Image provided by: Morrow County Museum; Heppner, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (May 31, 1962)
LIBRARY U OF 0 EUGENE, ORE. xercises Held; Grads Set Mark In Scholarships (Pictures on Page Two) By HELEN SHERMAN Challenged by Its class motto. Looking Toward New Horizons the graduating class of Heppner High school was inspired by speakers and atmosphere as it sac wnn ciignuy tnrough com meneement exercises Tuesday evening, May 2V, on the hifh scnool gymnasium stage. Thrills were experienced, too as many received scholarship awarcis ior outstanding citizen ship and scholastic achievements. A new record was set in the lotal amount of $6,045 that was made available this year for use of students in furthering ineir education in college. Dr. Hester Turner, guest speak er, newiy-seiected dean of stu dents at Lewis and Clark col lege, Portland, stirred the class into realization of its indcpen denee, as of now, from close school bonds and that now each will be challenged to think In dependently. She said each graduate must answer tor himself the Question "Who am I, and what must I cio now 7" "Your lives will be full of important choices, and it is up to you to choose the best one for you," she said. "We need people who can think indepen dently. America differs from Russia in that we do not want the 'master nlan' where all stu dents are channeled into the the same 'end product (scientists). An individual is important here even it he is a square we develop the corners, instead of trying to cut them off. Learn now to make decisions independently and prepare yourself for change and always be ready to adipt 10 new situations." Before the class processed to music by the high school band, yenow tapers were lighted on the platform by junior class rep resentatives, .'nannon Mahoney ana LeKoy Gardner. The candel abra were banked by tall bas kets of yellow chrysanthemums. the class flower. Above the stage hung an acqua-colored foil cloud with "Class of 1962" outlined in yellow chrysanthemums in side. Junior class escorts were Lorraine Leonnig and Dick Spring. Guests were welcomed by a salutatory speech by Judy Anne Schmidt, and she reminded her classmates of the "hallway of doors we will need to open as we follow the paths leading to success and our ultimate goals. Each of us holds his own keys to the doors leading toward his own horizons." Mrs. Sam Miller, accompanied by Mrs. C. C. Carmichael, sang a vocal solo, "I Will Lift Up Mine Eyes." Sandra Harshman gave the valedictory address, emphasizing the need for her classmates to follow the "road of individuality, through development of enthus iasm, sincerity, friendliness, sense of values and definite pur pose." Gordon R. Pratt, high school principal, presided over the awarding of leadership and scholastic awards. Miss Esther Kirmis, county ex tension agent, presented the an nual 4-11 scholarship to Libby Van Schoiack, a 9-year 4-H club member. The $200 award is given by the Union Pacific Railroad to one girl in each of the 19 coun ties which it serves. Through the adult home extension unit, Libby was elected to live in the Azalea House at Oregon State University, while she is train ing for a career in home economics. Representing Heppner Elks lodge youth committee, Conley Lanham announced recipients of four scholarships and one leader ship award. First place for girls ($200) went to Sandra Harsli man, and second place ($100) to Judv Schmidt. First place for boys was awarded Kenneth Dag geit, and second place to D"ii aid Clark, for the same amounts. Sandra Harshman also won an Elks leadership award of $50. Mrs. E. E. Gonty, Soroptimist club president, announced Bev erly Blake as winner of its $100 scholarship award. The high school good citizenship award, enabling her to attend a summer camp of her choice, went to Phyllis Nelson, and from the grade school, Diane Schaffitz re ceived the camp award. PTA scholarships were an nounced by Mrs. L. E. Dick, local president. Tuition scholarships lor two girls entering the field of teaching were awarded Linda Van Winkle and Beverly Blake in the amount equal to full tu ition and fees at EOC, but usable at any state school. Mrs. Dick also asked members of the class who had been together in ihe first class of kindergarten in Heppner to stand. There were about 10 graduates who had started kindergarten and gene through all vears of school here together. Arnold Melbv, band director, thanked the community for its support of the music scholar ship prgoram and announced that Judy Schmidt and Don Clark were awarded $100 each fur use in college entrance. Judy also won the John Philip Souta award for service in the music department. An honor certificate for leader ship from the University of Ore gon was presented Linda Van Winkle by Mr. Pratt, who pre sented most of the awards and honors. The lone Lions club award, presented for the first time this year, went to Judy Schmidt as outstanding senior girl, and to Eddie Howard as outstanding senior bo v. Fifty dollars will be applied by the club toward the second term of the college of their choice. An award given annually by the Kinzua Pine Mills of $500 was divided between two senior bovs, Ron Creswick and Donald Clark. The Future Homemaker award, given for outstanding service in (Continued on Page 6) Delegation Tells Of Highway Need A delegation of men from Mor row and Gilliam counties Friday once more brought to the atten tion of the State Highway Com mission the need for an improved highway from Heppner to High way 30, and this time they were backed by the support ol bam Mailicoat, director of ths State Department of Planning and De velopment. Meeting at their appointed time with the commission at 11:30 a. m. in Salem were three from Morrow county, Judge Os car Peterson and Assessor Oliver Creswick, both of Heppner, and Garland bwanson of lone, to gether with Leo Barnctt of Con don and the Rev. Wilmer Edges of Arlington, all of whom spoke, together with several others from Gilliam county. Mailicoat told the commission that the department of planning and development supports a new route from Morgan to Arlington because of the Boeing develop ment. Creswick summarized points brought out in six resolutions that the Morrow delegation took to the meeting, and the reso lutions were turned over to the commission. Judge Peterson act ed as leader of the group. Although the comm i s s 1 o n made no promises and again pointed out the lack of funds, as well as the great demand for highway projects, cooperation seemed to be "much better," Judge Peterson said. The Henpner-Morrow county Chamber of Commerce has made plans to continue being repre sented at coming commission meetings until some definite im provement ot the hignway is assured. Former Residents Hurt in Accident When Mr. and Mrs. John Graves of Hardman went to Port land last Thursdav to visit her narents. Mr. and Mrs. Robert Wil cox, they arrived just after the elderly couple had been invoivea in a two-car auto accident near Grcsham. Mr. Wilcox. 83. received trac- tureH ribs and is confined to i hospital in Gresham this week. His wife, Ethel, 74, sustained a broken leg but was released from the hospital Friday. Also in the Wilcox car were their daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Brosten, Boville, Idaho. lie suffered a broken pelvic bone and is confined to the Gresham hospital, and his wife, Eva, re ceived some bruises and was shaken up but has been released. The accident occurred just af ter Mr. Wilcox had stopped at a four-way flashing warning sig nal. A car approached from the side just as Wilcox started up and hit his vehicle broadside. The only occupant of the other vehicle was not injured. Mr. and Mrs. Wilcox lived in Lexington for many years. Becket Recovering After Eye Operation Harold Becket, owner of Becket Equipment Company, is recover ing from an operation performed in the Walla Walla General hos pital Tuesday, May 22, when one of his eyes was removed. He is reported to be making good im provement after the delicate and painful operation. The eve was injured in his shop some years ago and another injury about one year ago aggra vated the condition, Mrs. Becket said. At various times he had bits of metal removed from it. Recently ulcers developed, and a specialist said that it would be necessary to remove the eye to save the other one that was being affected by it. Mrs. Becket said that her hus band had been "awfully sick' following the operation, and the strain on his nerves was severe, but he has shown rapid improve ment and has been able to spend some time in a limited capacity in his shop. It is necessary for him to re turn periodically to the hospital for treatment. He went over Tuesday and expects to go again Monday. 10 Cents wf ''j JF" CONSERVATION MAN of the Year title In Morrow county is shared this year by a father and son operation, Elmer Palmer (riqht), the father, and Roger Palmer (left), the son, in the Elmer Palmer and Son ranches at Eightmile. The two are pictured in their stubble-mulched summer tallow, and their strip cropping system is visible In the background. (q.t photo) Father and Son Team Share Conservation Title (Pictures also page 3, Sec. 2) Conservation Man of the Year one of the foremost honors given annually in Morrow coun tyis a title shared this year by a father and son combination, Elmer Palmer, the father, and Roger Palmer, the son, who op erate as Palmer and Son on their ranches at Eightmile. Making the selection for the Morrow County Wheatgrowers' association, sponsoring organi zation, was a committee com posed of Paul Tews, lone, chair man; Bob Rietmann, lone; Ray mond Lundell, lone; and V ;rnon Munkers, Lexington, 1961 Con servation Man of the Year in the county. The Palmers will be presented at the annual meeting of the association, and Tri-County Equipment Company will pay tribute to their achievements hi conservation work by awarding them the traditional plaque. Elmer Palmer, a native of the county, was raised on the old Laurence Palmer ranch nonh west of Lexington. He started farming in 1933 on the old Hoon place west of Hardman in 1933, and shortly after he married Muriel Patterson, who was reared in lone and graduated from lone High school. They farmed the Hoon place until they bought the Redding place less than a mile south of the Eightmile post office in the spring of 1944. The original 1240 acres has been expanded until the ranch now consists of 4,030 acres. All of this is under tneir ownership with the exception of 800 acres which is rented from the Palmer estate. To the old Redding place was added 320 acres, then known as the Batty place, together with 750 acres of grassland, known as the old Harshman place, and a 153C acre ranch near Rock Creek, 1? miles from the home ranch. Son Roger has ranched with his father since his graduation 6fch Graders Report on Talks on the Willow Creek watershed and its far-reaching importance in Morrow county were given, not by a learned scientist nor a prominent govern ment official, but by four sixth grade Heppner school children at the Chamber of Commerce meeting Monday. The four, taught by Mrs. Harold (Inez) Erwin, gave facts learned in the science project undertaken by their class and which was climaxed by a field trip to the upper watershed of the creek recently. Mrs. Erwin introduced the children and told of the organi zation, planning and preparation involved in the project. She said that she assumed the role of "learner' on the field trip and "instructors" were Ralph Rich ards of the Soil Conservation of Prospecte Gazett - 1 from Heppner High school in 1954. He married the former Snir ley Peck and they have four children. The Palmers established their first strip cropping in 1919 when a long sloping field on the oiig inal ranch was eroding too much to suit Elmer. Permanent grass strips were established at this time, and they were later plowed up to establish an alternate sum mer fallow grain system to pro tect their wheat and barley allot ment base. Success of this strip cropping led to contour stripping of an other steep field on the home place. Because of a great loss of soil from the Palmer Estate crop land of 600 acres, 380 acres were established in strip cropping this spring. Five diversion ditches also will break uo the ens.on pattern on this ranch, loading the water into grassed water ways. These diversion ditoh'.-s were used to set the contour for strips. All fallow is stubble-mulched this year, made by double disc ing for the first operation, going over it with a (iranam-iio.'nie plow with points. It will be fol lowed by the skew treader to even out the straw, then another working with the Graham-Hocme with shovels, and linally rod weeded. Initial operation was done with a lightweight tandem disc so that stubble was not destroyed hut early growth was. Forty acres in the 750 acres of grassland on the old Harshman place were cleared of sagebiush with the noble blade which de stroyed competition so that na tive grasses would do well. On the Rock Creek ranch the cropland was seeded to pubes cent wheatgrass, nomad and la dak alfalfa, a part of the soil bank program. Heavy infes tations of sagebrush have been eradicated by use of a brush beater, the patches then plowed up and cropped to grain before fice, Robert Booth of the U. S. Forest Service, Glen Ward of the Fish and Game commission, and Joe Hay of the county extension office, all of whom accompanied the class. David Hall told of the purpose of the study and explained, "Without water we could not live." A watershed must have plant life, he pointed out; hence, the study of this related subject was undertaken. Students took tem perature of the Willow Creek water on their trip to Cutsforth park, measured its depth, and checked its condition. They found the temperature to be 49 de grees and the creek to range from five to 14 inches deep. Ricky Gimbel told of the study of precipitation and discussed four major floods and 11 minor Heppner, Oregon, Thursday, May 31, 1962 seeding to permanent grasses. Three springs have been de veloped for livestock water to make for good distribution of stock. The ranch is divided into three different pastures which allows for deferring and rotating. l tie l'aimers have also develop ed some dryland seeding of alf alfa on wasteland area above their home, and this is used as a part of their hay supply for 80 head of cattle which they run on their ranch. When visited to interview them concerning the Conserva tion Man honor, Elmer and Mur iel were; in the process of moving into their fine new home. "We got tired of trying to keep tin? floor in the old house from sagging and realized that we were putting a lot of money into it," Elmer said, "and so we de cided to build a new house." Klmer did much of the inside work himself, and the couple is already enjoying life in their new home. Mrs. Palmer's modern kitchen shows the progressive spirit of the family. Roger and his family live in a home they built on the place, close to the old family home, when he and Shirley were mar ried. View from both father's and son's homes overlook a vast area of farmland, alternating bright green and brown from growing crop and summer fallow at this time of year, with moun tain peaks looming up on the distant horizon. League Farm Team Practice Call Out Bud Mashall, farm team man ager of the Little League or ganization, announces a call to all boys between the ages of eight and 12 who are not play ing Little League baseball to re port for farm team practice at the league field Saturday morn ing at 9:00 a. m. Willow Watershed floods that are on record in Heppner. Flood waters wash away and ruin plant cover, he said. Of the 890 square miles in the watershed, 100 slquare miles are forested. "This is not enough," he said. Fall of water in Willow Creek averages 60 feet per mile for its 70-mile length. Amanda Smith told of soil conservation in relation to the watershed and discussed various methods of irrig a t i o n. She brought out how even beavers play an important part in flood control with the dams they build. Sheila Luciani told of how weeds destroy plant life neces sary to the watershed. Two thirds of the moisture that falls in the form of snow and rain in the watershed is lost in run off through Willow Creek, site said. Sheila also told of testing lest Since Times 79th Year, Number 13 Swimmers Requested To Buy Tickets Now For Coming Season City crews are getting the municipal swimming pool in shape for the coming summer season, and it is tentatively planned to open the pool on Saturday, June 9, depending on whether it can be made ready by that time, Recorder Ted Smith said Thursdav. All who plan to use the pool are urged to buy tickets at the city hall now. A family season ticket sells for $18. Season ticket for an individual adult is $9, for a high school student SO, and for a grade school student $1. For daily swims without a season ticket an adult is charged 50c, high school student 25c and grade school pupil 15c. Tickets should be purchased at the city hall and not at the pool, Smith said. At this time city crews are painting the pool, and they ex pect to have the work done Monday. At least two days dry ing time is required, after which other work must be completed prior to the opening. It is expected that the open ing day, whenever It is, will be a "free" day to start the season off witli a bang, the city recorder said. Port, Rural Fire Budgets Printed Printed In this paper are bud gets for 1962-G3 and notices of budget meetings for the port of Morrow and the Heppner Rural Fire Protection district. Second printing of the Port of Morrow budget will be on June 7 and second printing of the fire dis trict budget will be on June 14 to meet legal requirements. Budget hearing for the Port of Morrow is scheduled for Thurs day, June 21, at 8 p. m. in the Morrow county cour t h o u s e, Heppner, and hearing for the fire district budget will be Mon day, June 25, in the fair build ing annex, Heppner, also at 8 p. m. Total expenditures of all funds In the port budget, including general and port facilities, are estimated in the port budget at $06,601. Estimated receipts and cash balances are listed at $41,- 354. Tax levy for the year, all within the six per cent limi tation, is placed at $28,100. The fire district budget calls for total expenditures of $6,095, and tax levy of $0,245, including $150 estimated in taxes that will not be received by the end of the fiscal year. The total is with in the six per cent limitation. Fire district budget Is printed on page two, this section; and Port of Morrow budget is on page four, section two. McNary Golfers To Visit Sunday Golfers from McNary will be guests of the Willow Creek Golf club Sunday with men starting to tee off at 9 a. m. and the women at 10 a. m., Clint Mc Quarrie, local club president, an nounces. Some 20 men and 10 women from the visiting course are ex pected, and the local club would like to have as many of its mem bers present to greet them as possible. Prizes will be awarded for various events during the play. Men will play 18 holes and the women will play nine. the water in the creek and d s covering that it is unfit to drink. Mrs. Erwin had enlisted help of a number of agencies in pre paring for the project. Others, in addition to those mentioned above, included the State Water Resources board, the Army Corps of Engineers, and Leonard L. Gilliam, weather observer. Par ents who helped were Mr. a id Mrs. Gene Hall, in charge of the cookout at Cutsforth park after the class sessions; Mr. and Mrs. David McLeod; and Floyd Jones. In connection with the pro ject, maps, elevation charts, pre cipitation charts and other charts were made. Fifth and sixth grade mnsic students of Mrs. Ola Mae Ben son also appeared on the pro gram to present several cute numbers. David Hall was master of ceremonies for the group. May Give Rains Boost On Growth Outlook for the prnln ernn In Morrow county at this time is the best that it has been since the 1948 season, County Agent Nels Anderson said Tuesday af ter touring various areas of the county with Howard Cushman, extension soils specialist. i ciont remember when the prospects looked better unless it was in 1948," he said. Unusually heavv nrpHnitntinn for May, together with moderate temperature, has contributed to the favorable conditions. "We found the summer fallow full of moisture," Anderson said. It not another drop of rain comes between now and harvest. mere will be enough." May Rainfall Posts New Record Locally With a total of 3.27 inches of rain recorded, the month of May has posted a new record for precipitation in Heppner, Leonard L. Gilliam, weather observer, said Thurs day. Only twice before, since records have been kept, has the rainfall topped three inches in May in 1912 with 3.15 and in 1925 with 3.17. Total rainfall for the year to date is listed at 7.12 inches. The current week's report shows .36 inch of rain, coming last Thursday and Friday. With the 1.73 of last week, the total for the two weeks exceeded two Inches. Report for the week: (Leonard Gilliam, observer) Hi Lo Prec. Thursday 54 57 66 74 67 64 64 44 45 42 53 43 36 38 .33 .03 Friday Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday However, with some five or six weeks still to go before har vest starts in July, there are still some question marks stand ing in the way of a bumper crop. One of the foremost of these is the possibility that weather may urn hot. Hall storms, too, could wreak damage to the wheat and barley. The county agent said that spring seeded grain has still "quite a ways to go yet," but added that harvest In Morrow county seems to come at about the same time regardless of the season and when the crop was seeded. The start comes in the north end of the county shortly after July 4. However, it could be as late as July 15 In some places in the northern part of the county with the southern ranchers harvesting later as us ual. At this time there seems to be no evidence of rust, Anderson said. Some warm weather but not unusually hot could make the crop grow even more rapidly than it has been in the past few weeks. Rain of last week brought from 1.25 lo 1.50 Inches in various places around the county and contributed to one of the heav iest month's precipitations for May that has ever been recorded here, Anderson said. Some ranch ers report more than 3 inches of rain in the month Part of the barley crop Is head ed out and wheat is getting ready to head out, the county agent reported. Bechtel Brothers Awarded Contract Bechtel Bros, of La Grande was awarded a contract for construc tion of the addition to the A. C. Houghton school, Irrigon, after bids were opened last Thursday by Morrow County School District R-l board of directors. The low bid was $135,287 for the project which will include a library, cafetorium, two classrooms and an office. Six bids were received on the project, and the low bid was considered by the board to be quite favorable. Bechtel Bros, constructed Unlt-A school In Heppner last year. Construction is scheduled to start early in June and com pletion is anticipated by the end of October. The addition will be wood frame with brick veneer. Heppner Auto Sales received a contract from the board for furnishing two school buses, one a 66 -passenger bus and the other 24-passenger. The larger bus is scheduled for use at Irrigon and Boardman, and the smaller one will be used at lone. It is hoped to have the buses ready for use by the time school starts In the fall. Wrangler Ride Set For Dougherty Ranch The fourth and final play day ride for the Wranglers club will be held at the Jerry Dougherty ranch Sunday, June 3. All riders who wish to ride from Heppner to the Dougherty ranch are asked to meet at the fairground barns at 9:30 a. m. Sunday morning, according to the chairman, Rod Murray.
