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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 6, 2000)
TW O - Heppner Gazette-Tim es, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, December 6, 2000 The Official Newspaper of the City of Heppner and the County of Morrow H eppner G A Z E T T E -T IM E S U S P S 240-420 Morrow County’s Home-Owned Weekly Newspaper Published weekly and entered as periodical matter at the Post Office at Heppner, Oregon under the Act of March 3,1879 Periodical postage paid at Heppner, Oregon Office at 147 W Willow Street Telephone (541 >676-9228 Fax (541)676-9211. E-mail: gt@hcppner net or gt(u!rapidserve net Web site www heppner net Postmaster send address changes to the Heppner Gazette-Times, P O Box 337, Heppner, Oregon 97836 Subscriptions: S22 in Morrow County, SI6 senior rate (in Morrow County only; 62 years or older), S29 else where David Sykes ...................................................................................... Publisher April Hilton-Sykes Editor On the HEPPNER WEBSITE: www.heppner.net • Start or Change a Subscription • Place a Classified Ad • Submit a News Story • View Real Estate for Sale • City Council & Planning Minutes • Local Businesses • County Park • Willow Creek Park Reservations • Free Digital Postcards • Senior Housing • and more! Catholic youth attend confirmation retreat L-R back row: Fr. Gerry Condon, Andrew Rietmann, Jeremiah McElligott, Derek Campbell, Adam McCabe, and Conor Kilkenny. 2nd row: Taylor McElligott, Colin McElligott, Adrienne Swanson, and Jim McElligott. Front row: Paula Splcerkuhn, Slbbea Jones, Kelsey Greenup, Kathy Cutsforth- Fullmer, and Eileen McElligott. On floor: Cayte Krebs. Youth of St. William's Parish and St. Patrick's Parish met on Sunday, December 3, for a retreat conducted by Fr. Gerry Condon for students who had not been able to attend a previous retreat. This retreat dealt with the life of Jesus, his principles, his miracles and prophesies. Kathy Cutsforth-Fullmer conducted activities and served a spaghetti meal for the students. Jim and Eileen McElligott helped with the retreat. Faith Healy and Gayle Arbogast helped with music. Water meters to be read year-round The city of Heppner will now be reading water meters year-round. This is being done in response to customer requests and to more carefully observe the operation of the water system, according to a city news release. Because of the wintertime readings, it is important to use proper insulation in the meter box. Meter readers advise that the only acceptable insulation is insulation batting cut to fit, placed in a plastic bag, and laid on top of the meter. This type of insulation will prevent the cold air from above the meter getting to the meter (there is enough heat in the ground below the meter to keep it from freezing). Placing insulation below the meter would be counter-productive. With this insulation, meter readers can also readily move the insulation to read the meter and then replace it. Insulation which is not installed properly may be removed from the box by meter readers. Meter readers are instructed to not replace insulation not installed properly. For questions regarding insulating water meters, call Heppner City Hall at 676-9618. Pizza Feed set Dec. 16 A pizza feed has been planned for Saturday, Dec. 16, from noon to 7 p.m. during the South Morrow County Basketball Tournament. The tournament begins at 1 p.m. Saturday. (The tournament gets underway on Friday, December 15, beginning at 3 p.m.) The feed, to be held at the Heppner High School home ec. room, will include a slice of pizza, a brownie and punch for $3 apiece. Proceeds will benefit the Class of 2001 senior trip. Jctwifcr Cwrritt Gvitrit>5C Financial Advisor Retirement Planning IRA’s/Roths Stocks/Bonds Mutual Funds Annuities Estate Planning Life & Long-term Care Insurance S&rvvv\# Eastern/ Oregotv fcomCU&y Call for information or appointment 1 - 8 0 0 - 777-9062 email jennifer®mcgeenet.com McGee F in an cial S trateg ies, Inc. A Registered Investment Advisor 12455 SW 68th Ave • Portland, OR 97223 Securities offered exclusively through R a y m o n d J a m e s Financial Services, Inc. Member NASD/SIPC Letters to the Editor Editor's note Letters to the Editor must be signed The Gazette-7/mes w ill not publish unsigned letters. Please include your address and phone number on all letters for use by the C-T office. The G-T reserves the right to edit. The G-T is not responsible for accuracy of statements made in letters Harry Potter... purely magical To the Editor: A few weeks ago I was sitting in church listening to the pianist playing an especially lovely song. A friend next to me leaned over and said, "That is simply pure magic." I smiled and agreed. I feel the same way about the Harry Potter books ...to me they are simply pure magic. If you are one of the few people who don't know about Harry, he's the title character in a series of novels by Scottish writer, J.K. Rowling. Harry is a young boy who finds out when he is about 11 that he is a wizard. His parents died m a tragic accident when he was very young and he’s been living with his less-than-loving aunt and uncle, Petunia and Vernon Dursley, and their spoiled son, Dudley. At age 11 he leaves his "family" for the nine-month school year, and goes to Hogwart's, which is a school for wizards. (By the way, some of the students at Hogwart's are like you and me... Muggles, with no wizard ancestry.) Over the past few years since the first book, "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone", these books have been read by millions of readers, young and old, all over the world. I love to tell my students, and any neighborhood kids that want to listen, the story of J. K. Rowling and how she got started with these books. When she got the idea for the Harry Potter books, she planned out all seven books before she ever started the first chapter. (There are seven books one for each year of Harry's education at Hogwart's.) She charted out the characters, the plots, the themes, the climaxes, and the settings before she ever started the first book. And the last chapter of book number seven has already been written -what a way to teach young writers about organization. J.K. Rowling says that it is actually one story that is a few thousand pages long. Book number one was over 300, book two and three about the same, and book four is 738 pages long. I have seen students give up recesses, trips to the movies and television to read Harry Potter. This past week a young reader who had spent several weeks on the fourth book (which I am about halfway through), came dashing into my room with, "Mrs. Allen, I only have 25 pages left!" and later in the day with, Only five more pages!" At the end of the day she had completed the book, and although she was proud and excited, I think she was a little bit sad, too. Harry, Ron, Hermione and Hagnd become friends as you read the novels. There has been a big emphasis in the past few years in reading instruction to teach the students about literary elements. These are the many different tactics used by authors to make stories interesting, memorable and educational. Students have been learning about the settings of stories, the characters, the themes, the use of figurative language like metaphors and similes, etc. The Harry Potter books are absolutely chock-full of these literary devices. So... from an educational point of view, these books are fabulous. They get kids to read and gain a love of good literature that is well-wntten and just plain fun. Readers talk about the books with each other and share that their parents love them, too. I feel myself lighting up when I discuss a situation from one of the books with a student. And I think it's great to have books that appeal to readers of all ages. I must admit, I never got into the Goosebumps books or the Babysitter's Club, and I don't remember discussing Nancy Drew with my mom. But Harry is different... literally months and months on the New York Times Bestseller list shows that they are different. Are they kid books that adults like, or adult books that kids like? The author laughs and says she doesn't know. She wrote them for herself because she loved the ideas for the stories and wanted to tell them. Now, with all of that long introduction out of the way, I'd like to address concerns I've read and heard, concerning what is called "the evil side" of the Harry Potter books. When I hear these comments, I get very frustrated. Last year I read the first novel to my reading class. It took us several weeks to finish the novel, because while reading the story, we stopped often to discuss characters and plots. At different times throughout the book we compared the bad guy, Voldemort (he's responsible for the death of Harry's parents), to Darth Vader, the devil and Hitler. Voldemort draws energy and power from others, just like Hitler did in Germany. These discussions were not only fun and interesting, but deeply founded in morals, and what's right and what's wrong in the world. We discussed the meaning of true friendship, acceptance, loyalty, the need for compassion for people who are different, child abuse (the Durskya aren't nice to Harry), rsBfmcX for authority, sticking * up for ourselves and others when an injustice takes place and many other topics. My favorite thought from one of my students came when we were discussing the theme of the book. He thought about it for a minute and then said, "I think the theme of the book is that there's a little bit of magic in each of us." Now some people are saying that Harry Potter books are evil. The books have been denounced by many who think it's wrong for young people to read a story about wizards and magic. The young man who made the above mentioned comment about Harry is a very strong Mormon. His mom had been concerned about the book because of things she'd heard, so she did the logical thing and read the book. I am willing to bet that most people who jump on the anti-Harry bandwagon haven't ever bothered to read the book. It takes courage to face something you are unsure of. One of J. K. Rowling's characters named Dumbledore, the headmaster at Hogwart's, said, "Courage in the face of the unknown is an important quality in a wizard... very important." It's also a very important quality for us Muggles, too. (s) Jannie Allen lone Symphony concert a joy to attend lady pianist here received several standing ovations for her performance in the Eastern Oregon Symphony concerts? Or how many know that the gentleman directing the Christmas pageant holds advanced graduate degrees in theater? A famous poet has said, "Getting and spending we lay waste our powers." We could add a line: "There's much more we could make ours"— like supporting, developing and enjoying growth in spiritual and creative activities for all ages. What special joy there is in being part of an orchestra or a stage play. Indeed, our participation in all facets of the arts can promote a richer dimension in both individuals and in the community. We can do more "to make it ours." Let's go. (s) Jane Rawlins Heppner To the Editor, We all think our area is a good place to live and we seek to make it even better. One group helping to do this is the Willow Creek Symphony Orchestra. Their recent concert was a joy to those who attended and they are to be congratulated for their work in making live music a real part of our lives. Also, how wonderful to encourage the talent and to develop skill of all ages, young and old. The same can be true of live theater by the Willow Creek Valley TTieatre group in the upcoming stage play, "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" in both Heppner and lone, involving over 40 children and adults, ages five to 80. The fact is that we have an abundance of local talent which we are yet to recognize. For example, even now, are there some who do not know that a Wrongly singled To the Editor: In November, nearly 75 percent of the voters in Morrow County voted no on Measure 97 (The Anti-Trap Ban). Many of us owe a debt of gratitude to Heppner's Chamber of Commerce, the voting majority and all those who did their part to defeat this far- reaching and extremely badly written measure. Harkening back to the word "egregious", (11/15 Heppner G-T letter to the editor criticizing Chamber President Sharon Harrison) I can say with certainty that The Oxford American Dictionary's definition reading, "outstandingly bad" more aptly fits measure 97's wording and design. Let's be fair. I feel, as do many folks I have spoken to, that Sharon was wrongly singled out in some recent letters to the editor to both the Gazette-Times and The East Oregonian. "Apathy" and "bankrupt conclusions"? I don't feel Sharon is guilty of either. On occasion, when The Chamber of Commerce takes a political stand on an issue that could negatively affect our local economy, a letter is drafted and the president is the one to sign it. The Chamber made a decision to oppose measure 97 because of how it would impact ranchers, homeowners, the road department, rodeo and many others, not to mention the cost to taxpayers and all the red tape the measure would have caused ODFW. Let's be realistic, too. I don't know a single voter who voted no on 97 who did so because they are "for" inhumane treatment of animals. The realities of life are often cruel. It is cruel when a cow out on the range trying to give birth lies helpless as her calf is ripped out of her by coyotes. It is devastating to those who raise sheep to see their lambs dead or left to suffer and die after a predator's onslaught. The anti-trap ban television ads showing a three-legged cat or dog caused me to feel pity too. I hate to see any animal hurt. On the other hand, I had to take my very badly tom-up little cat to the vet after she suffered a vicious raccoon attack just outside our house. During her weeks of recovery, our other cat was similarly injured. I might add that I have also had to help rescue my dog's paw from the grips of a trap, so I see both sides. Nevertheless, there are times when we do need animal control and choices must be made. It seems to me that Oregonians made their choice with the vote. I thank God (and reasonable Oregon "voters) that we-don't • have to be criminals how (a $5,000 fine and a year in jail per animal) for trying to protect our gardens, golf courses, family pets or our crops, livestock and livelihoods. Kudos to Sharon Harrison and Heppner's Chamber. These are people who put in countless hours of community service for us all, and I imagine they are friends of yours as well as mine. (s) Pam Wunderlich Member, M.C. Livestock Growers Board of Directors Heppner Cub Scouts learn about health By Drew Johnson The Bear Cub Scouts went on a field trip to the health office. They learned about the reasons not to chew tobacco and smoke cigarettes. They were shown a black lung, which they were told was from someone who smoked. They discussed what cancer was and got to look in a microscope to see some cells. They learned that smoking was bad because it causes cancer and can kill brain cells. Scouts Logan Just, Curtis Harper, Bryan Holland, Drew Johnson and Tyler Robinson, leader Debbie Harper and parents Kelly Holland and C.J. Johnson attended. h e a v e n Give Teleflora's Crystal Inspiration Bouquet 'Tis the season of magic. Glowing lights. And miracles. Radiant arches, inspired by the grand cathedrals of Seeks Oregon info To the Editor: We are doing state research reports in my class and I will be reporting on Oregon. The reports are due in late January end cover topics such as what it is like to live there, history about Oregon and some places to visit. I am hoping some of the members of your community would write to me and tell me about their experiences, traditions and some history or just about how they feel about living in Oregon. I know that things are very different in Oregon than in Southern California and would like to learn a little about Oregon life. I chose to write to Heppner because my grandma and Europe, grace our crystal hurricane grandpa used to live there. If any citizens find time to reply, it would be great if they could enclose a copy of my published letter. I appreciate you taking the time to ready my request. Any information would be most appreciated. (s) Amanda Anderson St. John's Episcopal School 30382 Via Con Dios Rancho Santa Margarita, CA. 92688 FAX SERVICE S en d o r R eceiv e Heppner Gazette-Times 6769211 Crafted by Bohemian artisans on a solid brass base, it's not just another gift. It's an inspiration. For delivery anywhere in the U.S. or Canada, call or visit our shop. ORMIoia 7A û Country Rose 2 3 3 North M ain • H eppner 6 7 6 -9 4 2 6 Serving Heppner, Lexington and Ione V