Image provided by: Morrow County Museum; Heppner, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 29, 1977)
v , " TWO The Gazette-Times, Heppner Oregon, Thursday, December 29, 1977 V L THE GAZETTE TIMES Published every Thursday and entered as second-class matter at the Post Office at Heppner, Oregon, under the Act of March 3, 1879. Second-class postage paid at Heppner, Oregon. The Official Newspaper of the City of Heppner and the County of Morrow . G.M. Reed, Publisher Dolores Reed, Co-publisher Terry M. Hager, Managing Editor Jim Summers, News Editor Eileen Saling, Office Manager Elane Blanchet, Reporter Gayle Rush, Composing Chloe Pearson, Composing Justine Weatherford Local Columnist (N Year's Evi Day) HconToC pM. Clssd Jan. HEPPNER BSralL Ph 676-9203 cr 676 - si 1 5805 Continued from page 1 agent Harold Kerr and Mor row County Grain Growers manager Larry Mills were both forecasting a 50 per cent of normal yield for county wheat. With three days to go in the month, April's precipita tion measurement showed .07 inches of rain less than the worst recorded April of .09 in 1953 and far short of the April average of 1.33 inches. May Unexpectedly in May came the resignation of Morrow County Judge Paul Jones who told the Gazette-Times he was stepping down for purely personal reasons and that he was leaving the position with mixed emotions. "The last 12 V4 years have been extremely rewarding and have emphasized my feeling of confidence in the people of our county," Jones said in his formal statement. The first drought relief started to come into the county as some farmers received a reduction in asses sed valuation on dryland farm property. lone was getting ready to spend its $100,000 in bond funds approved by voters in February for a new water system. The city's old well was drying up and it was hoped water would be on tap from a new system by late summer. In Heppner, the city library and swimming pool took it on the chin as budget committee members continued to tear down an already bare budget. June Three candidated filed for the position of county judge, area high schools turned loose another class of graduates and a petition drive supporting a south entrance to the Carty area, filled the news pages in June. D.O. Nelson, Bill Weather ford and Dan Creamer all threw their hats into the ring before Gov. Bob Straub picked Nelson for the job. Forty-six members of the class of '77 at Heppner High School lined up for their diplomas while nine seniors at lone High School went through graduation exercises. Interest in an Ione-Carty road to open up the benefits of PGE's operations to south Morrow County was again sparked by a petition drive. The response to the petition by Boeing officials leasees of the land was a resounding "No". The petition was actual ly directed at the Morrow County Court but the Court Dear Citizens, Many of you individually and tkrough your membership in various organizations helped the Neighborhood Center provide Christmas joy to 39 needy county families this year. Volunteers put in many hours last week assembling baskets of foodstuffs and wrapping gifts. The senior meals were carried on as usual and are continuing now between Christmas and New Year's Day and will continue into next year. Obituaries Pearl Steers Pearl Lee Steers, long-time resident of Heppner, died in Hermiston on Thursday, Dec. 22, at the age of 88. Mrs. Steers was born near Spokane, Washington, on Oct. 10, 1889. Her family moved to this area in 1894, settling on a homestead outside of Hard man. She lived in Hardman until 1942 when she moved to Heppner. Mrs. Steers was a member of the Methodist Church and 1977 in had earlier reached an im passe on the issue with Boeing bigshots. About 300 persons attended the 24th annual Morrow Coun ty Pioneer Picnic this year hosted by the Bergstrom .family. Pioneer Memorial Hospital received both a new admini stratorBob Byrnes and a green light on its expansion plans. The State Health Com mission granted PMH a Certi ficate of Need which cleared the way for further work on pursuing funding alternatives for expansion. July The Carty road petition drive failed in its original intention but provided a cata lyst for the formation of the Morrow County Economic Development Association which started looking into other issues relating to county economics. D.O. Nelson was welcomed ,into office by some 50 well wishers when he was officially sworn in as County Judge. At the Heppner Medical Clinic, the duo became a threesome with the addition of Dr. Joe Diehl, who joined Drs. Carpenter and Gifford. Just next door, Dr. Lee Hazen opened up shop in a new dental clinic. Graduates from the classes of 1925-29 of Heppner High School gathered at the Fair: grounds for a lively reunion and two days of activities. August The culmination of nearly a ' year's work by a lot of people was realized in the form of the 1977 Morrow County Fair and Rodeo. A $1.3 million water system in Boardman was officially turned on and a medical clinic in the area was approved by city planners to serve the 1 fast-growing north end. The Heppner Ranger Dis trict welcomed a new face in Ben Siminoe who was named to the post of District Ranger and the Morrow County Horse Show saw a familiar face in Becky Evans who took the open class championship for the third consecutive year. Other familiar faces in new locations were Gay and Patti Harshman who purchased the V-G Tavern in Lexington. Kinzua Corp. got the go ahead from the Board of Directors to begin construc tion on a new $4.5 million saw mill at the Heppner plant. September New teachers found their way to Morrow County for the Letters to the Editor Thanks to Christmas volunteers the Rebekah Lodge of Hepp ner. She is survived by two sons, Samuel and Elmer Steers of Heppner; a daughter, Mrs. Grace Buschke of Heppner; two sisters, Mabel Howell of Spray and Alice Hastings of Heppner; and a brother, Samuel McDaniel of Heppner. She is also survivied by five grandchildren; 10 great grandchildgrei); and five great-great grandchildren. Funeral services were held on Tuesday, Dec. 27 at 1 p.m. at the First Methodist Church in Heppner with Rev. Steve Tollefson oficiating. Vault in Review opening of the 1977-78 sclioul session with student enroll ment reaching an all time high of more than 1,600. City officials in Heppner hoped they found some kind of solution to the ongoing city maintenance problems when they voted to dismiss foreman Don Penney. The dismissal came after a summer-long controversy concerning oper ation of the city water system and the sewage treatment facility. Local youngsters celebrated state 4-H week with a host of activities including a presen tation to the Chamber of Commerce. The MCEDA continued to pick up steam as the organiza tion held a successful mem bership drive. President Tim Tullis said the group planned to be "a broad based organiza tion that looks out for Morrow County and her people." The Heppner Child Develop ment Center turned up on the front page when it was faced with a move from its home in the Seventh Day Adventist Church. The Center was to be in the news a lot in the coming months before ultimately clos ing its doors in December. October A total of 1.36 inches of rain in September was enough to send county farmers into the field in October to begin planting for next year's crop. Meanwhile, low yield pay ments to the tune of $1,165,000 were coming into the county to help offset losses from the staggering drought. Another $200,000 was expected before the end of the year. The lone Cardinals cruised to a 3-0 record before having their bubble burst by Mitchell while the Mustangs got over some early-season troubles to nip eventual state runnerup Sherman County 7-6. The Heppner area looked like the place to be as some 10,000 hunters poured in to take advantage of the excel lent hunting conditions. Dave McLeod, county ASCS director for the past 19 years, accepted a promotion to the state office in Portland. Long time assistant, Judy Buschke was named as his replace ment. November Representatives of the Ore gon Dept. of Transportation caught an earful from local residents upset over the lack of consideration given to Morrow County in the upcom ing six-year road plan. The turnout for the meeting was one of the highest in the state and the message was clear As i have tor several years, I had a small party at my home for the volunteer workers last Friday after we finished packing our baskets. This worthy work could not have been accomplished without the thoughtful and generous contributions from many of you in all sectors of Morrow County. I thank you all, on behalf of needy persons and on behalf of the Heppner Neighborhood Center. Sincerely, Pat Brindle, Director terment was in the Heppner Cemetery. Burns Mortuary of Hermiston was in charge of arrangements. Warren Miller Warren Everett Miller, late of Long Creek, died in Heppner Dec. 21. He was 54. Mr. Miller, a former stock man at Kimberly, was born Feb. 19, 1923 at Wedderburn. He was a member of Long Creek Lodge AF & AM. Mr. Miller was united in marriage to Mildred Button at North Bend on March 22, 1946. Services were held Monday, Dec. 26, at the Presbyterian Church in Monument with the Rev. Rodger Perkins officiat ing. Casket bearers were Fred Livingston, Joe Sweek, Tunis the folks are tired of second -grade, dangerous roads. Voters went to the polls -statewide to decide two ballot measures one dealing with s the establishment of a Water Development Fund and the other considered establish ment of funds to research and develop non-nuclear energy forms. Both measures passed in Morrow County although the non-nuclear issue went ; down on the state level. Heppner voters approved by a 2-1 margin a one-year serial ' ; levy to replace the sagging bridge over Willow Creek on ; Morgan Street. 5 The Heppner City Council overturned an earlier Plan ning Commission decision and " granted a conditional use permit to a Gresham builder ' ' for construction of a 24-unit apartment complex near Aiken and Elder Streets. Gross farm sales in the ' county dropped about $5.5 million in 1977 an 8.5 per cent i decrease from last year. Much of the loss was attributed to ' the drought and depressed farm prices which more than ' erased any gains from new acreage put under irrigation ' and an increase in cattle numbers. Harold Kerr said v the 8.5 per cent drop in farm product sales actually repre sented a 12-13 per cent loss in income to the average farmer because of increased costs over the past year. The Morrow County Fair Board considered an appeal ' by the Rodeo Committee but decided to stick with its earlier decision to eliminate Rodeo Cowboys Association sanctioning from the Morrow County Rodeo and instead schedule a jackpot event. The Board also stood by its . decision to cut the Fair and ' Rodeo Court from five to three ' ' members. Lexington voters turned out , 1 in force to reject a bond x measure that would have been ! used to help finance a new sewer system for the town. December Precipitation both snow and rain and lots of it, ,.f covered the area, considera- bly brightening the outlook of county farmers. If The biggest ever Artifactory f was well received and provi- ! ded local craftpersons a ' chance to show their stuff. The annual Farm-City banquet toasted area business and II agriculture. A blanket of snow provided the traditional setting as Morrow County residents $ moved into the holiday season a time to reflect on times past and things to come. Happy New Year! if Round, Tom Calvin, Harry Davenport and Ed Shanks. Honorary earers include Stan ly Musgreve, Donald Kayson, Coy Johnson, Ray Adams, Jack Adams and Wayne Adams. Sweeney Mortuary was in charge of arrange ments. Graveside services were held Tuesday, Dec. 27, at Gold Beach Cemetery, Gold Beach, with Long Creek Lodge AF & AM officiating. Survivors include his wife, Mildred; a brother, Earl Miller of Wedderburn; three sisters, June Moore of Eu gene, Audrey Ross of El Segundo, Cal. and Ida Cole man of Sacramento, Cal. Contributions may be made in Mr. Miller's name to the Cancer Society in care of the Order of the Eastern Star. Sifting through the TIMESm The ski course at Arbuckle Mountain was getting ready, to open this week in 1967, with $60 family or $25 individual season tickets available. Registered patrolmen Alan Martin, Loren Lucore and Curtis Culp formed the ski patrol preparing to keep a close watch over local skiers. . An editorial on an inside page of that week's G-T discussed the financial difficulties of operating the ski area by the Arbuckle Mountain Corporation, a group of local businessmen, and urged residents to buy season tickets to help the cause: "Your pruchase will not only buy a winter's season of enjoyment but will also help to continue and develop Arbuckle." But the high cost of operating a downhill ski course in an area with a small population proved too great an obstacle to overcome, and the Arbuckle ski enterprise has since shut down. Anyone for crosscountry skiing? Twenty years ago the Portland Chamber of Commerce was planning to honor an lone girl for "bringing recognition to Oregon". Kay Sherer, lone High School senior, had placed third in the girls' senior division of the running high jump at the National Junior Olympics. Her best jump was four feet, nine inches. The formal opening of the new modern building of the Heppner branch of the Bank of Eastern Oregon and a big open house was announced this week in 1957 by Heppner manager, Gene Pierce. The last issue of the 1947 Gazette-Times was published on Christmas Day with local holiday events filling a majority of the news hole, including the account of the "best program ever produced by the (Heppner Grade) school", titled "A Christmas Being". Ione's play at the grade school level, "Santa's Airplane", was also reported to be well attended. Present day readers will be fascinated by year end bargains advertised 30 years ago misses skirts, $2; womens blouses, $1,50; mens sport shirts, $1; mens casual coats, $8; girls sweaters, $1; dress shoes, reduced to clear, $2-$3.50 a pair. The most interesting thing about the good-sized advertisement chock full of these and like bargains is that the name of the store offering them is nowhere mentioned. Two 'heroes' made front page news this week in 1927. The first was proudly proclaimed a "Heppner boy": "When Cecil (Buck) Lieuallen aided in the capture of.. .a Los Angeles kidnapper and confessed slayer... near Echo last Thursday afternoon, his name was broadcast far and wide as a hero. Buck is considered by friends here as a Heppner boy, having spent a large portion of his younger days here and graduating from Heppner high school with the class of 1919. That he is made of the kind of metal to justify all that is said about him will be readily testified to by his former associates here." (Suzanne Jepsen, director of the Tri-County Homemaker Service, is Buck's daughter. His widow lives in Pendleton.) The account of the second hero, internationally known, contained some advice: "Lindbergh, world champion flyer, landed in Mexico City, notifies the world that young men in this country know how to fly, in spite of the fact that their ' government does not yet realize the importance of flying. "The United States ought to enlist the services of Lindbergh to instruct American flyers and enlighten those responsible for our air defense." The editor of the G-T fifty years ago wrote a short New Year greeting that bears reprinting: "A New Year is born and an old year dies. It's time to hang up a new calender, make good resolutions and be at peace with the world. But, after all, a new year begins every day, even though the calendar may disagree. Every day affords just as great an opportunity to make good resolutions and keep them as does Jan. 1. "At any rate, we wish to those who make good resolutions and keep them, to those who make and break, and to those who make no resolutions at all, an exceedingly happy ; New Year Day and a 1928 filled with days each ahppier than the day before." The present Gazette-Times staff sends out this same wish for the new year 1978. 1 Elks Calendar Thursday, Dec. 29 Liars Night No Lodge Friday, Dec. 30 Happy Hour 5-7 p.m. Dinner 6-8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31 New Year's Party Dinner and Favors Live Music 9 p.m. to 2 Elks and out - of B.P.O.E. 358 Letters Policy ALL LETTERS of general interest are welcomed, providing they are in good taste and not libelous. 250 WORDS IS about the maximum length we can accept, however, if you need more space, please use it. ALL LETTERS MUST be signed to be considered. If you wish to have your name withheld for good cause-we will do so after contacting you for an explanation. TELEPHONE NUMBERS should be included. The number will only be used by the Gazette-Times to confirm it was you who wrote the letter THE GAZETTE-TIMES reserves the right to refuse any letter it deems unfit for publication LETTERS SHOULD BE addressed to Editor, Gazette-Times, P.O. Box 337v Heppner, Ore., 9783s! Tuesday, Jan. 3 Senior Citizens Dinnpr Wednesday, Jan. 4 Senior Citizens Dinner Pinochle 7:30 p.m. Boy Scouts 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 5 Ladies Night Dinner 6:00-7:30 p.m. Lodge 8:00 p.m. a.m. Drawings 4-30 J 4:30 I - town guests only. Heppner. Oreg on ? .J ' Mr- flps-.sjufet,.,. ft, tm...
