Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, July 1, 2020 -- THREE ~ Letters to the Editor ~ The Heppner Gazette Times will print all letters to the Editor with the following criteria met: letters submitted to the newspaper will need to have the name of the sender along with a legible signature. We are also requesting that you provide your address and a phone number where you can be reached. The address and phone number will only be used for verification and will not be printed in the newspaper. Letters may not be libelous. The GT reserves the right to edit. The GT is not responsible for accuracy of statements made in letters. Any letters expressing thanks will be placed in the classifieds under “Card of Thanks” at a cost of $10. Hats off to Heppner residents To the editor: Two situations have finally penetrated my con- sciousness, though they have been occurring for some time, and I just wish to acknowledge them and to say, “Hats off.” First: Many newcom- ers are moving in, some renting, some buying, all hopefully, added assets to our community. Growth in our population surely means growth in our econ- omy, in our potential circles of friends, possibly in new businesses and, hopefully, in our schools. Opportuni- ty is moving into Heppner with these new faces, so “Hats off” to you who have chosen to move to Heppner. Second: Many homes recently moved into by renters and buyers have benefited from some re- newed attention, some TLC, which means that Heppner has also benefit- ed. And some long-time homeowners have found, for about five months now, the time and encourage- ment provided by forced idleness to make home im- provements. Yards are be- ing cleaned up and cleaned out. More plants now add to the “curbside appeal,” and grass now grows where dirt and weeds ruled. New paint and repairs are mak- ing big differences for so many homes. Again, I say, “Hats off” to our citizens who care. Of course, not every- one, new resident or pre- viously established, cares about the looks of a house or yard but as a member of our small society, I appre- ciate the efforts of those who do care and again say, “Hats off.” Doris Brosnan A View from the Green Over the Tee Cup The sunny, hot day was enjoyed by 15 lady golfers at their playday held June 23 at Willow Creek Country Club. Low gross of the field went to Nancy Propheter. Low net of the field was split between Pat Dough- erty and Virginia Grant. Jeanne Creswick had the least putts of the field. Low gross for flight B was a tie between Karen Haguewood and Tiffany Clement. Pat Edmundson had low net and Shirley Martin had the least putts. Flight C’s low gross went to Bunnie Lindsay, low net to Sue Edson and Lorrene Montgomery had the least putts. Tiffany Clement got a birdie on hole number 13 and Nancy Propheter got a birdie on 18. The ladies played in a two-person tournament on June 27 and 28. Mutual Aid Network seeks help The Eastern Ore- gon Mutual Aid Network (MAN) was created to as- sist folks and food pan- tries in eastern Oregon who have been affected by COVID-19. This program connects community needs with community volunteers and resources. The Mutual Aid Network operates in 12 Eastern Oregon counties, including Baker, Gilliam, Grant, Harney, Lake, Mal- heur, Morrow, Sherman, Umatilla, Union, Wallowa and Wheeler Counties. Ways you can support: Volunteer at your local food pantry, sign up and support members who need your help or donate to the Eastern Oregon Mutual Aid Network GoFundMe. Some current needs include: General personal hygiene items in local food pantries and donations to support CAPECO food pantry operations. For more information about how to request sup- port or offer support, please visit our website at http:// eohla.org/easternoregon- mutualaid. Pioneer Memorial Clinic welcomes back Betsy Anderson, MD Morrow County Health District welcomes back Betsy Anderson, MD on a part-time basis at Pioneer Memorial Hospital and Clinic in Heppner. Dr. An- derson previously worked for the clinic from 2007 – 2015. Dr. Anderson grew up in Oregon and spent about 10 years as a high school science teacher before receiving her Doctor of Medicine (MD) at Oregon Health Sciences Universi- ty (OHSU) in 2000. “My medical career has taken me to urban and rural re- gions across Oregon,” Dr. Anderson reflects. “I have returned to the best place I have ever worked, and to a community I make connec- tions with, in a meaningful care system here. The fu- ture is bright for Morrow County.” In her spare time, Dr. Anderson enjoys skiing, biking, boating and flying airplanes. Visit HealthyMC.org for more information on providers, hospital and clin- ic locations. Connect with Morrow County Health District on Facebook, Twit- ter and LinkedIn. Betsy Anderson, MD way, every day.” Dr. Anderson values the ability to spend more time with patients and their families in a rural health- care setting and believes good communication is one of the most important aspects of patient care. “It is a credit to the amazing support of Morrow Coun- ty residents and the staff of MCHD that we have a Danielle Mateleska, PA-C and Betsy Anderson, MD welcome solvent, stand-alone health patients back to healthcare as COVID-19 restrictions are lifted. G-T closed for Independence Day holiday The Heppner Ga- zette-Times will be closed for Independence Day on Friday, July 3 due to the holiday falling on Saturday. The deadline for all news resume Monday, July 8. and advertising for the July The G-T wishes ev- 10 issue will remain as eryone a happy and safe Monday, July 8 at 5 p.m. Independence Day. Normal business hours will Heppner Rural Firemen receive new turnouts and equipment Take a preventative approach to campfire safety As weather conditions get warmer and drier, Na- tional Forest officials would like to remind the public to use safety precautions when building campfires. All campfires should be in a fire pit surrounded by dirt, rock or commer- cial rings, in areas cleared of all flammable material within a three-foot radius from the edge of the pit and free of overhanging mate- rial. Forest visitors should also carry a shovel and at least one gallon of water while building and tending campfires. These guidelines apply to the use of charcoal briquettes as well. While lightning is the number-one cause of wild- fires in Blue Mountains for- ests, human-caused fires are preventable. Human-caused fires are also unpredictable and can stretch firefighting resources thin, especial- ly when lightning-caused fires require firefighters’ attention at the same time. By following tried and true campfire safety practices now, we can all do our part to prevent wildfires this summer and fall. As fire danger levels in- crease, the National Forests will implement Public Use Restrictions, also known as PURs, which limit the use of campfires, chainsaws, smoking and off-road mo- torized travel. PURs will be implemented in phases, based on increased fire danger, hot and dry weather conditions and concern for public safety. Forest officials recom- mend the following camp- fire safety precautions: -Always abide by local campfire laws. -Only adults should build and maintain camp- fires. -Find a shady spot away from dry logs, overhanging branches, bushes, needles or leaves. -Use existing fire-rings where it is safe to do so. Don’t build fire-rings in roads. -Keep campfire rings small and use wood no bigger than the ring. -Keep tents and other burnable materials away from the fire. -Never leave a campfire unattended. Those leaving campfires unattended can be billed for the cost of fire suppression. -Drown the campfire with water and stir charred material. -When leaving, make sure your fire is dead out. Very carefully feel all sticks and charred remains. Make sure no roots are smolder- ing. If it’s too hot to touch, it’s too hot to leave. -Find more campfire safety information at http:// www.smokeybear.com/ campfire-safety.asp. Neighborhood Center closed for holiday The Neighborhood Center in Heppner will be closed Friday, July 3 in observance of Indepen- dence Day. The store will reopen Monday at 9:30 a.m. The regular hours for the Neighborhood Center are Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., closed for lunch from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Donations of paper and plastic bags for the food pantry are needed at this time. New Baby in Your Family? Engagement? Wedding? We want to share your life events! Stop in the Heppner Gazette office or email us with details and photos. All birth, engagement and wedding announcements are always free! 188 W Willow Street, Heppner, OR editor@rapidserve.net Nursery Sale 20% off All Perennials, Trees & Shrubs 50 % off All Annuals Morrow County Grain Growers Green Feed & Seed 242 W Linden Way, Heppner 676-9422 July Frame and Lens Sale: Marchon Flexon H Chesterfield by Safilo H Guess by Marcolin % 50 + OFF All Marchon Flexon, Chesterfield & Guess * The Heppner Rural Firemen wearing the new turnouts recently received. -Contributed photo. Thanks to a grant from the Howard and Beth Bry- ant foundation and other organizations, the Heppner Rural Fire Department re- cently received 20 new sets of turnouts, the protec- tive jackets, pants, boots, gloves and helmets worn by firemen while fighting fires and responding to accidents. The turnouts are expensive, costing around $3,209 apiece, and addi- tion to the Bryant founda- tion grants were received from Wildhorse Casino and the USDA. The depart- ment also received 15 new breathing apparatus packs for using in smoke filled structures. Cost of those was $130,210, says Fire Chief Steve Rhea. The old equipment and turnouts do not get thrown out, however, says Rhea. They are given to an equip- ment company in the Willa- mette Valley. which in turn sees that they are donated to South American countries that need them. ALL NEWS AND ADVERTISEMENT DEADLINE: MONDAYS AT 5:00 P.M. FRAMES H Men’s H Women’s H Children’s H Sunglasses % 20 OFF LENSES * H Anti-Reflective H Transitions H Polarized Lenses Great Selection! Like and Share our Facebook post and you’ll be entered into a drawing for a Marchon Flexon, Chesterfield or Guess frame of your choice, up to $150 value. Drawing 7/31/20. AFFORDABLE FAMILY EYEWEAR If you are using insurance, please ask for details! Most insurances accepted: MODA, Ameritas, Regence and Many More! Se Habla Español • Same Day Service on Most Prescriptions • Dr. Anderson: Saturday Appointments Available 541-567-3790 • 298 E Gladys Ave, Hermiston, OR • www.affordablefamilyeyewear.com *Must purchase frames and lenses. Excludes special order lenses, glass and safety eyewear.