Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, October 10, 2001 - SEVEN Something about Harry Volunteers work to restore Heppner Cemetery (Editor's note: The following article about a local resident, her cat and a kind-hearted hunter appeared in the Journal Register in Boston, Massachusetts, September 27, 2001) By Rudy Wilk Hunters are often portrayed as bloodthirsty redneck-types that have very little sensitivity, people who are in the sport for the kill. This misconception o f sportsmen is an ugly portrayal of a group of which I am a part. Furthermore, I believe the opposite is true. Most hunters that I have been privileged to be around are quite the opposite. Most 1 have known, are strong of character, show a deep love of family and are extremely sensitive to our environment. Their love of life and of all God's creatures is whole and complete, even though this statement seems contradictory in nature. One must look at the whole picture of the sport o f hunting to realize all its attributes. This week, I would like to write about a man who possesses all the attributes that any good man has, and one who is also proud to be known as a hunter. Below will be a story of Harry Lemay and his hunt for elk in Oregon. A story with a twist that made me smile. One I hope you also will enjoy. Harry Lemay is a hunter extraordinaire who has harvested a good share of trophy animals. A small, charismatic individual whose love of family is only equalled by his love of hunting. A good man who I am honored to call my friend. Harry partakes in all forms o f hunting. His love of the sport is so deep that even when he lost his sight in his dominant eye, he learned to change from shooting right-handed to left. Not an easy task! Just try using a fork with the opposite hand and multiplying it times a hundred. This testament speaks o f Harry. Harry's hunt for elk, like most hunts, begins well before opening day. In mid-July, Harry, and his incredibly understanding and wonderful wife Nellie, went to Oregon on a zacation/scouting trip. Nellie would visit relatives and Harry would see his son Eric, meet up with fellow hunting buddy, Dave Ward, from Oregon, and then scout the vast Umatilla National Forest. Umatilla National Forest is set on an extremely large tract of land that has a mixture of hardwoods, arid canyons and mountains that reach over three thousand feet. Within her borders there is a collection of wildlife that most wilderness men only dream of. Huge mountain lions, bear, deer and elk co-exist in a picturesque setting. It is the same place from which Harry has harvested three elk and a brown bear in four o f the last five years. Furthermore, Umatilla National Forest will be the setting where Harry's incredible adventure will come full circle. After visiting with family, Harry and Dave went to Umatilla National Forest to do some scouting and hang some free stands. During this scouting time an incredible thing happened that would rival any script from a Walt Disney movie. On July 20,2001, the hunting duo had just arrived at the woods and got into Dave's vehicle. They were in an area in the national forest approximately 30 miles from a small town named Heppner and 20 miles from Ukiah. Both are extremely small towns no bigger than the town of Three Rivers. They had just begun to drive when Dave told Harry he had to find an area of road that would enable him to make a phone call home. After a distance, Dave was able to get a signal for his cell phone. Harry seized the chance to stretch his legs and answer nature's call. Boy, did he. Having gone off to the side of the road, Harry thought he heard something rustling in the bushes. Then a second later, Harry heard a "meow." Not believing his ears, he made half-hearted cat calls with his tongue and lips. This time the meow was followed by a tiger. Not a ferocious one but a tiger kitten less than a year old! Here, in the true middle of nowhere, Harry found a seemingly abandoned cat. In possession of a heart as big as the forest they w ere in, Harry had to find a home for the wayward kitten. Harry's next trick would be to convince his buddy Dave he had to find a home for the cat. After Harry was told by Dave that he didn't want to find any surprises in his tent, it was decided they would drive the cat the 20 mile trip to Ukiah. Once there, they would stop at the first convenience store and drop the kitten off. This is where the story becomes more remarkable. At a store called "Granny's," this heart-warming tale grows to the spectacular. Dave pulled into the small store and Harry jumped out of the truck with the orphaned cat. While Dave stayed inside the vehicle, Harry went into the store. Harry had the kitten on one arm and one leg inside the threshold. He hadjust finished asking the proprietor if she would take the kitten when he heard a scream. "Harry!" Not knowing anyone in the area, Harry began looking around to find the source o f the scream, then saw a pretty girl across the street and looked now to see who she was yelling to. Then, without stopping, the girl in her twenties continued towards Harry. She was still yelling, "Harry!" when she finally wrapped her arms around Harry Lemay's neck and planted a kiss on his cheek. Harry was flabbergasted and Dave was shell-shocked! Then the pretty lady grabbed the kitten and hollered, "Harry! Where have you b e e n a s she stared lovingly at the cat, she and the young family named "Harry." You can imagine his surprise when Harry Ixmay introduced himself. A short time later, it was discovered that Diane and Dale Munkers had been camping out at the national forest a week earlier. During that time Diane fell ill and the cat escaped when Diane had to pull the car over. They had been searching for "Harry" for the week and finally had to give up. Then, magically, Harry found "Harry." A fairy tale ending that in a time where everyone needs to smile. How did that cat survive in the remote wilderness for a week? How Dave's cell phone got a signal in that very spot? Then an incredible man named Harry found "Harry," a kitten. Well, an oddsmaker from Vegas would have had it at over a million to one! Roughly one month later, Harry returned to the place where the fond memory of when Harry met "Harry" began. This time he was hunting with son Eric and buddy Dave, along with Donny Ward, Frank Farlow, Ted Bums and Fletch Dotson. The coniradene and good-natured ribbing and the hearty laughs concerning the miracle cat, "Harry," will to them be legendary. During the time they were there, each hunter secretly felt that Harry's good deed would be repaid. On Thursday, August 30 at 7:15 a m. Harry the hunter once again proved his salt. He bow harvested a mature cow elk, the only one in the group to connect on an elk. In his heart and in mine, I knew the good deed had been rewarded. So, get out there, remember all good will be rewarded. God does have a master plan for all his creatures. One never knows when a chance meeting at home or in the field can make a difference. This time a man, who also happens to be a hunter, showed many of you what most hunters epitomize. So have fun, relax and be safe. DINE FOR AMERICA I c4 benefit Tor The 1R F ID D L E R S at 7p.m . Music and Meal: Adults $8 • Seniors & Students $7 • Ages 6-12 $2.50 • 6 4 under free Meal Only: Adults 12 and older $5 • Ages 6-12 $2 50 • 6 6 under free Music Only: Adults $4 • Seniors and Students $3 NOTICE OF DEFAULT AND ELECTION TO SELL Reference is made to that certain Trust Deed made by William Rill, also known as William Dean Rill, as Grantor, to Morrow County bstract & Title Co., Inc., as Trustee favor of Daniel M. Stingl. Trustee r U/D/T as Beneficiary dated June ¿4. 1998. recorded June 24, 1998, in Book "M" Page 1998-54600 of the Mortgage Records of Morrow County Oregon covering the following described real property situated in said County and State The real property described in Exhibit 1 attached hereto and incorporated herein. SUBJECT TO AND EXCEPTING: Those exceptions and tax Notes set forth in Exhibit 2 attached hereto E continued next page I \