TWO - Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, March 28, 2001
Letters to the Editor
The Official Newspaper
of the City of Heppner and the County of Morrow
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Heppner
GAZETTE-TIMES
U S P S 240-420
Gossip hurts
M orrow C o u n ty 's Hom e-O w ned W eekly Newspaper
Published weekly and entered as periodical matter at the Post Office at Heppner, Oregon
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where
David Sykes.............................................................................................................. Publisher
April Htlton-Sykes
........................................................... Editor
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Rose Bergstrom retires from
M urray's Drug
To the Editor:
It's time 1 said something.
I have lived here for about seven
years. Throughout these years, 1
have had people confide in me.
Some told me that this is the most
gossipy town they have ever lived
in. Others end up moving because
they can't handle the vicious gossip
that has gone around about them.
Others that are still here have
confided in me, drenching both of
us in tears. People talking behind
their backs. People saying things
on purpose when they're around
you to hurt you. People playing
games. 1 won't give you names of
any o f these people that have
entrusted me.
However, what I will do is tell
you, that about eight years ago, a
woman wanted me to slander and
help her destroy this man w ho was
and still is very dear to me. 1
wouldn't do it. So she set out to
slander me. She said that she w'ould
"make sure she would do whatever
it takes to take me out". She wanted
to make sure I regretted my decision.
When I moved here, she knew
someone who knew someone who
lived here. She was up here
slandering me. This female still
continues with her slander chain.
My first year in Heppner was very
hard for me.
Two years ago, my husband and
1 separated. He left, because that's
what we agreed on. It didn't work
out financially. Last September we
separated for a second time. This
time I left, because that's what we
agreed on. Something happened
that affected my living arrangements
in Pendleton. Due to what happened,
I took leave from work. I'm a guest
in my house now. As soon as the
situation is taken care of, I will be
able to continue with the separation.
There is a lot more lies going on
about me with this also. I still get
people who play their little gossip
games with me. For the record, my,
not-divorced-yet husband and I are
very good friends. There is no hatred
between us.
Nobody ever came up to ask me
about the slander. But someone did
ask me about my marriage. And
I respect that person for not
believing what he heard but instead
asking me what's going on. That
someone was only visiting here.
That someone was one of them who
left here and is still wounded by
the gossips who are in the Heppner
area.
We shouldn't use our tongues
to hurt, to wound, nor destroy. We
should use our tongues to help, to
encourage, to build up one another.
With all vulnerability,
(s) Teresa Games
Heppner
Can peace continue with military boost?
Rose Bergstrom
Customers at Murray’s
Drug are going to have to get
used to a big change at the store.
Rose Bergstrom, a fixture at the
store for the past 17 years, has
retired.
Bergstrom, a petite and
very young 67 year-old, has
worked in nearly every phase of
the operation over the years,
except for the pharmacy.
"I'm going to miss the
people," said Bergstrom, who
plans to do a "little traveling"
and do some work in her large
yard.
Bergstrom,
who
is
originally from Spokane, was
raised in Pendleton and attended
St. Joseph's Academy there.
After high school she
worked in Pendleton for a while
and then met her husband-to-be,
Gerald, through a friend o f his.
They married in 1966 at Valby
Church.
Gerald drove bus for 24
years.
The Bergstroms, who
make their home at Eightmile,
have a son, Michael, who works
for Morrow County Grain
Growers. He and his wife, Darcy,
live in Heppner.
Rose
attends - St.
William's and St. Patrick's
churches. Besides gardening, she
enjoys reading and doing
handicrafts.
M CG C News
By Sandi Day
~~
The Morrow County Gun Club
held their weekly shoot on Sunday,
March 18, with a rather small but
hearty crowd.
Mark Schlichting and Mike
Bennett each shot a perfect 25 at
the 16-yard line, followed by Rob
Ashbeck and Jimmy Walton with
23. Brian Haguewood took third
with 18. Mike Bennett also took
first at the handicap line with a 24
of 25. Mark Schlichting was second
with 21 and Bob Krein and Brian
Haguewood tied for third with 19
each. Shelly Ashbeck and Angela
Munkers tied for first in the ladies
shoot with 14 each.
MCGC met again on Sunday,
March 25, with a better turnout
despite the strong winds that
provided a challenge to the shooters.
Club president Curt Day and Mike
Bennett shot a near perfect 24 of
25 for first at the 16-yard line.
Newcomer Lowell Turner took
second with 23 and Harvey Childers
was third with a 22.
At the 16-yard line for the ladies,
Sandi Day was first with a 20 and
Deona Hodges was second with 17.
In the handicap event. Curt Day
took first with 23. Second went
to Mike Bennett with a 22 and Bob
Krein was third with a 20.
For the ladies, Sandi Day was
first with 17 and Deona Hodges was
second with 11.
Junior shooter Tayler Hodges
was on a hot streak shooting with
the "big dogs" at the 16-yard line.
Four Annie Oakley shoots were
held with Bob Krein, Sandi Day,
Curt Day and Travis Greenup each
taking a winning pot.
Winners o f the spring league
shoot were the team of Rob Ashbeck
and Brian Haguewood, edging out
Mark Schlichting and Sandi Day
with 405 and 401 respectively. Third
place went to Jeff Cutsforth and
Roger Mortimore with 373. Barry
Munkers and Tony Greenup took
fourth with 362. Fifth-place team
was Bob Krein and Deona Hodges,
and the sixth-place team was Curt
Day and Shelly Ashbeck.
MCGC will shoot again on
Sunday, April 1, starting at noon,
and will hold another meat shoot
on Sunday, April 8, beginning at
10 a.m. More information will
follow in next week's news.
L A D IE S G O LF
Opening Day at WCCC
Tuesday, April 3
Breakfast starts at 9 a.m.
Tee o ff begins at 10 a.m.
n -
To the Editor:
Now, keeping a promise, it is
time to look more closely at Pres.
Eisenhower's warning at the end
of his second term: "In the councils
o f government, we must guard
against the acquisition of
unwarranted influence, whether
sought or unsought, by the military-
industrial complex. The potential
for the disastrous rise of misplaced
power exists and will persist."
The industry he referred to was
the arms industry, weapons
manufacturers and others who profit
materially from wars. The U. S. has
been involved directly in two "hot"
wars and one "Cold War", all
bolstering the military-industrial
complex.
Ironically, Ike himself had to
preside over the rise o f that
"military-industrial
complex"
requiring a strong military to
continue a policy of containment
of communism in the Cold War.
We were obsessed with the fear of
the Soviet Union and communism,
turning over every rock, trying to
find communists in this country
(remember McCarthy). Ike was
right; the containment policy
affected decision-making in the
White House and the Congress for
the next three decades.
In 1950, the American-sponsored
South Korea was invaded by the
Soviet-sponsored North Korea. For
us at home the conflict was kind
of a far-off mystery and lacked the
moral urgency o f World War II . ..
but the president and the mam
general said that we should fight
and so we did. The U.N. voted to
support South Korea, but mostly
it was our boys there. After see-saw
battles our troops were losing and
met with massive Red Chinese
armies. The President fired the
general. By 1953 the war ended
where it began, at the 38th parallel.
Fifty-four thousand of our boys had
died with another 100,000 casualties
and two million young Koreans were
killed. Who won? That situation
is still not solved. It did make profits
for the arms industry though.
At the same time, we had started
what became the Vietnam War by
aiding the French in Indo-China
When they pulled out in '54, a
Geneva conference partitioned
Vietnam (This division was left to
a future election which was never
held). Until 1975 a war ensued that
we could not win but were shamed
both at home and before the world.
We lost 58,000 of our young men;
another 10,000 evaded the draft
(pardoned later by Pres. Carter).
Too sad that we did not heed the
words of Senator Morse of Oregon:
'" ...History will record that we have
made a great mistake in subverting
and circumventing the Constitution."
The Cold War continued with
another boosting of the military-
mdustna! complex in the 80's under
Reagan, building up a military that
threatened use of force against the
USSR, even though Gorbachev was
contacting world leaders, trying hard
for nuclear disarmament agreements
(see "A Time For Peace" by
Gorbachev). He was also planning
sweeping changes in the Soviet
economy and the quality o f life
there. However, our military might
was built up and increased our
national debt by around three trillion
dollars.
By '88 we had the largest, best
equipped and most powerful military
in the world and were ready to take
the largest part in the G ulf War.
rhe reason for that war -- the world
knew it and so did we -- was a much
greater concern for oil than for the
safety of the Kuwaitis or the Saudis.
If we had really been fighting a
ruthless military dictatorship, why
did we not go to Bagdad and remove
Sadam, as we went to Berlin? We
were left with an unresolved
problem, like Korea. However, we
had proved that we had a mighty
military — the conflict had been like
Heppner's C team playing the
Portland TrailBlazers.
Were these wars a result of
"misplaced power" that Eisenhower
warns against? Whatever our answer
to that may be, one thing is sure:
now the U.S. arms industry is the
largest on Earth and we are the
world's greatest supplier of weapons,
often to third world countries. Let's
not forget that we sold arms to Iraq,
adding to increasing power for
Sadam and that under Reagan we
sold arms to Iran, helping their war
against Iraq, and then took that
money to aid the Contras fighting
Marxism in Nicaragua despite a
Congress-passed amendment cutting
off all aid to the Contras. Was that
"misplaced power"?
How can we, with this
proliferation of weapons, be working
for world peace?
For the past eight years our
country has been at peace. Can we
continue that peace with our new
president's emphasis on another
boost of the military-industrial
complex? What must the rest of
the world think?
(s) Jane Rawlins
Heppner
Receipt boxes
to move
Effective April 1, boxes for the
Central Market's "one percent
program" will no longer be available
at the front of the store. In the
program, one percent of the grocery
store receipts placed in the box goes
toward that particular charity
organization.
Boxes for the Willow Creek
Valley Assisted Living project store
receipts will now be located at
Heppner City Hall and at Twice
Upon a Time bookstore.
Obituaries
Henry G. Peck
Henry G. Peck, 91, of Heppner,
died Monday, March 19, 2001, at
his home.
A memorial service was held
Friday, March 23, 2001, at the
Lexington Oddfellows Hall.
He was bom March 16, 1910,
in Heppner, to Burton and Myra
Yeager Peck. He was raised in the
Rhea Creek area and attended Rhea
Creek Country School. The family
later moved to Lexington, where
he attended high school.
On November 25, 1928, he
married Josie L. Rowell at lone.
He was employed by the Morrow
County Road Department then the
State Highway Department assigned
to the section o f road between
Arlington and Blalock.
For over five summers, he worked
harvest at the Dee Cox Ranch. The
Pecks moved to Hermiston where
they operated a farm, and Mr. Peck
was employed at Umatilla Ordinance
Depot during the 1940s.
He purchased a 16-foot pull-type
combine and did custom cutting
for many area fanners and leased
the Pat McLaughlin Ranch, where
he farmed for several years.
The family moved to Parkdale,
where he bought a ranch that he
farmed while working at the Oregon
Lumber Mill as a millwright. The
Pecks sold that farm and moved
to Condon where he was employed
by the John Deere Company as a
mechanic for five years.
They returned to Hermiston,
where he worked for Ross Machine
and Iron Works for six years, and
in 1976, they moved to his family's
ranch between Lexington and
Heppner.
Mr. Peck was a member of the
Elks Lodge, the Lexington
Oddfellows Lodge and the
Lexington Grange.
Survivors include his wife, Josie
o f Heppner; daughters, Dorothy
Tucker of Salem, Jeanette Henkins
and Martha Corcoran, both of
Douglas, Arkansas; sons, Ronald
Peck o f Moro, Lyle Peck and
Richard Peck, both o f Heppner,
Burton Peck of Hermiston, William
Peck in North Carolina and
Raymond Peck o f Lexington;
brothers, James Peck and Donald
Peck, both of Hermiston, and George
"Bud" Peck o f Pendleton; 30
grandchildren;
35
great
grandchildren; and two great-great-
grandchildren. He was preceded
in death by a son, James; a brother,
Harold; and sisters, Eleanor Morey
and Irene Nolan.
Memorial contributions may be
made to Pioneer Memorial Home
Health Care, P.O. Box 9, Heppner,
Oregon 97836.
Sweeney Mortuary of Heppner
was in charge o f arrangements.
Master
Gardeners to
offer help
It's time to work outside in yards
again and Blue Mountain Master
Gardeners are here to offer help.
The local chapter of the OSU
Extension Master Gardener program
sponsors, in cooperation with the
City of Heppner, a community
garden located on Riverside Street
in Heppner.
A 12' by 12' garden plot is
offered for $12. Local Master
Gardeners are also available
throughout the year to answer a
variety of questions about plants,
insects, trees, soil, etc.
For more information about the
community garden or who to call
for advice, contact the Morrow
County Extension Service at 676-
9642.
Chamber Chatter
By Claudia Hughes,
Executive Director
Scattered clouds, scattered
showers and scattered thoughts for
this week's column. It takes a bit
to wrap up a celebration as large
as the Wee Bit O' Ireland has
become. Clean-up, flags, thank-yous.
So many wonderful people in
Heppner put the community on the
map with all their hard work. The
office continues to receive calls
commending Heppner for a great
weekend.
On the down side, there was a
bit of leprechaun harassment. Just
want to remind those involved that
these leprechauns have very close
ties with grandparents, mothers,
clergy, health care people, teachers,
etc., who are putting in lpng hours
to add to the pleasure o f little ones
and the theme o f the weekend.
Remember, leprechauns aren't for
hitting next time they are out and
about. Be kind, please. Leprechauns
shouldn't need bodyguards.
April moves us right into some
busy weekends with various
community events planned such
as the annual Elks Easter egg hunt;
the M.S. Walk; high school rodeo;
and the Rolling Hills Run.
Chamber will be revisiting
Business After Hours, with the first
one scheduled for Wednesday, April
18, at the home o f member Fran
Oswald, local home business
Shaklee distributor.
The Pioneer Flea Market will
be at the Morrow County
Fairgrounds on May 19-20. If
organizations have additions to the
Willow Creek Valley Calendar of
events, we will gladly add them.
The Chamber encourages retailers
and realtors to attend a two-part
workshop on Friday, April 13, in
Walla Walla, presented by retail
consultant Jon Schallert. Joseph,
Oregon, had the benefit of learning
from him recently and he comes
highly recommended by many.
There will be a 9 a.m. to noon
session on Competing With Big
Box Retailers (geared to helping
small business owners remain
competitive and thrive in a retail
environment dominated by big box
retailers). The 1:30-4:30p.m. session
is Attracting Retail To Your
Downtown (filling up vacant
buildings). The cost is $30 per
session or $50 for the full day. If
there is enough interest, the
Chamber will arrange for a bus. It
is open to one and all; however.
Chamber members who are
interested in attending will be
eligible for a drawing for half off
the cost. Please call the Chamber
office 676-5536, if interested.
Welcome to Thomas Wolff, CPA,
newest Chamber member. Problems
with your taxes? Give him a call.
Barnett and Moro are also longtime
Chamber members ready to assist
you with your returns. It's that time
of the year.
Next week Chamber will meet
at noon at DG's for the business
meeting where all entities report
the first Tuesday o f every month.
Thought for the week: "We make
a living by what we get; we make
a life by what we give."
Parenting classes
offered
"Love and Logic" parenting
classes are being offered in Heppner
on Tuesday evenings, April 3, 17
and 24 and May 1. Classes will be
from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the
conference room o f the Family
Services building, which is located
above
Heppner
Hardware.
For additional information,
contact the Commission on Children
and Families office at 676-9675
or the Heppner Head Start office
at 676-9150.
Great
View Of
Heppner!
This nice, well-kept one level home has four bedrooms,
two baths, a large living room, a fireplace insert
and wood cupboards in the kitchen. The home is
located on 3.67 acres and has a great view of Heppner.
$ 165,000
C o n tact D avid Sykes, Agent
H eritage h a n d Co.
---- BJ.
www.heppner.net 1-800-326-2152 toll free
(541) 676-9228 days, (541) 676-9939 evenings