Heppner gazette-times., January 12, 2011, Page FOUR, Image 4

FOUR - Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon
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Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Letters to the Editor ~
The Heppner ( iazette limes will print all letters to the Editor w ith the follow ing
criteria met: letters submitted to the newspaper will need to hase the name
o f the sender along with legible signature. We are also requesting that sou
provide sour address and a phone number where sou can be reached. The
address and phi >e number will onls be used for verification and will not be
printed in the newspaper. Letters mas not be libelous. The GT reserves the
right to edit. The GT is not responsible for accuracy o f statements made in
letters. Ans letters expressing t , inks will be placed in the classifieds under
“Card o f Thanks” at a cost of $10.
Just business as usual for the
greater good
To the Editor:
It has been many years since the spotted owl was
all that was heard from the environmental community. In
time the spotted ow l has faded into obscurity as a battle
cry of the folks that were so concerned in its salvation.
In fact, the last I hear of this poor bird it was being inter
bred with an owl from the east coast, and will probably
disappear altogether as a specie.
What has not faded into obscurity is the condition
of our federal forest. No longer are the large yellow pine
and red fir harv ested, but rather left to over ripen, mature,
and die where they stand. If this does not occur then they
will be consumed by a huge fire. The fire became our
answer to lost timber harvest. We were led to believe this
will make up for those lost timber dollars. But at what cost
to our economy and even nature itself. We let cougars and
wolves thrive and decimate our deer and elk herds, kill
livestock and again we do nothing to stop it. And yes, it
all started with the spotted owl mentality.
The halt of timber sales and the lack of available
logs, systematically closed saw mills. Our loggers were
slowly put out of business. The mills were scaled down
and have slowly, but surely, closed. The loggers and mill
workers have had to relocate to find employment. The
economy of Oregon was scaled back and has suffered
ever since. Our schools lack recourses once available
from timber dollars, our roads suffer from inadequate
funding and our small rural communities have slowly
but surely slipped downhill into merely a shadow of their
former stature.
Now we have a new threat on the horizon. It is
a little harder to see and little harder to feel. But it is just
as deadly to our economy as the spotted owl. It is air
quality. Again those folks that think milk comes from the
dairy cooler in the supermarket, eggs from a box of 12
in that same supermarket, or toilet paper from a package
of eight, are the same ones that can tell you all about the
majestic Eagle Cap Wilderness or the unspoiled beauty
of the majestic Cascade Range. They are the same folks
that have made their fortune the old fashion way, either
married it or inherited it. Whichever way, 1 will bet that
fortune started in the not so distant past with dollars from
timber or agriculture. This type of money paid for the hip­
pie generation’s education and extracurricular endeavors.
It paid for the trips to Europe where they learned a lot
about socialism and spreading the wealth. It paid for them
to spend time getting back to nature in a nice lodge in the
mountains. The sad part, it didn’t give them a picture of
real life. It made them able to look at the world through
rose colored glasses that overlooked the average Ameri­
can working man, struggling to make ends meet and take
care of his family. And now those same folks, instead of
wearing sandals, headbands, and feathers in their hair,
are wearing suits and ties and running our country. Their
children are taking up the cause after being mentored by
college professors that have no background in reality but
rather live in the academic world their entire life.
Do you remember 911 and the twin towers? Sure
you do, or you should. Two airliners with terrorists at
the controls purposely flew into those buildings, killing
thousands with not thought or regard to all who would
die that day. They were doing that under the banner of
Al-Qaida. Their god would reward them for their act and
the Muslim world would praise them.
Well, guess what? We are seeing a similar situ­
ation today with the PGE Coal Fire Plant in Boardman.
Maybe not a hit by an airliner, but causing destruction
just as surely as if it were. The pilots are the Sierra Club,
Department of Environmental Quality, Environmental
Protection Agency, the Gorge Commission, and yes, even
the USFS. Hundreds ofjobs lost, families left to survive in
any way they can, loss of dollars to schools, tax revenue,
roads, and even social welfare programs. And they will all
be glorified by their peers for generations to come!
Are we weak and infirm as to allow this to happen
again in Oregon? We surely are not so naive as to believe
we will be given a fair shake with public testimony? No,
I fear it w ill just be business as usual for these terrorists,
just business as usual for the greater good!
Submitted by Gary Jones, Heppner
Author Unknown
HES announces December Students of the Month
lleppner Elementary School
recently announced their
Student of the Month recipi­
ents for December. T he char­
acter trait for the month was
sharing. Pictured are: Top
row (L-R) - Madison Jewett,
Diana Healv, Payton Leh­
man, Kevin Murray, kacie
Gray, Alex Lindsay, Destiny
Owen, and Gavin tlanna.
Bottom row (L-K) - Tyson
Vawser, Aintee Turrell, Adan
Guerra, Zander Fisher, Har­
ley Anderson, Hailey Wen-
berg, ZaBrena Masterson,
Chance McCormack, Zach
Bredlield, and Alison Cecil.
Contributed Photo
“Cabin Fever” music/comedy
program to be held Jan. 14-16
John Wambeke &
Friends have the cure for
“cabin fever” with a trio of
concerts Friday and Satur­
day night, January 14 and
15, and Sunday afternoon,
January 16, at the Hermis-
ton Conference Center on
Highway 395.
The night perfor­
mances begin with a Dutch
oven dinner at 5:30 p.m.,
followed by the show which
features a variety of music
and a healthy dose of com­
edy. The Wambeke Band
is back by popular demand
for their third annual variety
show. A combined crowd of
700 people attended their
two Cabin Fever Concerts
last January. John Wambeke
of Hermiston is on guitar as
singer and songw riter and is
joined by his son Frazer, and
Frazier’s trio - with exper­
tise in piano, vocals, drums
and bass guitar. Along with
the Wambekes will be some
familiar faces from previ­
ous concerts including Pat
Ward, Marty Campbell, and
local musician, Eric Jepsen
on fiddle.
Wambeke and side-
kick Pat Ward will again be
transforming themselves
into Thelma and Eunice,
the ladies of Dibbley Par­
ish in one o f their skits.
The “ladies” have a habit
of gossiping about what-
ever’s on their minds. This
program will show them in
a courtroom battle.
The cost of the din­
ner shows is $28 each. Ad­
vance purchase is required.
The S unday aftern o o n
m atinee perform ance o f
humor and music, without
the food, begins at 3 p.m.
and costs $8 per person.
Tickets for Sunday can be
purchased at the door or in
advance at the Hermiston
Conference Center by call­
ing 541-567-6151.
WindWave undergoes remodel
y/i-l iWOFe f
*y\ucUm
'
H V i
Pipes to swirl in Condon when
Scots toast Robert Burns, heritage
The I4,h annual Robert Burns Supper will be
celebrated in Condon Saturday , January 22, at the Condon
Elks Lodge on Main Street. The new tradition of honoring
the Scottish heritage of the Greater Condon Area has been
alive for over a decade, and recalls the celebrations of the
1950s when the Clan MacCleay Pipes and Drums, and
Scottish families from miles around, would honor those
whose ancestry heralded from Scotland.
Pipers, drummers, and vocalists are anticipated
to come from Athena, Pendleton, Arlington, Redmond,
Prineville, Portland, McMinnville and the Carson, WA.
area to help the Condon community celebrate its Scottish
heritage on the 252"d anniversary of the birth of Scotland’s
beloved bard Robert Burns. The celebration is in its 14,h
year as an organized event, and has become a favorite
wintertime diversion at Condon.
The event features lively music from the ‘Old
Country’, a traditional Scottish meal of ’haggis, neeps
and tatties,’ and anecdotes from the annuls of Scottish
families who settled in the Greater Gilliam County area
in the mid-to late 1800s. Area families of Scottish heritage
are encouraged to search through their family lore for
diaries, notes, photographs and other memorabilia, and
to share the information at the gathering.
Where ancestors came from in the Old Country,
what they did there, why they came to America, why they
came to Gilliam County and the surrounding area, how
they got here, what they brought with them, what they
did after arriving here, where they lived, and especially,
note any particular remembrances or special anecdotes
or family traditions that came with the immigrants and
which perhaps surv ive today.
In the early days of settlement in Gilliam County,
an organization known as the Caledonian Society was
formed by those who arrived early, to help fellow Scots
still arriving to find work and housing. In later years, in
the 1950s and early 1960s, celebrations to honor the early
Scottish settlers were held at Condon, John Day, Dayville
and other areas where Scots settled. As the Scottish pio­
neers passed away, the celebrations honoring them seemed
to fade away as well.
The rejuvenated tradition of honoring the area’s
Scottish heritage has the same purpose - to honor the
Scottish heritage of the area. The w ritten documentation
of the area's Scottish families will become a valuable
genealogical and research compilation of the area and its
people. Those who attend are invited to take a run at the
podium to talk of their family’s earlier years.
The celebration is held each year on, or near, the
birth date of the famed Scottish poet, the Immortal Robert
Bums, Scotland's endearing Poet Laureate who was bom
on Jan. 25, 1759.
The afternoon, and into the evening, is spent
with lively readings and recitations of Robert Bums and
other poetry, music of the country, the pipes and drums,
snippets of letters and family histories. Also included is
a shortbread contest which offers a host of unique prizes,
and an ample supply of shortbread.
The public is invited to the event. Tickets are on
sale at the Times-Journal in Condon and will be available
at the door. Tickets are $17.50 per person, or $30 for a
couple for all day and evening events.
Ramirez takes second
in poster contest
Prescription
Profiles for
2010 available
upon request
Town & Country tickets for sale!
WindWave employees demolished their offices during the first
part of November, in preparation for a remodeling project. A
carpenter began w ork November 8. The staff moved back into
the building on December 16. Bottom Photo: Pat Lauritsen,
general manager Photos bv Autumn Morgan
Town & Country Awards Banquet
Thursday January 13th, 2011
6:00 pm No host social hour • 7:00 pm dinner
Espresso (Specials-
Caramel \anilla Latte $3.00
Butterscotch 6pritzer $2.25
% HlMj'i D/IUJJ
217 North Main • Heppner • Phone 676-9166 • Floral ( 76-9426
Serving Heppner Lexington t lone
Ecumenical Youth Group to host
Valentine’s Day dinner fundraiser
The Ecumenical Youth Group of Hope Lutheran/
All Saints Episcopal will host a Valentine’s Day dinner
fundraiser on Monday, February 14, from 6-8 p.m. at All
Saints Episcopal Church in Heppner.
The cost for the dinner is $10 and will include
lasagna, salad. French bread, cupcakes, and sparkling
cider and coffee.
In the Morrow Soil and Hater Conservation District conser­
vation poster contest article in the December 29 edition of
the (iazette. a photo w as not included. In the 11)"1- Degrade
category Alondra Ramirez of Riverside .Ir/Sr High School was
aw arded 1** place. The MSWCD staff would like to apologize
for this omission. Contributed Photo
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