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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (July 10, 2019)
Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, July 10, 2019 -- SEVEN Walkers awarded June yard of A View from the Hill the month By Kay Proctor June yard of the month honors goes to Ralph and Sally Walker. Their home at 50 Canyon Road was built in 1974 and the Walkers purchased it in 1989. Due to frequent moves with Ralph’s US Forest Service career, this was the first and only home the couple has ever purchased. They have added on, remodeled and updated the home’s interior which they share with cats, Beau and Moochie and dogs, Daisy and Midge. The house is perched at the top of a draw with nice views of the area. Due to clever use of space, terracing and building out, the Walkers have put their steeply sloped yard to good use. An extensive and shad- ed deck is full of potted flowers and comfortable seating used to enjoy their quiet backyard. School- teacher Sally does get a kick out of sometimes hear- ing the intercom making announcements and the bells for class changes at Heppner High School from their deck. Their son Stuart lives in the St. Johns neighborhood of Portland and their daugh- ter, Carrie, in Milwaukie. In 1991, Carrie gifted Ralph with a small redwood tree start in a test tube. Now standing at least 30’ tall, the healthy redwood is thriving in an unsympathetic envi- ronment to which Carrie remarked, “I knew you could grow it, Dad.” Ralph decided to try redwoods at the golf course, planting 25. Only two remain proving they are a challenge to grow in eastern Oregon. Other pleasant sur- prises in the yard are two hydrangea shrubs, one ab- solutely loaded with white and blue blooms. Crocos- mia grows tall in the front flower bed, well above av- erage. A sun-loving yucca brought back from Tucson is happy and healthy next to some shade-loving hostas. A “dinky little stick some- one gave Sally” has grown Sally and Ralph Walker stand by the sign designating their yard on Canyon Rd as the yard of the month. -Photo by Kay Proctor. into a nice shady maple tree. A purple clematis has grown off its trellis and is on its way to the roof. Sally credits Ralph with getting everything to grow. The biggest surprise is the soil. Instead of the usual rocky, shallow, alkaline soil found on Heppner’s hills, their soil is rich and not particularly rocky. Ralph has dug to three feet down with no problems at all. He does mention that while working in the yard, he has found some little metal toys and a rusted pistol. Watering is done by automatic underground sprinklers and drip lines. They have a helper, Bren- da Worden, come in every week. Several beautiful rose bushes have managed to escape the town’s deer herd. Ralph put in a large vegetable garden surround- ed by a tall fence towards the bottom of the draw. Bird feeders are set out and Ralph says that the Colora- do Blue Spruce in the front yard “is a bird sanctuary.” A nearby Mountain Ash tree provides lots of bright orange berries for the birds, too. Retiring from the US Forest Service as a silvicul- turist after 37 years of ser- vice, Ralph next worked for TREO and frequents Wil- low Creek Country Club to golf and to volunteer. Sally retired after teaching a total of 20 years, the last at Heppner High School from 1990 to 2001. Many remember her encourage- ment to her students to write and to save their writings. Ralph is originally from Wellsville, Utah and Sally is from Illinois, north of Chi- cago. She came “out west” after college and loved the great outdoors here. The two met in Montana in 1966 and later eloped. They now get away by traveling in their motor home to places like Mt. Adams for huckleberry picking. Sally has done some golfing but is recovering from a re- cent knee replacement. She states that someday she will write a book about all their adventures. Heppner ’s Yard of the Month recognition is sponsored by the Heppner Volunteers, MCGG-Green Feed and Seed and the City of Heppner. By Doris Brosnan A view of Willow Creek Terrace’s front room no longer includes extra rocking chairs, but the great time had by the participants who helped to rock away the longest day in the ex- tra chairs on June 21, as a fundraiser for the Alzhei- mer’s Association, remains a pleasant memory. About seventy-five participants helped to raise about $2,000 for the research efforts. Eight or nine individuals turned out for the informa- tion that Samarra Fisher shared about caregiving and sources of support. Administrator Nairns pointed out the importance of community support. And besides the rocking-chair donors, the Sage Cloth- ing Co. gave a percentage of profits that day to the cause. Murray’s, Breaking Grounds and Bucknums provided rocking chairs at their establishments. Great efforts will mean a repeat next year. Even when added at- tractions are not part of the scene on the Hill, every- day activities offer variety to residents who choose to participate, when not enjoying the privacy of their apartments. A jig- saw puzzle always offers a constant challenge. Bingo is an option. The shared crossword puzzle is another type of challenge. Morning discussions and exercises can offer a mentally and physically stimulating start to a day. The Book Club can provide some good reading and create much food for thought. The piano performance is filled with pleasurable listening. Always free to come and go as they choose, res- idents have friends, family and the Loop for transpor- tation here and there if they no longer drive. And while the summer weather coop- erates, even an interlude in the fresh air on the patio, the front porch or the new front lawn can provide a change of pace for part of a day. A recent change at breakfast time has been welcomed by the residents who like to sit in the sun- room and watch the morn- ing news while they eat. A change the community hopes for would be new neighbors in the two avail- able apartments. New per- sonalities are always a nice addition. Information is available by calling 541- 676-0004 and on the Ter- race’s Facebook page. Coming soon to the Facebook page will be pictures of the “Gorgeous Grandmas” who live at the Terrace. These ladies will be recognized on Gorgeous Grandmas Day, July 23, which also happens to be the 115 th birthday of the ice cream cone. July is considered Ice Cream Month at the Ter- race. It started with root beer floats on the 4 th when everyone was invited to fireworks in front of their home. It included hotdogs yesterday, celebration of the 90 th MLB All Star Game. It will be enjoyed when everyone can build his or her own sundae on the 21 st , which will be National Ice Cream Day. And it will show up on other menus throughout the month. On the 25 th , Act-Like- a-Caveman Day might in- volve some caveman-like grunting and will include some uncommon menu items that reflect cave- man foods. Two days later should feature carrots on the menu because it will be Bugs Bunny’s 79 th birthday, a day for cartoon viewing. The community on the hill was saddened by the passing of Mary Ramey, who had been a resident for over three years. They were, however, happy for Donna Bergstrom yesterday, when she celebrated her birthday with family and friends. Birthdays continue to be viewed as upbeat, positive moments for everyone. Heppner man arrested for theft, suspect in homicide Colby James Hedman, 23, 323 Linden Way, Hep- pner, was taken into cus- tody for unlawful use of a motor vehicle and attempt to elude police following a vehicle pursuit in Baker County on July 8. After receiving a report of a stolen vehicle, deputies encountered Hedman on the freeway side of Old Trail Road. He failed to fol- low commands and fled on foot. Hedman then circled around to the same property and stole a second vehicle, which a deputy noticed leaving at a high rate of speed. The deputy began pursuing the vehicle which left the roadway and drove in a dangerous manner through a fence. Hedman then ended up in the area of the I84/298 on ramp and as he tried to turn westbound into the eastbound lanes of travel, two Oregon State Police units intentionally used their vehicles to stop the stolen Jeep. All three vehicles received minor damage. Hedman was taken into custody without further incident and only received minor injuries from broken glass, In a separate incident in Walla Walla, WA, an update in a missing person case identified a body found previously as 35-year-old Kyle Jordan Martz after a person was arrested near where the victim’s vehicle was located in the Baker City area. WWPD detectives re- sponded to Baker City and determined that the suspect who had been arrested, Colby James Hedman Colby James Hedman, was the suspect in the homicide under investigation. At this time police do not believe that the suspect and the victim knew each other. An autopsy will be scheduled to determine the cause of death. Sheriff’s Report -Continued from PAGE was circling the parking fine, I’m sorry. Referred to FOUR lot. School called back and other agency. Nursery Sale 20% off All Perennials, Trees & Shrubs Morrow County Grain Growers Green Feed & Seed 242 W Linden Way, Heppner 676-9422 April 15: Morrow County Sheriff ’s Office received a report on Willow Fork Dr, Boardman that her brother came over to her house and started yelling, broke the RP’s phone and punched his pregnant girl- friend. Male yelling in the background and phone was disconnected. -MCSO received a re- port of a structure fire on Hwy 730, Umatilla behind Fred’s Melons. Assisted. -MCSO received a report on Hwy 74 Lena, Heppner that a road sign is leaning into lane from eroded bank. Referred to other agency. -MCSO received a re- port at Irrigon Shell Station on E Hwy 730, Irrigon that she found a white female Husky at the Shell last night. -MCSO received a re- port at Prickly Pear Ln, Ir- rigon of aggressive animals. Deputy responded. Owner was unaware of hole in the fence but has fixed it now. -MCSO received a re- port at AC Houghton on NE Main Ave, Irrigon that a black car with WA plates advised all was OK, it was a parent. -MCSO received a re- port on Knapp St, Irrigon of a welfare check. Patient was transported to GSH. -MCSO received a re- port on SE Utah Ave, Irri- gon that a gold Yukon flew through the area. Unable to locate. -MCSO received a re- port at Columbia Ln/Pater- son Ferry Rd, Irrigon that there is a blue Hyundai off the road. RP thinks the per- son might be intoxicated. -MCSO received a re- port on Myer Ave, Irrigon that there is a motor home on fire next to his shop. -MCSO received a re- port on W Idaho Ave, Irri- gon that there are girls out teasing the horse and dogs. Horses keep charging at the girls. Deputy responded and spoke to mother about supervising the juveniles. -MCSO received a re- port at Loves Travel Stop on Tower Rd, Boardman that there is a younger Asian girl with an old white male. RP contacted the female and she said yes everything is -MCSO received a re- port on NW Gale St, Hep- pner that somebody has been at his residence break- ing/entering. Cans have been dumped in the living room, kitchen cabinets open and things knocked off the refrigerator. -MCSO received a re- port on I 84 E, Boardman that a white Doge Ram pickup is swerving all over the place. Referred to other agency. -MCSO received a re- port at Irrigon High School on SE Wyoming Ave, Ir- rigon that a car is parked in the cross walk. MCSO responded and gave verbal warning to Ruby Cobarubia Munoz for parking on a walking path. -MCSO received a re- port at Riverview Mobile Court on H Hwy 730, Ir- rigon that a 47-year-old female has weakness and numbness with a high heart rate. Patient transported. -MCSO received a re- port at Shobe Canyon Rd/ Hwy 207 Heppner that the flood screen is showing a 4 at Shobe Canyon. Have a news story or photo for the Gazette? e-mail editor@rapidserve.net call 541-676-9228 or stop by the office on Willow St., Heppner Today
