GOOD FRIDAY HOLIDAY OBSERVED The City of Ponca City will observe GOOD FRIDAY on Friday April 7, 2023 as a City Holiday:

• City Hall Offices will be CLOSED Friday, April 7, and will REOPEN Monday, April 10.• Residential Refuse WILL NOT BE PICKED UP Friday April 7, and WILL RESUME Monday, April 10.

As there will be no residential trash collection on Friday, April 7, please only put trash out on the scheduled day of collection. Trash left out overnight or for several days is susceptible to scatter from animals and/or weather which can result in a City code violation.

Contact: Tim McNew, Solid Waste Superintendent, at 580-767-0411

• Ponca City Landfill will be CLOSED Friday, April 7, OPEN Saturday, April 8, CLOSED Sunday, April 9, and will REOPEN Monday, April 10.

Contact: Tim McNew, Solid Waste Superintendent, at 580-767-0411

• Ponca City Library will be CLOSED Friday, April 7, and will REOPEN Monday, April 10.

Contact: Holly LaBossiere, Library Director, at 580-7670345

• Marland’s Grand Home will be OPEN Friday, April 7 and Saturday, April 8, CLOSED Sunday, April 9, and will REOPEN Monday, April 10.

Contact: David Keathly, Marland Estate Manager, 580-767-0420

• Marland Mansion and Estate will be OPEN Friday, April 7 and Saturday, April 8, CLOSED Sunday, April 9, and will REOPEN Monday, April 10.

Contact: David Keathly, Marland Estate Manager, 580-767-0420

• Lew Wentz Golf Course will be OPEN Friday, April 7 thru Sunday, April 9 Contact: Rod Alexander, Golf Pro, at 580-767-0433

• Ponca City Senior Center will be CLOSED Friday, April 7, and will REOPEN Monday, April 10.

Contact Natalie Elwood, Senior Citizens Program Specialist, 580-763-8051

• Ponca City RecPlex will be OPEN Friday, April 7 and Saturday, April 8, CLOSED Sunday, April 9, and will REOPEN Monday, April 10.

Contact: Eric Newell, Parks and Recreation Director, 580-767-0430

CITY WIDE GARAGE SALE, APRIL 22 Ponca City’s Annual City Wide Garage Sale will be held on Saturday, April 22. For this one day ONLY the City will waive the regular requirements for a garage sale. The $5 permit will not be required, and the garage sale will not be counted toward the yearly limit of two. Residents who hold garage sales on this day are encouraged to place the leftovers out at their regular trash pickup spot for proper disposal or donate them to a local charity. In case of inclement weather, the event will be held on Saturday, April 29.

ANNUAL SPRING CLEAN UP, APRIL 22 THRU APRIL 29

Ponca City’s Annual Spring Cleanup will be held April 22 thru April 29 for Ponca City residents. Solid Waste crews will pick up most trash and haul it away, or residents can haul it to the landfill themselves and get rid of it for free. Ponca City Utility customers will be receiving a flyer in their utility bill with detailed information.

City Collections

Crews will pick up any extra items placed in your regular pickup area EXCEPT the following:

• Poisons, acids and caustics • Car batteries

• Explosives

• Body wastes

• Large bulky objects such as automobile frames

• Tires

• Items or materials containing Freon, PCB, etc.

• Items that could cause damage to collection equipment or personal injury to collectors

• Dirt, rocks, concrete and other debris resulting from construction or demolition

• Dead animals, animal excreta, etc. that has not been wrapped and tightly sealed in moisture proof wrapping

• Logs greater than 8 inches in diameter and longer than 4 feet or weighing more than 75 pounds

• Brush that is not bundled, longer than 4 feet in length and weighing more than 75 pounds

• Containers larger than 35 gallons Landfill Dumping Guidelines

Citizens must show a current PCUA (Ponca City Utility Authority) Utility Bill with trash service. The address on the PCUA bill and their driver’s license must match! In an effort to discourage unauthorized commercial dumping, vehicles larger than a pickup or trailer will be charged standard landfill fees.

There is a limit of 6 loads per resident.

Loads are defined as: Pickup bed = 1 load Pickup bed + single axle trailer = 2 loads Pickup bed + double axle trailer = 3 loads Tires

During the Annual Spring Clean-Up, the Landfill will accept tires that are 24 inches or smaller. Tires on rims, tractor tires and heavy equipment tires will not be accepted! Tires must be placed in the designated area for tires at the Landfill. City Crews WILL NOT pick up tires at residences.

Recycling Center

The Recycling Center is located at 1001 W. Prospect and it is open Wednesday through Sunday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Recycling Center will accept the following items: car batteries, latex paint, clean glass, clean tin cans, newspapers, magazines, cardboard, aluminum cans, books and mixed metals. For more information, call 580-4858884.

For more information on the City of Ponca City go to www.poncacityok.gov or Cable One Channel 56 Motor Oil

For those wishing to dispose of motor oil, the following merchants will accept it within the limits specified:

• Auto Zone, 2104 N. 14th – Motor oil only. Up to 5 gallons per person, per day.

• O’Reilly Auto Parts, 3019 N. 14th & 104 W. Grand – Motor oil, transmission fluid and differential grease only. Up to 5 gallons per person, per day.

Special Pick-ups Trees, brush, construction debris, etc. may be disposed of by calling 767-0411 for a special pickup. Special pickups carry a minimum charge of $41.45 and could be more depending on quantity and items for disposal.

CELEBRATE EARTH DAY 2023

The City of Ponca City will celebrate Earth Day 2023 on Friday, April 21 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Unity Gym, 1908 E. Woodland Rd. Citizens are invited to attend and receive educational information about composting, recycling, energy savings and stormwater pollution prevention. Individuals may bring personal papers for safe document shredding between 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., but please, no commercial shredding. Free trees to plant will be available on a first come basis. Contact: Rob Dick, Public Works, 580767-0453

CELEBRATE E. W.

MARLAND’S BIRTHDAY Marland’s Grand Home, at 1000 E. Grand Ave., will be celebrating E. W. Marland’s Birthday on Saturday, May 6, 2023 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. There will be a cake cutting ceremony at 11:00 a.m. This event is FREE to the public.

Visit Marland’s Grand Home Monday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

LEW WENTZ GOLF COURSE NEWS MONDAY, APRIL 3

Senior Day Those 60+ get an 18-hole cart for the 9-hole rate.

TUESDAY, APRIL 4

Ladies Day Ladies get an 18-hole cart for the 9-hole rate.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5 Drink Specials All drink prices reduced, all day.

Contact: Rod Alexander, Golf Pro, 580-767-0433

PARKS AND RECREATION NEWS EASTER EGG HUNT UNDER THE LIGHT

• This FREE community event will be a fun twist on the traditional Easter Egg Hunt by hunting eggs at night! Multiple eggs hunts will be provided on the ballfields at the RecPlex. Areas will be well-lit and safe for all ages.

• This event is on Saturday, April 1, from 8:30 p.m. to 9:20 p.m.

• Age Groups and Hunt Times are as follows: o 0-4 years, 8:30 p.m. on the 8U Field o Special Needs (any age), 8:40 p.m. on the 6U Field o 5-7 years, 8:50 p.m. on the 10U Field o 8-12 years, 9:00 p.m. on the 12U Field

• For more information, visit: www.poncacityok.gov/ parksandrec SAFESITTER BABYSITTING ESSENTIALS

• Safesitter Babysitting Essentials in the RecPlex Art Studio is designed to prepare students to be safe when they’re home alone, watching younger siblings or babysitting. This instructor-led class is filled with fun games and role-playing exercises.

• This is a two-day class on May 12 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and May 13 from 9:00 a.m. to noon.

• For 6th thru 8th grade age participants. The cost is $75.00 per participant.

• Register online thru April 21 at: www.poncacityok.gov/ parksandrec-registration RED CROSS LIFEGUARD CERTIFICATION

• Become a certified Lifeguard by completing this Red Cross lifeguard training course. Taught by certified instructors. Participants will learn what it takes to become a pool lifeguard. o Class dates: April 15 & 16 (register thru April 12) o Class dates: April 29 & 30 (register thru April 26)

• These are 2-day classes on Saturday and Sunday and meet from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. each day.

• For ages 15 and up. The cost is $150.00 per participant.

• Register online at: www. poncacityok.gov/parksandrec- registration

KIDS NIGHT OUT

 

• Sign your kids up for this awesome 5-hour fun-filled event! The RecPlex will provide dinner, multiple crafts for your child and of course lots of fun in the facility. The kids will wind down with a “popcorn bar” full of treats to snack on while they watch a fun movie.

• Saturday, April 22, from 5:00 to 10:00 p.m.

• For ages 2-12 years old. The cost is $35.00 and Siblings $10.00.

• Register online thru April 21 at: www.poncacityok.gov/ parksandrec-registration Contact: Eric Newell, Parks and Recreation Director, 580767-0430

PONCA CITY SENIOR CENTER PONCA CITY SENIOR CENTER REOPENING AT 319 W. GRAND The Ponca City Senior Center is nearing the completion of a 10-month renovation project that included replacement of the roof, HVAC equipment and duct work, installation of new lighting and flooring, electrical upgrades, reconstruction of the restrooms for enhanced ADA compliance, and many more improvements that will make the facility safer and more accommodating for our community’s seniors.

In May of 2022, the Ponca City Senior Center temporarily relocated to the 1st Presbyterian Church to continue its operations while renovations were taking place. The Ponca City Senior Center was able to maintain critical daily programming and the daily lunch program for Ponca City seniors throughout this time.

As staff prepares to return to the newly renovated facility, the Ponca City Senior Center will be closed beginning Monday, April 3, 2023 and reopen with a ribbon cutting and open house on Friday, April 14, 2023 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at 319 W. Grand Avenue. Beginning Monday, April 17, 2023, staff will resume all activities, including the daily meal program, at the Ponca City Senior Center, 319 W. Grand Avenue, operating from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday thru Friday.

Contact: Natalie Elwood, Senior Center Program Specialist, 580-763-8051

THS ALUMNI SEEK NOMINATIONS FOR 2023 DISTINGUISHED ALUM The Tonkawa Alumni Association is requesting nominations for the 2023 Distinguished Alumni Award. The recipient(s) will be honored during Homecoming weekend.

The award has been given since 2006 to outstanding THS graduates whose personal lives, professional achievements and contribution to society exemplify the standards of excellence promoted through their education at Tonkawa High School. Nominations will be accepted until May 1, 2023. Forms can be printed from the Alumni Website at www. tonkawaalumni.com, picked up from the high school office, or completed digitally at the website.

TULIPS A BLOOM FESTIVAL

Come on out to the Blackwell Fairgrounds (800 S Main) and celebrate the Tulips a Bloom Festival on Saturday, April 8th, from 10 am to 3 pm.

The festival will feature many activities for the whole family, including: Food • Music • Vendors

• Snowcones • Petting Zoo

• Games • Contests • Giveaways • Spring Crafts • Bounce House • Pony Rides

• Face Painting • Treasure Hunt • Local Shopping • An Adoption Event hosted by the Animal Shelter — and much more!

CONSERVATION AWARDS BANQUET PLANNED The Kay County Conservation District is planning to recognize farmers and ranchers who have proven to be good stewards of their natural resources at its Annual Awards Banquet on Tuesday, March 28, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. at St. Francis Catholic Church Hall, 610 West Ninth Street in Newkirk. Cooperators of the district are invited to be the district’s guest at the catered banquet, but reservations are required. Awards to be presented are the Governor’s Award, Conservation Awards, Range Management Award, and Partner in Conservation Award. Awards for the student Poster Contest and Conservation Photography Contest will be presented as well. Please RSVP by Friday, March 24 to the Kay County Conservation District office, (580) 362-2438.

GARDEN COUNCIL, CLUBS, RESCHEDULE EVENT Garden Council, Iris and Four O’Clock Garden Clubs have decided to reschedule their joint field trip originally scheduled April 26 - to a joint meeting 9:30 a.m., Wed., April 5, 2023 at the Cann Garden Home.

Hostesses for the meeting will be Janet Ray, Betty Scott and Sherry Muchmore. Please let your hostesses know if you will or will not be able to attend.

Our speaker for the day, David Hillock, Associate Extension Specialist, OSU Horticulture and Landscape Architect, originally scheduled for February, has agreed to be our speaker on April 5, 2023. Hillock will speak on Oklahoma ‘tried and true’ plants and new varieties that do well in our region.

You won’t want to miss this program.

We look forward to seeing everyone

HOSPICE OF NORTH CENTRAL OKLAHOMA, INC. CONDUCTS ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING On Monday, April 17 at 5 pm, Hospice of North Central Oklahoma, Inc. will conduct its annual business meeting, reviewing the activities and statistics of 2022. Those with voting privileges include 2021 volunteers, donors and contributors. All are encouraged to attend. The meeting will be held at 445 Fairview in the Carolyn Renfo Event Center Auditorium.

For more information about Hospice of North Central Oklahoma, Inc. and what it can offer, please go to www.hospiceofnorthcentraloklahoma. com or call 580.762.9102.