From The Files of

The Seminole Producer

Chlorine may be added to the Seminole water system soon to meet mandatory federal requirements, Mayor Waldo B. Lilly told the Seminole City Council Tuesday night.

The chlorine will help rid the city water supply of hydrogen sulfide, a harmless but smelly gas, “and will render complete purification of our water system,” the mayor said.

He estimated that the chlorine will be added to the water system sometime within the next two months. “We will notify the public through the paper when we plan to add the chlorine,” Mayor Lilly said.

The chlorine will not affect the taste of the water in any way, according to the mayor.

It will reduce all risks of a bacteria outbreak in our water system,” he added. “At the same time it will help cut down on corrosion of our water pipes and pumps caused by the hydrogen sulfide gas.”

The only harmful effect of the chlorine chemical is to fish. Goldfish and other aquarium fish cannot survive in chlorine treated water.

It was pointed out, however, that a special treatment to rid water of chlorine so fish may live in it is available at all marine shops.

The federal government has ordered all cities with water systems to add chlorine to their water supplies. “This is mandatory,” the mayor said, “but it’s a good requirement in that it purifies the water even more than it already is.”

Some new equipment will have to be purchased by the city so to inject the chlorine into the present water supply. The chlorine will be added to the city’s reservoir and to the water wells. -oOo Vickie Neel, Seminole High School head cheerleader, will receive the Holly Wininger Memorial Award in special ceremonies at the Jim Thorpe Banquet Monday night at Ponca City, Okla.

The banquet, which is a state sports highlight each year, will honor the state’s top athletes as selected by the Thorpe committee. The $6-plate affair starts at 7:30 p.m. in the Continental Oil Co. cafeteria at Ponca City.

The Holly Wininger Memorial Award is a very special award given each year to one person in the state who has showed remarkable courage in overcoming handicaps to carry on a sports-filled life.

Vickie Neel, as many Seminole citizens will remember, was critically injured in a blazing car accident in Texas last summer while on a vacation trip. Her mother, who was her only living parent, was killed in the accident.

After a long stay in a Texas hospital, and a long period of time in a wheelchair, Vickie gradually regained strength and her ability to walk. By basketball season she was back performing her duties as head cheerleader here.

Vickie was selected to receive the Holly Wininger award because of her courageous recovery from the tragic accident and her severe injuries, and for the fact that she returned as cheerleader here and motivated spirit for SHS sports teams, Jackie Harris, a spokesperson for the Thorpe committee, said.

The special award was started last year in memory of Holly Wininger, who died of cancer at the age of 16 in September of 1971. Holly was the daughter of the late Bo Wininger, a famous Oklahoma golfer, and Nita Wininger.

Holly was an accomplished horse rider and had won many medals and trophies. She displayed courage even after she learned she was dying and continues her horse riding despite much pain up until the time of her death.

Vickie will be accompanied to Ponca City Monday night by her boyfriend, Dietz Stewart, and SHS football coach Wayne Estes. Mrs. Wininger, Holly’s mother, will present Vickie with the memorial award during a special program of the banquet. -oOo School Daze – There will be an Athletic Awards banquet for students in all sports. It will be held on Friday, April 20. It will be in the Junior College Cafetorium at 7 p.m. This will just be for girls and boys in the 10, 11, and 12 grades. The athletes will be admitted free to the banquet. Tickets at $3 each, may be purchased for their dates or parents. Guest speaker will be Coach Warren Harper, assistant football coach at Oklahoma University.

Students who are planning to attend the banquet and bring dates or parents should by their tickets no later than Tuesday, April 17. They can be purchased in the office. ~ John Huggler won a first-place award for a painting in the Amateur division of the Art Show Saturday, April 7. ~ School Daze Slants – Janis Chappell being happy … Chauncey Cravens singing Christmas songs… Mark Reynolds untying a shoe… Linda Colbert yelling from across the school grounds… Cathy Elifritz changing her mind… David Shipman having tiny eyes… Tim Wantland being told to look something up… Marsha Mills telling how many someone missed on test… Melody Melton having some petty cash… Brenda Stone asking where someone was last night… Jennifer Roberson being excited… Sharon Cummings having a class discussion by herself… Charles Chase being a nuisance… Leslie Branscum flirting… Johnny Brown missing his chair … Thania Barazal being called “teaser”… Rory O’Neal having strange marks.