Image provided by: Morrow County Museum; Heppner, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 28, 1994)
TWO • Heppner Gazette Times. Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, December 28 . 1994 t ( t A c l c 4>i* The biggest story of 1994 tor the Heppner, Lexington, lone community was undoubtedly the sale of Kinzua Corporation to a group of investors known as L.L.C. Resources, and the threat of permanent closure of the Kinzua mill. Closure of the mill would not only have affected the mill employees, but the business community, indeed, everyone in south Morrow County to some extent. The mill reopened as Kinzua Resources LLC after a brief closure and many, but not all, of its previous employees were rehired. Its reopening prompted a sigh of relief and a sense of security, however tenuous, for area residents. Following are more of the people and events that made the news in South Morrow County. January: Three were arrested in park vandalism; Heppner sewer work got underway; John Edmundson, Corrine Lindsay, man and woman of the year, Dave Gunderson, educator, Tom and Helen Riehl, R & VV Drive-In business of the year; Staci O'Brien was crowned Mor row County Fair and Oregon Trail Pro Rodeo queen, Char Coe, Jossie Evans and Kim Bedor-- tha, were named princesses; Cecil and Delpha Jones earned Century Farm award; school board cuts over IV 2 million from bond proposal for improvements and additions; Extension Coun cil votes for tax district. February: Tony Becket, Erin Fishburn, Truitt Greenup, Mark Moeller and John Qualls were selected for Junior Statesman Congress; Kinzua Mill Sold; Co-Gen Plant to close; suit against citv of Heppner dismissed; Rick Koffler selected for East West Shrine Team; Louis Buschke dies in Willow Creek Lake; Sara Greenup, Joe Lindsay, Heidi Orem, Rick Koffler, Tony Becket and Erin Fishburn were Elks Scholarship winners; lone Cardinals teams head to district and then state 1-A basketball tournament; Heppner Fillies and Mustangs head to district playoffs; Megan Bailey wins first in Elks writing contest; Eugene-based company reportedly involved in Kinzua purchase. March: Heppner Fillies take second in district; Mustangs claim district title; Mustangs, Fillies dominate CBC All Stars: Rick Koffler, Len Brittner, Kelsie Evans, Holly Eckman nam ed to first team; Sam Sumner second team; Joe Healy, Jenny Krein honorable mention; Mustangs clinch spot in regional tournament; school board hears support for Irrigon High School; Wilson family honored by St. Pat's Committee; Mustangs end 40 year losing streak at state; Rick Koffler, Kelsie Evans named to all stars; Plan would create separate Boardman and county health care districts; Morrow County Children and Youth Services Commission establishes Heppner office, Dar Merrill, director, Arletha Brannon, administrative assistant; lone American Legion post celebrates 75th anniversary; Lynde Minster wins trip to U.N.; A Wee Bit O' Ireland in Heppner again; Morrow County $3 million operating levy passes; S478 thousand health care levy passes; $15 million School district bond goes down; meetings slated to help if mill closes; Kinzua employees talk unemployment; Cross on Cross Hill to stand sentinel over city; Petitioners to place county-wide medical district on ballot. April: lone youth group makes annual trek to help homeless on Burnside. Jonas Healy qualifies for Oregon Geography Bee; Theta Lowe rescued from snow-bound vehicle; Local protesters picket for Kinzua at Eugene; School proposal eliminates 1995-% sports; Ethan Burn side regional winner in Blazer/Avia contest; School board approves four-day student week; 16 year-old Jason Halvorsen killed in auto accident; Kinzua owners announce opening of mill. May: Job bank program to help students in pay-to-participate extra-curricular program next year; Gary and Vernon Frederickson named 1994 Conservation Farmers; Kinzua Resources takes 159 job applications; Zane Martin, Toni Kemp receive top FFA awards; Former Kinzua owners make donation; Heppner track team heads to state; Mustangs secure No. 1 playoff spot with 19-3 baseball record; Bank of Eastern Oregon awards scholarships to Kara Ansotegui, Jason Proudfoot, Hud Wilkins; Mick Tolar to resign after 34 years at A.C. Houghton Elemen tary School; Ladv Cardinals dominate district track meet; Melissa McElligott leads lone Car dinals to second at state track championships; Mustangs still district baseball champs; Hepp ner dominates all star picks, first team Trent Hughes, Jerad Wickland, Chris Dickenson, Sam Sumner, Kevin Payne, Rick Koffler, honorable mention, Jim Tellechea, Jon Hanna, Rod Zum- vvalt; Aaron Heideman named to east-west Shrine foot ball first team; PMH Hospital Foun dation announces scholarship winners Rick Koffler and Nicki Sweeney; Sw imming pool plans chosen. June: lone auction and barbecue biggest ever; Frank Pearson to resign from Kinzua Resources; Presidential Academic Fitness Gold Awards presented to Leah Denton, Matt Van Liew, silver to Trisha Adams, Matt Jepsen, Laurie Michael, Kim Pointer, Eric Rollis, Adam Doherty, Javme Hansen, Jonas Healy; Janet Greenup new Morrow Soil and Water Conser vation district manager; Art Kegler joins commissioner race; new fire truck arrives in Hepp ner; Leaks in sludge tank delay wastewater project; Teachers, district sign contract. July: Willow Creek run marks end of era for railroad in Heppner; record number attend lone Fourth of July festivities; Gribbles' invention a breakthrough; Babe Ruth All Stars selected, Derek Gunderson, Tim Dickenson, Jeff Waterland, Shane Matheny, Danny Coiner, Josh t& e y t M , Coiner, Eric Schonbachler, Donnie Pointer, Dan Burnside, Tim Sumner; City of Heppner begins street project; All cities in county opt in county-wide medical district; Marcia DeBo appointed to Heppner City Council; Jim Swanson, Nancy Brownfield, city of lone presented state tourism award; Marcia Kemp elected school board chair; Jim Farley attends 50th anniversary celebra tion of D-Day in Europe; Tiffanie Munkers qualifies for National High School Rodeo finals; County Court forms county-wide medical district; Local firemen, Mike Jones, Steve Rhea, Hal Bergstrom, Tom Wicklund, Rusty Estes, Richard Ladd, Dennis Thompson, Jim Boor, Bob Naims, respond to huge Grass Valley blaze; Jossie Evans wins Morrow County Open Horse Show all around title. August: Schools begin four-day week; Rick Koffler, Aaron Heideman play in Shrine game; Swimming pool commission may put pool issue on ballot; Kinzua monies distributed to area organizations; Nella Britt opens adult foster care home; Top rodeo competitors, Bobby Hurley, Allen Bach, Marvin Gay, Joe Beaver, Clint Corey, vie for cash and prizes at the Oregon Trail Pro Rodeo; Brett McDowell wins calf roping saddle; Troy Frazier, Walla Walla, wins all around saddle; Dr. Donald Carlson, podiatrist, opens Heppner office; Kara Ansotegui named to Ford Scholars program. September: Local Camp Fire Girls, Tara Osment, TyLynn Smith, Paula SpicerKuhn, Brittni and Shelby Padberg, Aleshia Geer, Sheena Shank, Abby Kahl and Sally Calvert, put out forest fire; County-wide medical district formed; City projects, sewer system renovation, citv streets in final stages, Heppner-Condon Girls Rodeo Team, including Tiffanie Munkers and Katie McCoin; Jacie Allstott, Harley Sager, Darlene Lovgren retired from First Interstate Bank; $15 million school bond levy failed; new auto shop owned by John and Sandra Goodell opens in town; Elizabeth Allen, 12, organizer of a homeless aid program, is recognized by The Oregonian, with helpers Allison Halvorsen, Nikki McElligott and Adrienne Swanson, all lone; Lutheran, Episcopal churches respond to community need with Friday religious school; Can-do attitude results in 32 unit lone subdivision; Nazarene church hires new minister, Duane Jones. October: OSU to honor Ken Smouse and Nels Anderson; School board recommends school bond cuts; Union Pacific rejects county's proposal for rail line acquisition; new bridge to go up on Court St.; Sheriff's Dept, dog put to sleep; Service organizations receive dona tions from Kinzua Resources; lady Cardinals earn spot in district volleyball tournament; Morrow County Fair and OTPR selects court: queen Rondi Robinson, princesses Stephanie Skultety and Michelle Meakins; state trooper Tim Cundell moves to area; students Kevin Drake, Paula SpicerKuhn, Jodie Carlson, Camille Sykes and Kyle McDaniel, win Blazer tickets; Rail line comes up. November: Staci O'Brien recipient of OTPR scholarship; Harley Sager joins Bank of Eastern Oregon staff; lone lady Cardinals district volleyball champs; Big Sky All Star Team announced, first team Melissia McElligott and Kim Bedortha, honorable mention, Allison Sullivan, Becky Wagenblast and Mary Jane McCarty; Health district tax base passes; Morrow County tax base, Extension tax base fail; Ray French elected Morrow County Commissioner; lone lady Cardinals win state volleyball title; CBC All Star football team announced: first team, Bill Schlaich, second team, Schlaich, Jon Hanna, Chris Sykes, Chris Dickenson, Shaun Hisler, Eric Schonbachler, honorable mention, John Qualls, Hisler, Hanna, Sykes, Dickenson; CBC All Star volleyball team picked: first team, Jenny Krein, second, Char Coe, honorable men tion, Kelsie Evans; Park district possible funding source for school extracurricular programs; city sewer project in final stages; school board cuts bond levy; regional jail situation explored; Del's Market severely damaged in fire; Brosnans open used paperback bookstore; downtown Christmas tree donated by Chuck and Donna Moeller; cellular service to come to Heppner; School board cuts bond levy; Make It Yourself With Wool contest held at lone. December: Jason Halvorsen's basketball jersey No. 44 retired in ceremony; city of Hepp ner dedicates wastewater facility; Forrie Burkenbine steps down after 28 years as Heppner fire chief; Santa Claus makes annual visit to the Soroptimist Artifactory, downtown merchants hold lunch with Santa; Rusty Estes named Heppner fire chief; David Allstott, Dave Pranger resign from Heppner city council; Skip Matthews, Tim VanCleave new council members; Geri Grieb honored by OSU; Frederickson Farms named state conservation farm of the year; Nathan Heideman, Jerad Ashbeck, Greg Holtz named to All State 1A football team, Joe Bacon Big Sky second team; Marc Orem, Luke Swanson, honorable mention; dog's return helps Looney family through holidays; June Crowell retires from lone branch of the Bank of Eastern Oregon; Marsha Sweek named to Oregon Council for the Humanities board; solutions hunted for sports funding problems; Willow Creek Camp Site nears completion; local churches plan Christmas services, pastors offer inspirational messages; flood warning signs to be installed in Hepp ner; Vietnam veterans honored at banquet; Alumni tournament gets underway; Willow Creek Park Board votes to put two pool issues on the March 28 ballot; Kathie Maben wins $650 in gift certificates in merchants' Christmas give-away. • Chamber open hous£ winners Having trouble with Workmans Comp? Contact us at Wheatland Insurance lone 422-7410 Claudia Hughes (I), presents Roger Scharen with a lapel pin and Sharon Harrison with a ‘Where to Find Oregon in Oregon’ book. They were two of the winners in the Chamber/CAPECO/GEODC open house last week. Standing behind Hughes is Greg Smith, GOEDC and beside Harrison is Corol Mitchel, CAPECO. Not pic tured were Don Brosnan, poinsetta and Todd Currier a lapel pin. ^ a p p y i^ e w f ^ e a r / lone Garden Club members met at the home of Pat Petty john Dec. 14 for their annual Christmas party. The afternoon began with a luncheon follow ed by a gift exchange. Helen Martin showed nostalgic pictures of the begin ning of the club. W ishing you the very best in 1995! We appreciate your support and look forward to serving you in E the years to come. H open Saturday, Dec. 31st, 8 a.m.-noon^j Closed Monday, Jan. 2nd Mor row County* Grain Growers me; Ptionc 9491771 Wasco «42 5711 1 N0-I24-7II5 I 400457 739« UIMCTO* 0»(G(M 97134 lone Garden Club has meeting 70 h i 387 1 Guests for the day were Jane Rawlins, a former member, Eunice McElligott and Thelma Lindner of Pendleton. Delta Huber gave crocheted snowflakes to anyone who wished to donate so that the money could go to the Neighborhood Center. Twenty two dollars were given. m tfh e Wall - 88- --kl------- Dy M tn y n n w u i w li i f n . ' f f r i-M -— Atfer a welcome flood of newsy Christmas letters, I'm glad to not be a player on Internet. Christmas wouldn't be the same without all those beautiful cards. But if the postage rate continues to rise, many greetings may be sent by computer. This requires computer driven horsepower with which I have only a nodding acquaintance. Probably there is a need to instantly communicate with so meone in Australia, via computers. But I can associate more with the turtle that's trying to cross a busy freeway. I haven't a need for all the statistics that can be called up on computer screens. My gray matter can't even recall all the data that has been pro gramed into these cells. A little too much information is dangerous; you can tell if you're reading this column. I'd prefer that communication is limited to the telephone, ex cluding those calls attempting to sell a product. Having ump teen shopping channels with visual enhancement via television isn't really my bag, either. I'm a quick stop shopper who can also dawdle while brows ing. Forget about someone expounding for a half hour on the merits of a product. Nor do I fall for the pitch that enriching one's life means not living without some art object or accessory. Interaction with sales people, in person that is, is part of the fun of shopping. I sometimes wonder if clerks keep repeating that phrase ''have a good day'' at home after work. How about a parting quip of "Did you rob a bank?” , "G et out of here with your weird purchases” , or "Cheer up, it's only money". Conversing with a mutual shopper can also be stimulating. While eyeballing the many coffee products, a stranger volunteered the merits of sugarless mocha coffee that has less calories than the regular kind. But both of us downplayed the fat content listed on the label; after all it was the holiday season. It's easy to stall out in the supermarket. With so many different kinds of pasta, it's reasonable to shut one's eyes and grab. That assortment of shells, wheels and curlicues basically tastes the same after it's smothered with a rich sauce. Unless one is hooked on a particular brand, choosing a cereal can be time consuming. The varieties seem endless. Each ready- to-eat cereal exclaims about healthy, enriched nutrients. Once upon a time there weren't so many choices. Breakfast used to be stick-to-the-ribs oatmeal loaded with unpourable thick cream topped with brown sugar that prevented an 11 a.m. hunger strike. Are all the things in the deli counters snapped up by before- dinner shoppers? It's easy to fall into that instant meal trap. At $4 to $5 per pound, lunch meats can quickly stave off starvation. My ancient hand turned grinder knows that's it cheaper to chew up a whole turkey or roast. In case you re puzzled about the connection between com munication and eating, it s that the mouth seems to need cons tant exercise. Talking and eating are both soul fuel. Using only the fingers to communicate just doesn't cut it. And though it's embarrassing not to be able to recall a familiar person's name, I can hardly claim that a computer virus wiped out my memory bank.
