■ M M M M H a M M M ia if l
Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, November 28, 1990 - FIVE
EASTERN OREGON
OUTDOORS
SDA church to ingather
The Seventh Day Adventist
Church will be out ingathering even
ings except Friday (weather permit
ting).
Starting Dec. 1 members will be
singing Christmas carols and will be
asking for contributions to be used
to help those less fortunate.
Ruth Locust plans meeting
Emergency
Regs Change
Reduces
Steelhead
Bag
Wintertime
Boat Use
Calls fo r
Special
Maintenance
Ruth Locust Chapter No. 32,
Order of the Eastern Star will be at
tending a district meeting Tuesday,
December 4, at Umatilla. It will be
hosted by Umatilla Chapter No. 107.
A 6:30 p.m. potluck will precede the
meeting and Ruth Locust Chapter
has been asked to bring desserts.
The regular stated meeting of Ruth
Locust Chapter will be held Mon
day, December 10, at Heppner
Masonic Hall at 8 p.m. A social hour
will follow the business meeting and
members are asked to bring
Christmas goodies to share for
refreshments and gifts for exchange.
Off the Wall
___
By Merlyn Robinson
It’s the season for thankfulness as well as gift giving and receiving. But
how often do we count our blessings or give from our hearts intangible
presents that can’t be purchased?
The manner in which communication is handled is one of our most
valuable gifts to others and to society. Spoken language is often harsh and
offensive. Public meeting proceedings are often misconstrued by poor com
munication due to lack of articulation, projection or the manner of speak
ing by those people conducting meetings.
Television, an influencing tool, needs to clean up its act. Foul or harsh
words used to be in poor taste. Today’s movie and television programs por-
mote insensitivity, encouraging people to make a game out of insulting one
another.
A verbal pat on the back, speaking kindly to children from birth and con
siderate speech might solve relationships in families, at school and work.
Who knows the impact that kind words have when exchanged between peo
ple of different countries.
Sometimes well-intended words come out in a hurtful manner. Spoken
words cost little but can do great damage. And the exchange of kinder words
gives us the human edge that leads to respect and trust.
Too bad that the first amendment of the Constitution that protects freedom
of the speech, press and peaceful assembly can’t be amended to allow only
kind words to be tossed out to the world and the people around us. For
example, who can forget the hateful words bandied about before an election.
Elected officials who toss out slanderous remarks get tom to shreds by
the media. And those words that can’t be recalled often cost them their posi
tions. Maybe we all need to be taken to task for improper verbal actions.
Someone doing a mundane job could be inspired to greater ac
complishments through praise rather than ridicule. Harsh words can pro
voke violence or lead to reprise from gossip that is one of the most defiant
forms of unkind words.
We all need to be more precise with spoken words for they are like this
season’s snowflakes; once they have fallen they cannot be retrieved. Like
“ monkey see, monkey do” children and adults pattern their speech after
the language that is cast about them in their everyday worlds.
Parents send children to school hoping that they will grasp language skills
as an aid in becoming responsible adults. Leadership abilities that help solve
the problems of a chaotic world are facilitated by public speaking skills.
As a former mumbler, I appreciate efforts made by others that enable
them to put across their ideas in a pleasing manner. For at times, we are
all guilty of speaking unwisely.
We have alot of good people in this county, many of whom are willing
to take on the task of serving on boards as unpaid volunteers who devote
time and energy towards management decisions.
But I feel that the Morrow County School District administrative staff
and the school board need to set a better example towards communication
that would support their efforts.
It’s time those meetings were staged so that others in attendance can hear
the proceedings. I thought it was my loss of hearing until others seated beside
me expressed their difficult in hearing portions of these meetings.
A cavernous meeting room and mumbled speech leads to misunderstan
ding of the decision-making processes. I have also seen examples of
avoidable agitation caused by lack of spoken diplomacy. And I feel it is
rude to ignore others in attendance when presentations are targeted solely
at the board. Such actions detract from public support that is necessary for
this operation.
Most schools have portable public address systems that could offer one
avenue of improvement. And it’s never too late to work at improving "them
there watcha-call-it” skills or whatever it is that I’ve been trying to do.
A task force of Forest Service
scientists and specialists will study
the health of three national forest in
eastern Oregon over the next six
months to determine what measures
are necessary to restore the forests
to a healthy condition.
Bill Gast, deputy forest supervisor
of the Wallowa-Whitman National
Forest, was appointed by Regional
Forester John Butruille to chair the
task force. “ Under Bill’s leadership,
the five-person committee will
analyze the condition o f the
Malheur, Umatilla and Wallowa-
Whitman National Forests and will
recom m end
procedures
to
rehabilitate and maintain these
forests in a healthy condition.”
Butruille said the impetus for the
study comes from nearly a decade of
epidemic levels of insect infestations
and tree diseases, all aggravated by
several years of drought.
“ Forest health in the Blue Moun
tains has been on a decline for
sometime,” Gast said. “ The pro
blems can’t be cured quickly.The
task force will look at long-term
means of restoring and maintaining
healthy forest conditions.”
“ We will work closely with the
Blue Mountains Natural Resource
Institute, and any actions we recom
mend will be consistent with the
forest plans of the three national
forests,” Gast said. The Institute is
a body of county, state and federal
officials interested in overall forest
health, headquartered in LaGrande.
The study, which will focus on na
tional forest lands only, is due for
completion in March 1991. Other
com m ittee m em bers are en
tomologist Don Scott, pathologist
Craig Schmitt, ecologist Charlie
Johnson and silv’culturist Dave
Clemens.
BM CC student reps selected
Twelve students from Blue Moun
tain Community College have been
selected by their peers to serve as
student representatives for the
1990-91 school year. Members of
the Associated Student Government
will include: John Monagle, Jeanie
Spilker, Michael Rohde, Pendleton;
Joy H ellberg, Irrigon; Mark
Shelton, Milton-Freewater; Marty
Suter and Bonnie Guthrie, Board-
man; Anna Reser, Condon; Hoss
Hodges and Tammy Neil, Her-
miston; and Shannon Anderson,
Adams.
BMCC students also elected Vic
toria Zearfoss of Pendleton to the
position of ASG R ecording
Secretary.
ASG representatives and officers
serve on campus academic commit
tees, help with activities including
registration, and plan a variety of
student oriented events throughout
the school year. Events planned for
fall term have included New Student
O rientation and B arbecue, a
“ Welcome Back Dance” , the Pum
pkin Carving Contest and Freakers
Ball. Future events will include
Christmas decorating of the College
Union, a Christmas dance, and the
annual Christmas Eve dinner.
Students also participate in the
Community College’s of Oregon
Association and Commissions, atten
ding once a month meetings and
several annual conferences aimed at
developing student leadership.
Just in Time for
CHRISTMAS
TWIN BOOM
WRECKER
only
SJ995
Heppner Auto Parts
Because there are no
unimportant parts.™
676 - 9123
148 E. Center
Heppner
Heavy duty steel
construction.
Twin Booms.
INAPAI
— CLIP & SAVE
CUSTOM
Leather Work
and Repairs
Schroth elected
VP of Industry
Council
CHAIN SAWS
Supplies
and Repairs
CA LL US
for
Seed Prices
We Want Your Feed Business
Feed Prices as of November 15, 1990
Call for Tonnage Prices
Bob Schroth of Hermiston was
recently elected vice president of
The Oregon Private Industry Coun
cil, Inc. whose 22 members oversee
the administration of the federal Job
Training Partnership Act (JTPA)
programs in 27 Oregon counties.
Schroth, a salesman for Simmons In
surance Agency, served as treasurer
of the council for four years. For
five consecutive years. The Oregon
Consortium has been awarded the
Governm ent Finance O fficers
Association Certificate of Achieve
ment for Excellence in Financial
Reporting.
As vice president, Schroth will be
working with 27 county commis
sioners who compose The Oregon
Consortium Board of Directors, to
manage a $12.5 million program that
served over 5469 Oregonians last
year Seven out of 10 of those leav
ing the program were placed in jobs
while others went on to further
education and training.
As a council member, Schroth
represents East Central Oregon
Association of Counties (ECOAC)
which manages the federal job train
ing program in Umatilla, Gilliam.
Grant, Morrow and Wheeler Coun
ties. Schroth is also chair of the
Local A dvisory G roup for
ECOAC’s job training program.
ECOAC offers services to
businesses including recruiting,
screening and referral of applicants
and on-the-job training along with an
array of services to dislocated
workers and at-risk youth.
For more inform ation call
ECOAC Program Director, Wilma
Hanks at 276-6732 in Pendleton or
Pat Newport, communications
manager of The Oregon Consortium
in Albany at 1-800-452^110.
CLIP & SAVE
An emergency regulations change Dy
the Oregon Department of Fish and
Wildlife on many eastern Oregon rivers
has drastically reduced both the daily
and yearly bag limits of hatchery and
wild steelhead for sport anglers this
season.
The department effected the sudden
rules change November 15 in an effort
to bolster spawning success among
dangerously low returns of summer
steelhead to several Snake and Colum
bia River tributaries. Biologists hope
that by reducing the harvest, an adequate number of fish will be allowed
to complete their migration and create enough smolts to sustain future
populations.
“ The very low runs of steelhead in the Columbia (River) system is
the main reason for implementing these changes,” said Mike Jenninigs,
ODFW steelhead program leader. “ There’s a lot of potential that we
may not get the eggs we need for continuing some of the hatchery pro
grams.”
Although there are no hatcheries on the John Day River, some hat
chery fish destined for other streams do hold for a brief period in the
lower reaches of the river. Jennings hopes the new rules will increase
escapement for these fish, as well as help to rebuild suffering returns
of wild, John Day River steelhead.
“ I think it’s no surprise that the dam flows are the main culprit of
what we’re seeing returning now,” Jennings said. “ We had some real
low flows two years ago and those are the returning fish that we are
seeing this year. We could also see a similar situation (happening) next
year in our runs.”
Emergency changes for Snake River tributaries include: Grand Ronde
River (from Oregon border up to Rondowa)-Catch and release only for
all steelhead, hatchery or wild. From Rondowa up to Meadow Creek
(including Catherine Creek), rules remain unchanged: two hatchery fish
per day, six in possession.
Wallowa River (from the mouth to Lostine River)-Catch and release
only for all steelhead. Both the Lostine River and the W'allowa River
above their confluence are closed to angling.
Imnaha River (up to Big Sheep Creek)-One hatchery fish per day,
one in possession, two per year.
Changes for Columbia River tributaries include:
John Day River (above John Day Arm)~One steelhead, either hat
chery or wild, per day, one in possession, two per year. These rules
affect the main stem plus the legally fishable portions of the North and
Middle forks of the John Day. They remain in effect until April 15, 1991,
then revert back to current regulations (the main stem below the North
Fork is open year round.)
Umatillla River (Highway 730 bridge to Reservation boundary above
Highway 11 bridge)-One hatchery or wild steelhead per day, one in
possession, two per year. This season opens December 1.
Walla Walla River (up to the North and South Forks)--One hatchery
or wild steelhead per day, one in possession, two per year.
Jennings said the department’s long-term goal is to rebuild stocks of
returning steelhead to at least a normal capacity so restrictive bag limits
are no longer needed.
“ Next year we’ll be reviewing again what our populations are look
ing like and what the dam counts are showing and be making a decision-
-hopefully earlier than we did this year-to decide whether or not we
need to have another strategy like this one. At this point I wouldn’t say
that we are going to ilo it next year, but we are definitely going to con
sider it if our runs are way down.”
Some confusion has generated among many anglers regarding the new
two-fish-per-year bag limit. This applies to fish taken per year, not per
season. Anglers fishing streams with seasons extending into 1991 will,
in effect, be allowed to keep a total of four steelhead. ___________
Earlier this month, this column
featured repair-saving tips for prepar
ing boats and their motors for long
term, off-season storage. Ace marine
mechanic Barry H offer, service
manager of The Boat Shop in Richland.
Washington, offered sound advice for
fuel, battery, engine, lower unit and
hull preparation prior to extended
periods of unuse which, for most
eastern Oregon boaters, mean the harsh
winter months.
But what about sportspersons who are
not ready to “ hang it up” at the onset of cold weather? While relatively
few boats get used after the beginning of the big game seasons, many
anglers, as well as bird hunters, employ their watercraft throughout the
winter to take advantages of the numerous opportunities wherever open
water is found.
“ You can run your boat all year round,” says Hoffer. “ That’s why
that ‘winterization’ term is misleading But coldweather operations means
you’ll have to take a few extra (maintenance) steps that you normally
wouldn’t have to worry about during summer.”
Many precautions for wintertime use resemble the same steps taken
by those who put their boats in storage. For instance, Hoffer recom
mends draining and refilling the lower unit with fresh oil. This allows
the boater to inspect the old oil for water seepage and to have the pro
blem corrected. Water in the lower unit could freeze and expand, cracking
the gear case and wreaking havoc with its inner workings.
“ Also, if you're going to use your boat at least once a month,” Hof
fer advises, “ you shouldn’t need to fog the engine, but you should still
treat your fuel. Many fuel stabilizer and conditioners (such as OMC’s
1 plus 2) have a storage ratio and also an operational ratio. So, go with
the operational ratio. In fact, it's good to run that fuel conditioner all
the time.”
When you've loaded your boat onto the trailer after a day on the water,
Hoffer suggests trimming the motor down to a vertical position to allow
all water to drain completely. This should be done while still at the ramp
(as you attach tie downs, etc.) as any trapped water can quickly freeze
and cause expensive damage.
“ A lot of people will fire up their outboards after they’ve taken them
out of water to pump out excess water," Hoffer said. “ They don’t need
to do that: all they’re going to do is ruin the water pump. Most all out
boards have a drain hole in the water pump to let water run out of that
area. Never run your motor out of the water.”
Another precaution wintertime boaters should heed, says Hoffer, deals
with loading and unloading your boat during freezing weather, a time
when typical summertime launching procedures can lead to disaster.
Carpeted trailer bunks, for example, often will still be frozen from the
last time they got wet while the boat was being loaded.
"Then the next time out. some people will go ahead and undo the tie
downs and winch strap at the top of the ramp like they do during sum
mer and just hang onto a (bow) rope so they don’t have to get back out,
and whoosh. Off their boat goes because the bunks were still frozen."
As far as this writer is concerned, the resulting rope bum would seem
insignificant compared with watching your beautiful new boat sail off
its trailer and crash onto the (gulp) pavement.
Many fish species can be caught throughout the winter in many lowland
reservoirs, as well as in the Columbia Snake rivers. Upland birds and
waterfowl can be found on or near most impoundments which remain
ice free. For many sportsmen (including this one), proper wintertime boat
maintenance, warm clothes and lots of hot coffee means the difference
between going hunting and fishing--or staying home and wishing you
could.
____________________________
Scientists to study health
of eastern Oregon forests
>
<
&
&
y
If You Don’t See It Listed, Call for More Info!
GREEN FEED & SEED
Mike and Kay Proctor
Highway 207 • Heppner
676-9422
-------------------------------CLIP & SAVE----------------- ----------