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