Heppner gazette-times., May 29, 1980, Page FOUR, Image 4

FOUR The Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner. Oregon, Thursday. May 29, 1980
Friends toast Orville Cutsforth
atnostaligic 78th birthday party
y i(h Jiislinv Wriithrifoi A - J
What a busy, volcanic, merry month of May we
northwesterners have had! Last week was an exciting time
for graduating seniors and their doting families. Last
weekend was expecially exhilarating for the Cutsforth clan
during Orville's big, Saturday night, and was most special
for the large, pioneer Vinson family during their hosting of
Sunday's annual pioneer reunion. Not until Fair and Rodeo
week will Heppner see so many vistors again.
Last Wednesday it was delighful to have Linda Cooper, a
Vinson relative and a 1970 Heppner graduate who is a close
freind of my daughter-in-law Teresa, come visiting in my
home. Linda is completing her baccalaureate requirements
at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, and is taking
pre-medical training. She looks forward to a career as an
M.D. She said how much the Carl Troedson grants have
assisted her. Linda had many friends and relatives to visit
here while she was a guest in the home of her aunt, Zelma
Way McDaniel.
High school graduation time is anticipated with pleasure
and excitement for about twelve years by millions of
American youth. This year, because Lela Breidenbach has
been in my home since November, I've felt very caught up in
graduation activities.
We prepared for most of Lela's out-of-town family's
coming to Heppner for dinner on Thursday, attending
graduation and staying on with us until after breakfast on
Friday. It was very disappointing to Lela and to me that one
set of her grandparents and several aunts and uncles had to
change their plans, partly because of the hazardous travleing
on Washington State's ash-laden highways.
Heppner High's graduation program was very pleasing.
Salutatorian Dale Holland, Valedictorian Alice Abrams and
speaker Portmann captured everyone's attention. The
gold-collared National Honor Society members were
awarded most of the big scholarships. Although a few awards
were announced previously, many of the grants were learned
about during the presentation by Principal Jim Bier. The
high school gymnasium was well filled with the graduates'
cheering families and friends.
Because of the Weatherford tradition of spending
Memorial Sunday in Arlington, I did not attend the pioneer
reunion here. Friends tell me it was just great, the biggest
and best ever, and that all 300-plus who attended enjoyed the
program and the visiting very much. Quite a few persons
commented on the flowers, the 31 different arrangements.
Most of the flowers came from Dr. Wallace Wolff's gardens,
and all of the containers and the arrangements in them were
put together by members of the Heppner Garden Club.
As I drove to Arlington Sunday morning I heard volcano
reports on the car radio. I found that the gathering at the
annual community potluck luncheon in the Arlington United
Methodist Church drew fewer people this year. Some
Weatherford family members came from Albany, Portland
and PrineviHe, but those from Washington State decided to
forego traveling. After we learned more about the situation
along Highway 1-5, we were happy that they had stayed in
their homes.
In Arlingotn each May it is the custon for many to attend
church, to decorate graves and then to gather at the
Methodist Church to share the noon meal and to visit. There
is no planned program, as ther is in Heppner, and no one
family takes charge. I found it was very windy up at the
Heppner cemetery on Saturday ; however, that wind didn't
compare with the cold Sunday. Ash and dust was moving up
the Columbia, and I was told that although some of it was
from recent volcanic eruptions, it was thought that most of it
was wind-lifted from the landscape across the river,
the landscape across the river.
Sunday afternoon the descendants of William Washington
Weatherford and their families assembled in the spacious,
attractive Arlington home of his oldest living grandson,
Marion, and his wife Leona for a tribal planning session. It
has been agreed that on May 23, 1981, all of the tribe will
gather in Arlington to commemorate the 100th anniversary of
W.W.W.'s planting and harvesting of the first wheat in
Gilliam County. (Before becoming a wheat farmer,
Weatherford and his wife Samantha Alice Sperry, one of the
13 children of the Rev. William and Cynthia Sperry, lived on
Willow Creek near Morgan where they reared their six
jchildren and raised beef cattle.)
Marion Weatherford, as general chairman, guided the
formation of committees and the assigning of responsibilities
for the centennial celebration which it is expected will bring
about 300 to Arlington to tour family sites, to view exhibits
and to enjoy meals and an historic program.
Many must agree with me that having Monday, May 26, a
national, no-business-as-usual holiday for most folks is a
dandy idea-particularly when a community has been as busy
as this community the preceeding week and weekend.
Some of us didn't feel like hanging out our flags in the wind
and steady rain on Monday, and even the Veterans
Association decided against mounting the flags along
Heppner's Main Street.
Now life will move on at a somewhat slower pace for many
of us as summer approaches. I've worn my winter coat
pretty constantly lately, but hope to hang it away in the back
of a closet very soon, However on Monday, I was hearing
reports of snowfall in the nearby Blue Mountains, even at
Hardman, and the Gontys stopped by my home on their way
home from their Lake Penland cabin about noon with the top
ofjheir Datsun pickup still stacked high with snow. Eleanor
said tftat therewasafi eight-inch snowfall at the lake on
Sunday night.
Although the rain and snow are keeping our county green a
bit longer than it does some years, and although dry-land
farmers must bless them-I am hoping for lots of warmth and
sunshine soon-unhindered by volcanic ash fallout.
Irrigon marine promoted
to corporal at Quantico
Marine Lance Cpl. Oliver D.
Carver, son of Olliver L. and
Nancy K. Carver of Rt. 2 Box
431C in Irrigon, has been
promoted to his present rank
while serving at the Marine
tunr
Corps Development and Edu
cation Command in Quantico,
Va.
A 1979 graduate of Riverside
High School in Boardman, he
joined the Marine Corps in
April of 1978.
'By Justine Weatherford
"I thank everyone for
arranging this wonderful
evening. I'm sure I'll be
harder than ever to live with
now-I'll be so big-headed I
feel so full of pride in my
family and our wonderful
friends". Orville W. Cutsforth
told the several hundred folks
who enjoyed wishing him a
happy 78th birhtday, with
much roasting and toasting, at
the Heppner Elks Club on
. Saturday evening. May 24.
Master of ceremonies Glenn
Ward began the evening's
program by stating. "Orville
is such a great subject : He's
done so much that he's
naturally made a few mistnk-es--which
we will undoubtedly
hear about tonight." Yet as
family and friends tried to
roast O.W.C. the fun they
poked at him seemed to
actually turn into a series of
toasts.
Several months ago Char
lene Papineau suggested to
members of the Lexington
Grange that it would be fun to
have a birthday party for
Orville. The idea was appeal
ing, and Grangemaster Barb
ara Cutsforth appointed
Charlene. Ken Smouse and
Jean and Norman Nelson as
the arrangements committee.
Their committee involved all
the members of Grange No.
726 and others, too, on various
subcommittees.
Most of Orville's sons and
daughters and many of his
grandchildres were
introduced and some of them
presented him with gifts,
including a large Mt. St.
Helens-topped cake with 78
lighted candles, a pair of
young ducks, and a special
scrapbook which was pre
pared and decorated by Terri
Cutsforth. Daughter Faye
Uhler introduced her sisters
and brothers and their mates.
A grandson, attorney Russell
Kilkenny, presented members
of the third generation.
Ward read a humorous-serious
letter from traveling
band leader son Gene Heliker
and a congratulatory letter
from U.S. Rep. Al Ullraan.
Jack Sweek. president of the
Oregon State Elks Association
. lauded Orville's generous
gifts of his time, talents and
funds
Grandnephew Hank Pointer,
exalted ruler of the Heppner
Lodge, roasted Orville about
his efforts during the rebuild
ing of the lodge's second-floor
rooms.
Grangemaster Barbara
introduced her fellow officers,
and Jean Nelson, Grange
Secretary, presented an en
graved plaque on behalf of the
Grange commending its
50-year, charter member Or
ville "as an outstanding citi
zen with vision and ideas
ahead of his time and a great
moving force for many pro
jects which contributed to the
betterment of his
communtiy."
Among the evening's mem
orable toasts was that of
former Pioneer Memorial
Hospital administrator Ilene
Laughlin's tribute to the man
who had accounted for much
of the hospital's revenue
through the years when his
children and most of his
grandchildren were born
there; and who had done so
much to help provide the
two-story solarium and var
ious other worthwhile
additions to the hospital.
Daughter Sharon Stookey
enumerated some of her
father's accomplishments:
His continual efforts toward
the conservation of natural
resources, his dam and lake
building, his dry-land wheat
farming, his Alaskan gold
mining, his moving and re
storing of a pioneer school
house, his contribution of
Cutsforth Park, his construc
tion of several water works
and several buildings, his
world traveling and lifetime of
learning and caring and
sharing, his years of active
participation on so many local
and state wide committees
and in so many worthwhile
. r A
l ..... iV"v ' 1
Orville W. Cutsforth was guest of honor at the "roast and
toast" held at the Heppner Elks Club Saturday night under
auspices of the Elks and the Lexington Grange. Cutsforth
gives his attention to an unidentified guest left while his w ife.
Barbara Cutsforth starts her meal. The dinner was served
buffet st vie.
with the Grange on this
occasion by offering its
facilities. The large dininf!
room was filled with table's set
for more than two hundred
persons and decorated with
mountain greenery, pine
cones and several Cutsforth
trophies. A collection of fam
ily scrapbooks containing
many news stories. O.W.C.'s
letters to editors and family
pictures attracted . much
attention before the potluck
dinner was readied for
self-serving and before the
program began.
The gala evening concluded
with Orville's few moments at
the podium when he recounted
a hunting day when he had
chopped off part of his foot,
yet limped about behind his
nimble wife and friends,
managed to kill an elk. had his
glasses demolished and yet.
almost blinded, shot a buck,
and managed to host a
considerable party of hunting
friends. As he said his thanks
for the party Orville. urged
everyone to stay awhile and to
share his super birthday cake.
Last rites held for
Virginia C. Turner of Eu
gene, who was born in
Heppner and had taught piano
for 60 years in this commu
nity, died May 18. She was 88.
Her birthday was May 5 and
she attended a party for her on
that date
She was born in Heppner
and attended local schools and
Willamette I'niversity. When
her husband. JO. Turner,
died in littil. she moved to
Eugene.
She was a life member and
long active in Ruth Chapter
No. 32, Order of Eastern Star,
and also a life member of
Daughters of the Nile. She
served as organist for the
First Christian Church of
Heppner for 36 years.
fllAnnua
IONE UNITED
CHURCH OF CHRIST
AUCTION
Saturday, June 7th
Adults... 5W 6-12...2'" Pre-schoolers... Free
ANTIQUES SILENT AUCTION
FISH POND SNACK SHACK
HOMEMADE FOODS HANDAAADE ITEMS
KIDDIE KORNER
ARTS & CRAFTS COUNTRY STORE
This Advertisement Is Sponsored By
nANK OF
D JEastern Oreqon
tl Member
'Your Home-Owned, Independent Bank fdic
organizations. "He is a fine
father of whom we are all very
proud."
Tributes were offered by
Orville's mother-in-law, Min
erva Denslinger; by his first
neighbors in the county.
Norman and Fred Nelson; by
former employee Lyle Cox,
and by several hunting and
fishing buddies. In summariz
ing the tributes, Ward stated.
'We all are in agreement that
our county and state are
presently and will be in the
future bettor because Orville's
lived here. We hope to have
him here for many more
years."
Musical interludes present
ed included Orville's favorite
melodies played by violinist
Frances Smouse and vocal
selections with piano
accompaniment by
musician-composer Ella Mae
Green. One of her numbers
was her special composition
.extolling Orville's love ol
nature and his caring and
sharing ways.
The Elks Club cooperated
Virginia Turner ,
She is survived by one son,
Donald E. Turner of Eugene;
three sister, Janet Jones of
Olympia Wash., Elizabeth
Hayes of Joseph, and Cora
mae Ferguson of Heppner,
and one brother, Arthur Craw
ford of San Jose, Calif., as well
as three grandchildren, and
Music program
Kindergarten through
fourth graders in Heppner
Elementary were scheduled to
present a music program May
28 at 1 p.m. in the junior high
gymnasium.
At the concert was a country
hick band, some bunnies.jivin'
and action songs, and some
classes made up their own
lyrics to songs.
Heppner-lone-Arlington
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To aid Cambodian relief, members of All Saints Episcopal Church held a bake sale last Friday on
the sidewalk in front of Murray's Drug Store. From left are Itobbette Angell, Sarah ( lark. Kalhy
Clark, and Jimmy Clark, whose mother is handing him a cake. The project is part of the church's
missionary effort.
Mini-College classes still open
"Invest a little to learn how
to save a lot" might well be
the theme of the 1980 Mini-College
at Oregon State Univer
sity June 16-20, reports Marie
Bussard. coordinator of the
program. It is sponsored by
the OSU Extension Service
and Oregon Extension Home
makers Council
"Many of the classes focus
directly on how you can make
your money stretch in these
days of high inflation," Mrs,
Bussard points out.
Hospital
Notes
Patients at Pioneer Memor
ial Hospital in Heppner ad
mitted within the last week
ending May 2f and still in the
hospital that day were Claude
Paullus. Beth McBride and
Jack MeTimpeny.
Patients released during the
past week include Jackie
Papineau. John Simmons,
Candace Gates, Elmer Reed,
Earl Bonner, Michael Jones,
Alex Ulrich and Tirn Sumner.
born in Heppner
two great-grandsons. Her
graveside service took place
last Saturday in Heppner.
She requested remem
brances be sent to the First
Christian Church in Eugene.
or the First Christian Church
in Heppner
CHURCH AUCTION
lime
t Dili il liiu rli of Christ
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WANTS
N dim (tiniiiliiiii (if furniture.
In s. iinil used
lllrl ( lliilllllsi'.
( nil Kill Kii'liiiann. fur free
pickup.
t:':'T.'!Mi
5 different
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Microwave ovens
229 Up
Combination
Radio-Stereo-Tcpe player
160Up
She points to such classes as
"fighting inflation with fa
shion," which will focus on
price differences in ready-to-wear
garments and how to
shop to get the most for the
dollar, or "let's eat well and
spend less," which will stress
shopping skills and how to
beat inflation while still re
ceiving a bargain from the
foods people must buy.
Registrations for Mini -College
are being received until
June , Mrs. Bussard stresses.
Complete copies of the pro
gram and registration blanks
Onceayear sale
Z5o savings on
Gertie? Knives
Cutlery of this caliber is seldom wen on !.ilf t.ath handle cast
permanently onto the bladt Each blade hand s.hnrpened
from the finest steel The final instrument has a belt,
balance and sharpness that is unmistakably GerU't
I our Mmm.14 Sl.lh IL ).tnmf Ki.(,
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If sA Muti ftv f'xluiitft
hAiMU'iniv lit"
t(ilt !
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Now I29 W
ROOM
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'7 3
5 different fixes
Refrigerated air conditioners
Buy now before weather
gets too hot
models
are avanatije irom countv
offices of the OSU Extension
Service
David Richards
to marry
Mr. and Mrs Pete Richards
announce the enggement of
their son. David L. Richards,
to Mane Rockwell, daughter
of Refrigio and Petra Carde
na of Granger, Wash
The wedding is planned for
June 14 at 1 p rn at the Baptist
Church in Irrigon
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Jewelers A
674-9200
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Whirlpool
AIR CONDITIONER
Alio Imana
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