Special Edition • Morrow County Fair and Rodeo - Heppner Gazette-Times, Wednesday, August 7, 2002 - Page 3
Bill Gentry, 2002 M C Fair and OTPR Grand Marshal
HEPPNER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
u*e£cantea y o u .
to tke town for FAMILY FUN ...
* Willow Creek Water Park * Relaxed Shopping
* Historic Courthouse * Morrow County Museum
* Biking, Golfing, Bowling * Camping, Fishing, Hunting
E N J O Y T H E FAIR A N D R O D E O !
(541) 676-5536
www.heppncr.net
/
a
Bill Gentry
Wrangler COWBOy Breakfast
at the Morrow County Jairyrounds
Sunday, August 1 8,k 8:00 a.m .-ll:00 a.m.
$15.00 family • $5.00 adults
$3.00 for 12 and under
Pancakes, Ham, tggs, Hashbroirns, Coffee, Jtilk
SHERRELL INSURANCE AGENCY
u t,
a
•
■
Service is our Business
<541)676-5818
n
Lift, Horn«, Auto, Firm & Ranch, Crop,
Long Ttmi c , „
Brenda Sherrell
Busin.,.
(541)676-5442 Fax
127 N. Main « P.O .Box 510 • Heppner, OR 97836_________
Mike & Carol Allison
70641 Kunze Lane
Boardman, OR 97818
(541) 481-4184
Fax (541) 481-2937
SEAFOOD
IT A L IA N
“A n E a s te r n O re g o n
T r a d itio n S in c e 1 9 5 9 ”
O pen:
Mon/Sat at 4 p.m.
;S
The W ebster’s dictionary
states that the word “involve”
means to “engage as a participant,
to oblige to take part, to occupy
absorbingly and to com m it
emotionally”. The definition also
states that this activity, to be
involved, has an effect on people.
Involvement is a good word to
describe this years 2002 Grand
Marshal, Bill Gentry.
Bill and his fam ily have
always been an active, helpful and
committed part of the community.
Small towns often depend on
volunteers to help build, improve
or enhance the surrounding area.
It is said that when help is needed
Bill is always there to help in any
way he can.
Bill grew up in Ava, Missouri,
and moved to Heppner in 1948.
He married Pat Healy in 1951 at
Santa Maria, California. That
same year he was drafted into the
m ilitary and served both in
Germany and France. After his
term in the service, Bill returned
to H eppner and w orked for
Columbia Basin Electric for 43
years. He started as a hole digger
and worked his way up to lineman.
then to superintendent.
Bill has lived in Heppner for
54 years and raised his family of
four children. His children include
Janet Greenup, Judy Towner,
Jackie A nsotegui and Jerry
Gentry. Bill and Pat currently
have 12 grandchildren and five
great-grandchildren. Jackie
currently lives in Alaska, Judy
lives in Bend and both Janet and
Jerry live in Heppner. Jerry is a
contractor and a long-tim e
member of the Rodeo Committee.
Janet is employed with the water
district and is very involved with
the Wrangler Riding youth club.
Three granddaughters, Amy, Sara
and Kelsey Greenup, have been
past princesses for the Morrow
County Fair and Rodeo. These
three young ladies and their sister,
Kathleen, were also pennant
bearers and involved in 4-H.
Bill Gentry has been active
with the youth in the community
and felt strongly about developing
good programs for them. He
helped develop the first Little
League baseball in Heppner some
40 years ago and helped coach
one of the teams. He can still be
seen on his tracto r helping
prepare the fields before baseball
season. He was involved with
Junior Rodeo activ ities and
helping to make the grounds safe
and made sure equipment worked
properly. He has also helped with
the football field lighting.
Bill works yearly preparing
the lighting, sound and arena
ground at the Oregon Trail Pro
Rodeo and helps with the
preparations, anything from
various fair activities, the livestock
sale and arena work. “I have
always enjoyed the fair and rodeo
and helping to get things ready,”
he says.
Other community services
SERVING AREA FARMS AND RANCHES
FOR MORE THAN 43 YEARS.
AN iNOEPCNf*NT FfcANCH ISEE OF
P
L
THf COMMI HCI*L FUELING SYSTEM
• Bulk Gas
• Heating Oils
• Solvents & Kero
• Lube Oils in Bulk Qualities
• Diesel Fuel
• Off Road
• On Road
• Lubricating Oils
Phillips • Chevron • Shell • Texaco • Mobil • Amoco
137 S. Main
Pendleton
(541) 276-4314
H e lle r & Sons
D istrib u tin g , Inc.
615 N. 1st, H e rm is to n
567-6582
1-800-698-6582
over the years have included
helping to straighten tombstones
and develop Willow Creek RV
Park. Bill has always freely given
a helping hand when needed.
Bill enjoys people. “I have
had the opportunity to work with
many fine people over the years,"
he says. Changes have occurred
over time due to committed and
dedicated people. The quality of
the stock has improved and this
can be seen through the faster
times in timed events. “The time
for winning the saddle has gone
down from over a minute to eight
seconds or less!” The rodeo has
brought many fine memories for
Bill but the most memorable was
watching his son Jerry competing
and winning the Morrow County
Calf Roping Saddle.
Staying involved is important.
Bill Gentry has shown that to all
o f us. The F air and Rodeo
appreciate his being a part of the
activities, commitment to helping
others, and his participation in our
community. These things truly
have a positive effect on other
people. Bill feels strongly about
this involvement: “ I hope the
community will stay involved and
keep the fair and rodeo alive for
many years to come. It is good
for the young and old to stay
involved and active in community
affairs,” he says.
Lots of food at the
Fair
There are a variety of foods
at the fair this year. Zamora’s will
be back with their delicious
Mexican Food and C&R Ice will
have Hawaiian Ice again. New
this year will be buffalo meat. If
you’ve never tried it, well, come
to the fair. The Hearns from
Weston will have buffalo burgers
and sausage dogs. They also have
beefburgers and hot dogs for the
faint of heart—and a lot of curly
fries. And don’t forget, as always,
the delicious food at the 4-H Snack
Shack!
For the fifth year, the ladies
of the Nazarene Church will be
busy baking pies for fair. The
Willow Creek Service Club will
also be here again, with their taco
salad and baked potatoes. Come
to the Pavilion kitchen and enjoy
a great meal. And, of course, the
senior citizens will be selling their
ice cream and root beer floats for
all to enjoy.
SEED CLEANING
ON FARM SERVICE
“Have Cleaner, Will Travel”
Seed Cleaned and Treated
with Farmer’s Choice
Jim's Seed
Cleaning & Treating
Jim Harting
( 509 ) 382-4874
627 Hirltm Road
Dayton. WA 99328