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