Image provided by: Morrow County Museum; Heppner, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (July 10, 1991)
TWO - Heppner Gazette-Time?., Hi ppner, Oregon Wednesday, July 10, 1991 Mother, son reunited after 61 years to cement their lies and help Melvin establish his roots, they visited the family cemetery and showed him the farmhouse where he was bom. Many more family reunions are in store, they said. The Morrow Coun ty folks are looking forward to a trip to Michigan, and when Melvin returns, he and his wife plan to spend a month in Oregon to become better acquainted with many more of his relatives. And he has lots of new-found family-Anna and her husband, Felix, who live in Heppner, have tour children and five grandchildren; Fran and her husband David, lone raised one son and two daughters and have six grandchildren; Joe has three children and “ numerous” grandchildren. Sue and her husband Darrel, live on Buttercreek. L-R: Fran Barnett, Joe Heath, Sue Vinson, Melvin Gilchrist and Anna S chw arzin. A Heppner woman has a new son. This wouldn’t be unusual in itself, but the son is 61-years old and has two children and four grandchildren of his own. As a young woman. Sue Vinson gave up her gave up her eldest son for adoption at birth 61 years ago in Kansas. “ My family was very poor,” said Sue, “ So I gave this son up for adoption, hoping he would have a better life. I gave my word that I would never try to find him. And I kept my word. But I always hoped that someday he would find m e.” V inson’s son, M elvin, was adopted by a couple named Gilchrist, who moved to Michigan when he was very young. His adop tion papers were all in order, but his birth certificate was never transfer red to the Gilchrists. When he was 16, however, he needed his birth certificate for proof of age to apply for a Social Security number. It was not until then that he learned about his adoption, because his adoptive parents had not wished him to find out. Many years later, a cousin of the Gilchrist family, who was tracing his ancestors through the Mormon Church records, came across Melvin Gilchrist's birth record. It also listed the birth of a daughter, Anna (Schwarzin) who had been delivered by the same doctor. But there were no further clues as to the whereabouts of these missing relatives. When Anna’s father George Maybury, died, he left his Kansas property to her. She later sold that property to a woman who also hap pened to be a Historical Society member in Kansas. It was this woman who eventually gave Schwarzin’s Heppner address to Gilchrist. In 1957 Sue and her two daughters Anna and Fran Barnett came to Oregon so that Sue could help keep house and act as nurse for her brother-in-law who had recently had a heart attack and his wife. Fran’s father had just died and it seemed to be the time to make a move. Once in Oregon Sue met Darrell Vinson and a year later they were married. Anna and Fran knew that there was something about a previous child, but the time never seemed right to discuss it with their mother. Then Anna received a letter in dicating that Gilchrist was seeking information about his background. But he voiced concern over his mother’s health and stressed that he would understand if Schwarzin did not wish to respond. This lead to a mother-daughter talk that Schwarzin said should have happened years ago and plans for a Memorial Day Reunion. The reunion was a joyful one as they greeted each other with hugs at the home of their brother, Joe Heath, in Kansas. And, Fran says, Melvin “ fit right in.” She said that the two brothers, Joe and Melvin, share a love of antiques. “ The first time we talked on the phone,” laughed Fran, “ we talked for 102 minutes. He’s a real character. I think he can hold his own in the family.” It was a case of everything falling into place, she added. “ Mother is thrilled.” Three days in Kansas, however, just didn't give them enough time to catch up on the past, they said. But Several classes have been added to the swimming lessons scheduled at the Heppner pool. Emergency Water Safety. Advanced Swimming and a one-week beginner session. Emergency Water Safety is a 10-hour course scheduled for July 29 to August 2, 9 to 11 a m. Course prerequisites are: (1) have an American Red Cross intermediate swimming certificate; or (2) be able to sw im continuously for 5 minutes performing the crawl and side stroke, jump into deep water, swim four body longths underwater, sur face and tread water for one minute. EWS is a prerequisite to the water safety instructor course which will be offered the end of August and first part of September. The exact dates will be announced later. “ The city of Heppner is always looking for individuals certified for water safety instructor,” aid pool manager Sarah Carlson. Minimum age requirement for WSI is 17 years. Cost is $15 with a book fee of $2.75. Advanced swimming is a 10-hour course planned for August 5 through 9 from 9 to 11 a.m. Course prerequisites are (1) com pleted EWS, (2) successfully com pleted the American Red Cross sw immer’s course, or (3) be able to swim continuously for 10 minutes using any of the basic swimming Greg Holland, assistant golf pro from Pendleton, will be giving golf lessons at Willow Creek Country Club on July 16. Beginning classes will be from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and in- • Chemicals « Parts • Starting Monday, July 15th 7 a.m. - 6 p.m 7 a.m. - 5 p.m Phone 989-8221 Toll Free - 1-800-452-7396 W asco P arts O u tlet M-F Sat. 7 a.m. - 8 a.m. - Phone 442-5781 6 p.m. 5 p.m. Morrow County Grain Growers Í ?50 Mdin Lcxingion. f>regon VK9-R22I * CENEX LANDO LAKES • Tires • Batteries • Chemicals • Parts • Automotive • Calkins • Case IH • Parts • strokes (craw l, breaststroke, backcrawl, side stroke), surface dive to eight feet and perform survival float for five minutes in deep water. Advanced swimming is designed for the skilled swimmer. It provides an opportunity for individuals to learn and perfect eight different swimming strokes as well as entries and turns. Participants will be swim ming lengths of the pool. “ This would be an excellent way to get into aerobic shape for fall sports or for anyone interested in the WSI course to be offered this fall,” said Carlson. The course fee is $15. One week of beginner lessons are scheduled for August 12 to 16. Beginner III will be from 11:30 to 12:15 p.m.; Beginner II is from 12:15 to 1 p.m.; and Beginner I is from 1 to 1:45 p.m. The fee is $7.50. Courses that still have openings are the July 15 to 26 swimmer’s classes from 12:15 to 1 p.m. and the July 29 to August 9 preschool classes from 11:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. and intermediate classes from 12: J5 to 1 p.m. Carlson said that individuals sign ing up for lessons should be remind ed that they are not officially registered for the class until the $15 registration fee has been paid. In dividuals must register for lessons at the Heppner pool. Inetia Cantin (I) and G ary Nolan Gary Nolan, in charge of maintenance and housekeeping at Pioneer Memorial Hospital in Hepp ner, presented Inetia Cantin with a plaque commemorating her retire ment from PMH recently. Inetia, who is retiring after 16 years as PMH housekeeper, began her hospital career when Eileen Wyman (Laughlin) was administrator. Inetia was honored with cake, punch, hors d’oeuvres and gifts from hospital staff and administration at a party at the hospital July 5. Mrs. Cantin says that she and her husband. Merlin, recently acquired a motor home and plan to do a little traveling. They have already plann ed a trip to Merlin’s home state of Minnesota. The Cantins have four grown children, daughters, Linda Wameke, Montana: Sharon W ithers, Gladstone; and Pam Voltz, Mesa, Arizona; and a son Leslie, Portland and nine grandchildren. Weddings Golf pro to give lessons at WCCC H A R VE S T Mon. - Friday Sat. Senior citizens from lone, Lex ington, Heppner and other areas in South Morrow County are welcome to come to St Patrick’s Senior Center dining room area Tuesday, July 16, from 10:30 to 11:00 a.m. for the purpose of expressing their concerns about the health care system in Mor row County. There will be opportunity to discuss the 10 key issues of health care that came out of community- wide discussions in late June as well as other concerns at this first focus group meeting. Pastors Grace Drake and Stan Hoobing will be the facilitators for this meeting. They are looking for seniors to give their wisdom and knowledge and concerns. “ So mark your calendars and plan to attend. Your imput is important,” said Pastor Hoobing. Pool adds swimming classes • Hardware » Fire Equipment • Water Tanks « Hose * Nozzles » Full Service Shop » Brain Storage ■ Propane Sales « Tires • Batteries Î Seniors needed for Inetia Cantin retires from PMH input on health care termediates will be from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Those interested may sign up at WCCC or call 676-5437 or 676-5563. A registration fee of $10 is payable in advance to WCCC. Library hours reduced Because of budget cuts the Hepp ner Library has reduced its hours to 10 to 11 a.m. on Mondays; 1:30 to 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, and 1:30 to 7 p.m. on Wednesdays. Librarian Dorthy Wilson says that the library welcomes volunteers and donated books. New titles in the library are “ Secrets of the Morning,” by An drews; “ Pomp and Circumstance,” by Stewart; “ Vortex,” by Bond; “ The Other Side of Love,” by Briskin; “ Thunder of Erebus,” by Harrison; “ Sorceress of Darshiva,” by Edding: “ The Rustlers of West Fork,” by L’Amour; “ An Occa sion of Sin,” by Greeley; “ Pacific Beat,” by Parker; ‘For What It’s W o rth ,” by Harvey; “ The Piranhas,” by Robbins; and “ The Kitchen God's W ife,” by Tan. The library also has a limited supply of books on tape, said Wilson. Film planned at Lexington Baptist A film on the theory of evolution entitled “ God or Gorilla.” has been scheduled for Sunday, July 14, at 7 p.m. at the Lexington Baptist Church. Darrell Gilyard will deliver the message. Everyone is invited to attend. W e Do SCREEN PRINTING •Labels •Bumper Stickers •D ecals Gazette-Times 676-9228 Hj® Crawford — Wells Lori Ellen Crawford and Lt. Robert P. Wells were married May 11, 1991, in the Chapel at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station. The reception was held at the Oak Harbor Yacht Club. The bride was given in marriage by her mother and father Clyde and Wilda Crawford of Eugene, former lone residents. She is the granddaughter of Irene Dalzell and the late Arthur Dalzell of The Dalles. The groom's parents are Rose and Dale Archer of Richland. WA and Dick and Jeanette Wells of Bellingham. WA. Lori is a 1988 graduate of the University of Oregon. She is a northwest representative for Mayer/Berkshire Hosiery. Wells is a 1986 graduate from the University of Washington. He is a naval aviator of EA 6B Jets, stationed at Whidbey, NAS. Volunteers sought for clothing data collection If you are a mature woman, do you have difficulty finding attractive clothing that fits your changing figure? If you do, you have com pany. It is recognized that physical changes in women over 55 make shopping for clothing difficult. The Extension system across the United States is participating in the collection of measurement data to develop a new sizing system for mature women. The Extension Ser vice in Oregon is seeking volunteers ^ The spirit o f July is at its most dramatic in jew elry set with fiery red r u b ie s and d a z z lin g diam onds. We think it’s a terrific way to light up every day of the year. Member Jewelers o( America. Inc Peterson's Heppner • Electncal • Petroleum • lubricanti to participate in the training on how to take 57 different measurements accurately for women more than 55 years of age. The training will be in Portland in late August. The trained volunteers will then take the measurements of women in their communities. If you are in terested in participating as a volunteer data collector, phone Carol Bennett, Morrow County Ex tension Agent at 676-9642. <-v;si í Jewelers 676-9200
