pafe , THE GAZETTE-TIMES. Heppner, OK, Thursday. Pec. . 7.
f
very year
(
different
(Continued from Pag 1)
won't really compare 7 and '7.
"There's no back moisture this year." he said. The August
rains produced a lot of weed growth and forced Martin to
cultivate. That work on the soil lost the moisture. Then two
months of Indian summer with that warm, dry weather just
complicated things more.
"Between the bugs and hot weather, it put a hard stress on
the wheat," Martin said. "The last little rain we had wasn't
much to work with. I havent even checked my sprouts in
parte."
Martin pulled his rain charts and the story was there. (See
adjoining article.)
And. on top of the lack of rain, the "temperature is
f
V
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Rain
records
tell
dry
story
?
' f
I -
11.
Don Gilliam
Three and a half months ago, everyone in Morrow County
could be heard screaming at the top of his and her lungs,
"Stop the rain!"
Today, in the middle of December, it's a little different
story. Every farmer, and every citizen for that matter,
should be pounding drums or something to get old man
weather to get together with Mother Nature and drop a
bombshell full of water on this rain forsaken land.
And people have a good deal to yell about. This is the dryest
three month seeding period since 1911 according to moisture
records taken in by Don Gilliam, his father and his grand
father over the last 64 years!
It's not that people enjoy wading around in the gutters. But
if they want to see a prosperous economy in this county come
harvest time, they'd accept the wet gutters for some moist
soil and fertile wheat.
The records just don't lie. The normal rainfall, averaged
out over the last 64 years, is 3.46 inches for the months of
September. October and November. This year, we've been
graced with .97 inches of rainfall in Heppner.
In the north Lexington area, those figures are even more
aggravating. No carryover. We've had freeilng nights every
night for two weeks and that's a deciding factor. When It
thaws in the day. it draws the moisture out."
Is there a way to plan for this? Nope.
"Every year is different." Martin answers. "That's the
reason a farmer can keep records every year and It won't
make any difference. It's always different."
Another North Lexington area farmer adds another
chapter to a growing horror story.
Wind.
Roy Martin said he was sitting on a "powder keg." This
writer didn't understand that statement until Fred Nelsoa
said the county wheat growers have avoided the worst
problemswind erosion.
staggering. At Roy Martin's ranch, and Fred Nelson will
echo, the rainfall for the three month period has been a
measley .77 inches.
According to Heppner rain charts from Gilliam, the
normal precipitation for September is .73 inches; we've had
27 The normal for October is 1.29; we've had .24. The
normal for November is 1.44, the rainiest month of the year
usually; and. we've had just .46 inches.
Gilliam's records have to be pretty accurate and static. He
says the recordings have been taken within 100 yards of the
same spot since 1911. Gilliam's grandfather started the work
for Heppner in 1911. His father took over 23 years later in
1934. And Gilliam took over 33 years later in 1966.
It's not the dryest November on record, but it is the dryest
three month fall seeding period.
The 1976 total of .46 inches compares to .31 inches in 1956
(the lowest), .45 in 1959 and .48 in 1969.
In 1967, although there was a total annual rainfall of 8.64
inches, the three month period farmers are worrying about
received 1.99, over an inch more than this year. That's the
closest three month comparison.
What can we expect? Who knows. The normal annual
rainfall for December is 1.38 inches. With a half of the month
already torn off the calendar, this country has been sacked
with just .13 inches so far.
The normal rainfall for a five month period, starting in
July and ending in November is 4.16, based on Gilliam's 64
year figures. That period in 1976 had had 3.48 inches, most of
that coming from August's unusual and untimely and
practically useless rain.
At the Roy Martin ranch in North Lexington area, the
figures are just as bad and maybe even a little worse.
The 1976 Sept.-Nov. total of .77 inches at Martin's is only
comparable to 1974, in modern times. In 1974. the ground took
on 89 inches. Other three month periods over the last six
years are 1975: 1.71 inches; 1973: 5 inches; 1972: 1.77 inches;
1971: 2.72 inches; and in 1970: 2 04 inches.
The average since 1970 in that three month period has been
2.30 inches of rainfall. This year, the total is .77 dry inches of
rain.
Martin, In the 1930s, wa forced to move from his home
because of devastating winds that literally blew his land and
home away.
"If we'd have had wind right now," Nelson said, "the whole
county would be moving."
Traces of Mother Nature blowing her stack are already
evident. Thanksgiving Day and Dec. 8 were hard blowers.
They caused minimal damage, but they dried the earth out
more and Just set up another windy problem.
"The worst haiard Is the blow potential." Nelson said.
"The thing that's saved us so far is that we haven't had below
sero weather and wind."
Nelson said he looked at some late seeded wheat and the
sprouting doesn't look very strong. He Just hoped for harvest
time.
In 1935. he said, making a comparison, he and his father
turned over much of their wheat land to 50 cents an acre
sheep pasture because they couldn't even gel their seed back.
Nelson agreed that the August rain was lost to cultivation,
but said deep furrow seeding could stand colder weather.
But. he added. It still needs moisture.
Standing in a furrowed field in the North Lexington area Is
scary to farmers. It s mid-December and a walk through the
field stirs dust.
Clouds form almost every day. but In a couple hours It
seems they're gone and blue skies are back.
This writer hopes that nobody will have to read this story.
U it rains between the time this Is pecked out and the time It
hits the streets, then everyone can Just thank their lucky
stars or whoever.
A prayer probably wouldn't hurt.
. jy iiiijhiii nLft " T "AP1 '"If" r
7"
Glamorous Gowns
& Robes
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to Give at Christmas 7
Lam
Ladies & Jrs.
Petite, Small, Med.,
Large, x-Large
Sleepy-Time Styles for
the young set
Nylon Fleese S Caftons
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1 7VA ?
$Cl Holiday Special
iVs. 'J'V Infant Gowns
and Robes in
Red and White
Heppner
P0USEFnSMOHjj
676-9426
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Fred Nelson, a North Lexington
checks an unusually moist area
farmer,
of soil.
Rules and Regulations of Heppner
Cemetery Maintenance District
L The Board of Directors shall at all times have full and
complete control of Heppner Masonic Cemetery and such
other cemeteries now within the boundaries of Heppner
Cemetery Maintenance District, which are owned by the
District, or which may hereafter be acquired. The Board
of Directors shall control the use, care, management,
restrictions and protection, including improvements and
embellishment of the grounds, which may be deemed
requisite and proper to secure and promote the general
interests of the cemeteries.
2 All maps, plats, books, interment records, surveys, etc..
will be kept at the office of the Secretary of the District
or his assistant.
3. Visitors are reminded that these grounds are sacredly
devoted to the purpose of interment of deceased human
bodies and that a strict observance of proper decorum
will be required. All visitors are expected to respect the
solemnity of the place and to strictly observe these rules
and regulations which have been established and adopted
by the Board of Directors for the purpose of securing
proper use. quiet and good order at all times within the
grounds.
4. Funeral designs and floral pieces will be removed as soon
as they become unsightly or interfere with the care of the
Cemetery. In no case will responsibility be assumed for
articles which my be placed or left upon the lots.
5. Lou will be sold bv the Secretary of the Board or his
assistant. All lot are conveyed by deed for burial
purposes onlv and are sold subject to these rules and
regulations. No lot may be sold, transferred or assigned
by the owner without the consent of the Board of
Directoi s.
6 A statement of every burial must be given to the
Secretary of the Board or his assistant, giving the name
of the person interred, the owner of the lot and the date
of interment. so that a correct registry may be made. No
disinterment sr.sll be permitted except with the consent
of the Board and under strict compliance with the laws of
the State of Oregon.
7. The temporary marker placed on the grave at the time of
the funeral may be removed at the end of three (3)
months and such grave, not otherwise marked, shall be
located from the records of the Secretary or his assistant.
g No monev shall be paid to any employee of the
cemeleriei. other than by the District, as a reward fee
or wage for service performed. Employees are forbidden
to take orders or instructions for work unless issued by
the proper officers of the Cemetery District.
9. All complaints must be addressed to the Secretary of the
District in writing.
10. Ail open and closing of gr"- It"" " "n
be done only by employees of the Cemetery District.
11. All that portion of the Heppner Masonic Cemetery lying
South of Uts 55 to 72 in Block 18. lying South o Lots J
to 3rt in Bl. k 20. lying South of Ixrts 36 to 40 in Block 17.
Ivmg South of Spare. 7 and 50 in Block 15. all as set forth
on the old plat of Heppner Cemetery, shall be designated
as the "New Cemetery" where an endowment plan Ms
been adopted and perpetual care ia required. All that
portion of the entire Cemetery lying North of the above
designated line shall be known as the "Old Cemetery .
12 In the New Cemetery, the Board hereby prohibits
enclosures or curbs of any kind. I'ermsnently placed
ornaments, chain, glass vases, artificial flowers, toys or
any other article that may be considered objectionable in
the care of the cemetery are prohbitied and the Board
reserves the right to remove the same with or without
not.ee to the owner. In no rase will responsibility be
assumed for articles w hick may be placed or left upon the
lots.
13 Perpetual rare as herein referred to aha II consist of
keeping the ground sown to gr. which shall be kept
watered and cut and all avenue, surrounding them
properly designated and free from obstructions. A
marker, shall be kept In proper position, and rw on. .hall
be permitted to mak. any alteration, or add.lion. to the
now .sitting monument, of markers, or surface of toil,
without first obtaining ermUioit from lh. Cemetery
Board.
14. In the New Cemetery only one grave marker, not more
than 12 inches by 24 inches in size will be permitted on
each grave, except that a doublesized marker may be
used on two adjacent grave. All stones must be set flush
with the surface of the ground in concrete four (4) inches
deep with a four (4) inch skirt about the stone, both stone
and skirt set at sod level by the employees of the
cemetery. No metal or concrete covers for graves shall be
permitted.
15. In the New Cemetery the planting of trees, shrubbery or
flowers on lots will not be permitted, except that planting
of trees and shrubs may be done at points other than
graves under the supervision of the Board of Directors.
16 In the New Cemetery the cost of a single grave space
shall be $125.00 which includes Perpetual Care as above
defined but shall not include the cost of opening and
closing of the grave. In all burials in the new cemetery,
either a steel vault or a concrete grave interliner i
required.
17. In that portion of Heppner Masonic Cemetery not
Included in the New Cemetery, there shall be no
restrictions as to gravestones, markers, vases or curbs,
except that curbs, marker and gravestone bases shall be
set flush with the surfare of the ground and shall be
provided with a four(4l inch concrete pron.
The price for lots in the Old Cemetery shall be 1155.00
for a full lot of six spaces and $95.00 for a one half lot of
three spaces. In the single grave section of the Old
Cemetery, spares are $55.00 each.
In the original purchase of gravespare in the Old
Cemetery, a full lot with Perpetual Care may be bought
for $375.00 and a one half lot of three irravespaces with
Perrn-tual Care at the cost of $225.00. In the original
purchase of a single gravespace in the Old Cemetery with
Perpetual Care, the cost shall be $125.00.
18 Perpetual Care in the Old Cemetery may be had on a full
lot of six gravespares for $262.50 or on a one half lot for
$11(2.50. In the single gravespace section of the Old
Cemetery. Perpetual Care may be had on a single grave
for $87.50 but Perpetual Care will not be provided on less
than one half lot in other sections of the Old Cemetery
where the gravespares are sold by lots and half lots.
In this section of the Cemetery, all new graves shall be
provided with a concrete grave interliner or a steel vault.
When Perpetual Care is established on a lot in the Old
Cemetery, the curbing may be removed and the ground
re leveled in the discretion of the Board of Directors.
19 Perpetual Care on lots In the Old Cemetery shall consist
of grassing and sodding the lot and alleys about the lot
and keeping the grass watered and cut and the stones
thereon krpt in proper position.
M Annual Care on lots In the Old Cemetery may be had for
$10 00 per y"f' regardlrss of sie. Such care shall consist
of turfing, grassing and keeping the grass watered and
cut and. iniofcr as is p.ssil)le. keeping the lot free from
weedv PsymeM for such annual care shall be due to the
Secretary of the Board of Directors, on or before the first
day of March of each year. Should such payment not be
received by April first rf each year, such Annual Car.
will be discontinued.
21. The !!.ard of Directors may. by a two thirds vote. mak.
surh amendments, changes or revisions to these rules and
reflations as they may deem necessary or proper to
secure and promote th. best general Interest, of th.
cemeteries of the District.
It should be understood that reuLti.n pertaining to
-Old Cemetery" and "New Cemetery" in the foregoing
Itulcs and Itegulalions apply to Heppner Masonic
Cemetery
The f.rnoiiig roles and regulations, were approved
and adopted by the unanimo-is vote of the Board of
)irrUrs of Heppner Cemetery Maintenance District at
Us regular meeting on April 7. 1V7. effective July 1.
1976
JOHN PKP.IPKKH. Chairman
KI.AINK .H. IlKOItr.K. Secretary Treasurer
CLAUHNCK IIAKIilt, Hoard Member
t