From The Pages Of The Ponca City News, Thursday,
April 17, 1997
LOCAL
Blackwell Child Killed in Fire
High-Speed Rail Service Through Ponca City Endorsed by State House
American Legion National Officers Here This Weekend for Annual Conference
Ponca Indian Women Plan Sweat Lodge, Scalp Dance
Balloon Festival Gets Boost From PCTA
Juveniles Guilty of Assault and Battery Will Face Punishment, Judge Reports
National Volunteer Week Observed at Med Center
'Recycle for Sight' in Full Swing
TYA Benefit Car Wash Establishes Scholarship Fund
Enrollment Closes Saturday for July Arts Adventure Day Camp in Ponca City
Osage Tribe Housing Needs To be Surveyed
Plan To Survive Flooding Areas
DEATHS
Juanita Alvina Rutter
Laura M. Fernsler
Lena M. Hill
Services Pending
Arthur Cox
Martha E. Besse
Funerals
Louis Bennett Slade
NEWS BRIEFS
GARNENING
Community Event Features Neighborhood Artists; Irises
NOC Gardener Tells Class Time And Gives Tips
SPORTS
PC Soccer Clubs Seek 'Respect'
Fifth-Ranked Wildcats Pound Blackwell, 10-2
Tracksters Share Glory
PC JV Boys Just Miss Golf Win at Blackwell
JV Baseballers Sweep Newkirk Varsity Team
Hole-in-One
BLACKWELL (AP) - A 2-year-old girl was killed in a house fire that began near a floor furnace.
The fire that killed Adrianna Morehead was reported about 12:15 a.m. Wednesday, said Blackwell Fire Chief Chris Fetters.
It started near a floor furnace in the one-story house where she lived with her mother, he said
The mother, Joanna Morehead, was treated at a local hospital and released.
The two were the only occupants of the house, Fetters said.
OKLAHOMA CITY - A study into the feasibility of establishing high-speed rail service through Ponca City, Perry, Oklahoma City and other points throughout central Oklahoma, was endorsed by the state House of Representatives Wednesday.
Rep. Jim Newport, R-Ponca City, introduced the proposal as an amendment which the House attached to Senate Joint Resolution 12, endorsed by Senator Dave Herbert, D-Midwest City. The House adopted the amended resolution by a vote of 95-5 and returned it to the Senate.
In the resolution, the Oklahoma Legislature acknowledges that the federal government and various states are contemplating a high-speed rail network "to meet the needs of their citizens for the 21st Century."
Consequently, the resolution asserts, the State of Oklahoma should study the feasibility of developing and maintaining a regional passenger rail transportation system. In particular, the resolution proposes a high-speed rail line between Oklahoma City and Tulsa.
However, Newport's amendment expanded the proposal to include high-speed passenger rail service between Newton, Kan., and Fort Worth, Texas.
Amtrak has already calculated that upgrading the Missouri/Texas rail line that extends through Oklahoma would require approximately $16 million in capital improvements in the Sooner State, just to enable it to accommodate trains traveling at only 40 miles per hour.
In comparison, Newport related, an Amtrak study completed a year ago indicated the Burlington Northern/Santa Fe railway between Newton and Fort Worth could handle maximum train speeds of 79 mph and needs only $7.25 million in capital improvements.
Oklahoma has not had passenger rail service since late 1979, when Amtrak discontinued the Lone Star line that extended from Chicago to Houston via Kansas City, Oklahoma City and Fort Worth.
Last year, the Legislature passed, and the governor signed, a companion measure designed to restore passenger rail service in Oklahoma.
Senate Bill 693 authorized the Transportation Department to spend public funds to secure railroad passenger service inside Oklahoma.
Senate Bill 1192 authorized the Transportation Department to buy, repair and maintain railroad track and right-of-way "at such locations on such passenger routes as it shall determine to be feasible and economically sound."
As a follow-up measure, resolution 12 would create a 17-member task force to:
- Present recommendations for restoration of passenger rail service in Oklahoma.
- Perform a cost-benefit analysis of a high-speed rail corridor between Oklahoma City and Tulsa, and another through Oklahoma between Kansas and Texas.
"If we're going to spend public funds to develop passenger rail service in Oklahoma, it would be more sensible to spend the money on a line that's already in place and would require the fewest dollars to bring up to standards," Newport said.
The American Legion Children's Home, in conjunction with the American Legion and Auxiliary of Oklahoma will host the annual open house and Children and Youth Conference beginning Saturday at the American Legion Huff-Minor Post 14 at 6 p.m.
The banquet will be held at the Huff-Minor Post, 407 West South Avenue, beginning with a get-acquainted time at 6 p.m. followed by the dinner at 6:30 p.m. and a dance from 9 to midnight. Tickets for the evening event are $12.
Jim Amerson, Oklahoma Children and Youth chairman for the American Legion and Polly Kempton, Oklahoma Auxiliary Children and Youth chairwoman, will preside during the dinner program.
Bringing greetings to the group will be Velma Yeager, state auxiliary president, and Dick Earley, department commander. Special guests for the event will be Paula Bradshaw, southern division national vice-president of the auxiliary and Wilson R. Timmons, national vice-commander.
Sunday, the open house at the American Legion Children's Home, 1300 Summer's Place, will begin with registration at 8:30 a.m. The Annual Children and Youth Conference will begin at 9:30 a.m. After lunch, guests will be invited to tour the campus. At 2 p.m. the Masons will be dedicating a time capsule to be placed in a recently completed new building to record the past history of the Home for future generations.
The Youth and Children's Conference in Ponca City will be held in conjunction with National Children and Youth month celebrated during April. The Ponca City meeting is only one of those being observed by more than 16,000 Legion Posts and nearly 14,000 Auxiliary units in the U.S. for the well-being of the nation's children and youth. All members and friends in the area are invited to attend the special celebration and tour the campus.
For 69 years, the American Legion and its affiliated organizations have donated countless hours of volunteer effort and millions of dollars in support of programs and activities for the benefit of children and youth.
The American Legion is focusing its attention at the national level on immunization, teenage suicide prevention, and drug abuse prevention. The national theme for 1997 is "Celebrating Children."
Special guest, Wilson R. Timmons of Astor, Fla., was elected National Vice Commander of the American Legion on Sept. 5, 1996, during the 78th National Convention in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Timmons, who served in the U.S. Navy from 1948-52, has been a member of the American Legion since 1970 when he joined Indian Rivers Post 22 in Cocoa, Fla.
Nationally, Timmons served the American Legion as a member of the membership and post activities committee, 1985-88; vice chairman, Foreign Relations Council, 1986-87; chairman, Foreign Relations Commission, 1987-88; chairman of National Security Council, 1988-95; and national commander's representative to the Americanism Commission, 1995-96.
He served in numerous positions in the department level since 1982. He also served in various positions at the Post level, including Post Commander, 1979-80.
Active in his community, Timmons is a member and past master of Merritt Island Masonic Lodge 353, a member of York and Scottish Rite Bodies and Shrine, and a member of Astor Kiwanis Club. He is also treasurer of the Astor Chamber of Commerce, and president of the Astor Community Association.
Paula Bradshaw, Norfolk, Va, is the 1996-97 Southern Division National vice president of the American Legion Auxiliary. She served as unit president in 1982-83, as well as all chairmanships within the unit. She is currently serving as unit secretary. Bradshaw served as 1st and 2nd district president, most chairmanships, and is currently serving as district finance chairman.
The Department of Virginia welcomed Bradshaw as their president in 1989-90, where she has also served all major chairmanships and is currently serving as leadership chairman. Nationally, Bradshaw has served as National Security vice chairman, Junior Activities chairman, a Girls State committee member, a national executive committeewoman, and Junior Activities vice chairman.
Bradshaw is a Personnel Management Specialist with the Norfolk District Army Corps of Engineers, Norfolk, Va., where she has been employed for the past 20 years. She also serves as a motivational speaker and fund raiser for the Leukemia Society of America.
Bradshaw gained her Auxiliary eligibility through the Naval service of her father, George Mackey, during World War II and the Korean War. She is a lifelong member, enrolled as a Tiny-Tot upon birth in 1957.
The American Legion Children's Home was established in 1928 in Ponca City. The residential child care facility houses approximately 50 children and is the only facility of its kind in the U.S. operated by the American Legion.
WHITE EAGLE - The Ponca Pa-Tha-Tau Scalp Dance Society will be holding its spring dance at White Eagle at the Tribal Cultural Center Saturday. The special celebration for women will be preceded by a sweat lodge at Burr Hill Friday evening.
The sweat lodge is open to all women who want to participate, beginning at 7 p.m. at the Burr Hill dance grounds, five miles south of Ponca City on U.S. 177, then 1/2 mile east and then 1/2 mile south. Burr Hill is located at the home of Rosetta LeClair. Participants should bring a towel.
The public is also invited to the Scalp Dance, which will begin Saturday with a noon meal at the Ponca Tribal Cultural Center. Persons attending should bring their own lawn chairs and dishes for the meal and dance.
During the celebration, a speaker will explain the origin and purpose of the Scalp Dance. According to Rosetta LeClair, a member of the Pa-Tha-Tau Society, the celebration dance is performed by women only to honor husbands, sons, brothers and fathers. In the early history of the tribe, the Scalp Dance was held when the war party returned to camp and brought back scalp-locks or "Ah-Skoo" and were honored.
The Pa-Tha-Tau Scalp Dance ceremony will begin at 1 p.m. with the seating ceremony of the newest leader, Vanessa Good Eagle. Good Eagle, daughter of the late Dana Knight, replaces Colleen Knight, who recently resigned her leadership position due to her husband's ill health and requested the Society find a replacement to fill her seat.
Other leaders of the Ponca Pa-Tha-Tau Scalp Dance Society are Rosetta LeClair, Suzanne White Eagle, and Jo LaVon Childs. The position of water-girl is held by Clarice Peariman. Lead singer is Ed Little Cook.
By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE
News Staff Writer
The Ponca City Balloon Festival and Air Show got the nod for a $1,000 grant Wednesday from the Ponca City Tourism Authority (PCTA). The event is slated for August 29-31 and is sponsored by the Ponca City Aviation Booster Club.
The funds are to be used for promotion and marketing of the event in a ten-county area around Oklahoma and southern Kansas
While the America Celebrations Fireworks Spectacular did not received the requested grant of $3,000, the event was given a $1,000 sponsorship donation on a one time basis for Fourth of July fireworks.
The fireworks appeal was by Cathy Ferguson of Ponca City Tomorrow. The donation was based on bringing in several thousand visitors. The committee hopes to raise between $12,000 and $15,000 for the event.
In other action, the PCTA board, which is funded by a three percent hotel/motel tax, denied a request from Ponca City Junior Baseball, Inc. for an OK Kids Baseball District No. 3 Tournament. The request for $3,000 was denied on the basis the funds were to be used for upgrading facilities, paying umpires and trophies. Grant money is normally spent on promotional efforts such as advertising.
The presentation was by Craig Kellison and John Turvey. They said the local membership is down about 100 players from last year and each player pays a fee of $20. Last year the tournament deficit was absorbed by the state organization. The tournament is slated July 21 to 26 and from 550 to 600 players are expected.
In other action the board approved a $300 donation for a reception for Leadership Oklahoma, which is holding graduation ceremonies at the Marland Mansion on May 3. The request was by Phyllis Worley and Sandy James, of Ponca City, who are members of the state class. The board tabled a request by Kid's Inc., for a donation to be used for promotional material to bring tournaments to Ponca City.
The board approved future objectives including a hospitality program; volunteer program; revitalizing downtown; entertainment during the week; tour packages including hotels/motels, restaurants and shopping and promoting performances at the Poncan Theater of Ponca City history etc.
The board, chaired by David Zimmerman, gave a standing ovation to Greg Gregson, City Commissioner, who served as an ex-officio member of PCTA, and will be going out of office soon. Chuck Rager, expressed appreciation from the board to Gregson for his support to the board and service to the City.
Gregson said he enjoyed serving with the PCTA board and had been impressed with the job the members were doing being good stewards of the tax money.
Missy Morland, coordinator, reported on booking over 50 bus tours including overnighters for the Herb Festival and Festival of Angels. She asked for volunteers to work at the Blackwell Tourism Center on I-35 on May 4 during National Tourism Week.
She also requested for volunteers to work a display booth at the Vance Air Force Base open house on May 1.
Chairman Zimmerman said that at the next meeting the board would be getting two budgets. Which one will be used depends on if the Tourism Authority continues to be housed at the Chamber of Commerce, or if it moves elsewhere.
By LAURA TREADWAY
News Staff Writer
Concerned about the number of juveniles committing assault and battery Juvenile Judge John Northcutt intends to punish offenders.
"Assault and battery will not be tolerated in this court," he said. "Offenders will be severely punished."
Eleven of 17 youths who appeared in court were charged with assault and battery. Most of these began as verbal attacks, said Municipal Court Clerk Nancy Hunt.
Additionally, three youths were ordered to pay $2,670.71 in restitution, the majority of which were assault and battery related. Although damages were awarded to juveniles, the parents will ultimately be responsible if the amount is not paid.
Juveniles ranged in age from 13 to 17. Other offenses included petit larceny, curfew violations, minor in possession of tobacco and vandalism.
In addition, six trials were held for juveniles who previously pled not guilty. All these youths were found guilty and fined. Furthermore, 25 hours of community service were awarded to three juveniles.
"When community service is accessed to a juvenile it is the youth's responsibility to obtain written documentation of completed hours," Hunt said. "The documentation must be returned to the court on or before the due date."
Moreover, two youths pled not guilty to charges. Their trial will be scheduled on the next juvenile court docket, which is set for May 6.
National Volunteer Week is being observed at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center.
"Hospital volunteers are one of the most vital groups affiliated with this Medical Center," said SJRMC/CEO President Garry England. "It really means something to patients, families and hospital staff when one considers that volunteers are here of their own free will, giving of their most valuable resource - their time."
Volunteerism began at what is now St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in 1926, under the leadership of Miss Lottie Marland, sister of E.W. Marland. Formed as the Hospital Guild, the volunteer organization functioned until 1941.
Although World War II caused a 16-year interruption to organized hospital volunteerism, a new organization, dedicated to hospital service, began in 1957 as the Women's Auxiliary of the Ponca City Hospital. Dollars and hours contributed by the first guild is not available; however, from its beginning until 1996, the Auxiliary has contributed $598,815 and 1,200,421 hours to hospital service.
The Medical Center currently has 136 active volunteers. Volunteers vary in age, the youngest being Volunteens who are at least 14 years of age and are selected from among student applicants.
"All SJRMC volunteers," said England, "provide a very real service to patients and families by helping put them at ease." In addition, they provide a necessary link between the communities served and the Medical Center. SJRMC volunteers perform designated duties in 23 hospital units, including the information desk, gift shop, nursing units, out-patient surgery waiting room, Lifeline, ICU/CCU and the cardiopulmonary unit.
Volunteers also help in other programs outside the hospital units. Other services they provide are "infant caps" (knitted caps for all newborns in SJRMC), Bob the Clown dolls given to pediatric patients, ages one to 10, and Playday. Playday is an event provided for kindergarten children each spring to offer a non-threatening, educational encounter with a medical facility.
Lifeline Coordinator Myra Dufek characterizes all Medical Center volunteers by describing her volunteers as "the most generous and genuinely caring individuals I have had the pleasure and good fortune to work with. Their devotion means so much to the subscribers and to the program itself."
"Recycle for Sight" by the Noon Lions Club Rookie Committee is in full swing in Ponca City to collect all old unused prescription glasses, sunglasses and glass cases.
Specially marked brown-bags have been placed in local churches and banks, and in several businesses and other public areas, including Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Buy for Less, United Supermarket, American Red Cross office, Ponca City Library, and Miller Market.
Bags will also be available Friday at the Plummer Family Music Show being presented at 7 p.m. at the Hutchins Memorial Auditorium. Proceeds from the Plummer show will also be used to help needy local children and residents needing new glasses and eyecare.
According to Lion Bill Bray, "We are joining thousands of other Lions throughout the United States and Canada to raise awareness about eyecare as well as the importance of donating old eyeglasses."
A pair of glasses can have a very real impact on a person in need. In many areas of the world, poor eyesight left uncorrected can force adults into unemployment and children out of the classroom.
"The supply of unwanted glasses continues to be great throughout North America. Millions of eyeglasses wearers have several outdated pairs stashed away in drawers and closets and hesitate to throw them away because they were once of great value to them. Most folks are pleased to learn that something they can no longer use can be given new life through the Lions' unique recycling program," says Bray.
All types of glasses for children and adults are acceptable, including exceptionally strong or weak prescriptions. Reading classes are also very useful because many recipients are craftsmen and in need of visual correction to help them perform close-up tasks. Sunglasses are needed by people living near the equator, especially those with cataracts, to shield their eyes from the sun's damaging rays.
The donated specs will be sent to a regional eyeglasses recycling center where they are cleaned, sorted by prescription, and prepared for distribution by volunteer groups such as the The Christian Optometrist Association or other Lions groups who travel to developing countries and areas to test eyes, and distribute the glasses.
For more information, call Bray at 765-0807.
Thunderbird Youth Academy (TYA) sponsored a benefit car wash for the Anthony McGee Foundation.
With the help of Edmond citizens, the academy raised $466 to establish a scholarship fund to benefit future cadets of TYA.
McGee graduated from the academy in February and died a short time thereafter, in a traffic accident. McGee's parents, Robert and Susan Reid, accepted the donation and gave it back to the academy to set up a fund in their son's name.
Any other donations for this fund can be directed to Thunderbird Youth Academy, Anthony McGee Scholarship, 417 South Elliott, Pryor, 74361.
TYA is a quasi-military school for at risk high school dropouts. The 22 week program teaches life skills, discipline and helps students to obtain their GED.
Enrollment will close Saturday for the two-weeks Arts Adventure Day Camp to be held at the Marland Estate in July for sixth through 10th grade students in Kay County.
Several areas of study in the arts will be available to students who want to study an artform of choice, including dance, creative writing, drama, piano, strings, visual arts and vocal music.
Instructors have been chosen from across the United States to travel to Ponca City to teach at Arts Adventure and include Dr. John B. Schimek, who will teach strings techniques and other orchestral music.
John B. Schimek is director of strings and music education programs at Oklahoma City University and is professor of double bass.
An active conductor/clinician, Dr. Schimek has conducted university and community and youth orchestras as well as many city and state honors orchestras throughout the country.
As a performer, Schimek has performed with several professional orchestras directed by leading conductors including Raymond Leppard, Eric Bergel, Lawrence Foster, Sixteen Ehrling, Sergiu Commissiona, Sir David Willcocks, Witold Lutoslawski and Lucas Foss.
Currently Dr. Schimek is a member of the Oklahoma City Philharmonic and frequently performs with the Fort Worth Symphony where he was an orchestra member for 10 years.
In cooperation with deaf education programs, Schimek has composed a program for hearing impaired children and has presented this, in recital for schools in Oklahoma, Texas, and Wisconsin.
Dr. Schimek has published articles for the "American String Teacher," and the "International Society of Bassists," and has composed several published works for string orchestra and double bass ensembles.
Professor Schimek is included in "Who's Who Among America's Teachers."
Students who are interested in attending the Arts Adventure Day Camp from July 21 through Aug. 1, may contact Pam Griffith at 762-1772 or Barbara Younger at 762-3695. Enrollment deadline is Saturday.
The Housing Authority of the Osage Tribe announces it has contracted with Tribal Government Institute (TGI), a company from Norman, to conduct a study of the need for housing for Native Americans/Indians in Osage County.
TGI will conduct an independent study of the housing needs as required by new federal law, The Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1995.
The new law allows much more flexibility on how to meet the housing needs of Native Americans. The results of the housing needs study will determine how funds will be spent. In addition to conducting a mail survey, TGI also plans to perform, through the use of local people, on-site interviews with residents in the Pawhuska, Hominy, and Greyhorse Indian villages.
All Native Americans/Indians residing in Osage County should contact TGI to express their needs for housing. TGI may be contacted at 111 North Peters, Suite 400, Norman, 0K 73069, Tel. (405) 329-5542, Fax (405) 329-5543.
Tribal Government Institute is not affiliated with any political group in Osage County, nor does it represent any interest other than getting unbiased information to determine housing needs.
When it comes to high water, don't take a chance, plan to survive.
According to Tom Montgomery, Emergency Management Director, more people are killed each year due to flooding. Most are killed in cars when the motorist drives through water moving over the roadway.
The car is washed off the road or the road is washed out and the car is washed away. Montgomery says, some cars can be washed off of the road in as little as six inches of water.
Children are the primary flooding victims due to their lack of strength to overcome powerful water. Even if they grab onto something, they are not strong enough to hang on, he said. Furthermore, a person can be knocked down in water less than knee high.
For more information, contact Montgomery at 767-0380.
DEATHS
OKARCHE - Juanita Alvina Rutter, former longtime resident of Ponca City, died in her sleep Wednesday, April 16, 1997, at the home of a daughter in Okarche. She was 90.
The funeral is set for 10 a.m. Monday at St. John's Lutheran Church in Okarche with burial in the Morrison (Okla.) Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Sanders Funeral Home, Kingfisher.
Juanita Alvina (Walter) Rutter was born April 6, 1907, near Morrison in Indian Territory. She was the second of nine children born to Phillip Anthony and Emilie Beier Just Walter. She later moved with her family to Perry, where she was confirmed in the Christ Lutheran Church in 1921.
In 1929, she was married to Arch Dewitt Rutter in that same church. Mrs. Rutter was homemaker. The couple moved Blackwell in 1933, then to Ponca City in 1948, where they were members of the First Lutheran Church.
Survivors include two daughters, Margaret Taylor of Okarche, and Barbara Arnold of Ponca City; one son, Walter Rutter of Denver, Colo.; two stepsons, Irwin Rutter of Ponca City, and Harry Rutter of Chicago, Ill.; one step-daughter, Frances May of Reno, Nev.; three brothers, H.P. Walter of Albuquerque, N.M., Capt. (ret.) Ian Walter of Richland, Ga., and Paul Walter of Jackson, Miss.; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.
In 1973, she was preceded in death by her husband of 44 years; one stepson, Don; one granddaughter; one great-granddaughter; her parents; two sisters and three brothers.
TONKAWA - Laura M. Fernsler, longtime Tonkawa area resident, died Tuesday, April 15, 1997, at her home in Tonkawa. She was 84.
A memorial graveside service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday at the Tonkawa IOOF Cemetery with Dr. Robert Kanary, minister of Tonkawa United Methodist Church, officiating. Service and cremation arrangements are under the direction of McCafferty-Bolick Funeral Home.
Laura M. (Eisenhardt) Fernsler was born Sept. 3, 1912, in Cook County, Ill., to Lewis and Anna (Enumann) Eisenhardt. As a young woman she moved to the Tonkawa area.
She was married to Harry H. Vines on Dec. 31, 1930, in Perry, and the couple made their home in Tonkawa. Mr. Vines preceded her in death in 1976. She was then married to Richard Fernsler on Sept. 1, 1979, and he preceded her in death in 1995. Mrs. Fernsler was a member of the Tonkawa United Methodist Church, the Rebekah Lodge, IOOF Lodge and active in senior citizen activities in Tonkawa.
Survivors include three sons, Ray Vines of Pueblo, Colo., Harry Vines of Alabama, and Louis L. Vines of Plano, Texas; one sister, Irene Huffman of Coffeyville, Kan.; one brother, George Eisenhardt of Stewartsville, Mo.; seven grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
GUTHRIE - Lena M. Hill, former Ponca City resident, died at the Golden Age Nursing Home in Guthrie, Wednesday, April 16, 1997. She was 89.
A memorial service honoring Mrs. Hill will be announced at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of Davis Funeral Home, Guthrie.
Lena M. (Mahnke) Hill was born July 24, 1907, in Guthrie. She was married to Joseph E. Hill on Nov. 9, 1929, in Guthrie, and lived most of her life in Guthrie and Ponca City. Mrs. Hill was a homemaker and had worked as a sales clerk. She was a member of the St. Mary's Catholic Church of Guthrie and the Catholic Daughters of the Americas. Mrs. Hill had received the "Outstanding Catholic Daughter Of The Year" award.
Survivors include her husband, Joe Hill, of Guthrie; one son, Joseph A. Hill of Wichita; two brothers, Bert Mahnke of Guthrie and Willard Mahnke of Savannah, Ga.; two sisters, Geneva Helf of Joplin, Mo., and Viola Williams of Oklahoma City; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, four sisters, and one great-grandson.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Hill's name to St. Mary's Catholic Church, 411 North Elm, Guthrie, OK 73044.
FAIRFAX - Arthur Cox, Fairfax resident, died Wednesday, April 16, 1997, at the American Transitional Hospital Wing at Tulsa Regional Hospital in Tulsa. He was 58. Survivors include his wife, Carol, of Fairfax. The funeral has been set for 10 a.m. Saturday in the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Fairfax. Other arrangements are pending with Hunsaker-Wooten Funeral Home, Fairfax.
FAIRFAX - Martha E. Besse, former Fairfax resident, died Wednesday, April 16, 1997, in Lubbock, Texas. She was 74. Arrangements are pending with Hunsaker-Wooten Funeral Home, Fairfax.
Friday
Louis Bennett Slade - Funeral at 2 p.m. in the Roberts Funeral
Home Chapel, Blackwell. Burial will be in the Braman (Okla.) Cemetery.
NEWS BRIEFS
Little Cook Reunion - Descendants of the Little Cook family will meet at the Culture Center in White Eagle, Sunday, beginning at 11 a.m. Attendees will share in a pot-luck dish lunch from 11 to 12:30 p.m., followed by an introduction of the descendants of Little Cook. The public is invited to join the family at 2 p.m. and participate in gourd dancing and listen to family songs. A catered supper will be served at 5:30 p.m. Persons planning to attend should bring their own chairs and dishes.
Veterans Affairs Officer - Donald Haden, Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs Service officer, meets with war veterans needing assistance in Ponca City each Thursday at the American Legion, 8 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., (405) 765-9073. Service officers can advise and assist in obtaining veterans benefits including: insurance, veterans loans, pensions, compensation, vocational rehabilitation, educational benefits, medical treatment, hospital care, and Oklahoma veterans benefits. Last year, Oklahoma veterans received more than $820 million in federal entitlement expenditures. Compensation and pension checks amount to over $600 million of that total.
Genealogy Computer Group - Persons interested in forming a genealogical computer support group are invited to meet Sunday at 2 p.m. with members of the Pioneer Genealogical Society. Interested persons may call Sandy at 762-5635 or 762-8336, ext. 222; or Darlene at 767-1864, for more information.
Failure to Obey - A Ponca City police officer arrested a 30-year-old man in the 1000 block of North Ash Street at 8:45 a.m. Wednesday on a city warrant for failure to obey.
Destruction of Property - A 30-year-old man was arrested at the Ponca City Police Department at 10:32 a.m. Wednesday on city warrants for failure to appear and destruction of private property.
Traffic Stop - A Ponca City police officer took a 33-year-old man into custody at a traffic stop at South Fourth Street and East Maple Avenue at 11:16 a.m. Wednesday for driving under suspension, no insurance, an expired inspection sticker and a city warrant for failure to pay.
Accident - The Ponca City Police Department received notice at 12:04 p.m. Wednesday of an accident at North Union Street and West Hartford Avenue. No injuries were reported.
Embezzlement - An employee of Wal-Mart, 1101 East Prospect Avenue, contacted the Ponca City Police Department at 3:07 p.m. Wednesday to report embezzlement. An officer responded to take a report.
Burglary - A resident in the 300 block of East Oklahoma Avenue advised the Ponca City Police Department at 3:29 p.m. Wednesday that a TV and VCR were missing from the house. An officer took a report.
Disturbing the Peace - A 20-year-old woman was taken into custody at the Ponca City Police Department at 3:51 p.m. Wednesday on a city warrant for disturbing the peace.
Stolen - An employee at Citgo, East Highland Avenue and North Second Street, notified the Ponca City Police Department at 4:06 p.m. Wednesday that five cases of beer were missing from the shed behind the business. An officer took a report.
Kitchen Fire - Ten Ponca City firefighters and five units responded to a fire in the 300 block of North Peachtree Street at 6:27 p.m. Wednesday. The incident report indicated the fire resulted from a short circuit in the kitchen. Damage is estimated at $2,000 and no injuries were reported.
Arrested - A Ponca City police officer arrested a 26-year-old man from a traffic stop at West Grand Avenue and Palm Street at 6:46 p.m. Wednesday for driving under suspension and no child restraint.
Theft - A resident in the 300 block of South Lake Street advised the Ponca City Police Department at 8 p.m. Wednesday that a 20-inch chrome Scorpio BMX bike was stolen. An officer took a grand larceny report.
Attempting to Elude - A Ponca City police officer arrested a 25-year-old man in the 1000 block of North Waverly Street at 12:09 a.m. Thursday for driving under suspension, no insurance and attempting to elude.
Under Restriction - A 22-year-old man was arrested by a Ponca City police officer at 12:17 a.m. Thursday at West Liberty Avenue and North Waverly Street for driving under restriction and no insurance.
Under the Influence - A Ponca City police officer arrested an 18-year-old man in the 1600 block of Cedar Street at 3:59 a.m. Thursday for driving under the influence and driving under suspension.
Code Enforcement - Electric fences located inside the city limits
are a violation of city code, according to the Code Enforcement Department.
For more information, call 767-0332.
GARDENING
By Patti N. Carmack
Lifestyles Editor
Ponca City is becoming a town filled with blooms-Iris blooms. Celebrating this showy flower are several activities in May. The fourth annual Community Iris Show is being sponsored by the South Side Neighbors May 3-4 at the Conoco Club House, located at 1500 South Fourth. All Iris entries are to be submitted Friday, May 2, 5-8 p.m. and entries will not be taken at other times.
Admission to the show, which takes place during the Main Street Authority sponsored Iris Festival, is free. Seventh street is being decorated with the floral motif and members of the South Side group will be selling various items featuring the Iris. Proceeds will go toward a community project.
Among those items offered for sale will be lapel pins decorated with authentic Iris replicas and hand-crafted by Jan and Paul Erhart, residents of the south side. Paul cuts the pins from walnut, which originated on property in the neighborhood, and Jan, a self-taught artist, uses acrylic paints to decorate the face of each pin, utilizing a picture of a certain type as a model. The name of each bloom, such as "Chinese Treasure" is written on the back of the pin.
Jan works as a part-time secretary for David Garrison and Paul is a security guard at Albertson's. The couple resides in a house on south Fifth that had originally belonged to Jan's mother and they have a special love for the house and the neighborhood. Working from a custom-designed "patio-garden-workroom-easy living" area the couple shares a hobby. He cuts and sands and creates the wood base for Jan to paint in detail. Her favorite items are Santa Claus figures and she describes herself as just a "dibble-dabbler."
She has attended a "class or two" and "read the art books" and "experimented a lot" and "enjoyed herself" said the artist. She made Iris lapel pins for the 1996 Iris show and presented them to hosts and hostesses for the event. The pins were such a hit that she decided to make some for the group to sell this year.
Each pin can take up to half an hour to paint, depending on the detail needed. At this point Jan has painted over 100 so the time and labor involved begins to add up to an impressive amount of volunteer work. As we sat in their comfortable room, dogs at our feet, she spied a flower picture in a book and turning to her husband, says "this sure looks neat-look at this." As he examines the picture he looks at me with a knowing smile and begins to mentally measure the picture for woodcutting.
Talking to the couple and to Rebecca Barker, a neighbor of the Erharts and coincidentally president of the Ponca City Garden Club Council, I was reminded of pleasant days spent in the summertime in this neighborhood in my early childhood. My grandparents once lived on south Fifth and the Iris flowers in the area at that time were known as flags. It is reassuring to me to think that some of the plants from my grandmother's garden might still be here.
Ponca City has a heritage rich in history and community and perhaps these neighborhood celebrations will provide an important legacy for our children.
Editor's note: The News will be providing occasional information on the gardening page supplied by Kelley McKenzie, head gardener at Northern Oklahoma College. Following is her suggestion for bedding plants.
Begonias usually bring to mind color only for the shady spots. Not so. All but the white begonia can stand sun and hold up quite well in full sun. I ordered the cocktail mix which has beautiful bronze foliage and colors in pink and white shades. In the greenhouse they are blooming profusely and the bronze foliage sets off the flower beautifully.
Vinca, or periwinkle, as it is commonly called, loves the hottest spot in the garden. It needs temperatures of at least 80 degrees F to attain optimum growth. I ordered the Pacifica mix and what the growers call red and I call hot pink.
Rose moss is an old favorite. This is a low growing plant good for raised beds, containers, and front of the border. Petunias are perfect for hanging baskets, containers, raised beds, and borders. Of course we have geraniums. I ordered the zonal cultivar Ringo 2000 in red (orange) and white. They are already blooming in the greenhouse.
I grew a few perennials and annuals from seed. Most of them are for the butterfly garden. I have monarda (bee balm), lobelia, sweet alyssum, heliotrope, straw flower and others. Look for them at the NOC cafeteria bed and at Bell Hall.
Enrollment is April 19 for the "Hands on Gardening" community service class. Cost for the event is $20 and will take place at the NOC greenhouse. Participants can learn about houseplant care and various gardening tips.
Tip: Did you know a book of matches planted with bell peppers will yield
a bigger crop. The sulfur and phosphorus in the matches does the trick.
SPORTS
Ponca City's Wildcat soccer teams will be looking for respect as they start the "crunch time" of the season here Friday night against Enid.
It will be the first of three crucial district matches which will decide if the Poncans get to extend their season. The matches will be in Sullins Stadium with the boys' game at 6 p.m. and the girls' at 8.
The Wildcats got no respect at Broken Arrow on Tuesday as the Tigers rolled to a 4-0 win. The girls' match also went to BA, 5-0.
In fact, the Wildcats were really "dissed" by the Tigers, according to Ponca City coach Marco Castillo.
"This was a team I really wanted to beat," the coach said. "They had no respect for us and I wanted to get some. But we won't get their respect until we beat them."
However, that is all water under the bridge for the 3-7 Wildcats as they start the "second season."
"I've looked at the (district) teams and I know we can beat everybody we play. We just have to get some enthusiasm going," the coach said.
Castillo said he was making some changes in the Wildcat lineup, " that I think are for the better. I feel the kids will respond to it.
"Friday's game is a big one for us. We need a lot of people in the stands to cheer the kids on."
Following Friday's district opener, the Cats play Edmond Memorial (also at home) on Tuesday and finish the regular season at Stillwater the following Friday.
The district champion gets the home field advantage for at least the first round of the playoffs. The second place team starts the playoffs on the road.
By DAVID BROWN
News Associate Sports Editor
Ponca City's fifth-ranked Wildcats pounded two Blackwell pitchers for 10 runs on 14 hits and run-ruled the Maroons 10-2 here Tuesday on a beautiful afternoon for high school baseball.
The Cats broke on top early with a run in the first and then scored three in the second to go up 4-0. Blackwell (9-14) came back, though, with a pair of runs in the top of the fourth to pull within two at 4-2.
Ponca City (13-4) was up to the challenge, however. The Wildcats batted through the order in the bottom half of the frame and plated five runs to take command, 9-2.
Head coach Roydon Tilley put in six reserves in the fifth, including senior hurler Brad Taylor, and the Poncans completed the run-rule.
Taylor allowed no hits or runs in relief of starter Chris Koenig and struck out a batter. In the home half of the fifth, the Cats loaded the bases and then scored the deciding run on a base hit by Brian Benson.
Daniel Denney led off the fifth with a walk, starting shortstop Justin Thomas (3-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored) singled and Matt Holland followed with a base hit to load the bases. After Ryan Sullivan flied out, Benson came through to score Denney for the eight-run margin and end the ball game.
"I thought the kids came out and played well," Tilley said afterwards. "Blackwell is a better team than they showed tonight. But we played good baseball. And you always like to get some kids in that deserve a chance to play. They're good kids and they work hard, too."
Koenig, a junior right-hander, picked up his first win of the season after three losses. In four innings he gave up three hits, one walk and struck out two.
Koenig was also 2-for-3 at the plate with a double and an RBI. Also having a good game with the bat was Jason Ross, who was 2-for-3 with two runs scored.
A bunt single by Ross, a passed ball, and two errors put Ponca City on the board first with Ross scoring on an error.
In the second, Hughes led off with a single, was sacrificed to second base by Dean Hemenway and then scored on a double down the third base line by Doug Scott.
With two outs, Thomas drove in Scott with a single and then Josh Shafer singled past first. Thomas rounded third on the throw back into the infield and beat the relay home to score on the play, giving Po-Hi a 4-0 lead.
Blackwell rallied with a one-out Wayne Childers single and then Childers scored on a two-out blast to center field by starting pitcher Matt Dill. A Ponca City error then allowed Dill to score from second.
Ponca City quickly regained control of the game, though. Scott was hit by a pitch, stole second and went to third on a Ross single. He then scored on a passed ball. Thomas belted out a base hit to plate Ross and Thomas later scored on a fielder's choice by Daniel Dodgen for a 7-2 advantage.
But the Cats were far from done. After Marc Smith walked, Koenig ripped his RBI double. Koenig then scored the final run of the inning on a passed ball.
The Wildcats travel to Stillwater this evening for a 5 p.m. game with the Pioneers and then go to Perry Friday for another 5 p.m. start. Saturday, Ponca City is at Blackwell for a doubleheader with the Maroons.
By FRED HILTON
News Sports Editor
While the gold medalists got much of #the attention as the Wildcats won the first Ponca City Relays at Sullins Stadium Monday, there was plenty of glory to go around, according to coach Terry Henderson.
The Wildcats are coming together as a team and becoming a force on the state track scene, the coach says.
The Lady Wildcats, while young, are showing the talent that has the future looking promising.
"We are getting closer to where we need to be," girls' coach Keith Chronister said. "If we can keep improving we can do well in the regionals and qualify for state."
The Wildcats are looking past just qualifying now. They are looking to challenge the state's top teams and are already getting notice.
Known for their distance power, the Cats are looking much more balanced this year.
The Poncans are still strong in the distance races, blowing past a small, but elite, field in the Ponca City Relays.
Henderson added a special 4x1600 relay for the meet to show off his middle distance strength. Paul Paschal, Chris Buck, Aaron Zimmerman and Chad Niemann sped to a 20:01 timing, finishing over a minute in front of powerful Edmond North.
But the Cats also did well in the traditional relays.
They smoked the field in the distance medley with Sam Stalcup, Zimmerman, Paschal and Paul Newman finishing in 11:47.05, nearly lapping half the field and strolling across the finish line 24 seconds in front of Stillwater.
In the 3200-meter relay, Paschal, Niemann, David Metzger and Stalcup flashed to an 8:20.95 timing, 46 seconds ahead of Stillwater.
There were others.
In the day's final event, Zimmerman, Stalcup, Anthony Tillman (running his first 400 in a meet) and Metzger took second - enough to snatch the team title away from Edmond - in the 1600-meter relay in 3:37.12 beating their previous best time by 13 seconds.
"Stalcup is becoming one of the premiere distance runners in the state," Henderson enthused. "Just look at all of the events he was in."
The Cats were third in the sprint relay as Travis Harris, Wesley Swygert, Dennis Shields and Billy Swygert were timed in 44.8 seconds.
"Shields is a real competitor," his coach said. "He'll give you all he has all the time."
In the sprint medley relay, Harris, Billy Swygert, Zimmerman and Jerry Combrink took third in 1:43.46.
In the 800 relay, Shields, Harris, Monte Meredith and Billy Swygert were third in 1:35.01.
In the individual events, the Cats also did well. In addition to David Jump's meet record of 14-2 in the pole vault, Ryan Chapman took first in the shot put (45-7.5) and second in the discus (137). Combrink was second in the 300 hurdles in 47.92. Jeremy Jorgenson was second in the high jump at 5-10 and Swygert was right behind at 5-8. Aaron Kreger also pushed Chapman in the discus, finishing third at 129.9. Mark Oblad was third in the vault at 13 feet with Williams fourth at 12-6. Brad Hill was third in the 110 hurdles in 20.24.
In the girls' events, Keesha West paced the Lady Cats with a first in the high jump at 4-10. Tee West was second in the long jump with 14-3 and Melissa Alcantra was third in the hurdles.
In the relays, Tamara Banks, Quisha Frederick, Tia Williams and Tee West took the gold in the 800-meter relay in 1:52.08, their best time of the season with West making up for a juggled handoff by catching the Stillwater front-runner and finishing 15 yards in front.
Alcantra, Tee West, Frederick and Williams took second in the 400 relay in 53.71. Beth Bednarski, Yohanna Yokinieni, Emily Thompson and Randy Peters knocked 30 seconds off their previous best to take third in the 3200 in 19:52.
That same group was third in the 1600 in 4:44.78. Thompson, Bednarski, Mary Metzger and Peters were third in the distance medley in 15:05. Frederick, Williams, West and Yokinieni were third in the sprint medley in 2:04.12.
Ponca City's JV golfers played well in the## #Blackwell Invitational Tuesday. It was coach Dan McGregor who had the whiff - two, in fact.
The Poncans placed second to Blackwell in the tournament, by one stroke, 354-355, and two of the better Ponca City scores didn't count.
Lucas Elmore placed fourth in the individual scoring with an 85, but he was the sixth man McGregor took to the tournament. Justin Green's 87 didn't help, either. He was the seventh Po-Hi player.
McGregor had to designate the five players who would make up the team. He took two extra players along to gain experience.
John Hilyard led the "team" with an 86, Aaron Hill had 88, Amar Bhakta 89, Jason Pettigrew 92 and Bryant Ferguson 96.
"If I had been smart enough to know which players to pick, we would have won the tournament," McGregor smiled.
"But all of these kids are about even in their scoring. One will shoot pretty good one day and not so good the next. You just never know which one will do well. They don't have the consistency yet.
"They are capable of being good golfers. They're just not consistent. They need experience."
McGregor admitted the scores were a little higher than he had expected, "but the course was a little tough. There was a northeast wind and it bothered everybody."
Jason Ebert of the Stillwater JVs was the tournament medalist with an 82. Sye Dyer of Blackwell and Kelly Gill of Mannford tied at 183.
Stillwater finished behind the Poncans with a 365 total while Pawnee had 372, Mannford 375, Hennessey 380 and Blackwell "B" 380 in the 11-team field.
The JVs are scheduled to end their season April 28 in the rescheduled dual at Pawnee.
Meanwhile, the varsity Wildcats are playing in the rescheduled Tulsa Edison Tournament today. They travel to Bartlesville Monday.
NEWKIRK - Ponca City's junior varsity baseballers picked up a couple of wins here Tuesday against the Newkirk varsity, sweeping the Tigers 8-2 and 9-7.
Newkirk led 2-1 after five innings in the first game but the JV Cats stormed back with a six-run sixth and added another run in the seventh to get the victory.
Jared Spears went the distance, a first for a JV pitcher this season, and notched the win. Jason Cales was the offensive hero as he went 2-for-3 and scored three times.
In the nightcap Newkirk again jumped out on top, leading 4-1 after one. But Ponca City forged a 5-5 tie after three complete and then took the lead for good with a four-run fourth. Newkirk scored twice in the bottom of the fifth but the JV Cats held on.
Chad Whitsitt picked up the win in relief of Wes Murray and he also scored twice on two walks. Michael Carson was 2-for-2 with a double.
After a slow start, the Po-Hi JVs have won 7 of 9 and are now 10-8 on the season.
The Ponca City JV Baseball Tournament begins today at the high school diamond. The sophomore team plays at 5 and the Wildcat JVs are scheduled to play at 7. The tournament runs through Saturday.
Burton Casad came up with his second career ace on the eighth hole at the Ponca City Country Club Tuesday.
Casad used a five-iron to hole out the 180-yard, par 3 8th. He was playing
with Jay Morse, Don Edwards and Mac McClain.