Image provided by: Morrow County Museum; Heppner, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (May 1, 1991)
T tv ~ - -KW-*»- -- » * * * » —, ! rss I R U OF « • City-county kids exchange places > » WF. TZ ' ¿ I L OFF r. '.V S P A F SR L I 3 j ' ■ : r. 7 1 ~ ■* 35C azette imes VOL 110 NO. 17 Morrow County Doug and Carley Drake win 1991 Conservation Farmers award Applications were down this year for the Centennial-Heppner Middle school exchange program, but 78 Centennial students still applied for the exchange. Only a select few of those could attend however, with around 20 Portland area students ex changing places with eighth grade students at Heppner Middle School. Dave Olcutt, Centennial teacher, says that in previous years up to 125 students have applied for a spot in the exchange. Olcutt, who has ac companied the Centennial students all but one of the 11 years of the ex change, has nothing but praise for the program, which, he says, allows students to experience a different way of life and forges lasting friendships. Centennial students, for the most part, echo Olcutt’s enthusiasm, with four out of five students, visiting with a Gazette-Times employee, saying they definitely want to return to Heppner. Erin Meyer, staying with the Chuck and Donna Moeller family and Bret Holden, staying with the Bill Kuhn and Ann Spicer family, were surprised that Heppner Middle School had no locks on their lockers. Brandon Jensen, staying with the Tom and Laura McElligott family and Bret both commented how much there is to do in the summer here, but Rina Childers, hosted by Monte and Becky Evans says there wasn’t much to do, compared to home where she could “ go to the movies, swim, go shopping, ice skating." She said she “ probably would come again,” however. All of the students commented that “ everybody knows everybody” in Heppner, but some thought that was positive and others didn’t. The 1991 Conservation Farm of the Year in Morrow County is the Douglas and Carley Drake farm in Sand Hollow. They farm 1250 acres of owned land and 1000 acres of land leased from Carley’s father, Roland Bergstrom. It is in a wheat/fallow rotation, with some barley and a few cattle “ to keep things interesting,” sayd Doug. Doug is the third generation Drake on his farm. His grandfather moved to the Sand Hollow ranch in 1927, and purchased it in 1952. Some of the structures, such as the diversion ditches, were designed and built by Doug’s father. In 1986 Doug and Carley began to buy the farm from his mother and to lease land from his father-in-law. Since then he has built new terraces, planted grass waterways, renovated streambanks, started new practices designed to conserve moisture and soil, and participated in special projects. In Sand Hollow, in addition to the 20,000 feet of old, graded terraces that were built by his father and grandfather, he installed 24,300 feet of new level terraces. He also com pleted 3.2 miles of streambank im provement, to include shaping and seeding to grass, under a long term agreement with ASCS. In addition to this, Doug improved a lot of dit ches on his own. In Gooseberry there were 12,000 feet of old, graded and level terraces and he added 51,600 feet of new, leve terraces, with R oland’s cooperation. He seeded a half mile of streambank. He participated in the Dry Fork watershed project, a special project requiring Doug to subsoil, reduce tillage, build terraces and manage residue more stringent ly than on the rest of the farm. Between the two places there is 1100 acres of land enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program. Doug built his own subsoiler, and has used it extensively on much of his farmland to good effect. Doug’s interest in conservation has also extended to a cooperative study with the Oregon State Univer sity Extension Service. Donating 30 acres of land for the purpose, the study looks at the differences bet ween chemical and conventional fallow, and between annual cropp ing and crop/fallow rotations. Doug has been a member of the M orrow County A gricultural Stabilization and Conservation Com mittee (ASC County Committee) for nine years. He is conservation mind ed and believes in leaving the soil in at least as good condition as he found it. His conservation actions since he began managing his farm proves this out. “ Doug and Carley are excellent representatives of conservation in Morrow County, and deserve the honor of Conservation Farm of the Year,” said Lundin. Joan Ployhar presented volunteer award Johns stated “ It is our way of say ing thanks for your devotion to others and for taking the time to care.” The purpose of the award is to recognize outstanding volunteers in the state of Oregon. At Heppner Elementary Ployhar helps students learn the basic words that represent over 50 percent of all reading selections, says Shaw. “ The staff and students at Heppner Elementary greatly appreciate Joan’s dependable and unselfish service," Shaw added. Weather Report __________ Linda Shaw Joan Ployhar, long-time volunteer at Heppner Elementary School, has received a certificate of merit from Portland television station KPTV’s "Time to C are" program. Ployhar, nominated by Linda Shaw. Heppner Elementary school teacher and volunteer coordinator, for her work with second graders, was awarded a certificate by KPTV’s public affairs director. Gene Brendler and KPTV “ Time to C are" coordinator Lnda Johns. by City of Hbppnt April 23 - 24. 1441 Hiish Ixm Prec Snow 68 T u b . .36 41 Weds. 57 30 .0 Thurx. 54 .0 34 .07 Fri. 53 36 Sat. 56 T 35 Sun. 58 T 35 Mon. .0 62 35 Total precipitation for \p r il .40 Photo by Carol Atherly “ I don’t really like the school that much,” said Rina. “ You see the same people over and over. It gets kind of boring.” “ It’s peaceful here, though,” she said. “ You can walk down the road without worrying about anyone hitting or mugging you.” Kids are just about the same everywhere, added Rina. “ You’ve got the popular group and you’ve got the nerdy group.” The Centennial school is much larger though, with around three times the students. School food is much the same in Heppner as in Portland, says Rina, who commented that she doesn’t like it any better here than she does at home. While most o f the students remarked on Heppner's small size, Gloria Gobler, hosted by the Dick and Sam Devin family, said “ I thought it would be a lot smaller.” Alanna Chan, added, “ It (Heppner) does have places you can buy things.” Alanna also stayed with the Moeller family. Many of the students were surpris ed that many families do not lock their doors upon leaving home and some leave their car keys in the ignition. Other Centennial students travel ing to Heppner were Bre Cross and Katy Paul who stayed with Claudia and Merlin Hughes family, Jolene Dunn and Brenda Mead-Ken and Judy Wright; Aimee Heiden and Amy Hollingsworth-Wayne and Sue Evans; Kari Hutchinson-Randall and Colleen Cookston; Heather Mahon and Diana Moncada-Jeff and Kathie Maben; Matt Cauthers-John and Penni Keersemaker; Ian Friderich- Paul and Susie Hisler; Mike Munsey-Earl and Jill Struckmeier; Brian Tomlinson-Charlie and Mar sha Anderson; and Jennifer Olson- Gary and Marcia Kemp. Next week we will hear the other side of the story, with comments from some of Heppner students who traveled to the Portland area. Marshall Lovgren retires as city administrator Marshall Lovgren L-R: Carley, Amy, Kevin and Doug Drake * Katy Paul, Erin Meyer, Brandon Jensen, Bret Holden and Amy Hollingsworth Marshall Lovgren Heppner City Administrator for the past 13 years, has announced his retirement the end of May. Lovgren started working for the city of Heppner October 1. 1970, under the supervision of Water Superintendent Vic Groshens. He was to be employed only six weeks to temporarily relieve Wayne Har- sin, who had injured his back. When Harsin was advised by his doctor to give up the city job, as it was too strenuous for his condition, Lovgren's employment with the ci ty was extended. “ Much of my knowledge of the external workings of the city is credited to Vic Groshens,” said Lovgren. “ A lot of his knowledge regarding water and sewer lines was not recorded on maps and I listened intently as he would make those locations known.” In 1974 city recorder Elaine George retired and Lovgren was promoted to that position. “ I credit Elaine George with familiarizing me with the internal workings of the system,” he said. “ She had original ly decided to retire July 1, 1974, but after she had guided me with her duties for three months, she decid ed to retire earlier and quit in February 1974 She always had a good outlook for the job and was willing to help those who worked with her. That is something that always stuck in my memory and I have tried to pass my knowledge on to those working with me,” Lovgren added. In June of 1978 the city passed an ordinance creating the position of ci ty administrator and Lovgren was appointed to that position by Mayor Jerry Sweeney. With added respon sibilities Lovgren realized that he needed more help in the office. Mary Jean McCabe, city treasurer work ing in the office the first and last week of each month, was employed full time. She and Lovgren worked together until she retired in January 1990. Rene’ Devin, formerly city librarian, was named to the position McCabe held as city treasurer. “ There have been many services provided during my employment with the city,” said Lovgren. “ In the m id-seventies when the 911 Emergency service became available Firewood season open May 15 Firewood season is open on the Heppner Ranger District. Firewood permits are available beginning May 1 at the Heppner Ranger District of fice and at Millers Mini-Mart in Heppner However, the firewood cutting units will not open till May 15. This year the district has three charge areas and one free use area. The first cutting unit open is Herren Meadow and runs from May 15 to June 30. The other area open is the Sunflower Flats area and this is a free use unit which is open from May 15 to November 15. In this area wood is in slash piles. The other two charge areas will open July 1 with one located in the Cold Spring area and the other in Kelly Prairie This year there is a restriction on cutting standing trees larger than 14" stump diameter is prohibited. There is no restrictions on cutting down trees larger than 14” . The price for the firewood re mains the same as last year. A cord sells for *5 each with a minimum permit of *10 (2 cords). The max imum is 10 cords ($50) per household per year. For additonal information contact the Heppner Ranger District at 676-9187. Sign up for Babe Ruth tryouts Anyone between the ages of 13 and 15 interested in trying out for Babe Ruth baseball should contact I thought it was of great importance to the community. It gives me a great feeling of pride to know that I was instrumental in getting the service for the community, as it provides 24 hour protection. Some cities are still in the process of getting the 911 ser vice.” Over the years Lovgren worked under the supervision of three mayors, Sweeney, Cliff Green and Cara Costa. “ I have learned alot about city government." he said, “ and I have met many new acquain tances and friends. I will miss those I’ve had the opportunity to work with from federal, state, county and city government, and auditing and engineering firms.” “ I am sure my adjustment to retirement will be enjoyable,” he added. “ I’m looking forward to spending time at home with my wife Edda. Starting June 1, instead of working for a living. I will be liv ing and enjoying my leisure time. I have enjoyed working with and for the public.” Gary Marks, who has a public relations firm in Tualatin, will assume duties of city administrator when Lovgren retires. Marks, who has a bachelor of arts degree in human resources manage ment. has experience in city govern ment, serving on the Tualatin city council. Marks stresses that his role as city administrator is to “ fulfill the goals, policies and directives" of the city council. Marks and his wife, Laurie, have a 15-month old son, Ben. either Rick Johnston 676-5562 or Tom Wicklund 676-5259 by May 10 . W e Turn ]Red Tape Into RED CARPET HANK op V ijE aStem Oreqon ** ’ Your Independent H ome O w ned B a n k " A rlington • H e p p n e r • lone F0,c
