SIX - Heppner Gazette-Times Heppner Oregon Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Local 4-Hers compete at Oregon State Fair
T h re e lo c a l 4-H
members represented Mor
row County in competitions
at the O regon State Fair
in Salem. Maggie Collins,
Rebecca Jepsen, and Ash
ley W olff all earned the
right to compete at the state
level by winning in one or
more events at the Morrow
County Fair.
Maggie and Rebec
ca both com peted in the
State 4-H Fashion Review.
They individually modeled
outfits that they had sewn
before a panel o f judges on
Friday, August 22. Then,
on Saturday afternoon, they
participated in a large public
fashion show with 34 other
intermediate and senior con
testants from other counties
in Oregon.
B o th g ir ls w ere
awarded blue ribbons. Re
becca also won the Judges
Choice Award along with
two other intermediate con
testants. In addition, Jepsen
gave a Power Point presen
tation on the topic o f Para-
Sports in the 4-H Presenta
tion Contest.
Results o f that event
will not be available until
the conclusion o f the 10 day
fair - after all o f the 4-H pre
sentations have been given.
This was Maggie and Bec-
ca’s first year to compete in
Salem, and they both really
enjoyed the experience.
Meanwhile, Ashley
Wolff was busy in one o f
W illo w C r e e k
D in e r a n d B a k e r y
to c h a n g e its
d a y s a n d tim e s
o f o p e r a tio n
The same Marick faces, but with new days and times. Willow Creek Diner and
Bakery, Heppner, has been busy making homemade cinnamon rolls and maple bars for
awhile now, and providing fast friendly service. The owners John and Kathy are changing
their days and times due to their desire to spend more time with their children.
As you know, Abbie has Down’s Syndrome and there is a window of learning for her
that is limited due to the extra chromosome on every cell in her body. This chromosome
produces chemicals in her brain that between the ages of 8-12 will cause her brain cells to
die. If Abbie can get knowledge into her long-term memory she will have a greater chance
of retaining what she has learned. Her parents love running the Diner and providing eve
ning service to their community, but feel a concern to be at home w ith Abbie after school
instead of having her w ith the babysitter. They have a great child care provider but want
the opportunity to spend her awake aftemoon/'evening hours to help with her homework
and developing her social skills with her peer group. There have been great strides in the
learning capabilities of children with Down's. Abbie’s parents want no regrets that they
have not done all they could personally do to help their daughter achieve all that she can.
Abbie has had some great educators that have worked up individual learning plans for
her and she has shown remarkable accomplishments.
Anyone that has met Abbie will testify that she is a smart and funny little girl. She
is not a typical Down's child. Her charming personality and ability to remember people’s
names is amazing. The Maricks feel blessed to be in a community that is so receptive
of Abbie and her disability. She was eight months old when they started operating the
Diner and she has grown up right before our eyes. She is now six years old. Many stand
amazed at how much she knows and how well she speaks.
The Diner's new hours of operation will start Tuesday, September 2,2008. They will
be open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. They will have a large breakfast
menu and continue with their lunch menu. They are working on some great specials to
offer on Mondays and during the lunch hour to give their patrons a nice choice. (During
Heppner’s busy holidays, the Diner will open so there will be enough eating establish
ments to accommodate the influx of extra people.) They realize this is a big change and
are hoping the community will support their decision. Anyone who knows Abbie Marick
knows she is a remarkable little girl and can understand why her parents would want to
put their evening energy to give her the best chance in the world to succeed.
John and Kathy have also added exchange students to their home and want to be able
to go to their sporting events. Having teenagers from different countries come into their
home has been a fantastic experience for the entire family. They have made a tremendous
difference in Abbie's life. The kids are very patient and work with her on a daily basis.
Language and social skills are two areas they have seen a great improvement.
This may sec ’ ' o be in article about Abbie and not the changing hours/days of
Willow Creek Dinci nut as we know in a small rural business, children grow up in the
business and the locals are involved a great deal.
The Maricks want to express how much they appreciate Heppner’s support and are
looking forward to offering breakfast and lunch to a wonderful town and their tourist
trade.
t
the 4-H State Fair kitchens
in the Mini-Meal Competi
tion. Ashley was awarded
a blue ribbon for her meal
o f spinach artichoke lasa-
gna with herbed pinwheels.
She is also waiting to hear
her overall placing in the
contest. This was Ashley’s
fourth year to compete in
Salem.
Maggie and Joe Ar-
mato o f Heppner represent
ed Morrow County in food
preparation com petitions
last weekend.
Top left: Maggie Collins; Center: Rebecca Jepsen; Top right:
Ashley Wolff; Right Center: Maggie Armato; and Bottom
Right: Joe Armato.
Joe Armato prepared a meal of Tuscan pork chops and mixed
greens with tarragon dressing for the intermediate division of
the mini meal food prep. Maggie Armato prepared a polenta
dish for the senior division of foods of the pacific northwest
at the state fair she also prepared carmelized onion and goat
cheese tarts with citrus shrimp salad for the senior division of
the mini meal preparation At the fair over Labor Day Weekend,
Maggie has been the outstanding foods member at the state fair
two times. -Contributed Photos
Award named in Hansell’s honor
The Oregon Water
R e so u rc e s C o m m issio n
has created a new award
in memory o f Tyler Han
sell, who served as a Water
R esource C o m m issio n er
from 1994 to 2005. It was
a position nom inated by
the governor. The recipient
o f this award has dem on
strated leadership in the
area o f agricultural water
m anagem ent, in creasin g
the efficiency o f water use,
while continuing to support
agriculture as a vital part of
Oregon’s economy.
The “Tyler Hansell
Agricultural Water Efficien
cy Award” is designed to re
flect that spirit and approach
that Commissioner Hansell
displayed as a public official
and successful businessman.
As a third generation farm
er, one o f Tyler HanselTs
favorite adm onitions was
that “any good farmer will
Members of the Tyler Hansell family accept the first ever “Tyler
Mansell Agricultural Water Efficiency Award.” L-R are TJ
Mansell. Erin Hansell-Heideman, Francie Hansell and Kenz
Mansell. -Contributed Photo
know exactly how much
w ater and fertilizer he is
applying to his crop.” Ty
ler was com m itted to the
idea o f better management
through measurement, and
better stewardship through
atten tiv en ess. That ethic
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(
reflected in his business, his
community, his family and
his friends.
The Water Resourc
es Commission has estab
lished this award as a means
to rem em b er and h o n o r
Tyler Hansell. The C om
mission intends to bestow
this honor in the future to
irrigators who demonstrate
the same attention and care
to Oregon’s water resources.
The first recipient o f this
award is the Tyler Hansell
family.
“ As a fam ily, we
have set high standards for
future generations o f irriga
tors, business owners and
public servants,” said Ty
ler’s wife, Francie Hansell,
who received the award. "Ty
would have been honored at
this gesture and as a family
we are privileged to accept it
on his behalf. What a unique
opportunity to reward good
stewardship and pass on our
heritage in a better state."