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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 8, 2018)
THREE - Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, August 8, 2018 DOHERTY -Continued from PAGE ONE 20 under my tutelage. I’d scarce begun my delivery when one of the newbie’s, noted the first-time attend- ee lanyard I was wearing. This in short became the message. That I and they alike could wade forth and do our level best, we need not shirk in the shadows. This seemed to resonate as I watched table-mates routinely enter the fray throughout the week. With 3,000 seasoned statesmen in attendance, having your voice heard necessitated some moxie. From morning till night, I tried to make a difference - from ag and rural affairs, health and human services, public lands, public safety to fighting for veterans choice initiatives. Near to my heart, were meetings on the intrinsic knowledge that without arts and culture we have no foundation. When and where it behooved us I joined in the call to move federal legislation. When suggestions were presented for ill-conceived ideas, I pushed back. Those times I was unsure about the proper stance to take, I listened and hoped to ask my con- stituents who were more effected. It was not all work and no play. Disappointed that I never had an opportuni- ty to get “discovered,” I did join 17 other Oregon delegates at the Grand Ole Opry Show. Having grown up listening to static and Minnie Pearl on AM radio, this was a treat. With my head filled with knowledge and advice from commissioners from across the country, I began my return westward. This time it would be different. By now, a seasoned traveler I was first in line. I fixed my blinders and settled into the first seat. The bus filled quickly and we wait- ed a few minutes while the terminal staff convinced a young gal that this was indeed the bus she and her four-year-old son needed to board. As she came up the steps I realized that there were no side by side seats left. If she was to sit by her son someone was going to have to move. I reluctant- ly resigned my position and eased down the aisle looking for a vacant seat. There remained only two single seats and both were at the very back. One was next to a hard eyed, hollow looking young fellow. The oth- er next to a very distraught, very pregnant young lady curled in the fetal position and sobbing inces- santly. I slid in next to the young man and attempt- ed to introduce myself, this was met with no acknowl- edgment of my existence. By the time we stopped for dinner beneath the gold- en arches, I had taken in- ventory of those, including my seatmate, who lacked the means for a meal. There were a handful that looked wistfully towards those downing a Big Mac. Other times they survived on the sustenance of a bummed cigarette. The expectant mother fit both categories. She later confided that she had become pregnant as a result of an occupational hazard. Determined to start anew she bought a one-way ticket to Portland. I gave her my dear friend Commissioner Fisher’s number in Port- land. The other gal that be- came an absolute project was the young non-En- glish speaking mother. The one that had taken over my prime front row seat. Whether we were refueling and had re-boarding passes or changing buses in Den- ver, Salt Lake or Boise, she always managed to get in the wrong line. As we were departing Salt Lake City, I noticed her steps a w a y from en- tering the bus bound for Los Angeles. I shout- ed across the con- course, “senora tu autobus es este,” or, “Lady your bus is this one,” at least I hope that’s what I said. As she fought back upstream toward our location, Grey- hound staff at first sought to dissuade her. When the rest of the Portland bound pa- trons joined in, they, quite surprised at our unity, led her to the front of our line. We couldn’t understand her, nor could she under- stand us, but by God, she was part of our gang. Midway through day three we cut through the Blue Mountains. Almost home. I began to think about how I would answer the inevitable question, was it worth it, did you make a difference? Coming off Cabbage Hill I phoned my wife. As we approached the exit at Stanfield the driver came over the intercom, announced that despite be- ing on time, it would be the briefest of stops, only long enough for one passenger to depart. Everyone else was to remain seated. The vision of Kelly, my wife, sitting on the back of the ranch truck was a wel- coming sight. Not one for goodbyes, I bounded off the bus on the heels of the driv- er. I grabbed my luggage, slung it up next to my wife as I hugged her. She in turn, turned me around to a hum- bling sight. No less than a half dozen vagabonds had risked termination of their destination. Led by my seatmate who quietly ex- tended his hand and intro- duced himself, followed by a pregnant gal, who for the first time was dry-eyed and well fed. Last in line was a young mother who kissed the St. Christopher medal- lion around her neck and offered a simple “gracias.” Then they stood there, a perfect bunch of misfits. I hope the driver wait- ed. I like to think he did. I couldn’t bring myself to look back. I think I made a difference. I think we all can make a difference, if only in giving a hand-up, if not a hand-out to those nearest us on this journey. Steagall plays in East-West Shrine game Wyatt Steagall, #99, shown sacking the quarterback during the East-West Shrine game Saturday night. The East won the game, 20-8. Steagall said it was a great op- portunity and great honor to be in the game and he met lots of new friends from both sides and will cherish the memories forever. -Contributed photos. Wasteland Kings to perform Med return drug collection unit available The Morrow County Sheriff’s Office, through a partnership with Morrow County Health District, an- nounces the installation of a safe location to return drugs and medications at the sher- iff’s office on Willow View Drive in Heppner. Undersheriff John A. Bowles and Morrow Coun- ty Health District CEO Bob Houser have been working on the idea of having a drug return location available to the residents of south Morrow County for the past few months. Recently, Sheriff Kenneth W. Matlack approved the installation of a med return drug collection unit. Residents may anon- ymously deposit unused prescription medica- tions (scheduled II-V and non-controlled), prescrip- tion ointments and liquids, over the counter medica- tions, vitamins and medi- cations for pets. enged and illegally sold. -Unused pharmaceu- ticals are environmental toxins; flushing them down the toilet or sink can release them into our drinking wa- ter and soil. The Morrow County Sheriff’s Office asks that residents comply with the following standards when making a deposit at the sheriff’s office: -Locate the collection box in the lobby and place the medications in a plastic bag provided at the loca- tion. -Seal the bag and drop the bag into the box. -Open containers of liquid and syringes are not accepted in this bin. Items not-accepted in this collection unit are il- legal drugs (schedule I), hydrogen peroxide, inhal- ers, thermometers, needles (sharps), hazardous items (bloody, infectious), aerosol cans, non-prescription oint- ments, lotions or liquids. For questions, contact the Morrow County Sher- iff ’s Office at 541-676- 5317. HJSHS registration to be held The reasons citizens should turn in unused pre- scription drugs are: -Children and animals could be poisoned if they find and swallow drugs. -Drugs can be scav- Heppner Junior/Senior High School will be regis- tering all students Monday through Wednesday, Aug. 13, 14 and 15 from 8:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Schedules will be avail- able upon payment of fees. For additional information visit the website at www. hhs.morrow.k12.or.us/ or call 541-676-9138. Wasteland Kings, a tal- ented and energetic group of six musicians, will be performing at the final con- cert for Heppner’s Music in the Park program on Sunday, Aug. 12 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the city park on Main St. In the event of inclement weather, the concert will be moved to the elementary school. The group will be per- forming what they describe as Americana music, a mix of country, rock and roll, blues and folk. They have been performing in north- east Oregon since 2008. This summer music series has been funded by the Morrow County Unified Recreation District and facilitated as a service to the community by Hopeful Saints Ministry (an Episco- pal-Lutheran partnership in Heppner). Pulled pork sandwiches and more will be available at the park for purchase by donation to raise funds for Hopeful Saints’ well-drill- ing ministry and mission trip to El Salvador in the fall of 2019. Additional information is available by calling the church office at 541-676-9970. Brass Fire to perform at Irrigon park Brass Fire will perform for the Music in the Parks outdoor summer concert series at 7 p.m. on Aug. 13 at the Irrigon Marina Park, located off Highway 730 in Irrigon. Brass Fire is a ten-piece horn band. In addition to a full rhythm section made up of a pianist, a guitarist, a drummer and a bass gui- tarist, there are performers on trumpets, saxophones and trombone. Band mem- bers also step forward and render stylistic vocals. The musician’s backgrounds include membership in mil- itary bands, cruise ships, professional touring bands and school music teach- ers. The band will perform music made famous by top groups like Chicago, Blood Sweat and Tears, Earth Wind and Fire, Tower of Power, Voodoo Daddy, El- vis and many others. Musi- cal selections include blues, jazz, rock, swing and funk. This is the last perfor- mance for the 2018 Music in the Parks season. The Music in the Parks series is funded by the Morrow County Unified Recreation District and Portland Gen- eral Electric and sponsored by the North Morrow Com- munity Foundation. In the event of inclem- ent weather, the perfor- mance will be held at the Irrigon Senior Center. For more information about the Music in the Parks concert series, contact Jackie at 541-720-1289.
