Image provided by: Morrow County Museum; Heppner, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 8, 2001)
Special Edition Morrow County Fair & Rodeo • Heppner Gazette-Times. Wednesday, August 8, 2001-Page 9 Fair premium book dedicated to Tim and Kathy Rankin By Merlyn Robinson lh is year's premium book dedication honors Kathy and Tim Rankin, loyal fair, rodeo and 4-11 supporters. Ihe Rankins didn't grow up locally but. since 1978 when they moved here from the Willamette Valley, they have become involved Morrow County residents. In appreciation for the lifestyle o f this area. Tim says. "It's like a need to earn the right to live here." Consequently they have whole heartedly embraced and supported community events. Tim first tell in love with this area as a youngster while hunting here locally with his father and Carl McDaniel. Ihe Rankins were mamed in 1974 and they began searching for a spot in Morrow County to put down roots. Influenced by friends and a love o f the mountains, they obtained timbered property at the edge of the Blue Mountains that once belonged to Tom Huston. There wasn't any development on this property, so Kathy was unaware o f the pioneering adventure in which she would participate. For living accommodations, they acquired a modest single-wide mobile trailer. With their first-bom daughter in diapers, reality set in during their first harsh winter in the mountains, run was working at the Kmzua Mill when the water and drain lines froze at home. Warm fires heated the center o f the rooms at 80 degrees. Tim says, but ice formed on the inside o f the single windows. Each day. Tim brought home containers o f water from town and they struggled to survive even when their private road became packed with three feet o f snow. Kathy says she felt terribly isolated since they had no telephone and she longed to move back to the valley. Tim asked Kathy to stick it out for one year and said if she still felt that way then they would return to Oregon's more moderate climate. W ith the return o f sunny, warm w eather, the mountain magic cast a spell on Kathy and 23 years of hard work have produced improvements such as a large shop and outbuildings to accommodate livestock. They purchased a modem double-wide mobile home in 1993 and placed it over a full basement as a permanent home. Tim cut the timbers and built a front deck o ff o f the mam floor that offers a panoramic view o f the forest. That deck shelters a ground floor entrance o f the daylight basement. It's there that they raised three R a y m o n d F r e n c h ., 2001 grand marshal Livestock grower. He was a member o f the Heppner Soil and Water Conservation District for 16 years and served as chairman for 12 years. In 1964 he served in this position while he was also a director of the National Cattlemen's Association. His dedication and service to the livestock industry earned him an honored award o f "Distinguished, Serv ice. Devotion and Loyalty" by Oregon State University. In 1985 he was elected as a ctate representative for District 59 and served in this position until 1989. The 90's brought Ray's experience and skills back to his community. He w as elected as Morrow County C ommissioner for tw o terms, starting in 1992. Over the years, Ray has been a member o f the American Legion. Heppner Coordinating Council, the I leppner's Elk Lodge and the board o f trustees. Heppner school board, chairman o f the Columbia Blue Mountain Resource and Conservation Development Association, director o f the Pendleton Production Credit Bank, a member of I leppner's (. 'harnber of Commerce and a m ember o f the St. Patrick's Church. His dedicated service to our community was awarded in 1997 with the Lifetime Achievement Award presented by the Heppner Chamber o f Commerce. The 90s concluded with Ray's retirement in 1999. " I he Morrow County Fair and Oregon Frail Pro Rodeo is honored to have Ray French as this year's grand marshal. His dedication, sen ice and commitment to Morrow County have had a huge impact on our local economy and way o f life. Ray’s involvement in our community will have a lasting impact for those who call Morrow County home." Tim and kathv Rankin daughters: Jennifer, 23. Bobbie. 20, and Tracy, 18, who inherited their parents' love o f horses. Kathy and Tim both rode horses while growing up. Tim participated in 4-H and nding club events. They continue to love rodeo and horse-related events. Tim jests that their horse- acquinng daughters are responsible for adding to their small herd. Starting when Jennifer was in the fourth grade, all three girls have been active in horse and sheep 4-H projects. This major family focus is something the whole family has enjoyed, says Tim. So whenever there was a workday, a 4-H event, workers needed for the 4-H snack shack or volunteer labor dunng the construction of the Wilkinson Arena, the Rankins have been there to help. Tim also built sheep stands for fair time use. Besides helping at horse shows, they also have always been willing workers at the Wrangler cowboy breakfasts. Tim has worked for the Morrow County Road Department since 1980 and Kathy has been employed with the Forest Service since 1989 The Rankins have taken their vacation days during fair and rodeo week; living on the fairgrounds in order to help their girls as well as assist with many activities. Beginning when Bobbie first became a rodeo court pennant bearer in 1994. the family has been involved in prom oting the fair and rodeo. Thousands o f miles were logged on their pickups and horse trailers. In addition to serving as permanent pennant bearers, Bobbie was a princess in 1998 and queen in 1999 Tracy was a princess in 1999 and queen in 2000. Kathy served as court chaperon in 2000 "Fair, Rodeo and 4-H have provided an enjoyable family- oriented experience," says Kathy. "It's given us the opportunity to do things with our girls." By coordinating those activities with other families, the Rankins say they are pleased to have formed many lasting friendships that they continue to enjoy. The Rankins emphasize that the Morrow County Fair and Rodeo are important community events. They say these events provide character- building opportunities for youngsters that result in lasting memories, as illustrated in the Rankin family photos, scrapbooks and memorabilia. Their daughters, who are now attending college, have greatly benefited from this type of background, they say. Along with successfully earning many ribbons and awards, the girls learned to take their lumps at an early age when it came to mutton busting, calf nding or uncooperative fair animals. Tim and Kathy represent the many people who continue to donate their efforts to the continuance o f these local events. This premium book is dedicated to these two staunch fair and rodeo supporters, who proudly call Morrow County their home. G a z e tte -T im e s • 6 7 * -9 * l* Unilditig & R en ovation R e sid e n tia l a n d C o m m e r c i a l K u c h e n s K B aths • A d d itio n s D eck s *5 \ i h o r s • Fine W o o d w o r k in g O il ice In te rio r s • D istinctive H o m e s I n l e rio i D esign Desig'n & P la n n in g Service 514 S W Emigrant • P.0 Bo* 1385 • Pendleton. OR 97801 • License *55257 t>rivC'Inn »Bakery Poppy s Pizza Boardman OR (541) 481 4 9 8 1 or (S41) 481 6 1 7 7 X / W E BAKE or YOU BAKE Mon - Fri 5:30 am 9 pm • Sun 7 am 9 pm 481-2571 Family Dining • Ice ('ream • Espresso/Lattes • Donuis/PaMnes 491 E. Columbia Ave. • Boardman, OR 8 . 8.#14129 HOUSECRAFT WE PRINT ENVELOPES Welcome to the Fain & Rodeo J & D ELECTRIC Raymond French Dedication, involvement and service are words that desenbe this year's grand marshall o f the 2001 Fair and Oregon Frail Pro Rodeo. This honor is one more title Raymond "Ray" French can add to his many accomplishments in our community. Ray was bom and raised on the family ranch on Big Butter Creek. One of his first commitments started with his marriage to his wife Norma in 1946. The couple had three daughters. Karen. Venna and Susan Ray and Norma presently have nine grandchildren who live in different parts o f the country with their parents. Karen Wood lives in Tigard; Venna Schiller, the 1967 Heppner rodeo queen, lives in Pflugerville. Texas; and Susan Ward, the 1972 queen, lives in Heppner. Susan and her husband. Jim Ward currently run the family ranch. Ray began his service and dedication to Morrow County in the 1950s and 60s. He served as chairman o f the Morrow County Bozo Burger • Homemade Muffin1 , . „ , -33 9 9 a V P oppy sPizz/L 1-84, Exit 164 Boardman, OR Jack & Laveme Bozarth, ’ Owners Behind C& D Drive Inn & Bakery
