarter of Tuesday’s game and led 18-4 at halftime. “We expected some tougher competition from Union,” said coach John Maddox. “But they didn’t play very well and our girls did. We’ll see a tougher game Friday.” Kristina Huddleston and Kelli Wedd led the Poncans with 6 points each while Jamie Prado, Melissa Fore and Christen Nicks each had 4. Laura Speche, Loran Cartlidge, Ann Ziegenhain and Gerri Eddington all had 2. Chelsea Hill had 1, 8th Grade BasketballPonca City Red boys 48, Woodward 27 Ponca City’s eighth grade Red boys ran their record to 4-1 on the season with a 48-27 win over Woodward here Tuesday. Thanks to a 12-3 scoring margin in the first quarter, the Ponca Citians led 30-15 at halftime and were never seriously threatened. Justin Waller led the Red attack with 16 points and did an outstanding job in rebounding, according to coach John Spore. Noah England had 9 points, Scott Hartman 7, Jordan Bailey 4, H.C. Noll and Harry Blueback each had 3, Justin Bush 2 while T. C, Hankins and Doug Fleet each had 1, Layne Keithley played but did not score. The eighth graders are off until after the Christmas Break. Ponca City Blue boys 73, Enid Longfellow 18 Ponca City's eighth grade Blue boys held Enid Longfellow without a point in the first quarter, en route to an easy 73-18 verdict Tuesday. The Blue Cougars led 37-6 at halftime. Matt Droughard finished with 18 points while Devin Anderson had 12 and Charles Alexander 10. Todd Gingrick and Antoine English each had 8 points, Kevin Brady 6, Blaine King and Matt Collogan 4, Derick Viljoen 3 and Brian Wood 2. Ponca City Blue girls 49, Enid Longfellow 12. Ponca City’s eighth grade Blue girls held Enid Longfellow to single digit scoring in all four quarters in a 49-12 win Tuesday. Jennifer Jenkins finished with 13 points, Jamie Green had 10. Jordon Lunsford 8, Emily Thompson, Rodonna Harden, Katie Girardi and Chelsea Cobb all had 4 and Jamie Trout 2. Blackwell RalliesBLACKWELL — Blaine Boyd poured in 29 points, 18 in the second half, as Blackwell rallied to beat Cushing 53-46 Tuesday. The Maroons fell behind early and trailed 24-20 at halftime. But Blackwell caught up in the third period and pulled away down the stretch. “We turned it up a notch defensively in the second half,” said Blackwell coach Mike Simpson. “I though we were looking to run the open floor — something that had been missing in the early games.” Ryan Penka followed Boyd in the scoring with 8 points while Tyler Dyer had 7, Kyle Pennington, Nathan Pennington and Jared Reese all had 2 points each while Justin Shepherd had 1. Blackwell, now 2-1, will finish the first segment of the season Friday against St. Mary’s.
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