Image provided by: Morrow County Museum; Heppner, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 22, 1999)
Bucknum’s Tavern celebrates 100 years 0 3 3 .t 1 O ’S o t ^ c t l U or O f u g a n e , U;t M brary 974 >j John Gochnauer, owner of Bucknuni's Tavern in Heppner which is celebrating 100 years in business, is pictured behind the antique bar which came to Portland by ship around the cape before the Panama Canal was built. By John Gochnauer Bucknum’s Tavern in Heppner will celebrate 100 years as a continuous bar/tavem on Thursday, December 23, which makes Bucknum's one of the oldest existing bars in the state of Oregon.. An article from the December 28, 1899 edition of the Gazette covers the event as follows:. "McAtee Opening" VOL. 118 NO. 51 12 Pages Wednesday, (December 22,1999 Morrow County, Heppner, Oregon Annie Hisler crowned Round-up Princess 2000 Round-Up Court (left to right): Princess Darci Severe, Princess Brittany Smith, Queen Shana Anderse.i, Princess Amy Y’anderPlaat, Princess Annie Hisler. Annie Marie Hisler of Heppner was crowned a princess of the 2000 Pendleton Round-Up Court at a breakfast held Saturday, December 18, at the Doug and Heather Corey Ranch at Helix. Hosts of the event included Doug and Heather Corey, George and Joan Corey and Steve and Susan Corey. Princess Annie, 19, joins 2000 Round-Up Queen Shana Anderson and Princesses Darci Severe, Brittany Smith and Amy VanderPlaat, all of Pendleton. Annie, the daughter of Paul and Susan Hisler and the sister of Shaun Paul and the late Shad Anthony Hisler, is a 1998 graduate of Heppner High School. While at HHS, Annie was a standout in varsity volleyball, varsity basketball and high school rodeo. A four-year member of the Intermountain High School Rodeo team. Annie went to the National High School Rodeo Finals twice in barrel racing and poles. She has been riding horses since she was two years old. She is in her second year at Mt. Hood Community College where she plays volleyball and basketball. Last year she received the Mt Hood basketball team's "Newcomer Award." This year she was voted most valuable player of the "Everett Cross Over Tournament" held Dec. 3-5. Annie worked for the Morrow County Sheriffs Office last summer. She was a member of the drill team and flag bearers for the Hermiston Farm City Pro Rodeo. She enjoys photography, hunting, fishing, rafting, traveling and shopping. Annie follows a long and rich family tradition of involvement in the Round-Up. Her great- aunts, Ella and Rhoda Lazinka, rode in the first relay race and they and her grandmother, Kathryn Lazinka Healy Thome, were on the Round-Up Court. Her aunt, Francme Hisler Bristow, was a princess of the court when her grandmother was queen. Her mother's sisters. Patti and Janice (Healy) were also Round-Up Queens. Heppner Elem entary to sponsor solstice moon watch Heppner Elementary School invites community members to a “Moon Watch” on Wednesday, Dec. 22 around 5-6 p.m. at the Willow Lake Reservoir rest area, weather permitting. December 22 is the Winter Solstice (first official day of win ter) and the moon will be full. In union with these events, the lunar perigee (the point in the moon’s orbit that is closest to the earth) will also be occurring. This will make the moon look 14 percent larger. In addition, the earth is clos est to the sun during this time of year. These events together should make for a very bright and full moon. Everyone is invited to bring hot chocolate and their telescope and/ or binoculars to view what could be one of the brightest moons to be seen during our lifetime. If there is heavy cloud cover, rain, snow, this activity will be can celled. until it occurs again around 130 years or so from now. and Swaggerts "Saturday night the doors of the elegantly furnished refectory were unlatched to the throng gathered on the outside, and such a display of admiration eclipsed all former occasions of the kind. It was a continued round of pleasure until the drawn of day. Its proprietors are jointly proud of their new brick, furnished second to no other bar room in the Northwest, The massive antique oak bar and sideboard with its colonial, pillars is one of the finest ever brought to the coast, and will exact the admiration of all frequenters from metropolitan cities. The huge mirror was neatly draped with an elegant flag, hiding from view the injury sustained in shipment. (March 21, 1899 issue of the Gazette tells of the back bar mirror being broken in shipment). Covering they wall on the opposite side of the room is an immense case, enclosing a fine array of bottled goods, the finest the market affords. New tables, chairs, stoves, pictures and decorations of the club rooms lend a magic influence and will entice those appreciating the comfort of elegant surroundings. These gentlemen (McAtee and Swaggart) propose sustaining this a strictly first class place, winning the esteem of the public in general and making it an ornament to our little city." The antique back-bar is still in use with the original mirrors which are about one-half inch thick. (The mirrors were resilvered in 1937). This huge piece came to Portland by ship around the cape before the Panama Canal was built. The heavy red oak piece came to Heppner from Portland by train and was moved from the station to the saloon by dragon to its present location. Since the back- bar weighs over a ton, the move was accomplished with some difficulty and a great deal of care by wagon. Mirrors came into extensive use in saloons only after Wild Bill Hickock was shot in the back of the head by Jack McCall 41 1876. McCall was hanged for the killing but gave his reason that Hickock killed his brother. Bob Smith endorses Greg Smith for state rep Hickock was playing cards at the time and held two pair - aces and eights (from that day forward known as a dead man's hand). Bucknum's still uses the 1889 safe manufactured by Hall's Safe and Lock of Cincinnati and San Francisco. It stands in the front window and is hand painted with scrolls of (flowers and designs. The safe weighs over 3800 pounds. In March of 1903 McAtee and Swaggart added a Peerless Electric Piano by means of a wire from the electric plant. The patrons were amazed with the continuous playing of music from a roller. It is unclear when the transfer from McAtee to Bucknum's took place, but the bar is still intact with many of the old fixtures Current owner John Gochnauer has tried to keep the "old homey" theme while updating much of the decor and fixtures. John takes much pride in his establishment and welcomes patrons to offer any stories or information they might have as to the origin and colorful past that the bar has had. As one of Heppner's favorite meeting places, Bucknum's is excited to offer a gathering place for all occasions. Because this month establishes its 100th birthday, Bucknum's wants everyone to join them for "Karaoke Christmas Carols” on Thursday, December 23, featuring Teresa Hintz. Singing starts at 7:30 p.m. Everyone is invited to help celebrate their birthday. In addition, Bucknum's will be open to help bnng in the new millennium. "Drop by and say hello and have a glass of bubbly on New Year's Eve for our continued birthday celebration," said Gochnauer. Lex fire Dept, needs volunteers Round-Up Princess Annie Hisler Greg Smith (left) and Bob Smith Winners drawn in punch card contest There were five winners drawn in this week's punch card contest: Deb Wright won a $25 gift certificate to Peterson's Jewelers; Judy Chastain won a gift certificate to Coast to Coast; Dale Conklin won a $25 gift certificate to Murray's Drug; Brian Price won a gift certificate to The Shoe Box, and Cam Wishart won a $25 certificate to Les Schwab Tires. There will be five $25 gift certificate winners drawn again next week. The grand prize drawing where one person wins $550 in gift certificates will also be held, so be sure to get your punch cards entered. Last day to enter the contest will be Monday, Dec 27. Drawing will be held Tuesday, Dec. 28. All cards entered throughout the contest will be eligible for the Grand Prize Former U S. Representative Bob Smith has announced his endorsement of Greg Smith for State Representative in District 59. Congressman Smith represented Oregon 2nd Congressional District for 14 years. "Greg has the exact background and experience that District 59 needs,” Congressman Smith said "As a business development professional for the Port of Morrow, he understands the economic needs of our area and the role natural resources and agriculture play in our economy." Greg Smith, who is not related to Bob Smith, is from Heppner and a graduate of Eastern Oregon University. He has also been endorsed by current 2nd District Congressman Greg Walden, State Senator Ted Ferrioli and current State Representative Lynn Lundquist. "We have a great opportunity to provide the exceptional leadership that District 59 deserv es in the Oregon House of Representatives," Congressman Smith said. Distrct 59 includes Baker, Crook, Gilliam. Grant, Sherman, Wheeler and parts of Morrow and Wasco counties The current State Representative, Lynn Lundquist, cannot seek re- election because of term limits. The Lexington Fire Department is in real need of volunteer fire fighters, says Lexington Mayor John Renfro. "We want to be sure Lexington continues to have a fire department,' says Renfro. "It's very beneficial to the town. We just really need some folks." Renfro says that they especially need people who are able to attend training sessions to become qualified fire fighters. Renfro says that everyone is invited to join, young and old, and adds that formation of a junior fire department is also being contemplated. Renfro also said that a newly- formed fire department auxiliary is very active. Gazette-Times closed Friday The Gazette-Times will be closed Friday, December 24, for the Christmas holiday. Merry Christmas from everyone at the G-T. W e w ill clo se on D e c e m b e r 23rd at noon and w ill be closed D e c e m b e r 2 4 th , 25tb and S a tu r d a y , J a n u a r y ist. c/(a ff: / cf(<>/ù/(iyx^ fro m a // o f us a t: M o r r o w C ounty G rain G ro w ers Lexington 989-8221 • 1-800-452-7396 f* farm rquipm*nt. *wt «ir w*b nit at www men n*t
