EIGHT - Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, April 22, 1992
Holidays do sorta’ seem to sneak up anymore. 1 didn't find time
to scatter artificial grass while stuffing Easter baskets. And the kit
chen didn’t develop pink blotches or that muddy color after mixing
together all the leftover Easter egg dyes.
I hurriedly bypassed the beautiful Easter lilies in the store. And 1
slapped my hands to prevent grabbing those yummy chocolate bun
nies because the candy dish full of speckled malted milk eggs seem
ed to disappear while I was intently typing a story last weak.
So I wasn't prepared for the acquisition of a fuzzy, little Easter
pet. However I’ve always had a soft spot for cuddly cute kittens,
downy baby chicks or sundry live creatures.
No more house pets, I said, after the family was grown. Somehow
sofas seem more inviting when not decorated with cat hair. But the
kids weren’t the only ones who adopted so-called defenseless kit
tens. I once wagged home a loveable Siamese cat. Not only was his
blond hair quite visable on a dark-colored davenport, but that fat cat
chewed up two handmade afaghans.
It always seemed like the shaggier the dog, the more coddling said
canine required in the warmth of the basement; especially after becom
ing muddy and wet. But somehow our home always seemed to ac
commodate one or more live bodies, including on occasions, a weak,
newborn calf.
And though some of the smaller creatures were supposed to be
confined in cages, I remember the white rats that had a heyday with
a new sleeping bag. And then there were gerbils and guinea pigs,
nice quiet fellows that often slept with their heads buried. We also
catered to goldfish that were supposed to find a home in a watering
trough when they got bigger; however the cat had other plans.
Baby rabbits didn’t become permanent house pets due to a popula
tion explosion. But the big turtle was quite an attractive fellow, looking
somewhat like an ornamental rock and he didn’t move all that fast.
Slimy salamanders and leaping frogs weren’t the most popular house
pets. But unknowingly, I helped Freddie the Frog become a house
guest as he had his home in a large flower pot that I had brought
inside. But when he warmed up and began croaking in the middle
of the night, he also, found himself disposed.
An unusual house occupant was a sand-loving Kangaroo rat cap
tured by our oldest son. But he was a regular Houdini, for he could
escape any confinement. His mobility was something to marvel at,
since like his namesake this diminutive creature could leap three feet
off the ground from a standing start.
So in spite of being creature-conditioned, there were some heart
stopping experiences while hurrying to the freezer in the basement
without bothering to turn on a light. Perhaps to avoid being stepped
on this fuzzy fellow would literally fly in my face. But his repeat
performance helped him regain his freedom in the wide open spaces
after a fateful trip that resulted in an armload of produce for the freezer
lying mangled on the concrete floor.
Now I have to admit that this new little pet is kinda cute consider
ing his bug eyes and soft gray fur. However he didn’t seem to take
the hint that an open door was the best avenue to his longevity. And
I’d welcome anyone fast enough to capture this quick-moving
speedster. Meanwhile I’m still searching for the missing mouse trap
before he invites all his friends to lunch.
Washed-out shrubs need fertilizer
weeds compete with garden
It’s time to muster the home
garden weed patrol. As newly
planted garden vegetables begin
to grow, weeds will start coming
up in the garden too, says Ray
McNeilan, Oregon State Univer
sity home gardening agent. It’s
important to remove this weedy
competition if the vegetable
plants are to flourish.
As you contemplate weed
removal don’t be too quick to rely
on herbicides.
“ Applying chemicals to control
weeds in such a small area isn’t
efficient or cost-effective,”
McNeilan says. “ Removing the
weeds with a hoe may be hard
work, but it’s more effective and
cuts down on the amount of
chemicals used on the garden.”
Other means of controlling
weeds include using mulches,
both organic and non-organic.
For example, a one-inch layer of
bark dust or sawdust will deter
most annual weeds. A mulch of
newspaper, five sheets thick,
covered with bark dust, clean
straw or compost, will help con
trol weeds plus help conserve soil
moisture.
Also, plastic material, such as
clear or black polyethylene
sheeting will help with weed con
trol and moisture conservation.
Landscape cloth stops the growth
of most weeds, but allows water
to pass through.
Donations sought for sale
Donations are being sought for
the Pioneer Memorial Nursing
Home Auxiliary garage sale
planned for May 16.
Those donating should do so by
May 11. For donations or more
information contact Mary Vanden
Haak 676-5042 or Tonia Adams
676-9616. Proceeds will go to the
nursing home.
The auxiliary is in need of
some special items for the nurs
ing home. TV trays, stacking
patio chairs and small pillows for
wheelchair patients would be
greatly appreciated. If anyone
would like to donate these items
call VandenHaak or Adams.
St. Patrick’s
'Senior Center
Bulletin Board
*
Easter Bonnets--L-R Tommy Steagall, Shelby Dyer and
Alvin Jones model their Easter hats they made at the Pioneer
Memorial Nursing Home Easter Parade last Thursday.
Everyone was a winner and received ribbons.
Students to compete in Citizen Bee
Heppner High School students
Ryan Pence, Pete Pearson and
Joseph Healy are among 33 high
school students from 11 area high
schools who will participate in the
regional Citizen Bee competi
tion, Saturday, April 11, at 10:30
a.m. at Eastern Oregon State Col
le g e’s Hoke Hall. Shawn
Cutsforth is the alternate. Linda
Dutcher, Heppner High School
teacher will accompany them.
Besides Heppner, local schools
include Baker, Hermiston, La
Grande, Ontario, Pendleton.
Powder Valley in North Powder,
Boardman, Stanfield, Umatilla,
and Vale. The students were
selected through school competi
tions held earlier this year.
The competition, sponsored by
the Close Up Foundation in
Washington, D.C., will place the
students in several rounds of writ
ten and verbal questions. Points
are awarded for correct answers,
and the students with the greatest
number of points will be declared
winners. The questions will be
based on American history,
geography, economics, politics,
culture and current events from
a study guide prepared by Close
Up.
More that 150,000 students,
representing 3,500 schools across
the country, will participate in the
Citizen Bee this year.
The Citizen Bee in Oregon is
sponsored by the Albany
Democrat Herald, the Confedera
tion of School Administrators, the
East Oregonian, First Interstate
Bank, La Grande Observer,
Nike, Inc., the Oregon Associa
tion of County Clerks, Oregon
Education A ssociation, the
Oregon Newspaper Foundation,
the Oregon School Boards
Association, the Oregon State
Bar, Pamplin Foundation,
Portland General, The Orego
nian, The Samuel S. Johnson
Foundation, The Statesman Jour
nal, U.S. West Communications,
Western Communications Inc.
David Culiffe, a teacher at
LaGrande, is serving as the
regional coordinator.
On the national level, the
Citizen Bee is sponsored by the
Burger King Corporation, the
Milken Family Foundation,
KPMG Peat Marwick, and Kraft
General Foods.
The students will vie for sav
ings bonds of $500, $300, and
$200 and the top seven students
will advance to the state competi
tion set for May 2 in Salem. The
national competition will be held
June 29 in Washington, D.C.
where the students will compete
for scholarships totaling $48,000
provided by the American Hon
da Foundation.
Close Up also sponsors local
government studies programs in
communities across the nation,
produces academic publications
and videotapes, telecasts public
affairs programming nationwide
via C-SPAN (Cable Satellite
Public Affairs Network), and
conducts the Civic Achievement
Award Program for students in
grades five through eight.
Sunday May 17 is the date
chosen for the annual St. Jude
Bike-a-thon in lone. The course,
which includes a 22-mile scenic
ride from Ruggs to lone for those
old enough to undertake it and an
in-town route for small children,
will be the same as last year.
Times and exact course details
will be released later.
The Wheels for Life Bike-a-
thon is for the St. Jude’s
Children’s Research Hospital in
Memphis, Tennessee. Coor
dinator Loa McElligott reports
that past year’s turnouts have
been impressive and she hopes to
continue that trend. She notes that
the hospital has always been most
appreciative of the efforts and. in
fact, they were very surprised that
such a small community raised
y CHEVROLET
j
Over the years some things never
change at a quality dealership
HONESTY-INTEGRITY-RESPONSIBILITY-SERVICE
Doing business for over 45 years
in the same old fashioned way
The Easter dinner April 15 at the Senior Center was preceded by
an Easter parade. Pretty hats, and some zany ones were worn by
the ladies and the four gentlemen who joined the fun. They sang a
parody of “ Put on your Old Gray Bonnet,” accompanied at the piano
by Irene Anhom. The ladies from the nursing home also wore pret
ty Easter hats that they had made.
There were 129 present for the Easter dinner, and eight dinners
were taken out. There were five out of town guests. Grace Buschke
won the meal ticket, Eva Griffith the door prize from Murray’s Drug
Store, and Jean Crawford of Portland received the guest prize.
Members of the Christian Life and Mormon Churches did the serv
ing. The Senior Board met after dinner.
The menu for the birthday dinner April 29 will be chicken nug
gets, oven fries, salad, banana bread, cake and ice cream. Members
of the Seventh Day Adventist and Nazarene Churches will serve.
Certificates of appreciation will be given to RSVP volunteers follow
ing dinner.
The Red Cross Blood drive, sponsored by the Forest Service will
be held in the Senior Center dining room Monday, April 27 from
1 to 6 p.m.
The Senior focus group will meet at the Senior Center Tuesday,
April 28 at 10:30 a.m.
Remember, quilting Monday 1 to 4 p.m; Tuesday and Thursday,
Exercise 10 to 10:30 a.m.; Friday Bible study 10:30 a.m.; Saturday
Bus to Hermiston Dance 6:30 p.m.
Lexington News
________________________________ By Delpha Jones
-:-Bertha Sager is a patient in
the Oregon Medical Hospital in
Portland where she underwent
surgery.
-:-Connie Eng returned Sunday
from St. Vincents hospital where
she underwent major surgery.
-:-Bob Lovgren was a patient
in St. Vincents hospital last week
in Portland.
-:-Ron Olsen and son David
visited Easter Sunday from
Pasco, WA. with Eldon and Bar
bara Gilbert. Other dinner guests
were Alta Cutsforth of Heppner,
Lisa Cutsforth of Portland and
The Heppner Ranger District,
in cooperation with the Rocky
Mountain Elk Foundation and the
Oregon Department of Fish and
Wildlife, will share the costs of
a 1500-acre seeding project. Or-
chardgrass and native grasses,
legumes, and forbs will be seed
ed using a helicopter. The im
proved forage base will lengthen
the grazing season, promote
forage diversity and help control
thistle.
Seeding of natural varieties will
provide a larger forage base that
such a generous amount.
Founded by Danny Thomas in
1962, St. Jude Research Hospital
is the largest childhood cancer
research treatment education
center in America. It is non
sectarian, interracial and provides
medical care for over 3200 active
patients. Currently, an average of
$215,000 per day is needed each
day to keep the doors open. These
funds come primarily from public
contributions.
This year’s bike-a-thon is
dedicated to Brooke Simon of
Delcambre, Louisiana. When she
was three years old, Brooke
developed a malignant tumor in
her abdomen. She had surgery at
St. Jude to remove the tumor,
followed by radiation and
chemotherapy. She is now seven
years old and off therapy. She
returns to St. Jude for regular
check-ups. Brooke’s fight is
representative of all of the St.
Jude patients.
Pledge sheets will be available
at businesses in lone, Lexington
and Heppner. Participants collec
ting $30 or more will receive a
special St. Jude T-shirt. Those
collecting $75 or more will
receive a sports bag in addition
to the T-shirt. Refreshments and
supervision will be provided for
the riders.
For more information on this
worthy cause, contact Loa
McElligott 422-7228.
SINCE
can be used to help break the
monoculture of wheatgrasses that
currently exists in all seeded
areas. Seeding of the clearcut
units will also help control a this
tle problem that has developed on
the District during the past few
years.
The availability of an improv
ed forage base will allow the elk
to stay on national forest lands
longer and help minimize any
damage problems that may occur
on adjacent private rangelands.
Alcohol cited in youths’
accidents, deaths, crimes
The United States surgeon
general held a press conference
recently in which she cited that
alcohol is leading the country’s
youth into emergency rooms and
jails. In the press conference Dr.
Antonia Novello sited figures
showing the problems caused by
young people abusing alcohol, in
cluding accidents, deaths,
assaults, rapes, bad grades in
school and dropouts.
Rev. Stan Hoobing, convenor
of the Oregon Together Group
says that among the statistics sited
by the surgeon general were:
about one third of the youth com
mitting serious crimes consumed
alcohol before the offense; more
than 70 percent of teenage
suicides involved frequent use of
alcohol or drugs; alcohol is a fac
tor in more than half of the rapes
among college students; 55 per
cent of the alleged rapists and 53
percent of the victims were under
the influence of alcohol at the
time; nearly 40 percent of drown-
ings and 75 percent of fatal ac
cidents will all-terrain vehicles in
volved use of alcohol; for every
injury death, there are 16
hospitalizations and 381 injuries
requiring medical care; some
350,000 children in the eighth
grade are binge drinkers and that
the number climbs to 690,000
when they reach sophomores.
Hoobing adds that an article in
1987 medical journal, the “ Jour
nal of Counseling Psychology”
showed information on alcohol’s
role in rape: “ Among high school
female students, 18 percent,
almost one in five, said that is was
OK to force sex if the girl was
drunk.
The Oregon Together Commit
tee realizes that drinking is a
socially accepted norm in our
county and country. “ We do not
oppose adults over the age of 21
who are social drinkers, but we
are deeply concerned about those
under 21 who do drink either at
home, at school sponsored events
or anywhere else.” says Hoob
ing. “ We are concerned and urge
adults, parents and friends of our
youth to engage in healthy
wholesome activities and rela
tionships so that the “ bottle”
does not become a “ friend” , he
continues.
If any individual or organiza
tion would like to know more
about the purpose of Oregon
Together and its program, please
contact Rev. Stan Hoobing. “ Let
us work in Heppner and Lex
ington to make our environment
free of drug and alcohol abuse
among our youth,” Hoobing
says.
FRANK’S SEWER SERVICE
1948
CHEVROLET
Cecil and Delpha Jones of
Lexington.
-:-Betty Marquardt had Easter
dinner at her house on Sunday.
Her father Truman Messenger
from Lexington, daughter Carlita
and Jim Bloodsworth and their
children from Hermiston along
with her other daughters Pam and
David Piper, Debbie and Ray
Miller, Joyce Hughes, Jana Mar
quardt, Sheree and Bob Smith
and their children were all pre
sent. After dinner the grand
children enjoyed an Easter egg
hunt.
Forest seeding project planned
St. Jude’s bike-a-thon planned
By Anne Morter
---------
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567-8612
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