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.
' i
TEEN
OF THE
WEEK
JOHN
MURRAY
..John Murray, this week's teen li an active student at
Heppner High School. A junior with a CPA of 3.S4, John li the
on of Rod and Meg Murray. Not only does he offer time and
talent to HHS. but aUo character and example on the
athletic field and in the cliiirmm. John hat participated In
varsity football, banket ball and baseball. He It a member of
National Honor Society, Outdoor Club. Il-Club and the
Methoditt Youth Group. John will terve at Student Body
President next year.
UqJJ This Ad Sponsored By
UcDon&ldi 1 g2i
J Inc.
' ' '
f v 1
9(o
3 -
m. m mm MM t M M M lhJB W M M MM
mu u zi
CMfMMR
COMPLETE FROM A TO Z.
A AM radio wtth Quartz
digital clock and dual
front ipsa Kara (May bo dototad
tor crodit.)
c
Bigoar than a Cnovotta,
amaltor man a Citation.
Complota Nat or 43
standard tatrturao:
S. 1 a UMr 4 Qtwbtf IrvMni
4pMd manual Mtawt traranMMfl
4. rimi mnurt (rent ammr arum
a. COTiputw Conwwjnd Comioi
(. MacPnfon-nK from auMMntun
I PuaMMtun AM now wim ami tronl
iminiimi bm jum a h eradwi
10. OuarudwuickotiinMrlntriraaMI
11. fn
11 FfMdanlii
IS. Ursa oapacHy M-gWont luW lank
14 Oaymon maoa imimm mm
It So mndow oalogaanj
tt. EMOrc raar window awlowaar
IT. Thotor aaawonwd MM lamp) wx
amaar mm twnaM laaswoi waooni
II PtowHhru powar wjnmanon nmn
It. Locking aa tutor Ooor wil cap Iwtflw;
10. Ocpuaticai moytalnn
ti. l i Minn van IkwOown hum ponol
tX- tmo trunkhaKnuackUaigiM
tl SoOv moKkngl
14. ttytod owot Hotly whavia
St. fcumear two ,
tt nocknina oontouraO tVont aaatt
IT. Aoaat gnp abova oieti paaaonoar dog
at. Conaoto wti raar omrar and can
It. naouaoi' towor oodr Mono-chw
tt. Cotoruryod aaat and ohoutdor battt
31 . Color ood carpatinf
od Smon awMcn''
at . Column
4. Ciganma kghwi and aamrar lamp
at ttkwa comoorunam lock
at. Sryiod ouwda raarvwm mirror
17, 31 aaparan amt-croon-traaimant
at. noaotlabla Hip odomawr
40. Bmo-iMI lack
41. Pomdio ponol oonHrucuon m doom,
hood and trunk M
42 Strong. Iigntwaignl Moot bumpani
loicopt natcnbackl
43. AudMHo dioc toraka woor aamon
D
Dofogoart. aid and
roar windows.
7
aO
26
Economy
43 EST
HIGHWAY
EPA EST
MPO
AO EST
MWY
tor wagon"
il
'2
B El G? 53
0DB3
m &
FFront-wtiMi-driva
traction for anew mud
or wot atraota.
G
aaawi GM t Computer
Command Control.
HHaad and hip room
nough to aaat tour
adulta vary comfortably
Intarkx room of 4-door
JaV Sodan ta auponor to that
of a Toyota Corolla or Corona.
Dataun 210. Honda Accord or
VW Rabbit.
JJ-Car tranaiatoa
Into a car with
the latest QM
tachnotogy.
N.
Newly developed I B
Liter 4-cylinder transverae
engine
o
Overdrive 4-peed
manual tranamittion
M Power front diac
A brake power
ventilation ayttem. Ptattital
lower body ttone-chip
protection, and a powerfully
appealing Chevy price.
Q
Quality chockt it
the factory total more
than 1,000.
Reclining front teatt.
Rally wheels and
rack -end-pinion tteenng
K
Knee room
enough
to aatiafy a 6'5"
rsxvurn ixiwt i
I Smooth' Jr
American.
LLaaer beama meaaure
body fit to make aura
every tingle Cavalier paaaot
demanding tolerance teste.
T Tested, retailed and
tested again to become
the most thoroughly tested
new car in Chevy a history
M
Modela include
a family aedan,
slick hatchback.
claaay coupe and spacious wagon
1
fafsMwL jWBwwiBaawaWiHtoWa ujfilittmlMWtMtMf
UUnitued
body ,
automatically
inspected , ,
by robots lor f
weld integrity. J
V,
i i i w w
Vital ttatistica
Cavalier 1 101-inch wheelbaae
help provide a smooth ride
and is longer than that ot a
Honda Accord PTTTIMUU
1 rm rruriH ra n
superior in size
to that of a
loiauii nj. h X'-
nuiiuo nLLuru
nr Tnuntl
Corolla Sedan trnTlttr31..M
and holds eight pieces ot luggage
Wr Warranties 12.0OO
mile 24.000 miles
for drive train)
limited warranty, plus I 3-year
limited warranty against
perforation Irom corrosion
See your dealer for details
XX rays scan
construction to
assure alignment of
interior carts
J'" 'T'Jl'! J
Tf li ' ' I mm !
ajjlwawwjriwoww
You're
invited lo
test drive
Cavalier at
any one of
more than 6,600
Chevy dealers If you'd like,
bring in a friend who's an
engineer and let him go over it
Inch by inch You'll both
appreciate Cavalier t quality
and engineering.
ZZinc-precoated metals
and 30 other anti-corrosion
treatments help protect
Cavalier from the elements
Uaa Mtimatud MPO lor companions
Your miiaaua may ditler dapanding on
poad. dialanca, weather Actual
jl I Ik ... X V. "lyiiway miloaga towwr
1 fi- r
j " ' ' " 111 ,. jl Cavalier 4-Dr Sedan
THE COMPLETE CAR
NOW AT YOUR CHEVY DFALERS.
hQbJtk, .Jw1ew
r