From The Pages Of The Ponca City News, Wednesday, September 18, 1996

LOCAL
Young Athletes Urged To Care for Eyes
Needlecrafter Creates Afghan for Fund-Raiser
Area Girl Scouts Preparing For Fall Fund-Raising Effort
'Angels' Wins Writer's Digest First Prize
'Octette Bridge Club' Sisters Make Their Bid
Strickland Interns in D.C.
'Marty Party' in Area Saturday
Emergency Sirens To Sound Thursday
Fall Rummage Sale This Week
House District 37 Newport Wins GOP Runoff
Students Join Constitution Signing
Nearly News
Square Dance Lessons Oct. 6 At Kaw City
Piper Cub 50th Anniversary Includes Fly-In Here Thursday
Law Enforcement Appreciation Dinner Set at First Baptist Church
Advisory Board Reviews Two P&R Reports
Water, Wastewater Divisions Are Moved
Uniformity Issue On P&R Agenda
United Way Update Bridgeway Provides Crossing For Men to Obtain Better Lives
Letters Say:
Editor, The News.
District Court

AREA CALENDAR

NEWS BRIEFS

DEATHS
Raetta Chavez
E. Lazarus Moore
Antoine Roy
Funerals
Doris Ann Herrera

FAMILY LIVING
Police Department and Kid's Review Honored for 'Family Friendly' Policies
McGaha Family Hosts Reunion
County Fair Names Best of Show
Lutheran League Launches Annual World Relief Drive

SPORTS
Walls, Springs Talk Dallas Football
Tough QB Adjusting To 6A Ball
Jr. High Sports
Waterfowl Stamp Is Now Available
Hunters Need Early Courses
Waterfowl Numbers Up


LOCAL

Young Athletes Urged To Care for Eyes

School is back in session, which means that football, basketball, volleyball and other organized sports will soon be an important aspect of many daily schedules. For the benefit of young athletes, the Oklahoma Optometric Association encourages parents and coaches to be aware of children's eye care needs on the courts and fields this season. Healthy eyesight can make the difference in a child's safety and athletic performance.
Sports Vision is an area of eye health gaining increased recognition and interest. With Atlanta, Ga., hosting the summer Olympic games, and New Orleans, La., being the location of the 30th AAU Junior Olympic Games, Doctors of Optometry have had exceptional opportunity to evaluate children and young adults in athletics, and how their vision effects their athletic performance.
The findings from this recent research strongly supports the need for visual exams and the need for athletes to wear corrective eye equipment while in competition.
According to the American Optometric Association, of the athletes tested at the Junior Olympics, 27.6 percent showed visual symptoms that affected their athletic performance. A surprising 37.5 percent of the athletes screened had never had their eyes examined by an eye care professional.
With the results of current research, optometrists are more able to help educate their own communities so children can be prepared for safe athletic seasons.
"Often, children do not like to wear corrective lenses while playing sports because they get in the way, are uncomfortable, or block their peripheral vision," explained Daniel Bintz, OD, president of the Oklahoma Optometric Association. "But, just as good vision is important in the classroom to see the chalkboard or read, a child with a seeing impairment needs to wear corrective lenses, goggles, contacts or some form of corrective eyewear equipment in order to be able to see while playing sports."
According to Dr. Bintz, this is imperative for the child's safety, the safety of others playing the sport, and for the enhancement of the child's athletic performance.
Today, with a new emphasis on sports vision, there are more eyewear options and designs available than ever before for athletes in many sports performance categories. Sport specific frames are lighter weight, have adjustable temples and bridges, lenses are lighter plastic, and construction is designed with special features made for the demands of specific sports. When purchasing, it is important to make sure that sports glasses and goggles have polycarbonate lenses as they are the most thin, light, and safe plastic available.
Wearing sports-specific goggles also allows an athlete the freedom to play more aggressively without the worry that their glasses may fly off and/or get broken. Dress eyewear, especially metal frames, can cut an athlete's face if hit by a ball or another player.
"Sport-specific eye equipment is excellent for serious high school, college, and adult athletes," noted Dr. Bintz. "It is highly specialized. But, if an athlete must wear their dress eyewear during sports, beginning athletes and young children can follow some simple guidelines to help them improve their eye safety."
Young children playing sports should always be encouraged to wear a head strap to hold glasses in place. If contact lenses are an option, they are often preferable for sports. Disposable contact lenses allow the athlete to replace a lost or torn lens immediately.
The most common sports injuries to the eye occur when frames break or lenses fall out and cut the face and when blunt trauma occurs to the eye area by a ball or fist.
If a child receives an eye injury or gets something in their eye while playing sports, have it checked immediately by an eye doctor. Dirt, grass, and gravel are abrasive and can scratch, tear or embed themselves in eye tissue. Without proper removal, the damage to the eye can be extensive.
If a child is hit in the eye by a ball, bat or comes in contact with another child, apply cold compresses immediately to immunize swelling then have the eyes checked by an eye doctor.
"An eye doctor should be seen right away as traumas to the eyes can cause corneal abrasions, retinal detachment, and blood leaking inside the eye if a blood vessel bursts,' emphasized Bintz.
The most important thing to avoid if an eye has been injured, is rubbing. Rubbing can cause further damage to the eye, making the healing time much longer.
Whether a young child playing sports for fun, a serious athlete, or an adult involved in sports to stay fit, remember that your eye health and its safety is an important aspect of your overall health and your ability to play sports.
For more information about sports and vision safety, call the Oklahoma Optometric Association, 405-524-1075 or your local optometrist.

Needlecrafter Creates Afghan for Fund-Raiser

By KATHY ZEHR
News Staff Writer
Jim Willison has done it again! One of Ponca City's men needlecrafters, Willison has a respected reputation for creating unusual and beautiful afghans from a small photograph or drawing. He has lived up to his reputation once again by creating a special Newkirk Tiger afghan for the Newkirk Band Boosters organization for a fund raiser.
The large afghan was created with a dark Colonial blue background featuring a very realistic tiger at its center. The tiger is created with more than 10 shades of yarn.
Linnae Colson, president of the Newkirk Band Boosters parents support group, said she read about Willison's talents in an earlier story in the Ponca City News and decided to contact him about making an afghan depicting the school mascot - a tiger- for a fund raiser.
Willison, who had hip surgery in the spring, said it didn't take him long to design and finish the afghan while he was confined and recuperating.
Colson said the band raises its own funds for a special trip for band members every four years and for official trips to the Tri-State Band Festival at Enid, the Arkalala at Arkansas City, and the Alva Homecoming Parade planned this year.
She also said the Boosters were very proud of the Newkirk band since its trip to State in 1995 for the first time in 25 years had resulted in a superior rating in concert band.m
Tickets for the drawing for the afghan are available at $1 each from any Newkirk band student and will also be sold at all football games. The drawing for the afghan will be held at the home football game (with Tonkawa) on Oct. 4.

Area Girl Scouts Preparing For Fall Fund-Raising Effort

"Bluestem Girl Scout Council is going nuts during this year's Fall Product Sale," says Lori Lowe, communications director.
From Sept. 27 through Oct. 13, Girl Scouts will be taking orders in their communities for a variety of nut products provided by the Azar Nut Company. The nuts will be delivered in mid-November.
The six kinds of nuts being sold this year include Peanut Crunch, Butter Toffee Peanuts, Roasted and Salted Cashews, Spicy Party Mix, Gorp Mix and a collectible Panda Bear tin filled with Deluxe Mixed Nuts. The prices range from $4 to $10.
During the annual sale, girls also will be selling the traditional Girl Scout wall and pocket calendars for $2 each. The 1997 calendar features poetry written by Girl Scouts across the nation.
This is the first of two girl-generated fund raisers for Bluestem Girl Scout Council. The annual Girl Scout Cookie Sale will take place after the first of the year. By providing girls in the Brownie, Junior, Cadette and Senior Girl Scout program levels the opportunity to participate in the Fall Product Sale they are learning many valuable experiences, say leaders.
Girls earn money to support troop programs while learning business practices like planning, goal setting, record keeping, responsibility, sales and manners. The sale helps build their self confidence and decision making skills, say leaders.
Troops receive 50 cents per item sold and an additional 35 cents per item sold is distributed to girls and troops through incentives and gift certificates. The money is used for troop tips and activities, program events, uniform components, as well as patches earned throughout the year.
Bluestem Girl Scout Council uses its profits to subsidize day and resident camp programs, program events, council-wide activities; leader/adult training and for operation of Camp Wah Shah She and other council properties.
For more infuriation about the Girl Scout Fall Product Sale call the Kay County Girl Scout Headquarters at 405-762-9616.

'Angels' Wins Writer's Digest First Prize

"Angels in Disguise," a true story about an Osage County girl and her dog, just won first prize for Life Stories in Writer's Digest 1995 National Self-Publishing Awards.
On June 22, 1993, Lou Dean Jacobs was rescued from a lifethreatening situation by her dog. Jacobs was pinned for hours beneath a 500-pound ATV and Jake, a German short-haired pointer, ran down the mountain, grabbed a ranch hand by the pants leg and led him back to the accident.
CBS "This Morning" took cameras and crew to the Utah horse ranch where Jacobs now lives. The dramatic rescue saga spread across the nation in newspapers and major magazines. Jacobs, a 20-year free-lance writer with more than 50 articles in print, decided to write an article about the rescue.
"As I worked on the story it kept pulling me home, back to Ponca City and another very special dog. I had no idea my book would get this much national attention. It seems to be striking a cord with animal lovers everywhere."
In December 1995, two months after the release of the book, it was picked up by Literary Guild and Doubleday book clubs. From December to April, the book clubs sold some 7,600 copies. An excerpt from the book will appear in an upcoming issue of Guideposts magazine, circulation 4 million.
"Angels in Disguise," is a coming of age story set in rural Oklahoma (near Ponca City) in the 1950s. The story begins when an unwanted pup provides 5-year old Lou Dean with love and stability in a setting of instability. As one reviewer put it, "If you've ever loved an animal this is a must read."
Lou Dean is returning to Ponca City in November as part of a national publicity tour and will be available for autographing her books.
"Angels in Disguise," is also available in trade paperback for $7.95 at bookstores across the country.

'Octette Bridge Club' Sisters Make Their Bid

In these days one can't watch TV or read the paper and not hear about "family values" of some kind. Starting Sept. 27, Ponca Playhouse presents a version of "family values" when P.J. Barry's play "The Octette Bridge Club" takes the Poncan Theatre stage.
"Octette" differs from many of the Playhouse's shows in that it features eight female roles, none of which are supporting. The play tells the story of eight Irish Catholic sisters and their lives centering around their monthly bridge games.
Director Clayton Karkosh has assembled a diverse cast to play the sisters, all bringing their own experiences and skills to the show.
Marjorie Crozier returns to the stage after a seven-year hiatus to play the eldest sister, "Martha." Martha is widowed and enjoys being the matriarch of the clan. In her first show Marjorie played a reclusive bag lady. In this show Marjorie gets to exercise her interactive skills.
Linda Shindler makes her acting debut in "Octette" playing "Mary," the sole unmarried sister. Coming from a large family, Linda had an interest in the show based on her relationship with her own sisters.
Crystal Layton plays "Nora," the peacemaker of the family, who is happily married and reasonably sane. A music teacher and veteran of Windfield's Horsefeathers and Applesauce's troupe, Crystal comes from a big family.
Kris DeYoe plays "Connie," the cutup of the sisters, a part easy for her to play. She enjoys the dramatic effects in the show which help her explore unfamiliar areas. Kris is making her Playhouse debut after moving here from Blackwell and doing shows there.
Larri Ann Halbrook plays "Alice", the sister everyone knows of - the gossip. "Alice" also has the problem of sleeping in separate beds from her husband. This is Larri's first major role after years of being in the chorus.
Marta Maril portrays "Ann" in her first major role in the Playhouse. Marta is a teacher and Horsefeathers and Applesauce veteran. Ann's husband seems to be taken with the Knights of Columbus and the "sauce" more than the household.
Marlys Cervantes plays "Lil," the bubbly sister. Marlys is enjoying creating her character in this character-driven show and makes time to attend college at the same time. A Playhouse veteran, Marlys savors the juicy role and the theme of the sisters' unity and individuality.
Rounding out the sisters is Angel Norris as "Betsy," one of the two sisters dealing with a husband's infidelity. Betsy also has to contend with mental illness, a subject many would rather ignore or brush under the carpet.
Together these ladies are bonding as actresses and a family of sorts to express the play's view of common people - characters the audience could easily identify with. Reviewers have praised the show for its issue oriented perspective and subtle ways.
The cast invites all to their card game beginning Sept. 27 and ending Oct. 5. Even bring your sisters. Tickets are available at the Playhouse office by calling 765-5360.

Strickland Interns in D.C.

WASHINGTON - Ponca City native John Strickland recently completed a six-week internship in U.S. Sen. Don Nickles' Washington, D.C. office.
Strickland, 25, is the son of Ann Strickland and a 1987 graduate of Ponca City High School. He is currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in biology with a minor in physics at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond.
"We were delighted to have John working with us in Washington this summer," Nickles said. "His hard work and dedication were of great benefit to my staff and me."
During Strickland's tenure on Capitol Hill, he researched legislative issues for Nickles and his staff, helped respond to constituent requests and witnessed first hand the inner workings of Congress and its relationship to other branches of government.

'Marty Party' in Area Saturday

MCA National Recording Artist Marty Stuart will bring his "Marty Party" to Norm's Country Saturday.
The title of Stuart's new MCA album, "Honky Tonkin's What I Do Best", doesn't tell half the story. What Marty Stuart does best is bring together all kinds of moving music - honky tonk, hillbilly, rock, traditional country, progressive country - in a way that brings out the best of all styles.
"Honky Tonkin's What I Do Best" was inspired by Stuart's album, "The Marty Party Hit Pack." "The Hit Pack summed up my music to that point," he explained. "But it wasn't a stopping point, it was just a halfway point. I wanted to keep evolving, go deeper, get bigger, get better."
Stuart went looking for magic to bring to the album - in songs, in places, in co-workers, in people he talked to. Then in the week before he started recording, the magic found him. He had bought some items that belonged to Hank Williams Sr., and Williams' original manuscript of "Cold Cold Heart" was discovered among them. Then he flew to California to perform with Bonnie Raitt at NAMM, the musical instrument makers' trade show. "That same night, I got to meet John Lee Hooker. I bumped into Johnny Cash on the plane and he asked me to play on his album with Tom Petty, which I did later that week. I flew back to play the Opry on Saturday night. On Sunday morning I went to a black church and that afternoon I picked with Earl Scruggs and Grandpa Jones. The next day I started this record. All these blessings came in one week, all these 'Go' signs."
Marty Stuart grew up partly in Mississippi and the rest on the road. He was only 13 when his mandolin-playing landed him a job in Lester Flatt's bluegrass band. After Flatt's death in 1979, he played with fiddler Vassar Clements and acoustic guitar great Doc Watson before beginning a six-year stint as guitarist with country legend Johnny Cash.
"The Marty Party Hit Pack," released in 1995, was a combination greatest hits package and sampler of the many sides of Stuart's talent. It spawned a highly successful series of "Marty-Party" specials on The Nashville Network. "I get to call up my friends and pay them to come play with me," Stuart said. "It's like TNN gave me a box of crayons and a budget and said. 'Go have fun.'"
"Honky Tonkin's What I Do Best" presents Marty Stuart at his natural best, making good music, no matter what time or place it comes from. "It's just about being fearless and having fun," he said. "It's like somebody said to me: You sounded like you grew up, but you got over it."

Emergency Sirens To Sound Thursday

The 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.

Fall Rummage Sale This Week

The annual Fall Rummage Sale, conducted by the Episcopal Church Women of Grace Episcopal Church will be held in the parish hall Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. until noon.
The parish hall is located on Thirteenth Street at East Grand Avenue, with plenty of parking available in the parking lot directly across the street on the west side of Thirteenth.
A spokesperson from the ECW tells The News they have all sorts of items again this year, including housewares, clothing of all shapes and sizes, books galore, toys, shoes (even a pair of brand new ice skates), small appliances, jewelry and knick knacks of all sorts.
The public is invited to stop by the parish hall and shop to the "heart's content."

House District 37 Newport Wins GOP Runoff

Almost matching the margin of the general election, Jim Newport defeated Brian Harpster by 243 votes to win the Republican nomination for the District 37 seat in the state House of Representatives in Tuesday runoff primary election.
Newport totaled 1,885 votes to 1,642 for Harpster. In the three-way primary voting, that included Marilyn Andrews, Newport finished 235 votes ahead of Harpster.
Newport advances to the Nov. 4 general election where he will face Democrat Bernie Jackson, who won his primary without a runoff.
Newport told The News this morning, "I'm thrilled about the victory and thankful to the voters for having placed their confidence in me. I feel like we ran an issue-oriented, prudent and effective campaign.
"I am thankful to all the volunteers and supporters, both Democrat and Republican alike, and look forward to the general election in November."
Harpster, in a written statement to The News, said, "I entered the campaign in hopes of providing change; a better place to raise our families; reduction of government and taxes; regaining local control.
"Our campaign knew it would be extremely difficult because we would be fighting a coalition of inertia and special interests."
He concluded, "This campaign has proven that there are many concerned citizens who are willing to work hard to make Ponca a better community. It is the intention of the campaign nucleus to continue to work hard to achieve this end."
Osage County Sheriff
Meanwhile, in Osage County, Russell Cottle defeated Billy Mitchell, 2,608-2,061, to win the Democrat runoff for sheriff. Cottle had edged Mitchell in the August primary as they two survived a six-man field and a recount vote to advance to the runoff.
Cottle will face Republican Thomas Trumbly in November.
How They Voted

Students Join Constitution Signing

By KRISTI GRABEAL
News Education Editor
The War of Independence in 1776 contributed to the creation of the U.S. Constitution. The framers of the Constitution contributed their own radical beliefs along with modern European thinkers. As a result, people gained power and the ability to govern themselves.
Roosevelt Elementary School celebrated the creation of the U.S. Constitution Tuesday, holding an assembly for people to sign the Constitution, which will be on display in The Constitution Center in 1999.
Roosevelt was one of only five sites in Oklahoma and 500 throughout the nations where people could sign copies of the Constitution.
Three dignitaries were guests at the assembly, along with students and supporters. Shelly Bagwell of the Oklahoma State Department of Education attended, along with State Rep. Jim Holt and State Sen. Paul Muegge.
Muegge summed up the entire day by saying to the elementary children, "You are the future of this great nation. Try to learn about the constitution and continue to make this a great country."
Those who attended the assembly received a free copy of the U.S. Constitution and a button stating, "I signed the Constitution."

Nearly News

Name-dropping is one way some folks use to get attention. But dropping names isn't a good idea in the News business. On page 8C of today's MidWeek, the last word of the caption describing John Strickland's internship with Sen. Don Nickles' office in Washington is "Nickles." That word, on a line by itself, was inadvertently "covered up" by the headline.

Square Dance Lessons Oct. 6 At Kaw City

The Kay County Square Dancers will start a series of lessons for beginning square dancers on Oct. 6, it was announced this week. The lessons will be held on Sunday afternoon, from 2 until 5 p.m., at the Kaw City Community Center in Kaw City. The instructor will be Dave Johnson from Sapulpa.
Square dancing has been an "All-American" activity since pioneers started west, according to the Lowell Browns, who have been square dancers for a number of years. It was a wonderful release at the end of the toils of the trail for the pioneers, and most any get-together in those early days included square dancing - all that was required was a fiddle player and eight or more good neighbors.
The Browns pointed out that the fiddle player has been replaced by a caller and records for music, but the informal "everybody come" atmosphere still prevails.
Anyone interested in learning this fun activity is urged to come and give it a try. The first lesson will be free and the following lessons will be $5 a couple or $2.50 for singles.
All "would-be" square dancers are welcome - and if you would like to come watch and see what it is like, feel free to come. The starting time is Oct. 6, 2 p.m. at Kaw City Community Center in Kaw City. There will be directional signs to show the way.

Piper Cub 50th Anniversary Includes Fly-In Here Thursday

By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE
News Staff Writer
Sounds of yesteryear will fill the sky Thursday when Piper Cub airplanes wing their way into Ponca City. The Cubs, with pilots in tow, are due to arrive here at the Ponca City Municipal Airport throughout the day.
This is the 50th anniversary of the J-3 Piper Cubs being manufactured in Ponca City. Following the rally here the pilots will be flying their vintage planes to Bartlesville on Friday to participate in the Tulsa Antique and Classic Fly-in.
The Ponca City Aviation boosters are hosting a barbecue supper for the cub owners and pilots Thursday evening. On Friday there will be a breakfast and a tour of the old hangars at Darr School, where the planes were manufactured in 1946.
Incentives for locating the plant in Ponca City in 1945 and 1946 were the modern city, airport and Darr School. Darr School was a remnant from World War II, when members of the Royal Air Force of England trained here.
Bob Lomas of England told about the J-3 Piper Cub in the February/March 1989 issue of the Cub Clues, the newsletter of the Cub Club. "By modern standards of light aircraft the J-3 Piper Cub is not the most economical aircraft to fly. Yet they do have a captivating charm of their own and to those of us smitten by this charm they appear as real aeroplanes, as opposed to the virtually 'fly themselves' planes which modern technology has produced."
Piper Aircraft assembled Piper Cubs in Ponca City from 1946 to 1948. At that time the main plant was in Lock Haven, Pa. The Ponca City work force numbered about 200.
Piper leased the city-owned 36-acre site, which was comprised of 18 buildings, giving a total of 163,000 square feet of manufacturing space. The U.S. government turned the site over to the city for industrial development after World War II.
Production plans included joining three of the factory-type hangars to provide for continuous assembly line.
Of the 7,780 planes produced for Piper in 1946, a total of 673 were assembled in Ponca City. By 1947 1,405 civilian planes had been put together here.
The planes assembled here were the Piper Cub and the Cub Super Cruiser, which was a larger ship with more power and more passenger capacity. The planes had Lycoming or Continental engines.
Piper used the Ponca City plant as a midwestern delivery point. The pilots for Piper flew the planes from Ponca City across the country to distributors.
During the peak production the plant produced three Cub Specials and three Cub Cruisers daily. The plant manager was Hanford Eckman and the plant was known as the Western Piper Aircraft Corp.

Law Enforcement Appreciation Dinner Set at First Baptist Church

The third annual Appreciation Dinner for the Kay County Sheriff, Deputies, Ponca City Police Officers and their spouses will be Friday at First Baptist Church, Ponca City. The meal begins at 6:30 p.m. and will be served by the Ponca City Police Chaplains.
Entertainment will be provided by David Petete of Noble, Okla. David has an Associate Degree in Law Enforcement and Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources. He currently works for the Oklahoma Department of Corrections.
In 1990, David felt led to begin a ministry of Music Evangelism. He travels throughout Oklahoma and the United States providing Christian music/humor for churches and civic organizations. Petete has recorded five cassettes, which he composed the majority of the music and words.
The dinner is sponsored by Kay Baptist Association, comprised of 26 Southern Baptist churches. Dr. Chester Ward serves as Director of Missions and is also a Police Chaplain. He says, "The dinner provides a way to express our appreciation for the law enforcement officers who protect and serve our city and county."

Advisory Board Reviews Two P&R Reports

Two committee reports were presented at a special session of the Ponca City Park and Recreation Board Tuesday. However, no action was taken.
Lake Ponca Committee Chair Earl Ball stated, "The lease agreement will provide controls that will stay in effect."
The Lake Ponca Committee members agreed that lake lot leases should be for one year with a renewable option. Also, the lease agreement should not contain a specific rental charge but allow the amount to be changed. Additionally, recommendations included requirements for transfer of ownership, termination of violation of Standard Operating Policy manual, requirement of liability insurance and inspection of property prior to renewal.
Park Committee Chair Tom Overton reported that members felt that rental of picnic tables should be discontinued. Members agreed that tables should be provided to non-profit organizations, festival events and church groups, etc. free of charge. The committee recommended that no personal rentals be made.
Jim Eck, Landscape/Horticulture superintendent, confirmed that the tables were not often used by individuals. Additionally, the Park Department plans to distribute approximately 20 tables back out to parks around the city.
In other business, the board received booklets "How To Survive As A Park and Recreation Board Member", published by the National Recreation and Park Association.

Water, Wastewater Divisions Are Moved

The Water and Wastewater divisions of the Ponca City Utility Authority have been moved from the Utility Department to the Public Works Department, according to City Manager Gary Martin.
"In order for the city's electric department to remain competitive in the quickly changing environment of electricity we must remain focused and continue to improve our services," Martin stated. "The utility industry is continuing to move toward an ever increasing competitive environment, as a result of the National Energy Policy Act of 1992, which signaled dramatic change in the electric utility industry."
Currently, the National Energy Policy Act mandates that utilities provide access to their transmission lines for wholesale energy transactions, while the indirect impact of this act may result in the possibility of future retail access.
"Public power has served this community well for over 80 years, and we plan to continue to offer our customer/owners lower rates, and increased reliable service as the utility environment continues to change," Martin continued. "Public power offers our community many benefits that we want to be able to take advantage of into the future."
Through public meetings and at the ballot box, consumers have a direct voice in expressing their opinions about their electric service and the community's goals and priorities, according to Martin.
"Public power local decision making results in an impressive, innovative and energy efficient energy system that holds down consumer rates, provides excellent customer service, protects the local and global environment and integrate with other community institutions to meet broad public service goals," Martin concluded.

Uniformity Issue On P&R Agenda

The Ponca City Park and Recreation Advisory Board will decide whether to pursue uniformity on lake lot lease/contracts for Lake Ponca lot leases at its meeting Thursday.
The session will be at the Public Safety Center, 200 East Oklahoma Avenue, at 6 p.m.
In old business, the board will consider whether the department should continue to rent picnic tables and benches to the public. The Park Committee' recommends that rental be discontinued, however, tables should be provided to non-profit organizations, festival events and church groups, etc. free of charge. The committee agrees there should be no rentals to individuals.

United Way Update Bridgeway Provides Crossing For Men to Obtain Better Lives

(Editor's Note: This is the eighth in a series of articles describing the services provided to the community of Ponca City by United Way's 17 member agencies.)
" 'The Bridge' is a crossing halfway, from where an individual has been and where he is going," stated Stan Paynter, Executive Director of Bridgeway. The primary purpose of Bridgeway's Community Treatment Center is to provide halfway house services to chemically addicted males and to provide substance abuse education and training on an outpatient basis to adult men and women. Bridgeway is also certified by the State to conduct DUI schools and provide assessments for DUI offenders.
Bridgeway, located in Ponca City is a nonprofit agency certified with "commendation" by the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services and Corrections Association. Clients access the program through treatment center referrals, self-referrals, and DOC referrals. No distinction is made in the program for clients based on referral sources; all programs and services provide equal access regardless of commitment/referral status.
In addition to the requirements of age, gender, chemical addiction, etc., eligibility also requires that individuals demonstrate an attitude of willingness to help themselves and cooperate in assessment and treatment planning. Paynter said that Bridgeway is a work-oriented halfway house. Emphasis is given not only to build self esteem, but to become financially stable prior to leaving the program. Therefore, fees are based on a sliding scale.
Bridgeway provides recovering clients with warm, safe shelter; nutritious home-cooked meals; teaching and reinforcing coping skills; assistance in locating employment; 24 hour on site staff; and transportation to and from work, as well as to outside meetings, shopping, etc. Client recovery needs and goals are attained through the concept and practice of sobriety, which includes a 12-step program that blends with the approach to chemical dependency of Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous, individual assessment and treatment plan, individual and group counseling, and structured guidelines and rules.
These services encourage clients to meet the following treatment goals; to understand and to begin to accept the nature and dynamics of chemical dependency; to arrest the physical, social and personality deterioration that accompanies chemical dependency; to learn a realistic method for maintaining a life free of chemicals; to provide continuing support for the recovering client; and to pay all past obligations and to become financially stable.
United Way of Ponca City serves 17 agencies within the community, including American Red Cross, Arthritis Foundation, Bluestem Girl Scout Council, Boy Scouts of America, Bridgeway, Child Development Center, Domestic Violence Program, Golden Villa Adult Day Care Services, Helpline Inc., Hospice, New Emergency Resource Agency, Northern Oklahoma Youth Services, Peachtree Landing, ProTeens, RSVP, Salvation Army, and YMCA.

Letters Say:

(Letters appearing in The News do not necessarily reflect the editorial policies or beliefs of The News. Letters will be accepted only with written signatures and must include address and phone number of writer. Unsigned letters will be discarded. All letters submitted become the property of The News. No letter will be returned. We reserve the right to reject or to correct letters considered unsuitable. Letters may be edited to conserve space. We specifically decline letters for or against candidates for office.
Editor, The News,
To me this memorial to Chief Standing Bear is the only legacy my generation may leave to our future generation, and it is solemn to me.
Because it is what this man said, over a hundred years ago, the echo of his voice in that room, in what he said we are finally hearing it today.
My hand is not the color of yours, but if I pierce it, I shall feel pain. If you pierce your hand, you also feel pain. The blood that will flow from mine will be the same color as yours. I am a man. The same God made us both.
To the many people who took time out of their lives, thank you.
An Omaha man Elmer Blackbird said of his great-aunt Suzette LaFlesche, what her grandfather told her.
Be good to people, respect people, help people wherever you can, and there will be less racism.
Parrish Williams

Editor, The News.

I am writing in response to the article in yesterday's PC News on Amtrak.
I hate to see Amtrak drop any route. It's bad enough three states don't have Amtrak service: Maine, South Dakota, and worst of all, Oklahoma. Once the Texas Eagle is dropped, our neighboring state of Arkansas will feel the loss that we have felt for the past 17 years.
After the routes are dropped, five states will be without service; you can add Arkansas and Wyoming to the three that don't have it now. The Pioneer will leave Wyoming without Amtrak when it's dropped.
About a month ago the PC News did an article on this with some comments by State Sen. Dave Herbert on the Texas Eagle being dropped could help Oklahoma in getting Amtrak back, which I hope happens. I know there are other Oklahomans who want it back, too.
I don't think too many Poncans saw this but back on March 8, Amtrak did run an inspection train from Newton, Kan., to Fort Worth, Texas, and it came through Ponca City around 11:40 that evening.
Amtrak people were checking the line, the former Lone Star route, to see if it could handle passenger service and from what I hear the results were good. I don't think it would take a whole lot to bring the line up to specifications. My video that I took of it was used by KPOC TV 27 that night and in the August issue of "Trains." Some guy's photo of the train passing by the Ponca City depot was printed. Oklahoma needs Amtrak as an alternative to planes, buses, and our private cars.
Thank you for your time.
John Malloy,
President, Railfans of Ponca City

District Court

Ponca City
Civil Proceedings
Jon Misinski of A to Z Electrical Contractors vs. Roseanna Ratliff. Plaintiff seeking judgment in the amount of $7,500.
Newkirk
Divorces Granted
Arnold M. Macklin vs. Ruth I. Macklin. Plaintiff granted divorce.
Marolyn Irene Madden vs. Allan Robert Madden. Divorce granted to both.
Criminal Proceedings
Case Dismissed - Jeffrey Kyle Keeney of Edmond, charged with breaking and entering. The alleged incident occurred on Sept. 17, 1995. State moved to dismiss in the interest of justice upon payment of costs and court ordered.
Plea Entered - Lynn Gregory Gardner of Blackwell, charged with count one of assault and battery, count two of assault and battery and count three driving while license is suspended. The defendant pled guilty to all three counts. He was sentenced to 90 days however, after serving six consecutive weekends, the balance is suspended upon the condition no further law violations are committed. Defendant is also to receive an alcohol evaluation within 30 days and fined $100. The defendant is sentenced to 90 days on count two, however, execution of sentence is suspended upon the conditions as outlined in count one to run consecutively with count two. Defendant fined $100. On count three, defendant is sentenced to one year, however, suspended upon the same conditions as outlined in count one, to run consecutively with counts one and two. Defendant also fined $100. The incidents occurred on Feb. 8.
Charge Amended - James Howard Welch of Ponca City, charged with driving while under the influence of alcohol. The alleged incident occurred on March 23. State moved to amend the charge to driving while impaired and court amends. Defendant pled guilty. He was sentenced to six months, however, execution of sentence was suspended upon the condition the defendant commit no further violations and complete 50 hours of community service. Defendant also fined $200.
Plea Docket Set - Amarbe Pappan Jr. of Ponca City, charged with count one of driving while under the influence of alcohol, count two of unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, count three of driving while license is revoked, count four of transporting an open container (beer) and count five of failure to carry security verification form. The alleged incidents occurred on March 30. Defendant had an emergency and requested a continuance. The state did not object and matter continued to plea on Sept. 18, at 2 p.m.
Guilty Plea - Edmund Lee Sroufe Jr. of Ponca City, charged with count one of transporting a loaded firearm and count two of no driver's license. Defendant pled guilty and sentenced to 30 days with credit for time served, to run concurrent with count two. Defendant further ordered to serve five days on count two. Defendant assessed all court costs in counts one and two. The incident occurred on April 13.
Plea Entered - Jack J. Gandy of Kansas City, Kan., charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Defendant pled guilty and courts accepts plea. state made a recommendation and court concurred that sentencing to be deferred for two years upon the condition defendant violate no other state, city or federal laws. Deferral fee of $750 imposed. The incident occurred on June 3.
Defendant Pleas - Aaron Michael Lyman Struble of Ponca City, charged with 1) public intoxication, 2) unlawful possession of marijuana and 3) unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. The defendant pled guilty to all counts, after no prior felony convictions. State makes recommendation and advised that this is a negotiated plea and court concurs. On count one, defendant sentenced to 30 days with credit to run consecutively with prior sentences and assessed court costs. On count two, defendant is sentenced to 30 days to run concurrently with count one and further assessed court costs. On count three, defendant assess court costs and sentenced to 30 days to run concurrently with the first two counts. Defendant is ordered to pay restitution of $320 to drug abuse education and treatment fund. The incident occurred on July 3.
Sentenced Deferred - Melody Ellsworth of Ponca City, charged with driving while impaired. Defendant entered a plea of nolo contendere. Court found factual basis and accepted plea. She was found guilty as charged and court deferred sentencing for one year upon the condition she not violate other state, city or federal laws. Defendant also fined $200. The incident occurred on May 2.
Nolo Contendere - Christopher Dale Kerstein of Blackwell, charged with driving while under the influence of alcohol. Defendant entered a plea of nolo contendere. Court found basis to accept plea. State recommends and court concurs that defendant sentenced to one year with all but 10 days suspended upon condition that defendant violate no other laws. Defendant fined $250. The incident occurred on Aug. 24.
Case Dismissed - Rickey D. Stout of Blackwell, charged with assault and battery. The alleged incident occurred on Aug. 25. Court reviews officer's affidavit and does not find probable cause for an arrest without a warrant. Court orders case dismissed.
Civil Proceedings
Bancoklahoma Mortgage Corp. vs. Howard D. Eddings. Plaintiff granted judgment in amount of $63,746.66.
Bank One Bankcard Div. vs. Glen P. McGowen. Plaintiff granted judgment in the amount of $2,894.81.


AREA CALENDAR

September 18
Women's Bible Study "Claim Your Joy," 9-10:45 a.m., First Baptist Church Parlor, 218 South Sixth Street, Ponca City.
September 19
Senior Citizens Dance, 7-10 p.m., Music by Country Fever Band, Kaw City Community Building.
September 21
United Way Drive "Keep the Flame Alive for United Way," Kickoff Torch Run, 10 a.m., torch run/walk, Grand Avenue, 'Olympic Village' festivities at Centennial Plaza.
Mary Gubser, Tulsa author, autographing "Mary's Recipe Box," and her other books, "Mary's Bread Basket and Soup Kettle," and "Quick Breads, Soups and Stews," 1-3 p.m., Brace Books and More, North Fourteenth Street, Ponca City.
September 24
Lake Ponca Users Association, 6:30 p.m., Lake Ponca Park Shelter House No. 3, open invitation to anyone interested.
September 26
George Stanley, Lawton, autographing "The Scaredy Cat Series," 3:30 to 5 p.m., special guests include second graders from Woodlands School earlier in the afternoon, Brace Books and More, North Fourteenth Street, Ponca City.
Alzheimer's Support Group, 7 p.m., St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Ponca City.
Vietnam Veterans, 7 p.m., Pioneer Motor Bank, Fourteenth Street and Lake Road, Ponca City.
September 28
Tulsa author Joyce Hifler, autographing "Cherokee Feast of Days," 1-3 p.m., Brace Books and More, North Fourteenth Street, Ponca City.
September 27-29
Ponca Playhouse presents "The Octette Bridge Club," 8 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m., Poncan Theatre, Ponca City.
October 1
Sleep Support Group, for anybody with sleep apnea or family or friends, 7-8 p.m., St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Ponca City.
October 3
Children's performer, Monty Harper, Stillwater, 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., Brace Books and More, North Fourteenth Street.
Senior Citizens Dance, 7-10 p.m., Music by Country Fever Band, Kaw City Community Building.
October 4-5
Ponca Playhouse presents "The Octette Bridge Club," 8 p.m., Poncan Theatre, Ponca City.
October 5
American Legion Pancake and Sausage Feed, 6:30 a.m.-10 a.m., 407 West South Avenue, adults $3, children under 12 $1.50, children under 6 free, proceeds to children and youth activities.
Jodie Larson, Tulsa author of "Deadly Company," speaking to NOW, 9:30 a.m., Ponca City Library, autographing 1-3 p.m., Brace Books and More, North Fourteenth Street, Ponca City.
October 5-6
16th Annual Marland Estate Oktoberfest, Marland Mansion Estate Grounds, Ponca City.
October 7
Sleep Support Group, for anybody with sleep apnea or family or friends, 7-8 p.m., St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Ponca City.
October 12
Fall Workday, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Tallgrass Prairie Preserve, operated by The Nature Conservancy, just north of Pawhuska.
Cushing's 8th Annual 'Festival in the Park', 9:45 a.m. to 5 p.m., Cushing Memorial Park, sponsored by Hypatia Club, 'Run for the Mums' 5K Run and Fitness Walk, 8:30 a.m.
October 15
Ponca Area Chamber Orchestra, 8 p.m., Northern Oklahoma Performing Arts Center, Tonkawa.
October 17
Senior Citizens Dance, 7-10 p.m., Music by Country Fever Band, Kaw City Community Building.
October 18
Billie Letts, Durant, author "Where The Heart Is," reading and autographing, 6-8 p.m., Brace Books and More, North Fourteenth Street, Ponca City.
October 19
Fairfax Annual October Heritage Days, food and craft booths downtown, 9 a.m. to mid-afternoon; parade, 10 a.m.; talent show, high school auditorium, 7 p.m.
Betty Rohde, Gore, Okla., author "So Fat Low Fat No Fat," and "More So Fat Low Fat No Fat," autographing and leading seminar on Fat Free Cooking, 1-2 p.m., Conference Room C, St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Ponca City.
October 22
Lake Ponca Users Association, 6:30 p.m., Lake Ponca Park Shelter House No. 3, open invitation to anyone interested.
Mahenwahdose Productions - Will Hill, program on Standing Bear, 7 p.m., Ponca City Library Programming Room, free.
October 24
"Songs of the Heart - Every People's Native Music," by Dr. George and Camille Stevenson, accompanied by Lillian McConnel, 8 p.m., Poncan Theatre, free.
October 27
Romance authors Karen Kay and Heather Cullman, autographing, 3-5 p.m., Brace Books and More, North Fourteenth Street, Ponca City.
November 2
McCord Arts and Crafts Show, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., McCord School.


NEWS BRIEFS

Soccer Referee Clinic Set - Soccer 09,010 Referee Clinic will be held Saturday, Sept. 21 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Conoco Fourth Street Clubhouse. For information call Gail DeWeese at 765-3583.

Deadwood Dames To Meet - The Deadwood Dames, composed of Conoco women retirees, will begin the new season at 11 p.m. Thursday at Western Sizzlin'.

Annual School Carnival - Union PTA will be having their annual school carnival Friday, from 5-8 p.m. There will be a food booth, balloon booth, skee ball, and lots of fun games to play. Each ticket costs 20 cents each and most games are two tickets. Come join the fun! Proceeds will fund teacher requests at Union Elementary.

Car Wash - The NCA All American Cheerleader Car Wash will be held Saturday at United Supermarket from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Cars, $3; trucks/vans, $5 , and detailing, $3. Proceeds will help cheerleaders pay for trip to Hula Bowl in Hawaii, Jan. 14-19.

Luncheon Tickets - Tickets for the Back-To-School Style Show, for members of Ponca City Mothers Club, are available from Gloria Harris, ticket chairman, 762-1165. The show and salad buffet will be Friday at 12:15 p.m. at the Ponca City Country Club. Tickets are $8.

Found - A man found a bag containing coins in the 500 block of South Sixth Street and brought it to the Ponca City Police Department at 9:31 a.m. Tuesday.

Vandalism - A man in the 1100 block of Rosedale Drive contacted the Ponca City Police Department at 9:57 a.m. Tuesday to report vandalism to his mailbox. An officer took a report.

Vandalism - The Ponca City Police Department was notified at 2:42 p.m. Tuesday that a vehicle was vandalized in the 800 block of North Union Street.

Bike Stolen - A woman from the 2400 block of Eagle Road went to the Ponca City Police Department at 3:27 p.m. Tuesday to file a report of a stolen bike. An officer took a report.

Arrested - A Ponca City police officer arrested a 21-year-old man at the police department at 4:14 p.m. Tuesday for two counts of burglary, possession of stolen property and possession of a controlled dangerous substance.

Subject Held - A 21-year-old man was arrested by a Ponca City police officer in the 400 block of Wren Drive at 4:52 p.m. Tuesday for driving under suspension, expired tag, no insurance and an expired inspection.

Fire - The Ponca City Fire Department extinguished a vehicle fire in the 900 block of North Ash Street at 6:29 p.m. Tuesday. The fire report indicated that a part failed and fuel ignited the fire. The 1977 Ford van received an estimated $100 in damage.

Bomb Scare - A portion of North Fourteenth Street was closed at 11:05 p.m. Tuesday after the Ponca City Police Department received a report that a bomb was in a car in the 300 block of North Fourteenth Street. The Ponca City Fire Department stood by. A suspect was located and brought to the police department and later released. Apparently, the suspect's car had been repossessed.

In Custody - A Ponca City police officer took a 26-year-old man into custody in the 2600 block of North Fifth Street at 3:59 a.m. Wednesday for assault with a deadly weapon and assault and battery.

Vandalism - A woman in the 3500 block of North Union Street contacted the Ponca City Police Department at 6:06 a.m. Wednesday to report vandalism to her vehicle. An officer took a report of destruction of private property.


DEATHS

Raetta Chavez

Raetta Chavez, former Ponca City resident, died Saturday morning, Sept. 14, 1996 at the Anaheim Memorial Hospital, Anaheim, Calif. She was 52.
The funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 19, 1996 in Grace Memorial Chapel, Ponca City, with the Rev. George Weston, pastor of the First Christian Church in Fairfax, presiding. Burial will be in the IOOF Cemetery in Ponca City under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.
Raetta Chavez was born Jan. 22, 1944 at Pawnee, Okla., the daughter of Ray R. Gibson and Clara (Hall) Gibson. She received her early education in the Pawnee Public Schools, graduating from Pawnee High School in 1962. She was employed in the 1970s and '80s as a Registered Nurse with St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Ponca City.
She was united in marriage to William Roy Chavez on Aug. 12, 1989 at Pawnee, and the couple made their home in Buena Park, Calif. Mrs. Chavez was employed in the Buena Park and Anaheim areas with her nursing profession.
She is survived by her husband, William, of the home; one son, Corey Miner of Norman, Okla.; her father, Ray R. Gibson, rural Ralston; one brother, Steve Gibson, Pawnee, and two step-daughters, Marie Chavez of Monterey, Calif. and Patricia McAllister, Costa Mesa, Calif. She was preceded in death by her mother, Clara, in 1995 and one sister, Leah Faye Gibson in 1963.

E. Lazarus Moore

NEWKIRK - E. Lazarus "Slim" Moore, longtime Newkirk resident, died early Monday morning, Sept. 16, 1996 at the Ponca City Nursing Home. He was 96.
The funeral service is scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 20, 1996 in the Miller-Stahl Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Warren Guesby officiating. Burial will follow in the Ponca City IOOF Cemetery under the direction of Miller-Stahl Funeral Service, Newkirk.
E. Lazarus Moore was born March 7, 1900 on the Moore Farm in Hampton, Ark., the son of Isaac and Poly (Nobel) Moore. He completed the fourth grade, and at the age of 16 began working in logging camps and on railroad gangs. He came to Oklahoma in 1931 and settled in Oklahoma City at the Wilson Hotel. For one year he studied law enforcement sponsored by his uncle, Jim Nobel who moved the state seal from Guthrie to Oklahoma City. He worked at the state capital until his death.
In 1932 through 1936 he served as Chief of Police in Langston, Okla. and Deputy Sheriff for Logan County. From 1936 to 1941 he came to Ponca City where he worked for the Oklahoma Iron and Metal Company, owned by Israel Grits and Joe Goldenstein.
During this period he and Evelyn Bertelene Guesby were married, and in 1939 a son was born, Floyd Moore, an only child.
In 1941 the family moved to Newkirk, but Mr. Moore continued to work in Ponca City as a shipping clerk with the duties of supervising workers to cut steel and load box cars. While living in Newkirk he and his wife raised Martha Laverne (Wiley) Palmer, daughter of Mrs. Moore's sister, Mrs. Thelma Morris.
He became active in the Masonic Lodge and was known as a great fisherman, hunter and railroad worker. During his life span he always enjoyed playing and talking to the children and was often seen passing out candy to them. He spent so much time and gave so much candy to the children that he became their own personal "Candy Man."
He enjoyed money-making pastime activities such as sales, flea markets, and junking iron, aluminum and copper. For many years he also enjoyed small scale farming and gardening.
He is survived by one son, Floyd Moore of Gary, Ind.; three grandsons, and a daughter-in-law. He was preceded in death by his wife, Evelyn, his parents, eight brothers and two sisters.

Antoine Roy

Antoine Roy, resident of Ponca City, died Thursday, Sept. 12, 1996 at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. He was 71.
The Traditional Indian Feast was held at noon on Monday, Sept. 16, 1996, at the Ponca Indian Cultural Center, followed by the funeral service at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Ted Freeman, pastor, Ponca Indian Baptist Church, officiating. Burial followed in the Ponca Indian Cemetery under the direction of the Trout Funeral Home. Graveside military rites were performed by the American Legion Post No. 38.
Antoine Roy was born Aug. 31, 1925 at the Ponca Indian Reservation, the son of Thomas and Lizzie (Makescloud) Roy. He worked for several grain elevators in the area. He served in the U.S. Navy Reserves during World War II from Nov. 27, 1943 to Jan. 4, 1946. He also served in the U.S. Marine Corps from April 5, 1951 to December 10, 1957.
He married Anna Belle Clark on July 12, 1990 in Ponca City.
Survivors include his wife, Anna Belle, of the home; six sons, Thomas Roy of Oklahoma City, Robert Roy of Ponca City, Elmer Roy of Marland, Steve Roy and Warren Roy of Arkansas City, Kan., and John Roy of Tulsa; two daughters, Delrayne Leftwich of Oklahoma City and Lizzie Crowels of Ponca City; three step-sons, Darrell Clark of Ponca City, Darrell Green and Marvie Knutsen of Arkansas City, Kan.; an adopted daughter, Anita Lindell of Oakland, Neb.; 14 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren; also a sister, Thelma Buffalohead of Ponca City, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, one sister, and one granddaughter.
Casket bearers were Paris Roy, Blue Roy, Clifton Pappan, Kelly Clark, Kallian Leftwich, and Lee Roy. Honorary bearers were Gilbert Cole Jr., Morris Green, Butch Sroufe, James Clark, Ron Kihega, Isaac Headman, Earl Howe Sr. and Earl Brown.

Funerals

Saturday
Doris Ann Herrera - Graveside service at 1 p.m. in Memorial Cemetery, Fort Benning, Ga. Hanes Lineberry Funeral Homes of Greensboro, Ga., in charge of arrangements.


FAMILY LIVING

Police Department and Kid's Review Honored for 'Family Friendly' Policies

Becky Stangeland of Kid's Review and Ponca City Police Chief Raymond Ham and the Ponca City Police Department were honored for their "Family Friendly" policies at the third annual awards banquet of FEMALE (Formerly Employed Mothers At the Leading Edge.)
According to Laurie Hoddy, chapter leader, Kid's Review was chosen to receive the Family Friendly Business Award in the Daily Life Needs category for several reasons. "Becky provides a service unique to our area by accepting only quality merchandise for consignment," Hoddy said. "First-time mothers, with no ready supply of hand-me-downs, have a source, and those with quality outgrown clothing have an outlet. Best of all, Becky welcomes her customers' children with open arms, providing them with a play area to keep them occupied and an extra pair of watchful eyes so mother is free to shop."
Hoddy added that while Ms. Stangeland could have viewed FEMALE's Spring Clothing Resale as competition, she instead offered helpful advice and was supportive of their efforts.
Chief Ham and the Police Department were voted to receive the Family Friendly Employee Policies Award because the Department offers flex time, compressed work weeks and extended leaves of absence if needed. "They try to work with officers on time off needed for the family," Hoddy said.
FEMALE is a national non-profit organization for women who have left the full-time paid work force to rear their children at home. Many currently work for pay in some capacity, most on a part-time basis.

McGaha Family Hosts Reunion

The 66th annual McGaha reunion was held at Lake Ponca Park Aug. 25.
Attending from out of town were Delbert and Cecelia McGaha, Stillwater; Marcelee Welch, Pawnee; Tom, Sharon, Nathan and Jonathan Fanning, Eufaula, and Mark Perez, Butch and Jo Wolf, Allison Scott and Herb and Gay Ashce, Newkirk. Ponca Citians attending were Glen and Verona Mair, Konni Streeter, Alan, Kathy, Jason and Jaime Pettigrew, and Wanda Butler.

County Fair Names Best of Show

Irene Cole took Best of Show honors in the Paintings/Drawings category of the Fine Arts and Domestic Arts Divisions at the Kay County Fair in Blackwell. Best of Show in Photography went to Ken Luttrell. Best of Show, Woodworking and Woodcarving, Adult Division, went to Jerry Humble, and Youth Best of Show went to Kyle Muret. Best of Show, Furniture, was won by Laura Hoy.
Awards presented were:
OIL PAINTING
Landscape: Richard Pennington, first; Bonnie Deweese, second, and Dorothy Bullesfeld, third.
Marine: Donna Todd, first.
Still Life: Donna Todd, first.
Figure or Portrait: Irene Cole, first; Nancy Stone, second, and Nell Miller, third.
Animals: Richard Pennington, first; Donna Todd, second, and Dayna Edens, third.
Fowl: Bonnie Deweese, first.
General: Nell Miller, first; Nancy Stone, second, and Richard Pennington, third.
WATER COLORS
Landscape: Colleen Reeser, first.
Still Life: Joyce Mills, first.
Figure or Portrait, Paula Hefly, first.
General: Joyce Mills, first.
ACRYLIC
Landscape: Phyllis Rowe, first.
Animal: Phyllis Rowe, first.
General: Irene Cole, first; Phyllis Rowe, second, and Colleen Reeser, third.
PEN
Figure: Charles Eatmore, first, and Dusty Oxford, second.
Animal: Lennie Lane, first, and Dusty Oxford, second.
General: Colleen Reeser, first; Joyce Mills, second, and Dusty Oxford, third.
PENCIL
Figure: Darrell Smith, first; Phyllis Rowe, second, and Joyce Mills, third.
Animal: Chad Meyer, first, and Kathryn Hanchett, second.
General: Chad Meyer, first; Janet Stalcup, second, and Joyce Mills, third.
CHARCOAL AND PASTEL
Charcoal: Karen Ley, first, and Nathan Grace, second.
Pastel: Nathan Grace, first, and Karen Strickline, second.
PAINTINGS/DRAWINGS
YOUTH DIVISION
Oil Painting, Kit: Tena Albers, first, and Kim Webb, second.
Felt Tip Marker Drawing: Jason Ebert, first; Dusty Oxford, second, and Richard Hoy, third.
Pen drawing: Cody Shears, first; Kevin Johnson, second, and Dusty Oxford, third.
Pencil Drawing: Lea Barten, first; Joel Gaza, second, and Jay Waynes, third.
Charcoal Drawing: Trisha Burke, first; Paul Walcher, second, and Brandy Baker, third.
Pastels Drawing: Sam Stalcup, first; Paul Walcher, second, and Krissy Colbath, third.
Acrylic Painting: Tyler Rowe, first.
Water Color Painting: Min Isenberg, first; Jay Waynes, second, and Susan Johnson, third.
PHOTOGRAPHY
ADULT DIVISION
BLACK AND WHITE OR TONED PRINTS:
Portrait: Leslie Seney, first.
Scenic: Kerry Shears, first, and Karen Ley, second.
COLOR PRINTS:
Portrait: Sharla Vetter, first; Leslie Seney, second, and Betty Ramey, third.
Animals: Betty Ramey, first, and Kerry Shears, second.
Still Life: Betty Ramey, first, and Kerry Shears, second.
Scenic: Eileen Carriger, first; Kerry Shears, second, and Ken Luttrell, third.
Unclassified: Ken Luttrell, first; Eileen Carriger, second, and Betty Ramey, third.
SNAPSHOTS MOUNTED ON MATS:
3X5 w/5X7 Mat: Sharla Vetters, first; Mary Bockman, second, and Jane Koehler, third.
5x7 Snapshots w/8x10 Mat: Betty Ramey, first; Donna Hingtgen, second, and Sharla Vetter, third.
YOUTH DIVISION
COLOR PRINTS:
Still Life: Ben Hawkins, first.
Scenic, Jessica Hingtgen, first.
Unclassified: Jessica Hingtgen, first.
WOODCARVING/
WOODWORKING
YOUTH DIVISION
Power Carving, Free Form: Kyle Muret, first.
Woodworking Accessories: Kyle Muret, first.
Reupholstered Furniture: Laura Hoy, first.
WOODCARVING/
WOODWORKING
ADULT DIVISION
Power Carving, Relief Carving: Ron Widener, first.
Power Carving, Free Form: Charles Avalalone, first.
Working, Accessories: Jerry Humble, first; Ron Widener, second, and Larry Osborn, third.
Refinished Furniture: Joyce Deem, first.

Lutheran League Launches Annual World Relief Drive

The Lutheran Women's Missionary League of First Lutheran Church launched its annual Lutheran World Relief drive at the first meeting of the fall Sept. 10.
Susan Brunkow, mission service chairperson, presented each member with a list of needed items: Pads of paper (100-150 count), blunt scissors, centimeter rulers, pencil sharpeners, construction paper, small boxes of crayons, ruled spiral notebooks for the school kits; soap, wash clothes, hand towels, toothbrushes, toothpaste, combs, nail files, Bandaids for health kits; infant clothing, cloth diapers, receiving blankets, baby quilts, diaper pins for layettes, full-size quilts, sweaters, and men's and children's clothing are just some of the items needed. Anyone having any of these is welcome to bring them to the purple and yellow box in the narthex area of First Lutheran Church.
These things are then shipped by Lutheran World Relief to places like Bosnia, India, and South Carolina, where the hurricane did so much damage, and other disaster areas.
The 26 members present made plans for LWML Sunday, Oct. 6; Zone Rally in Guthrie, Sept. 14, and serving lunch to the Teachers Conference, Oct. 18.
Tentative plans were made to hold a church bazaar in November. Gina Laramy will chair the fund-raising committee.
Kathleen Chambers gave devotional thoughts and a program, "Redesigned in Christ Through Praise and Worship," using joyful music as the focus for the program.
Officers Melba Heinze, president; Kathleen Chambers, vice president; Carolyn Miller, secretary, and Trudi Stigge, treasurer, served refreshments. Velma Stigge provided cookies.
The October meeting project will be Adopt-a-Person: college student, serviceman, missionary, shut-in, etc.


SPORTS

Walls, Springs Talk Dallas Football

By FRED HILTON
News Sports Editor
The current off field problems of the Dallas Cowboys aren't especially new or unusual, according to former players Everson Walls and Ron Springs.
"It's just than when it happens to the Cowboys, the media jumps all over it," Walls said.
"That's the downside of being America's team," Springs admits.
Nor do the pair think that the negative publicity will have an effect on the players.
"They have to be like turtles," Springs said. "They have to just let it roll off their backs and go on with life."
Springs feels that the fans put too much emphasis on players being good role models.
"Players don't have to be good role models anymore than someone in another business," he said. "Some players are good role models, some aren't."
Springs and Walls are in Ponca City to help raise funds for a new weight training facility at the high school. They are meeting with various business and civic groups to get donations. In addition they will be part of a group of ex-Cowboys who will play a benefit basketball game here in October.
The Dallas group will get a percentage of the funds raised.
Walls and Springs also debunk the feeling that the salary cap is breaking up the Cowboys - or any other team.
"All of the salaries are paid out of the television money," Walls said. "That's a huge amount.
"The only effect the cap has," Springs added, "is to make the owners try to improve their team every year."
Walls also notes that the salary cap also forces owners of some of the lesser clubs to spend at least that much money on players.
"If the cap wasn't there, the owners wouldn't be paying the players as much as they do or try to improve."
However, the two admit that owners pay three or four superstars on each team a huge amount at the cost of other players.
"But that has to do with marketability," Walls said. "For the Cowboys, Emmitt is No. 1 in marketability while Troy is No. 2, Michael Irvin No. 3 and Deion Sanders No. 4."
That could change after Irvin was suspended for drug usage.
"Deion could move up to No. 3," Walls said. "Michael has certainly hurt his marketability."
"But Irvin is still very important to the team," Springs offered, noting there was little or no chance Jerry Jones would trade the famous wide receiver.
Both Springs and Walls played most of their careers in Dallas under coach Tom Landry, but Walls did get a taste of Jimmy Johnson, if only briefly.
"I played one year under Jimmy," Walls frowned. "I just couldn't work for him."
He left to play for the New York Giants.
Both Springs and Walls agree that Johnson coaches through fear, a strategy he is still using at Miami.
"When he cut all those players early, he was sending a message," Springs said.
Barry Switzer is a completely different kind of coach, they both agree. "Barry is a player's coach. He's more laid back," Walls said.
"Barry lets his assistants do the coaching," Springs added.
---
Tickets for the benefit basketball game between the Dallas Cowboy Greats and the Ponca City media/coaches, which will be held Oct. 12, will go on sale Saturday at Buy-For-Less, Play It Again Sports, Subway and Jocks Nitch. Tickets are also available trough the Chamber of Commerce.
The game will be held at Robson Fieldhouse, starting at 7 p.m. It is being sponsored by the Ponca City Quarterback Club for the benefit of all Ponca City athletes.

Tough QB Adjusting To 6A Ball

By FRED HILTON
News Sports Editor
Ponca City sophomore quarterback Eric Michael is making the tough transition from being the freshman signal caller for eight-man Cherokee to being a starter in Class 6A.
It's quite a leap, but Michael has landed on his feet, according to Po-Hi head coach Rick Sodowsky.
"The kid's tough physically and mentally," Sodowsky said. "He's intelligent. He has caught on to our system real quick."
Michael is still making mistakes, Sodowsky says, but they are sophomore mistakes that will be cured as he gains experience.
"That's the big thing he needs right now - experience," Sodowsky says.
Michael has not be intimidated by the speed or size of 6A players.
"Pioneer was in our district when I was at Cherokee," the 6-0, 177 Michael notes. "They had some players who were 6-3, 240 pounds, so I'm used to seeing those kinds of players."
Nor is Michael shaken by 8,000 fans in the stands.
"I really don't notice them once I get on the field," he said.
There is one thing, though, that Michael finds quite different.
"The intensity level on the sidelines is much greater," he said. "That took some getting used to. The intensity in eight-man doesn't compare to the level it is here."

On the field there is a difference, too.
"There is a lot more trash talking," Michael says. "Players on the other team do a lot more talking. I don't pay too much attention to it, I let the guys up front do my talking."
Those guys up front, the Wildcat offensive linemen, are starting to have their say, Michael says.
"I think the offense is getting better. We are starting to come together as a unit. We just need to hook it up a little better. The work ethic is getting better, too. We do pretty good on some downs. We just need to do it on every play."
Michael was born and raised in Cherokee, but quickly fit in at Po-Hi.
"I went to the summer camp with them," he said. "I got to know them and they got to know me there. I've been accepted pretty well."
So far Michael has helped lead to Cats to a 2-0 record. He has had a hand in three of the team's four touchdowns, throwing for two and scoring one.
Michael has taken his share of hits in the process. He received a cut on his chin against Edmond North last Friday that required stitches and he sprained his left hand diving into the end zone for the Cats' only touchdown of that game. But he stayed in the game, never missing a play.
Michael and the Cats take their act on the road for the first time Thursday, traveling to Tulsa Memorial.
"Memorial is a pretty good team," Michael says of the 1-1 Chargers. "They had some bad things happen against Sand Springs (a 48-8 loss last week). They had some early turnovers and Sand Springs scored off of them, then Memorial kind of gave up.
"I think if we can put them away early, they'll quit on us, too.
"But we have to play well. Memorial is pretty big and they have good team speed."
"But this whole team (Po-Hi) is hungry to win. If they can keep thinking like they have and work to keep winning we can win. We just have to keep our perspective and keep our focus."

Jr. High Sports

Football
ARKANSAS CITY, Kan. - Big plays doomed Ponca City's eighth grade Red footballers here Tuesday as Ark City used a 55-yard kickoff return and a 58-yard yard scoring jaunt to come from 16-6 down to defeat Ponca City 22-16.
Ark City scored first in the game on a 3-yard run. But the Poncans came right back to go on top early in the second as Matt Littleton burst into the end zone from 8-yards out and then added the conversion run for an 8-6 lead.
With just 59 seconds left in the half quarterback Kyle Henderson found Josh Pitts for a 25-yard score and then Littleton crashed in for the two-point conversion.
That put the Cougars up 16-6 and looked like a good way to end the half. But after sustaining a penalty by kicking the ball out of bounds, the Cougars had to re-kick and Ark City ran the kickoff back for a TD from 55-yards out. The two-point run was good and Ponca City had to settle for a 16-14 halftime lead.
The big play again hit the Poncans with 43 seconds left in the third as Ark City broke off a 58-yard TD run and added the two-point conversion for the 22-16 final score.
Ponca City's deepest second-half penetration was the Ark City 35 and that drive ended by inches on a failed fourth-down try.
"The big plays really hurt us," acknowledged head coach Calvin English.
Up next, the Reds will host Enid Emerson Thursday at 5 p.m.
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Ponca City's Blue eighth grade footballers dominated Derby through three quarters here Monday but nearly lost the football game in the final two minutes before prevailing 14-8.
Derby managed just one first down on a dominating Blue defense through three quarters but the Blue offense could manage just two scores in that time despite controlling the clock.
The thing the Poncans failed to control most, however, was the football as turnovers cost the Blues two early scores.
Ponca City's first possession took 6:20 off the first quarter clock but a fumble at the Derby 2 on the center-quarterback exchange resulted in a turnover.
The Blues got on the board with 7:05 left in the second quarter, though, on a 5-yard Billy Broughton run. Quarterback Jay Michael Sharon ran in he conversion and Ponca City led 8-0.
The Cougars nearly scored twice more on two long completions in the first half but the first ended fumble at the Derby 12 and the clock ran out following the second.

The Poncans upped their lead to 14-0 in the third as Sharon went 40 yards for the score off the option play. The run failed.

Derby's offense finally got going in the fourth and drove in for a touchdown with 1:44 remaining in the game. The pass for two was good and Derby trailed just 14-8.

Disaster then nearly struck the Poncans as they picked up a first down on a run but lost a fumble at the 50. Derby recovered and returned the ball for an apparent touchdown but an inadvertent whistle had stopped play and Derby had to settle for the ball at midfield with 52 seconds left.
After a 20 yard gain on first down, two incomplete passes ended the game with PC clinging to its slim lead.
"I think we just got tired at the end," said head coach Mark Huster, "and let up a little bit. It just about cost us the ball game, too."
Huster had praise for quarterback Sharon and his offensive linemen.
"Biby, Addington, Gaylord, Kevin and Curtis Cain and Badley all did a very good job of blocking and making holes," Huster commented.
The Blue eighth is back in action Thursday at Enid Longfellow beginning at 4 p.m.

Girls Tennis
Ponca City's mid-high girls' netters continue to role, upping their dual record to 5-0 on the season with a 10-8 win over Wichita Collegiate Monday and a 7-4 triumph over Stillwater here Tuesday.
The mid-high girls will be back in action Thursday with a 4 p.m. start against Ark City at the tennis center.
Results
Vs. Wichita Collegiate
Singles
No. 1 Mia Alexander def. Rumisek, 8-5; No. 2 Claire Winterrowd def. Francisco, 8-7 (7-5); No. 3 Allison Stotts def. Jones, 8-3; No. 4 Shawna Rolland lost to Healy, 3-8; No. 5 Gina Smith lost to Milfed, 7-8 (4-7); No. 6 Katie Mulligan lost to Sappok, 4-8; No. 7 Julie Wittmer lost to Ritchie, 6-8; No. 8 Katie Rutherford def. Hipp, 8-2; No. 9 Amy Summers def. Gray, 8-3; No. 10 Raisa Durrani lost to Whip, 4-8; No. 11 Marcie Wilkerson def. Hurwitz, 8-1; No. 12 Erin Shaw def. Summers, 8-0.
Doubles
Alexander-Winterrowd lost to Francisco-Jones, 4-6; No. 2 Stotts-Rolland def. Rumisek-Healy, 6-4; No. 3 Smith-Mulligan lost to Milfed-Sappok, 5-7; No. 4 Wittmer-Rutherford def. Ritchie-Hipp, 6-4; No. 5 Summers-Durrani lost to Gray-Whip, 3-6; No. 6 Wilkerson-Shaw def. Beamer-Gersch.
Vs. Stillwater
Singles
No. 1 Mia Alexander def. Fuhrman, 8-2; No. 2 Claire Winterrowd def. Kennedy, 8-2; No. 3 Allison Stotts def. O'Neill, 8-3; No. 4 Shawna Rolland def. Young, 8-1; No. 5 Gina Smith def. Malayer, 8-5; No. 6 Katie Mulligan lost to Martin, 5-8; No. 7 Julie Wittmer def. Kay, 8-3; No. 8 Katie Rutherford def. Kay, 8-0.
Doubles
No. 1 Amy Summers-Jessica Felix lost to Fuhrman-Kennedy, 1-8; No. 2 Raisa Durrani-Erin Shaw lost to Young-O'Neill, 4-8; No. 3 Marcie Wilkerson-Karly Merrifield lost to Malayer-Martin, 6-8.

Volleyballers Start Climb
Ponca City's Lady Wildcat volleyball team is looking to start its climb back up the Top 10 list in the Jenks Tournament this weekend.
They took one step Monday when they blasted Bartlesville 15-9, 15-6.
"The girls played pretty well," coach Steve McKay said, after watching his team slip to No. 9 in the state last week. "We may not be ranked this week, but really the only ranking I'm worried about comes in October."
McKay pointed out that in the win over Bartlesville, Tiffani Essary had 10 spikes for kills, Lauren Brune had "her best game of the season," with five kills, Crystal Suggs had eight assists, one kill and four service aces, scoring 14 points on serves in the two games.

Amanda Hraban had two kills, Heather Roth had eight assists and two kills, Caitlin Lane three kills and Megan Tomek came off the bench to serve seven straight points, two on aces.

Aileen Jackson had another great defensive match and Emily Hufnagel and Ashley Mott came off the bench.

The Lady Cat JVs also won 15-8, 15-9 with Amy Freemin, "doing a great job of serving," Melissa Whitney, "playing well on defense," and Hufnagel, "did a good job on the front line."

The Ponca City freshmen, playing as a team for the first time, lost to Bartlesville, 15-8, 15-6.

Waterfowl Stamp Is Now Available

Collectors and hunters can now purchase the 1996-97 Oklahoma Waterfowl Stamp, featuring a single bufflehead in flight. Oklahoma's duck stamp, which state duck and goose hunters are required to carry, also is popular with collectors and art enthusiasts.
"Waterfowl hunters are without a doubt the most committed segment of our society in the area of wetland habitat restoration and preservation," said Alan Peoples, assistant chief of game for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. "Two-thirds of Oklahoma's wetlands have been filled, drained or otherwise lost. To combat this trend, Oklahoma's waterfowl hunters volunteered to fund increased conservation efforts through the sale of a special waterfowl stamp. The stamp was created in 1980 and since then has helped finance hundreds of projects that benefit ducks and geese in the state."
Peoples said duck stamp revenues have helped purchase, create, enhance or restore more than 20,000 acres of wetlands and waterfowl habitat in Oklahoma. Duck stamp moneys also helped establish a self-sustaining population of more than 20,000 resident Canada geese.
Two of the more significant projects that have benefited from the state's duck stamp are Hackberry Flat Wildlife Management Area in the southwestern part of the state, and the Deep Fork Wildlife Management Area in eastcentral Oklahoma. The Wildlife Department has purchased more than 11,000 acres of prime bottomland hardwood habitat along the Deep Fork River. Hackberry Flat is one of the most ambitious, and significant wetland restoration projects currently under way in the country. Completion of the restoration project is targeted for 1998.
"Another program which is having very sign)ficant and positive impacts on our state's wetland resources is the Wetlands Reserve Program, which is administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service," said Peoples. "The program's main focus is on valuable wetlands located on private lands that have been altered or drained for agricultural production. Since the first sign-up last year, approximately 14,000 wetland acres have been approved as eligible."

Under the program, landowners receive a one-time payment equivalent to the appraised agricultural value of the land acres and are given cost-share assistance for restoring their wetland acres. Landowners also must sign a perpetual agreement to protect their wetlands, but they are not required to provide public access for recreation.

One such Wetlands Reserve Program project in McCurtain County is the largest contiguous tract in the nation enrolled in the program. The area, called Red Slough, covers some 6,000 acres and was drained in the 1960s.

"Hunters and collectors should be proud of what they have helped accomplish through their purchase of state and federal duck stamps," Peoples added.

Greg Everhart of Charlotteville, VA, painted the winning art which served as the design for this year's state duck stamp. Waterfowl hunters, through the purchase of Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamps, commonly called federal duck stamps, have contributed more than $500 million dollars for waterfowl and wetland management. Those funds also have helped purchase 4.5 million acres of waterfowl habitat.

Hunters Need Early Courses

Young hunters needing to complete a hunter safety course before heading for the deer woods this fall would be wise to sign up for a course now.
"Even though we hold some 260 classes each year, we always get calls the week before primitive firearms, deer gun and bow seasons from people who need to take a hunter safety class," said J.D. Peer, hunter safety coordinator for the Wildlife Department. "Unfortunately, the last-minute courses are usually full. I know everyone gets busy this time of year, but if you need to take one of these classes, it's important to make time now."
The next course in Kay County is scheduled for Sept. 24-26 at the Newkirk High School. The course runs from 6:30 to 10 p.m. each day.
Peer said that it's a good idea for everyone to take a hunter education safety course, and state law even mandates it for some hunters. No person born on or after Jan.1, 1972, upon reaching 16 years of age may purchase or receive a hunting license or permit without exhibiting either a hunter safety certificate from the Wildlife Department or a like certificate from another state.
In addition, no person under 16 years of age, including lifetime license holders under 16, may purchase a gun deer permit or hunt large game with any centerfire rifle or handgun, shotgun with single rifled slug or a muzzleloading rifle without first obtaining a hunter education safety certificate and carrying it with them in the field while hunting.

Waterfowl Numbers Up

Waterfowl hunters may be in for the best duck and goose seasons they've had in 20 years, according to Mike O'Meilia, migratory bird biologist for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife .
"U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologists are predicting a fall flight of 89.5 million ducks and habitat conditions are looking good across the state," O'Meilia said. "Population levels for many duck species are the highest they have been since the early 1970s, and if we have the habitat to hold migrating birds, hunters will really be in for an exciting season."
Duck and goose hunting seasons for this fall will look very similar to last year, with a 60-day, five-duck per day limit over much of the state. In the panhandle, the season for ducks, mergansers and coots will cover 83 days, running from Oct.12 through Jan. 2, 1997. In Zone 1 (roughly the northern 1/4 of the state), the first split of duck season runs from Oct. 26 through Dec. 1 and the second split runs from Dec. 14 through Jan. 5, 1997.
The first split of the Zone 2 duck season opens Nov. 2 and continues through Dec. 1, then reopens Dec. 14 and continues through Jan. 12, 1997. Hunters should consult a copy of this year's waterfowl regulations, available around the first of October, for specific zone boundaries.
The daily bag limit for ducks is five, and may include no more than two wood ducks, two redheads, one female mallard, one pintail and one canvasback. The daily bag limit for mergansers is five, and it may include no more than one hooded merganser. Hunters are allowed 15 coots daily. The possession limit after the first day of hunting is two times the daily bag limit.
Hunting for dark geese (Canada and white-fronted) begins Nov. 2 and continues through Jan. 26, 1997. For snows, blues and Ross', the season opens Nov. 23 and continues through March 9, 1997. Sandhill crane hunting opens Oct. 26 and continues through Jan. 26, 1997. Crane hunters must obtain and carry a free, federal lesser sandhill crane hunting permit. Permits are available from the Wildlife Department, 1801 N. Lincoln Blvd., P.O. Box 53465, Oklahoma City, OK 73105. Persons requesting permits must provide their name and address (including zip code).
The daily bag limit for dark geese is two, either two Canadas or one Canada and one white-fronted. The daily bag limit for light geese is ten. For sandhill cranes, the daily bag limit is three. The possession limit for dark geese and sandhill cranes is two times the daily bag limit, while the possession limit for light geese has been increased to 40.
"With such excellent production by Central Flyway waterfowl populations this year, we really hope hunters take advantage of this year's duck and goose seasons," said O'Meilia. "If you stopped duck hunting five or 10 years ago, you should definitely dust off your decoys and patch your waders. And if you're already a duck or goose hunter, consider taking someone who is new to the sport."
Either steel or bismuth/tin shot is required for all waterfowl hunting and in addition to a hunting or combination license, all waterfowl hunters need to carry a valid Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program (HIP) permit. HIP permits are free and are available at any hunting and fishing license dealer in the state. Those not required to carry the free HIP permit include
- Hunters under 16 years of age,
- Hunters 64 years of age or older and
- Landowners hunting only on their own property.
In addition, every person 16 years of age and older must have in their possession while hunting an Oklahoma Waterfowl Hunting Stamp, signed in ink across the front.

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