TWO • Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, June 24, 1992
-----
Mertyn Robinson
It takes more than one rainstorm to break a long drought cycle.
Like the persistent prevailing winds, this year’s political campaign
ing seems to contribute to a long, dry spell. And the prospects of
a bleak agricultural picture helped create a dry ink spell for myself.
No change in the weather pattern is hardly expected until after the
November general election. My predictions don’t include a change
in the country’s mode of operation after said election; but it might
leave enough airspace for drops of moisture to fall.
Government inefficiency tops my present gripe list; things that are
out of control by the general masses. The present emphasis on crit
ter comforts seems to be more important than the welfare of people.
With the exception of sparrows and starlings, all birds are protected.
And every strawberry grower knows that the produce must be shared
with the robins.
Misconceptions abound about the products we use. Back-to-nature
advocates would have us grinding com and sun-drying fruits to
eliminate preservatives. However gardening is a popular and rewar
ding pursuit.
Everyone knows that sampling garden produce out of the patch
enhances the taste. A little good old garden dirt must improve the
flavor even when the ground has been laced with some old-fashioned
fertilizer straight from the cow bam. But one must be gentle if bugs
attack your garden, chemical sprays might upset nature’s balance.
A multitude of prepared cereals are loaded with additives and sugar,
though they all claim to supply the daily nutritional requirements.
A standard daily fare of plain old oatmeal would dent all the cereal
commercials that saturate our minds. And without that bountiful selec
tion, it might reduce the many offers on colorful boxes that create
household arguments over which peapicker gets to send for what.
My personal gripe list is topped by the increased volume of the
television commercials. It’s necessary to mute the TV audio to pre
vent further hearing loss. And many commercials are also detrimental
to a person’s health since they contribute to evening snacking-a sure
way to put on pounds.
By chance if a television program of educational or entertaining
quality is found, telephone solicitations often interrupt. But more
often, sales people target home calls during the dinner hour when
people are the most apt to be in the house.
Junk mail can be eliminated by having names removed from mail
ing lists. But I’m irate that the postal system is allowed to sell lists
of names and addresses. However what would rural mail carriers
do without sufficient bulk to keep mail sacks from blowing in the
wind?
My first attack on new magazines is to tear out all the cardboard
advertising inserts that impede the ease of turning pages. I really don’t
need collectables such as plates or dolls. However if you skip the
advertisements it doesn’t take long to read a paper or magazine.
With so much wasted paper. I’ve tried to be conscientious about
recycling; especially since my “ save it’’ mindset doesn’t leave any
surplus storage space. So I’ve turned into a first class can stomper,
though I learned it’s best not to stomp cans flat when wearing slippers.
But one thing for sure there’s no limitation on attacking house dust
and there always seems to be a plentiful supply. And weeds don’t
seem to be on the endangered plant species list as yet, so it’s time
for a weed attack. They always seem to prosper even when the ground
is bone dry.
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A tire designed to incorporate the benefits of
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into one great touring tire
65,000 mile limited warranty, 70 series for
superior handling, polyester/steel construction.
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SIZE
PRICE
P175/70R13
54 88
P225/70R15
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P185/70R13
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P235/70R15
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76 95
Women trailblazing for affordable health care
The U.S. health care system
doesn’t very often prompt anyone
*1
to get on their horse and ride
across the country, but Pat Burke
and Maggie Jones were mad
enough to do just that.
The two are unhappy with the
American health care system and
are traveling by horseback along
the Oregon Trail just to urge peo
ple to get involved. “ Don’t sit at
the kitchen table and complain,”
said Burke.
Burke, 39, and Jones, 35. quit
their jobs in Eugene, took their
last paychecks and sold their
vehicles to finance the trip. They
started out near Camp Sherman,
about 15 miles northwest of
Sisters. They had hoped to travel
20 miles a day to make St.
Joseph, Missouri, by the end of
September, but found that they
L-R: Pat Burke with horse Rain and Maggie Jones with Maramia
can average only around 10 to 15
-send letters to the editor;
health care system and suggest
miles a day. An injury of their people for whom the health care
-encourage TV stations and
system
has
failed.
“
Everyone
has
ways
to
get
involved
in
the
health
mare, the heat and longer
newspapers
to cover the health
a
horror
story
like
someone
spen
care
reform
movement:
layovers than expected have
care
crisis;
-vote
to
elect
congressman
in
ding
an
hour
in
the
hospital
and
slowed them down. Burke now
-talk with health care profes
volved in the reform movement;
being charged $2,000,” said
says that they probably won’t be
-write to representatives in sionals and ask their opinions;
Maggie. They eventually plan to
able to reach Nebraska.
-share your views with your
Congress;
The pair stayed at the Morrow make a documentary and present
-join a group fighting for fair friends and neighbors;
County Fairgrounds in Heppner it to Congress.
-tell your family and your doc
accessible health care’
Tuesday and Wednesday and
Strong supporters of Oregon
-support your community in- tor your wishes in the event of a
stayed at the Dave Wright place Fair Share, a citizen’s advocacy
home care program or organize long-term or significant injury;
at Ruggs the night before. Before group in Portland, the two urge
-think about other things you
that they stayed at the Gilliam citizen involvement to change the a group to create one;
can do and “ do them.”
County Fairgrounds at Condon.
From Heppner they will travel to
Pilot
Rock,
Pendleton,"
LaGrande, Baker and then on
through southern Idaho, Wyom
ing and Nebraska.
Burke and Jones said they have
met “ wonderful people” along
the way, adding that many of the
people who have a corral in one
town can connect them to people
with a corral in the next.
Besides visiting folks along the
way, they are spreading their
message to senior groups. They
spoke to seniors at the mealsite
in Heppner and to seniors in
Condon.
Pat, an LPN who has worked
for several nursing homes, is
campaigning for affordable health
care. “ We need to change the
health care system,” she said.
“ We need health care for
everyone. What we need is a
state-wide non-profit insurance
pool.”
She advocates a health care
system run by the people, more
Heppner Lions Club members (l-r) Steve Rhea, Bob Kahl and Bill Kuhn display some
like a co-op, which would be af
fordable and accessible to fireworks to be sold soon.
everyone. The present system
The Fourth of July is just
Heppner Day Care, will be open p.m. and Saturday, July 4 from
stresses institutionalization, she around the comer and with it Friday, June 26 from 4:30 to 6:30
11 to 2 p.m.
maintains.
p.m.; Saturday, June 27, noon to
comes fireworks.
The booth is located next to the
“ The very people who need it
The fireworks stand, operated 4 p.m.; Monay, June 29 through offices of Kuhn and Spicer on
the most are exempt from the jointly by the Heppner Lions and Thursday, July 2 from 4-6 p.m.;
Main Street in Heppner.
health care system,” said Burke.
Friday, July 3 from 11 a. m. to 5
“ It’s not working for the people,
it’s working against them. If you
survive the illness, you may not
survive the economics of health
The Heppner High School cleaning supplies, etc.
care. And that’s immoral.”
The group is hoping to put the
Booster
Club has begun a drive
“ We should be providing ac
money earned toward purchase of
to
collect
Western
Family
labels.
Regular, self-inking
cess to in-home care,” added
For each label collected the an item for the school.
Jones. In-home care for the elder
notary, custom made
Those wishing to donate labels
ly and disabled makes sense both club wil receive one cent.
All Western Family product may drop them off at Central Red
economically and for their quality
labels
may be used-milk, bakery Apple Market.
of life, continued Burke.
items,
cheese, canned goods,
The two are also videotaping
X,
Lions club/day care to sell fireworks
Booster Club to save labels
Gazette-Times
5 4 88
P195 70R14-
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A steel belted radial passenger car tire
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80 series for greater tread width, polyester/steel
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SIZE
PRICE
SIZE
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P 155/80R13
38 99
P205/75R14
55 30
P165/80R13
•i* 95
T
P215/75R14
56 40
P175/80R13
48 10
Il
P205/75R15
57 90
P185/80R13
50 35
P215/75R15
59 85
P185/75R14
51 90
P225/75R15
64 35
P195/75R14
53 50
1 P235/75R15
87 40
H
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Ju n e 16 - J u ly 4
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A distinctive tire that will enhance the
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All season tread design
M & S Ratings
SIZE
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P155/80R13
37 50
P205f75Rl4
48 85
P175/0OR13
40 50
P205f75Rl5
49 00
P1S5/0OR13
42 40
P 2 l5 f7 5 R l5
50 70
P185/75R14
43 85
P22S/75R15
54 45
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46 20
P235/7SR15
57 30
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Morrow County Grain Growers
*
CENEX
LANDO LAKES
We sell
Rubber Stamps
Friday, June 26
4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
June 29 through July 2
Mon. - Thurs. 4 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Friday, July 3, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sat., July 4, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Next to Spicer
& Kuhn’s office