Heppner, Ore., Gazette-Times, Thursday, June 6, 1974
After 25 years
Page 5
Kindergarten becomes :a. 'part of school system
By LIZ CURTIS
An era ended with a hop,
skip and a Jump Thursday,
May 30.
The Heppner Community
Kindergarten became history
after 25 years in operation as
49 boys and girls received
certificates of graduation at
their picnic at the fairgrounds.
Next fall, kindergartens in
Morrow County will become a
part of the school system. The
years of bake sales, chili
feeds, rummage sales and
campaigning to put kinder
garten in the school system
are over for parents of
5-year-old children.
Heppner can be proud of its
kindergarten, which has been
paid for by tuition and hard
work on the part of many
parents. Rachel Dick was the
main force behind the or
ganization of the kindergarten
in 1949. The Jaycee-Ettes, of
which Rachel was president,
organized the kindergarten. It
was housed in the old Civic
Center Building on the old
fairgrounds where the library
and museum now stand. The
Jaycees pitched in to help
ready the building.
An Aug. 15, 1949 edition of
the Heppner Gazette-Times
announced, "Mrs. Dick
Meador and 19 youngsters
hold forth at the Civic Center
each school afternoon from 1
until 3 p.m. The Jaycee-Ettes
are still hopeful that the
enrollment will reach 25
before too many days. A
restroom has been installed
for the little people and they
are quite comfortably housed,
with plenty of equipment to
handle 25 children. Glowing
accounts come from all con
cerned." Much of the equipment had
been donated by Margaret
Cason. who some will remem
ber as having taught school at
Madison Butie. Her daughter,
Betty Frickardt. was on the
kindergarten board.
Inez Meador recalls she had
made the statement that she
would like to teach the
kindergarten, so she was
offered the job. She only
wanted enough money to pay
the babysitter. She remem
bers'her surprise when she
was given her first month's
Bike Marathon raises
-1,000 for Red Cross
Sixteen adventurous bike
riders, aged 10 to 60. pedalled
2t miles to garner more than
St. 000 for the Morrow County
Red Cross chapter last Sat
urday. Atop bikes of all descrip
tions, riders started at
Wright's Country Store in
Ruggs. rode cross-country
down Rhea Creek Road, and
after taking occasional rest
stops and water breaks at
checkpoints, ended at lone
City Park.
The supervised ride en
countered no traffic problems
due to the cooperation of the
Morrow County Sheriff's De
partment and Oregon State
Police.
Completing the course were
Cindi Bergstrom. David
Blackaller. Doug Harris. Greg
Sweeney. Chris Rietmann.
Paula Hcinrichs. Diana Ball,
Ann Toney. Jeff Edmundson.
Craig Miles. Darrell Miles.
Lottie Laughlin. Tammie
Brannon. Terry Toll and
Jeanette Piper.
Each participant collected
signatures of sponsors who
pledged to donate money for
each mile ridden. They are
now in the process of collect
Jennie Lewis, 07,
dies at Clackamas
Jennie Louise Lewis, 87. a
retired custodian at Heppner
Schools, died May 25 at
Clackamas Hospital after a
short illness.
Mrs. Lew is w as born Jan. 4.
187 in Spring Valley. Minn. A
''former Heppner resident, she
had been a resident of
Clackamas since 1952. She
was a member of Shamrock
Rebekah Lodge No. 113.
Clackamas.
Funeral services were held
at Hillside Chapel. Inc., on
Wednesday. May 29, at 2 p.m.
Interment was in Mt. View
Cemetery. Oregon City.
Survivors include a son,
William Lewis. Gladstone: '
pay check for $97.
Kindergarten philosophy
has changed markedly since
those beginning days. Inez
recalls buying how-to-teach
book and starting in. Dee
Jones, who has been the
teacher for the past five years,
had the advantage of several
books and workshops to train
her.
New learning aids have
been added, especially in the
last three years. A sophisti
cated sound center has been
added, which includes a
record player complete with
eight sets of earphones and a
tape recorder. The film strip
machine is a favorite among
the children. The numbers and
quality of books and learning
games have increased. First
grade teachers in the grade
school have worked with the
kindergarten teachers in
selecting these materials. All
of the equipment and supplies
now owned by the kinder
garten are being given to the
school.
The first year ended, the
way all succeeding years have
ended, with a picnic. The
Gazette-Times reported on
May 25, 1950; "A picnic on the
courthouse lawn Friday, May
26. marks the successful
conclusion of the Heppner
Kindergarten's first year...
Average enrollment of 14
peppy pre-schoolers under the
capable guidance of Mrs.
Richard Meador."
Inez laughs when she re
members that at the picnic the
4-year-old brother of one pupil
tackled her to the ground and
all the kids piled on top of her,
much to the embarrassment
of mothers watching.
In the early 1950s, the spring
and fall rummage sales were
started to help raise money for
kindergarten. Rachel Dick
recalls that the rummage
sales were begun as a better
way of exchanging clothes.
But the sales have gone a long
way toward supporting the
program. Some have brought
in as much as $1,000 and
helped to keep tuition charges
relatively low compared to
charges at other private
kindergartens around the
state.
ing the donations which are to
be turned in to Judy Laughlin.
Heppner TV. by June 10. Prize
winners w ill be determined by
the amount raised.
Proceeds from the fund
drive will go to the American
Red Cross, half of which will
remain in the local chapter to
support community related
activities.
Each summer Red Cross
offers swimming and life
saving courses through lone
and Heppner pools.
First aid multimedia
courses have been offered
throughout the county, in
structing residents to be
better prepared in emer
gencies. The aid to dependent mili
tary families volunteer has
assisted these families with
financial relief, receiving
word in emergencies and
untangling governmental red
tape.
Each year the blook bank is
replenished as donors give
through the local drive.
In 1971. Red Cross disaster
relief program came to the aid
of Heppner flood victims with
more than $14,000 in relief.
four daughters. Mrs. Henry
Vandeberghe and Mrs. Verna
Vandeberghe. Clackamas,
Mrs. A. Lucille Troedson,
Wilsonville. and Mrs. Owen
Peltit. Pendleton; three
brothers. Judson Polonty.
Nortonville, N.D., Elwin
Polonty. Stanchfield. Minn.,
and Ross Polonty. Mesa,
Ariz.; three sisters, Mrs.
Elsye Kowalkowskie, Jack
sonville, Fla.. Mr. Florence
Hailing. Rochester. Minn.,
and Mrs. Leona Sheridan,
Peck. Mich.; 13 grandchil
dren, 37 great-grandchildren,
and two great -great -grandchildren.
This spring was the first
year without a rummage sale
in Heppner in sometime. Next
fall, the Soroptimists will take
over the fall rummage sale.
The Jaycee-Ettes disbanded
but the kindergarten did not.
The Heppner Civic League
incorporated in 1956 to operate
the kindergarten. In 1972 the
name was changed to Heppner
Community Kindergarten.
Teachers of the kinder
garten, including Inez and
Dee, have been Rachel Dick,
Becky Taber, Dorothy Huit,
Grace Drake, Rita Wolff,
Mrs. Fielder, Grace Schmidt,
Marian Jonasson, Janet
Turner and Ruth Maatta.
Each teacher could write a
book about her pupils. Inez
remembers the boy who had to
wear his hat. Rachel had a
student who insisted on sitting
under the table during class,
instead of using the standard
chair. It took most of the year
before he conformed to the
chair custom. "Rita relates
that she was somewhat stric
ter than her predecessor and
some pupils complained to
their parents for awhile about
"that mean teacher."
The kindergarten has grown
in size. The parents of
students under Dee Jones
have marveled at her love and
patience. Last year Donna
Bergstrom was added as an
aide and has been very
popular with the young
scholars.
The kindergarten was not
housed in the Civic Building
too many years because the
building was condemned. Inez
recalls that first winter was
very cold in the drafty old
building. In spite of the efforts
of Mr. and Mrs. Fair a in
keeping the building heated,
kindergarten had to be closed
part of that winter.
The minutes of the Jaycee
Ettes were lost, but several
recall that kindergarten was
held in the Catholic Church
basement and the Episcopal '
Church Parish Hall. For at
least 15 years it has been on
school property. It was in the
old George house, and has
ended up in a basement room
of the Junior High Building at
the elementary school.
The old order passes
Last class
for HICK
Forty-seven boys and girls
received certificates of grad
uation Thursday, May 30, the
last class to graduate" from the
Heppner Community Kinder
garten. One student. Trina Palmer,
will enter 1st grade in lone.
The others will begin 1st grade
at Heppner Elementary
School in the fall.
Students in the morning
class were Dyann Brosnan.
Marty Buschke. Scott
Dougherty. Gene Garrett,
Melissa Gates. Shawn Holt,
Kevin Hughes. Jana Mar
quardt. Marion McMillan,
Michele Miles. Trina Palmer.
Eric Pointer. Noella Rill
Kimberly Robinson. Jamie
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Part of the success of the
kindergarten has been due to
the cooperation given by the
school. Since 1971 the kinder
garten has received funds
from the Blue Mountain 4-C
Council, which handles state
and federal money. Heppner
Elementary School Principal
Don Cole has spent many
hours in assisting the kinder
garten board with the red tape
of the 4-C program.
A kindergarten board has
been elected from the mothers
each year to administer the
program. The officers for this
last year are Sue Duncan,
president; Dianna Ball, vice
president; Judy Buschke,
secretary; Sharon Biddle,
treasurer; and Jean Ann
Turner and Pat Wright, board
members. Each year board
members have given long
hours in maintaining a kin
dergarten program.
Others serving as president
over the years have been
Shirley George, Ruth Maatta,
Pat Jensen, Ann Griffith,
Betty Marquardt, Pat Gentry,
Rene Toll, Joyce Johnson,
Sharon Cutsforth, Patti Prock,
Joyce Espey, Slvane Erick
son, Sarah Sharrard, June
Blakney, Kathy Collins,
Marge Eckman, La Fern
Pratt, Dorothy Wagoner,
Buryl Sanders, Dagmar
Fancher, Alma Green and
Betty Pfeiffer. A few others
have served but their names
are not available.
In the fall a new face in the
same kindergarten room will
greet the bright-eyed begin
ners. Mike Anderson of
Payette. Idaho, has been hired
by the school board as the
kindergarten teacher. He
comes to Heppner highly
recommended.
Some of the parents who
helped to establish the kin
dergarten 25 years ago have
had the Satisfaction of seeing
their grandchildren in the
program. Countless parents,
too many to name, have put in
hard work to help provide a
good beginning education for
their children. Their biggest
reward is knowing that after
25 years, kindergarten has
become a part of the school
Springer. Melissa Turner,
Michael Valentine, Kimberle
Wright, Sandra Wright. Tiare
White. Chad Smith, Melissa
Eubanks. Marcie Stookey and
Marty Brannon.
Children in the afternoon
class were Greg Anderson,
Bobbette Angell, Andrea Ball,
Shelly Biddle, Scott Buschke,
Tami Cate, Karen Chick,
Penny Connor, Ken Curtis,
Merry De Spain, Reid Dun
can. Dena Granzen, Greg
Godin, Renee Lewis. Mickey
Moss. Paula Plocharsky,
Mary Roberts. Raymond
Thomason. Jimmy Yoeman,
Billie Joe Hrabik. Kimberly
Murray, Nathan Walsingham
and Michele Cotton.
Dennis Toney and Rev. David
cause as they biked 20 miles
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New wheat developed for
Rew, a new soft white
common winter wheat, has
been released by the agricul
tural experiment stations of
Oregon and Idaho.
Taller than Hyslop and
slightly shorter than Wanser,
Rew is believed to be best
adapted for lower rainfall
areas where the short height
of varieties such as Hyslop
Blackaller aided the Red Crass
from Ruggs to lone.
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and Nugaines sometimes
makes them difficult to har
vest. Rew has yielded as high
as Hyslop in both high and low
yielding locations. However,
under irrigation it is poorly
adapted.
Rew was a selection from a
cross of Orfed-Elgin-Elmar-3-Heines
VII and Orfed-Elgin-Elmar-3-C.I.13438.
Final
selection was made in 1968 by
Oregon State University's
Charles R. Rohde.
It was named in honor of
Ronald Rew, a Pendleton
farmer and lawyer and a
member of the Oregon Wheat
Commission, and Oregon
Wheat Growers League who
was a strong supporter of
wheat research.
The new variety has been
tested for four years at the
Pendleton and Sherman
Experiment Stations and for
shorter periods at the Western
Effective June 7, 1974
No Burning Ban is in Force
There will be no burning except in approved
incinerators. Burning barrels are NOT approved.
Maximum Fine
$100 plus costs
CITY OF HEPPNER
i
Kindergarten students smile for the camera. These students
were in the afternoon class taught by Dee Jones in Heppner.
Front row ( I. to r. ) . Raymond Thomason, Reid Duncan, Scott
Buschke, Paula Plocharsky, Shelly Biddle; second row (I. to
r.), Bobbette Angell, Karen Chick, Tami Cate, Michele
Cotton, Jimmy Yoeman, Dena Franzen and Greg Anderson.
Back row (I. to r.), Mickey Moss, Andrea Ball, Merry De
Spain, Renee Lewis, Ken Curtis, Mary Roberts and Penny
Connor.
Heppner Community Kindergarten teachers of the past, left
to right: Rachel Dick. Inez Meador and Rita Wolff listen to
the present teacher. Dee Jones, explain the latest in teaching
aids, the earphones and filmstrip machine.
dry farming area
Regional White Winter Wheat
Nursery and other eastern
Oregon locations.
Rew has moderate resist
ance to strip rust and also
resists common and dwarf
bunt, much like Nugaines.
The new wheat was tested
for milling and baking quality
for three years. After two
years, a notation was made
ATTENTION BARGAIN HUNTERS!
We may have what you're looking for. Come to the
Heppner High School Dance Team's
YARD SALE
Saturday, June 15 8 a.m. to9 p.m.
220 Cannon St., Heppner (Jim Roger's residence)
Good Selection of Items
Bake Goods Free Kool-Aid
Proceed w ill help support the Goldtrotters.
Donations welcomed. Drop off at the Roger's any time.
that the variety possessed
"promising milling proper
ties." After the third year, the
notation was "particularly
promising overall quality
characteristics."
Results from milling and
baking tests indicate that
Rew's quality is equal and
similar to that of Hyslop and
Nugaines.