HEPPNER GAZETTE-TIMES. Thursday. March 7. I6I
HEPPNER
"TOP
THE f
GAZETTE-TIMES
Hppnr, Otaoa 97SM
rbeM C76-822
MORHOW COUJnXS MEWSPAPES
Tfc. Ilonnncr Gazette established March 30. 1SS3.
Timet established rovemoer 10,
1912.
The Heppner
Consolidated February 15,
NIWIPAPII
PUIlltHIII
ASSOCIATION
NATIONAL NIWSPAMt
WES LET A. SHEBKAW
HELEN E. SHEEMAJt
EDITOR AKO FOTUSHEB
A5500ATE PC1USHEB
ARNOLD RAYMOND
Shop Foreman
Printer
CAIL BURKENBIN'E
Society
Circulation
cKrintinn P.it- i v Year. Slr.cle Copv 10 Cents. Published
Every Thursday and Entered at the Post Office at Heppner, Oregon,
as becona Class aianer.
Office Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m-, Monday through Friday; 9 a.m.
until noon Saturday.
REGGIE PASCAL
Linotype Operator
RANDY STILLMAN
Apprentice
JIM SHERMAN
Pressman
Prayer Breakfast
Response at the Mayor's Prayer Breakfast here Friday was
gratifying. This was trie first time such an event was held
in Heppner. and Mayor W. C. Rosewall was host with the
Morrow County Jaycees as sponsors.
Because of limited space available, It was by Invitation
only. Most of those invited made It a point to come, and
additional places had to be set to accommodate the crowd.
It is a good sign when those In places of prominence
recognize the need for prayer today and when they sincerely
believe In the power of prayer.
Too often our leaders have manifested a pseudo religion.
They have been too Inclined to give lip service without truly
espousing Christianity.
Some of our community leaders, In conversation at the
breakfast, expressed the desire that such events be held morf
often.
While the world founders In a quagmire of problems and
our leaders are bewildered and confused In their search for
answers, the solution could be quite simple If mankind
would truly accept the teachings of Jesus Christ and follow
Him.
As we read the other day, at the root of every social
disease that infects the world war, race prejudice, poverty,
drug addiction, crime and others is human sin, pride, greed,
avarice, lust, laziness, selfishness, jealousy, envy, and malice.
This article said, 'The gospel of Christ Is the only rem
edy . . . and . . . like any medicine, It must be taken to
work."
If mankind recognized this, If our leaders believe and
follow this, then some real progress will be made on the
world's problems.
When our local leaaders acknowledge the power of prayer
and publicly declare that a Higher Power is needed for guid
ance, it Is a significant start.
John Day: Winners in Losing
Grant Union's Prospectors lost the district tournament to
Heppner Saturday night in La Grande, but in our book, they
won while losing.
Picture the conditions that set the stage for the Pros
pectors In the tournament: They had gone for a long time
undefeated, but eventually lost a pair of games in late sea
son. However, they had ranked consistently high in polls, fin
ishing the regular season in fourth spot in the state. They
still have one of the best win-loss records among Oregon
high schools at 21-3. They went into the tournament with a
20-2 record while Heppner had only a 14-8 mark. The Pros
pectors could floor a lineup that boasted more than a 6-footer
in every position, and some of them like Dave Dicker, Chris
Labhart, Mike Lenz and Bill Deist are crackerjack ball play
ers. This looked like a real dream year for John Day, and no
wonder hundreds of the Grant county community came to
La Grande with the thought that they were going to state.
They had a confident and spirited attitude; they wore little
lapel ribbons boosting their team; their sparkling band was
peppy; their cheerleaders optimistic and lively.
A week before tournament, bad news hit them when Lab
hart was stricken with appendicitis. But he was suited up
Friday night even though he had been in surgery only a
week before. He performed admirably during the time he
was allowed in the ball game. Anyone not knowing that he
had undergone the appendectomy would have found nothing
in his play to Indicate any deficiency. Those who did know
it as most did had to marvel at his fortitude.
When the Heppner Mustangs edged ahead of the Pros
pectors in the second half of the game, the dismay in the
faces of the John Day crowd across the way was apparent.
Probably many already had made reservations at Coos Bay.
Some of them looked crushed.
When it was all over, and the Mustangs had earned their
victory, there were no sour grapes from the John Day side;
there were no boos; no hard words evident on the floor.
The Prospector team proved itself composed of big men
In more than size when its members were first to come to
the Heppner players and congratulate them sincerely. This
took some real doing from kids who must have been heart
broken inside.
Then from the John Day stands, while presentations were
taking the attention on the floor, came a rousing organized
cheer for the Heppner Mustangs. Out of the throes of stunn
ing defeat, this was a gallant, noble and appreciated gesture.
Had the sponsoring Optimists' club sportsmanship trophy
been awarded on conduct at the tournament itself, it would
be pretty certain that the Heppner team and supporters would
have overwhelmingly been for John Day. The finest gestures
of sportsmanship came after the voting had been done for
the trophy, and this makes them all the more meaningful.
Heppner fans had many thrills In the district tournament,
but the cheer from the John Day side after the Prospector's
defeat, was one of the greatest.
There have been some rather close ties between the John
Day and Heppner teams. Labhart, once having lived in Hepp
ner, Is almost considered a home town boy. We join the Pros
pectors in feeling a little disappointed that he won't get a
chance to play in the state tournament. There are some good
friendships between Mustang and Prospector players.
Heppner fans know the feeling that comes from follow
ing its favored team, only to see hopes dashed. So there is
some sincere sympathy to the John Day folks.
We're sure that Wahtonka deserved the sportsmanship
trophy from the Optimists on their conduct through the days
in the tournament, both in and out of the gymnasium. When
one looks back, sportsmanship was outstanding through the
event. Not one technical foul was called; there were no scuf
fles on the floor; few boos were hoard.
The Optimists are to be congratulated for the manner in
which they sponsored the district tournament. They have
learned to have more seating available and promise it for next
year!
But aside from the admiration for the performance of the
Heppner team, the noblest part of the tournament was the
sportsmanship displayed by John Day.
Perhaps it is little consolation, but it may be pointed
out that in a sense John Day didn't lose. The team and com
munity won respect and appreciation for their sportsmanship.
Mustangs: Aroused Giants
After the Heppner High basketball team "came alive"
when they had an 0 2 record In league play. It became In
creasingly apparent that the Mustang would be a contender
for the western division Greater Oregon champion.shlp and
would furnUh strong opposition In the district tournament.
But their achievement of winning the district tournament
verges almost on the fantastic In view of tho eight losses
against them on their total season's record. Watching them
at La Grande Saturday night, one would scarcely believe,
for Instance, that early In the season the same team had drop
ped a game to DcSales of Walla Walla by nearly 30 point,
had lost to Wuhtonka at The Dalles and had taken two on the
thin from Condon.
A few years back the Mustangs had a club that seemed
to deserve the title of "Cinderella Team." Some would call
this year's team by the same title. But this doesn't fit f r
when the season opened It was apparent that there was con
siderable talent on the team. They didn't come out of no
where like some of the Heppner teams In the past
Others think they should be called the "Giant Killers'
because they have knocked over the big ones. But again, they
should have been equal to the "giants" all along for the
ability was there.
Bob Dobbs, In a recent sports story, referred to them a
the "Sleeping Giants" and this would seem a more accurate
nickname. They did seem to be sleeping through some of the
early games, but when they were aroused In mid-season, they
proved to be giants In spirit and court wizardry. Indeed, al
though they cannot be classed as giants In stature. Russ
Kilkenny and Bub Dobbs, both at 6-4, are the only big men
on the squad.
At the District tournament, though, they were truly arous
ed giants, leveling the lofty Prospectors of Grant Union and
proving more than a match for the perennial contenders, the
Vikings of Vale.
Probably tho finest achievement for the team Is the man
ner in which the boys proved themselves after being kicked
around In early season. It was the spirit that said, "We're
not going to continue to take such beatings."
And from that point they started clicking, knitted them
selves together, knocked over the opposition by an average of
better than 2j points per game, and kept their aplomb to go
through the district tournament in high gear.
It Isn't often these days that a high school team goes to
state tournament with eight losses against it. But these arous
ed giants have truly earned the right and deserve the berth
they have won.
Perhaps other coaches and schools will look at the Hepp
ner record and think that this will be the easy one. If they
do, this will be their mistake for they don't know these
aroused giants!
Reaching a peak late In the season puts a team in a
favorable spot. Not only are they ready and raring to go, but
they have a better psychological advantage, since they haven't
been hexed by high ratings in the polls and singled out as
the "team to beat."
Coach Bob Clough believes his Mustangs will be real con
tenders at Coos Bay, and every evidence points to the fact
that they will make a good showing.
The community is immeasurably proud of the Heppner
Hish team, the performance of the kids, the work of the
coaches, and the great spirit displayed in turning a losing
season into a winning one.
These aroused giants may still have a few surprises up
their sleeves when they perform at Coos Bay. Those who can
not follow them and support the boys in person extend their
heartiest best wishes for a fine tournament They want the
whole state to know that Morrow county is proud of the
Mustangs.
The Rhyming Philosopher
DECISIONS
YOU'RE A NORMAL SOUL. SO YOU MEDITATE
ON THE VICES AND VIRTUES OK MEN;
ON WHAT CAN BK DOSE, AND WHAT CAN JUST WAIT,
Oil THE TASKS YOU MUST TACKLE AGAIN.
NONE OTHER THAN YOU MAY DECIDE WHERE OR
WHEN
SINCE THE PROBLEM IS YOURS ALL ALONE,
SO THAT IS THE TIME TO WITHDRAW THERE AND
THEN
JUST TO THINK IT ALL OUT ON YOUR OWN.
YOU LOOK AT THE TREES AND GLANCE AT THE SKY
AND YOU'LL SIT WITH YOUR HEAD IN YOUR HAND,
AND YOU'LL ASK YOURSELF A THOUSAND TIMES, WHY
THESE SOLUTIONS DON'T COME ON DEMAND.
STILL NO OTHER PERSON CAN QUITE UNDERSTAND,
THOUGH YOU GNAW AT IT DOWN TO THE BONE;
WHEN THINGS DONT DEVELOP THE WAY YOU HAD
PLANNED
YOU MUST THINK IT OUT ALL ON YOUR OWN.
IN THIS CHALLENGING WORLD WITH ITS NEEDS TO
MEET,
THE QUESTION YOU FACE IS AVOIDING DEFEAT,
AND NO BETTER ANSWER HAS EVER BEEN KNOWN
THAN SIMPLY TO FIGURE IT OUT ON YOUR OWN.
HARRY W. FLETCHER
Grange Plans Supper
Families and friends of the
Rhea Creek Grange are Invited
to attend the pancake and ham
sunner on Saturdav. March 16,
at 6:30 p.m. at the grange hall,
with tickets priced at $1.25 for
adults and 50c for children.
Those attending are invited to
stay for a free card party fol
lowing the meal.
Activities of Dad's Week-end
at Oreeon State University on
Friday and Saturday were en
joyed by several local fathers.
Among those spending the
week-end with sons or daugh
ters at the university were Frank
Anderson, Phil Mahoney, Harlan
MeCurdy, Don Evans, and Bob
DeSpain of Arlington. Parents
enjoyed the two basketball
thrillers when OSU played the
University of Washington ana
Washington State University on
Friday ana baturaay nignis.
Chaff and Chatter
Wes Sherman
WE FEEL sort of sorry for any
of our readers who don't en
joy the game of basketball. In
the exuitance tnis ween oi nep
pner winning the district tourna
ment, the paper is pretty full of
basketball, but we'll try io in
clude enough other news to
make this issue of some interest
to all!
Those who do not follow bas
ketball cannot experience the
great delight in the district
tournament championship of the
Heppner Mustangs. Nor can they
feel the hurt of defeat that the
lone Cardinals suffered in their
close losses In the Class B
tournament at Pendleton last
week.
But perhaps if you aren't a
fan, you can sympathize with
those who are. The spirit of joy
around here has become almost
hysteria this week, and surely
there must be some contagion
in it!
WE CAN'T HELP but devote
this column to basketball, so,
if you are not a fan, you prob
ably better read no farther.
In reflecting on the A-2 dis
trict tournament we'd have to
pick Russ Kilkenny as the hard
luck guy. We don't think the
Mustangs would be bound for
the state tournament next week
without him, for he performed
very well indeed at La Grande.
In the Grant Union game,
Russ made at least four field
eoals that didn't count. It seem
ed that every time he scored,
he was fouled in the process.
and the officials (who inciden
tally did a creditable job in the
tourney) disallowed the baskets
on the theory that the lnirac
tions came before the shots.
But sometimes that is pretty
hard to call, and some of us
"experts" along the sidelines
thought that some of the bas
kets should have counted.
Unfortunately, the big man
for the Mustangs wasn't having
a great night on the free throw
line, so he finished with only
eight points on the one field
goal that did count, and six free
throws.
Russ must have set a tourn
ament record for the number of
field goals that were nullified
bv fouls! But if we read the sta
tfsties charts right, Kilkenny
picked off 17 rebounds against
Grant. This is a pretty fine per
formance against these Tall Firs.
for 14 points. Three of Jon's
buckets came in the first quarter.
This was quite significant be
cause Heppner was obviously competitor.
six points from the floor was a
"heroes" from the unsung ranks
Watch these fellows Randy
Stillman, Larry Pettyjohn, Steve
Pettyjohn, Jerry Heaiy and rai
Kilkenny. Their chances may
come at state when they are
sliDDed in durine a tight spot
They all have the goods and
thev are an important to me
Mustangs.
m m w
WHEN THE VALE game was
over, it was the end of an
'era" for Heppner-in one way.
It was the last time that Rick
Johnson will be dynamite for
them. This should call for some
sort of celebration in the Mor
row county seat, partly as a tri
bute to this tremendous little
This Johnson scored 28 against
decided boost for the Mustangs Heppner in the district tourna-
and really got them rolling. He ,men a f", Jw
Droved to be sort of the .Ice knocked the Mustangs out when
d villi LbHe.f 6 they had every hope of going to
ONE THING that is often not
iced in tournaments: The un
heralded fellow often comes
through to sparkle and has a
moment of glory.
In the Vale game Friday, there
were two.
Jon O'Donnell, a steadv, solid
player came through with his
tinest game of the year. He hit
breaker for Heppner.
If the Viks had taken much of
an edge in that first quarter, the
game story might have been dif
ferent. So this was Jon's big
night of the season.
THE SECOND fellow deserving
of an unsung hero award is
Bob Dobbs. Remember the scene?
With 45 seconds to play in the
first half against Vale, the Viks
nad taken a 32-26 lead, 'mis was
the point that they threatened
to break the game open. It was
a crucial spot for Heppner.
Dobbs had just reported in the
game as a reserve.
He got his hands on the ban
under the Heppner bucket and
used his 6-4 frame to score a tip-
in. Fouled in the process, he
calmly sank the free throw. This
brought Heppner to 29-32. A
short time later John McCabe
scored to bring it to 31-32 at
halftime. Heppner only trailed
bv one. but if those three points
of Dobbs' had been scored by a
Viking, the lead would have
been nine.
Later in the contest Dobbs
scored another field goal, giving
him five points for the night in
the short time he was in there.
In our book, that was worth a
lot of bench riding through the
season.
WE'RE NOT overlooking the
boys who played outstanding
ball through the tournament.
Bill McLeod sparkled all the
way. He led the Mustangs in
scoring with 35, and he zeroed
in at the crucial times. Those
shots from the baseline were
deadly. Wee Willie surprises
everyone with how he gets up
to pull rebounds.
John McCabe, the sophomore
of the team, was second in point
total for the Mustangs with 30,
15 each night. A sophomore who
performs like John is oouna to
bolster the club, and he was
great.
Kilkenny was third in scoring,
with 23, and Dave Hall follow
ed with 19. In going back over
the tournament statistics, we
note that time and again Dave
made a key feed to a team
mate for scores. His teamwork
paid off for the Mustangs.
Everyone on the traveling
squad got to play for the Mus
tangs, and everyone is import
ant Calvin Ashbeck came in to
score two beautilul twisting
jumpers against Vale-
The state tournament could
five goals and four free throws possibly bring out some more
state. With his 24 this year, that's
52 in the two tourneys.
And in rooDan in me iau oi
1967 Johnson led the Vikings
to a 36-0 win over Heppner for
the district grid title. Rick pass
ed for three touchdowns and ran
over another.
This year's district basketball
was sort or an avenging game
for the Mustangs, but it was no
fault of the 5-8 guard tnat tne
Mustangs won. His 24 points
were respectable enough. He just
failed to blast Heppner off the
court this time.
Rick Johnson may look for
ward to commencement exercises
at Vale this year, but it is a tri
bute to him that Heppner High
will be happier than he is when
that great day comes!
ONE FINAL tournament tribute
should go to Dave Dieker of
Grant Union. He proved every
bit as good as he was heralded
in the Wahtonka game, scoring
24 against the Eagles.
Heppner's defense was geared
to stop him, with one man com
ing out of a zone to sag on him
a great job by Bill McLeod, by
the way and he was held to
Dieker seemed to be the most
disappointed in losing and prob
ably felt he had not performed
to his best. But that man was
really defensed in this game. He
is still just a junior, and so he
has another year of high school
competition.
WRAPPING UP the tournament
with a few miscellaneous com
ments: Heppner's Pep Band,
small in number did a real fine
job and the school and commun
ity should appreciate xne worn
of these kids who refused to see
the school go by default in this
department. We heard many
pood compliments about them-
Mrs. Arnie Hedman and some of
the band players' mothers did a
lot of work getting those blue
vests made, and they looked very
nice.
Rally girls did an exceptional
job and got some good publicity
in La Grande for it.
The crowd was so large that
latecomers couldn't find a place
to sit Saturday night. Even the
Pep band had a bad time find
ing a spot to roost.
Late in the game with Grant
Union, someone knew that Hepp
ner had the game sewed up far
cello bags of confetti started
going through the crowd to be
readv for the final whistle. 1
Welsh Story Pictures
Author's Background
Mrs. Gene Ferguson entertain'
ed members of the Bookworms
club with a review of the book,
a weisn Mory, by Joyce Var
ney, at their recent meeting,
held Tuesday, February 27, at
the home of Mrs. Virginia Turn
er. The story reviewed Is an au
tobiographical story of the auth
or's childhood, and tells of
where she lived while growing
up in a mining town in Wales
while living with her grandpar
ents. Time of the story is be
tween the first and second
world wars and tells of her go
ing to work at age 14 as a ser
vant for the same family, whose
ancestors had employed her an
cestors for hundreds of years.
The author is now living In
New Hampshire with her two
sons.
Mrs. Cornett Green, president,
conducted the evening's busi
ness meeting for the 11 mem
bers present
Mrs. Turner was assisted dur
ing the evening by co-hostess,
Mrs. Don Turner.
Lodge Makes First
Plans for Convention
Plans to attend a state con-
i ventlnn of the Degree of Honor
Protective Association were In
the making at the February 27
meeting of tho croup.
Mrs. Clara Gertson spoke to
the lodge members urging them
! to memorize their parts for the
convention and to make every
effort to attend. Mrs. Gertson U
; national treasurer for the De
cree of Honor and Is also a
, state director.
The convention will be held
'April 21-25 at the Cosmopolitan
: Motor Hotel In Portland.
President Ardith Hunt made
suggestions to the club that
members be divided Into two
groups for a contest In memor
izing parts and working on
membership, to encourage non
active members to participate
more regularly.
Two teams have been organ
ized for this, with Mrs. Lincoln
Nash and Mrs. Mary Bryant as
captains. They will be assisted
bv Mrs. Earl Soward.
Mrs. BUI Farra has requested
that members who have been
saving Flavor Pac labels to
please turn them In. Anyone
wishing to assist with this pro
tect will be appreciated.
Lodge members are making
plans to conduct a white ele
phant auction at the March li
meeting. Proceeds from this fund
raising affair will be used to
help with convention expenses.
A humorous "Who's Who"
guessing contest provided much
fun during the evening, with
members bringing baby pictures
of themselves.
Mrs. Lucille Parrlsh and Mrs.
Alice McCabe provided refresh
ments for the lodge members
and Mrs. Ed La Trace was the
recipient of the door prize.
Names of two lodge members
who attended the State Degree
of Honor convention held recent
ly were Mrs. Adolph Majeske
and Mrs Ron Haguewood.
Are vou moving? Subscribers
are reminded to notify The Gazette-Times
of new addresses,
and please include your old address.
) COMMUNITY U
BILLBOARD Jl
Pioneer
it rilWFTW-A' ft"
E e iJ
Ponderings
By w. s. caverhill
1968 Leap Tear)
So far this year has evoked
little interest or activity on the
part of the ladies who should
be exercising the tree hunting
license that is given them every
four years.
I wonder why? Could it be
that they have already made a
kill, or have thev forgotten their
established privilege?
In the years past, Leap Year
was something the gals looked
forward to. Early in December
of the year previous feminine
hearts would begin to flutter in
anticipation of the time when
they could declare their love for
the man of their choice without
embarrassment.
I cannot understand the pres
ent lack of activity. Perhaps in
this modern age they have al
ready put the question, or they
may have put their questions
through a UNIVAC machine, and
the answer came out "No"
Maybe the gals are marking
time until the wiley bachelors
come out of the bushes, and
then overcome them in a mass
rush.
Whatever happens, Leap Year
isn't what it used to be alone
the Road South.
Coming Events
STATE A-2 BASKETBALL
TOURNAMENT
Monday - Wednesday, March
11-13
Coos Bay Gymnasium
Heppner vs. Rogue River,
Monday, March 11, 8:45
p.m.
Broadcast locally over TV
Channel 3 and Radio Sta
tion KUMA
HHS Pep Club Food Sales,
Thursday and Saturday,
central Market
Drill Teams Car wash, Sat.,
10-4', Richfield Station, $2.00
and $.du
ELKS INITIATION
Thursday, March 7, 8 p.m.
Ladies Night Dinner, 6:30
pm.
Noodle Feed, Sunday, March
lu, 4-y p.m., $1.00 person
GRANGE SUPPER & PARTY
Saturday, March 16, 6:30 p.m.
Pancake and ham supper,
$1.25 and 50c
Free evenlner of cards
Public invited
4-H LEADERS MEETING
4-H Clothing Leaders training
session
Friday, March 8, 10 a.m.
Lexington School
HIGH SCHOOL PLAY
"Arsenic and Old Lace." 3
act olav
Friday, Saturday, March 22
23, 8 p.m.
High School Multipurpose
Room
SPONSORED AS A PUBLIC
SERVICE BY
C. A. RUGGLES
Insurance Agency
O. Box 247 PH. 676-9625
Heppner
-:lSlEK BBILLIANT
JLAI
COL
OR)
IK
IN
EVERY
ROOM
At the new SALEM
745-785 Commercial S.E. Phone: 503 363-2451
RESTAURANT WITH S4-HOtm COFFEE SHOP