Serving Northern Oklahoma SEPTEMBER 2022 FREE PUBLICATION PONCACITYMONTHLY.COM State of the City Special Report
2 SEPTEMBER 2022 “If we take care of the moments, the years will take careof themselves.” – Maria Edgeworth Let The Renaissance take care of the moments for you so you can live your best life now. Outstanding services and care delivered with dignity and compassion in a thriving environment. We have newly renovated apartments, with immediate availability. Ask about our MOVE-IN SPECIALS, Call 580-765-5900 today! ASSISTED LIVING & MEMORY CARE COMMUNITIES Come see what sets The Renaissance apart from the rest. 580.765.5900 2616 Turner Road • Ponca City 1400 E. McElroy Road • Stillwater RenLivingSW.com SeniorExceptionalLiving Don’t settle for ordinary! D D
SEPTEMBER 2022 3 Community Values Boy Scouts of America Cherokee Strip BBQ Cook-Off Cherokee Strip Golf Classic Community Health Foundation East Middle School First Lutheran School Hospice of North Central OK Kay County Amphitheatre Build Kildare School Marland's Grand Home Marland's Place Newkirk's Charlie Adams Day NOC Mavericks Basketball OSU Alumni Association PO-HI Baseball PO-HI Basketball PO HI Boys State PO HI Cheerleading PO HI Deca PO-HI Golf PO-HI Quarterback Club PO-HI Soccer PO HI Steppers PO HI Volleyball Ponca City Country Club Ponca City Humane Society F I R S T N A T I O N A L B A N K O F O K L A H O M A T A K E S E V E R Y E F F O R T T O G I V E B A C K T O O U R C O M M U N I T Y I T ' S A P R I O R I T Y , A N D S O A R E Y O U C H E C K O U T A F E W O F O U R D O N A T I O N S / S P O N S O R S H I P S H E R E : 1 5 0 1 E . P R O S P E C T A V E I W W W . F N B O K . C O M I 5 8 0 . 7 6 2 . 2 2 6 5 @ F N B O K F O L L O W U S O N S O C I A L M E D I A ! Ponca City Junior Livestock Ponca City Kindness Campaign Ponca City Main Street Party at the Palace Shidler Car Show St. Mary's Catholic School Sun N' Fun Waterpark The Child Development Center The Opportunity Center Tonkawa Buccaneers Football United Way Vype Teacher of the Month Sponsorship West Middle School
4 SEPTEMBER 2022 Publishing Company MyMediaMattersCreativeAgency Editor-in-Chief Kelsey Wagner Associate Editor & Advertising Director Robyn robyn@poncacitymonthly.com580-761-1295Ryan Staff Writers Carey Head Everett Brazil, III Andy Hicks Chelsea McConnell KayleyJillSpielbuschRowe Ad Designer Robyn Ryan Magazine Designer Andy Hicks Story Editor Sherry Cable Copy Editor Patrick Jordan Contributing Writers Patrick Jordan Amy RobynPaulAdamLorrieGeurinLaytonLeamingMuehlbergKatLongSteveScottRachelStewartRodAlexanderKeraKesterArmstrongTanaMcKinley Office Staff Haley Harrison SEPTEMBER 2022 • VOL. 3 NO.9 © MyMediaMatters, LLC, dba Ponca City Monthly 2022. For permission to reproduce any article in this magazine, editor@poncacitymonthly.com.contact All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or by other electronic means without written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. Proud Member of the Chambers of Commerce of: Ponca City, Newkirk, Tonkawa, Blackwell, Arkansas City FEATURE STORIES To Infinity & Beyond Getting connected with Ponca City Broadband 6 Business Spotlight: Lindsay Manufacturing, Inc. 14 Business Spotlight: KR Automation 23 Lego Robotics Course 26 Cover Story Special Report: State of the City 30 Let’s Talk About Water 75 MONTHLY FAVORITES Sudoku/Solution 45/77 Book Reviews 58/59 Stew On That 60 Food Crush: Rock & Brews Resturant 63 Crossword/Answer 65/77 Learning with Leaming 67 Sounding Off 68 Recipe: Miso Chicken Ramen 71 Kay County Events 72 Talk Birdie to Me 74 Get Fit with Kera Kester 76 Cocktail of the Month: Paloma 78 10 6418PIONEER AREA QUILTERS GUILD BACKYARD GARDENER 60 YEARS OF THE CHEROKEE STRIP GOLF CLASSIC
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In my kitchen cabinet, there is a pink cookbook. It’s not a fancy cookbook, in fact, it’s rather plain. On the cover of the recipe book is a drawing of a rocking chair, with a simple wooden side table and oil lamp, and a small bible resting delicately near the lamp. I received this pink cookbook in August of 1995. I remember that day like it was yesterday. It was a sweltering summer Oklahoma day. I was ten years old, with not a care in the world. Family had traveled from all over the country to a small rural town in Oklahoma to celebrate the birthday of my 100-year-old great, great grandmother Gertrude. We had all manner of food and there were children running and playing as the adult relatives caught up after years spent apart.
When I hold my family cookbook in my hands, I think about how it isn’t just the story of my family, it’s the story of me. The food, the stories, the memories…they are all a part of who I am today. And because of that book, I have dedicated myself to recording my own memories, in the hopes that one day, a long time from now, my great, great granddaughter will read my words and feel that same connection to her history as I do to mine. Andy Hicks Jay Wager/MyMediaMatters
Since the day I finally picked up and read my cookbook, it has become one of my most treasured pieces of family history. I make the recipes and re-read the stories. My cookbook now looks worn, and used, or as I like to say “well-loved.” I feel so blessed that my family members took the time to record and preserve some of my written family history. Reading my family’s story through the words of my great, great grandmother is such a special gift for someone like me. You see, I know that words have the ability to connect and to inspire. That’s what I love most about Ponca City Monthly, its ability to connect people in our community, and around the world through stories.
The elder women of my very large family felt it imperative to mark the birthday occasion with the creation of a family cookbook. Over the course of a year, painstaking time was spent collecting, compiling, and composing family recipes and memories. Members of all ages contributed, from a “how to make snow ice cream” from a young cousin to my great, great grandmother Gertrude’s own recipe for making canned preserves. The cookbook was titled “Making Memories.” I remember my mom telling me that day that I had a cookbook with my name written on the inside cover, and that she would keep it for me and give it to me when I was older. Every member of the family, including all the grandchildren were given a copy. At the time I thought nothing of it. My Mom gave it to me after I got married and moved away from home, and still for years, I didn’t really pay it much attention, until one day, a few years into adulthood, I finally sat down to read it. My great, great grandmother wrote, “My grandparents Tebbe and Gertjen were born in Osfriesland, Germany. That is in northern Germany near the North Sea. Grandfather was a shoemaker. He bought the leather and made shoes. My father was born on May 14, 1863, in Arle, Germany, a small village. His mother died when he was 17 years old. He told his father, “Now I am going to America.” My grandfather walked with my father to Bremen, Germany, where my father boarded the ship to America. My father never saw his father after this. He had a half-brother living in Illinois. He was on the ocean eleven days.”
On the Cover: Downtown Ponca City Cover Design by
Gertrude or “Gertie” as she was known to her friends, was the last fluent, German-speaking member of our very large, family. In this cookbook were her memories, as she recalled them. In her later years, I was told, she would sit and read her German bible in her rocking chair, and scribble down notes and memories of her life.
Letter from the Editor
David Williams has been the Technology Services Director for the City of Ponca City since November 2016. When asked about his vision for the ambitious Ponca City Broadband project, Dave is very honest. “The City Commission challenged us to make this happen. Several years ago they saw this is where the world is going, and that nobody was going to do this for Ponca City.” The City knew it was up to them to make the investment in our community so our citizens and businesses can have the best internet possible. Dave clearly is not one to back down from a challenge, so he and his team dove right in coming up with the best possible way to implement broadband on a community-wide scale. This forward-thinking project is slated to be fully completed by February, 2023, only 2.5 weeks past their original deadline despite dealing with supply chain issues due to COVID. Even better, if things progress as Dave and his team believe they will, the project will also come in under budget.
Story by Chelsea McConnell/Staff Writer
GETTING CONNECTED WITH PONCA CITY BROADBAND
For anyone not familiar with the Broadband project, some background explanation is necessary to understand why this is such a game changer for our community. Broadband networks are 100% fiber optic and the only electronics involved is the modem that’s located in a user’s house. This means the network itself isn’t as susceptible to the typical damage older copper wire systems are susceptible to like wear and tear from weather, water and even squirrels. Fiber optic networks have no electric in them at all, it’s a beam of light in a glass strand about the size of a human hair that connects directly to each user’s home. You don’t share that with anyone else in Antown.additional factor making fiber networks superior is the concept of latency. Williams explains latency like this. “If you play games online, latency is the end-all-be-all of a good experience because you’re sitting there moving your person around in this game with a [controller]. Latency is how long does it take that player to know you told it to move, right? Fiber optic networks have very little latency that’s usually measured in single digits where most copper based networks have double or sometimes triple digit latency.” This metric means those networks are simply slower. Latency also has a huge effect on streaming platforms such as Netflix. Dave explicates further. With a traditional network, “you need enough of that movie stream to get to where your device can start playing it. Streaming gives you little chunks at a time of the movie, but allows you to start watching it while it’s still fanning more data to you. On a fiber optic network, you better be in your seat when you press play because it starts right then. And it never buffers. If it does buffer, I can almost guarantee you, it’s not the network that’s at fault. It’s because the Netflix server became overloaded for a second and it’s got to catch up with itself.”
6 SEPTEMBER 2022 See BROADBAND Continued on Page 9
TO INFINITY & BEYOND
SEPTEMBER 2022 7 Renderings of murals that will be painted by artists Theresa and Jeremy Sacket. Painting will begin mid-September, 2022. Carl FoundationBrendaandRenfroFamily Bobby Garrett HIGHLAND UNDERPASS MURALS Made Possible by Family sessions starting at $75 and senior sessions starting at $150. To schedule, call 620-779-5694. NOW BOOKING FALL SESSIONS! Kayla Blaes Photography kaylablaesphotography@gmail.com • www.kaylablaesphotography.com Like us on Facebook! 918-708-5061 Health ❘ Medicare ❘ Life ❘ Supplemental Edward Hamilton Licensed Insurance Agent
8 SEPTEMBER 2022 Zultys Unified Communications Partner • VOIP Surveillance Camera Systems • Network Management americantelephone.us 209 N. 2nd Street • Ponca City • (580) 765-3131 YEARS in business! 1723 N. 3rd • Ponca City•(580) 762-8122 FALL Window SALE Save up to 20% on Windows!Replacement BOUTIQUE & SALON honey-beeboutique.com jewelry,shoes,Clothing,more!gifts,accessories, 314 E. Grand • Ponca City 580-749-0880 At Phillips 66, supporting our people, our environment and our guidescommunitieseverythingwedo. PONCA CITY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS Te esperamos en el primer Festival Hispano de Ponca City. Habra musica, comida, baile, rifas y mucho mas.... FRIDAY • SEPTEMBER 16 • 5-9 PM at The Summit in City Central 400 E. Central Avenue • Ponca City – Entrada Gratis –FESTIVAL DE LA HERENCIA HISPANA At Phillips 66, supporting our people, our environment PONCA CITY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS Join us for the first Ponca City Hispanic Heritage Festival. There will be music, food, dancing, raffles and much more.... FRIDAY • SEPTEMBER 16 • 5-9 PM at The Summit in City Central 400 E. Central Avenue • Ponca City – Free Admission –HISPANIC HERITAGE FESTIVAL www.jfkcpa.net580-767-1040 222 E. Grand Avenue, Ponca City Equity Bank Building, Suite 200 • ConsultingServices • Tax Preparation • Payroll Services • Bookkeeping • MonthlyAccounting
Before ever starting the project
It’sdifference.”leaderslike David Williams that are helping to take Ponca City to the next level. His excitement and passion for the Broadband project are evident in the way he talks about it and the ramifications it will have for our citizens and our community as a whole. As much as he has enjoyed the Broadband challenge, he goes on to admit, “I can’t wait to find out what the Commission has in store for us next.”
SEPTEMBER 2022 9 BROADBAND Continued from Page 6
Another reason we think Ponca City Broadband is pretty amazing, well, Dave says it best. “When you come to Ponca City Broadband, you’re not only getting internet service, you’re investing in your community. It’s not just the best internet service in town. It will help support general fund activities. It will help put gas in the police cars and the fire trucks.”
Williams and his team studied other communities where broadband was implemented on a large scale. They studied both major successes and major failures with the goal of learning from both. The project started with a small test phase in the middle of town. These initial users were an opportunity for the Tech Services team to implement the Broadband on a smaller scale before moving to the west and east sides of town where the project was implemented in larger scales. This method allowed them to work out kinks and any potential obstacles. One obstacle they had to overcome was connecting the service to all different types of homes. Dave gives an example, “Your home is vinyl siding, mine’s brick, this other one’s made out of wood. Then we’ve got some homes that have 14 inch commercial“We’veofdifferentoffersgo,AsthatbiggestaboutThatadjustments.toway.thoseeveryYoulimestonethickwalls.can’tinstalloneofthesameSowehadmakesomewasreallythesurprisewegot.”farasplanstheCitytwolinesservice.gotourproduct and we’ve got residential level service. On the residential side, we offer three rate plans, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond. With Gold you get 50 megabits for $60 a month. Platinum is a hundred megabits for $100 a month. And diamond is a full gigabit for $250 a month. But like I said, there’s no contracts, that price never changes. The first customer we installed on July 8th, 2019, is paying the same today that they paid the day we connected them and they’ve never paid a penny more. It doesn’t matter how much data you use. That’s what you’re paying for. You get to use it. There’s a huge difference with the commercial plan because if that breaks, you need it fixed right now. We immediately roll a truck out, 24 hours a day to go fix one of difference,nightcouldcomparison.nicelyDavebeBroadbandtointernetcopperyourswitchingwonderingIfplan.”the$200problems.thoseIt’samonthforcommercialyou’restilliffromtraditionalwireservicePoncaCitymightagoodidea,sumsitupwiththis“Isayit’saanddaybutit’s kind of like a skateboard vs. Learjet
“If you play games online, latency is the end-allbe-all of a good experience because you’re sitting there moving your person around in this game with a [controller]. Latency is how long does it take that player to know you told it to move, right? Fiber optic networks have very little latency that’s usually measured in single digits where most copper based networks have double or sometimes triple digit latency.”
Dave goes on to explain the impact on a larger scale. “The other way that it helps is it puts Ponca City in a marketing position to attract businesses and manufacturing. Now that doesn’t guarantee that because we’ve got broadband, we’re going to get businesses, but if we didn’t have broadband, it almost guarantees we wouldn’t get them because that is one of the things that’s an absolute must-have for industry anymore. Actually, access to reliable high-speed internet at a residential level has become nearly as important as access to running water and electricity.
It’s becoming more and more difficult to function in today’s world if you haven’t got this kind of access. Ponca City Broadband is kind of unique in that there’s no contracts, there’s no asterisks, there’s no data caps. Monthly prices don’t fluctuate based on how much you use. It works every day of the week, even if it’s raining, even if the wind’s blowing.”
The equipment for the Broadband is housed in four locations across town which are essentially cement fortresses capable of withstanding an F5 tornado. Additionally, the City uses two different carriers to provide the service. This means if one carrier has issues, there’s a backup readily available. On top of that, they have three power sources to make sure the service keeps running. Dave explains it like this, “I’m fairly confident saying that as long as you have power at your house, you will always have access to Ponca City Broadband. And even if you lose power at your house, if you had an uninterruptible power supply or a generator or something, as long as that modem can be turned on, your wireless devices, cell phones, laptops, as long as they’ve got battery power, you can still get to the internet.”
PIONEER AREA QUILTERS GUILD See QUILT Continued on Page 13
Quilting2022is an arts and crafts tradition that has spanned centuries and many generations. Whether the purpose is to sleep warmly on a cold winter night or to be displayed as a work of art, those who do it create dazzling displays for the sheer joy of the hobby.
The organization has been promoting quilting for more than 40 years, and members celebrated that feat last December.
For some, quilting is a craft that has been handed down through generations, and many members have years of experience in making them. Wohletz herself has been creating quilts since the early 1980s. Walling has only been crafting them for about seven years, proving that anyone can learn the practice, and new members are always welcome at the meetings, even with only a passing interest that they may have kindled and want to grow into a blazing fire.
Kim Walling and Julie Wohletz are escaping the baking summer heat at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church. They are members of the Pioneer Area Quilters Guild, an organization that seeks to spread a love of the craft, whether to veteran quilters or to those seeking a new hobby.
“We have a social time before the meeting for the fellowship, to talk and take notes,” Wohletz said. “Some of our speakers have a workshop Story by Everett Brazil, III/Staff Writer
Attending the meetings is a great way to immerse oneself into quilting, as it provides plenty of opportunities to learn, no matter their years of experience.
Although it’s based in Ponca City, they have members across Kay County and across the region, from as far away as Enid, Oklahoma, as well as Arkansas City, Winfield and Longton, Kansas. Membership totals 77 crafters.
Quilting is still alive, and a group of quilters in Ponca City is working to keep that tradition strong today.
”We meet the first Monday of the month at 10:30 a.m.,” Walling said. “We usually have guest speakers come in and teach us new techniques and ideas. We have a ‘Show and Share,’ and that is when people can share the quilts they previously made.”
10 SEPTEMBER
“You get addicted — all the colorful fabric, the patterns and just the influence of other quilters,” Wohletz said. That addiction and love feed the desire to create the colorful quilts.
“We gladly invite new members to the Guild,” Wohletz said. “We have several people that aren’t actually making quilts but like to see them.”
9/9 and 10/7 at 7 PM: Salt Fork Revival (James Owen, Tony Haynes, Derik Cripe). Playing a mix of rock, country and blues favorites, you won’t want to miss this local band!
For the latest information, check the Kay County Amphitheater Facebook page.
SEPTEMBER 2022 11
KAY COUNTY AMPHITHEATER FALL EVENTS
9/10 from 9 AM - 3 PM: Enjoy Charlie Adams Day entertainment. 9/11 at 7 PM: The Jubilee Travelers are talented singers, musicians and recording artists that love to share about the Lord through song and music. 9/17 at 7 PM: Donald Davis is a nationally-known storyteller. The author of eighteen books and more than forty original recordings, Davis is the recipient of both the Circle of Excellence and the Lifetime Achievement Awards from the National Storytelling Network.
The Kay County Amphitheater is located at the corner of 9th & Main in Newkirk. Bring a friend and a chair/blanket! All events are family friendly and free!
We take housing applications for the elderly and disabled. You must be at least 50 years of age or receiving disability benefits. Office hours are Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 3:00 pm (Closed 12:30 pm - 1:00 pm) 201 E. Broadway • Ponca City • 580-762-4445 • FREE Wi-Fi throughout building • Beautiful grounds and gardens • Friendly and caring staff • Rent based on income • 1 bedroom and efficiencies • Carpet and mini-blinds • Handicap-accessible units • Friendship Feast transportation • Meals on Wheels • Potluck lunch • Movie and game night • More! BROADWAY PLAZA APARTMENTS 201 E. Broadway • Ponca City • 580-762-4445 Simplified, Secure Living for Seniors and the Disabled Books • Jewelry • Gem Stones • Gem Stone Trees • Black Light Room Self Care Line: soaps, bath salts, body butter, incense, candles, essential oils Tarot Card Reading • More! New Service: Geode Cracking Bring in your own or purchase one of ours! ROCKS • FOSSILS • MINERALS • CRYSTALS @ Rock’n It Treasures HOURS: Monday-Thursday 10-6 • Friday & Saturday 10-8 • Sunday Noon-6 110 N. 5TH • DOWNTOWN PONCA CITY • 580-716-9993 – FAIRY GARDEN NOW OPEN! –Store & Bait Shop Boat & RV CampgroundStorage 8875 Lake Road, Ponca City • West of Kaw Lake Dam 580-765-2219 or lvstoreandbait@gmail.com580-761-1244 PONCA CITY, OK 12’ x 12’ x 32’ and 14’ x 14’ x 45’ • Concrete floors • 24-hour access • Overhead doors • Full partitions NEW STORAGE UNITS now available! Store, Bait Shop and Office Hours: 7-7 Daily Beginning September 6: 9-6 Weekdays, 8-6 Sat. & Sun.
10/8 at 7 PM: Grand Ole Opry Guest Artist and award-winning musician, Kyle Dillingham, has represented America with his fiery performance in over 40 countries. He will be in Kay County for the last amphitheater event of the season! Call 580-762-4445 for information or apply in person.
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A last stop is having it pieced together. For those who don’t have the ability there are plenty of businesses that can do it.
SEPTEMBER 2022 13 QUILT Continued from Page 10
A few blocks to the southwest is the New Emergency Resource Agency (NERA), which likewise serves the community, not just as a food bank, but also providing needed household items. The Pioneer Area Quilters Guild is also part of supporting the community through NERA.
She added that beginners can sign up for classes at Completely Quilted, 315 E. Grand Ave., in Ponca ThereCity. are plenty of other resources, as well, including television programs, and books and magazines, all of which aid a beginner in crafting a Creatingquilt. those heavy quilts is time consuming, as well as expensive, starting at a fabric store to find the right pattern. Fabric also must be selected, as well as where to cut it to make the quilt blocks. There must also be a backing to hold it together.
Those donations may seem overwhelming at times, necessitating a need for volunteers to assist in sorting them.
“Whenever we make a quilt, it’s like a kaleidoscope of color and design that we are an integral part of,” Walling said.
“We are a not-for-profit organization, and the way we fund our group is through membership dues. Every year, we have a fund-raising project. It can be a quilt or bags. That is how we continue on,” Walling said. “This year, we’re trying to get a 2’ x 2’ barn quilt as a fund-raiser.”
“These are sensory items, things they can touch, things they can see, things they can feel,” Walling said.
“For some people, this is the only time they get out of the house,” Walling said.
Church is located at Fifth Street and Cleveland, and each Monday-Thursday, they provide an evening meal, known as Friendship Feast.
“We have a team of staff when it comes in. We have three tables full, and more on the floor,” Wohletz said. They also donate quilts to Flags of Valor, which supports U.S. veterans.
At the core though, there is still a thrill in crafting a quilt.
One of the biggest programs they promote is the crisis pregnancy center, Living Hope, providing support for women facing an unexpected pregnancy. That includes making baby blankets for the expectant mothers.
“There are lots of patterns that are considered easy, and you can do it in two to three days,” Wohletz said. “To me, I don’t think you can make a quilt for less than $500.” It would be easy to think of the Pioneer Area Quilters Guild as simply a quilting organization, and while partially true, they venture far and wide into the community, using their sewing skills to better those who may need help of their own.
The Pioneer Area Quilters Guild has so much more to offer, other things than just crafting. One is fellowship and camaraderie, especially for members who may not get out of their homes.
“They provide food and personal supplies for anyone that needs it,” Wohletz said. “What we provide are personal items, like soap, shampoo, toothpaste.”
The expectant mothers are able to participate in a ‘boot camp’ event which teaches parenting concepts as they prepare for birth. Those who complete the program receive a special gift.
“We make pillowcases, and we donate them to the Friendship Feast for the kids at the church, and work in conjunction with local churches, so when we donated the pillow cases, they’d have a pillow to lay their head on,” Walling said.
“It prepares them for what it is like to raise a child, and at the end of the boot camp, they have a laundry basket, and in the laundry basket they put the baby blanket,” Walling said. Also in the basket are positivity bags, which contain personal items for them. “It helps with their emotions by giving them a ray of hope,” Walling said.
There are many ways the Pioneer Area Quilters Guild benefits the community, all on a volunteer Firstbasis.Christian
the next day. People sign up for them and make some kind of quilt.”
Pioneer Area Quilters Guild is only one group providing the items, along with area churches. For the members, they take sewing to a new level in helping Alzheimer patients have some semblance of normalcy by crafting special shirts they can find comfort in wearing. They provide that by sewing into the garments physical items, like buttons and zippers, things they can recognize.
off West Prospect is a little manufacturing business doing big things. Brother and sister Winston “Win” Lindsay IV and Natalie (Lindsay) Fraser share about the family business, Lindsay Manufacturing, Inc. (LMI). LMI is one of the leading manufacturers of central vacuum systems worldwide, as well as a full-line supplier of central vacuum parts and accessories. They operate out of a 150,000 square foot facility and put out anywhere from 300-600 vacuums per week, depending on demand and vacuum type.
Tucked2022away
(Left to Right) Edward Lindsay Sr, Winston Lindsay III, Natalie Fraser, Winston Lindsay IV.
As with most companies that have been around for generations, LMI already has a lovely synopsis of its history prepared. While this description is worth sharing, it is also worth noting this company is so much more than the verbiage they put on their advertising materials.
Lindsay Manufacturing, Inc. was originally formed in 1956 as Thermodynamics, Inc., a manufacturer of heat exchangers. In 1960, it became VacuMaid, Inc., reflecting its commitment to thehad1970s,Canada.sellcoastsalesdevelopedfacility,City,Fromindustry.thehelpedseveralVacuMaid1960sThroughoutvacuumofmanufacturecentralsystems.theand70s,obtainedpatentsandtopioneercentralvacuumitsPoncaOklahoma,VacuMaidstrongalongtheeastandbegantoproductsintoBythelatethecompanyexpanded its operation with a solid distributor network throughout the United States and also started to increase sales in several European countries and powderwashing,vacuumthecoiledgalvannealed—manufacturertoday,Theareflect(LMI)Manufacturing,namechangedtheimproved.expandedcontinuallybaseTheAustralia.manufacturingwasandIn1987,companyitstoLindsayInc.toaccuratelyitsroleasmanufacturer.companyis,stillatrueprocessingsteelintofamiliarcentralcans;drying,coatingand baking the cans before assembling with electrical motors and components, prior to packaging.
See LMI Continued on Page 17
Story by Chelsea McConnell/Staff Writer
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: 66 Years As A Family Business Lindsay Manufacturing, Inc.
Today, LMI also manufactures a range of intercom systems under the name AudioTech and is the North
14 SEPTEMBER
SEPTEMBER 2022 15 The Mission of Humanity Hospice is to provide quality comfort care that enhances the lives of individuals with a life-limiting illness and their families through dignity and compassion. Toll Free (855) humanityhospice.com782-2222 Located in City Central, 400 E. Central, Suite 303 in Ponca City Compassionate Care by Trained Professionals Local people caring for local people! Humanity Hospice brings together a team of speciallytrained professionals and volunteers who work with the patient’s doctor to provide a plan of care designed to control the pain and ease end-of-life struggles for the patient and their family. These professionals come from a variety of disciplines working together under the guidance of the Hospice Medical Director to meet the individual needs of your loved one. We do so much every day with our patients from celebrating their birthdays, participating in activities and volunteering in their facility. Hello Fall! troutfuneralhome.com Ponca City, Tonkawa and Blackwell Ponca City Obituaries are published online first troutfuneralhome.comat Bad Credit, No Credit, Previous Bankruptcies, ALL WELCOME! Don’t prejudge your credit • $20 Referral Bonuses Paid WIN-CO FINANCE 416 W. Grand • Ponca City • 580-767-1200 Monday - Friday 8:30 am - 5:30 pm • Saturday 9 am - noon Tamra Newlin, Manager•Natosha Barnett, AssistantLOCALLYManagerOWNEDANDOPERATED We offer cash loans starting at $17782 and most approvals take 15 minutes or less! Let us Help You Build your Credit with a Loan from Win-Co! Don’t Judge Your Credit, You’re a WINNER with WIN-CO!
16 SEPTEMBER 2022 Plan your trip at VisitPoncaCity.com or call 866-763-8092 for more information.
AstroVac®, VacuMaid®, SilentPartner®, VacZoom®, Dust Mate®, SuperGroom®, AudioTech® and Edmarkets.forvacuumperfectingtowasengineer,AsofGeneralCityfamilyLindsayInfamilyInc.Manufacturing,LindsayValet®.”(LMI)isabusiness.1963,EdwardmovedhistoPoncatobecomeManagerthecompany.aresearchEdwardcommittedrefiningandcentralsystemsavarietyofIn1985,sharedleadership
Operating from its main facility in Ponca City, LMI manufactures and sells the names of the company with his sons, Edward Jr. and Winston III, with Winston eventually taking the helm. In 2014, Winston was inducted into the Vacuum Industry Hall of Fame. His philosophy is that “we should work together with our competitors and suppliers to continue to grow the business for all.” Today, LMI is run by Winston III, CEO; Win IV, Vice President of Manufacturing; and Natalie, Vice President. Over the years, LMI and the Lindsay family have worked hard to create a plant where they can build their vacuums and most of the related components on-site. In 2015, they went from working with a supplier in another country to provide hoses to purchasing all the equipment from the supplier when he retired and learning to make hoses themselves. Moves like this don’t come without challenges, as one might guess. When their Korean supplier retired, they had to bring him over with the equipment and an interpreter for a week-long training session in order to understand the ins and outs of a Korean-made machine. Additionally, they found the machine worked differently in our Oklahoma climate than it had in its former climate, so there were challenges to be tackled there as well. In an effort to make their company more self-sufficient, these types of steps are important to the company’s values.
LMI has “InNatalievacuumswarehousetodedicatedalsoresourcescreatingafortheirandparts,explains.ourfactory, we warehouse everything that you could possibly need with a central vacuum. So we make the bucket and then make the hoses. Then all these other parts and pieces, any piping for installation of the hose system that can go with the vacuum system, all of those items, we source and then warehouse to be able to distribute to our network more efficiently.”
“Over the years of the Garage Vac, we’re constantly making improvements based on customer feedback,” Natalie explains as she demonstrates lid latches that have been added to make the lids more secure. “This is a feature added as a direct result of taking customer reviews and setting out to solving the problem at hand of the lids not staying on quite as well as customers would like them to. This is just one small example of how LMI has grown and adjusted to the needs of their Aroundmarket.”2012, LMI began selling their garage vacs on Amazon. While selling on Amazon has provided another sales avenue, it also provided the challenges of learning about Amazon listings, managing ads and reviews, and additional shipping requirements. As with other challenges met by LMI, they’ve taken these in stride just like the rest.
products under
In 2010 they built their first Garage Vac, which has become a staple for the company. In 2012, they introduced the Pro Model featuring an upgraded accessories package and a slightly bigger motor. In 2017, they began selling the Utility Vac, geared toward commercial businesses like car dealerships, detailing services, limousine services and other similar operations. The Utility Vac features a long-life motor and is intended for use of a few hours per day, as opposed to the original Garage Vac geared toward homeowners and typically used only a few hours per month.
Members of the Lindsay family are equally committed to creating and selling a quality product as they are to being quality members of our community. The organizations the three have been active in include (but are not limited to) Kay County Justice Facilities Authority, Equity Bank Advisory Board, Ponca City Country Club Board, Rotary, Ambucs, Ponca City Chamber of Commerce, Opportunity Center, Ponca City Leadership, Ponca City Development Authority, Tourism Bureau, Marland Estate Commission, United Way, Ponca City Planning Commission, Ponca City Police Foundation, Ponca City Board of Adjustments and so many more. If a central vacuum is something you’ve considered installing in your home or workplace, or if a garage vac is more your style, the family at Lindsay Manufacturing can help you with either! You can check them out today at lindsaymfg.com.
SEPTEMBER 2022 17 American distribution center for Valet System One intercoms.
trade
CONTACT INFO: Websites lindsaymfg.comvacumaid.com Amazon amazon.com/vacumaid Social linkedin.com/company/vacumaidwww.facebook.com/vacumaidtwitter.com/vacumaidinstagram.com/vacumaidyoutube.com/vacumaidpinterest.com/vacumaid LMI Continued from Page 14
With big names attached over the years like Bob Tway, Rhein Gibson, Jeff McMillian, Cary Cozby, Patty McGraw Coatney, Doug Sanders, Raymond Floyd, Jimmy Demaret and Preston Stanley, it’s no wonder The Strip has gained a sort of notoriety, both locally and nationwide. Golfers come from all over the United States to play in this unique three-day event. The event is a huge hit with locals and those who grew up in Ponca City, as Thewell.Strip began in 1961 when a group of friends hosted an impromptu golf tournament to benefit the OPC, which at the time had recently been formed. The Cherokee Strip Golf Classic became official in 1962. Back then, the OPC had the same basic goals they have today. According to their website, “Concerned friends and families of the developmentally 60Years of
T his year marks the 60th Annual Cherokee Strip Golf Classic (The Strip) being held in Ponca City the weekend of Sept. 8-10. CoChiefs David Kinsinger and Cynthia Wilson are thrilled to announce this year’s event will be the largest tournament to date, with 60 five-man teams participating in honor of its 60th year. The Strip is the longest continuous freestanding Pro-Am golf tournament in the United States. Each team consists of one pro and four amateurs. Wilson says this of the Strip, “First and foremost, it is a fund-raiser for the Opportunity Center (OPC), and that’s always our focus. We have clients out there helping with different things. It’s a great opportunity for them to shine.” It’s also, according to anyone who has attended in the past, the best three days of the year!
Co-Chiefs Cynthia Wilson and David Kinsinger
byStory McConnellChelsea Writer/Staff 18 SEPTEMBER 2022
GolfGolfCherokeetheStripClassicYearsoftheCherokeeStripClassic
GOLF Continued on Page 20
See
disabled in Kay County wanted for their children exactly what everyone wants for children — the ability to grow up, to be successful and to ‘live life to the fullest.’” Today, the OPC provides services to members of our community through group employment, employment consulting, group homes, communityliving homes, community group homes, occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech language therapy and applied behavior analysis. While The Strip is three days of jam-packed fun for all who attend, it also benefits a great organization dedicated to helping the disabled in our community. This year’s Premier Sponsors are Carl and Brenda Renfro. The Renfros have been volunteers, financial supporters and golfing participants at the Cherokee Strip Golf Classic for over 40 years. Carl stated that the golf classic has been one of the major financial contributors to the operation and care of our special needs citizens at the Opportunity
SEPTEMBER 2022 19 CANCELLATION Due to the rise in COVID cases, the 2021 Standing Bear Standing Bear Park Museum & Education Center 601 Standing Bear Parkway Ponca City, Oklahoma 580-762-1514 Welcome Sept.STANDINGBack!BEARPOWWOW23&24,2022 SATURDAY Gourd Dancing … 1:00 Traditional Meal … 5:30 Grand Entry … 7:00 FRIDAY Gourd Dancing … 5:00 Grand Entry … 7:00 601 Standing Bear Parkway Ponca City, Oklahoma Hours: M-F 9-4, Sat. 10-2 We invite you to visit our new website at standingbearpark.com Take the virtual tour on the Resources Gallery page! For more information, contact Standing Bear Museum at 580-762-1514. 324 E. Grand • Downtown Ponca City (580) 382-4018 We are!! Come grab your collegiate wear at The Farm House Kids Co! Who’s ready for Football season?! Brush a little extra to help prevent cavities and because life is better with teeth! Public service announcement from Dr. Phillip and Nancy Tyndall. 415 E. 580-762-7857PoncaHartfordCity
The OPC is a nonprofit organization “dedicated to the well-being of adults with developmental disabilities by providing vocational and residential services. It is our endeavor to enrich the lives of our clients with a sense of independence and self-reliance, while offering a safe and fun environment to live and work.” This event could not be held each year without the gracious sponsors that make it possible. A huge thanks goes out from The Strip Committee to the individuals and businesses listed at left.
Center. He goes on to add, “Cynthia Wilson and David Kinsinger, as Co-Chiefs, have brought new enthusiasm and leadership to a great golf classic. Brenda and I believe this is one of the greatest charitable events that we have supported over the Theyears.”fun officially starts on Thursday, Sept. 8, with both the Ponca City Country Club (PCCC) and Wentz Memorial Golf Course
9DatClubperformingwithateveningandMuleHorseLadies’theThursdaypracticeavailable(Wentz)forrounds.isalsoMartyMcArthurTournament,RacesandRaces.DinnercocktailsthatwillbeheldtheCountryClub,Station9Donthepatiostarting7:30p.m.Stationisthecomplete
Bob Landon
PREMIER SPONSORS: Carl & Brenda Renfro PLATINUM SPONSORS: Phillips 66 & LSPI DIAMOND SPONSORS: First National Bank of Oklahoma Titan CremersBowersTitleLogisticsLawn& Landscape Deep Eddy Vodka Dei Rossi Marketing Equity GreenwoodBank Aerospace Martin, Jean & Jackson Mid-Con Energy Services Osage Casino Richey Roofing Stuart WilliamEnglishGrant & Sons GOLD SPONSORS: Community National Bank PlazaHomelandWine & Spirits Rick Scott Construction EMERALD SPONSORS: Dorada Foods Hiland Dairy Ponca City Tourism 20 SEPTEMBER 2022 GOLF Continued from Page 18
Brenda and Carl Renfro
1990s Band experience. Covering artists from Pearl Jam to Stone Temple Pilots, Nirvana and everything in between! That evening also features Rad Rick’s Night Tourney and Mini Glow Golf! Friday, Sept. 9, starts off early with the beginning of the main tournament happening at the Ponca City Country Club and Wentz. Each team will play one round at the PCCC and one round at Wentz either on Friday or Saturday, depending on their team’s schedule. Luxury shuttle buses will be on-site to take golfers and guests back and forth between locations in style. Also on Friday is Bob Landon’s Wine Pairing. Friday afternoon will feature a dance party on the Pro Shop Patio with Larry Newsom, as well. Friday evening Premier Sponsors Carl and Brenda Renfro will host an evening at the Marland Mansion that would make E.W. himself proud. Featuring the band Endless Summer, America’s Beach Boys Experience, guests can enjoy a Beach Boys tribute with Frankie Valli and other Yacht Rock tunes. Along with an incredible dinner, drinks and entertainment, guests can expect surprises like hidden gambling dens, secret passageways and even a Saturday,speakeasy!Sept.10, begins with more golf for the main teams at both the Country Club and Wentz Golf Courses. Saturday afternoon will feature a dance party on the patio with Full Circle Melody followed by the $5,000 Shootout and Watch Party sponored by Shelley Koster-Keller Williams. Dinner that evening is at the Country Club and will feature the awards ceremony in the Ballroom. Live music from Time Machine starts at 9:00 p.m. and goes until 1 a.m. With Time Machine, the party doesn’t stop, and all are guaranteed to hear their favorite Sprinkledhits.into the entire weekend is an amazing list of Ladies’ Social Activities that includes the Ladies’ Golf Tournament and awards celebration, Brunch & Fun at Brenda Renfro’s; Earring Extravaganza with Opal Cactus Creations; Bob Landon’s Famous (and Favorite) Wine Pairing followed by Tipsy Shopping at a Pop-Up Market with local vendors; Kayaks at Lake Ponca; Succulent Bar; Cook & Chill with Chef Jeff; Mixology with Tiffany; and Singo. Additional activities are still being added to this already enticing list!
Pulling off an event of this magnitude takes a huge amount of effort from a large pool of volunteers, all of whom can’t possibly be named. Heading up the organization of the volunteers is Stephanie Blum. Coordinating the Ladies’ Social Schedule are Tracy Didlake, with help from Brook Lindsay and Natalie Fraser. The Ladies’ Golf Coordinators are Kailye Anderson and Kaity Beatty. The Auction Committee is comprised of Suzie Greenwood, Ashlee Mayse, Molly Kyler, Stephanie Austin and Jodi Cline. Wentz Golf Course event organizers and liaisons are Curt Wilson, Tara Laughlin, Josh Smith, Jeff Washko and Kevin Kreger. Russ Didlake secured the banner and tee box sponsorships. The Strip website designer is Joe Malott. Event Co-Chiefs are David Kinsinger and Cynthia Wilson, with Wilson acting as Treasurer, as well. Opportunity Center Liaisons are Julie Grigsba, Rob Bays and Dennis Zimmerman and Brandon Tracy. These are just a few of the people that make this weekend an amazing event. Also of note are the amazing facilities in Ponca City that work so hard each year to accommodate this event: The Ponca City Country Club, Chad Barney, Carson Walker, Travis Bush and the entire staff; Wentz Memorial Golf Course, Rod Alexander, Kevin Brown and the entire staff; and the Marland Mansion, David Keathly and the entire staff.
Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY Frances CallFrances.Coonrod@gmail.com580-761-1712CoonrodorTextFrancesCoonrod, 580-761-1712 This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY Frances CallFrances.Coonrod@gmail.com580-761-1712CoonrodorTextFrancesCoonrod, 580-761-1712 727 N. Union, Ponca www.HoddyGlass.comCity CHUCK HODDY SEPTEMBERSATURDAY17LAKEPONCA Steele competingBBQ(HoddyFamilyGlass)Teamwillbe&servingthepublicattheBBQCookOff. Come out and support this great event and let us serve you great BBQ! To find out how to enter People’s Choice and help the women of Professionals Today feed the public, please call me, De Steele @ Hoddy Glass or Nancy Brown, Cook Off Chair @ 580-761-9158. We have $5 Advance Tasting Kit Tickets at Hoddy Glass! All proceeds from this Cook Off benefit Hospice of NCO. CLUCK, OINK, MOO 5K SATURDAY • SEPTEMBER 17 • START TIME: 8:00 AM The chip-timed 5k route takes place on West Snake Road at Lake Ponca the morning of the Cherokee Strip Cook-Off. FOR MORE INFO & TO REGISTER VISIT: Poncawww.poncacityok.gov/parksandrec-registrationCityRecPlex:580-767-0430 HHH awardedPrizestotop finishersineachdivision. HHH All receiveparticipantsashirtandatastingkittotheCook-Off. We are proud to support Ponca City 501c3 organizations through charitable grants. Carl Renfro President Randy Renfro Treasurer, CPA Rick Renfro Secretary, Restaurateur Cindy Gorrell Vice InvestmentsPresident, BrendaDirectorsRenfroCarolBouldin Kay County Master Gardener Jeff Cowan Retired Banker Rich Cantillon President Ponca Chamber/TourismCity Welcome participants and fans of the Cherokee Strip Golf Tournament, the Cherokee Strip BBQ Cook Off, the Standing Bear Pow Wow and other September events. Thank you for your support and enjoy your time in Ponca City!
SEPTEMBER 2022 21 REMEMBER THE HEROES ANNIVERSARY21ST9-11-2001 580-761-1712COONRODFRANCES Frances.Coonrod @gmail.com
This
22 SEPTEMBER 2022 3201 N. 14th • Ponca City • 580-762-2921 • Hours: Mon. - Fri. 7:30 am - 6 pm & Sat. 8 am - 6 pm Our expanded grilling department also includes a large selection of: Traeger & Blackstone Grills • Charcoal, wood chips & wood pellets Utensils, pans & accessories • Sauces, rubs & much more! TailgatingTREK Grill LEDGE PEAK BRANDTS MOUNTAINGREEN Prime WiFi SmartGrillsControl Can be plugged into your car’s auxilary plug. Get smart about your discounts! Call me atKENNY580-762-4461WHEELER 216 E. Grand Ave. Ponca City, OK 74601 Lic: #3000167216 Get pioneertech.eduSkilled.580.762.8336 GET PAID. Pioneer Technology Center does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex/gender, age, religion, disability or veteran status. 18 FULL-TIME CAREER PROGRAMS SHORT-TERM & ONLINE ADULT CLASSES BUSINESS & INDUSTRY SERVICES Service available to every home andonbusinessthe WEST SIDE of North 14th St. Coming soon to the East side. No contracts, no asterisks, no data caps, no fluctuating monthly prices… No Kidding! If you’re tired of the rest, switch to the BEST. Call (580) 7670311 for information on signing up.
“I think we provide a unique service in northern Oklahoma and southern Kansas; there are not a lot of people who do what we do,” Rachel said.
“My stepdad does something similar. He would come in and buy the big transformers,” she said.
See KR Continued on Page 24
SEPTEMBER 2022 23
SpolightBusiness
KR AutomationKR Automation
“It’s very industrial. If you are in any assembly-line work, we’ll have the
“(Kyle) worked as a UPS driver and once, when he was off, my dad asked if he wanted to work in the place,” she said. That was 10 years ago, and they only see room for expansion into the future.
The Stewarts are in search of a variety of electrical parts, all of which keep systems operating, especially for assembly lines, which are able to operate without human guidance. Those parts include sensors, relays, transformers and variable frequency drivers, among many others.
“We go into plants that close down, and we will buy the equipment,” Kyle said. “We buy the equipment, clean it up, test it and sell it to the public.”
Story by Everett Brazil, III/Staff Writer
Kay County plays an important role in regional industries, from oil and gas to wind energy and a short-line railroad — the Blackwell Northern Gateway Railroad, which connects to Wellington, Kansas, and the BNSF Railway. What many may not realize, however, is that Kay County plays a behind-the-scenes role across Oklahoma, the United States and even on a global level, helping factories find needed parts for their equipment, all from a little-known shop on South First Street in Ponca City.
Their first warehouse was near their home in Osage County. They will soon celebrate their 10th anniversary, with the last few months in their current location.
They have been in their new facility for only a few months but have been working in the industry for 10 years. As it turns out, it was already in the family.
They began slowly in their home, increasing space to the garage and sheds as business
It is truly a unique business, one that has little competition, but much more of a cooperative spirit, building relationships to keep the facilities buzzing.
“Ourincreased.spare room was filled with equipment, and we moved to the garage and a shed,” Rachel said. “When he quit UPS, we just kind of dove into it.”
Kyle and Rachel Stewart are the owners of KR Automation. From their office inside the facility, they can peer out into an expansive warehouse where thousands of electrical components are sorted, cleaned and stocked, awaiting their new homes in industrial facilities around the world.
Kyle had another job at the time, but soon found a role in the occupation.
KR Automation doesn’t sell new equipment, but used parts they refurbish themselves. It starts with a phone call. When a factory or other industrial facility closes down, many times these components are sold for scrap, but the Stewarts find a new role for these parts.
24 SEPTEMBER 2022 Now taking applications for warehouse and maintenance workers at our Ponca City Distribution Center. We are seeking individuals who possess a desire for long-term employment in a temperature-controlled environment that is fast paced, team oriented with opportunities for advancement. Albertsons offers excellent pay and benefits including: H Medical, dental, vision, disability and life insurance H Paid vacation H 401K with company contribution H Production bonuses Interested applicants should apply albertsons.com/careersonline: No phone calls, please. WAREHOUSE WORKERS H H NEW STARTING PAY H H $ 15 20/hour and up Plus shift differential pay for night shift. ALBERTSONS LLC Ponca City Distribution Center Retention$2,000Bonuspayablethe first year! Equal Opportunity Employer
“It could be a factory that is shutting down,” Rachel said. “We’ve also bought plants where they are simply shutting down lines.”
“We have a pretty good idea of what our clients need, but if we don’t keep a product they need on our shelf, then we can typically get the product for them within 24-48 hours, usually at a retail price,” Rachel said.
Company representatives visit the site and determine what parts and components they are interested in and turn to Bowers Logistics in Ponca City to transport them back home, where they are kept in cardboard boxes. Once the parts arrive, the real work begins for their small “Whenstaff.the parts come in, they go into boxes. We have four people who are responsible for cleaning the parts, taking high-quality pics and listing them for sale,” Kyle said.
Nick Bocanegra, E-commerce technician, unloads incoming inventory.
KR Continued from Page 23 Dale Meadows, E-Commerce Supervisor, is preparing a drive for shipment.
KR Automation eliminates third parties by doing all the work themselves, including storage and “Weinventory.keep parts in stock for our clients, and we keep the components they use frequently on the shelf for them,” Rachel said. “We eliminate the need for them to have a big storage room. That is important when you’re talking about an industry. We’ll keep these things in stock to help keep everything from shutting down.”
There are times, however, when they may not have easy access to the parts and turn to business relationships to keep them running.
equipment that runs the assembly line,” Rachel said. “We sell the components that run the equipment on the assembly line.”
“We’ve created connections with people to have a relationship for the availability of parts.”
“A lot of it is where I get to travel to the plants,” Kyle said. “I get to meet people from other parts of the country. We do jobs all over the country, where people don’t usually travel.”
The Stewarts are looking to the future, which includes a transformation of their building.
At the core, it is the relationships created and maintained to keep a factory business alive.
KR Automation is located at 714 S. First St., Ponca City. For more information, including purchasing products, visit KRAutomationinc.com.
“The majority of our businesses are within a three-hour drive, but we do deliver around the world,”Rachel said. Travel is a major draw to the industry.
Owners Kyle and Rachel Stewart inventory in-stock items.
“It is important to have customer service. We have to continue that relationship, and we want to make sure they get up and going as soon as possible,” Rachel said.
KR Automation maintains a few select clients for their service, mostly in the region, but most parts are sold on their website. They also take advantage of other e-commerce platforms, such as eBay, Kyle said. Those parts will be sold far and wide. They have shipped them to all 50 states, all countries in the Western hemisphere and every continent except Antarctica, truly putting Kay County on a state, national and international level. How the parts are shipped depends on size. Items under a pound are transported by USPS, and UPS and FedEx handle shipping of parts 1-150 pounds. Anything larger is transported through Bowers Logistics. They have seen business connections across a wide variety of industries, from lumber to food service, anything that needs some level of automated services, and have made connections with big-name businesses, like Anheuser-Busch, Coca-Cola and The New York Times. Most of their clients are regional, however, with a majority of local businesses being served by the Stewarts.
“When we bought the building, we had the whole exterior repainted. That is important to us as business owners,” Rachel Theysaid. are also moving in new directions, buying nonelectrical parts, such as tools and other materials. Those will only be available at their shop, not “Weonline.started buying the tools, too, and are thinking about a spinoff business,” Kyle said.
SEPTEMBER 2022 25 St. Mary’s Catholic School’s Annual Saturday, October 8 • 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm 415 S. 7th Street • Ponca City Inflatables, Games & Prizes • Food, Drinks & Desserts Cake Walk • Special Game Area for Children 5 & Under Live DJ • Live & Online Auctions • On-Site Security • More! fall FESTfall FEST 20222022
Just about everyone remembers playing with Legos as a kid. Who could ever forget stepping on one? Or picking them up for the 100th time from the floor after they’ve been dumped from huge plastic bins? I know from experience how fun that is!
26 SEPTEMBER 2022 1217 E. Prospect•Ponca City•767-8304 CHOPPEDSANDWICHBEEF BUY 2, GET 3RD FREE! Must present coupon. Not valid with other offers. Expires September 30, 2022. ✄ ✄ COUPON ✄ ✄ SLAB RIB SPECIAL Complete with Side Orders $2 OFF Must present coupon. Not valid with other offers. Expires September 30, 2022. ✄ ✄ COUPON ✄ ✄ Dreaming of Your Own Place? paladinapartments.com PALADIN APARTMENTS 301 West Hartford • Ponca City We offer 1- and 2-bedroom apartments. Call 580-762-7164 for availability. • Covered parking • On-site laundry • Central location • Pool • Courtesy overnight patrol • Basketball courts
LEGOS ARE NO LONGER JUST CHILD’S PLAY; ROBOTICS IS A VIABLE LEARNINGFOROPPORTUNITYOURYOUTH. Lego robotics can be considered a stepping stone to STEM field, science, engineering, technology, and math. Students will use a MindstormRobyn Armstrong/University Center CEO
I know this time of year brings with it a lot of preparation, excitement, and planning of events. School has started, and kiddos are glad to be back in a learning environment after a long and HOT summer! They look forward to seeing their friends, and to making new friends and memories. Don’t get me wrong, the summer break is always fun. I love the long days and laid-back feel of summer. However, from a parent’s perspective it’s time get back into a routine. At the University Center we have the perfect solution for your child for after-school fun. The UC offers an exciting after-school Introductory Robotics and Programming LEGO Robotics Course. This program started as a follow-up to the weeklong Robotics courses that we started for summer academies. The response was so positive from the students and parents that we decided to bring these fun STEM learning sessions to students once a week after-school.
Story Contributed by
Students use the basic driving base and sensors to complete challenges like sensing colors, moving objects, and more. Students may work collaboratively with a partner, independently, and with the entire class to achieve goals. No prior experience is necessary. This is an opportunity for students to be creative and have fun after a long day of school. Our next session will begin Wednesday, September 7th and run through Wednesday, November 30th. Students will not meet on Wednesday, November 23rd. This program is open to students enrolled in 5th thru 8th grade. Call the UC at 580-718-5600, or go online at ucponcacity.com to register.
SEPTEMBER 2022 27 580-762-1736•CityPonca•St.1stN.509pm2-am9Sat.•pm5:30-am10Fri.-Mon.Hours:ShowroomFinancing available! 12 months, no interest with approved credit. Hardwoods • Vinyl • Carpet • Tile • Quartz • Granite • Kitchens • Bathrooms • Blinds • Shutters • More! It’s here, finally a way to see flooring possibilities in your home before visiting the store! Super easy to use, fast and filled with flooring from all the major brands you know and trust! Take Inspiration to the Next Level with our Online Room Visualizer at poncacity.abbeycarpet.com showroomvisualizerproductsSomeNote:onthearenotsampledinour programmable brick. These are fun interactive learning sessions where students learn how to problem solve, design and program their robots. In this after-school session students collaborativelyworkwithaninstructortolearnthebasicsofcomputercodingandworkwitharobotthatcaninterpretcomputercode.Studentswilldiscoverthebasicmechanicsofmotorsformovementandsensorstohelptherobotinteractwithitssurroundings.
Theprogram!University Center at Ponca City (UC) brings college degree programs from Northern Oklahoma College and Northwestern Oklahoma College to Ponca City in order to make Associate, Bachelor and Graduate level degrees available for those would not otherwise be able to pursue their education goals.
An instructor is onsite to help students every step of the way! Call today and get your child enrolled for a fun interactive after-school
28 SEPTEMBER 2022 NOW OPEN IN OUR STATE-OF-THE-ART • Most private, commercial and marketplace insurances accepted. • We are a SoonerCare provider. • Call for more information. TRIAD COMPLETE HEALTHCARE • Primary Care • Pediatrics • Women’s Health • Diabetic Care • Chronic Illness • Pain Management 2701 N. 14TH in PONCA CITY ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS…
SEPTEMBER 2022 29 TaylorAPRN-CNPLewis Eva APRN-FNP-CCase STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITY GigiAPRNCampbellFNP-C Mark MDOatman JodiDOWiley CALL 580-765-9451 TODAY!
The Daughters of the American Revolution recently funded the refurbishment of the World War I memorial marker and it was rededicated on July 28, 2022.
Continued on Page 33
State of the City
With highest regards,
Homer Nicholson, Mayor Service: 2007 to present Term Expires: March of 2025 By Tana McKinley Assistant City Manager, City of Ponca City CITY
The possibilities are endless and can range from compassion and kindness to creativity and sustainability to organization and maintenance. It’s another great day in Ponca City, because you can choose to make it a great day!
30 SEPTEMBER 2022
See
I encourage you as a Ponca City resident to help “Pretty Up Ponca.”
Homer Nicholson, Mayor
Homer Nicholson
Dear Residents: The Ponca City World War I memorial marker and fountain were constructed in 1925 by the Ponca City Chapter of the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) in memory of the men and women who served during World War I. It was originally dedicated on Armistice Day, Nov. 11, 1925. The DAR recently funded the refurbishment of the marker, and it was rededicated on July 28, 2022. This beloved community focal point reminds all who pause there of the nobility of life well lived and the ever-continuing call to unselfish service.
Report Compiled
Your stewardship is vital to our community. Ponca City was established as a City of Character because the people of Ponca City desired to build upon our heritage and make Ponca City a place where families are strong, homes and streets are safe, education is productive, neighbors care about one another and citizens are free to make wise choices for their lives and families.
State of The City
Special Report
Just as the DAR chose to fund the refurbishment of the marker and the City of Ponca City continually chooses to preserve the integrity of the fountain’s operating systems and exterior beauty through preventative maintenance, it’s a choice to be a good community steward. Being a good steward doesn’t just happen. It takes initiative, resourcefulness and perseverance.
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32 SEPTEMBER 2022 Financing your home Easy as Sunday morning ApplyAnytimeOnline Simply click Apply for A Mortgage at the top of cherokeestrip.com
City Commissioners
The City of Ponca City operates under a council-manager form of government, combining the strong representative leadership of elected officials in the form of the City Commission with the managerial experience of an appointed professional City Manager. The City Commission is the representative body of the people of Ponca City.
Commissioner Chapman is a voting trustee on the PCDA board. The Commissioners play an active role not only in our community, but at the state level as well. Participation at the state level facilitates communication and provides valuable information and insight for making decisions, shaping policy, and developing goals. Mayor Nicholson represents the City of Ponca City by serving on the American Public Power Policy Makers Council, Oklahoma Municipal Utility Providers Steering Committee, Oklahoma Municipal League Board of Directors, Oklahoma Pipeline Safety Task Force, as well as Chair of the Oklahoma Municipal Power Authority Board and Chair of the Ponca City Chamber of the Commerce Retail Task Force. In addition,
TermService:CommissionerRobertTermService:CommissionerShastaTermService:CommissionerPaulTermService:CommissionerChapman,#12008topresentExpires:March2023Taylor,#22018topresentExpires:March2024Scott,#32017topresentExpires:March2023Bodick,#42021topresentExpires:March2024
SEPTEMBER 2022 33
Ponca City citizens elect five at-large commissioners with one designated as mayor. Each serves a three-year term. The Commission selects a vice-mayor each year. Paul Taylor currently serves as the expendituresoverseeingresponsiblemembersCommissionVice-Mayor.areforCityand the tedious, theoperatingtheaddressedarecommunityofunpopular,sometimestaskensuringthatneedsprioritizedandunderconstraintsofthebudgetandstateandfederallaws
imposed on the TheCity.City Commission has not wavered from their overall objectives: to create an environment for open dialogue regarding community capital improvement projects; to keep Ponca City beautiful and safe through code enforcement and the removal of dilapidated buildings; to work on favorable legislation to improve municipal revenues and limit sales tax exemptions through diversification of sources; to support efforts to stretch Amtrak passenger service from Oklahoma City to the central Kansas community of Newton, with the construction of railroad infrastructure capable of sustaining high-speed traffic; and to partner with PCDA (Ponca City Development Authority) efforts to recruit new business, industry and residents.
Lanita
issuesregardingincreaseon-goingandMayor’sofcoordinatesNicholsonmeetingstheKayCountyRoundTablecontinuesanefforttodialoguepertinentfacingNorth Central Oklahoma communities, such as COVID-19, code enforcement, school safety and legislative initiatives. Citizen advisory boards provide an opportunity for residents to have an active role and voice in municipal government through advisory boards, which initiate in-depth studies of specific areas of responsibility and make recommendations to the Mayor and Commissioners. The City of Ponca City has a variety of advisory boards, such as the Airport Advisory Board, Animal Control Commission, Board of Adjustment, Construction Appeals Board, Cultural Affairs Commission, Historic Preservation Advisory Panel, Library Board, E.W. Marland Estate Commission, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, Personnel Board and Planning Commission. The City Commission appoints citizens to serve on advisory boards and applications are available in the City Manager’s Office, located at 516 E. Grand Avenue and online at www.poncacityok.gov.
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Stephenson assists the Commissioners in the making of policies by providing preliminary planning, recommendations, technical assistance, along with reporting on all matters relating to the planning, development and operating status of the City departments.
City of Ponca City government documents are available at the Ponca City Library within the Business Reference Section and Oklahoma EachCollection.year, the Ponca City Information Guide information is updated for inclusion within the Ponca City Chamber of Commerce Business and City Directory, Ponca City Utility Authority new customer packets and the City’s website. This year, a Continuum of Care Information Guide was also created as a resource to help prevent homelessness. The City of Ponca City is an advocate of the Kay County Healthy Living Coalition, in order to support the development of programs and events that recognize the positive impact of health on employees and residents. The City of Ponca City is recognized as a Certified Healthy Business and Ponca City is recognized as a Certified Healthy Community. Free educational events and programs are held for local residents throughout the year, such as Arbor Day, Book Clubs, Citizens Police Academy, Coffee with a Cop, Earth Day, Electrical Safety Presentations, Fire Prevention and Safety Presentations, Health Fairs, Historic Tours of Marland’s Grand Home and Marland Mansion & Estate, Ponca City Citizens Fire Academy, Pre-School Story Times, Recycling Presentations, Senior Center Medicare Part D Assistance, Stormwater Presentations and Volunteer Income Tax Assistance.
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Craig Stephenson is responsible for the implementation of policy and procedures, as directed by the City Commission, through the coordination and supervision of all City departments as they work toward the goals and visions of the Commissioners.
CraigCityStephenson,Manager City Manager
The City of Ponca City has a tremendously dedicated workforce who cares deeply for their community. The full-time employee base across the City is 396, an increase of 6 full-time positions. This increase is due to the system build-out and demand of Ponca City Broadband, as well as an adjustment in part-time hours and full-time positions at the Ponca City RecPlex. The regular part-time employee base across the City is approximately 91. As a community and organization, we have been extremely resilient over Ponca City’s history, weathering economic storms, natural disasters and COVID-19 to become stronger during the recovery and subsequent future. We will continue to be good stewards, work safely, provide great customer service, maintain the public’s trust and work with businesses and industries to create a collaborative environment. This organization has proven to be an innovator in the municipal government sector. With the support of the City Commission, staff will strive to continue that trend, as well as continue to maintain a fiscally sound government, invest in Ponca City, implement sustainable initiatives, serve and protect our community, offer unique resources, and look forward.
34 SEPTEMBER 2022
The City Manager administers and provides support for attaining City Commission and departmental goals through budget
Craig Stephenson
Sincerely,
City’ssafetydevelopmentemployeeDepartments;Operationmaintainingimplementation;ContinuityofPlansforallCityenhancingofeducationandthroughrequiredtrainingoutlinedbythesafetymanual;improving health and wellness opportunities for City employees through the provision of free and voluntary annual employee health assessments; actively monitoring state and federal legislation that has a potential impact locally; and providing timely communications to the public.
Dear Residents:
The Fiscal Year 2022-23 Annual Budget was prepared through a process of multiple meetings with the City Commission, City management and staff. The budget is balanced and in legal form, and the 260-page budget book is available for review at the Ponca City Library, the City Clerk’s Office and the City’s website www. Theponcacityok.gov.totalbudget for Fiscal Year 2022-23 is $125,153,952, which represents a 10.35% increase over the previous year. The General Fund represents $28,786,838 of the total expenditures and is budgeted at an increase of 9.27% over the previous year. Included in the Fiscal Year 2022-23 Annual Budget is $15,656,580 in capital improvements, a 32% increase over the previous year. This is a robust, yet fiducially responsible capital improvement program that reflects the City Commission’s desire to manage the City’s assets through consistent improvements and Salesrepairs.taxrevenues are budgeted at a 3% increase over the previous year, Water and Solid Waste utility rates are budgeted at a 5% increase over the previous year and Stormwater utility rates are budgeted at a $0.25 increase over the previous year. There is a 0% rate adjustment for Wastewater, Ponca City Energy and Ponca City Broadband utility rates. The City Commission continues to make small and prudent increases in utilities to ensure the ability to deliver quality services to the public and continue to meet the needs of the community into the future.
Craig Stephenson
The City of Ponca City provides information to the public using various communication methods. City Commission meetings are broadcast on cable channel 56 and www. poncacityok.gov. The City issues timely press releases, weekly media tip sheets, monthly employee newsletters and annual reports, as well as website and social media postings via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.
• CDBG-CV CARES Act: $612,680 for food bank assistance, rent/mortgage assistance and utility assistance programs in partnership with the New Emergency Resource Agency, $1,000,000 for HVAC upgrades at City Central and $500,000 for renovations at the Senior Center.
• CDBG-Small Cities Program 2020: $152,222 for Marland Grand Home Phase 3 Project, 21 homebuyer assistance projects and 19 special services projects.
SummerSpecialPizzaSpecialDine-InSpecial 10% OFF 2 Entrées of your choice excludes pizza, subs & sandwiches With coupon. One coupon per table. One coupon per visit. Not valid with other offers. Expires 9/30/2022 10% OFF total purchase of $35 or more, excludes alcohol Restrictions apply. One coupon per table. One coupon per visit. Not valid with other offers. Expires 9/30/2022
U.S. Department of Justice (via Bureau of Justice Assistance)
• Bulletproof Vest Partnership Program 2020: $1,636 for annual
CountyAssistance•Program:•allotment.COPSAnti-Methamphetamine$3,321forrelatedovertime.EdwardByrneLawEnforcement2021:$3,819forKaySheriff’sOfficetaser
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SEPTEMBER 2022 35 3216 N. 14th • 580.765.8888 HERITAGE REALTORS® Fall is a great time to buy or sell real estate! Give me a call and let's start looking or get you listed. 580-401-3456 mbclarkmoore@ yahoo.com MOOREMARYBETH ItalianNAPOLI’SRestaurant 3202 N. 14th • Ponca City NapolisPoncaCity.com580-765-2491 Tuesday thru Saturday 11 am - 9:30 pm Sunday 11 am - 9 napolis2020@hotmail.compm 2 for $25 Any size, up to 4 toppings Restrictions apply. One coupon per table. One coupon per visit. Not valid with other offers. Expires 9/30/2022
U.S. Department of Treasury (via State of Oklahoma) The City of Ponca City has been awarded $4,151,883.62 in ARPA (Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Funds). The first payment of $2,066,172 provided funding for small business assistance grants, nonprofit assistance grants, special services grants, the 101-Rodeo arena bleacher project, University Center server upgrade project and public employee renumeration project. The second payment of $2,085,711.62 has not yet been received, but is anticipated in October of 2022. Any funding received will be carefully considered with recommendations presented to the City Commission for consideration and budget amendments. Suffice it to say, these funds should not be used for any operational expenses and only for one-time expense. The City of Ponca City will have until Dec. 31, 2026 to expend these funds.
• Certified Local Government Program 2021: $18,150 for National Register nominations, Ponca City historic sites educational coloring book and staff development.
U.S. Department of Interior (via Oklahoma State Historical Preservation Office)
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (via Oklahoma Department of Commerce)
While the federal government continues to release additional funds to communities via the states, the City of Ponca City continues to bring as much funding back to Ponca City taxpayers as possible. Once funding is secured, the real work begins with the ongoing administration of funds to ensure municipal compliance with associated regulatory requirements.
Current Grants
36 SEPTEMBER 2022 Our facility is staffed with veterinary-trained personnel that are certified fear-free for the ultimate pet Pioneerexperience.VetClinic and Resort features boarding (day and night), a grooming spa, play area and socialization and rehabilitation classes for our patients. 65073 US Hwy. 60 • Ponca City • (580) 762-7887 PIONEER VET CLINIC and Resort Day and Night Boarding GroomingProfessional
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U.S. Department of Transportation/ Federal Highway Administration (via Oklahoma Department of Transportation)
•Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grants: $27,104 and $90,000 for plan updates.
•Partnered with the Youth Activity Division of the Ponca Tribe of Oklahoma: $1,600 for NASA@ MyLibrary program. National Endowment for the Humanities (via Oklahoma Humanities)
SEPTEMBER 2022 37 equipment and $9,974 for Ponca City Police Department radios and taser •equipment.EdwardByrne Law Enforcement Assistance 2022: $3,763.50 for Kay County Sheriff’s Office car radar antenna and $11,290.50 for Ponca City Police Department digital cameras and holster bags.
TOTAL: 9.25% City FinanceClerk/ Finance provides timely and accurate financial information to the citizens of Ponca City, the Board of COVID-19 RENT/MORTGAGE ASSISTANCE & UTILITY ASSISTANCE
•ARPA: $15,000 for Marland Mansion janitorial services.
• Santa Fe Depot Multi-Modal Renovation: $2,000,000 not yet received.
U.S. Department of Homeland Security (via Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management)
• Continuing Education Grant: $1,037 for library staff development.
• Library State Aid: $10,728 for library collections, staff training and public programs. Aeronautics and Space Administration (via American Library Association)
•Emergency Management Performance Grant 22: $29,709 annual allotment for salary. Local Grants
• ARPA: $12,867 for library materials and services.
The City of Ponca City, in partnership with NERA (New Emergency Resource Agency), was approved for the Rent and Mortgage Assistance and Utility Assistance grant program made available by the CDBG CARES ACT through the Oklahoma Department of Commerce. This program aids income-eligible residents who reside within the city limits of Ponca City and are delinquent on their utilities, rent and/or mortgage accounts. All potential applicants must have incomes at or below HUD’s Income Guidelines for Kay County to be eligible for this program. Persons may apply for the Rent/Mortgage Assistance and/or Utility Assistance Program(s) by completing application forms at NERA, located at 112 South First Street. Applications are reviewed in the order in which they are received and grant funds are expended on a first-come, first-serve basis until the grant has been Questions?depleted.CallNERA at 580-765-5372
•Phillips 66: $29,750 for Lake Ponca Park pond remediation. Sales Tax is the only tax generating stream of revenue for the City of Ponca City. The City does not receive any property tax revenues for operations or any appropriations from the State. The City raises needed revenues to operate services. Sales Taxes Currently In Place State Sales Tax – 4.5% (in perpetuity) Kay County Sales Tax Jail – 0.667% (0.3335% in perpetuity, 0.3335% expires June 30, 2028) Kay County Sales Tax County Court House – 0.25% (expires Dec. 31, 2032) City Sales Tax for General Fund – 2.0% (in Cityperpetuity)SalesTax for Street Improvements – 0.5% (in perpetuity) City Sales Tax for Economic Development – 0.5% (expires, Dec. 31, City2023)Sales Tax for Public Safety Center – 0.833% (0.333% in perpetuity, 0.5% expires Sept. 30, 2028)
•Northern Oklahoma Flight Academy: $8,500 for Ponca City Regional Airport to host •Standingevent.Bear Trails Phase VI Project: $700,323 for trail and pond restoration.
U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services (via Oklahoma Department of Libraries)
During Fiscal Year 2021-22, Planning/ Code Administration reviewed building plans, issued permits and provided inspection oversight for residential and commercial construction projects with a total value of $15,634,638; investigated and abated 2,645
individual incidents of assorted nuisance violations to include care of premises, high grass and weeds, dilapidated structures, noncompliant signage and the illegal parking of motor vehicles; caused the removal of 28 dilapidated structures from residential neighborhoods; adopted the 2018 editions of the International Building Code, including the first update of the International Energy Code since 2009; reintroduced a housing incentive program (HIP 2.0) that resulted in the construction or rehabilitation of 88 new housing units; and implemented a streamlined Code Enforcement citation program that resulted in a 5-fold increase in fines.
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES promotes and facilitates land use planning, assists others in achieving their development goals and objectives, and implements the communitywide standards adopted and contained within the Ponca City Master Plan.
ENGINEERING maintains infrastructure records of the City and provides support services to all City departments, including engineering, design, planning, project management, land survey, construction inspection, GIS (Geographic Information Services) and public resource information.
38 SEPTEMBER 2022 Commissioners and City Departments, as well as providing records management, budget monitoring, accounting, investment and accounts payable services for the City. Staff also conducts internal review audits to document processes, internal controls and compliance with laws and policies, and participates in department inventory counts to help ensure an accurate count of the City’s assets.
UTILITY BILLING has customer service representatives available to assist the Ponca City Utility Authority’s customers. This year, there are currently 13,198 residential customers compared to 13,223 last year, and there are currently 2,356 commercial customers compared to 2,237 last year. Representatives actively pursue collections and are thankful that community agencies, churches and tribal agencies contributed $347,561.52 to customer accounts in 2021. When coupled with Department of Human Services payments of $259,765.64, a total of $607,327.16 in outside assistance was received. This is an increase of approximately 27 percent from the previous year.
Maintaining fiscal accountability paid off again, as the City of Ponca City received an unqualified audit opinion for Fiscal Year 2020-21 with positive comments. Finance leads the charge each year, coordinating the various components of the budget document. Many employees of the City of Ponca City contribute to the preparation of the budget and all employees participate in the implementation of the programs outlined in the budget document. The Fiscal Year 2022-23 Budget is balanced and in legal form, and the 260page budget book is available for review at the Ponca City Library, City Clerk’s Office and the City’s website poncacityok.gov.www.
CITY CLERK provides regularandnotificationspublicmaintenance,officialrequirements,andbidding,contractualordinances,ofcodificationrecords,CommissionCitymunicipallicensespermitfilescheduleofmeetings.
DevelopmentServices
COURTMUNICIPAL has a jurisdictionlimited to handle all traffic and committedoffensesmisdemeanorcriminal within the City limits: Police, Lake Patrol, Code Enforcement, Animal Control and Fire Marshal. It is not a court of record. The Judge can only assess fines, jail time and court costs according to Oklahoma State Statutes. An agreement with the Kay County District Court, pursuant to the Interlocal Cooperation Act, authorizes the municipal court jurisdiction of certain specified juvenile misdemeanors. Youth Traffic Court handles first-time minor traffic violations not involving an Municipalaccident.
Over the past year, Engineering completed the survey, design, plan preparation, bidding, construction oversight and inspection for the following street sales tax funded reconstruction projects: Hartford Avenue Water Line Improvements, from Fifth Street to Seventh Street; Sixth Street Reconstruction, from Fresno Avenue to Hartford Avenue; Third Street Reconstruction, from Walnut Avenue to Oklahoma Avenue; and Sidewalk Reconstruction on the west side of the 100 Block of South Third Street.
See
CITY Continued on Page 40 CITY Continued from Page 37
Court submits required reportable convictions and amended abstracts on Commercial Driver License holders to the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety to ensure that final dispositions are reported according to the Motor Vehicle Violation Codes, keeps driver’s license records current and complies with federal grant Themandates.KayCounty Specialty Court uses the municipal courtroom for various specialty courts and Victim’s Impact Panel utilizes the courtroom once a month for their program.
SEPTEMBER 2022 39 3330 N. 14th • Ponca City • 580-765-5595 • StutevillePonca.com Kick Some Tail(gate) The combination of food, fun, and friends in a stadium parking lot before football games, big or small, is only made better by including a pickup truck perfect for the party. CHEVROLET • BUICK • GMC
Over the past year, $2,169,100 of maintenance projects on various streets were completed, including: reconstructed 1,300 square yards of paving on Sixth Street, Fresno Avenue to Hartford Avenue, following the waterline replacement project; reconstructed 1,200 square yards of paving on Hartford Avenue, Fifth Street to Seventh Street, in coordination with a waterline replacement project; completed mill and overlay of 1,300 square yards on Mockingbird Drive, from 100 feet east of Pecan Road to 473 feet east of Pecan Road; completed mill and overlay of 1,500 square yards on South Avenue, from 230 feet east of Fourteenth Street to 500 feet east of Fourteenth Street; reconstructed 2,700 square yards of paving on Third Street, Oklahoma Avenue to Walnut Avenue; reconstructed sidewalk on the west side of 100 South Third Street; replaced bridge deck at Union Street bridge over Highland Avenue; and funded chip and seal material costs for the Street Division.
ServicesEnvironmental Environmental Services provides solid waste, water and wastewater services, while protecting public health and meeting all state and federal environmental regulations.
40 SEPTEMBER 2022
During Fiscal Year 2021-22, Water Administration completed two systemwide studies mandated by the Environmental Protection Agency, the Ponca City Water System Risk and Resilience Analysis and the Emergency Response Plan. Water Administration also communicated with OWRB (Oklahoma Water Resources Board) on Lake Ponca Dam’s future maintenance and repair needs and developed a path forward with Freese and Nichols engineers for Lake Ponca Dam. And, the City of Ponca City continued efforts with OWRB to preserve the City of Ponca City’s Kaw Lake water rights storage and plan for future usage.
providewarningrecognitioninCitythattheextractautomatedAnd,willdetailed10-yearbeenorareastheLossAssociates;PlanplanCity;maintainingthemanagement,DueSpecialpremiumsaandmanagementfieldforratingTheCRS(Nationalactivitiesmanagement,amountEngineeringCampground.spendsasignificantoftimeonfloodasfloodmanagementprovidecreditintheNFIPFloodInsuranceProgram)(CommunityRatingSystem).CityofPoncaCity’scurrentCRSisaClass5.Thisratingisgoodthenextfiveyearsuntilthenextverificationcycle.ThefloodplainactivitiesimplementedmaintainedbytheCityqualifyfor25%discountonfloodinsuranceforNFIPpoliciesissuedinFloodHazardAreas.totheimportanceoffloodEngineeringcompletedCRSannualrecertificationprocess,aClass5ratingforPoncacompletedtherequiredfive-yearupdatetotheHazardMitigationincoordinationwithMeshek&andpreparedaRepetitiveAreaAnalysistobetteridentifyspecialfloodhazardstothoseofthecommunitywheretwomorefloodinsuranceclaimshavefiledforapropertywithinaperiod.Thisanalysisprovidessuggestionsforprojectsthatprotectagainstfuturedamage.EngineeringconstructedandatacollectionsystemtoandanalyzerainfalldatafromfourautomatedweatherstationswereinstalledthroughoutPoncalastyear.Thisdatawillbeusedtheestablishmentofafloodthreatandadvancedflood-systemfortheCity,whichwillfurthercreditintheCRS.
TRAFFIC ENGINEERING applies engineering principles to planning, design and traffic operation on streets and abutting land uses, in order to provide safe and efficient movement of today’s traffic and plan improvements designed to accommodate tomorrow’s traffic. The Street Improvement Project Trust Fund prudently expends street improvement sales and use tax revenues derived from a 1/2cent dedicated tax. Construction improvements are leveraged with grant funds whenever possible.
Engineering also completed the final design and plans process for the construction of a detention pond and drainage improvements in the Joe Street and Young Avenue flood problem area; prepared plans, specifications and completed the bidding process for acquisition and installation of a 150-foot-tall communications tower at the new Public Safety Center; and provided engineering and survey support services and prepared the site plans for the construction of a new bathroom and shower facility at the Lake Ponca
Traffic Engineering replaced batteries at traffic signals equipped with battery back-up systems at four intersections; contracted 51,800 linear feet of pavement marking replacement on major street system; produced 752 traffic control signs and 4,135 special signs/decals for City departments and other governmental agencies; replaced 487 traffic control signs and 213 street name markers under routine maintenance program; conducted 24-hour traffic volume counts at 80 locations on through street system; conducted 23 battery back-up tests, 36 conflict monitor tests and 53 emergency vehicle preemption tests; and replaced 171 LED signal lamps.
WATER ADMINISTRATION is responsible for ensuring that all water production and distribution operations comply with federal and state environmental regulations.
WATER PRODUCTION operates and maintains a 16 MGD (millions of gallons per day) Water Treatment Plant, 20 water wells, six distribution booster pumping facilities, two elevated water storage towers, one raw water booster pump station, and four group storage reservoirs. The most essential component, the Water Treatment Plant, was originally built in 1925 and underwent a series of rehabilitation and upgrades in the
GRANTS ADMINISTRATION utilized Certified Local Government grant funding, from the Oklahoma State Historic Preservation Office, to assist the Historic Preservation Panel’s efforts to preserve historically significant areas of Ponca City. Projects funded with this grant include staff development, National Register nominations and the new Ponca City historic sites educational coloring book Let’s Go Finding Ponca City, Oklahoma.
CITY Continued from Page 38
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The City of Ponca City has a contractor currently working on repairs to the Union Street underpass. Theresa Sacket, a local artist, asked the City for permission to paint the bridge pillars of the Union Street underpass after the City has completed repair work on the decking. Proposed design renderings (shown above) were presented to the City Commission and a resolution was approved by the City Commission directing City staff to develop an agreement between the City of Ponca City and Theresa Sacket. This project will continue to expand and promote public art in Ponca City and further aid local artists. Work is scheduled to begin on the proposed murals this fall.
SEPTEMBER 2022 41 AUTO/TRUCKING ACCIDENTS PERSONAL INJURY OILFIELD INJURIES WRONGFUL DEATH AUTO NEGLIGENCE INSURANCE DISPUTES PREMISES LIABILITY DEFECTIVE PRODUCTS (4 0 5) 8 3 2-07 7 7(9 1 8) 74 3-4 0 0 0(4 0 5) 3 7 7-5 0 0 0( 5 8 0 ) 76 5-996 7 AUTO/TRUCKING ACCIDENTS PERSONAL INJURY OILFIELD INJURIES WRONGFUL DEATH AUTO NEGLIGENCE INSURANCE DISPUTES PREMISES LIABILITY DEFECTIVE PRODUCTS (4 0 5) 8 3 2-07 7 7(9 1 8) 74 3-4 0 0 0(4 0 5) 3 7 7-5 0 0 05 8 0 ) 76 5-996 7 Postcard Client Packets Stillwater v1.indd 1 9/25/2019 9:24:31 AM AUTO/TRUCKING ACCIDENTS PERSONAL INJURY OILFIELD INJURIES WRONGFUL DEATH AUTO NEGLIGENCE INSURANCE DISPUTES PREMISES LIABILITY DEFECTIVE PRODUCTS (4 0 5) 8 3 2-07 7 7(9 1 8) 74 3-4 0 0 0(4 0 5) 3 7 7-5 0 0 0( 5 8 0 ) 76 5-996 7 111165L MJJ Postcard Client Packets Stillwater v1.indd 1 9/25/2019 9:24:31 AM AUTO/TRUCKING ACCIDENTS PERSONAL INJURY OILFIELD INJURIES WRONGFUL DEATH AUTO NEGLIGENCE INSURANCE DISPUTES PREMISES LIABILITY DEFECTIVE PRODUCTS (4 0 5) 8 3 2-07 7 7(9 1 8) 74 3-4 0 0 0(4 0 5) 3 7 7-5 0 0 0( 5 8 0 ) 76 5-996 7 111165L MJJ Postcard Client Packets Stillwater v1.indd 1 9/25/2019 9:24:31 AM AUTO/TRUCKING ACCIDENTS PERSONAL INJURY OILFIELD INJURIES WRONGFUL DEATH AUTO NEGLIGENCE INSURANCE DISPUTES PREMISES LIABILITY DEFECTIVE PRODUCTS (4 0 5) 8 3 2-07 7 7(9 1 8) 74 3-4 0 0 0(4 0 5) 3 7 7-5 0 0 0( 5 8 0 ) 76 5-996 7 111165L MJJ Postcard Client Packets Stillwater v1.indd 1 9/25/2019 9:24:31 AM ( 5 8 0 ) 76 5-996 111165L MJJ Postcard Client Packets AUTO/TRUCKING ACCIDENTS PERSONAL INJURY OILFIELD INJURIES WRONGFUL DEATH AUTO NEGLIGENCE INSURANCE DISPUTES PREMISES LIABILITY DEFECTIVE PRODUCTS (4 0 5) 8 3 2-07 7 7(9 1 8) 74 3-4 0 0 0(4 0 5) 3 7 7-5 0 0 0( 5 8 0 ) 76 5-996 7 ANDERSON J. DARK AUTO/TRUCKING ACCIDENTS PERSONAL INJURY OILFIELD INJURIES WRONGFUL DEATH AUTO NEGLIGENCE INSURANCE DISPUTES PREMISES LIABILITY DEFECTIVE PRODUCTS (4 0 5) 8 3 2-07 7 7(9 1 8) 74 3-4 0 0 0(4 0 5) 3 7 7-5 0 0 0( 5 8 0 ) 76 5-996 7 111165L MJJ Postcard Client Packets Stillwater v1.indd 1 9/25/2019 9:24:31 AM AUTO/TRUCKING ACCIDENTS PERSONAL INJURY WRONGFUL DEATH AUTO NEGLIGENCE INSURANCE DISPUTES PREMISES LIABILITY DEFECTIVE PRODUCTS (4 0 5) 8 3 2-07 7 7(9 1 8) 74 3-4 0 0 0(4 0 5) 3 7 7-5 0 0 0( 5 8 0 ) 76 5-996 7 111165L MJJ Postcard Client Packets Stillwater v1.indd 1 9/25/2019 MYCHELLE M. HOLLIDAY 1950s, and the mid-1980s and 1996Over97. the past year, Water Production successfully treated over 3.2 billion gallons of drinking water that met or exceeded state and federal standards; completed 1,408 work orders to maintain plant production units water wells and booster pump stations; completed rehabilitation of two water wells; completed the Clearwell Rehabilitation Project; completed the Sludge Handling System Improvements Project; and continued employee cross-training.
WATER DISTRIBUTION is responsible for distributing an abundant and high-quality supply of potable water to residential, commercial, industrial and wholesale customers. The division achieves its goals by maintaining 213 miles of water mains, over 11,400 water meters, various-sized valves and approximately 1,045 fire hydrants located within the water distribution Oversystem.the past year, Water Distribution completed 329 work orders to improve the structural integrity of the water distribution system; installed 14 new fire hydrants to improve the City’s firefighting capability; repaired 176 water leaks; installed five varioussized valves to minimize service interruption during emergency situations; completed the 10” Water Main Project on Hartford Avenue, from Fifth Street to Seventh Street; and completed the Donner Street Water Main Project to improve water pressure for several residential areas.
WASTEWATER ADMINISTRATION strives to eliminate sewer system overflows and plant permit violations, and comply with all state and federal environmental regulations. During Fiscal Year 2021-22, Wastewater Administration managed the Industrial Pretreatment Program (consisting of four Significant Industrial Users and five Non-Significant Industrial Users), to resolve monitoring and discharge issues; completed the design and bidding phase for Sludge Dewatering System Improvements
42 Affordable Dentures & Implants – Oklahoma, PLLC - Your Ponca City Location Chris Bugg, DDS Go Ahead & Smile TM Free Exam & X-Ray! $115 Value • Coupon Expires in 90 Days SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TODAY! 580-713-0133 AFFORDABLEDENTURES.COM new smile is forwaitingyou! Dental treatment doesn’t have to take a huge bite out of your finances. At Affordable Dentures & Implants of Ponca City, you’ll get excellent care from compassionate, experienced dentists. What’s more, if you bring in a treatment plan from any dental office, we’ll beat their price by 10% on any dental service, including dentures (contact office for details). If you need dental treatment, don’t let the price hold you back. Affordable Dentures & Implants – Oklahoma, PLLC - Your Ponca City Location Chris Bugg, DDS Go Ahead & Smile TM 503 N 14TH ST • PONCA CITY, OK 74601
SOLID WASTE provides residential service, commercial collection service, as well as roll-off service. Solid Waste provides twice per week trash service to residents living within the city limits. Residential customers may place up to three 35-gallon containers of trash out on each pickup day for curb or alley pickup. For larger quantities, the division has a special pickup service available for an additional fee. Tree trimmings and/or brush cuttings may be placed in 35-gallon containers or tied into bundles, that are less than 4’ long and smaller than 36” in diameter. Grass clippings are collected by special pickup service only for an additional fee.
WASTEWATER TREATMENT operates and maintains a 9.5 MGD (millions of gallons per day) Wastewater Treatment Plant, 2.1 MGD groundwater treatment plant and 14 lift stations. The Wastewater Treatment Plant treats wastewater generated by residential, commercial and industrial customers. The plant’s operation goals are to eliminate wastewater overflows at the treatment plant and lift stations and to only discharge treated wastewater to the Arkansas River that meet or exceed minimum standards established by state and federal regulations. Staff is committed to safeguard the environment by maintaining the highest level of treatment at the lowest attainable cost to the community.
PONCA CITY LANDFILL is a municipal solid waste disposal facility that meets all applicable state and federal regulatory requirements, while providing safe and convenient trash disposal to Ponca City and the surrounding communities. The Landfill fulfills annual requirements for methane gas monitoring and reporting, greenhouse gas reporting, groundwater monitoring and reporting, as well as annual compliance certification and semiannual monitoring reporting for the Title V Operating Permit. The Industrial Pretreatment Discharge Permit is also renewed annually, so that excess leachate can be transported to, and disposed of, at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. The Landfill Closure Fund provides funds to meet financial assurance required by the Environmental Protection Agency and Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality for the closure/ post-closure cost of the landfill. The Landfill recently developed an operational plan for white goods collection in order to save space. White goods are major consumer appliances that include mechanical components, such as refrigerators and washing machines. The Landfill obtained a Salvage/Recycling Permit from the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality that allows Landfill operators to separate and store these until they can be taken to a recycling center at a later date.
MARLAND’S GRAND HOME preserves and maintains the 1916 historic first home of E.W. Marland: Marland Oil Company founder, U.S. congressman and 10th governor of Oklahoma. Exhibits for tourists include restored 1920s-era living areas, plus collections of 101 Ranch and American Indian artifacts that pertain to the life of Marland and his family. Located at 1000 East Grand Avenue, the home is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Designed by Solomon Layton in Renaissance Revival style, construction of the home began in 1914 and was completed in 1916. It covers 16,500 square feet and houses the first indoor swimming pool built in Oklahoma. The property originally included extensive formal gardens to the east and a carriage house to the west. The home cost approximately $350,000 to build. Guests are greeted by a life-size bronze statue of a red fox, located in the parking lot flower bed, as a way to enhance the history of Marland bringing fox hunting to Ponca City. Preservation efforts to maintain and renovate this historical site are ongoing and recent accomplishments include repairing, replacing and painting the exterior stucco of the home during the Phase III Improvement Project; painting all exterior wood trim and surfaces of the building structure; and installing a new camera security system throughout the interior and exterior of the home. Safely preserving and inventorying the home’s artifacts that are on display and in storage is also of utmost importance. Monetary donations made and raised through the Friends of the Marland Grand Home help support preservation Informationefforts. about the home, tours and rentals can be found atNew 2022 Freightliner M2-106 Solid Waste Haulers were recently purchased for residential service. Solid Waste provides twice per week trash service to residents living within the city limits.
SEPTEMBER 2022 43 Project; and continued employee cross-training.
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Wastewater Collection recently completed the Kingston Sewer Main Project; completed construction of the Cleveland Avenue to Oklahoma Avenue Sewer Main Project; repaired the Bois D’Arc aerial sewer line; and performed preventative maintenance tasks to maintain and improve conditions of the City’s wastewater collection system by flushing over 600,00 feet of sewer mains, filming over 8,000 feet of sewer mains to evaluate pipe conditions and treating over 33,000 feet of pipe with proprietary root control chemicals.
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Last year, Wastewater Treatment successfully treated over 1.6 billion gallons of wastewater that includes high-strength steams generated by industrial users, successfully operated over 20 key process units with the lowest attainable capital costs for the plant, carried out 2,907 work orders to maintain the treatment plant and 14 lift stations, completed the Bois D’Arc Lift Station Wet Well Rehabilitation Project and completed the Sludge Dewatering System Rehabilitation Project.
Solid Waste provides annual programs such as the Christmas Tree Recycling, Fall Leaf Pickup, and Spring Cleanup. Household Hazardous Waste Day, co-hosted with P66, is held every even numbered year. Solid Waste assists City departments in the removal and disposal of debris generated from facility cleanups and code enforcement activities, as well as no-charge services for community events such as the Veteran’s Day Parade and Fourth of July Fireworks Display at Lake Ponca.
WASTEWATER COLLECTION maintains approximately 178 miles of gravity sewer mains and all manholes within the system, routinely inspects and evaluates the sewer system to identify repair and replacement needs, and implements aggressive preventative maintenance programs to reduce sewer overflows in order to provide high-quality and cost-effective services that satisfy public needs and meet federal and state regulations.
Marland’s Grand Home
PONCA CITY RECYCLING CENTER, operated by SCL (Supported Community Lifestyles), is open Wednesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Recyclable goods accepted at the center include cardboard, paper (pre-sorted), tin/steel cans, glass, aluminum cans, various assorted metals, latex paints and electronics. SCL also offers curbside recycling service by subscription service only. For more information, please call SCL at 580.485.8884.
The RecPlex collaborates with Ponca City Kids Inc. and Ponca City Junior Baseball for use of the ball fields, Ponca City Sailfish for use of the lap pool and the Po-Hi Swim team for use of the pool for swim meets. RecPlex partners with Studio Sweat to offer video streaming fitness classes and LiveBarn to provide video streaming for all sporting competitions.
A facility lease agreement with Ruby Nutrition PC provides RecPlex users with healthy meal replacement protein shakes, pre-workout drinks, post-workout shakes, hydration drinks and energizing teas. A facility lease agreement with Splash Co. Survival Swim provides RecPlex users with children’s survival swim lessons.
PARKS RECREATIONAND RECREATION provides quality recreation and leisure opportunities with the goal of developing healthy minds, bodies and enhancing the quality of life. The RecPlex provides a competitive six-lane lap swim pool, a family swim pool, a hydrotherapy whirlpool, a steam and sauna room, a rock climbing wall, 2 1/2 indoor basketball courts, cardio workout rooms and equipment, strength training areas and equipment, studio areas for specialized training and activities, an 1/8 mile elevated indoor walking track, a Kids Zone, four tournament softball fields, four youth baseball fields, four tee-ball/soccer/youth football fields, and a 0.9 mile outdoor walking trail. The RecPlex recently converted a racquetball court into a trampoline area; converted the cardio equipment television service to High Definition Signal; completed the field renovation of all eight baseball and softball fields; installed ADA-compliant pool lifts for the lap and family pools; added two Olympic racks; two deadlift platforms; a glute machine and plates; and reset the rock wall.
MARLAND MANSION AND ESTATE
Oktoberfest is the Marland Estate Foundation’s biggest annual fund-raiser and is the greatest outdoor fall fest in the area. Oktoberfest 2022 will be held on Saturday, Oct. 1 and Sunday, Oct. 2 on the grounds of the Marland Estate. The event includes live music, craft vendors, children’s activities, a beer garden, delicious food and sports on the big screen.
Preservation efforts to maintain and renovate this historical site are ongoing and include items such as interior plaster and painting; exterior masonry cleaning; stone repair replacement; exterior wrought iron and metal repairs; exterior wood repairs; exterior caulking and sealing; landscaping, irrigation and pond maintenance; and roof, gutter and downspout repairs. Safely preserving and inventorying the estate artifacts that are on display and in storage is also of utmost importance. Monetary donations made and raised through the Marland Estate Foundation help support preservation efforts. Information on events, tours, facility rentals and gift shop items can be found at www.marlandmansion.com.
preserves and maintains the 1928 historic second home of E.W. Marland, which is a National Historic Landmark; educates the public about E.W. Marland and his family; and creates an authentic atmosphere portraying the Marland lifestyle during the 1920s and Located1930s. at 901 Monument Road, architect John Duncan Forsyth, artists, decorators and sculptors of international reputation combined their talents to create this ‘Palace on the Prairie’ between 1925 and 1928.
Annual events hosted at the RecPlex include the Holiday Craft Fair, Kids Night Out, American Red Cross Lifeguard Trainings, Oklahoma Blood Institute Blood Drives, Silver Sneakers and the newly added Discover Scuba. Other annual programs coordinated by Recreation include the Lighted Christmas Parade; Moon Light Turkey Trot/Glow Run; Cluck, Oink, Moo 5K Run; Color Blast Fun Run; Shamrock 5K,10K Run; Dog Obedience Classes; Adult Tennis Sessions; Youth Tennis Camp; and Youth Fishing Clinic. Recreation also provides rental space at Unity Gym for sports programs and events. Rentals for 2021 included 92 baseball/softball rentals, 94 volleyball rentals, 57 basketball rentals, 32 rentals for other sports and nine Duringevents.
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The RecPlex coordinates Adult Volleyball, Adult Basketball, Youth Girls’ Volleyball League, Youth Girls’ Volleyball Camp, PreK-2nd Grade Boys’ and Girls’ Basketball, 3rd-6th Grade Boys’ and Girls’ Basketball, 3rd6th Grade Boys’ and Girls’ Basketball Camp, 4th-8th Grade Boys’ and Girls’ Art Camp, 4th-8th Grade Boys’ and Girls’ Space Camp, 5th-9th Grade Boys’ and Girls’ Chess Camp and 6th-8th Grade Safe Sitter Babysitting Essentials Classes.
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Fiscal Year 2021-22, the Ponca City Senior Center served 9,628 senior meals; scheduled 75 Medicare Part D prescription appointments; provided 750 weekly programs; assisted 300 with COVID-19 vaccine registration; provided Seasons of Aging and Veteran’s Day programming; and served as a Kay County voter polling site. The Senior Center continues to collaborate with Cimarron Transit, the Ponca City Public Schools and the Doodle Academy to enhance services. While building renovations are being completed, the Senior Center is temporarily providing programming and activities at the First Presbyterian Church, located at 1505 E. Grand DuringAvenue.the 2021 summer swimming Recent improvements to the exterior of the Marland’s Grand Home included repairing, replacing and painting the exterior stucco, as well as painting all exterior wood trim and surfaces.
The mansion alone is 78 feet wide and 184 feet long and contains 43,561 square feet distributed over four levels. There are 55 rooms, including 10 bedrooms, 12 bathrooms, seven fireplaces and three kitchens.
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Additional museums on the estate grounds include the Marland Oil Museum, the Bryant Baker Gallery & Artist Studio and Lydie’s Cottage.
SEPTEMBER 2022 45 BECKY 580.763.1871POET beckypoet@gmail.com 3216 N. 14th • 580.765.8888 Home is where your story begins, I can help you get there. Copiers/MFP Sales and Service • Office Furniture Document Management Solutions • Network Support Office Supplies • Paper Delivery www.gbeinc.com ● (580)763-5400 Serving our community for over 50 years! 122LOCATIONNEWN.1stSt.PoncaCity Business Equipment, Inc. FRIDAY: BBQ Buffet 4-9 pm • Salad Bar 4-9 pm SATURDAY: Breakfast Buffet 7-11 am • Baked Potato Bar 4-9 pm • Salad Bar SPECIALSDAILYSERVEDALLDAY in addition to our menu! J.W. COBB’S Family RESTAURANT 3200 N. 14th • Ponca City • 580-762-8525 Hours: Monday thru Saturday 7 am - 9 pm FRIDAY Fried Catfish SalmonPopcornPatties Shrimp THURSDAY Bone-In Fried Chicken Meatloaf SmotheredChicken MONDAY Ham & Beans Chicken & Noodles TUESDAY Liver & SalisburyOnionsSteak WEDNESDAY Burrito Supreme Hot Beef Sandwich Taco Salad Beef Nachos Serving “Made-From-Scratch” Meals Since 1987! We’re cooking at the Cherokee Strip BBQ Cook Off on Saturday, Sept. 17. We’ll be feeding the public delicious BBQ with our Howlin’ Good (formerly Blue Moon) sauce. Purchase a tasting kit and come see us. You’ll be helping our local Hospice of North Central Oklahoma. Andy Mitchell & Rodney Balcer We had so much fun Last year, we’re doing it again! Bill Wetzel, President 410 E. 580-765-5566PoncaGrandCity Offering Insurance and Risk Management Solutions Since 1931. www.loftiswetzel.com • billwetzel@loftiswetzel.com 7 - Medium 94 58492 25293 564 137 16872 278 8 - Medium 2143 326 26471 4195 34 939 13465 9 - Medium 19 482 554 34976 6495 27 981 24 10 - Medium 6 47 397 7 9146 4218 4375 56 98743 ANSWER ON PAGE 77 Sudoku Challenge
46 SEPTEMBER 2022 We can file these tests with insurance.your COVID-19 TESTING FASTEST & MOST RELIABLE COVID-19 TEST! Results in 15 Minutes! FDA-Approved Rapid Test ANTIBODY TESTING AVAILABLE. WALK-IN CLINIC, NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY Ponca Plaza Shopping Center 2101 N. 14th, Suite 114 Open 7 Days a Week • Mon.-Sat. 9-8:30 & Sun. 10-5:30 580-762-1552 PhysicalsSports$25 2906 N. 14th • Ponca City (Next to Hobby Lobby) • 762-1854 Open Mon. thru Sat. 9 am - 7 pm uchMore than a VitaminSto Terry ProbioticColonNaturally&Bowel • FloraSureTM probiotic blend: 20 billion live, active bacteriaprobiotic • Provides bacillusplantarum,LactobacillusLacto-rhamnosus and Bifidobacterium bifidum • Non-dairy based probiotic–perfect for individuals with diet sensitivities • Just one capsule daily Daily Support Daily probiotic use can help ease occasional gut discomforts like gas, bloating, diarrhea, loose stools constipation.and Long-Term Support Maintaining a balance of beneficial bacteria in the gut supports healthy digestion and immune responses. Terry BowelBosMed®NaturallyIntestinalSupport Helps relieve occasional: • Intestinal discomfort • Cramping • Loose stools • Gas and bloating with clinically studied boswellia Daily Support These ingredients work effectively but gently with your digestive system for healthy bowel regularity and intestinal com fort, and the relief of occasional loose stools Long-Term Support The boswellia in this formula works along unique pathways to combat occasional digestive system flare-ups. The other synergistic herbs support the mucosal lining of your intestines, reduce occasional gas, bloating and cramping, and help promote healthy gut flora. Looking for Digestive Support? 1971◆50+ YEARS◆2022
PARK MAINTENANCE provides clean, safe and aesthetically pleasing parks, pools and facilities to the community in a cost-effective manner.
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Ponca City Broadband does not require a contract for residential service, just the same services agreement used for other Ponca City Utility Authority services. Once the agreement is signed and the $200 activation fee is paid (either in full or at $10 per month), Ponca City Broadband will call to schedule an inhome installation appointment. In-home installations are limited to penetrating one exterior wall (no attic, crawl space or interior wall installation are performed). Anyone needing or desiring additional installation work will be referred to the local installation companies providing in-home, interior wall Commercialinstallations.customers include any building to which service is connected
Grounds maintenance is provided for the Library, City Hall, Marland’s Grand Home and the Marland Mansion and Estate. Grounds maintenance is also provided to the Pioneer Woman Museum through a state contract. Special use areas such as the archery range, ball fields, mountain bike trails, nature center, AMBUC Moto-X Track and GOOFS Field (a radio-controlled airplane field) are maintained under collaborative user agreements. Each park features various amenities such as playground equipment, shelter houses, restrooms, tennis courts, splash pads and disc golf courses. The Lake Ponca recreational area features play structures, picnic pavilions, grills, restrooms, showers, lake lot rentals, boating, fishing, kayaking, walking, hiking, biking, sand volleyball, disc golf, as well as a campground area and hammock park area. Park rentals for 2021 included 1,443 campground; 274 shelter house; nine daily ski dock; and 15 mobile stage. Permits for 2021 included 576 annual fishing; 464 annual boating; 282 annual paddleboard, canoe or kayak; 809 daily fishing; 493 daily boating; 64 senior lifetime fishing; and two disability fishing.
During Fiscal Year 2021-22 Cann Estate hosted the Herb Festival, Festival of Angels, Arbor Day and 13 private events; planted 2,600 spring bulbs, as well as new perennials and shrubs; installed a flagstone pathway around Gardeners’ Monument; installed security cameras and office broadband; and upgraded the irrigation system. The Master Gardeners donated $4,177.12 in plants and hardscaping, the Garden Council donated $1,045 in plants and upgrades and the Herb Festival donated $927 to the Cann Estate.
Ponca BroadbandCity PONCA CITY BROADBAND provides reliable access to the internet utilizing ultra-high-speed, 100 percent fiber optic cable at a reasonable price, allowing customers to take advantage of new opportunities for work and commerce, entertainment, enhanced quality of life and other innovations the internet future will bring.
Recent improvements at the Lake Ponca Campgrounds include the installation of a new bathroom and shower facility, a cleanout station and water hydrants, as well as improved views of the lake and lot enhancements. Lake Ponca Campground RV Sites are available for nightly rental of $25 and Tent Sites are available for $15. Both rentals include boating.
During 2021, Park Maintenance edged numerous miles of arterial roadways; mowed 715 acres of grass area; maintained 200 planted areas; assisted in the installation and teardown of the Festival of Angels; installed holiday displays and banners in the Main Street corridor; maintained 29 public Lake Ponca docks, two covered fishing docks, three mooring docks and the lake patrol’s dock; sprayed 70 acres for weed control; planted 10,000 bulbs across the community; maintained AMBUC and Wentz pools; maintained five splash pads; assisted in hauling 5,900 tons of storm debris; completed over 116 work orders; planted 115 trees; continued to add park play structures; removed 42 dead trees; purchased a boom mower to trim wooded areas; and installed a new bathroom and shower facility at the Lake Ponca campgrounds.
Park Maintenance maintains Cann Memorial Gardens, Unity Gym, Veteran’s Plaza, AMBUC Pool, Wentz Camp and Pool and 20 parks.
As an internet service provider to subscribers, Ponca City Broadband makes every effort to ensure extremely high levels of customer satisfaction and continuously strives to provide customers the level of service they subscribe to every time and all the time.
The Lake Ponca Campgrounds have year-round availability and rental reservations are available online (www.poncacityok.gov/parksandrec-registration), by phone (580-7670430) or at the RecPlex (1604 W. Grand Avenue).
Wentz Pool and Camp during the 2021 summer swimming season hosted 2,506 adult swimmers, 2,085 child swimmers, 100 RecPlex membership swimmers and 65 swim pass swimmers; held 60 private events; hosted an Independence Day Celebration; and conducted biweekly in-service training for lifeguard staff.
SEPTEMBER 2022 47 season, AMBUC pool hosted 2,954 adult swimmers, 3,912 child swimmers, 134 lap swimmers and 376 RecPlex membership swimmers; conducted swim lessons for 110 children; and conducted biweekly inservice training for lifeguard staff.
All noncommercial customers within the city limits pay a set monthly fee for broadband internet service based upon service maximum download bandwidths. This bandwidth is capped based on that service, except during interruptions in service and includes: Gold Broadband, 50 Mbps download (25 Mbps upload) for $60 per month; Platinum Broadband, 100 Mbps download (50 Mbps upload) for $100 per month; and Diamond Broadband, 1000 Mbps download (500 Mbps upload) for $250 per month. Noncommercial service is intended for entertainment purposes only, no warranties (either expressed or implied) are made regarding any fitness for business purposes. Helpdesk assistance for noncommercial customers is available 24/7, but physical repairs are only made Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dynamic IP addresses are used for noncommercial service. And, noncommercial service cannot be shared outside of the physical address of the account (e.g., a single home or a single business location).
Trees at Lake Ponca have been pruned and cleared, so beautiful views can be enjoyed from the shore or on the water.
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Ponca City Fire Department
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Ponca EnergyCity PCE (PONCA CITY ENERGY) uses the following principles of operation: to use wisdom and knowledge to maintain and improve the City’s electrical system. To do these things with the goal to serve, the goal to satisfy, and the goal to get results, striving to have the best electrical system and street lighting system possible. In addition, to guard our trusted resources in order to annually
Ponca City Energy provides service to a 98 square mile area. Ongoing PCE preventative maintenance efforts reduce outage times and increase system reliability. During Fiscal Year 2021-22, PCE trimmed trees, removed trees and cleared right-of-way on 25% of the system; tested approximately 2,200 wood poles and replaced 190 inferior poles; maintained all primary system circuits, checked every primary pole and made repairs where needed; and repaired over 700 security and street lights.
48 SEPTEMBER 2022 and is being used primarily for business purposes. Rates are based upon pre-fiber installation and business rates are charged in “units of service.” Each unit of service includes a single public static IP address for business use, and includes speeds of 30 Mbps guaranteed minimum symmetrical (upload and download) bandwidth, with a burst rate of 50 Mbps maximum symmetrical for $200 per month. Commercial Service includes many amenities not included in noncommercial service: no activation fee; static IP address(es); the ability to share the connection at multiple locations operated by the business, as long the business installs their own local area network; a Service Level Agreement that guarantees immediate repair and/or replacement of any failed system components; and the sharing of bandwidth between multiple devices within the business. Commercial broadband plans require a two-year contract.
PCE also converted the electric at the Lake Ponca Recreation Area from overhead to underground to beautify the bridge and swim beach areas and installed new groundmounted electrical pedestals for events; completed the conversion of four subdivisions from nonaccessible primary overhead to underground; reconducted and reconstructed five sections of primary conductor from brittle-aged conductor to #2 ACSR; rerouted Feeder 603 north of Lake Road to an accessible alley (this feeder supplies power to the Marland Mansion, Woodlands School, Ponca Plaza and over 800 homes); provided primary construction for several new 3-phase services; performed makeready work for Phase 4 and 5 of the Ponca City Broadband project; added 10,000 KVA of grow house load at numerous locations; contracted the successful replacement of 7,601 residential electric meters with new Gen 4 meters; and replaced the Group Operated Air Break switches and poles leaving Pecan Park Substation.
Ponca City Broadband service is being installed in five project phases throughout Ponca City. Construction in Phases 1, 2 and 3 is complete and construction in Phases 4 and 5 is anticipated to be completed by February of 2023. As individual service areas within Phases 4 and 5 of construction are completed (usually 10 to 15 square blocks in size), customers can begin receiving service. Ponca City Broadband mails postcards to individual addresses approximately 10 days prior to being able to receive service in particular areas. Customers residing in an area where Ponca City Broadband construction is complete can sign up for service at the PCUA Billing Office. The Billing Office is located in City Hall at 516 E. Grand Avenue and is open Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, contact the PCUA Billing Office at 580.767.0311 or visit www. poncacitybroadband.com.
provide a reasonable transfer to the City treasury for the public good while Gas.formtoStatesproducedportioninternationally.bothUkraine,theincludehighcitedpowerCityPower(OklahomanaturalfrompowersuchchallenginghelpThesecomparablymaintaininglowrates.operatingprinciplesguidePCEthroughtimes,ashighwholesalepricesresultingthehighcostofgas.OMPAMunicipalAuthority)isPoncaEnergy’swholesalesupplier.ReasonsbyOMPAforthecostofnaturalgasproductionlapses,RussianinvasionofanddemanddomesticallyandAlargerofthegasintheUnitedisbeingshippedEuropeandAsiaintheofLiquefiedNaturalThiskeepsprices high, as it limits the supply available in the United States. Mayor Nicholson (who serves as Chairman of the OMPA Board of Directors and on American Public Power Policy Makers Council) travels annually to Washington D.C. to meet directly with Oklahoma’s elected representatives and discuss issues, like these, that directly impact Ponca City’s residents and businesses.
Ponca City Broadband service is being installed in five project phases throughout Ponca City. Construction in Phases 1, 2 and 3 is complete and construction in Phases 4 and 5 is anticipated to be completed by February of 2023.
Ponca City Energy continues to compete successfully in lineman rodeos while practicing essential skills in a safe environment. Linemen rodeos also help build mutual aid partnerships with other communities.
SEPTEMBER 2022 49 Student Checking Design your own debit card. What’s Included? The best in digital banking plus no monthly fees and no maintenance fees. $ No ATM Fees, Nationwide Free Digital Banking A Rewarding Debit Card Equity Bank customers can use any ATM in the country for no extra charge. Online banking, mobile banking, bill pay, debit card, and eStatements. Customize your Equity Bank debit card with your school logo and show off your school spirit! Plus, you can use any ATM, anywhere, nationwide, with no charge.Customize your Equity Bank debit card to make it uniquely you!Visit equitybank.com/students to get started today! Member FDIC
The
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Kaw Nation has opened an office in Ponca City to better serve all federally recognized tribal members. The Kanza Human Development Division staff offers assistance with education, employment/training and child care. kanzahumandevelopmentdivision.com Kanza Human Development Division Cradle To College & Beyond EDUCATION Begins with Child Care, O’MalleyJohnsonProgram,HigherEducationandGraduateAssistance CHILD CARE Providing child care for tribal members who are parents, single or married, who need educationemployment,ortraining to be self-sufficient. EMPLOYMENT/TRAINING Begins with Adult Education, Adult Vocational Training and on-the-job training. Developing business opportunities for tribal members to be employed in all areas of a business. OFFICE LOCATION and HOURS City Central Building, 400 E. Central Avenue, Ponca City, Suite 206 Monday thru Friday 8 am - 4 pm • Closed Federal & Tribal Holidays To set up an appointment, please call 580-749-5420. Bring your Tribal card, driver’s license, proof of residence and Social Security card. LARRY MURPHY insurance agency, 580-767-1520inc. 113 East Grand • Ponca larrymurphyinsurance.comCity We are a FULL-SERVICE Independent Insurance Agency. We provide Commercial, Contract Bonding, Personal, Farm/Ranch and Life Insurance. We represent many outstanding insurance companies. MurphyLarry Joe TheobaldA. MurphyKelly We have a Great Selection of Wildcat/School Shirts, Team Shirts and Jerseys!Everything-Must-GoSCRUBSSALE 316 East Grand • Downtown Ponca City • 580-765-1972 Now offering Embroidery! A business of theCenter.Opportunity
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Decorate your refrigerator with a File of Life packet. File of Life is a medical information packet designed to provide emergency personnel with necessary medical data to begin immediate treatment when a patient is unable to provide this information. This concept can be used by any person, but is especially helpful for patients who live alone. The card, which is kept in a red plastic pocket labeled File of Life, lists the patient’s name, emergency medical contact, insurance policy, social security number, health problems, medications, dosages, allergies, recent surgery, religion and a health care proxy. The sticker inside should be placed on the front door of a person’s residence to alert responding medical personnel to locate the entire pocket, which is held with a magnet to the outside of the refrigerator. Packets can be obtained at any Ponca City Fire Station, the Alliance Health Emergency Room and many local doctor’s offices and pharmacies. For more information, contact the Fire Department at 580.767.0368.
FIRE minimizes the loss of life and property from fire, medical emergencies and other disasters and strives to accomplish this through fire prevention, public education, fire suppression, medical service delivery and other related emergency and nonemergency activities.
Programs included Adult Winter Read, Children’s Summer Reading Program, Schedule a Librarian, Let’s Talk About It Oklahoma, Grow With Google, Writers’ Circle, Escape Room Challenges, Brown Bag Challenges, Scavenger Hunts, Matzene Art Tours, Make and Take Crafts and TheMakerSpace.Library’s
PONCA CITY LIBRARY strives to provide access to the best sources of information, current technology, quality collections, outstanding programs and exceptional service, so that residents have the resources they need to make informed decisions, explore topics of interest and successfully learn throughout their Duringlives.
AMBULANCE provides emergency care and transport services in an effort to mitigate medical emergencies for the residents of Ponca City and strives to effectively and efficiently utilize resources made available for rendering of emergency medical Asservices.authorized by state statute, the emergency medical service operated by the City of Ponca City, or its assignee, is the sole provider for all of the ground vehicle ambulance service, both emergency and nonemergency, within the corporate city limits and holds the City’s exclusive ambulance license. All ambulance calls originating within the corporate city limits of the City must utilize the emergency medical service of the City of Ponca City or its assignee. All ambulance services operating outside of the corporate city limits of the City must first obtain authorization from the emergency medical service dispatch prior to operating within the City of Ponca TheCity.primary ambulance services response area is 19.3 square miles within the Ponca City limits, and 419 square miles of rural area: 194 square miles in Kay County, 125 square miles in Noble County, and 100 square miles in Osage County. In 2021, Ambulance services responded to 4,778 medical related calls, compared to 4,784 in 2020. Out of town patient transfers from Ponca City to distal receiving hospitals accounted for 429 of the 2021 ambulance responses. This compares to 657 out of town patient transfers in 2020. Currently, Miller EMS provides out of town patient transfers as authorized, as well as Air-Evac Lifeteam helicopter Throughservice. collaboration with AirEvac Lifeteam helicopter service, ambulance staff received specialized training for all personnel on the subject of prehospital capnography. Capnography monitors CO2 levels during emergency medical treatment to better understand the status of patients in respiratory distress, cardiac arrest and andFoundationgrantsdevicesservicepowermonitoraddition,OklahomarequirementssecurityClassforguidelines,Ambulanceshock.alsorestructuredmethodsandproceduresinventorycontrolofClass2and3medicationstoenhanceandrecordkeepinginaccordancewiththeBureauofNarcotics.InonenewLifepak15heartandonenewambulanceloadsystemwereplacedintoandtwomechanicalCPRwereprovidedasequipmentfromtheCommunityHealthandtheFirePreventionLifeSafetyCouncil.
The primary response area for fire services is 19.3 square miles within the Ponca City limits and 64 square miles of rural area in Kay County. In 2021, the PCFD responded to 698 calls related to fire, rescue and other resident requests for assistance, compared to 821 in 2020.
Fiscal Year 2021-22, the Library provided clean, closely monitored socially distanced inperson service to up to 4,100 visitors a month. Staff also created over 120 displays to highlight collections, formats and new materials.
Makerspace area offers library patrons an opportunity to create intellectual and physical materials. Makerspaces are about encouraging patrons to take initiative, to learn and to create. Resources available in the Makerspace area include: a Glowforge that can burn or etch into wood or other materials; a Cricut die-cutting machine that can create a design on a computer, send it to the machine, and then cut it out of a designated material; and 3D printers that can use plastic materials. Via the Internet, the Library provided over 39,000 checkouts of downloadable materials through the Oklahoma Virtual Library Consortium, facilitated over 45,000 searches from online databases (Rosetta Stone, Ancestry, Reference USA and Valueline), and provided over 2,500 computer sessions in the Library. The Ponca City Library provided curbside service to patrons, 200 See CITY
In 2021, Fire installed 73 in-home smoke alarms, four carbon monoxide alarms, and eight bed shaker/strobe light systems for the hearing impaired; provided 40 home smoke alarms and eight carbon monoxide alarms to walk-in recipients; completed 908 fire safety business inspections; and issued 39 burn permits for onpremises vegetation and over-growth Fireremoval.conducted incident command and fire service supervisory training and supplemental training on the topics of fire cause and origin, pumper truck operation, hazardous materials and auto extrication; transitioned to a UHF digital radio system to enhance communication coverage across the geographical response area served; updated standard operating guidelines associated with staffing criteria related to the continuity of operation plan; and provided response metrics and other pertinent information to the Insurance Services Office, Inc. The City of Ponca City currently has a Class 3 Fire Insurance Rating.
The Ponca City Fire Department is currently staffed with one administrative position and 68 Firefighters. Those assigned to ambulance duty consist of Firefighters with emergency medical technician certification of paramedic, intermediate or basic.
In 2021, the historic SRS data collection was phased out and replaced with SIBRS (State Incident Based Reporting System) to improve the overall quality of crime data collected by law enforcement. SIBRS is a part of NIBRS (National Incident Based Reporting System). The Federal grant system now requires agencies to be SIBRS compliant to be eligible for grants.
The Ponca City Regional Airport covers 500 acres. Recently, four properties were acquired on the 70 acres located at the north end of the Airport. In conjunction with this project, all existing buildings, trees and fencing were removed and the drainage channel and pond were reconstructed by the Street Division. The Airport has a 7,200-foot runway. Over the past year, the Airport has StoryWalks at LA Cann Garden promote literacy, reading, health, exercise and moving.
Ponca City Public Schools, area law enforcement, fire and emergency medical services. Two school resource officers are maintained at the Ponca City Public Schools (one serving at the senior high school and one serving both middle schools), using existing officers and a school reimbursement of $125,438. PCPD also received a reimbursement of $9,070 from the State of Oklahoma for transporting emergency mental health patients 15,880 miles in 2021, compared to 26,971 in 2020 and 42,724 in 2019. Changes to Oklahoma statutes and mental health provider accessibility have contributed to the decline in transports. Since 2005, the Ponca City Police Department has been accredited by the OLEAC (Oklahoma Law Enforcement 6.565;166;rape,Crimesrecordedtherecordedintocontacts,Indeficiencies.passedpolicies.andoverpoliciesPCPDfromassessmentstheCommission).AccreditationTobeaccredited,PCPDgoesthroughregularbydifferentsiteassessorsOLEAC.Whenassessed,themustprovethattheproperareinplace(addressing200differentknownstandards)thatthePCPDadherestothoseThePCPDhasconsistentlytheseassessmentswithno2021,thePCPDmade6,306trafficbooked1,006individualsthePoncaCitymunicipaljailand1,080Part1Crimes.ThisislowestnumberofPart1crimesinover20years.Part1for2021consistofmurder,0;29;robbery,16;felonyassault,breaking&entering,213;larceny,motorvehicletheft,85;andarson,
Ponca City DepartmentPolice PCPD (Ponca City Police Department) has 55 sworn officers, 10 civilian employees, and 24 Extra Eyes volunteers. The Police Department is thankful for the community’s continued support and the many trained volunteers who come from graduating classes of the Citizens Police Academy and Extra Eyes Program. They perform duties such as records entry, fingerprint analysis, traffic control, crime stoppers, juvenile court, special patrols, parade duty and crime scene assistance. In 2021, the Citizens Police Academy recently celebrated 25 years and volunteers logged 767 hours of Theservice.mission of the PCPD is to work with all citizens to promote safety, preserve life, maintain human rights, protect property and encourage individual responsibility and community commitment. As such, the department continued Cultural Competence/ Implicit Bias training and ALERRT (Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training). ALERRT works to integrate appropriate response and recovery efforts between the
Welcome Baby Packets to local hospitals and the Pregnancy Hope Center, outreach to assisted living facilities and Volunteer Income Tax Assistance to 750 customers. The Library also added helpful links for free online tax filing to the Library’s tax splash webpage.
COMMUNICATIONS/911 strives to provide emergency and nonemergency response to the citizens of Ponca City in a timely manner and maintain a high standard of communications to all emergency responders, City departments, and surrounding 21,231Communications/911agencies.handledPolicecallsforservicein 2021, compared to 24,318 in 2020; 5,476 Fire/EMS calls for service in 2021, compared to 5,605 in 2020; and 1,148 calls for other City services, rural fire departments, and outside agencies in 2021, compared to 1,416 in 2020.
ANIMAL CONTROL strives to make Ponca City a safer community and manage the animal population, by enforcing laws that govern animals kept within the city limits and by capturing animals running loose. Coordinated efforts between Animal Control, the Ponca City Humane Society and several animal rescue services have significantly reduced
Public Works
CITY Continued on Page 55 CITY Continued from Page 51
52 SEPTEMBER 2022
Historically, the Ponca City Police Department has utilized the SRS (Summary Report System) to voluntarily submit monthly crime statistic reports to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigations. SRS was part of the national Uniform Crime Report program and crimes were broken into Part 1 Crimes and Part 2 Crimes. SRS also had a hierarchy rule; if an incident involved multiple crimes, only the most serious crime was added to the report.
See
PONCA CITY REGIONAL AIRPORT continues an aggressive pursuit to maintain the highest quality of safety standards set forth by the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) and the OAC (Oklahoma Aeronautical Commission). The Airport plays an important role in the community and training tomorrow’s pilots and aviation professionals. There are multiple hangars on the grounds as well as several businesses. The Airport also hosts the annual Northern Oklahoma Flight Academy and the monthly Fly-In Breakfasts.
SIBRS has three offense types (Crimes Against Persons, Crimes Against Property and Crimes Against Society) and there are multiple crimes within each category. SIBRS captures details on each single crime incident, as well as on separate offenses within the same incident. In 2021, the PCPD recorded 845 Crimes Against Persons, 1,382 Crimes Against Property and 345 Crimes Against Society.
the number of dogs and cats being euthanized. The City Commission passed a resolution establishing a goal for the Northern Oklahoma Regional Animal Care Facility to qualify as a NoKill Operation by Dec. 31, 2025. No-Kill communities are those that save 90% or more of the adoptable dogs and cats coming through their facilities. In 2021, the Animal Control adoption rate was 87.2% for dogs and cats.
The PCPD began reporting to SIBRS in 2020, with 2021 being the first full year of SIBRS reporting.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT strives to ensure the safety of the citizens of Ponca City by providing timely warnings, lifesaving information and educational resources in regards to all dangerous situations that may occur in or around Ponca City. Emergency Management processed Federal Emergency Management Agency documentation for the COVID-19 response and the Oct. 26, 2020 ice storm disaster; used grant funds and State allocations to purchase and distribute personal protective equipment; participated in updates to the Ponca City Hazard Mitigation Plan and Emergency Response Plan for Water Infrastructure, and helped coordinate the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event.
CD Northcutt founded the firm in 1938, and in 1977 the firm merged with Clark & Hron to become the firm that it is today. The merger was a natural transition for the two organizations as the attorneys were not only professional colleagues but also friends who shared many clients. Currently, the firm has three attorneys and four legal assistants.
Guy Clark
INVESTOR SPOTLIGHT
Each month Ponca City Main Street features one of its long-time in vestors. It is through the support of our valued investors that we can continuously improve the heart of Ponca City by attracting and pro moting merchants and visitors to our downtown. month we visited Guy Clark with Northcutt, Clark, Oldfield & Jech to discuss the law firm’s long and successful history in Ponca City.
This
William L. Oldfield
SEPTEMBER 2022 53 PONCA CITY MAIN STREET OFFICE City Central • 400 E. Central • Suite 201G 580-763-8082
The firm provides services in nearly all areas of the law in state and federal courts, allowing them to observe judicial administration at its best. Taking care of clients and providing representation with integri ty is of utmost important to the firm. They value the hard work it takes to be an attorney and the respect and commitment given to each client.
OUR MISSION is to serve Ponca City and its citizens by promoting quality of life through the revitalization of downtown. Our Vision is to make downtown the heart of our community! Our Transformation Strategies are Arts & Entertainment and Community Connection.
Lauren K. Jech
The firm has been located in City Central since the merger in 1977 giving Clark the opportunity to watch the ebbs and flows of down town Ponca City. Although it was disheartening to see downtown fade in decades past, Clark is pleased to witness downtown’s revitalization really taking off in the 2000s. He credits the turn-around to commu nity members that care for Ponca City and who were willing to take action during the hard times. Clark, Oldfield & Jech has always valued community service, and the attorneys throughout the years have been involved in a multitude of local, state and national organizations. From inception, the firm has encouraged the attorneys to be involved in the communi ty and see it as their duty to serve not only their clients but the greater community.
As a steadfast supporter of Main Street, the firm values the work Main Street does to promote, improve and revitalize our down town. Clark believes that the character and culture of a community is defined in the community’s downtown, and we at Main Street couldn’t agree more. It is through Main Street’s partnerships with Investors like Northcutt, Clark, Oldfield & Jech that Main Street is able to continue our Mission of promoting the quality of life through the revitalization of downtown and our Vision of making downtown the heart of the community!
Northcutt,
54 SEPTEMBER 2022 BE KIND to co-workers!your FRI SEPT 2 6-9 pm Sponsored b musical guests prairiefire At Phillips 66, supporting our people, our environment • Residential Window Cleaning ommercial Window Cleaning High-Rise Window Cleaning Gutter Cleaning Post Construction Cleanup • Serving Kay County since 1990! Commercial•Residential•High Rise LandersWC.com580-762-8282Commercial•Residential•High-Rise CELEBRATING 30 YEARS! $229* Outside Window Cleaning Suzanne Boettcher D & P Tank Service THANK YOU TO THESE SPONSORS OF BOTH EVENTS September 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . “BROADWAY” featuring Eddie Dixon with faculty and students of NOC September 15 . . . . . . . . . . . “AMERICANA” featuring Eddie Dixon with faculty and students of NOC September 22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . “DISNEY” featuring Eddie Dixon with faculty and students of NOC September 29 . . . . . “JAZZ in the Garden” featuring Mike Seals Trio *Rain cancels and concert will not be rescheduled Music in the Garden FREE THURSDAY NIGHT CONCERTS Starting at 6:30 pm at Cann Gardens Bring your lawn chairs! Winterrowd Talley Architects 112 N. 3rd • Ponca City • (580) 765-3317 www.WTAOK.net Proud to Serve Ponca City Schools. GO CATS!
SEPTEMBER 2022 55 worked to return fuel sales to previous levels before recent improvements to 17-35 runway and drainage. The north fuel farm was completely upgraded and passed Oklahoma Corporation Commission requirements, and the self-service fuel hose reel and associated piping were also replaced and upgraded. The Street Division is removing the surplus materials from the runway project, as well as reusing materials at the Golf Course for the construction of a new practice driving range.
to enhance
Oklahoma
CITY Continued from Page 52
$22,000,000
Reporting System (SIBRS),2021 Disclaimer: SIBRS data could be subject to change. Data provided is as of 08/08/2022 Offense Category Offense Type Count Crimes Against Persons Assault Offenses Aggravated Assault 166 Simple Assault 516 Intimidation 93 Homicide Offenses Murder and Non-Negligent Manslaughter 0 Negligent Manslaughter 1 Human Trafficking Human Trafficking - Commercial Sex Acts 0 Human Trafficking - Involuntary Servitude 0 Forcible Sex Offenses Forcible Rape 23 Forcible Sodomy 5 Sexual Assault with an Object 1 Forcible Fondling 29 Non-Forcible Sex Offenses Incest 1 Statutory Rape 5 Kidnapping/Abduction 5 Crimes Against Persons Total 845 Crimes Against Property Fraud Offenses False Pretenses/Swindle/Confidence Game 88 Credit Card/Automated Teller Machine Fraud 61 Impersonation 40 Welfare Fraud 0 Wire Fraud 7 Identity Theft 4 Hacking/Computer Invasion 0 Larceny/Theft Offenses Pocket-picking 1 Purse-snatching 2 Shoplifting 72 Theft From Building 62 Theft from Coin-Operated Machine or Device 7 Theft from Motor Vehicle 170 Theft of Motor Vehicle Parts or Accessories 25 All Other Larceny 226 Arson 6 Bribery 0 Burglary/Breaking & Entering 213 Counterfeiting/Forgery 19 Destruction/Damage/Vandalism of Property 243 Embezzlement 9 Extortion/Blackmail 4 Motor Vehicle Theft 85 Robbery 16 Stolen Property Offenses 22 Crimes Against Property Total 1,382 Crimes Against Society Drug/Narcotic Offenses Drug/Narcotic Violations 188 Drug Equipment Violations 105 Gambling Offenses Betting/Wagering 0 Operating/Promoting/Assisting Gambling 0 Gambling Equipment Violations 0 Sports Tampering 0 Prostitution Offenses Prostitution 1 Assisting or Promoting Prostitution 2 Purchasing Prostitution 0 Weapon Law Violations 41 Animal Cruelty 0 Pornography/Obscene Material 8 Crimes Against Society Total 345 With
2022.
visual appearance of the course by
new lake views and planting wildflowers to attract pollinators. Construction
STREET gutter450mileschipincludedmaintenanceDuringdrivessystemsofmiles173forTheyothericeparkingalleys,maintenanceprovidesofstreets,drainagesystems,lots,snowandremovalandassistsCitydepartments.areresponsiblethemaintenanceofmilesofstreets,71ofalleys,25milesstormwaterdrainageand22Cityandparkinglots.2021,Streetprojects12.75milesofandseal,fivelaneofcracksealing,feetofcurbandreplacementand373 blocks of rock and asphalt alley repairs. Street leveled pavement areas where asphalt had heaved and removed 1,030 cubic yards of bricks for the final stage of West Broadway Avenue street repair project.
Parks and Recreation Department, Lew Wentz Golf Course
36,000 square-foot
LEW WENTZ GOLF COURSE is nestled on the east side of Lake Ponca, with 125 acres of rolling terrain. The four-star, 18hole course features two PGA professionals on staff, amateur and lessons,juniorclinics,tournaments,professionalbeginnercorporateoutings,camps,privatetournamentsand a Wednesday Night League. Wentz Golf Course cohosted the annual Cherokee Strip Classic Tournament with the Ponca City Country Club and continues to increase tournament play. Construction and development of a long-awaited driving range is underway. And, the Golf Course recently constructed a new red tee box on #10, reseeded cool-season areas, built a rock bridge and created new ponds on #16, painted the clubhouse exterior and put a new metal roof on the clubhouse. State Bureau of Investigation - Statistical Analysis Center Number of SIBRS Offenses for Ponca City Police Department Source: State Incident-Based help from the continues the creating of the new Ponca City Public Safety Center is anticipated to be complete in the fall of This construction project is located in the block east of the existing 1974 building and comprised of a two-story building and a 10,500 square-foot, 16-bed jail. A judicial center will be created in the former building to separate municipal court operations and prosecution operations.
STORMWATER fees fund the management of rainfall runoff and compliance with federal and state stormwater regulations, as well as projects such as Household Hazardous Waste Day (cohosted with P66 biannually), drainage and detention improvement, stormwater program evaluation, stormwater ordinance review; and Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System OK-RO4 permit training.
CITY GARAGE maintains and repairs all City vehicles and equipment in an efficient and effective manner, by improving working skills and knowledge, to minimize interruption time to City Departments. The City Garage services approximately 319 rolling vehicles, including 97 pieces of heavy equipment.
56 SEPTEMBER 2022 OFFERING&OBSTETRICS Call 580-749-7845 to schedule Accepting IntroducingWOMEN’SFULL-TIME COMPLETE 119 PATTON
SEPTEMBER 2022 57 OFFERINGOBSTETRICSGYNECOLOGY schedule your appointment now! Accepting New Patients! Ponca City’s Newest FULL-TIME OBGYN SEAN WOMEN’SREID COMPLETE HEALTHCARE Now Open! PATTON DRIVE • PONCA CITY
“Things have been wrong with Mr. and Mrs. Wright for a long time.” That line inside the cover of the book hooked me right away. When I finished reading the novel, my reaction was, “Whoa!” Adam Wright is a screenwriter who has successfully converted bestselling novels into mega-hit movies, yet he’s never successfully gotten his own script to the screen. He suffers from face blindness; he is unable to recognize friends, or even his wife. As the book opens, Adam and his wife are on their way to a weekend getaway in the Scottish Highlands — in a storm that is quickly morphing into a blizzard. They both know this is a last attempt to save their marriage. (Between you and me, I’m not certain either of them is very committed to saving the marriage. It seems that they’re just checking off the “weekend away to save our marriage” box before admitting their marriage is doomed.) Both Adam and his wife have a plan for the weekend, but the converted chapel where they’re staying seems to have a mind of its own. The blizzard they’ve driven into doesn’t help matters at all.
BOOKADULT REVIEW PROVIDED BY BRACE BOOKS & MORE Review by Lorrie Layton 411 N. 14th • Ponca City • 580-765-0825 Each Keller Williams office is independently owned & operated. Email: LizGreene@kw.com • View available properties at lizgreene.kw.com Buy now, before interest rates go up. If I can assist you in your property search, give
58 SEPTEMBER 2022
a call. LIZ GREENE 580-763-4887 Now is the time to BUY! Reservations online @ RustyBarrellSupperClub.com or by calling 580-765-6689. Ponca City, OK We Support the Chamber’s KINDESS CAMPAIGN and “Be Kind to Your Co-Workers” Month! KINDJUSTBE ROCK PAPER SCISSORS By
Narration in the novel alternates between Adam and his wife, interspersed with letters his wife has written to him each wedding anniversary — letters she has never let him read. Now let me ask you: Do we ever truly know the people in our lives? What about your husband, your wife, that one person who is integral to your life? We all have secrets, right? Some of those secrets are small and innocent; others are immense and Thelife-shattering.Wrights have been married 10 years. Those 10 years are full of secrets. Both of them are guilty and both have been manipulated. Great book! me Alice Feeney
SEPTEMBER 2022 59 PROVIDED BY BRACE BOOKS & MORE Review By: Lorrie Layton
Have you ever loved a series so much that you didn’t want to read anything else? So what happened when that series ended or you had to wait almost a year for the next book to come out? Did you just read that series over and over again? That does get a little boring – even if you absolutely adore that series. If you feel that way about the Wings of Fire series, I recommend you try the new Skandar series.
BOOKCHILDRENS REVIEW We Work Hard to Offer a Great Selection of Pre-Loved Inventory! CityPonca•Street14thN.3415cannonhonda.comGuided Tours Monday thru Saturday 1:30 - ? MARLAND MANSION 901 Monument • Ponca City • 580-767-0420 So much to discover in a GUIDED TOUR of the Mansion! Skandar and the Unicorn Thief by A. F. Steadman
The book opens on the day of the “Chaos Cup.” (Think Kentucky Derby, but with unicorns and sky battles instead of thoroughbreds and mint juleps.) Unbelievably, just as the winner crosses the finish line, the winning unicorn is stolen. Along with all other thirteen-year-olds on the Mainland, Skandar has spent the year studying for the Hatchery exam, which will determine if he has the opportunity to possibly bond with a unicorn and train to be a unicorn rider. This is all Skandar has ever wanted. On the morning of the exam, Skandar is refused admittance to the exam, even though the law requires every thirteen-year-old to take the Hatchery exam. Skandar is understandably crushed and angry. He wasn’t even allowed the chance to try and that was his only chance, ever. I cannot say more without ruining the story, but this is an excellent beginning of a new series.
Admittedly, this series has unicorns instead of dragons, but these are not the fluffy adorable unicorns you might immediately think of. These unicorns are ferocious, bloodthirsty (literally), and unpredictable – oh, and they can Skandarfly. lives in England, a.k.a. the Mainland, with his dad and older sister. For the longest time, Mainlanders believed unicorns were fantastical, imaginary creatures, but when the Islanders revealed their secret – that unicorns are real –Mainlanders learned “unicorns don’t belong in fairy tales; they belong in nightmares.
T his is really difficult to say. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever really admitted it to myself, let alone say it out loud, but recently I’ve become a victim of emotional abuse from a family member – one I consider myself to be very close to. It didn’t used to be this way, and I’m not sure when it started, but it’s gotten bad and I don’t know how to stop it. He’s literally obsessed with me and never leaves me alone. He’ll follow me around just to taunt me. He’ll say, “It’s so funny when your belly jiggles,” and “You have a mustache like my dad,” and “Your nose looks like a witch’s nose,” and “If you talk to me again I’m not going to love you anymore,” which is particularly hurtful because I do literally everything for this person. In fact, he lives at my house and doesn’t do anything, he pays no bills, he doesn’t clean anything, doesn’t do his own laundry, doesn’t even wipe his own butt. And then on top of the verbal abuse, he doesn’t recognize any boundaries and has no concept of privacy. He’ll barge into the restroom when I’m in there and scream, “I want milk!” like I’m his maid! Thankfully, his immediate family seems to be his only victims. He absolutely adores other people, uses manners, speaks kindly and is otherwise precious to them, but me? Ruthless. Most of the time, anyways. Sometimes he tells me I’m beautiful and that he loves me and wants to snuggle with me, but sometimes he’ll tell me he’s going to take my car and drive away and never come back, all because I won’t let him have Sour Gummy Worms for breakfast. How he sleeps so peacefully and angelic at night when he spends most of his waking moments terrorizing me and being an absolute menace is shocking to me. What it really boils down to, is … I have a bully. And he’s 4 years old. And he calls me mom.
60 SEPTEMBER 2022 Julie and Todd Sheffield 580-763-7617 or 580-763-3242 sheffieldtravelagency.com INTERNATIONAL & DOMESTIC TRAVEL Groups • Cruises • Vacation Packages Destination Weddings • Hotel/Resorts/Villas/Homes/CondosHoneymoonsExcursions•TravelInsuranceGuidedTours•Cars Affiliate of Cruises and Tour Unlimited FL ST#ST15578/CA ST#2090937-50 Like us on Travel Agency info@wardsac.com • Planned Maintenance Agreements • Residential & Commercial Service • Family-Owned & Operated • Installation & Replacement • Free In-Home Estimates • Duct Cleaning Does atGiveanfurnaceyourneedinspection?usacall580-762-9513. weatherandAutumncooler are finally here! QUALITY POOLS & SPASQUALITY POOLS & SPAS Highland Ave. • Ponca City Schedule Your Pool Closing NOW and ask us about LOOP-LOC Pool Safety Covers! Call 580-762-3444 today! Protect your family with the one Safety Mesh Pool Cover strong enough to support an elephant.
SEPTEMBER 2022 61 2415 N. 14th • Ponca City • 580-765-5533 StutevilleFordPonca.com • StutevilleLincoln.com
• Chamber Board will meet at 11 a.m. at the Chamber Office.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 Cash Mob at 11:30 a.m. at Walgreens.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 8
•
• Business after Hours from 5-7 p.m. hosted by Equity Bank 222 E. Grand Ave.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6
Ponca City Business Council will meet at 8 a.m. at the Chamber Office.
62 SEPTEMBER 2022 Wheels & Tires • Tool Boxes • Window Tint Bug Shields • Vent Visors • Bed Covers • Hitches Bed Mats • Hitch Covers • Husky Floor Liners • Bumpers Grill Guards • Mud Flaps • Step Bars • More 411 E. HARTFORD • PONCA CITY autointintions.com This is a proof only and an opportunity to identify any error made during the creation of your advertisement. Due to the variables in printing and table production, there may be image quality loss. Colors here may not match final printed copy exactly. For best font production, text should be a minimum of 10 point font. Fine line fonts may not be legible on dark backgrounds (ie: script fonts). QR Codes minimum size requirement is 1” Square. Please scan your QR to ensure functionality. ABC Advertising Agency Inc. shall not be held responsible for any errors not marked, image quality loss, color fluctuations, and/or font legibility.PROOF PLEASE VERIFY ALL AD COPY FOR ACCURACY & INDICATE ALL CORRECTIONS CLEARLY. WINDOWTINTING 121 E. Grand • Downtown Ponca City • (580) 382-4070 HOURS: Tuesday thru Friday 11-5:30 and Saturday 11-3 Grab a Brümate to keep your drink warm or cold! Don’t forget we have local beef… hamburger, ribs, brisket and steaks! Our meat seasonings are always a crowd pleaser too! Be Tailgate Ready!
• Chamber Lunch and Learn at 11:30 a.m. at Pioneer Technology Center
• Education and Workforce Development Committee will meet at 4 p.m. at the Chamber Office.
PONCA CITY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CITY
• PIE Partner Kick Off Meeting at 4 p.m. at the BOE Office
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15
MEETINGSSEPTEMBER&EVENTS
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20
The 36th Ponca City Leadership Class Retreat at Camp Horizon
• Community Development Committee will meet at 10 a.m. at the Chamber Office.
• Ponca Politics Forum on City Government Noon - 1 p.m. in the Commission Chambers at City Hall.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14
• 6th Ponca City Leadership Class Session on Ponca City History.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22
• Finance and Executive Committee will meet at 11 a.m. at the Chamber Office.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30
THURSDAY AND FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1 AND 2
• Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at 5:30 p.m. for The Conference Center at Pioneer Technology Center.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27
• Ambassador Committee will meet at 8 a.m. at the Chamber Office.
•
•
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13
• Tourism Bureau will meet at 9 a.m. at the Chamber Office.
Find other events taking place at visitponcacity.com PONCA
• Ponca Politics Committee will meet at 11 a.m. at City Hall in the McFadden Room.
Terrific variety of Oklahoma beer! Two local favorite brewers, Vortex Alley and Skydance, have rotating selections. The music is GREAT! The air quality is excellent, which is not always the standard in a casino.
Story Photos by Amy Geurin/Contributing Writer
For more delicious food fun, check out @foodcrushok on IG and Facebook and www.foodcrushok.com
Zeppelin, the Talking Heads, Blur, and of course, Kiss, are a few examples of the sounds that will hit your eardrums upon arrival. Just past the dizzying lights of slot machines is the entrance to Rock & Brews Restaurant, whose twosided bar anchors the upbeat space. Craft burgers are featured, and they are good! Rock & Brews turns up the flavor with the Gastropub burger. This burger is loaded with melted Swiss cheese, bacon, caramelized onions, baby greens, thick tomato slices, garlic aioli and capped with a sunny side up egg, all attempting to be contained on a brioche bun. It’s juicy. It’s messy. It’s satisfying. The Oklahoma Smash Burger is saddled with grilled onions, sharp cheddar, dill pickles and R&B’s house mustard sauce. The smashed patties are almost caramelized, creating a crave-worthy, crust-like texture.
The Demon Chicken is a zesty take on an otherwise routine sandwich. Pepper cheese spread, marinated red onions, coleslaw, fresh jalapenos, and chipotle ranch all compliment a fried chicken breast that has been coated with Rock & Brews Rockin’ Hot Sauce on a sesame seed bun. This spicy sandwich will spark your taste buds and liven up your meal.
Rock &
Recently opened at Braman exit 231 on Interstate 35, Kaw Gaming, Inc., has launched the newest Rock & Brews location with some classic, American pub plates served up with some edgy twists. Greeting visitors with bright lights, big rock music and colorful murals, this 200-seat restaurant oozes energy and liveliness.
and
TOP THREE FOR ME
American food. Is there a term for a type of food that could be any less clear? American food is comprised of so many different things, it can be confusing. For most people though, there is something comfortable and familiar about mainstream American food. Burgers, ribs, wings, fries….they always strike a cord and, while not the pillar of a healthy diet, they can be so worth the splurge.
Brews Restaurant is located at Exit 231 on the OK-KS border of Interstate 35, Braman, OK Phone 580.385.2440 Hours: Wed/Th: 3:00pm – 9:00pm Fri/Sat: 3:00pm – 10:00pm Sunday: 3:00pm – 9:00pm SEPTEMBER 2022 63 FOOD CRUSHFOOD CRUSH
Great American food is hard to define because it is so broad and diverse. It’s a variety of ideas and techniques from different sources, mashed together, creating something that is both comforting and reckless. It’s kind of like a mixtape. Each one is different, a little bit of everything is included to make it unique. The pub food at Rock & Brews is just that, a mixtape. They have fused regional flavors with wellknown dishes to entertain casino goers and tavern lovers alike. Sit back, order some food, and set your eyes on one of the many screens showing MTV at its best, when they played music. Ladies and gentlemen, Rock and Roll. Happy Eating!!
It’s time to talk worms and composting. I found this article I wrote about composting way back in 2011. The information has held up and is true today, with a few minor adjustments. I still have the same outdoor composting set-up, but I gave up the indoor vermiculture in 2015. Still fun, just outgrew the maintenance of it. If you have younger kids, they will love “feeding the worms.”
INSIDE: Worms are your best friends in the garden, period. They aerate the soil; break down waste and their waste or castings are the best fertilizer for your garden. Worms will find their way to your hang out for dinner). Build it and they will come. However, over the winter worms will stay hidden for spring (even if it is just enough to add to your I confess, I used to have a plastic, shallow underthe-bed clothing holder for keeping mealworms. this). Those of you that are really curious, ask composter, but below is a step-by-step to
May: Kitchen scraps, paper, lls & coffee ounds to fee orms f
o
OUTSIDE: For the outside compost, I have a dark plastic container compost holder with a lid but no floor, which receives vegetable/fruit kitchen scraps, as well as eggshells, paper, grass cuttings and cardboard. The trick to composting is to keep a smaller gathering bucket in the kitchen so the eggshells, paper and cardboard can be deposited into the bucket and then taken out to the compost. If you drink coffee or tea, throw the coffee, filters and tea bags into the bucket as composter, buy a black plastic trash can with a lid. Cut out the bottom and with a pair of scissors or an awl, poke about 10 holes on opposite sides on the lower third of the trash can body. Position the trash can in a shady part of your yard, preferably close to a door (or by your newly plotted garden) for easy winter transport. If you put compost into this for the next three to four months through the winter, you will have good compost ready to feed the summer plants. Be patient, good compost is like giving birth. It takes 9-10 months to get beautiful, lovely compost. (If you want to buy a ready-to-go compost holder locally, Keathly’s, Lowe’s and sometimes Walmart have them in their Garden Centers.)
GardenerBackyard
WormingYourWayIntoComposting by Kat Long / Contributing Writer
October: Move outdoor composter and harve to 100 worms to g inside for
winter 64 SEPTEMBER 2022
So, enjoy this throwback, to the way-back-when, with composting. Fall is a great time to get started creating your compost and, though some of the articles and books listed are older, making compost doesn’t change much. Fall clean-up is the topic in November. But if you start clearing the yard early, keep some of those stalks and dried leaf branches for Halloween decorations. And of course, Happy Gardening. So how about that compost? I know you are wondering about compost. It occupies the upper third of your mind at all times, right? Just kidding; it’s only my upper third part of the brain that thinks about compost, worms, inside vs. outside containers and where am I going to put next year’s compost pile or do I need to have two compost piles? Yup, this is where I am living this month. Would you like a tour?
Story and Photos
See WORMS Continued on Page 66
BACK-TO-SCHOOLSUPPLIES by Patrick Jordan ACROSS 1. Baby insect 6. Island country south of Sicily 11. Popular food fish 14. More slick, as a wintry street 15. From Earth's largest continent 16. Comical Schumer or Poehler 17. Some signs along highways (2 wds.) 19. Even score 20. Praising poem 21. Carries with difficulty 22. Light bulb units 24. Heredity factor 25. Reside 27. Least cooked 30. Unwaveringly brave 33. Unpleasant smells 34. Scottish families 35. Husky's "hand" 36. Former vice-president Al 37. Tee or tank top 38. Nothing more than 39. WWW address (abbr.) 40. Team that doesn't wear 37-Acrosses 41. Block-stacking game 42. Funding a college 44. Long-eared hound type 45. Very funny people 46. Big ___ (Golden Arches burgers) 47. Symbol on a pirate flag 49. Word before Ages or chocolate 50. Lowest sudoku digit 53. Rapper ___ Kim 54. Typist's mistake cover-up (2 wds.) 58. Snacked on 59. Made a goof 60. Dramatic musical play 61. Pay-___-view 62. Homes for hornets 63. Takes good care of DOWN 1. Prom night vehicle, for short 2. Corrosive chemical 3. Make angry 4. Formation of flying geese 5. Like the Venus de Milo 6. Mom to Bart, Lisa, and Maggie 7. Requests 8. Fibber's statement 9. Paving goop 10. Game board entries on "Jeopardy!" 11. Ranch enclosures (2 wds.) 12. Leave off the list 13. Artificial colors 18. Uncle's spouse 23. Every bit of 24. Richard of "Pretty Woman" 25. Beloved people 26. Crave 27. Dangerous elephant 28. Place decorations on 29. Summit attendee, often (2 wds.) 30. Toss a Frisbee 31. Beetle Bailey's boss 32. Perspire 34. Pulls oneself up on a bar 37. Amusing but brief act 38. Usual result of a baby's first spaghetti dinner 40. Bloated, as a sprained ankle 41. Slot machine's payoff 43. Barrelful from OPEC 44. Shakespeare, the ___ of Avon 46. Certain hotel staffers 47. Strike in a Three Stooges film 48. Toy flown on windy days 49. Singing couple 50. "It's an ___-and-shut case" 51. Stereotypically studious sort 52. Noteworthy times 55. Infuriated emotion 56. Letters from P to T 57. King Kong, e.g 12345 678910 111213 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 2223 24 2526 272829 30 3132 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 4748 49 505152 53 545556 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 77pageonAnswer SEPTEMBER 2022 65 A unique dining experience, TS Fork is a destination for locallysourced and farm-fresh food in wonderfulservingsplentifulwithambianceandatmosphere. Reservations online or by phone: www.TSFork.com 800-928-1840 Catering & weekday parties available. Dinner served by reservation Friday & Saturday. Set menus may be viewed online or on Facebook. 2800 N. 14TH ST. PONCA CITY Welcome to your Future! We offer degrees in: • Leadership • Marketing • Management • Accounting • Education • Counseling • Psychology • Business Many more programs available! After-school LEGO robotics starts September 7th. Call today for more information: 580-718-5600
Of course, you can always just order a Worm Composter and all the accessories. I have to admit I graduated to a “deluxe model”
Articles: Kelly Coyne and Eric Knutzon: “How to DIY a Worm Bin” Mother Earth News, 2022 (reprint from zm0z12onzsor/gardening/how-to-make-compost-motherearthnews.com/organic-23,Compost”Barbaraworm-bin-ze0z11zhir/motherearthnews.com/diy/make-2010)Pleasant:“HowtoBuildMotherEarthNews,Oct.2020
Everyone’s guide to home composting (Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1978) Ken Thompson, Compost (DK, Barbara Pleasant, The complete compost gardening guide: banner batches, grow heaps, comforter compost … (Storey Pub, 2008)
Websites: Information on red worm composting: redwormcomposting.com/ How to do worm composting: cityfarmer.org/wormcomp61.html
WORMS Continued from Page 64
last year, but it is not very different from my homemade version, just a little cooler looking and goes up (tall) instead of out (wide). If you want to set up another compost area, you can always harvest some worms from the original for the indoor composter. It’s like saving seed, but with worms! If this explanation leaves you a little lost, please see Ifillustration.Ihavepiqued your interest, but you need more information, please check out these
66 SEPTEMBER 2022 580-767-0000 ◆ Fax: 888-892-2016 ◆ 1379 N. Prentice Road ◆ Ponca City ◆ Freightsharks.com • Hotshots, Flatbeds, Stepdecks, Vans & Power Only • Specializing in Time-Critical Freight • Air-Ride Tractors and Trailers • Insured, including General Liability & Cargo • Licensed and Bonded Freight Broker • Locally Owned, Minority Woman-Owned • Real-Time Satellite Tracking • 48-State Authority • Available 24/7 making an inside composter for the winter. If you have young kids, they will think this is the coolest thing ever. 1. Plastic container with lid that has holes in it (can be punched with scissors or an awl) or one of those containers used for storing Christmas decorations could work. 2. Shred newspaper; soak newspaper in water, squeeze out newspaper and put in the bottom of the container. 3. Put organic matter on top of the shredded, damp newspaper for the worms to eat: the smaller the size the better. Banana peels, eggshells, coffee grounds, carrot tops, sweet potato skins, etc. Just make sure they are chopped up. 4. Start this after you order the worms and your composter will be ready for the new inhabitants when they arrive in the mail.
Lorenresources:Nancarrow, The worm book: the complete guide to worms in your garden
Mr. Newman shared how he was the Quarterback for our Wildcat football team at that time. I wonder how their facilities compared with the facilities we have today? I’m certain they will have stories about prom, teachers, principals, classmates, and each of the after-school activities that make public education in our country one of the greatest experiences for millions each year. I think back on my own experiences in school. Both the positive and negative ones. It’s amazing how the little things we do as a school district make an impact on the kids in our classrooms. I bet I will not find a single one of those graduates from 1962 fretting about their end of the year assessment results, or the term paper they had to have completed, or how many days they missed of school. Instead, I suspect I will hear about how they felt in school. Were they welcomed? Which teachers were nice, or which teachers were strict? Did they have interesting projects? Who did they take to prom? Where was prom? How did their basketball team perform? Who was the funniest in their class? We spend so much time in education fighting the constant politicization of education. We’re told we need to have so many high-test scores, perfect attendance, and several personnel evaluations, and different assessments each year. Are those the things we define as a great school system? Or is it the robust extracurricular offerings, the wonderful facilities, or our amazing teachers and administrators that define your school system? I know from my own personal experience I was shaped by the amazing teachers put before me. But more so, my classmates, neighbors, and friends helped make my own school experience a wonderful one. Here’s to Mr. Newman and the rowdy 1962 graduates who will be celebrating, rejoicing, and enjoying tremendous fellowship for this year’s homecoming. I can’t wait to participate with you!
Story by Adam Leaming, Ponca City Public Schools / Contributing Writer
SEPTEMBER 2022 67
It did not take much reading to learn that Mr. Newman is a Wildcat through and through. His passion for his friends and fellow graduates resonated with me. He is truly excited to come home and revisit PO-HI. I do plan on attending their class reunion and soaking up the “living history,” from each of these graduates. I cannot wait to hear their stories, shared memories, and help reaffirm why we do what we do.
Greetings PC Monthly readers! School is back in session, and we’re moving right into Homecoming month. This week I received a wonderful letter from Richard Newman, Class of 1962 (the greatest class EVER), inviting our Superintendent and me to attend their class reunion. His words, not mine! Mr. Newman and his fellow graduates will be celebrating their 60-year class reunion this September in Ponca City!
Be sure and take your family and friends to Central Fare for food trucks, drinks, lawn games and entertainment. I can say without a single “note” of hesitation: You will thank yourself for being there to hear Prairie Fire perform. They are simply that fantastic!
Prairie Fire formed in 2008, comprised of siblings who grew up in the Ponca City area – Hannah, Luke, Amy, Ashley and Abigail Ballinger, family friend Josiah Colle and, more recently, younger sibling Isaac Ballinger. The group released two albums in 2015 and has performed across Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas and Missouri at various venues, festivals and competitions, with their resume including playing at Silver Dollar City in Branson.
The last Down by Downtown! (DXDT) summer concert series for 2022 is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 2. The main act features local bluegrass and country legend, the Prairie Fire Band for two hours starting at 6:30 p.m. I featured the band in the September 2021 issue of Ponca City Monthly. But, here is a short summary to remind everyone of just how amazing this group is:
A
OK … now for a multistep review of a local band: Does your mom buy a band shirt at the show? Check. Then, does she keep the shirt long enough to wash it multiple times? Check. Then, does she neatly fold the shirt to continue wearing it (rather than turning it into a dish rag)? Check. Dirty Erin passed this test. I am so excited to report they are back, full force, bringing the rock to Ridin’ High on Sept. 10 and to the Oktoberfest celebration on Saturday, Oct. 1. You have permission to scream when they hit the stage!
Larry Newsom is a musician that was literally born to be on stage. You can catch him at the Cherokee Strip Fundraiser, a private event at the Ponca City Country Club, on Sept. 9, or at the Expenditure Brewery in Okarche on Sept. 17 and at Zanotti’s in Stillwater on Sept. 9 and 24. The soundssmoothofthe Mike Seals Trio have a busy fall performingincludingschedule,at the Newkirk Charlie Adams Day on Sept. 10 at Amphitheater,the the LA Cann “Music in the Garden” series on Sept. 29 and Oct. 2 at the Ponca City Oktoberfest Our dynamitelocal duo, Five Year Gap, will bring the house down on Sept. 1 at the Edmond Vibes and on Sept. 24 at the Ponca City Arts Festival. I love the energy Ciara and Brody bring to any Thestage!Curtis Moore Band is locked, cocked and loaded to play at the Stillwater Elks Lodge on Sept. 2, the Ponca City Oktoberfest on Oct. 1 and Back2Sighs on Oct. 21. M-Pyre, Ponca City’s newest rock group of versatile, veteran performersPrairie Fire Band 4:15pm-5:30pm Deviney Smith Band 5:30pm-Close Dirty Erin SUNDAY OCTOBER 2ND 11:00am-12:30pm Cory and Band of Fools 12:30pm-2:00pm The Mike Seals Trio 2:00pm-3:30pm Arms of London 3:30pm-Close The Guys
2022EntertainmentOktoberfestLineupSATURDAYOCTOBER1ST
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10:00am-11:15am Curtis Moore Band 11:15am -12:30pm Rusted Rose 12:30pm-1:45pm Morrison 33 1:45pm-3:00pm Band #9 3:00pm -4:15pm M-pyre
Music in & Around Ponca
The Bandstand … The Full Moon Concert Series, sponsored by the North Central Oklahoma Arts Council, is hosting the Hayes Brothers Band on Saturday, Sept. 10 at 7:30 p.m. in the Tonkawa downtown gazebo. The band is honored to be playing a third year at this event, and the crowd is always enthusiastic! Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy the sounds of a seven-member group playing a variety of music. And you never know … sometimes a surprise guest plays with the band too …
ConcertCommunitySeries
SteveStorySoundingCity&PhotosbyScott/ContributingWriterOff
September usually marks the formal end of summer. People are back from extended vacations and camps, and school starting keeps most residents in the community. This signals the annual fall rebound where local bars and entertainment venues resume booking bands on a regular basis again. Every one of our local performers are more than ready, and it is obvious each has recaptured their pre-pandemic energy. There is no excuse to be bored in Ponca City. We have the entertainment! Something Happening …
The 87th season kicks off Sept. 19 withBrass,Seraph ensembledynamica drawing from a roster of America’s top female brass players who can boast of performing with Adele on her North American Tour! They will be playing commissioned works, as well as familiar favorites. Visit www. pcconcertseries.org for all of the information you need to join.
68 SEPTEMBER 2022
thesponsoredperformanceswideattendingCityuplifepartinfluentialveryofmygrowinginPoncaincludedavarietyofby
SATURDAY, SEPT. 17 at Lake Ponca
SEPTEMBER 2022 69 IT’S ALMOST HERE!
Until next month — Peace, Love and Good Live Music my friends!
This fun, family event is hosted by the women of Professionals Today and benefits Hospice of North Central Oklahoma. $5 ADVANCE TICKETS on sale now at the Chamber, Hospice of NCO, area banks & more! is leading the pack to the The Fox on Sept. 10. They will also be featured at the Newkirk Charlie Adams Day celebration on Sept. 10, with a follow-up in Sparks for the annual Halloween Bash on Oct. 14. Trust me — wherever this band plays, it’s a good time all over the place! Band #9 is closing out the summer Kaw Lake entertainment season at the Hideaway Marina on Sept. 3, entertaining the Friends of Oklahoma Rally at City Central on Sept. 24 and joining fellow musicians at Oktoberfest on the Marland Mansion grounds on Saturday, Oct. 1. No doubt about it, these guys are built for rock and roll! Talk about someone with a large following! I was blown away with the Cassy Kendrick Army at the July DXDT event. Cassy will continue her march across Oklahoma entertaining at the Ponca City Art Festival on Sept. 24 and at the Top of Oklahoma Jam in Blackwell on Oct. 8. New Dynasty makes a regular pilgrimage to play at Back2Sighs on Sept. 30. The Deviney Smith Band will be center stage at the Old Settlers Day celebration in Perkins on Sept. 24. Returning to action with the magic that exclusively belongs to their band, Morrison 33 will be playing the Ponca City Oktoberfest on day one at 12:30 p.m. The Deviney Smith Band will follow-up at 4 p.m. Ridin’ High has a deep-rooted history of booking live entertainment that makes you want to dance. Heck, it’s in the DNA of Northern Oklahoma’s largest dance club! They are proving their heritage with Dirty Erin on Sept. 10, the Loose Ends Live on Stage Sept. 24 and the Classic Cowboys Back on Stage Oct. 15.
The Kay County Amphitheater in Newkirk continues to book family-friendly entertainment each month. Kicking off September is local band Salt Fork Revival on Sept. 9 playing a mix of rock, country and blues favorites. The annual Newkirk Charlie Adams Day follows on Sept. 10 with a great lineup of musicians all day. The Gospel Jubilee Travelers will be on-stage the evening of Sept. 11. These talented musicians are from the Ponca City Gospel Jubilee on Hwy 60 east of town. Finally, on Sept. 17, the amphitheater welcomes award-winning story teller Don Davis at 7 p.m. Davis is the author of 18 books and more than 40 original recordings. Bring your blanket or lawn chairs!
Vortex, Ponca City’s best reason to “have a beer,” resumes regular entertainment for September. The featured visual artist is Kal Cloonan whose works will be displayed around the tavern (and available for purchase!). Trivia nights are Sept. 8 and 22; Singo on Sept. 2, 16 and 30, all featuring munchies with Nena’s Taco’s on-site. The one and only Stacey Sanders returns to the stage on Sept. 23, with Mean Mo’s BBQ serving delicious bites. Beer. Music. Games. Great food trucks. Now come on — does it get any better?
If anyone has information on live music events, please write me at smscott54@hotmail.com Seraph Brass, photo by Lisa-Marie Mazzucco
70 SEPTEMBER 2022
Kosher salt
2 tablespoons white miso paste (preferably organic)
3 green onions, sliced Recipe and Photos by Paul Muehlberg / Contributing Writer
Set a large sauce pan over medium heat. Add the chicken stock to the pan; add the miso paste, soy sauce and dashi powder. Break up the miso paste using a whisk; continue whisking until well combined and no lumps remain. Bring to a simmer. Reduce heat just enough to keep the broth warm. Don’t continue to boil or simmer, or your ramen broth will reduce and become too salty. Warning, the soy sauce, dashi powder and miso are all very salty. It’s important to use unsalted chicken stock here. If you don’t have any, try seasoning the stock with half of each of these salty ingredients and add more as needed. Next, set a large skillet over medium heat and add the oil. Once the oil is shimmering, add the chicken, skin side down and cook until the skin is crispy and browned. About 6-8 minutes. Flip the chicken over and cook for five minutes. Add the garlic and ginger to the pan and continue to cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring the garlic and ginger. Next turn the heat up to high and add the wine. Deglaze the pan by scraping up all the brown bits. Continue simmering for 1-2 minutes or until the internal temp of the chicken reads 165 F. Transfer the chicken to a paper-lined plate and allow to rest five minutes. Cook noodles according to package directions using the same sauce pan used for the softboiled egg. Your water should be boiling when you add the noodles. Strain from pan and divide noodles between two large ramen bowls. While the chicken is resting, add 1 teaspoon of oil back to the skillet. When the oil is shimmering, add the mushrooms and cook until brown, 3-4 minutes. Transfer to a plate and reserve for ramen topping. Next, slice the chicken into bite-sized pieces taking care to leave the crispy skin on the chicken. Next halve the soft-boiled egg and reserve. Build your Ramen: To build your bowl of ramen, divide the broth between the two bowls of noodles. Place the sliced chicken, shitake mushrooms and eggs to the top of the ramen. Drizzle the chili crunch over the top of the chicken and eggs. Garnish with sliced green onions and enjoy immediately.
1 egg (half for each bowl)
Ingredients
6-ounce packaged instant ramen noodles, seasoning packet reserved for another use
4 garlic cloves, minced 1 teaspoon ginger, minced 1/4 cup sake’ or dry white wine
2 tablespoons canola oil
Season the chicken with kosher salt and ground white pepper. Set aside and bring to room Settemperature.alargesauce
2 teaspoons dashi powder
4 skin-on chicken thighs (bones removed)
pan filled with 12 cups water over high heat; bring to a boil; add the egg and boil for six minutes. Transfer the egg to an ice bath for five minutes. Peel the egg under running water and reserve for ramen topping.
Note there are many different ramen toppings. To name a few: bean sprouts, bamboo shoots, water chestnuts and fried shallots all add crispness to your bowl of ramen. You can also drizzle oils over your ramen to add depth of flavor, such as garlic butter, shallot oil, toasted sesame oil, pork fat, chicken fat and even smokey bacon fat.
Ground white pepper
SEPTEMBER 2022 71
2 tablespoons soy sauce
4 cups store-bought, unsalted chicken stock (or homemade, if you have it)
1-2 teaspoons chili crunch
Makes 2 large bowls
Directions
6-8 medium-sized shitake mushrooms, cleaned and stemmed
72 SEPTEMBER 2022
September 16 Hispanic Heritage Festival 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM at The Summit in City Central Free admission Join us for the first Ponca City Hispanic Heritage Festival. There will be music, food, dancing, raffles and much more....
September 17 Conoco Aviation Reunion Friday September 30th thru Saturday October 1st, 2022 All former Aviation Department Employees from Conoco/Phillips are invited to attend! Please pass the word if you know anyone who worked for Conoco or Phillips Aviation at one time or another who you think might be interested in coming! Any questions please contact any one of the following pilots.
September 12 KAY-9 DOG TRAINING CLUB 1908 E Woodland Rd, Ponca City 6:00 PM or 7:15 PM KAY-9 DOG TRAINING CLUB will be having basic obedience classes open to the public beginning on September 12 at Unity Gym in Ponca City for seven weeks 6:00 PM or 7:15 PM. The cost is $60. Applications are available from your vet. Call Marilyn at 763-7895 or Ruth at 401-5569 for information.
Standing Bear Powwow 601 Standing Bear Parkway, Ponca City All Day Event Fri & Sat, September 23 & 24 Friday Gourd Dancing … 5:00 Grand Entry … 7:00 Saturday Gourd Dancing … 1:00 Traditional Meal … 5:30 Grand Entry … 7:00 For more information, contact Standing Bear Museum at 580-762-1514.
47th Ponca City Arts Festival Presented by City Arts 1500 East Grand, Ponca City 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM Join us Friday, September 23 from 5-8 pm and Saturday, September 24 from 9 am-5 pm in our new location at the beautiful Cann Gardens for Oklahoma’s longest-running arts festival! For 47 years, artists from around the region gather at the Ponca City Arts Festival to share their art with this area. Our festival includes a children’s area, live entertainment, food/drink vendors, and more! “Festival Dollars” on our website at Pcarts.org and you’ll receive early access to all artist booths from 4-5 pm on Friday during our sponsorship reception!
September 10 Charlie Adams Day 201 S Main Newkirk 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM Celebrate the town of Newkirk’s heritage at Charlie Adams Day, a funfilled festival for all ages.
PoHi Steppers Booster Club Golf Tournament will take place Friday, September 23. Cost is $100 per player or $400 per team. Please call Lynna Clark at 580-761-1146 to sign up to play, or to become a sponsor! All proceeds will go to benefit the Ponca City High Steppers.
September 23 Doodle Academy Art Opening September 23 - Treka Wenner and Summer Walker. com/art-exhibitions.TheDoodleAcademy.
KAY COUNTY EVENTSKAY EVENTS
COUNTY
36th Annual Cherokee Strip BBQ Cook-Off Lake TastingPoncabegins at 12:30PM All proceeds benefit Hospice of North Central Oklahoma. For more information contact Nancy Brown, 2022 Cook-Off Chair at 580761-9158
September 21 PYE (Ponca Young Employees) will host Tap into NOKHS at Vortex Alley Brewing. September 21st from 5pm7pm. NOKHS will be onsite with pets available for adoption. Additionally, we ask that everyone brings a bag of dog or cat food to donate.
& Prizes • Food, Drinks & Desserts • Cake Walk • Special Game Area for Children 5 & Under • Live DJ • Live & Online Auctions • On-Site Security • More!
September 2 September DXDT 202 South 4th, Ponca City 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM Join us for First Friday in Ponca City for Food, Music, and Art at Central Fare with Prairie Fire. Flashback Friday The Mummy (1999) Poncan Theatre 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM 1st Friday of the month 7 & 9:30 pm $4 on-line/$5 in person Buy tickets: poncantheatre.org September 8 Music in The Garden Presented by Ponca City Arts & Humanities Council LA Cann Garden 1500 East Grand, Ponca City 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM September 8.“BROADWAY” * September 15.“AMERICANA” * September 22.“DISNEY”* *featuring Eddie Dixon with faculty and students of NOC September 29.“JAZZ in the Garden” featuring Mike Seals Trio *Rain cancels and concert will not be Allrescheduled.theshows are FREE! We hope to see you in the garden. September 9 Death of a Salesman Ponca Playhouse 301 South 1st Street, Ponca City 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM Sept 9-11 & Fri,Performance16-18TimesSept9;Sat,Sept 10; Fri, Sept 16; Sat, Sept 17; @ 7:30 pm Sun, Sep 11; Sun, Sept 18; @ 7:30PM
October 8 St. Mary’s Catholic School Annual Fall Fest 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm 415 S. 7th Inflatables,StreetGames
Mike Caldwell 580-762-3290 Brad Piel 580716-2397 or Greg Art 406-550-1345
Purchase
Tanner Olson and Blake Flattley 7:30p - 9:30p An evening of music and poetry Poncan Theatre, FREE event September 17 Cluck, Oink, Moo 5K Start time: 8 am. On West Snake Road at Lake Ponca. For more information and to register, registration,www.poncacityok.gov/parksandrec-visit:580-767-0430
SEPTEMBER 2022 73 bobhurleyponca.com580-765-25113501N.14thStreetPoncaCity
If you are reading this, we are not very far off from hosting the Cherokee Strip Golf Classic, which is held each year in Ponca City. This is the longest running Pro-Am in the nation so it comes with a ton of expectations. We will have many visitors coming to Ponca City to play in this prestigious event so I ‘m wanting to touch on some things that shouldn’t be done when playing in Pro-Ams or at different courses.
Contributed by Rod Alexander, PGA; Director of Golf/Lew Wentz Golf Course
To be or not to be….
74 SEPTEMBER 2022 Foreign and Domestic Repair • Exclusive asTech Technology Genesis Laser-Guided Frame Equipment • Guaranteed Repairs Owned and Operated by Larry & Stephanie Klinger Free Estimates! Call 580-762-3716 14th & Lake Road • Ponca City We are sharing these diagrams to inform customers “What’s Yours and What’s Ours” Knowing who is responsible for what, aids in efficient repairs. OVERHEAD SERVICEUNDERGROUND SERVICE Ponca City 580-767-0405Energy Meter ■ Customer Owned & Maintained ■ PC Energy Owned & Maintained
First, your place on the golf course is immediately behind the group in front of you. Not immediately in front of the group behind you. What does this mean? Don’t be the slow group that holds everybody up. I was always taught that you can be a bad golfer but just don’t be a slow bad golfer. Limit your practice swings to one. Be ready when it’s your turn. No need to look for 20 minutes for your ball since the rule is now 3 minutes. If you are out of the hole (exceeded your stroke limit) then pick up your ball and put it in your pocket. Second, leave the course better than you found it. Fix your ball marks on the green; and three more while you are at it. Rake the bunker if you get in one. Use the cart path as much as you can. There is no need to drive onto a tee box or onto the fringe of a green. You are not bigger than the course so leave it nice for the others to enjoy it as well. Please put all of your trash in the trash can or leave it in the basket on the cart. The maintenance staff will appreciate you even more. Third, be aware of others. Show up at least 15 minutes before your tee time so your team is not worried about you. Don’t take practice swings without first looking to see if someone is around. Don’t be afraid to yell FORE because it could save someone from severe pain. If you’re going to throw your club you should always throw it in front of you (cuts down on walking Remembertime). to have fun, enjoy the day with friends, and watch your grip pressure.
toBirdieTalkMe...
If only all the woes of life could be cured just by stepping outside and into nature. The truth is many issues can be if we will allow nature to affect us in the ways that it can. Hippocrates, a Greek physician known as the father of modern medicine, stated that “Nature itself is the best physician.”
Hippocrates also said, “Natural forces within us are the true healers of disease.” Most of us just become so busy we do not let ourselves relax and heal, revive and purify our spirit, come back into ourselves. Let’s.
Water is a necessity to life, yes, but it’s also an element that is quite enjoyable in so many ways. Ponca City has many opportunities to do just that. One of the beautiful places to be close to the water is Lake Ponca, with numerous areas to fish, picnic, a swimming beach, boating and even kayak rentals. A great map and information can be found on the Poncacityok.gov website. There’s a nice pond by the Marland Mansion and a small one at Standing Bear Museum & Education Center for time to relax and reflect, spend time letting go of the stresses of life and just enjoying the sounds of nature. I love to bring my journal when I go to these spots to rejuvenate. A breeze off the water is the best elixir for creativity as stress leaves my body and Let’smind.getoutside in nature, by the water, in the water … drinking plenty of water to revive.
It’s Elemental! Healing Through Nature and the Senses: Let’s Talk About Water
SEPTEMBER 2022 75
Flowing water has a calming effect on most people, so water helps the body, mind and spirit. You need to drink it, be close to it, be in it. Many of us hope to get to a spa to refresh. Even though we may go for a variety of services, the acronym ‘SPA’ is an abbreviation for the term “solus par aqua,” which means health or healing through water.
Mother Nature has many healing properties, both physical and mental, and we’ll look at this just a bit through the basic elements of nature over the next few months. This month, while we are still dealing with rather hot weather, let’s look at the element of water. I know I’ve enjoyed my time in the water, and I’ve had to use water to cool down just while watering plants or working outside in the hottest of Thetimes.United States Geological Survey estimates that nearly 70% of the surface of the earth is covered with water. All living things on earth need water in order to survive. Web MD Medical Library states that the human body is between 60-70% water. Obviously, water is key to maintaining and restoring the health of Inpeople.thearticle “Water’s Wonders” in Psychology Today, Hollis Kline and Laura Schiff further explain the positive effects. They discuss how steam baths ease the mind by sweating out toxins which target the brain and alter mood, thinking and behavior. In addition, neuro-toxicity can increase the likelihood of cancer. An individual can sweat out 30% of the toxins in their body through the skin via sweat glands.
Story by Marlys Cervantes | Contributing Writer
Water has been used for centuries to physiologically and psychologically benefit people because of its therapeutic nature, combating illness and injury. Hydrotherapy (water treatment) can combat many diseases or ailments, but it can also be a quick, easy and affordable way to relieve a little stress. Herbalist and health writer Dian D. Buchman gives further evidence in favor of hydrotherapy in one of her books, The Complete Book of Water Healing. Buchman explains that it affects the mind by calming the body, which will reduce the action of the brain. Sitting in warm or hot water can relax the central nervous system allowing the mind to relax for a while. This reduces the pain signals sent to the brain via the nervous system, which temporarily relieves a person from chronic pain, also often helping anxiety and depression. Sitting in cool water or taking a brief cold water splash is good because it acts as a tonic for the mind by stimulating muscles and increasing blood flow and oxygen to the Thebrain.types of ailments that water treatments and access are said to at least help are too many to list, but here are some: acne, arthritis, asthma, back problems, chronic fatigue syndrome, colds, constipation, coughs, cramps, diabetes, digestive problems, flu, food poisoning, headaches, heart problems, high blood pressure, infection, insomnia, nervousness, pneumonia, poison oak, shingles, sinuses and sore throats.
Get Fit!WITH KERA KESTER
1. DON’T CRAM YOUR SCHEDULE
76 SEPTEMBER 2022 HEALTH
I was the queen of cram. Furthermore, if it wasn’t work or something that I deemed as productive or progressive, then it wasn’t going to be a part of my day. Although I experienced many opportunities and moved forward in many areas of life, I would always fall to moments or even entire days where I felt mentally and emotionally drained. A lot of times, this results in deficits in aspects such as human connection, well-rounded character development or self-reflection. Do you take conscious time each day to just sit and reflect, dream or literally just clear your mind with silence? I am convinced that this is vital for our most optimal health. We are not made to always be going and striving. This does a number on our mental health and eventually causes some physical adaptations from the toll that stress and strife have taken. If you feel there aren’t enough hours in the day, then try things like waking up earlier or turning a television show off sooner. Leave some open time to enjoy the freedom of relaxation or make room for the excitement of spontaneity.
A lot of what I write about each month has much to do with fitness and workouts. Accurate information about aspects such as cardio or strength training are always useful and helpful. But overall health is so much more than this. What about the other hours in your day that aren’t exercise-focused? The habits and choices you make throughout the entirety of each 24-hour period are extremely important. Here are four tips to make your life so much easier and more enjoyable!
2. HAVE A STRUCTURE
3. PRIORITIZE
Anything and everything may arise in any given day. Subconsciously or
consciously, we all have things that are most important to us. Recognizing where our priorities lie can increase enjoyment and productivity. If I have a 9-to-5 job and an ultimate dream of starting my own beauty supply line, then giving every weekend to spontaneous nights on the town with my girls may not be the most beneficial choice. Neither a 9-to-5 job nor time with friends is a bad thing in and of itself. But if I know my ultimate priority, then I can preplan and prepare boundaries ahead of time. Then, after I gain some success and achievement, I can give a little more time and focus to impromptu GNOs. Some priorities can change with the seasons, and that’s okay. Get your foundations set and know what you want and need.
4. GUARD YOURSELF Pay attention to what you take in. Think about the things you are watching, listening to or eating. These factors play a major role in our mentalities, belief systems, physical health and our choices. Guard your heart, eyes and ears like your life depends on it. Put extra focus on things that positively develop and enhance you! Read books, listen to podcasts, be around uplifting friends. Mainly eat foods that are nutritious and fuel you for all the output your amazing body does for you every second of each day. Set boundaries that protect your emotional and mental health. Take care of you so that you have more positivity and light to give to others! If you are already doing these things, then that is awesome! My hope is that, if anything, these tips served as a good reminder for you. If you face struggles incorporating any of these tips, then I cannot express how important it may be to get professional guidance. I want the absolute best for each of you, and I believe that it is possible to attain it. As always, I am available to help you on your journey toward optimal health. I absolutely love receiving your thoughts and comments on these articles! Have an amazing @Facebook.com/kera.c.kesterAugust!
L A R V A M A L T A C O D I C I E R A S I A N A M Y M I L E M A R K E R S T I E O D E L U G S W A T T S G E N E D W E L L R A W E S T F E A R L E S S O D O R S C L A N S P A W G O R E S H I R T M E R E U R L S K I N S J E N G A E N D O W I N G B A S S E T R I O T S M A C S S K U L L D A R K O N E L I L L I Q U I D P A P E R A T E E R R E D O P E R A P E R N E S T S T E N D S SEPTEMBER 2022 77 765139824 819742365 243856791 427591683 598367412 136428579 974285136 651973248 382614957 9 842139657 195476382 376528419 958762143 213845976 764913528 421697835 539284761 687351294 Puzzle on Page 45 Puzzle on Page 65
Okay, so we talked about leaving space in your schedule. But just as important as an open schedule is balancing it with structure. We, as humans, respond to structure. It creates a sense of safety, security and expectancy. This can relieve stress and anxiety. Even from childhood, structure such as nap and snack time or having a bedtime routine did wonders for our development of selfcontrol and comfortability. Personally, my days felt more rushed and frantic before I began preplanning. I take each Sunday to write out my entire week ahead and allocate blocks of time for work, myself, friends, God and open free time. Give that a try, then set boundaries and stand firm in the plan. It will make you feel so much better! I even preplan what I will eat in the upcoming day. This reduces the risks of impulse, wasted time and forgetfulness when unexpected situations come into play.
Paloma Recipe:2 oz Tequila½ oz Lime JuiceGrapefruit sodaIn a highball or Collins glass, add 2 oz ofyour favorite tequila, ½ oz fresh squeezedlime juice, pack with ice, and top withgrapefruit soda.
The only thing we can be sure of is that Squirt, a grapefruit soda, was created in Phoenix, Arizona, in 1938. By the 1950s Squirt had been imported to Mexico, noted in several books containing recipes for the Paloma cocktail, but none prove its origins. During that time, they were mixing everything with tequila down in Mexico, and they’re not wrong!
Don Javier himself denied creating the cocktail, removing a piece of the puzzle surrounding the beverage’s origins. If you’ve ever dug into Paloma’s history, you’ve probably run across the name Evan Harrison. According to many articles, he created a brochure named “Popular Cocktails of the Rio Grande” that popularized the drink in the United States. Recently the booklet has been refuted as a myth, and there is no proof of its existence.
The Paloma may be a drink of mystery, but it’s the perfect combination of tequila, grapefruit soda, and lime. This drink is a refreshing way to cool off on a hot day, or any day, for that matter. World Paloma Day was founded in 2019 by Cenote Tequila and is celebrated on May 22nd. As usual, I’m late to the party! Nevertheless, grab your favorite tequila and a grapefruit soda. Fresca, Jarritos, and (of course) the classic Squirt all pair deliciously in this under-the-radar citrus-packed beverage. Cheers, and enjoy!
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78 SEPTEMBER
Cocktail THE Month
Don Javier Delgado Corona, the owner of La Capilla, the oldest bar in Tequila, Jalisco, is most often credited with the invention of the Paloma. He first became known for his cocktail, Batangas (a drink made of tequila, lemon juice, and cola).
In Mexico, the law protects the production of tequila. It is a distilled spirit made from the Weber blue agave plant, and they strictly control the regions where tequila is made. The state of Jalisco produces the most tequila with the mark of approval, as well as other smaller areas surrounding several cities in the states of Guanajuato, Michoacan, Nayarit, and Tamaulipas.
Mixed by Jill Rowe/Staff Writer 2022 is a drink lost in time, from the cocktail’s appeal to its very beginnings. Often referred to as the “cousin of the margarita.” In my opinion, a very distant cousin. A cousin you only see every ten years at a family reunion. Regardless of its confusing background, it is a cocktail that deserves recognition for its unique flavor!
SEPTEMBER 2022 79 LIVE MUSIC Every Saturday in September!
Kay County’s Oldest Jewelers 219 E. Grand580.765.2636PoncaAvenueCity
