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From the pages of The Ponca City News, Wednesday, August 12, 1998 LOCAL DEATHS NEWS BRIEFS LIFESTYLES SPORTS LOCAL‘Conservation Ethic’ Thriving in Kay Co. ‘Conservation Ethic’ Thriving in Kay Co.NEWKIRK — Kay County farmers and land owners are clearly part of a national trend toward using their property wisely, says district conservationist Dick Zetterberg. A few years of abnormally wet weather have produced a series of erosion problems lately across the county that never required consideration previously, Zetterberg said. But land owners are responding well on their own, he said. “Conservation is never ending, and problems change,” Zetterberg said. “In this county, going back to the Fifties, they started building terraces (until they had) an infrastructure on the farmland with millions of feet of terraces. “Now we’re looking at problems on these floodlands, on these bottomlands that scour. When you have a year of heavy rain, like we had in the last two to three years, new problems occur. “A lot of this land was never terraced because it was fairly flat, fairly level; they farmed it for years with no problems. “Well, when you get a series of big rains, it changes, and that causes a ditch or a problem to start. And once those start, they don’t fix themselves, they just start to get worse,” Zetterberg said. He said land owners lately have been approaching the Kay County Conservation District interested in working on problems that hadn’t occurred for years. “Sometimes if you go through a dry spell, if you don’t have these big rains, you can get by with a lot. Then during a series of these years which are abnormally wet, it tells a tale.” Now Zetterberg says he’s pleased to see farmers taking the initiative to use no-till methods in planting their crops, to rebuild their old terraces and to clear out their waterways and keep them maintained. “A farmer has to make a living off the land and everybody’s faced with decisions,” he said, explaining that conservation, by definition, is the wise use of the land. “‘Wise use’ is saying, let’s use it in a way so we can sustain that use indefinitely.” He thinks the producers in Kay County seem to be making good choices, especially since most of their decisions can be very complicated. “They’ve got to know a lot about everything,” he said, adding that the balance between erosion control and a profitable crop can be tricky. “I see a lot of no-till farming going on, which is just the milo and soybeans directly into wheat stubble, so basically no erosion occurs on that no-till,” Zetterberg said. “(No-till) keeps the soil covered at all times instead of having bare ground out there exposed to the impact of wind or, mainly here, it’s the force of the rain. “It pretty well eliminates that because that soil is tied down,” he said. “But there’s a balancing act they get into because there are other issues such as pest problems and so forth. They’ve got to balance between having a productive crop and controlling the erosion. It so happens that on these no-till summer crops, that seems to be working pretty well. “It shows they’re willing to try these things,” he said of the farmers. Natural Erosion-Control Project Proving StableNEWKIRK — Conservation methods that once might have been considered peculiar have proven successful lately, such as for a project with the Oklahoma Conservation Commission to stabilize eroding creekbanks northeast of Newkirk. After a few days of repositioning tree trunks, relandscaping creek bluffs and planting quick-growing vegetation last year, the Kay County Conservation District and the Natural Resources Conservation Service used nature’s own devices to solve a problem on Chilocco Creek that threatened a historic barn and fence. First the vertical bluffs that developed on the creek bend from years of flowing water were trimmed back with a trackhoe. The trackhoe was used to slope the banks far enough for vegetation to take root. Then the group positioned and bolstered uprooted tree trunks, with their root wads pointed upstream, along the base of the creek bank on the outside curve of the bend. The tree trunks, OCC engineer Russ Dutnell explained, were transplanted to meet the onrushing water and dissipate the water’s energy, causing eddies that would deposit silt in spots where the current formerly washed it downstream. In this fashion, the erosion is stopped and the creek banks are rebuilt. Quick-growing willow tree cuttings, which grow to establish a good, fibrous root system, were planted along the banks. And Bermuda sod, with cooperation from the weather, helped stabilize the upper banks with a good root system. Estimates were that an alternate method using riprap to stop the erosion would have cost some $90,000. Buffer Strips Fighting Cropland Erosion Near StreamsBefore and After ALTHOUGH ERODED cliffs (below) are picturesque along Bluff Creek in northwestern Kay County, the area was a headache to farmers who could watch their rows of planted wheat (right) quickly erode away into the creek during rainstorms. Technician Steve Cink and conservationist Dick Zetterberg of the NRCS stand in the same area (left), where vegetation instead has been allowed to grow along the fringe this year to stabilize the bluff. The farmers simply plant farther away from the edge. Kay-9 Flea Dip SetKay-9 Dog Training Club of Ponca City Inc. will be holding a flea bath and dip for dogs on Sunday, Aug. 16, at Pioneer Motor Bank from 1 to 4 p.m. for $5 each dog. The dip was donated by Farmers Ranch Drive Co-Op. In order to protect the dog as much as possible during the bath and dip, cotton is placed in each ear and eye drops are put in the eyes. The dogs are first shampooed and rinsed and then dipped. The shampooing procedure thoroughly wets the dog’s coat and this allows the dip solution to penetrate to the skin and offers the dog more protection against fleas and ticks. These sessions are a fund-raiser for the Kay-9 Dog Training Club, plus they provide the public with an inexpensive aid in protecting their dogs from the discomfort and possible illnesses associated with fleas and ticks. Kay-9 Dog Training Club meets at 7 p.m. the first Thursday of each month at the Ponca City Library. The public is welcome to attend. For more information, call 762-9053 or 762-7360. New Face, New Equipment For Conservation DistrictNEWKIRK — It’s been a summer of some changes at the Kay County Conservation District office. Elaine Wiehle of Ponca City was hired to join Lonnie Stone as a district secretary for the office, located across from the county courthouse in Newkirk. Wiehle is filling a vacancy left by the retiring Beverly Collyer. With a bachelor of science degree in communications from the University of Tulsa, Wiehle has been tabbed to help the district with its award-winning newsletter, among many other duties. Another handy addition to the district is a new CrustBuster grader blade, designed to help local farmers rebuild their terraces. The new blade, obtained from a Blackwell dealer, requires at least a 130 horsepower tractor. Gerell Oestmann of the district said a list is already growing of producers waiting to try out the new equipment. Area CalendarJuly 13-August 28 Ponca City Humane Society Pet Photo Contest, $5 entry fee, photos will not be returned, $100 savings bond grand prize, submit entries to Ponca City Humane Society, 900 West Prospect Avenue. August 12-13-14-15 101 Wild West Rodeo, 101 Rodeo Arena, North Ash Street at West Prospect Avenue. August 15 Pancake and Sausage Feed, 7-11 a.m., Masonic Lodge No. 83, 1200 West Grand Avenue, Ponca City, adults $3, children under 12 $1.50, proceeds to building operations. 101 Wild West Rodeo Parade, 10 a.m., Downtown, Ponca City. August 16 Flea Bath and Dip for Dogs, 2-4 p.m., Pioneer Motor Bank, sponsored by Kay-9 Dog Training Club of Ponca City Inc., dip provided by Farmers Ranch Drive Co-Op. Janice Graham Autographing her novel Firebird, 2-4 p.m., Brace Books and More, 2205 North Fourteenth Street, Ponca City. August 17 Multiple Sclerosis Support Group, 6:30 p.m., Albright United Methodist Church, 128 South Palm Street, Ponca City, call Beth Wright 765-6738 for additional information. Ponca City Ostomy Association, 7 p.m., Stillwater Medical Center Board Room, program Bob and Marcia Baumel, “Review of UOA National Conference.” August 18 Mutual Respect and Community Attitude Committee for Ponca City Tomorrow, 11:30 a.m., lower level of Commercial Federal Building, public invited, more information 767-0823 or 765-3873. Kaw Lake Association Board Meeting, noon, Golden Corral, North Fourteenth Street and Bradley Avenue, Ponca City. Pioneer Water Garden Society, 7 p.m., Cann Gardens, East Grand Avenue at Fourteenth Street, Ponca City. August 20 Hospice of Ponca City Grief Support Group, 10 a.m., First Presbyterian Church, Blackwell. August 27 Mary R. Bundred sharing 101 Educational Travel Tips for Families in Travel Wise With Kids, 2-3 p.m., Brace Books and More, 2205 North Fourteenth Street, Ponca City. August 28 “Nunsense,” musical comedy, 8 p.m., Blackwell High School Auditorium, tickets 767-1312. August 29 Mary Anne Potter, Recipe sampling and Cookbook signing, 2-4 p.m., Brace Books and More, 2205 North Fourteenth Street, Ponca City. August 30 “Nunsense,” musical comedy, 2 p.m., Blackwell High School Auditorium, tickets 767-1312. August 30-31-September 1 88.7 FM and area churches present “Heaven’s Gates and Hell’s Flames,” a dramatized real life presentation, 7 p.m., Hutchins Auditorium, admission free, for more information, 767-1400. September 3 Kay-9 Dog Training Club of Ponca City Inc. meeting, 7 p.m., Ponca City Library. September 7 Pioneer Christian Crusaders Motorcycle Association, 6 p.m., Conestoga at I-35 and U.S. 60 west of Tonkawa, more information 765-3164. September 8 Economic Development Advisory Board, 7:30 a.m., Chamber of Commerce, 420 East Grand Avenue. Ponca City Library Board, 11:30 a.m., Library Board Room, 515 East Grand Avenue. McCord Volunteer Fire Department, 7 p.m., McCord School Library. Osage Cove Volunteer Fire Department, 7 p.m., Fire Station, Keeler Road and U.S. 60. Rural Water District No. 1 Regular Board Meeting, 7:30 p.m., Enterprise School on Lake Road. September 9 Rural Water District No. 3 (Braden) Board of Directors, 7 p.m., Braden Community Center. September 11-12 The Land of Country Antique and Craft Festival, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Hutchins Memorial Building, North Seventh Street and Overbrook Avenue, Ponca City, admission $2 donation, lunch both days from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., $5. September 12 Heritage Day, Cultural Center Grounds, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Falderal String Band free concert, 1:15 p.m., Second Concert after dinner, 6:30 p.m., Kaw City Community Center, after dinner speaker, Dr. Danny Goble, “The Rest of Oklahoma’s Story,” sponsored by Friends of the Cultural Center Museum Foundation Inc., North Central Historical Association, Pioneer Genealogy Society, Kaw City Museum, Kaw City Chamber of Commerce, admission charged. “Nunsense,” musical comedy, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Pond Creek High School, tickets 767-1312. September 13 “Nunsense,” musical comedy, 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Pond Creek High School, tickets 767-1312. September 15 Kaw Lake Association Board Meeting, 6 p.m., Oklahoma Jubilee, Shidler. Pioneer Water Garden Society, 7 p.m., Cann Gardens, East Grand Avenue at Fourteenth Street. Lake Road Run Targets Domestic ViolenceFirst-Annual Scurry Fund-Raiser Considered Huge Success for Local Agency The Domestic Violence Program of North Central Oklahoma recently held its first Lake Road Scurry Run. The Lake Road Scurry Run was a five-kilometer run/walk around Lake Ponca to benefit the Domestic Violence Program and was sponsored by the Soroptimist Club. Sam Stalcup, Ponca City resident, led the way and beat out a field of approximately 100 runners and walkers. Participants came from Tulsa, Norman, Alva, Elk City and other areas to compete in the event, according to Penny Surber, office manager of the Domestic Violence Program. “We wanted about 100 people and consider the event a huge success. We anticipate it to be an annual fund raiser for the shelter,” noted Surber. The Domestic Violence Program is a nonprofit safe house that serves women and children fleeing abusive situations. The Program serves victims in five counties and the shelter receives its income from the Department of Mental Health, United Way, and from donations and fund raisers. For more information concerning the Domestic Violence Program, call 580-762-2873. Chuck Wagon at 101 Ranch SaturdayKenneth Goodeagle, 84, is a 101 Ranch Old Timer who was a cowboy and performer on bucking broncs with the 101 Ranch Wild West Show from 1929-1931. He also worked for Pawnee Bill and his wild west show. He said in 1931 he helped Pawnee Bill raise money for Zack Miller to return home with the 101 Ranch Show after it went broke in Washington, D.C. Paul Littlevoice was one of the Native American Dancers. The 101 Ranch Old Timers Chuck Wagon Dinner has been held at the 101 Ranch site on Oklahoma 156, between Ponca City and Marland, since 1996, and will be served at 5:30 p.m. Saturday. The public may attend, but must pay $5 for the meal. This year the western entertainment will be “The Rest Home Boys,” men from Stroud and Bristow, who have been providing entertainment at rest homes in their area. For the first time, the 101 Ranch, Oklahoma, and American flags that have flown this past year, over this 101 Ranch Oklahoma State Historical Site, and National Historic Landmark, will be auctioned off at the Chuck Wagon. An official Certificate of Authentication from the 101 Ranch Old Timers will be given with the flags. Kaw Nation JOM Will Assist StudentsThe Kaw Nation Johnson O’Malley Program will be assisting eligible Indian students with educational support items (school supplies and gym shoes) for the 1998-99 school year. Eligibility requirements are that students must attend school at the Newkirk, Kildare, Kaw City or Peckham Schools, must be an enrolled member of a federally recognized tribe, and must be eligible for the free/reduced lunch program. The JOM Program will issue JOM vouchers on Aug. 12 to eligible students at the Kaw Nation Bingo in Newkirk from 1 to 4 p.m. or you may pick up the voucher at the Kaw Nation Administrative offices in Kaw City. You may contact the Kaw Nation JOM Department at 269-2552 for an application or for more information. 101 Ranch Old Timers Reunion Marking 30th Year This AugustThe 101 Ranch Old Timer Reunion was organized for Old Timers who worked on the Miller Brothers 101 Ranch, their Wild West Show, or lived on the ranch. They meet, talk about old times, and do what they can to keep the memory of the 101 Ranch alive. Each year there are some that come to the reunion for the first time, and others who return after a long period of time. Many are local and many from all over the United States. Johnny Brown, 97, of Perry, is expected to attend the unveiling of the cornerstone of Bill Pickett on Grand Avenue in Ponca City, and the Reunion. He knew Bill Pickett well, and has many stories to tell. Several members of the Miller Family are expected to attend: Joe C. Miller Jr. of Ponca City; several of his nieces and nephews: Elizabeth Harth Wyman, Rogers, Ark.; Virginia Harth Richards, Fort Worth, Texas, daughters of Alice Miller Harth; Marilyn Miller Harris, Rogers, Ark., daughter of George Miller, Jim Miller, Calidonia, Mich.; Joseph Miller, Alexandria, Ky., sons of William Joseph Miller, and their mother Joyce Miller of Michigan. In 1968 the 101 Ranch Old Timers met in Ponca City for the first time and organized. Mike Sokoll of Ponca City became president soon afterwards and remained until his death at age 96, the day of the August 1991 Old Timers Reunion. Sokoll worked on the ranch and was a roper with the wild west show between the years 1909-1915. Sam Hill of Ponca City became president in 1991 and served until his death in January 1996 at age 81. He had worked on the ranch riding fence, and in the wild west show as a bronc rider from 1929-1931. He used to say he would work at anything, as long as it was on the back of a horse. Jean Evans of Marland was appointed by Sam to take his place. Her father, Jack Webb, was a sharp shooter and trick roper for the Miller Brothers for years after the 101 Ranch Wild West Show went back on the road in 1925. The 101 Ranch Old Timers organization has owned the 101 Ranch Headquarters land since 1996. It is an Oklahoma Historical Site and a National Historic Landmark. They opened three acres of the site as a picnic area and maintain this site, as well as Cowboy Hill, themselves. Sheriff Marion VanHoesen, the late Undersheriff Sid Cookerly, and new Undersheriff Craig Countryman have been very helpful by letting men from the County Detention Center help the Old Timer members clean the ranch site, as well as set up the picnic tables in 1996, and the three new 26 foot steel flag poles in 1997. They also help clean the area for the Chuck Wagon Dinner each August. The 101 Ranch Old Timers and 101 Ranch Old Timer Auxiliary are $15 yearly. More information can be obtained from secretary/treasurer Linda Rennie, 14476 E. U.S. 60, Burbank, Okla., 74633. Cornerstone Will Honor PickettA cornerstone to honor Bill Pickett will be unveiled at 9 a.m. Saturday at the intersection of Third Street and East Grand Avenue. Ponca City Mayor Tom Leonard will do the honors, with the help of 101 Ranch Old Timer officers, in honor of Pickett, a 101 Ranch cowboy, who is credited with inventing bull-dogging. Bill Pickett’s great-grandson, Frank Phillips from Maryland, and great-granddaughter, Belle Gomez from California, will attend the unveiling with other family members. They will be Grand Marshals of the 101 Wild West Rodeo Parade at 10 a.m. on Grand Avenue. They are members of the 101 Ranch Old Timers and will attend the reunion at the Fourth Street Conoco Clubhouse at 1 p.m. They will also visit Bill Pickett’s grave on Monument Hill at 5 p.m. before attending the Chuck Wagon at the 101 Ranch site. At 8 p.m. they will be honored guests at the 101 Wild West Rodeo. Lu Vason, from Denver, Colo., who is over the Bill Pickett International Rodeo, is also expected to attend. This marker was made possible by donations from friends who actually knew Bill Pickett, and those who felt that this dedicated cowboy for the 101 Ranch from 1905-1932 should be honored. Any excess money from donors for the cornerstone will be used on the 101 Ranch Old Timers, Phase II, Monument Hill project. Monument Hill, on Oklahoma 156, “The 101 Ranch Memorial Highway,” just north of Marland, is owned by a non-profit organization which has expressed a desire to donate this 12 acres to the 101 Ranch Old Timers organization, also incorporated and a non-profit organization. This will allow the Old Timers to proceed with their plans to build a parking area off Oklahoma 156, a walkway up the hill and a fenced area to protect White Eagle Monument, Bill Pickett’s grave and others buried there. The White Eagle Monument is an ancient Indian Trail Marker. The Miller Brothers restored it in 1927, put a White Eagle on top, and dedicated it to White Eagle who was Chief of the Ponca. Chief White Eagle is buried in the Native American Cemetery, and not at the monument. Midday Power Outage TuesdaySeveral hundred residents experienced a short power outage late Tuesday morning. The outage, which affected both residential and commercial customers in an area south of Central Avenue between First Street and Fourteenth Street, was due to a failure in the capacitor bank in the substation. Power restored outage occurred at 11:25 a.m. and was restored to the area within 30 minutes. Bible Study Series Beginning TonightBeginning today, First United Pentecostal Church, 1921 East Hartford, will host the Bible study series entitled “Search for Truth.” This 10-week series is a comprehensive overview of the Bible beginning in Genesis with the Creation and ending in Revelation with the end times. Pastor Rick Hughes believes the series will be a great way to gain vast understanding of the scriptures in just 10 short weeks. He urges anyone interested in learning more about the Bible and its teachings to join the church family at First Pentecostal for this series. The Wednesday Bible Studies will begin at 7 p.m. each week. Certificates will be presented to those who attend all 10 sessions. For more information, contact Pastor Hughes at 767-1482. Ponca Playhouse Auditioning for Season OpenerPonca Playhouse will be auditioning for it’s season opener, “Moon Over Buffalo,” on Aug. 26-27 at Playhouse rehearsal hall, 301 South First. The auditions for the fact-paced comedy will begin at 7 p.m. both days. The play was written by Ken Ludwig, author of the crowd-pleasing comedy “Lend Me A Tenor.” Nancy Vunovich, PhD will direct the production with assistant director Christina Rich-Splawn. Rehearsals will begin on Aug. 28. The cast covers a wide age range for its quirky characters. George and Charlotte Hays are a middle-aged pair of touring actors, somewhat on the skids of their careers. Ethel, the oldest woman in the cast is Charlotte’s irascible, hard of hearing mother. Rosalind is the Hays’ lovely and level-headed daughter. Her current love interest is Howard, a TV weatherman. Her past love is Paul, a member of the Hays touring company. Eileen, another cast member, is a former paramour of George, and Richard Maynard is the Hays’ theatrical lawyer who longs to take Charlotte away from her somewhat seedy life on the road. Perusal copies of “Moon Over Buffalo” are available at the Ponca Playhouse office. Interested persons may check out a script by calling the Playhouse office at (580) 765-5360 between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Production dates are Sept. 25, 26, and Oct. 2-3 at 8 p.m. and a matinee on Sunday, Sept. 27. All performances will be held at the Poncan Theatre. Rodeo Starts Early With Slack RoundsBy BOB PATTERSON News City Editor The thrills of the 101 Wild West Rodeo will become official tonight, the first night of the four-night run of the performances at the 101 Ranch arena at the intersection of North Ash Street and West Prospect Avenue. But there were some thrills and good times at the slack performances Tuesday night that also included the full event of steer roping. And it proved to be good stock from newly-acquired rodeo producer, Dell Hall and his Rafter H Rodeo Company, to get things off big for the 1998 performances. The Grand Entry for each night, tonight through Saturday, begins at 8 p.m., following a 7:30 p.m. Stick Horse Grand Entry. The first 101 youngsters to the rodeo each night will receive a stick horse to ride in their grand entry. But Tuesday night, into the first couple of hours Wednesday (today), a total of 55 entries went through their paces in the steer roping event — twice! And there was slack beginning at 4 p.m. in calf roping, steer wrestling, team roping and barrel racing. Almost all of those performers in slack, will be back some time during the rodeo over the next four nights, in an effort to claim actual titles in each event. Take for instance, the girls barrel racing. Setting a standard for the rest of the week were three out-of-staters, led by Toni Cummings of Pleasant Hill, Mo., who reined the clover-leaf pattern in 17.79. That was followed by Tammy Ramsey of Abbyville, Kan., in 18.00 and Deb Garrison of Derby, Kan., in 18.05. The steer wrestling got off to a really quick start with no less than eight between 4.0 and 4.7. That’s pretty quick, but considering where some of those steer wrestlers are from, it isn’t surprising. Hailed by many as “the steer wrestling capitol of Oklahoma,” the efforts of Spud Duvall, Checotah, at 4.0 and Dusty Duvall, also Checotah, 4.2 put their marks at the top of the list. Then there were others, including Shawn Johnson, also Checotah, 4.3 followed by Rodney Burk, Benton, Ark., with 4.5. Next is Jeff Babek of Granite, Okla., at 4.6 and three including Ponca City’s Stockton Graves, at 4.7. The other two at 4.7 are Mark Owen of Oolagah and Jeff Johnston, Thedford, Neb. Tops so far in the first go-round of calf roping is Bill Huber, Albia, Iowa, at 9.2 followed by Wichita’s Kevin Loyd at 9.4. Then comes Bill Hutto of Cleveland, Texas, at 10.0 and Larry Snyder, Medicine Lodge, Kan., 10.2. Graves of Ponca City at 10.6 joins Delee Peterson, Bartlesville, to fill out the top five positions of the first go-round. A pair of nationally-known team ropers Charles Pogue of Ringling and Britt Bockius, Claremore, did the double-catch in 5.6 and that’s just four-tenths of a second faster than Joel Maker of Tahlequah and Nick Rowland of Antlers, who had a 6.0 to nip the Llano, Texas team of Tee Woolman and Tyler Magness at 6.2. That is followed by a pair of Kansans, Larry Snyder of Medicine Lodge and Mike Garten of Harper, at 6.3. Ace Bowman of Pawhuska used his first go-round lead of 9.7 to go with a 12.0, that put him in first of the steer ropers at 21.7. That was just split-seconds faster than the two catches of 1997 World Steer Roping Champion Guy Allen of Lovington, N.M. Allen had a combined 22.3 off his first go of 10.7 (third) and an 11.6 in the second go. Best in the second go-round of steer ropers was Pake McEntire of Pittsburg, Okla., with a 9.0 which bumped Bowman’s arena tying 9.7 from the record books. Information Services Director Resigns From Post With CityBy PATTI PFEIFFER News Staff Writer City Information Services Director Rick Meyers has announced his resignation effective Jan. 1. The news came as City Manager Gary Martin announced that applications have been received for two other top management positions, both recently vacated. Earlier this month Personnel Director Jana Howell and City Planner Larry Lawhon resigned their positions to accept positions in other cities. Meyers, however says he is staying in Ponca City. “Ever since my college days I have wanted to own and operate my own business and recently I had the opportunity to purchase a business here in Ponca City,” Meyers said. “I am excited about the opportunity but saddened about leaving a team of professionals such as those here in Ponca City. “Several years ago the city built a team of department heads that can accomplish anything, handle any situation and support one another. When I go to other municipalities I see what we have here is truly unique and I will miss working with those professionals.” Further, Meyers said that he gave such a lengthy notice because it will take several months for the new information services director to adequately prepare for their new responsibilities. Two Precincts Change Locations For Primary VoteVoters in two Kay County polling precincts will get a change of scenery, starting with the Aug. 25 primary election. Election board secretary Carol Stafford said the polling place for precinct 406 in Braman has been changed to the new Town Hall on Braman’s Main Street. Voters formerly went to the Braman High School gymnasium. In Ponca City, precinct 533 voters who formerly voted at Trout Elementary School will now vote at St. Luke’s Church of the Nazarene at 1715 East Prospect. In the Aug. 25 primary, Republicans in Kay County’s District Three will decide between incumbent county commissioner Rex Purdy of Tonkawa and challenger Glenn Terrell of Blackwell. Republicans also will decide which of two challengers, Daniel McWilliams of Lamont or David Myers of Ponca City, will face incumbent State. Sen. Paul Muegge of Tonkawa on the November ballot. Nearly NewsA group of Ponca Citians were pictured on national television recently. Announcers discussed the colorful group during the Aug. 7 airing of the DC United-Dallas Burn soccer game. Three Ponca City Mid High students wore painted letters on their backs and 2-year-old Landon Bliss was painted with an exclamation mark. Wearing an “E” was Dru Hudnall, “S” was Austin Bliss, “P” was Colby Payne and “N” was Kyle Nelson. Both of the Bliss boys are former residents of Ponca City, now residing with their family in Houston, Texas. They wore “DC rules” on their chest. Ponca City’s ties with the former members of the No. 6 British Flight Training School Ponca City Association remain strong. A reunion of the group, who trained and worked here in Ponca City during the World War II era, will be held in Cambridge/Duxford England Oct. 9-11th. Lillian Taylor of Ponca City is the president and will be attending. The latest Tails Up! newsletter of the organization features some adventures in Ponca City by Rick Brown, editor. Mentioned in particular were Truman and Margot Smith, Jim Holt, Coggie Cogman, Bill Haynes, Bert Sims, Jack Barrington, his daughter Sarah Westerheide and Lillian and Harold Taylor. The 1998 Ponca City High School yearbooks are ready and will be distributed Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the High School. Students are asked to use doors of the south entrance to the Howell Building. EDAB Gets Efforts ReportBy LOUISE ABERCROMBIE News Business Editor A new small start-up aviation related company has been established at the Ponca City Municipal Airport. The new firm is Kokendoffer Enterprises Inc. which specializes in retro fitting of airplanes. The firm does conversions such as fitting crop dusting planes to turbine jet engines, according to Jan Jarrett, executive director of Ponca City Economic Development. Jarrett praised the airport personnel for working with the firm at the Tuesday meeting of the Economic Development Advisory Board (ADAB), chaired by Linda Brown. New Industries Carl Renfro, chairman of the New Industries Committee told that a $250,000 grant will be coming forth from Gov. Frank Keating’s portion of the new capital bond issue approved by the last legislative session for a speculative building for Ponca City. Renfro said this came about through the efforts of Rep. Jim Newport. Other grant monies, according to Renfro will be coming for the Attucks School refurbishing project and a welcome center for Standing Bear Memorial Park. Renfro said a concentrated effort has been made to market available buildings in town including the office space and research and development at Conoco. He reviewed the efforts including hosting Department of Commerce officials, OSU representatives, Gov. Frank Keating and his cabinet, and Senator Don Nickles as recently as Monday. Renfro brought up the point that Nickles should be recognized because this is his hometown and because new companies like to be close to political power. Nickles is currently Assistant Senate Majority Leader. It was suggested this information be placed on EDAB’s web page. Plans to host a technology and a entrepreneur seminar in Ponca City are being discussed, according to Renfro. Potential new industries coming to town, was reported on by Jarrett, who told that activity is “good.” He told of meeting with a state-based company that is also a start-up company that is involved with producing products for home improvement. Also mentioned in passing were another firm in the building arena that is looking to locate in Kay County. Jarrett revealed he and Gerald Hall, regional representative of the Department of Commerce, had been working with another firm in the building product arena that is looking to locate in Blackwell. Other firms making inquiries included one not for profit firm and a technology based firm looking to relocate here from Kansas. No Action Taken Although there was only one item of action on the agenda no vote was taken because a quorum was not present by the time the matter was under consideration. The item was adoption of the Program Objectives for 1998-99, as discussed in the recent retreat. Chairman Linda Brown had presented a reorganization chart, placing three members of the nine member board on one of three divisions, marketing, new industry and existing business. Tim Burg and Karen Furman will head up marketing, which will include communication and Internet, impact study, Industrial Park and Darr Development, retail expansion and signage. Renfro, Larry Atteberry and L.J. Chaufty will work with new industry, which is comprised of Conoco space, new prospect team, speculative building and venture capital. George Ferguson, David Mills and George Paczkowski will head up existing business and that division will include child care, housing, local industrial council and work force survey. Brown said the citizens serving on the committees will continue to be involved and given the opportunity to take the lead on some of the projects. Gary Martin, City Manager, said that there needs to be some division to do “job tracking,” to see that the industries that are eligible for the Quality Jobs Act and the local incentives are meeting the requirements. It was agreed that Jarrett and Martin would come up with a solution. Apparently this matter was not nailed down in some of the contractual agreements with the new firms, so policy needs to be developed. A suggestion had been made by member David Mills that Jarrett be given some additional staff with time devoted to economic development. Martin pointed out that industry comes three ways, from local contact, through the Department of Commerce or through a consultant. Sykes came from the Department of Commerce and Thorn Apple from a consultant that was paid $180,000. Martin and also Commissioner Dick Stone, made the point that an additional staff person devoted to economic development probably wasn’t feasible. Jarrett, who is the CEO for both economic development and the Chamber of Commerce, said the work load could be handled in office, but activities of both economic development and Chamber did stretch the secretarial staff. It was also noted that Jarrett will be concentrating on industries that employ small numbers of employees, as the present work force would not support a large company, unless the company moves in its own employees. Passive or Aggressive A concern of Chairman Brown’s was “Are we getting to where we need to be?” Another concern was when should EDAB move from a passive marketing stance to an aggressive stance? She talked about time lines and closure. Renfro said he felt that the board had not been passive, but had been working strongly with Department of Commerce and work has been done to get the infrastructure ready for more industry. Asked to comment, Hall of DOC, gave this advise “From my perspective the advisory board has been very aggressive preparing but not necessarily aggressive marketing to potential targeted companies.” PTC OKs Five New ContractsBy KRISTI HAYES News Education Editor Five new employment contracts for the 1998-99 school year were approved last night during the regular board meeting at Pioneer Technology Center. Contracts accepted were Ken Kliewer, student services director; Katy Bond and Shawna Beck, both instructors at the Child Care Lab; and Celestine Hardiman and Terri Jamison, both Job Coaches. Resignations accepted were Doris Perry, Lisa Odom and Paul Little. The Financial Report was accepted with $223,431.10 collected for the month in the sinking fund. A new medical insurance fund has been added with $47,613 deposited into the account. A total of $1,329,245.48 was invested in the general fund and $223,472.61 in the sinking fund. PTC’s school activity fund had a beginning balance of $6,508.44 and $1,877.31 was deposited. All short-term and temporary contracts were approved. Dr. Sally Downey, superintendent of PTC, reported that school starts on Aug. 17 and the next regular board meeting was scheduled for Sept. 8. New Fire Truck DistinguishableBy PATTI PFEIFFER News Staff Writer Ponca City has yet another new fire truck and this one definitely has several certain distinguishing features. First it is an Airport Rescue Fire Truck, to be used mainly in fighting airport-related fires. Its appearance is different, to say the least, with “monster truck” tires, the strange looking truck resembles something out a science fiction magazine or maybe a rover used to travel over the craters of the moon. Then there is the color of the fire truck. It is not the “fire engine red” that one would expect, but rather an eye-opening, attention-grabbing cross between a lime green and neon yellow. But most importantly to the local taxpayer is the “deal” that the city got on the purchase of the truck. Although the total price tag was $300,000 only $30,000 in local tax dollars were spent on the fire truck due to a federal grant. “It is definitely a bargain for the price we paid for it and is a good way to leverage tax dollars,” City Manager Gary Martin said. “It has so many purposes and can be used to fight many different types of fires and requires only one person to operate it.” The truck is equipped like no other in the fire truck fleet. It has three sets of nozzles — with one capable of releasing up to 750 gallons per minute — and sprinklers located underneath the truck itself. “The truck is designed for quick two to three minute fire fighting efforts where you go in, knock down the fire and get out,” Lt. Sid Wilson explained. “The sprinklers allow you to actually drive on top of a fire and spray it with water from beneath the truck.” Both the firefighters and the new truck are ready for action. The firemen have been trained on the new piece of equipment which will be housed at the No. 2 fire station near the airport. “I wouldn’t be afraid to drive this truck into anything — at least for a little while,” Wilson said. Chemists Meet Here SaturdayThe 43rd Annual Oklahoma Pentasectional Meeting of the American Chemical Society will be held at the Marland Estate and Conference Center from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Saturday. It is a gathering of chemists from throughout Oklahoma and southern Kansas who will listen to papers and exchange ideas. The keynote speaker is Dr. Robert Dorsch, the Director of Biotechnology Development, DuPont. The title of his presentation is “A Random Walk Through Life Sciences.” He will discuss the connection between chemistry and biology as it relates to food, plastics, and pharmaceuticals. The Oklahoma Chemist of the Year will also be recognized. This year’s recipient is Dr. Roger E. Frech of the University of Oklahoma. Dr. Frech is an OU Presidential Professor, and the author of 120 publications. His outstanding mentoring has earned him and his students numerous academic awards. His field of study is fast ion conductors. Materials with these properties are applied in a wide range of technological applications including high energy density batteries, fuel cells, sensors, and “smart” windows. After the presentation of the award at the luncheon, a symposium on Material Science will be held in his honor. Changing ‘Direct Deposit’ Easy With Right AnswersBy Ron Janzen District Manager You’ve heard about “direct deposit” — having your Social Security check deposited directly to your bank or other financial institution where you have an account. It’s safe, secure and convenient. And maybe you’re considering signing up. But how do you decide which bank, credit union or savings and loan to use? They’re all easy to get to and have friendly tellers. They all have checking accounts and savings accounts and all the other things we expect from our financial institutions. So where should you go to sign up for direct deposit? Where you put your money is our decision. You need to get all the information you can about the financial institutions that you’re considering — such as the cost to open and maintain an account, interest rates or the location and convenience of branch offices and ATM’s. Note whatever features are important to you. But remember, after you sign up for direct deposit you can change your bank. Maybe you moved, found a better interest rate or you got a better deal. Whatever the reason, you can change your direct deposit account to a different bank, credit union or savings and loan. Using direct deposit doesn’t stop you from making a change. If you decide to change accounts, you should wait until after you receive your benefit payment in the new account to close the old account. The best way to change your account is to visit the new bank, credit union or savings and loan you’ve selected. You can explain that you want to open an account and use direct deposit to receive your benefit. They’ll complete all the forms and send the information to Social Security. Or, after you’ve opened your new account, you can call Social Security toll-free, 1-800-772-1213, and change your direct deposit information by phone. If you call us, you need to have your new account number handy when you call. You can find the account number on your new personal checks or account statement. Two NOC Leaders Attend Inaugural Class of AcademyEDMOND — Two Northern Oklahoma College administrators were among 26 state higher education leaders chosen to participate in the inaugural class of the Oklahoma Educators’ Leadership Academy, based at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond. NOC officials included Dr. Joe Kinzer, president; and Dr. Roger Stacy, vice president for academic affairs. This year’s inaugural class featured three sessions: the Academy for Public School Educators, held June 15-19 at UCO; the Academy for Vo-Tech Administrators, held July 13-17 at Roman Nose State Park; and the Higher Education Academy, held July 20-24 at UCO. At the academy, leaders from colleges, universities, school districts and vo-tech schools explored the latest concepts in leadership, including systemic thinking, visioning, empowerment, ethics, servant leadership and more. The academy was the first of its kind in the nation, said spokesperson Margaret Ann Hoenig. The academy staff consisted of Dr. Leo Presley, program director; Hoenig, program coordinator; and Charlie Hollar, chairman and academy founder. “Our university administrators need exposure to the same caliber of executive development as their corporate peers,” said Hollar. “This program has the potential to transform our schools by transforming their leaders.” In addition to Hollar, a 16-member governing board and six advisory boards invested time and resources in the development of the academy. Some Washington, Union Students Are Affected by Two Street ProjectsThe permanent East Hartford Avenue school crossing will not be open at the beginning of school to students due to the reconstruction of Hartford Avenue. The map shows the recommended route for students walking to Washington School from North of Hartford during the reconstruction. A temporary crossing will be established at Seventh and Hartford. A crossing guard will be stationed at Seventh and Hartford to assist students crossing Hartford. Union Street Construction Presently Union Street is closed from Prospect Avenue to the center of Meadowbrook Village Trailer Park’s driveway. Construction on Phase I of the Union Street project will be continuing on this section for approximately four to six weeks. Access to the school from Prospect Avenue is only available on Westbury Road or Lansbrook Avenue. Traffic traveling south to Hartford Avenue will not be impacted during this phase of construction. Students walking to school from Hartford Avenue to Lonnie Avenue are asked to walk on the west side of Union Street. A crossing guard will be posted near the south school drive to assist students as they cross Union Street. Students walking from Prospect Avenue to the Union School are asked to walk on the east side of Union Street. Phase II During Phase II of the construction project, Union Street will be closed from the end of Phase I to just south of Lonnie Avenue. The north driveway into the school, Lonnie Avenue and Westbury Road will be closed. All traffic must enter and exit from the school’s south drive. During this phase of construction there will be no access to the school from Prospect Avenue, Lansbrook Road or Westbury Road. Students walking to school from Westbury Road north to Lonnie Avenue are asked to walk on the west side of Union Street. A crossing guard will be posted near the south school drive to assist pedestrians across Union Street. Students walking from Prospect Avenue to Union School are asked to walk on east side of Union Street. Construction of Phase II will present the greatest need for caution by the students. For this reason the Oklahoma Department of Transportation and Evans and Associates Construction Co. ask that you use extreme caution in driving and walking through the construction area. Parents are asked to remind their children to cross streets only in the designated areas and to stay behind the safety fences which will be erected for this phase of construction. Two Medical Oncologists Join Oklahoma City StaffOKLAHOMA CITY — Medical oncologists L. Michael Bowen, MD, and Ralph G. Ganick, MD have joined the Oklahoma City staff of Cancer Care Associates’ new Lake Hefner campus, 11100 Hefner Pointe Drive. Both physicians have moved their practices from another Oklahoma City oncology group. Dr. Ganick is a consulting physician on the tumor board at Northern Oklahoma Cancer Center in Ponca City. He also consults for Shawnee Medical Center, Ardmore Memorial Hospital, Southern Plains Medical Center, and Grady Memorial Hospital in Chickasha. He received his AB and MD degrees from Boston University, graduating cum laude. He completed an internship, medical residency and hematology fellowship at University Hospital in Boston. Clinical instructor in hematology and oncology at the University of Oklahoma Medical School for the past 18 years. Dr. Bowen received both his BS and MD degrees from the University of South Carolina, and completed internship, residency and hematology/oncology fellowship at Louisiana State University Medical Center in Shreveport. He is board certified in internal medicine, hematology and medical oncology. Cancer Care Associates, a private practice founded in 1972, is a statewide network of 26 board-certified physicians who are specially trained in adult medical oncology, radiation oncology and hematology. Cancer Care has three fully staffed locations in Oklahoma City, four in Tulsa, and in Stillwater and Norman, as well as full-time clinics in Bartlesville, Duncan, Enid and Shawnee. Construction Projects Will Not Delay Start of SchoolBy KRISTI HAYES News Education Editor Back to school. How exhausting, frustrating and challenging. From classroom to classroom, teacher to teacher, and the saga of construction work, it’s a kaleidoscope of emotions for both students and their parents. Amidst the student outcry and parental outrage, not to mention rumors circulating around town, school will begin on schedule on Aug. 19. The Property Committee of the Ponca City Board of Education met last week with construction companies to put to rest rumors that school would be delayed until after Labor Day. Dave Timberlake of Timberlake Construction Company, Inc. and his project director, Mark Lippert, told the committee that the company was committed to having the renovations at the elementary schools done by the 19th. He indicated that the progress has been delayed for two reasons. “Since any type of construction is in the ‘boom’ cycle, (1) skilled labor is at a premium, especially in certain trades, and there is difficulty in getting those skilled craftsmen in the planned sequence for other trades to follow and (2) there are delays in the receiving of needed materials such as doors, electric lights and panels, transformers and other materials that are needed to keep the construction schedule on target.” The elementary schools are currently 82 percent complete with final inspections in many classrooms. Carpet is being laid at Liberty today and it will be laid at Woodlands and Trout at the end of the week. The improvements on the vehicular traffic problems at the local elementary schools is about 60 percent complete. Woodlands is completed except for striping, Liberty is ready to install paving, and Trout is ready to install new curbs, then paving. Dave Lambert of Lambert Construction Company, working on the Commons Addition and Howell Building Remodel, also talked with the committee. He indicated that his company had the same problems with the construction “boom” economy and he had his project director Stephen Mitchell gave an update to the high school construction project. Po-Hi, however, will be ready for school on Aug. 19. Because of the delay in receiving the needed “millwork” (cabinets, shelves, built-in furniture) required for the administrative center and the media centers, the library/media center has been rescheduled to be moved the last week of August or the first part of September. Also, six rooms on the second floor of the Howell Building that are currently used for the offices and the media center will have to be converted into classrooms after school and on weekends. The Commons Addition is scheduled to be completed at the end of December. The Howell Building is currently 65 percent complete with the Commons Addition at 23 percent. Both Timberlake and Lambert Construction are using seven day work weeks, and some are working 12 hours per day. The track/field renovation is some two weeks behind schedule but Evans and Associates have indicated that the 18th of September is still possible, pending weather delays and the time needed before the application of the track surface. The Middle School restroom/concession stand is in progress. There is some difficulty in obtaining masonry workers, but it is still possible to be completed by the end of August. Most of the construction projects will not be 100 percent complete by the beginning of school. However, contractors will work after school and on weekends until the work is finished so that the work will not interfere in the school time. Assistant Superintendent of Ponca City Schools Joe Surber said, “The Property Committee has been assured by both Timberlake and Lambert Construction that schools will be open on time on Aug. 19. Everything we want done before school starts will be done.” Volunteen Recognition Luncheon Held at SJRMC“Thanks for the Smooth Sailing” was the theme for the annual Volunteen Recognition Luncheon at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center Aug. 7. The teens have donated a combined total of over 1,200 hours at the medical center this summer and several of the teens have worked over 100 individual hours, according to Kathy Turner, SJRMC Volunteer Services Coordinator. Volunteens earn a patch for the first hours of service, a pin for 50 hours of service and a bar for each additional 50 hours of service. Garry England, President and CEO of SJRMC, thanked both the volunteens and volunteers for the work they do at the medical center. England encouraged the teens who are interested in pursuing a career in the medical field to not overlook positions such as nurse practitioners and physician assistants. Teens recognized on Friday were: April Allen, Clara Bowen, Daniell Bridges, Jennifer Brown, Caroline Buck, Kate Connelly, Karalyn Eyster, Leslie Fowler, Desiree Franseen, Nicole Hardy, Mallory Hodge, Sara James, Mika Kruck, Leslie Layton, Rachel Maxon, Mary Metger, Erin Morris, Ashley Seirer, Katy Sikes, Carol Stangeland, Whitney Talbot, Laura Todd, Reona Walling, Chris Wells and Shari Winters. The volunteen program is for youth between the ages of 14-18 years and the interviews are held each year in May. Interested teens can contact their school counselor or call the Volunteer Services Offices 765-0508, in the spring. Emergency Sirens To Sound ThursdayThe testing of the Ponca City emergency siren warning system will be held at noon, every Thursday, according to Tom Montgomery, emergency management operations officer. The test is scheduled throughout the year. Montgomery said that in case of inclement weather, the test will be postponed, and in this case or if additional tests are planned, the public will be notified by the Ponca City News and the radio stations. Local Band ‘Zen Okies’ Headline Next at Soccer Fundraiser Busy Summer PONCA CITY’S Zen Okies seem to be having a highly visible year, including their next appearance — a soccer team fundraiser at Jack Blevins Park on West Prospect from 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. Saturday. For those who have wondered the individual identities of the foursome, the Zen Okies are (from left) drummer Steve Fields, who serves as the lead singer; guitarist Jim Suter and bassist Steve Keen, and Bill Denison, who does all the harmonica and extra percussion work. All four members contribute vocals. Look for a compact disc release of the group’s original material to be released within the next few months. (News Photos by Mark Galvin) DEATHSLaura Belle Greer Laura Belle GreerFAIRFAX — Laura Belle Greer, former Shidler resident, died Monday evening, Aug. 10, 1998, in Amarillo, Texas. She was 87. The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at the Hunsaker-Wooten Funeral Home chapel in Fairfax with the Rev. George Weston, pastor of Fairfax First Christian Church, officiating. Burial will follow in the Fairfax Cemetery. Laura Belle (Stark) Greer was born Oct. 2, 1910, in Hartshorne, Mo., the daughter of Rudy and Mary Jane (Daniel) Stark. She grew up and received her education in Hartshorne. The family moved to Oklahoma in the mid-1920s. On June 8, 1927, she married Claude O. Greer and the couple made their first home in the Shidler area. In 1949, they moved to Dumas, Texas. Mrs. Greer moved to Stroud in 1989, then to Amarillo, Texas, in 1994. She was a homemaker and a member of the Dumas First Christian Church. Survivors include a son, Harold E. Greer of Dumas; one daughter, June Greer Rhoten of Fritch, Texas; two grandsons; and four great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1986; one son, Clyde O. Greer; and her parents. Bill HintonBill “Blowout” Hinton, lifelong Ponca City resident, died Monday evening, Aug. 10, 1998, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. He was 72. The funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 14, at the Trout Funeral Home chapel with the Rev. Denny Hook, pastor of First United Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery. Friends may visit at the funeral home until 9 a.m. Friday. No viewing will be held at the service. Bill Hinton was born July 2, 1926 in Ponca City to Dwight Spencer and Mary Elizabeth (Johnson) Hinton. He grew up and graduated from high school in Ponca City, then attended Northern Oklahoma College and Oklahoma State University. In 1944, he enlisted the U.S. Army Air Corps and served as a fighter plane tailgunner with the Occupation Forces in Germany. On Dec. 27, 1947, he married Jacqueline Jean Wilson in Ponca City. Hinton was involved in the tire sale and service business for several years and later worked for Mertz Inc., retiring in 1993. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church; a lifetime charter member of the Elks Lodge; and was a previous member of the AMBUCS, where he had served as president. He enjoyed watching sports, especially football. He is survived by his wife, Jacqueline, of the home; a daughter, Jean Weingart of Ponca City; four sons, Steve, Glenn, and Craig Hinton, all of Ponca City, and Bill Hinton of Oklahoma City; and six grandchildren. His parents preceded him in death. Casket bearers will be Don Lawson, Bob Brookshire, Bob Whiting, Tom Overton, Tom Drain and Ken Miles. Honorary bearers will be Kenneth “Red” Coatney, Bob Braden, Don Mertz and Carl Balcer. Memorial contributions may be made to the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, 825 N.E. Thirteenth Street, Oklahoma City, OK 74104. The family will be at 1501 East Oklahoma. ObituariesBilly H. GileBilly H. Gile went home to be with the Lord Jesus Christ on Aug. 10, 1998, in Arkansas City, Kan. He was 68. A memorial service is set for 2 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 13, at Grace Tabernacle of Praise Church in Ponca City, with pastor Tim Burnsworth officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel, Ponca City. Bill was born on Sept. 18, 1929, to Frank and Blenn Gile in South Haven, Kan. On Aug. 13, 1949, he joined in marriage with Betty Jean Meeker. He was employed by the city of Ponca City for more than 30 years. Surviving are his wife, Betty, of the home; two daughters, Kim and husband, Tom Beckham of Denver, Colo., and Tammy and husband David Klusmeyer of Houston, Texas; and two grandchildren, Jeromy and wife Jodi Schneider of Ponca City, and Stacy Klusmeyer of Houston, Texas; and one sister, Jean Kathy of Tonkawa. He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers and two sisters. His prayer was for everyone to know the Lord as he had come to know him. “I shall not die, but live and declare the works of the Lord.” ( Psalms 118:17). In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in his name to Grace Tabernacle of Praise, P.O. Box 1744, Ponca City, OK 74602. paid obituary Services PendingMyrtle F. WittmerMyrtle Florence (Dingus) Wittmer, Ponca City resident, died early Wednesday morning, Aug. 12, 1998, at her home. She was 84. Survivors include her husband Paul, of the home. Memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Wittmer’s name to Hospice of Ponca City, 1904 North Union, Suite 103, Ponca City, OK 74601. Other arrangements will be announced later by Trout Funeral Home. FuneralsThursdayVelma Louise Shaffer — Funeral at 10 a.m. at the First united Methodist Church in Seiling. Burial will be in the Orion Cemetery, northeast of Chester, under the direction of Redinger Funeral Home, Seiling.Wilmer Dean DelayFuneral at 10 a.m. at First church of the Nazarene in Blackwell. Burial will be in the Liberal (Kan.) Cemetery under the direction of Roberts Funeral Home, Blackwell. George W. LoganFuneral at 10 a.m. at Garber (Okla.) United Methodist Church. Burial will be in the Garber Cemetery under the direction of Sisson Funeral Home, Garber. FridayDonald Gene WintersFuneral to be at 11 a.m. at Robert J. Sheehy Funeral Home in Orland Park, Ill. Burial will be in Willow Hills Cemetery in Willow Springs, Ill. Friends may visit at the Trout Funeral Home from 6 to 8 p.m. today and from 2 to 9 p.m. Thursday. NEWS BRIEFSKildare Yard Sale — The town of Kildare is holding a city-wide yard sale Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The public is invited. Democrats to Meet — Kay County Democrats will meet 7 p.m., Thursday at the OCAW Hall, 1202 West Ponca Avenue. All Democrats are invited to the program, “Campaign Numbers” and a brief business meeting. For more information contact Chairman Andrea Morriss at (580) 765-6260. 1948 Class — Members of the planning committee for the Class of 1948 reunion will meet at 1:30 p.m. Aug. 17 at the programming room in the Ponca City Library. For more information call Barbara, 765-5929. Pancakes, Sausage — A Pancake and Sausage Feed will be held 7-11 a.m. Saturday at the Masonic Lodge, 1200 West Grand. Tickets are $3 for adults and $1.50 for children under 12. The public is invited and proceeds will go toward building operations. Legion Dinner, Installation — The American Legion will host a family dinner at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Huff-Minor American Legion Post 14, 407 West South Avenue. Installation of new officers will follow the dinner with a regular meeting after the installation. Grandson of Ponca Citians in Marines — Marine LCpl Damon D. Fairchild, grandson of Mr. and Mrs. George Garton and Mr. and Mrs. Jim Fairchild, all of Ponca City, is currently in training to become an officer candidate in the U.S. Marines. He later trained at Camp Gieger, N.C. where he was bitten by a brown recluse spider and spent a week in the hospital and another two weeks on medical leave. Following his graduations with honors from Geiger, he went to supply school at Camp Johnson, and was later stationed with the 2nd Force Recon at Camp Lejuene. He was involved in a multi-national amphibious/land assault training exercise for 3 weeks in the Netherlands, and is currently in training to become an officer. He and his wife Constance have a daughter Cheyenne. Marine Cpl. Saltarelli Trains in Hawaii — Marine Cpl. Timmy J. Saltarelli, son of Linda L. Saltarelli of 800 North Peachtree, recently completed sustainment training in Hawaii while en route to a six-month deployment to the Western Pacific Ocean, Indian Ocean and Arabian Gulf with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), embarked aboard the ships of the USS Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG). The three-day training exercise tested all areas of amphibious warfare. Saltarelli’s unit is an expeditionary intervention force with the ability to rapidly organize for combat operations in virtually any environment. The 1995 graduate of Ponca City High School joined the Marine Corps in June 1995. Fire — At 8:07 a.m. Tuesday a fire in the 2400 block of Robin Road was reported. Fire units responded and determined it was a ceiling fan that was shorting out. Stolen Vehicle — At 8:28 a.m. Tuesday a man in the 1900 block of North Fourth Street reported the theft of his vehicle. An officer was assigned and it was determined to be a repossession. Bench Theft — At 9:57 a.m. Tuesday it was reported that a park bench was stolen from the front of the city building in the 500 block of East Grand Avenue. A report was taken. Apple Theft — A man in the 2500 block of Robin Road called police at 10:03 a.m. Tuesday advising that apples had been stolen off his tree. An officer was assigned. Arrest — Police arrested a 20-year-old man at 4:07 p.m. Tuesday at the police station on 25 counts of destruction of private property. Arrest — A 19-year-old man was arrested from First Street and Grand Avenue at 4:17 p.m. Tuesday for driving under suspension and improper right turn. Accident — A two-vehicle, non-injury accident at First Street and Grand Avenue was reported to police at 4:53 p.m. Tuesday. Extra Patrol — At 5:22 p.m. Tuesday extra police patrol was requested in the 200 block of Lansbrook Road due to people driving through the detour and speeding. Truck Stuck — At 6:38 p.m. Tuesday police were notified of a semi-tractor trailer truck that was stuck under an overpass north of the city on U.S. 77. The Highway Patrol and Sheriff’s departments were notified. Injury Accident — One person was taken by ambulance to St. Joseph Regional Medical Center at 6:48 p.m. Tuesday after sustaining injuries in a two-vehicle accident east of Ponca City on U.S. 60. Stolen Checks — At 7:12 p.m. Tuesday a man in the 1600 block of Shirlee Avenue advised police of some stolen checks. An officer was assigned and a report was taken. Accident — An accident at Prentice Road and Prospect Avenue was reported to police at 8:35 p.m. Tuesday. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol was notified. Arrest — Police arrested an 18-year-old man at 8:59 p.m. Tuesday from Hartford Avenue and Union Street for no insurance and speeding. Arrest — A 40-year-old man was arrested at 11:10 p.m. Tuesday from the 100 block of South Fourth Street for driving under the influence and no seat belt. Broken Window — At 11:38 p.m. Tuesday a police officer discovered a broken window at the Animal Control office, 2501 East Central Avenue. A report was taken. Arrest — Police arrested an 18-year-old man at 11:45 p.m. Tuesday from the 3500 block of North Union Street for domestic assault and battery. Arrest — A 22-year-old man was arrested at 4:47 a.m. Wednesday from the 400 block of South Lincoln for drug paraphernalia and public intoxication. LIFESTYLESJewell McFarlin Will Celebrate 90th Birthday Jewell McFarlin Will Celebrate 90th BirthdayA reception in honor of Jewell McFarlin’s 90th birthday will be held on Aug. 15 at the First Church of God, 1101 West Grand. Friends are invited to attend the event. The honoree was born Aug. 17, 1908 in Bolivar, Mo., a daughter of Asa and Ethel Hayden and came to Ponca City with her parents and family in 1919. She graduated from Ponca City High School and attended Northern Oklahoma Junior College. On Dec. 23, 1925 she married Earl McFarlin, who was employed by the Marland Oil Company, which is now Conoco. The couple had two children. Mr. McFarlin died in 1953. Jewell was employed by the Ponca City School System as an Educational Secretary at Lincoln School And West Junior High School, retiring in 1974. She returned to work in October 1974 in the office at Frohlich’s Style Shop, which later became Lady Charles. She retired from there in 1986. Jewell states that the most important things in her life are “her family and her church.” She swims laps at the YMCA four or five days a week, enjoys the computer and has E-mail friends from numerous places. In addition to the church, she belongs to the TOPS Club and the Retired Educational Secretaries. Hosting the reception will be her family: daughters, Joan Riggs of Ponca City and Donna Patrick of California, grandchildren, Steve and Gerre Riggs of Edmond, Stan and Kea of Roswell, N.M., Douglas Patrick of Los Angeles, Calif., Debra Patrick of Denton, Texas and three great-grandchildren: Crista Riggs, Sara Riggs and Reagan Riggs. Betty Thrash To Bring Love Quilts To PCCWCPonca City Christian Women’s Club members invite all area women to share a “Sew and Tell” experience at the monthly luncheon on Aug. 19 at the Ponca City Country Club. Cost of the luncheon is $8.50. Reservations for the event and complementary childcare may be made by calling 762-2151 or 765-9835. It is necessary for reservations to be honored, cancelled, or used by a friend. “Some ways to share our love and comfort with others” will be the special feature when Betty Thrash brings “Love Quilts”, made by the women of Ponca City, to the luncheon tables. Mrs. Thrash organized a community-wide project to make “Love Quilts “ for the children of Ponca City, providing love and comfort where needed. Thrash is the mother of two and grandmother of four, and has found an outlet for her need to reach out to others through these small expressions of care and concern, she said. As a cancer survivor she knows firsthand how much any expression of kindness makes the “unbearable times in life become more bearable.” Originally from Georgia and “transplanted” to Ponca City more than 35 years ago, Thrash feels like she qualifies as an Okie, and has felt fortunate to have her children grow up and be educated here. She will have several quilts with her so everyone can handle them to pass their love on to the recipients. Other than quilting, Thrash writes and creates inspirational cards for the shut-in and terminally ill, volunteers to help wherever needed in her church, and is a member of the local quilt guild. Gale Clark from Nardin will provide “Musical Patterns” as the special music during the luncheon. Charlene Spears from Bartlesville, guest speaker, will weave “Threads of Wisdom from the tapestry of her life.” Mrs. Spears, with her husband Charles, has owned and operated a Travel Service in Bartlesville for 40 years. She was reared in Arkansas and Oklahoma and has traveled the world extensively. The speaker has four children and five grandchildren. Little NewsJeff and Julie Kallman of Austin, Texas announce the birth of a daughter at 7:13 p.m. Aug. 1, 1998. Kelsey Ann Kallman weighed 8-pounds, 14-ounces and measured 20 3/4-inches long. Kelsey has a brother, Shane, 18-months-old. Maternal grandparents are John and Judy Friess of Ponca City and paternal grandparents are Glen Kallman of Round Rock, Texas and Mrs. Sidney Maxwell of Marshal, Texas. Bits & Pieces55 and Older Members of the Fifty-Five and Older Club will meet for a salad and dessert luncheon Aug. 13 at noon at 700 West Broadway. Cards will be played 12:30-4 p.m. each Tuesday and Thursday at that location. Guests are welcome. Pancake Feed A Pancake and Sausage Feed will be held 7 - 11 a.m. Aug. 15 at the Masonic Lodge, 1200 West Grand. Tickets are $3 for adults and $1.50 for children under 12. The public is invited and proceeds will go toward building operations. Publicity GuideThe Ponca City News Publicity Guide is available, free of charge, to area publicity chairmen to help them obtain the best possible publicity for their organization. The guide offers story suggestions, deadlines, and other necessary information about submissions to the Lifestyles section. Interested persons may pick up a guide at the Lifestyles desk at the News. This guide will be helpful for all clubs and organizations wanting information published in The News. SPORTSSmallish Sailfish Sets Mark Smallish Sailfish Sets MarkBy MATTHEW KOENIG News Sports Writer Though she’s barely five feet tall and weighs less than a hundred pounds, Maria Hester is making a big splash in Oklahoma swimming. The 11-year old Ponca City swimmer stamped her name in the history book, Saturday, erasing an 18-year old Oklahoma age-group record in the 50 meter breaststroke by .05 seconds, boiling through the water in 36.78. That swim was also good for a fourth place finish in the Central Zone Championships in Quincy, Ill. Hester also posted a Region 8 qualifying time and a fifth place finish in the 200 breaststroke in Quincy. Hester is the youngest athlete in Ponca City swimming history to qualify for Region 8, a national qualifying meet. Junior and Senior Nationals, which draw the best swimmers in the world, are the only events outside the Olympics with more prestige. Such accomplishments mark the highly personable sixth grader as not only one of the top swimmers in Oklahoma, but in the country, as well. “There are four zones, nationally,” says Hester’s coach, Dave Strah. “A fourth place finish at Central Zones puts her in the top 16 in the country in that race, more or less.” Ponca City has had its share of outstanding swimmers over the years. Strah owned a state record for many years in the 200 freestyle, as did his wife, Simone (then Smith). Melonie Woods was an All-American high schooler in the late 80’s, while Beth Pointer dominated several events in the late 70’s. So while Strah is understandably hesitant about calling Hester — who started swimming just 3 1/2 years ago — the best swimmer in Ponca City history, he’s definitely animated and emphatic when it comes to discussing her accomplishments thus far. “It’s hard to compare swimmers now and in the past,” he says. “But she’s definitely one of four or five who have really excelled at it in Ponca. And she’s done it at an early age, so in that respect, she probably is a little better. She’s going to be really fun to watch.” With fractions of time left to shave in several other events, Hester will likely swim more than just the 200 breaststroke at the Region 8 meet, to be held in March in Carbondale, Ill. Like most national meets, or the Olympics, Region 8 has no age group qualifications. Therefore, the diminutive Hester could find herself competing against girls with seven years and a foot of growth on her. Strah says that won’t faze his prized swimmer. “Maria doesn’t care who’s in the lane next to her. She gets up for races and she has fun; she’s going to try to beat everyone to the wall, every time. “Maria just excels in whatever she does, she’s very focused on what she’s doing and doesn’t like to be second, in anything. I always tell these kids swimming is like a bank — no deposit, no return. And Maria has really put a lot into it.” Strah also notes that genetics have played a part in Hester’s success. Her mother, Helen, was a stand-out swimmer for the Wildcats and later in college. Her cousin is a swimmer at Arizona State, and missed the Olympic trials in 1996 by scant hundredths of a second. To the aquatic wunderkind herself, however, it’s a simple matter of effort, combined with a good measure of independence. “I just like to work hard,” she says, smiling. “I like swimming because it’s all you — you don’t have anyone else to blame and you have to rely on yourself.” In an odd bit of synchronisity, the two Central Zone medals draped around Hester’s neck are done in the Sailfish team colors — green and gold. Maybe it’s coincidence. Then again, it’s almost as if they were destined for this emerging young swimmer who has come out of nowhere to claim a lane of her own. YMCA Looking For CoachesThe YMCA is now accepting applications for volunteer football coaches for all levels of play. Coaches are needed to help youths in first through seventh grades. The Y has a complete training and certification program, complete with liability insurance, and supply all necessary equipment. A YMCA volunteer coach typically holds two practices per week and coaches games on Saturday morning for a nine-week (six games) season. The sixth and seventh grade program will begin on Aug. 18. The program for first through fifth grade will begin the first week of September. Anyone interested in becoming a YMCA football coach should contact Bill Kenney, YMCA Program Director (765-5417).
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