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Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, June 16, 2004 - THREE Letters to the Editor Editor's note: Letters to the Editor must be signed. The Gazette-Times will not publish unsigned letters. Please include your address and phone number on all letters for use by the G-T office. The G-T reserves the right to edit. The G-T is not responsible for accuracy o f statements made in letters. (Any letters expressing thanks will be placed in the classifieds under “Card of Thanks'at a cost o f $ 7.) Tales from Eastern Africa [Editor’s Note: Kelly and Laura Sager and their family left their home in Lexington in early 2004 to becom e missionaries in the East African co u n try of R w anda. Throughout their time there, Kelly will be sending letters to keep us updated on life in Rwanda. The following letter was dated May 19.] Greeting from Eastern Africa. The Sager family has settled into our house and n eig h b o rh o o d . W hat an adventure it has been and just think, we have only been here ten days. Learning to negotiate the highways of Kigali, the city where we call home has been terrifying at times. The second day here we watched a person get nailed by a car. Sadly, I am not sure if he survived. The driver of the taxi that struck him ended up stopping and putting him in the van and driving off. The event didn’t seem to stir a lot of excitement among the locals. From my vantage point, it appeared to be a daily happening. Unfortunately, our o ld e st daughter, D arby, observed everything unfold before her eyes. She did not say a lot about the incident until - the next day when she pointed out the pool of blood left from the accident to her brothers and sisters. We were told that people are frequently hit while crossing streets. I just hope I don’t hit anyone. The rule of the land is you are guilty and must prove your innocence in court. I frequently drive by the Kigali prison on my way into town. It is not somewhere I want to end up. On top of that, they make prisoners wear pink jumpsuits. I look horrible in pink. Our home is more than adequate. We even live on one of few paved residential streets in the city. Now, if we could only keep the electricity * running. The power is off more than it is on and water must be filtered before drinking. Fortunately, we do have hired help that assist us with the daily chores of living here. Without their assistance I am not sure if we would get anything accomplished. Laura makes frequent trips to stores and markets. Stores here are similar to the United States, but do not cany , the inventory we are used to seeing. Once we are able to communicate in the local language we will probably shop more at the market, as th e ir prices are m ore reasonable. You can get most things here but pay a big price. We are still trying to get use to sticker shock. Twelve dollars for Com Flakes is a little steep in my opinion. Prices are inflated because of a tax imposed by the government on any imported item. And most things in stores are imported. The kids are adjusting better than mom and dad. They are already picking up words in Ikenyarwandan. Our formal language study begins at the end of this month. We ju s t learned that Ikenyarwandan is one of the hardest languages in the world to learn. U gh... Oh well, I am ready to communicate with the locals. While transporting a new stove home last week with the assistance of locals I got stranded downtown. They suddenly pulled over and abandoned me for good twenty minutes. I was relieved to see them finally come back. I never did figure out what they were up to. On top of that, they attempted to charge me more than we had agreed because they assisted me in getting the stove into the house. In the end, I was happy that I was able to get home safely and with my stove. We have met several American families who are living in Kigali. Laura is cu rren tly w alking each morning with two ladies from the United Kingdom. They have invited her to become active in the International Women’s Club. We also will be swimming with Americans at a local hotel on Fridays. Over Memorial Day weekend several American families will be gathering for a potluck. During the next month, we are going to do a little traveling in the country. We have trips planned to the national university city of Butare and also to Cynagugu, which borders the Congo. I was in both cities when I was here in November. The rest of the family is looking forward to seeing more of the countryside of this country. Kigali is an interesting city. Poverty wherever you look, with a lot of begging downtown which is difficult to get use to. For that matter, I hope to never get use to it. My compassion level must remain alert to what is really around me. It could be very easy to insulate myself inside the walls of my community and forget the less fortunate. The other side of Kigali is characterized by the rich driving expensive cars, wearing western clothing and living in expensive housing developments. It is a stark contrast, but typical of African nations. The people have been the best thing about being here. For the most part, they are friendly, open and loving. We caused quite the stir last week when the family went out for a walk. Wherever we go we hear a lot of comments and people stop what they are doing and w atch. They especially enjoy the kids. Most want to hug them. The children want to touch their white skin. Our kids seem to take all they are observing in stride. Last weekend we were in the home of a Rwandan family. Just getting to the home was an adventure. After finding the neighborhood, we had to hike several hundred yards through a poverty strick en neighborhood unlike anything in America. It resembled a shanty town rather than an actual neighborhood. The kids were enthralled with the experience. Nightly, before going to bed, we spend 15 minutes debriefing the day. Each share about what they saw during the day that made them happy, sad, scared, excited, etc. The most exciting day was when a m onkey cam e to our backdoor and tried coming into the house. The kids were screaming with excitement as the monkey sat on the window sill looking in hoping for a handout. The primary worry living here is malaria. All the kids have been bitten. Tegan especially is prone to the little creatures. Today we put up a couple of mosquito nets and will purchase more before long. All in all God has been good to us. We are truly experiencing the joys and trials of living in Africa and believe this is where we need to be. If you ever consider coming to A frica, please c o n sid er Rwanda. We would love to see you. (s) Kelly Sager K igali, Rwanda, Eastern Africa State Forest Management Plan good for Tillamook To the Editor: The S tate Forest Management Plan is diverse. The members who made up the planning forum were also d iv erse. The groups represented are as follows: Oregon Trout, North Coast Land Conservancy, Coast Range Association, Sierra C lub, O regon Forest Industries Council, Oregon State University, Tillamook County, Forestry Extension Agent and Stimson Lumber Company. The plan was also peer reviewed by another diverse group. The planning effort in clu d ed input from all segments of our population. This is a thoughtful forest management plan that will ensure predictable timber and revenues for our schools and local econom ics, diverse habitats for wildlife and fish and recreational opportunities. The R ain fo rest Coalition is a special interest group th at has a o n e dimensional perspective of the Tillamook Forest. The R ain fo rest Coalition continually raises money for the 50/50 plan. Does the Rainforest Coalition have a self-serving motive for the 50/50 plan? (s) Charles J. Hurliman Tillamook County Commissioner Marriage Licenses Ju n e 1: Gary Allen Krieger, 40, Heppner and Valerie Jean Hasbrouck, 37, Heppner. June 8: Erick Juarez, 25, Hermiston and Erica Lee Garza, 22, Hermiston. DA’s Report T helm a Gay Roubidoux was convicted of Interfering with a Peace O fficer, a C lass-A misdemeanor. Roubidoux was sentenced to 365 suspended days in jail, two years bench p ro b atio n , 40 hours com m unity service and payment of $626 in fines and fees. Lyle Daniel Smith adm itted to violation of probation allegations for Attempt to Elude. Smith’s probation was provoked and he was sentenced to six months in jail and 12 months probation. WOU announces 2004 graduates Matthew D. Shilling, of Irrigon, graduated from Western Oregon University in Monmouth. ■Columbia Sportswear C ompany . Treat Dad... T h is F ather's D a y w ith a C o lu m b ia S h irt S ta rtin g a t $329S os Gardner's Men's W ear (541) 676-9218 193 N. Main Street • Heppner Realize Your Dream Home with a Home Loan from the Bank of Eastern Oregon -Construction Loans- -JVezv H o m e Purchase- -R efinancing- "M elissa Lindsay, your Mortgage Manager, was great! She was always easy to reach, helpful, knowledgeable and very quick! H er s ta ff was wonderful, toot Kim, Christy and Tobey were always so eager to see to my questions or needs. Bank o f E O Is the best!” •LOCAL PROCESSING • PERSONAL SERVICE • EXPERIENCED STAFF SAME DAY PRE-APPROVED E l w ood a n d E ly a h la B o n n ia o n , E cho Bank of M em ber FDIC Melissa Lindsay, Mortgage Mgr. 676-9884 I O bituaries Mary Chase of Portland; three n ieces, Shari D allas, Pendleton, Kristin Lindberg, Shelia Kay Parks Pendleton and Stephanie Shelia Kay Parks, 44, B reninger, Portland and passed away Wednesday, nephew, Ronald S. Kearney, June 1, 2004 at St. Charles McCord Air Force Base in Hospital in Washington state. Bend. Pete Cannon A memorial Pete Cannon, 78, of service will lone, died Wednesday, June be held 9, 2004, at the G ood Saturday, S am aritan C en ter in June 19, at Hermiston. 2 p.m. at Shelia Parks A memorial service P a te ro s was held June 12 at the lone Cemetery in Pateros, WA. United Church of Christ. Parks was bom Oct. Cannon was bom Jan. 24, 1959 at Soap Lake, WA 8,1926, at Heppner. He grew to Mac and Bonnie Parks. up and attended schools at She grew up in Ephrata, WA Burton Valley near Hardman, and lived in O regon, then moved with his family to W ashington and N evada lone w here he attended before coming to Heppner in school, graduating from lone July of 2000. High School in 1944. Survivors include her On Dec. 12, 1948, mother, Bonnie Parks of he married Laurel Palmateer Heppner, her father, Mac at lone. Parks of Austin, TX; brothers, He farmed for a time Mike Graves of Hood River before becoming employed at and Dale Parks of Pateros, M orrow C ounty G rain WA; and sisters, Donna Bliss Growers, retiring in 1990. of Goldendale, WA and Corol He enjoyed hunting, Mitchell of Heppner. She was fishing and attending lone ball preceded in death by her games. He also helped refinish stepfather, ‘Tex’ Gates. furniture for the annual lone M e m o r i a l Auction as a member of the contributions may be made to lone United Church of Christ. the South Morrow County He was a member of the Ministerial Association, PO. Heppner Elks Lodge. Box 773, H eppner, OR Survivors include his 97836. w ife, L aurel o f lo n e; daughters, Cathy Halvorsen Jo Anne Milligan and husband, Frank, of lone and Arlene Cannon of Las Lutcher Vegas; son, Terry Cannon of Jo Anne M illigan Pendleton; and grandchildren, Lutcher, 67, a native of Ryan Halvorsen and Allison Pendleton, died Thursday, Halvorsen. He was preceded June 10,2004, at the home of in death by a grandson, Jason her daughter, Shawna Todd, Halvorsen, by three sisters and in Evans, GA. one brother. Funeral arrangements M e m o r i a l are pending at Platt’s Funeral contributions may be made to Home, 337 N. Belair Road, the Jason Halvorsen Memorial Evans, GA 30809. Scholarship Fund, do Bank of L utcher was born Eastern Oregon, lone Branch, March 16,1937, at Pendleton P.O. Box 106, lone, OR to John V. and G ladys 97843. Milligan. She grew up in Sweeney Mortuary of P en d leto n and atten d ed H eppner is in charge o f Pendleton schools. arrangements. While in high school, she was editor of the school Larry Ray Bell newspaper, The Lantern. She Larry Ray Bell, 62, a attended the University of 15-year resid en t of O reg o n , w here she was Boardman, died Wednesday, president of the Delta Gamma June 9,2004, at his home. Sorority and Mortar Board. A memorial service She was editor of the was held June 12 in the chapel university newspaper. The at Bums Mortuary. Emerald, and was a member He was bom Sept. 2, of Chi Delta Phi, a women’s 1941, at Bellflower, CA. literary honorary society for Formerly of Hillsboro, creative writing. he came to Boardman 15 She graduated from years ago. the university with a degree in He was a member of journalism in 1959. In 1960, the Eagles Lodge. she m arried Law rence Survivors include Lutcher, M.D., and moved to sons, Larry Bell and Joe Bell, Augusta, GA, with her family both of Forest Grove, and in 1970. Randy Bell of Yamhill; a She was a longtime daughter, Jody Bell of San m em ber o f O ur Savior D iego, CA and seven Episcopal Church, a freelance grandchildren. jo u rn a lis t and an avid Bums Mortuary of horseback rider and gardener. Hermiston is in charge of Survivors include her arrangements. children, Larry Lutcher of Heppner, Shawna Todd of Open Your Evans, GA and Derk Lutcher Health Savings o f Los A ngeles; five Account grandchildren, Dillon Lutcher, William Lutcher, Brittany at Todd, Grace Todd and Lauren Bank of Eastern Oregon Todd; siste rs, V irginia Lindberg of Pendleton and Member KDIC Murray's Pharmacy would like to remind our customers that the PHARMACY IS OPEN WEEKDAYS ONLY from 9 a.m. -1 p.m. & 2 - 6 p.m. If you are unable to pick up your prescription by 6 p.m. Friday, please contact us to make pick-up arrangements \ THANK YOU! We have information and enrollment forms available regarding the upcoming Medicare Discount Card. Hi? will be par ticipating in the Community CareRs Pro gram sponsored by NCPA (National Community Pharma cists ’Assn.). This is the only Medicare discount card which will be accepted at our stores. See us fo r more details! 217 North Main, Heppner Phone 676-9158 1 Serving Heppner. Lexington A lone \
