TWO - Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, December 13, 2000
The Official Newspaper
, of the City of Heppner and the County of Morrow
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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
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David Sykes
...................................................................................................... Publisher
April Hilton-Sykes...................................................................................................... Editor
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Take a closer look at Harry Potter
To the Editor:
After reading the letter to the
editor by Janie Allen, I was
compelled to write this.
I’m not ashamed to say that I
do believe there is an evil side to
the Harry Potter books which
ought to be considered. Today,
witchcraft and the occult are
growing and many young people
are being sucked into it. To some
people, witchcraft has become
acceptable and has even become
considered a "religion."
I'm sorry, but I believe this is a
huge concern that should not be
taken lightly. Things such as the
Potter books are, as far as I'm
concerned, a stumbling block to
many, especially vulnerable
young
people.
Through
intriguing
them
with the
possibility
of
possessing
"magical powers," many are
drawn into the dangerous world
of the occult.
Some say there is no harm,
"magical powers" aren't real but
are purely fantasy. That the
power is only real if you believe
in it, etc. But I believe that it is
real and that it can be very
dangerous. From the Bible,
Ephesians 6 speaks of the reality
of a spiritual battle that is being
waged. The real question here,
however, is riot "Is the power
real?"; I believe the real question
to ask here is "Is it right?" Right?
That depends on what you
believe. Right according to who?
Well, right according to the Holy
Bible, which is God's word.
In Deuteronomy 18:10, 11
witchcraft
is
considered
detestable to God. At least three
places in the book of Revelation,
the Bible speaks of God's
judgement upon those who
practice witchcraft and magic.
So, though to some it may seem
to be all fun and harmless now,
the concern is much greater if
you care to look at things eternal.
In the fight of eternal values,
what is being encouraged
through the Harry Potter books is
not so harmless.
I am not saying that I think that
if you read Harry Potter books
you will go to hell. What I am
saying is, do we really want to
encourage our young people to
fantasize about the occult
practices encouraged in these
books? To take so lightly the
occult and witchcraft when really
what we are doing is opening
them up, directing them unto a
path that could, in the end lead
them into an eternity in hell?
There is right and wrong, there is
eternity to consider. There is
absolute truth-the word of God.
I feel really sad that the mere
mention of God, prayer, or
Biblical standards are so
restricted, so unacceptable in
school. Yet we can allow Harry
Potter's "hogwash" to run
rampant inside our schools. That
without blinking an eye, these
young people, some who may
have never heard anything about
God or the Bible, can be subject
to the poisoning of their minds
by the occult, yet not have a
chance to hear the truth of God's
word. We need to be directing
our young people toward the
knowledge of the power and
hope that is found only in Christ
Jesus our Lord by His saving
grace. Toward the light of Christ,
not the paths that lead to
darkness.
For those who do know that
power of a victory in Christ,
there is no fear of the occult. In
Colossians 2, you can read that
Jesus Christ disarmed the powers
and authorities; he made a public
spectacle of them, triumphing
over them by the cross. As
Christians we live In victory over
darkness through the power
given us through Christ's death
and resurrection. However, the
concern is for those who are
unaware of this ultimate truth of
victory and power.
Have I read the Harry Potter
books? No, I really don't reed to.
It's no secret that Potter portrays
a wizard attending witchcraft
school. That makes it pretty
apparent that the books are
saying okay to witchcraft,
sorcery and magical powers.
That's enough for me to know
that these are not the books that I
desire to read or should be
promoted as harmless and even
beneficial to young people. I find
J.K.
Rowling's
deliberate
influence upon young kids and
the whole Harry Potter craze to
be very sad and unfortunate. Not
to mention the acceptance and
promotion by many adults. I
believe Christians need to take a
stand about this kind of thing and
that's why I felt I needed to write
this letter.
(s) Teri Lynch
Heppner
Local student accepted into WSU
The
Washington
State
University Honors College in
Pullman, WA., has invited Katie
Sherritt of Heppner to join.
Sherritt graduated Heppner
High School in June, 2000.
Fur industry still trying to come
up with humane trap
To the Editor:
The letter "Chamber opposes
Measure 97" (Oct. 25) refers to
the "most humane traps currently
used in Oregon." I assume that
would be the leg-hold trap?
The fur industry has been
trying to come up with a
"humane trap" since the early
'70s... and still trying.
The leg-hold
trap
was
introduced into North America in
the heyday of the fur trade,
originally called the gin-trap,
used on M'Lords' estates to nab
poachers.
The leg-hold trap has proved to
be very efficient from the fur
industry's standpoint; it catches
an animal where the least
damage is done to the pelt. Live
animals are able to fend off any
passing predator who figures
they have come upon a "free
lunch." None of the little forest
creatures are able to "take
samples" to line their nests from
a trapped animal awaiting arrival
of a trapper to put it out of its
misery.
(s) Lee Davis
Maple Ridge, B.C., Canada
Compliments Morrow School Board
To The Editor:
I am writing this letter to
compliment the Morrow County
School Board on the actions
taken during their work session
and Board Meeting on Dec. 11.
They were able to reach across
their own differences of opinion
and the differing opinions and
priorities of the individual
communities in our district to
reach a unified consensus
regarding the best way to meet
the future needs of all of our
students. Their
unanimous
decision on the scope of the
facilities construction
and
improvement projects that will
be covered by the bond levy to
he presented to the voters in May
was both long-sighted and far-
reaching. They were able to sort
through the complicated issues of
trying to meet the needs of all of
our communities and schools and
reach a decision that should serve
as an example to all of us when it
comes time to vote an this bond
levy.
I think that we should all be
proud of this volunteer beard and
the process that they went
through to reach the decision that
they reached. They have each put
a great deal of time and thought
into this process and have also
gone to great lengths to make
sure that every member of the
public who wished to be heard on
this
matter
had
ample
opportunity to share their
concerns with the board. I know
that it can be very hard for this
type of board to reach a
unanimous decision on even
minor issues, but this board has
done so on what may well be the
most important issue they will
ever have to address as a board.
This plan may not include
everything that each of us would
like to see happen in our schools
and it may include same things
that we aren't sure we should
have to pay for in our individual
communities. But I feel confident
that each and every member of
this board has made the decision
that they feel is in the best
interests of our students and the
school district in the long run.
And the fact that they did so
unanimously should send a
powerful message to each of us
as voters about the importance of
the decision that we will have to
make when we vote in May. I
hope that we can live up to the
example that they have set and
reach across our differences of
opinion and priority to do what is
best for our students throughout
the entire district.
I appreciate Gary Fredrickson,
Keith Lewis, Julie Weikel, Pat
McNamee, John Rietmann,
Barney Lindsay and Dwayne
Carroll for the work that the have
done on this and the many other
issues that face the School Board
on a regular basis. I feel a great
deal of confidence that you have
and will continue to work for
what is best for our schools.
(s) Lisa Rietmann
lone
Heppner DayCare worthy contribution
To the Editor:
The holidays are often
described as the season of giving.
In this light, I would like you to
consider a worthy recipient of
your generosity.
The Heppner DayCare has been
serving our community for years.
The day care provides not only
the necessary service of caring
for its charges, but it alsd
educates our young children in
preschool and helps our children
to learn to adapt to social
interaction. These benefits to our
community
cannot
be
overappreciated.
The staff of Heppner DayCare
is dedicated to providing our
community's children with the
healthiest environment possible.
Continue to help them with your
generous support.
Your contributions will help to
enhance the programs offered,
including providing the day
care's services to the less
advantaged and special needs
children of our community.
Morrow County has shown that
children truly hold a dear place
in the hearts of its citizens. As a
parent, volunteer and member of
our community, I appreciate your
help. I assure you that your tax-
deductible gifts to Heppner
DayCare will be used to enhance
the day care program's ability to
provide our children with the
compassionate care they deserve.
(s) Kim Cutsforth
Heppner
Not an equal educational opportunity
To the Editor:
To Members o f the Morrow
County School Board Rl:
• Enclosed please find the class
schedules for the 2000-2001
school year for the three high
schools in the county. It would
appear there is not an equal
educational opportunity for all
the students. I do not believe this
to be a fair disbursement of
available funds. An immediate
investment in a comprehensive
long distance education could
help with a partial solution.
In
South
M orrow
vocational/technical
students
have nothing. In North Morrow
the students have more offered in
their high school, but also have
benefits of a Blue Mountain
Community College satellite
program in their area.
Massive scheduling difficulties
anse in South Morrow from staff
reductions promoted by bad
management decisions of current
and past administrations. In lone,
students who would like less
advanced courses in their senior
years are unable to get them. If
these students are interested in a
technical education and are not
following the customary college
preparatory schedule, there is
nothing for them. In Heppner,
they additionally do not get a
thorough college preparatory
program.
How many Board members
would actually vote to have their
own children
so limited
educationally?
(s) Meg Murray
lone
Cardinal Booster Club
discusses painting gym
Cardinal Booster Club met
Cardinals" sign next to the tennis
Monday, Dec. 4, at lone High
courts.
School. Thirteen members were
Debbie Morgan gave an update
present.
on concessions for the Basketball
Monica Swanson gave an
Bonanza. Dave Radie donated
update report on painting the
cheesecake mixes to the club for
high school gym.
concessions. The lone Middle
The custodians will remove
School did the half time hoop
items from the walls after the last
shoot. Wheatland Insurance,
home game. Painting will begin
Beecher's Cafe and the Bank of
on the Fnday school is out. Jan
Eastern Oregon sponsored a
and Bob's Signs will paint the
hospitality room for coaches and
graphics on the walls and the
referees in the high school.
scorers' table and above the
Basketball schedule changes
locker room doors. "Simply the
were announced by athletic
Best" will be printed in the red
director Dean Robinson. The
stripe on the wall in white letters
lone "C" team played at Heppner
with a black border.
on Dec. 11 at 6 p.m. There will
Swanson has not been able to
be JV games at Stanfield,
find red mats to match the gym
Thursday, Dec. 21 at 5 p.m. and
and suggested buying black ones
at lone with Stanfield, Tuesday,
instead. The mats would go door
Jan. 23 at 5 p.m.
to door on both ends of the gym.
The club approved the
The club voted to send letters out
purchase of four basketballs at
to solicit money for the panels at
$145.80 and paying "C" team
$75 each.
officials at $650.
Dennis Stefani reported the
It was announced Beecher's
gym floor has been checked and
Cafe donated all the lettuce and
does not need to be replaced. It condiments
for
the
fall
does need to be repaired and hamburger feed.
refinished.
The club hopes to have a steak
It was reported that due to the
fire code there should not be %
tables in the hallway during
basketball games.
Jàn. 8, at 7 p.rS. at the high
The high school shop class will school library.
refinish the "Home of the
Christmas messages due Dec. 19
Each Christmas season the
Gazette-Times invites local
priests and pastors to submit an
inspirational message for the G-
T s Christmas issue. This year
they
will
be
published
Wednesday, December 30.
Messages may be typed or
handwritten, but must be legible
and double-spaced. Messages
may be sent to the Gazette-Times
by: mail-P.O. Box 337, Heppner
97836; fax-541-676-9211; e-
mail-david@heppner.net;
or
dropped by the office at 147 W.
Willow,
Heppner.
Those
participating are asked to include
their name, church and phone
number.
The deadline for submission is
Tuesday, December 19, at noon.
For more information, call
editor April Sykes at 676-9228.
"We enjoy publishing the
messages," said Sykes. "They
have always proven to be
interesting
and
thought
provoking, and very often
touching."
h ave yourself
a m erry B IG
christm as
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Q fbpirit (S > f çÇjivincj...
Give Teleflora's
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I* •
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