Heppner gazette-times., April 23, 2008, Page THREE, Image 3

Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, April 23, 2008 - THREE
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Letters to the Editor ~
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About our foreign exchange students
Look out Quarter-and-a Dime trivia team
To the Editor:
Some readers may not realize that Heppner will be the site o f a great evening of
entertainment this Saturday. I am so enthused about it that I want to share some infor­
mation, hoping that more people will join in the fun.
"Mr. Bill’s Traveling Trivia” will be back for another rousing game at the Elks
Club. A good time will surely be had by all who attend, whether trivia-retention-talented
(like my husband) or not (like me). In fact, our team, the “Legends” (in our own minds),
will definitely be at Mr. Bill’s Trivia game on April 26. Why?
1. Mr. Bill looks so good in his tuxedo.
2. We invested in team T-shirts two competitions ago, so we need to use them.
Also, we revamped our team shirts to include the year 2008, so we are committed.
3. We usurped the last-place team ’s spot two competitions ago by earning that
coveted distinction. (This apparently upset that team more than we realized - they did
not participate last time.) And last time, we were so close to excellent that we jumped
to almost exactly the middle of the team rankings. I am excited beyond description to
think that this time we will probably be dazzling and jump to first place. (Look out,
Quarter-and-a-Dime, we are targeting you.) I have on good authority that the Brainiacs,
who have won twice, are determined to win back bragging rights, so I must warn them
that their chances are slim.
4. We have a team of tremendous diversity: One of us looks good in the T-shirt.
One of us has great listening skills. One o f us is great for comic relief. One o f us is really
good with “old stuff.” One o f us has good penmanship. One o f us has good peripheral
vision. (Just a joke, obviously, since looking at neighboring teams’ answers would be
cheating.)
5. Our “young guns” from Salem are coming for the event. We used to think
that Mr. Bill, because of his certain age, would be inclined toward questions about “old
stuff.” Not so. We have a huge pool o f “Legends” members eager to play, and this time
our strategy includes these two thirty-somethings who were on the winning team at the
first Heppner competition. (They have since left that team to join “Legends,” probably
because o f our reputation; possibly because they like our shirts; possibly because o f our
family relationship.)
6. The format o f Mr. Bill’s Trivia is so entertaining and no one person is ever
put on the spot for a verbal answer. Only teams might suffer humility. (O f course, my
team members always know when my dumb is hanging out, and other people probably
suspect it when I repeatedly hit my head against the table.)
7. We think this competition is some o f the greatest entertainment we can find
for the $20-per person entry fee. Each of us will get about three hours of laughter, sus­
pense, and high (and low) drama, for just over $6 an hour. (I contrast this to driving to
and from a $6 movie, where I don't get to participate in the action, and stopping at the
theater concession stand.)
8. Our team’s S 120 will help support a good cause, the Heppner Day Care, such
a fun-filled way to donate to this important Heppner facility. (Is this tax-deductible?)
Many three- and four-year-olds will benefit from our evening of fun.
Every fan o f “Jeopardy” should come to Mr. Bill’s. Every fan of the Heppner
Day Care facility should join the fun. Even everyone who is dumbfounded, like me,
by people’s ability to remember trivia could enjoy the event. Anyone with a drop of
competitive spirit would have a great time. The first time Mr. Bill came to Heppner, the
room was filled with 26 teams o f six. Seeing that many teams on April 26 would be such
a rewarding sight for the Day Care staff and board. Anyone who might have questions
about Mr. Bill’s is certainly welcome to call me at 676-5382. Reserving a spot fora team
is easy - just give Carie Scrivner, Tiffany McCurry, or Brandy Sweeney a call.
See you at Mr. Bill’s. I'll be the one with a small pillow for my forehead.
Doris Brosnan
Heppner
To the editor:
This year Heppner has had a record number o f foreign exchange students. We
all admit it was a bit rocky at first but it has turned into a tremendous experience for the
students, host families, Heppner High School and lone High School.
We have created many memories, both comical and emotional. The stories we
could tell would be endless and extremely entertaining. Recently three o f the four stu­
dents that attend lone High School performed in a play. Camilo, from Colombia and
Patrick from South Korea dressed up as females and Patrick “stole the show.” We have
it on tape and are making C D ’s for the students to take home. I haven’t seen it yet but it
might make a good video for “America’s Funniest Home Videos.” Mo, from Thailand,
performed in the Heppner musical, “Kiss Me Kate.” He did not even look nervous and
he did very well.
We have five students playing on the lone tennis team. They are having a blast
even though a few o f them have not won a match, but you cannot believe the excitement
they display when they win a point. Pek, from Thailand, explained to me after winning
his match that it was very scary for him. 1 asked what he meant. He said “Everyone
cheering for the other player and no one cheering for me. Very scary.”
Hee Young, from South Korea, and Mo, from Thailand, play on the junior varsity
baseball team. As some o f you know, Hee young recently had an accident at practice,
knocking out his front teeth. We are planning a bake sale next week to help his natural
family cover the cost that the insurance is not picking up.
Nina, from Germany, and Akmaral, from Kazakhstan, are on the track and field
team. This is their first experience doing track and field and are nervous since the other
students have been doing it for a few years.
I appreciate all the coaches. Coaching sports is also a lot like teaching life les­
sons and most o f these students have not participated in a “team” sport or environment.
They have learned a great deal from all o f you.
Mr. Lindsay, the music teacher at Heppner High School, has been just thrilled to
have the students in his choir. He said this is the first time in a while that he had enough
kids in choir that they could sing all four parts (soprano, alto, tenor and bass). During
the Christmas program, the choir sand “Silent Night." The three Thailand boys sang it
in Thai and then the two South Korean girls sang it in Korean and then everyone sang it
in English. It was very moving and I must say the choir this year worked on some very
difficult songs and they sounded incredible.
The following students made the honor roll at Heppner High School: Nina, Ger­
many; Pek, Thailand; Mo, Thailand; Hee Young, South Korea; Kylie, South Korea; and
Akmaral, Kazakhstan. Students in lone that made the honor roll are: Camilo, Colombia;
Bora, South Korea; Patrick, South Korea; and Busta, Colombia. We are very proud of
your efforts and hard work. Congrats students, great job. The exchange students and
their host families appreciate the diligence and guidance o f the teachers. Everyone’s
hard work speaks for itself.
Darcy Robinson, Leanne Wright, and Kathy McCabe keep track of the exchange
students in the school offices. It hasn’t been always easy. In Thailand everyone has a
nickname because Thai names are very long, and I do mean long. The nicknames are
usually one syllable that have no specific meaning or definition. Our three Heppner Thai
students, Pek, Mo and A uf had to use their legal names for all paperwork and transcripts. It
was very confusing and difficult to match the nickname with the legal name at times.
The Heppner Post Office has also worked hard to remember which student lived
with what family, especially with the long Thai names. They were nice enough to call
me if they had questions and at times I didn’t know the answer and had to look up the
legal names to know where the mail or packages should go. So kudos to our postal
workers.
I am the field manager for International Cultural Exchange Services (ICES) and
have been working closely w ith Daye Stone and Bryn Browning to place students in our
two communities. They both want very much to expand their foreign exchange program.
It is going to be difficult to say good-bye to our current ICES students, but what makes
it a little easier is we are also looking forward to our future ICES students that will be
arriving in August. New faces, new stories, and new memories.
We are currently scheduling interviews with potential host families from both
Heppner and lone. We invite you to visit our websites. The main website that explains
the ICES student exchange program is www.icesusa.org. The website where you can
view the students in our 2008-2009 academic program is wvvw.mvzapp.com/aise/. Just
follow the instructions and see if there is a student (s) that you and your family connect
with because o f similar activities or hobbies. The students in our “pool” have my name
(Linda Corbin) listed by their picture. You can also contact me, Linda Corbin, at 676-5270
or my area representative, Teresa VanDoom at 541-377-2162 with any questions or to
schedule an interview. We are looking forward to a very successful 2008-2009 academic
year at both Heppner and lone High School.
Linda Corbin
Heppner
To the editor:
I am writing to support John Wenholz for re-election as Morrow County Com­
missioner. I am also asking the voters to vote for John regardless of you political affili­
ation.
Having served with John on the Morrow County Court I found him to be a
knowledgeable and dedicated worker on behalf of Morrow County.
He has made it a point to treat everyone and all sections o f the county equally and
fairly. He does not hesitate to take a stand on any issue that comes before the county court
regardless o f its popularity or unpopularity with any group that may be involved.
I am also asking republicans to join me in writing in the name of John Wenholz
on your ballots as there is no republican candidate filed for this position.
The people o f Morrow County will be well served to have John Wenholz as their
commissioner for another four years.
Ray French
Heppner
Justice Court
Support for Leann Rea
Morrow County Jus­
tice Court Judge Charlotte
Gray has released the fol­
lowing report:
-D avid W. Evans,
54, Heppner, Dog at Large,
$76 fine.
-K ristie J. Taylor,
34, H eppner, P erm itting
Unlawful use o f a Vehicle,
$185 fine.
-Rory P. Kilkenny,
20, Heppner, Violation o f
the Basic Rule by going
84 mph in a 55 mph, $215
fine.
-Michael T. Alldritt,
30, L e x in g to n , D riv in g
While Suspended Violation,
$566 fine.
-Judy Peck, Crimi­
nal Trespass II, $401 fine.
-Sonja R. McCabe,
44, Heppner, Violating the
Speed Limit by going 48
mph in a 30 mph zone, $ 113
fine.
-Terry L. Felda, 45,
Oshkosh, WI, Violation o f
the Basic Rule by going
75 mph in a 55 mph zone,
$148.
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Support for John Wenholz
Dear Editor:
We are writing in support o f Leann Rea for Morrow County Commissioner. Leann
has the knowledge and experience to serve and represent the citizens of Morrow County.
She is currently a member of the Morrow County Planning Commission and has served
on both the Morrow County Budget Committee and the Health District Board.
Leann Rea will listen to your concerns and find the answers to your questions.
She truly cares about Morrow County and its citizens. Having lived in both north and
south county, she knows the problems from both ends. We feel she will represent all
the people.
A vote for Leann Rae will give you a voice in Morrow County government.
Please join us in electing Leann Rae as your next commissioner.
Loyal and Betty Bums
lone
Endorsement of John Wenholz
Letter to the editor:
John Wenholz has been a Morrow County commissioner for some time, but is
not one to just attend the weekly county court meetings. He still works diligently for all
Morrow County residents. He is involved in many committees of which his expertise
truly benefits our entire county.
He has served on an important State o f Oregon Transportation committee. His
continuing efforts on state level enabled Morrow County to receive funds for senior
citizen busses and bus storage bams.
John has also served on the CSEPP Governing Board. His continuing presence
on the governing board has helped Morrow County stay abreast of current issues and
public safety regarding the Army Depot Base. The continuing vigilance o f Commis­
sioner Wenholz and other local board members is responsible for many of the safety
procedures and programs currently in place for Morrow County.
We commend John for his steadfast support of equitable procedures and policies
for the Morrow County “Needs and Issues” process. We have seen the evolution of this
process into one, which enables all county communities and entities to access funding
for community enhancement projects.
The depth o f John's experience in local, county and state government warrants
your vote to retain him as Morrow County commissioner. Please join us in casting our
votes to retain John Wenholz for County Commissioner Position #1 in the May 20,
2008 election.
Raymond and Carol Michael
Boardman