Image provided by: Morrow County Museum; Heppner, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (May 21, 1981)
aljBieiissle FOUR The Heppner Gaiette-Tlmet, Heppner. Oregon. Thursday, May 21. 1981 Pioneer Picnics have grown since 1st in 953 By JUSTINE WEATHERFORD The first Memorial Pioneer Picnic was held in Heppner in 1953. Those pioneer family members who have chaired these events have kept a notebook which is passed along each year and which contains notes, suggestions and newspaper accounts per taining to the annual event. Records tell that the picnic was originated and first or ganized by Mrs. Guy Boyer. The first three years only a notation and some suggestions and a tentative program are recorded. These were evi dently written by whoever hosted the 1955 picnic and remind future chairpersons "to have plenty of ice water available for people when they come down from the cemetery and milk for the children." As to programs "when group singing of popular, patriotic and sacred songs is planned the songs should be pitched low enough for all to sing." The 1957 committee did a very thorough job. leaving a three-page, typewritten ac count. "JO. Turner who served during the past year as President of the Pioneer Picnic Committee, Mrs. Roy Neil. Vice-President and Mrs. Walter Becket. Secretary Treasurer, organized the pro gram and made all the arrangements for this popular gathering. Officers elected for the coming year are: Dr. A.D. McMurdo, President. Mrs. Lonnie Louden. Vice Presi dent and Mrs. Olive Huston, Secretary." That year's report also tells that 200 attended, that Judge William W. Wells, circuit judge of the sixth district and a native son of Heppner. gave the address. "A plaque honor ing the service men of Morrow County who gave their lives in World Wars I and II and in Korea was dedicated and presented and will be placed in the hallway of the Morrow County Court House." On May 30. 1958, 222 persons attended. "Officers elected at what may not be called a free election, in that they got the offices whether they wanted them or not-were President Earl Miller, alternate John J. Wightman, Vice-President, Mrs. Claude White and Secre tary Mrs. Samuel J. Turner. Marion Weatherford, Arling ton, was the day's speaker. That year two guests from the greatest distance were an exchange student from Put ney, England, and an IFYE exchange student from Ran goon, Burma. The 1959 picnic attracted over 236. "An historical talk by former county Judge Garnet Barratt was enjoyed by all. New officers named for next year are: Ralph Thomp son, chairman and Mrs. Edna Turner, secretary." In 1960 nearly 300 attended, Ralph Thompson welcomed every one; Mrs. Norman Nelson lead the group singing. Garnet Barratt was elected president for the following year and Fay Ferguson, secretary-treasurer," Edna Turner reported. At the 1962 picnic Harold Cohn nominated Don Turner for 1963 chairman and Elaine George nominated Mrs. Ed mund Gonty for secretary treasurer, and they were unanimously elected. In 1963 over 250 registered for the 10th annual event. "A $20 award went to R.B. Rice, Heppner, for being the oldest pioneer attending and Mrs. Louise Ritchie of Whittier, Calif., received the same reward for coming the longest distance. Colored tags were used for out-of-town guests and white for local guests." Eight boned, rolled hams were served, and other supplies used were listed by Secretary Eleanor Gonty, who along with Chairman Don Turner, was re-elected for the 1964 year. The 1964 report tells that after serving two years Don Turner was being succeeded by county Judge Oscar Peterson, but that Mrs. Gonty was again re-elected secretary-treasurer. The large 1965 affair where Giles French of Moro was principal speaker it? rm 'm ft If xrSiJSr ft 'mi-wit 9 : a. a V; jg t 1W Obituaries Janet Wightman John F. L ";'" Pa. 1 .m A. Ml--4 1 "& ..Sil -J The Currin home, formerly belonged to maintained and still an attractive residence Kate Johnson Cornett, a sister of Mrs. on the north side of Water Street Just below Jeremiah Brosnan. This house is well the hill in Heppner. Photo reprinted with permission of John F. Kilkenny, "Shamrocks and Shepherds: The Irish of Morrow County" (copyright Oregon Historical Society) r 0'. v-'itii-' tfl, -r - "Jii.T i..1 . - 1 . . till I. 1.1 Ui , tfV- f f .:-. r ' I i ii j; Ifj remodeled, still stands on Water Street in Heppner, just below the greatly changed old Currin home. The home where Jeremiah and Mary Brosnan lived after 1909 when John and Zetta took over the family ranch. The house, much Photo reprinted with permission of John F. Kilkenny, "Shamrocks and Shepherds .The Irish of Morrow County" (copyright Oregon Historical Society) saw Judge Oscar Peterson re-elected chairman and Mrs. Claude Graham chosen secre tary. In 1966 at the well-attended reunion Don Turner was again chosen chairman with Frank Turner as his assistant: Mrs. Nora Turner became secretary-treasurer. At the 15th picnic in 1968, Harold Cohn extended the cordial wel come; Oscar Peterson report ed on the coming publication of the history of Morrow County. Carl Troedson. lone, was chosen committee chair man and Mrs. Wallace Mat thews became secretary. The program for 1969 lists the honored war dead from Mor row County. It also urges folks to visit the County Museum. The 1970 program is very similar. There were 252 regis tered and Roger Campbell and Mrs. Lonnie McCabe were chosen new co-chairmen with Mrs. Mike Matthews contin uing as secretary. The Golden Age Club mem bers handled registration for the 1971 picnic where the prize for the oldest Morrow pioneer went to Mrs. Gertrude Parker "who will soon be 91." Mrs. George Currin won the door prize. Mr. and Mrs. Laurence Becket were chairmen for the successful 1972 picnic. Mr. and Mrs. Paul Warren served as 1973 chairmen. In 1974 Mr. and Mrs. Orville Cutsforth were chairmen, and Sam McMillan, historian, a former resident of Lexington was the speaker. McMillan said that the annual picnic was an outgrowth of picnics started in Lexington in 1892 in the grove there. Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Steers. Mr. and Mrs. Sam Steers and Grace Busch ke were the committee in 1975 and Mike Sweeney, county Bicentennial chairman was master of ceremonies. The color scheme was red. white and blue and 254 persons attended. At the 23rd picnic on Sunday. May 30. 1976. Mr. and Mrs. Roy W. Lindstrom. lone, were chairmen. People were encouraged to wear pioneer costumes. The Olaf and Eric Bergstrom families were named to chair the 1977 picnic. Mr. and Mrs. Herman Green, Mr. and Mrs. Cornett Green, Mr. and Mrs. Howard Bryant and other members of the Alex and Mattie Green family were chairmen in 1978. Mrs. Carl Haphold (Lillie Currin) won a courthouse plate for being the oldest guest present; Lillie was 91 in April. The 1978 picnic was the 25th annual affair. The 1979 chairmen were members of the families of Burton H. and George N. Peck. More than 300 attended. Last year's Sunday. May 25. picnic-reunion was chaired by Darrell and Sue Vinson of Little Butter Creek : 373 per sons were registered. For many years members of the Heppner Garden Club have arranged the flowers on the tables and platform, and members of the Soroptimist International have supervised the registration. L p Fri., May 22 & Sat., May 23 Heppner Elks Lodge 358 Outdoor Jjf Bar B Que" Sat., May 23 Public Meetings Janet Wightman of Concord California died In an auto accident May A. 19!.l at Sacramento. Calif. She was born Dec. 15. 1940. at Heppner and lived in Heppner until 195B when the family moved to Tamalis. Calif. She graduated from Tamalis High School and Mill College. Oakland. Calif. After graduation she moved to Concord. Calif., where she was on the staff of the chemistry department at Diablo Junior College for seventeen years. She was an active member in the Ladies m Flying Club. She held private pilot license. commercial license and an Instructor's pilot license. She was a member of Saint Columbia Episcopal Church at Marteniz, Calif. Survivors include her father and mother. Marvin and Claudien of McKenr.ie Bridge. Ore.: brothers. James Wight man. Greeley. Colorado, and Marvin R. Wightman Jr.. Santa Rosa. Calif.; a sister, Margaret Crapuscl, Sacra mento. Calif.: and five neices and two nephews. Memorial services were held at Saint Johns Episcopal Church, Concord, Calif., on Thursday. May 14. 19H1. McLaughlin GRASS VALLEY. Calif. Funeral services and burial were held May 13 at Grass Valley for. John F. Mclaugh lin. 57. formerly of Heppner. Mr. McLaughlin died May 8. 19R1. at Grass Valley. He was born at Heppner May IS. 1R23. to Cornelius and Mary McLaughlin. He attend ed schools and grew up in Heppner. After World War II. he left the area, and lived at Baker, In Idaho, and In California for about 20 years. He worked as a roofer. Mr. McLaughlin was a member of the Roman Cath olic Church. His wife. Betty, died earlier. He is survived by a step daughter, Betsy Corbin. at Santa Rosa. Calif.: sisters. Kathryn Wright, of Kodiak. Alaska. Nonie Pointer and Virginia Conlon. both of Pen dleton, and Sarah Connelly. Gig Harbor, Wash.: brothers, Dan, of Rhinebeck. N.Y.. Jim and Hugh, Spokane, Wash.. Joe. Herb and Mike, all of Pendleton. Bob of Pilot Rock, and Terry. Huntington Beach. Calif. Mon May 25 Memorial Day. Wed.. May 27 HepPW Public Library Board. Lib rary, Heppner, R p m.; Mor row County Court. County Building. Irrigon. 10 a.m. Death Notice 'Blanche Thomson Blanche Thomson. Heppner. died May 11 at Pioneer Memorial Hospital In Hepp ner. Mrs. Thomson was. 71. A complete obituary will be published next week. 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