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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 1, 1966)
1 HEPPNER GAZETTE-TIMES. Thunder. September 1. 1966 HEPPNER THE V ' .P GAZETTE-TIMES Heppner. Oregon 97836 MORROW COONTTS NEWSPAPER The Heppner Gazette established March 30, 1SS3- The Heppner Times established November 18. 1S97. ConsoUdated February 15, 1912. NIWSAM vS ryitisHi$ VSJ association NATIONAL NEWSPAPER WESLET A. SHERMAN Editor and Publisher Office Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. until noon Saturday. HELEN E. SHERMAN Associate Publisher Monday through Friday; 9 ajn. Subscription Rates: $4.50 Year. Single Copy 10 Cents. Published Every Thursday and Entered at the Post Office at Heppner, Oregon, as Second Class Matter. Let's Make the Show Pay! Morrow county has staged a rodeo since 1922. It is the celebration highlight of the year, and apparently here to stay. Backed by funds from the fair, there Isn't as much pres sure to make it a financial success as if it were strictly on its own to make a profit or a loss. This year the rodeo had a good gate, but undoubtedly it will show a loss. Last year, it lost about $700. In a sense it is a part of the fair. The rodeo committee Is subordinate to the fair board, and the rodeo Is always at the conclusion of fair week, giving it the complexion of being the fun and entertainment event of the more serious fair. For this reason, maybe one shouldn't be concerned wheth er it makes a profit. On the other hand, there are some good reasons why it should. First, it should be a matter of civic pride. Anything worth doing should be able to carry its own weight. This show has enough stature among rodeos to be considered worthy enough to attract a gate to make it a fi nancial success. Secondly, there Is a crying need for a new grandstand. If the rodeo can show a profit. It should lessen the time that the grandstand will be a reality. If it isn't necessary to dip into fair funds to make up a deficit, this might be channeled to a new grandstand. Also any profit made might go to this purpose. Ironically, the fact that the grandstand is inconvenient and uncomfortable for spectators is probably no little factor in holding down the revenue. People don't want to sit for several hours on a hard board with no leg room and without easy access. One way that might help make the show a financial suc cess would be to examine again the "leaks" that permit many persons to see the rodeo without charge. At least 500 at the event are in the non-paying category, and probably this can not be helped. They are the contestants, the visiting courts, officials and participants. This year, each contestant was given one complimentary pass as well as his number. The number admits him to the show, and the pass goes to his wife, a relative or a friend. Many watch the show from parked cars on the hill above. It can't be assumed that all these are trying to avoid pay ing. Maybe some prefer the comfort of their cars to the hard seats in the grandstand. Perhaps If a collection were taken among them, they would contribute to the gate. Others find ways to get In without paying. Some stay on the grounds after the afternoon show and see the night show without a ticket Others come in through unpatrolled corners of the grounds. On the more positive side, perhaps some additional effort could be made to build up the gate. It is quite possible that an advance ticket sale would help. Maybe an organization, seeking funds, would push such a sale on a commission bas is. Perhaps the rodeo committee and fair board should con sider a season ticket, or even a family ticket which has proved so helpful at the Pendleton Round-Up. Another idea that might obtain cooperation from civic minded businesses would be to give rodeo tickets in promo tion of their goods a $2 rodeo ticket with the purchase of mechandise amounting to $15 or $20, for instance. The entire community has a stake in this. A new grand stand would be a great thing, not only for the fair and ro deo, but also for football games and other public events held at the grounds. The rodeo brings people to our community. It brings ad ditional revenue to the community. It advertises Morrow county and puts it on the map. As long as we stage it every year, let's make it pay its way, and let's work towards that new grandstand. We need it A Bad Passer is Dead Wrong Too many of the people In this area drive our highways as if he were the only person on the road. This is a contrib uting cause to many of the accidents we suffer in this coun ty. Since traffic is light compared to that around larger cit ies, a driver is inclined to get the idea that it is a pretty safe bet that no other car Is coming around that blind curve or that he can make a pass where visibility is limited with out getting into trouble. Our very bad accident record proves this to be dead wrong. Consider the number of accidents that have occurred with in the past year or two between the city limits and the Mol lahan corner. We can think of four within a relatively short time where occupants were either seriously Injured or the cars were domolished, or both. The accident early Saturday morning that resulted In ser ious injuries to two girls was the latest As we understand it, the auto in which the two were rid ing one driving and the other a passenger was forced off the road when another driver coming in the opposite direc tion, passed a third car into their path. There is absolutely too much of this illegal passing. Speed, too, has been a factor in the accidents on this stretch of highway, which because of its dips and curves, should be driven with the greatest of prudence. A maximum speed of 50 miles per hour in the area of the Kinzua mill and on out to the "S" curve would seem reasonable, but many drive it at much higher speeds. Unfortunately, very few citations have been issued as a result of these accidents. We think there should be a crack down on them. Too many of our people, particularly young persons, are getting seriously hurt, some with permanent in juries. When a driver will not operate his vehicle responsibly on his own volition, the law is the only recourse. Too many feel sympathetic to the violators perhaps because people live closely in a community such as ours and no one wants to make trouble for the other. But the penalty is high. When the driver who does not operate his vehicle under the prescribed rules of the road can go free, he has little deterrent from causing accidents at some future date. But it Isn't only the wanton driver that might cause troub le. Because our highways are crooked and wavy, and because there is a long distance between points, there is a tempta tion for any driver in a hurry to "straighten them out," drift to the wrong side of the road or cut a comer. While the two girls spend long hours in the hospital and Note to Subscribers In Portland Area: During the past two weeks, the Gaiette-Tinies has receiv ed letters from several sub scribers In the Potland-Van-couver area statinq that their papers have been reaching them as late as Wednesday iollowing publication. Papers are dispatched to all points from Heppner at the same time and leave the local post oflice in the mail depart ing Thursday evening. A check with Postmaster James Drlscoll confirms that they are packaged properly and sorted according to post office re quirements under the Zip Code system. The postmaster has check ad with Pendleton and be lieves they are promptly rout ed from that point He is now working with the Portland post office to determine it a delay is being encountered In distribution there. Since there have been sim ilar reports from at least six subscribers, the condition may be general to all Portland area subscribers. The Gaxette Times has a long list In Port land. The publishers, in coopera tion with Postmaster DriscolL will continue working to de termine what the trouble may b. They appreciate any re ports that will keep them posted on the type of service being received. The recent let ters state that the delay in service now being experienced has been noticed for about the past three months. The publishers are anxious to see that papers are distrib uted promptly and are glad that subscribers value their papers enough to be concern ed about the delay. Gene Heliker left Sunday for Salem to participate in activi ties of "freshmen week" at Wil lamette University. The first part of the week will be fresh men camp at Silver Creek Falls, and registration will start Sept ember 1. His college address will be Room 207. Mathews Hall, Willamette University, Salem. Chaff and Chatter Wes Sherman CONGRESSMAN Bub Duncan proved a friendly ami chatty sublect when we asked to take his picture on Al Hunch's horse prior to the start of the rodeo parade. While we stepped back to net the camera in focus, he said. "You know why news photo graphers alwavs take two pic tures of a politician?" "No," said we. They're afraid the first one won't be bad enough." he said with his broad Erin. The picture printed In this pa per is the first of two we took of Cong. Duncan. The reader can judge for himself. it occurs to us that it would be pretty hard to take a bad picture of Bob Duncan. His con genial manner, broad smile, dir ect approach and obligating manner make him a photopen ic subject. TAD MILLER almost bounced when he hit the ground at the rodeo Saturday afternoon in a fall from his horse dur I n g Morrow eountv amateur call roping. His saddle slipped as he was galloping towards his calf, Intent on roping the animal. Everyone in the stands groan ed for him when he hit. The end of his lariat seemed to be tang led around his neck, and as he lav on the ground, the onlook ers too far away to help were fearful his horse would take off and drag him. But Tad got up In a few moments, then fell down again. Indicating that he was in a little worse shape than he thought. In a minute or so, assistance came, and he was out of troub le. But the doctor grounded him for the rest of the rodeo and In sisted that he go home Satur day night, instead of staying for the evening show. Tad, who had done such an admirable job in directing prep arations for the rodeo as com mittee chairman, should have had one of the awards for "hard are confined for months In casts during their recovery per iod when they should be continuing their educations as they intended, the rest of us might remember that when we go out on the highways, other people are using the roads, too. We can very well stay where we belong on the highway on the right side and not pass unless It is done legally with the oncoming lane free and unobstructed. Anyone who doesn't Is a potential killer. Down But Not Out With the circuit court decision, ruled in Marion county early this week, that the 1H property tax limitation meas ure doesn't have enough signatures to be placef on the bal lot, it could be that the Initiative is dead. It seems quite clear, though, that if the state Supreme Court doesn't reverse the decision, the ghost of the measure will rise to haunt us. All the persons who worked so hard to get the signatures, and all the signers who supported it, cannot help but feel some bitterness. It still can have repercussions on the election as the thwart ed proponents of the measure vent some wrath on the can didates. One of the prime targets Is Secretary of State Tom McCall, who is pretty much an Innocent victim of the dilem ma concerning the matter. Most of the major candidates in both parties In the state have expressed themselves opposed to the 1H limitation, but they felt that the voters should have the right to express themselves. So, while It Is possible there could be some sec ret satisfaction In seeing this rebuff by the court, most of them are probably genuinely sorry that It will not be on the ballot. Reason for this is that while the measure may be knock ed out on a technicality, the strong feeling still remains among the proponents. Being frustrated In their well-organ ized and efficient attempt to get the matter on the ballot could only react to Intensify their feelings. Had the matter come to a vote, it could have been settled. If it passed, the entire state would have to face up to the dilemma in which it certainly would have placed itself. Had it failed, the opponents could say that reason prevailed, and the proponents would have to accept the defeat Secretary McCall Is In trouble because he used the total vote for an uncontested judicial candidate in establishing the number of petitioners necessary to get the measure on the ballot. This was the same yardstick as had been used for prior initiatives and indicates to reasoning people that he act ed in good faith and with the best information immediately at his command. However, the court takes the position that the total vote in a contested judicial race on the same ballot should be the yardstick for the number of signatures necessary. Since the signatures obtained by the deadline is short of this number, the measure is ruled off. It Is quite possible that the Supreme Court may reverse the lower court, but at this time, this seems doubtful. If it doesn't get on the ballot, the legislature must real ize the dire necessity of getting busy at the upcoming ses sion to relieve the burden on property tax. II this Isn't done, it is sure that there will be another initiative petition and it will have an abundance of signatures. School districts and other taxing agencies that would lose considerable revenue if the 1 measure became law might be greatly relieved at this court decision, but the ghost of the measure will remain until substantial property tax relief be comes a reality. We share tie feelings expressed by Rep. Irvln Mann and others who are very much opposed to the l'4 limitation but who believe that it would be far better that it come to a vote of the people. If the opponents couldn't put over their case against it and marshal enough strength to defeat it the will of the majority should prevail. Some interesting thoughts on the matter come to mind now that the measure is at least temporarily thwarted. It is quite likely that the final Supreme Court ruling will not be made in time to meet the printers' deadline on the state vot ing pamphlets. Should arguments be included in the book lets or left out? Also, opponents now undoubtedly will relax their efforts towards defeating the measure. What happens, then, if the Supreme Court reverses the decision at a later time? There would be a scramble to get re organized and get out infor mation against it. Those convinced that the measure is a poor step should be prepared for this contingency. Finally, it appears that this delay on the Supreme Court hearing might put county clerks on the spot, trying to get their pre-election work organized but perhaps being held up on the final decision not to mention the printers (like us) who have to get the ballots off the presses in time for pre election deadlines! luck cowboy," but lie wouldn't have accepted it If others had Insisted he receive It. He was competing In the calf roping In the same manner no had participated in preparing II,,. show with all his ener gies. We felt quite disappoint ed for him that tie could not be out on the field Sunday dir ecttng the event when he hail put so much Into It. But Jerry Dougherty, another director, came through and did an excellent Job as arena dir ector. Everyone was glad that Tad wasn't more seriously hurt, and all feel the same way about Becky Kulleton, Bruce Noble anil Sue Ellen Greenup, alt of whom were other rodeo casualties. Their efforts showed the spirit and keen competition of the show. ONE FEATURE in the Sunday afternoon show wasn't listed on the program, but It captured the enthusiasm of the crowd. It was the Impromptu perform ance of Blowsnake who quick ly disposed of cowboy Mike Walker In the second section of bareback riding. Then the Northwest Rodeo as soeiation's Bareback Horse of the Year went into his act. He romped around the arena and out galloped his pursuers. When they got close to him. he would cut away and outwit them. Blowsnake gave a beautiful demonstration of grace and fire before they finally ganged up on him and got the beautiful animal back Into the holding pens. But he stopped the show for nearly 10 minutes and the crowd loved It. ONE OF THE sidelights of the rodeo that we enjoy greatly is watching the work of the pickup men. a we have written before. They ride as hard as the performers and keep right at It through the show. It U amaz ing how they grab riders, pull ing leather, off a bronc or a bareback horse. At this show, Norm Durfy. Frank Johnson and Jack MeCartv did the pickup duties. We also noticed Howard Johnson was working at It, too. Howard Is the stock contractor. ONE COMMENT heard at the parade from a Ileppnerlte: "I'm real proud of lone. They have done a great Job in this parade." How true. The lone Rainbow Girls' float. "The Wizard of Oz." was a very good one that took a lot of work and effort, and Director Arnle Hedman had his lone High school band high stepping and playing as If they had been practicing for months. Again, the neighbors from Hermiston. Condon, and Pen dleton came through with beau tiful floats to contribute to the success of the parade. IT WAS good to see Jack and Fran Locke back for the ro deo. They were on vacation from his position with First National Bank at t.rcsham and came home" for the event. Jack served as secretary for the ro deo last year, and before the week-end was over, he and Fran pitched In to help John and Uista Venard. That matter of being rodeo secretary Is a whale of a Job When 200 cowboys come to en ter a dozen different events In all kinds of combinations and making all kinds of requests, it gels to be enough to drive man out or his mind. Had to reel proud of the way John Ven ard stood up under fire in his nrst year in the position. kenna imltn. fa r secretary Just got through with the hus tle and bustle of fair and then pitched in after rodeo to writ checks for the winners and help ciean minus up. we could hard ly nave a fair and rodeo with out Lenna, and no matter how nectle it gets, she a wavs keens a cool head and flashes a warm smiie. : Back to Jack and Fran jaeVe- They like Heppner the most. and they are still here in spir- ii. coaiem uregon is lor them. THIS WEEK the Gazette-Times is in the back-to-school bust ness after being in the fair and rodeo business last week in L .h.. .iw.t T y . ... . - :sm t IF.,- 1 , f --" I- , - . V tiiiiirthWirntii-Titi umini- - - . MMMM1II,1MMMI READY for the Labor Day water ski show at McNary Yacht club is this trio, shown poiformlna on hydralolls. Jackie Howton stands on the shoulders of Tom Helmblqner (left) and frank Halvorsen (right). All have been outstanding in water skiing achievements in many different shows. (Lyons Photo). Annual Water Show Due Monday At Yacht Club Annual water ski show of MeNarv Ynclit club will be at 2 p m. on Monday (Iibor Day), near Hat Rock on the Colum bia River. As UMinl, the show Is presented as a community service at no admission charge. Because of the unique, diffi cult and often dangerous acts performed, the McNary acht club show Ls well known and publicized throughout boating and skiing organizations as one of the top shows In the nation. This year the skiers have added many more spectacular stunts. They will start the show with an 11 -man pyramid on single skies. Then two daredev ils on kites will do crossumiers behind the same boat. Seven teen skiers behind the same boat while three go over the lump and Mark Halvorsen of lone, cuts underneath will be the next act. Tom Helmblgner, also of lone, will do many novel stunts, us ually with pretty girls partici pating. His newest is a double carry In which twin girls do an angel stand and layback at the same time. This probably has never been done anywhere before. Joe and Frank Halvorsen will perform many difficult nets. rrank has become outstanding on hydrnfolLs. These four young men will be Involved In the barefoot acts. As many as five skiers have done this act behind one boat at the same time. Some of the best of the na tion's freat lumpers will show you how It looks when Jump ing 120 feet as Bill Jeppe and Mark Halvorsen stane u dis tance contest and Tom Helm blgner tries to find time to get Into the act. Steve Llndstrom and Gary Helmblgner will team as an nouncers to keep the public In formed. Both of these young college men have had ctmMder- able experience on the mike In their respective school careers. Souvenir picture progra m s, feuturlng most of the acts, wilt be available at a very reason able cost Ray Helmblgner, show direct or, has extended an invitation to the public. 'We Invite our many menus of the area to spend the day as guests of McNary Yacht club," he said. "If you don't feel like packing a picnic lunch, there will be a concession stand serv ing food until one o cluck. Helmblgner also will tow munt of the acts for the show. Laxry Hotliday and a irteod, Arthur Hall, were visitors dur ing the week end at the home of Larry's grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. A. u. neper. !. COMMUNITY BILLBOARD the commercial printing portion ot the business, we mean. The crew is getting out stu dent handbooks that will be new In all schools this year. We can't help but comment that they are very fine little books that will give a lot of very help ful Information not only to stu dents, but to parents as well. All the school rules and reg ulations, many of the district policies, athletic schedules, school calendar, subjects offer ed and much other data are In cluded In the books. Principals In the various schools compiled them, although Heppner High's will not he a printed book but will be mimeographed. Principal Dick Carpenter wants the students to assist In formu lating school rules and Heppner High will get by with a mim eographed handbook this year, after which It probably will have a printed booklet, too. In view of the feeling last year that school communica tions needed to be Improved, these handbooks should be re ceived gratefully for they sure ly will improve communications. Coming Events LABOR DAY WATER SKI SHOW McNary Yacht Club, Hat Rock Park Monday. Sept. 5, 2:00 p m. Always good exciting shov. OPENING OF SCHOOLS All Morrow County Schools. Tuesday, Sept. 6. 8:45 a.m. Heppner High Special Assem bly, 8:35 a m. Registration following. GOLDEN AGE CLUB Tuesday, Sept. 13, 7:00 p.m. Episcopal Parish Hall, pot luck and entertainment HEPPNER SWIMMING POOL Last day of swimming, Sun day, Sept. 4, 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. SPONSORED AS A PUBLIC SEJIVICE BY C. A. RUGGLES Insurance Agency F. a Bm 14? PH. m-MU Y 19 ANNOUNCING the OPENING - Rene's Beauty Shop - On Tuesday, September 6 At 3G0 Aiken Street HOURS: TUESDAY through FRIDAY, 9:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. CALL 676-5393 FOR APPOINTMENT LATEST HAIR STYLING. MRS. RENE TOLL, HAIR CUTTING, PERMANENTS, nwxro ivn wmrLLiii nAin v-juie. OPERATOR A
