Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 2011 Kemp Baptist Church 10th annual Easter Pageant The Kemp Baptist Church is having their 10th annual Easter Pageant at 7 p.m. on April 21, 22 and 23. Join the 140-member cast and crew as they celebrate the resurrection of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. LOOKING AHEAD INSIDE TODAY’S DURANT DAILY DEMOCRAT DAILY BIBLE VERSE OBITUARIES ................................................ 2 ANNIE’S MAILBOX ........................................ 3 OPINION ...................................................... 4 SPORTS........................................................ 5 COMICS ...................................................... 8 CLASSIFIED ............................................ 9-10 COMING EVENTS ........................................ 12 50 cents “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”” - John 10:28-30 Durant Daily Democrat Lion’s Roar inside today’s edition See page 6 Achille City Council votes police chief and officers out BY SKILER SCHMITZ STAFF WRITER A large group of citi- zens made the special meeting of the Town of Achille on Wednesday night where the police chief and three officers were terminated. The council also voted a new town mayor and held a special citizens input session where many local citizens stepped up to have their voice heard on many local issues. After returning from executive session the council announced that their police chief Heath Oliver would be termi- nated due to mismanage- ment. Along with his termi- nation, council members also voted to terminate officers Cody Borchardt, Adam Spalding and Kevin Holt. The police chief position will now be filled by former Achille Police Chief Eric Guhl. When the final vote of termination was made by council members, citi- zens from Achille let their voices be heard by applauding and cheering the council’s decision. One resident named Billie Hughes told the council that she felt like they were unaware of what was really going on in the city. “You don’t know noth- ing now and you never have known about any- thing,” said Hughes. Attorney Chris Jones who had served as the town’s attorney in 2009 See ACHILLE, page 2 Senate OKs bill to ease Oklahoma prison overcrowding BY SEAN MURPHY ASSOCIATED PRESS OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Oklahoma law- makers on Wednesday approved a plan to reduce the state’s prison popula- tion by diverting low-risk convicts from prison and into community sentencing and electronic monitoring programs. House Speaker Kris Steele’s plan to ease prison overcrowding in Oklahoma, where the cost of locking up lawbreakers has rocketed toward 10 percent of the state’s budg- et, passed on a 44-3 vote and now heads to the House for final considera- tion. Besides expanding the use of electronic monitor- ing for inmates who are nearing completion of their sentences and diverting more nonviolent criminals into community sentencing programs, the bill also DURANT DEMOCRAT: SKILER SCHMITZ THE CHOCTAWNATION Family Services department held a special balloon release on Wednesday morning at the Choctaw Community Center to raise awareness on child abuse. BY SKILER SCHMITZ STAFF WRITER The Family Services Department from the Choctaw Nation released more than 100 balloons into the Durant sky on Wednesday morning to help raise awareness about child abuse. This event has been one of many events the nation has hosted this month where children, parents and educators have come together to learn more about children. The special rally on Tuesday brought together many different age groups from the Choctaw Nation ranging from Headstart students to Choctaw Elders. Assistant Chief Gary Batton along with members from the family services department spoke out about the day and the importance of raising awareness about child abuse. The Choctaw Nation Child Development Center in Durant also kicked off its annual “Week of the Young Child” celebration on April 11. The celebration now in its 40th year is sponsored by the National Choctaw Nation raises awareness on Child Abuse Association for the Education of Young Children. Teachers at the center say the purpose of the week is to focus on public attention to the needs of young children and for their families to recognize the early childhood pro- grams and services that meet those needs. “We want to make the public aware of how important children really are,” said Donna Holder, director of the child devel- opment center. The children also enjoyed a week full of activities such as a Teddy bear parade, family picnic, personal expression day and parent appreciation day. See PRISON, page 2 Oklahoma governor signs two abortion bills BY SEAN MURPHY ASSOCIATED PRESS OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Two abortion bills described by opponents as some of the strictest in the nation, including one that calls for prison time for doctors who perform abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy, were signed into law on Wednesday by new Republican Gov. Mary Fallin. Flanked by about 30 lawmakers and other anti- abortion advocates, Fallin signed both bills during a public ceremony at the state Capitol. “I’m extremely proud to say that Oklahoma is taking the lead, and by signing these two impor- tant pieces of pro-life leg- islation, we will show the rest of the nation that life is sacred to our state,” said Fallin, who signed the bill on her 100th day in office. “Protecting the lives of the unborn has always been a top priority.” The first bill is called the “Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act” and is based on the premise that a fetus can experience pain after 20 weeks of ges- tation. It includes an exemption for abortions performed when the life of the mother is at risk or if there is a risk of physical impairment of a “major bodily function.” Similar measures have been approved in Nebraska, Kansas and Idaho, said Jordan Goldberg, a spokeswoman for the New York-based Center for Reproductive Rights. “This is a very intru- sive, extreme law, and we are very disappointed to see it signed into law,” Goldberg said. “It says the Legislature is going to make decisions about your health care, and that an individual woman’s choic- es don’t matter.” As Republicans have grown their majorities in the Oklahoma House and Senate, they have pushed for some of the strictest abortion laws in the coun- try. A measure passed last year that requires women seeking an abortion to first have an ultrasound per- formed and requires doc- tors to describe the fetus in detail has been temporari- ly blocked by a district judge after a lawsuit was filed claiming the measure is unconstitutional. Several anti-abortion measures, including the ultrasound bill, were vetoed by former Democratic Gov. Brad Henry, but Republicans were able to override those vetoes with the help of anti-abortion Democrats. The second bill signed by Fallin on Wednesday prohibits health insurance plans in Oklahoma offered under the new federal health care law from offer- ing coverage for “elective abortions.” Women seek- ing to terminate their preg- nancy would be forced to purchase a supplemental policy, commonly called a rider. PHOTO PROVIDED BY CALERA FIRE-RESCUE AN EARLY MORNING fire in the 100 block of Tonner Street inCalera kept Calera Fire Department busy. The back of the house, which was abandoned, was a complete loss. The state fire marshal is currently investigating the blaze. Early morning fire in Calera Vol. 110, No. 161 Entire contents copyrighted 2011 www.durantdemocrat.com
Transcript
Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black
T H U R S D A Y , A P R I L 2 1 , 2 0 1 1
Kemp Baptist Church 10th annual Easter PageantThe Kemp Baptist Church is having their 10th annual Easter Pageant at 7p.m. on April 21, 22 and 23. Join the 140-member cast and crew as theycelebrate the resurrection of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
“I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one willsnatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me,is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.I and the Father are one.””
Achille City Council votespolice chief and officers out
BY SKILER SCHMITZSTAFF WRITER
A large group of citi-zens made the specialmeeting of the Town ofAchille on Wednesdaynight where the policechief and three officerswere terminated. Thecouncil also voted a newtown mayor and held aspecial citizens inputsession where many
local citizens stepped upto have their voice heardon many local issues.
After returning fromexecutive session thecouncil announced thattheir police chief HeathOliver would be termi-nated due to mismanage-ment.
Along with his termi-nation, council membersalso voted to terminateofficers Cody Borchardt,
Adam Spalding andKevin Holt. The policechief position will nowbe filled by formerAchille Police Chief EricGuhl.
When the final vote oftermination was made bycouncil members, citi-zens from Achille lettheir voices be heard byapplauding and cheeringthe council’s decision.One resident named
Billie Hughes told thecouncil that she felt likethey were unaware ofwhat was really going onin the city.
“You don’t know noth-ing now and you neverhave known about any-thing,” said Hughes.
Attorney Chris Joneswho had served as thetown’s attorney in 2009
See ACHILLE, page 2
Senate OKs bill to easeOklahoma prison overcrowding
BY SEAN MURPHYASSOCIATED PRESS
OKLAHOMA CITY(AP) — Oklahoma law-makers on Wednesdayapproved a plan to reducethe state’s prison popula-tion by diverting low-riskconvicts from prison andinto community sentencingand electronic monitoringprograms.
House Speaker KrisSteele’s plan to ease prisonovercrowding inOklahoma, where the cost
of locking up lawbreakershas rocketed toward 10percent of the state’s budg-et, passed on a 44-3 voteand now heads to theHouse for final considera-tion.
Besides expanding theuse of electronic monitor-ing for inmates who arenearing completion of theirsentences and divertingmore nonviolent criminalsinto community sentencingprograms, the bill also
DURANT DEMOCRAT: SKILER SCHMITZ
THE CHOCTAW NATION Family Services department held a special balloon release on Wednesday morning at the ChoctawCommunity Center to raise awareness on child abuse.
BY SKILER SCHMITZSTAFF WRITER
The Family ServicesDepartment from theChoctaw Nation releasedmore than 100 balloonsinto the Durant sky onWednesday morning tohelp raise awareness aboutchild abuse. This event hasbeen one of many eventsthe nation has hosted thismonth where children,parents and educatorshave come together tolearn more about children.
The special rally onTuesday brought togethermany different age groupsfrom the Choctaw Nationranging from Headstartstudents to ChoctawElders. Assistant ChiefGary Batton along withmembers from the familyservices department spokeout about the day and theimportance of raisingawareness about childabuse.
The Choctaw NationChild DevelopmentCenter in Durant alsokicked off its annual“Week of the YoungChild” celebration onApril 11. The celebrationnow in its 40th year issponsored by the National
Choctaw Nation raises awareness on Child Abuse
Association for theEducation of YoungChildren.
Teachers at the centersay the purpose of the
week is to focus on publicattention to the needs ofyoung children and fortheir families to recognizethe early childhood pro-
grams and services thatmeet those needs.
“We want to make thepublic aware of howimportant children really
are,” said Donna Holder,director of the child devel-opment center.
The children alsoenjoyed a week full of
activities such as a Teddybear parade, family picnic,personal expression dayand parent appreciationday.
See PRISON, page 2
Oklahoma governorsigns two abortion bills
BY SEAN MURPHYASSOCIATED PRESS
OKLAHOMA CITY(AP) — Two abortion billsdescribed by opponents assome of the strictest in thenation, including one thatcalls for prison time fordoctors who performabortions after 20 weeksof pregnancy, were signedinto law on Wednesday bynew Republican Gov.Mary Fallin.
Flanked by about 30lawmakers and other anti-abortion advocates, Fallinsigned both bills during apublic ceremony at thestate Capitol.
“I’m extremely proudto say that Oklahoma istaking the lead, and bysigning these two impor-tant pieces of pro-life leg-islation, we will show therest of the nation that lifeis sacred to our state,” saidFallin, who signed the billon her 100th day in office.“Protecting the lives of theunborn has always been atop priority.”
The first bill is called
the “Pain-Capable UnbornChild Protection Act” andis based on the premisethat a fetus can experiencepain after 20 weeks of ges-tation. It includes anexemption for abortionsperformed when the life ofthe mother is at risk or ifthere is a risk of physicalimpairment of a “majorbodily function.”
Similar measures havebeen approved inNebraska, Kansas andIdaho, said JordanGoldberg, a spokeswomanfor the New York-basedCenter for ReproductiveRights.
“This is a very intru-sive, extreme law, and weare very disappointed tosee it signed into law,”Goldberg said. “It says theLegislature is going tomake decisions about yourhealth care, and that anindividual woman’s choic-es don’t matter.”
As Republicans havegrown their majorities inthe Oklahoma House andSenate, they have pushedfor some of the strictest
abortion laws in the coun-try. A measure passed lastyear that requires womenseeking an abortion to firsthave an ultrasound per-formed and requires doc-tors to describe the fetus indetail has been temporari-ly blocked by a districtjudge after a lawsuit wasfiled claiming the measureis unconstitutional.
Several anti-abortionmeasures, including theultrasound bill, werevetoed by formerDemocratic Gov. BradHenry, but Republicanswere able to overridethose vetoes with the helpof anti-abortionDemocrats.
The second bill signedby Fallin on Wednesdayprohibits health insuranceplans in Oklahoma offeredunder the new federalhealth care law from offer-ing coverage for “electiveabortions.” Women seek-ing to terminate their preg-nancy would be forced topurchase a supplementalpolicy, commonly called arider.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY CALERA FIRE-RESCUE
AN EARLY MORNING fire in the 100 block of Tonner Street in Calera keptCalera Fire Department busy. The back of the house, which was abandoned,was a complete loss. The state fire marshal is currently investigating the blaze.
Early morning fire in Calera
Vol. 110, No. 161Entire contents copyrighted 2011
www.durantdemocrat.com
also approached thecouncil suggesting thatmany of the citizens whohave information on offi-cials misusing their posi-tion or city materialsshould make a reportwith the town clerk.Jones was also votedback as the city attorney
after he was let go in late2009.
Councilman DeanCollins was also electedas the new mayor for thetown after former mayorLynn Chambers endedhis position.
He will now serve as acouncilman for his twoyear remaining term withthe city. When the coun-cil made their final vote
to replace Chambers withCollins, residents madethose same cheers andapplauds again makingtheir voices be heard.
The citizens input ses-sion brought many localcitizens to voice theiropinion on how the cityhas been operating.
Many citizens spoke
out saying that they feellike the city is in horribleshape, broke and is possi-bly the worst it has everbeen in years. Newlyelected mayor DeanCollins said the councilwill be spending the nextmonth reviewing claimsand trying to get the cityback to order.
22 THE DURANT DAILY DEMOCRAT Obituaries THURSDAY,APRIL 21, 2011
Joe RobertsonFuneral services for Joseph Franklin Robertson
will be held at 10:00 a.m.Friday, April 22 at WaldoFuneral Home inSherman. Rev. MikeFlanagan of the FirstBaptist Church ofWhitesboro will offici-ate. Burial will followat Cedarlawn MemorialPark with Fred Watson,Earl Lampkin, TerryStephens, Don Till, TommyYates, Mike Robertson, KennyJones, and John Henderson serving as pallbearers.Mr. Robertson, 64, passed away Tuesday, April 19at the Medical Center of Southeastern Oklahomain Durant.
Joe was born January 22, 1947, in Sherman toBilly R. Robertson, Sr. and Dorine (Huey)Robertson. He married Jackie Troxtell on July 28,1989 in Sherman. Joe worked as a meat cutter atKroger’s and as a Honda mechanic for WestMotors for several years. Later, he co-owned R&RElectronics and retired from Texas Instrumentswhere he had worked in telecommunications. Joewas an avid outdoorsman. His passion for huntingand fishing was second only to the joy he foundwhen spending time with his grandkids.
Joe is survived by his wife Jackie of Durant;four sons, Brad Robertson of Collinsville, BrianRobertson of Durant, Clint Sutherland and his wifeChristina of Howe, and Garret Sutherland and wifeTrish of Sherman; father, Billy Robertson, Sr. ofSherman; nine grandchildren, Ryan Robertson,Kyler Robertson, Kade Robertson, Livi Robertson,Ashlyn Dickens, Haley Sutherland, XanderSutherland, Emma Sutherland, and MasonSutherland; brother, Billy Robertson, Jr. and wifeMarsha of Whitesboro; sister, Linda Detro andhusband Mike of Sherman; and several nieces,nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in deathby his mother.
The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00p.m. Thursday at Waldo Funeral Home. The regis-ter book can be signed online at waldofuneral-home.com.
Sam Dick Armstrong Jr.Graveside services for Sam Dick Armstrong Jr.
age 84, of Colbert, OK will beheld on Friday, April 22nd,2:00 PM at Pleasant HillCemetery. Rev. LarryArmstrong will offici-ate. Casket Bearers willbe Sam SmithArmstrong, JeremyArmstrong, BrandonPoteet and TravisPoteet. Honorary CasketBearers will be R.C.Nunley and Jim Spencer.
Dick was born April 23, 1926,in Caddo to Sam Houston and “Bill” Armstrongand passed from this life on Tuesday, April 19,2011 at his home. Dick married Dovie IreneWilliams on December 1, 1944, and he worked forColverts Dairy in Durant and then later owned andoperated Mom’s Minit Mart in Healdton, OK. Hewas of the Pentecostal faith and he enjoyed spend-ing time with family and friends, working and fish-ing.
Dick is survived by his wife of 66 plus years,Dovie Armstrong of the home; children LindaPoteet and husband John of Colbert, LarryArmstrong and wife Kathy of Colbert and PamelaBranam and friend Wayne Elliot; grandchildrenBrandon Poteet and wife Kim, Travis Poteet, SamSmith Armstrong and wife Stephanie, JeremyArmstrong and wife Becca, Stephanie Hestily andDestanie Short; numerous great grandchildren;brothers Laith Armstrong and wife Alice andKenneth Armstrong and wife Kay; sisters SammyBeshirs and Midge Ellis and numerous other rela-tives and a host of friends.
Dick was preceded in death by his parents; sis-ters Bobbie Stilwell, Blanche Williams and EthelPeters.
Condolences may be sent to the family atwww.brownsfuneralservice.com.
Services are under the direction of Brown’sFuneral Service, Durant.
Jeff UnruhFuneral service for Jeff Unruh, 28, Cache, will
be 1:30 p.m. Friday at CameronBaptist Church with Rev.Bob Jones, Pastor officiat-ing and assisted by Rev.Kerry Glasgow, Pastorof Mountain ParkBaptist Church.
Mr. Unruh diedMonday in Cache.
Burial will be at theCache Cemetery, Cache,Oklahoma under the direc-tion of Becker Funeral Home& Cremation Service.
Family will receive friends at the Funeral Homeon Thursday between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
He was born May 14, 1982, in Edmond,Oklahoma, to Perry Unruh and Carol (Prater) Carr.He grew up in Durant, OK where he graduatedfrom High School in 2000. Jeff was an All-Districtsoccer player during high school and also playedfor the Blackwatch Soccer Club in McKinney,Texas. He loved being outdoors hunting, fishingand camping. He was a member of First BaptistChurch, Durant.
Survivors include his mother and step father,Carol and Billy Carr of Cache; father and stepmother, Perry and Joyce Unruh of Lawton; two sis-ters, Angela Vetterick of Oklahoma City and Jackieand husband Nick Purler of Foristell, MO; a broth-er James Love of Cache; two step sisters, SherriCarr of Lawton and Sharla Carr of Duncan; andmany nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins andfriends.
He was preceded in death by his grandparentsand an uncle, Garry Prater.
An online guest book and sympathy cards areavailable at www.beckerfuneral.com
Phillip Lynn “Phill” KirkFT. SMITH, ARKANSAS-Services for Phillip
Lynn “Phill” Kirk, 63, Fort Smith,AR, formerly of Ada are11:00 a.m. Saturday at theCriswell Funeral HomeChapel, Dr. Rusty Fullerand Rev. David Graywill officiate. Burialwill follow at OakwoodCemetery in Wewokawith Rev. Don Sayreofficiating. The familywill receive friends from6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.Friday at Criswell Funeral Home.
Mr. Kirk died Monday, April 18, 2011, at a FortSmith hospital. He was born August 1, 1947, inPonca City, Oklahoma to S. G. and Jewell G. ReedKirk. The family moved to Ada about 1958 fromSeminole and he graduated from Ada High Schoolin 1965. He graduated from East CentralUniversity in 1969. He was a member of PhiKappa Tau fraternity. He later received a Master’sdegree from Oklahoma City University.
He married Nancy Burris on July 15, 1978. Mr.Kirk was the Supervisor of the work release pro-gram in both Oklahoma City and McAlester, theSupervisor of the Oklahoma Women’s prison inMcAlester and the Deputy Warden of the Men’sprison in McAlester. He was a State ProbationOfficer in Wewoka, and had served as the UnitedStates Probation and pre-sentence investigator forthe Eastern District of Oklahoma in Durant untilhis retirement. He also had taught Criminal Justiceat Southeastern State University at Durant.
From elementary through high school he wasactive in Trinity Baptist Church’s RoyalAmbassadors. He was the OklahomaRepresentative to the national convention of RoyalAmbassadors in Washington, D. C. Mr. Kirk wasthe Choir Director for the Streetman Road BaptistChurch in Mead, OK and volunteered with theOklahoma Baptist General Convention at the LakeTexoma Baptist Resort Ministry in Mead and hewas a member of the Bryan County Disaster ReliefTeam in Durant. He served in the OklahomaNational Guard and U.S. Army Reserve retiring asa Lieutenant Colonel.
Survivors include his wife, Nancy Kirk, of thehome; a son, Bryan Kirk, Fort Smith; his mother,Jewell G. Kirk, Fort Smith; and a granddaughter,Kirsten Kirk, Fort Smith.
He was preceded in death by his father, S. G.Kirk and an infant brother, Steven Wynn Kirk.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that dona-tions be made in the name of Phillip Kirk to theAlzheimer’s Association of Fort Smith, AR, 320North Greenwood Ave., Fort Smith, AR 72901.Please specify that the donation is for “Research”.
Bearers will be Don Sayre, Dennis Cavins, DanBaskin, Jim Kinnett, Keith Henley and Jim Henley.
Criswell Funeral Home, Ada
Judy PierceServices are pending for Judy Pierce, 62, of Durant,
OK, who passed away April 20 at MCSO in Durant.Holmes-Coffey-Murray Funeral Home is in charge ofarrangements.
ACHILLEContinued from Page 1
modifies the governor’srole in the parole process.Oklahoma is one of theonly states in the countrythat requires the governorto sign every parole, andthe bill provides that if thegovernor doesn’t sign aparole within 30 days, theinmate will be consideredparoled.
The governor’s signa-ture still would be requiredfor most violent and sexoffenders, along with cer-tain crimes against childrenand white-collar crimeslike embezzlement andpublic corruption.
“We’re trying to addressthe challenges we have inour Department ofCorrections system,because it takes such ahuge part of our budget.We don’t have any morebed space available, andwe have to do something,”said Sen. Patrick Anderson,
R-Enid, who sponsoredSteele’s bill in the Senate.“By making these fewsmall changes, we can stillremain tough on crime, butalso be a little smarterabout how we addressthese issues.”
Oklahoma’s prison pop-ulation has grown from22,600 in 2000 to nearly26,000 now, and the budg-et from $366 million to$483 million last year.Budget cuts to the prisonsystem in recent years haveforced corrections officersand other prison workers totake unpaid furlough dayseach month, and staffinglevels for prison guards areat about 70 percent ofauthorized levels.
“Today we are one stepcloser to addressing a criti-cal public safety issue forOklahoma,” Steele, R-Shawnee, said in a state-ment. “Because our pris-ons are at 99 percentcapacity, currently, ifsomeone is convicted of a
crime and considered adanger to society, there isvirtually no place to putthem. These changeswould result in the betteruse of taxpayer dollars,increase in public safetyand more appropriate con-sequences for low-riskoffenders.”
A key provision in thebill that would havechanged the way multiplesentences are imposed onan inmate was removedfrom the bill after severaldistrict attorneys andjudges voiced concerns toSenate leaders, Andersonsaid. Under current law, ifa criminal receives multi-ple sentences and a judgedoes not specify that thesentences run concurrent-ly, the sentences areserved consecutively, orone after another. Steele’sbill would have made con-current sentences thedefault, but Andersonremoved that provisionbecause of the opposition
from some prosecutors.Several Democrats
opposed the move, sayingthe change would havehelped ease the state’sprison population.
“You might not thinkthis one word, concurrentversus consecutive, meansmuch, but you’re addingdollar amounts to the costof corrections in the stateof Oklahoma,” said Sen.Richard Lerblance, D-Hartshorne. “Inmates aregetting locked up longer.They’re getting older. Andwhen they get older, theycost more.”
Anderson said he pre-ferred keeping the multi-ple sentence language inthe bill, but that thechange was required toensure its passage.
“We just felt we wantedto make sure we had a billgo through that makessome positive changes,and we didn’t want toslow down the bill,”Anderson said.
PRISONContinued from Page 1
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NEW YORK (AP) —Ben Stiller is gettingsome of the biggestnames in contemporaryart to help Haitian chil-dren affected by lastyear’s earthquake.
The actor and comedi-an announced Wednesdaythat he is partnering withNew York art dealerDavid Zwirner on a bene-fit auction called “Artistsfor Haiti,” scheduled forSept. 22 at Christie’s auc-tion house.
Some of the artists whohave already donatedworks include ChuckClose, Paul McCarthy,Jasper Johns, Dan Flavin,Jeff Koons and HiroshiSugimoto.
“Over a year after themassive quake in Haiti,there remains a huge needto rebuild and help thecountry,” Stiller said in astatement. “David and I
are working to help raisefunds so that the childrenof Haiti have an opportu-nity to receive the educa-tion they need to lead abetter life and fulfill thepotential of this vibrantand important culture.”
Christie’s said the pro-ceeds will support non-
profit organizationsalready working in Haiti,including Architecture forHumanity, J/P HaitianRelief Organization,Partners in Health andGrameen Creative Lab.
Zwirner’s gallery willpreview the artworksprior to the sale, in early
September.The actor established
the Stiller Foundation lastyear to help promote theeducation and well-beingof Haitian children. It iscurrently rebuilding fourea r thquake -damagedschools in the Port-Au-Prince area.
Dear Annie: Nearly 20 yearsago, I was convicted of drunkdriving and given a year’s pro-bation. My brother, “Joe,”immediately cut off all contact.I got treatment for my drinkingproblem and have been soberever since.
I know Joe was hurt andembarrassed by what I did, andI would like to make amends. Ihave sent him Christmas andbirthday cards wishing himwell, but have never received aresponse. I was not invited tohis wedding, and now I have asister-in-law and two nephews Ihave never met.
My parents are in poorhealth, and I fear my next meet-ing with Joe will be at theirfuneral. Mom says I shouldwait for Joe to contact me, butsince that has not happened, Ifeel I should make anothereffort to let him know I amsorry.
I want to bury the hatchet.Any advice? -- MidwestBrother
Dear Midwest: Joe seemsvery unforgiving. You cannotforce him to contact you, but itis OK to try periodically. Weassume your parents haveinformed Joe that you havebeen sober and responsible forthe past 20 years. Wealso hopethey have encouraged him togive you another chance.Please ask them to find outwhat it would take for Joe toconsider you his brother again.
Dear Annie: My best friend,“Kim,” and I moved into anapartment together a couple ofmonths ago. We’ve knowneach other since high schooland always got along wonder-fully.
However, she is a controlfreak when it comes to our liv-ing space. From Day One, sheinsisted on taking charge of thedecorating and deciding whichone of us would do whatchores and when. She goesnuts if the dishwasher isn’temptied immediately or if theutensils are not put away in acertain order. If a throw rug is alittle crooked, she complainsthat the place is a pigsty andblames me.
Idread spending time in theapartment. I am not a slob. I domy best to keep the place clean,but Kim is never satisfied. Iwork two jobs and always paymy share of the bills on time. I
am tired of being treated like amaid. We have nine monthsleft on our lease, and I’m notsure I can stand it. Please help.-- Fed-Up Roommate
Dear Roommate: Someroommates are wound a littletighter than others. You can trytalking to Kim, explainingcalmly that you find it too diffi-cult to adhere to her standards,andthat unless things can light-en up, it may be best to partways when the lease expires.Until then, absent yourself asmuch as possible, take a lot ofdeep breaths and hang in there.
Dear Annie: I saw the letterfrom “Texas Single Woman,”who read about the “pass thepiggy” game in your columnand recounted how her fathertraumatized her with the use ofa pig trough to remind her ofmealtime manners.
My husband and I also readabout the “pass the piggy”game in your column andthought it was a great idea forour manners-challenged 5- and3-year-old boys. The next day,we bought a cute little pinkplastic pig, explained its pur-pose and commenced dinner.The boys competed eagerly tosee who could have the worstmanners and win the pig. Ican’t speak about their psy-ches, but our dinnertime peacewas battered.
The next day, we changedour approach and awarded thepig to displays of good man-ners. We have since retired thepig to a sideboard where itreminds us that where our boysare concerned, there are noeasy fixes. Thanks for thelaughs. -- Lana from Torrance,Calif.
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Annie’s Mailbox is writtenby Kathy Mitchell and MarcySugar, longtime editors of theAnn Landers column. Pleasee-mail your questions [email protected],or write to: Annie’s Mailbox,c/o Creators Syndicate, 5777W.Century Blvd., Ste. 700, LosAngeles, CA 90045. Tofind outmore about Annie’s Mailboxand read features by otherCreators Syndicate writers andcartoonists, visit the CreatorsSyndicate Web page atwww.creators.com.
COPYRIGHT 2011 CRE-
THE DURANT DAILY DEMOCRAT 33LifestylesTHURSDAY,APRIL 21, 2011
Annie’s Mailbox
By Kathy Mitchell &Marcy Sugar
HOLLYWOOD--Godbless America, and how’severybody?
Coffee News USA pre-dicted Tuesday that thepending free trade agree-ment between the U.S.and Colombia will helplower coffee prices. Arecent survey says ninetypercent of Americansdrink caffeinated bever-ages. The other ten per-cent are air traffic con-trollers.
The South wassmashed by tornadoesSaturday from Oklahomaand Arkansas all the wayacross to North Carolinaand Virginia. These CivilWar centennial re-enact-ments are getting a bitahead of themselves. Wedon’t start losing the warfor another three years.
Tax Day saw hugelines of last-minute tax-payers at the Post Officeon Monday. It was toughon rich and poor thisyear. If you’re doing well,the government takesabout forty percent ofwhat you make and theother forty percent, ofcourse, is taken by thegas station.
Donald Trump dis-missed Mitt Romney’sfortune as small potatoesTuesday, saying his ownfortune is much, muchbigger. This could work.If cowboy rhetoric got us
into two wars in theMiddle East perhaps pornstar rhetoric could makethe employment rate goup.
The Los AngelesLakers agreed this weekto work with the Gay andLesbian Alliance againstDefamation to atone forKobe Bryant’s homopho-bic rant against a refFriday. Their demandsare outrageous. TheLakers shouldn’t have topay reparations to theWNBA.
Barry Bonds escapedall perjury chargesWednesday after his jurydeadlocked over thetruthfulness of his steroiduse denial. He was onlyconvicted of obstructingjustice. He was so thrilledwith the mistrial verdictsthat he hugged the entirejury simultaneously.
Jesse Jackson wasaccused by his openlygay former assistantThursday in front of theIllinois Labor Board ofunwanted sex advances.In the complaint the firedassistant is requestingboth front and back pay
from Jackson. That’s notharassment, that’s solici-tation.
Standard and Poor’slowered its outlook onthe U.S. credit ratingfrom stable to risky thisweek, setting off a stockmarket dive on Monday.It’s demoralizing thenation’s capital. Thecountry’s credit is so badthat all the White Houseappliances are now rent-to-own.
Michelle Obamaappeared on ABC’s TheView Monday where shewas quizzed about herconstant traveling. It’sbecome a hot topic. Thefirst lady said she loves totravel so she can embracethe country she loves butshe didn’t specify if shemeant Spain or Brazil.
Bill Clinton flew toArkansas Saturday todedicate his childhoodhome as a historical site.He compares favorably tothe current president.Barack Obama seemsdetached from the needsof ordinary people asopposed to Bill Clinton,who was on top of every-thing.
The White House saidMonday PresidentObama will not visit thetornado-clobbered areasof the South this week.The trip would make lit-tle sense politically. He’s
never going to be able topressure the tornadoesinto setting up a victims’compensation fund, sowhat’s the point?
Governor Rick Perrydemanded that PresidentObama declare Texas adisaster area Sunday dueto Lone Star State brush-fires. Dry conditions andhigh winds are fanningflames in the region.Hundreds of thousands ofMexicans could be forcedto flee to Mexico.
The University ofTexas took possession ofa billion dollars in goldbullion Monday afterhedge fund managers ofthe school’s endowmentfund decided to cash out.The school will storeseven thousand gold barsin Austin, each gold barweighing a hundredpounds. It’s the Texasway to impress highschool football recruitswith the weight room.
––––––––––––––––
Argus Hamilton is thehost comedian at TheComedy Store inHollywood. He can bereached for speakingengagements by e-mail ata [email protected]
Barry Bonds escapes all perjurycharges after his jury deadlocked
Ben Stiller behind NYC art auction for Haiti
There is a lot of talkfrom many people aboutbullying in school. Theproblem is that it is alltalk. There is no sign thatanybody is going to doanything that is likely toreduce bullying.
When politicians wantto do nothing, and yetlook like they are doingsomething, they appointa blue ribbon committeeor go to the U.N. orassign some Cabinetmember to look into theproblem and report backto the President - hopingthat the issue will be for-gotten by the time hereports back.
When educators aregoing to do nothing, theyexpress great concernand make pious publicpronouncements. Theymay even hold confer-ences, write op-ed piecesor declare a “no toler-ance” policy. But they arestill not going to do any-thing that is likely to stopbullying.
In some rough schools,they can’t even stop thebullying of teachers bythe hooligans in theirclasses, much less stopthe bullying of students.
Not all of this is theeducators’ fault. Thecourts have created alegal climate where anyswift and decisive actionagainst bullies can lead tolawsuits. The net resultsare indecision, half-hearted gestures andpious public pronounce-ments by school officials,none of which is going tostop bullies.
When judges createnew “rights” for bulliesout of thin air, just asthey do for criminals, andprescribe “due process”for school discipline, justas if schools were littlecourtrooms, then nothingis likely to happenpromptly or decisively.
If there is anythingworse than doing noth-ing, it is doing nothingspiced with empty rheto-ric about what behavioris “unacceptable” - whilein fact accepting it.
Might educators abusetheir power, if the courtsdid not step in? Of coursethey could. Any powerexercised by humanbeings can be abused.But, without the ability toexercise power, there isanarchy.
When responsible offi-cials are prevented fromexercising power, thenbullies exercise power.
President BarackObama has joined thechorus of those deploringbullying. But his ownadministration is pushingthe notion that a dispro-portionate number ofsuspensions or other pun-ishments for members ofparticular racial or ethnicgroups is discriminatory.
In other words, if aschool suspends more
black males than Asianfemales, that is taken as asign of discrimination.No one in his right mindreally believes that, but itis part of the grand make-believe that pervades ourpolitics and even ourcourts.
For years, there havebeen stories in New Yorkand Philadelphia newspa-pers about black kidsbeating up Asian class-mates. But do not expectanybody to do anythingthat is likely to put a stopto it.
If these were whitekids beating up Hispanickids, cries of outragewould ring out across theland from the media, thepoliticians, the churchesand civic groups. But it isnot politically correct tomake a fuss when blackkids beat up Asian kids.
None of this is uniqueto the United States, bythe way. The samemushy-minded attitudeshave been carried evenfurther in Britain, both asregards criminals and asregards bullies in theschools.
Britain was once oneof the most law-abidingnations on earth. But thereluctance of the left toput some serious punish-ment on criminals hasbeen carried so far therethat only 7 percent ofconvicted criminals actu-ally spend any timebehind bars. Britain hasnow overtaken theUnited States in variouscrime rates.
Years ago, there was abook published in Britaintitled “Murder in ThePlayground.” The boywho ended up killing afellow student on theschool playground hadpreviously committedcrimes ranging frommotorcycle theft to arsonthat created more than$50,000 worth of damagein school. For the latter,he was given 24 hours’detention.
People who say thatwe should learn fromother countries almostalways mean that weshould imitate what othercountries do. But one ofthe most important thingswe can learn from othercountries is to avoid themistakes they have made.
To find out more aboutThomas Sowell and readfeatures by otherCreators Syndicatecolumnists and cartoon-ists, visit the CreatorsSyndicate Web page atwww. c r e a t o r s . c o m .Thomas Sowell is a sen-ior fellow at the HooverInstitution, StanfordUniversity, Stanford, CA94305. His website iswww.tsowell.com.
COPYRIGHT 2011CREATORS.COM
Conservatives who reallywanted to see at least aspending “haircut” for NPRor public broadcasting in theunderwhelming budget dealfor 2011 might have sug-gested at least some sym-bolic victory for conserva-tives. Here it is: Fire DavidBrooks as the alleged con-servative or Republican“counterpoint” on PBS andNPR on Friday nights. Wecould hire Donald Trump toannounce it from the board-room.
Or keep him, but banishforever, for once and for all,the notion that he is a manof the right.
After President Obama’sbudget speech at GeorgeWashington University,Brooks wrote a column forThe NewYork Times declar-ing: “It doesn’t take a geniusto see that Obama is verylikely to be re-elected.”Republicans may try toreform entitlements, but“voters, even Republicanvoters, reject this.” Obama“hit the political sweet spotwith his speech this week.He made a sincere call toreduce debt, which willplease independents, but hedid not specify any toughchoices.”
Forget for a minute howcynical that sounds: The“genius” makes vaguepromises of spending reduc-tions while in reality hedelivers the greatest deficitsin history - by far. Forgetabout the how the speechhas actually played inAmerica: His Gallupapproval rating dropped to41 percent, with a 35 per-cent approval from inde-
pendents. The newABC/Washington Post pollfinds 55 percent disapprovalof Obama from independ-ents.
Let’s just focus on howBrooks aims to please hisbosses at The New YorkTimes - and let’s not forgethis check-signers at NPRand PBS. What results is theusual rigged liberal point-and-point, instead of apoint-counterpoint.
On Friday’s “All ThingsConsidered,” NPR anchorRobert Siegel began,“David Brooks, it is still along way until November6th, 2012, but you effective-ly called the election forBarack Obama.” Brooksjoked: “I’m going to sleep.It’s all over.” Siegel and E.J.Dionne, the liberal half ofNPR’s Friday pundit duo,laughed.
How very grand it all is. There was no criticism
for Obama on this panel,just talk of his mastery.Brooks also said Obamaaccomplished “I don’t knowwhat the trifecta plus one is- a quad-fecta.” The NPRanchor insisted, “Oh, yeah.It was a tetra-fecta.” Brooksadded, “It was sort of a mas-terstroke.”
The only sour noteBrooks could sound wasthat Obama sounded parti-san. When Dionne insistedObama whacked
Republicans without sound-ing angry, Brooksdemurred: “He did call hisopponents un-American. Imean, he did sound likeMichele Bachmann attimes.” That’s a liberal put-down for you: He soundslike Michele Bachmann.
Then came his weeklychat spot on the “PBSNewsHour,” where onceagain, Brooks bravely toldthe PBS executives whatthey wanted to hear, rehash-ing his column about howthe Republicans are rightabout the sustainability ofentitlements, but Obamawas “absolutely right tojump all over theRepublicans” and offer a“plan” full of air. Obamawas masterful: “I thought,politically, he did a veryeffective job of demonizingthe Republicans, raising theparts of their program thatare very unpopular, and thenappearing responsible, andmaybe putting us on a pathto some sort of fiscalresponsibility, but not reallyspecifying how.”
This allowed anothermoment of blissful journal-istic levitation for the liber-als. Jim Lehrer asked liberalMark Shields: “Do youagree the president did aneffective job?” Shieldsreplied: “I think the presi-dent did a remarkable job.”
Brooks insisted, as usual,that there will need to beshared sacrifice, from themiddle class and from sen-ior citizens, to which Lehrerreplied: “But the presidentand Secretary Geithner onthis program that samenight said, look, if there is
going to be deficit reduc-tion, you’re not going to doit without raising taxes.”Brooks agreed that was“absolutely right.”
Republicans werewrong. Lehrer said theRepublicans said Obama’sspeech was “class warfare.That’s unfair.” Brooksreplied: “Yes. And, here, Ithink they’re wrong. I dothink we have to raise taxeson the top 1 percent. I thinkwe have to have a big taxreform that raises revenue.... But you have got to raiserevenue across more thanjust the rich.”
The Lehrer interviewwrapped up with Brooksand Shields running downthe Republican field forbeing an incredibly weakfield of challengers toPresident Masterstroke.
Anyone who wonderswhy conservatives andRepublicans are so disgust-ed with the tilt of publicbroadcasting (and its sedate,self-satisfied civility) shouldbegin with the notion thatDavid Brooks is “balance.”If liberals weren’t cowardswho feared losing TVdebates, they’d hire a realconservative to engage insome serious Friday nightdiscussions on PBS andNPR.
L. Brent Bozell III is thepresident of the MediaResearch Center. To find outmore about Brent Bozell III,and read features by otherCreators Syndicate writersand cartoonists, visit theCreators Syndicate Webpage at www.creators.com.
COPYRIGHT 2011CREATORS.COM
924-4388
Durant Daily Democrat
4 THE DURANT DAILY DEMOCRAT THURSDAY,APRIL 21, 2011
David Brooks, you’re fired
Bull about bullying
OPINION
CORRECTIONSAs a matter of policy, The Durant Daily Democrat will pub-lish corrections of errors in fact that have been print-ed in the newspaper. The corrections will be made assoon as possible after the error has been brought tothe attention of the newspaper’s editor at (580) 924-4388.
THE DEMOCRAT(USPS 163-000) Established 1900: The Durant Daily Democrat is
published daily except Saturday and Monday and widely observedholidays, at 200 West Beech St. in Durant, Okla., periodicals postagepaid at Durant, Okla., 74701.
Subscription ratesCarrier delivery: $85 annually; $48 for 26 weeks; $24 for 12 weeks;$8 for 4 weeksBy mail: $219 annually; $129 for 26 weeks; $69 for 12 weeksE-edition: Read the entire printed version online for only $78 yearannually; $39 for six months.
We put these flowerson JP’s grave on the 9thanniversary of his death4/13/11 Tuesday, thatevening at HighlandCemetery. Friday morn-ing, Keith went by andchecked on them,because of the weatherand the wind. They weresafe and secure.
When we got out ofschool Friday we wentby, and they were gone.They had not blown off,because we had some-thing on top of the head-stone beside the flowers,that was not touched.Someone helped them-selves to the flowers fromhis grave.
We spent $70.00 for
those flowers. Not that itmatters, we did this forour son,(Not for someoneto take) because what elsedo we have to buy forhim. This is not the firsttime we had somethingtaken from his grave. Itjust shocks us what peo-ple will do.
The flowers were notthere for three days. Itjust makes us so sad. Ourhearts will never healfrom the loss of our son,please don’t take any-thing else from us or hisgrave.
Keith & CindyKennedy
DDuurraanntt
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
BrentBOZELL
Parents speak out aboutstolen flowers from grave
www.durantdemocrat.com
SPORTSTHE DURANT DAILY DEMOCRAT 5THURSDAY,APRIL 21, 2011
Southeastern softballers continueimprovement toward end of seasonSoutheastern’s Audra
Rhudy made it back-to-back Lone Star ConferenceNorth Division Pitcher ofthe Week honors.
This time, it was allRhudy all the time.
The junior from Ector,Texas, picked up all threewins as the LadyStormswept Cameron’s LadyAggies in a critical NorthDivision series.
Rhudy was the defini-tion of domination as sheallowed only one run onfive hits over 14 innings inthree games.
She logged just onewalk while whiffing 13 andwas never in troublethroughout Senior Dayweekend.
Rhudy Tootie is fifth inLSC individual pitching at17-6 and a 1.90 earned runaverage.
She is gaining confi-dence and is more in con-
trol every time shepitches. This is thebest time of the sea-son to have thishappen.
From here onout, every game isdarn near a must-win. Southeasternseems confident ofwinning withRhudy in the circle.
Only threegames remain in theregular season and there’ssome down time before theStorm blows intoTahlequah to take onNortheastern in a three-game series April 30-May1.
THE LADYSTORMremain in second place inthe North Division.
Midwestern State holdsthe top spot with a 10-2mark to SE’s 10-5. EastCentral is third at 6-6,Cameron fourth at 5-7 and
C e n t r a lOklahoma fifthat 6-9.
Southwesternand Northeasternare tied for lastplace at 4-8.
Angelo Statestill leads theNorth at 11-4,but IncarnateWord has closedthe gap and isnow second at
10-5.West Texas A&M and
Abilene Christian are tiedfor third at 9-6.
The top four teams fromthe North and South willshoot it out in the LoneStar ConferenceTournament set forDurant’s Multi-SportsComplex May 5-8.
That’s right on top of us.See as many games as youcan. This will be theStorm’s final home
appearance as a member ofthe Lone Star Conference.
SOUTHEASTERN isstill seventh in the SouthCentral Region rankings.
To give you an idea ofthe LSC’s strength of com-petition, six of the top-10teams in the South CentralRegion are from the LoneStar.
Midwestern is first,Angelo State third, WestTexas A&M fourth, SEseventh, CentralOklahoma eighth andIncarnate Word 10th.
UCO is listed with a 23-22 record in the SouthCentral rankings, but islisted at 23-20 in the LSCreport.
The latest NCAADivision II Top 25 Poll hasMidwestern third, AngeloState 17 and West Texas23.
The Storm received onevote in the national poll.
HaroldHARMONFeedback
Lady Bulldogs continue winning streakTuesday and Wednesday
BY LESLIE BOYD AND
DUSTIN MCWILLIAMSSTAFF WRITERS
CALERA - The firstinning was the differ-ence in both games on acold afternoon inCalera, as the LadyBulldogs swept theAchille Lady Eagles byscores of 9-1 and 13-1.
In the first game,Calera would dominatein the first inning, scor-ing all nine of their runsin the first inning. Thebig inning was cappedoff by a two-run homerfrom Miranda Collett.
Achille would settledown from there, play-ing strong defense toprevent any furtherruns. Kayla Wrightwould get Achille onthe board later to tallythe Lady Eagles’ firstrun.
The game would con-tinue to stay scorelessfor the rest of the game.When the game enteredthe bottom of the fifth,the run rule took effect.
Collett went two-for-three with two RBI’sand an over-the-fencehome run.
Calera would startthe second game similarto the first, scoring sixruns to begin the game.
Achille would getone back early, whenTaylor Childers dou-bled, then was drove inby Stacy Hamby. Yet,Calera would go backto work, capped off by atwo-run homer byRogers, then a three-runjack by Collett to sealthe deal for the LadyBulldogs, as they wouldwin with the run rule,13-1.
Collett continued herhitting streak two-for-three with three RBI’sand another over-the-fence home run.
Ramona Vazquez alsowent one-for-two withtwo runs scored and ahomerun in the game.
Game two saw a finalscore of 12-3 with thewin once again going tothe lady Bulldogs.
Calera softball iscurrently ranked 12thin 3A and the record forthe year stands at 18-8.
The ladies arepreparing for District,which begins Friday at11 a.m. againstStratford.
Megabull 2011 winnersDurant Main Street
announced the winners ofSaturday’s Mega Bull ‘11.The event held at theDurant Roundup ClubArena was co-sponsoredby Choctaw Casino andResort and Choctaw
Travel Plaza. The bull riding was
produced by Rafter JMCattle Company andbrought bulls from stockcontractors such as WingRodeo Company, ScottBurris, and Mark Lindsay.The top ten riders werebrought back for the shortround and recognizedwith a fireworks show.
Cory Grainger ofIdabel, OK, won the eventand a custom Red Bluffbelt buckle. He scored 82overall on two bulls forthe win. In the long round,Grainger rode CockyGator of Wing RodeoCompany. Grainger rodeWoodpecker Lips of ScottBurris in the short round.
Second place went toJesse Pohlmann of Ft.Scott, KS, who rode 2bulls for a 74 overallscore. Pohlmann rodeNice Guy of Wing RodeoCompany for the long
round and came back forthe short round to rideMellow Yellow of ScottBurris.
Durant Main Streetappreciates the sponsorsand the fans that made thisevent possible.
DURANT DEMOCRAT: LESLIE BOYD
Jesse Pohlman was thesecond place winner rid-ing Mellow Yellow for hisfinal ride of the night.
DURANT DEMOCRAT: LESLIE BOYD
Megabull winner, CoryGrainger, ridesWoodpecker Lips for hiswinning ride.
Local home sportsBaseball
AApprriill 2211::Caddo District begins
Calera vs. Dickson at 4 p.m.
AApprriill 2222::Caddo District
Colbert vs. Vanoss at 4 p.m.Southeastern vs. Southwestern at 3 p.m.
AApprriill 2233::Southeastern vs. Southwestern double-header 1
p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
AApprriill 2255::Calera vs. Coleman at 4 p.m.
AApprriill 2266::Southeastern vs. Henderson State double header at
2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.
SoccerAApprriill 2222::
Durant vs. LawtonJunior Varsity boys at 4 p.m.
Varsity girls at 5:30 p.m.Varsity boys at 7:30 p.m.
Harden, Ibaka andThunder bench step up
in Game 2 victoryBY MICHAEL KINNEYTHE NORMAN TRANSCRIPT
James Harden was a for-gotten man in first game ofOklahoma City’s first-round series with Denver.
The second-year pro outof Arizona State was a non-factor on the offensive end.It was not the performancethe team’s third-leadingscorer had expected to havein what had become hisbreakout season.
Knowing Kevin Durantand Russell Westbrookcouldn’t carry the scoringload again by themselves,he came into Game 2 on amission. He poured in 18points Wednesday to helplead the Thunder to a 106-89 victory over the Nuggetsat Oklahoma City Arena,and the home team took a2-0 series advantage.
“We know he is going tomake shots,” OklahomaCity coach Scott Brookssaid. “That is what he does.He makes plays for us.”
Harden wasn’t the onlyThunder player to have abounce-back game. SergeIbaka, Kendrick Perkinsand the Oklahoma Citybench showed Game 1 wasalready forgotten.
“They brought the ener-gy that we needed,”
Westbrook said. “Theyhave been consistent allseason long and I am neverworried about them comingin and not producing. Theydid a good job of keepingthe energy up tonight. “
The Thunder learnedtheir lesson from Game 1.Instead of getting off to aslow start, they began thenight hitting almost every-thing they tossed at the rim.They led 31-15 after 12minutes of work.
It was in the second peri-od that Harden started tofind his stroke. He scored10 points in the period andled all scorers with 14 athalftime.
“Last game, first half, Ionly had one shot attempt,”Harden said. “In the secondhalf, I had some wide openthrees that I usually knockdown. So I was just tryingto tweak my shot a little bitjust to make sure it’s rightand come out and beaggressive. Played thesame way.”
Oklahoma built its leadup to 26 points during thethird quarter.
Despite how well theOklahoma had been play-ing, with 8:32 left in thefourth quarter they led byonly 10 points. TheNuggets kept fighting back,
not letting the game get outof hand.
“We knew they were agreat team. They weregoing to make runs,”Harden said. “They have somany great scorers overthere. We just had to keepour composure, get greatshot and really help eachother on the defensive end.Toward the end of thefourth quarter, we really didthat.”
Durant led all scorerswith 23 points, five assistsand five rebounds.Westbrook added 21 pointsand seven assists.
Ty Lawson pacedDenver with 20 pointswhile Wilson Chandler andRaymond Felton each post-ed 16.
The Thunder travel toDenver for a Saturdaymatchup, where theNuggets will try and makethis a series. The Thunderdon’t want the series tocome back home.
“Overall, we can lose itif we come out with thewrong mindset,” Durantsaid. “I do not worry aboutthat, though. The coachesdo a great job and we goout and play hard. I feel likeif that all goes the sameway, then we have a chanceto win.”
Texas out of 1st placeafter 4-1 loss to Angels
BY STEPHEN HAWKINSAP SPORTS WRITER
ARLINGTON, Texas(AP) — Matt Harrison hadanother solid start for theTexas Rangers. Except hewas going against JeredWeaver.
The Rangers lost theirthird consecutive seriesafter a 4-1 loss Wednesdayto the division rival LosAngeles Angels, droppingout of first place in the ALWest.
Weaver’s complete-game six-hitter made himthe first five-game winnerin the majors.
“He’s always tough.He’s obviously off to agreat start this year,”Michael Young said.“Every time you face him,it’s going to be a grind, it’sgoing to be a battle. ... Hewas on top of his gametonight.”
It was the fifth careercomplete game for Weaver
(5-0), who struck out eightwith no walks to lower hisERA to 1.23 this season.The right-hander threw 80of his 119 pitches forstrikes.
Harrison (3-1) struck outfive while allowing threeruns and four hits in his 6 2-3 innings. The right-hander,who left with the Rangersdown 3-1, had allowed onlyone earned run in each ofhis first three starts whilepitching at least seveninnings each time.
“I know it’s going to bea close game, I know I haveto bring my pitches,”Harrison said about match-ing up against Weaver. “Imade those couple of mis-takes, but I pitched welland have got to keep going.... Tip my hat, he pitched agreat game.”
With the victory, LosAngeles took over solepossession of first place inthe AL West. The Angelsand Rangers had been tied
atop the division after split-ting the first two games ofthe series.
Except for when theAngels (12-6) won theiropener a day before the restof the AL West teams hadplayed this season, Texashad been the divisionleader since last June 8.The Rangers (11-7) lastyear won their first divisiontitle since 1999 after theAngels had won five of theprevious six.
“We’re playing goodbaseball. Other teams areplaying good baseball too,”Rangers manager RonWashington said. “We’reonly in April. ... No time topanic, we’ll be fine. We losttwo out of three toAnaheim. It’s April.”
The defendingAmerican League champi-on Rangers have lost six ofeight, dropping seriesagainst Detroit, the NewYork Yankees and theAngels.
6 THE DURANT DAILY DEMOCRAT THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 2011
**BOYS’ GOLF WILLTRAVEL TO PLAINVIEW ONTHURSDAY,APRIL 21 FORCOMPETITION.
**A STUDENT COUNCILMEETING WILL BE HELDTHURSDAY,APRIL 21 AT 3:05PM IN ROOM 48.
**FRIDAY, APRIL 22CHOIR WILL GO TO OKLAHO-MA BAPTIST UNIVERSITY TOTAKE PART IN THE OSSAASTATE SOLO AND ENSEMBLECONTEST.
**TRACK WILL GO TOARDMORE ON FRIDAY, APRIL22.
**VARSITY BOYS’ ANDGIRLS’ TENNIS WILL TRAVELTO MCALESTER ON FRIDAY,APRIL 22 TO COMPETE.
**APRIL 23 VARSITYBASEBALL WILL TRAVEL TOMCALESTER FOR THE 5ASHOOTOUT.
How to ace an interviewBY ALAN KRESS
Many high school students areplanning to get a summer job onceschool lets out, and a good interviewis an essential part of your jobsearch. Most everyone around youhas their own ideas about "InterviewDo's and Don'ts", and, with some var-ied opinions, a few basic ideas arepresent on almost all of those lists.
Everybody has heard that yourclothing can make or break yourchances of getting that job, and mostinterviewers will take into accountwhat you are wearing to help themmake a decision, including the typeof shoes you have on, they can makea big imprint as well. If somebodysays that you should "dress nice" thatdoesn't mean you need to wear a suitand ties, you aren't interviewing to beJames Bond, but you certainlyshouldn't wear grunge jeans, aSlipknot T-shirt and a hoodie thathasn't been washed in two weeks.Dress for the job you want.
The way you speak can also help.
Try to avoid too much slang and toomany colloquialisms. Even if you arefriends with your interviewer, if youlet a few "y'alls" slip in, it isn't theend of the world, but be careful.Definitely do not speak condescend-ingly even if that person is a jerk,they could be your boss in the nearfuture, so hold your tongue and bepolite.
Last bit of advice is about yourhair and possible piercings. Unlessyour application is to the circus, youshould probably avoid having sixshades of green and a streak of purplerunning through your hair and a lipring the size of a donut. Even themost laid-back interviewers willthink twice about hiring you if youlook like something from a StephenKing novel. However, I'm not sayingthat you should completely changethe way you look every workday, justtone it down.
These tips are just some of themost basic things that will help youget that job. They aren't guarantees,but they can help just as much as notdoing them can hurt.
Four day school weeks
BY TINA FIRQUAIN
With the major budgetcuts schools have had to gothrough, some schoolsdecided to try out going toschool only for four days aweek. The catch was thatstudents had to stay longereach day so they couldachieve the hours that wereneeded.
Twenty states are allow-ing four day school weeks,and Oklahoma is one of themost recent states thatjoined the legislation. Thegood thing about this pro-gram is that it saves ontransportation costs, whichmeans the schools won'thave to use fund money.The schools would alsohave more time in classwhich means studentscould get more schoolworkdone. Also, with the extraweekend day, students can
relax just a bit longer; teensare busier now more thanthey have ever been.
But, like everything else,there are drawbacks. Withthe extra day, some peopleare worried that the studentswill become lazy: and thatif the students are alwaysanticipating the weekend,they will not concentrate ontheir schoolwork. Also,since many parents work onFridays, parents of youngerchildren will have to pay fora babysitter or for daycare,because of the extra day off.
As for the DISD closingon Fridays, Dr. JasonSimeroth said, "We will notbe going to a four dayschool week any time in thenear future." Simeroth con-tinued, “The first priority isto do everything we can toprotect the educationalopportunities for our stu-dents.”
2011 DHS honorgraduates
BY RICARDO IBARRA
Honor graduates aresenior students whohave placed in the topten percent of the oftheir graduating class.The grades are calculat-ed on a four pointscale,and class rankingis determined by thecumulative average ofthe class. This way theschool is able to tellwhich students are to benamed honor graduates.The senior studentsmust have been enrolledat Durant High School
for two consecutivesemesters, which haveto be prior to the selec-tions. The 2011 honorgraduates are KhristenAnderson, LyndiBarrett, Cody Bebout,Trey Bowman, DaltonCarr, Laura Davenport,Victoria Engle, TaylorGilmore, AmandaGomes, PaightenHarkins, Jacob Holland,Kaley Hughes, HilaryLee, Miranda Lorance,Nicole Owens, NikeshPatel, Sabre Peterson,Ashley Richey andGillette Thomas.
A guide to storm preparednessBY BREANNE HAJNY
This is the time of year whenour area is most heavily affectedby severe weather, specifically tor-nadoes. It is very important thatpeople around our communitiesknow what precautions to take inthe event of a tornado. The follow-ing are some helpful tips for keep-ing safe during a severe storm ortornado.
The most important tip is toestablish a plan amongst yourimmediate family or housematesas to what you will do in the eventof a tornado. People are encour-aged to locate the nearest andsafest shelter to their home. Have
practice drills getting to this area.Also, what some call a "Go Bag" isrecommended. In this bag oneshould pack a flashlight and radiowith extra batteries for each, bot-tled water and thick blankets. Onthe radio, listen to a weather sta-tion for updates on the storm’slocation and how dangerous it ispertaining to your area.
The shelter you go to is key tokeeping you safe. If you live in ahouse with a basement, go to thatbasement and avoid windows.Occupy a small corner farthestfrom the opening of said basement.In a multi-level home or buildingsituation, go to a small, enclosedwindowless room in the center of
the area like a bathroom in a homeor a windowless lobby of a hospi-tal. If you live in a mobile home,exit the home immediately.Chances are you are safer outsidethan you would be inside themobile home. Go to the neareststorm shelter or sturdy buildingyou can find, or if there isn't onenear, lay in a low ditch coveringyour head and avoid trees and cars.
Everyone needs to take theproper precautions in the event of atornado as they are highly danger-ous and can easily hurt or killsomeone. These storms are verydestructive, and we all need torefresh our memory on how tokeep safe in the event of one.
Gear Upfor college
BY SUPARSHVA PARIKH
College preparedness isthe first stop in college suc-cess. Many schools inOklahoma find it difficult tosufficiently prepare theirstudents for college leveleducation. These schoolsrequire aid in meeting thestandard college prepared-ness goals. That is wherethe Oklahoma Gear Uporganization steps in as amedium for high schools.The Oklahoma Gear Upassociation aids highschools in preparing stu-dents for college entranceexams, higher lever mathcourses, and informationprocessing among otherthings.
This year Durant HighSchool has teamed up withGear Up in order to providestudents with a variety ofsummer classes. Thesesummer classes include"Team Participation,""Bridges out of Poverty,""Exploring NaturalResources" and"Wilderness AdventureScience." These classes arehosted by various Gear Upand college professionalsaround Oklahoma. The
summer institute programsare a means for studentsprogressing through highschool and middle school toexplore the various subjectsthat intrigue them. Theseclasses are utilized to helphigh school students "gearup" by learning to use vari-ous math and science tech-niques implementedthroughout the duration ofthe courses.
Durant High School issupporting the Gear Upcause by hosting sing up forthe events all through outthe week. Mrs. LoAnnLatona, a Durant HighSchool technology teacher,is representing the Gear Uporganization by hosting thesign up process in her room.The summer programs aredirected specificallytowards outdoor explo-ration utilizing the conceptsof math and science. GearUp is a program devoted tobettering the high schoolsand their students, and thismission is accomplishedthrough various methodsthat would specificallyimprove the efficiency ofcollege entrance exam andcollege preparedness inhigh schools.
Fish clubgives back
BY NATALIE HAWORTH
Fish club is a group ofstudents at Durant HighSchool who meet weeklyon Thursdays during lunchto have a Bible study.Recently the club decidedthey wanted to show thefaculty at DHS that theywere appreciated so theyprepared for them gift bags.
Jase Hammock andMadison Elliott, both jun-iors at DHS, organized thegift-giving. When askedwhy they wanted to givethe faculty gifts, they bothexpressed that they justwanted to make them feelappreciated.
The group spent time inprayer about the idea, andafter believing that it waswhat God wanted them todo, they started preparing.In all, the organizing andfundraising took severalweeks, and making thebags themselves took anentire weekend. Many stu-dents who are regulars atthe meetings gave aroundten dollars to help pay forthe bags. Some financialhelp was also given from
adults who attend the samechurch as several of the stu-dents. Each bag containedan apple, a thank-you letterand a candle. Every bagwas decorated by membersof Fish club and then givento faculty members lastweek.
When asked why shewas willing to give up hermoney and time to preparebags, Katie Whitley, a jun-ior at DHS and a memberof Fish club said, “Theteacher and faculty do somuch for us students. Theygive up more time thanwhat they are paid for tohelp us out and preparethings for class, and theyshow me on a regular basisthat they truly care aboutme and that they want meto be successful in life. Iwanted to help show themthat their hard work was notignored and that they wereappreciated.”
When asked how she feltwhen she received the giftbag Phyllis Rustin, Englishand journalism teacher,said, “It was a pleasant sur-prise. I felt appreciated; itwas a very kind gesture.”
DAR poetry/essaycontest winners
BY M'CAYLA HAMMOND
The Mary Quisenberrychapter of the Daughters ofthe American Revolutionheld an essay and poetrycontest themed "PreservingAmerica's Past" for the stu-dents in Durant, Oklahoma,this year. The task was towrite about a person orevent that was significant toAmerica's history.
Winners received a rib-bon for their accomplish-ments in the contest, and allwho were recognized statewide were also invited to a
banquet held in their honor.Children from elementaryschool through the highschool level received staterankings in the contest andinvitations to the banquets.
Durant High School'svery own SuparshvaParikh, BreAnne Hajny,Tina Firquain, and PaightenHarkins all received firstplace at the state wide level.A local celebration will beheld in their honor onSunday, May 4th, 2011, atFirst Baptist Church in theFamily Life Center build-ing.
Have tests?Don’t stress!
BY SAIGE MCNUTT
If you are a student atDurant High School thenyou know that the EOI(End-of-Instruction) testsare currently taking place,which is something youshould be prepared for.Though there are a varietyof subjects you may or maynot be testing on, there arestill a few general tips tohelp you succeed passingthese tests, no matter whatthe subject is. First of all,don't worry about how wellyou're going to do on it;most students who are calmabout their tests do better onthem. Make sure to read allof the directions carefullyand understand them. If youare uncertain about thedirections you may raiseyour hand for assistancebefore the test. As well asthe directions, read thequestions and every answerchoice carefully. It isadvised that you even
reread the questionsbecause if you misread oneof the words it could trans-late the question into some-thing completely differentthat what was intended.
When you find yourselfspending more time tryingto figure out the best answerfor one question just simplyignore that question andremember to go back to itlater. You will be allowed toreturn to any questions thatyou have skipped. Do notrush through this, and besure that you have read allof the choices you have.This test will not be timedso you will have as muchtime as you need.Remember to check yourtest session so you can becertain about the choicesyou've made. Even thoughsome students do not eatbreakfast or get a full night'ssleep, both of these tasks aregreatly advised and canonly further your chances ofpassing.
THE DURANT DAILY DEMOCRAT 77LocalTHURSDAY,APRIL 21, 2011
Partners in Education awards grants to Durant teachers
DURANT DEMOCRAT: SKILER SCHMITZ
Partners in Education members Julia Morgan and Jeff Shattuck are pictured withJerrie Gofort, Tod Harrison and member Stacy Shepherd.
DURANT DEMOCRAT: SKILER SCHMITZ
Partners in Education members Julia Morgan and Jeff Shattuck are pictured withHelen Lowrance, Tod Harrison and member Stacy Shepherd.
DURANT DEMOCRAT: SKILER SCHMITZ
Partners in Education members Stacy Shepherd, Jeff Shattuck and Julia Morganare pictured with Christie jo Robertson and Tod Harrison.
DURANT DEMOCRAT: SKILER SCHMITZ
Partners in Education member Jeff Shattuck is pictured with Lisa Whitley, CarrieGosnell, Stacy Shepherd and Julia Morgan.
DURANT DEMOCRAT: SKILER SCHMITZ
Partners in Education members Julia Morgan, Jeff Shattuck and Stacy Shepherdare pictured with Rachel Davis and Carrie Gosnell.
DURANT DEMOCRAT: SKILER SCHMITZ
Partners in Education member Stacy Shepherd, Julia Morgan, and Jeff Shattuckare pictured with Joan Wrigt and Carrie Gosnell.
DURANT DEMOCRAT: SKILER SCHMITZ
Partners in Education member Stacy Shepherd, Julia Morgan, and Jeff Shattuckare pictured with Valerie Weathers and Carrie Gosnell.
DURANT DEMOCRAT: SKILER SCHMITZ
Partners in Education member Stacy Shepherd, Jeff Shattuck are pictured withKaren Rowland, Katy Pruitt and Julia Morgan.
BLONDIE Dean Young/Denis Lebrun
BEETLE BAILEY Mort Walker
HAGAR THE HORRIBLE Chris Browne
HI & LOIS Brian and Greg Walker
FUNKY WINKERBEAN Tom Batiuk
MUTTS Patrick McDonnell
THE FAMILY CIRCUS Bil Keane
DENNIS THE MENACE Hank Ketchum
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CONCEPTIS SUDOKUby Dave Green
THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 2011 COMICS/ENTERTAINMENT
Today’s Answers
HAPPY BIRTHDAY for Thursday,April 21, 2011:
This year, you will see significantchanges within your personal andprofessional lives. Through May, youwill be completing a 12-year luck cycle.Look back 11 years. What were youdoing? What has happened sincethen? What are the common threads?Beginning in June, you enter a newlife and luck cycle. Know that you canpull white rabbits out of your black hat!If you are single, during the monthsthat follow, you might meet someoneof significance. The end of August andbeginning of September could be ofsignificance. If you are attached, youroptimism warms up the love tempera-ture. Understand that your role mightbe more dominant than in the recentpast. SAGITTARIUS can provokestrong responses.
The Stars Show the Kind of DayYou’ll Have: 5-Dynamic; 4-Positive;3-Average; 2-So-so; 1-Difficult
ARIES (March 21-April 19)+++++ Understand that even
though you think you are clear, youmight have to rehash a conversationor speak to someone again. Use thisperiod to relax with those in your lifeand not to harp on an issue or pusha project. Just a normal day. Tonight:Carry the banner into the night.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20)++++ Relate to a loved one
directly. You are not going to makewaves right now, but you can bond,swap ideas and enjoy what each otherhas to offer. Tonight: Visit with a lovedone.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20)+++++ Others want to relate on
more than just a business level. Twopeople would like to get past network-ing and become closer friends withyou. Your perspective could be verydifferent if you let those relationshipsevolve. Make sure you want to palaround with these folks. Tonight: Somany suggestions.
CANCER (June 21-July 22)+++ Pace yourself and have
a reasonable plan for after work orwhatever your day might be. A good,balanced plan involves visiting withfriends, completing an errand or two,exercising and doting on a loved one.Tonight: Play it easy.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22)+++++ Your imagination is an
endless source of ideas, fun and what-ever you would like to create. If youare in an artistic field, you could see
quite a difference in your output andproductivity. You will want to repeatthis type of performance. Tonight: Startthe weekend early.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)+++ Stay centered and be will-
ing to move in a new direction. Howyou see a personal matter and thechoices you follow might be a little offthe beaten path. They are also subjectto revision. Your directness is appreci-ated. Tonight: Stay centered.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)++++ Keep communication
flowing, and understand what othersare really saying. We are not talkingabout the words, but the true mean-ing. Sometimes what isn’t said is moreimportant. Tonight: Hanging out is funto do.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)++++ As a sign, you have a ten-
dency to become extravagant or gooverboard. Your greatest asset easilycould be self-discipline. Though youmay go to extremes, you’ll find themidpoint -- perhaps not today, but verysoon. Tonight: Your treat.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)+++++ Your smile and energy
up the odds for a home run. Everyonewants to work with you, which allowsa spirit of cooperation to develop.Creative relationships and ideas flour-ish. Someone you meet today couldset your heart afire. Spontaneousactions identify you. Tonight:Remember, you are the cat’s meow.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)+++ Keep a change of heart
behind the scenes. You might feelvery strongly at this moment, but giventime, you could change your perspec-tive. A family or domestic matter keepspopping into your mind. Isn’t it time tohandle it? Tonight: Happy at home.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)+++++ You might want to open
up a discussion and allow greatergive-and-take. Even if many ideas,messages and requests head in yourdirection, you will be able to remainresponsive and in control. Tonight:Where the action is.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20)+++++ You might want to rethink
a decision. Though funds seem to beflowing, if the out becomes more thanthe in, you will be in trouble. Right nowyou express a devil-may-care attitude.There is a tomorrow. Tonight: Treatyourself well.
Jacqueline Bigar is on the Internetat www.jacquelinebigar.com.
ZITS Jerry Scott and Jim Borgman
Jacquelene Bigar’s HOROSCOPE
THE LOCKHORNS William Hoest
88 THE DURANT DAILY DEMOCRAT THURSDAY,APRIL 21, 2011
THURSDAY,APRIL 21, 2011 THE DURANT DAILY DEMOCRAT 99
1100 THE DURANT DAILY DEMOCRAT Classifieds THURSDAY,APRIL 21, 2011
THE DURANT DAILY DEMOCRAT 1111Local/StateTHURSDAY,APRIL 21, 2011
Washington Irving third grade winners for this year’s Jump-A-Thon for Ft.Washita are (pictured left to right) Hannah Barbee, Travis Ervin, Iris Aguinaga,Alex Cubley and Savanna Stilwell. Hannah Barbee was the overall third grade win-ner with the greatest effort displayed in our Jump-A-Thon for Ft. Washita. Alsopictured is Coach Tanner Dupree, Washington Irving P.E. coach and coordinatorfor the Jump-A-Thon.
Washington Irving top fundraiser for the Jump-A-Thon for Ft. Washita was thirdgrade student Abigail Grace. Abigail raised $150 for the fund to help with repairsto the fort.
Washington Irving’s second grade winners for this year’s Jump-A-Thon fundraiserfor Ft. Washita are (pictured left to right) Maria Gonzalez, Kasidy Summerville,Kooper Delozier, Aiden Isenberg and Alex Pair. Aiden Isenberg was the overall sec-ond grade winner with the greatest effort displayed in our Jump-A-Thon for Ft.Washita. Also pictured is Coach Tanner Dupree, Washington Irving P.E. coach andcoordinator of the Jump-A-Thon.
WI Jump-A-Thon for Ft. Washita
Silo Elementary February Students of the Month were treated to an afternoonat Bounce Around for their efforts. Front Row: Donna Riddle, Jacob Ratliff.Middle Row: Brynnan Kirk, Gage Miller, Colby Doyle, Jaron Percell, MakaylaPippin, Kailyn Ingrum, Hank Bradley, Trevan Nelson. Back Row: WaylonStanley, Megan O’Brien, Chloe Cresse, Cierra Willman, Sarah Northcutt, LizTrammel, Micah Gibson, Eddie Crosby.
Silo Elementary FebruaryStudents of the Month
SOSU Ardmore effort called ‘hostile takeover’BY LONÉ BEASLEY
PUBLISHER ADA EVENING NEWS
Oklahoma StateSenators approved a billMonday that area legisla-tors and East CentralUniversity officials areworking hard to stopbefore it reaches the gov-ernor’s desk.
House Bill 1227 pur-ports to merge the existingArdmore HigherEducation center into afour-year branch campusof Southeastern OklahomaState University (SOSU).Sen. Josh Brecheen,Senate co-author of themeasure, says the movewill save the universitysystem money.
“Consolidating thesecampuses should result inhundreds of thousands ofdollars in annual state sav-ings just as happenedwhen the Idabel centermerged with SOSU,” saidBrecheen said in a pressrelease.
Rep. Todd Thomsen,who refers to the legisla-tion as something of a hos-tile takeover, said there isno evidence to back upsuch an assertion. “Theycannot get a report fromthe Regents of HigherEducation to validate theirargument,” Thomsen said.“I’m not sure where theypull that number out of. Imade an effort to contactthe RUSO (RegionalUniversity System ofOklahoma) Board and askthem on the specific(financial information) tothe Idabel campus. I wastold by Southeastern’spresident that they aren’table to distinguish (thosenumbers).”
Thomsen said he thinksof the bill as a hostiletakeover because SOSU’sfewer number of studentsat the Ardmore campusmakes it a minority playercompared to the numberof East Central Universitystudents taking classes
there.In 2007 East Central
University made a propos-al that was accepted bythe Ardmore campusboard to become a branchof ECU. The measure wasdoomed in the StateHouse when legislatorsdetermined funding wasnot available to move theprocess forward.
ECU officials say theywere never contactedwhen this new move start-ed to make the Ardmorecampus a branch ofSoutheastern and havebeen largely left out of thediscussion.
Thomsen said themeasure will now makeits way back to the house,is on that body’s calendartoday, and will likelycome up for a vote onThursday. If someoneobjects, which Thomsenplans to do, it will be sentto conference committeefor review and additionaldiscussion.
Oklahoma State shanties up to raiseawareness about global poverty
BY SILAS ALLENSTILLWATER NEWSPRESS
You can call it what youwant: a shantytown, ahobo camp or aHooverville.
Whatever the name, thehandful of plywood hovelsthat sprang up on theEdmond Low Librarylawn at Oklahoma StateUniversity Monday after-noon were certainly betterdecorated, if no more stur-dy, than similar structuresin squatters’ settlementsfrom Seattle to Soweto.
After an afternoonspent hauling lumber andnailing plywood and cor-rugated metal, groups ofOSU students stayed inthe shacks overnight aspart of an event to raiseawareness about globalpoverty.
The event, calledShack-a-Thon, is in its
15th year, and is part ofOSU’s Earth Week cele-bration, said MichaelCobbs, the treasurer of theOSU chapter of Habitatfor Humanity. The organi-zation sponsored the eventin partnership withEngineers WithoutBorders, he said.
During the event, Greekhouses, residential housesand student groups areinvited to build shacks onthe library lawn.According to the event’srules, groups were onlyallowed to use hand toolsto build their shanties, andthey were allowed tospend a maximum of $20on materials. The event’sregulations encouragegroups to be creative andrecycle supplies.
Caitlin Robertson, pres-ident of OSU Habitat forHumanity, said the pur-pose of the event was to
raise awareness abouthousing issues. The organ-ization works closely withthe Stillwater chapter ofHabitat for Humanity toeliminate substandardhousing in Stillwater, shesaid.
Despite the group’sefforts, Robertson said,many college studentssimply don’t think aboutissues such as povertyand poor housing condi-tions not only abroad, butin their own communi-ties.
“The purpose ofShack-a-Thon is advoca-cy,” Robertson said.“This event helps Habitatfor Humanity spreadawareness of substandardhousing because collegestudents are oftenunaware that there arepeople in our communityliving in unacceptableconditions.”
Today's Highlight inHistory:
On April 21, 1910,author Samuel LanghorneClemens, better known as
Mark Twain, died inRedding, Conn., at age 74.
On this date:IInn 11550099, England's King
Henry VII died; he wassucceeded by his 17-year-old son, Henry VIII.
IInn 11664499, the MarylandToleration Act, which pro-vided for freedom of wor-ship for all Christians, waspassed by the Marylandassembly.
IInn 11778899, John Adamswas sworn in as the firstvice president of theUnited States.
IInn 11883366, an army ofTexans led by SamHouston defeated theMexicans at San Jacinto,assuring Texas independ-ence.
IInn 11991188, Baron Manfredvon Richthofen, theGerman ace known as the"Red Baron," was killed inaction during World War I.
IInn 11993300, a fire broke outinside the overcrowdedOhio Penitentiary inColumbus, killing 332inmates.
IInn 11994400, the quiz showthat asked the "$64 ques-tion," ''Take It or Leave It,"premiered on CBS Radio.
IInn 11996600, Brazil inaugu-rated its new capital,Brasilia, transferring theseat of national govern-ment from Rio de Janeiro.
IInn 11997711, HaitianPresident Francois "PapaDoc" Duvalier died at age64; he was succeeded byhis son, Jean-Claude"Baby Doc" Duvalier.
IInn 11998866, a rediscoveredvault in Chicago'sLexington Hotel that waslinked to Al Capone was
opened during a live TVspecial hosted by GeraldoRivera; aside from a fewbottles and a sign, thevault turned out to beempty.
Ten years ago: Western Hemisphere
leaders meeting in Quebecratified a plan barringundemocratic nations from
a massive free trade zonethey hoped would expandprosperity across their 34nations. For a second day,protesters clashed withnightstick-wielding policewho fired water cannonsand rubber bullets. The LosAngeles Xtreme beat theSan Francisco Demons 38-6 in the first — and last —XFL championship game.
1122 THE DURANT DAILY DEMOCRAT Local THURSDAY,APRIL 21, 2011
Coming events tOOnnggooiinngg
Silo Public Schooloffers comprehensive spe-cial education services toeligible students ages 3through 21 who have orsuspect having a disability,regardless of the severity.All referrals are consideredconfidential, and servicesare provided at no cost.You don’t have to beenrolled in school. Theymay be in day care, headstart, attending a privateschool, advancing fromone grade to another, stateinstitution, or in a treat-ment facility. Silo PublicSchool services includescreening and evaluationsin areas of the suspecteddisabilities, such as visionand/or hearing loss, motorskills, general develop-ment, learning disability,speech and language devel-opment, physical impair-ments, mental retardation,emotional disturbance,autism/ pervasive develop-mental disorders, healthimpairments and traumaticbrain injury. Free, appro-priate, public educationswith a full continuum ofservices are available forall children, including onesthat are eligible to receivethe Lindsey Nicole HenryScholarship. To help usprovide these services toany child with a disabilityin need of an educationand/or related services,please contact BillCaruthers 924-700 Ext.227, Karyn Pierce 924-700Ext. 256, Jan Richardson924-700 Ext. 234, or mailto: Silo Public School,Special EducationServices, 122 West BourneSt., Durant, OK, 74701.
Caddo ElementarySchool will begin their Pre-K Enrollment on March28- April 1 from 8 a.m.- 3p.m. at the elementaryschool office. Parents willneed to bring birth certifi-cate, shot records, socialsecurity card and CDIBcard if applicable.
Remember students mustbe four years old on orbefore Sept. 1. For moreinformation please call580-367-2515.
Our Saviors LutheranChurch located on 16thAvenue and Main Streetwill re-open their lunchsoup kitchen on Thursdaysfrom 11:30- 12:30 p.m.They have been closedrecently due to bad weath-er. For more informationplease call 214-500-0829.
Colbert Primary Schoolwill be taking enrollmentapplications for the 2011-2012 4-Year-Old and HeadStart classes. Your childmust be four years of ageon or before Sept. 1, 2011,to qualify. Parents willneed to supply the schoolwith the child’s birth cer-tificate, an on-scheduleimmunization record andSocial Security number.Head Start applicants youwill also need to provideproof of income. You mayapply in the Primary officebetween 8- 3 p.m.
Durant Round-Up Clubis looking for a RodeoQueen for the 2011 rodeoseason. The annual Rodeowill be held on June 17 and18. If anyone is interestedin becoming queen orbecome a member of theclub please contact Cindyat 775-2888 or visit LoftisSatellite to get member-ships.
en percent of enrollmentmust be made available tochildren with disabilities.Parents must bring immu-nization record, birth cer-tificate, medical insurancecard, all family member’ssocial security cards andfamily proof of income.For more informationplease call 924-7404 andask for Treva Herman orcall 924-5299 and ask forRoni or Vicki.
AApprriill 2211--2233The Kemp Baptist
Church is having its 10th
annual Easter Pageant at 7p.m. April 21, 22 and 23.Join the 140-member castand crew as they celebratethe resurrection of the Lordand Savior Jesus Christ.
AApprriill 2233The annual Kiwanis
Easter Egg Hunt will beheld on Saturday, April 23at Billy Miller ParkComplex on South Third,Fourth and Fifth Avenue.Start time will be 10 a.m.with age groups frominfant, pre-k, kindergarten,first grade, second gradeand third grade invited.Each child should bring abasket for eggs and candy.
A special Easter EggHunt will be held onSaturday, April 23, at theJunction Flea Market start-ing at 1 p.m.
Days Black BeltAcademy in Durant will behosting an Easter Bunnyvisit on Saturday, April 23,from 11 a.m.- 1 p.m., at theAcademy on 820 West ElmStreet in Durant.
The Elks Lodge AnnualEaster Egg Hunt will beheld at 2 p.m. on April 23at the Elks Lodge. This willbe open to the public withlots of eggs and prizes.
AApprriill 2255The Bokchito Rock
Creek Alumni Associationwill hold their monthlymeeting on Monday, April25 at 7 p.m., inside theBokchito Senior Citizen’sCenter. For more informa-tion please contact RozellThomas at 924-3612.
AApprriill 2266P.E.O. Chapter DJ
luncheon meeting will beheld at 11 a.m., onTuesday, April 26, in thehome of Haljean Hartin.Charlene Ridgway will bepresenting the program.
A special benefit will beheld for Tim and CindyFranklin, who are adopting
two sisters from theUkraine. The event will befrom 6-8 p.m. at the IronGate Cafe, 305 W. MainSt., and will include fingerfoods, dessert, coffee and asilent auction.
MMaayy 22On May 2, the new
Donald W. ReynoldsCommunity Center andLibrary, 1515 West MainSt., will open to the public.Dedication of the newfacility is slated for May25.
MMaayy 1100P.E.O. Chapter DJ
Meeting will be held at3:15 p.m., on Tuesday, May10, in the home of BettyBoynton. Eleanor Lee willbe presenting the program.
MMaayy 1122The Choctaw Classic
Poultry show will be heldon Saturday, May 12, atHaggard Hall located at theBryan County Fairgroundsfrom 9 a.m..- 3 p.m.Admission is free, for moreinformation please contactSheri at 380-1917.
MMaayy 2211The 15th Annual Pond
Hop Tournament will beheld at the Calera PoliceDepartment on Main andMcKinley Street in Calera.Sign-up’s start at 6 a.m.,check in will begin at 4 p.m.Entry fee is $40. For moreinformation contact theCalera Police Department at580-434-7000.
The Calera PoliceReserve Unit will host aspecial Poker Run on May21 at the Police Departmenton Main and McKinleyStreet. Start time is 8 a.m.with final start at 1 p.m. andfinal hand turned at 4 p.m.For more information con-tact the Calera PoliceDepartment at 580-434-7000.
JJuunnee 1111--1122The Durant Elks Lodge
annual golf tournament willbe held June 11 and 12 at
the Durant Golf &Country Club. Register atthe Country Club for theElks Lodge. This two-per-son tournament is open tothe public. The fee is $150per team. All proceedswill go toward youthactivities and the scholar-ships fund.
JJuunnee 1177--1188The Durant High Class
of 1991 reunion planningis now on Facebook. Click
on events for details. It willbe held June 17-18, 2011.RSVP on Facebook orcontact Carrie at: [email protected] byMay 1. Registration feesmust be received by May15. The cost is $20 perperson. They need helpfinding classmates soplease pass the word alongand anyone who has infor-mation on classmates isencouraged to e-mail [email protected]
Today In History
Wednesday’s High 63Wednesday’s Low 53Precipitation 0.33Precip. This Month 1.99Precip. This Year 4.14
